The 2014 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month continues today with a visit to crochet designer Karen McKenna.

 

Karen began crocheting at 9, taught by her grandmother.  When her grandmother passed, Karen was given her hooks, books and yarn, as no one else in the family knew how to crochet.  Karen had the time to pick it back up again.  She fell in love with the calming repetitiveness of it and the freedom of changing things as she went.  Karen sold her first official pattern to Cascade Yarns in 2007. Since then she has been published in Crochet!, Crochet World, Crochet 123, and has had her first book published by Annie’s: Elegant, Fashionable, Chic Accessories to Crochet. Karen also has designs available from Windy Valley Muskox, Red Heart Yarns, as well as Cascade Yarns.

Karen grew up in NJ, lived in WA state for 15 years and now lives in Southwest Florida with her husband. Other passions are reading, especially crime, mysteries, and political thrillers, and long distance bicycle riding.  She has completed the STP (Seattle to Portland) 206 miles and RSVP (Ride Seattle Vancouver BC Party) 203 miles.  Someday she would love to ride across the country.

 

National Crochet Month Plans

To celebrate National Crochet Month, Karen will offer a signed copy of Elegant Fashionable Chic Accessories to Crochet with a comment left on blog post and extra points for “liking” her FB page.

 

Keep up with Karen online:

Blog: http://ihookdesign.blogspot.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ihookdesign

Ravelry designer page: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/karen-mckenna

Cascade Yarn patterns: http://cascadeyarn.com/patterns_KarenMcKenna.asp

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/109407056927958691456/posts

 

On CGOA:

Karen is a professional member of CGOA (Crochet Guild of America), and she has this to share about her CGOA experience:

I absolutely love being a member of CGoA for the comraderie and love of like minded crocheters from all over the country and walks of life.  They are very supportive of all of us. The conferences are the best, very fun.  I recently went from Associate Professional to Professional through CGoA.

 

Karen’s Designs

We’d like to highlight two of Karen’s designs, just to give you a sneak peek at her work.

 

Copper Penny Scarf: Simple elegant scarf with beaded details. Available for $6.00.

 

Sophies Two Way Scarf: Free download. Wear as a scarf or button under arms for a shrug

 

[button link=”http://ihookdesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/national-crochet-month-blog-tour-day-26.html” size=”large”]Visit Karen’s Blog Tour Post[/button]

 

Blog Tour Schedule

Schedule of all stops

 

Halos of Hope Hat Drive/Fundraiser

Halos of Hope: Hat Collection/Donation Info

Please click the link above for information on making “On Safari” animal-themed hats for children undergoing cancer treatment.