2017 NatCroMo Blog Tour, March 20: Melinda Miller

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: Melinda Miller | Pam Dajczak | Julie King | 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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Melinda Miller, MoCrochet – Melinda Miller Designs

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Melinda Miller with us today, March 20, 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 Melinda, check out our post from last year’s blog tour.

About Melinda:

I started crochet design back in 2007, when I decided to make a baby blanket for my niece’s new baby, and I haven’t stopped since. A lot of my work revolves around specific themes – especially family. It’s a joy for me to honor my loved ones in this way and to share their stories with you.

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

My “office” is the living room. My “desk” is a small table that I placed in front of my recliner. This is where I create all my designs and write them down. With Netflix running in the background, of course. I just have to be watching some sort of British show.

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

My design that is the most meaningful to me is one that I just released this month. It is a 12″ afghan block designed in memory of my little sister. Karen passed away in February 2016, and I had been pondering how to honor her memory with crochet. I was inspired by a cute sister meme that reminded me of my two sisters and I, and a picture developed in my mind. So on March 1 – Karen’s birthday – I released “That One Sister – 12″ Square.” (See Melinda’s featured patterns below for a photo.)

How do you decide what to name your patterns?

Naming patterns after family members is easy. I’m also inspired by certain themes and work a design around it, such as the Mr. Ghan Afghan. This was designed especially for the gentlemen, so I gave each component a sports/manly name and added some trivia to boot. During the recent Presidential campaign in 2016, I became interested in the First Ladies of the USA. This spurred my current CAL for the First Ladies Commemorative Afghan, which includes historical trivia.

Tell us about your most popular pattern.

My most popular pattern is the Advent Scarf 2016. (See Melinda’s featured patterns below for a photo.) Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas – 28 days. On the first day of Advent you crochet the start of a lovely, lacy scarf. Each day thereafter, a new stitch pattern is introduced and added to the previous one. By December 24th, an Advent Scarf is completed.

Visit Melinda’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

melilnda-miller-natcromo-2017-special

Head on over to Melinda’s blog to find out more about her Spring Cleaning Dishcloth CAL.

Melinda’s Designs:

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

1. First Ladies Commemorative Afghan, $9.98

This impressive afghan is specially designed in homage to all of the United States First Ladies. Included are not only Presidential spouses, but other family members who served as well.

The afghan is comprised of 52 original squares – each representing a First Lady. Photos and vignettes are included allowing you to become acquainted with their lives and contributions.

There are many ways to personalize this historically-themed afghan. Options for nine (9) different White House oriented layouts are included. Enjoy exploring each possibility as you create the look you want.

Two (2) join methods are offered, but you may use the method of your choice. A delightful border adds the final touch to your historical masterpiece, which will surely become an objet d’art in your home.

2. Advent Scarf 2016, $4.99

Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas – 28 days. On the first day of Advent you will crochet the start of a lovely, lacy scarf. Each day thereafter, a new stitch pattern will be introduced and added to the previous one. By December 24th, you will have completed your Advent Scarf.

3. That One Sister – 12″ square, Free

This block was designed in loving memory of my sister, Karen. There’s always that one sister who illuminates every room she enters, makes you laugh in spite of your mood, and leaves you feeling happy inside.

Thank you, Karen, for brightening my corner of the world with your smile and crazy antics. Lots of love.