NatCroMo 2016, March 31: Jennifer Hansen

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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.

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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Jennifer Hansen, Stitch Diva Studios

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

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Hansen lives in Jupiter, Florida where she is a full-time crochet and knit designer, teacher and writer. Her innovative crochet work has been featured in books, magazines and television shows. She has been described as “One of the names that immediately comes to mind when thinking of the creative forces that have helped transport crochet from the realm of acrylic afghans to the sexy world of figure-flattering fashions.” (Yarn Market News) Her professional background is in Architecture and Information Technology.

Tell us about your favorite travel destination.

I grew up traveling; it is really one of my biggest passions. I find that each decade, my favorite area of the world to explore changes. Right now, I am really enjoying the time I spend in Central America. Probably the biggest surprise for me has been Mexico. Mexico, once you get a little off the beaten track. It doesn’t seem that exotic; it’s at our border. But it is so vast, there are so many different landscapes there (like the USA has) and cultural influences through various indigenous groups. And the food is just amazing and different in every region as well.

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

One dream I have is to go across China by train. That’s another country that is vast and totally exotic. I know it is hard to get around there outside the big cities if you don’t speak Chinese. It would be the ultimate adventure.

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

I usually do if I can. Many cities will have a “yarn district” or a “yarn market.” I’ve visited them in places as diverse as Istanbul, Mumbai and Buenos Aires. It is fun to see what the locals use and the yarns that are commonly available.

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

I actually wrote a blog post about that. http://www.stitchdiva.com/blog/international_travel

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 usually just take at least 3. I think I always err on taking too much because I don’t want to be stuck on a long bus, train, car or plane trip empty-handed. I’ve never actually completed all I’ve brought. I’m trying to get better, but I don’t know if that means bringing less or stitching more.

Do you have any stories or anything else travel-related that you’d like to share with our blog tour readers?

My blog post is pretty thorough! Especially if you travel internationally. http://www.stitchdiva.com/blog/international_travel

Visit Jennifer’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

Head on over to Stitch Diva Studios to find out how Jennifer is celebrating National Crochet Month!

A Few of Jennifer’s Designs:

Rebel Cardi, Free with Craftsy Class

Explore the possibilities of Broomstick Lace and create a stunning wearable as a result. Stitch Diva Jennifer Hansen will take you step-by-step through the creation of a dramatically lacy cardigan that will fit and flatter any body type as well as deepen your understanding of this lacy crochet art form.

Thundercloud Wrap, $7

This rectangular wrap has proportions designed for versatility – wear it like a shawl, an oversized scarf, or pin it to wear as a poncho, a cardi or even a shrug. Feminine but not fussy, this design combines complementary crochet lace patterns and interesting stitching techniques. Combining speedy Solomon’s Knots and standard crochet stitches in a unique base pattern, it is built up using various openwork edgings, including an intricate applied edging worked in a technique similar to Bruges Lace.

Baroque Ladies Jacket, $7

Updated Instructions! Purchase of the Baroque Jacket now includes instructions for an alternate collar design.

This alternate collar design for the Baroque Jacket is fuller, more delicate and provides increased styling versatility. Better yet, it requires less yarn so this new collar design will cost less and take less time to make!