March 19: A Tour through Crochet Country

National Crochet Month

You’ve arrived at A Tour Through Crochet Country! During March 2013, Crochetville is hosting a daily designer blog tour in celebration of National Crochet Month. Each day, we visit the blogs of one or two crochet designers, who share something with us — a free crochet pattern or tutorial, a peek into their studio or a-day-in-the-life, a coupon code, or something else special. Join us each day for a new surprise!

On our 19th day of A Tour through Crochet Country, we’re visiting Julie Oparka and Cari Clement for CGOA.

[button link=”http://redberrycrochet.blogspot.com/”]Today’s Stop 1: Visit Julie Oparka[/button]

Julie is the current president of the Michigan Stitchin’ Time chapter of the Crochet Guild of America. She has designed many patterns for ladies’ accessories and for the home that she has self-published on her website, Red Berry Crochet. Her Abstract Art Felted Scarf was featured in the October 8 issue of Crochet World magazine. Julie also has a new book that will be released on June 11 titled Crochet-opedia: The Only Crochet Reference You’ll Ever Need.  In addition to being a designer, Julie is also a Certified Crochet Instructor, having completed the Craft Yarn Council of America’s certification program.

I think this little chicken family is just too cute. These adorable chickens would be perfect to include in a child’s Easter basket.

I just couldn’t resist a pattern picture that also had a beautiful cat in it. I think I may just have to make some of these mice for my own cats. The pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry.

[button link=”http://cgoanow.blogspot.com/”]Today’s Stop 2: Visit Cari Clement for CGOA[/button]

Cari Clement is the current president of the Crochet Guild of America. Please check out her post on the CGOA blog today as she shares why CGOA is important to her and why it should be important to every crocheter.

Cari has a long and varied career in the crochet industry. She is currently editor of Crochet 1-2-3 and Knit 1-2-3 magazines. From 2003 to 2012, Cari was the Creative Director for Caron International. Cari was also the founder of and a director for Rwanda Knits, a charity that provided knitting machines, instruction, and business training to low-income women in Rwanda. The charity was so successful that the women formed their own cooperative union, Ingenzi Knit Union, which is now a successful, profitable, independent business. Prior to working for Caron, Cari was president and co-owner of Bond America, manufacturer of home knitting machine.

If you’re looking for a project that’s a little different, look at Cari’s Tulle Rules necklace.

I love the colors of this Sao Paolo Purse which can also be used as a case for carrying your hooks and crochet tools.

 

See You Again Tomorrow!

I hope you enjoyed today’s stops visiting with Julie Oparka and Cari Clement for CGOA. Please come join us again tomorrow when we’ll visit with April Garwood and Mary Colucci for CGOA.

Our Little Giveaway: Autographed Pattern Postcard

Each day of A Tour Through Crochet Country, we’ll be giving away two promo postcards, one to each of two winners. These are only available at our 2013 consumer show booths, and will be autographed by both of us, Amy Shelton and Donna Hulka, co-owners of Crochetville! The postcard includes Amy Shelton’s exclusive X Marks the Spot scarf pattern.

To enter, please leave a comment below answering this question: What is the next thing you plan to crochet?

The fine print: Must be 13 or older to enter. Entries must be received by 12:00 midnight Pacific time on the date of this post. Winners will be selected by random drawing and notified by email the following day. Void where prohibited by law.

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All photos used with permission or under the Fair Use Exclusion of US copyright law.

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