Is it just me, or would this sweater shawl be perfect for cool autumn days & nights? It was advertised in the latest catalog from Annie’s Attic. I’d really like to purchase the pattern, but I really hate to pay the postage amount for something so light-weight. It’s a shame they don’t have a PDF version. I’ll have to put it on my “must-have” list and order it when I order something else from there.
I just got the latest issue of Crochet! magazine in the mail. As usual of late, there are several great patterns in it, like a very pretty Romantic Ruffles Pullover and a fantastic Winter White Car Coat. I definitely would like to make the latter before the really cold weather settles in. And great news, it comes in 2x, although for this pattern I can probably get by with the large. I’m really glad to see that they’ve added more sizes to their patterns than they did when I first experienced their magazine a couple of years ago. It definitely makes it overall more appealing, at least for me. Something I don’t like in this issue is a special advertising section that mixes knitting with crochet. I’m sure if I could knit, I’d probably be more accepting of it, but what’s a few patterns I won’t do compared to the few I will? I never aspire to do every single pattern in every single publication I receive anyway.
For Christmas gifts, I can see myself making up a handful of the his/her Double Take slippers, and possibly the his/her Aspen Neck Warmers, although offhand, I can’t think of anyone in my family that would wear a short scarf.
If you haven’t received your copy, I’m sure it’ll be hitting your mailbox or magazine rack soon. Oh, and for those who receive the magazine from their CGOA membership, there’s pictures of the CGOA Design Contest winners. There’s some pretty awesome projects there!
Positively Crochet!
by Mary Jane Hall is a great pattern book with 50 different projects and some positive inspiration spread throughout. I asked my library to purchase a copy earlier this year and have checked it out a couple of times, but I recently purchased my own copy when I found it for an incredible price of $6.95 at Annie’s Attic. I’m always looking to add books to my own collection, and when a good book is that inexpensive, I have to have it that much more.
There are several things that I like about this book. For one, I really like the inspiration that can be found with each pattern. The tips aren’t necessarily related to the pattern itself, but just towards life in general. My favorite which I found to be helpful and true for me right now is, “Everything begins as a thought. … You have the ability to succeed with your ideas, but first you need to set short-term and long-term goals. If you want to accomplish your goals, do something every single day that will help you reach that goal, whether it requires 10 minutes or one hour.” Then there’s the patterns. There’s several clothing patterns and nearly all of them are written to fit up to a 2XL. There’s also some cute jewelry patterns, one of which I’ve actually done before with brass buttons but with wire instead of the elastic thread like is done in the book. Additionally, I like how the book is laid out and written, and the author is a very sweet, gracious person and a great inspiration. How do I know? I messaged her on Ravelry once, and her response seemed to be true to the character she sets forth in this book.
Check it out if you haven’t already, and look it up at AnniesAttic.com to get it at a price that makes it even more fun! A little positivity goes a long way!
Nothing quite like getting crochet magazines in the mail two days in a row. Yesterday it was Crochet!; today it’s Crochet Today! I must say that it’s very rare that the latter is trumped by the previous, but it’s true of these two new issues. I love Crochet Today, but this issue left me wanting for more. I like most of the patterns, but with that said, most of the patterns I wouldn’t be interested in crocheting, so instead of mentioning those, I’ll mention the ones I want to make the most.
The Favorite Cardi sweater on the cover is very pretty, and I like the colors that were chosen. I don’t know if I’d ever wear it, but it’s something I’d like to make just for the fun of it. I really like the Perfect Fall Sweater as well; however, I think I’d make the sleeves full-length to make it more functional for me in the cooler weather. I love the little cacti, and the socks are already on my to-do list. There’s also a nice wrap made in chunky yarn. The dog sweater is cute, too, but my Zoe said it’s too masculine looking for her. She’d rather have something in pretty pinks and purples with a little frill, which I’m sure this sweater could be adapted to, but I think it would still be a little more boyish than my girl would want to wear. Or that I would want my girl to wear, I should say.
The Crochet Today web site isn’t updated as of this posting to reflect the latest issue, but check it out when you can. I’m sure between it and the latest Crochet! issue, most people can find at least one project to make–maybe more.
I received the latest issue of Crochet! magazine in the mail today and all I can say is, “WOW!” There’s some very pretty patterns in there. I remember not liking this magazine much when I first started crocheting a couple of years ago, but it seems they’ve been listening to their readers and have changed things up a bit. I’ve really enjoyed the issues I started receiving when I joined the CGOA.
My favorite pattern in this issue is the crochet denim jacket. It takes a piece of denim and a lot of crochet to make an attractive jacket. This one is on my list of things to make for myself before cooler weather settles in. I also really like the Romantic Layers set. I’m not one to dress up a whole lot, so I don’t know if this would ever get worn, but it’s definitely something I wouldn’t mind having in my wardrobe just in case. The Dolman Jacket is really nice, too, and may end up in my closet someday.
There’s some great non-wearable patterns as well. I have to mention the Classy Messenger Bag created by Tracie Barrett of Fibers by Tracie. This is an awesome looking bag that has made it to my to-do list. It’s been fun watching Tracie as she started her designing career. I first found her in Ravelry and have read her blog for awhile now. It’s really neat to see a familiar name on a published pattern. Hopefully, some day, my name will be on one, too. There’s also a cute monkey, a chic little bucket bag, and a Breast Cancer Awareness scarf. Like I said, lots of good stuff in this issue.
If you haven’t gotten a copy yet, you can get a sneak peak at the other items on the Crochet! web site under Features, then click on “In this Issue”. You won’t be disappointed.
Happy Crocheting!
patterns for sale | Tracie | 
September 25, 2008 2:53 pm | 
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