NatCroMo 2016, March 8: Mary Jane Hall

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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: Sara Leighton | Mary Jane Hall | Anzula Yarns | 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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Mary Jane Hall, Positively Crochet!

Mary Jane Hall

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Mary Jane Hall with us today, March 8, as one of the featured designers on our 2016 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo). If you’d like to know even more about Mary Jane, check out our post from last year’s blog tour.

About Mary Jane:

I’m a freelance designer of trendy crochet garments and accessories and mostly known for my signature Graduated Stitch Method of making shaped, flattering garments without increases or decreases. Many of these patterns are easy enough for beginners. I’ve authored three crochet booklets and three best-selling books, the latest being Colorful Crochet Lace. (Check out Amy Shelton’s review of this book here on the Crochetville website.) I design for magazines also, which have included Vogue Knitting Crochet, Noro Crochet, Crochet!, Fifth Ave magazine, and Interweave Crochet. I’ve also appeared on the Knit and Crochet Now! TV show.

1. Tell us about your favorite travel destination:

That would have to be Gulf Shores, Alabama, where I have family. I love the miles and miles of white sand.

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

I’ve always wanted to visit Europe, especially Paris and Italy, where my ancestors were from.

3. 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’m always working on a project, so I take whatever is due for a deadline, probably a top or accessory which will fit in my carry-on!

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

When I was younger, I got to visit Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippine Islands, and Lima, Peru (twice). I loved every minute of it and would love to go back to those places someday.

Visit Mary Jane’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

Mary Jane Hall | Little Black Dress | Crochet that Fits

I’ll be offering a FREE PATTERN (for 1 week after the day of my post)a choice of either the Ivory Shells Sweater on the front of Positively Crochet or the Little Black Dress on the front of Crochet That Fits. The sweater is an intermediate pattern; the Little Black Dress is an advanced beginner (easy) pattern with no increases or decreases. I will also offer (through a drawing), my newest book, Colorful Crochet Lace in a giveaway. Please visit Mary Jane’s blog for all the details.

Mary Jane’s Designs:

If you’re not familiar with my work already, I’d like to share three of my designs with you.

Mary Jane Hall | Haute Couture Peplum Dress | Colorful Crochet Lace

1. Haute Couture Peplum Top, Colorful Crochet Lace

The main body and sleeves of the top use my Graduated Stitch Method,which gives it a fitted shape without Inc or dec, easy enough for a beginner. Rows are worked from side to side (vertically), and if your gauge is off, all you have to do is add or delete rows without having to frog it. Peplum is intrnediate level but would give a new crocheter good experience, especially while following the stitch diagrams.

Mary Jane Hall | Tunique Unique Pullover | Colorful Crochet Lace

2. Tunique Unique Pullover, Colorful Crochet Lace

This popular top is worked in basic squares, but the tapered sleeves (worked onto the main body) are worked with my Graduated Stitch Method with no increasing or decreasing. This is flattering on any body shape, as you can make a larger size if you don’t want to emphasize your waist.

Mary Jane Hall | Au Naturel Cropped Top | Colorful Crochet Lace

3. Au Naturel Cropped Top, Colorful Crochet Lace

One of the most popular patterns in the book, this top is worked in 2 squares and sewn at the sides and shoulders. An optional feminine edge, adds interest. This book contains large stitch pattern charts with each pattern.