Exciting News

Good Morning Everyone,

It has been an exciting few days. On Monday it was announced that I won the Flamie award for the best Free Form designer. It was announced on Mary Beth Temple's show "Getting Loopy" More about this in a day or so.

In addition to the award, I can now tell everyone about my newest project. Annie's Attic has decided to re-print my Free Form Book. We are using a few of the projects in the book, updated with new yarns, but also adding some new designs. I am very excited about this, because I felt sad when the book went out of print.

More information coming soon.

Have a great day!

Margaret

More HH_CC photos

Good Morning Everyone,

Trying to organize my workspace this morning because I hope to get three sets of instructions done.

While making a file of the photos that were taken on Sunday, I found two that I had left out, so I would like to add them now.

One is a better photo of Irene's first knitting project, the lovely cowl, you can really see the stitches and Rosalie showing us the shawl that she is working on.

Have a great day everyone.

Margaret

HAPPILY HOOKED ON CROCHET CHAPTER APRIL MEETING

Good Morning Everyone,

On Sunday, I hosted my guild chapter, and what a fun filled day it was. My house was filled with friends, good cheer, lots of laughing and learning going on. I was teaching them how to do a stitch called Tunisian and Shells. This stitch is one of the many stitches featured in my new book THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO CROCHET. Some found it a little challenging, but by days end, most of them "got it".

Of course we always have time for good food and show and tell. Hinda, loved making the crochet hook holder from my book KNIT OR CROCHET - HAVE IT YOUR WAY, so much, that she made a second one. Ruth decorated a sweatshirt with crochet motifs and Irene showed us her very first knitting project, a lovely lace weight cowl. Intensive project for a beginner, great job Irene.

I love this group of lively, energetic happy crocheters, every meeting is an adventure.

The beautiful Spring weather also helped to make this a really special day.

Have a great day,

Margaret

DOUBLE SIDED CROCHET

Happy Sunday Everyone,

I hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays and the lovely weather we have been having. A little cool this morning, but bright and sunny. Spring is popping up all over, just beautiful.



















Several years ago I discovered a series of stitches called padded stitches, or double sided crochet, or reversible crochet. No matter what you call it, it is fun to do and the results are spectacular. I feature some of these stitches in my new book THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO CROCHET, and give instructions for making a baby blanket using my favorite stitch of the group. The reason that I like this stitch best, is because you do not have to keep cutting yarn at the end of rows, it works back and forth, carrying the colors. It is also one of those stitches that, reading how to do it can be a challenge, but once shown, it becomes much easier. I will be teaching a class on this method at The Lion Brand Studio in New York City on May 2nd, from 2 to 5 pm lionbrandyarn.com so mark your calendars, hope to see you there. One of the photos is of the Lion Brand Studio when I taught my Free Form Knitting and Crochet Workshop. Beautiful Studio, friendly staff, you will love it:

This afternoon, I will be hosting our regular monthly meeting of the Happily Hooked on Crochet chapter of CGOA, always a fun time for me. You will be seeing photos soon.

Have a great day!

Margaret

I have received a RAK (random act of kindness)

Hi Everyone,

I was not intending to post today, as I am so very busy. Finally having sent off a finished design, instructions done etc, and I was going to concentrate on my Easter Holiday, with my whole family.

Any way, I just came back from running errands and found a nice surprise in my mail box. I just had to stop everything and write about this. Several years ago I became aware of a movement, I think on ravelry.com or crochetville.com, called RAK. The premise is to randomly, as the spirit moves you, to do a nice thing for someone else, a random act of kindness, paying it forward, so to speak. No better way to feel great.

I loved the idea so much that whenever I think about it, I try to do just that. Well this week, being such a special time of year, I have really been trying to "beef" up my RAK's and lo and behold, many nice things have been happening back to me. The latest being the gift of this lovely bag. One of my readers, Paula, needed a little help with a pattern that she was making from my Knits for Men book. Paula finished the sweater, and sent me a photo, and it was terrific. I blogged about Paula's sweater. Then I found out that Paula is the owner of Knitsaway.com, makers of beautiful knitting totes and other accessories. Also at www.knitsaway.etsy.com Today, I found one of these fabulous totes in my mail box. I cannot believe it. It is called the Commuter Tote Bag, and it is amazing. Pockets galore, for needles, hooks, pens and pad, very roomy for carrying lots of yarn etc, even a pocket for your cell phone. My picture does not do it justice, but visit Paula's site to see for yourself. Thank you so much Paula, you brightened my day.

Happy Holidays to all.

Margaret