Crocheted Aliens in the Western US

Posted on March 9, 2017 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Annie’s Adventures

Annie the Alien went on an exciting adventure this past summer. She joined us on our road trip from Georgia to Las Vegas, NV and everywhere in between. From the bright lights of the Vegas Strip to some of the most breathtaking vistas in the United States, Annie enjoyed them all. She wanted to share with you some of her favorite sites. Psst! See below for a special offer in honor of National Crochet Month, 2017!

Somehow a pink alien fit right in at infamous Las Vegas!

annie-the-alien-enjoying-the-breathtaking-view-of-bryce-canyon

Annie the Alien LOVES Bryce Canyon. She didn’t want to leave…. Annie will be back. I’m sure of it. And she will bring her brother Arnie to see it all.

annie-the-alien-enjoys-the-views-of-the-grand-canyon

Annie the Alien enjoys the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The North Rim is so peaceful. We saw very few humans at the overlooks. BTW, the black bean soup at the little snack bar at the North Rim Visitor’s Center is REALLY GOOD!

annie-the-alien-at-the-grand-canyon-north-rim

Another view of Annie the Alien at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. WOW! It is AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL and OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!!

annie-the-alien-hiked-in-arches-national-park

Annie the Alien started this hike at 6am to avoid the 110 degree weather. Boy, was it worth it! The arch is HUGE!!!!! Do you see the person in the middle of the arch and one on the left side?

Want to make your own Annie (or Arnie)? You CAN! In honor of National Crochet Month, 2017, the Arnie and Annie Baby Lovey Crochet Pattern is FREE with any Crochet by Darleen Hopkins purchase on Ravelry. Yup! With the purchase of any of my self-published patterns on Ravelry and coupon code “AnnieNatCroMo2017“, you can get the pattern for free. Happy Crocheting! Valid during the month of March 2017 only (expires 3/31/2017 11:59 PM EST) Use this link to get started. The pattern and the coupon are already added to your cart. You just need to figure out what other pattern you would like by clicking on “View all available items” at the top of the page. ENJOY!

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Crochet Pattrn for Kitty Cat Throw Blanket

The story behind the Baby Kitty, Patchwork Throw Blanket Crochet Pattern

Posted on March 20, 2016 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

The Baby Kitty Blanket

Josh, dressed as a kitty for Halloween. He’s showing me his tail with his right hand and you can see Baby in his left.

Some people are dog people, some are cat people. I’m a cat person. I’ve had a cat for most of my life so it wasn’t much of a surprise that my youngest son, Josh, loved kitties too. When he was about three years old, my mother bought him a beanie type stuffed kitty. The kitty was named “Baby” and Josh carried her around everywhere. At night I had to wrap Baby in a blue cotton blanket. She had to be wrapped really tight, rolled up in the middle with just her head popping out. Baby went on many adventures and very quickly became one of many stuffed kitties that had to be in bed at night with Josh. But Baby was always his favorite and always the one to be wrapped up extra special. Like all sweet little boys, Josh has grown and is turning into an amazing young man (14 just last month!) and the kitties have been replaced with things like an iPad and XBox.

A few years ago I was working on a new method for a blanket design, Made with Love, Patchwork Heart Baby Blanket. When I was drawing it out, Josh watched me. After a few minutes he said I should make a kitty blanket. He said I should make it like the heart blanket, but a kitty. It took me a while but I did design that kitty blanket. Josh helped me a lot. He worked with me on the preliminary drawings. He helped me pick the right colors for both the kitty, blacks and grays of course, just like Baby, and the background, blue of course! And he helped me arrange the squares to avoid the placement of identical colors next to each other. The child is a puzzle whiz and his help was greatly appreciated! The naming of the pattern was easy, Baby Kitty.

This blanket has so many memories stitched into it. Not only the precious memories of Josh’s suggestion and help, but I made most of the squares while on a family road trip. It was a wonderful family adventure of which the blanket serves as a souvenir. This blanket will be treasured forever, as will Baby, with her matted fur and scratched up eyes. She is a sweet reminder of the past and of the sweet little boy who loved her.

In celebration of National Crochet Month and Crochetville’s Blog Tour, I’m giving away 5 copies of this pattern. Find out more on how you can win a digital copy on my Facebook Page.

New Pattern Alert-Sunny Days Baby Mobile

Posted on December 3, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Just Released, Sunny Days Baby Mobile, crochet pattern

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!

New Pattern Alert-Pretty Spiffy Tuxedo Baby Bib

Posted on November 20, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Just Released, Pretty Spiffy Tuxedo Baby Bib

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!

The 2015 Gift-A-Long is almost here!

Posted on November 18, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

The 2015 Gift-A-Long (GAL) is almost here!

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

Hot pad crochet pattern. Christmas candy, gingerbread man and snowman

Summer 2015 Wrap Up

Posted on November 1, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Better late than never…

Wow, you know you are a little behind in posting blogs when you find one from -3 MONTHS AGO-that was never finalized and posted. Well, here it is, a little late and a little out of season. I’ll try to be a little more timely with the next one!!

August 2, 2015
It seems so odd to me to be thinking that summer is almost over on August 2, but it is; summer vacation anyway. I’ve lived in Georgia 18 years now and I still haven’t gotten used to kids starting school in early August. But we have open house tomorrow and the first day of school starts on Thursday. My oldest has already started his high school marching band practices (Nov. 1 UPDATE: one football game left in the season) and I’ve had my youngest “training” for middle school cross-country all summer. The first meet is just 3 weeks from tomorrow! (Nov. 1 UPDATE: He has completed his cross-country season and won the Coach’s award for being a good example and having a positive attitude! So proud of him!) Our summer has been busy with a nice family vacation, some friends over for sleepover parties, a camp here and there, getting wisdom teeth removed for one child and the other getting braces, and teaching the oldest to drive (wow!). With all this, I did manage to squeeze in a little crochet time.

In May the Peppermint Pals Hot Pad set was released and I was very excited to complete my charity lapghan for donation to the local nursing home in May as well.

June was a little quiet while I worked on a hat for Halos of Hope but July was BUSY! The Owl Always Love You amigurumi pattern was released in July as was my 4th shawl, Moxie. In addition, the Shells of Love baby blanket pattern was updated. Phew! July was a busy, busy month.

Yesterday, August 1, I posted a holiday stocking pattern for testing and hope to have it available by September 1. (Nov. 1 UPDATE: It is now available!) It is hard to think of Christmas when the summer bugs are still singing but the holidays will be here in just a few short months.

The two months of no school and my adjusted work schedule have been nice but I am looking forward to the routines that the school year brings us. I’m always sad when the summer bugs (the singing ones, not the biting ones) go away. I love listening to them while I crochet on my back porch.

Some of my designs

Posted on August 2, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
August 2016
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Winter Sky Cowl, crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins #CbyDH

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
February 2017
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
April 2017
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Spiced Cider Set; hat and button-up scarf, crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins #CbyDH

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
October 2016
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
August 2016
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Blue Rivers crochet hat pattern by Darleen Hopkins, photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
December 2015
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Lime and Lemonade coasters crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins #CbyDH

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
August 2015
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Tuxedo Bib crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins #CbyDH, photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
June 2015
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Sunny Days Baby Mobile crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins #CbyDH

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
April 2015
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Owl Always Love You crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins #CbyDH

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
February 2015
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Pepermint Pals Hot Pad set pattern by Darleen Hopkins #CbyDH photo by ILikeCrochet.com

Pattern by Darleen Hopkins
November 2014
Photo by ILikeCrochet.com

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Time for Spring, April 2015

Posted on April 14, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Springtime Crochet

Spring was late to north Georgia this year but when it finally did arrive, it brought the beautiful and bright colors of the springtime flowers. First the sunny yellow daffodils, then the bright purple pink of the redbud trees and the sweet purple of vinca. Currently the white and pink dogwoods are in bloom and azaleas in many shades of pink to red and white are starting to show their colors too. Of course the new green leaves are popping out and to the dismay of many, the light green of pine pollen covers just about everything in sight. It is because of the pine pollen that I am always happy to see April showers. Springtime is beautiful and colorful and often wet.

I finally had a chance to peruse the latest issue of ILikeCrochet.com, April 2015. And just like the colors Mother Nature brings us in the spring, this issue is full of gorgeous and bright patterns and projects to bring a little springtime to everyone, even if nature is a little late. From the bright Flower Power Throw on the cover to one of my favorites, the Retro Flower Cushion (adorable!). Blooms abound on hats, bags and in the lace of shawls, wraps and tops. There are some wonderful gift ideas for new baby and Mother’s day.

photo courtesy of ILikeCrochet.com

And because we are always thankful for April showers that not only bring May flowers but clear the pine pollen from the air and the cars, the Sunny Days baby mobile would make a great gift to any expectant parent. I just had to give a shout out to my design. 🙂

I’ve already started a Darling Baby Hat in extra large as one of the hats for my 2015 Stash Bust Challenge. What will your first project be?

Crochet to do list and a hat challenge

Posted on April 3, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Hats, and Lists and Bears, Oh MY!

Hats for Halos of Hope; bears for a sweet charitable project called Team Lewis I just found out about and has a very special meaning to me; a new design currently in progress; new design ideas I’m dying to get started on; the CGOA Master Crochet Program I’m determined to start and finish in 2015; and EYEBALLS, gotta have more eyeballs in lots of colors. So much to crochet and so little time.

cotton and cotton blend yarn stash for charity crochet

How many hats and bears will this yarn make?

What do you do when you can’t decide what project to crochet first? Do you have multiple WIPs going at once, skipping from one project to another or do you just crochet as fast as possible to finish one item and then move onto the next?

Me, I’m a list girl. Growing up I remember my dad making lists. They’d be in the corner of his desk blotter with the items crossed out as completed. I don’t remember or know what the lists were for, “to do” lists of some sort, but I can still visualize them on his desk in the house I grew up in. I guess that is why I make lists for everything. I make them at work, I make them at home. I make lists for my kids of chores to do when school is out and my husband and I have to work. I make lists for the grocery shopping (sectioned into quadrants: grocery, non-food, cold stuff and produce). And I make lists of items to pack for when we go on vacation. Lists for everything!

See UPDATE below! ~~So here’s my list of crochet items I plan to stitch in April. I tend to get bored making too much of one thing so I have to mix it up a little. I’m going to try to stick to it and in order…~~

~~1) Finish WIP hat for Halos of Hope~~
~~2) 2 bears for Team Lewis~~
~~3) Cotton hat for Halos of Hope~~
~~4) Work a night or two on WIP design~~
~~5) 2 more bears for Team Lewis~~
~~6) Work a night or two on WIP design~~
~~7) Cotton hat for Halos of Hope, ship all hats made to date~~
~~8) 2 more bears for Team Lewis, prepare for shipping~~
~~9) Finish brown eyeball~~
~~10) Start that new design you want to do so badly!!~~

UPDATE: After drafting this post but prior to publishing, I received a challenge from Pat. She bet me 2 skeins of cotton yarn that she could make more hats for Halos of Hope this month than I can. I say GAME ON! I may have to tweak the order of my crochet to do list a bit due to this new development and pick up in May what I don’t get to this month. Halos of Hope is such a great organization so I want to make as many hats as possible. Also, I want to WIN! And I do want to make at least 6 bears this month as they need to be in the mail by the end of the month.

Revised list
1) 6 bears then as many hats as physically possible.

Looks like my crochet time will be spent mainly on hats and bears. And it looks like we may be eating a lot of frozen dinners this month. Less time cooking = more time crocheting! So much to crochet, so little time.

Crochet Photography 101

Posted on March 13, 2015 by CrochetByDarleenHopkins

Crochet without a hook and yarn.

Kitty on crocheted blanket, Shells of Love pattern by Darleen Hopkins

My kitty with Shells of Love baby blanket.

It’s mid-March. Wow! Have you heard time goes by faster the older you get? It is so true. It is hard to believe 2015 is almost 1/4 over. Not only is this year flying by but I’ve hardly had any crocheting time in 2015. I’ve been busy, really busy, just not with crochet. The beginning of the year is always hectic. Because I do all the bookkeeping and tax filing for my husband’s business, the first couple of months of the year are full of year-end processing and payroll, corporate and personal tax filing. On top of this more than average work-at-home paperwork, my real job had significant deadlines last month and just to make it all a little more crazy, Mother Nature threw in an ice storm (no power for far too long), and some snow to the mix. Add two active boys and a husband and it’s been hectic. Last, and because I believe I’m superwoman, I decided to take a photography class. All my free time has been dedicated to this class and I’m loving it.

I purchased my first DSLR camera last fall. It was time to step up from the point and shoot as I just wasn’t getting the photos I wanted for my crochet patterns. Yup, that’s right. I bought a camera for my crochet. Sounds like another “you know you are addicted to crochet when…” but it is true.

The Nikon D3200 is great. It’s an entry-level DSLR and so far I’ve been really pleased. Up until this photography class, camera operations were a mystery to me. I stuck to the pre-programmed settings as aperture, f-stop, ISO and shutter speeds were recognizable words but were so confusing to me. But why have a camera that can do all sorts of tricks and not use them? So I enrolled in a beginner photography class and when it completed last week, enrolled in the intermediate class. I’m hoping to continue on to the advanced class. If not next month, maybe this summer.

Because I purchased the camera to take photos of my crochet, I decided to have all my class photos crochet related. THIS is how I’m working on my crochet. Not with a hook and yarn but with a camera. In the beginning this wasn’t too bad. The assignments were basic; use your shutter speed to show motion or adjust the aperture to vary your depth of field. But the homework is getting a little harder and a little more abstract in the intermediate class. It might be a little easier for me if I took photos of flowers or scenic landscapes. Having to work crochet into each photo is starting to prove a bit of a challenge. However, this is a challenge I welcome. Although I don’t have any current hats or other designs to share with you, I’d like to share some of my favorite photos from the beginner class.

Shells of Love Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern by Darleen Hopkins

Shells of Love Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern modeled by my kitten 🙂

Piranha Monster Fish Crochet Hat Pattern by Darleen Hopkins

Black Piranha Monster Fish Hat modeled by my oldest 🙂

Charmed Shawl Crochet Pattern

Cubed Slouch Hat Crochet Pattern by Darleen Hopkins

Cubed Hat modeled by my husband 🙂

Picture Perfect Crochet Baby Banket Pattern by Darleen Hopkins

Picture Perfect Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

Glacier Crochet Hat Pattern by Darleen Hopkins

Glacier Crochet Hat Pattern modeled by my youngest 🙂

I’m taking the class at the local university through the continuing education program. The instructor is great and it is a great group of students-even a couple of crocheters in the bunch! I’ve learned a lot but have so much more to learn. If you have any interest in photography or have a DSLR camera but haven’t made it beyond full green auto, check out a class. You will be glad you did. I know I am.

Crochet By Darleen Hopkins

Crochet tips, tricks and patterns

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