New Textured Basket Weave Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern

Basket Weave Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern

New Crochet Pattern

Woo Hoo!!!  We have a new pattern release for you this week and I'm so excited about it.  I love the look of the Basket Weave crochet stitch, but it is usually used in just straight rows or rounds.  I wanted something fun and unique and was determined to design with it.  Chevrons have been my "thing" lately and when that "Ah Ha" moment came, I was jumping for joy!

Choosing Color

As I've mentioned before, color is not my strength right now when releasing patterns.  I have my favorite color schemes and they work well for my home and I often create new designs for friends and family using their home interior design as the inspiration for their item.  While I think they always turn out beautifully, they are not always colors that speak to others from a website saying "BUY ME NOW"   lol.

I've been nominated for The Crochet Awards

Nomination:
Woo Hoo!  Thank you to the fan(s) who nominated my Stars & Stripes Sundress for The Crochet Awards.  There are so many talented designers who have been nominated for this quarter and I'm thrilled to have been included.

Crochet Pattern Sale:
To celebrate, I'm offering 50% off the Stars & Stripes Sundress patterns on my website.  You just need to use code SEEINGSTARS at checkout to receive the discount on this dress pattern. Coupon will be good through Feb 28, 2015. 

Voting:
Many other designers are also offering discounts on their nominated designs.  This is NOT to bribe anyone for votes.  It is simply to say thank you let you know that we appreciate you.  If you haven't voted yet, Please head over to TheCrochetAwards.com and vote for your favorite design in a variety of categories. 

Stars & Stripes Infant Sundress
Stars & Stripes Toddler Sundress
Stars & Stripes Child Sundress
Stars & Stripes Sundress Package

Stars & Stripes Sundress by Crafting Friends Designs

New Diamond Burst Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern and CAL

Welcome the Diamond Burst Chevron Afghan Crochet Pattern to our Chevron Collection!

 I'm sure you could tell by now that I really love afghans.  Chevron afghans are all over the place and I know there are TONS of chevron patterns, but most of them are pretty basic patterns.  I have pushed my creativity and was determined to be unique in my chevron designs and I think I've done a pretty good job (If I do say so myself).  My latest design is no different.  It started out as an afghan with arrows working up the peaks of the chevron and then I had an Ah-Ha moment and the Diamond Burst Chevron Afghan was born.
10 days from the beginning foundation to the final 4'x5.5' afghan ready for promotional photos was a fast turn on an afghan for me.  I really enjoyed working this design and didn't want to set it down!

CAL Time

I'm so excited that I decided to do a CAL (crochet - a - long) using this pattern.  Because it's one of my Chevron Collection patterns, it will be listed for $5.49 at the end of February.  To enjoy some time crocheting this with you prior to it's release, Those who become members of my site have access to this pattern for only $3.00 in order to join the CAL.  Beginning 2/18, I will start posting 1 row of instructions each day (probably taking Sunday off).    I've already posted about how I choose my colors and a tip to figuring out how to stripe patterns easily.  I appreciate everyone who has joined already and look forward to seeing your projects as we work this together.  

How you can join

A few of you have mentioned that you would like to join but would not be able to until Friday.  No worries!  You can still join and are welcome to jump in when you can.  I will be working on my 2nd one for another week so I can work it the same time as everyone else and I also have other projects that I need to push myself to do. 

To join, just visit http://www.craftingfriendsdesigns.com and register or log in.  Once you're logged in, you can visit the Members Only page which will give you a few details of the CAL and the listing to purchase.  Once this listing is purchased, I will add you to the Blog section where we are holding the CAL.  Please feel free to post comments and ask questions where needed.  I'm there and happy to help. 
This pattern will not be released to the public until after the CAL is complete and will be the regular listing price then.  This will run for at least 1 week.  Obviously because we will all be making a variety of sizes, we won't all finish at the same time, but I think a week will get us through the majority of what in needed and then you can finish in your own time (no pressure) since it will be a matter of repeats and not new instructions. 

If you are unable to join this Crochet a Long, stick around because we will be holding more throughout the year.  I offered one last year for my Camo afghan and one a few weeks ago for a new free dress pattern.  Some will be free and some will be paid.  I like to mix things up a bit :).  I will also be offering special discounts to members only (on my site) throughout the year too, so come join the fun!

Thanks again for all your positive comments, support in sharing, liking and commenting on Crafting Friends Designs Facebook posts, Pinning and tweeting.  All of this helps so that others who share our same passion for crochet can see what we're up to. 
Enjoy your day and I hope to see you on the CAL blog!
Kate

I'm Embracing my Ugly!

Shell Brook Afghan

Give me a hook and some yarn and let the designing begin!  Well, sort of.  See,  I have issues with color.  I'm admitting here and now that color is not my strong point when it comes to designing crochet patterns and then needing to sell them using the actual item I've made.  My favorite colors are Deep, Deep shades of Purple, Green, Blue and Red/Burgandy.  All beautiful to me and all colors that I have throughout my home.  They are warm and comforting and I just want to snuggle up in an afghan with those colors (Like the photo on the right which is actually one of my Faves!) and read a good book or watch a great movie or even crochet another afghan! 

Double Crochet Foundation Chain Photo Tutorial

 Since learning how to work the Foundation Chain,  I've used it in all my designs that required a chain to start.  I LOVE this way of beginning projects and the stretch that it gives.  I also love that you don't have to worry about some chain spaces being to loose or to tight and it's all around just better! 

With All My Heart Service Project Continued

With All My Heart Dress

How is everyone doing? As I mentioned in a few weeks ago, I will continue to add some free crochet patterns to my blog to help with an Angel Baby service project I challenged everyone to try.  You can read all about that challenge HERE on my blog.  

With All My Heart Sm Photo Prop

During the Super Bowl, I decided to host a CAL on my Facebook page.  This is a completely new pattern and only available in the preemie size.  It was a lot of fun to work up a dress at the same time as many of you!  I will be hosting more CAL's through out this year, so be sure to follow me either here on the blog, or on Facebook.

Every Girl is a Princess! And now it's easy to dress her up.

My little girls are into princesses!  They love dressing up themselves and they love dressing up their dolls.  I'm so excited to share this new tutorial with you from Little Luvies Shop!  Now available on her blog is a free tutorial for princess sleeves and you can add them to any dress or top pattern you already have.  Woo Hoo!!!
Now, because the princess costumes are Trademarked, you will NOT want to make these to sell.  They should only be used for personal use. Here is the deal for you!

With All My Heart Photo Prop Service Project Free Crochet Pattern Offer

As many of you know, I was a challenger in The Battle of the Stitches crochet competition.  The theme was "Love is in the Air" and as soon as I heard that, I knew I wanted to do a heart shaped prop to focus on the love of a baby.  One of the restrictions for this challenge is that you can only have 4 testers who know what you're designing and then obviously a photographer.  That's it - no one else can know what you're working on (not colors, not brand of yarn, not - well, you get the picture)  This keeps the competition fair and based completely on the design and talent itself and not the popularity of the individual designer.

Classic Cable Chevron Afghan

I've been working with Ashlee from Ash & Co for quite a while now and love her work.  She has captured some beautiful photos of my designs such as this one of my Classic Cable Chevron Afghan.  Without being able to tell anyone what I had designed, it was slightly difficult to find a way to get my competition design photographed the way I was hoping, so she introduced me to another local Photographer who is well known for her newborn photos.  I don't believe this was just a coincidence.  I know that we were supposed to meet for a reason and now I know why....

2015 - A Year of Awesomeness Blog Hop!!!

The past few years have been a wonderful journey for me in life and in business.  I have learned a lot when it comes to Crochet Designing and made many, many friends along the way.  In the past, I had just gone with the flow of things and while it was good for my creative and laid back personality, it wasn't a strong business plan. 

This year has already started out on a different and fantastic track!  I will be working harder on various aspects of my designing and building stronger business relationships with other designers.
We're kicking off the year with a bit of fun for you!  We know that Facebook has slowly been making it harder for you, our fans, to see our sales, new pattern releases and fun posts to interact with us.  We don't want to be just a "business"  We don't want you to view us as just a logo.  We want you to know who we are, get to know us better and be more of a Real Person you can come to and ask questions and chat with and share your love of crochet with us.

I will be doing some Blog hops, Twitter hops, Google + hops and maybe even Pinterest hops throughout this year so you can follow your favorite Designers on the various social sites that you use.  
This is the 1st of many fun events coming your way.
Below, you can enter to win a handful of prizes from me and then make sure you visit the other blogs listed if you haven't already so that you can follow their journey and enter to win prizes from each of them!

Valentine Projects for 2015

With Valentine's Day not to far away,  I decided that I'd better start working on some projects for my girls to give their friends.  I'm finding a lot of fun and cute crochet patterns to choose from. Other than a cowl and matching boot cuffs that my daughter has asked me to make for her teacher, I'm not sure what to do for the rest.  It will have to be quick projects as I have a lot going on right now.  Here's a fun crochet pattern roundup just for Valentine projects so we can all brainstorm and share fun ideas with each other.

Happily Hooked Friday Face Off with my Butterfly Garden Afghan

Mountain Lace Infinity Scarf

Happy weekend everyone!  Hopefully you are able to squeeze a bunch of crocheting in over the next few days.  I will be hard at work on creating cowls to go with all my Boot Cuff patterns, so keep your eyes out for the updates on those.  

With All My Heart Photo Prop design for The Battle of the Stitches

Good Morning friends!  I have some VERY exciting news!!!  Round 4 of the Battle of the Stitches crochet challenge has come to  close and the winners have been chosen. 

It was very exciting to be a challenger this round.  I admit that it was hard not knowing every detail going on behind the scenes AND  it was hard not to tell anyone what I designed too!  One of the many great things about the Battle of the Stitches is that all the voting is based on the designs themselves.  I knew before going into the challenge that I would not make any girls dresses because I didn't want it to be a giveaway that it was my design. 

Can you pick which design is mine? Battle of the Stitches Round 4 Sneak Peeks

Well, I can finally breathe!  I'm so excited that I've completed my crochet design for Round 4 of the Battle of the Stitches.  I can't wait to see what everyone thinks and share with you what I've created!

Typically, I'm behind the scenes of the Battle since I created it.  I'm the one who chooses the themes and stitches and sets up who is judging, all the prizes, giveaways and sharing.  It's  a LOT of work but extremely well worth it!  This round, I really wanted to be on the other side of the fence and be a challenger.  I asked Jennifer from Little Luvies Shop and Lisa from Kaleidoscope Art & Gifts to help me out so I could compete fairly.  They have done an wonderful job and this has been quite the experience for me! 

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