Featured Crafter: Stiches of Love by Janicea

 I am happy to introduce you to Janicea Stinchcomb. Janicea is the owner of "Stitches of Love by Janicea". She started testing for me last year and is great to work with.  Here is a little bit about her to help you get to know her.

What is your main focus of your business?
     The main Focus of my business is made to order crochet items.
I take special request for any item that you may need or want. I love creating new items to share with the world. I do eventually want to design more patterns in the near future.


 Stitches of Love by Janicea on Ravelry


 
What is your biggest accomplishment?
        My greatest accomplishment was selling my first pattern which was this frog coaster.
I know it may seem silly, but I was so proud of my self and I knew I could do it. It seemed like it would take for ever knowing there were thousands of choices out there but I DID IT!

Frog Coaster pattern on Etsy

What is something you struggle with?
      The one thing that I do struggle with is continued sales in ready made items and pattern sales. I live in South Georgia so the weather is not quite right for a lot of crochet warmth, and as we all no cyber advertising is not cheap.


 Janicea's Craftsy shop




 What advise would you give someone just starting out in the craft world?
       If you are just starting out in the crochet world don't be afraid to ask questions. There are still a few of us out here that are friendly crafters.

Is there someone in the craft community that you admire and why?
      I have not been in the crafting community to long but the one person that have met so far and have turned to for advice and I admire would be Kate Wagstaff. Kate is a honest person and if she can help in any way she will. She is an amazing designer and a friend! Thanks Kate for all you do!



Stitches of Love by Janicea's blog

 Ahh, Thanks Janicea!  I am happy to help in any way I can.  I honestly believe that we are here to help each other out and if we treat others with kindness,  life will be a whole lot easier!    So, now that you know a little about the gal behind the scenes, please take a moment to look at her work and if you're not a fan already, hop on over to her FaceBook page and let her know I sent you :)

Presbyterian Symbol Graph

Months and Months ago, a friend asked me to create a pattern for this symbol.  It was slightly out of my norm since this is not my religion, but I was up to the challenge :)  Graphs are not my favorite thing to do since you often have more than 1 skein of yarn attached to the project at the same time.  The other thing I'm not a fan of is that most graphs are worked in Single Crochet (it seems to take for ever to make things with).  But,  I have designed one before and I knew I could do it again.

Now, when it comes to graphs, I know a bunch of people who use some software and just put the photo in and it will give you the graph.  I personally do not trust that process.  I've just seen a few things not look the way they should once crocheted even though it looks good on paper.  So, as usual, I actually worked up the project and made the adjustments as I crocheted.  It was frogged a few times but overall, I'm happy with the end result.
Since this is a Religious symbol, the graph is available for free on my website.  It is only a graph of the symbol and not a written pattern for making a specific item.  It could be used for a variety of things such as a scarf, wall hanging or pillow.  I was designing it to be used by a preacher, so I chose to use Caron Simply Soft yarn.  Because it's on the thinner side of WW yarn and it's soft, it gives a better feel for a scarf. 
So, if you are interested in making one,  It is available for free and instant download here: http://www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com/freepatterndownloads.html

Ribbon Candy Infant Dress

It is so exciting to see things coming together.  I have such a good feeling about this year!  My latest design is quickly turning into the Ribbon Candy collection.  I just can't get enough of this pattern and all the options.  It started with the American Girl sized dress (which my girls love) and we are working on finishing up the infants sizes right now in order to release it this week.  I'm just waiting for a little more feedback from testers and some wonderful photos from Ashlee Parkinson Photography and badah bing badah bang - it'll be ready!

Here is a look at the fabulous work during the testing process.  I love seeing all the color variations that these lovely ladies come up with!  What do you think? 
What do you say to having some fun while we wait?  For your chance to win a free copy of the Infant size Ribbon Candy dress, Enter through Rafflecopter.
You will need to leave a comment on this post letting me know what 2 colors you would use to make this dress and be a fan of Crafting Friends on Facebook in order to be counted.  There are other options to earn extra entries, so don't miss out on that chance.

NOTICE: If you comment as anonymous, you will need to add your name so that I can contact you if you win.  

https://www.facebook.com/LLLCrochet

Becky Cannon

https://www.facebook.com/LittleLuvies

Angela Henson

Noelle Christensen

Crafting Friends Designs

Crafting Friends Designs

Ribbon Candy Dress

Thank you to Samantha Cook for naming my new design!  This was such a fun pattern to work up and I love it so much that I am designing an entire collection with it :)

The 1st is the American Girl Doll Sizes dress which will fit any generic 18" doll and Preemie babies.  It is available for a discount through the end of this week on my website Crafting Friends Designs only.
The Infant size dresses are being tested right now and Toddler and possible child sizes will be following shortly.  Along with the dress, I plan on designing a scarf and cowl to be in the same pattern, an afghan, possibly boot cuffs, leg warmers and a headband and maybe even the infant vest.  So many ideas! 

Here are some of the dresses that were made by my wonderful testers.  I love how switching colors on different rows will give this such a different look!

Crafted by MWA

Little Luvies Shop

Angela Henson

Becky Cannon

Martha Shaw

Martha Shaw

Dulcy Harris

Featured Crafter: Frayed Knot

Happy New Year my friends!  I hope you all had a fabulous holiday season and were able to stay warm and safe.   I am excited for the changes that are going on with Crafting Friends Designs this year.  To kick things off, I would love to introduce you to an amazing friend and Crochet designer. I will be featuring the many talented people I have been blessed to meet through my business about twice a month. They give me the inspiration and sometimes strength I need to keep on pushing on.

Meet Jonna from Frayed Knot.  I have known Jonna for a few years now.  I believe that the first time I spoke with her was when she asked about my NFL mohawk logos.  She seemed very sweet and I was happy to help her out.  Around this same time,  I was making infant dresses but not yet writing up the patterns.  I had shared a photo of my peach Ribbon & Lace Dress on a Face Book crafting page and received so many requests for the pattern that I decided I  better start writing them.  Jonna was one of about 12 amazing women who started testing for me.  I am always excited to see the colors she uses because they are always fun and beautiful!  I know you will Love Frayed Knot when you read a little bit about her...

Frayed Knot Website

What is the main focus of your business:
          My main business focus is pattern writing. I want to continue to get better and better. I also want to push myself to learn more and to think outside the box. Currently I'm working on getting my website up and running and trying to make my business more cohesive. I started off crocheting and taking orders and now I found my niche in pattern writing. It's truly become a passion of mine!




 What is your greatest accomplishment or what are you most proud of?
           I think my greatest accomplishment would be having the opportunity to be a part of Design Wars. This venue has opened up so many doors for my business and made me want to be a better designer. Having the awesome experience of getting to know some of the "greats" in the crochet world and learning from them has been such an honor! When I was first approached when DW started I knew right away it was something I needed to be a part of. I was in a design funk and you can say it helped bring me back to life!

 What is something you struggle with?
           I struggle with time management! Can I get an amen?? I have a lot going on. I homeschool my 2 amazing boys, I lead a weekly women's Bible study, on top of just the "normal" MOM & WIFE duties, and then I run Frayed Knot. Sometimes the business has to take a backseat so I can play catch up on life. And that's ok with me! I never want FK to become a burden on my life or my family. I enjoy the freedom of designing what I want, when I want. Now... do I need to perfect the art of list making??...Maybe

Frayed Knot on Pinterest

 What advice would you give someone starting out?
           My advice would be for anyone starting out, whether it's selling finished items or patterns, picture quality makes ALL the difference in the world! I would really encourage you to find a photographer you can work with or invest in a good camera and learn to take your own photos. You will be surprised the difference it will make and the more attention your business will receive.

 Is there someone in the craft community that you admire and why?
           I really admire and adore Tara from Mamachee *Crochet Makes Me Happy!. I seriously want to be her when I grow up ;) Her designs are super fun and her patterns are extremely well written but behind all the gorgeousness of her work is an amazingly awesome lady! So nice and always willing to help and answer questions. So blessed to have "met" her!

Isn't she Fantastic?  Here are some links to help you enjoy her beautiful work and talent. 
Frayed Knot on Craftsy          Frayed Knot on Ravelry          Frayed Knot on Etsy

Next pattern up - Why yes, I think so...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!  I hope your holidays have been filled with lots of family, friends and fun.  December was not a very productive month as far as patterns go for me.  I had some dental surgery at the first of the month and have been filled with orders and trying to get things ready for Christmas. 
We have been very blessed this year.  While we sure have had some scary moments, the blessings far outweigh it all.  My girls are growing so fast and I love watching them and being able to spend time with them.  My oldest will graduate from High School this year and turns 18 in January.  Wow- Time has just slipped by.  My next daughter will start kindergarten next year, so there is a huge gap in age but they all love each other so much!

Now that the orders are almost finished (only 2 requests to go), I have set a goal for the new year.  I will be highlighting the many wonderful women I have come to know in the craft community and hope you enjoy getting to know a little about them.  I am also getting back to patterns and will continue to design a wide range of sizes.  While my girls are little and enjoy dressing their dolls, they think it's fun to dress the same as them, so I will be designing American Girl sized clothes to go with the larger sizes.  This is the dress that will be my 1st release for 2014.  The doll size is being tested right now while I work on the larger sizes.  More exciting things are on their way, so stick around and let's have some fun!

American Girl Sized Dress Patterns

I am absolutely delighted to share with you my latest endevor. Crochet by Jennifer released a collection of American Girl Doll sized hats based on a few of her other patterns.  They are absolutely darling!  They are available here: American Girl Doll/Preemie Baby Hat Pattern on Ravelry

Last year for Christmas, my husband's dad gave my 2 toddlers the generic version of the doll and his wife sewed a bunch of clothes for them.  I have thought about designing this size dress to match my dress patterns for quite some time, but always seemed busy with other things.  I finally slowed down a little and decided it was time to get it done! 

I have released my 18" Doll Dress collection that will match 5 of my Basic Infant and Toddler dress patterns.  This size is great for American Girl dolls, Generic 18" dolls and Preemie babies. 
This set includes the Oh Snap, Snap Dragon, Diamond, Baby Tay and Shell Brook patterns.  My girls were so excited for new dresses for their dolls and the best part - they can wear the larger versions of the pattern and it's a perfect "Mommy and Me" deal!

Each pattern works up very quickly and with less than a skein of Caron Simply Soft yarn.  I absolutely will be making more to use for gifts and since they fit preemies too - well, I think I will be making some for hospitals in our area also :)

You can get the collection on my website as an instant download here: www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com
The normal price for the collection will be $10.50, but for you wonderful friends, I will leave it on sale for $3.99 until December 15th. 
Take a look at all the fun colors that were used in the testing process :)

Love for Emma Granny Square Free Crochet Pattern

Over the past 2 years, I have had a group of ladies test my patterns. I have come to know them well and consider them my friends.  I've seen their ups and I've seen their downs and they have supported me through my struggles.
 Recently, one of them passed away.  Her name was Emma and she was  a sweetheart!  She had every one of my patterns and made so many of them in a beautiful array of colors (her favorite colors were red and black).  While we were working on the infant dresses, her little girl would ask if I would design some that would fit her...and so I did.  She is a doll and I loved seeing her in my designs - but even more happy to see the smile on her face for having something that her mom made her.  My heart aches for her family and I tear up every time I see something on my computer that was hers.  Though I never met her in person,  I miss Emma and her comments about getting a Coke from McDonalds and seeing her photos of crocheting at her daughters softball games.

I am proud to be part of a loving Crochet Community who has come together and is making an 3 afghans in her memory.  One for her oldest daughter, young daughter and husband.  In honor of Emma,  I made this Granny Square pattern to be used and it is available for free here:

Copyright 2013 © Kate Wagstaff of Crafting Friends Designs

You do have permission to sell finished items using my patterns.

You are in no way to alter the pattern and claim it as your own to sell

or give to others.  Please give credit to Crafting friends Designs when using this pattern

 by sharing a link to my site: www.craftingfriendsdesigns.blogspot.com

Love for Emma Heart Square

Size: 6”           
Materials: Small amount 4ww yarn
Hook: G
Gauge: 4 rows & 4 St = 1” (SC)
Stitches: 
St(s) - Stitch(es)
Ch - Chain
SC – Single Crochet

HDC – Half Double Crochet
TR – Treble Crochet

Sl St – Slip Stitch

     

R1: Begin with a SC Chainless Foundation of 21 OR Chain 22 and SC in 2^nd chain from hook and each chain across (21)

R2: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 10 sts, TR in next st, SC in remaining 10 sts

R3: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R4: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 9 sts, TR in next st, SC in next st, TR in next st, SC in remaining 9 sts

R5: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R6: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 8 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st* Repeat *to* 2x, SC in remaining 7 sts

R7: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R8: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 7 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st* Rep *to* 3x, SC in remaining 6 sts

R9: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R10: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 6 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st* Repeat *to* 4x, SC in remaining 5 sts

R11: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R12: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 5 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st* Repeat *to* 5x, SC in remaining 4 sts

R13: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R14: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 4 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st* Repeat *to* 6x, SC in remaining 3 sts

R15: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R16: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 3 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st* Repeat *to* 7x, SC in remaining 2 sts

R17: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R18: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 4 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st* Repeat *to* 2x, SC in next 2 sts, Repeat *to* 3x SC in remaining 3 sts

R19: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

R20: Ch 1, Turn, SC in next 5 sts, *TR in next st, SC in next st, TR in next st* SC in next 5 sts, Repeat *to* 1x SC in remaining 5 sts

R21: Ch 1, Turn, SC in each st across (21)

Border: Ch 4, Turn to work down the side.  HDC in side of end st and evenly down side of square (HDC, Ch2, HDC) in corner st, Turn, HDC between each st of bottom foundation, (HDC, Ch 2, HDC) in corner st, HDC evenly up 2^nd side of square, (HDC, Ch2, HDC) in corner st, HDC in each st across top of square.  Sl St to beginning ch 4 to connect.  
Fasten off and weave in end.

This pattern is available in PDF format which includes 2 Graph's on www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com for $.95
If you are familiar with using graphs, each black square on the graphs on the following page represent a TR and each blank square represents a SC. The written instructions are for the top graph only and for a single color.  If a 2^nd color is wanted, you will switch colors for the TR stitch section and switch back for the SC sections. The second graph is an optional square that is the opposite of the first one as far as texture.

Here is some of Emma's beautiful work I wanted to share with you.

Angelique Dress

Baby Tay Toddler Dress

Baby Tay Infant Dress

Bubble Baby Sweater

Emerald City Child Dress

Jackson Tuxedo

Oh Snap Toddler Dress

Princess Britt Dress

Ribbon & Lace Toddler

Shell Brook Toddler

Snap Dragon Toddler

Shell Brook Toddler