Très Chic Neck Warmer

This is one of my favorite designs in my book, Colorful Crochet Lace, probably because I love texture and green is one of my favorite colors. It's a pretty fun pattern too!

Très Chic Neck Warmer/ Capelet/ Neckwarmer by https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tres-chic-neck-warmer
Mary Jane Hall. 
Pattern is in the book, Colorful Crochet Lace (Shown at right).

To read more about this pattern, please go to my Ravelry designer page
here.https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tres-chic-neck-warmer

Très Chic Neck Warmer / Capelet design by
Mary Jane Hall

Parsian Gardens Crochet Circular Shawl

There are 22 projects in my latest book, Colorful Crochet Lace, published by Interweave Press, a branch of F+W. I have not had the time to write a detailed description with several pictures of each project, so I thought I would just go ahead and do a post on each design, but add to the post later. In the meantime, if you want to see all my designs I've had published in the past 11 years, please go to my Ravelry Designer page here. My Ravelry ID is maryjane2.

Parisian Gardens Circular Shawl from Colorful Crochet Lace 
by Mary Jane Hall

This shawl has to be one of my all time favorites. I love the color, the shape and the delicate lace yarn. If you've never worked with a lace yarn before, this would be a great pattern to start with. Please don't let the small yarn intimidate you. I've designed this with long, open stitches, so it will not take forever to finish.

Parisian Gardens Circular Shawl in Colorful Crochet Lace
by Mary Jane Hall, worn as a Scarf!

Circulsr Shawl worn as a Cowl

Parisian Gardens Circular Shawl by Mary Jane Hall, could easily be made into
a colorful mandala with several diffrent colors!

La Vie en Rose Crochet Shawl

La Vie en Rose Shawl

This stunning shawl pattern can be found in my latest book, Colorful Crochet Lace, seen at right, published by Interweave Press, a branch of F+W. It calls for lace weight yarn, but to make it go quickly, I doubled the lace yarn. Its still very drapsble though and can be rolled up to be worn as a lightweight neck scarf. See picture below.  

La Vie en Rose Shawl

If you do not want to use a lace weight yarn, you can easily use a # 2 sport, # 3 dk or even a # 4 worsted weight. Gauge does not matter with this project unless you want the shawl to be the exact size as the one pictured. 
Yarn I used is Juniper Moon Farm Findley.

This is Starf1owr's rendition of the shawl shown on Ravelry. I love it in this blue color!

La Vie en Shawl worn as a scarf

Ma Chéie Scarf in Colorful Crochet Lace

The photos in the book do not capture the features of this lacy scarf with an arched edging. It is shown plaed on top of a black and white striped dress, which makes it difficult to see the pretty stitch pattern, so I am posting some of my own pictures. The edges are supposed to be curved into an arch, but by the time it was passed around to the tech editor, and stylist at the photo shoot,  I'm sure the scarf had stretched. I hope my personal photos do the scarf justice and give you ideas.

Colorful Crochet Lace - 22 lace garments and accessories. 100% Mulberry Silk yarn by Louisa Harding was used for this scarf. 
By Mary Jane Hall

Ma Chérie Scarf from Colorful Crochet Lace

Ma Chérie Scarf from Colorful Crochet Lace worn as a Cowl

Scarf worn with a Bow at the Shoulder

Scarf Worn as a Belt

Ma Chérie Scarf Tied into a Bow

Walk in the Park Capelet from Colorful Crochet Lace

This is my own photo. I meant for it to be worn like this. See the photos the publisher put in the book below. They have it more scrunched up like a collar. 

The Walk in the Park Capelet is the smallest and easiest project in Colorful Crochet Lace. This is a beginner project with only chs, sc & dc, which would be great as a CAL project for a beginner's class. I wrote the pattern for sizes small - 3X and the yarn is Patons Grace, a 100% cotton. This is a # 3 dk wt in the color viola.

You can make this longer by adding rows and if you want it wider, add extra chains between the dc shells. To see more details and all the projects in the book go to my Ravelry Designer page HERE.

By the way, don't you just love the photos in this book? The very talented photographer is Joe Hancock.

Walk in the Park Capelet by Mary Jane Hall in Colorful Crochet Lace

Walk in the Park Capelet by Mary Jane Hall in Colorful Crochet Lace

A Ravello User Made This! I love the color and this shows how
it looks with thicker yarn

Ooh Lá Lá Flared Dress in Colorful Crochet Lace

Ooh Lá Lá Flared Dress by Mary Jane Hall

Back View without Belt

This dress is worked with my signature Graduated Stitch Method of making shaped garments without having to use increases or decreases.

Foundation chain begins at sides and the rows are worked vertically. If the size you are making is not wide enough or is too wide, because your gauge is off, all you have to do is add or delete row for a custom fit!

Pattern is written for sizes small - 3X and should be flattering on everyone.

Yarn used is Cascade Heritage Silk fingering, a blend of wool and mulberry silk.

Skill level is intermediate

Magnifique Modular Tunic in Colorful Crochet Lace

Magnifique Modular Tunic in Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jane Hall

Today I'm featuring the Magnifique Modular Tunic from Colorful Crochet Lace. I wrote this pattern for sizes xsm- 3x and the yarn I chose is Caron Simply Soft Light, a # 3, dk weight, in Rivieraa.  The top is made up of large square motifs, making it a carry along project. I shotnw different ways the motifs can be put together to make different projects, such as a shorter top, a top with longer sleeves and putting together the squares as a large poncho or a shorter poncho. This would also make a great beach cover-up. To see the book on Amazon please click here : http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Crochet-Lace-Garments-Accessories/dp/1620336987/ref=pd_sim_b_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Y6KZHCJC5HWRAS3RED3

Dominique Dress Overlay in Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jane Hall

Today I want to feature the Dominique Dress Overlay in my new book, Colorful Crochet Lace. This is meant to be worn over another dress, over leggings or can be used as a swinsuit cover. Even though it is not real colorful to me, I wanted to have some projects in the book that may appeal to thos people who prefer a warm or pastel color pallette. As you may know by now, my favorite color pallette is medium cool colors.

Dominique Dress Overlay by Mary Jane Hall
from Colorful Crochet Lace

The yarn is nice and easy to work with. It's Tahki Cotton Classics Lite, a # 2 sport wt in 100 % cotton with a slight sheen in color # 4253 - wheat.  I wrote this pattern for sizes small - 3x. Beginning ch is at the top, and I give instructions on how to make this into a crop top, a tunic and even a skirt by eliminating the straps. I tried it on my mannequin and the top area right below the straps fit the waist perfectly. I made a slit opening in the back at the waist so it would easily go over the hips. If you wanted a maxi overlay to go over another maxi skirt all you have to do is keep adding rows! As you can see by my photos, it looks good worn with or without a belt! Try wearing a belt at the waist also.

Dominique Dress Overlay by Mary Jane Hall in Colorful Crochet Lace

Close-up view of Dominique Dress Overlay in back

To read more about Colorful or to order, please go to this link:http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Crochet-Lace-Garments-Accessories/dp/1620336987/ref=pd_sim_b_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Y6KZHCJC5HWRAS3RED3

Brigitte Wide Belt in Colorful Crochet Lace

Brigitte Wide Lace Belt in Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jane Hall

 Brigitte Wide Belt - another design in Colorful Crochet Lace. I wanted to have a few accessories that were quick along with the garments and since my research told me wide lace belts would be a huge fashion statement for 2015, this is what I came up with. Pattern is written for sizes x small - 3× and the ribbon is optional. This could be made in any color and would go with just about anything! To make it interesting and fun, you can weave a different color ribbon through, depending what you are wearing. Even though black is not considered a color, the publisher and I decided that this needed to be in black because it will go with any colorful dress or top.
                                       Did you know I LOVE LACE?!

Widea Belts I found on the Web below. I hope you like my version!

Boutique Bolero in Colorful Crochet Lace

Boutique Bolero - design I am featuring today from my new book, Colorful Crochet Lace. Flattering on every body shape and size, the pattern is written for sizes xs - 2× with a choice of making shorter sleeves. The yarn I chose is Be Sweet Bamboo sport weight, which is one of my favorite yarns that drapes really well. It's so soft and has a beautiful sheen! The bolero fits in w/ today's styles being longer in the back. I love the stitch pattern, and my little dangling Bobbles make it interesting. Of course they are optional. Easy pattern!

Boutique Bolero by Mary Jane Hall in Colorful Crochet Lace

 If you're interested, you can read more about the book on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Crochet-Lace-Garments-Accessories/dp/1620336987/ref=zg_bsnr_5132_3

Isabelle Sleeveless Tunic in Colorful Crochet Lace

The Isabelle Sleeveless Tunic is an easy pattern that uses my signature Graduated Stitch Method of making crochet garments without increases or decdeases. I wrote the pattern for sizes xs - 3x. The beginning chain is at the side so you can make it longer or shorter, depending on your mood. It would look great as a maxi dress too! I used Rowan Panama (A sport weight yarn) which is 50%cotton and 50% linen  This design is an easy one that would work up pretty quickly with the size "I" recommended hook!

Isabelle Sleeveless Tunic by Mary Jane Hall

To order Colorful Crochet Lace, click on this link which takes you to Amazon. For your info, the book has been on at least 2 Best Sellers Lists and also # 1 in Hot new releases for several days now and it's not even officially released yet! It's not a pre order anymore though. If you order it now, you will get it right away.

Juliette Scarf in Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jan Hall

Today I want to feature the Juliette Scarf from Colorful Crochet Lace. I love crochet fans and had to have that stitch in this book.  Yarn is Patons Silk Bamboo in DK wt. I love the feel of that smooth yarn in my hands! Speaking of the yarn, can you tell yet that plum is one of my favorite colors?

 This looks fabulous wrapped around the neck in a circle like a cowl, because the fans are scalloped around the circle. Love the Anthrapologie look of the photo.

Juliette Scarf in Colorful Crochet Lace

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Crochet-Lace-GarmentsAccessories/dp/1620336987/ref=pd_sim_b_12ie=UTF8&refRID=1Y6KZHCJC5HWRAS3RED3

La Fleur Doily Bag from Colorful Crochet Lace

4th project in Colorful Crochet Lace I want to feature is the La Fleur Doily Bag. It's one of my favorites and is so much simplier to make than it looks. I've grown to love the pineapple stitch design and wanted to showcase it here. I wrote the pattern in 2 sizes. This size and a much larger bag!

LA Fleur Doily Bag by Mary Jane Hall in Colorful Crochet Lace

Yarn 

SMC Catania Sport 

100 % cotton

I want to thank my friend Natalia Kononova of Outstanding Crochet for the inspiration!

Amazon link for 
Colorful Crochet Lace

Colorful CrochetLace: http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Crochet-Lace-Garments-Accessories/dp/1620336987

Au Naturel Cropped Top from Colorful Crochet Lace

 The next project I want to feature from my new book is the Au Naturel Cropped Top. So far this seems like a favorite with Ravelry members. The designs are all listed there. I used a DK #3 weight cotton-linen yarn (Farm Zooey by Juniper Moon) and the pattern is written for sizes SM - 3X. Top is worked in 2 pieces from the bottom up and seamed at the sides, leaving an opening for the armholes. Then a pretty lacy edging is added to the neckline, cap sleeves and bottom edge. There are no increases or decreases in this one either!

Hope you like it. If you missed the navy blue Unique Tunique Pullover I posted, please see my previews post.

Au Naturel Cropped Top in Colorful Crochet Lace

Unique Tunique Pullover from Colorful Crochet Lace

The time is drawing near! The Colorful Crochet Lace release date is not until July 24, 2015, but I have been given permission by the publisher (Interweave Press / F+W) to go ahead and start posting some of the projects in the book.

 The first one I want to share is the Tunique Unique Pullover. We did a French theme for the book and decided to give the projects French names or words. I love the outdoor setting of the book. Photo shoot was in Denver, Colorado at various places - gardens, coffee shop and a sidewalk cafe. This top will be flattering on anyone - I wrote the pattern for sizes XS -3X & there are NO increases or decreases! # 2 Sport weight yarn (Rowan wool / cotto fingering), was usedan for this projet. Let me know what you think!

Pullover design by Mary Jane Hall /  image copyright by Joe Hancock

Pre-Order Colorful Crochet Lace & Receive Bonus Pattern Now!

If you have considered ordering my newest book, Colorful Crochet Lace, maybe I can temp you today to go ahead and do that. Pre orders are very important in the success of the book and so the publisher, Interweave Press, and I are offering the pattern for one of the projects in the book to anyone who pre orders it before the release date of July 24, 2015. If you go to the Amazon link, order the book, and email me (maryjanehall@gmail.com) a screen shot of your receipt for the order, I will immediately send you the whole pattern, photos, diagrams and all for the Tres Chic Neckwarmer in PDF form.
A neckwarmer may not sound all that special, but this is one of my favorite designs of the whole collection. Many of the garments call for # 3 - dk, # 2 - sport or # 1 - fingerings wt yarns, but this one calls for a # 4 - medium worsted wt yarn. If you love texture, as I do, you would not be disappointed! The Tres Chic Neckwarmer, a 1 piece wrap style with button closure, is shown buttoned at the side of the neck and also turned and buttoned in front as a caplet style. I give additional instructions on how to make the wrap style neckwarmer into a larger (wider and longer) wrap style shawl. This one is sure to keep you warm!

Some may want to throw tomatoes at me since it's still only June, but order the book now, receive the Tres Chic Neckwarmer pattern today and get a head start on your Christmas gifts! I thank you in advance for helping me out with this!

Link HERE to order Colorful Crochet 
Lace on Amazon 
Take a peak inside!

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