It’s been an amazingly busy summer, with all the knit and crochet activities all summer long, but it’s great for fall to finally be upon us.

But I didn’t want fall to go by without talking about the August Crochet Guild of America’s (CGOA) annual convention, Chain Link.  This year it was held in Buffalo NY and was a big success with filled classes, workshops – and lots of fun.  Before I left Vermont for the show, I received a message from Carol Fitzgerald from Houston TX, telling me that she would be wearing a different Simply Soft creation each day.  And she didn’t fail me…..

Here’s our friend and designer extraordinaire, Doris Chan, wearing her own design for Spa: the Avalon lace top.  And just in time for this, also our friend and amazing crochet tech editor, KJ Hay, created special crochet symbols for Doris’ now-famous design, which you can now find below the written pattern and schematics.

We want more (rather, YOU wanted more)!

So more it is!  You’ll want to check out all the new patterns on both www.naturallycaron.com and www.caron.com.  We’re really ramping up the number of free projects on our sites.  Every week there will be two free NaturallyCaron.com patterns and a free Caron.com pattern.  And if you haven’t signed up for the Caron Connections, here’s how you can.  You’ll be the first to know of the new patterns each week together with contests and yarn sales on www.shopcaron.com.

It’s Jacket & Coat Weather!

Here are the newest patterns on NaturallyCaron.com.  The knitted Saginaw hooded coat, designed by everybody’s favorite, Deb Newton, was the hit of the CYCA fashion show this year, so enjoy!

And check out the amazing versatility of Kim Rutledge’s crocheted ruffle-edged Kingston coat complete with dazzling belt (and check out how we’ve made it especially versatile

And now for something really different – not so much the craft (those of us in the know have seen this going on for a while now) – it’s the term. No, it’s not a way to blow-up your yarn stash so you can buy more – it’s a really good thing! But now that it’s hit the financial reporting world of Forbes magazine, for some reason, they chose “bombing.” Go figure. But do go to the main article, then click on the highlighted “yarn-bombing” and you’ll get to this: It’s one of Forbes’ Seven top “hobbies of the future.” Check out the colors at the bottom of the “Welcome to Manhattan” sign for a clue as to what yarn-bombing is.

Jan Kahn, Caron’s VP of Sales – and a ham radio operator – has decided to yarn-bomb his antenna. I think I’ll yarn bomb our “Yield” sign at the end of our street – could make people actually yield if only to look at the “bomb”…..

Avalon Goes On and On…
This from Doris Chan:
“WOWSERS, Avalon is still topping the most popular recently added crochet pattern list at Ravelry. I see it has garnered over 400 hearts (favorites), more than most of the other stuff on my design pages.” I love “wowsers” – I really need to use that more…..

And for the Francophones among us, the pattern for the Avalon top had been translated into French. Per Doris: “The translator is Ravelry fan Larisa Szoke, FYI, and she did it so her mother could crochet the top.”

Bringing Out the Renegades in Us All
And here are a few shots from the Renegade Craft Fair that took place the first weekend of June in Brooklyn NY. I had a really hard time pulling my 2-year old granddaughter, Hazel, from the display of crocheted jewelry. I definitely see yarn in her future…. After all, what choice does she have??

And Now for the Free Patterns

Talk about a versatile design, the Santa Barbara wrap designed by Marilyn Losee, can work around your shoulders or opened up over your lap – or as a baby blanket! The stitches are simple but the effect is dramatic, knitted in Country’s Naturally, it goes with everything.

And for crocheters, especially followers of Kristin Omdahl’s designs, the Deerfield vest is a knockout! Whether you want to wear it over jeans or over a long skirt, it works. But it’s the lacy shawl collar and edging that is a special favorite of mine. Crocheted in Spa Green Sheen for a wonderful summer look.

Since our June patterns both feature openwork stitching, I thought I’d focus on why crochet and crochet looks (achieved in knitting) are becoming so popular, especially with the younger crowd. It’s all about fashion – and comfort in the upcoming steamy weather.

I came upon this article in my Google alerts for crochet and it definitely gives us a whole different look into the art – from a young, sexy standpoint. There’s no better time for openwork crochet and knitting than the summer!
http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/whats-next-risque-crochet/7365

What’s Next: Risqué Crochet
By Natalie Alcala
April 28, 2009
As we’ve somehow transported bodysuits, lace, mesh, and body-con dresses straight from the 90s back into our closets, it seems racy pieces are making a huge comeback—especially now that summer is around the corner. However, this time we’re making it right by balancing provocative elements with masculine layers and edgy accessories. Think a tight-fitted mini-dress with a vintage jean jacket or a sexy monokini under easy slacks. Experiment with this proportion by incorporating another throwback into your wardrobe: crochet wear.

It’s not just a grandmother’s hobby anymore. Crocheted pieces can be worn anytime, anywhere; and unlike lace, the look is perfect for the beach. Layer it over a bikini or ruched tube top and cut-off jeans. The delicate peephole effect allows you to reveal some skin without going overboard, and the intricate patterns make every piece look a little bit different. Just remember to keep it subtle—one crocheted piece per outfit—or else you’ll end up looking like a runaway doily.

Examples: Maurie & Eve crochet back singlet, Sass & Bide In Other Words top, Ecote crochet inset tunic, Free People rugged trim vest, Rachel Comey net half ruffle top, Betsey Johnson Black Magic bikini.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/crochet-make-art-2391107-way-knitting

Cielo & Montreal
What a wonderful, cool and versatile the Cielo top is! Knitted in Spa Ocean Spray and designed by Susan Shildmyer, this versatile summer piece can be work to work over a blouse – or over a long cami worn with jeans. It’s incredibly lightweight and will roll up into a grapefruit-sized ball for super-easy packing. With one shake, it’s back to size! Cielo is knitted starting at the lower front edges, then the stitches for the back neck are cast on and the back knitted to the hem, kind of like a cropped ruana. But what makes this project so unique is the i-cord drawstring that is threaded up the front, around the back neck and down the other front. Gather it up and you have a shrug that looks like our photo.

Worn with a black dress for the evening, as in this photo, or worn over a swimsuit at the pool or beach, the Montreal jacket, crocheted in Country and designed by Tammy Hildebrand, is the epitome of versatility. Montreal is crocheted in one piece from sleeve to sleeve. It’s just one stitch with a border crocheted when the main jacket piece has been completed. I’d love one in Black, worn over khaki pants and top then accented with a large multi-colored summer scarf – and very long black beads.

I just ran across this blog the other day . Free People® is one of my favorite sites for design inspiration and what is featured on this blog is no exception. Never would I have imagined crocheted lace seating and lighting like this! I also love one comment that she would love to see what one of those color-changing bulbs would look like in the light – and in a dark room. Anyone for lava lamps??? Ah, that dorm room blue light…..

In Italy
While we all heard the news about the quake in Italy and hoped for a miracle, one miracle did take place:

98-year-old woman pulled from Italian quake rubble
She was trapped for 30 hours. -AFP
ROME, April 7, 2009 (AFP) – A 98-year-old woman was pulled out alive Tuesday from rubble in earthquake-hit L’Aquila after being trapped for 30 hours, Italian media reported. Maria D’Antuono told the ANSA news agency she whiled away the time by “doing crochet.”

Whether or not it was crochet that helped pull Maria through, we applaud her fortitude and stamina through such an ordeal.

In Rwanda
I also wanted to share a few pix of my last Rwanda trip, March 20-Apri 3. The Rwanda Knits project is moving ahead full tilt, with the knitting cooperatives, now numbering over 30, learning how to work together as a cooperative, learning business skills and loving product development and new stitches. They now are selling not only school sweaters, but moving into the areas of selling higher-end sweaters (Rwanda can be very cool at night) in the local markets. At the Sales and Marketing workshop, I showed Faina (on the right with the bags she designed), a member of the Hosiana cooperative, a photograph, gave her three skeins of Simply Soft, and the next day she brought in this shrug, worn by Hosiana member, Caritas.

Knitting (and crochet, as you can see on the edging of the shrug) is also bringing women together who would normally not do so: members of the Mpore Mama cooperative (you can see Rose, a MM member, leading a break-out session at the workshop) are offering their space to the Hosiana cooperative, who recently lost their knitting space. The reason this is so interesting is that all members of Mpore Mama are HIV+ and members of Hosiana are not. In Rwanda, as in many parts of Africa, being HIV+ brings with it a stigma, where affected women are shunned. But not when it comes to knitting and business.

Here is a photo of the graduates of the Sales & Marketing workshop, who are now ready to price their products, write contracts with schools to make sweaters, maintain their inventories of yarn and finished sweaters, maintain sales records and more.

Their primary challenge is getting yarn, but we’re working on that.

And here’s what Rwanda looks like from the beautiful town of Kibuye, where Rwanda Knits had it start. Yes, that’s an active volcano in the Virunga range, where our Dian Fossey cooperative are.

The website, www.rwandaknits.org, has been updated as has the blog: www.rwandaknits.blogspot.com.

Doris & Melissa Do It Again!
For May, what could be a better design for summer-wearing than Doris Chan’s Avalon top? In her signature way, Doris has incorporated an openwork flower motif around the yoke, accenting your greatest assets – I mean your face… What an amazing design for an evening out! Avalon is crocheted in Spa’s Naturally.

And for the knitters – and moms – and grandmoms – there’s the versatile Tumba jacket, designed by Melissa Matthay in Country Spruce. This is an especially great design for those of us in the north country who are still waking up to frost on the windshields, so kids definitely need sweaters, if not jackets. And this one will carry you through cool summer evenings and into the fall.

Call it “taking knitting to extremes,” I wanted to share with you how yarn and knitting not only keeps our hands busy, but our mouths – and sweet tooths – as well. Cupcakes. Yup, with marzipan knitted toppings. And here’s a “how-to” to do the yarn balls, courtesy of http://www.trendhunter.com. Pretty cool. And tasty…..

Now back to fashion…..
While I’m not sure how many of you get Style.com’s fashion alerts, for those of you who don’t, I thought I’d share with you the “new” hat look for, yes, fall (after all, we DO have to look beyond spring even though the snow here in Vermont is still pretty high). I can always rely on one of my favorite designers, Karl Lagerfeld, to include knitted and crocheted stand-out items in his collection for the house – and at least a third of the models wore hats similar to this one. And check out the wrap and top of the dress as well. You could make one of these hats in time for your local Easter Parade – just make it in a double strand of Spa and it will work for you all spring.

Lastly, I wanted to share with you this message I received from a German knit group (“handarbeit” means “needlework” and “frau” means “women,” but that’s about all the German I know). So if any of you are German, you might want to check out this website. BTW, I told Ruth it was fine to translate the pattern into German.
Dear Cari Clement,

I showed the link to “Sherbrook Elongated Summer Jacket” in my German crochet communitiy and the girls fell in love with the jacket. They are very keen on starting a crochet along.

So I want to ask you if I`m allowed to translate the pattern into German and to publish it in our crochet community?
That would be wonderful!

looking forward to your answer
Ruth
———
address of our craft community: http://www.handarbeitsfrauen.de

Now on to the free stuff!

Nothing says spring more than a bunny sweater, and so many are so cute – but so just for girls. The Louisville pullover, however, has “boy” written all over it! Designed by Kathy Perry and knitted in Country’s Spruce, Sunset, Deep Purple and Gilded Age, this pullover is much easier to knit than it looks. There’s just stripes. The blocks of color in Sunset along the bottom are done in duplicate stitch as is the bunny, who has a purchased pom trim tail and a few wisps of cotton crochet thread for whiskers. You say you’d like it for your niece? Just change around the colors a bit – there are plenty to choose from in the Country line – and you’ll have it.

At first glance, the Tuning Stone crocheted baby hoodie jacket looks like a vest. But designer Kim Guzman had a different idea. Why not create a tromp d’oeil effect by adding sleeves that look like there’s a whole sweater under the vest. With the post stitches of the vest so different from the single crochet stitches of the sleeves, it’s easy to think there are two garments here, especially the way Kim attached the sleeves: under the armhole bands. The vest section uses three colors of Spa: Green Sheen, Coral Lipstick and Soft Sunshine. The sleeves are done in Naturally.

So get busy! Spring’s here!

And, no, I don’t mean as in felting or as in when your DH put your favorite wool sweater in the dryer. I mean as in Coraline, the movie. In case you’ve somehow missed all the buzz about the knitwear that Coraline wears in the show, you can check our more info here. And be sure to watch the video on the page.

And for those of you lucky enough to be in the frozen north attending the Knit-Out at Mall of America, you’d see just how many people turn out for this event! I talked to local ladies and those who had traveled a distance to attend the event. Here are a couple of shots from the Mall of America. Recognize the Renaissance Tunic? You can get the pattern here. And that’s Lori Fuller, customer service and Bond whiz for Caron, who helped me out at the booth.

Free is Best

The San Antonio tunic, knitted in Country’s Vicuna and designed by Margret Wilson, is created using an slightly open “hour glass eyelet stitch,” an easy 8-row repeat pattern that mimics mini-cables but is just knit-purl combinations with just two rows having eyelets. The stitch is great for spring but isn’t open enough to be revealing. This is a great design for just about every shape (I’m one of those 80’s throwbacks who loves tunics). And the garter ribbed, “just-right” cowl is great for accenting your best asset: your face.

And just in time for spring, the Grove Isle bag, designed by “bag wizard” Mary Nolfi, is the perfect tote for the season. Crocheted in a double strand of Spa in Misty Taupe and Green Sheen, it uses post stitches to great effect and is perfectly lined. Lining a bag is not only such a perfect finish, but it allows you to insert all kinds of pockets customized to your needs. The shoulder straps are double braids and enclosed with loops at the sides of the bag, allowing the bag sides to gather slightly.

Another opening, another show – that is, the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) show in Anaheim, California. From setting up for 2 days through 4 days of meetings through backstage at the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA) fashion show through tearing down the booth, it was lots of work – but lots of satisfaction at the same time.

Hey, Doris – what do you think about Terri O (Oulette)’s fabulous coat? Terri was the host of the fashion show and chose, over all other submissions, to wear Doris Chan’s Amsterdam coat in Peacock Country to commentate the fashion show.

And if you’ve ever wanted to see how wonderful the colors of Country look, here they all are. And were the magazine editors ever happy! While I can’t show you the designs from the show (the editors get to do that first), be sure to check out your favorite knit and crochet magazines to see which wonderful designs the editors picked up.

February Features
Even though Pixatawney Pete saw his shadow this week, there’s no reason you can think of spring – and what better way than with this super-soft and subtly textured Mirabeau baby blanket, designed by Brenda Lewis and knitted in Spa. This easy slip-stitch pattern incorporates nearly every color of Spa and results in a very lofty-feeling fabric.

And the Sherbrook sleeveless jacket is just the design for anyone wanting to make a statement – or just wear a very versatile piece. Designed by Tammy Hildebrand in Peacock Country, this vest is crocheted side-to-side and has a fold-over lapel collar down the front. In Peacock, it’s a great wear-to-work piece – or make it in black for a dramatic evening look.

Every year we all gather early in the year to think about the holiday season that has just passed us way too quickly. Every year is different and every year memorable in some way. For me it was giving my 2-year old granddaughter, Hazel, a tricycle and watching her do her best to ride around a house strewn with ribbon and wrapping paper. I love how 2-year olds give the “layered look” a whole new meeting: Simply Soft hat, scarf and, peeking out under the dress, cabled top, the dress, made in Rwanda mostly covered by a flowered tutu made by my daughter, Hazel’s mom, a former dancer, and the re-purposed giraffe slippers, all over pajamas.

It was also realizing that the best gifts were not only that of having time just being together (actually, the best gift), but giving and receiving gifts that were important throughout the year: a gift of a membership to a zoo or museum (that has the double benefit of also giving-back), a hand-made gift that will be worn many times, a framed photo of a special moment, a hand-made scrapbook that’s updated annually. While kids will always get gifts for learning and growing, it’s those that last all year that I enjoy the most.

And it’s all about traditions. One of mine is to see as many of the NYC store windows and Christmas lights as possible within the endurance level of whoever I’m with – in this case, a 2-year-old – and this year was no exception. But this year I was able to combine that with a photo shoot and a pleasantly long drive with a great friend from college (don’t ask what year…). When Lynda and I stopped at a Starbucks in Albany NY, we met up with Vicki and Laurie Jo, who meet there regularly to, of course, knit. They graciously allowed me to take their picture to share with you. We also have to give kudos to Starbucks, however, for their holiday decorations this year…..

More Sharing …..
For January, we have two treats for you, the Mumbai jacket and the Bozeman baby jacket.

The Mumbai jacket is knitted using two strands of Spa: Ocean Spray and Berry Frappe, which, accented with a terra-cotta colored ceramic button, is perfect for now or into the spring. The jacket was designed by Ann E. Smith and has softly ribbed sleeves and collar with an easy knot stitch accent in the body.

The Bozeman baby jacket, designed by Marty Miller, is crocheted in Peacock Country with Foliage trim and pockets. It’s a simple single crochet and in colors that are perfect for a new baby boy. But you could change the colors to Rose Bisque with Ocean Spray trim and it would be as perfect for a baby girl – with perhaps a couple of flowers embroidered on the pockets.

I hope everyone had a super Thanksgiving, spending lots of time with family and friends. I was in Indiana where many of my family members have moved to. My family’s also a bit “mixed up,” the “new” American family, with lots of Korean, Chinese, Peruvian, Brazilian and African American members – along with those whose ancestry goes back to before the Revolutionary War. I love it all – Kim chi on Thanksgiving eve and Turkey on Thanksgiving…..

Here’s a niece of my sister-in-law’s, showing her cousin how to knit on huge needles. Hannah’s a student who is including knitting in her final art project as part of an installation (large art exhibit).

12 Days of Christmas
….and Chanukah, Kwanza, Winter Solstice, etc……. Whatever you celebrate, we have 12 free patterns just for you. Everything from accessories to baby items to toys to door ornaments as Caron’s holiday season gift to you. If you haven’t signed up for Caron Connections, you can do so at the Caron website – and go to the 12 Days of Christmas archive for your free copies of the patterns.

New in Spa and Country
The Sanibel Wrap, designed by Melissa Matthay and knitted in Spa Rose Bisque, is comprised of two eyelet pattern stitches, one for the body (which is cast on lengthwise) and one for the edging (which is knitted crosswise). The softness of Spa makes this wrap work well in summer – or in warmer climates – but also is a wonderful accent over any winter jacket or coat.

Designed by Doris Chan in multiple colors of Country, the Rockland Throw is crocheted in one of the most interesting motifs I’ve ever seen. Be sure to check out the close-up of the stitch where you can see how well six colors of Country work so well together.

Did you ever wonder where our projects go once they’ve been photographed and patterns written? Well, here in Montpelier, VT, we have a fabulous “previously owned” (aka gently used) clothing store, One More Time, right across the street from our office. A couple of times a year I bring over the garments for the shop owner to drool over and choose from. Once I even brought over the magazines in which the garments were featured. Leslie, the owner, put the magazines in the store window together with the sweaters and they sold out. When a project sells, Caron gets a credit at the store which I use to purchase garments for our photo shoots. It works great for both of us.

Some of our garments have quite a history and the paillette (large sequins with large holes) dress you see here was actually knitted on the Ultimate Sweater Machine for an infomercial we did with QVC. My daughter was modeling back then and wore the tube dress during that shoot. The dress was in the window for two days before it sold.

And for the throws, afghans and baby items, the Fletcher Allen hospital in Burlington welcomes these items with open arms, as they are given to kids with cancer, who are traumatized or who are just plain sick.

Next time I’ll let you know our design process and just how long it takes from the time a design has been submitted or conceived through its final use.

Fancy and Fun

To get you through those hours of play-by-plays after the dinner’s done while you’re trying to figure out what to do with all that leftover turkey, here are a couple, very different projects for you to start on.

Here’s the Fancy: The crocheted Savannah shawl, designed by Randy Cavaliere, is shaped using a step-effect and trimmed using an interesting picot stitch. Circular motifs form the center of the final openwork square. And the contrasting color trim makes this the Savannah shawl really stand out. Use your own color preference – there are 24 Country colors to choose from!

And here’s the Fun: The Turtle Bay baby hoodie vest, designed by Susan Robicheau, is knitted in a three-color slip stitch that results in a colorful tweed look. The bands and hood are done in stockinette stitch in Spa Green Sheen. The other two Spa colors are Rose Bisque and Soft Sunshine.