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 27th day of A Tour through Crochet Country, we’re visiting Marie Segares and Brenda Stratton.
[button link=”http://undergroundcrafter.com/blog/2013/03/27/blogiversary-and-a-tour-through-crochet-country/”]Today’s Stop 1: Visit Marie Segares[/button]
Marie is a multi-talented lady. In addition to being a crocheter and knitter, she is also a quilter, embroiderer, and soapmaker.
You may know Marie as the author behind the Underground Crafter blog.
Marie has completed the Certified Crochet and Knitting Teacher (Level II) program through the Craft Yarn Council. She currently gives private lessons and teaches at the DC 37 Saturday Activity Program. She has previously taught at an impressive list of places: the Adult School of Montclair, Barnard College Mini Course Program, the Brooklyn Workshop Gallery, the Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival, Michael’s Manhattan, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum, the North Jersey Fiber Arts Festival, and the Queens Public Library.
Marie has had patterns published in Crochet World, Inside Crochet, and Love of Crochet magazines. She has also self-published patterns that can be found on her Ravelry designer page. Marie also sells handmade items at New York area craft fairs, in her Etsy shop, and by commission.
This adorable little sheep is too cute not to share. Best of all, the pattern is free on Ravelry.
Available on Ravelry
This textured Twisted Pines scarf is perfect for those cool days when you need something warm around your neck but you don’t want to wear a long scarf.
Love of Crochet, Holiday 2012
[button link=”http://www.brendastratton.com/”]Today’s Stop 2: Visit Brenda Stratton[/button]
If you’ve been crocheting for a long time, you are probably very familiar with Brenda Stratton’s name and her designs. She has worked as a crochet designer and editor for more than 25 years. Her designs have been published in many magazines including Hooked on Crochet!, Crochet World, and Crochet! Her designs have been included in hundreds of hardcover books and crochet leaflets for Leisure Arts and Annie’s. Coats & Clark, Caron International, and Universal Yarns also feature Brenda’s designs. Her designs have even appeared on television!
Brenda was editor of both Annie’s Favorite Crochet and Hooked on Crochet!, which later merged to become Annie’s Hooked on Crochet! She was even editor of Crochet! magazine. She has also served as associate editor, co-editor, or editor of many crochet tool projects, kits, pattern leaflets, and hardcover books.
This year Brenda plans to branch out into the world of self-publishing her designs. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us!
Purple is one of my favorite colors. I absolutely love Brenda’s Purple Mums floral afghan.
Available on free-crochet.com
The color of this gorgeous shawl does actually make me think of sangria!
Available at Coats & Clark
See You Again Tomorrow!
I hope you enjoyed today’s stops visiting with Marie and Brenda. Please come join us again tomorrow when we’ll visit with Kathy White and Lori Carlson.
Remember Project Night Night & CGOA
We would love your support for our blog tour charity, Project Night Night, which donates comforting nighttime packages to homeless children. You can help by making and sending new crocheted blankets (50” x 60” or smaller) and/or making a financial donation. If you contribute, won’t you please use our form to help us keep a blog-tour tally?
Our blog tour is also promoting another non-profit, the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). All designers participating in the tour are Professional or Associate Professional members of the CGOA. If you’re not a member yet, there are so many reasons to join!
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: If you could sit down with one famous crocheter and/or designer, who would it be and why? What would you talk about?
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.
All photos used with permission or under the Fair Use Exclusion of US copyright law.