Vickie Howell for Caron

Exciting Stuff!!

And check out sweater on Jesse (Speedy) Peterson!  Multi-colors of blue and white loop-stitch body and multi-strand knitted sleeves.  I wonder if that helps keep him aloft longer during his freestyle competitions??

Then there’s figure skater Rachel Flatt in, what looks like, a crocheted outfit with flying strands of yarn.  I love it!

Fancy Girls’ Pom Scarf

While I’m not sure the “fancy girl” descriptive is common among moms whose young daughters have become mini-fashionistas (or, perhaps better described as glitzy girls), but my granddaughter is certainly one!  And her mom was such a jeans-and-t-shirts kid.  Go figure.  My daughter Naima made her daughter Hazel a beautiful all-wool scarf with pricey yarn she bought at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival this fall, but when I asked Naima why she was wearing it and not Hazel, she replied that Hazel said it was “too scratchy” and subsequently tossed it off.  Guess gratitude lessons just don’t sink in with 3-year olds.  Plus the scarf wasn’t purple – or pink – Hazel’s other fashion restrictions.  So what are grandmothers for??  For making a super-soft, pom-fancy, purple-and-pink scarf in Simply Soft.  The scarf was one of too-many of Hazel’s Christmas presents, so I photographed it on Ted first before wrapping it up.

Not only did Hazel get a colorful and fun scarf, but I also got a chance to tape a short technique video on how to enclose the pom fringe when making the scarf.  A great opportunity to test out our new digital video camera and to learn how to do basic video editing.  Who said you can’t teach old dogs…….well, you know how that one goes…..

So here’s the pattern – and here’s the video! (I’m open to coaching from any budding Spielbergs out there!)

Enjoy!

Here’s the pattern:

“FANCY GIRL’S” POM SCARF

designed by Cari Clement

SIZE: One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Scarf measures approx 4” x 36”/10 x 91.5cm

YARN

Caron International’s Simply Soft Brites (100% Acrylic): 3 oz

Shown in: #9610 Grape

CROCHET HOOK

Size I-9 (5.5mm) crochet hook or size to achieve gauge

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

½ yard washable mini-pom fringe trim in hot pink or desired color

Small amount fabric glue and/or sewing needle, thread in matching color of yarn or fringe

Yarn needle

GAUGE: 14 hdc = 4”/10cm.  Gauge is not important for this project.

Stitches used: chain (ch), double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc), single crochet (sc)

NOTE: For technique video on enclosing pom fringe, go to [LINK TO VIDEO]

SCARF

Ch 16.

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—14 hdc.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in each hdc across, turn.

Row 3 (enclosing pom trim): Ch 1, with pom trim on opposite side and one pom on outside edge, *sc in next 2 sts (enclosing pom fringe on reverse side); sk 1 pom, sc in next st (enclosing pom fringe on reverse side), sk 1 pom; repeat from * 3 more times, sc in last 2 sts (enclosing pom fringe on reverse side), turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, bring pom fringe to front, leaving 1 pom at side edge; repeat Row 3, but enclose trim on RS.

Row 5: Repeat Row 3. Cut pom trim, leaving a ½”/1.5cm end.

Row 6: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, *sc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * across, turn.

Rows 8-15: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, dc in next sc; rep from * across, turn.

Rows 16-19: Repeat Row 6.

Repeat Rows 8-19, 7 more times.

Repeat Rows 8-15.

Repeat Row 6.

Repeat Rows 3-5.

Repeat Row 2.

Fasten off and weave in yarn ends.

FINISHING

Fold fringe ends to WS and tuck into stitching.  Secure with dot of fabric glue and/or sew fringe end in place to secure for laundering.

FIRST:  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 Starting this year, I’ll be doing regular direct postings on the naturallycaron.com blog.  I’ll be posting patterns and/or techniques – I might even try my hand at uploading a technique video.  I’ll be blogging to share with you new stitch and design ideas, post super-easy patterns, talk about what’s happening at Caron, review events and activities related to knitting and crochet – and inviting you to join me.  The unofficial name of this new blog is “What If?”  What if I changed the yarn and color?  What if I changed needle size?  What if I added beads?  What if I combined knit and crochet?  Call it “Options” if you like, but it’s “What if…?” that sticks for me.

First way to wear

COWLS, ETERNITY SCARVES, SNOODS AND WIMPLES

Sounds like a whole new language – but, ya’ gotta get used to it.  I’ve loved cowls for years and am SO glad they’re “officially” back even when they’re called something else.  While cowls have been around for a few seasons now, they are taking on a whole new dimension for 2010, so be prepared.  Cowls flatter the face, dress up an otherwise plain sweater or top, can be made to fit anyone, are great stash-busters and great new-yarn testers.  You can make them loose or tight, thick or thin or wide or narrow – and gauge isn’t that important. 

I wanted a long cowl that could be worn just put over the head but also be wrapped twice around the neck.  I wanted one that could be folded or twisted, plain or pinned.  I call this the “Deep River Cowl” (aka Cowl A in the pattern) because of the color mix: Spruce, Peacock and Black.  (All 3 cowls are knit holding 3 strands of yarn together.)  (You can find the pattern for all 3 cowls at the end of this posting.)  I used a 24” long size 17 circular needle which gave me a cowl that is 35” in circumference. 

 Here are a few of the wearing options I came up with.  

Worn full length, crossed and pinned

Worn doubled

Worn as hood

Worn with pin - version 2

Worn with pin, version 1

Worn as shoulder "cowl"

Winter Spice Cowl - folded

Winter Spice Cowl worn casually

And I also wanted a more traditional-length cowl, which is 24” in circumference.  I used a size 15 needle, but cast on just 58 stitches for the Signs of Spring cowl.  This is about the minimum number of stitches to use on a 24” long circular.

Signs of Spring Cowl worn folded

One of the other “what if’s” for this project is what if I changed around all the colors?  I’d get three totally different looks, of course.  I also found that it’s important to keep the mixes to colors that have similar “values” or color depths – unless you wanted stark contrast, of course.  But perhaps that will be your signature style!  

TRIO OF COWLS – aka INFINITY SCARVES  

designed by Cari Clement  

SIZES: One size  

KNITTED MEASUREMENTS:  

Cowl A, Deep River:  approx 35” circumference  

Cowl B, Winter Spice:  approx 31” circumference  

Cowl C, Signs of Spring:  approx 25” circumference  

YARN  

Caron International’s Naturally Caron “Country”  

 (75% Microdenier Acrylic/25% Merino Wool)  

Cowl A: 3 oz each: Color #0013 Spruce, #0021 Peacock, #0024 Black  

Cowl B: 3 oz each: Color #0019 Vicuna, #0023 Chocolate Truffle, #0016 Charcoal  

Cowl C: 2 oz each: Color #0006 Berry Frappe, #0005 Ocean Spray, #0008 Silver Service  

NEEDLES  

Cowl A: One 24” long circular needle size US 17 (12.75 mm), or size to obtain gauge  

Cowls B: One 24” long circular needle size US 15 (10 mm)  

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS  

Tapestry needle (tn)  

Stitch marker  

GAUGE: Cowl A: with 3 str yarn held tog, in Pat St, 8 sts and 17 rows = 4″/10 cm; Cowl B: with 3 str held tog, in St St, 9 sts and 19 rows = 4”/10 cm.  Gauge is not important for this project.  

Pat St:  

Rounds 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13-17: knit  

Rounds 2, 4, 8, 10, 12: purl  

Round 18 (folding round):  purl

Rounds 19-23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35: knit  

Rounds 24, 26, 28, 32, 34: purl  

Bind off loosely around.  

COWL A:  

With larger needles and 1 str of each color held tog, cast on 70 sts. Place marker. Join into circle, taking care not to twist stitches.  Work Pat St.  

COWL B:  

With smaller needles and 1 str of each color held tog, cast on 70 sts.  Work as for Cowl A.  

COWL C:  

With smaller needles and 1 str of each color held tog, cast on 58 sts.  Work as for Cowl A.  

FINISHING:  

Catch ends, weave in – and wear!  

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

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.

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.

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.

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!