Sweet As Honey Commission

I have a dirty secret to share... I don't really enjoy doing commissions. Part of the reason that I love being a designer is that I never have to make the same thing twice. Instead, I get to come up with brand new ideas, occasionally working up other people's patterns as well. Commissions almost always end up being something I made in the past, someone saw, and then wanted me to make again for them. I value and thank all of my previous commission customers, but it is highly unlikely that I will accept another commission unless it is extremely unique.

I love my Sweet As Honey pattern. It has brought so many people to Illuminate Crochet, and I am very thankful for that as well. It is fitting that my last official commission be based on that pattern. Alex, one of my best friends, wanted a miniature version of it to hang on his wall. I worked it up in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light, a fingering weight yarn. Here is the finished product, along with a  few process photos. The work will eventually be framed. I am happy that it is finally complete.

Giant Crochet Pineapple

A few weeks ago my dear friend Nicki was visiting someone in Chicago. The hotel she was staying in held a giant crochet pineapple! Being the wonderful friend that she is, she dutifully photographed said pineapple so that I could share it with all of you. It was created by crochet artist Gina Rose Gallina, whose work has also been featured such places as Vogue Knitting Live. Cool!

Proud Pineapple Baby Hat

I love reorganizing my stash. Looking at my yarn provides me with happiness and new inspiration. The other day I was optimizing my storage space when I came across some leftover Vanna's Choice in these colors...

The yarn not so subtly told me that it wanted to become a pineapple. I had no choice but to immediately write up a new pattern, the Proud Pineapple Baby Hat. Check it out!

The pattern is written in two sizes, 0 to 6 months and 6 to 12 months, and is available on Ravelry and Craftsy.

Pink Lemonade Baby Blanket

Us crocheters sometimes have to start projects in the off-season to get them done on time, especially large projects. Yesterday I released an exciting new pattern with that in mind. Relive memories of warm days, fun with friends and family, and cool treats as you make the Pink Lemonade Baby Blanket, my newest pattern that's available on Ravelry and Craftsy. It's perfect for any spring or summer babies you might have coming along.

That picture is pretty darn sweet, isn't it? It was actually taken by Doris Chan! Since I submitted my blanket to the CGOA Design Contest it got to have its picture taken. How special! Doris is very graciously allowing me to use the photo in whatever way I'd like.

So cute and girly! Want to make it for a boy? Simply change out the yellows for two greens and the pinks for white and light yellow and tada -- limeade! Though I love the whole blanket in all of its cuddly goodness, I have to admit that the lemon slices are my favorite part. What do you think? I can't wait to see other folks' finished objects.

Remix Friday: Freeform Pillow

Hello, lovely readers! It's Friday once again and I'm so excited to show you this week's Remix Friday project. This remix was made by Akua Lezli Hope, a respected crochet designer and accomplished artist. Wait, you may say, I thought this was Remix Friday not Friday Focus! We're learning about a designer? Yes! Indeed. This remix is super special. Akua has crocheted a captivating object that was remixed from pieces of her own patterns. She incorporated aspects of nine different designs to make one awesome pillow. Cool, right?! It's got such magnificent texture. Check it out.

The Crocheter
I’m a creator who uses mainly fiber and words with a deep affection for glass, fire, and metal. I’m an award winning poet, a crochet designer, a handpapermaker, and the founder of a new paratransit nonprofit. When I was able bodied I also created kilncast, sandcast and flameworked glassworks. I just fell in love with straw and stick weaving and today my first peg loom arrived...
 
The Original Pattern
Lezli Paisley, Cat Spiral, Pretty Picot Paisley, Frost Flower, Swirling Square Motif, SunRays Shrug and more by Akua Lezli Hope

The Story
Every year Ravelry has a party for National Crochet Month and a group forms that sponsors a freeform crochet along where daily there is a new stitch or technique to try. This year I committed to finishing and making something for my home. Most of what I make is for others and my environment should share in the love. Why was my lovely yellow leather couch so bare? Well, no longer.

The Remix
Between the patterned motifs are total improvisation as well as an echoing effect that I call encasing, inspired by Ukrainian designer Lena Green. The motif is filled in and surrounded, making it easier to connect to other components and motifs. I like the echo encasing where the shape of the motif is replicated through ridged echoes.

Crochet is... creates profound joy

So sunny, so awesome! What a statement piece. Ready to learn more about Akua? Visit her on her blog, Etsy, and her website. 

This Honey Just Got A Bit Sweeter

Remember my Sweet As Honey Set? I have some fun news! I showed a picture of it to a very dear friend of mine. Apparently her boyfriend's father has begun to keep bees. How awesome! We need more bees and it's wonderful to hear about people who are looking into beekeeping as a hobby. She and her boyfriend commissioned me to make a scarf based on the Sweet As Honey Pattern for his birthday. Yikes! I was a bit nervous about trying to modify a pattern meant for babies into something wearable by a grown man, but I think I did a pretty good job.

If you like the look of a blanket pattern, chances are you can turn it into a scarf by shortening it and/or adding fewer rows. I really like to snoop through the projects pages of patterns on Ravelry because chances are that someone out there has come up with an ingenious secondary use. Hats become purses, shawls become ponchos, and blankets become scarves. Never be afraid of bending a pattern to your will and making it fit your needs.

By the way, I was lucky enough to receive a picture of the happy recipient and even got permission to post it here. Makes my day :) Happy Hooking!

Sweet As Honey Baby Set

As you've probably noticed by now, I really enjoy writing baby set patterns. This may or may not have something to do with my baby fever (don't get excited, no babies for a few more years!). In all seriousness, even though desiring a baby is certainly a factor, there are several things about baby blankets and baby sets that inspire me. The first is that babies are only small for a short period of time. It seems fitting that they should have bright, beautiful items that honor this special time in their lives and in the lives of those who love them. I delight in imagining families lovingly creating items from my patterns that can be passed down to the babies of successive generations.

Another thing I love about baby sets is that you can use bold colors and stitches that you might not be able to use with adults. Babies don't mind standing out in a crowd. Baby blankets are like blank canvases that I can fill with fun images and texture.

The third reason I enjoy making baby sets is that they challenge my crochet skills. Sometimes I'm brave enough to try stitches that look difficult because they will give my item the desired effect. I need to engage my math skills when selecting stitch combinations and borders for my projects. It's fun to find the balance between shape and stitch count.

I used my passion and ever evolving skills to make my most fun pattern yet, the Sweet As Honey Baby Set.

 

One of the most engaging parts of pattern development in this case was the creation of the hexagon. When you crochet in the round your stitches need to increase at regular intervals or your circle will ripple instead of lay flat. Through some experimentation I was able to balance regular increases with a stitch pattern that would form the six distinct sides necessary for a pleasing hexagon and honeycomb pattern.

This pattern has enjoyed the most sales success and positive feedback of all of the patterns I have released so far. How exciting! As a side note, I'm glad that people are thinking about bees since recent research on bees and bee populations has been so alarming.

If you are interested in my new pattern, it is available here in my Ravelry store. Now to get to work on the next one!