Iconic!

Posted on May 27, 2021 by dorischancrochet

An honor too huge is bestowed upon me in the Summer 2021 issue of Interweave Crochet Magazine, and this event lures me out of comfortable retirement. Listed as one of the three women who shaped the crochet industry, I am at a loss for words. Well, not really at a total loss. Yes, I certainly can shape crochet; whether or not I have done anything to the industry is a matter of opinion! WOWSERS. I am a little worried about the iconic thing. Benedict Cumberbatch is iconic. Idina Menzel is iconic. Gumby and Pokey, Daleks, Reddi-Wip and Hershey bars are iconic.

Jennifer Mogonye, author of this flattering article, don’t know me very well, do she? I sort of love her for it. Somehow she captures the spirit and mood of that magical event, the induction ceremony into the Crochet Hall of Fame at the 2016 Crochet Guild of America conference in Charleston. One note I will add to her account. During the design parade I welled up so verklempt that I messed up the miiddle of the song. I can see the revised title now: DESIGN ICON CHOKES UP!

Thank you young author, thanks to Interweave Crochet for keeping my beloved craft so vibrant, thank you crochet friends for keeping the faith and thank you all for reading here.

That Pineapple Crochet Jacket

Posted on August 15, 2016 by dorischancrochet

The release of this design package had to wait until I could address a serious issue. As visitors to my CGOA Conference fitting labs can tell you, there is so much to be learned from seeing garment samples on different bodies. Last month in Charleston I threw the shrug (Carbonite grey) and jacket (Emerald Deep green) versions of this design on as many victims… uh, volunteers… as walked past the DesigningVashti exhibitor booth and decided there should be a larger, roomier version (Dark Roast brown). Done.

Lotus Curacao Jackets

DJC: Lotus Curacao Jacket in three versions is now ready for your perusal in the pattern shop at DesigningVashti.com.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In preparation for that July 2016 conference, in keeping with the event theme of crochet pineapples, I considered my relationship with the stitch (see previous post) and cast my thoughts back to the one pineapple design deserving a reboot. This is the original Blue Curacao Shawl as published in Amazing Crochet Lace (Potter Craft, 2006), my first book now out of reach.

Blue Curacao

See how the winged shape of the shawl drapes over the shoulders in such a way that the sides want to form sleeves? Already resembles a jacket, huh? So why not just do it that way? To create a season-spanning garment, I swapped out the original DK weight fluffy wool blend yarn to now use DesigningVashti Lotus, a sleek, luminous sportweight blend of cotton and rayon. To make the armholes, there are very simple and totally optional attachments at the underarms, made while crocheting the final row of trim. Although each of the three versions is only one size, each garment can accommodate a range of bodies in different ways, so most everyone can have a Curacao Jacket that fits and flatters.

Updated with a few design tweaks, revised instructions, detailed photography and fresh diagrams, this pattern set also includes instructions for making the original shawl bigger and longer, something not offered in the book design but often requested by readers. Requiring from two to five balls of Lotus, and otherwise perfectly doable with any yarn or combination of yarns that gives you the fabric and dimensions you desire, DJC: Lotus Curacao Jacket just might be the pretty little layer you should crochet for yourself this season.

Please visit DesigningVashti.com for the latest products. Vashti has a staggering array of Tulip brand crochet hooks, including Etimo cushion grip hooks in sets and individually, plus Chiaogoo bamboo Tunisian hooks, straight and circular, in hard-to-find sizes and lengths. Oh, and that strange Jelly Yarn, too.

Happy Jacketing!

Rounding Up the CGOA Posse

Posted on June 30, 2016 by dorischancrochet

May Day! Au secours ! H-E-L-P!

The CGOA 2016 Chain Link Conference in Charleston, South Carolina is less than two weeks away and I am hoping for a miracle… namely you, the posse. On the evening of Friday, July 15th, during my induction into the CGOA Jean Leinhauser Crochet Hall of Fame I want forego the same-old same-old powerpoint presentation slide show retrospective of my design career and focus on what really matters. You. The Posse. The reason I do what I do.

Toward that end, I am asking… begging… anyone who is planning to attend the conference and the awards night on Friday to please come prepared to participate. Bring with you or wear anything of my designs that you have crocheted and be ready to share the love on stage. Anytime before the ceremony, please stop by the DesigningVashti market booth #203 and let me know you’re on board for the fun. For everyone who braves the crowd and stands with me on stage I have a special treat as a thank-you, a new, exclusive DesigningVashti Lotus mini pattern kit.

Bow Tie

Thank you all for your support. With a lot of help from my friends we shall make it a night to remember.

Crochet Hall of Fame

Posted on May 12, 2016 by dorischancrochet

It is with ineffable pleasure and pride that I share this announcement. The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) and has just bestowed upon me that organization’s highest honor, induction into the CGOA Jean Leinhauser Hall of Fame.

WOWSERS!

My initial reaction to the news is one of disbelief. I should not think myself worthy and, however disingenuous it sounds, I truly am shocked and surprised to have been voted in. Ah, but my next and more abiding reaction is most telling. I regard the Hall of Fame award as the icing… no, wait… it’s merely the dusting of gold sprinkles on top of the icing on the cake, the chocolate cake that represents my association with the CGOA. Of course it is wonderful, astonishing to have my work recognized in so public a way. But it all pales compared to the immeasurable personal rewards I have already received over the years through guild membership and participation. In other words, for twelve years I have been gorging on CGOA cake and my head is not about to be turned by a few new glittery bits on top.

Would my life and career be the same today had I not joined CGOA? Don’t think so. I’d still have chosen to pursue crochet designing. But my experiences through 16 conferences — being welcomed into this vital community, meeting others who speak the language of crochet with as much fluency and reverence as I do, bonding with the crocheters who would become my best friends — showed me that I do not design in a vacuum. Sharing my craft with this crew of talented, creative, slightly mad, often rowdy but always loving crocheters reminds me why I do what I do and keeps me honest.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I never enjoy talking about myself and am finding it difficult to produce my presentation/acceptance speech for the formal induction ceremony, to be held during the 2016 CGOA Conference at North Charleston, SC, July 13-16. But, hey, I’ve got some time here to mess with it. And ready or not, to all who plan on attending the conference, I want to see you on Friday evening for the festivities. And if you’ve crocheted for yourself anything I’ve designed, please bring or wear it that evening and share the pride along with me.

Tulip Etimo Crochet Hook Source

Posted on September 21, 2015 by dorischancrochet

DesigningVashti.com is now your source for Tulip Brand crochet hooks, sets and accessories. Vashti’s new store shelf, Crochet Hooks & More, is loaded with the stuff we love.

Searching for an elusive single Etimo cushion grip hook, like the US Size K/10.5 (6.5mm), or the smaller sizes to fill out your set, or steel hooks? We’ve got ’em here.

Tulip Etimo Crochet Hooks

Thinking about a special gift for a crocheting friend, or more likely, a treat for yourself? Consider this incredible array of hook sets, classic and special edition.

11 Cute Tulip Crochet Hook Sets

DesigningVashti.com offers free domestic shipping of crochet hooks, along with Vashti’s prompt and geeky attention to your needs. Coming soon… adorable, colorful Tulip stitch markers! Be sure to check back often as we add more cool stuff for your consideration and more than possible purchase!