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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: Sonya Blackstone, Blackstone Designs | RaeLynn Orff, AllieCat’s Hats and Crafts | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule
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RaeLynn Orff, AllieCat’s Hats and Crafts
Crochetville is very proud to have designer RaeLynn Orff of AllieCat’s Hats and Crafts with us today, March 8, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).
RaeLynn’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of RaeLynn’s designs with you.
My Fair Lady Hooded Cowl, available for $4.99 on Ravelry
Heaven’s Ladder Ear Warmer, available for $4.99 on Ravelry
About RaeLynn:
RaeLynn learned to crochet about four years ago by reading books and watching YouTube videos. Her very first project was a newsboy hat. She says, “I remember being so proud of myself for finishing it, and even more proud that my daughter claimed it before I even had the ends weaved in. After I became more experienced, I noticed that I had slip stitch where the pattern had called for single crochet. Good thing the pattern only had one round of single crochet!”
RaeLynn tries to create designs with fun textures that will look great when worked up in a solid color or in multiple colors. She also works hard to make sure her pattern instructions are easy to follow. She gets her inspiration for her designs everywhere, often looking at something at thinking to herself that she could crochet that. She says, “Probably a good portion of my inspiration comes from my family though.”
She taught herself to knit before she learned to crochet. The call of crochet is strong, as she hasn’t picked up her needles since she picked up her hook. Every now and then, the knitting needles do call out to her a little, though. She thinks one day soon she may answer their call.
About Her Design Process:
I always preferred to just grab a hook and yarn and create my own things over following a pattern. Mostly becasue I was a really slow crocheter and trying to follow a pattern just made the process that much slower. Later, I realized that not everyone can create things without a pattern so I decided to start writing mine down. It is always a great feeling to see people create items using my designs.
I usually get an idea in my head and go straight for the hook and yarn. I work up some swatches to determine what stitch combinations I want to use for that particular item. Once that is determined I design as I go, I guess you could say, which often involves ripping out several times.
Suggestions for Newbie Designers:
Don’t give up! It can be tricky to get your name out there in a world with so much talent, but networking is key and there are so many people in this industry that are more than willing to help out a fellow fiber artist.
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Advice for Newbie Crocheters:
Take advantage of the resources that are available… YouTube videos, blog posts, ect. And if you still need help with something, don’t be afraid to reach out to other crocheters/designers. As I mentioned before, most are more than willing to offer help and/or advice.
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Some of RaeLynn’s Favorites:
- Favorite Designers: She says it would be impossible to name all her favorites, but she thinks designs by Ann Mancini-Williams of Glamour4You (also part of our blog tour) are always so amazing!
- Favorite Hooks: Clover Amour
- Favorite Yarn: Depends on her current project
- Favorite Thing to Crochet: Hats!
Visit RaeLynn’s Blog: NatCroMo Sneak Peek
You will definitely want to visit RaeLynn’s blog post today! She’s offering two specials for National Crochet Month.
1. Giveaway: 10 lucky winners will each receive their choice of any 3 patterns from her Ravelry store. The giveaway will run through the 15th. Winners will be drawn on the 16th. Entry details will be on her blog.
2. All patterns in her Ravelry store will be 50% off for the rest of March. Coupon code will be posted on her blog.
Find RaeLynn Online:
Ravelry: AllieCatsHats (must be logged in to view profile)
AllieCat’s Hats and Crafts Website: http://www.alliecatshats.com/
AllieCat’s Hats and Crafts Blog: http://www.alliecatshats.com/blog
Ravelry Designer Page: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/raelynn-orff
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllieCatsHatsAndCrafts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AllieCatsHats
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alliecatshats/
Google+: http://google.com/+AllieCatsHatsCrafts
Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
Daily Giveaway Schedule
Daily Designer Schedule
Learn About CGOA
Halos of Hope: Make Hats
I like your designs.
Thank you!
I loved the ladder earwarmer. Can’t wait to make it with a matching cowl.
I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you!
I like RaeLynn’s My Fair Lady Hooded Cowl.
I’m glad you like it! Thank you!
I had the same path to crochet as RaeLynn! I first started with knitting, until the hooks started calling 🙂 The needles are starting to call for me again, though. So many beautiful designs from both crafts!
I agree!
I love the ear warmers. Such a cute design.
Thank you!
I like the ear warmers!!!
Thank you!
I love that so many of your designs look as good in solid colors as they do in multiple colors.
Thanks! I sometimes feel like an oddball because I often prefer one solid color over multiple colors in a project, but I know many people enjoy lots of color so I try to make my designs work for them as well.
Where is the lie? lol Thanks for showcasing such a great crochet designer. As a newbie who does not consider herself that because I have absorbed everything I could read or see about crochet. I do it every day. The call of the hook is strong. That is a perfect way to put it. I am enjoying #NatCroMo 2015! Thanks for such great giveaways like todays!
~Crystal
Thank you!
RaeLynn’s patterns are so beautiful (I’ve seen some of them on Cre8tion Crochet, I believe). As someone who can’t design, I’m in awe of someone who can just look at something and design a crochet pattern for it!
Thank you! Yes, I do have patterns on Cre8tion Crochet, I contribute one pattern per month to her blog.
I could have used the Fair Lady Hooded Cowl during this harsh winter.
Yes, I think most people could have used a My Fair Lady Hooded Cowl this winter! Brrrr!
Love the hood!
Thank you!
The Haylee Brimmed Beanie pattern is beautiful! I’ve added AllieCat’s Hats as a favorite on my ravelry 🙂
Awesome! I am so glad you like it.. thank you so much!
Hats! I have a goal in the back of my mind to make 50 hats for the kids in a battered woman’s shelter (and for the moms, too) – all using a different pattern. I will definitely revisit this…
Oh, that’s wonderful! I love the generosity of the crochet community! <3
What fun! I love all the textures in RaeLynn’s patterns!
Thank you, Valerie! I’m glad you love them!
Love her! Her designs are always fun and trendy…and beautiful!
Thank you, Sonya!
Always nice to find out about designers I have not previously heard of before! I will definitely be taking more interest in her future works 🙂
Thank you so much! 😀
Beautiful designs!
Thank you!
I love ur designs
That is always great to hear! Thank you!
Love the cowl……
Thank you!
The cowl is amazing……
Thank you! It is my favorite design! 🙂
Beautiful headwear.
I am glad you like them, thank you!
She has interesting designs!
Great advice and I love your patterns
I love the ear warmer!
Beautiful designs.
I love the texture in your work. Simplicity and texture is a thing of beauty.
I’m fond of the Clover Amour hooks too–really glad my husband gave me some as a gift.
Very nice introduction. Glad I have time to go to RaeLynn’s blog post and find out more about her.
i agree about using your resources available in learning techniques.
I really enjoy seeing all the patterns and ideas that she has on the site. I can’t wait to see what is to come!
Love the latest designs
Beautiful patterns…nice to find out about a crochet designer I haven’t seen before.
Lots of great looking designs! Hard to pick a favorite!
Really like the Heavens Ladder ear warmer 🙂
The ladder earwarmer, looks interesting.
I love your My Fair Lady Hooded Cowl.
Good evening
Love the cowl!!
I really like the hooded scarf, great job!~
You have some cool patterns, I like all of the photo’s of your patterns.
I really enjoy the hat and ear warmer patterns on RaeLynn’s site. I just wish I lived in a colder climate so I could make them for myself!
Love the hooded cowl and all your designs!
The Heaven’s Ladder Ear Warmer is just beautiful!
I really loved the My Fair Lady Hooded Cowl.
Love your stitch patterns!
RaeLynn Orff has beautiful ideas! I’m glad I can find her on Ravelry!
Lovely designs!
Very pretty designs I especially like the ladder leg warmers
Absolutely love every pattern! Great lady, great designs!
I love your my fair lady hooded cowl.
what fun designs!