Welcome to our blog tour! Here at Crochetville, we celebrate National Crochet Month with our NatCroMo Blog Tour. This year, we’re interviewing crochet designers, teachers, and hobbyists throughout March and our theme is crochet memories. You can browse all of this year’s blog tour content on our page NatCroMo Blog Tour 2020.
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About Kathryn Clark
Please allow me to introduce our featured designer of the day, Kathryn Clark of Crochet by Kathy. Kathryn says, “My favorite projects to design are snowflakes, or anything involving snowflakes; however, I also love working with thread creating tops and skirts, shawls and scarves, table décor, and window valances. Recently, I’ve had a lot of fun working on a year-long series of corner-to-corner and filet crochet hybrid baby afghans. In addition to the traditional diagonal technique, these afghans are worked in a variety of different ways, such join-as-you-go motifs, and in the round.” You can find Kathryn’s patterns on crochetbykathy.com, Ravelry, and Etsy. Today Kathryn will share some of her crochet memories with us and we’ll showcase three of her crochet designs.
Kathryn’s Special for Our Readers
Kathryn says, “March 27th is my birthday! In celebration, I’m offering 27% off on all my patterns for one week using the promo code: NATCROMO327. The promo code must be used on my website or Ravelry to receive the discount and expires 4/3/2020 MST (which just happens to be my sister’s birthday)!”
Kathryn’s Crochet Memories
Would you share with us one of your earliest memories of crochet?
“When I was in sixth grade, I bought a Butterick crochet pattern (I guess that dates me a little) for a shell-stitch vest I was determined to make. Neither my mom nor I knew how to crochet at the time, so we sat down with the directions and learned together. The first day, we found the directions very confusing and decided we should take a break and ‘sleep on it.’ When I woke up the next day, it suddenly all made sense! I was a pretty small sixth grader, and the adult-size vest was much too big for me, but I did make it and proudly wore it anyway! I’ve been hooked ever since and have enjoyed crocheting for close to fifty years now!”
Would you share with us one of your memories of becoming a crochet designer?
“Ever since I learned to crochet, I have enjoyed creating my own projects. About 25 years ago, I started submitting designs for magazine contests. After being successful in a few contests, I decided to try submitting some of my designs for publication and have published several books with Leisure Arts over the years. About twelve years ago, I decided to publish my designs through my own website: Crochet by Kathy. Last year, I republished my website with a fresh new look. Please stop by and check it out if you have the chance.”
Would you share with us one of your most memorable experiences as a crochet designer?
“Twenty years ago, I submitted an idea to Leisure Arts to do a book of snowflake dreamcatchers. They wrote back and asked me instead to do a book of snowflakes for both a large and small Christmas tree complete with tree skirts and 3-D tree toppers. I love making snowflakes and gladly undertook this project. The book was published as White Christmas in Thread and it’s one I am most proud of. Recently, I was watching a YouTube video of Jonah Larson opening a gift from his aunt in the UK. I was so excited to see the gift he received was a copy of the same White Christmas in Thread book. It was amazing to see how something I worked on so many years ago came full circle to the present. It’s funny, but even after making hundreds of snowflakes over the years, I still recognize those snowflakes from so long ago when a fellow crocheter makes one of my patterns.”
Showcase: Crochet Designs by Kathryn Clark
March of Bunnies Afghan Set
Get the pattern: March of Bunnies Afghan Set (on crochetbykathy.com)
About the pattern: “I enjoy combining crochet techniques to achieve different effects. This set is third in a year-long series of baby afghans using a hybrid of corner-to-corner and filet crochet techniques, with touches of patchwork and popcorn stitches thrown in to enhance the designs. This pattern set includes the March of Bunnies Afghan with popcorn tails and little bows at the corners of each motif, a coordinating Easter Pom-Pom Hat (for newborn to 12 months), ‘Buttons’ the Bunny with moveable arms and legs, and a matching hat sized for an American Girl doll.”
Ocean Breeze Shawls
Get the pattern: Ocean Breeze Shawls (on crochetbykathy.com)
About the pattern: “I also enjoy taking the same overall pattern and using different yarns or threads to achieve different looks. The Ocean Breeze Shawls were created using four types of yarn or thread on four different shawl lengths. This pattern set includes the Shawlette with added tassels made with DK weight yarn; the Gradient Shawl with matching flower pin made with gradient fine weight yarn; the Tiered Shawl with matching flower pin and tassels made with size 10 crochet thread; and the Two-Tone Shawl with beads added delicately around the border made with lace weight yarn.”
Fun & Fancy Flakes No. 10
Get the pattern: Fun & Fancy Flakes No. 10 (on crochetbykathy.com)
About the pattern: “Each year, I create a new set of snowflakes inspired by the photographs of Wilson A. Bentley taken in the early 1900’s. I am also inspired by the amazing textured doilies I have seen from several designers such as Grace Fearon and Patricia Kristoffersen. For my most recent snowflake set, I decided to combine both concepts into my designs. The Fun & Fancy Flakes No. 10 pattern set incorporates post stitches and crossed post stitches to achieve this textured look. I love creating snowflakes and have them in my home year-round. I like to use them for package decorations, to hang in windows, to frame in pictures, etc. My craft/guest room is also known as the ‘snowflake room.’ “
Follow Kathryn Online
Here’s where you can connect with Kathryn online to be sure you don’t miss any of her new designs!
- Website/Blog: crochetbykathy.com
- Ravelry: Kathryn A. Clark Designer Portfolio
- Etsy: KathrynClarkDesign
- Pinterest: crochetbykathy
- Facebook: CrochetbyKathy
- Instagram: @kathrynclarkdesign
Above: Crochet designer Kathryn Clark says, “This photo is of me with one of our sweet little Pekingese rescues who we lovingly refer to as ‘the dread pirate Lucy.’ “