2017 NatCroMo Blog Tour, March 15: Donna Childs

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: Donna Childs | Sylvie Damey | Dragonfly Fibers | Daily Giveaway

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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Donna Childs

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Donna Childs with us today, March 15, 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 Donna, check out our post from last year’s blog tour.

 

About Donna:

I learned to crochet at 10, and started by making clothes for my dolls. In my teenage-hippie days, I discovered I could use crochet as a way to express myself creatively: sweaters with rainbows, round afghans, soft sculpture in jute, hats inspired by folk art, and puppets and dolls with bells inside. Designing in crochet was fun, and it was easy enough to rip out a few stitches or rows and start over to try something different.

About 10 years ago, I read an article in Knit.1 magazine about amigurumi, those cute crocheted dolls that originated in Japan. Looking online, I noticed there didn’t seem to be any patterns written in English. Thinking that amigurumi would be popular in the US if there were patterns for them, and before I thought too much about it, I sent an email to the magazine offering to design some for them. To my shock, I got a reply a few minutes later, asking for samples. That was the first design I sold (It might be the first English-language amigurumi pattern published in the US.), and I’ve been happily designing for magazines and yarn companies ever since.

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

I crochet in public, in private, in the car (when someone else is driving!), in waiting rooms, and in coffee shops. I have some hooks and yarn on hand almost always, so I never feel like anyone or anything can waste my time. You never know when you might get a flat tire!

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

My favorite design is usually my last one. In this case, it’s a group of little dolls featured in the spring 2017 issue of Love of Crochet. The magazine posed the tiny dolls as if someone had been playing tea party with them–I was so delighted to see the cute pictures!

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

I also know how to knit and embroider, and I would like to be a better sewer.

How do you decide what to name your patterns?

I try to give them names that explain the inspiration for them, or to give some hint about their use. The magazine will often give them a different name, and I once had to explain to my husband that it wasn’t me who gave a stuffed animal the same name as one of my old boyfriends!

Tell us about your most popular pattern.

I think the pattern that has been the most popular is probably Sir Stephen, a stuffed bunny that I designed for Interweave Crochet. He’s done in a soft cotton and was inspired by the look of vintage stuffed animals. I’ve seen lots of pictures online, made by different crocheters, including a lot of the magazine staff members. He also made it into the book The Best of Interweave Crochet.

Tell us about your favorite camping location.

Here in New England we are lucky enough to have a choice of the mountains, the woods, or the beach. How could I have a favorite?

What is your favorite camping tip?

Make fairy houses, and leave them for the next camper to find! The picture shows my crocheted fairy tent, with a twig chair decorated with crocheted stars.

What is your favorite camping snack/meal/recipe?

Last summer, on a dare, I made a dessert inspired by breakfast: homemade maple ice cream served on a grilled frozen waffle, topped with maple syrup and fresh bacon bits. Yes, bacon and ice cream!

Tell us about any crochet items you take to “glam up” your camping experience.

Crocheted net bags are perfect for carrying fruit and water bottles on a hike, then using to hang up wet swimsuits.

 

Visit Donna’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

I’ll be giving away a pattern of amigurumi dog and cat for free to participants. Please click on the link above the photo to go to my website to find out how to get your free pattern.

 

Donna’s Designs:

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

1. Amigurumi Cat, $3.00

A cute amigurumi cat, free to NatCroMo participants for a limited time!

 

2. Lola, the Cat’s Pajamas, $3.75

This is a fun and easy doll to make for yourself or for a friend. Buttons are used to make jointed limbs so Lola can move her arms, and sit or stand. A bonus pattern for pink pajamas is included. Use your imagination to design other clothes for her!

 

Find Donna Online:

Ravelry account: http://www.ravelry.com/people/donnachilds

Ravelry store: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/donna-childs-designs

Blog: http://donnachilds.blogspot.com/

 

Additional Blog Tour Information:

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