Since the book I co-wrote with Adrienne Armstrong was originally published in 2009, it's been republished in a couple of other countries. This is always fun to see but even though this was my 5th book to write (6th was Craft Corps, and I'm currently working on my 7th), it's the first time that I've had one translated into another language. This makes me so happy, I can't even tell you! And although I haven't seen more than the cover, I'm thrilled to show the cover of what is now the Finnish version of AwareKnits!
The Brits were apparently not fond of the American title (it wasn't my choice either, to be honest), so they re-named it. Having a different name makes promoting the book internationally a wee bit more of a challenge for me, but I'm happy that AwareKnits is available across the pond, in any form!
It's no secret that I love crochet and modern design almost as much as I love kids so when Linda Permann's, Little Crochet: Modern Designs for Babies and Toddlers landed on my desk, I was THRILLED by what I found within its pages! I've been a longtime fan of Linda's work, beginning with her designs in the much-missed mag, Adorn and continuing with her gorgeous embellishment book, Crochet Adorned. (I'm thrilled to mention too, that Linda has also designed a bag for my upcoming yarn, Sheep(ish)! More on that in a future post.) Little Crochet is the icing on the already, delicious Lindamade cake-- filled with clothing, accessories and toys that any wee one would love to have!
Recently, I sat down at the keyboard for a virtual Q&A session about kids, crochet and color. Give it a read, then enter to win your very own copy of this beautiful book!
VH: You don't have children yourself, so what was the draw for you to write a book on little bits for kids?
LP: There were several reasons I wanted to do a book for kids—one of the big ones was my nephew. Due to some tragic circumstances, I spent many months helping my sister to raise him in the first year of his life, and even when I wasn't in the same state, I was always thinking of him and making little toys and sweaters for him. I realized that there weren't a lot of cute patterns for boys, I always had to modify things, and I thought this was a great jumping off point for a book.
Boat Neck Sweater
I also work in a LYS and a new birth is one of the many reasons people learn to crochet. I thought it was time for a baby book that really showed off what crochet can do, especially in the range of yarn weights available today. I really wanted to explore drape and construction with sock, sport, and dk weight yarns—which to me, are much more flattering on small (+big!) bodies in crochet. But don’t worry, there are plenty of worsted weight and some bulky projects too!
Sunshine Blanket
VH: I noticed that like me, you tend to veer away from using traditional, pale colors when designing for children. How do you think this choice speaks to modern design?
LP: I'm trained as a painter, and color is very important to me—but I think that sometimes people are afraid of it because they aren't sure how to use it or visualize it. Choosing a pastel is a safe, sometimes arbitrary way for a crafter to narrow down the overwhelming amount of choices they have to make about any given project—color, yarn weight, fiber content, pattern style, size, etc.
I like all colors—including pale ones—and I use them in the book, but I made color choices (and swatches showing alternate colorways) to help people visualize how lovely the results can be when they venture out of that traditional comfort zone. If you take a look at the kid's section at any department store, there is a lot of variety in color and style—and that feels very modern. When I design, I use colors that I enjoy seeing every day—while I am working on the item, and while it is being used.
VH: Did you have someone who used to crochet for you, when you were a child? If so, do you still have any of those pieces?
LP: Both of my grandmothers crocheted, although my dad's mom was the more prolific of the two. When she died, each of us got a bag full of things she had made for us, mostly lace work like doilies and edged dish towels. I can vaguely remember some dresses she made for our Barbie dolls as well. I still have all of the doilies, and I also have a crocheted baby set that was made for my mom when she was a baby (although I'm not sure who made it). I actually asked her if it was for a doll because the pieces were so tiny!
VH: What do you look for in a yarn when designing for children?
LP: I look for yarn that's durable, fun to work with, available in a wide array of color choices, and that makes practical sense when it comes to laundering—depending on the recipient. I'm so drawn to the richness of dyes in wool, but I tried to use superwash where possibe, although drying is not much of an issue for me because we don't even own a clothes dryer. I also look for lighter weight yarns that are made to last—like sock yarns—they flatter small bodies so well in comparison to worsted weights. I love the finer weights because they give me a little more space to design in. If I'm making a dress with a 4 row repeat, I might only have room for 2 repeats if I use a worsted weight yarn—but I can create a much more delicate, fluid piece with thinner yarn.
No Fuss Party Bib
VH: What are your top 3, "great gift" picks from Little Crochet?
LP: For those who are short on time and heavy on stashed worsted weight yarn, a combination of the Star Booties and either the Beanie or Bonnet would be a great last-minute gift.
For a special new baby that still doesn't make you want to work a foundation chain, the Sunshine Blanket (seen above) makes a great useable heirloom. I love this one because it is worked in the round, and the diagrams make crocheting it a breeze.
And if you're not sure what the stork will bring, the Boat Neck Sweater (seen above) is an easy first garment project that would look great in gender neutral colors. It's shown in stripes but for pure simplicity, make it in a solid. You can always add some Tiny Tee appliqués to the sweater once the baby is born.
Watch the adorable, stop motion book trailer for Little Crochet!
You can buy Little Crochet now, on stands and online now! In the meantime, we're giving away a free copy here! Just post a comment here about who you'd you'd crochet something for, from the great patterns in this adorable book! Post the comment by midnight CT on May 29th. Winner will be picked at random.
This month marks the year anniversary of my very first visit to the Caron yarn plant in Washington, NC. I'm feeling a bit nostalgiac, so I dug into the archives of never-before-seen footage, and put together a behind-the-(yarn)-scenes video of what happens to get your favorite stitching supplies, primped and ready to go out to your favorite craft store. Enjoy!
Hey there. I'm not sure how both I and the tech editor missed this, but there's a mistake in Row 7 of the Lacey Ascot that's featured in Jo-Ann store kiosks. Oops!
Below is the correction:
Row 7: K2, p2tog, *k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p3tog; rep from * to last st, yo, k1.
Blurry iPhone Shot of the Cute Sign They Made for the Set
Psst, I just got back from Denver where I was shooting my very first, interactive video workshop! I teamed up with the folks at Sympoz.com and the Craftsy (more on them, later) to bring you, Crochet Lab. (It seems appropriate that I went back to the town I learned to crochet in myself as a child, to make a workshop to teach others. But I digress.)
Slap-happy Justin, Emily & Brianna (aka Craftsy Crew) at the End of the Shoot
Stay tuned for more details, before the class launch in May!
Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie
P.S. Learn to knit from the lovely and talented, Stefanie Japel on Sympoz today!
