New Pattern - Icelandic Tunisian Cable Scarf

I'm so excited to introduce a brand new pattern to you....the Icelandic Cable Scarf.

For so long I've been disappointed with crochet "cables" (really it's just front post stitches pretending to be cables).  You can imagine my excitement when I found out that there actually is a way to gorgeous puffy stitches that look very similar to knitted cables with my crochet hook!  What's the secret?  My newly beloved, Tunisian Crochet.
If you are unfamiliar with Tunisian crochet I HIGHLY recommend you check it out.  It is SO much easier than it's fancy name leads on (especially if you are already a crocheter or knitter).  Hop on over to YouTube right now and type in Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch to see what I'm talking about (hopefully someday I will be leading you to a NeoGrandma YouTube video...but don't let me hold you back). What'd you think?  So easy right?!  I used the Tunisian Simple Stitch throughout the scarf so that all of your concentration can be focused on working the cables (dropping several stitches, working a few more, then returning the dropped stitches back on the hook).  I hope you will agree that the result is far better than traditional crochet "cables"!

Trunk Show

CHANGE OF DATE!  THE TRUNK SHOW WILL NOW BE HELD ON TUESDAY, 12/4/12!

I'm having my very first trunk show this winter to sell some of my finished NeoGrandma goods.  I'm so excited I haven't been able to put down my crochet hook!  My focus is still on making new patterns (designing new things is what really excites me) and encouraging those who like my items to pick a pattern, grab a hook and try making it themselves; but it's nice to have non-crocheters want to sport some NeoGrandma as well.  Another exciting part about this trunk show is that NeoGrandma will be donating 20% of the proceeds to Jon Stemkoski's Celebrant Singers - an international music and missions ministry.

New Product Photos

On Monday morning just after dawn my best friend (model), sister-in-law (photographer), daughter (helper), and I packed up some of my cozy samples and headed out to the old Foundry to shoot some knock out photos for my upcoming crochet patterns (and some of my old ones too!).  I'm so blessed to have such amazing friends and family who are willing & excited (not to mention GORGEOUS & TALENTED!) to help me out with this!  We couldn't believe how many great backgrounds there were at the old Foundry.  It really looked as if we hit several spots in one day.  The weather was amazing...freezing and sunny - just right for modeling cozy accessories.  Here are a few of my favorite photos.  I'll post more as I publish the patterns.

Lace & Loops Neckwarmer

Autumn Leaves Cowl

Eskimo Kisses Hooded Cowl & Snow Leopard Paws

Teaching Tunisian Crochet

Learn How To Tunisian Crochet With Me!

Have you ever heard of Tunisian Crochet?  Some say it is a blend of crochet and knitting but I have to categorize it all on it's own.  Although you use a hook as in crochet, you keep your stitches on the hook as you work across the row.  You then finish the stitches by working back down the row to your starting point.  The result is a rather dense fabric (great for cozy winter garments) and SO many stitch designs and options.  I've been captured by this technique ever since I discovered it and now I have the opportunity to teach it to you!!  You will have the opportunity to learn 6 of my favorite Tunisian crochet stitches and used a large hook to create a medium weight triangle shawl.  The actual shawl pictured is at Knit Together in Exeter, CA so you can really get a feel for what you'll be learning and creating.  The details are below but you will need to hop in to Knit Together to register and pick up your yarn and hook before we begin.

Tunisian Crochet Class

@ Knit Together in Exeter, CA

March 17, 2012

Taught by Stephanie Sario

Cost: $40 (includes class, yarn, & Tunisian crochet hook)

Three for Two - March Discount

I couldn't be more thrilled with your response to the I Heart Patterns sale!  So thrilled in fact that I have decided to provide a new promotional discount every month!  Without further adieu, I bring you March's NeoGrandma discount...

Buy 2 NeoGrandma Patterns, Get 1 Free!!

Tomorrow I will unveil an exciting new opportunity for NeoGrandma & you along with...could it finally be?....a New Pattern! 

Rain, Rain, Won't You Stay?

I'm glad to report that we are FINALLY getting some wetness here in the usually sunny Exeter, Ca.  The poor ground was just begging for a little drink.  And although my kids are already running circles around the house I'm excited to spend a rainy day inside with the heater on, movie playing, and a crochet project in my lap. 

I've attached a little sneak peek at what I'm working on right now.  For those of you who crochet, this is a little Tunisian stitch that I discovered and can't wait to put in a pattern!  I just love all the different directions that are happening with this piece...you've got the amazing horizontal color changes (thank you Noro yarn...soooo beautiful!), the diagonal stitches that pop out on top, and the horizontal tracks in the back that hold it all together.  So cool.  (Eeek, I can just picture my husband rolling his eyes, smiling, and saying with all the love in his heart "you're such a yarn nerd"!)

I hope this brings some color and inspiration into your day.  Talk soon, but for now, enjoy the rain (I know I will!)!!

I HEART PATTERNS

NeoGrandma is offering a LOVEly promotion through February:  All Patterns Just $.99!!

Yay, I just love promos!  There are really several reasons for celebration:

#1  It's February...the month of love!  Or maybe it's just the month of hearts.  Seriously, I see hearts everywhere I go!  Either way, I'm happy to jump right in.

#2  Have you heard of Craftsy?  It's this fairly new awesome website where you can find how-to's and classes on just about anything you can think of in the craft universe.  Well, they recently added a section for...you guessed it...PATTERNS!  Yippee!  Naturally I jumped right into this as well.  Go check it out, I think you will find it very interesting: NeoGrandma's Craftsy Pattern Store.

#3  NeoGrandma's blog is getting a face lift!  I'm working with Stephanie G Designs to create a lovely new look.  I can't wait to get it up!

#4  Have any of you noticed the weather lately?!  Here in the central valley we have been experiencing some beautiful spring sunshine and crisp breezes.  It's the perfect combination for some serious inspiration.  My hooks have been flying (I've got so many ideas and projects going I had to buy some more hooks! haha) and I WILL get some new patterns out soon.  I bought myself a daily planner as things seem to keep speeding up and piling on.  Hopefully this will get me organized and on top of actually finishing something I've started.  I've already noticed slight improvement so we will see if it lasts.

Although I could go on and on about things that I'm celebratory about, I'll spare you.  For now:

Happy Heart Month!!

Spring Fever...Already?!

Ok, so I know it's not quite spring yet but with the weather we have been having lately (sun-shiney days with a cool breeze and some showers blowing in this weekend), who can't help but catch a little spring fever?!  I know I sure have.  So I thought it was time to spruce up my shop & blog (notice the new banner?), my patterns, and the NeoGrandma logo.  I'm so excited to show you!  Ok, here goes:

Haha, now that I put it there it doesn't look that different!  With the little design added to NeoGrandma, I am able to shorten my logo to fit it on small spaces...like so:

Oh, how cute!  What do you think?


Coming up:
The next phase in my (soon-to-be) spring cleaning is introducing new items and patterns to my shop.  I have tons of winter items that I've created but haven't quite finished writing and formatting the pattern to.  I'm pretty sure I'll still put them up in my shop since we really do have a few months of winter left.  Plus, it's never too soon to start making some cozy items and gifts for next year!  I've actually picked up some knitting needles and have started my very first knit design!  Let's see if I'm able to finish it. ;)