Happy Hooky New Year!!

2014 is almost over.

It's been a year full of surprises, successes, stumbles, and sc. Ok I'll admit, I was just trying to Come up with something that starts with s for that last one. But when I think about it, it's true with all those Colorado Beanies I made.

How was your year? Do you have any big goals for 2015? Here are a few highlights that were especially meaningful to me (and then on to the coupon code)...

New designs in 2014 - From top left: Mogul Mountain Beanie & Headband, Outfitters Braided Headband, Timberline Beanie & Headband, Snowflake Graph, Boulder Beanie

A look at my most popular Instagram posts of 2014

This was from a couple of years ago, but I couldn't resist.

Show me your Hookstache

Bryn's Candy

Crochet to go

Hooky Milestones:

• 15,000 Facebook Fans
• 5 year Hookyversary
• Over 100,000 single crochets
• New Tutorials & Tutorial Series

Some of my favorite blog posts from the year:

• He Wore It!!!
• I have a little secret, but it's getting bigger...
• 34 Signs You Might Be (or know) a Crocheter

And now for some random thoughts on FB from 2014:

• I swear my couch is a disguised vanishing cabinet and it's twin is in the room of requirement. Some lucky Hogwarts house elf is hoarding my lost hooks. * nerd moment *
• I wish that the pictures I took in my dreams were saved to my phone when I woke up. They're not. I checked.
• Do you have massive sneezing attacks when you pluck your eyebrows? Or is it just me?
• I literally had an ant... in my pants. And it bit me. Twice.
• Life is good my friends. Life is good even when your toddler falls asleep on your arm, and now you can't feel it, forcing you to put your yarn down.
• I think I just vacuumed one of my stitch markers. Derp
• It turns out that when you put your phone in your back pocket, it will fall out and into the toilet if you forget it's there.
• My husband gets me. We're Netflixing and he just asked, "You haven't heard these episodes yet, have you?"

Ok, I've tortured you with a trip down memory lane long enough...

To celebrate what will hopefully be a great 2015, use the code HOOKYNEWYEAR to get a special discount* in my Ravelry store. It's good through New Year's Day - hopefully you won't be too hung over, errr I mean tired, to use it.

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/liz-mcqueen

play hard ... play hooky

* Ravelry only allows one coupon to be applied to your shopping cart at a time. The Free Graph with Graph Beanie purchase and other coupons will not be applicable when you use today's code.

15,000 Facebook Fans

Yesterday I posted a picture... a Dobby-esque, crazy yarn lady type picture (and I unashamedly want to frame it). I made my deadline for 24 Colorado Beanies in one month. And that's pretty much what I looked like trying to get it all done. Tired and covered in blue yarn. But at least my hands and forearms were whipped into shape - I wonder if I burned enough calories to have that brownie?

Well this morning I checked in with my Facebook page and had a bit of a shock. I woke up to 15,000 Facebook fans! You know I like celebrating, so as a thank you check out my Ravelry shop and get 40% off your whole pattern order. 

Just use the code HOOKY15000 when you check out all day today (Nov 22).

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/liz-mcqueen

play hard... play hooky

(I'm still trying to figure out this mobile blogging thing. That's why my pics are suspiciously devoid of hyperlinks. My bad!)

Happy Birthday to ME!

It's my birthday and I'm in the mood to celebrate!

play hard ... play hooky

I have a little secret, but it's getting bigger

I've been a little quiet lately. It has a lot to do with incoming orders, chores, and the beginning of the holidays. But there's another, little... tiny in fact... reason.

And it's a GIRL!!

Along with trying to answer messages, getting orders done, posting on FB, and keeping up with my kids, I'm also growing a tiny human. So needless to say. I'm tired. Exhausted really. I also have a major case of pregnancy brain. Please forgive me if it takes me longer than usual to get back to you, or post new tutorials and patterns. 

I'm 23 weeks along already (that's me at 20 weeks in the pic), and our baby girl is due March 1st. I was actually pretty surprised when the ultrasound tech said "I don't see any boy parts". I had myself convinced it was a boy. But I think maybe Bryn was smirking down at my shocked expression - she knew all along. 

To celebrate the announcement, I'm having a one-day sale in my Ravelry shop. Use the coupon ITSAGIRL today only for a special discount on your total pattern order.

It's about to get crazy around here.

play hard ... play hooky

I couldn't NOT make this hat. And here's why

I like big graphs and I cannot lie...

Maybe that's a little bit of a lie. I like the idea of a graph beanie with a design going all the way around it, but I don't love all the ends to weave in. (it looks more painful than it really was)

Backing up a little... my 5 year old son came to me with a little gleam in his eye and asked, "Mom, wouldn't it be cool if you made a hat with Pacman on it?" What was I going to do? Make the hat, that's what. And so it began.

I set out to make the radest vintage gamer beanie of all time, instantly seeing the potential. Of course it had to have the P-man himself along with his arch nemesis, the ghost.

But then I thought, wouldn't it be cool if it was even bigger? The correct answer is yes. Yes it would be.

So then came the dots - anyone know the official name for those things? - and a bonus cherry because it's wicked cool. If you don't feel like weaving in so many ends, or if you're just starting your adventures in colorwork, start with just the big yellow guy. The ghost and the cherry have the most color changes so use them at your own risk. Who knows, could be fun!

Official note: We all know that I'm not the original design of Pac-Man - I can only wish. So I decided to post the graph for free. Yup free, as in nada, zero, zip, zilch. 

Change it up however you want. Add more dots - seriously, what are they called? - change the ghost color, take out the cherry... It's up to you.

Even my daughter likes it. Or maybe she just had to do everything her big brother did.

It's true, there are no st counts on this graph. So you might be wondering "How does she expect me to make a hat out of graph paper?" If you've never used colorwork like this you might be a little lost. I've got you covered. All the specific pattern instructions and tutorials are in my Graph Beanie pattern. And score, you get to pick another free graph with it too.

So here it is, the thing you came for... Use the Pin it button so you'll never lose it.

I'll give this one tip; Start working on a WS row. If that went over your head, that means you probably don't have the Graph Beanie Pattern. If you have specific questions and don't have the pattern... go get it home skillet! That's what it's there for. Tutorials, st counts, and all the other bells and whistles that come with a full pattern. It will answer your questions, trust me. Unless your question is "How many chromosomes does a cow have?", that's not in there.

play hard ... play hooky

(And to save you some Googling ... a cow has 60 chromosomes. You're welcome)

16 Real Things Hookers Say

When you have kids, you say weird things. Things you never thought you'd say.

"Stop licking the wall" happened and it got me thinking, so I asked my Facebook fans to fill in the blank...

Real things you say when you crochet: _______

WARNING: If you have gentle sensibilities, you may want to skip this post. The life of a hooker can get a little dirty sometimes.

1. Looking for a cow leg.
2. Oh no, do I really have to pull it out.
3. I've lost my eyes... (when making Ami)
4. Did I hit the hole?
5. 20, 21, 22, 37, 38, 39, 50...
6. I wish I got paid to be a hooker!
7. Hand me those balls
8. Ugh, I hate fingering!
9. Just a minute!
10. If I wiggle it a little more, I think I can get it in there.
11. Please don't put your arm inside mommy's yarn.
12. Get my yarn out of your toes
13. Stop moving, you're wrapped in my wip.
14. Here, you can play with this one
15. That dolls leg is NOT a microphone!!
16. Just one more row.

Bonus....

17. Dammit if it was only an inch longer!

These are only my favorites. If you want to read all of them, check out the original post here.
https://www.facebook.com/PlayinHooky/posts/10154578939125648

play hard ... play hooky

Brace Yourself for the Winner

I always try to bring you something just a little different during Playin' Hooky tee and hoodie week. I used all of my Photoshop "skills" to put a Playin' Hooky tee on Ned Stark and asked you to finish this meme. The comment with the most likes on Facebook wins a free Playin' Hooky tee.

I couldn't resist giving a little something special to my personal favorite captions. These commenters get to pick a free pattern from my shop. If you're a winner, send me an email to claim your prize.

Designer's Picks

• Kiley Jones... They just called you a Knitter!
• Jennifer Bibb (and Alyssa Willey)... It's time to weave in the ends!
• Jackie Fenwick... Last minute gift requests are coming. 
• Steff Walker... You made her lose her stitch count

And the Grand Prize winner of the free Playin' Hooky tee is...

Chellsea Hernandez

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you so much to everyone who played along. I hope we all got a smile out of it.

If you didn't win the free tee, you still have until Wednesday, 9/24 to get your Playin' Hooky gear and represent. Did you know? Every Playin' Hooky tee & hoodie is ordered and hand screen printed by a local artist. The crochet stitch design was specially created for me by another local designer. No big box companies here! I personally quality control check each one as I package them to make sure your order is perfect.

play hard ... play hooky

Tee & Hoodie Fall KickOff

Fall is here! It's time to embrace it the crisp mornings, autumn leaves, trick or treaters, and of course pumpkin EVERYTHING.

As the weather turns cooler, grab your hook and bulky yarn... and another cozy hooker accessory...

your Playin' Hooky hoodie! Represent (I'm really not that cool so I tend to fall back on my old sayings).

Get your tee or hoodie for a limited time only in my Etsy shop through Wednesday, 9/24. But if you're fast, use the code hoodiekickoff today only (Thursday, 9/18) for a special discount.

HAPPY FALL!!

play hard ... play hooky

It's all happening Friday

FINALLY! I get to see ZBB live! Two years... hundreds of messages... one singer... one beanie... Rolling Stone... and now the concert.

I can't tell you how excited I am. Really, even my thesaurus is failing me. This whole journey has been to remember my daughter Bryn and when Zac Brown wore my hat on stage it was like a little nod from her; an insiders wink that only a handful of people would even notice. 

And now I'm so grateful to experience the energy, the music, and the emotion in person. 

To celebrate with me, use the code ZBBHOOKY in my Ravelry shop through Thursday, 9/4 and get 40% off any pattern. (I need the gas money to get there; and maybe a tour t-shirt)

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/liz-mcqueen

Look for lots of pictures on Instagram Friday night to follow along. #brynsconcert

Read more...

• The original campaign
• One year later and the hats I sent
• He wore it!
• Playin' Hooky in Rolling Stone Magazine
• Playin' Hooky with ZBB in the Rolling Stone (the video)
• The news on the official ZBB website

A huge thank you to my bestie Poppy, who's going with me. You made the way for us to go. Without you I couldn't have done it. (heart)

play hard ... play hooky

Big new design, little bit of madness

Sure you can skip ahead to the pictures, but I'm in a particularly verbose (word of the day) mood. If you have the time, this is the story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down... wait no. This is the first look at my new design, the Boulder Beanie, and just how trying being a designer can be sometimes, but in the end it's totally worth it.

I was awake at 3:30 the morning of my son's first day of kindergarten. It was a mixture of nerves for his first full day of school, mentally running through my to-do list, and my brain throwing me random 90s TV theme songs. Some of them are still stuck in my head.

Either way I got up at 5 motivated to get through my list before anyone else in the house was up. I folded laundry, cooked breakfast, cleaned the living room, packed my son's lunch, checked email... you get the idea. By 6:30 the sun was starting to light my backyard and it became the perfect place to take pictures.

I pulled out my tripod, attached my remote shutter, drug my wooden bench half-way across my yard, and started blindly shooting, and shooting, and shooting. Hoping that if I took enough pictures I'd get at least a few keepers.

Backing up a little... I'd first had the idea last winter, just not the time to work on it. So this Spring I finally attempted it. Fail. It was ok, but it wasn't what I saw in my head. I knew I could try to force the design, but instead I put it on the shelf and took a break over the summer. 

The break was exactly what I needed. I spent a lot of time playing with my kids, I read a little, and my house was actually clean on a regular basis. About a month ago inspiration finally hit. So I dusted off my hooks. That's when I found out just how many different ways there are NOT to make this design.

I changed everything, EVERYTHING about this design more than a few times. Yarn weight, hook size, colorwork, multiples, stitch counts, brim styles... it goes on. Welcome to my world.

Here're just a few of my failed attempts. I didn't take pictures of most of them. I just couldn't. Warning: bad phone pics and unfinished hats coming your way...

Yuck. I can't bare to make this picture any bigger.

It was only when my in-laws came to my house for the weekend that I finally had the best idea yet and the day to devote to it (a huge thanks to my awesome mother-in-law, Karen, for letting me work while she played with her grandkids). It came together seamlessly in the end, the way it was meant to. Not forced, just easy. So without any more rambling, I proudly give you my first design for Fall 2014...

the Boulder Beanie

This mah Abercrombie shot... now all I need are the half-naked guys.

It comes in a kids size too

I hope you liked my little preview and look into my sometimes crazy life. Let me know what you think of my new Boulder Beanie. It's coming out Monday, 8/25 so get ready!

play hard ... play hooky

Right after this row

CONFESSION TIME. I asked what's the worst thing you've put off to finish just one more row. Here are some of my favorite answers from Facebook and Instagram that you - let's face it - we all do so we can just finish one more row...

Which ones are you guilty of?

1. Pee...
2. Do the dishes
3. Clean the kitchen
4. Make dinner and it usually ends with "we're doing take out tonight, kids!"
5. Feed my kiddos lol
6. Sleep
7. Haha, I have gotten DAYS behind in laundry because I'm wrapped in my crocheting!
8. On a very rare occasion my son might get to stay up late and watch movie so that I could finish my project
9. Change a poopy diaper... Backfired. She decided to take it off for me 
10. My poor kids have been late to soccer practice more than once
11. My son's bedtime has been pushed back more than once so I can keep hooking. Then my husband comes in and wonders why Monk is still awake. Oopsy!
12. When my oldest was a toddler I had just learned how to knit and crochet and was a bit obsessed. Apparently I told him "one more row" one too many times because he asked me for something and I responded "just let mommy finish one more row" and he started sobbing and yelling at me "Mom! Don't say bad words!" Oops!
13. Get the crying baby:/ (he wasn't crying that bad)
14. Eat
15. One more row.. being late to leave the house for appointments
16. Letting the dog inside while its raining.
17. Sex... 
18. I cut it pretty close on taking a movie back to the red box
19. Take dinner out of the oven:)
20. Let the dog out.
21. Writing a paper for a course that was due the next day! I was hoping creativity would help give me ideas on what to write.

And this is why I love you all. We're in our own separate little worlds, but we all end up doing the same weird things. All in the name of yarn and hooks.

play hard ... play hooky

Playin' Hookyversary!!

WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!

I'm celebrating 5 years of Hooky and to round out my week of games and giveaways, I have an epic surprise for you. Something I've never done before, so get ready to be happy!!

That's right! I'm giving you one free pattern of your choice in my Ravelry shop only.

Go to my shop, pick your favorite pattern, and use the code PLAYINHOOKYVERSARY5 - that's it.

It's good for the rest of the day today (Sunday, 8/3) so get it quick.

play hard ... play hooky

And then this happened

Zac Brown... you've heard the name, maybe you've even read my story...

To recap, it's been a little over two years since I lost my 5 year old daughter, Bryn. Nothing about the last two years has been easy, but some things have helped me to smile and carry on her memory.

On top of yarn bombs in her honor (Bryn's Flowers and Bryn's Candy), a fan nudged me to start a campaign to get Zac Brown to wear a beanie I made. After a year and a half, that dream came true.

Well it seems like someone above is watching out and knew that I've been having some hard days. And then this happened.

As it's been through this whole campaign, it started with a fan. I got a message telling me that I should check out the Country Issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Not something I would naturally do, but this was an exception.

Living in a tiny town meant that I had to order it... and wait.

Flipping through the pages...

Oh cool, there's Brad Paisley with a pink guitar... I don't know why Ashley Monroe's talking about pot... there's a section about modern country stars and the hats they wear...

We all know Zac Brown wears a less than traditional country hat, but wait.. what? He's wearing MY beanie. In ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE. And they're talking about the hat he's wearing. Ignore the 'stylist' who doesn't like it. She obviously doesn't know what's up.

Words are failing me as I bring the whole campaign to a close. But who knows? Is it really over? 

There are a only a select few people (if you're reading this, you're one of them) who know the full story and meaning behind this seemingly small thing. It's all for my Bryn. 

I love you more than candy.

Find out more...

• The original campaign
• One year later and the hats I sent
• Playin' Hooky with ZBB in the Rolling Stone (the video)
• The news on the official ZBB website

play hard... play hooky

Break Free From Your Chains: New Tutorial Series!

It's been a long time coming, but my new tutorial series is finally here!

You may not know it, but I despise working into a foundation chain. I've been using the chainless foundation method for years now and it's about time I shared it with you. I've created a series of tutorials that will help you in several different foundation situations - to me that makes it sound like you're a crochet spy or something, cool.

These tutorials will be released over the next week on my Tips & Tricks page, so keep coming back to make sure you don't miss it!

Here's a look at the first one...

play hard ... play hooky

Don't be a Naked Hooker

Tee & Hoodie sales are now closed... until next time!

It's Playin' Hooky Tee and Hoodie Week!

If you've been with me for a while, you know that I hold sales of my tees & hoodies every few months. And it's TIME!! They're available through Saturday, 6/14 exclusively in my Etsy shop. - https://www.etsy.com/shop/PlayinHookyDesigns

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"Why don't you have them available all the time?"... I have my reasons, a few of them!

The tees and hoodies are in my shop for a limited time. Then I take your orders to my local screen printer (yes, he's a real guy that I talk to face-to-face!).

We custom order and hand print each item making sure each design is done right, printed on high quality fabric.

Doing things this way also lets you pick your favorite color and style without having to worry if it's out of stock and you don't have to be stuck with the color I choose!

Finally, each order is packaged and hand delivered to the post office by me to make sure your order is right and up to my standards. If there is still something not quite right with your order, I'll make it right.

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BONUS I've added a giveaway where you could win a free fitted or unisex tee! One lucky winner will get to pick their favorite color & style for an all expenses paid tee! Friday the 13th will be lucky for one winner... the winner will be announced on Friday, 6/13, so go ahead and order your shirt. If you win and have already bought a shirt, you can choose to either add the free shirt to your order OR get a refund. Use the Rafflecopter widget below or on my FB page to enter. Mobile-friendly link: http://tinyurl.com/molea3m
Come back everyday for more entries!

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Show off your hooky love

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

play hard ... play hooky

34 Signs You Might Be (or know) a Crocheter

If you've been with me for a while, you know that I like to throw out this question every once and a while. I never get tired of your comments and stories. This list is an insight into the weird little world we've created for ourselves, and the people who love us in spite of it all.

Here are the most "liked" comments from my Facebook page. If you have some time to kill and want to read the whole list, check it out here.

WARNING: don't drink while reading this! I just spit coffee on my keyboard. At least there wasn't any yarn on it.

1. When your kids try to ask you a question and you respond with counting louder.
2. You can quote any movie or TV show and know exactly what's going on, but have NO CLUE what the characters look like.
3. Your phone autocorrects to sc/dc/st/FLO/fpdc when you try to type real words
4. You find NO offense in being called a hooker!
5. You count loudly and stare down people that are trying to talk to you while you finish a row. 
6. You lose multiple hooks/needles/supplies without ever leaving the spot youve been in for hours.
7. You just nod your head and roll your eyes when your hubs calls it knitting for the 749th time this week.
8. When "frog" is no longer an animal that croaks
9. One of your top priorities when looking for a new home is finding adequate storage for your yarn.
10. When you have a hook and a skein in your glove compartment in case of emergency.
11. When your pattern stash is larger than what you'll ever finish
12. You have more yarn than clothing
13. Your kids don't ask you to buy them toys they ask if you will crochet them something, and you are so honored that you drop everything to complete it despite any other WIP.
14. You go on vacation and google ahead of time where all the yarn stores are. yep, true story.
15. You have to start thinking about Christmas gifts NOW!
16. You spend your time trying to prove to people that crocheting isn't just for little old ladies!
17. Your before bed mantra is "one more row, one more roll, one more row "
18. When every pattern you find requires a yarn you don't have and therefore, you are FORCED to go buy more yarn.
19. when your hubby knows he can bribe you do do almost anything with the promise of new yarn!
20. The phrase "I've got balls" is't dirty!
21. You follow someone in a store wearing a cute crochet scraf or hat, trying to figure out what stitch was used, what type of yarn without letting said person know you are following you.
22. you're working furiously on a piece to get it finished, hold off going to the potty till it's an emergency, & then get caught up in your yarn while making a mad dash to get there! Only to pull out half of the last row you were working on!!!!
23. Your lint roller is covered with mohair, wool, fun fur AND pet fur.
24. You pack your yarn bag for a road trip but forget your tooth brush. (True story just this morning.)
25. Your husband is proud to tell people his wife is a hooker who works with hard wood (since I carve hooks, also...)
26. you wake up in the morning wrapped up in the yarn you were using before you fell asleep last night. 
27. When you go to take a shower you find crochet hooks stashed in your top, pockets, and hair. Not to mention in the car, in your purse, and every room in the house!
28. You have tried telling your husband that your yarn habit helps keep the heat bill down and we even need more yarn because we live in an old, poorly insulated house.
29. If, when pregnant, the first thing that gets packed in your hospital bag is yarn!
30. You might crochet if the words " baby weight" have nothing to do with a well child visit!
31. You only ever shout at the dog ( or dogs in my case) when they catch your yarn ( usually by accident) and drag half your project round the room .....happened again today lol!
32. You cant watch a TV show with out looking at the crochet items saying I can remake that. As you pause it till you can figure it out or till the kid and hubby yells
33. Craft store employees know your kids by name!
34. when you get up from your chair you drag a long string of yarn with you and you don't notice it until you're already in the kitchen. And then that last row you were working on is completely undone.

And here's why you should always have a crocheter by your side... you know, in case of emergencies and stuff.

• You are on a road trip in a rental and hit a coon causing the front bumper to fall off on one side. Your only tools are: yarn, scissors and hooks. You crochet a chain to tie the bumper to the battery posts and cut away the debris with your favorite scissors and still drive 13 hours home with no issues.

I'll leave you with something to remember... even Disney likes us more.

play hard ... play hooky

Bryn's Candy

Wednesday, April 16th, is my Bryn's 7th birthday. But it will be the second time we've had to celebrate without her. Last year, with LOTS of help, we put a flower garden on the fence of the Kindergarten she was supposed to go to.

It took me a lot longer to decide how to celebrate this year. I could never find the perfect project, and well honestly, I just ran out of energy to organize something huge. But with your help, we can still do something pretty cool.

I love you more than candy... that's what she said when I tucked her in at night. So this year, we're going to spread love and happiness through candy, and Bryn would have LOVED it!

I scoured Ravelry and  found two free candy crochet patterns on Ravelry that remind me of Bryn.

Here's what you do:

• Pinwheel Candy Pattern - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pinwheel-candy
• Lollipop Pattern - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lollipop-brooch
• Make up as many or few as candies as you want.
• The brighter the colors the better!
• Write a note, or leave them bare. 
• Put them out as a yarn bomb... leave them in random candy dishes... hand them out to strangers... as long as it will make someone smile.
• Get a picture of the candies in action.
• On Wednesday, post your pictures to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag #brynscandy.

Thank you for your help! I can't put into words how much it means to me that you're willing to help me celebrate my amazing daughter and keep her memory alive.

play hard ~ play hooky

Update: I did it! I actually finished making all the candies I had hoped to for her birthday tomorrow. If you want to leave a note with your ‪#‎brynscandy‬ tomorrow and aren't sure what to say, here's something I just wrote...

For Bryn, a girl who loved life, lived big, and shared smiles. Here's a handmade candy to celebrate and spread love on her birthday. She isn't here so we'll do it for her. I love you more than candy.

HE WORE IT!!!

An idea... thousands of messages... a year and a half... one country singer... the dream came true!

Zac Brown honoring my daughter Bryn by wearing the hat I made him.

I'm in tears and a bit of shock as I write this. Forgive me if my words are inadequate.

It started a year and a half ago on a particularly hard day. I had just released my Shockwave Beanie pattern and the picture I posted of my husband reminded one fan of Zac Brown. She had the crazy idea of sending him a hat in hope that he would wear it in memory of my daughter Bryn. The idea grew and became a campaign. My family, friends, and of course my fans got involved and flooded the band's Facebook page, Twitter, and website asking for a response. 

We waited, but never heard back. And I was ok with that. Maybe a little disappointed, but the point of the whole thing was to remember Bryn and help lift my spirits during an impossibly difficult time. You did that tenfold, so for me it was already in part a success.

Back to my amazing fans. A few very dedicated and loving people continued on the hunt to find someone, anyone, who could get the hat in Zac Brown's hands. A full year later, one found success. I got in touch with a friend of Zac's who volunteered to do whatever he could to help. I immediately made two new hats to send, the original Shockwave and an Avalanche, to give him a choice. I also couldn't resist making a matching one for his baby boy on the way. 

More waiting. I thought about the campaign off and on, I'd get the occasional message that someone saw him wearing my beanie only to find out that it wasn't. But again, I was honored to have come so far with the dream. 

Yesterday it came true. I got a message of another sighting and I thought, "here it comes, another false alarm." I watched the video and as the camera panned in I thought, this might be it but it was still too far away. And then I saw it. Instantly I had tears running down my cheeks through my smile. I felt overwhelming joy knowing that he was giving Bryn this little shoutout. For a brief moment, she touched his life too. It was like an inside secret and the feeling is indescribable. I feel like I'm on the cover of the Rolling Stone!!!

Thank you's seem trivial, but they truly come from my heart to the woman with the idea, the fans who jumped in, the woman who wouldn't give up, the man who volunteered, and of course Zac Brown himself.

It still amazes and overwhelms me that so many people did all they could to make this one idea happen. It's a testament to the caring and support of our little community. And it was for my girl. Even though Bryn's not here, her spirit will continue to bring smiles, love, and sparkles forever. She and God are definitely watching me smile today. Mommy loves you more than candy.

Find out more...

• The original campaign
• One year later and the hats I sent
• Playin' Hooky with ZBB in the Rolling Stone (the video)
• The news on the official ZBB website

play hard ~ play hooky

Outfitters Braided Headband Kit Giveaway

You know that feeling when you're done with a big project and all you can think about is climbing a mountain and shouting that not only did you finish, but you're pretty proud of the results? Is that just me? Well even though there are mountains all around me, I'm far too out of shape to summit one. So here's me shouting! In anticipation of the release of my new pattern on Monday, I put together a kit for one lucky winner including everything you'll need to make your Outfitters Braided Headband.
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Outfitters Braided Headband Kit:

1. A  printed copy of the Outfitters Braided Headband pattern, including over 100 tutorial photos.
2. 1 Skein of Hand-Dyed Yarn by Yarn Baby, LLC - superwash merino, worsted weight, 100 yards. Super soft and squishy!
3. 1 "Single" Yarn Pop Yarn Tote in Pink Interlock - Unique, Contemporary & Bold. Yarn Pop makes it easy to stay organized while crocheting on-the-go.
4. 2 ChiaoGoo Bamboo crochet hooks - size K/10.5 - 6.5mm & size L/11 - 8.0mm
5. 1 5' Measuring Tape
6. 1 Mini Digital Finger Ring Row Counter
7. Assorted Playin' Hooky Gear - 2 Stickers, 1 Pin, 1 Button
8. Set of 16 Clover Interlocking Stitch Markers 

Outfitters Headband
Design Details:

• Yes, it's crochet! It's tunisian.
• 3 ways to braid.
• 2 different closures.
• 3 sizes: Toddler, Kids, Adults
• It's reversible (whaaat?!)

The Fine Print:

• Use Rafflecopter to the right to enter!
• Open to all countries with no shipping costs.
• Must be 18 to enter.
• Winner will be contacted on Monday, 3/31/14.
• Winner has 24 hours to claim prize. If it's not claimed another winner will be chosen.

A HUGE thank you to Amanda Wilson Photography for knowing exactly how I wanted the pictures to look (even when I didn't know myself) and taking magazine-worthy shots!

play hard... play hooky

Friends don't let friends crochet naked

You might need a hoodie... or maybe a tee, but wherever you live, PLAYIN' HOOKY you'll be!

Ok, so I wrote that before I had any coffee this morning. I'm sorry. BUT hopefully it grabbed your attention because, get ready... it's Playin' Hooky Tee and Hoodie Week!!

Get your gear with short sleeves or long sleeves, zipper or pocket, in all sizes for one week only. The listings will be available through Saturday. Each item is hand screen-printed by a local artist on high quality Gildan fabric. Check each listing for more sizing and product details.

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BONUS I've added a giveaway where you could win a free fitted or unisex tee! One lucky winner will get to pick their favorite color & style for an all expenses paid tee! The winner will be announced on Friday, 2/28, so go ahead and order your shirt. If you win and have already bought a shirt, you can choose to either add the free shirt to your order OR get a refund. Use the Rafflecopter widget to the right to enter.
Come back everyday for more entries!

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Get your shirt now!

Spot the tee at tea (possibly one of my favorite sightings ever!)

PLAY HARD ~ PLAY HOOKY

Colorado Love

I've lived in Colorado for almost 10 years now. I got married here, had my babies here, bought my first house here. Even so, I've struggled to feel like a true Coloradan (maybe that's because I'm from Texas). Sure, the mountains are pretty gorgeous, watching snow fall is almost magical, seeing people walk around town in ski boots is good for a laugh, and I definitely don't miss sticking to my car seat in the middle of summer. So maybe I do belong here. One thing that I do know is that for me, all of the things that I love about my new home state are encompassed in this one simple beanie.

The traditional CO flag background color is blue, but I have big plans to make one in every color! Here's a start. Ok, you got me, this one's blue. But it's heathered and I love how it gives it a vintage feel! Just watch out. One day this summer, you'll see a picture of me wearing this beanie on the top of a fourteener (my first ever)!

Buy stuff: 

Get the pattern.

Or get your own beanie - what color would you choose?

play hard... play hooky

Zaggy Beanie Relaunch

I took a break from updating my patterns during the holiday season, but I'm back to it! This week it's all about the Zaggy, the what? The ZAGGY! (sorry for the nerd alert).

I picked the Zaggy as my next update simply because I had an order for it so I could easily change the format, check the gauge, add more detailed pattern instructions and tutorials. Plus, it's REALLY fun to make!

If you don't already have the pattern, you can get it in any of my shops. BUT if you check it out on Ravelry use the code HOOKYZAGGY for a special discount through noon on Tuesday (2/18).

Here's what's new:
- Detailed materials required, including yarn amounts
- Corrected gauge measurements
- Updated Photo tutorials
- Added area for you to write notes

 (PS - I made the purple hat, photographed it, and edited pics this morning all in under TWO hours! Whew!)

These hats were all made by my awesome testers! They make my patterns look good!

Where to buy:

• Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zaggy-beanie---kids or http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zaggy-beanie---adults
• Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PlayinHookyDesigns
• Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/user/176644/pattern-store
• Website: http://www.playinhookydesigns.com/#!product/prd1/194516911/zaggy-beanie---crochet-pattern

* If you already have the pattern, you get the update for free! Past Ravelry & Craftsy buyers should receive an update automatically. Past Etsy & website buyers, please pm or email me your order number so I can send you your update.

PLAY HARD ... PLAY HOOKY