I wanted to quickly introduce my new crochet hat pattern  – Belle Cloche.

On June 7, Claire Montgomerie officially became the new editor of Inside Crochet Magazine. Claire is a trained textile designer, and her designs have also been published for the past six years. It’s always exciting to see what new editors bring to a publication so I look forward to what Claire will bring to Inside Crochet.

I saw an issue of this magazine once in Barnes & Noble. It isn’t easy to find near me, but I always look at all the designs on Ravelry when they are uploaded.

If you would like to get a sense of Claire’s style and see some of her designs , you can visit her website at www.clairemontgomerie.com.

The preview is up for the Summer 2010 Issue of Interweave Crochet magazine. I really love the cover of this issue. The blue and yellow is so crisp and bright!

Interweave Reorganizes Into Two Divisions
CEO: New structure evenly distributes value of crafts publisher’s properties.
Jason Fell FolioMag.com
05/31/2010

Interweave Media has reorganized into two units: the Fiber Division and the Art & Jewelry Division. As a result, the publisher’s Quilt + Paper group, Specialty Fiber group and Yarn group will merge to create the Fiber group, which will be led by vice president and publisher John Bolton. The division will include Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Quilting Arts, Cloth Paper Scissors, Spin-Off, Handwoven, Fiberarts and PieceWork magazines, as well as online communities KnittingDaily.com, QuiltingArts.com and CrochetMe.com, and related video products.

click here for remainder of article

Back in February attended the Afro Stitch Conference here in Atlanta. I was invited by the Awesome Gina-Renay. I’m glad I attended. I met crocheters and wannabee crocheters of all ages. There was even one family that had three generations.

The panelist were Afya Ibomu, Tara Baker, Wendy Jones, and Todd Pasquale. They freely and graciously shared the hows and whys of starting their crochet businesses, and answered questions. Lot’s of good info.

Gina-Renay also spoke on her experiences as a crochet fashion designer, and she presented a mini-fashion show featuring a few of her designs.

I was able to help three little girls (sisters) learn how to begin crocheting. By the end of the day, they all had long chains.

I hope there will be another conference.

First for Women Magazine asked me what were my five favorite sites for free crochet patterns for their December 7, 2009 issue.

Here are my favs:

My Top Five (Ten) Free Crochet Pattern Websites

1.       Crochet Pattern Central
www.crochetpatterncentral.com
Crochet Pattern Central is an online directory of thousands of links to free crochet patterns of all levels.  In addition to the patterns, CPC has links to tutorials and stitch instructions.

2.       Berroco
www.berroco.com
Berroco is a yarn company that also offers free patterns featuring their yarns.  The patterns are stylish and contemporary, and they range in level from this cute Stanley doll, http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/stanley/stanley.html to this jazzy Aruna sweater, http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/aruna/aruna.html.

3.       Ravelry
www.ravelry.com
Ravelry is an online community for fiber lovers to keep track of patterns, yarn, tools, etc.  There are also messageboard forums, a newsletter, and groups.  Users can list their own designs to share or to sell.  There are several thousands of free patterns on Ravelry.  New ones are added everyday.  Visitors have to join to participate.  There is a small waiting period to join, but it is more than worth it.

4.       Lion Brand Yarn
www.lionbrand.com
Lion Brand Yarn has thousands of free crochet patterns for adults, babies, children, teens, pets and the home.  Visitors must register in order to view patterns.

5.       Crochetville
www.crochetville.com

The Crochetville messageboard community features a Free Original Patterns forum.  Members of the community share their original designs.  This is a great place to try new patterns, and there is the added benefit of being able to ask the actual designers your questions.

Honorable mentions:

Naturally Caron, http://www.naturallycaron.com
Interweave Crochet, http://www.interweavecrochet.com/projects.asp
Stargazer’s Crochet, http://home.inreach.com/marthac/links.html
Yarn Lover’s Room, http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/antiquecrochet.html
Free Vintage Crochet, http://www.freevintagecrochet.com

Guess what? I won 3rd place in the Home Décor category. Here is the list of winners:
http://www.crochet.org/pdfs/2009CGOADesignContestWinners.pdf

My entry was called “VictoriAfricana Footstool.” I chose this name because the footstool combines a traditionally-styled stool and fringe with an African-inspired motif and color scheme. I also chose to name it VictoriAfricana because it made me think of Queen Victoria, the style of the Victorian period, and the stories about her alleged African ancestry through her grandmother Queen Charlotte. I think the two different types of elements cause a pleasant friction.

I was so happy when I heard I had won. Thank you to all the judges.

Marcy Smith presents a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot for the Summer 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine.

Hair, makeup, accessories and clothes! See how Marcy sets the mood and chooses the locations for each design.

Did you see my Mimosa Dress in next to last photo!

The latest issue of Crochet Insider is out. It has a brand new layout and flow. Very nice!

crochet insider

In addition to more great articles and interview, check out Dora’s Silk Drawers(LOL) and crochet patterns from other designers.