NatCroMo 2016, March 11: Carolyn Calderon

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The Crochet Express National Crochet Month Blog Tour

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Welcome to Crochetville’s fourth annual National Crochet Month (NatCroMo) blog tour, taking place each day of March 2016. Join us as we take a virtual tour on our passenger steam train, The Crochet Express, visiting crochet designers, crochet-friendly local yarn stores, and yarn companies, and offer some fun giveaways.

Today’s Posts: Jennifer Pionk | Alessandra Hayden | Carolyn Calderon | The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze | Daily Giveaway

Want to Chat about the Tour?

Part of the fun of taking a passenger steam train trip is talking with your fellow passengers. This year, we’re providing two locations where our passengers can get to know each other. We’d love to hear about your favorite things you’ve discovered on the tour and see photos of your current crochet projects. You’re invited to join us daily for virtual cocktails/appetizers and dinner. (We’ll be sharing links to some fabulous recipes!)

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Carolyn Calderon, The Purple Poncho

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Carolyn Calderon with us today as one of the featured designers on our 2016 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).

About Carolyn:

My name is Carolyn Calderon and I’m the designer, teacher, and blogger behind The Purple Poncho. I’ve been crocheting since I was very young, and learned how to crochet from my Grandma Mary. She made me a purple poncho for Christmas, and I’ve been “hooked” ever since. I like to design and work with unusual fibers to create unique jewelry, household items and classic accessories. I offer free and paid patterns on my blog, along with Crochet Tips, Crochet Trends, Donations, Flowers of the Month, Recipes, and a weekly segment called The Linky Ladies Community Link Party. Subscribe to my newsletter for discounts and stay up to date on first releases.

Tell us about your favorite travel destination.

I love to visit tropical destinations with beautiful beaches. We’ve gone to Cabo San Lucas and the Hawaiian Islands, and that’s about as far from home as I’ve been. I live through the HGTV channel so I feel like I’ve been all over, only from the comfort of my living room. One of my favorite places that we did go to recently was a beach house we rented in Oxnard, California for a week. It was right on the sand and my sister and her family were there too. It was a gorgeous house and vacation getaway.

Tell us about a “dream” travel location that you’d like to visit one day.

I would love to go to Australia, Italy and Switzerland someday.

Do you visit yarn stores when traveling? If so, tell us about one of your favorite finds.

I did find a yarn store in Big Bear, CA one time. The sign was what caught my eye as we were driving by, “YARN” in big huge letters. I had to stop in and I purchased some local handspun yarn that day.

Packing: Tell us about any crochet clothing or accessories you pack when traveling. Do you have any really cool packing tips to share?

Since I haven’t traveled much, my only packing tip is don’t pack too much stuff. I travel light and if I really need something, I buy it there. Plus, it leaves room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs, and more yarn.

Tell us about any crochet projects you take with you when traveling: How many projects do you take? How do you decide which ones to take?

I bring skeins of yarn with me, my small hook case, my design book, and I get my inspiration to make something right before we leave, on the way there or at the destination. It depends on where we’re going too. For example, when I was on a work trip, I designed a purse and a pair of earrings to wear to the farewell dinner party. Or when we went to Hawaii, I made a summer top in the airplane on the way there for my daughter. When we went to Oxnard, I designed and made beanie hats for everyone. I keep projects small and manageable.

Visit Carolyn’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

I will be offering a discount in my Ravelry shop from 3/11 to 3/18. No code needed.

A Few of Carolyn’s Designs:

Timeless Boho Poncho, FREE

This Timeless Boho Poncho is so pretty and is a great addition to your wardrobe. It is rated as an easy design and is good for beginners. I love this stitch pattern which you can make on autopilot once you establish the first couple of rows. Step out in style with one of these in all your favorite colors.

Pineapple Passion Scarf, $5.50

Pineapple Passion Scarf is a classic design with a modern twist. This delicate and lacy scarf will be your favorite to make and wear. It’s a feminine design that you’ll love! There is a tutorial on the blog to teach you how to make the fringe too!

Herringbone Infinity Scarf, FREE

My most popular design to date is the Herringbone Infinity Scarf! I love the look of color blocking and this herringbone stitch adds so much texture to the scarf. It works up quickly using bulky yarn and is a very attractive scarf that looks great in a solid or variegated yarn too.