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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: Janaya Chouinard, Charmed by Ewe | Wendy Bickford, The Hooked Haberdasher | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule
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Janaya Chouinard, Charmed by Ewe
Crochetville is very proud to have designer Janaya Chouinard of Charmed by Ewe with us today, March 19, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).
Janaya’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of Janaya’s designs with you.
These adorable lil baby loafers can be made for boys and girls.
“This stitch is not for beginners; it is rated Intermediate/HARD — Photos and a video tutorial are included for reference.
Pattern is written using US Terms and includes instructions for both the prop basket and yarn basket with handles shown in the images.”
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About Janaya:
Getting Off to a Good Start
Janaya says, “My mom actually taught me to crochet when I was 11 years old. I am right handed and she left, so I remember sitting across from her and copying her hook movements that way. However, I didn’t stick with it. It wasn’t until almost three years ago that I was perusing Pinterest and saw an adorable crochet poncho that I thought would look so cute on my daughter. I bought a hook and some yarn, brushed up on the basic stitches and practiced them. The poncho turned out great! My then 1-year-old was not so impressed with it.”
Janaya remembers working on a triangular shawl during her first experience with crochet. She thinks it was made with the granny stitch, but she doesn’t remember finishing it or what may have happened to it.
A Design Career Is Begun
Janaya says she loves crocheting so much that she wanted to create her own unique designs to share with other crocheters. She enjoys creating designs that are unique, easy to make, and fun for all ages to wear.
Sources of Inspiration
Janaya says she finds design inspiration everywhere. Her most recent design was inspired by a garment she saw someone wearing on a TV show. The item she saw was actually a cabled knit sweater, but she thought the cable design would look really cute on a hat.
Her Greatest Crochet Accomplishment
The full-sized afghan she recently finished is most definitely Janaya’s greatest crochet accomplishment so far. She says, “My crochet patience is usually limited to projects that can be completed in 3 hours or less, so I was very proud to have completed such a large item, especially since it is was for my best friend.”
The Wider World of Fiber Arts
Janaya says she can “just barely” knit. She taught herself last year, but so far hasn’t been able to spend much time on it. She says it’s a skill she would really like to master . . . eventually.
About Her Design Process:
When I get an idea for a design, I usually just grab some yarn and a hook and start crocheting it. Sometimes, if I can’t decide on colors, I’ll make a little sketch. I’ll crochet the item from start to finish, tweaking it as I go. When I’m happy with the final product, I start the writing process, beginning with whichever size I’ve made for the sample and then adjust from there for smaller/larger sizes.
Some of Janaya’s Favorites:
- Favorite Hook: Janaya uses Susan Bates hooks exclusively.
- Favorite Yarn: Worsted and bulky weight
- Favorite Thing to Crochet: Hats, fingerless gloves, and slippers because they work up quickly and can be customized in any number of ways.
Visit Janaya’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek
You will definitely want to visit Janaya’s blog post today! She will be offering a brand-new, FREE crochet pattern on her blog as well as offering a giveaway for 10 copies of her eBook Collection featuring 37 paid designs.
Find Janaya Online:
Crochetville: Janaya (must be logged in to see profile)
Ravelry: CharmedByEwe (must be logged in to see profile)
Charmed by Ewe Blog: http://charmedbyewe.com
Ravelry Designer Page: http://ravelry.com/designers/janaya-chouinard
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharmedByEwe
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharmedByEwe
Craftsy: http://craftsy.com/user/975154/pattern-store
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CharmedByEwe
Google+: http://gplus.to/CharmedByEweDesigns
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/CharmedByEwe/
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The Truth:
Laura was NOT in a roller disco competition when she was 7 years old.
Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
Daily Giveaway Schedule
Daily Designer Schedule
Learn About CGOA
Halos of Hope: Make Hats
The mini Loafers are so cute! And I look forward to making the pretty hat for which Janaya’s offering the free pattern.
Love you little loafers! So cute!
Cute designs!
Cute beanie! Laughed at the poncho story. I just sent a poncho to my 1 year old granddaughter and she kept trying to put her arms through for a skirt. Didn’t like the poncho idea at all.
It’s wonderful when a family member teaches crochet. Every time I hook I’m thinking of my great-grandmother, who patiently showed me how when I was little. I didn’t crochet for a long time and needed to relearn a lot of things, but then her lessons on chains and single crochet came back and gave me warm feelings and memories. 🙂
I have to say I agree with Janaya about crocheting small items because they work up quickly .
I have so many of her patterns!! so great and interesting
Love your fingerless gloves!
Love those little booties for little feets!
I love the baby loafers !!
I love the braided cable on the hat. What a great idea!
Love the Celtic Dream basket.
LOVE the new hat! Thank you!
Love the #NatCroMo designers. I have learned a ton this month. I have entered everything, followed them all and shared to everyone. I really need some yarn and I’ve never worked with the Red Heart Shimmer, but I would love too. Fingers crossed. I will visit the blog too. Lovely patterns, lovely designer. Thanks!
The little baby shoes are to.die.for! Love them.
Love her designs!
really need to try my hand at a fingerless glove!
Those baby shoes are adorable!
I love reading about other crochet blogs and other crocheters. It really does make me feel less alone in my hobby.
i saw that beanie hat with cables on ravelry this morning and added as a favorite
Thank you! Amazing patterns, I went to Craftsy and put several on my list to purchase soon!
The loafers are adorable!
Love all your stuff!! The lil baby loafers are adorable!!
I find baby booties to be the hardest. Your pattern was well written & they turned out nicely.
That prop basket is a cool idea……
I love Janaya’s style!!
Your baby items are so sweet =)
what cute baby hats
Beautiful designs! I especially like the celtic dream hat <3
I am really impressed with your baby photo shoot outfits
Those baby loafers are too cute!
Love, love the Celtic Dream Basket. Both the basket and free hat pattern are on my to make list.
Those shoes are so cute.
Love your little booties and the beanie is awesome! Thank you for sharing!
Cute hat and adorable shoes!
Love the little baby loafers
Awesome beanie!
I love the design on the hat..can’t wait to try it!
I like your designs can’t just pick one.
I am going to make the hat with cables.
Adorable patterns!
I accidentally put the wrong blog comment in the Rafflecopter entry. Ooops!
Anyway, Janaya, I’ve been purchasing your patterns for a while. I love your eye for design.
Cute hat! Love your patterns!
Love the baby shoes & unique hat!
Those baby loafers are adorable!
Will definitely be making the new hat! Thank you!
Love the baby loafers pattern. I will have to buy.
Love the free hat design. Thanks for offering it free.
Am so glad I stumbled upon this site!! Love being introduced to new crochet blogs. Am in love with the free beanie pattern offered by you, Janaya!! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I love the Uptown Cable Beanie! Hats are my favorite item to make and I’m always looking for new ideas
Love love love!
I recently finished up the Lil Baby Loafers and sent them off to my youngest granddaughter. I will definitely be making more of these. They turned out so cute and the pattern was easy for me to follow.