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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: Brenda Stratton, Brenda Stratton Designs | Tamara Kelly, Moogly Blog | Susan Lowman, CGOA Secretary | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule
Tamara Kelly, Moogly
Crochetville is very proud to have designer Tamara Kelly with us today, March 27th, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo). Tamara is a member of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA).
Tamara’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of Tamara’s designs with you.
“We could all use a little extra luck once in a while – and the fun little clovers or shamrocks in the Lucky Day Cowl might just be the token you need! At the very least, it’ll decrease the odds of pinching!”
“The Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf pattern is super easy, hides a multitude of sins, and comes with just one rule: no stress allowed! This finished scarf is between 50 and 60 inches long, and twists and turns on itself naturally – perfect for wearing doubled as a cowl, as well as long, tied, anything you can come up with! The little button tie embellishment is a separate optional piece, and instructions for that are included as well!”
Three Truths and a Lie:
- Tamara has been crocheting for 13 years.
- Tamara collects salt and pepper shakers.
- Tamara lives in Iowa, USA.
- Tamara has a degree in Psychology.
About Tamara:
Crochet Beginnings
Tamara has been crocheting for 13 years. Her sister-in-law taught her how to single crochet, and she learned from books after that.
Her first project was a BLO (back loop only) single crochet scarf. Tamara says she quickly got bored with it, and turned into a simple pouch bag with a handle. She says, “Even with my first project I couldn’t resist making my own design! My daughter carried that bag for years!”
On Designing
Tamara tells us, “I’d always designed for myself and family — I just never wrote anything down. When my youngest went to preschool, I started a business selling finished items, but got bored making the same few designs over and over — and realized I’d rather share designs than make finished items for sale!”
As far as designs go, Tamara is probably best known for her Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf, and her Moroccan line of patterns:
- Moroccan Market Tote
- Moroccan Tile Afghan
- Moroccan Midnight Cowl
- Moroccan Midnight Slouch Hat
- Moroccan Midnight Fingerless Mitts
Tamara tells us about her design process: “I think the most important thing for me is writing down every little idea I have — not all of them become finished designs, but I have a notebook full of ideas! Beyond that, it’s just sitting down with yarn and hook, paper and pen, and playing!”
Tamara tries to make her designs unique and interesting, without being overly difficult. She says she finds inspiration everywhere: fashion, home decor, color trends — and her kids’ requests.
A Fun Crochet Story
Tamara shares, “At the 2014 Knit and Crochet Show, Jessie Rayot and I took Lily Chin’s class together, and decided the swatches we made in class looked like finger puppets. So we proceeded to dress them up, and then take them to Kim Guzman’s class the next day, so they could attend with us in the front row. I like to think they put a smile on Kim’s face — Jessie and I couldn’t stop giggling!”
Other Crafts
Tamara knits at a beginner/intermediate level, and spins with a drop spindle, though she says “not very well.” She also says, “I’ve tried dyeing and it was a lot of fun, and I hope to do it again sometime!”
Advice for New Crocheters:
“Don’t be afraid to frog what you’ve done, and ‘google’ it whenever you have a question — there’s so much great info out there at our fingertips now, it’s an amazing time to take up the craft!” says Tamara
Advice for New Designers:
Tamara recommends, “Follow your bliss, know your market, and make what you love, not what you think will ‘sell.’ ”
Next Big Trend in Crochet
Tamara says, “I think there’s a real interest in new stitches and techniques, which is very exciting!”
Some of Tamara’s Favorites:
Favorite Books: Tamara reveals, “I’m addicted to stitch dictionaries — I can’t get enough! It’s like pages and pages of inspiration just waiting for me. If it has charts, I want it!”
Favorite Yarn: “Well, if I could only ever crochet with one fiber, it would be cashmere — it would be completely impractical, but it’s so delicious!” says Tamara.
Favorite Thing to Crochet: Tamara is enthusiastic, “I think I could design a new cowl or infinity scarf every day for a year if I wanted to! I love designing them — and wearing them!”
Visit Tamara’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek
You will definitely want to visit Tamara’s blog post today! She’ll be sharing a new free crochet pattern — and donating it to a very special cause!
Find Tamara Online:
Blog: mooglyblog.com
Ravelry Designer Page: ravelry.com/designers/tamara-kelly
Ravelry Profile: ravelry.com/people/tamarairene (must be logged in to view profile)
Crochetville Profile: crochetville.com/community/user/61277-moogly (must be logged in to view profile)
Facebook: facebook.com/mooglystore
Twitter: twitter.com/mooglyblog
Craftsy: craftsy.com/instructors/tamara_kelly
The Truth
Tamara does not collect salt and pepper shakers. Although if she did, that would have been cool, and I would have asked her to share a photo!
Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
Daily Giveaway Schedule
Daily Designer Schedule
Learn About CGOA
Halos of Hope: Make Hats
I follow you! You are fun and inspiring. Thanks!
“I think I could design a new cowl or infinity scarf every day for a year if I wanted to! I love designing them — and wearing them!”
I found Tamara’s Scarlett Shrug through Lion Brand, made it to go with my Christmas dress, and have been following her blog ever since. Her designs are awesome and I’m really enjoying the afghan CAL she’s running!
♥ the latest freebie & have queued it on raverly. think I will have to make it and have husband give to one of his troops ~ whoever has a baby with the nearest birth date to the 4th of July!
Love EVERYTHING you do! !! You are one of my favorite artists that I follow! !!
Congrats to Tamera! Love Moogly! It’s the best! Thanks for showcasing her today. I will be visiting her blog. I also need this yarn, fingers crossed! Thanks for sharing, and I would have liked to see S&P shakers too! 🙂
~Crystal
What a pleasure it was to meet “Newbie” Tamara at last year’s Knit & Crochet Show hosted by the Crochet Guild of America in New Hampshire!
moogly is my go to when I need to learn a new stitch and she’s whom I recommend new crocheters too to learn. 🙂
Just learning to crochet…your comment “don’t be afraid to frog it…”, what is “frog it”?? Thank you!
I love the moroccan stitch! I’ll learn it one of these days after my first project is completed.
I love all your designs! I often find myself on your site looking through your patterns and using your videos as aids! Absolutely amazing.
I adore your Moroccan patterns! They are such a fun stitch. I really like combining 2 different yarns like this to create contrast & texture.
Loved the article about Tamara! She is easily my favorite designer..
I have been following Tamara for several years and love her patterns.
Moogly is one of my all-time favorite crochet blogs. Amazing stuff!
Oh I love the free pattern, thanks so much!
She has the best tutorials ever!! Love them
Tamara tries to make her designs unique and interesting, without being overly difficult. I made more then three Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf in different colors. Most of the time I don’t make things more then once but I like this yarn and pattern.
I love your Moroccan designs, so colorful, they make you happy just looking at them.
The Moroccan patterns are beautiful.
Absolutely love her designs – cam always depend on finding something colorful and fun to make from her designs.
I love Moogly! I’ve made the Artfully Simple Scarf several times!
So many beautiful designs!
I love Tamara, she my favorite designer and blogger.
I really like the Lucky Day Cowl!
You are definitely one of my favorite designers. Printing the Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf and looking at my lovely blue, aqua & gold yarn. Guess what I’m making today?
My mother collects salt & pepper shakers. I was hoping that one was true!
I look forward everyday seeking Moogly on Facebook.
I love the design & colors of the Moroccan Market Tote.
I love stitch dictionaries too! I really just like knowing how it works before I try to make something with it. And in order to do different sizes of things, the _ + _, is a need to know!
Great designs! I love the Get Whale Soon Tissue Box Cover! It is so cute and happy! 🙂
I love your sense of style and colour! 🙂
I love your patterns, most of them are in my raverly save it file 🙂
Thank you for sharing your awesome talents with us! <3 I love your Moroccan designs.
You’re one of my favorites – I appreciate all that you do!
Love your work!!
Oh THIS gal! Always making me learn new stuff, and is incredibly patient with me. I want to be her when I grow up! (Yeah Tamara, wrap your head around that one, with me being older! LOL!)
I love the The Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf, and the colors. Thank you for sharing this!
Beautiful designs
I love Moogly! A wonderful resource for inspiration!
I was already a fan, the artfully simple cowl was the first cowl I tried and then made tons of them cant wait to go check the other patterns out.
I have been a fan of Moogly for quite some time. Love Tamara’s designs!
Tamra has always been an innovator to me and has the most up to date techniques and stitch information! I’ve learned an awful lot from her!
Tamara has such unique and beautiful designs!
Cowls and infinity scarves are my favorites too!
I love following Tamara’s Facebook posts.
Love your designs
I just love Tamara’s designs, and her YouTube videos are my go-to when I need to learn a new stitch!
I love Tamara’s patterns and videos. They are like what I would do if I designed things!
I’ve made a couple of the Artfully Simple Infinity Scarves as gifts and love that they can go together quickly. Sometimes a last-minute gift is handy to throw together.
Awesome work! I’ve enjoyed reading about Tamara and how she got started!
I’ve made several of Tamara’s designs and love every one! I get excited about new stitches and techniques too 🙂
The more I look at the tote, the more i want to make one
Please sign me up for today Sat. Drawing. Thanks
Long time moogly fan!!
i love all your designs and think giving to charities is the best thing ever.
I have several of your pattterns saved to do later. I gave the infinity scarf to a friend and she wore it all last winter!
One of my go to designers when I need to find something amazing to make. I’ve made the Moroccan market tote, actually it’s my opus! It was an experiment that was a success! Ugh I went out of my comfort zone on this one and use different Torres of yarn and it was beautiful. The loopy love baby booties were so cute. Anywho, I can go on and on.. Moogly rocks!
Torres was meant to be type… stinking Swype
Beautiful work