Friday, November 30, 2007

PLUS SIZE CROCHET/Entrelac crochet

Good Morning Everyone,

I heard from my editor yesterday, that PLUS SIZE CROCHET is already going into a second printing.  Since this book was just released on Nov 1st, I think that is so great - thank you all.



On another note, all of a sudden there has been quite a few orders for my Entrelac Crochet baby afghan and cardigan.  When this happens, it is usually because someone mentions them in their blog, as was the case when Dee http://crochetwithdee.com
mentioned them.  If that is the case, thank you whoever you are.  I love it. 

I often forget to mention them myself, and also mention that there is a men's pullover in the group too.  They can be ordered from http://margarethubertoriginals.com






This sweater has knitted sleeves.
I thought that the Tunisian Stitch, in this
weight yarn, was a little too heavy for
sleeves.


Have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Margaret

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Crocheted Teddy Bears

Hi Everyone,

I hope that Thanksgiving was great for
everyone who celebrates the day.
 I had a wonderful time with my whole family.

Several years ago, I made my granddaughter,
 who is now 6 and quite a young lady,
two crocheted Teddy Bears.  One was a
conventional Teddy and one is Free Form.
 When I visited her she reminded me of the
Teddies and I took a picture of them to add
to my photos.  I thought that maybe you might
like to see them and perhaps try playing yourself.
 Every once in awhile, I like to take a trip of fancy
and play with crochet and knitting, rather than
to always be working on fashion, meeting deadlines,
writing instructions etc. 


I  used Lion Brand Homespun
for this Teddy, and leather patches for
his feet and ears and nose. The stitch
that I used is a crocheted mock popcorn.


For this bear I used the homespun a lot, but added
lots of other textures and yarns such as angora and
fun fur.   I used bullion stitch, shrimp stitch
popcorn stitches along with single and double crochet.
 Both bears are all crocheted, stuffed with polyfill.  They are
quite large and measure about 13 inches high and at least
twice that around the tummy.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone,

Margaret






Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Lacis Museum in Berkely CA




Good Morning all,

On my recent trip to California, I visited the Lacis Museum
of Lace and Textiles in Berkely, http://lacis.com

If you have never visited, be sure to visit them on line.  It is
a fabulous collection of Irish Crochet, Needle lace and all
things wonderful.


While we were there, Jules Kliot and his staff were putting
the final touches on the current exhibit of needle lace.

It is so mind boggling.  The stitches are so tiny, many thousands
per inch.  You have to look through a microscope to see them.

Below are several examples from the current needle
lace exhibit, and some other things that are a pure joy
to see.  Unbelievable!




Views of the shop


Too much to see
Everywhere you look, tucked in every nook and cranny, there
are wonderful exhibits of needlework.  This is only the shop
part, the actual museum is housed in another huge building,
crammed with most precious antique pieces of hand made
wonders.



The greeters to the new exhibit



Just a few of the pieces and their history



This is one of the most fabulous pieces to be seen!






Have a Great Thanksgiving Everyone!

Margaret

Sunday, November 18, 2007

PLUS SIZE CROCHET

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been a really busy time for me, so posts to my blog have been few and far between.  I had a deadline to get some projects ready for my new book, and at the same time, I received the manuscript from the one recently finished for proofreading.  Late Saturday afternoon, I finished it all.

In between all the book activity, I did 4 workshops in NH and NY.

I received an e-mail from a reader about PLUS SIZE CROCHET.  She was disappointed that I used such heavy yarn for projects for large sizes.  This gave me a moments pause, so I had to get out the book and check.   I did try to choose yarns that would not be too heavy.  On the other hand, I did not want to do a whole thread book, because lots of people do not like to work in such fine yarns.  I tried to strike a happy medium, including some very fine, medium and a little heavier weights of yarn.  When I actually counted up the yarns that I used, there are far more light weight and medium weight than heavy weight.  I also tried for a wide price range in the yarns used. 

The yarns that I used are;

Paton's Grace, a light weight cotton
Tahki Select Metallic - light weight
Plymouth baby Alpaca - light weight Alpaca
Silk Purse by Alchemy - light weight Silk
Extra Fine Mondial light weight wool
Senso DMC - Light weight cotton
Lily Chin light weight wool
Astra by Patons - lightweight


Blue Heron Ribbon -  medium weight
Blue Heron Beaded Rayon - medium weight
Cancun by Tahki/Stacy charles - med weight
Plymouth Medium weight bamboo
Cotton Classic by Tahki - med weight
Wagtail med weight mohair

There are 3  coats or jackets, made in heavier weight yarns -

Plymouth Mohair
Lion Brand 5 yarn jacket
Aussie Yarn Jacket

I have to add that this was the only negative (so far) letter that I have received.  Most have been really positive :-).



Have a great day everyone.

Margaret

Thursday, November 1, 2007

SHEEP AND WOOL FESTIVAL AT RHINEBECK, NY/Workshop at the Elegant Ewe in NH

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been awhile since I posted because I have been so incredibly busy.  In the past few weeks, since returning from CA, I did book signings at the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY, and a workshop at the Elegant Ewe in NH, in
addition to my weekly crochet classes.

It was so busy at the S & W, that I did not have time to visit many of the incredible booths at all, but I had fun meeting so many people.  One of the most happy meetings was a young pre-teen named Erin.  Erin is a very enthusiastic crocheter and she purchased two of my books.  I encouraged Erin to write to me and let me know how she progresses.

I received a lovely e-mail and photo from Erin, and with her
Mom's permission, I'm sharing it with you.

Dear Mrs. Hubert,
I just wanted to send you a photograph of the first crocheted purse I made
with the directions from your book, Hooked Bags. Your directions were so
clear that the bag was easy to crochet. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I
am so glad that I purchased the books!
Take care.
Sincerely,
Erin

Every once in awhile I cannot figure out how to turn
the picture around, but I am sure that you can see
how lovely Erin's bag is.  Thanks for writing Erin, I cannot
wait to see what else you do.



Me at one of the author's tables at the S & W

Last weekend I did a Free Form Knitting and Crochet
Workshop at the Elegant Ewe in Concord, NH.  It is a
really beautiful shop and Marcie, the owner,
 is terrific.  If you are in the area, visit them
or visit on line -  http://elegantewe.com
 We had such a great time and I cannot
 believe how many students
almost finished their gorgeous bags.


The lovely shop is jam packed with goodies.



Marsha, Lisa, Janet and Judy

Marcie and I got in the act.
Aren't their bags beautiful?

Have a great day everyone!

Margaret