HHCC'ers Win Ribbons at Bridgewater Fair

This past weekend Grace, Dee, and Ruth, along with Jr. HHCC member, Casey (age 13), all competed in the Crochet Division at the 59th annual Bridgewater Fair -- and they all took home Ribbons!

HHCC President Grace entered her beautiful Laura Ingalls Wilder doily, and won a BLUE Ribbon. [HHCC'er Anna reports to check out the September/October issue of Piecework magazine for an article on Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane!]

Dee entered her Doris Chan Ling Collar, crocheted with yarn hand-dyed by HHCC'er Jennifer; and entered her "Pushmi~Pullyu" giraffe inspired purse. Both won BLUE Ribbons. She entered her "Pushmi~Pullyu" boy's vest; it won a RED Ribbon. Lastly she entered a scarf crocheted with the Amazing Needle that makes true knit stiches; it won a YELLOW Ribbon.

Ruth entered two items. She entered a granny square baby blanket started by another HHCC member, but completed by her. It won a WHITE Ribbon. Her thread doily won a RED Ribbbon.

Casey also entered two items. She entered a "Fiddler" Shawl used by her class for a school production of Fiddler on the Roof. She also entered a plastic bracelet, crocheted with Jelly Yarn! Both items won BLUE Ribbons.

CONGRATULATIONS HHCC'ers!!

crusader for crochet steps into the video world

Full of fun & puns, Gwen Blakley Kinsler, founder of the Crochet Guild of America, and well known as the CrochetKween, got some crocheters together, including some HHCC members, at the recent CGOA Conference, to make this great "Crochet Anonymous" video:

"Enough is enough. It is time for crocheters to get a sense of humor, stand up proud and defend ourselves from the likes of the wooly bullies!" ~Gwen Blakley Kinsler

You can read about Gwen's inspiration behind the video at her blog here: http://crochetqueen-royalramblings.blogspot.com/2010/08/crochet-compartment-of-my-brain.html

You can find Gwen's Crochet books/patterns on Amazon here.

Book Review: Kids Learn to Crochet

HHCC Book Review

Title: Kids Learn to Crochet
Author: Lucinda Guy & François Hall
Year Published: 2008

Rating: 7 out of 10 balls of yarn


Kids Learn to Crochet is a how-to book aimed at children from ages 6 to 9. It boasts the same style of photography/illustration as Guy and Hall's other works. The how-to illustrations are large and clear, with arrows showing the direction of movement. Photographs are used along the way, to clearly show what finished pieces of crochet should look like. It's the type of book that child and parent could both learn from together.

Charts and diagrams are used throughout the book to illustrate everything from color changes to where to place increases when working in the round. Although the style of charting and diagrams might not be considered "standard" in US crochet patterns, the explanations of how the charts work are clear, and they provide a great reference for visual learners.

The book teaches a slip knot, chain, single crochet, changing colors at the end of rows, single crochet increase, single crochet decrease, double crochet, and how to single crochet in continuous rounds. It does not cover half-double crochet, crocheting in rounds joined with a slip stitch, or decreases or increases using double crochet. It seams odd to leave these introductory topics out of a learn-to-crochet book, but the book already weighs in at 96 pages as it is.

Review by Lindsey Stephens of http://www.poetryinyarn.com/, HHCC Member

This book was provided to the HHCC by the Trafalgar Square Books publishing company. Members of the HHCC may borrow this book from the HHCC's Crochet Library.

Special Promotion: Crochet Today! magazine

HHCC members love Crochet Today! magazine, and often discuss it at the "Crochet, Coffee, & Crochet" chats held at Borders bookstore located in Brookfield, CT.

Imagine their delight to find they could save nearly $72 off the cover price by getting a 2-year subscription for just $17.97!!!

(this post was edited; $5.00 coupon code removed as it stopped working.)

Book Review: Crochet Designs for Kids: 20 Projects to make for girls & boys

HHCC Book Review

Title: Crochet Designs for Kids: 20 Projects to make for girls & boys
Author: Lucinda Guy
Year Published: 2008

Rating: 8 out of 10 balls of yarn

The first thing that will grab you about this book is the illustrations. Well, they aren't really illustrations, they are combination photo and illustration rolled into one. The real life garments are modeled by cartoon drawings. The style of the photo/illustrations created by François Hall is what makes Lucinda Guy's books instantly recognizable from across the bookstore. I think it's a great, innovative way of displaying children's items.

The whimsical designs are separated by season, with 5 patterns each for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. There are 9 garments, 4 accessories, 2 bags, 3 stuffed toys, and 2 blankets. Of the 9 garments, 2 are for boys and 7 are for girls, although I think some of them could really work for either gender. The size range for the garments is slightly narrow (ages 2-3, 3-4, 4-5), and I wish Guy had included a wider range. The garments are made in thinner yarns and avoid any unnecessary bulk.

The patterns in this book should be accessible to almost all levels of crocheters. All of the patterns call for simple stitches or stitch patterns (mostly single and double crochet). In fact, it's quite impressive to see how much cuteness can be created with a narrow repertoire of stitches. Lucinda Guy makes frequent use of crocheted appliques, embroidery detailing, and buttons, so be prepared for some sewing. (You could leave off these details, but it would really be a shame to).

Overall, this is a great book for anyone who wants to crochet for children in the 2 to 5 year age range. The designs are cute, and the patterns should work well for even beginning level crocheters.

Review by Lindsey Stephens of http://www.poetryinyarn.com/, HHCC Member

This book was provided to the HHCC by the Trafalgar Square Books publishing company. Members of the HHCC may borrow this book from the HHCC's Crochet Library.

HHCC August Meeting

HHCC'ers gathered at the Hampton Inn for a casual meeting this month. Some of the topics discussed:

• What is the difference between the Craft Yarn Council of America's Teacher Certification Course and the Crochet Guild of America's Masters Course?
  


• Is there interest to bring the Craft Yarn Council of America's Teacher Certification Course to Danbury?
  


• Oh, a field trip!
  Mark your calendars!
  Meet-up at Exit 2 off I-84 to carpool at 11:00 AM. Goal is to be at yarn Central in Hopewell Junction, NY by noon. After yarn shopping members will then travel to Montgomery, NY, to visit the historic Montgomery Mill.
  


• The HHCC will be participating in Dee's 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge. Details can be found on Ravelry. HHCC'ers who participate will receive a 2010 Collector's Pin from Dee. Scarves will be donated to the Danbury Salvation Army in December complete with hats, gloves or mittens. ((HHCC members must RSVP to Dee to ensure they get a pin.))
  


• Show & Tell ... it is always fun to see what is on & off HHCC'ers crochet hooks!
  

Book Review: Afghans & Throws: A Step-by-Step Guide to Knit and Crochet Designs, Patterns and Techniques

HHCC Book Review


Title: Afghans & Throws: A Step-by-Step Guide to Knit and Crochet Designs, Patterns and Techniques
Author: Luise Roberts
Year: 2008

Rating: 9 1/2 out of 10 balls of yarn

This book caught may attention when I saw Crochet and Knit in the title. It’s almost impossible to find both in one book. I found this book to be a very comprehensive guide, not a how- to. It is not for the beginner, you need to know how to crochet or knit to be able to use this book. Also it is not a pattern book (there are 6 projects in the back not all afghans or throws). This book has several sections starting with tools for knitting and crochet and has over 30 sections each devoted a particular facet of crochet or knitting.

An example of the information is a table that covers sizing of beds with crochet and knit yarn calculations for multiple yarn types. The other sections cover color selection, embroidery, creating motifs to appliqué to a finished project, and more. It includes how to read both knit and crochet charts. Finishing and trims in crochet and knit. There is a section on stitches in crochet and knit. Each has a picture of the completed pattern, written instructions (for most) and the chart. There are sections on cables, weaving, texture and using beads in knit and crochet. Each section covers both mediums.

Definitely a book I would like to put in my library and it wouldn’t collect dust.
9 ½ balls of yarn out of 10 because the projects weren’t all afghans or throws.


Review by Diane George, HHCC Member.

This book was provided to the HHCC by the Trafalgar Square Books publishing company. Members of the HHCC may borrow this book from the HHCC's Crochet Library.