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.
About Linda Dean
Please allow me to introduce our featured designer of the day, Linda Dean of Linda Dean Crochet. Linda designs accessories, garments, home decor, afghans, and Tunisian. You can find her patterns on her Ravelry page, Linda Dean Designs. Today Linda will share some of her crochet memories with us and we’ll showcase three of her crochet designs.
Linda’s Special for Our Readers
As a special treat for the NatCroMo Blog Tour, Linda is offering a tutorial and free pattern for Tunisian in the round.
Linda’s Crochet Memories
Would you share with us one of your earliest memories of crochet?
I am self-taught since the age of ten, when I picked up a “How to Crochet” book. I spent a summer sitting in the yard, or meadow, playing with a hook and a skein of yarn. So, my earliest memories are really just images and feelings. A cool breeze, a smell of fresh cut hay, the sight of a small meadow flower… all of which make me smile.
Would you share with us one of your memories of becoming a crochet designer?
My “big break” into designing came when I wasn’t even looking for it.
It first began with helping my dad run for a local political office. I was attending events with him as my mother was having health problems, and at one such event I won a silent auction for drop spindle lessons. I had already been crocheting for quite some time, and was eager to find a way to slow the entire process down to enjoy it longer, so winning lesson on how to make yarn seemed like a perfect new skill.
My drop spindle instructor, became my spinning wheel instructor, and she kept telling me how I need to join her Guild. Well, I didn’t have a full understanding of what she meant by “guild.” The most I recognized of the term was from history of the middle ages. However, I attended a meeting and immediately knew I found my people… it was people that loved yarn. This group is comprised of those that raise the sheep, spin the wool, dye it, weave it, knit it, felt it, crochet it… everything.
I overheard some members discussing how they were working on their Masters in Spinning and Weaving; this intrigued me.
So, when I picked up a copy of Crochet! Magazine and found an ad for the Crochet Guild of America, and thought I would check it out. I soon learned that they offered a Masters Program. I was eager to take it to inform the weavers and spinners that crocheters could be Masters too.
I soon passed the program and was invited by CGOA to attend their annual conference to be recognized.
I was a bit reluctant, after all it was half way across the country to spend time with a bunch of crocheters. But I have a supporting husband, and a good friend that encouraged me to go. I decided that it would be my “stick my neck out trip,” I would do a bit of everything; heck, I would never see these people again… boy was I wrong.
I loved everything about this conference, and one night while sitting in the hotel lobby visiting with other crocheters, I was attempting to figure out a crochet technique, and the lady across the table asked to see what I was working on. She took a look, and informed be that I needed to attend the Designers Meet & Greet. I asked her what it was, and was informed that it was an opportunity for new designers to meet with magazine editors and creative designers with yarn companies. I looked at the lady’s name tag, and informed her that I could not attend, as I would be in her class during the time of this event. She announced that she would kick me out of her class, and I could catch up on the material later. Well, she kept to her word and kicked me out of class to sell my first design, Backed Broomstick Lace Clutch, to Carol Alexander, the editor of Crochet! Magazine… that teacher that pushed me, Margaret Hubert. Whom only after I got home did I realize that I had a shelf of her books in my bookcase.
And that is how it all started, Margaret became my mentor, and I have not missed a conference of CGOA since 2011, when I sold that first design.
I never would have thought that these unsuspecting steps would lead to an entire career.
Showcase: Crochet Designs by Linda Dean
Pilgrimage Beaded Wrap
Get the pattern: Pilgrimage Beaded Wrap (on Ravelry)
About the pattern: Intriguing and interesting, the Pilgrimage Beaded Wrap has an easy row repeat, but it will never become boring. This wrap will always catch the eye and garner praise, leaving you wanting to make more than one.
Energizing Rainbow Baby Blanket
Get the pattern: Energizing Rainbow Baby Blanket (on the Linda Dean Crochet website)
About the pattern: This free pattern is created using the Catherine Wheel technique of one row of shells, followed by another row of large decreases. In this approach, I offset the colors in some of the rows to create waves instead of circles. I then alter it back to circles periodically to create a shift in the direction of the wave.
Dreamy Bruges Shrug
Get the pattern: Dreamy Bruges Shrug (on Ravelry)
About the pattern: Creating an airy shrug in a classic lace technique makes this a shrug that you will enjoy on so many levels. A simple pattern repeat is used to make the entire body, and some variations of the joining creates the entire effect. This is a fun design to dress up any wardrobe.
Follow Linda Online
Here’s where you can connect with Linda online to be sure you don’t miss any of her new designs!
- Web Site / Blog: Linda Dean Crochet
- Ravelry: Designer Linda Dean
- Pinterest: LDeanCrochet
- Facebook: LindaDeanCrochet
- Instagram: @lindadeancrochet
- Twitter: @ldeancrochet
Crochet Designer Linda Dean
