Proof of Crochet at VKL

Posted on January 24, 2012 by dorischancrochet

My friends don’t believe that I taught beginning crochet at Vogue Knitting Live a couple of weeks ago in New York. Not even my mom believed it when I told her today how it went. You see, my mom understands too well how much like my dad I am. He was a great person, kind, generous, honest and true. Dad was not a tyrant or control freak, but he did live by the words “my way or the highway” and he expected us to respect that. He did not suffer fools nor did he waste time and effort on fools errands.

Today, over a lunch of long noodles to bring longevity in the New Year, Mom and I laughed about our experiences learning how to drive…. from Dad. I never knew until today that he considered Mom too stupid to drive. Honestly. Too stupid. He made her such a nervous wreck that eventually she paid to go to driving school. Within two weeks she had her license and some validation.

In my case, I drove only once with Dad riding shotgun. That was enough to send me running to Mom. Wanna know how I learned how to drive? Mom took me to the parking lot at the mall on Sunday, empty because in those days the mall closed on Sunday, and she sat there while I drove round and round and practiced parking.

Anyway, it appears that I have infinite patience for crochet, but not for people crocheting. My worst fault as a teacher is that I am so tempted to snatch the work out of a struggling student’s hands in order to ” fix” it. So I forced myself to keep my hands to myself and I think the lessons I gave at Vickie Howell‘s Caron Beginner Lounge went well. For the unbelievers, here is photographic proof.

Me teaching crochet

I am so sorry I did not record nor do I recall the name of my wonderful student here. If you recognize yourself, please make a comment below and I will make it right! The lounge was well attended throughout the two day event and Vickie, a team of Vogue Knitting Live event volunteer teachers and I were kept pretty busy dispensing guidance and praise. It pleasantly surprised the students that the Tulip Etimo crochet hooks (or Tulip bamboo knitting needles) that we used for the lessons were theirs to take home along with their practice skein of Vic’s yarn, Sheepish. Thanks to Caron for the tools, yarn and for sponsoring such a successful Beginner Lounge.

Looking more closely at that image, it’s funny how my hands are blurry (moving fast?) and her hands are in focus. That’s the second of my major teaching faults. I move too fast and probably talk too fast as well. But I think the lessons stuck with many of those intrepid newbies and I hope they are happily hooking still.

More suited to my temperament and easier on the attendees’ nerves was my book signing. This year Knitty City set up two tables in their market booth so we authors wouldn’t be climbing over each other. Brilliant. As ever, Pearl and the staff were wonderful, thank you all. When I wasn’t signing books I was working on a special hoodie version of my DJC Designs Snow Day mobius cowl, the pattern for which I handed out to any who wandered by showing their crochet.

Me and my Snow Day at book signing

Kudos to my publisher Potter Craft for their support and to Publicity Director and sweetheart Kimberly Small for the above photos. Oh, and, Kim… that poster of Crochet Lace Innovations next to me… I took it home as it was so beautifully done. Thanks!

In summary, I feel I did not unduly torture any newbies. But then again, you must really ask them. 🙂

Calling Vogue Knitting Live Crocheters

Posted on January 9, 2012 by dorischancrochet

Vogue Knitting Live may have the K word in the title, but don’t be put off. Although the events, classes and sessions are overwhelmingly tipped toward knitting interests, this is an exciting event for all fiberazzi (lovers of yarn). I expect to see plenty of crochet and crocheters in New York this weekend.

Vogue Knitting magazine, that bastion of high-concept/fantasy fashion knitting, has never given crochet more than a glancing nod. But its publisher, SOHO, has a special VK issue in the works. 2012 heralds the return of Vogue Crochet, not seen since the legendary 1994 issue.

Vogue Crochet Special Issue, 1994

Yes, that’s a granny square design on the cover. No, I don’t know what they were thinking. Certainly there was much more in this issue than meets the eye with the cover image. The bold text promising “easy” and “basics for beginners” hint that the instructions are targeted to knitters who might want to learn crochet and to other newbies to the craft. But there was plenty of inspiration to be found within for hard-core crocheters. All I can say is the 2012 reboot should totally rock your hooking senses.

Anyway, I’m inclined to believe that crochet has a definite place at Vogue Knitting Live, and that we and our work will be welcome. So let’s give them all something to think about. If you’re coming to the event, please have your most brilliant crochet on display and wear it proudly. As an extra incentive, any fan who shows up at my Potter Craft book signing wearing crochet will get a little gift from me, a free pattern pdf from among my DJC Designs self-published patterns, available exclusively at DesigningVashti.com. Please stop by the Knitty City booth in the marketplace at VKL, from 4 to 5 pm on Saturday, 14 January, show me your crochet and claim your present. Hope to see you there.

Crochet Resolution #1

Posted on January 2, 2012 by dorischancrochet

If I’ve learned anything from my lackluster performance concerning New Year’s Resolutions for 2011, it’s that the key to greater success in 2012 is to keep the list really really short… and absolutely doable.

DoubleDogDangit, I had some brilliant but unfulfilled resolutions from last year, for example: “screw not with deadlines, you procrastinator”, “lose those horrible, lingering five pounds”, “blog more often”, “exercise, you slug”, “organize the stash, you slob”. Similar hopes for a better self have populated my list of resolutions for the past decade, ever witness to the foolish belief that I could change my nature in the span of a year. So I’ve decided to shift all of that stuff into a Ten Year Plan. Knowing that I don’t have to obsess over any of those things yet has instantaneously lifted my mood.

You’re not supposed to begin a numbered list if there’s only one thing in the list. By labeling this “Crochet Resolution #1” I am implying, promising that there will be a #2 and perhaps even more. No. There can be only one. I should go back and change the blog post title, but it sounds better as is, so I think I’ll let this slide.

My number one and only one resolution for 2012 is deceptively simple: teach someone to crochet. Many crochet professionals wouldn’t need to make a big deal or special resolution out of this because teaching happens to them as a matter of course. But those four words scare the hell out of me.

Teaching beginning crochet isn’t about one’s own expertise or experience or how many books you’ve written, how many designs you’ve published or how many awards you’ve garnered in your career because none of that matters to someone who doesn’t speak crochet. It’s about understanding exactly what’s happening every time you pick up a crochet hook. It’s about breaking down the complex, compound motions of crochet into their constituent elements and then effectively communicating them to a total newbie who may very well be silently cursing you. I am in fear of being reviled.

Most of what I do with crochet is… well… rather complicated and leaves beginners flinging their hooks and projects against the wall in frustrated disgust. I am best received by experienced crocheters who are conversant in the language of lace and aren’t put off by long, convoluted crochet patterns. In other words I can teach techniques and constructions to those who already have crazy skills. This is easy compared to teaching beginners, trust me.

In order to succeed at teaching someone to crochet, I need to find the right victims… uh… students; I needs me newbies who are gung-ho but not too scarily so, as well as dedicated, self-sacrificing and patient beyond belief. Toward that end I have volunteered to join Vickie Howell and other noteworthy instructors at the Beginner Lounge at Vogue Knitting Live, 14 and 15 January in New York. Throughout the weekend I’ll be that small person with the crochet hook lurking among the many knitting teachers, cringing in terror. If just one person shows up, looks me in the face and says “Yes, you can do this”, then I’ll be on the way to making my one heartfelt resolution for 2012 succeed. Come and help me learn how to teach you how to crochet. 🙂

Simply Crochet Winner

Posted on December 27, 2011 by dorischancrochet

Who knew there were so many geeky ways to generate a random number from one to 77? It was giving me a headache.

So, on Christmas at midnight, I just closed my eyes and stuck a pin in my monitor. 🙂

Congratulations to Jennifer Riley, winner of a free download of Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Every Day by Robyn Chachula. Thank you all for your comments and well wishes. Peace, Love and Yarn to everyone in 2012!

Winning Simply Crochet

Posted on December 22, 2011 by dorischancrochet

I am the last stop … the tail end, the caboose, batting clean-up… on the blog tour for the new book, Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Every Day by Robyn Chachula.

This bothered me a little when Robyn sent out the tour schedule to all the contributing designers and I saw my name at the very bottom of the bunch. As a kid I was used to being closer to the front. As the oldest child of three, I went through everything first. Isn’t it true that the first-born is always the test subject for developing parenting skills? At least I made sure I was at the dinner table ahead of my brothers because they would have inhaled all the food had I not staked out my share.

In school, before my nearsightedness was discovered and I got my first pair of glasses in third grade, I was inclined to sit closer to the blackboard so I could see it. Somehow I turned into one of the geeks-with-glasses (House Magoo) who congregated at the front of the class. I would often peer longingly at the cool underachievers hunkered down at the back of the room and wished I could hide back there, too. I really didn’t need to be so close to the teacher that I could see the lint on his or her lapels. Whether we students were sorted in alphabetical order or by height, either way I found myself toward the beginning of every line, or seated near the front of the room, or in the first row of every class picture, or standing on the floor in front of the chorus risers and the rest of the second alto section.

I wanted to ask Robyn why I had to be last. I held my tongue, but I wondered about that. Ellen Gormley, whose blog GoCrochet was the next-to-last tour stop yesterday says we are here either because we are the anchors (which is a typically sweet thing for Ellen to say) or because our designs use the most balls of yarn (not true). In a book of projects aimed at giving “budget-conscious crocheters the tools to make the most of their yarn stashes”, bloated yarn requirements win nothing but the booby prize.

I crocheted both of the book samples myself and I assure you that, with the exception of the long tunic version in the largest size (2XL/3XL), Spa Shawl Top can be made with 3 to 5 skeins of yarn. That’s considerable yarn economy for a full, loose fitting adult garment. The key contributing factors are the open lace stitch and the great yardage in each skein of silky NaturallyCaron.com Spa. It’s the yarn I talked about last post, possessing a special Z-twist which not only helps the tall loose lace stitches hang together but keeps them looking good.

Once I got my copy of Simply Crochet and realized that my design Spa Shawl Top was the last one in the book, I felt pretty stupid. Naturally I am last because IT is last. So I’m good with being here today unless I start obsessing over why my design ended up being the last one in the book. Hey, I guess I finally made it to the back of the classroom with the cool kids, huh? Astoundingly, I have been included in a class made up entirely of cool kids.

Honestly, we were not told who-all the other contributors would be, not at the beginning. Publishers insist we harbor deep secrets for way too long. So when the list of designer names was at last revealed, it was brilliant, representing today’s best and brightest crochet talent. I am pleased to admit I actually know most of them, count many among them as friends, owe at least a few of them drinks (or chocolate cake), swap yarn and war stories with a couple, but mercifully don’t owe any of them money.

Here’s the complete blog tour schedule FYI, in case you haven’t been along for the entire ride and want to rewind.

Simply Crochet Countdown to Fun Schedule:
1 Ball or Less
Dec 1 Iced Ascot by Rebecca Velasquez
Dec 2 Flapper Hat by Margaret Hubert
Dec 3 Billows of Baubles Scarf by Sheryl Means
Dec 4 Twist Cowl Wrap by Linda Permann
Dec 5 Mystic Cuff by Robyn Chachula
Dec 6 Emma Lace Scarf by Simona Merchant-Dest
Dec 7 Diamonds and Lace Hat by Linda Permann
Dec 8 Neck Lattice by Vashti Braha

3 Balls or Fewer
Dec 9 Botan Placemats by Marlaina Bird
Dec 10 Tapestry Basket by Carol Ventura,
Dec 11 Blooming Beauty Purse by Tracie Barrett
Dec 12 Nedburt Puppet by Robyn Chachula
Dec 13 Natalie Shrug by Megan Granholm
Dec 14 Giselle Vest by Simona Merchant-Dest
Dec 15 Sidney Cardigan by Robyn Chachula
Dec 16 Annabel Shawl by Kristin Omdahl

5 Balls or Fewer
Dec 17 Tallula Baby Top by Marlaina Bird
Dec 18 Amelia Cardigan by Julia Vaconsin
Dec 19 Float Vest, Float Cardigan by Robyn Chachula
Dec 20 Linked Jacket by Robyn Chachula
Dec 21 Dots and Dashes Blanket by Ellen Gormley
Dec 22 Spa Shawl Top, Spa Shawl Tunic by Doris Chan

Not everybody gets why I’d work on a book authored by somebody else. I showed the book to my mom and had a hard time explaining why Robyn Chachula’s name is on the cover and not mine. The major reason I agreed to contribute to Simply Crochet is because of Robyn. I adore her, and not just because she is shorter than I am and her glasses are even thicker than mine (just kidding, Robyn). She’s a total dynamo, as scathingly focused as a laser when she needs to be, yet goofy otherwise. I can’t imagine how she manages to juggle her awesome career with home and family (hey, CJ!).

In fact, Robyn is so good at getting her friends to work with her that I signed on to do a design for the next book, Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques by Robyn Chachula, coming in June 2012, available for pre-order. Yes, I briefly wandered over to the dark side and designed an afghan. No, I can’t talk about it yet. And, with any luck I will not be the last stop on that tour!

So, to sum up nearly a month of blog tour fun, Simply Crochet is now available both in paperback hard copy and as a downloadable e-book. Please check out this beautiful collection of designs and thanks for following the bouncing blog ball to this final stop. I know everybody is busy right now with the holidays, but if you take a few seconds to make a comment on this blog post, you’ll be entered to win a free download of the e-book from Interweave Press. Consider it a last-minute gift to yourself. Deadline for entries is midnight Eastern Time, Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December. Don’t bother sucking up to me in your comment (unless you really really want to), because it won’t make any difference. I’ll choose one commenter totally at random and announce the winner here on Monday.

Best of luck and Happy Holidays!