Riverstone Asanas -- Updated Blanket Pattern

One of the most gratifying things about designing crochet patterns is seeing what people are able to do with my patterns as a spark of inspiration to make a piece uniquely their own. Just recently, a fellow crocheter, April, shared with me a little tweaking she did with my Asanas Blanket pattern. 

Photo used courtesy of April Luescher

Isn't it beyond lovely!? And she has been kind enough to write up all the details for you so you can make one of your own. Here's April...

Scheepjes Yarn Reef and Skies

Some crochet can be ugly. I'll admit it. Sometimes it's just lumpy, old-fashioned and tacky. But then there's that crochet that makes your heart sing--that is true fiber art--beautiful, functional, stylish, trend-setting. YARN book-a-zine is all of that and more. The newest edition of the book-a-zine was just released and it is a sight to behold, I tell ya!

Not a tacky or unstylish thing in there--just mind-blowing creative bliss.

Here are just a few of my favorites from this issue...

Duo Shawl Free Crochet Pattern

It's that time of year when things are starting to warm up a bit in Utah. But spring in Utah is a bit like a yo-yo--up and down, up and down--like it's teasing us and making us believe things are really going to change. This is a fabulous time for a lightweight shawl to cover my shoulders and warm my neck when it's a bit chilly, but breathe during the warmer spells so I can go outside without a coat. 

So I made up a new shawl...

Skittles Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Who wants a sweet rainbow of color springing off your crochet hook? You can do just that with my new free crochet pattern--

Skittles Blanket

It's a party of color, I tell ya! And with fun texture, too. I had someone tell me

Yarn Poised as Yoga Poses

Since returning from Yarndale earlier this month, I've been busy with a fabulous new yarn that I squished in my suitcase. I intentionally took a really large bag knowing that I would come home with loads of yarn, so stuffing 24 balls of the 34 colors of Scheepjes Namaste in my bag was easy--well, almost easy. Thankfully this yarn is squishy! 

Scheepjes Bloggers Go to Yarndale

Recently I posted about three good things I get from crocheting and creating. One of those things is that it affords me the opportunities to connect with other creators in meaningful ways. Just over a week ago I had the chance to travel across the pond again to Skipton in Yorkshire England to attend the annual Yarndale market. The best part--I was able to meet up with my fellow tribe of Scheepjes bloggers.

Delicious Crochet Shawls Book Blog Tour

Hello, my dear friends! If you've found your way here through Kathryn's blog Crochet Concupiscence, welcome! I'm the lucky one to be next in line on the blog tour taking place for Lisa Cook's new book Delicious Crochet Shawls*.

When I was invited to participate I was thrilled because I have been following Lisa's work for some time and have always admired her shawl designs. You could say she is the Queen of Shawls.

Awash with New River Washed Colors

Have you been busy with family, work and other crazy life demands? I have been nearly "under water" it seems. But don't think for a minute that I haven't been busy crocheting. Not only is crochet part of my "work", but it is something of a priority around here. I must play with yarn!! You might just understand. As of today, I've got 4 designs that are completed and even photographed and 3 more on my hook but not a single pattern written for any of them. Why is that? Can you say..."Squirrel!"? I've got it bad. Distraction. My archnemesis. And to make matters worse, look what just showed up in the mail.

Every Bit a Blanket {Free Pattern}

I have always loved a rainbow. When I was a kid my bedroom was actually decorated in a rainbow with bold rainbow bedding and blue carpeting. In my wedding, every bridesmaid wore a different bright color accent. And you should see my house now!! It's been bombed with color. (I figure if you use ALL of the colors, nothing has to match, right?) So that's what I did with my latest blanket design. MUST. USE. ALL. THE. COLORS.

Last week I teased you with some photos of my newest blanket pattern here made with Scheepjes Cahlista Colour Pack* that I shared about here. Today is the day I share the free crochet pattern with you.

Every Bit a Blanket Reveal

Today is the day for a revelation! If you saw last week's post (here) about the new project I've been working on using Scheepjes Cahlista, you know that I've been having an '84 ball blast' with all of my favorite colors! (Guess what, I claim no real favorite colors--just a few that sing to me more quietly.)

Wanna see?

New Yarn, New Design with Cahlista

Does your yarn talk to you? Sometimes mine does, and sometimes it is very quiet--just resting politely on the shelf awaiting my head and hook to come together with a destiny for it. I've actually got yarn that I've had since I learned to crochet that awaits the proper project. But recently I received every single color of Scheepjes Cahlista in wee 15g balls, and it yelled, "I know what I want to be!" My heart and hook jumped immediately. 

First thing I needed to do was sort the colors. I let the yarn continue to talk..."Pick me! Pick me!" So many of the 109 colors were talking at the same time, I ended up picking 84 of them. (Hey, I don't like to let anyone feel left out and not get picked for the team.)

But in the end, I set aside the neutrals. This process not only left me a colorful collection of wee yarn balls, but it also inspired me with an idea for another design involving the neutrals. (Wait for it...)

Find Your Tribe Scarf {Free Crochet Pattern}

When I thought about designing something with my very own Scheepjes Our Tribe* colorway (Felted Button), I knew that I needed to 1) make something that is authentically ME, and 2) make something that I would actually wear. You can read a bit about my design process here and here, but I'm here today to share with you the free crochet pattern for my Find Your Tribe Scarf.

I think I did a pretty good job of meeting both requirements! The colors are, of course, very ME, but the whimsical tasseled edges are, as well. And I've worn this baby, a lot! So, if you would like to make one for yourself, let's get to the pattern...

Find Your Tribe Scarf Reveal

I don't know about you, but the start of a new year often gives me a little burst of creative energy. And I find that I must have lots of color around me. It could be the gray, cold air of my Rocky Mountain winter, but regardless, I've been having a blast playing with lots of rainbow-colored, yarny goodness.

Last week I showed you a peek at a colorful design I made using Scheepjes Our Tribe in my very own colorway (Felted Button--selected by yours truly). 

My Tribe, Felted Button Style

Since the release of Scheepjes Our Tribe yarn* with my very own colorway, I have been working away on two designs. One of them I gave you a sneak peek of here. It uses all 15 colors of Our Tribe and should be a color riot. Expect the pattern this spring.

Trio Blanket Revealed

Last week I popped in to share with you a sneak peek of one of my designs, but now I can show you the Trio Blanket in all of its glory!!

I made mine with three Scheepjes Whirls* (Green Tea Tipple, Sea Breeze Tease and Minty Black Velvet) shown above. Isn't it cool how the contrast starts out so sharp fades to a washed color in the middle and back to a sharp contrast? I've said before that this yarn is magic. Yep. Magic on your hook!

Get Squared with Riverwashed

If you've been following me around for any length of time, you probably know by now that I'm not a huge maker of crocheted garments. I don't really know why--but I'm always drawn to home-decor with color and whimsy. Maybe it's because wearing clothing with too much color and whimsy is over-the-top. Maye it's because I like to look at the color--but don't find myself looking it the mirrow so often so I would rather have it visible on the sofa or wall. Occasionally, I  make accessories like mittens or a scarf to jazz up an otherwise drab outfit with a pop of color, but I'm not inclined to much else in the wearables arena. But today, I'm stopping in to show you a sweater I made--or what's known as a jumper in many parts of the world.

Working a Trio of Whirls

I'm still here! It may seem that things have been a little quiet from me lately, but don't fret. I've been super busy behind the scenes crocheting my fingers off. Literally, between the holiday decorating/undecorating, the nearly constant handwork and the winter weather, my fingers are cracked and sore. But no worries, I crochet through the ouchies--because crocheting is just too satisying, right? Fortunately, I've received a lot of tips from followers on my Facebook page how to prevent and treat those nasty little fingertip cracks, and they are on the mend. 

I can't wait to share with you what I've been working on. First, the yarn...

I Love My Tribe

Welcome!! You might have arrived here from Rachele Carmona's blog, Cypress Textiles. See, I've got a tribe, and it's a very good thing. My tribe is the Scheepjes Blogger tribe. I love these people. They are MY people and it makes me very happy to be a part of their tribe. Let me explain...

It all started a year ago at Blogger Days when it was announced that they were going to produce a new yarn line. It was exciting as all of the new Scheepjes yarns tend to be. But when they proceeded to pull out bundles and bundles of paint chips from across the spectrum, I was intrigued. They told us that we were each going to be able to pick our own colors for our very own yarn--any six we wanted!! This color-crazed crocheter was in heaven! And this is what was produced from that magical day!

Surprisingly for this gal who hates to leave a color out, the decision seemed to come quite easily. These six colors immediately just felt right. They seemed quite Felted Button-esque, I think.

Afremov Pillow Crochet Pattern -- Painting with Yarn

Things have been a bit crazy on the Felted Button front lately--ever since returning from Scheepjes Blogger Days. Where did September go? Oh, yeah...getting my littlest a bit more settled at school, a tragic family funeral, spending time helping my aging parents, and figuring out some tough personal stuff. But that's real life, right? Not everything has been bad, though. After waiting for the entire month of September, I've excitedly received some of the most amazing yarn from Scheepjes you could possibly imagine!! Watch here for bits and pics of the yarn and some sneak peeks of what I'm going to make with it. 

Today I'm popping in to share with you my newest crochet pattern! It's been a long time coming, but I'm super excited about it.

Meet my Afremov Pillow!

After polling on my Facebook page for suggestions for a name, I immediately happened upon the name Afremov (suggested by Cam--thanks!) after the famous impressionistic artist Leonid Afremov. 

Phone Pouch Free Crochet Pattern

Since my return from Scheepjes Blogger Days things have been swirling in my head. Just being with my "peeps" has bloomed so many ideas that I couldn't get them all done in a year. But, of course, I'll give it a good try. ;)

Left to right: Maria (Fifty Shades of 4 Ply), Jellina (jellina-creations), Carmen (Craftyqueens), Esther (Happy in Red), Tammy (Canadutch), Esther (It's all in a Nutshell). Me, Dedri (Look at what I Made), Christa (TheCurioCraftsRoom), Nerissa (MissNeriss), Tatsiana (LillaBjorns Crochet), Kirsten (HaakMaarRaak)

I'm currently waiting for some Scheepjes Whirl* to arrive. (Oh. My. Goodness. I am having a love affair with that yarn.) So, while trying to be patient, I have to keep my hook moving. (Tell me you do this, too. I am not good at being still.) I thought I would pop in today and share the stitch pattern I've been playing around with. I also got my hands on a really nifty purse frame that screamed to be used. Here's what I came up with...