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IN THIS ISSUE >>>

Page 2 | what’s NEW?

Page 3 | DW4 Winner Interview

Page 4 | Red Heart SOFT Yarn

Page 5-10 | Sneak Peek II

Page 11-15| 2013 Craftsy

Blog Winners Interviewed!

Page 16 | GIVEAWAYS

Page 17| CAL Challenge!

Page 18-20 | Sponsors

6 November

2013

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One solid year, and counting! One year ago this week I

launched the Design Wars Challenge, and it has made more

progress than I dreamed it would! With progress comes

adjustment and new goals, so that we can continue to evolve

and grow our ideas into a thriving and successful community,

and I think we have made excellent progress! Some adjustments

I’d like to mention are:

Application to join: I’ve created a better outline of

expectations and qualifications for applicants! I’m

hoping to find even more untapped crochet talent to

feature, and I look forward to seeing some brand new,

original design ideas in our future challenges!

Sponsorship opportunities: I support handmade,

“Mom-preneuers”, and small business. That’s why my

advertisement opportunities are modestly priced with

great exposure options; because we’re in this together!

Let’s continue working together for another great year of

crochet excellence, opportunity, and small business!

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Salena Baca (SB), on behalf of Design Wars: Has DW

changed the way you function as an

artist/designer?

Alessandra Hayden (HA), Just Be Happy Patterns: In

a way yes, it has taught me to work with whatever

yarn is given to me and to think on my feet,

because sometimes your idea just doesn't work

and there is a deadline that needs to be met and

you just have to be able to come up with

something new.

SB: What are you working now?

AH: At the moment I am working on my Design

Wars 5 project. What's exciting in my shop? I just

released a new pattern, my Lucile Bonnet!

SB: What pattern do you think we should feature as

our next CAL on the blog? Why?

AH: I think Katie Hanken's blanket, because winter is

just around the corner and it will be nice to

snuggle with and we can always use something

pretty around the house, too!

Alessandra’s Stool Cover patterns were such a clever idea for our

yarn in Design Wars 4! Fans loved these, and the design was chosen

for our Inside Crochet magazine feature last month! Beak Beak, Moo

Moo, and Mud Mud the stool covers were voted Most Original

Design in our 4th challenge, and we could not be more proud of

them! Congratulations Alessandra!

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http://www.designwarschallenge.com/2013/10/24/dw5-enter-to-win-a-crochet-today-subscription/

READ MORE | SHOP!

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For this challenge, I was inspired by combining primary colors with neutrals. I used red blue

and yellow with charcoal and light grey heather for an awesome stripy yoke. The pattern is

called Button Tab Pullover. The sample I made is for boys but it is a unisex pattern that would

look awesome in girly colors too! The pattern will be available in sizes newborn to children’s

size 10, plenty of sizes for all the cool kids in your life. This is so very easy to make! The stitch

used is a very simple variation of hdc and comes out looking like alternating rows of knit and

purl for a fabulous faux knit look.

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For my design I opted to go gender neutral. Canvas shoes are all the rage these days, so my crochet version is modeled

closely after this popular style. Now for the practical features. Intentionally thick stitching around the perimeter guards

against protruding toes. This is also a no-sew project. And for the fiscally savvy, the pattern includes directions for boots!

An optional color work cuff adds an extra dose of character to the shoes. This color work portion takes full advantage of

the array of colors available in the Red Heart Soft line. When selecting yarn for this project I chose seasonal colors; muted

for autumn and bright for winter. So start picking out your yarn now; the pattern will be released shortly, and will come in

sizes baby to adult!

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This pattern is bound to be a favorite for many. All it takes is one skein of Red Heart Soft and a couple of hours to whip up

these super easy mittens or slouch. It is one of those patterns that you can pick up in the middle and get right to it - no

counting of rows necessary. A super easy beginner pattern that gives a wonderful and useful result. One of my design goals

is to only make patterns that I myself really want to make and use for myself or my loved ones - good "basics" in any

wardrobe. I love this set and can't wait to make them in many variations. This stitch is so easy but it might be tough for even

crochet enthusiasts to see what stitch it is! It is in fact the wrong side of a common stitch - the sc in blo - which also makes

these reversible. Both the mittens and slouch are made in the round with no sewing, joining or stitch counts. Just simple

measurements and decreases. Simple and fabulous mittens and slouch!

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I am blanket obsessed lately. But, hey, tis the season for snuggling, right?! What could be better than getting

cozy under a warm blanket that reminds you of the charming flowers of warmer weather?! So let me

introduce the Mariposa Throw. I named it this because of the single stemmed 3-petaled Mariposa Lily that

grows on rocky slopes of the mountains of the West. Add a rainbow of colors and it cheers any space, but

you could easily work it in shades that match your decor and suit your style. The rectangles might look

challenging, but they are actually quite simple to construct, and the abundance of texture makes the flowers

pop up like they have bloomed. The chevron-like arrangement of the motifs is pretty nifty, too! Color,

texture, options, unique. I’m happy.

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Crochet this adorable princess quilt for your little princess! Perfect for afternoon naps, or

works perfectly as a take-a-long play mat. Your little one will love snuggling under it or sitting

on top of it. Sample quilt was made using Red Heart Soft aran weight yarn and crochet hook

size I (5.5 mm).You'll also need a yarn needle for some assembly. Princess dress features a

ruffled flounce and puffed sleeves. Pattern includes instructions to make everything shown in

the photo, including...- sunshine- cloud- flowers, stems, leaves the quilt is finished with a

simple shell edging.

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Salena Baca (SB), on behalf of Design Wars:: What are you

working on right now? Anything exciting you want fans to look

for?

Tamara Kelly (TK), Moogly: With the holidays on the horizon, my

designs are going to be mostly quick projects that make great

gifts. I have a couple of patterns I'm working on that will

"complete the set" and turn stand-alone designs into the perfect

present. I also am in the planning stages for my first adult

women's garment - stretching my design skills for sure! I've also

got some AMAZING giveaways lined up for November - it's

going to be a fantastic month, with opportunities to win yarn,

hooks, and more!

SB: Define success. What do you hope to accomplish?

TK: I think success is extremely individual. For me, if I can do

what I love and earn enough to help support my family, that's

success. Moogly is the truest combination of my passion and

drive and talents - and it's what allows me to be a work at home

mom. We live a very humble life, but I feel very successful, and

extraordinarily lucky.

As for what I hope to accomplish in the future? Well, the Moogly

tagline is "Crochet, Knitting, World Domination" - so there's

always number 3 to go! But in all seriousness, Moogly has

already grown beyond my wildest dreams, so I'm constantly

setting new goals! I love the independence of being an indie

designer and working for myself, but I also enjoy collaborating

with others, and hope to do more of that in the future. My real

joy comes in sharing knowledge and patterns with other

crafters, and I hope to keep spreading the love of handcrafts

throughout the world. World domination of yarn!

Craftsy recently held their first ever blogger

awards, and after more than 3,000 nominations

were submitted only two winners were selected in

the crochet categories; Tamara was one of them!

Moogly is a bright, cheery blog filled with

excellent crochet tutorials and a growing list of

free crochet patterns! I had a few questions for

this winner, and she was happy to share!

\|

“My real joy comes

in sharing

knowledge and

patterns with other

crafters, and I

hope to keep

spreading the love

of handcrafts

throughout the

world.”

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SB: What is different / special about your blog? What can people expect to find

there?

Tamara Kelly (TK), of Moogly: I think one thing that really sets Moogly apart from

a lot of one person craft blogs is consistency. Unless it's a holiday, I post

something new to the blog at least 5 days a week - so there's always something

new to read, watch, or make! I read every comment and do my best to answer

every question that comes in. For me blogging and crafting aren't just a hobby

and aren't just a business - I'm passionate about what I do and I think that comes

through to the readers!

Every week at Moogly you'll see at least one roundup of free patterns on a

special theme - everything from owls to legwarmers to unusual stitch patterns. I

also do weekly HD video tutorials, with the help of my husband/camera

person/editor Geoff - he deserves half that Craftsy Best Tutorials award for sure!

And the real highlight of the week (at least in my opinion!) is on Fridays, when I

share my own design for an original free pattern - usually crochet, but

occasionally knit as well! I pour my heart into everything I post, but the patterns

are like my babies. Every week I worry a little as I send it off into the world,

hoping it'll make friends and do well!

There are a couple of other regular events at Moogly that keep things interesting.

I've recently started being able to offer giveaways to my readers with a variety of

amazing sponsors, from indie designers to published authors to big yarn

companies and hook makers! And every two weeks I co-host a link party, Hookin

On Hump Day, with Sara from My Merry Messy Life, which is open to all fiber arts

bloggers, and a great way to "meet" other people doing the same thing you are -

it's SO great to be able to network and get to know other crocheters and crafters

and be able to build each other up. I'm a firm believer in the idea that it doesn't

have to be a competition. Craft bloggers can work together and build each other

up, and pool our knowledge for better success for all.

Congrats

Tamara

Kelly for

another

Moogly

Milestone!

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”I strive to make

my blog a

friendly and

welcoming place

where people

can find beautiful

crochet

inspiration…”

The Craftsy Blogger Award for Best Crochet

Photography went to Kara Gunza of Petals to

Picots! In addition to hosting some really lovely

images on her blog, Kara offers an array of free

patterns, teaching reasources, and a yarn shop! I

just love when crochet is recognized in major

arenas (like this blogger award!), and was thrilled

that Kara chatted with me after her big win!

Salena Baca (SB), on behalf of Design Wars: What is

different / special about your blog? What can people

expect to find there?

Kara M. Gunza (KG), Petals to Picots: I strive to make

my blog a friendly and welcoming place where people

can find beautiful crochet inspiration, fun and unique

patterns, and to become a trusted resource for the

crochet community. My main focus is always to write

patterns that are as user friendly as possible and are in

an easy to understand format.

SB: What are you working on right now? Anything

exciting you want fans to look for?

KG: Right now I am working on some new Christmas

crochet patterns for the blog. I am also working on a

cozy knit afghan for my son. As far as what fans can

keep an eye out for, I am very excited about what I

have in store this week ... A series entitled "Learn to

Crochet in a Week." Every day I will have a new

Tunisian lesson, followed up with a handy sampler

stitch washcloth pattern at the end so everyone can

practice their new stitches. I think readers will really

enjoy it!

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SB: Define success. What do you hope to accomplish?

KG: Great question! There are many layers to how I

define success both on a personal and professional

level. On a professional level, my definition of success

being able to make a living being creative and doing

what I love. I hope to continue to grow my blog

readership, add more new pattern designs to my

shops, and continue to grow relationships with other

amazingly talented bloggers and designers.

Thank you

Kara Gunza

for giving

crochet a

beautiful

place in the

neighborhood!

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WHAT’S NEXT? ISSUE 14:

November 13 >>>

Final Reveals!

VOTING!

Enter to win our Red

Heart Yarns Prize Pack!

Lovely Sponsors!

Enter to

win YARN

or this

$25 gift

card!

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