Simply Crochet: Emma Lace Scarf

Emma Lace Scarf is a very special project for me.  It is one of the two projects I contributed to Robyn Chachula's newest crochet book Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Every Day; and it is my first project I had contributed to any of Robyn's books. I felt honored when she asked me to submit to her book since she's one of the crochet designers whose work I have long admired. Furthermore, many talented crochet designers I love, and nearly all of them who I am friends with, have showcased their designs in this book.


The Emma Lace Scarf  was inspired by a leather belt in a Victorian style I saw on a runway couple of years ago.  I loved the ornate and romantic look of it and wanted to translate it into crochet. So I made a swatch in this beautiful stitch pattern initially not even knowing what I am going to use it for. The scarf is made in Lion Brand Yarn, LB Collection Superwash Merino (100% Superwash Merino; 306 yd 280 m/3.5 oz 100 g): #114 cayenne, with size G/6 (4 mm) hook. I absolutely loved this yarn, it was very soft and easy to work with. I was pleasantly surprised that this great value yarn is of such a high quality. I highly recommend it and will be using it for my own crochet projects in the future.

As I was working on the project, Robyn had realized having yarn sent to me that we used to live about 10 minutes away from each other before she moved away! What a coincidence. It is wild that we used to go to the same grocery store and did not even know it. World is so, so small. But I got a chance to meet her personally for the first time at TNNA and I have to note that not only Robyn is wonderful person to work with, but she's also very funny and I enjoy hanging out with her.

BOOK HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY
If you are running around in this pre-Christmas time trying to get everything done on your list, slow down and post a comment here on the blog.  Interweave Press made a great offer to one of my readers; I can give away one free e-book copy of the Simply Crochet to one of you. All you need to do is to leave a comment here on the blog. You have until tomorrow, December 7th, 2011, midnight ET, to be included in the drawing. I will randomly draw a person and will announce here on December 8th. Good luck!

Simply Crochet book offers designs divided into chapters according to how much yarn is needed to complete a project: 1 ball, 2-3 balls, 4-5 balls. In addition, the book provides tips from designers on how to work crochet projects on a budget and tips on how to manage our own yarn stash. The book is available in both paperback and as an e-book. You can pre-order it now. The e-book is available for download and the hard copy will be on sale December 7, 2011.

Simply Crochet Countdown to fun:
Here is the blog tour in its entirety

1ball projects

Dec 1 Iced Ascot by Rebecca Velasquez, http://rebeccavelasquezdesigns.blogspot.com/

Dec 2 Flapper Hat by Margaret Hubert, http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com/

Dec 3 Billows of Baubles Scarf by Sheryl Means, http://sherylmeanscrochet.com/

Dec 4 Twist Cowl Wrap by Linda Permann, http://www.lindamade.com/wordpress/

Dec 5 Mystic Cuff by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com 

Dec 6 Emma Lace Scarf by Simona Merchant-Dest, http://stylishknits.blogspot.com/

Dec 7 Diamonds and Lace Hat by Linda Permann, http://www.lindamade.com/wordpress/

Dec 8 Neck Lattice by Vashti Braha, http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/

2-3 balls projects

Dec 9 Botan Placemats by Marlaina Bird, http://knitthing.blogspot.com/

Dec 10 Tapestry Basket by Carol Ventura, http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/blog/

Dec 11 Blooming Beauty Purse by Tracie Barrett, http://traciebarrett.com/blog/

Dec 12 Nedburt Puppet by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 13 Natalie Shrug by Megan Granholm, http://loopdedoo.blogspot.com/

Dec 14 Giselle Vest by Simona Merchant-Dest, http://stylishknits.blogspot.com/

Dec 15 Sidney Cardigan by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 16 Annabel Shawl by Kristin Omdahl, http://www.styledbykristin.com/

4- 5 balls projects

Dec 17 Tallula Baby Top by Marlaina Bird, http://knitthing.blogspot.com/

Dec 18 Amelia Cardigan by Julia Vaconsin, http://www.juliavaconsin.com/

Dec 19 Float Vest, Float Cardigan by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 20 Linked Jacket by Robyn Chachula, crochetbyfaye.blogspot.com

Dec 21 Dots and Dashes Blanket by Ellen Gormley, http://www.gocrochet.com/

Dec 22 Spa Shawl Top by Doris Chan, Spa Shawl Tunic by Doris Chan, http://dorischancrochet.com/

Interweave Crochet Accessories, 2011 - Preview is up

Interweave Crochet Accessories, 2011, the biggest issue ever with 59+ projects, is up for preview. This issue is really spectacular: It has 14 one-skein projects for last minute gifts, including mittens, cowl or hat. Of course you can find awesome shawls. My favorites are Lucille Shawl by Jill Wright worked in Bijou Spun Fingering Weight yarn by Bijou Basin Ranch, and Icarus Shawl by Tracy McCorcle worked in Brown Sheep Legacy Lace yarn.

I am absolutely smitten by Annie Modesitt's Jazz Bag worked in Trensetter Yarns Cha Cha & Merino VI Solids. This bag requires basic sewing knowledge, but the result gives you a very unique, designer-like bag for fraction of the cost.

If you ever wanted to learn how to crochet, this is a great issue to get because it includes a guide to crochet basics. You can learn how to do four basic crochet stitches, how to croche in circle, how to make granny square motif, small flower motif, or four-color spiral motif (really cool!). You can learn how to join seams and even learn how to make Freeform Bag. 

Fancywork Cloche Hat

You can find also my new crochet hat pattern in this issue, the Fancywork Cloche hat worked in Alpaca With a Twist Socrates. The wavy texture of this hat is created with front post single crochet stitches worked every other round on the wrong side. The hat is worked in joined rounds.

The pattern is written in 3 sizes so it can be made for anybody: a small girl as well as a teenage daughter, or a hip mom. And since it takes only one skein to make, it is a great last minute gift project.

The Fancywork Cloche hat is also a great project for learning how to work post stitch. You can watch video on how to do it below.