Sorry Granny, This Is Not Your Crochet!

Crochet has come a long way from the doilley's of the 50's, the apron's and snoods of the 60's, the granny square's of the 70's, the over sized and over colored sweaters of the 80's, with mainstream progress finally coming in the 90's, to the Crochet Couture of Today.


Crochet has grown and flourished, finally able to hold it's own on modern fashion runways. Top designers now incorporate crochet into their collections.


Crochet is no longer the ba#!&^* step child of knitting but a glorious art form of it's own. It is finally being recognized as a technique superior to knitting in it's versatility, unique in it's distinctive non-commerically produced look.

In today's fast paced world, the pursuit of the handmade can be a means to center and replenish our souls, to grow and connect with ourselves and others, to meditate, reflect, relax, regroup.

Crochet is now fashionable, fun, funky, artful, and everything in between. Join the revolution. Learn new skills or teach someone to crochet!

BikiniMeBeautiful Swimwear Line

Participate in a Crochet Tree Chain - make a pledge to teach three people to crochet - have each one of them pledge to teach at least one person to crochet. Even if you only teach a person the very basics of crochet - they may continue learning on their own.

When I was 8 - a freinds mom taught me the granny square - that was my first and only lesson and I have not put down my hook since!

Start building your Tree Chain today! Email me and I'll post your Tree Chain progress - femmefibersblog@earthlink.net

View My 2009 - 2010 Crochet Tree Chain!

If you have a website or blog that offers Free Crochet Instructions - email me and I'll post it here:

Learn to Crochet from Lion Brand: http://learntocrochet.lionbrand.com/
Learn to Crochet from Craft Yarn Council: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_cr.php3
Crochet Support: http://www.ravelry.com/

Free Crochet Pattern Spotlight - Kingston Jacket

Everyone that knows my work knows I'm a fan of Caron International's Yarns. Caron launched some new yarns and a new website - http://www.naturallycaron.com/.

This Kingston Jacket Pattern is worked in Caron's Country - "Country is a sumptuous merino blend, multi-ply yarn that combines the unparalleled softness and drape of a super-fine acrylic with the body and warmth of a fine merino wool."

Country is available for purchase here: http://www.naturallycaron.com/shade_cards/country_sh.html in 24 beautiful colors.







My Kingston Jacket was worked in Taupe and Silver with a feminine ruffled edge as well as an attached ruffled scarf. The ruffled jacket edge has openings for the belt to slide under so there is no added bulk around the waist. Instructions are included to make the beaded buckle for the belt as well.











This is a versatile jacket that can be work many ways, worked in a springy stitch that is lightweight yet warm.

The pattern is sized for Small through 3X.

Dowload your free copy at: http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/kingston/kingston_8.html

Happy Crocheting!

Mandala Series - Honoring Extraordinary Individuals

New Feature Page - Honoring Remarkable Individuals We Encouter In Our Everyday Lives

I began work on a crocheted art series some time ago - a series of Mandalas to honor remarkable individuals I've encountered in my everyday life. Mandala is Sanskrit for 'whole world' or 'healing circle' and is a representation of the universe.

I've posted three of the mandalas in my series. I hope in reading through you find some inspiration as well and invite you to think about any remarkable individuals you've come across in your own everyday life. I'd like this feature page to be a place to post projects others have made to honor somoeone in their own life who has made a difference in their world or inspired them in some way to be a better person.

I invite you to submit a project you've made to honor someone along with a few words about why you chose this person for your project and in sharing - invite others to be inspired too! Submit your story and project to: femmefibersblog@earthlink.net

Free Patterns Always A Treat

If you are looking for quality free patterns on the web be sure to check out http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/item_index/crochet.html for free patterns for Caron International's new yarn line - Naturally Caron. Click around http://www.caron.com for free patterns in Simply Soft and other yarns as well. Send me your comments of what type of designs you'd like to see more of (my patterns posted under Kim Rutledge).

A New Look For a Fresh Start

I decided to finally make a new blog since the focus of my work has changed somewhat. I've stopped making the BikiniMeBeautiful Swimwear line except for special custom orders (Pattie ;-) some time ago. My love of learning new techniques and working with a wide range of materials lead me to making wire, thread, and sculpted clay pieces - mainly jewelry.

Selling them came about much the same way as the crocheted garments, wear one and always have a card with your email, blog or website address handy if someone tells you they like it or asks, "where did you get that?" [Tip: Put a small photo of a piece of your work on the card so when they come across your card they will remember why they have it.]

I am still publishing crochet patterns here and there. Thank you to all at www.ravelry.com who have made one of my designs. It truly is the highest form of flattery and designers appreciate every stitch you make. I hope to have time soon to publish more patterns and some tutorials on Ravelry.

For those not familiar, Ravelry is a wonderful online community of knitters and crocheters - membership is free. If you are a pattern designer, even if you've never published a pattern in a book or a magazine, you can self publish - free or for sale - on Ravelry. [Look for future post on a few tips to making patterns for publication.]

I hope everyone likes the new look the new content for this next chapter in my pursuit of creativity.

Etsy Shop Opened

Etsy Shop Newly Opened!
Browse a collection of my hand crafted jewelry crocheted in premium copper coated, sterling silver, gold filled, and pure silver wire, soft thread, silk, fabric, beads, luxury yarns, ribbon, hand sculpted clay pendants and components, and other unique fibers and materials at my etsy shop: http://femmefibers.etsy.com. Pop over for a visit http://femmefibers.etsy.com/