Across The Board Crochet Pattern Booklet

I recently got back from the Crochet Guild of America's national Chain Link Conference in Manchester, NH. There was a lot happening, and I'll write about all the wonderful events in future posts. But in this one, I want to tell you about something I'm really proud of - the new pattern booklet from the CGOA Board of Directors that we presented for the very first time at the conference. It's called "Across the Board Crochet: Original designs from your CGOA Board of Directors". The seven members of the board each donated one of their designs for this booklet, which will be available for download only, to new and renewing members of the Crochet Guild. This is the cover of the book:



And this is the pattern I contributed. It's a tote bag, of course! :-)



This is the second booklet from the CGOA Board. The first, which was offered last year to new and renewing members, is retired now. These booklets are especially dear to my heart - because not only did I contribute an original pattern to each, I helped tech edit both of them, and I edited both of them.

If you want to know more about joining CGOA so you can get this booklet free, go to the CGOA web site. The information should be available in early August.

Oh - the Board Members are:
Carol ALexander (Vice President of COGA, editor Crochet! Magazine)
Cari Clement (Caron Yarns)
Marty Miller (me - President of CGOA, Emerald Isle Designs)
Jane Rimmer
Amy Shelton (Treasurer of CGOA, Crochetville)
Barbara Van Elsen
Karen Whooley (Secretary of CGOA, KRW Knitwear)

My Crochet Patterns

At long last - I can tell you the good news that happened at TNNA in Long Beach this past January. Annie's Attic is carrying Emerald Isle Designs - 4 of my crocheted patterns, one of Jane's crocheted patterns. You can download them, or buy a hard copy. Which makes it really easy to get the patterns. The patterns are in the May 2010 catalog, which is on-line NOW. Check it out at Annie's Attic
These are the designs that Annie's Attic is carrying:

These first four are my patterns:
Easy Hat


Not Your Granny's Sweater #1


Go To Sweater #3


Side to Side Sweater #1



This is Jane's pattern:
Sea and Sand Sun Hat, by Jane Schwartz


Click on the Annie's Attic link to find out more about the patterns, see other views, and to place your order. Once you're at the site, look for the current catalog - May 2010. The patterns are on page 4.

TNNA Report - June 2009

During the last few months I have been working on my pattern line, trying to get it ready for TNNA (The National Needlearts Association) trade show in June. This year, it was held in Columbus, Ohio, so my business partner, Jane, and I were able to drive. We have been going to this for the past few years, but this time, it was different. This time, we were launching our pattern lines, renting a booth, and trying to sell our patterns to the yarn shops. We decided to transport all our paraphernalia for the booth ourselves. Which meant, two cars. Two big cars. My car is too small, so we persuaded Jane's daughter, Amy, to join us, and help us with our booth. And - she has a big car! :-)
We had a great time at TNNA, and our patterns were well received. I will be posting more pictures of our booth, but wanted to first post this picture of Amy - which shows the way we were all feeling after we set everything up.
By the way, thank you to all of our friends who helped us set up, tear down, and schlep everything to and from the hotel. We do appreciate it!
More later.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW DESIGNER PUBLISHING GROUP ANNOUNCES
INNOVATIVE FIRST RELEASE:
CROCHET BELTS FROM THE HIP
Raw, Uncensored Designs Straight From Today’s Designer

STRAIGHT FROM TODAY’S DESIGNERS (SFTD), a designer-based self-publishing group, announces a new venture that heralds the future of crochet patterns: designers going direct to their public. With its first release entitled “Crochet Belts from the Hip: Raw, Uncensored Designs Straight From Today’s Designers,SFTD offers no less than eighteen original belts from top designers, a veritable treasure trove of wearable art and innovative stitching. The thirty-four-page booklet is available for instant download from www.SFTDonline.com for Fifteen Dollars.

The list of participants include some of the best-loved names in contemporary crochet, as well as talented up-and-coming designers. In alphabetical order, along with their projects, they are:

Angela Best Beaded Lacy Sash
Gwen Blakely Kinsler Yummy Licorice Belt
Vashti Braha Barbed Wire Belt
Robyn Chachula Bubble Sash
Doris Chan Hip Hemp Belt
Noreen Crone-Findlay Autumn Leaves Belt
Pam Gillette Waist Cincher Belt
Lisa Gentry Beaded Hip Cable Belt
Kim Guzman a-Maizing Ribbed Belt
Mary Jane Hall Feminine Lace Belt
Tammy Hildebrand Easy Beaded Belt
Margaret Hubert Freeform Belt
Christy McMahon Lilac Waves Belt
Marty Miller Spiderweb Sash
Dianne Moyer Circle on Circle Belt
Dora Ohrenstein Popcorn Medallion Belt
Carrie A. Sullivan Pretty Tunisian Knit Stitch Belt
Mary Beth Temple The Felt Belt


Belts were the project of choice for this launch, as they are a must-have accessory, quick projects with no complex shaping, and ideal for experimenting with new yarns and techniques. The beautiful designs in Crochet Belts from the Hip use a variety of techniques, including freeform crochet, felting, lace, beading, cables, Tunisian crochet, surface embellishment, motifs, and much more. Yarn choices range from perennial favorites to the adventurous, such as hemp, jelly yarn, ribbon and wire.

Each designer writes “straight from the hip,” creating instructions in her own voice, free of editorial agendas, imposed formats or word count restrictions. The personality of each designer shines through in these pages, providing a unique opportunity for crocheters to get to know their favorite designers better.

SFTD is a new model representing the wave of the future in crochet publishing: designers making their own assessment of what crocheters will enjoy making and wearing, eliminating middlemen, and cutting costs by distributing patterns via the web. This new business model also allows designers to realize sales income directly, a promising alternative to the depressed design fees paid within the industry. The savvy designers behind SFTD have combined their considerable expertise in technology, graphic design, marketing, and packaging to bring the project to fruition. Layout and graphic design of the booklet is by crochet designer Amie Hirtes.

Purchasers can buy Crochet Belts from Hip by credit card at www.SFTDonline.com for the price of $15. Ravelry members can purchase it at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/crocheted-belts-from-the-hip/patterns.