NatCroMo 2015, March 24: Michele Maks

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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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Michele Maks, Mainly Crochet

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Michele Maks of Mainly Crochet with us today, March 24, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo). Michele has been an Associate Professional Member of the Crochet Guild of America since 208.

Michele-Maks-Headshot

Three Truths and a Lie:

Take a guess as to which of the following statements isn’t true. We’ll try to let you know which statement is “The Lie” somewhere in this post. If we just can’t work it in, we’ll post the truth at the bottom of the post!

  1. Making things has been the driving force of Michele’s life.
  2. Crochet has been her primary choice of creation for the past 30 years.
  3. Michele has been diagnosed with MS, but she doesn’t let it define her.
  4. Michele doesn’t have enough yarn.

 

Michele’s Designs:

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

treble-circle-afghan-michele-maks-mainly-crochet
Treble Circle Afghan, available to subscribers of mainlycrochet.com

“Reminiscent of ruffled pants, this round baby blanket is perfect for your little girl.”

christmas-quickie-michele-maks-mainly-crochet
Christmas Quickie, available to subscribers of mainlycrochet.com

“The joy of quick stitching will let you decorate your home quickly with our simple pillows and throw. ”

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About Michele:

Getting Off to a Good Start

Michele has been crocheting since she was about 9, when she also learned how to knit. She started crocheting professionally in 1985, when an editor wanted a knit design in crochet. Up until this time, she had played with the craft, but this made it serious business. Michele designed a hat and boa scarf combination for Woman’s World magazine.

A Design Career Is Begun

Michele was a full-time freelance crochet designer from 1985 to 2008, designing for magazines and yarn companies. In 2008, she became the editor at Crochet World magazine.

Michele’s Specialty

Michele is best-known for simple designs that look good, but that a beginner could feel comfortable tacking, and mixed techniques.

Her Greatest Crochet Accomplishment

Michele’s most satisfying project to date is the creation of www.mainlycrochet.com. The mainly crochet website offers a subscription service for digital patterns. The concept is similar to that of an ezine, except patterns are published as soon as they are ready for publication. You no longer have to wait for the next issue of a magazine to be published. In addition to having access to all patterns published within their one-year term of membership, subscribers also have access to all patterns ever published by mainly crochet.

Michele greatly enjoys the freedom the mainly crochet online-only format gives her. She says, “I can produce patterns the way I think they should be produced.” With no space constraints as in a print magazine, complicated patterns can devote as much space to full explanation of details as necessary. Michele also takes pride in providing complete photos of larger items such as afghans, allowing crocheters to see the entire item laid out flat.

 

Visit Michele’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek

You will definitely want to visit Michele’s blog post today! She will be giving away a free subscription ($24 value) to the person who provides the best answer to this question: “What was your favorite crochet project of all time?” Remember, you have to enter on HER site!

Visit_Michele_Blog

 

Find Michele Online:

Mainly Crochet Website: http://www.mainlycrochet.com

Mainly Crochet Blog: http://mainlycrochet-theblog.blogspot.com

Ravelry Designer Page: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/michele-maks

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mainlycrochet

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374298556131379/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mainlycrochet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mainlycrochet

The Truth:

After this many years in the business, Michele really does  have enough yarn!

 

Additional Blog Tour Information:

Icons via icons8.com and iconsmind.com.

 

57 thoughts on “NatCroMo 2015, March 24: Michele Maks”

  1. Interesting idea. Since I don’t get extremely emotional over my crochet, I’ll be skipping her giveaway as I’m highly unlikely to win, but if I could ever get a decent feel for what kind of patterns show up in the ezine (as in, how often would something I’m likely to be interested in show up), it might be worth it.

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  2. I would have to disagree with the “truth” that she has enough yarn. That treble circle afghan is super cute. I love circle blankets.

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  3. Crochet has been her primary choice of creation for the past 30 years. There are some cool patterns on http://www.mainlycrochet.com., I have seen some designers post photo and say their pattern is there. Perhaps I will be able to get a subscription in the future. But first I need to get a new stove/oven.

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  4. Love the designs I’ve seen here. I’m not new to crochet, but I’m new to so many stitches and ideas and patterns. I love my craft and I love expanding my repertoire. I will look for more of your designs in the future

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  5. I have been a big fan of Crochet World magazine since the late 80’s. I actually used the stitch guide’s to teach myself new stitches back in the day. 🙂

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  6. I would like to thank you for the blog and the giveaways first of all. I will be entering Michele’s giveaway with an essay. The lie is #4 Michele doesn’t have enough yarn.

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  7. Is it even possible to have “enough” yarn? If it is I don’t think I will ever get there. I have two tall, double door cabinets full, plus several of those plastic storage boxes full, and more still in bags that was bought over the weekend and I don’t have “enough”! Every time I go shopping something catches my eye and I have to have it. No, I don’t have enough. Just don’t ask my husband! 😉

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  8. The Mainly Crochet subscription sounds like such a good idea – it has the benefits of a magazine without the drawbacks of not enough space to show patterns to best advantage or not being published often enough.

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  9. My favorite thing was actually the little girl’s skirt!! So cute! I was disappointed there was not a “advice for beginners” section because I’ve been reading that since I’ve discovered crochet having landed in the middle of crochet month 🙁

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  10. I love simple designs. I am involved with a woman’s group. Once a month, we get together for a Girls Night IN, to play bingo and socialize – and eat. Each month, we have a special joyful generosity game to raise funds for a cause close to our hearts. As a special prize, I make something special, usually crochet, such as a scarf or a wall decoration. Sometimes, when in a pinch, I look for simple and quick projects I can knock out in an evening or two. I will keep you in mind for such inspiration.

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  11. I have had a subscription to Mainly Crochet almost since the beginning. OMG, so many patterns, such awesome variety!! I love the format of the designs, and how we get so many more pictures than you would in a print magazine. Michele Maks rocks!!!

    Reply

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