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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: Bonnie Barker | Karen McKenna | Alessandra Hayden
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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Bonnie Barker, Bonnie Bay Crochet
Crochetville is very proud to have designer Bonnie Barker with us today, March 17, 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 Bonnie, check out our post from last year’s blog tour.
About Bonnie:
I am a thankful wife, homemaker, and retired home school mom of 5 graduates, as well as a crochet designer/author. I have been designing professionally since 2009 with the publishing of my first Leisure Arts leaflet, “Aran Afghans”. Since then I have been blessed to have many designs published in crochet magazines and with yarn companies. I also have written 2 books featuring what I love crocheting the most: CABLES! I love teaching these techniques on my Bonnie Bay Crochet Youtube channel, making them easily understandable.
Do you crochet in public? If so, when and where?
Absolutely!! Waiting rooms are where I get a lot of crocheting done, especially since I am the primary care-taker of my Mom. Riding in the car as a passenger as another family member drives works well too, especially on long trips.
Do you have a special place at home where you crochet? Tell us about it.
When I’m not filming crochet videos, my recliner is my favorite place to crochet! With a couple of cinematic arts college students in our family, we love to watch classic films together, and for me that includes a hook in hand and my yarn basket nearby.
Share the story of your favorite thing you’ve ever crocheted or designed.
My favorite thing has actually been a book! Having the opportunity to write and publish Contemporary Celtic Crochet (F + W Media, 2014) which was inspired by a last minute tag-a-long business trip with my husband to Ireland. He surprised me by taking me to the Aran Isles – the source of my crochet inspiration!
Tell us about your most popular pattern.
According to the numbers on my Ravelry page, the Aran Hearts Throw that I designed for Red Hearts Yarns is to date my most popular pattern. Recently, I completed a series of videos (on Bonnie Bay Crochet YouTube channel) to take crocheters step-by-step through this free afghan pattern.
Tell us about your favorite camping location.
I would have to say the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
What is your favorite camping tip?
Bring a good air mattress along and don’t forget the rain tarp!
What is your favorite camping snack/meal/recipe?
It’s hard to beat a good hot dog roasted over the campfire!
Tell us about any crochet items you take to “glam up” your camping experience.
Ah, I’m not sure camping and “glam” are in the same category, at least the way I’ve camped out over the years! Of course finding a campground with a swimming pool is pretty sweet.
Visit Bonnie’s Site: NatCroMo Specials
To celebrate National Crochet Month, I’ve made a brand new free crochet tutorial for my Heritage Silk Crocheted Cabled Cowl. The pattern is available for free here, courtesy of Cascade Yarns. Click the link above the photo to go to my site for the free tutorial for this pattern.
Bonnie’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with my work already, I’d like to share three of my designs with you.
1. Lavena Poncho, Celtic Cable Crochet
This is the Lavena Poncho and is one of the designs in my latest book, Celtic Cable Crochet.
2. Kells Cabled Sweater, Contemporary Celtic Crochet
This is the Kells Cabled Sweater and is in the book, Contemporary Celtic Crochet.
3. Woven Cables, Super Scarves
This is one of five super scarves in my newest publication from Leisure Arts! These were so much fun to make and are a blast to wear!
Find Bonnie Online:
Website: http://bonniebaycrochet.squarespace.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BonnieBayCrochet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonnie.m.barker.7/
Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
Daily Giveaway Schedule
Daily Designer Schedule
Daily Local Yarn Store Schedule
Daily Yarn & Product Company Schedule
Discussion on Facebook
I have just taught myself to crochet, after years of wanting and trying to, your YouTube tutorial has inspired me. I have just purchased your Easy Beginner Baby Blanket book and can’t wait to start one of your blanket’s !