NATCROMO!!!!!!

I recently agreed to participate with several other indie artists in the Crochetville NATCROMO giveaway. What, you might ask, is NATCROMO? Well, it means National Crochet Month, which happens to ge going on all. month. long! These pictures show what Crochet Renee' has donated for the big prize basket. The first is a skein of handpainted sock yarn, the second, two skeins of handspun natural colored alpaca and the third is a luscious 4 oz crazy spinning batt containing alpaca, mohair, hand-dyed angora, recycled Sari silk thread (that's the hot pink you see) and just a touch of purple and green glitz for a bit of bling! When I got done mixing this batt, I was actually sad that I wasn't keeping it. But, alas, it could become yours! How do you enter to win? I am very happy you asked! Visit each of the artists' websites below and find the Treasure Chest for Crochetville, post the URL where you found the chest on the entry form, and when you have found them all, submit the form, and bam! You're entered. To find the form and all the rest of the particulars, visit Crochetville. Now, for more particulars...

National Crochet Month Treasure Hunt 2011

 

Win a Fabulous Crochet Gift Basket!

 

In honor of National Crochet Month 2011, Crochet Renee' is partnering with Crochetville and a number of indie designers, spinners, dyers, and hook and toolmakers for the Crochetville NatCroMo 2011 Treasure Hunt.

Each indie business has donated one or more special items for a super-special crochet gift basket that will be presented to one lucky winner by March 31.

The following contest logo has been hidden somewhere on each indie business's website:

Contest participants will have to find the logo on each indie business's website. Entry forms may be submitted from March 8 through 11:59 PM CST March 25, 2011. Participating businesses will hide the logo on their site by March 8, so please don’t begin searching until the evening of March 8.

Click here to visit the Crochetville site for complete contest details and an entry form!

 

 

 

 

List of Participating Businesses

 

Crochet Renee

 

Cute Crochet

 

Edgery Doo

 

Fibers By Tracie

 

Jelly Yarns

 

KRW Knitwear Designs

 

Poetry in Yarn

 

Positively Crochet

What are you waiting for? You can't win if you don't enter!

 

Yarn, beautiful yarn- How a pile of dirty animal hair becomes a creative delight.

 Yarn. So many of us use yarn. Some of us even make yarn. "Why?", you might ask, to which I would reply, "Why not?" I began spinning about 4 years ago, and have been making alot of my own yarn ever since.
 This is raw alpaca fiber. Raw means it has been sheared off of the animal and nothing else has been done to it.

Next the fiber is often washed before carding. In this instance, I have chosen to card and spin, and then wash. When I work with sheep's wool, I typically wash first and then card, because of the grease in sheep's wool. 

After the carding drum is full, I carefully remove the batt from the carder.

Sorry, I didn't take a pic of the spinning; it's hard to focus a camera while you are spinning! When the yarn has been spun and plied, I wind it into skeins from the bobbin on a "shoebox Kate" onto my antique skein winder. Once all of the fiber has been turned into yarn, all of the yarn gets 3-4 good soaks in warm water; first with soap, then in the last rinse, a "glug" of vinegar is added to acidify the pH, as animal fibers tend to be more to the acid side of things. Plus, it cuts any soap residue that might be left. Then all the lovely yarn is hung by the fireplace (outside in nice weather) to dry. 

And that is how a pile of dirty hair becomes a luxury yarn! Any questions?

Baby, it's cold outside!

 It was about 6 degrees (Farenheit) this morning. I think it warmed up to almost 20 at one point. I have been keeping busy, though. Crocheting a design that I plan to put up for sale on Ravelry....


Hunkering down with one of the pups....

 Mixing up some fresh rub for our roast beef tonight....

And feeding the woodstove! How are ya'll spending your indoor winter time? Stay warm!

Well, here I sit at the tail end of 2010. It's been an interesting year to say the least. I have had more patterns published than ever before, my husband ran for political office, we had another grandchild born, we have struggled with the economy like everyone else, there have been loved ones lost and many changes in our family. Recent events, like last night, have brought things into focus to remind me how fleeting life is. Our dear daughter in law and grandson survived a tornado last night. It was over with before we even knew anything happened. Thanks be to God and to Jessica for her quick thinking and reaction in getting the baby and herself into the bathtub in the nick of time. They have pretty much lost everything, but being the grounded young adults that they are, they realize what is really important is that they are still here. Things could have turned out very differently, in a bad way. I am so very grateful that they didn't.
So to all of my family, friends, acquaintances, and business colleagues, may we all keep in mind throughout 2011 what really matters. Give thanks to God for the many blessings in life, including each other. Stuff is just stuff, (yes, even yarn!) and can always be replaced if need be. Love your family; mend fences if you have to. Life is too short to do otherwise. God Bless you all and I can't wait to see what He has in store for 2011!

Crochet Renee'.....TV?

So, what seemed like a good idea is now seeming like a GREAT idea. The concept of doing a web-based TV show came to me like a bolt out of the blue. While I am not really fond of seeing myself recorded for all posterity to see, I do like the experiences I have had in talking with all of the interesting folks, and look forward to chatting with even more. In addition, there are (and will be more) instructional segments, product demos and other features. I have in mind to also do some instructions on specific projects as well. I am open to any and all suggestions; what would you like to see on Crochet Renee' TV?

If you haven't seen it yet, click here, and by all means, subscribe so that you will never miss an episode!

Crochet Renee' TV...awesome!

To watch my interview with Anne Bean, organizer of the Arkansas Fiberarts Extravaganza, click here. Then go to the Crochet Renee' Facebook page to enter a giveaway for fab fibery prizes! Then, subscribe to Crochet Renee' TV on YouTube to stay on top of all the great episodes coming and future prize giveaways that will be coming up!

One repeat done...Spider Stitch Shawl!

So I have a good start on my Spider Stitch Shawl for the CAL. I am using Naturally Caron's Country in the colorway Spice House. It says Fall to me. This is a lovely, affordable blend with 25% Merino wool and 75% Microdenier (which is a big word that means extra fine) Acrylic, making it machine wash and dry. I am thinking the wool will add to the warmth, and the easy care fibers will make this something I will wear often. How is yours coming along? Remember, we have a Ravelry group, where everyone can show off their work!
Happy Hooking,
Renee'