new pattern - drawstring slouch by kim miller.

 

 

 

 

Skill Level: Easy

If you can double crochet, and you are comfortable with front and back post stitches then you will be able to make this stylish slouch. This easy hat pattern not only looks great, but it works up quickly and is perfect for that last minute gift.

This detailed crochet pattern calls for 2 ½ balls of Knit Picks® City Tweed DK Yarn (50 g/123 yds per ball), and includes instructions for 3 different sizes ranging from 21¼” to 22¾" in circumference.

Buy Now

 

 

 

kim.

 

photo gallery.

One of our dear customers, sent us some pictures of her latest project. Do you recognize these "Hanging Storage Pouches"? I love the crispness of the white and the way they are displayed! Gorgeous! 

 

 

Renee, a busy, multi-talented wife, mother, and grandmother of 4 has been crocheting for 30 years. "Crocheting is my passion and what I do to relax." she says.  I hear ya, Renee! What a great way to unwind after a hectic day at work.

And may I share with you all the rest of her beautiful space?  It looks so inviting and serene. 

I can hear all the sighs coming from you all now.

 

 

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us, Renee!  Keep up the beautiful work!

tara.

sneak peek.

Perfect for fall, the crochet pattern for this super easy, stylish slouch will be coming your way soon...

 

 

 

kim.

november 2012 issue of inspired crochet.

 

Kristi Simpson of RAKJpatterns has put together a digital crochet magazine featuring lots of your favorite online crochet designers and we are thrilled to announce that one of our crochet patterns, the Felted Mary Jane Booties, will be featured in the November 2012 issue of Inspired Crochet.

 



Felted Mary-Jane Booties by Kim Miller

If you would like a chance to win the November, 2012 issue of Inspired Crochet Digital Magazine visit http://www.inspiredcrochet.com/Subscribe_c4.htm. All you have to do to enter is 'LIKE' Inspired Crochet on Facebook and leave a comment saying that you are entered and also who sent you! So hurry on over to enter!!!

 

The giveaway will end Friday October 19, 2012 at midnight and the November's issue of Inspired Crochet will be released on November 1st. Kristi will personally contact the winners via Facebook.

 

 

 

kim and tara.

 

 

can you felt items in a front loading washer?

I have found that items will felt in a front loading washer, but it may take a few washings. Remember that it is a combination of heat and friction that causes an item to felt, so throwing the item in the dryer will also speed up the felting process. Although these are the easiest methods for felting there are some downsides. The biggest being that with machine felting you don't have as much control over how much the item felts.

For example, I had one pair of slippers that I didn't love enough, and I just kept throwing them in the front loading washer. I probably washed them about 3 or 4 times and in between washing I didn't even so much as give them a second glance. Unfortunately, as you can see from the pictures, I found that they didn't felt evenly.

 

The machine scrunched up the fabric in such a way that wherever there was a fold, the fabric didn't felt completely.

In the end I was able to salvage the slippers by vigorously scrubbing them by hand, but tiny evidences of the wrinkles still showed.

 

Now, to eliminate this problem I will often do a combination of hand and machine felting. Also, because a front loading washer spins the fabric until it is almost dry I will always finish off with a quick hand felting. That way I am able to shape the item and allow it to dry naturally.

I would love t hear from others about their felting experiences.



Related Posts:

what is felting?
felting tutorial.
felting gone awry.
can you felt wool by boiling it?

kim.

day at the office.

Have you ever wondered what an average work day for a crochet designer looks like? Drew Emborsky, AKA The Crochet Dude, posted this video on YouTube and I think that it is absolutely hilarious! Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

 

 

kim.

new pattern - midnight wrap by kim miller.

 

 

Skill Level: Intermediate

This beautiful crochet lace wrap was designed to be worn as a scarf or a light wrap and can be paired with jeans for an everyday look or worn as an elegant shawl on that special evening out.

The crochet pattern calls for 2 ¼ skeins of Knit Picks® GlossTM Lace (0) which is a gorgeous combination of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Silk.To show off the pretty lace pattern blocking is recommended. The blocked shawl measures approximately 195 cm/77” long and 38 cm/15” wide.

This rectangle shawl is crocheted from the center out and the pattern uses the following stitches: sc, dc, tr, dtr, clusters, and bobbles. To compliment the written pattern a chart has been added.

 

 

Buy Now

 

 

 

 

kim.