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National Crochet Month:
Welcome to Crochetville’s third annual Designer Blog Tour, taking place all throughout March 2015 in celebration of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo). Each day on our blog, you will find 1) in-depth profile posts for two crochet designers, with a link to their blogs so you can see what specials (free patterns, discount coupon codes, tutorials, etc.) they may be offering for NatCroMo, 2) a daily giveaway post with entries open from 8:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST the following day, and 3) during the last week of the month, daily posts from a Crochet Guild of America board member. Join us each day for a new surprise!
Today’s Posts: Jessie Rayot, Jessie at Home | Lori Carlson, Shrone Designs | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule
Lori Carlson, Shrone Designs
Crochetville is very proud to have designer Lori Carlson with us today, March 12th, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).
Three Truths and a Lie:
Take a guess as to which of the following statements isn’t true. We’ll let you know which statement is “The Lie” somewhere in this post, so keep reading to learn the truth!
- I learned how to play the cello in school and have been a member of a small community orchestra as a mediocre cellist.
- Mustard and pickles are my favorite condiments.
- As a teenager I had jet black dyed hair and wore primarily black clothes.
- My husband and I got married on Leap Day 2004.
Lori’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of Lori’s designs with you.
Mehndi Necklace, published in Interweave Crochet magazine, Summer 2013.
Available on the Interweave Store for $5.50.
Winter’s Night Necklace, published in Interweave Crochet magazine, Winter 2014.
Available on the Interweave Store for $5.50.
About Lori:
Lori loves to crochet with thread. She is currently focusing on translating mehndi, or henna tatoo art, into crochet. She says, “eventually I’d like to create more designs using the tapestry overlay technique I developed in my first design, Split Infinitive.” This design is a stunning, colorful doily that won second prize in the category Artistic Expressions (sponsored by Leisure Arts) in the CGOA 2011 Design Competiton. It was later published as Split Infinitive Pillow in Crochet! magazine, Summer 2013.
Learning to Crochet
Lori recalls, “I was taught to crochet around age 8 by my mother who learned to crochet from her grandmother. While my mother taught me the stitches, she didn’t teach me to read a pattern. It wasn’t until 1995 that I rediscovered crochet as a way to recuperate from surgery and I taught myself how to read patterns.” After that, the first project Lori completed was baby blanket made with a variegated fuzzy yarn.
Starting to Design

Lori shares what started her on the road to becoming a designer. “It was a comment that someone had made about the doilies I would make, stating that they looked like mandalas. That resonated with me and I thought it would be possible to create a colorful, highly textured mandala. The result was my first design, Split Infinitive, which was awarded 2nd Place in the Artistic Expressions category of the 2011 CGOA Design Competition. From that point I began exploring folk art and found myself drawn to mehndi, or henna tattoo art. I’ve been in the process of translating mehndi designs into crochet for the past two years along with finding other sources of inspiration to create my designs.”
Her Design Process and Inspiration
Lori shares, “It starts with seeing how a particular design could be translated into crochet, which is the easy part. From there it’s a matter of finding the right stitch combination which seldom happens quickly. I joke that designing for me is essentially frogging and a stubborn persistence to ‘crack the code’ or ‘find the solution’.”
“In addition to mehndi,” Lori says, “I’ve been inspired by chemistry as many molecules contain geometric shapes and symmetry. Traditional Asian Indian bridal and gold jewelry has also served as my sources of inspiration, along with traditional Asian Indian folk art rangoli and kolam. I also am drawn to the shapes and symmetry found in traditional Arabic and Egyptian folk art.”
Other Hobbies
“In addition to crochet designing, my husband and I are amateur butterfly gardeners,” Lori tells us. “We are slowly but surely transforming our yard into gardens that contain both butterfly host and nectaring plants. Currently we have butterfly host plants for five butterfly species that we raise and release, with our primary focus being on helping to assist the Monarch butterfly population. Through our association as volunteers at Duke Gardens and the Durham Museum of Life and Science, we provide education and demonstrations of how to cultivate butterfly-friendly gardens and raise butterflies.”
Lori also has a new hobby, growing cotton. She says, “I don’t spin, and I have no plans to learn how. However, I enjoy gardening and the challenges it presents and since I live in a climate in which cotton can be grown, I’ve been exploring how to cultivate it.”
Some of Lori’s Favorites:
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Favorite Hooks: “I really like the Tulip Etimo hooks. I have a set of the steel hooks and I have bought a couple of the yarn hooks. I also recommend the Clover Soft Touch hooks.”
Favorite Crochet Reference Books: “I regard the issues of Magic Crochet and Decorative Crochet as being great references as they contained many wonderful thread crochet patterns. I learned many textural and advanced crochet stitches through Patricia Kristoffersen’s doily designs, so I regard them as another reference.”
Favorite Yarn: “I’m all about The Thread! My favorite thread size is 20 because it’s refined enough to convey a delicate look, yet still substantial to construct crochet jewelry.”
Favorite Thing to Crochet: “I like projects that provide a challenge and hold my interest and have a lot going on, yet aren’t an incredibly large project. Crochet jewelry and accessories can meet these requirements.”
Favorite Designers: “I first met Kathryn White just as she was getting started as a designer. We both resided in Washington state and lived within reasonable driving distance from one another. In connecting with her it planted a seed in my mind that being a designer is something very possible, yet at the time my focus was on graduate school and then relocating to North Carolina. We reconnected in 2011 at the Greensboro, North Carolina CGOA Conference, and by then I was ready to concentrate on designing. She became my official mentor the following year.”
“Yoko Suzuki is one of my favorite designers as she is masterful using Bruges lace techniques. Patricia Kristoffersen has many exquisite designs that I have enjoyed making.”
Predictions for the Next Big Trend in Crochet:
Lori replies, “Why, thread crochet, of course (along with my designs)!”
Advice for New Crocheters:
Lori recommends:
- “Keep at it.”
- “Challenge yourself and develop your skills.”
- “Once you get comfortable with executing patterns, don’t hesitate to adapt and interpret them to suit your needs or preferences.”
- “Value your work and the work of others.”
Advice for New Designers:
“Designing at first seems impossible and daunting,” Lori shares, “that only those who possess arcane knowledge of crochet can be a designer. The more I design the more I’ve come to think that designing is primarily about having persistence and discipline, possessing a modicum of artistic vision, and lastly being able to apply the knowledge of crochet you’ve acquired to carry out your vision.”
“I think it’s also been incredibly helpful to me to get to know other designers, and if possible to find people who live near you who also have an interest in being a crochet professional. If financially possible, attend at least one CGOA conference to meet with people in the industry as well as fellow crocheters.”
Visit Lori’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek
You will definitely want to visit Lori’s blog post today! Even we don’t know what it is, so it’s a big secret!
Find Lori Online:
Blog: shronedesigns.blogspot.com
Ravelry Designer Page: ravelry.com/designers/lori-m-carlson
Ravelry Profile: ravelry.com/people/TheShrone (must be logged in to view profile)
Crochetville Profile: crochetville.com/community/user/133-the-shrone (must be logged in to view profile
Facebook: facebook.com/shronedesigns
Pinterest: pinterest.com/theshrone
tsū: tsu.co/ShroneDesigns
The Truth:
Well, Lori’s interview didn’t give any clues, so you are surely wondering about getting married on leap day, playing the cello, and wearing the color black. Well, all that’s true. And here’s something else you’ll need to know if you have Lori over for a backyard barbeque: she does not really care for mustard and pickles!
Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
I’ve got a short stocky neck, so I could never get away with wearing the crochet choker-style necklaces…but I think they’re amazingly designed and made! 🙂
I really and truly like the winter’s night necklace. I think I will try to make it.
such intricate work! beautiful.
Interesting pieces. Would make good gifts.
I’ve never considered backyard cotton!
Split Infinitive – bookmarked for later exploration. Awesomeness personified.
Her necklace designs are unique!
Absolutely love the jewelry!! It’s stunning! And that’s so cool that you were married on Leap Day!
I wish I had the patience to work with crochet thread! Her designs are beautiful!
What an interesting person! I do wish there was a way to receive her blog by email.
I LOVE HER CREATIONS!!! They are so eye catching and brilliant!!! I would love to see more!!
Your designs are fantastic
Lovely designs, I’m surprised I hadn’t noticed her before now!
I have the mehdi necklace half done and want to do the other one too. Beautiful designs!
I love your unique aesthetic!
The pattern Split Infinitive, is very eye catching. I love it.
Unique patterns
I admire you for your work!! It’s so beautiful. I hope to gain the patience to work with crochet thread one day!
I had a chance to meet Lori at the CGOA conference in 2011, and her design was absolutely STUNNING in person. I’m just in awe of the talent she has and what she can create with crochet. I look forward to being spellbound by her designs for many years to come.
I love the thread crochet! I just started learning how to crochet thread filet patterns.
Thank you for such beautiful pictures. This is the first time I have seen the flowers of the cotton plants. My favorite is the Black Beauty Ornamental
Wow! simply Wow!
Your Winter’s Night Necklace is amazing!
Her modern take on thread crochet is inspired.
Lori’s designs are so delicate looking.
beautiful jewelry designs. My favorite is the Split Infinitive, just gorgeous
Oh! I love the Split Infinitive!
Would never had thought of making necklaces……
I have enjoyed your thread patterns and your story on growing cotton.
I really like the butterfly garden. I love butterflies
Incredible work!
Getting my daily fix.
Beautiful jewelry!
Enjoyed reading about your cotton journey. Also, the chokers are gorgeous!
Like her outlook about crochet.
I’m with you on the mustard and pickles!
I love your designs, they’re so creative! But, how could you not like pickles?! LOL 🙂
The Split Infinitive is exquisite. I would love to challenge myself sometime and make one.
I love what you can do with a hook, thread and imagination! So inspiring!
Your jewelry is amazing!
Lori, you’ve inspired me today… crocheting with thread is an interest of mine that I was hesitant to try, but now that I’ve seen “Split Infinitive” and have been tuned into mehndi and how it could inspire crochet, my mind is blown!
I have 2 things in common with Lori: crochet and we have a butterfly garden in the lot next door that we contribute to!
very beautiful work
Hope I win the giveaway
I love the yarn that is being given away – would like more of it to make more items – Shawl maybe.
Thank you for sharing.
Robin
Beautiful work!
Lori, Love your Mehndi necklace!
Amazing creations!
Love the Split INfinitive!
the first project Lori completed was baby blanket made with a variegated fuzzy yarn.
Split Infinitive is beautiful!
I agree with Lori about Magic Crochet and Decorative Crochet. I treasure the issues of these magazines that I was able to collect. I was so disappointed when they stopped being published.
I too love to work with thread – it was interesting reading about growing cotton
Your crochet items looks beautiful!
Your jewelry designs with crochet thread are amazing! Working with crochet thread is on my “someday project” list.
Those designs are AMAZING! – I haven’t ventured into thread crochet (yet, that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question).
I want to visit the butterfly garden and I think cotton gardening is pretty cool too. What a very interesting and fun person!
I also love the Tulip hooks
I love your designs, I think they’re fabulous! I would love to learn to crochet like this. I’m a beginner, and like you, I was taught at a young age, but I just picked it up again at age 46! I recently completed my first afgha and am ready for the next step, a doily. I adore your patterns and look forward to trying them once I am a little more seasoned in my craft!
Have a lovely life!
I don’t like mustard or pickles either.
I never knew cotton’s flowers were so pretty, or that they could be containerized. Thank you for the information! In my location, (SE VA) you have to have a permit to grow cotton, and can only do it commercially, as it’s a big cash crop here. If I move somewhere else, I definitely will try to grow some!
Such intricate designing!
I can’t wait to share the thread work you’ve done with my daughter! Beautiful work!