Darn Good Yarn Giveaway

Todays the day we get to see what’s inside.

In a couple of hours I will be streaming live in to the Pippin Crochet Club and revealing what’s inside this months Darn Good Yarn Box. Tune in and listen out for my code to be in with a chance to win the entire contents of the box. 9am (eastern time) but don’t worry, You can always catch it later 😊

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For more information about Darn Good Yarn Subscription Boxes check them out here

https://www.darngoodyarn.com

Complete the form to enter the live giveaway (ends June 13th) Must be a member of the PIPPIN CROCHET CLUB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pippinpoppycock/

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Book Review: Mandalas to Crochet

Mandalas to Crochet by Haafner Linssen
30 Great Patterns

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The heart of this book is all about mandala patterns, but you’ll also find so much more.
The book is divided into 5 chapters covering essential information,  crocheting mandalas, borders and projects. All patterns are written in US terms

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Chapter One – Before you begin
Important information about the charts and patterns, tips and a crochet refresher course for those essential stitches and techniques. A section on yarns, hook sizes and color gets you started. A detailed section on how to get a seamless circle and how to keep you circles flat.

Chapter Two – Mandala Selector
A large scale photo index of all the mandala pattern in the book. Be inspired and find the mandala that is right for you.

28547706_10214023423726849_1450541723_oChapter 3 – Mandala Patterns
30 beautiful mandala patterns, which are accompanied by large charts, beautiful photography. The patterns are divided into 4  groups “Basic”, “Classic”, “Flowers” and “Something Special”.  Each pattern has written instructions and a chart.

This is a great book for beginners to advanced crocheters. The “Basic” section will get any new crocheter started on their mandala journey, learning the technique of crocheting in the round using basic stitches.  The “Classic” section uses a combination of stitches to create beautiful patterns and  larger mandalas. The “Flowers” section as you guessed is all themed on flowers.

Chapter 4 – Borders
5 mix and match borders  to add that extra touch to your mandalas.

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Chapter 5 – Projects
In this chapter you can take a step further by turning your mandalas in to beautiful garments, accessories and homewares, Boho Bag, Hotpads, Tablemats, Scarfs, Blankets and Rugs.

What do I think!
This book is a must for your crochet library. Why! Not only does the designer covers all the steps to making a mandalas, she explains how you can keep going to make it any size. The charts are clear and well illustrated, the written instructions are well written without any fancy flair, the large scale photography helps as a check point that you are on track. I love that she includes projects that can be made using any of the mandalas.  Great for gifts, craft trade shows and designers.

You can use any yarn, any weight and any color! Perfect projects for scrap busting. Modern with a vintage twist. True to the title, the book includes 30 different mandalas to try.

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Hooks Down! and that’s Okay

You might remember my post from a little while back “Hello Spring” where I opened the flood gates of my imagination and let the ideas pour in. Well I did and now its time to close them.  For the past couple of weeks I’ve done almost nothing crochet wise. I stepped on the breaks and got of the crochet highway.

Arizona Promo 3Arizona was a huge success, months of preparation, testing and finally released as a cal all paid off. I was overwhelmed with your response to it. I truthfully love our community group. From beginners to experts we all came together and created a masterpiece. But that success came with a price, I felt the pressure to create something just as special and out popped the Gypsy Queen shawl. Many of you have already made a start and I am seeing your creativity coming alive and I love it.

Me1But behind the scenes is another factor, designing can take its toll. You have an idea and you want it to be prefect but we don’t live in a prefect world and not everything that you imagine becomes a reality. I got so frustrated, You know how writers get writers block well I soon discovered there is a crochet version – crochet block, so I stepped on the breaks and said NO! hooks down.

Unicorn 4
Well not completely… I played with a miss mash of patterns and created the Unicorn Project, plus the team and I have been working on testing our Fall CAL. I teamed up with Icelandic designer Tinna and we will be bringing her design to life as a cal.. But more to come on that at a later date.

I binged watched TV, a lot of TV and a lot of binging… I watched 12 seasons of NCIS with the eye pleasing Michael Weatherly as Antony DiNozzo which led me to 2 seasons of Bull. Gotta love some on-screen eye candy :).  I baked, I gardened, I went on walks.. I took a few days off from my “regular job” for some “me time”. Ladies and Gents if you have never had a “me day” then do it.. just one day all to yourself, doing what you love the most. It could be spending a few hours at the library, a morning at your favorite coffee shop with a book in hand, a stroll down market street, or even a day home alone with your favorite movies and treats…

It was just what I needed. I feel rested and ready. So what comes next!

Yarn reviews – Some of my crochet block came from trying new yarns. On screen they looked perfect for the job but once put to the test it become apparent that they where not quite up to par. So I have decide to share those new yarn experiences with you all. So be on the look out. I also came across some fantastic yarn so I will also be sharing those too.

Book reviews – I am always keen to learn new techniques and I want to share with you my favorites. I have collected a little library over the years and will share with you my thoughts on those books.

Giveaways – Pippin is a great believer in giving back and over the years we have done many many giveaways but as the group has grown (almost 25 thousand members! wow) the giveaways become harder to moderate. But I think I have a solution so be on the look out!

Fall Cal – As mentioned above the team is hard at work testing a new cal, I don’t want to give too much away right now. But we are planning for a late August CAL. A new to me technique and of course plenty of color magic.

Pride of Gypsies Collection – The summer is here which makes working on large one pieces difficult here in the Virginia humidity. So I will be releasing smaller projects to tide us over. Lots of cotton makes, something for everyone.

Love Pippin xoxox

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Gypsy Queen is here!

The Gypsy Queen Shawl is the first pattern in my Pride of the Gypsies collection. I wanted something big, something to wrap around in on those warm summer nights while sitting barefoot on the grass staring up at the night sky watching the stars float past.

Gypsy Queen

Full Details, Pattern and Video links.

A Big Thank You to Michelle Messenger, Jeni Ahern & Stephanie Shelton for testing Gypsy Queen Shawl

Yarn Crush Giveaway

Todays the day we get to see what’s inside.

In a couple of hours I will be streaming live in to the Pippin Crochet Club and revealing what’s inside this months Yarn Crush Box. Tune in and listen out for my code to be in with a chance to win the entire contents of the box. 9am (eastern time) but don’t worry, You can always catch it later 😊

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For more information about Yarn Crush Subscription Boxes check them out here

https://yarn-crush.com/

Complete the form to enter the live giveaway (ends May 4th) Must be a member of the PIPPIN CROCHET CLUB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pippinpoppycock/

Bring back the baby shawl!

With the news of the royal birth has got me thinking about baby traditions.

Being the youngest of 5 siblings I have many many many nieces and nephews. One thing you could grantee was as soon as the  news broke that a baby was on the way, my mother would dig out her finest patterns and needles…. and a Baby shawl was in the making.

The shawl would be gifted upon arrival of the bundle of joy . Baby would be wrapped in the shawl for its 1st trip home and used as a receiving blanket for the many visitors that would sure to come knocking on the door.

The same shawl would be used for the baby’s christening/blessing. It would then be packed away in a special box ready to be brought out when baby was grown and used as a wedding shawl, if baby was a boy then it would be gifted to his wife to be. Thus becoming a heirloom piece.

I have noticed over the years this tradition is fading out, Why! I always remember it as a special moment.. the gifting… the coming home.. the baby tightly wrapped in this cocoon of white lace,  it was a sweet treasured moment.

So keep the tradition alive, and the next time you hear of baby news consider a baby shawl over a baby blanket.

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