NatCroMo Blog Tour 2017

NatCroMo - almost sounds like it could be a blues singer - is National Crochet Month and it's happening NOW!

In the past there may have been a public stigma that crochet is something only little old ladies do in their doily-decorated houses. Well, we all know that's not always true - not to knock the doily ladies because I pretty much think they rock too with their teeny hooks and crochet thread. Mad props.

This generation has brought a new set of crochet enthusiasts and experts who are constantly pushing their skills, and creating new techniques and styles. There's LITERALLY something for everyone. If you doubt it I dare you to google "crochet for _insert anything_" and see what you find.

We've come a long way and we have our very own month to prove it. This year, I'm very happy to be a first-timer in the 5th annual NatCroMo blog tour by crochetville.com. So go check out my interview on their blog to learn a little more about my background, what's most important to me, and if I'm bistitchual. ;)

As a bonus, here's how you can celebrate NatCroMo, Playin' Hooky style.

• TODAY ONLY: A special exclusive for Blog Tour peeps - 50% off on Ravelry when you grab 2 or more patterns! Use the code NatCroMoBlog
• All month long: Take 10% off every pattern in my Ravelry or Etsy shop with the code NatCroMo
• Get some hooky swag with "Looky Looky I Got Hooky" tees, hoodies, and mugs.
• Check out my tips, tricks, and tutorials to help push yourself to the next level.
• Follow me on social media to stay up with promotions and NEW designs!

YAY CROCHET!!

play hard ... play hooky

Looky Looky

Get knotty for National Crochet Month

If you've ever crocheted in public, you know that more often than not someone will ask you what you're knitting. (If you've never crocheted in public, you SHOULD!!) It can be a little irritating that everyone thinks that yarn=knitting. Let's change that!! For National Crochet Month, I'm offering an exclusive run of these Looky Looky I Got Hooky sweatshirt, tees, and coffee mugs to show your hooky pride.

And so that people stop comparing you to their great-great-grandmother who knits... just kidding, they still will, but at least you'll look UH-mazing. ;)

play hard ... play hooky

NatCroMo begins NOW

March is National Crochet Month (#natcromo for short) and there is a LOT going on this month to celebrate.

ALL MONTH you can get 10% off every pattern in my Ravelry shop with the code NatCroMo - take advantage while you can!

I'm also participating in Crochetville.com's NatCroMo blog tour. When the time comes - you can read my extra-special interview (but I'm biased), have access to a free pattern, AND get your crochet gear on with an exclusive run on my Looky Looky I Got Hooky sweatshirts, tees, and coffee mugs! I can't wait!!!

Be sure you're a fan on my Facebook page, Instagram, or SnapChat to follow what I'll be doing all month long!

play hard ... play hooky

Craftsy Trends

YAAAAYYYY!!!! I can't believe it, but I'm on the top of the Craftsy Top 20 Free Crochet Patterns Leaderboard! My Brain Waves Beanie moved from 20th to 1st on the trending leader board in less than a week! I'm also the featured seller!! What a cool thing to happen during National Crochet Month!

If you don't already have the pattern, check it out. It comes with a photo tutorial and detailed instructions to make your own beanie for guys & girls.

Thank you!!

PLAY HARD ~ PLAY HOOKY

FINALLY!

Well, I didn't think I was actually going to finish my first Crochet Month pattern today, but I DID! I have two young kids and it's not always easy for me to crochet as much as I want to, but I hustled to get it done before the sun went down so I could take pictures and list it. Thanks has to be given to my husband for helping me with the colors of the yellow and green one.

With this pattern, I wrote notes as I went to make it easier when I had to sit down and type it out. After I got the pattern out of my notebook and into Publisher I decided to make a second hat from it to make sure there were no mistakes and then list it.

My computer was really starting to really annoy me though and I wasn't sure I was going to get it listed tonight. But my patient husband told me to keep trying and it finally happened.

So here it is, the "Ski Town Beanie". It reminds me of those Swiss Chalet A frame type buildings you find in ski towns, hence the name!!

Writing Patterns

I love writing patterns that you think are going to turn out a certain way, but go a different direction once you start working. The pattern I'm working on is doing just that. It's like the hat is already made, I just have to figure out what it is. It has it's own life because of the stitch counts. Some design decisions I made before I started didn't work with the stitch counts so I had to change course and let the hat direct me!

This pattern is also pretty complex so I've decided to take pictures of tricky stitches as I go. That way I can better illustrate the directions in my pattern. Plus it gives me an excuse to play with my new camera!

HAPPY HOOKING!!

Old Patterns, New Patterns

OLD PATTERNS

There were a few things about my current patterns that I wasn't quite happy with. First off, the photography has never been as good as I've wanted. I just bought a new camera (thanks to my tax refund!) so I wanted to take all new pictures. But more than that, I wanted them to stand out as different than my finished hats. I decided to erase the background to give it a clean white background. and I LOVE IT! In my opinion, the look so much more professional, and it's obvious that they're patterns, not finished products. What'd you think?

Also, in honor of National Crochet Month I decided to lower the price from $4 to $3. I love creating new designs and sharing them with other hookers (and those who want to learn!). I hope by lowering the price that my crochet style will spread as more people buy them!

NEW PATTERNS

I also have a goal of 4 new patterns by the end of the month as a part of NCM. An idea struck me yesterday so I got to work. In my experience, forcing designs never works. I have to wait for that lightning strike and then start creating it with yarn. Hopefully I'll have this pattern finished in a day or two and start promoting it. Keep your eyes open!!

HAPPY HOOKING!

National Crochet Month

March is quickly becoming one of my favorite months. I've always loved playing on St. Patrick's Day and decking myself out in green, like a true American (the Irish think we're plonkers for going green). But I just found out that it's also National Crochet Month and I'm so stoked! I've been crocheting for about 3 1/2 years and I'm addicted to it. I'm so addicted that I'd love to 'hook' all day long which is why I'm trying to make a living from it with my online shop and designs. I'm using NCM to focus on my designs, promote crochet, and getting my shop off the ground. So here are my goals for the month:

• Blog about crochet-related things every day. Well, how about every weekday...
• Create, list, and pimp 4 new designs
• Tweet & Facebook about crochet news 5 times a week

You've heard it here first, so now I actually have to stick to my goals!

What are YOU doing for National Crochet Month???

This is OUR month! HAPPY HOOKING!