And we have a Winner!!! Battle of the Stitches Round 1

I want to give a HUGE Thank you and shout out to our Battle of the Stitches Judges:

Heidi from Snappy Tots
Stacy from Too Yarn Cute
Lisa from Loops of Love
Jennifer from Crochet by Jennifer





They had the challenge of deciding the winner of our Battle of the Stitches Round 1.
Each design was scored 1-10 based on 4 categories -
1. Best overall design
2. Most creative/unique
3. Best use of Stitch
4. Best use of color to show the stitch

I am so glad it was not up to me!  What did you think of all these designs?  Aren't they amazing? Which is your favorite?  Not that you have to choose - All of these patterns will be in  the Special "Battle of the Stitches" issue of Too Yarn Cute Magazine Releasing on April 11th

Challenger #10 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

Our final Reveal for the Battle of the Stitches Round 1 Crochet Challenge.  I'm kind of sad to see this last one posted, but I'm excited to look forward to another round with a new stitch challenge. 

Our Challenger #10 is Kimberlie from ShopKimberlie.  Kimberlie is a fun designer who puts her own unique style into various designs.  I had not known Kimberlie until she was suggested as a challenger for this round.  I'm happy she accepted the challenge!

Challenger #9 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

Challenger # 9 from the Battle of the Stitches Round 1...  Can you believe we're almost through the reveals?

This Challenger is another super lady who I have seen in various crochet groups on FaceBook but didn't really know until now.  Hope is the talent behind the business Awe Stitch and I would love if you could go tell her what you think of her design using the Rocky Road crochet stitch.

 

Challenger #8 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

 

Our Battle of the Stitches Challenger #8 is one talented lady!  I have seen her designs and spoken with her a few times and she is such a sweet person.  I knew I wanted her involved in this challenge when deciding who to ask.  I'm very happy she joined in the fun.

JoAnne from GrammyJo Lids is creative and fun in her designs and I hope you have taken the time to get to know her and see her talent. 

Challenger #7 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

Battle of the Stitches

Design #7 out of 10....Are you as impressed as I am?  10 Battle of the Stitches Challengers using the Rocky Road stitch with the Mother's Day theme.  Have you thought about what you will make for your mom, grandma or even yourself?

Our Challenger #7 is Tera from Trifles N Treasures. She chose to use Red Heart Gumdrop yarn (another one to add to my list) and I think it worked great!
Isn't it fun to see how the different yarns show the same stitch? 

Challenger #6 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

This design is one of the most Genius ideas I've seen!  You will have to wait for the pattern to find out why - but seriously - Love it!

Our Challenger #6 for the Battle of the Stitches is Katy from KT and the Squid.

I have seen her work, but didn't really know her until she was suggested as a challenger.  I'm so glad she accepted the challenge and I'm sure you will agree - she has a fabulous design.
She chose to use Cotton Ease Seaspray & Stone for her design and they are "Calming" and "Relaxing" to me.  Very pretty!

Challenger #5 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

I think you will agree - this is a beautiful design.  They all are and I'm so glad that I was not a judge in this Battle of the Stitches!  This is definitely on my list to make (ok, so I think I am adding 10 new designs to my list of projects)  and I know right where it is going.  My Great Grandma had a beautiful Serving table that is now my parent's.  This is the ONE thing that I Really want passed down to me. 

Challenger #5 is Rachel from The Country Hooker Designs. Rachel is just starting out in designing and I was happy to have her join the fun.

She chose to use Cotton Yarn for her project and I think it looks amazing. 

Challenger # 4 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

Our 4th Challenger in the Battle of the Stitches chose to use Red Heart's Unforgettable yarn.  Oh how pretty this is! Another yarn to add to my ever growing list :)

Schere is the face behind Schere's Crafty Crochet and her design is so pretty.  I can see this easily being made in a small size for a doll and a child size so that some cute little girls can have "Mommy and Me" shawls. Wouldn't it be fun to make some for moms and daughters for photos?

Challenger #3 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

I'm ready to reveal the next design - Are you ready to see it?

Challenger #3 in the Battle of the Stitches was Ann from Glamour4You.

Ann is a designer that I have watched for a while and she amazes me.  Very unique and creative.
She chose to use Deborah Norville Yarn for her design and it's beautiful! It's a brand that I have not tried yet and it's now on my list.

Challenger #2 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

Challenger #2 in our Battle of the Stitches Round 1 was Jennifer Hatch




Spring is Definitely in the air with this collection from Hatch-ed With Love. Jen chose to use some fun, bright colors in the I Love this Yarn Brand.  The 3 different options she worked up are wonderful and I would love to make some for our home.  Buttons are such a great touch to the design and I plan on using some fun ones for mine!

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Challenger #1 Battle of the Stitches Reveal

It's REVEAL time - WOO HOO!!!  If you have been playing along with the Battle of the Stitches games and following the designers, I hope you are as excited as I am to see the final designs.

So we don't have to keep seeing the same thing over and over, if you are just tuning in to see what all the fun was about, you may find the details of the Battle here: Battle of the Stitches Crochet Challenge by Crafting Friends Designs

Our Challenger #1 was Jennifer Prekopa from Little Luvies Shop.

Jennifer from Little Luvies Shop

My Battle of the Stitches Project and Craft idea

     It's getting close to the reveals of our Battle of the Stitches designs!  Woo Hoo!!!
What a VERY exciting time this has been.  The Designers have all been amazing and their creativity and talent.  It has been a wonderful and positive experience.  While I would have loved to be one of the Challengers, I didn't think it would be fair since I set everything up.  I also didn't think it would be fair of me to expect them to design something with a stitch that I haven't tried myself.  So,  my solution for this was to work up a project myself and just not have it judged. 

     The theme for the Battle is Mother's Day.  The designers were asked to design something using the Rocky Road crochet stitch that they would give as a Mother's Day gift OR something that they themselves would like to receive for Mother's Day.  As many of you know,  I love to make old fashioned candy.  I enjoy cooking (when I don't have to worry about picky eaters) and learned to cook from my mom.  She is a fantastic cook!

Featured Crafter: Trifles N Treasures

Happy Monday friends! I hope your weekend was a great one. Our Featured Crafter for this week is Tera from Trifles N Treasures. Tera is a fun and outgoing gal who I have come to know over the last few months. She has such a spunky personality and I enjoy chatting with her.  Congrats Tera on reaching 6,000 fans on Facebook!

Tera from Trifles N Treasures

The Question was asked... The Challenge was issued... The BATTLE IS ON!

The Battle is ON
The Designers are set

Their Hooks came out swinging

Their yarn they did get

The focus - One Stitch

The Theme - Mother's Day

Hold on to your seats!

There's more on the way...

Battle of the Stitches Round 1 Game #1

The Battle of the Stitches has just begun
So Follow along and join in the fun
This is the first in our list of games
Can you list the Challengers Names?

Comment below with the Name of the person behind the business.  Comments are moderated and will not show up until I approve them to make it fair for everyone. Make sure to leave your name in the comment for me to contact you.

Ribbon Candy Scarf Pattern

Last week,  I posted my Ribbon Candy V Scarf pattern for everyone to try.  The response was AMAZING!
I love the V in the design and it makes it such a great pattern to have for men or women.  The Ribbon Candy Scarf is the same stitch work, but worked in a different direction than the other scarf gives the design a very different look. I love it! 

Ribbon Candy Scarf by Crafting Friends Designs

It reminds me of holding a roll of ribbon and letting it just unwind falling to the floor. 
This is the same design, only sized for American Girl dolls.

 

5k Fan Appreciation Giveaway

I want to let you all know how much I appreciate your support.  I am extremely thankful for the friendships I've made with many of you over the last few years.  It is so exciting to see my hobby grow and have so many people appreciate what I do.  What an awesome experience this has been!

To celebrate gaining 5,000 fans on Face Book,  I have a fantastic giveaway starting today.  Red Heart has generously donated a wonderful prize package valued at $125 - WOW!

This Retail Prize Package includes:
·         4 With Love
·         3 Anne Geddes
·         2 Boutique Magical
·         2 Reflective
·         2 Boutique Treasure
·         2 Boutique Sassy Fabric
·         1 Boutique Sashay
·         Red Heart Tote Bag
·         Susan Bates Knitting Needles Set
·         Susan Bates Crochet Hooks Set
·         Red Heart Tape Measure

New Pattern: Ribbon Candy V Scarf

Every now and then,  I like to offer patterns for free and this is one that I designed specifically with that in mind.

The Ribbon Candy V Scarf is really easy to work up and can be made in any size.  Instructions are given for an 18" doll sized scarf also to give girls a "mommy & Me" set. A photo is shown at the very bottom of this post as an example.
AND - if you keep going on the repeat rows, it would make an AWESOME afghan!

**Affiliate Link**

I hope you enjoy this pattern and I would love to see photos if you make something with it.  Feel free to post it on my  Facebook page. 
If you would like a PDF ready version, it's available for purchase here: http://www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com/store/p195/Pattern%3A_Ribbon_Candy_V_Scarf.html

Ribbon Candy V Scarf

Ribbon Candy V Scarf by Crafting Friends Designs

**This post contains affiliate links**

Red Heart Soft on Amazon

Size:  18” Doll (3’, 4’, 5’, 6’)                          

Gauge: 4 SC & 4 Rows = 1”                                              
Hook: Size H or size to match gauge                                   

Materials: Red Heart Soft 4ww
 5-8oz Main Color (A)
 2-6oz Striping Color (B)

Spring Sparkle Shawl Pattern Release

Spring Sparkle Shawl

Recently, I was able to try out some new yarn from Red Heart.  Have you ever heard of Boutique Swanky?
It's quite pretty!  It has a fun shine to the threads and Sequins are sporadically placed to give it that extra sparkle.  I have been asked many times to design a lacy shawl and when Red Heart sent me a skein of Boutique Swanky to try out, well,  I knew exactly what I wanted to use it for!