As the last days of summer fade into fall our #mojavesummerKAL comes to a close as well, which means unveiling the winner of our giveaway! A few weeks ago, we rounded up some of our favorite projects from #mojavesummerKAL, our KAL Instragram hashtag. There were so many beautiful projects to choose from, but there was…
Category: Crochet Summer
Get Your Hooks Out! It’s time for the Crochet Summer 2019
Bust out your hooks! It’s our 5th annual Crochet Summer and we’re excited to start stitching with our favorite plant fibers as the weather gets warmer. If you are new to our Crochet Summer it’s exactly what it sounds like. We’re focusing on crochet during the summer to celebrate our sister craft and provide ourselves…
We Want You!: Crochet Summer ’19 Submissions Call
We’re in the frigid depths of winter in Philadelphia, so naturally, it got us thinking about warmer climates and crochet! At Kelbourne Woolens, we think summer and crochet go together like peanut butter and jelly. Crochet works up quickly and beautifully using lighter weight yarns and natural fibers, is a versatile medium, invites color play,…
Crochet Summer Crochet Something Contest Round-Up
Our Crochet Summer has come to an end, and this coming Friday we’ll be announcing the winners of our Crochet Something Contest. There were so many fantastic entries it will be hard for us to choose! We want to thank everyone who participated in Crochet Summer again this year. You guys are awesome. You can view…
Crochet Summer: Why I Am a Crochet Teacher
We are joined on the blog today by a special Crochet Summer guest, Liz Kaplan. If you are a Mason Dixon Knitting fan (and if you’re not, you should be!) you may already be familiar with Liz and her crochet skills. She is a contributor to MDK, as well as a crochet instructor in Oakland, CA. I’ve been…
Crochet Summer 2018: Plans and Progress
I found myself packing for vacation two weeks ago and somehow over the course of a very short period of time increased my in-progress crochet projects from one to three. A bit of startitis after a big deadline (specifically a sweater for publication at the same time as the release of a new yarn and…
Meet the “Crochet Summer, Crochet Something Contest” Judges
When thinking about judges for the Crochet Summer Crochet Something Contest (CSCSC), I wanted to choose people from the industry that we work in most (yarn/knitting), but who also had a little crochet spark. Some of our judges are crochet newbies, and some are leading the charge in bringing crochet to the wider knitting audience. They all have…
We’re Kicking Off Crochet Summer 2018!
Time to get out your hooks! What is Crochet Summer? It is our way of showing a little love to our sister craft in the summer months when it sometimes feels a little harder to get the yarn out. Also, crochet can be a bit more conducive to working with yarns made from plant fibers,…
Crochet Sumer 2017: Babette Bandwagon
We had the 3rd floor of our house gutted and converted into a studio and play room a bit ago, saving a small room in the back for storage. As it happens when you don’t have a lot of storage, but do have a lot of stuff, our storage room started to overflow this summer. It…
Crochet Summer 2017: Crocheting with the kiddo
Some people love summer, but as the mom of a school aged child I am here to say summer is the worst. I love the routine of school, and summer always catapults us into some strange hodgepodge of day camps, all of which seem to require driving at least a half hour in the opposite…
Crochet Summer 2017: Progress Report
I’m working on Feeling Dotty? by Sandra Paul between major house projects at home. I’ve only done a smidge of crochet in my lifetime, so this lacy shawl is definitely a challenge for me. But it’s been a welcome challenge because it takes my mind off all the things still on the to-do list! This pattern…
Crochet Summer 2017: How Many Projects is too Many Projects?
If you know me, you know that I absolutely LOVE to start a new project. I am a process based maker, not a product based maker. My studio and office (and living room, and bedside table, and bins in the basement) are filled with unfinished projects ranging from knitting to crochet to needlepoint and nearly…
Finished Project: Crocheted Drop Earrings
I was wearing my crocheted earrings the other day and despite the pair seeing heavy rotation in my wardrobe, I realized I never “officially” shared my finished project here on the blog. The start of Crochet Summer seemed like the perfect time to do so, so I asked Linette to take some quick shots of…
Crochet Summer 2017: Plans and Projects
Truth be told, I still have a few languishing crochet projects I really want to wrap up, including this stegosaurus I started for Charlie over a year ago from the Puff the Magic Stegosaurus pattern. (Thankfully, it is much further along than that sad little hexagon would lead you to believe..but still. No where near…
Announcing Crochet Summer 2017!
It is the summer solstice, and that can only mean one thing – Crochet Summer 2017 is here! As with previous summers (2016, 2015, 2014), there is one – and only one! – rule for crochet summer: 1. Crochet something, anything, this summer. That’s it. Really. We’ll be sharing some of our plans on the blog…
Crochet Summer 2016 Round-Up
School is now back in session, and summer is coming to an end. While this means cooler weather, it also sadly means the end to Crochet Summer. We always enjoy following your crochet adventures on Instagram throughout the summer, and taking the time ourselves to devote some creative time to a craft we don’t usually focus…
Crochet Summer 2016: Filet Crochet
When I was little, I would go with my Grandma to her hometown in Bittinger, MD. Her family had a farm out there for many generations, in fact our family name is Bittinger. The Lutheran church there had an amazing filet crochet wall hanging of the Lord’s Prayer displayed in the chapel. As a kid, I…
Crochet Summer 2016: Throwback Thursday Mason Jar Cosies
This tutorial by Maura Kirk is originally from 2012 – before we even dreamt up Crochet Summer! – so I wanted to bring it back as I imagine many of you missed it when it was originally on the blog. Enjoy!—– A handmade gift is one of intention. It says to the recipient, you were on my…
Crochet Summer 2016: Instagram Round-Up!
We’re in the heat of Crochet Summer 2016, and we’ve been loving the attention everyone has been lavishing on our sister craft this summer. As knitters, first and foremost, Crochet Summer is our way of giving crochet her moment in the sun, if you will. We all (well, many of us) tend to knit a…
Easy Peasy Crochet Patterns
One of the things I love about Crochet Summer is inspiring knitters to give crochet a try. If you’re new to the craft, or returning to it after a long hiatus, here is a list of some of our favorite simple patterns to try out. Once you’ve mastered the basics, any of these designs would…
Color Stories: Delicious
Things often described as delicious: candy, cakes, fresh fruit, the perfume of flowers, the softest yarn. This was my inspiration for June’s color story. I’m so excited about crochet summer, I decided I’d let my mood board decide what color of Road to China Lace I’ll be using for my project! That’s right – pink….
Crocheting a Tube
Crocheting in a Tube: Two Ways Crocheting in the round – as in the case of granny squares – tends to be an easy and straightforward skill to learn. Crocheting in a tube, on the other hand, is a little bit more complicated, as maintaining proper stitch count requires a bit more skill and attention. There…
Crochet Summer 2016: Notes from a Novice
I can’t believe it’s already Crochet Summer! Last summer I worked on the 214ss-04 Sora Motif Sweater from Pierrot Yarns. I was a beginner then, and truth be told, I’m still a beginner because I never finished it! In fact, it’s still sitting in my office on the shelf above my computer reminding me…
Crochet Summer Archives
As we embark on our third year of Crochet Summer, I thought it would be nice to share some highlights of 2014 and 2015 with you! INSTAGRAM– 2015 Round Up– 2014 Round Up PATTERNS / TUTORIALS– Urchin Stripe Cowl by guest contributor Cal Patch– Crochet/Sewn Top– Crocheting in Rows– Bobble Stitch Plant Coasters– Crochet T-shirt Neckline by…
Announcing #CrochetSummer2016!
It’s that time of year again, when we spend the summer celebrating one of our favorite crafts, crochet! As in 2014 and 2015, we’ll feature interviews, tutorials, projects, and other interesting notes on the blog throughout the summer. We’ll also be using the hashtag #crochetsummer2016 on Instagram. Like previous years, the one rule is very simple: …
What do you watch while you CRAFT?
Here at KW HQ we are constantly exchanging stories about what we watched last night while knitting and crocheting; we compare notes, catch up on series ‘gossip’, or suggest new shows. We do the same for podcasts. Often during the day, all will be quiet and someone will abruptly guffaw or quietly giggle or gasp. And then one of us…
#crochetsummer2015 Instagram Highlights
September 7th marked the final day of Crochet Summer 2015 and today scores of kids here in Philadelphia begin another year of school. We loved watching the progress of everyone’s summertime crochet projects on Instagram, as always, we look forward to next summer! Here are some of our favorite pics, and you can see more by…
#CrochetSummer2015: Urchin Stripe Cowl by Cal Patch
In celebration of Crochet Summer (can you believe summer is almost over?), we enlisted the help of friend and fellow Crochet promoter Cal Patch to create a skill building crochet pattern that is both interesting to work, but creates a lovely end result. Her Urchin Stripe Cowl is a great project for experienced crocheters looking…
#CrochetSummer2015: Swink! interview with Miriam Felton & Amy O’Neill houck
First Fall Knitty was released recently and I immediately grabbed some Organik to make this crocheted sweater by Amy O’Neill Houck. The pattern is accompanied by a tutorial by Miriam Felton on a chainless single crochet foundation. Not being familiar with this technique, I was hooked immediately (pun 100% intended). Whenever I am crocheting in…
Crochet along with Kelbourne Woolens
When the Knitty.com newsletter arrived in our mailbox with two NEW Surprise patterns for the First Fall issue, I was delighted to see an adorable crochet top designed by Amy O’Neill Houck with a great foundation single crochet tutorial by Miriam Felton. As one who enjoys quick projects, and distractions from existing projects, my first though was, “I…
Crochet Summer: Crocheted / Sewn Top
If you missed my post on Monday, I recently finished a few tops for myself that featured a sewn body and crocheted yoke. Today, I’m sharing a tutorial so you can make your own! This project is designed for a beginner sewer and a crocheter with a set of a few beginner skills. The crochet portion is a…
#crochetsummer2015 finished project: crochet / sewn top
Last year as part of Crochet Summer 2014, Cal Patch shared a tutorial with us on making a knit tee with a crocheted yoke. I wanted to take the idea one step further, so I created a box top with a the main body sewn out of cotton fabric and crocheted yoke. I came up with the idea while on our way to…
#CrochetSummer2015 Instagram Highlights (so far)
Crochet Summer 2015 is going strong, and we couldn’t be more delighted! I thought it would be fun to feature some highlights I’ve seen on Instagram so far. You may click on individual images to be taken to the crafter’s Instagram profile. Keep up the great work, everyone! We can’t wait to see what you create through…
Color Stories: Crochet Summer: Shell Pink
Now that we are rolling into Summer, it’s high time I put some serious thought into Crochet! For me (a beginner), Crochet is romantic and sweet and a bit mysterious. It reminds me of my grandmother’s sweeping crocheted lace shawls that she would drape over the back of the davenport and of the lovely little airy tops…
Single Crochet in Rows
One of the most common thing you’ll hear as a new crafter or knitter who is interested in learning crochet is “oh, but crochet is so easy!” While this statement may hold some truth – it is not difficult to learn – I found it to be misleading and frustrating, as there were always a few aspects of…
Introducing #crochetsummer2015!
It is that time of year again! Crochet Summer! Wahoo! Crochet Summer 2014 came about on a bit of a whim, but we were so pleased with the success of the experiment, that we’re excited to do it all over again. Like last year the one rule is very simple: 1. Crochet something, anything, this summer. That’s…
#CrochetSummer2014 Instagram Round-Up!
It’s the last day of summer, and tonight brings the Fall equinox at 10:29pm EST. We’ve had a great time crocheting with you all this summer, and we can’t wait for next year! Below are a few highlights from Instagram. Bonnie Sennot of Blue Peninsula Knits finished crocheting her “Elise Shawl” designed by Evan Plevinski….
#crochetsummer2014: Back to School!
School is now in session here in Philadelphia, and around the country, but we still have a couple more weeks until the first official day of fall, September 23rd. I’ve been looking for some cute back to school crochet projects to do with my son’s first grade class in the hopes of getting them “hooked”…
#CrochetSummer2014 Pattern: Bobble Stitch Plant Coasters
In September of 2013, we (myself, Owen, Charlie + our 4 pets) moved into a new home. Like all things, the whole process did not go as expected, and after 360 days on the market, we finally closed the sale on our old house yesterday. After living with about 60% of our furniture for 12 months, we happily…
#CrochetSummer2014: Cal Patch T-Shirt Tutorial
It is no secret that I adore Cal Patch. Not only does she have a wonderful personality and is a joy to be around (you can’t help but be happy and calm in her presence), her style and her approach to sewing, crocheting, and teaching is really inspirational. Her book, Design It Yourself Clothes, published…
#CrochetSummer2014 Pattern: Summer Dawn
We’ve been enthralled to see the response to our #CrochetSummer2014 campaign. From gorgeous afghans to toys, garments to crocheted cat butts (no, that’s not a typo). Some of you might remember this picture that Courtney posted on her Instagram account. Beautiful, right? Courtney crocheted this cowl during their time at the Squam Art Workshops this…
#CrochetSummer2014: An interview with Kim Werker
When brainstorming ideas for #crochetsummer2014, I immediately thought about getting in touch with Kim Werker, as she stands out to me as someone who has been in the crochet trenches for a while. I wanted to find out a little but more about her past life as editor of Interweave Crochet, and her current role…
#CrochetSummer2014 Designer Feature: Ashlee Elle
I follow a lot of knitters, and knitting blogs, and when I wanted to delve deeper into crochet I started by searching on Instagram using the hashtag #crochet. I came across designer Ashlee Elle whose blog, Dream in Vintage, has a lot of great patterns and tutorials, with easy to follow (and adorable) photos. Ashlee is…
#CrochetSummer2014 Instagram Round-Up
We have been so impressed with everyone’s #crochetsummer2014 posts, so we thought we would share some highlights with you. It’s not too late to join in the fun, all you have to do is crochet something this summer! If you aren’t playing along yet, check out our previous post here. Happy Crocheting!
Join us for #CrochetSummer2014!
As I mentioned in my last post on Mattress Stitch, Courtney and I taught at Squam Art Workshops last weekend. Not only was it a really wonderful experience (although it took me a solid 36 hours to get over the lack of wifi and reliable cell service), but in keeping with our tradition from last year,…