Design Backstories this Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday

Hello my fiber lovin' friends - it is once again that Friday fiber arts time of the week. I thought I'd provide some background to the three recently published designs I blogged about on the 1st. All of them can be found at iLikeCrochet.com (although only one has thus far made it to the Ravelry database):

1. Boxed Sorbet Blanket: Designed in connection with an article I wrote for the same e-zine/edition about the difference between three different crochet stitch clusters, this blanket's inspiration is one of my own paintings: Tunisia Tryptich: Pink Blocks (scroll down once at the link to check it out). Made in Berroco Weekend (of which I posted a photograph here), I thoroughly enjoyed this blanket's design process. Not only did I see so much more in the painting while staring at it for several weeks (!), but the Berroco yarn is wonderful to work with, and the colorways are just so yummy. I really did think about gelato a lot while making this project (when I wasn't drinking copious amounts of coffee). 


2. Colorblock Plum Scarf - ILikeCrochet.com did a wonderful job photographing this lovely summer scarf made in Fibra Natura's 100% flax yarn (again, blogged about here). I think they even used one of their editors as the model! This is a very easy project - one that is perfect for traveling. It's light weight and fairly mindless, yet the end result is fantastic. I would highly recommend flax or linen or a very rustic, nubby cotton/silk for this scarf. The key to this project's success is definitely in the yarn texture, so do keep that in mind. 

3. Tunisian Lace Curtains: Last, but definitely not least, my wonderfully lacy tunisian crochet curtain panels. Don't let these panels fool you: a generously-sized hook + lace weight hemp yarn = a light, airy outcome. The stitch pattern is easily memorized and there's not a difficult stitch in the bunch. The absolute keys to project success here lie in blocking aggressively to bring out the beauty of the lace as well as the fiber, and choosing a tonally related yet different colorway for the rod pockets. 

I must give a shout-out to Tara Swiger. I met her during a local crafty event in December, 2010. That's where I first saw her excellent yarn and knew I wanted to make things with it. While we've both come a long way since 2010, and the main focus of Tara's business has veered in a slightly different direction, she's still providing wholesale this great hemp laceweight (and you can find out where to purchase it here). I so enjoyed working with it. 

Now I hope you will head on over to Andrea's place at Wisdom Begins in Wonder and see what fiber stuff everyone is spinning/weaving/hooking/sticking this week. We are in the middle of the Tour de France, so it's a safe bet there will be lovely Tour de Fleece spinning to ooh and aah over. As for moi, I'm finishing up a project using this:

Stay cool and calm everyone, and carry on with the fibering.

A Little Bit 'O Blonde This Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday

I received a really great package in the mail this week. It contained this lovely laceweight hemp yarn.

I'm a big Blonde Chicken Boutique fan; I met Tara Swiger (yes, she's the Blonde Chicken!) during last December's Urban Craft Uprising event; I purchased some of her fiber - and of course, blogged about it at the time.

I'm happy to report that Tara is sending me yarn for a specific purpose - I'll be creating one of my designs, using her wonderful hemp laceweight, for the Fresh Designs Crochet Home book that is slated to be published sometime in the second half of next year. Yeah Cooperative Press for having the good sense to accurately interpret the crafty tea leaves: more households crochet than knit. Yes, folks, it's true according to the most recent Craft and Hobby Industry research.

It's fun to get yarn in the mail - especially when given to design with!

If you should ever have the opportunity to purchase Blonde Chicken Boutique yarn, I would urge you to go for it. Tara strives to be a responsible environmental steward while creating her wonderfully colored yarns, and she's probably got a story or two from the local fiber-producing farmers in her area.

Ok, everyone: you know the drill! Check back with Andrea's blog, and make certain you leave your bloggy footprint with everyone else this Fiber Arts Friday.