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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: Luz Mendoza, Luz Patterns | Michelle Ferguson, Two Brothers Blankets | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule
Michelle Ferguson, Two Brothers Blankets
Crochetville is very proud to have designer Michelle Ferguson with us today, March 14th, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).
Michelle’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of Michelle’s designs with you.
“The Paisley Poncho Sweater looks like a poncho but functions like a sweater! It’s versatile, customizable, and super warm and cozy!”
“The Celtic Weave Pillow Cover uses the beautiful Celtic Weave stitch to create a beautiful decor for any home. Made with light worsted weight yarn this pillow is elegant looking yet soft and cozy.”
About Michelle:
Her Crochet Beginnings
Four years ago, Michele taught herself to crochet with a book she bought at Walmart and YouTube videos. Her first project was an earflap hat for her son. She’s come a long way since then and is very proud of going full-time as a designer and being successful at it.
Becoming a Designer
Michelle tells us, “I started creating things on my own without a pattern and was encouraged by my fellow crocheting friends to write up the patterns for the items I was creating. So I gave it a go and found it to be very successful. After a year of doing both designing and custom orders, I found that I loved the challenge and freedom of designing so much more. So this year I made the decision to go full time with designing and so far it’s been wonderful!”
Her Design Process
“A design idea usually comes to me in the most random of times,” Michell shares. “It’s usually early in the morning or late at night when I should be in bed instead of up designing something! Then I decide what yarn and hook size I want to use, create the item all while taking tons of notes, and then type it up and send it to testers. During the testing process I get good photos of the design, do lots of editing, and make any changes needed that my testers and I find. Then after all that the pattern finally gets released!”
Inspiration
Michelle’s friends and family give her design inspiration. She comes up with project ideas that make her think, “Oh, that would be cute on my son,” or “My mom would love that.” She says, ” I like to design things that any member of the family would love.”
Some of Michelle’s Favorites:
Favorite Hooks: Yarnology hooks from Hobby Lobby.
Favorite Yarn: “I love Hobby Lobby’s I Love this Yarn, Red Heart Soft, Lion Brand’s Heartland, and Bernat Softee Chunky! I usually stick with worsted weight yarn when I’m designing but have used others too.”
Favorite Thing to Crochet: Sweaters.
Favorite Designers: “Pam from Sincerely Pam is amazingly talented and such a great person too! Jennifer from A Crocheted Simplicity is so very talented and another designer I look up to! Paloma from La Tienda De Paloma is also a very inspiring and talented designer!”
Predictions for the Next Big Trend in Crochet:
Michelle suggests that coats might be the next big trend in crochet. She says, “I’ve seen a few new ones coming out that are amazing!”
Advice for New Crocheters:
Michelle shares with us, “The crochet community is huge and such a wonderful group of people! I would definitely try to find other crocheters either in the online community or in person that you can relate to and learn from.”
Advice for New Designers:
Michelle recommends, “Do your research, be creative, and go for it!”
Visit Michelle’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek
You will definitely want to visit Michelle’s blog post today! She is offering a coupon code for 50% off all of her patterns through March 16th, so hop on over to her blog to get the code. In addition, her Catherine Slouch hat pattern is now FREE indefinitely!
Find Michelle Online:
Blog: twobrosblankets.blogspot.com
Ravelry Designer Page: ravelry.com/designers/two-brothers-blankets
Ravelry Profile: ravelry.com/people/MommyFerg02 (must be logged in to view profile)
Facebook: facebook.com/TwoBrothersBlankets
Twitter: twitter.com/TwoBrosBlankets
Craftsy: craftsy.com/user/1448860/pattern-store
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/TwoBrothersBlankets
Instagram: instagram.com/twobrothersblankets
Pinterest: pinterest.com/mommyferg02
Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
Daily Giveaway Schedule
Daily Designer Schedule
Learn About CGOA
Halos of Hope: Make Hats
Love your blog, thanks for sharing your talent!
i like the Paisley Poncho Sweater. i might try it soon.
Interesting story on how Michelle became a designer.
Poncho looks great
Intrigued by the nameTwo Brothers Blankets. Can you tell me where it came from?
Julie, the name Two Brothers Blankets came to be when I first started crocheting and selling my custom made items. I have two sons and they were the reason I learned how to crochet. When I first learned I loved to make blankets so Two Brothers Blankets just seemed to fit! I don’t do as many blankets anymore lol, but my boys are still an inspiration to me and I’m still in love with the name! 🙂
The Celtic Weave Pillow Cover is really neat! I’ll have to try that stitch pattern.
I am a big fan of your poncho pattern
Love the poncho – does the pattern include adjustments for plus-sized women?
I clicked the link shown under the poncho and went to the Ravelry page for the pattern. The pattern covers these sizes: Children’s Small (5/6), Children’s Medium (8/10), Children’s Large (12/14), Women’s Small (28-34″ bust), Medium (36-40″), and Large (42-46″)
Wow. She seems really cool. Her story is inspiring and relatable.
Beautiful designs for yet another great designer that I am happy to meet! Added on my ravelry favorite designers 🙂
Thanks for showing us such beautiful designs and talented designers. I agree, I would love to see coats. I love crochet fashion. Crochet anything, really. Thanks again. I am learning a lot from NatCroMo! I will be visiting the blogs today 🙂
Cute pillow!
I love the paisley poncho sweater!
I love the design of the Celtic Weave Pillow Cover!
Hi, love your story, your poncho and the stitch on your pillow! Thank you for sharing with us!!
Paisley Poncho Sweater I so want to make one.
Everything is just so pretty! Love your patterns!!!!
I wonder how she got the name “Two Brothers Blanket”
Interesting name! Didn’t see a blanket pattern anywhere.. Beautiful sweaters though! lol
I love the wide variety of patterns she has designed.
Love the weaving concept in your cushion work!
I’m a big fan of the Celtic weave pillow.
coupons too
Congratulations on your journey! You are a great designer 🙂
I love the Celtic weave pillow.
Wow, I just restarted crocheting after a 40-year hiatus. I’ve been doing it again for not quite a year and a half, so maybe there’s hope for me yet!
I have to make the Celtic Weave Pillow Cover. Thank you for sharing your designs.
Just found your facebook site. love the patterns!
I love that Celtic Weave pillow!
These are such great designs. I have a few patterns.
I’d love to see a coat pattern from you! Crocheting clothing is so much fun.
It is impressive that she has only been crocheting for 4 years and is already an accomplished designer.
So many pretty designs!
I love that you are doing this for an entire month. It is wonderful to be able to add new designers in Ravelry and get their blog information. Great idea!
What a cool pillow!
That paisley poncho sweater is the bomb!!!
Love the texture in the Celtic Weave.
Love that Celtic Weave stitch!