Thursday, December 7, 2017

Turning Wintry, and some Patterns Published

December doesn't seem like December without any snow.

It's been cold and clear - blessedly clear, after our murky November - but dry as a bone. Many Wisconsin natives seem to like it this way, but I've never lost my SoCal-bred excitement at the sight of white stuff falling from the sky and sticking to the ground. (Sticking being the key word.) I get a little antsy when Christmas decorations begin to appear, while the earth remains obstinately bare and the forecast is empty of flakes.

This week the temperatures dropped from autumn-ish 30s to winter-is-coming teens. And late last night, when Mr. M went to lock up the porch, I heard him exclaim in surprise. "You got your wish!" he called. He stuck his head outside and took a deep sniff. "It smells amazing."

Sure enough, the ground was covered in unexpected snow, all sparkling under the street lamps. The air smelt scrubbed and fresh, as if the snow had cleaned it on the way down. A soft silence lay over the land.

Today the forecast reads: "A period of accumulating snow is expected across southern Wisconsin from late afternoon Friday...."

Decorating for Christmas suddenly makes more sense.

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In keeping with the wintry theme, here are some recently-published patterns:

Love of Crochet Winter 2017

These lacy little Star Flakes are quick-to-work thread crochet, stiffened with a simple glue solution. (Fun fact: The star on the lower right is made in one continuous round.)

The Star Flakes look lovely hanging on a tree:


Next up, the Icicle Social Scarf:


The scarf's lacy end panels are trimmed with joined snowflake motifs, and its body works up quickly in easy offset clusters. The pattern could easily be widened to make a lovely stole.

This scarf was designed last winter, and submitted in the spring, so as you can see I have snow on my mind in other months than December!

Be sure to check out Love of Crochet Winter 2017 for many more beautiful wintry patterns.

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Interweave Crochet, Winter 2018

My original name for this hat was Twist and Shout, but Interweave slotted it into a fairy-tale storyline and changed its name to Grimm:


The Grimm hat is anything but, featuring a kicky two-colour, picot-edged, back loop slip stitch ribbing band, worked in offset rows for a visual twist. The hat's crown features an almost-lacy stitch pattern that marries well with worsted weight yarn while providing textural contrast to the stripes. The mini-sample I submitted to Interweave (right photo, above) sported a fun tassel. The tassel was not included in the final pattern, but would be easy to add for a whimsical touch.

Interweave Crochet Winter 2018 is full of stunning cold-weather patterns. You can scroll through the lookbook here, and order a copy here.

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There are lots of other projects on the Micawber hook right now, but most of them are book-related and won't be appearing for some time yet.

What are you crocheting? (Or knitting?)

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20 comments:

  1. Your designs look awesome! :) Oh December....I have grown tired of the cold already and it not even January yet! I miss Summer...yes, she was a beast of heat and humidity, but at least I could feel my toes....I might have to learn to knit socks this winter. :) Wishing you a lovely day sweet friend. :)

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    1. You should definitely knit some socks! Or even crochet some. That would keep your fingers warm, at least.... Thanks V! :)

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  2. The tree decorations are lovely; I used to make something similar in the 70s or 80s. Your scarf is pretty but I need to keep the heat in these days.

    Enjoy your snow and please, keep it to yourself?

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    1. I will keep ALL the snow and gladly. At least until March. Thanks TA! :)

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  3. I'm glad you got your snow. We are supposed to get flurries on the weekend.

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    1. Here's to a white Philadelphia Christmas for you Dee! :)

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  4. I love to see snow falling but not sticking. Atlanta will be getting snow tonight, we're getting rain. Love the little snowflakes, will look for the magazine. I think Twist and Shout is a better name.

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    1. For me it's no fun if it doesn't stick. But it does look lovely falling. Thanks, Janet. :)

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  5. Amazing patterns, my friend! I've done several snowflakes, I think they look fabulous on a tree. Yours are beautiful! It's gotten real cold and windy here in Oregon.. I would love to see some pretty snow. I hope we get at least some soon.
    *********************************************
    *H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
    *********************************************
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Thanks Teresa! I too hope you get some snow. It looks like Mt. Hood has plenty but here's to some at your level. :)

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  6. Well you got your wish, Sue! The snow came at last and it's all feeling right again for the season! Lovely snowflakes, scarf and snug hats! I do love this season actually and don't regret the summer one instant! Though I do adore the in-between seasons of spring and autumn the best!
    We are getting snow this afternoon too and it will snow the whole day tomorrow. Yippee!

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    1. All that snow sounds wonderful, Sandra. It will make a lovely backdrop for your beautiful crochet decorations. :)

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  7. I LOVE LOVE LOVE December snows. Excited we may get more. ! It makes it so holiday. My kids come home and love to have snow for Christmas here. And my geranium that I expected nothing of, when I took it in to rest through the winter...is BLOOMING!

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    1. So is mine! Such a treat at this time of year. It usually goes dormant for a couple of months after Christmas, then blooms again in March. Which is a also a treat.
      Enjoy Christmas with your kids, kathy! :)

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  8. My niece had a baby on November 30th and I made crocheted a simple baby hat today. Since it snowed, I made it from a yarn called "snowflake". It is white with sparkly bits. I have only seen snow once in my life with sun on it, and I remember it really does look like that!

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    1. Congratulations to your niece, Kay! The hat sounds cute. Long life to your little great-niece. :)

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  9. Sue, congrats on such amazing designs. You are so incredible! I love that scarf so much. Happy it might be snowy by you. We are chilly here, going down into the 40's tonight, burr!

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    1. Time to get out some of those lovely sweaters you make!

      Thanks Mere. :)

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  10. Of course, you know I love the Star Flakes best! I had no idea! I can't wait to make a few! Congrats on all your published patterns. The scarf is dynamite! We got a few inches last night and so are enjoying a white Christmas Eve. As good as a white Christmas! Hope yours is merry!

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  11. I love the snow too! We rarely get any here, but we did this month. I got to watch it swirl down from the sky as I sat in front of a big, big window. Later, I was lucky enough (though many wouldn't count it as lucky) to drive in it on nearly empty roads when it was dark but not late and most everyone else was cozied up at home somewhere. The trees and open places were so beautiful. It only lasted a day, but the Christmas lights on my street made my heart lift just that much more that night.

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