Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Also perfect for weddings, anniversaries or “just ’cause I love you” days! What’s different about this pattern? Pattern includes instructions for hearts as well as pre-made templates. Crochet, print and mail. It’s that easy!
Pattern available here: Love Notes
Remember, all Crochet by Darleen Hopkins patterns are Buy 2, Get a 3rd for FREE when purchased on Ravelry. No coupon needed!
Cold weather got you down? Make yourself this adorable Sunny Days Mobile and your forecast will be nothing but rainbows and sunshine! Also a perfect baby gift or room decoration for babies, tweens and teens. Pattern available here: Sunny Days Baby Mobile
Remember, all Crochet by Darleen Hopkins patterns are Buy 2, Get a 3rd for FREE when purchased on Ravelry. No coupon needed!
Oh, and have you heard about the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long? This mobile qualifies for prizes if you participate!
Sorbet Shawl
copyright ACCROchet
The Indie Design Gift-A-Long (GAL) is upon us again. Not only does the GAL give designers the opportunity to work alongside other crocheters/knitters but it has also become a fantastic way to get to know some of these awesome people. I was excited to find crochet designer, Julie as a participant in this year’s 2015 GAL. Her vibrant personality flows through to her designs as they are not only fun and youthful but also beautiful and modern.
Julie, please share a little of your background.
My name is Julie, and I design crochet patterns under the alias ACCROchet (a play on words, in French, combining addicted & crochet). I am nearly 40 years old, a mom & stepmom to 2 very different teenagers, and engaged to The Man of my dreams. We live in a suburb on the North Shore of Montreal.
I work in Communications & Advertising full-time, but my evenings & weekends are devoted to crochet, crochet design, teaching crochet, inspiring others to crochet, etc. My patterns are published in both English and French. Initially, ACCROchet was born to offer options to French-only crocheters, but as it grew, I decided to translate them to English as well.
Melo Hat
copyright ACCROchet
How long have you been designing and what led you to design?
I officially got started after being invited to a fiber festival in my province (festivaltwist.org). I was going there mostly to sell finished crochet items, but had 3 patterns written and brought them on a whim.
So many people bought them, and asked for more, that a knitting friend and I vowed to design 1 new pattern every month until the next event. And we did.
Turns out this is a good thing, because I don’t like making the same thing twice, which is a prerequisite of selling finished items!
Why crochet? What is it that interests you? What do you enjoy most about the craft?
Initially it was a way to keep busy on maternity leave, in the evenings. I have anxiety & crochet lets me channel the energy more positively.
I think I fell in love with crochet because it is/was an underdog. I guess it makes me feel good to see people change their minds about the craft when they see what we do with it now!
Quatre 4 in 1 Cowl
copyright ACCROchet
What other crafts do you enjoy? or is there another craft you would like to learn?
I love Tunisian crochet, and count it as a separate craft. I’m starting to think about maybe perhaps trying to knit.
What influences your style?
I try really hard to create items that beginners* will be able to crochet without too much of a headache, but that crocheters with more experience won’t be bored by. I think my designs are distinctively modern, crisp and classic all at once.
*I’m not convinced I believe in beginner/expert. I mostly believe in mindless crochet/involved crochet. But the range remains the same.
What was the last thing you crocheted/knit for yourself?
This hat, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/131730357828620382/ by Mama in a Stitch. It’s super simple. I love it.
Workman’s Sock
copyright ACCROchet
What are your favorite stitches?
I have an unhealthy attraction to the half-double crochet stitch. It tends to show up often in my designs.
I also really like working in the back loop only.
What is/are your favorite crochet tool(s) or notion(s)?
My Furls Fiberarts Candy Shop hooks. I bought them in spurts, splurging until I had the entire rainbow. I love them.
Twisted Cowl, Tunisian Crochet
copyright ACCROchet
When you aren’t crocheting, what are you doing?
When what?
(HA! HA!, I can totally relate!) Where can we find you?
Facebook: facebook.com/accrochet
Ravelry: ravelry.com/designers/accrochet
Website: accrochet.com
Thank you!
I’ve really enjoyed meeting Julie aka ACCROchet. I’m making a Melo Hat as part of my Stash Bust Challenge, and part of the GAL of course! Check back for the finished photo.
Just in time to whip one up for your upcoming Thanksgiving feast! This is adorable bib is an easy crochet pattern. If you can change color mid-row, you can make this cutie! Pattern available here: Pretty Spiffy
Remember, all Crochet by Darleen Hopkins patterns are Buy 2, Get a 3rd for FREE when purchased on Ravelry. No coupon needed!
Oh, and have you heard about the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long? This bib qualifies for prizes if you participate!
This is the third year for the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long and I’m so excited for it to begin. Every year has been a lot of fun and this year, it is bigger than ever and guaranteed not to disappoint.
What is Gift-A-Long? It’s a multi-designer promotion to help you kick your holiday gift-making into high gear!
Basically, 335 indie designers of knit and crochet patterns, have banded together to support each other and help everyone get their holiday to-do list done while having a lot of fun and possibly winning patterns and yarn and kits and lots of other fiber finds.
There is an amazing stats page you can find here: Indie GAL Stats!
In a nutshell there are:
335 designers from 30 countries.
Over 150 donated physical prizes, and more coming in…
Over 2,300 digital prizes (patterns!)
There are almost 16,000 patterns to knit or crochet that will make you eligible to win one (or more) of the fabulous prizes. Of the almost 16,000 patterns, 5,065 of them will be on SALE for 25% off! Yup! Big Savings so stock up on your favorites. The sale runs from Thursday, November 19th at 8:00 pm US EST to Friday, November 27, 2015 at 11:59 pm US EST.
There will be Pinterest boards and Ravelry Bundles available to peruse for all the sale patterns. Each designer has at least 5 and up to 20 patterns on sale. Once you get your sale pattern, check out the other patterns the designer offers. All patterns are eligible for the KAL/CAL threads and all paid for patterns (self, or third party published) are eligible for prizes. Did I mention the prizes??? Tons and tons of prizes but you gotta’ be in it to win!
Check the Ravelry group for more information. And be sure to check my Facebook page as I will be featuring a GAL Crochet Pattern of the day, every day of the Gift-A-Long!
You can find all my GAL eligible patterns here: Crochet by Darleen Hopkins on Ravelry
Mark your calendars-The Third Annual Indie Design Gift-A-Long (GAL) will be here in just 2 weeks and will run from Thursday, November 19th at 8pm (US-EST) through the New Years Eve party, Thursday, December 31 at midnight (US-EST). What is a GAL? Find out more about it from last year’s post or check out the Ravelry group, Indie Design Gift-A-Long. Keep watch for more information as we get closer to the start date.
PSST-Can’t wait for the sale? All Crochet by Darleen Hopkins patterns on Ravelry are Buy 2 Patterns, Get a 3rd for FREE! No special sale needed!
Critter Hat
December 31, 2014 and my last hat of the year for the 2014 Stash Bust Challenge was just finished. I didn’t think I’d have time for another hat this year but then remembered this hat I had started a couple of months ago and hadn’t finished. There’s a reason I didn’t finish it…fun fur/eyelash yarn. I’m not a fan of this type of yarn but for some reason (clearance aisle a few years ago!) there are a few skeins of this stuff in my possession. UGH. There’s no pattern for this critter. I just made a hat. As it progressed it was kinda large so I added some super bulky yarn as an edging to tighten it up. Then, to use up what was left, made some ears-why not?-to create a critter of some sort. The edging part is pretty tight on Buffy’s head so I’m hoping it will fit a large child. The good news is I used up all the super bulky and the dark blue fur yarn, less than a yard leftover of each, and created a hat some child will (hopefully) like. The bad news, I have more of this fur stuff, lots more.
This hat weighs 4.25 ounces.
Total hats made in the 2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 24
Total weight of the hats made for donation in 2014: 5 pounds, 4.25 ounces!
Check back in a week or so for a new 2015 Challenge!
I’m still plugging away at my Stash Bust Challenge. I’m beginning to realize I won’t be making 7 pounds worth of hats but that’s OK. I’ll make what I can. This is my second Winter Tracks hat, designed by Sarah Jane. The hat is written to have a brim. I was so tired and so excited to finish the hat last night that I completely forgot to add it. Oh well, I think it looks great with and without so I’m going to leave it as it. Great pattern! Gotta go, I need to get stitching…
This hat weighs 4.75 ounces.
Total hats made in the
2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 22
Total weight of the
hats to date: 4 pounds, 12.5 ounces.
Two more hats for donation completed in November! Whoo-Hoo! These two cuties will be donated locally. I had an almost full skein of white Red Heart Super Saver in my stash. This isn’t the best yarn for chemo hats so I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Then I received notification that this year’s White Christmas has a Frozen theme. Every year the employees of the local university where I work collect A LOT of food and toys (White Christmas) for those who live in the town and are in need. So, I decided to make an Elsa hat for the collection. I’m pleased to have found a charitable use for this yarn. And because it will be worn by a child who will have hair, this yarn should be OK.
For the hat, I used my Chirp! Chirp! Tweet! Tweet! Hat Baby Bird, Chick, Bluebird, Cardinal you pick hat. I added the hair and crown.
The Ninja Turtle hat was crocheted with Red Heart Super Saver also. I hope it will go to a young boy who will have fun with it. I have a lot more of this green and I wish I had the time to make more Ninja Turtle hats. If I still have the yarn next November, I just may make another turtle or two for the collection next year.
The two hats weigh just over 7 ounces.
Total hats made in the
2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 21
Total weight of the
hats to date: 4 pounds, 7.75 ounces.
One of the great things about the Gift-A-Long on Ravelry is the opportunity to get to know other designers. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Cynthia Levy, a knitting designer. Many of Cynthia designs incorporate amazing and lovely cabling. She has published a number of beautiful knit sock patterns as well as some quick-to-knit designs that would be perfect for the holidays that are fast approaching. After you get to know her a little bit better, check out her gift suggestions and get stitching!
I’ve been knitting ever since I was a pre-teen figure skater. I considered it essential to have a sweater and mittens to coordinate with every skating outfit and the best way to collect them was to make them myself. The first thing I actually remember knitting was a fair isle yoke sweater to match a skating skirt. My mother was used to my habit of jumping right into a complex project, instead of ever starting a new hobby with something simple, so she agreeably purchased the yarn and delegated any necessary assistance to my grandmother.
Snow Flurry Mittens by Cynthia Levy (Redtiger)
One of my favorite original designs is Snow Flurry Mittens. I live in the Canadian sub-arctic and -40C is normal winter weather. Anything warm and cozy is bound to be well loved by me. The pattern was a bit of a challenge to get just right so I’m quite proud of it. The snowflake pattern is worked with the mitten held inside-out, so that the pattern stitch can be easily accomplished in the round, and a variety of needle sizes are used to accommodate the gauges of the various stitches.
I absolutely adore Julia Farwell Clay’s Bartok Tunic pattern published in Interweave Knits Spring 2013. I fell in love with the pattern the second I saw it. I made my tunic in the yarn and colors specified in the magazine, but shortened the length and narrowed the sleeves. It’s the most comfortable sweater ever and garners compliments everywhere.
I have a real weakness for double-pointed sock needles. My current favorites are Knitters Pride Karbonz and Kollage square needles. And I have recently become a fan of pretty stitch markers. I recently acquired some stitch markers from Caliope’s Fibre that make me happy whenever I look at them.
If I’m not knitting or designing, I’m probably toiling away at my more than full-time day job. But if I’m not working or knitting, I certainly won’t be idle. My husband is a private pilot so our summers are dedicated to enjoying our little Cessna floatplane. My other activities include pottery, quilting, weaving, tole painting and stained glass, as well as fishing, camping, hiking, gardening, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Too many interests, too little time!
The best place to find me is on Ravelry as redtiger. I spend way too much time gazing at all the great patterns and yarn displayed there. My original designs are available through my shops on Ravelry, Craftsy and Patternfish. I’m also on Twitter as Redtigerdesigns.
Thank you Cynthia! Your designs are beautiful and inspiring. I’m a huge fan of your gorgeous cabling. Keep warm (-40C !!!) and happy stitching!
Crochet By Darleen Hopkins 