NatCroMo 2016, March 8: Sara Leighton

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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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Sara Leighton, Illuminate Crochet

Sara Leighton

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Sara Leighton 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 Sara, check out our post from last year’s blog tour.

About Sara:

I live in Seattle, Washington and have a sweet little cat named Ranna. Crochet is my very favorite way to fill my days and bring the ideas I have stored in my brain out into the world to share with others. In addition to crochet, my hobbies include quilling, baking, karaoke, and reading. My favorite food is popcorn, and my favorite color is purple.

1. Tell us about your favorite travel destination:

When I visited the Hilo side of the Big Island of Hawaii, I was lucky enough to see the Kilauea crater at night. The powerful orange glow of the lava, along with the light of the stars–more stars than can be seen almost anywhere else–was magical. I also loved the lush vegetation, the mongooses, and the black sand beaches.

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

I’ve been a bit of a Francophile since my teen years, so I would love to visit France. There are so many things I would like to see there, from the art nouveau architecture and fine restaurants in the city to the wineries and perfumeries in the country.

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

My Sunday afternoon fiber arts group, The Rainy Sunday Knitters, likes to take day trips out to yarn stores. We have traveled all over the greater Seattle area together. One of my favorite shops that we have visited is Island Wools on San Juan Island, Washington.

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

I try to remember to pack a few small crochet presents, like hats or scarves, because I will surely come across a recipient or two in my travels.

5. 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 so bad at choosing just one project! I usually plan to take one crochet project and one knitting project. However, at the last minute, extra yarn and hooks seem to find their way into my carry-on, “just in case”.

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

As I travel near and far, be it on a bus to downtown or a plane to another state, I find that others enjoy watching me crochet and ask questions about it. Children are especially friendly and curious!

Visit Sara’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

sara-leighton-natcromo-Sneak-Peek

I will be providing a brief tutorial on creating your own filet pattern, along with a new, free crochet pattern for my filet Chasing Triangles scarf in the body of the blog post. Click here to read the blog post and see the pattern.

Sara’s Designs:

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

Color Squish Beanie | Sara Leighton

1. Color Squish Beanie, $4.00

Meet the Color Squish Beanie, your new favorite fall and winter accessory. It has texture, style, and squish that will brighten your day and bring on the compliments. It’s quick and fun to work up, making it the perfect charity project or gift. Work it up in any size. The heart adds that little bit of love that makes it so special. Clear written instructions and photos ensure that your crochet experience is awesome.

Nautical Baby Blanket | Sara Leighton | Illuminate Crochet

2. Nautical Baby Blanket, $5.00

Keep your sweet little sailor warm with the Nautical Baby Blanket! The textured waves are lovely to look at and fun to snuggle. With a unique mock-corded border and one-piece anchor applique, this blanket is a special and enjoyable project. Clear photos ensure smooth sailing while you work.

Sleepy Panda Baby Set | Sara Leighton | Illuminate Crochet

3. Sleepy Panda Baby Set, $5.00

Do you know a sleepy baby panda who’d like to nestle in the bamboo? The Sleepy Panda Set is for you! The blanket has a nice texture and crisp lines that work together to create a serene scene — with baby as the bear! Photos are included in the pattern to guide you.