Teaching in Topeka

I taught a class earlier in the month in Topeka, Kansas for the Topeka and Wichita chapters of the Crochet Guild of America. Here are some photos I took.

I had a terrific time! Everyone was absolutely wonderful!

Toy Recommendation: Magna-Tiles Working Trucks

Magna-Tiles Working Trucks 27 pcs Set

It’s not very often that I find a toy that Christian loves so much as this one. He’s been playing with it ever since it came out of the box this morning. As you can see, his Leapster isn’t very far away. But, it hasn’t been touched in a good long while.

It took him a bit to discover that the magnetic parts are the same as his Thomas trains. Sometimes, you have to turn them around to get them to work. But, as soon as I reminded him that his trains were the same way, he got it.

Open Registration for Online Classes

Please be sure to note the classes you would like to take and check Crochetville once classes open as they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. I look forward to seeing you there!

	Small Short Row Tunisian Felted Bag Tunisian crochet is the best medium I have found for felted projects. It really makes terrific projects and you won’t be disappointed! This bag incorporates 3 Tunisian crochet stitches and will allow you the opportunity to learn Tunisian crochet without purchasing a Tunisian crochet hook! That’s right! If you have a K or L crochet hook without a thumb rest (like Brittany, Clover, or other wooden hook), you can complete this adorable bag with a smaller hook because the greatest number of stitches on the hook at any given time is only 15 stitches! In addition to learning the Tunisian stitches included in this unique project, you will learn the Tunisian Short Row Technique and then, you’ll learn, step-by-step, how to felt your bag without a washing machine. Class begins October 30, 2009, 10-day class, $15, click here for more information
	Beginner Tunisian Felted Bag Here is your chance to learn (or practice) Tunisian crochet on a beautiful felted bag. This is an easy project and you can have a bag crocheted and felted in just two days! This class will be like two classes in one — first, you’ll learn and practice Tunisian crochet, then you’ll get a step-by-step process in felting by hand. You may be intimidated about felting in a washing machine, like me. So, I’ve been felting in my kitchen sink! Be careful, though! You probably won’t want to stop at just one! As you can see, I made three! Class begins November 6, 2009, 7-day class, $10, click here for more information
	Drop Stitch Ripple Shawl Using a broomstick lace variation, developed by Kim Guzman, students will learn this easy technique to make a beautiful ripple shawl. It’s quick, easy, and fun! You’ll love the results produced in this new technique. Students will be provided with the complete pattern to make the shawl with the alterations for a scarf. Class begins November 13, 2009, 7-day class, $10, click here for more information

New Design: St. Petersburg Coat

From Caron International Yarns:

Color is magical. It can set a mood, brighten a day, send a message. Color plus yarn is even more magical, as demonstrated in Kim Guzman’s stellar St. Petersburg Coat. Just by holding three different colors of merino-blend Country yarn together in the single-crocheted body of this coat, Kim has created a unique fabric that is both sophisticated and fashionable. It’s almost as if Kim created her own “marled” yarn just by combining three coordinating colors. Then for the perfect finishing touch, Kim used just one of the three colors to create the generous shawl collar. It’s magic!

Based on the emails I have received, many of you may have already noticed that I have a new design on the NaturallyCaron website. This design is made using three colors of NaturallyCaron Country, a merino wool blend.

This coat is a wonderful example of what can be done only with single crochet. As difficult as it is to imagine, I used single crochet throughout. The key factor in designing with single crochet is that you can place your hook in different locations of a stitch and get a completely different look.

You can’t see very much of the collar, but it really is my favorite part of this garment. I love the way the texture flows into a pattern, growing with the collar as it grows and extends around the neck.

The body of the coat is made up of three strands of yarn held together. An N hook is used, making this coat stitch up a lot faster than one may think. But, it is quite heavy and thick. For this reason, I intentionally only provided three sizes. There are physics involved in designing a coat like this. Due to its weight, I used physics and algebra to determine how far the coat would “grow” when worn so that I could size the sleeves. I was unwilling to continue my theories into the larger sizes because I was unsure just how far it would grow without stitching it up. Who knew that physics would be so necessary when designing in crochet?

Brianna really likes the coat. But she actually likes it best without sleeves. So, that’s a thought should anyone want an alternate style.

Tips for One For All Baby Sweater

The One for All Baby Sweater was published in the September 2009 issue of Crochet! magazine.

There have been some questions about this design, so I’ve decided to post some tips for it here.

• Make sure that you are using the larger hook for the hem.
• Make sure to count your stitches in the hem because it’s very easy to lose them here.
• It’s hard to count the rows in the hem, so it helped me to make little tick marks on a piece of paper as I completed them.
• This type of hem isn’t stretchy. I designed the neckline to be deeper than I would normally so that it would fit over baby’s head. I tested it by putting it over my son’s head. It was a size 12 months and Christian was 3 years at the time. But, since he has a smaller than average head, I figured it would be a good test. It fit just fine. But, if you are really concerned about the fit, I noticed that someone on Ravelry put a button closure at one of the shoulders to be sure.
• If you find that this hem isn’t for you, you can always use a hem of your choice, or no hem at all.

Enjoy!

Is It Wrong?

Is it wrong for me to like buttons so much? I’m not sure where this huge desire for buttons comes from. I suspect it is with me because there were several years when I wouldn’t design with buttons at all because I never seemed to be able to get to the store and buy them. Now, every once in awhile, I will find a terrific deal on buttons on eBay and today is the day! Just check out the buttons I won on eBay. Woo hoo!

All from the same seller. What a find! And, don’t worry, I left SOME buttons for other buyers on eBay.

Oh, and the eBay seller. Wonderful seller. Olive Antiques.

Clarification: JoAnn’s Crochet and Knit Slipper Socks

If you’ve visited the JoAnn Fabric Store recently, you may have seen the slipper socks kit. This kit includes a pair of fleece-lined soles and two basic patterns, one knit and one crochet, which I designed.

Now for the clarification. When creating the gusset, I used a crochet hook to create the cast-on edge. Specifically, I used the Bind-Off Cast On from Montse Stanley’s Knitter’s Handbook. This is my preferred cast-on especially with socks since it produces no wear on the yarn and makes a nice, clean edge. To cast-on in this fashion, you cast-on to the left needle, then turn. However, if you prefer to cast-on to the right needle, you will turn first and you won’t be able to slip the first stitch as stated in the instructions.

An additional photo has been requested and this is all I have. I hope it helps. (clickable)

In answer to the question in comments about the shaping for the crochet version, here is a drawing. I free-handed it. It’s not pretty. But, it should help. The cuff is made first, as shown in black. After completion, the stitches are picked up in the U-shape formed, where I have marked in blue.

Clarification: JoAnn’s Victorian Rose Baby Sweater and Hat

As many of you know, the history of this pattern is that the Hat pattern is/was available on tearsheets at JoAnn Fabric Stores. The sweater pattern has been made available at the website. At this time, the hat pattern is not available online. However, there are plans to include it in the future. I don’t know when this will happen. But, I will be sure to post it when I find out that it’s been posted.

Now for the clarification part:

The bobble used in this pattern is something I created myself. It creates a nice, small, soft bobble which I found to be most suitable for this design. But, you’ll want to be aware that the bobble is created on the back side of the row.

Teaching This Weekend and More

I’m very excited about teaching this weekend. I’ll be teaching a Tunisian crochet class for the Topeka chapter of the CGOA guild.

I’ll be teaching a class for the Beginner Tunisian Crochet Bag here.

The class will be on Sunday afternoon in Topeka, Kansas. If you happen to be reading my blog and think you may be interested in attending, please be sure to write a comment and I can get back to you with details (leave an email address!)

I have been under a lot of stress and pressure lately because of many deadlines. I’m just taking it a step at a time and going day by day. I’m behind schedule, but I don’t think it’s excessive. We’ll see where I’m at by this time next month! Hopefully everything will be caught up.

It’s really nice to be so busy. It’s been sort of non-busy for three months. Still working, but not at a hectic pace. I really prefer the hectic pace, to be honest.

One thing I have been working on is the Tunisian Lace book, soon to be published by Annie’s Attic. I believe we’ll see it on the website next month. I am really looking forward to it, now, more than ever.

I had an opportunity to review and edit the final copy of the book this week. And, I’ve just got to say that I’m overwhelmed! The photography was incredible. The DVD turned out terrific. And, this will be my first book that isn’t able to be staple-bound. This just means that it’s the biggest book I’ve done so far. Everything else has been small; 6 projects here, 10 projects there, etc. But, this time….well, it’s BIGGER!

Last night, I finished my review. And, by last night, I mean 2am this morning. LOL Once it was emailed, I broke down in tears. Cried my eyes out, I tell ya! I’m sure it had something to do with the lack of sleep lately. But, there was something else as well. I was just extremely overwhelmed by the looks of the book. I was having a hard time realizing that it was actually MY book. Truly an amazing experience to be able to see it ahead of time like this. And, I’m just so very happy about it and can’t wait for you to see it!

New Design: Liana

Liana by Kim Guzman

In Kimane Designs tradition, this new design has now been made available at a pre-publishing discount. The pattern will be available on or before October 13, 2009.

Please be aware that this is a KNIT design. My daughter, Brianna, started knitting less than a year ago, in earnest. She specifically requested designs from me once she felt ready to start making garments. Being the daughter of a full-time designer has its privileges, I guess!

This is the first in a line of designs that I hope to make available soon. Since I am designing them for Brianna, all of them are suitable for the newish knitter. And, I’ll be providing all tips and tricks that I give to her.

This project was completed in approximately 23 hours for the size small. A quick project that can be made in a short time, just in time to add to your Fall layering wardrobe. One-piece construction, knit from hem to shoulder, with very minimal seaming.

Please excuse the mannequin photos. They will be replaced with model photos as soon as we are able to schedule a non-rainy day for it.