HDC Chainless Foundation

One of the things that I despised the most when first learning to crochet was working stitches into a chain.  It's one of my least favorite things to do along with stitching things like buttons on.

When I first decided to try a chain-less foundation or a foundation chain (whichever you prefer), I watched a video and it confused me.  I left it alone for a while and decided to try it again.  Wowzers!!!!  It's one of my new found loves!
Most of my new designs will begin with chain-less foundations and I will be updating my older patterns to this also.  I Love the way it keeps the stitching more even and it gives a good stretch to the base of your project whereas a regular chain can sometimes be to tight. 
Some people learn better with videos and others with photos. 
If you're a video fan,  here's a link to how to work this foundation:

The Craziest Shopping day of the Year - BlackFriday Sales information

Let's talk shop for a minute.  A few years ago, I decided to try the "Black Friday" 4am store opening madness with my sister and SIL to get something for my mom at a REALLY good price.  While I was a little worried about how people would treat each other, it was a pleasant day and I never witnessed any fights or even people taking things out of other carts as you see so often on the news. That was the 1 and only time I've shopped in the early hours of the morning on Black Friday.

I'm so excited!!! This is what the next month will be filled with for Crafting Friends Designs.

As most of you know, I created the Battle of the Stitches crochet challenge back in February of 2014.  It's a fun crochet competition for designers to share the love of crochet. 10-12 designers create a new design using the same crochet stitch and a theme to focus on.  It's been a wonderful experience to get to know so many other talented ladies and build friendships and strengthen our businesses together. 

Birthday SALE-ABRATION

Happy Halloween everyone!  I hope you all have some fun or relaxing plans for your weekend wherever you are. 

We will be spending time with my family tonight having soup, Trick or Treating with all of the kids and celebrating my 2nd daughter's 6th birthday.  It's not until next week, but it will be fun to have everyone together tonight, so why not add some cake too?
  

Chevron or Ripple, do you know the difference?

It's always fun to pick at the knowledge of other designers around me and see a little difference of opinion on things.  Many things in the crochet world are not "Set in Stone".  I love crochet stitch books and my favorite is this one from Robyn Chachula called Crochet Stitches VISUAL Encyclopedia (**this is an affiliate link**)
I really enjoy looking through it to get ideas and see all the colors she uses and learn the names of the stitches she has worked.  The funny thing is with stitches, sometimes 2 people can see a stitch and call it 2 completely different names.

Reversible Textured Chevron Afghan

Which brings me to my questions...Is it a Ripple afghan or a Chevron afghan?  I was always of the opinion that the designs with the sharper angles are Chevron and those that are softer angles are considered Ripple.  To me, it's like a ripple in the water - more of a wave and that's how I relate them when designing.  Now,  in conversations with other designers, there are some that agree with me and others who consider my opinion backwards   lol, and that's ok! 

Fall into Service 2014 Challenge

Each year, I like to try and find some service projects to work on.  I start thinking about the nights getting colder and snow will be here before we know it. Growing up in Utah, you KNOW that winter will typically be cold and we'll have at least 1 extremely big snow storm, maybe more. 

I have been very fortunate in my life to always have the things necessary to be comfortable whether it's gloves and a hat or blankets to stay warm.   I think we all go through stages in life where finances are tight, but I've never been "without".  It breaks my heart to know that there are so many families who are struggling right now and may not be able to afford warm items for their families this year or maybe they have lost their home for some reason or another and will need to rely on shelters to stay safe and warm in the months to come. 




I invite you to join me for a "Fall into Service" project for the next month.  What am I asking you to do?  It's simple.  Use your talents as a service in your community.  Maybe there is a hospital near you who could use some little blankets for preemie babies.  Maybe a Senior Center could use some handmade items to bring some love to the Senior citizens they care for (many of which may not have family close by or at all and a little service would be so appreciated by them) 
Maybe you have a Women's shelter that could use little dresses for dolls for kids to play with.  A Homeless shelter that could use hats, scarves, blankets, clothes, ets.  OR, maybe you just have an amazing neighbor who you would like to give something handmade to in appreciation of them.





Whatever you choose to do, Service for others can make a HUGE impact on everyone.  So,  Choose how you will serve others in your area, take a photo of your projects and send them to me at craftingfriends4you@yahoo.com by October 31st with "Falling into Service" in your title.In November,  I will share the photos of all your projects on my page and will draw Random winners for Random prizes.  I will be giving away several pattern packs, Snappy Tots and Too Yarn Cute have also joined this cause and will be donating patterns too!

To help give you a head start, ALL individual patterns in my shop are 75% off through Sept 20th using code FALL14
      1.  Visit www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com & select Store
      2. Add any individual patterns to your cart that you think would help you in your service.
      3.  Check out and be sure to enter code FALL14 and select "apply"
      Discount will be given
There are also Many FREE patterns available too!
I would love to hear what other service projects you like to focus on.  Maybe it will help give others some ideas too!

Fun in the Sun Afghan Release and giveaway

It's finally ready!  We began Round 2 of the Battle of the Stitches in June of this year.  The theme was Fun in the Sun and the crochet stitch was the Triangle stitch.  Since that time, I've designed a coaster, granny square, bolero and now an afghan using that stitch. 

Round 3 has just begun, so it seems fitting to end this collection now with the release of the Fun in the Sun Afghan. 

Large Fun in the Sun Afghan

I have always loved deep purple and yellow together, so when I saw this yarn on sale at Hobby Lobby, I HAD to buy it.  It is such a beautiful combo and I Love This Cotton is so soft and flexible, it was great to work with. 

Small Fun in the Sun Afghan

 Pink and grey combos are also really pretty in my opinion and worked well for the infant size afghan.

Fun in the Sun Afghan on Ravelry

Now for the giveaway....

I will give away 5 copies of this pattern before it is released on Monday the 8th.  All you have to do is enter through the Rafflecopter below.  Pretty Simple!  There are a few ways to enter and the entries will be validated. Good luck everyone and thank you for sharing this giveaway. 

Congratulations to the winners!!!  Please send me an email to craftingfriends4you@yahoo.com with your Ravelry ID and I will send your copy of the pattern over today.
Elaine Sumner Rumsey
Jess Ica D
Pamela Emerson
Shelly Turner
Lisa Myszka Hudson

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crocheting in the fall

Fall is a busy time of year around here. I love to crochet and I love gae plant a garden and I bottle and freeze as much fruit and vegetables as I possibly can.  This year, I mrdening and some times - ok, all the time, it's hard to balance my time between the two.  Each year, wxexxxxxxx ay even try canning meat.  When our freezer broke a month or so ago, it was a terrible feeling having to throw things away.  Bottling more this year will give me a little more sense of security that we will have food in our home if anything happens in our area. 

So,  being busy with gardening, I haven't been able to design as much as I'd like to have, but I have been able to design a few things that I've loved so far. 
These patterns are coming soon to www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com 

 

The Fun in the Sun Afghan was made using the Triangle Crochet Stitch that we used for Round 2 of the Battle of the Stithces. I designed the cute Granny Square that was published along with my Bolero in the Too Yarn crochet magazine with the other Battle designs.

 

 After working the circle in the square for the granny square, I thought it would make a fun larger sized afghan. 

I haven't been able to get photos of the infant size yet, but here is the large size.

 Next up are the Side Step Pants.  Do you remember the cute Sassy Side Step Skirt that I made using Sassy Lace?  Crochet by Jennifer designed the Side Step Bonnet and we really needed some pants to go with them - Don't ya think?

 

Watch for the release of the Pants and Afghan over the next week.

Whooo has a Snappy fun personality and came to visit me yesterday?

For the past few years, I had hoped that I could find someone locally who loves to crochet as much as I do.  I love to get out and visit but it's not so easy with little kids.  Well,  Guess who lives within 20 minutes from me.... Snappy Tots!!!!  Woo Hoo!  I was able to meet her a few months ago and (heaven help me) she recorded us meeting in our local Walmart yarn section.  I'm very self conscious, so that was a little scary - but fun.  We've been able to chat a bunch since then and one of these days, I WILL get her to slow down for a while and bring her son over to play with my kids and nephews.  They would have a blast and we could talk and crochet - how awesome would that be!!??

If you follow Snappy Tots, you know that she is hosting a fun summer camp where she has different projects each week.  The first week we made little wiggly caterpillars and the kids had fun yarnbombing my mom's apple trees


This week is all about Monsters!
Yesterday, she stopped by my house and dropped off some way cute little ponchos for my girls to play with.  They were so excited and have NOT wanted to leave them alone! 

 They got a kick out of the Monster Poncho and I think they've all tried it on by now.


The little one is a bit harder to get photos of, but this one was so cute on her.  It makes me think of the song Flying Purple People eater (are those really the words?)

The Battle Bird was  Heidi's design from the Battle of the Stitches crochet challenge.  My girls have hooded towels for bath time that they love and this would be great for them to take with them swimming and running through the sprinklers.  You can also use it as a hooded blanket which is a great option since it will start to cool down after next month.   So,  Woo Hoo for meeting one amazing lady!

Glamour4You Pretty In Plaid Jacket New Crochet Pattern Release and Giveaway

Over the past 6 months, I have had the opportunity to get to know Ann from Glamour4You.  She is such an amazing Crochet Designer!  While she sets her standards high and is consistently releasing advanced patterns, her writing style and technique are very clear and easy to follow. 

Her new Pretty in Plaid Jacket design is above and beyond the normal crochet jacket!  I'm excited to be able to offer a chance for one of you to win a copy. 

All you have to do is Like Glamour4You and Crafting Friends Designs on Facebook and leave a comment here on the blog what colors you would or will be making with this pattern if you win (or buy) your copy.




I love this one that Michelle from Magic Mommy's Yarning made as a tester.  When I have time to make me one, it will probably be with Black, Deep Grey, Burgundy and Cream.  Hmmmm.... Or Maybe Forest Green and Navy Blue in there too.  Ohhh, decisions, decisions!!!  Maybe I'd better get out some graph paper and play around with the colors to see what I like best before starting. 

The color options are Endless!!!

Pattern will be available here: Pretty In Plaid Jacket crochet pattern on Ravelry


a Rafflecopter giveaway