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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: Michele Maks, Mainly Crochet | Angelia Robinson, Quaternity Design Studios | Kim Guzman, Crochet Kim | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule
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Kim Guzman, Crochet Kim
Crochetville is very proud to have designer Kim Guzman of Crochet Kim with us today, March 24, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo). Kim is a long-time professional member of the Crochet Guild of America. She is currently volunteering as CGOA’s Chain Link newsletter editor and as an editor of CGOA’s blog.
Kim’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of Kim’s designs with you.
This gorgeous cabled sweater is made with Tunisian crochet.
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About Kim:
Getting Off to a Good Start
Kim’s grandmother taught her how to make a granny square when she was eight years old. After that, Kim is completely self-taught. She remembers making granny squares for quite a long time before moving on to other projects. Kim thinks her mother probably still has the granny square afghan she made when she was little.
A Design Career Is Begun
Kim says, “I started designing solely because I wasn’t aware of patterns. It just seemed natural to make up my own. It wasn’t until 1997, when I first got on the internet, that I started writing out my designs.”
Kim’s Specialty
Kim is known for a lot of things in the crochet world, but she’s probably best known for her extensive work with Tunisian crochet, although Tunisian probably comprises only about 25% of her designs. The last time she looked, she has the most published Tunisian crochet patterns of anyone in the world.
Kim also enjoys exploring different techniques that aren’t seen very often. Some are so unique that she’s never seen anything like them before.
Sources of Inspiration
Kim says her inspiration always comes from the yarn itself.
Her Greatest Crochet Accomplishment
Kim is most proud of her Tunisian Crochet Stitch Guide. She says, ” I had never done a stitch dictionary like this before. Tunisian crochet stitch patterns just seem to fall out of my ears so, unlike most stitch pattern dictionaries, this one includes many completely unique and never-before-seen stitch patterns.”
The Wider World of Fiber Arts
Kim is also a knitter, and has had about a dozen knitting patterns published.
Prediction for the Next Big Crochet Trend
Kim thinks the next big trend will be ponchos in more contemporary styles. They may even be given a new name to spark interest and improve marketability.
Online Class–Pattern Grading:
Kim has taught online crochet classes on Crochetville’s social community site/forum since 2007. One of her most popular classes is a class targeted to crochet designers but that is useful for anyone who wants to learn more about making and designing patterns in multiple sizes: Pattern Grading.
In this class, I will have a prepared garment spreadsheet. I will walk you through making the changes to size it up to the different sizes required for professional publishing. Although we will focus on YarnStandards sizing, this information will allow you to also size up other garments you may find in magazines or books, as long as a schematic is provided.
The primary goal in this class is learning to use digital spreadsheets for grading patterns. You can use Excel or Open Office (free download). The class will not focus on writing a pattern. It will be solely for garment grading with a spreadsheet.
Grading patterns is a very precise skill. It is not hard. It is simply very time-consuming. You can expect to spend a lot of time concentrating on your spreadsheet and plugging in numbers. You may feel like you’ve been doing accounting all day long. But I assure you that it is much easier than a paper and pencil. And, the benefit is that you will be able to retain the spreadsheets of your designs on your computer. It makes it easy to check your pattern against your spreadsheet. And, it helps to have that spreadsheet available when customers contact you with questions!
Online Pattern Grading Class
Two Weeks: April 3 – 16, 2015 | $40.00
Click here for details and info on how to register
About Her Design Process:
I don’t really have a process. Everything starts off with the yarn. I may stitch it up in half a dozen different stitch patterns before I finally find a stitch pattern I like and then the yarn tells me what it wants to be.
Advice for New Designers:
Try very hard not to let it take away your fun. Even if you find yourself designing and writing patterns frequently, every once in awhile, do something fun in crochet without plans of writing down a pattern. I know how easy it is to get too absorbed but, if you take away the fun, your heart won’t be in it. Give yourself some time to enjoy and then you can come back refreshed.
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Advice for New Crocheters:
Please don’t give up on yourself! We’ve all been there and you just need to practice and count.
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Some of Kim’s Favorites:
- Designers: Kristin Omdahl, Drew Emborsky, Tamara Kelly
- Favorite Hook: Clover plain aluminum (not the padded ones)
- Favorite Yarn: Kim loves all yarn. Her favorite weight and type of yarn seems to vary from project to project.
- Favorite Thing to Crochet: Anything lace, especially with some dreamy laceweight yarn.
Visit Kim’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek
You will definitely want to visit Kim’s blog post today! She is releasing a very special FREE pattern for you!
Find Kim Online:
Crochetville: crochetkim (must be logged in to see profile)
Ravelry: crochetkim (must be logged in to see profile)
Crochet Kim Website: http://www.crochetkim.com
WIPs ‘N Chains Blog: http://www.kimguzman.com/blog/
Ravelry Designer Page: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kim-guzman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Crochet.Kim.Guzman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crochetkim
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Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
Daily Giveaway Schedule
Daily Designer Schedule
Learn About CGOA
Halos of Hope: Make Hats
Your fabulous Tunisian designs have inspired me to try it!
Such an amazing designer!
When I have crochet questions I always go to Kim. She is my fave designer and I love her work. I will be visiting her blog today. Thanks for sharing. I need this yarn, fingers crossed. I have something begging to be made out of it. Learning a lot during #NatCroMo!
~Crystal
http://krystlewv.blogspot.com
Crochet, A Day In The Life
I love the Rosaline Kimono Tunic. Thanks for the free pattern!!!!
I have learned so much from Kim’s posts and patterns. Thank You Kim
You are first designer I ever knew! Thanks!
Someday when I’m more skilled, I’d like to learn how to make my own patterns.
I like the Serenity Sweater. I want to try more project with tunisian stitches; i’ve only mad a bag using this stitch.
I’ve considered buying the tunisian stitch guide for quite some time.
I love Kim and love her designs. She is a wonderful resource for any level of crochet.
Your Serenity Sweater is beautiful
Kim fan for years!
Thanks for the online pattern grading class!
Love your Sapphire Wrap pattern! I learned tunisian crochet thanks to you!
Kim is an amazing designer and a friendly social media presence who you definitely should be following on facebook.
I love Tunisian crochet!
I love Kim Guzman!! Her designs, her blog posts, her facebook posts, everything. I visit her free pattern page on FB everyday and enjoy that she is so passionate about all things crochet and creative.
Beautiful shawl….
Kim, I have been following you on Facebook for quite some time and I really appreciate all that you do.
I’m a bit like you- I love ALL yarn, and whatever I’m working with is usually my current favorite. Then I’ll discover a new yarn and a new love affair with that yarn starts up!
Thanks, Kim, for the beautiful tunic pattern. You just get better and better!
Love all of Kim’s stuff!! It’s the best!
Kim is known for a lot of things in the crochet world, but she’s probably best known for her extensive work with Tunisian crochet. I so look forward to crocheting more of her patterns.
The Tunisian crochet is beautiful!
I have tried many of Kims designs and I am subscribed to most of her blog/facebook groups etc. Congratulations Kim! 🙂
Really? are there hookers that have not heard of Kim? I think I have known about her forever 😉 (in a good way of course)
I keep reading that Kim Guzman is the favorite designer of so many other designers that I’m glad to find out more about her. The Serenity Sweater is definitely a pattern I’d like to try, almost as much as I’d like to wear it!
Been dying to try Tunisian…will pick up that stitch guide and give it a whirl!
Kim is my favorite designer. She is so upbeat and friendly. Always willing to give advise. I have followed Kim and her designs for quite a few years now.
Love your patterns !
My favorite Designer!!
I’m a big fan of Kim’s patterns. Thanks for featuring her!
“Some are so unique that she’s never seen anything like them before.” Right — that’s what makes them unique! And they are.
Lovely designs!
I’ve been following Kim for years. I love all of her work, and I love that she comes to the Pittsburgh area!
I love the look of tunisian but it’s so hard to change colors with no holes…grrr!!
I love Kim! She is wildly successful and yet still so down to earth and helpful. I have been a member of her Free Crochet Patterns group on Facebook for a while and we swear she has been cloned and there are actually several Kim Guzmans because one person simply couldn’t accomplish everything she does on a daily basis! But she does. She is Superhooker! 😉 <3
The serenity sweater and the sapphire wrap are beautiful
Kim has so many wonderful patterns and helpful advice! I will soon tackle the Serenity Sweater, time to learn something new!
Beautiful pink tunic–looks like broomstick lace!
Kim is one of the greatest ambassadors for crochet I’ve ever come across. Not only is she a brilliant designer, but she’s also a great teacher and one of the most accessible and helpful “public” faces of crochet ever.
But your link to her blog doesn’t work (the text link).
Just verified that links are working. 🙂
I have followed you a long time on Facebook. Thank you so much for all of the free patterns!
love your work
I adore Kim! She is always friendly and patient when I have a question. Well, as long as I don’t step on her toes! Hee hee!
marvelous
So many beautiful designs!
I haven’t tried the Tunisian crochet, but I’d like to.
I just love Kim’s patterns infact I am crocheting one of her sweaters and making it into a button down front shirt. Thank you Kim for making your patterns in plus sizes and easy to change to make them bigger if needed.
I love Kim’s work and will definitely be downloading the Rosaline tunic pattern! Thanks for the giveaways!
I love Kim’s designs. I really enjoy getting her Facebook feeds and all the patterns she shares.
I enjoy Kim’s videos, patterns and books—especially the tunisian ones! Amazing and helpful designer.
Pretty Kim, the Lady Fair, has the most shiny luscious red hair! Thanks for the free pattern, I love it! Must say you are one of my favorite designers.
Now I know it’s called Tunisian Crocheting!!! I just started my first crochet project (slouchy beanie) and I know I want to eventually do a Tunisian crochet sweater next, if there is a beginner project existing, that is…
What you come up with when you start to crochet something is amazing..
Love, love, love your designs. You are incredible.
Kim is so versatile. I am in awe of her talent and she is so nice too! Have a question? Kim will most likely answer it in a short period of time! Always on top of things. I love Kim’s designs.
Kim’s designs are my favorites! I love her garment designs, especially. I have taken several of her classes on Crochetville and I have learned so very much from her. <3
Your designs are beautiful!
I don’t care much for the padded hooks either! 🙂
The Sapphire Wrap is absolutely stunning. Just beautiful. One of these days…
I’ve done several of Kim’s patterns, and they always work up beautifully!
Must do more tunisian! I haven’t done it in a while!
I am positively overwhelmed by the kind comments. Thank you so much, everyone! And, thank you to Crochetville for this year’s fabulous Blog Tour!