In This Issue

Oct. 29th, 2015

Mikey*NEW* Ticky Tacky Challenge

Mikey’s Afghan Debut

5Great Home Ideas

Hawt off the Hook with Mikey

2

Many full moons ago, I saw a video on YouTube that was posted by a fan of The Crochet Crowd. She was raving on how much she enjoyed The Crochet Crowd. She spoke with such integrity. What struck me the most is that she gave me a positive energy spike. She fumbled up in trying to describe why The Croche Crowd was so amazing. In tripping over her own tongue. She instantly reset herself and just said something so blunt.

“Tips… The amount of helpful tips from Mikey and peo-ple I don’t even know across the world helping me to be a better crocheter! It doesn’t get any better than that!”

People wanting to interview me always send me a list of questions to think about. “What are the best tips for crochet!” Somehow, I have to narrow down the best ultimate tips for crocheters. When you have a strong passion and have a sense of wanting to teach others, one tip leads to another. You want to embrace the creativity and share everything you know with the world. At least I do!

So let me try to share my ultimate tips and you may be surprised by what I say.

Your creativity is unique to you. It’s not about the speed, it’s about your own desire to learn, practice and grow. It’s a hobby, not a race.

Someone will always be a stronger crocheter than you. It’s a great thing because it shows you that you have a lot more to learn and you can keep growing. Trust me when I say, if you mastered crocheting in a matter of weeks, where’s the fun of the years of learning and constant evolution of skill building that will last you a lifetime?

With someone always being stronger than you, you are always stronger than the crocheters behind you. Not only are you learning, but you have the skills to teach the next wave of crocheters. You are a student, a teacher and most importantly, you are a mentor to someone somewhere, especially when are each connected through cyber waves.

You make me smile This week

You make me smile This week Unfortunately, I see more people beating themselves up for not being good enough with the crochet hook. Instead, they should be grateful for the skills they do know because you cannot call yourself a crocheter if you can-not enough do a simple stitch. Embrace the skills you do have instead of what you are missing.

Listen… I’m not the strongest crocheter. There are so many skills I don’t know and some skills I excel at. I am just enthusiastic about creativity. I’m obsessed with ensuring crocheters are getting help, tips and more. While I cannot respond to everyone, I know there are people within our community that often step forward and offer advice and a helping hand when needed. That’s what crochet community is all about. Our team is small but mighty but we cannot do it all by ourselves in helping people. We love the help and I know others appreci-ate receiving the help.

If you see a need, fill a need. Be the crochet mentor as it will be like our entire team here at The Crochet Crowd, the personal joy and enrichment you feel in helping others is joy that cannot be bought. It’s what keeps us work-ing here everyday. It’s the joy! - Mikey

Yarn Talk

: )

3 Yarn Talk4 Oven Mitt5 Colourful Scrubbies6 Hot Water Bottle Cozy7 Draft Dodger8 Facebook ?s with Jeanne9 MIkey’s Afghan release10 Mikey’s Video Library11 Spinrite E-Tent SALE FREE SHIPPING!12 Snowflake Candle Holder13 Trio Challenge, Week 114 The Pumpkin Bash Reveals15 Ticky Tacky Sweater16 *NEW* pumpkin tutorials and shares18 Facebook Shares Halloween20 Ideas from Yarnspirations. com22 Remembrance day Poppy23 Facebook shares 24 *NEW* Jewelled Ornament and Shares26 Facebook Meme27 Aloha our 2017 Cruise28 Diva Dan’s Thoughts29 Past Issues

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Crochet Comfort Rice Bag

Crochet Project for Purrrr-Fect Cats

Learn Tunisian

New Crochet Snowflakes Series

Contents

We personally have been looking for

oven mitts for a while and came across these. Made out of 100% cotton and using 3 strands at a time, this is a great idea for those loved ones that are such good bakers!

Add the little embel-lishment of any flower

or idea you want. The little pansy flower is perfect for Diva Dan! Now to get Diva Dan to make some more cookies and some pies. After all he did win baking queen of the year at his local fair when he was little! He is a bit out of practice.

Now get baking Diva Dan!

Oven Mitts

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Pattern

Scrubby Posey

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Many of us love to use cotton to make

dishcloths. This idea is ever so clever! Using colourful scrubbies found in a dol-lar store is a fantastic idea! Crocheting into the scrub-by and making a beautiful star pattern is a stylish idea for the kitchen.

Perfect too for making a gift basket that is for the

everyday person. It can be used anytime of the year.

June Clever may have used one of these way

back in the old days!

Pattern

We looked around for some neat but

almost wacky ideas that could keep you warmer for the winter. Great ideas even as a gift if you know someone that could use a bit more warmth.

We haven’t seen hot water bottles in a

long but many people still have the traditional un-sightly rubber water bottle. This idea is great! Beautiful and functional. This also keeps the bottle warmer too therefore lasting a bit longer. I like this idea, the first few minutes of hot water is just to hot, adding this cozy, you can absorb the heat without having to let it cool down a bit.

Hot Water Bottle Cozy

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Pattern

Draft Dodger

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I grew up in a house that was built in 1876. It was

old and had its drafts. I remember my mom would coil up some sheets and place them along the win-dows. It helped to keep those nasty winter winds from cooling the house down.

This idea is even cuter and great for a gift to

someone that has a few drafty areas. Whether on a window sill or the bottom of a door, let your imagi-nation go wild with other animal ideas

Make it a bit bigger and and you can turn it

into a long pillow.

Pattern

Facebook ?s with Jeanne

8 Jeanne is looking for questions on Facebook to answer.

I am new to crocheting and have caught on rather quickly!! I started doing the granny square blankets what is the best way to join them that will add to its durability! I’ve hand stitched the one that I completed for my son and wasn’t very happy with the turn out!! from Jessica W.

Granny squares are so much fun to make and there are several ways to join them. Mikey has a video demo of 5 different methods of joining, but since you are look for durability, I would choose to join them with a single crochet thru all 4 loops. It is the method that the Crochet Cruisers will be using to join their square for the Linus blanket donations. Not only is it strong, it creates a really neat window pane effect when you use a contrasting yarn. Here is a link to Mikey’s video:5 Ways to Join Squares

Someone on one of my groups posted earlier about having a hard time getting a signal on her phone in Joanns and she wasn’t able to bring up her coupon. If you do a screenshot of your coupon, you don’t have to worry about a signal, and the screenshot works just as well. I do this at Michaels, Joanns, Hobby Lobby, and other stores with online coupons. from Jackie P.

That is a great tip and well worth sharing. I love not having to clip paper coupons anymore, but have to remind myself to pull up the coupons before I get into the store. I don’t know how many times that silly phone of mine just freezes up with no signal when I’m in any of these stores. Thanks for sharing!

I need some help/advice....I am working on a project that I have changed colors several times....I have long tails on the wrong side of my work....how do I se-cure them before trimming them. I did trim a few and found that I had holes that I had to fix. I know I am doing something wrong.....I want to do this right....thanks!! from Beverly B

Finishing off your project correctly can become the most important part. After all your hard work, definitely don’t want threads popping out and stitches to become undone. Mikey’s best advice to use a darning needle and run the tail end through a section of the finishing area. You slide back and forth under the stitches 3 times. Due the yarn being slid back and forth 3 times, the yarn will never pop out as it cannot wiggle its way out. And no one says you have to wait until the end. Try weaving as you go along so it doesn’t feel so time consuming at the end. Here is a link to Mikey’s video demo of the finishing technique. DIY: Crochet Finishing Technique

Mikey’s Afghan

9For More Information

Debuts Monday!

If love the teaching, the patterns and the down to earth nature of Mikey, then take the time to subscribe to the Crochet Crowd’s YouTube Channel. You will get updated with all the latest videos that could spark your next project!

Beginner Tutorials by Mikey

How to Single Crochet How to Double Crochet

How to Half Double Crochet

Body Positions Understanding Hooks and Gages

How to Treble Crochet

Click10

October 28th, 2015 @ 9am (EST) to

November 2nd, 2015 @11:59pm (EST)

Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through

Try out these patterns from Yarnspirations.com with your new order!

Lots of Cotton on sale to make this Circles Throw

This blanket is so very soft with Pipsqueak at the E-tent

Order large balls of Benat Baby Sport to make this Brlanket

Spinrite’s E-Tent

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Our Jeanne came up with a great little

decoration for around the home. A snowflake candle holder!

Learn how to make this neat little decoration

through our blog. She has a step by step photo gallery of making this cute snow-flake candle holder. This is her first ever pattern. Awesome Job Jeanne!

She couldn’t find what she was looking so, in-

stead, she gave a whirl and came up with her very own version that is twirling in her head.

Snowflake Candle Holder

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Pattern

Headband

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Yarnspirations newest challenge has begun.

This one is an easy pleasey. Quick to do and it consist of three small items perfect for wearing . Learning a few new stitches is the best part!

These headbands are the first of the chal-

lenge which have a great stitch pattern that you will love. Use a variegated yarn such as Caron Simply Soft Ombres.

Stay tune next week for the wristers.

Both Right and Left version are available

to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

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The Great and Scary reveal will happen on Saturday, Halloween Eve.

Who will have the best and awesomist pumpkin. Will it be Carmi, the beading expert, How about Cathy, the blue ribbon fair Queen. Could it be Jeanne, the quick and traditional super star or Mikey! What will Mikey

present to the panel of strict and driven judges!

I’ve seen Mikey’s version, he’s going to get clobbered!

Cast your vote on Facebook!

Our party is strictly cyber where the collection of your completed sweaters will come together in one mega gallery. You can opt to wear your sweater in the picture and/or display it in a fun way for the

photo. You can expect your photo to potentially go viral. People love to see Tacky Sweaters. They will giggle and want to share it with their friends. It’s your opportunity to be in the lime light!

Ticky Tacky Challenge

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Have you ever made your own Tacky Christmas Sweater? Obviously, wearing a Tacky Christmas Sweater takes a bit christmas fun and laughs but you can be the life of the party too.

Beginning Nov 15, 2015. We will be releasing the details to challenge you to make your own Ticky Tacky Sweater.

More Information

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Both Right and Left hand ver-sions are available to watch

Learn how to crochet your own Pump-kin for Halloween, Fall or even Thanks-giving. These make for fabulous home decor items for a center piece or strate-gic fall decorations.

Large size Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

We have 4 size Pumpkins*NEW*

Small size Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

Large Mini size Pattern, Video, and Blog click

hereSmall Mini size Pattern,

Video, and Blog click here

Pumpkins done by Elaine Young, John Paul Dennis, Wendy Chavalia, Dawn Cavanaugh, Jerri Maynard, Deb Wasnock, Bilene Wei, Carol Hughes, Rob Rohrman & Emily Hobson created the SUPER SIZE pumpkin

The Pumpkin Patch on Facebook

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Ada’s little one has been trying to scare everyone with her costume.

Zombie Owl is Colleen’s costume this year!

Angela finished her fall wreath now the Christmas one! Nice Job!

Ride em Cowboy! Brandi make chaps and a cowboy hat. Super!

Snow’s granddaughter’s little doll is also going to be dressed up!

Styrofoam head contest for Hallow-een! What a great idea Christine!

Shares of Halloween

The OMG pumpkin by Jamie for her Nephew

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Camella‘s Day of the Dead skull. Awesome!

Happy Halloween

These are many samples of what The Crochet Crowd Community is doing for Halloween.

Many of these patterns are ideas and inspiration created by the crowders themselves. Also you can go to our Facebook Page, Click ‘Photos’, them ‘Photos Posted by Others’ and scroll down to find what you are looking for. Don’t forget to say you love their Creativity!

Evelyn did a great job with the Rob-in from Batman Costume!

Susan has Pumpkin Patch Fever!

Ewok ! So lovable! Great costume Helen!

This Scarecrow is fantastic! Nice work Michelle

Punky Pumpkin and Cornelius Candy Corn! Love the names

Karen!

Hair and hat is done Very Cute Catherine!

Shares of Halloween

Liz’s little dragon is ready for hal-loween too!

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Happy Halloween

Get Your Own Card

Imagine free shipping anytime exclusively for members of The Crochet Crowd! Need an emergency order of yarn, get your code and keep it on file! Only at Yarnspirations.com.

Does not include any sales from the Spinrite E-Tent.

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Ideas

Wavy Ripple Blanket Crochet Striped Mittens Vintage Lace Bag

Granny Stripes Afghan

Huggable Frog Pillow

Shawl Collar Cardigan

Triad Shawl Cozy Kid Cowl

On the Lace Cardigan

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Remembrance Day is coming up. Lest we Forget! We have a Poppy pattern and video BUT please don’t for-get to support the Veterans handing out the traditional poppy. If you choose to wear you own crochet poppy, do make a donation in honour of their fight for freedom. It is the least we can do.

Remembering with Poppies

I Think this is a neat idea. It is the Mystery afghan but with Flowers on it by Shay B Archi. The flowers look like Poppies. Very fitting for Remembrance Day (Canadian)/ Veterans day (U.S.) coming up.

PatternVideo

Stephanie is learning Tunisian! Looking good!

A Halloween Peppermint Swirl Afghan! Cool idea Nica

Jessica’s Halloween bags with reflec-tive yarn used in Mikey Video

Kelly finished her winter blanket with a few changes to the joining

and borderThis wreath is FULL of autumn

ideas. Very nice Kathryn!

Julia’s First Big Project. She did the Dusty Snowflake Afghan! Congrats!

Shares from Our Community

Denise made this with love. This is called The Tree of Life. Great work!

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Mike the Monster by Trica. As she says, Everyone needs a

Mike(y)

40 hats and 3 scarves off for dona-tion. Good for you Kim!

Denise has been busy doing two of our patterns. Diva Dan’s Scarf and

the Texture Hat.

Jewelled Snowflakes

This absolutely stunning Jewelled Snowflake Ornament is fabulous and one of the most exciting patterns I have done in a long time.

I love how this ornament sparkles with Caron Simply Soft Party Yarn but also that it is three dimensional. The inte-rior circle has thickness as there are two centre motifs put together to give it weight and structure.

You could put potpourri in between the two centre motifs for air scenting. I definitely wouldn’t put Cat Nip in this as your cat make go rangy all over your Christmas Tree.

I felt in this pattern that if you don’t have the hanger made, it would be an amazing topper for prepackaged gifts like tin cookies or even hang from the neck of a bottle of wine or champagne.

Give it a try!

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

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*NEW*

Snowflakes made by the following Michelle Adams, Caroline Martin, Anita Dahl, Mary Burket, Susan Cornish, Vivien Bichette, Diane Beadle, Tonia Warren, Ann Phillips, Maria Martins, Georgia Ray and Sarah Thompson 25

Stunning Snowflakes Jewels on Facebook

What would your meme say?

Check in with us, we will post on Facebook, the photo Meme of the day. We like you to come up with something clever for the photo. We will pick the one we like, then add it to our Magazine!

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THBPBTHPT to you SANTA!

I would make a great reindeer!

See the video of Diva Dan trying to spell THBPTHPT

Crochet Cruises Update

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ALOHA!We have announced our

dream 2017 Crochet Crochet

Cruise!Yes, It is a trip to HAWAII! Can you imagine!

February 2nd, 201715 days! From San Francisco and back

For more information on staterooms and how

to book please click here.

Diva Dan!

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Are you getting dressed up for Halloween?Michael and I always talked about heading off to a Halloween party. But what would be dressed up like? We have joked that Michael would dress up like a crochet hook and maybe I would be the yarn ball? That just opens up way to many thoughts!

The last time I ever dressed up with in Univer-sity. It was music party after a concert we did. I was quite the social butterfly back then and being in university, the party scene happened way too often. I had one friend that insisted that she wanted to dress me up as a girl for Halloween. She insisted that I would be the prettiest girl! So I decided to let her do her magic since her begging was getting too much for this music student to ‘Handel’.

I was prized for such perfect girl legs, so that was another ordeal I had to deal with (to this day never again) I don’t know how women can stand the growth of hair coming ‘Bach’! We borrowed a dress, did my nails and the makeup was caked on like a wedding gone wild. To top all this, I seriously had the worst dollar store wig on. But something still was still not right, so my friend decided that it would be best to stuff cotton balls up my checks on my face to give more definition. I didn’t even have a mirror to see what was going on! Well the show had to begin, I had nearly the whole orchestra waiting for the debut! The doors opens and the laughs begun! Yes I was NOT the prettiest girl I thought I would be! The night was fun! We all had a blast. Unfortunately I made it home with no phone numbers. My plan was foiled. (Sorry I lost the Photos) *wink*

Enjoy your Halloween if you plan to have some fun! Be safe and enjoy the time dressing up! Happy Halloween, Diva Dan

‘Don’t touch the Bird!’ says Diva Dan

Past Issues

This newsletter is produced by Michael Sellick and Daniel Zondervan, Creative Directors of TheCrochet Crowd. While we try our best to provide a grammatical error free newsletter, a few errorsmost likely will slip between the stitches. We are a very small company with a creative thirstycrochet following. If we are to produce a newsletter that has no errors, we would never be able tosend one out.

Our team is also propelled by Colleen Barden - Samples & Show Support, Laura Jean Bartholomew - Community Info Seeker and Jeanne Steinhilber - Community Chaperon.

© 2015 TheCrochetCrowd.com

You can download our newsletters from our web-

site anytime you wish. If you decide to print, the

links will be not active. In any case, most of all

the patterns can be found again through our web-

site.TheCrochetCrowd.comTo join our newsletters for our latest Magazine

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