Crochetville's 2016 National Crochet Month Designer and Yarn Shop Blog Tour

It's here! Today, March 8, is your next stop on the blog tour! I hope you've been following it to find all about your favorite designers, and yarn shops. If so, you've also been able to enter drawings for GIVEAWAYS and access to free patterns.

UPDATE on GIVEAWY and FREE PATTERN - The deadline to enter the drawing for the book is Monday, March 21. That is also the deadline to make a comment to receive a free pattern. I will try to send the patterns as soon as possible, by the end of the tour. I've been waiting on the individual patterns from the oublisher, but they are in a transition and so I may send my original pattern on the Little Black Dress. I have the sweater pattern too. Please leave your email in the comment, so I can send the pattern. If you do not want to do this, please contact me privately. Thanks for being patient!

As I promised, in celebrating National Crochet Month,  I am doing a GIVEAWAY for my newest book, Colorful Crochet Lace.

Win this Book!

You can enter by making a comment and stating you
want to be entered. Please leave your info on how I can contact you, such as your Ravelry ID, Facebook name or your email. If you have already bought the book I want to personally thank each and every one of you for supporting me and my designing. You don't know how much you mean to me! If you love the book please leave a review on Amazon or the Interweave website. Every review counts and I can't thank you enough for the mostly 5* reviews! If you are hearing about this book for the first time you can go to my designer friend, Natalia's Outstanding Crochet blog  to read her review of the book and see the projects on the inside.

The next thing I promised you in celebrating National Crochet Month is a free pattern. Normally, in the past, I have offered something small, like the socks last year or another accessory other years.

1st Choice for your FREE Pattern - Little Black Dress - Beginner Level!

The Little Black Dress is flattering on any size or shape. Since the beginning chain is at the side, the rows are vertical, meaning that if your gauge is off or you feel like you made the wrong size, all you have to do is add or delete rows to get a perfect custom fit! You can't go wrong with my signature Graduated Stitch Method of making garments! 100's of people have written me saying they made their first garment with this easy method (from Crochet That Fits) and they are thrilled how easy it was and how perfect their garment fits. Some of these people have been crocheting for 30 or 40 years and only made afghans and scarves before! This is the whole reason I created this method! If you've made my "Cap Sleeve Top" that was offered as a free pattern when I appeared on the Knit and Crochet Now TV show, I just want you all to know the black dress is made very similar to that.

This year I wanted to offer something a little more special. I have never done this before and got permission from the publisher. I had the delima of either offering the Little Black Dress on the front of Crochet That Fits or the Ivory Shells Sweater on the front ofPositively Crochet. Since I couldn't decide on which one, I had the idea to give you a choice of which pattern you want for free. I will only be offering the pattern for 1 week after this blog post, which will be through March 14. I realize many of you have both books so that wouldn't be a good deal for you, so if you already have those patterns please let me know, and I'll try to come up with a different free pattern. Leave a comment letting me know which pattern you want and I will send it to you by pdf through email. 

2nd Choice for your free pattern - Ivory Shells Sweater

 Ivory colored sweater at right was made with Berroco Softwist (# 4) yarn (no longer available), and blue sweater at let was worked with Caron Simply Soft, also a # 4, but in my opinion works up smaller than a # 4. Both of these sweaters were made in size small and both girls are about a size 2. If you decide to use Simply Soft (# 4) you may need to go up one size in the pattern. A much larger hook was used with the Simply Soft, so make note of that in the pattern. 

Ways you can find me on the Web

(please look me up so we can connect!)

Blog: http://positivelycrochet.blogspot.com/

Ravery: http://www.ravelry.com/people/maryjane2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryjane.perryhall

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maryjanedesign/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryjanecrochet

Instagram - https://instagram.com/maryjane.hall/

Tumbr - http://maryjanehall.tumblr.com

Google+  https://plus.google.com/107516222355797139475

My Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Jane-Hall/e/B001JSB7CW/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

My Designer Fan Group - http://www.ravelry.com/groups/positively-crochet-and-crochet-that-fits-the-designs-of-mary-jane-hall

Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/cameraroll

Thanks for stopping by! 

I want to thank Amy Shelton and Donna Hulka for putting this altogether. I know they've worked all year on making it an even bigger and better blog tour.

Go to this link to see the whole schedule of designers and yarn shops featured:

/http://crochetville.com/2016-national-crochet-month-blog-tour-designer-schedule/

If the designers name is not clickable, just put their name in the search space at the top of the Crochetville.com post to obtain easy access to the post featuring them!

Designer Blog Tour 2015-National Crochet Month

Welcome Friends!

Thank you for visiting my blog today in celebration of National Crochet Month! Keep reading to see how you can enter a drawing to win a copy of my newest book, Colorful Crochet Lace! My freebe for today is a pattern for a pair of crochet socks with no increases or decreases.

If you'very been following the designer blog tour, you know that it is sponsored by Crochetville, a huge crochet community of people everywhere just as eager as ýou are with this craft. The founders, Amy Shelton and Donna Houlka, have been doing major things for years now to promote crochet. If you've never been to their site, you really need to do that! You will meet many other crocheters you can get to know, have access to free patterns, as well as finding tons of information on crochet.

Introducing my new book, Colorful Crochet Lace, 
published by Interweave / F+W. This book contains a variety of all lace projects - garments and accessories. The Fitted Pepum Top on the cover is the only one that is not entirely lace. Patterns are written for sizes xs to 2x with some in size 3x. I've included 4 garments with my Graduated Stitch Methid. For the description and how you can enter a 
drawing to win a copy, please keep reading!

During March we are also promoving CGOA (Crochet Guild of America). If you are not familiar with this National group you will want to read all about it! There are many benefits to joining and you will find a truckload of information.  You'll get a free subscription to Crochet! Magazine and also receive discounts to the annual Knit and Crochet Conference, known as Chain Link. In the past this has been held in Manchester, NJ and PA, but is being held in sunny San Diego this year, July, 2015.  I cannot tell you what a fun time this is. It has always been a highlight of my year! If you have aspirations of becoming a designer, in my opinion it is imperative that you attend this conference, where you will be able to attend informative classes. you'll get to meet other crocbeters, designers, publishers and editors. Other highlights include the fashion show on Saturday and the "market", where
vendors are set up selling yarn, books, and other gadgets.

Free sock pattern worked with my Graduated Stitch Method of making shaped garments
without using increases or decreases

This beginner pattern is super easy, with no increases or decreases and is worked in 1 piece, then seamed up the sides. My pattern, which has an optional lace edging, includes women's foot sizes 4-12 and men's sizes 6-14. It is easily adaptable for young children or a baby. Click on the link at bottom of page to receive your free sock pattern.

True color of yarn - Panda Silk by Crystal Palace

Crocheters everywhere are also encouraged to participate in Halos of Hope, an organization that collects hats for cancer patients. If you are able to crochet or knit a hat (any size) that would be very much appreciated! Click on the link for more info.

Description of Colorful Crochet Lace on Amazon

"A colorful take on crochet lace!"

Crochet lace is more popular than ever, and Colorful Crochet Lace brings it to life in living color. Designer Mary Jane Hall has created a stunning collection of 22 chic and wearable lace garments and accessories. You'll find a wardrobe's worth of colorful lace designs from chic shrugs and scarves, to cozy cardigans and tunics, to stylish dresses, T-shirts, and totes. The designs include simple, allover openwork patterns, as well as more intricate crochet lace patterns and motifs, which are worked in a variety of yarn weights and in a glorious range of colors from elegant jewel tones to earthy neutrals.

Several of the projects are constructed using the Graduated Stitch Method, a technique Mary Jane developed that allows for shaping and customized fit without increases or decreases, and many of the patterns include instructions for modifying designs and creating variations. With clear instructions, detailed stitch diagrams, and gorgeous photography, Colorful Crochet Lace makes it easy and fun to create exquisite crochet fashions.

*How To Enter The Contest For a*     
 Chance to Win A Copy!

All you have to do to enter the contest is to make a comment at the end of this post with your name and a way I can contact you, either through email, Facebook, Instant Messenger, or Ravelry, in case your name is drawn as a lucky winner! Thank you for visiting my blog today, and I hope you will comeback often!

*How to Access Your Free Sock Pattern*

Click on the link below for your free copy

http://positivelycrochet.blogspot.com/2015/04/free-sock-pattern-finished.html