NatCroMo 2015, March 5: Lorene Eppolite

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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: Jennifer Pionk, A Crocheted Simplicity | Lorene Eppolite, Cre8tion Crochet | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule

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Lorene Eppolite, Cre8tion Crochet

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Lorene Eppolite of Cre8tion Crochet with us today, March 5, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).

Lorene’s Designs:

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

Off Kilter Infinity Scarf, FREE pattern on Lorene’s blog

Rolling in the Deep Infinity Scarf, available for $3.95 on Ravelry

About Lorene:

Although she’s been crocheting regularly for the past six years, Lorene learned the very basics of crochet as a child when her grandmother taught her the chain and double crochet. She’s learned everything else she knows about crochet on her own.  Lorene’s first project since she began crocheting regularly as an adult was a crochet square blanket that she made for her best friend when she was expecting her first baby.

Lorene has never followed patterns, preferring instead to just make up her own designs. People started asking her for patterns, so she started writing patterns. She originally sold finished items but quickly transitioned into designing solely for the purpose of publishing patterns. Lorene quickly gained a reputation for producing patterns that are well-written and easy to understand.

Lorene tries to design everything to be stylish, fun, and easy to do. She gets her inspiration from everywhere: runway fashion, tv, magazines, walking through a department store. She’s always on the lookout for fashion that appeals to her. She then tries to convert those looks into functional crochet designs.

Just being true to herself is what Lorene considers as her greatest crochet accomplishment. She’s had many personal successes, such as being named the official crochet designer for Darn Good Yarn, having designs published by Red Heart Yarns including one that was selected as the promotional design for Reflective yarn, being named as a top blogger by AllFreeCrochet two years in a row, having four of her designs in the last Crochet Awards and one design in the current round, and being chosen as a judge for this round of The Crochet Awards. While these accomplishments mean the world to Lorene, what makes her happiest is knowing that her designs come from her heart.

About Her Design Process:

My designing process has changed a lot over the last couple years. I’ve learned things that make it easier for me. I’ve also learned to write as I go (most of the time). Now I’ve been writing my patterns before I even pick up a hook (other than for the gauge swatch of course). I’m all about strengthening my designing muscles so I’m always trying to teach myself new things.

Suggestions for Newbie Designers:

Be prepared to work hard, and don’t expect too much in the beginning. It takes time to make an impact in this industry. Make connections. Don’t get discouraged. No one succeeds the first time they try.

Some of Lorene’s Favorites:

• Favorite Crochet Reference Books: Lorene says, “I’ve JUST started paying more attention to books as references. I’ve pretty much hit a wall for what I can teach myself, so I’ve had to start looking for outside resources. Right now I’m reading Blueprint Crochet Sweaters by Robyn Chachula and Crocheter’s Skill Building Workshop by Dora Ohrenstein. My favorite resource is not a book: It was an online class on  pattern grading taught by Kim Guzman on the Crochetville website.
• Favorite Designers: Kim Guzman, Marly Bird, Tammy Hildebrand, Margaret Hubert, Tamara Kelly, Jessie Rayot, Kathy Lashley, and I could go on and on.
• Favorite Crochet Hook: Clover Soft Touch
• Favorite Yarn: Lorene really loves silk and bamboo but finds them heavy for a lot of designs. She’s been venturing more into wool lately. She really likes DK and sport-weight yarns.
• Favorite Things to Crochet: Tunics, tanks, and cowls

Visit Lorene’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek

You will definitely want to visit Lorene’s blog post today! She’ll be posting reviews and her own special giveaways: A Furls hook, crochet books, the Mainly Crochet website, and more.

Find Lorene Online:

Crochetville: cre8tioncrochet

Ravelry: cre8tioncrochet

Cre8tion Crochet blog: http://www.cre8tioncrochet.com

Ravelry Designer Page: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/lorene-haythorn-eppolite–cre8tion-crochet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrochetedCre8tions

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cre8tionCrochet

Additional Blog Tour Information:

2015 NatCroMo Blog Tour
Links to All the Info

Daily Giveaway Schedule

Daily Designer Schedule

Learn About CGOA

Halos of Hope: Make Hats

All the Blog Tour Info in One Post