Crochet Inspiration

How about a little crochet inspiration for you? I am not a great crocheter, so let me know if there are more beautiful designs that are inspiring you!

Amma Granny Square Top

Fortune's Shawlette

The Mare

Daydreamer Tank

Taroko

Waistcoat Basket

Minton

Wonder Woman Wrap

Yip Yips

Lost in Time

Patterns are all linked in the captions, and photos are all borrowed from the Ravelry pattern pages.

Produce and Market Bags

I've been using some cool cloth produce bags when I head to the grocery store but they are starting to wear out! I was considering sewing myself some new ones, but I think I might like to knit or crochet a few instead and see how they turn out. Here are a few that I found that I thought you all might like, in the event that this sort of thing is on your mind, too.

Here are some nice crocheted options. All photos are borrowed from the links in the captions, which will also take you to the Ravelry page for the pattern. Most of these are freebies, too!

Hemp Produce Drawstring Bag

Edda Bag

French Market Bag

And you knitters can get in the game, too.

Weightless Produce Bag (Also a 2.0 version)

Reusable Produce Bag (with multiple sizes)

Shetland Shopper

We have so many lovely linen and cotton options at the shop for this sort of project. And it's nice when gauge doesn't really matter too much. Larger or smaller yarn? Larger or smaller bags. Either way, you are helping reduce the number of cheap single-use plastic bags that end up in the trash.

Streets of LA

Hello sweet bag! We don't have nearly enough crochet samples in the shop, so I was happy to see this beauty.

The Streets of LA bag uses three colors of The Fibre Co. Cumbria and some basic sewing skills to create this lovely structured purse. I love the graphic pop of the sample, and I think it would be really pretty in some more muted shades, too. Maybe a range of neutrals or three shades of the same color? There are so many options!

If you want to give crochet a go but are feeling a little uneasy, keep your eyes on the blog for our next round of crochet workshops. I'll let you know as soon as the next class is available for sign ups!

Granny Party

 

Let's marvel at this elegant crocheter and her sophisticated granny scarf. Would you love to learn to make one of these for yourself?

Melissa has a new crochet class on the calendar that goes beyond the basics of crochet and will introduce you to the magical world of granny squares. You can join the Granny Party on Sunday afternoons in February by calling the shop or popping in to sign up.

Week one will involve learning how to make the cute hat above and discussing options for your shawl. Weeks two and three will be all about the shawl.

There are many options for customization to make your shawl just the perfect thing for you. Crocheters should have some basic crochet knowledge of chain stitch, double, and single crochet. Can't wait to see your cool grannies!

Plump DK

We have a sweet fresh batch of Plump DK from Mrs. Moon on the shelves. The colors are so calm and soothing, and the single-ply texture is soft as can be. This pretty yarn is 20% baby alpaca and 80% superfine sustainable merino wool.

Look at the plumpness of that deep purpley-red.

We are using this lovely yarn for some of our crochet class samples, including this perfect Granny Shawl.

If this looks like your jam, stay tuned for the new crochet class schedule and sign up for class. I'll let you know when the next round is open. You too could be enjoying a Plump Granny Shawl in no time!

Cranberry Crochet

This lovely crocheted shawl, worked up in Bumblebirch Heartland, is hanging around the shop these days.The Cranberry colorway is really something gorgeous.

If you love to crochet, this is such a great shawl! If you want to learn, keep your eyes peeled for the next round of crochet classes on Sunday afternoons. Melissa is in the middle of a session right now, but I'll let you know when the next one is ready for sign-ups.

Here it is with and 8 year old for scale. She also chose a smattering of mini skeins for your consideration. Enjoy!

Crochet Workshop Starts This Weekend!

Melissa has created some lovely new samples to lure you into her Crochet Workshop, starting this Sunday afternoon! If you've ever wanted to learn to crochet, this is your chance. You'll learn the basics during the first week, creating a cute chunky cowl. Then onto fingerless mitts and a beanie! Three accessories by the middle of December. Perfect! Give us a call or pop in to sign up.

Crochet!

Your apples are chilly, so you really need to take Melissa's Crochet Workshops: Basic Skills class. She will teach you all the important basics of crochet, and each week will involve a new project. During the first week, you'll learn all the skills to begin this fabulous chunky cowl.

Week two involves these cute beanies in which ever size you'd like.

And week three is all about granny squares. Cozy afghan, coming right up!

Apple sweaters will be extra credit. Give us a call at the shop (503.288.4568) or pop in to sign up. Class starts Sunday afternoon!

Need Another Reason?

As if you needed another reason to be excited about crochet, The Purl Bee just released a (free) pattern for this stunning thing. The Four Points Baby Blanket uses four ample skeins of sock yarn. It looks amazing, doesn't it? I think I would go for Bumblebirch Heartwood or those cool splotchy splatter ones from Plymouth. Or maybe a few of each?

Pic borrowed from Purl Bee.

I am just starting to think about honing my crochet skills, but I know many of you out there are quite the masters. What do you crochet gurus like to make? The Purl Bee has a growing collection of free crochet patterns including blankets, scarves, garments, pillows, rugs, and yarmulkes (of course).

If you want to dip your hooks into crochet, I'm pretty sure Melissa can get you started on this lovely piece on Sunday afternoon. Give a call or pop in to sign up for her class.

Crochet Time at Close Knit

Our gal Melissa is going to teach you how to crochet. It's going to be great. A few short hours on Sunday afternoons, and you will be on your way. She is starting her class this Sunday, April 3 at 4:30PM.

Crochet is having a resurgence these days. It's a perfect choice for home dec projects like pillows and blankets. I'm sort of excited about the Granny Stripe Blanket from Purl Bee. This project has been in the back of my brain for quite awhile.

Do any of you have a crochet project in your brains itching to become a reality? Stop in and sign up this week!

Postcards from Portland

Our Rose City Yarn Crawl shop patterns have been listed on Ravelry!

Sally's gorgeous and ample Kumori Cowl is knit up using two skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas Extra. Oh man, this yarn is luxurious. Our sample hat has become one of my new favorites. The shadow knitting technique produces a really cool effect, which can be played up with highly-contrasting colors, or made more subtle with similar shades. This large cowl is like a warm, cozy alpaca hug.

New this year, we also have a crochet pattern! Ann created the Sori Bashi Scarf using two balls of Noro Taiyo Sport, an unusual wool/cotton blend. This stuff is lovely, too. The cotton really adds a lovely texture and softness, and the Noro colors are impossible to beat.

We have so many nice colorways of this yarn to chose from, your scarf will be a stunner for sure. Ann designed the scarf to echo the arched bridges in Portland's Japanese Gardens. This is enough to make me want to learn to crochet!

These will be available in the shop during the crawl as free patterns with the purchase of the lovely, lovely yarn for each project, which will each be 10% off during the crawl, by the way!

P.S. Last year's eBook is available as a free download until February 28.

Crochet Fever

Several of our gals have been bitten by the crochet bug.  Understandable with these pretty bits of inspiration, don't you think?  They've been working out of Crochet Living from Debbie Bliss.  This book is chock full of modern and classy designs.

The Dashing Doilies are so nice in the contemporary colors, and I am loving the coverlet below.  The white border around each square makes the colors pop so nicely.

I dig the Stripy Wave Show, but I would definitely use the color palette of our doilies.

This sweet flower garland is right at home in a kid's room or the living room.  You could just keep adding flowers as you get them done.

What do you all think of this sweet poncho?  I love the color and the big buttons.

Need some pillow covers?  This book has you covered.

Our ladies have been using a wide variety of the colorful Berroco Weekend DK to create their own fabulous versions.  This one is Ann's.  Good stuff.

Crochet is ideal for home decor, and this book is a great jumping off point.  Come take a look!