NatCroMo 2015, March 8: Sonya Blackstone

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Blog tour posts may contain links to affiliate sites.

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).

Sonya Blackstone | Crochet Designer

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!

  1. Sonya was born and raised in Maine.
  2. Sonya’s favorite color is purple.
  3. Sonya loves to do housework.
  4. 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 | Sonya Blackstone

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 | Sonya Blackstone

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:

[one_third]Crochet Stitches VISUAL Encyclopedia[/one_third][one_third]300 Crochet Stitches | Harmony Guides[/one_third][one_third_last]Clover Amour Hooks[/one_third_last]

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

NatCroMo Specials | Blackstone Designs

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.

Visit Sonya's Blog | Blackstone Designs

 

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:

Plastic Spray Bottles | HouseworkThe 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:

Icons via icons8.com and iconsmind.com.
Plastic Spray Bottles image by olovedog at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
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95 thoughts on “NatCroMo 2015, March 8: Sonya Blackstone”

  1. 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.

    Reply

  6. I love my Visual Encyclopedia, I haven’t looked the the Harmony guide, but you recommendation makes me want to give it a shot.

    Reply

  7. 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

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  12. 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!

    Reply

    • 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)

      Reply

  14. My favorite stitch is also the hdc, but I was a little disappointed to learn that Sonya’s favorite color isn’t purple.

    Reply

  25. 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.

    Reply

    • 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?!

      Reply

  26. 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!

    Reply

    • 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! 🙂

      Reply

  36. 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

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply
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