NatCroMo 2015, March 22: Alessandra Hayden

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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: Susan Heyn, Crafts & Things | Alessandra Hayden, Just Be Happy Patterns | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule

Alessandra Hayden, Just Be Happy Patterns

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Alessandra Hayden with us today, March 22nd, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo). Alessandra is an Associate Professional member of The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA).

Photo of Alessandra Hayden

Alessandra’s Designs:

If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of Alessandra’s designs with you.

Photo of Elizabeth Hat
Elizabeth Hat, pattern available on Ravelry for $4.00

 

Photo of Aztec Scarf
Aztec Scarf, pattern available on Ravelry for $5.00

 

About Alessandra:

Crochet Beginnings

Alessandra has been been crocheting since she was eight years old. She learned to crochet from her Grandma Dirce, her father’s mom. Her first project was a clothes hanger cozy. Alessandra says, “My grandma taught me how to do it using a tiny hook and silk thread. Let me tell you, silk is slippery!”

Becoming a Designer

Alessandra shares with us, “My dreams were shattered in 2008, when it turned out that my first son was a stillborn. I started crocheting like a mad lady; counting stitches kept my mind busy. After awhile, I had tons of items made and decided to open an online shop to sell them and people were inquiring me about where I got the patterns, so I decided to start writing them and here I am now.” Alessandra continues, “I would like to add that I am a very happy mom of a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl now.”

Being a Designer

When asked about her design process, Alessandra replies, “Sometimes I make a sketch (nothing fancy) of my idea, sometimes I write it down, other times I just grab my hook and yarn and go for it, but I always take notes along the way. Once I have a design I am happy with, I grab my notes, type it up and send them to my group of testers.”

On design inspiration, Alessandra says, “If I am in a good mood, inspiration comes from a lot of places! My kids, nature, colors… they all inspire me.”

Cover of book Just Be Happy - Crochet Hats for Babies and ToddlersAlessandra is proud of her accomplishments of having her work published by Crochet World Magazine, Happily Hooked Magazine, and Red Heart Yarns as well as self-publishing her book Just Be Happy – Crochet Hats for Babies and Toddlers. She says, “I have a lot of work going on behind the scenes, but I can’t spill the beans just yet, so follow me to see all the wonderful things that this year will bring!”

 

Advice for New Crocheters:

Alessandra says, “Don’t be afraid to try new stitches and techniques, but try taking classes and learning them correctly the first time so you don’t have to re-learn the correct way later.”

 Advice for New Designers:

“If you are thinking about selling your patterns, please make sure you ALWAYS have them tested. It is crucial to have each pattern checked for errors before being published,” Alessandra cautions.

Some of Alessandra’s Favorites:

Favorite Hooks: “Plain wooden and aluminum hooks are my favorites with no pads on them.”

Favorite Yarn: “I would have to say DK and Worsted Weight are my favorite weight and merino and alpaca are my top favorite fibers.”

Favorite Thing to Crochet: “Hats!”

Favorite Designers: “I have too many favorites! I am so glad that the crochet community has so many talented professionals!”

 

Visit Alessandra’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek

Photo of Twisting Colors Throw

You will definitely want to visit Alessandra’s blog today! She will be offering the following in her Ravelry store:

  • 40% off her new pattern release, Twisting Colors Throw, no coupon needed.
  • Coupon code for 30% off any pattern from her Ravelry store (excludes Twisting Colors Throw). Visit her blog to get the code!

Button to Visit Alessandra's Blog

Find Ida Online:

Website: justbehappycrochet.com

Blog: justbehappylife.com

Ravelry Designer Page: ravelry.com/stores/alessandra-hayden-designs

Ravelry Profileravelry.com/people/justbehappy (must be logged in to view profile)

Facebook: facebook.com/JustBeHappyPatterns

Twitter: twitter.com/JBHCrochet

Etsy: justbehappy.etsy.com

Craftsy: craftsy.com/user/176719/pattern-store

Pinterest: pinterest.com/JBHcrochet

Instagram: instagram.com/justbehappycrochet

 

Additional Blog Tour Information:

Credits: Icons via icons8.com and iconsmind.com.

57 thoughts on “NatCroMo 2015, March 22: Alessandra Hayden”

  1. Love the designer showcased today! One of my favorites! I will be visiting her blog. I have followed, entered and shared. I need the yarn, fingers crossed! I have entered every day during #NatCroMo! I love using crochet to heal. It works. Thanks for sharing!
    Crystal
    http://krystlewv.blogspot.com
    Crochet, A Day In The LIfe

    Reply
  2. Such a tragic story. 🙁 Everything really does happen for a reason though. I am glad your circumstances led you to crocheting and designing. You are obviously great at it and you have wonderful designs! Thank you for reminding us all to Just Be Happy! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Your Elizabeth hat is soo precious! And, the Twisted Colors Throw is something I definitely want to try. Thank you for being part of the tour.

    Reply
  4. I also found crochet very therapeutic when my 3 year-old daughter with Down Syndrome was diagnosed with Leukemia. I am happy to say that she is now 31 years old, and I still crochet.

    Reply
  5. My first great granddaughter is due this June and I will be making the Elizabeth Hat for her. It is so adorable. So glad I got to “meet” the designer behind this pattern.

    Reply

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