Maker Mondays - with Jennifer Percival from Crochet at Play.

Welcome to the new blog series - Maker Mondays. Grab a cuppa and sit down for our first ever interview! This will be an ongoing series. I will be interviewing 'Makers' from around the world, who have turned or turning their hobby into a business.

Today's Maker is Jennifer Percival from Crochet to Play


Please introduce yourself, and tell us what you create?

I am Jennifer Percival and I'm from the Pacific Northwest in the USA.  I am a wife, mom to 3 little people, and a reading teacher.  And since all that is not enough, I am also an avid crocheter and pattern designer.  I used to create mostly garments - hats, dresses, scarves - but I've spent the past year designing amigurumi and home décor items.  I think it's having kids that made me change lanes a bit.  I like to make toys and little plush things that can't break and that my kids use for imaginary play.  My favorite design in the past year were ornaments for my kids to hang on their own little Christmas tree. My designs are published under my name on Ravelry and on Etsy with my shop Crochet to Play.  

How long have you been Designing?

I knew the basics of crochet when I was younger but really got into it after my first baby was born, seven years ago.  I started experimenting with my own designs right away but I've only been publishing the patterns for about a year.

Do you start with ideas or materials?

I start with ideas for my business.  I have more ideas than time, a notebook full at this point.  I like having a mental stockpile of things I want to create so that when time and inspiration strike, I can just go for it.  I've got a pretty respectable stash of my favorite yarns so I tend to get my ideas fully formed, work with the yarn I have, and then add colors as I need to.

However, when I stumble upon an especially lovely fiber I tend to let it inspire the project, but often those are just personal garments or gifts.

How relevant is social media to you?

Well I'm just so silly because it should be incredibly relevant to me, but I'm not taking advantage of it at all.  I talk myself out of investing time in Facebook or Instagram because I'm publishing patterns so slowly and I think that I can't build up a following without more regular content.  But I really need to just get on it.

Anything else to add? 

Thank you for the platform to share my work, Emma!

You can find Jennifer on as Crochet to Play on Etsy and Ravelry 

Links here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrochetToPlay?ref=hdr_shop_menu

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/jennifer-percival


If you would like to be a 'Monday Maker' email me a [email protected]

Valentine Gloves

In the excitement of Valentine's Day, I completely forgot to post my newest pattern!

Introducing the Valentine Gloves! a fun set of fingerless mitts/ wrist warmers. The heart is made within the granny square, so no need to sew on motifs! Just a little sewing to join the sides.

 They are available on Etsy, Ravelry, Craftsy AND Loveknitting. (click each name for the link)  I try my best to keep the prices the same over the various platforms, but sometimes I have to convert overseas currencies, and exchangerates are not updated at the same time! I also have a free pattern out in a few days, so stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone who purchases a pattern, it means I can produce more!

heartbomb!

I linked to it in my last post, but didn't really explain - this year to coincide with Valentine's Day, I'm encouraging you to 'bomb' your neighbourhood with crocheted hearts. Add a message to bring joy to the finder. Hang them off a tree, or where ever you like!

If you can't crochet- you can make a fabric, knitted or even a cardboard heart! 

include a tag with your instagram name or @ emma_crochets if you wish for the finders to share on instagram, or

 on facebook

sample tag 'you are loved- please take this heart with you! please share on instagram with @ emma_crochets to let me know you found this heart! #ewdheartbomb



Please check out my guest post over at Craftic.com - http://craftic.com/post/157203559160/little-crochet-heart

Little crochet heart

This pattern was originally posted on my old blog.

(link to original post >> http://howtocrochetaheart.blogspot.com/2013/02/10-days-of-hearts-day-1-heart-ornament.html)

I use the US terms: ch = chain, dc = double crochet, tr = triple/treble crochet, sl st = slip stitch.

Magic Ring tutorial here

Starting with the magic ring, then chain 4 (using US terms)

then 3 tr, 3 dc, 1 ch, 1tr, 1ch, 3dc, 3tr. all into the centre of the ring,

chain 4, Sl st in the centre,

then add 10 chains, and slip stitch back into centre and fasten off

And if you would like the UK terms: starting with the magic ring, then chain 4,

3 dtr, 3tr, 1ch, 1dtr, 1 ch, 3tr, 3 dtr, all into centre of ring 

chain 4, Sl st in the centre, 

then add 10 chains, and slip stitch back into centre and fasten off


If you are in a position to donate - please consider buying me a coffee. Your support allows me to produce free patterns.


 hang them up inside, use as a gift tag, or join in my facebook event link >> https://www.facebook.com/events/397280150620083// <<

My year in designing.

Now we're all comfortably in 2017, past the hectic craziness of the festive season, I thought it would be a good time to look back at my pattern year that was. I released five crochet patterns, which are available to buy from Etsy, Ravelry and a few via Craftsy and LoveKnitting.  I also have a few new freebie tutorials published on this blog!

I welcomed my 4th son into the world in May, so blogging had taken a back seat, I did however release a Easter pattern and baby bonnet- both designed with my new son in mind!

Both these patterns were originally released on my old blog, and in August I decided a revamp was totally in order. I'm not a personal or lifestyle blogger, and in fact do more 'mircoblogging' via instagram

So this blog- Emma Wilkinson designs came into existence. My old blog is still there, as it has a lot of content I'm quite proud of.

Shortly after I published the 'crochet club bag' A t shirt yarn bag that can be made in next to no time. I made a short youtube video to explain one of the stitches used.

I rounded out the year with a fun play item- fairy bread- to co-incide with international fairy bread day! And a Christmas pattern- Peppermitts- fingerless gloves.

Working with a new baby, not to mention three other kids, does make designing a challenge, but it's been a challenge that makes me very happy to take on.

My most popular item (maybe because it's been available the longest) is the Starburst Square, and I've got two follow up patterns which I hope can be just as fun!

My goals for 2017 are to have 12 new patterns available. I've found - like most things, you get more efficient over time, so I do feel like it's more than achievable. 

You can look forward to seeing as Valentine's pattern, a fairybread spin off, some chunky clutches, and a little tweaking of the photography! 

For more regular updates, don't forget to find me on instagram or facebook! 

Emma. 

Fairy Bread Day - And pattern!

It's Fairy Bread Day! (almost- I'm posting a little early!) November the 24th. Fairy Bread has been a childhood favourite of Australians since the 1920s. It has had a recent surge in interest, due to other countries discovering this fun, yet simple delicacy!

To celebrate, I've written a pattern to make a playtime version, and it's available in both US and UK terms. The pattern is available to purchase on Etsy, >>CLICK HERE<< and will be available on Ravelry asap. . It's also the first pattern of my 'Australiana Series' Which will be popping up in 2017

Interested in making your own edible Fairy Bread? You will need:

White Bread
Butter or Margerine
Sprinkles or 100s and 1000s

Spread butter on bread and top with sprinkles! Fairy Bread is usually cut and served in triangles. However for my 7th birthday, my creative mother spelt out 'Happy Birthday Emma' in Fairy Bread.

Enjoy!

Christmas Wreath Base

Last year I made a crochet Christmas wreath for my front door. This year I want to add to it, but before that,  I thought I would repost the original tutorial, for a base to work from.

Now that November is here, it might seem a bit early, but I think it's necessary to plan ahead, especially if you are planning on making some of your own decorations!

I've started with a wreath for my front door. I also recently moved house, so it will be the first time decorating this place. I naturally decided to make a crochet wreath! This pattern is a beginner level.

I picked up a Decofoam Wreath and some 8ply  acrylic yarn - the Kringle value ball.

pictures from spotlight.com

Using a 3.5mm hook I made a chain of 40, and then (in US terms)
Row 1 : skip the first three chains, 37 dc chain three and turn.
Row 2 - 100 : 37 dc across (chain three and turn, except last row)

Check your size against the decofoam wreath and bind off.

 It should fit very snug.

Using a whip stitch, or whatever you find easiest, sew the long ends together around the wreath.

Now you have a lovely base to add decorations to!

Don't forget, I will be adding more decorations!