2017 NatCroMo Blog Tour, March 19: Carol Rupprecht

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: Carol Rupprecht | Darcy Johnson | Anneke Wiese | 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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Carol Rupprecht, Sweet Potato Crochet Creations

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Carol Rupprecht of Sweet Potato Crochet Creations with us today, March 19, as one of the featured designers on our 2017 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).

About Carol:

Carol Rupprecht is a wife and stay-at-home mother to 2 children. She first began crocheting when she was pregnant with her first child about 4 years ago. What first started as a simple way to pass the time blossomed into a love for the crochet craft. She is a self-taught crocheter and learned the basics of crochet through YouTube videos. After that she expanded her knowledge using books and other tools. In 2015, she started designing her own patterns. Her favorite items to design are hats, but she is expanding into garments and other fashionable items as well.

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

I do crochet in public, but not often, as I usually have my two kids with me and it becomes quite difficult. My favorite place to crochet outside of the home is at the park. My son can play and enjoy himself, and I can watch him play and crochet at the same time. It’s always nice to be able to take advantage of the pleasant weather while I crochet.

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

I don’t have a “special” place at home where I crochet, but my favorite place to crochet is on my couch. I take up a whole sofa cushion with just my crochet supplies. My hubby always jokes that he can never sit next to me on the couch because my yarn takes up too much room! I have hopes that one day I will have my own craft room with a nice window seat that I can lounge in while I crochet.

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

One of my favorite things that I have made and designed to date are my Amelia Baby and Toddler Dresses. These patterns were inspired by a couple of friends of ours who had been having difficulties conceiving. After years of trying, tests, and medical procedures, they were finally able to conceive. They decided to name their child Amelia, so I named the pattern in honor of her. She turned one this past summer and is beautiful as ever!

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

I don’t really have any other fiber-related hobbies, but I plan on learning how to knit this year and hope to someday learn how to spin my own yarn.

How do you decide what to name your patterns?

Naming patterns is sometimes quite difficult for me. Sometimes a stitch will inspire a name, sometimes the color combination that I use, and other times I even ask my testers what the pattern reminds them of. I bounce off of multiply things until I finally decide on something that sounds good to me.

Tell us about your most popular pattern.

Carol Rupprecht | Sweet Potato Crochet Creations | Twilight Horizon Hand and Shoulder Bag

My most popular/favorited pattern on Ravelry is my Twilight Horizon Hand and Shoulder Bag. This bag has beautiful stitch combinations that look like the sun as it is setting on the horizon. It has two different size options, a smaller hand bag that is a great everyday purse, or a larger shoulder bag that can work well as a diaper bag, yarn bag, or just a great larger statement piece.

Tell us about your favorite camping location.

My favorite camping location is at Jordan Lake in one of North Carolina’s State Parks. The area is gorgeous! It has several swimming beaches, areas to fish and kayak, and great spaces to pitch your tent or set up your rv. My family always has a blast when we go there for the weekends!

What is your favorite camping tip?

Bug spray and sunscreen! Always bring both with you. Sometimes bugs can be unmanageable, and if you really want to enjoy the outdoors the entire time you are camping, bug spray is key. Sunscreen is also a good idea as your camping area isn’t always in the shade, and if you plan on going swimming you will definitely need to lather up otherwise you will get burnt to a crisp (ask my husband!) and the camping trip (and your sleep) won’t be as enjoyable anymore.

What is your favorite camping snack/meal/recipe?

My favorite camping snack of all time is s’mores! Although the fire never roasts the marshmallow as much as I would like in order to melt the chocolate properly, I still think a camping trip is never complete without a good s’more roasted over the fire.

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

I don’t usually take crocheted items with me while camping. I always hate having to wash everything once we get home because it smells like smoke from the fire. If I brought anything, it would be a crocheted blanket to cuddle in around the fire at night.

Visit Carol’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

Carol Rupprecht | Sweet Potato Crochet Creations | NatCroMo Special

In honor of National Crochet Month, I will be offering 60% off on all of my patterns. To go along with the “Glamping” theme, my Aidan’s Sunhat pattern will also be free for an entire week after my blog post is live. Click the link above the photo to go to my blog post to get your coupon code!

Carol’s Designs:

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

Carol Rupprecht | Sweet Potato Crochet Creations | Amelia Dress

1. Amelia Toddler Sundress, $4.95

The Amelia Toddler Sundress is the perfect summer dress. With a beautiful lacy stitch in the skirt, it allows air to pass through keeping your child cool in the warmer weather. The pattern also has directions to make the skirt knee high for a shorter, flirtier look that allows perfect twirling action, and also an option for an elegant tea length (mid calf) skirt to be able to be dressed up for a more upscale event. The pattern is easy to adjust for your child’s height.

Carol Rupprecht | Sweet Potato Crochet Ceations | Caution to the Wind Scarf

2. Caution to the Wind Scarf, FREE

The Caution to the Wind scarf is a simple yet striking patterned scarf. The chevrons or arrows within the scarf reminded one of my testers of the caution arrowhead road signs. We played around with words and then this name came to me! I love this scarf and how easy it is to work up and memorize once you get going. Use a cotton yarn on this for the perfect spring or summer scarf that won’t cause you to sweat or make it with a light worsted weight acrylic yarn for a scarf that is still breathable but with give you some warmth in the cooler temperatures of fall or winter!

Carol Rupprecht | Sweet Potato Crochet Creations | "Check" Me Out Beanie

3. “Check” Me Out Beanie, $4.95

The “Check” Me Out Beanie uses a fun and unique combination of stitches to give you a faux knit checkered hat! Ranging from newborn to large adult size, this is the perfect beanie for the family. It is a great gender neutral piece making it great for the men in your life as well!