2017 NatCroMo Blog Tour, March 10: Sara Kay Hartmann

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A-Glamping We Will Go: 5th Annual National Crochet Month Blog Tour

Welcome to Crochetville’s fifth annual National Crochet Month (NatCroMo) blog tour, taking place each day of March 2017. Join us for a month of virtual glamping (aka glamorous camping), as we visit crochet designers, crochet-friendly local yarn stores, and yarn companies, as well as offer some fun giveaways.

Today’s Posts: Kathryn Clark | Sara Kay Hartmann | Susan Carlson

Want to Chat about the Tour?

Part of the fun of glamping is the daily round-up around the campfire, chatting and stitching with friends. We hope you’ll join us in our NatCroMo Facebook group, where we’ll be sharing daily camping recipes, campfire songs about crochet, and so much more! We’d also love to hear about your favorite things you’ve discovered on the tour and see photos of your current crochet projects. You’re invited to join us daily for virtual cocktails/appetizers and dinner. (We’ll be sharing links to some fabulous recipes!)

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Sara Kay Hartmann, Sara Kay Knit and Crochet

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Sara Kay Hartmann with us today, March 10th, as one of the featured designers on our 2017 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo). If you’d like to know even more about Sara Kay, check out our post from last year’s blog tour.

About Sara Kay:

I am a freelance crochet and handknitting designer, author of Poetic Crochet: 20 Shawls Inspired by Classic Poems, and a budding artist and illustrator.

Do you crochet in public? If so, when and where?

Sure! But not very often since I need to be near my supplies. Seems like I’m always hunting for scissors, or a yarn needle if I venture too far from my home base.

Do you have a special place at home where you crochet? Tell us about it.

I do most of my crocheting on the couch in our living room after my 18-month old daughter is in bed for the night.

Share the story of your favorite thing you’ve ever crocheted or designed.

The first shawl I ever made was also the first shawl I ever designed and it really opened my eyes to the beautiful possibilities of using simple crochet stitches, blocking them open to create a beautiful lace fabric that looked much more sophisticated and ethereal than I expected! Since then, I think my favorite designs have been my special lace shawls. This design is from my book, Poetic Crochet, and is called Spring Dream.

Tell us about any other fiber-related hobbies you enjoy.

I love to knit and have been busy exploring and designing knitwear lately as well. I have dabbled in weaving on a small DIY loom made from a picture frame, I have quilt squares cut and waiting, but I’m still intimidated by my sewing machine. I have started drawing yarn-themed illustrations full of puns about knitting, crocheting, and yarn life. I really love doodling them.

How do you decide what to name your patterns?

I spend a lot of time on baby name websites! Growing up, I loved studying names and their meanings, and I love naming my designs. Sometimes I pick a meaning and search for baby names that mean that word or just start with an idea of a name and see what feels right for that style. Occasionally, I give a pattern a more descriptive, functional name, but they never have as much personality.

Tell us about your most popular pattern.

My Belinda Vest is my most popular pattern. It is an easy-fit vest in all sizes that is really fun to make and flatters everyone. Belinda was a big breakthrough for me as a designer. I still love her.

Tell us about your favorite camping location.

Haha, the last time I camped was in the 7th grade with my volleyball team, so I don’t have a favorite location. I can imagine pitching a tent in our family room and having fun “camping” that way! I love the idea of camping, but it’s not something I am yet into.

What is your favorite camping snack/meal/recipe?

My husband still rhapsodizes about the amazing breakfasts his father cooked for his family on their camping trips–it always sounds so delicious to eat bacon and home fries cooked over a campfire!

Visit Sara Kay’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

I’m so excited about my giveaways this year!

I will be doing a giveaway of 10 signed copies of Poetic Crochet, presenting a new independent shawl pattern ~ Louisa is a delicate beauty you’ll love to crochet; and I will be launching a brand new line of my illustration artwork, YARNTOONS by Sara Kay! Please come check it out and get some fun freebies!

Sara Kay’s Designs:

If you’re not familiar with my work already, I’d like to share three of my designs with you.

1. Thisbe Jacket, $8.00

Thisbe is ultimate in crochet bohemian chic, perfect for Spring and Summer. Easy shaping and a wide range of sizes make Thisbe the perfect project for everyone!

2. Shawls by Sara Kay Ebook, $17.95

Unbelievable savings on a 10-piece collection of exquisite lace shawls! Over 75% off the individual pattern price when purchased as a PDF ebook of patterns.
Designs Included:
Aurelie
Bellamy
Coronado
Georgette
Marlowe
Nova
Odette
Ondine
Tess
Waverly

3. Whirlwind Romance Crochet Beret, $5.00

This sweet beret whips up as quickly as a whirlwind romance. Imagine wearing it as you stroll down a Parisian boulevard, a baguette poking jauntily from your market bag, when you spy the love of your life…