In other news...

In addition to my one-off designs, I've had a few patterns published recently in books as well. Firstly, this lovely little motif bag...

The pattern for this cool crochet can be found in this publication:

Secondly and thirdly are these homey items: flowering trivets and color block ottoman...

These two patterns can be found in this pub:

I have made a lot of major life changes recently (new job after nearly 13 years at the old job AND new large loft/studio living space after a handful of years of residing in a space the size of most people's closets) that pretty much put my ability to design stuff for publication on the back burner. However, having settled a bit, I am now back in the game, but with a different focus. Sure, I will still be doing a bit of work for books and magazines, but mainly I am trying to concentrate on creating designs that really make me happy and keep me interested in designing in general. Over the years, I've felt less enthusiastic about designing and I think that this due to the fact that I accepted commissions that I really should have passed on. I really love crocheting, knitting, spinning and weaving. I mean LOVE. As such, I want the things that I design to reflect this depth of feeling first and foremost. In addition, I have the added complexity of being a single mom and the sole breadwinner for my twosome. So, because of these two factors, primarily, I've decided to just focus on having fun when designing and not worry about making a living from it. The moral of this long-winded treatise is that you all should expect to see some wackier creations coming from this blog again. Okay, my stuff may not appeal to the masses, but it definitely has it's place in the pantheon of crochetdom/yarndom and that's the way I like it!

Thanks for hanging in there with me, peeps. You all have made this whole crochet blog journey worth the effort! xoxo ~ LL

Crocheted Raffia Fedora - Free Pattern!

Everyone likes to sport a bit of fun atop their heads during the summer months, whether at the beach or just running errands about town. So, I figured I'd get my fingers working on a quick crochet that looks great under the summer sun...

Yes, that would be a lovely green fedora, crocheted from raffia ribbon, with a stylish white daisy adhered to its side. Literally peeps, I made this hat in one evening. That being said, I need to make another one in navy, one in natural and oh, maybe one in a lovely shade of coral. Ooooh, and one in turquoise! The raffia color selection is vast...Must. Take. Advantage.

You too can take advantage and make your own pile o'fedoras. Just download ye olde pattern link here. Happy summer crocheting kids!

Love,
LadyLinoleum

That 70s Shawl: The Second Movement

So, my original design went from this...

...to this...

This is what I was aiming for to begin with. I just didn't know it at the time!

 Big, bee-you-ti-ful 70's flowers encased in handy hexagon frames!

Thank you to my gorgeous offspring for modeling my newest creation. She's a doll!

Anyhow, I like this version of the shawl MUCH better than the first pass. I am especially fond of the overall shape of the wrap. It's difficult to tell in the pics above, but shaping looks like this:

This wrap looks just the way I had envisioned. So excited! Oh, I will be making this pattern available for sale both in my Etsy store and on Ravelry.

Happy Monday everyone!

Designing Despite It All...

I am trying to keep my designer brain active while attempting to slog through my latest personal morass. (I don't want to get into the specifics of this right now, but I will probably share it eventually.) However, I did want to let you know that I do have two new crochet patterns available in the latest issue of Crochet Today mag...

Nothing like a cute little Wizard's Cape to turn my frown upside down! I really enjoyed creating this one. So much so that I even reproduced a larger one for myself after finishing the cape pictured above. (Come on, you all know I'll wear it.) Oh, and it's simple! Easy enough for a beginner. It's all done in single crochet. Stars and moon are appliques. Did I already mention that it's an easy peasy project???

Next up, the Bazaar Bag!

I really like designing bags. They are always challenging and don't take huge amounts of time to create (making these the perfect design projects for my current short attention span issue). The panels on this bag are worked up in two stages: the body and then the petals. It looks time consuming, but it actually works up pretty quickly. I love the way the finished product looks as well. I will probably tackle one for myself using a lighter weight yarn (the pattern in the mag calls for alpaca, which is a bit heavier than I like for a bag).

Anyway kids, that's my design scoop for now. I am working up the energy to post from time to time as I am working on several new patterns that I'd like to share with you. Things are just really messy right now, which seems to derail my ability to gather my thoughts into a coherent format. I am trying though...

Have a lovely weekend everyone! Your love and support is so important to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Business Items...

Desire to wear a pie atop your head, but (i) you have no interest in crocheting one yourself, (ii) you don't know how to crochet and are patiently awaiting a knitting pattern from one, LadyLinoleum or (iii) you seriously just want a LadyLinoleum original. If you answered yes to any of the above then you're in luck! I have listed two Pie-rets for sale in my Etsy shop just in time for the holidays. I hope to make a few more, but honestly, I don't know if I'll be able to swing that before the holidays.

Wasn't aware that I had an Etsy shop, eh? Yes, I've had it for some time. I just haven't listed much in there over the years. Hopefully, this will be changing as the milk crate I like to call an apartment is just not big enough to house the enormous amount of items I've crocheted and knit since the inception of this blog. So, there will be more to come on the items for sale front.

Lastly, my thanks to everyone who has purchased a pattern from me directly. I'd also like to take a moment to apologize to those of you who found your order process less than satisfying. I have had HUGE problems with PayPal (especially in the last year or so) and have been unable to come up with an acceptable solution thus far. As such, I am determined to make one final effort to improve this situation by moving my patterns over to Ravelry. I plan to give it until the first of the year once everything has been moved over there. If that doesn't work, all patterns are coming off the interwebs. Most of you have been amazing with regard to this issue. I really appreciate your understanding and patience. Keep your fingers crossed...

As always, thanks for your support! Happy Monday everybody!

Two New Patterns!

Let's hear it for some crochet content!

Yep, I've begun designing again for Crochet Today mag, the new October issue to be more specific...

Nuthin' like a blue do to make your Halloween memorable! Oh, and just in case your mini me wants to be in the club...

So, there ya go. A little crochet content, a bit of pattern hoohaa and a nod to my fave holiday to boot. She's baaa-aaack!

Lumberjack Hats All Around!

Every year I attempt to make each of my family members and close friends a holiday gift. My attempts at mass craftage have been mostly successful over the last few years (starting early is the key to holiday knitting, crocheting and sewing, in my humble opinion). This year was no exception as I bestowed upon each valued recipient their own version of my Lumberjack Hat from the January/February 2009 issue of Crochet Today magazine...


My family is not exactly camera shy.

Needless to say the hats were a hit and so versatile too...


Thank you to my sister, Steph, and SO, Jason, for hamming it up in their hats.

After crocheting a pile of these warm wonders, I decided that I should also make one for myself as well...



Mine matches The BoBo's (the nick my daughter bestowed upon my niece, Zoe)...



All in all, a successful round of Christmas crocheting to be sure! Oh, and finished just in time to begin the cycle again...

Baby Lumberjack Hat

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Mine was good despite my mood being a bit subdued due to the many, many December divorce court dates looming over my head. Tomorrow is December date numero uno. Keep your fingers crossed peeps as I will need as many good vibes coming my way as I can get!

The holiday was nice nonetheless. I was on turkey, stuffing and gravy duty so my workload wasn't heinous. In fact, in between basting my bird every half hour, I was able to modify my Crochet Today Lumberjack Hat pattern to fit my niece's little noggin...



How cute is she in that hat???

Yep, worked up this little headgear in a few hours. I used the yarn mandated in the original pattern. Bubble gum pink for the interior lining and a brilliant magenta for the exterior. You can kind of see the exterior color in the pic below...



It was a satisfying and super quick crochet indeed!

Just look at the smiles I was met with after putting it atop her head...



Absolutely melts my heart...

Hey, if you guys are interested in the pattern for this baby sized Lumberjack Hat, just leave me a shout out in my comments. I'm happy to write up the pattern if there seems to be an interest.

Summer Breeze Cardi

When not designing I've been working OPPs (Other People's Patterns) in an effort to expand my creative horizons. You see, I learn a lot from other designers when I work up their patterns regarding construction, stitch pattern design, as well as the drape and/or structure of knit and crocheted fabrics. Oh, also? It's fun to give my designer brain a rest and follow someone else's instructions for a change of pace. With this in mind, I decided to try my hook at one of my fellow Crochet Today designer's fabulous cardigans...



Yes, that would be me modeling (in the office ladies room no less) Elena Malo's Summer Breeze Cardi from the May/June 2009 issue of Crochet Today.



I have been experimenting with crocheted sweaters lately. In other words, currently I've been crocheting quite a few. Now, I have to tell you all that traditionally I tend to not be a huge fan of crocheted apparel because generally it lacks drape and by virtue of this fact, the fabric itself becomes pretty darn thick. However, it seems that designers have begun to take these facts into account when designing crocheted garments. Therefore, today's designs seem to be much more wearable than their predecessors. This is true of the Summer Breeze Cardi as it definitely has drape.

In addition to the drape factor, I think that the construction of this little sweater is quite clever. The back, fronts and sleeves are crocheted first then joined together when crocheting the yoke. It's very cool.

Needless to say I have a couple of boxes of yarn that I purchased recently in order to make a few more of these cardigans. Oh yes, I shall have one in fuschia, baby blue, black of course, oooh, and red...

Two New Crochet Today Patterns!

Yes, even though I've been a bit out of it as of late I have nonetheless still managed to push out a few patterns here and there. My latest designs for Crochet Today...



How about that adorable dino hat and those floppy bunny ears? Cute eh? And easy peasy to crochet too!

Next up, a ghoulish treat bag...



I rather like this little green dude. Also an easy crochet!

Shipping new designs this week for future issues of Crochet Today as well as for a friend's upcoming book...

New Charts Available! From Head To Toe: The Skeleton!

I've got an early Halloween surprise for you, my peeps...

Remember my skeleton antimacassar? That Monster Crochet filet crochet classic?



Well, I finally finished translating my hand drawn charts into digital format (yeah, that took some time) and I am offering the set of 15 charts to you, dear reader, for a mere $15! Yes, that would be a buck a chart!



The set of charts comes to you in PDF format, each chart on a separate page. You get the skull, ribcage, pelvis, a right and left humerus, a right and left ulna, right and left hands, a right and left femur, a right and left tibia and, of course, both right and left feet! These charts can be used for knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, etc. Remember, these are "Just Charts!" so there are no needlework instructions accompanying the charts themselves. Charts are available on my sidebar.

It's never to early to get started on crafting your Halloween decor!

Copyright 2009 Regina Rioux and Monster Crochet. All rights reserved.

The Haps at ChezLinoleum

I am trying desperately to get back into a regular blogging rhythm. To that end, a two week silence is better than silence for two months. Anyhoo, here's the ChezLinoleum update...

Firstly I'm a blond now...



I've never been one to shy away from changing my coif. Therefore, I head to my salon each month for a redo. It's exciting to see what my girls, Roxy and Carrie, have in store for me upon plopping my arse down in the chair for a leisurely Friday evening full of laughter, conversation and hairstyling abandon!

Next do-wop is this Friday. Life's little pleasures you know.

Speaking of life's little pleasures, I'm finally able to concentrate on reading again! I generally love to read, but the events of the past several months have prevented me from doing just that. I just could not focus on the words. Needless to say my mind has been little more than sludge due to the pummeling my soon-to-be-ex-husband has been giving me. Sucks. Anyway, with HIS presence absent from my physical sphere I am able to enjoy reading again. So, I am doing just that!



I'm about 400 pages into Pillars of the Earth and I have become totally absorbed in the story, which is great because I started this tome upon embarking on my latest divorce odyssey (yes, this is number two for me) and as I said above, I've been a bit distracted because of this experience. As a result, the first 300 pages of this book were a rough ride for me. I can tell that I'm beginning to have some clarity again by virtue of the fact that I'm feeling totally at home in this epic adventure.

Oh, but wait, there's more!

I am also listening to the audio book Eat, Pray, Love while toiling away at the office (and when not in meetings of course).



Now, I have to tell you all that I resisted this book for some time. First and foremost, everyone I know told me that this was a must read for me. You know, you're hurting Regina. So, be at one with someone else's torturous experiences and find comfort in her ability to have gotten through her tough stuff. Whatever. I'm not into the self-help thing I told them en masse. No, no, not self-help, we swear. Okay. Fine. I'll read the f-ing thing. Cool yer jets.

Let me tell you peeps, am I getting more out of this book than I ever could have imagined. It's a lovely memoir about fragility and strength, truth and consequences, discovery and fear, love and loss, pain and solace...in short I am loving this read (or listen as the case my be). I also am really enjoying the fact that Elizabeth Gilbert is the reader in the audio version, as it should be as far as I'm concerned.

Finally, I am working my way through a third book about journey, discovery and transformation...



Nicky Epstein is one of my favorite designers. Combine her complex, interesting and sometimes quirky style with a few travel memoirs and you've got a book I'm way into! I've only just begun perusing the pages of Knitting in Tuscany, but thus far this book is a visual delight and worthy of a few bookmarked design pages to be sure.

In addition to reading, I've been thoroughly immersed in music again. I realized that over the course of my last marriage, music had begun to vanish from my life completely . You see, my mostly unemployed soon-to-be-ex-spouse was home a lot and had the television on 24/7. So, listening to music was just not an option unless I walked around with my iPod attached to my waist, earbuds affixed, the resulting anti-social behavior becoming the norm. Not wanting this to occur for fear of reprisal, I just stopped listening to music (unless of course I was in my car for the 2.5 mile commute to and from the office each day). Yeah, now? I throw my iPod into the speaker dock each morning and sing my way to a finished face and coiffed do. It is heavenly.

I have very eclectic musical tastes ranging from R&B and rap to alternative to classical to world music. I am HEAVY into the world music thing. Lately my worldly bent tends toward eastern rhythms. Lots of Indian classical stuff as well as the not so classical, traditional and not so traditional Arabic music with a bit of Tibetan singing bowls thrown in for good measure. Love this stuff.

My daughter and I have been known to whittle away the evening hours sharing songs with one another via our dueling Macbooks. She thinks my music is "weird" and/or "sad", oftentimes urging me to add more Notorious BIG to my library. Needless to say, I have a good selection of Biggie Smalls since the onset of our musical sharing sessions. Got to love the teen peeps.

So let's see...reading again. Check. Groovin' to the tunes. Double check. Stepping up the work out regimen and taking care of the old (and I mean old as I hit the ole 4-0 this year) bod. Check, check, check! Oh yes, taking care of my weary mind goes hand in hand with taking care of the body. As such, I rehired my trainer the minute ye ex-spouse left the building. The dude is at my house two nights per week where he proceeds to kick my ass, thank you very much, and I try to hit the gym the nights I am not with trainer dude, Jerry.

Lastly, when not coiffing, reading, singing along or working through 58 sun salutations in a row I've been designing. Here are my latest and greatest stuffed wonders for Crochet Today mag...

Crabius Gigantius!



And a couple of shell pillows...



Even though it's been difficult to focus, I've tried to maintain my design regimen. No small feat, but well worth the effort in the end. Um, that last statement works for literally all of the subjects that I've covered in this post.

I feel as if I have awakened from a very long, very dark dream....

More Crochet Today Patterns!

Thank you everyone for all of your support and well wishes! I have felt very psychologically isolated during the last several months due to my unraveling marriage. I have kept much of my unhappiness to myself because, let's face it, most people just don't want to hear about it. Oh, don't get me wrong, I have a group of very supportive friends who love me and have provided me with many a shoulder to cry upon, but during the rest of my pretty public life I've kept my misery at bay. I debated endlessly as to whether I even say anything about my current plight on my blog. This is a craft blog after all. However, I do feel a sense of relief by sharing this news with you all and it means so much to me to know that you all are in my corner. So, thank you again from the depths of my soul. You all are amazing!

Despite my marital mess, I do still try to tackle a few design projects here and there. So, without further ado here are my latest and greatest projects for Crochet Today mag...



ABC and 123 appliques to adorn just about anything in your child's room! Definitely a quick, easy and versatile crochet project. I actually think that they'd be splendid strewn atop a baby's blanket.

Next up, a colorful cushion...



Don't ask me how I became the crochet maven of home accessories!

It's weird to be sure.

Anyway, I am very fond of this rippling, flowery wonder. It's purty, right? And isn't it good to know that I haven't completely lost my design ability during these trying times? In fact, once I have a moment to process my latest and greatest marital dissolution, be prepared for the ever so slightly twisted crochet design-o-rama that is sure to result from my experience.

Ahem...

Anyway, I'll leave you with a quote from the wall calendar hanging in my office that has a particular resonance for me as of late, "Divorce is expensive, but freedom is priceless."

Two New Patterns!

I have two new patterns in the latest issue of Crochet Today mag! Yay!!

But before I showcase my latest designs, I wanted to give a few woefully belated props to Crochet Today magazine as I believe that this publication is THE best crochet magazine out there right now (and not just because I happen to be a frequent contributor *wink*). Really, the designs are hip, fun and have a wide appeal. I usually find more than a handful of items in every issue that I'd like to try my hook at. And let me tell you folks, that's sayin' something considering our current crafty climate is flood-ded with pattern-alia...the good, the bad and the ugly. Not that I'm not thrilled with the selection mind you! But peeps, there is a lot of blah out there! And I don't know about you, but if I'm to spend my precious moola on a compendium of patterns, I'd like there to be more than one in the lot that I'm itching to make. In short, I'd like to thank the string lord for Brett Bara and the host of talent she has corralled in each issue of Crochet Today mag which never ceases to amuse and delight!

Now, onto the patterns. First and foremost, the Sunny Shoulder Bag!

If you like working motifs and sewing 'em all together, then this be the project for you! The final product is constructed from piles of colorful hexagons, a solid rectangular bottom and wide-ish strap. It's so simple, yet really rather fun! I keep thinking that this bag would be outstanding worked up in linen for Spring...hmmm...

My second design is of the applique variety and a bony one at that!

I don't know about you all, but I think I need a T-Rex skull on the back of one of my jackets...It should probably glow in the dark too. Oh yeah...

Ahem.

Have you obtained your issue of Crochet Today yet? Well, what are you waiting for???

Git Yer Pie Patterns!

I just finished writing up the patterns for the Pie-rets AND the Fruit Tart Fascinator! Now peeps everywhere can wear their pies (and tarts) as well as eat them!

I have put all three crochet Pie-ret patterns in the pack...Pecan, Lattice Crust and Pumpkin! As a bonus I added the Fruit Tart Fascinator for those so inclined. That's four fab patterns in one! Never too early to get started on your holiday gifties...

Pattern is available on my sidebar. Let's hear it for woolen pie!

Um, yeah.

Drama Queen

Nothing like beginning a year with massive life changes. I cannot bring myself to go into detail right now, but let's just say that my path to the future has gone off road. Needless to say, I have no words for the experience right now, but I'm sure I will again have the ability to string plenty of apt phrases together after gaining a bit of distance from the whole debacle.

Personal drama aside, I have finished another Danish Tie Shawl. Like it's predecessor, this delightful example of shawl-dom was knit from my own hand-dyed fingering weight yarns.





I am also quite close to finishing the pattern testing for the Pie-rets. Let me tell you all that I must have been drinking when writing up the lattice crust version of said hat. Uh, yeah. Pattern testing has been nothing short of an adventure. Wow. Anyway, I'm almost there. Should be finished with the final version of the Pie-ret patterns this week. Stay tuned!!

There and Back Again

Whew! I have been swamped these last two weeks with prepping for travel, actually traveling and organizing my life post-travel. Turn-around trips are exhausting to say the least. The one positive, however, is the fact that I get lots of knitting, crocheting or embroidery done while interned in my coach seat for 5-6 hours at a time. As such, you'll all be gleeful to hear that I finished the motherload of pattern testing on the Pie-rets while to-ing and fro-ing to New York. Yep, expect those patterns very soon...

Despite my current schedule, I found a few spare moments to make a pair of fuzzy boots for myself! I figured New York would be frigid and therefore my toes would need a bit of extra warmth, so I got to crocheting before leaving on a jet plane.





Purty purple booties, no?

And check out those blue soles! Found 'em at The Woolery.

I've got a tell you peeps, most of the stuff I design for Crochet Today is not exactly stuff I would make for myself. Don't get me wrong, I think that I've done a good job with the designs and each one definitely has the "LadyLinoleum touch", but how many throw pillows can one have? With that said, I am a big fan of both the fuzzy boots and the lumberjack hat (need to work one of those up for myself as well).

Speaking of designing, I have come to a very important decision. This year I will offer more patterns on my website/blog than I have in the past. I have felt a bit inhibited when designing for publication as of late. Sure, I am immensely thankful for the opportunities designing for publication has provided me (i.e., reaching a larger audience), but I feel as though I am watering down my weirdness. As a result of this realization, I have decided to free my caged aesthetic for a while and pick up the craziness factor a bit. So, you can expect Pie-rets and then some in '09!

*Insert evil laugh here*

Let's put the Monster back into Monster Crochet shall we?

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Cover Girl!

Guess who's hat made the cover of Crochet Today mag???



Yes, that would be my hat!!!

I am so excited!



Needless to say the pattern for this very funky, yet oddly fashionable earflap hat is included within the pages of the latest issue.

But wait, there's more...

I also designed a pair of fuzzy faux Ugg-ish slippers for this issue of the mag as well.



Just trying to help you guys keep your heads and feet nice and toasty this winter.

Happy crocheting!

NEW PATTERN - Creepy Crawly Crochet Appliques

In the spirit of the season, I bring to you a suite of buggy delights in the form of crocheted appliques!

How about a handful of Red Worms...



Cock-A-Roaches...



Black Widows...



And of course Maggots in 3D!



Gross, huh?

You've got admit, they're a little cool though too...

Best part is that these crocheted, squashed examples of bug-dom are great stash busters! Yep, best use of my leftover sock yarn yet (if I do say so myself)!

Pattern for all four squiggly wonders is available on my sidebar for the low, LOW price of $7!

You know you want to make piles of bug carnage...