New Offerings on the Bonnie Bay Crochet Youtube Channel

Back in July 2011, I began my adventure of learning how to upload my first crochet videos to Youtube. It took a few of us putting our heads together to figure out all the technnology and equipment needed to accomplish this feat! A lot has changed since then, and so has my little Bonnie Bay Crochet Youtube Channel! Initially my purpose for doing this was to support two Leisure Arts leaflets, Aran Afghans, and Noggins & Necks. I didn't want crocheters confused in any way about the new stitches I was trying to develop, and I thought videos would be the way to go.  

Up until recently my channel was primarily videos on how to crochet individual stitches. If you are a subscriber to my channel, you know that I've been busy adding complete projects as of late, and I'm having a ball doing this! You will find projects large and small now, and I plan on continuing to add more projects as I have the time. Some include a free, yarn-sponsored pattern, while others may require the purchase of a pattern or even a book. 

If you haven't subscribed to my channel yet, I encourage you to do so. All you have to do when you are on this page is to click the little red box that says "subscribe" in the upper right hand corner. This way you won't miss my new project and stitch videos when they are posted.

Here are some of the projects that are now fully uploaded and ready for viewing. You can click on the name of the projects to take you to the video with all the information to get started on these projects! 

The Holiday Cables Throw 

The Catrina Cabled Wrap

Cozy Cabled Scarf

Quick and Easy Cabled Headband

Cabled Messy Bun/Ponytail Hat

The Aran Hearts Throw

Errata for Celtic Cable Crochet

It is with a twinge of regret that I must begin this list of corrections, especially because many of us worked hard to prevent these errors, but alas, our human side shows once again! It is my hope that this will help to clear up any confusion you may have as you endevour to make the designs in Celtic Cable Crochet. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Tic-Tac-Toe Messenger Bag

Page 35: starting chain should be “Ch 50”, not 52 as written.

Orlaith Robe Sweater

Page 58: Back section,

Row 10, should begin with, "Ch 1," Do not work last stitch in turning chain. Stitch count for this row: 68 (72, 76, 80, 84, 84, 84)

Page 59: Right Front Panel

Row 10 stitch count: 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 42, 42)

Row 59 (61, 63, 63, 65, 65, 65) stitch count: 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 34, 34)

Row 60 (62, 64, 64, 66, 66, 66) stitch count: 25 (27, 29, 31, 33, 33, 33)

Row 61 (63, 65, 65, 67, 67, 67) stitch count: 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 32, 32)

"Next 4 rows" stitch count: 22 (24, 26k 28, 30, 30, 30)

Row 67 (69, 71, 71, 73, 73, 73) stitch count: 21 (23, 25, 27, 29, 29, 29)

"Next 7 (8, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14) rows": Work in established pattern across 21 (23, 25, 27, 29, 29, 29) sts. Fasten off.

Page 59/60: Left Front Panel

Same stitch count corrections as Right Front Panel above.

"Next 8 (9, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15)" should read: "Next 7 (8, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14) rows"

Page 60: Sleeves 

Row 10: "starting in first st," should read, "starting in next st" (i.e. sk first st)

Rows 12-16 (12-16, 12-16, 15-19, 15-19, 15-19, 15-19):Ch 1, [dc, sc] across, turn.

Rows 18-22 (18-22, 18-22, 21-25, 21-25, 21-25, 21-25): Ch 1, [sc, dc] across, turn.

"Next 5 rows" - PLEASE DISREGARD THIS/DO NOT INCLUDE 

Page 61: Sleeve Cap

Rows 4-19 (21, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29) stitch count: 14 (16, 18, 20, 20, 22, 24)

Page 65: Celtic Cabled Cowl - Written pattern is correct, however the stitch diagram shows bptr (incorrect) for Row 5 instead of bpdc (correct stitch) when crocheting the 4-stitch post cable.

New Leaflet: Super Scarves by Bonnie Barker

When Leisure Arts contacted me about making super scarves, I had no idea what they were talking about. The idea of making a scarf 14" wide and about 10' long seemed a little crazy at first. Once I got started on these, they were a blast to design and crochet! 

Of course I would have to wait several months to use them since I crocheted them in the hot summer months! Boots also may go better than my summer sandals!!

These designs use large crochet hooks and worsted to bulky weight yarn, making them come together more quickly than you would think.

While these are called "scarves," they also make delightful wraps with endless possibilities of how to wear them!

On of my favorites to make was this one which uses Lion Brand's Scarfie yarn with the graduated color changes.

I will be giving away 2 copies of the leaflet Super Scarves on Wednesday morning (Nov. 9)!  All you have to do is e-mail me at bonniebay@me.com and say "ENTER ME!"  I promise to respect your privacy.  Your e-mail will not be used for any other purpose other than getting in contact with the winners. I wish you all the very best!

Book Signing and Trunk Show at Knit Locally in Boyds, MD!

This coming Saturday I will be at the yarn shop Knit Locally in Boyds, MD! I recently visited this lovely store so that I could show you some photos of this beautiful store. Here are some views...

The first thing I noticed when I started visiting this store is that they take warm welcomes very seriously! Someone is always there to greet you in a sweet way. And they LOVE crocheters! You don't get that at every knit store!

Knit Locally is located in a beautiful part of Maryland. The ride getting there is just as theraputic as crocheting! 

 Peggy has a wonderful gift of organizing all her yarn in such a way that makes it all look yummy!

I love the antiques she has throughout her store...

 Sometimes there is even a clearance section you must check out!

I'm looking forward to the book signing this coming Saturday!  I hope to see you there!

Celtic Cable Crochet: 18 CROCHET PATTERNS for MODERN CABLED GARMENTS & ACCESSORIES

I’m so very happy to announce that my second book, "Celtic Cable Crochet: 18 Crochet Patterns for Modern Cable Garments and Accessories" will soon be released!  This book represents more than 2 years of work developing new ways of crocheting cables and applying them to new designs.  As I mention in the introduction of this book, I am indebted to all of you crocheters who have showered me with your encouragement about crocheted cables in my first book.  I am humbled as I have read and come to treasure many of your comments.  Crocheters are a special breed of kind, giving folks, and you has spurred me on to trying to raise the quality bar in what we can do with our crochet hooks.

 

In this book you will find some of the same crochet cabling techniques featured in my first book, Contemporary Celtic Crochet (F + W Media, 2014), plus some new ways of crocheting larger cables.

 

Being a teacher at heart, I wanted to be sure that this book would include a stitch dictionary with step by step photos to help you in the learning process.  As always, should you need more help, I also have these stitches on my website (under Aran stitches, for both right and left-handers), as well as on my Bonnie Bay Crochet Youtube Channel.  If you hit the “subscribe” button on my Youtube channel, you won’t miss any of my new stitch videos!

In this book I tried to simplify some of my designs so that the cables would have a more elegant look.  More is not always better.  For this reason I think many of the projects are simpler and more approachable.

 

Of course there are a few projects that are meant to challenge the advanced crocheter like the Binnie Cardigan and the Tic-Tac-Toe Messenger Bag.

 

Other projects are perfect for the crocheter who has never made a garment and would like to give it a try!  The Fergus Shrug offers fun cabling, yet is crocheted in only one piece, and comes together with very simple construction and finishing.

 

There are more of those quickie projects too!  The Dublin Duo features the Arrow and Reverse Arrow stitches and can be finished in a weekend.  There are boot cuffs, cowls and another hat that can are great for quick gifts.  Who wouldn’t love any of these made using alpaca yarn by Juniper Moon Farm or Blue Sky Fibers???

In addition, if you preorder the book from Amazon before October 1, 2016, you can receive a bonus pattern:  Pink Chunky Cabled Mitts!  You can go here to preorder, and then go to Interweave’s page here to download your bonus pattern.  If you have already pre-ordered, thank you!  You will need your order number and then go to the Interweave page here to get your bonus pattern. This offer ends after October 1st!

 

If you enjoy having your books on your digital devices, the digital copy of this book is available now from Interweave here.

 

As always, should you have questions, or issues with any of my patterns, I invite you to contact me and I will do my best to try to help.  

Caps, Cowls & Mitts, and Cabled Baby Blankets: Two New Leaflets!

I am happy to share with you two of my recent Leisure Arts publications! Both are available from Amazon and should be coming soon to your local craft store (Michael's, A.C. Moore, and Joanne Fabrics).

First, Caps, Cowls & Mitts has 3 winter sets - all of which can be completed in a weekend or less. Using a large (size J or K) crochet hook and worsted weight yarn, you'll be surprised how quick it is to complete one, two or all three components.

All projects are worked in the round, and absolutely no sewing required!! This is a fun way to learn how to crochet cables. 

These make wonderful, cost-effective gifts, and will keep you cozy warm when the cold weather comes your way. The hand mitts are particularly helpful for those who suffer from circulation problems, never feeling warm enough inside during the winter. The fingerless feature allows you to do what you need to do, but with the added warmth that the mitts provide. These are excellent items to have on your table if you are a craft fair merchant!

Secondly, the booklet "Cabled Baby Blankets" features 4 new designs that also crochet up quickly and using only one skein of Lion Brand's One Pounder!

Each design features bold, elegant, crocheted cabling using my new method of crocheting bigger cables. 

Should you ever need help with my designs, you can always visit my Youtube channel, or go to the video section on this website here for free instructional videos. You can always contact me with questions at bonniebay@me.com. 

These afghans were born to help celebrate the new babies born in my little church here in Maryland. I pray that these patterns continue to bless many more families and babies in the years to come!

Top 10 Reasons to Attend a CGOA Crochet Conference...

OK, so if you already know how to crochet, what is the advantage of attending a crochet conference?  I wondered the same thing until I attended my first in Greensboro back in 2010 and have been HOOKED ever since! Here are some reasons to consider planning for next summer’s conference in Chicago… 

10.  Getting away from it all - with yarn and hooks in hand...  This year we gathered in Charleston, SC.  The Old South Carriage Company allowed one of their carriages to be beautifully decorated with crochet to help celebrate the conference.  Karen McKenna organized this effort months before the event.  The red and yellow roses in the bottom right photo were made by yours truly!

 

9.  Traveling to a new destination...  Since I started attending the CGOA conference, I’ve been able to travel to Greensboro, NC, Charleston, SC, Manchester, NH, and many fun points along the way.  There have also been conferences in San Diego, Reno, Indianapolis and Minneapolis. Next year we will be meeting in Chicago - another city I have never seen!

 Getting and giving a hug to our friend, teacher, designer & author Margaret Hubert (w/Carlotta Craig).

8. Taking your crochet skills to the next level with top teachers in the industry... 

 Many friends and fans participated in a parade wearing Doris's designs.  My daughter Becky (Right) and I did our part by wearing a crocheted Doris Chan design!

7.   Meeting some of your favorite crochet designers... This past year was very special as we got to celebrate with and honor Doris Chan as she was inducted into the Jean Leinhauser Crochet Hall of Fame.  It was such a fun time, and in typical Doris Chan fashion, she gave a special crochet kit to all who celebrated with her!

My girl Becky Barker takes a spin in a Doris Chan design during a fashion show in the market place... 

6.  Shopping in a market totally devoted to your love of crochet...including book signings, fashion shows and more! 

 

5. Free yarn samples & goodie bags, courtesy of a number of wonderful sponsors!

 

4.  Attending the CGOA Banquet and Fashion Show, and even participating in the fashion show for the adventurous - no experience necessary!

 Kathryn White wearing her Grand Prize winner, the Baroque Jacket.  This lovely design took Kathryn over 9 1/2 months to create!

3.  Being inspired by the Design Contest, and the possibility of winning cash prizes!

 Lily Chin in her show-stopper "Pineapple Dress!"

2.  Meet and greet...  A wonderful opportunity to meet crochet magazine editors, yarn company representatives and other publishers and get instant feedback on your original designs, and maybe even published!

1.  Hanging out with some of the most wonderful people on the planet!  Renewing fiber friendships and making new ones!  Many of the attendees have become lifelong friends for me.  This is a very special community and I would love for you to experience this too!