S-s-s-Sunday Showcase!!!

This showcase is a twofer, and it's near and dear to me because these people are doing what I'd like to be doing with my life. They're both pattern designers but they design different things. They're both sincerely talented gals and you all should go buy things from them, if not patterns, then one of the things they've crafted.

I'm promoting these in the order in which I received the patterns they graciously let me test for free. First up is CarmenBee. I found her blog through Ravelry. She had been a featured designer for a really cute shrug she designed. (It's currently a work in progress).

She let me test the pattern for her Baby Hoodie. You can purchase it through her Etsy. It's an easy pattern and works up in a couple hours. It's probably faster if you haven't got a toddler to chase. :D I unfortunately don't have a baby around to model the hoodie, but I DO have a teddy bear. Hopefully he will suffice.
She also graciously answered some of my goofy, newbie blogger questions. These will hopefully be a staple of the Sunday Showcases to come.

How long have you been crocheting?

• Over 2 years.

How long have you been designing patterns?

• I probably started designing patters about 1 year ago, after I couldn’t find patterns for what I was “envisioning”!

How did you learn to crochet?

• My mom suggested crochet after my failed attempt at knitting, since she found it easier. I am a “must see” person, so I took to you tube videos for every stitch and technique.

What is your favorite pattern that you've designed?

• I really like my comfy convertible cowl. It’s pretty popular.
  

What pattern would you recommend to a beginner?

• I guess just a scarf. It really helps you learn your tension and see how the size can change and you’ll see if you miss an end stitch or turning chain. Just pick a stitch like double crochet and go for as long as you’d like.

Thanks again for letting me test that pattern and for answering my questions. Everyone, go forth and buy some of her patterns! They're super easy to follow.


The second person in the showcase is someone I met through a crocheting thread I frequent on my favorite forums. :D She specializes in amigurumi and I'm glad she does. Her stuff is some of the most professional and cutest I've ever seen. Currently she's only got the pattern for a cat at her Etsy shop, but I'm hoping she'll post the patterns for some of the cute stuff she posts in the thread sometime soon.

She also was very gracious about the question answering. :D

How long have you been crocheting?

• I began in August of 2009, so I've been crocheting for a little less than a year now. I originally started because I was an illustration student, but had nothing productive to occupy my time with when I wasn't drawing. I had never been good at crafts and I was tired of looking at cool things other people had done and immediately dismissing it like, "Oh, that's awesome, but I'd never be able to do that." I eventually realized that trying to crochet and failing at it was still better than sitting around and doing nothing, so I finally went for it.
  

How long have you been designing patterns?

• I made my first pattern about four months ago when I signed up for the SA Secret Admirer exchange. My assignee said that he really liked cats, so that was how my kitty pattern came to be!

How did you learn to crochet?

• I went out, bought some super saver yarn, picked up a couple of books and holed myself up in my room for a couple of nights. My first attempts at crochet were horrific mutated doilies: I kept making the same mistakes over and over and ended up with this huge pile of misshapen circles. I didn't know anyone else who crocheted, so when I needed help I watched youtube tutorials and drew little diagrams for myself. Youtube was my lifesaver. It took me about two weeks to finally get the hang of the basics.
  

What is your favorite project you've designed?

• Probably the pig. It was the first pattern of my own that turned out exactly how I'd hoped it would. It's been a few months since I did it, so I know there are things I can improve upon now, but I had a lot of fun with it. Here are some pictures of it finished: http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/sarselbucket/poogie2.jpg http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/sarselbucket/poogie3.jpg
  

What pattern would you recommend to a beginner?

• In terms of amigurumi, I would recommend any of the patterns from Ana Paula Rimoli's "Amigurumi World" book. They're basic enough for beginners and her instructions are very clear. The best thing about her and her patterns is that she has her own etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/anapaulaoli) and encourages people to email her if they have any questions. She's incredibly sweet and I think it's great that a published author takes the time to answer any questions anyone has about the patterns in her book. Knowing that made learning to crochet much less intimidating for me!
  
  

Go out and buy the cat pattern from her! Keep your fingers on the refresh button until she posts more patterns to buy, and then GO BUY THOSE! :D

More pattern posts to come. If you buy a pattern from these two, send me a picture at armyofowls@gmail.com of the finished product and I'll post them on the blog.