Fiber on Saturday?

You know it, my fibery friends. It is December 1st, and November's NaKniSweMo challenge (knit or crochet a sweater in a month) is over. And yes, I was victorious; I present my Rouge Que Sera Sera:




This is my inter-pretation of Doris Chan's Sera Lace Top. I absolutely love how this turned out. Top down construction and almost no finishing, other than weaving in ends. Again, blocking really opened the lace and accentuated the picot edging.

I purchased the yarn for this top (Drops Lace + Elann Silken Kydd held together) back in September, and then found these shoes:

Oh yesssssss.

 I also want to thank each of the wonderful blogs that have hosted my Accessories: Autumne 2012 bloggy tour: Knitspiring Odyssey, Underground Crafter, Bits and Pieces, Life on the Double Point, Wisdon Begins in Wonder and Knitted Bliss. It was a pleasure awarding these prizes as well as reading all of the wonderfully warm comments not only about my first collection, but also about crochet in general. I cannot tell you how much it thrills me that my designs may get some to view crochet in a new, modern and beautiful light. I am also humbled by each of these respective blog mistresses' kind comments about the collection. I hope I can continue to inspire.

You can view and/or purchase the collection
patterns here

There's a join-along (JAL) still in progress on Ravelry for the collection through the end of next week. Feel free to hop on in, pick up a pattern or two, and share your version of these accessories. They also make great gifts. Yes, yes they do.

Vote for Great Color and Design

Happy election day to everyone here in the U.S.! I cast my vote yesterday (love mail-in balloting); I also cast another vote several weeks ago when I pre-ordered the new Crochet Noro book. When I received it at the end of last week, I could hardly wait to sit and pour over it. I was not disappointed.

Where to begin? Well, let's start with the designs. There's a little something here for everyone - sweaters, accessories, interior design pieces, and jewelry. Each pattern is marked with a skill level: one box is easiest, four boxes for the seasoned crocheters out there. Personally, I find several of the designs deceptively simple, and for good reason - the yarn is the star here, so no need for intricate stitches (more on this below). There's also a lot of motif-based designs - a full quarter of the designs in the book are accomplished with motifs. I love a great motif, so I'm all for this. More involved patterns (including all of the motif-based designs) include charts as well as written instructions.

The collection also brings together most of the big names in crochet design - Robyn Chachula, Doris Chan, Lily Chin, Yoko Hatta, Linda Permann and Mary Beth Temple just to name a few. Of some note: a full 8 designs (just slightly more than a quarter of the collection) belong to Yoko Hatta. Incredible. Three of my absolute favorites include two from Hatta - the Boxy Cardigan and the Puff Stitch Cowl. I'm also partial to Lily Chin's Chevron Hat. Her great use of yarn and stitch makes the cap look like a piece of jewelry. I've also fallen hard for the Buttons & Flowers Shawl - what a great design concept for a shawl. Buttons at the center of each motif make customizing fit a breeze as well as ensuring it stays around the shoulders. Just genius. I even have loads of similar mother-of-pearl buttons. Hmmmmm.

 

But let's not stray too far from what we're all head-over-heels in love with: that great Noro color! This lushly styled and photographed collection is a feast for the eyes. With each flip of the page, you will have an intake of breath at the color explosion. The pieces run the gamut of color - from deep, earthy fall to bubble-gum-inspired to jewel-toned. No matter your color palette preference, there's something here for everyone. I really appreciate the wonderful layering of color in each photo. It really speaks to me as a painter (as well as a home cook). Layering is the name of the game, and the wonderful Noro colors are showcased to perfection.

I've had four skeins of Kureyon in the discontinued number 221 colorway (greens, purples and peach) just waiting for the right project. You know I broke out hook and Kureyon and in two days flat whipped up the Puff Stitch Cowl. Hatta's pattern calls for 6 skeins; I augmented my four with an unknown (but perfectly coordinated) aran weight yarn from Vivian over at Bits 'n Pieces and wound up with a lush cowl just 7" shorter than the original:

My version of the Puff Stitch Cowl, made
with 4 skeins Noro Kureyon (colorway 221) and
augmented with an aran-weight wool

 

This cowl is a simple 4-row repeating pattern, constructed flat and then seamed at the end. I wet-soaked in a small amount of hair conditioner and blocked prior to seaming and the yarns bloomed and softened nicely. I cannot tell you how much I love the color in this cowl.



The back of my Puff Stitch Cowl

If you haven't gotten the message yet - I love, love, love Noro yarns, and I am thrilled with this new Crochet Noro book. Run, don't walk, to your local bookstore and pick it up. I think it might sell out quickly. Sixth & Spring is on a crochet roll this year (with the special crochet edition of Vogue Knitting earlier in the year) and I couldn't be happier.

Er, well, I might be if they would invite me to submit a design or two ... but that's another story for another day.

VK Crochet: 4th Installment

So, although we've just celebrated the traditional final weekend of summer here in North America, I thought it appropriate to celebrate one, last summer fling with a look at the most popular design (in terms of projects) from the special crochet edition of Vogue Knitting:

Design:  #18 Lacy Top

It is no surprise that this Doris Chan top, complete with signature exploding lace and top-down construction, has the most projects started from the magazine in the Ravelry database - 47, 23 of which are completed. The three I chose to highlight cover a range of sizes and wearing options.



The interpretations:

Photo used with Amy's kind permission.

Amy (Amerz on Ravelry) loves purple and blue - you don't say? Wearing this top over a dress is a popular approach to this design. Amy is a Doris Chan devotee (she co-moderates the Doris Chan Ravelry group), so it's no surprise to me that she has a finished project from this design, or that it fits really well. Of some note: technically, the neck edging isn't quite finished in this photo, but the average viewer won't spot that. 

Thanks so much for the use of your photo, Kristen.

Kristen (KristenJ on Ravelry) has one of the most elegant interpretations of this design (which is in line with her overall craft approach and personal design aesthetic). Kristen is one of many polycraftuals hanging out on Ravelry - she states she's been knitting and crocheting for over 30 years. I love her color choices in this outfit, as well as the simple yet effective pearl-like accessory. Amy does note to be mindful of the potentially not-so-strategically placed negative space in the front of this top. Noted, Kristen!

And a sincere thanks to Cyndi for allowing me use of her photo.

And the final interpretation, from Cyndi (cyndim on Ravelry) is probably my favorite. Great yarn choice (Cascade Ultra Pima - I love cotton, what can I say?), great color, and a perfect, casual summery approach. Can you believe this only took three skeins? Or that Cyndi has four, count 'em 4, grandchildren? You just keep rockin' that lace top, Cyndi.

I hope you are as impressed as I am with all of the finished projects thus far from the VK Crochet special edition. These designs are yielding great fashion bang from real-life, everyday women.

Now don't forget to check in with the blog of our very own super, real-life, everyday woman - Andrea, the WonderWhyGal.

Oh ... and have a great weekend!

We Interrupt This Blog ...

... to bring you an unofficial message from the Fall 2012 edition of Interweave Crochet - Doris Chan's latest design, the Rockin' Red Dress, which is a take on Lt. Uhura's infamous Star Trek dress:

For those of you who are regular readers of this blog, you'll note here an Artfully Voie de Vie questionnaire response from one Doris Chan about her last design: a Star Fleet uniform done in Louisa Harding mulberry silk.

Well, this isn't Louisa Harding mulberry silk, but it's definitely the Star Fleet uniform. I'm wondering which came first: the questionnaire response or the design that's made its way into this fall's Interweave Crochet (the digitial version of which is here, on newstands the beginning of September)? Given the long lead time in publishing, I expect the dress design came before the answer. That oh-so-clever Doris Chan.

No matter, really. Just please tell me this isn't the last Doris Chan design?!!!!!

My Crochet Hero

Inspiration comes when and where we least expect it. At least that's been my experience. The person I am about to introduce to you I first met in that now-infamous tunisian crochet course at Stitches West in 2009 (that alone would be reason enough for her to be my hero - who'd of thunk we would be in the same crochet course?). The course was quite enjoyable; at one point we were all talking about men we found attractive (ok, I apologize to any male readers - it was an all-female class). When I mentioned I thought Michael Bublé was quite hot (jazz singing and good looks all in one package), the instructor had no clue who he was. My crochet hero stepped right in and came to my rescue, agreeing with me and allowing me to beat embarrassment on a public, class-wide scale.

Needless to say, she's been a favorite of mine ever since. It helps that she's got several popular crochet books under her belt, and is one heck of a writer to boot. So, without further ado, I present to you another installment of The Artfully Voie de Vie Questionnaire, as answered by my crochet hero - Doris J. Chan.

The Artfully Voie de Vie Questionnaire

With Crochet Designer Doris J. Chan

Can you tell us a little bit about your background before you started to design crochet garments and accessories?

My life BC (before crochet) was less focused than today; that much I can say.  Having dabbled for many years in other fields - music, radio announcing, commercial copy writing, and following the emptying of my nest after nurturing two sons - I listened to my inner calling and turned my hobby into a career.


When was the moment you knew you wanted to become a crochet designer?

It took a while to sink in.  Even during the production of my first design book, Amazing Crochet Lace, I resisted calling myself a professional crochet designer until it seemed pointless and disingenuous to keep denying it.  There was no ah-ha moment at all, but more of a slow burn.

Please describe your personal crochet design philosophy?

Please see Crochet Rules; that sort of sums it up.

What is your greatest crochet (or design) memory?

Doris, modeling her latest design,
the Spirals Top.

My greatest (fondest) memory connected to crochet is that CGOA summer conference in Oakland, California, 2005, particularly those evenings hanging out at the Atrium bar and swapping crochet clothes with the Musketeers. The friendships and connections I made during those earliest events have enriched my life immeasurably.

On the other end of the teeter-totter, the absolute worst crochet memory is a 36-hour marathon a few months earlier in spring of 2005; through horrible miscalculation I was obliged to pull an all-nighter in order to finish a project, which I then threw in the car and hand delivered to a photo shoot in New York.

If you could have dinner with any three designers, dead or alive, who would they be, and why?

Elizabeth Hiddleson, one of the most innovative and prolific thread crochet designers of the 20th century; her personal story is lost to time and who can say if she’d be enjoyable company, but I’d love to find out about her life and career; Vashti Braha, because we never have enough time together and because there would be wine and crazy fun; and Jean Leinhauser, not primarily a designer but a publisher; because I never got to say goodbye.

My version of Doris's Lacy Top Cardigan, a
design published by Tahki Stacy Charles in 2007.

Pencil or knife grip?

Knife

It’s your last object to design (or make). What is it, and what fiber do you use?

Star Fleet uniform dress (from the 2009 film reboot of the Star Trek universe), in red Louisa Harding Mulberry silk.

What trait do you most admire in designers?

Gracious generosity of spirit

What trait do you most detest in designers?

Hubris

You are recommending a design gift in response to a friend’s inquiry. Other than your own designs (which, as everyone knows, are quite beautiful!), what would you recommend?

The Undaria Ruffle Scarf, designed by Vashti Braha.  As the reigning champion of slip stitch techniques, Vashti’s work is lovely, shapely and fascinating. Here’s what she says about it:

This 100% slip stitch crochet ruffled scarf pattern features short rowing. Crochet ruffle scarf edging as you go: Undaria is self-edging, thanks to a 2^nd type of slip stitch that helps to create a pearly scallop. Fine yarn gives it a delicate fluttery weight. Using a large hook size means you make progress faster than you might expect. These slip stitches have uncommon drape and translucency.

If I had time to crochet gifts using another designer’s pattern I might do this one myself! 

My sincere thank you to Doris for being so gracious - and I think Louisa Harding would be pleased with this inspired use of her Mulberry Silk.

What Color Spring?

As I mentioned last week, I've been in the middle of a big spring clean/rearrange. Part of that process included organizing my craft area, magazines and books. Which led me to look at exactly which knit and crochet magazines I owned (even though I do have most of them catalogued in my Rav library). Which also led me to the realization that I buy far more craft books in the cold months than I do in the warmer months. Go figure.

I then thought it might be interesting to see how magazine covers have changed (or not, depending on perspective), so I pulled out all of my "spring" crochet magazines. I decided on crochet simply to narrow the field, but I'll probably do the same with my knit magazines (and I've already done it with my cooking magazines - I can absolutely tell you which colors scream spring in the cooking world - but I digress).

There are five covers ranging from 2006 to the present. I was amazed at how much blue appeared! Blue would not have been the first color I'd have blurted out if you had asked me prior to seeing the covers. And of course, lace makes the cover. (FYI - can you identify which is the Doris Chan design?)

These are also all American publications. There are crochet and knit magazines published in several European countries, so they might have a different take on spring.

What are your thoughts on spring colors? Do these covers scream spring?



Now head on over to Andrea's blog and check out how everyone else is defining spring on this Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday.

Pssssst - don't forget - next week is blog-a-palooza!

When Top-Down is Just Fine

I am not a big fan of most top-down processes and designs. Top-down (trickle down) economics? Nah. Top-down management? Nope - not really. I'm generally more inclusive.


Of course there are excep-tions to most rules - and top-down sweater construction is definitely the exception in this instance. I've just completed my first top-down constructed cardigan, this Doris Chan design, and I love how it turned out. I love the yarn (Plymouth Grass) and the fit (mine is more top-of-the pocket length) is great ... because of all that top-down stuff. I can't wait to wear it this spring and summer.

Being particular can occasionally be well-placed. Occasionally.

Now make certain you check in with Andrea's blog to see what everyone else has under construction this Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday.

A Fan's Approach to Design

I am so thrilled about designs of mine that have been accepted for publication (and I'm starting to get a critical mass of them accepted!). However, I hope that I can still keep crafting projects from some of my favorite designers. Let me explain.


I've spent some time around wine and winemakers. If you've ever spent any time with a winemaker, you'll know that he/she spends a lot of time tasting and testing the wine being made. It's an ongoing process, more an art really. If the winemaker didn't taste regularly, that magical moment when it's time to bottle the wine may elude him or her. Disaster.


However, any good winemaker worth his/her grapes will also tell you that to drink one's own wine exclusively is to stop exercising an important muscle. If all the winemaker drank were his/her own wine, the tastebuds would become dulled to the other exquisite range of flavors and complexities to be found in other wine bottles. He or she must taste other vintner's wares regularly. In essence, the good winemaker must become a wine fan.


So, too, with design. I'm certainly fond of my own designs (!), but I don't want to stop appreciating and, hopefully, making other of my favorite designers' patterns. What would the world be without a great Doris Chan top-down crocheted cardigan, or Norah Gaughan's wonderfully unique knit cable creations, or a Susanna IC crescent-shaped shawl? A far less fashionably tasteful place, let me tell you.

So who are your favorite designers? If you had one last project to make before meeting that great Dodger in the sky, what would it be?

Still in Process This Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday

Happy Friday, everyone! While I have no finished projects (still), I do have some progress to report. Note to self: pick smaller projects.

So, remember this crochet cardi's humble beginning?







Now, it's starting to show signs of cardi life:

I am particularly pleased with the yarn - both fiber and color. It's Plymouth Yarn's Grass, a cotton/hemp blend. I'm loving the drape, as well as the goes-great-with-jeans colorway (#9089). I'm a little farther along now than when this picture was taken, so I'm almost ready to complete the edging in the front and start on the sleeves (it's a long-sleeved cardi). The original Doris J. Chan-designed pattern called for ties, but I think I'm going to instead hit my button stash. Additionally, the top-down construction is allowing me to try it on as I go. I love that!

And remember my crocheted version of the Citron shawl:

Well, it's growing steadily, and now looks something like this:

I'm actually a little farther along. It's due to be completed by the end of June, since it's a test for the designer. It still looks like a lettuce leaf; the magic is definitely going to happen when I block this little green beauty. I hadn't realized the original, knit version was made for the 2007 holiday season. Things to keep in mind.

Finally, I received this lovely fingering weight yarn in a swap package:

This colorway is just awesome. There are some superb yarn handpainters out there - I think this is a prime example.

I hope each of you have a fun Summer Solstice weekend, and check back with Andrea's blog to see everyone's fibery acts of derring do!