The Crochet Crowd

Mike y
Nov 26th, 2015
In This Issue
Mega Bulky Cowl
Diva Dan is doing
the Macramé?
4
NEW
Tutorials
Including
2 New Afghan Tutorials
You make me smile
Hawt off the Hook with Mikey
I’ve been thinking a lot about the art of appreciation. Many of
us crocheters and give it away as a gift. Some of us have a gulp
in our throat looking for that flicker of light in their eyes. You
know that one… the look that says thank you without even
saying it.
Sadly, in some of our lives, the appreciation of our creativity
doesn’t get recognized as much as we hoped. In some cases,
we know they accepted our gift but you get the overwhelming
feeling they didn’t like it, even though they claimed the did…
only to find it in next year’s garage sale.
Daniel and I have been together for 7 years now but there was
a moment in our first year that changed me. You see, Daniel is a fanatic with his garden. He loves it, it is his
treasure. He can spend hours digging around the dirt, moving plants, trimming and more. For me, I have an
attitude of “Whatever floats you boat!” It’s not important to me as it is him.
So one gorgeous afternoon, I had to mow the yard. One of his massive perennials was over grown and growing over the border of the garden, it was lying partially on the grass. I saw it, I looked around… and I bulldozed that plant to tim buck two! Firstly, I don’t know what I was thinking, having flower petals and green
leaves blown for several feet across the grass, he is going to notice… Hindsight is 20-20. Yeah, I’m an idiot!
To my horror, I didn’t realize he happened to be looking out of the window and seen me do it. Crap, now I
can’t blame the damn cat! He pushed opened the window and screamed, “OH MY GOD!” So loud, I definitely heard him over the grinding of the lawnmower. Oh boy... I got a tonque lashing.
He said one sentence and then I felt like 2” high. “I was so proud of that plant… How could you?”
It never occurred me the strong passion he has for every living plant of his. What one plant in amoungst
hundred? To him, it was all summer of taking care of it, only to have me ruin his hard work without care.
I learned that one afternoon through a very significant moment. Firstly, don’t mess with Daniel’s plants but
most importantly, just because I didn’t see the creativity and what it meant for Daniel clearly, I learned that I
need to be more vigilant and perceptive to the creativity Daniel has and what is important to him.
Happy American Thanksgiving and Hookin’ - Mikey
2
Contents
3 Yarn Talk
4 Tri-colour Cowl
5 Globetrotter Shawl
6 Facebook Holidays
8 Easy Pleasie Aghan
9 Simple Textured Blanket
10 Open Work Scarf
11 World largest Stocking and
Meet Mikey!
12 Facebook Selfies
14 Jeanne’s ?s
15 Ticky Tacky Sweater
16 Mikey;s Video Library
18 Spinrite E-Tent SALE
19 Most spots open for the
Cruises
20 Ideas from Yarnspirations.
com
22 Facebook shares
23 Facebook Meme
24 Black Friday Sale
25 Last Weeks Features
26 Diva Dan!
27 Past Issues
Happy American Thanksgiving!
:)
This week
Yarn Talk
For the Fur Babies
Cat Paws Stocking
Tunisian Rib Stich Hat
How to Crochet with Wire
Zig Zag Baby Blanket
The *NEW*
LookBook
just in time
for the
Holidays
Photo Model on Cover Page, Rachel Cantwell
3
Tri-Colour Cowl
T
ry this Crochet Cowl.
This cowl is really
interesting and definitely a
statement to wear this winter. Mega Bulky Yarns are
in demand this fall. Many
new crocheters and knitters
love this yarn as projects
can be doing really quickly.
The stitching is unusual as
the half double crochets are
in the middle bar.
Get the Pattern,
Video and Blog
4
Globetrotter Shawl
We would like to say this is
one of the most interesting
and outstanding shawls
that we have even did as a
tutorial.
The Globetrotter uses super
fine yarns so this will take
a while to crochet but the
results are worth it.
Be sure to watch Mikey’s
video on how to do the
Bruges Lace. Mikey’s suggested helpful tips on how
to centre yourslef to do the
curves used in the pattern
is very helpful. :)
Get The Pattern,
Video and Blog
This Pattern calls for Patons Kroy Sock FX. The
use of colour transitions
beautifully. But you can
use any super fine yarn
of your choice.
You can also see other
options for yarn choices
HERE
5
Shares of Holidays
Pat’s cute little wreaths would be
great for the tree.
Rhonda’s Jewelled Snowflake is
every so pretty!
Catherine had so much fun makeing these little stockings for Gift
Cards
Allannah made this wonderful nativity scene. Very well done!
Customized Stockings by Lori
Grondin.
The snowflake sugar cookie scarf is
adorable on Alana’s Niece!
6
Landy has been busy made several
Snowflake scarfs
Tina out did herself with the holidays decorations.
Barbara did the Happy Holidays
Afghan. WOW!
Shares of Holidays
Linda’s On the Dot Stocking is colourful. Awesome!
Peppermint and Spearmint Afghan.
Love the two colours Donna!
Robert finished his Noel Granny
Throw. Well Done Robert!
Leslie’s First Christmas Beanie. The
tree is fantastic! Simple!
This Snowflake Afghan is just stunning! Great Work Gabriela!
These are many samples of what The Crochet Crowd Community is
doing for the up coming Holidays.
Brenda’s Fabulous Snowman is
going to a friend.
Many of these patterns are ideas and inspiration created by the
crowders themselves. Also you can go to our Facebook Page, Click
‘Photos’, them ‘Photos Posted by Others’ and scroll down to find
what you are looking for. Don’t forget to say you love their Creativity!
7
Easy Pleasie Afghan
T
he yarn does all the
work in this pattern,
choosing Bernat Blanket
and doing the most simplist
V stich, it really couldn’t be
any easier.
C
ozy, colourful and
great for beginners,
Bernat Blanket yarn is still
the top choice for many
crocheters.
Get the
pattern, video
and read the
blog and tips.
Bernat Blanket comes
in a range of colours
and shades. Be sure to
check out your local
crafting store or shop
online at Yarnspirations.
com for the fabulous
array of options.
8
Simple Textured Blanket
U
sing the Crinkle
Stitch, this Simple
Textured Blanket has traditional elegance without the
hard work involved. It’s a
cozy blanket that can bring
warmth to any room.
T
he Crickle Stitch alternates two stiches to
prevent the typical train
track look of an afghan,
therfore giving a very lovely
testured look.
L
earn how to do this
afghan with Mikey.
Get The Pattern,
Videos and Blog
Remember that buying Caron
United Yarn $0.15 goes towards the Children of Fallen
Pariots Foundation. You too
can do a little extra during the
holidays just by buying a ball
of yarn.
Yarn shown in Picture. Caron
United Dark Green
9
Open Work Scarf
T
his Openwork Scarf
is actually quite an
enjoyable pattern to learn
and use. Once you get the
rhythm of it you are off to
the races.
L
aura Jean did our sample for this week using
Caron Simply Soft Ombre
‘Stormy Seas’. She thought
since it is going to be Black
Friday coming up, how
appropriate to do a
scarf in ‘Black’
Get The Pattern, Video
and Blog
10
Set your Sights on some Christmas lights
and bring your holiday cheer to see the
biggest stocking of the year!
More information will be coming soon!
Check out TheCrochetCrowd.com for the
latest updates.
11
Last week we asked our fans to post their ‘Mug Shot Selfie’ working on their crochet project, showing
us what is on their hook. Here are a just a few people out of 700 or so. Crocheters (even Knitters) from
all around the world smiling and proudly showing what they are working on! But if you look closely,
look at the smiles, the joy and happiness people do when it comes to crochet! Seriously, what a fantastic
group of people!
12
13
Facebook ?s with Jeanne
First time attempting Victorian
thread ornaments. Opinions on
starch vs glue/water for stiffening.
from Dani B.
I turned to Mikey and Diva Dan for
this one since I don’t have any experience with thread ornaments and
stiffening. Mikey recently experimented with different methods of
stiffening from using sugar to starch
to glue. The both agree the Elmers
glue and water method is the best
way to go.
Please explain working with the WS
and RS, including in rounds. Also,
can you work strictly either one while
making afghans? from Kristin B.
Sometimes crochet pieces are two
sided, which means if you could flip
them over and they would be the
same on both sides. Afghans can
be that way. But sometimes there
is more design and texture to one
side of a piece. The designer will
choose and state in the pattern when
you are working the wrong side
(WS) or the right side (RS). I have
worked many afghans where the
entire afghan is worked in the round
completely on the RS, so yes it can
be done.
14
I want to make a polar bear rug but
was wondering if you can scotch
guard yarn? from Shawna W.
Is there a way to make the soles of
slippers nonslip? from Mickey F.
There are many possible methods
and ideas for making your soles
non-slip, but my favorite way is to
use just regular clear silicone that
you can easily find at your local
hardware store. It comes in a tube
in the chalk section of the store.
Just smear it or add small dots on
the bottom of the slipper and it
will not only be non-slip, it resists
water.
I want to say that is a fantastic idea
and I wish I had thought about that
sooner! I read the can of Scotchgard Carpet and Rug Protector and
I believe it would be safe. Carpet
in our home is made up of a type of
yarn fiber, so why not. But I would
suggest that you make a little swatch
and test it for discoloration before
using it on your project.. And please
post your project on our wall when
it’s finished. I can’t say that I’ve ever
seen a crocheted polar bear rug.
Jeanne is looking for questions
on Facebook to answer.
Let the Party Begin!
So it Started!
What will your TICKY
TACKY sweater Look
Like!!! What kind of
Fun can you create!
Do you know who this? This is Karen
Ellis a really good friend of ours! She will
be with us LIVE on Facebook to judge
the ticky tacky sweaters! Here she is
shopping to come up with her version to
wear. Stay tune for the fun LIVE with us
and Karen Ellis!
Get the Details to have a Bit of
Creative FUN!
15
Holiday Ideas Tutorials by Mikey
Granny Rectangle Afghan
Cozy Posy Wristers
Chain Links Pillow
Christmas Tree Skirt
On the Dot Stocking
Trendy Baby Blanket
If love the teaching, the patterns and the down to earth nature of Mikey, then take the time to subscribe
to the Crochet Crowd’s YouTube Channel. You will get updated with all the latest videos that could spark
your next project!
Click
16
Mikey’s Afghan
Colourful, Textured & Adventurous
Order Here
For More Information
17
BLACK FRIDAY All Week…
1/2 Price Yarn
25 Selected Yarns 1/2 price
Surf the Tent & Save
While Supplies Last, No Limits
November 24th to November 30, 2015
Ends Monday Night at 11:59 pm (EST)
Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through
Spinrite’s E-Tent
Try out these patterns from Yarnspirations.com with your new order!
Lacy Picture Frames
18
Rainbow Bear
Visor Hat
Crochet Cruises Update
Caribbean
Sherry our Cruise agent has suggested
that there are some last minute cabins
available for the March 2016 Crochet
Cruises in the Caribbean.
If you are interested in a last minute vacation and be part of a wonderful group
of friends and crocheters. This is a great
opportunity.
For more
information on the last minute opportunities.
please click here.
19
Get Your Own Card
Imagine free shipping anytime exclusively for members of The Crochet Crowd! Need an
emergency order of yarn, get your code and keep it on file! Only at Yarnspirations.com.
Does not include any sales from the Spinrite E-Tent.
20
Ideas
Christmas Tree Throw
Crochet Tripod Hat
Perfect Pattern Poncho
Striped Mittens
Check Please Blanket
Gutsy Textured Cowl
Christmas Tree Skirt
Textured Hat
Eight Shades Ripple
21
Shares from Our Community
Wendy finished her Lily Lake pattern
by Jane Crow. Really beautiful!
I can’t imagine sewing all this together but WOW Fatma Fantastic!
Abigail is so proud of herslef. This is
first adult size blanket! Awesome!
Nikiesha HOTH is the Triangle
scarf with Fringe. Nicely done!
22
Gina’s Tiger, Lions and Bears
baby Blankets won her 1st prize.
Congratulations!
Liisa has been busy making gifts.
Lots of Amigurumis!
Candice did the stepping texture
hat. Love the colour variation!
Shannon got her Mystery Afghan
done. It looks amazing Shannon!
An adorable little unicorn! Sarah
did a FABulous job!
Crisa made this outfit for her sister
in law, The Cowgirl outift is extra
cute!
Check in with us, we will
post on Facebook, the
photo Meme of the day.
We like you to come up
with something clever for
the photo. We will pick
the one we like, then add
it to our Magazine!
What would your meme say?
I think the
Shirt says it
all!
23
Starting Today,
Thursday, Nov 26 through
to Monday, Nov 30, 2015,
Yarnspirations is having
their annual
Black Friday Cyber
Yarn Sales.
S
Each day of the sale will be different and runs out in 24
hours.
Be sure to check out Yarnspirations.com or even their
Facebook for the sale of the day.
25
e
l
a
Our Features from Last Week’s Magazine Edition
We love seeing what people had done by reading
our Mikey Magazine.
Here we have Oogoo oogoo made some slippers
for the whole family!
Mary Joy’s daughter loves the new Granny Stripe
Hat!
Margie worked on the Granny Rectangle
& Kathy finished her Granny Square hat!
To see our last week edition.
26
Diva Dan!
I know, I know, you see the picture, you love the scarf but it
not crochet! But this is a crochet magazine!
Once in a while Michael and I, (mostly me) like to try something new out! Sure there are a lot of yarns to explore but
some of those yarns, well, lets say, there is not much we can
do with them. They have one purpose, a trend yarn that crocheters AND knitters buy insistently but soon discover they
have their limitations! I get excited to try a trendy yarn! After
all, it is like on a whole new wardrobe.
Big and Bulky is absolutely in trend for the fashion side of
the business. Teenagers and young adults love the size and
thickness of these yarns. Since a few years ago when arm
knitting was popular, (Mikey has some great videos on how
to arm knit), enthusiasts wanted big and bulky yarns that was
colourful and nice to wear. Before long, the industry started
playing with the idea. But as a crocheter, I would need a super
size hook to do this and it sometimes takes strength! The
results are a thick and big scarf to make a fantastic statement
but I do find it bit too thick for my tastes.
So late last year, I decided to try my idea to use Bernat’s Mega Bulky yarn and do some Macramé
projects with it. Macrame! Mikey would said, Who likes Macrame? ( in a very sarcastic voice.) I ended setting up in the laundry room closet and decided to teach myself how to do the simple stitches. It
is sad that a style of craft has a bad reputation with that heavy and bristly cord back in the 60’s. Hours
later, I came out of the closet with a soft and fabulous scarf. (*wink*) Mikey was floored.
So from me to you, here is a video that I found that you can learn how to do the square knot in the
photo. The photo is just the alternating square knot, with three colours of Mega Bulky. You can play
around with any combinations and make it as wide and as long as you want. The length of each cord
is about 4 times longer then you want the scarf to be to wear, that’s a rough guess. I have been ask to
do videos for some of projects and they will appear in the new year.
27
Enjoy and Happy American Thanksgiving! -Diva Dan
Past Issues
To join our newsletters for our latest Magazine
You can download our
newsletters from our website anytime you wish.
If you decide to print, the
links will be not active.
In any case, most of all
the patterns can be found
again through our website.
TheCrochetCrowd.com
This newsletter is produced by Michael Sellick and Daniel Zondervan, Creative Directors of The
Crochet Crowd. While we try our best to provide a grammatical error free newsletter, a few errors
most likely will slip between the stitches. We are a very small company with a creative thirsty
crochet following. If we are to produce a newsletter that has no errors, we would never be able to
send one out.
Our team is also propelled by Colleen Barden - Samples & Show Support, Laura Jean Bartholomew Community Info Seeker and Jeanne Steinhilber - Community Chaperon.
© 2015 TheCrochetCrowd.com
28