Happy New Year 2016

Wishing You a Crochet Filled 2016

January brings feelings of new beginnings and thoughtful resolutions though my (Dana) new year feels like it started in October with an fabulous new job (Interweave Crochet – #fwcommunity) working for an awesome boss (Marcy Smith) in a new city (Fort Collins) as a single woman (goodbye troubled marriage).

So now that the new beginnings are established…I’m left with resolutions. This year I’m going to look at resolutions differently. I’m going to focus on the things I enjoy and resolve to do more of them. It’s a matter of perspective, really. I’m not going to worry so much about what I should do, but look at behaviors that are good for me and that I enjoy and do more of those.

So, for 2016, here’s to

  • more crochet
  • more mountain biking
  • more working hard
  • more relaxing with a good book
  • more heartfelt time with friends and family

As for mountain biking…pictures of my twin sister really inspire me to want to get out and ride…and incoporate crochet alongside it!

Crochet and Mountain Biking...who knew they worked so well together! Here's Deborah yarn bombing a friends bike rack.

Crochet and Mountain Biking…who knew they worked so well together! Here’s Deborah yarn bombing a friends bike rack.

Deborah really is my inspiration...and apparently the guys stop and take notice, too!

Deborah really is my mountain biking inspiration…and apparently the guys stop and take notice, too!

For 2016, we plan for Yarnovations to be more of the same. Deborah and I will bring you fun and quirky designs of crocheted projects that we are inspired to make on the spur of the moment or have planned way in advance.

We are currently working on a dishie series. We will publish a dishcloth and other kitchen/household item once a month using FibraNatura Good Earth. This series, sponsored by Universal Yarn, is a great way to learn new techniques on smaller projects. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

Happy New Year from one hooked crocheter to another.

Flower Yard Picks

Crochet Flower Yard Picks – Beautiful Mother’s Day Bouquet

Flower Yard Picks

Photo by Red Heart

These crochet flowers are bright, cheerful and fun!

The pattern for these lovelies is free at RedHeart.com. This is the first design we’ve created for Red Heart. The flowers use Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

The stems are crocheted as cozies around chopsticks making these perfect as yarn bombs in friends’ gardens or in floral arrangements.

They would be wonderful “Thinking of You” gifts as well as birthday and Mother’s Day gifts. You could also stick a pen in the stem and create a bouquet for your office!

One row of the leaves are crocheted around chenille fuzzy sticks (pipe cleaners) which allow them to be shaped.

Create a bouquet of only one type of flower or create an assortment with this pattern.

The pattern includes several flowers:

  • Carnation
  • Daffodil
  • Daisy / Black Eye’s Susan
  • Iris

Get the Free Pattern at Redheart.com

We’ve taken some photos of each type of flower. Let’s take a closer look:

Carnation – Crochet Flower

carnation yard picks

The carnation is crocheted in a technique similar to wiggle crochet meaning rows of crochet are worked on top of a grid.

Daffodil – Crochet Flower

daffodil yard picks

The design of the stem allows the flower to face forward like a real daffodil!

Daisy – Crochet Flower

daisy yard picks

Change the colors and this could be a Black Eyed Susan or Gerber Daisy!

Iris – Crochet Flower

iris yard picks

The petals naturally drape like a real iris! Some petals drape down and others up.