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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: RaeLynn Orff, AllieCat’s Hats and Crafts | Sonya Blackstone, Blackstone Designs | Daily Giveaway | Halos of Hope Hat Collection | Complete Designer Schedule
Sonya Blackstone, Blackstone Designs
Crochetville is very proud to have designer Sonya Blackstone with us today, March 8, as one of the featured designers on our 2015 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).
Three Truths and a Lie:
Take a guess as to which of the following statements isn’t true. We’ll let you know which statement is “The Lie” somewhere in this post, so keep reading to learn the truth!
- Sonya was born and raised in Maine.
- Sonya’s favorite color is purple.
- Sonya loves to do housework.
- Sonya’s favorite stitch is the half double crochet.
Sonya’s Designs:
If you’re not familiar with her work already, we’d like to share two of Sonya’s designs with you.
Knit Illusions Skully, available for $4.99 on Ravelry.
“The Knit Illusions Skully is a tight fitting beanie with three different stitch patterns that all resemble knit fabric, but they’re actually crochet stitches!”
Floating Hearts Convertible Beanie, available for $4.99 on Ravelry.
“This Floating Hearts Convertible Beanie can be worn in multiple ways. It can be worn as a traditional beanie or you could leave the drawstring loose and wear it as a pony tail hat. You could also leave the drawstring open all the way and create a bandana look or it can also be worn as a cowl.”
About Sonya:
Beginning Her Crochet Journey
Sonya learned to crochet 15 years ago, but wasn’t “hooked” until ten years later. She’s come a long way and is now an Associate Professional member of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). Although Sonya comes from a long line of crocheters, she taught herself from a learn-to-crochet kit (and a lot of “Help!” phone calls to mom). Her first crochet project (aside from a long, long chain) was a dishcloth.
Becoming a Designer
In 2012, she started a custom-order craft business and found herself struggling to get through a lot of orders. Most of those orders were for crochet items that she would crochet free-form. Because of repeat orders, she started writing down her patterns. After a few months, Sonya realized, “I was the happiest when I was designing something new.” And so she followed her heart. She remembers, “I started listing patterns on Ravelry and that first sale sealed the deal. At the beginning of 2014 I changed my business name and began designing full time.”
Inspiration to Soar
One accomplishment that holds a special place in Sonya’s heart is winning 3rd place in the My Mountain Hat Design Contest in 2013. At that time, Sonya didn’t see herself as a designer, and she reveals, “It was very intimidating for me and with all the people I went up against, I was shocked to even make it to the semi-finals, but when the end came and I was 3rd overall, it was an enormous encouragement for me.” She says it gave her the wings to keep trying for more.
On Designing
Often Sonya dreams of designs, seeing the colors and the stitches. She relates, “Other times it’s me sitting down with a sketch pad and drawing out ideas and thinking up what stitches would look good for this piece.”
It may sound cliche, but Sonya makes each design with love. She shares, “I pour myself into everything I make, from the little projects to the big ones.”
Some of Sonya’s Favorites:
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Favorite Crochet Reference Books: Out of quite a few favorites, Sonya top books are her autographed copy of Crochet Stitches VISUAL Encyclopedia by Robyn Chachula as well as 300 Crochet Stitches (Harmony Guides).
Favorite Hooks: “Last year I was turned on to Clover Amour hooks and they are amazing. I do not get the hand fatigue and cramping like I do with other hooks. And they’re so pretty!”
Favorite Yarn: DK/Light/#3, especially cotton or bamboo, but Sonya uses all kinds of yarn!
Favorite Thing to Crochet: Clothing and accessories. Sonya mentions, “I especially love making clothes for my daughter.”
Designers That Inspire Sonya: (Early Influences) Tammy Hildebrand and Kim Guzman, (Can’t Stop Watching) Dora Ohrenstein and Doris Chan
Advice for New Crocheters:
“Practice makes perfect,” Sonya emphasizes. “Do research, watch YouTube videos, buy books and just keep trying. Before you know it, you will be fluent in crochet and there won’t be any stitch you can’t conquer.”
Advice for New Designers:
“Don’t give up,” Sonya cautions. “The process of being a designer or any business owner can be trying sometimes, but the end result is an awesome feeling.”
Predictions for the Next Big Trend in Crochet:
I think we will see a rise in vintage crochet. Maybe more lacy designs with neutral colors. I think we will see a lot of those designs our grandmas use to make, but in a modern way.
Visit Sonya’s Blog: NatCroMo FREEBIE Sneak Peek
You will definitely want to visit Sonya’s blog post today! She is offering a one-week 50% off coupon code. She is also having a pattern giveaway: one person will win 3 patterns of choice.
Find Sonya Online:
Crochetville: crochetville.com/community/user/72412-blackstonedesigns/ (must be logged in to view profile
Ravelry: ravelry.com/people/BlackstoneDesigns (must be logged in to view profile)
Blog: blackstonedesigns.blogspot.com
Ravelry Designer Page: ravelry.com/designers/sonya-blackstone
Facebook: facebook.com/sBlackstoneDesigns
Twitter: twitter.com/SoBlaDesigns
Craftsy: craftsy.com/user/1053986/pattern-store
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/BlackstoneDesigns
Pinterest: pinterest.com/sib1222/
Instagram: instagram.com/blackstone_designs/
The Truth:
The truth is that Sonya doesn’t like to do housework. She says, “Who has time?” If you read this post earlier, we’ve corrected our mistake… Sonya’s favorite color is indeed purple! And, of course, that is why it is the main color in her Blackstone Designs logo, which you can see in the image above about the NatCroMo giveaway on her blog.
Additional Blog Tour Information:
Links to All the Info
I’ve been following Sonya’s blog for a few months now and I love her deigns. I have some of it already placed in my ravelry patterns.
Thank you for following!!! 🙂
I love the floating heart hat.
Thank you! 🙂
I just recently came across Blackstone Designs on facebook and I am glad I did! Great content and beautiful designs 🙂
I’m glad you found me! Thank you!
Your patterns are inspiring.
Thank you so much! That is wonderful to hear!
I love the floating hearts beanie!!!
Thank you!
I love my Visual Encyclopedia, I haven’t looked the the Harmony guide, but you recommendation makes me want to give it a shot.
Both are fantastic books! They have great stitch patterns that include charts!
The lie is she is not into purple all that much! lol I am enjoying #natCroMo 2015! I have learned so much about great designers and today, creating my own patterns. Great showcase! Love the designs, the post was great too! Thanks for sharing!
~Crystal
Truth is I think I made an error when answering my interview questions because my favorite color IS purple. I don’t like housework…who has time!? lol Thank you for following the tour and taking the time to get to know me!
Thank you for the correction, Sonya! I’ve fixed it in the post. By the way, I really enjoyed writing this post about you… I feel like I know you now!
Thank you for taking the time to make the correction!! I can’t wait to read your post! 🙂
Sonya’s hat patterns are wonderful! I hope to have a chance to try some someday.
That would be great! If you do, pop over to my page and share them with me. I would love to see your work!
Knit Illusions Skully is such a classic design.
Thank you!
YouTube is SO helpful!
Definitely! There are so many great crochet videos on there!
I love her bag designs!!! 😀
Thank you so much!!
I hope one of the truths is that you’re from Maine. because so am I! I love your Floating Hearts Convertible Beanie–and your model is a cutie pie!
I am from Maine!! 🙂 Very exciting to meet a fellow Maine crocheter!
Thank you for the compliments! (I’m pretty fond of the model myself, she’s my daughter lol)
Love the picture of the dolls in the lower right corner. Adorable
Thank you! Stuffies are always fun to make!
My favorite stitch is also the hdc, but I was a little disappointed to learn that Sonya’s favorite color isn’t purple.
Valerie, we made an error. You’ll be glad to know that Sonya’s favorite color is indeed purple!
Yes, it is Purple! It’s the most beautiful color EVER! 🙂
That is is!
I hope to try some of those gorgeous hooks one day! Im very partial to my “G” green metal hook
You will not be disappointed! They are amazing hooks!
Love those designs!
Thank you!
Really helpful tips & information
Great! I’m glad you find them helpful!! 🙂
The beanie is beautiful…..
Thank you!!!
I specially love Sonya’s floating hearts reversible beanie
<3 Thank you! You can get the toddler size free on Cre8tion Crochet website!
Love crochet items that look knit!
They are such a fun change! Although crochet looking stitches are still my favorite 😉
What a unique idea with the convertible beanie!
Definitely a fun to have options!!! 🙂
The little girl’s hat and scarf are so cute! I have 2 great-nieces who would love them both 🙂
Thank you!
Always a good sign when the designer’s inspirations are some of my favorite designers. 🙂
There are too many designers to list truly! But they are definitely at the top of my list!
i like the Knit Illusions Skully,
Thank you!!
From another fan of Purple, I commend you on being a designer and sharing your designs. I’ve made a few things but don’t know if I could write a goo pattern, sometimes I can’t follow my own directions…sigh.
If it’s something you really want to do just keep trying. Another great piece of advice if you’re wanting to become a designer is use patterns from SEVERAL different designers because all designers write differently and you can get a better understanding of the process! Don’t be too afraid to try though! You never know what you can do unless you do it, right?!
I really like her designs and ideas. I have a subscription to her blog and I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer this year!
Thank you! I have a few new designs coming right up. I will have one going up on my blog as a freebie this week! 🙂
Your hints are most helpful
Wonderful! I’m happy to hear it!
Beautiful patterns! Thanks for info on a designer I like.
Thank you for following the blog tour!!!
Great designs!
Thank you!!! 🙂
Love the floating heart beanie 🙂
Thank you!!
I love crochet that looks like knitting. It satisfies my inferiority complex around knitting snobs!
Hahaha, well I’m glad I could help!
I love your blog and patterns.
Thank you!!! There is much more to come!
Love the heart beanie!!
Thank you!!
Your Heart Hat is so cute!
Thank you!
I like your Knit Illusions Skully hat, looks warm and fun to make.
It is!! The stitches hold together pretty tight, yet the hat is very stretchy!!
I appreciate that Sonya is taking the time to write about her experiences with particular yarns. It’s nice to see the information all in one place.
Cheers,
Shauna
Thank you!!! 🙂
The Knit Illusions Skully is adorable!
Thank you!!
Love your designs! I also hope vintage will be the trend!
Won’t that be so much fun?!
I really loved the Floating Hearts Beanie.
Thank you!!!
Love Sonya’s designs! Bummed that I missed the giveaway. :’-(
That is a bummer! I know that Crochetville has giveaways everyday through March to celebrate NatCroMo and I will have more too! Just keep an eye out, I always announce them on my page!
Sonya Blackstone – great crochet ideas. Glad I can find her on Ravelry!
I’m glad you have found me too! Thank you!
Very nice designs. So many cute things, I favorites your ravelry page miss Sonya
Thank you so much!!!! 😀
Gorgeous patterns that are very well written and easy to follow!
Thank you!!!!
i love purple (and hate housework), too!
Maybe if our floors and walls were purple we would be more concerned with keeping them clean? Haha!