2017 NatCroMo Blog Tour, March 23: Christa Veenstra

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: Sonya Blackstone | Christa Veenstra | CGOA Crochet Conference | 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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Christa Veenstra, The Curio Crafts Room

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Christa Veenstra of The Curio Crafts Room with us today, March 23, as one of the featured designers on our 2017 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).

About Christa:

My name is Christa and I live in the northern part of The Netherlands. I studied English Language and Literature and I used to be a University teacher specialized in academic writing and presentation skills. I’m still using and working with the English language every day though. I translate and edit crochet patterns for publishers and of course I’m part of a wonderful international crochet community.

When I was just a little girl, my mother and grandmother taught me how to sew, crochet, knit and embroider. I loved it all but I loved crochet just that little bit more. Although I can’t remember not being able to crochet, it was only a couple of years ago that I picked up a hook again and only two-and-a-half years ago, inspired by some antique millinery I bought at a flea market, that I came up with the idea to design some peacock feathers in lovely shapes and ‘vintagy’ colours. First I sold some of these feather motifs in my Etsy shop but I received many requests for the patterns so I decided to sell these too. This has really changed my life. I started designing and pattern writing on a daily basis, which very quickly led to my own crochet business TheCurioCraftsRoom. I love having my own business and I’ve met some wonderful, like-minded and generous people through it. It’s such an amazing and encouraging community, which stimulates me to keep designing and to develop new business ideas.

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

I’ve never actually crocheted in public but when the opportunity arises, I would certainly do it.

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

As long as I have a comfy chair, I’m good.

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

Christa Veenstra | The Curio Crafts Room | Stool Cover

I’m sure others have said the same thing, but it’s really difficult to choose one design that’s my all-time favourite. I love all the peacock feathers I made, especially the Nemali feather, but the thing I really like to look at is the Pop-Up Peacock feather Stool cover. The colour combination is just right and I just love the tiny stool in the corner of my living room.

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

I also like knitting, sewing and embroidery but have to confess that I haven’t done any of them lately. I’m so focused on my crochet design work that I find I do not have the head space for anything else. Knitting is high on my ‘really-want-to-do-again’ list though and I will definitely get those needles out this year.

How do you decide what to name your patterns?

For my peacock designs, I look for names that mean peacock in different languages. That’s how I came up with names like Nemali and Mayil.

For other designs, I pick a theme l and then try to find names related to that theme. For my JAYG project I chose the theme of Peace and looked for names that mean peace or peaceful, so my motif designs have names like Tullia, which means peaceful in Irish, and Shanti, which is an Indian name for peace.

Tell us about your most popular pattern.

Christa Veenstra | The Curio Crafts Room | Java Peacock Feather

At the moment, my most popular pattern is the Java Peacock Feather. It’s a 8.5 x 11.5cm feather that is relatively easy to make with a striking result. You can use this motif to decorate hats, shawls, notebook covers and tablet sleeves or you can make lovely bookmarks or garlands with feathers in all kinds of colours. I present them in 5 different colour combinations and I think that’s also a reason why Java is so popular. I’m working on getting together nice little kits for this design in the exact same colours as the photo; they will be available in my Etsy shop very soon. Another reason for its popularity is that there’s also a free pattern that shows you how to join the feathers to make an afghan.

Visit Christa’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

Christa Veenstra | The Curio Crafts Room | NatCroMo Specials

From the day of my NatCroMo post until the end of the month, I will be offering a special 20% discount on all of the patterns in my Ravelry shop with the Coupon Code NATCROMO17

Christa’s Designs:

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

Christa Veenstra | The Curio Crafts Room | Burma Peacock Feather and Bookmark

1. Burma Peacock Feather and Bookmark, $3.62

The possibilities for this peacock feather motif are endless. You could make garlands, wall hangings or embellish box lids, tablet sleeves, cards, hats, bags or key chains. Just enjoy playing around with them!

The pattern also includes instructions for a bookmark.

The motif measures 9 x 7.5 cm / 3.6 x 3 inch, the string 23 cm / 9.2 inch and the tassel 8 cm / 3.2 inch. But you can of course make the string and tassel as long as you want them to be.

This design is suitable for BEGINNERS who are familiar with the basic crochet stitches. The pattern has clear written instructions and a lot of photos.

Christa Veenstra | The Curio Crafts Room | Peacock Tail Feather Coaster or Applique

2. Peacock Tail Feather Coaster or Appliqué, $3.95

This Peacock Tail Feather coaster is a real eye catcher on any drinks table. It looks beautiful in any colour combination and is then still recognizable as a peacock’s tail. It measures 13 x 17 cm / 5.2 x 6.8 inch.

The pattern tutorial consists of 10 PAGES with 39 CLEAR PHOTOS with a step by step description. I have tried to write it as if I am there talking to you to make everything as clear as possible.