End of March….

Wow! What an (Inter)National Crochet Month it has been!

The party on Ravelry has been a blast (wish I could have been there more often!), we’ve had great topics on the CLF HQ message board on Ravelry, and of course our very first annual Crochet Awards, the Flamies, happened with not too many glitches!

CLF members don’t forget we have a nominating group on Ravelry, so keep your eyes posted for beautiful designs, books, patterns and more throughout 2009 for next year’s awards…Cause hey next time we’ll know what we’re doing!

Remember we’re doing the make up show for our winners that got lost in techno-land, TONIGHT on Getting Loopy! Looking foward to being there, join us at 9pm EDT/6pm PDT on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mary-beth-temple (Getting Loopy!) or download it via iTunes

See ya tonight!

The Flamies: Part DUH

That’s what we’re calling the Grand Finale of the Finale Process on Getting Loopy this coming Monday Night (March 30th, 9pm EDT/6pm PDT). For those not in the know, the first annual Crochet Awards (known as the Flamies) happened on March 16th 2009. The last eight winners/categories got lost in technoland.

Poor Mary-Beth found that her virtual switchboard had “poof” disappeared, along with the guests…We had odd thoughts that leprochauns had abducted our winners to get at the statuettes…but alas it was merely a technical glitch.

So tune in tomorrow night, Monday March 30th for the CONCLUSION of the Flamies on Getting Loopy with Mary Beth Temple! If you can’t join us live, please download the archives…

For some reason she’s willing to have me back on the air, and once again I promise to be good, and I’ll talk louder…I’m terrible about that, I actually have a rather loud voice and so I tone it down not to blow out speakers and often over correct…sigh…

Anywho…More fun news about the CLF!

We are in the very first issue of the New UK magazine called Inside Crochet! I look forward to seeing what they have to say about us there! (link to come…I’m on dial up at the moment, so it’s torturous…Tuesday I’ll reblog with all the juicy links)…

The CLF First Ever Book is being reviewed in the May-June ‘09 issue of Quick and Easy Crochet magazine! That was so exciting I couldn’t sleep after I found out!

And…I and several other CLF members have been interviewed by Crochet Today Magazine about the CLF and our wacky ways…That should be out in the July/August ‘09 issue in time for our Second Anniversary!!!!

Now just in case you think my head’s getting too big…think again. I would like to remind you I am the mother of teens…My ego gets dented back into shape on a daily basis

Picot Freeing Jacket!

bolero jacket
Originally uploaded by amee16

CLF Member Amee16 made this beautiful bolero, from Doris Chan’s pattern ” Mei Mei Crochet Jacket” .http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mei-mei-crochet-jacket

Gorgeous work on this beautiful design…

Amee16 you are duly awarded the Set My Picot Free for wonderful crochet skills! Congratulations!

Yarn Companies: RENT A CLUE

Dear Crochet Enthusiasts,

Get ready for another rant.

Your Humble Servant,

Fearless Leader

I cannot begin to count the number of discussions on the CLF HQ message board on Ravelry, where CLF members have brought up the disparity in pattern availability for crochet from various well known yarn companies. Let me list a few: Bernat, Berroco, Cascade, Phildar, Malabrigo, Dale of Norway, Noro, Lopi. Again just a small list of yarns, not all of them terribly spendy, nor difficult to find.

The yarn companies like to say that crocheters are “cheap” or don’t buy good yarn, or patterns.
Ok, you folks know that I have not always been “Fearless Leader”, I actually have worked in the business world, suits, good shoes, and a lovely briefcase to boot…So, let me explain some very SIMPLE business principles to these companies.

Yup, free business advice (and some of the “too big to fail” corps may want to pay attention, because this is old fashion business practice and has NOTHING to do with creative accounting)…

1) Sales aren’t always based on patterns. The majority of crocheters buy yarn without having a project or pattern in mind. (80% according to my own survey).

2) Putting down potential clientele is a way to turn off consumers, and is a great way to not make money.

3) In the list above, only a few can be described as “premiere” brands. Folks like Bernat and Berroco need to understand that their glory days at “The Yarn To Buy” rest back in the 1950’s and has declined ever since. They are not premiere brands, they are affordable, decent yarn, that many people use to substitute for more “expensive” and premiere brands. In other words, instead of insisting we (the crochet community) are cheap, recognize that you aren’t the spendy yarn in the market and you’re biting the hand that feeds you.

4) Fashion and function are two separate issues. Just because something is in fashion one year, doesn’t mean it will be forever. Functional yarn will always be in style, even if color popularity rotates. Fads are temporary…

5) Online the majority of crocheters are an average of 35 years old. They do more than one craft, and enjoy many kinds of fibers. 60% of online crocheters use patterns. 69% live on either coast of the USA.

“Cheap yarns” sell more than any other kind of yarn, putting it down doesn’t change the fact. They sell to all kinds of fiber artists, from crocheters, to luceters, to knitters, and tatters. If you think knitters buy less Red Heart Supersaver think again my friends.

High end, price tags will make a certain amount of money in any business, but they don’t sell consistently and in volume.

As I once admonished a sales person I managed, “I don’t care if you brought in the big account three months ago, you haven’t brought in anything since then. Mr. X brought in 20 accounts in the same amount of time, they may not be as big, but it spreads out our income.”

So, shut up about the cheap comments, because truly and honestly I only buy Bernat and other similar yarns when I’m making items for bazaars, or for family who won’t take care of more special projects. I’m not the only person who chooses to do this, in fact most of my knitting friends feel similarly.

Oh one last thing, we buy lots of yarn, all kinds of yarn, and we don’t have to do so to crochet. We can crochet with anything that bends around a hook. We are not limited to garments, we can make House Cozies if we want to… So if you want more money, it’s called marketing.

Market to us, and gee you just might see an increase in sales.

CLF Helping Out with Saving Camano Island Library!

What? When and how the heck did that start happening?

Ok folks, I started talking about this on Ravelry. I work out of my local library A LOT! Why? Because, I can only get dial up at my home, and I refuse to get a satellite service because of a) the expense, and b) the speeds aren’t worth the price. The library on Camano Island, has high speed internet, I can use wifi, and I have zero problem donating to the library for the use.

Problem: The Camano Island Library is a pilot project and we may not get to keep it on the island. May not is the key phrase, because with enough community support and some fundraising, we can very much keep our library on the island.

I got involved with the friend’s group, and offered to chair the fundraising efforts. While we await our 501c3 #, we can do a long term project or two. One of these is the Save Our Library Penny Drive. Kids (and grown up kids) can save their pennies and when the bring them into the library they get a cute wiggly worm crocheted by either my friend Ann in Stanwood (Ann is a member of the CLF) or some of the wonderful worms donated by CLFers across the US of A!

Here’s a FABULOUS news article from yesturday’s Everett Herald Newspaper!

Thanks CLF!

Fearless Leader Dork Alert…

I must apologize to Takhi Stacy Charles Yarn, actually more to Stacy Charles. I spelled his name wrong, and gave Darlisa the information incorrectly. So it’s totally my fault.

I feel kinda like a dork…but that’s nothing unusual right?

I do thank Mr. Charles for attending the Flamies. That was pretty darn cool!

In fact I think it was pretty good the corporate types all showed up to recieve their accolades. Because we spend oodles on yarn and products…and knowing they appreciate our business is encouraging.

Shamrock Earrings are KITSCHALICIOUS!

Shamrock Earrings
Originally uploaded by CrazyOphelia

Ok, sure yesturday was St. Paddy’s Day, but heck guys I was making up for a lot of lost time! LOL

These cute little Shamrock Earrings were designed and made by CLF Member Valeryalta! These are deserving of an arbitrary CLF Award…

Valeryalta congratulations you have been granted the Kitschalicious Award for cute crochet in a holiday theme!

I love these…and oooh that yarn sounded very yummy indeed!

Check out more of Valeryalta’s projects on Ravelry.com!

More March Madness! By Gosh and Begora!

Ok, the jury doesn’t need me this week! YAY! Thanks to Bec Thomas I was reminded to call the courthouse after hours number to see if I had to drive the two hours, Bec is my bestest buddy, and brilliant art photographer (and I’m not just saying that cause she used to provide me with raw mohair) check out her Blog to see some GORGEOUS photos of the Pacific NW. THANK YOU BEC! For saving me from the evils of waking up at 6am.

So now I get to start work on more March Crochet Madness…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In honor of the day I’ve been teaching my daughter how to make Irish Crocheted leaves

I’m just waiting for a few more patterns to arrive in my in box and then I will start working on the book in earnest…but me thinks we got a few lovely patterns that show the fun, and foxy side of life!

I’ve just run across an e-zine called Croqzine, I had to look at it, cause someone involved is out of Oregon, my old stomping grounds…which is why I don’t think I’m all that radical. I mean really, isn’t standing up for what is right, and just, and good just what people do? Honestly, I don’t think speaking your mind, refusing to live in fear is all that radical, it’s just how I live my life. But then again, I’m a granola born and raised in Oregon, so at least I have an excuse (must be the water)…

Anyway, I’ve enjoyed the little blurbs I’ve read so far

OOOH Other big news, Marly aka The Yarn Thing starts her new podcast on Blog Talk Radio TONIGHT! 9pm Central, which is 11 Eastern and 8 Pacific, catch her TONIGHT!!!!! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing

And other news…Um Fearless Leader is a DORK again! I apologize to David Burchall and the crochet community at large for MISSING THE FREAKIN’ IDES OF MARCH! BAH! What was I thinking? Well I obviously wasn’t! I meant to announce his award here on Sunday, but um…Ms. Mom, Ms. Busypants, Ms. Honey-where-is-my, Ms. Fearless Leader, forgot

Next year I promise to be more organized!

The Flamies

Um…just like March, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”

Well, minions and crochet enthusiasts all, the Flamies (first annual Crochet Awards) came off, but not without a hitch! Good old Murphy’s Law was right there with us, reminding us that if we ever decided to take ourselves too seriously, to think again.

We kinda need a Mulligan (or do over) for the last third of the show since poor Mary-Beth had her switchboard completely disappear on her!!! Which means we lost the last and most prestigious award announcements! They shall have their day in the sun! We vow that!!!!! In fact the Mulligan happens on March 30th! Stayed tuned for more!

It’s still worth listening to the two thirds that went somewhat more smoothly than anticipated! (Never start feeling cocky that’s all this Fearless Leader has to say!)

To top it all off I’m going to try to get all you fabulous award winners the link for your awards but um….I start Jury duty and have to be up before the birds to get there in time…So I’m problem solving on the fly. Let’s hope for WiFi somewhere near the County Courthouse!

All in all it wasn’t too bad for another “Hey Gang, Let’s put on a show event from the CLF!”

If you can hear me blush when Doris Chan complements my pirate hat, you won’t be wrong. First off I love my pirate hat, secondly I think it’s cool that Doris Chan likes my pirate hat, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and like one of the cool kids J !

Ooooh and how cool was it that the industry people actually showed up for the awards! Thanks to Mary Beth for contacting them on behalf of the CLF! I’m glad they did show up, and actually appreciate the votes by our beloved crochet community!

They should, we spend buckets of money on yarn, hooks and patterns each year J

Best Crochet Magazine 2008

And the Winner Is….

Interweave Croc het

The Most Crochet Friendly Yarn Company

And the Winner Is….

Lion Brand

There are no nominees for this next award, this was at my whim!

Fearless Leader Award for a Crochet Friendly Yarn Company.

I am giving this award because of the many fabulous tales of equity, artistic freedom, and respect this company has given my colleagues. This yarn company is well known and beloved for how they treat crochet as an equal fiber art! The winner of the Fearless Leader Award for a Crochet Friendly Yarn Company.is:

Tahki/Stacy Charles

Best Crochet Hook by a corporation.

And the winner is by ONE vote!!! Boye

Best Online Crochet Magazine

And the winner is! Crochet Insider http://www.crochetinsider.com/

Best Crochet Blog 2008

And the Winner is ! The Crochet Dude
http://www.blog.thecrochetdude.com/

Best Crochet Podcast

And the winner is:

Getting Loopy
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mary-Beth-Temple

Best Crochet Hooks (handcrafted made by individuals and available for sale or by auction)

And the winner is!

Jimbo’s Hooks
http://www.jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com/\

Best Instructional/Technical Crochet Book 2008 Only books published in 2008 qualified for nominations.

Blue Print Crochet, Robyn Chachula

Crochet Pattern Book 2008 Only books published in 2008 qualified for nominations.

The Winner is!

Crochet that Fits: Shaped Fashion without increases or decreases, Mary Jane Hall

Best Crochet Instructor 2008

The Winner is!

Robyn Chachula

Best Crochet Design for Adults (men’s and women’s fashion, plus accessories)

And the winner is! Dragon fly Shawl by Lisa Naskrent (Ravelry ID crochetgarden)

Best Design Home Décor

The winner is!

Sunburst Bowl by Carol Ventura (ravelry ID Tapestrycrochet) who is currently in Paris with her Art History Class…sigh…Felicitations! Vive le crochet!

Best Crochet Designer for Women’s Fashions 2008

And the winner is!

Doris Chan (RavelryID DorisJChan)

Best Crochet Designer(Accessories: Hats, Scarves, Jewelry, Socks etc) 2008

And the winner is!

Kim Guzman (RavelryID CrochetKim)

Best Crochet Designer (men’s wear)

And the winner is!

Drew Emborsky (RavelryID thecrochetdude)

Best Crochet Designer (for children, children’s wear, accessories, toys)

And the winner is!

Candi Jensen (Ravelry ID Candijensen)

Best Crochet Designer (Home Decor: afghans, pillows, rugs, etc.)

The winner is!

Ellen Gormley (Ravelry ID Gocrochet

Best Free Form Designer

The Winner is!

Margaret Hubert (Ravelry ID MHDesigner1)

Best New Designer

The Winner is!

Tracie Barrett ( Ravelry ID traciecrochets

Individual Life Time Achievement Award Winner

Margaret Hubert (MHDesigner1)

First of I want to thank the CLF minions for carrying the Flaming hook of Justice in their project bags!

This year’s prize for Most Deserving of the Flaming Hook of Justice goes to …

David Burchall!

Congratulations to ALL of our nominees and winners! I love you all, you represent the hook well, and I invite all CLF members to join the Crochet Award Nominations discussion group on Ravelry.com! You can find it by going to “The Mother of All Stickies Thread” on our CLF HQ Group message board!

Once again a huge thanks to all of our members who helped me organize this and figure out how to do the dang awards! Thanks to Mary Beth Temple on Getting Loopy for hosting us! And Thank you to all who called in, including those who got “disappeared” by some weird technological snafu!

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Hi guys and dolls!

Today is THE day for the first annual Crochet Awards!!! The Flamies will be announced on Getting Loopy with Mary Beth Temple at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific!

Everyone needs to tune in! This is going to be so much fun! Thank you again to everyone who helped me get organzied, and special thanks to Darlissa Riggs for her fabulous artwork on the awards! I’ll be emailing the winners starting Tuesday with the webaddress where they can pick up the fine goodies!

Another special thank you goes out to Mary Beth Temple of Getting Loopy and Hooked4Life Designs for allowing us to cause chaos and mayhem on her show!

Don’t forget to tune in TONIGHT, and if you do forget don’t worry you can download the show starting Tuesday You may want to anyway, since we may go over time and that’s all recorded!

Happy Universal Crochet Month! (Yes, I’m quite sure the folks on Alpha Centuri prefer crochet)…

Hooks Raised CLF Salute!