Indy Designer Saturday: Crochet Zone!

My apologies for missing last weekend's blog posts.  My husband tested positive for influenza.  I was a CRAZY person trying to keep everything clean.  Eradicating the foul bug that made my husband sick.  My husband is almost never sick so it was a big deal.  However today I have a REALLY great crochet artist for you!   I've been following Crochet Zone for a while now and really appreciate and enjoy the work MA Santos shares.  

Like many of my other blog subjects Crochet Zone has a mixture of patterns however, this crochet designer has a little bit of everything for everyone at every skill levels PLUS to tutorials!  Lets start with three of my all time favorite children's designs.  :)  Perfect pair for baby girls!  First, the Butterfly Kisses dress.  One of the sweetest little dresses that I have found available on Ravelry to date!  MA Santos, the designer, has created a great look for Spring in this dress with a its butterfly applique and the flowing skirt.  I love it because its really the only dress I've been able to find with a flowing design to the skirt for babies 3-12 months.  Its classic design is really timeless and of course the pattern is great for those wanting to try their hand a first dress:   The pattern can be found here: http://crochetzone.com/2015/03/29/free-crochet-pattern-for-butterfly-kisses-baby-dress/  To give this dress its name "Butterfly Kisses", Crochet Zone's butterfly applique is a must. http://crochetzone.com/2015/03/23/free-crochet-pattern-for-butterflies/  Next, of course every little princess needs slippers and Crochet Zone has created the most adorable sandals for 3-12 month old babies.  Now while I have "paired" this with a dress these sandals can easily be made for a baby boy as you'll see on the Crochet Zone blog!  So cute!  These little "Peek- A- Boo" Sandals are the perfect addition to the "Butterfly Kisses".  Naturally with the sun out little ones should have a hat and of course with a butterfly applique this little "Sweetheart Cloche" would be the perfect topper! http://crochetzone.com/2015/01/15/free-crochet-pattern-sweetheart-cloche/ Really I love this outfit SO much!  Makes me wish I knew more women having girl babies LOL :)  (Not that I am not busy enough!)  Do check out the "Peek-A-Boo" Sandals because with the right colors and button accents they could be the most adorable sandals for baby boys. 

I like kitchen-y things, they make great gifts for bridal showers, housewarming, and Christmas gifts.  Crochet Zone offers a few really attractive items that would make great gifts for that person who loves to entertain or the young bride just starting out.  Personally I like placemats with pockets for silverware especially at a picnic setting.  Crochet Zone's "Citrus Splash Kitchen Set" includes a dishtowel, dish pad, and dish scrubber.   http://crochetzone.com/2015/04/19/free-crochet-pattern-for-citrus-splash-kitchen-set/  Some dish clothes that you can buy in the store won't last a month but a good crocheted set can last MUCH longer and is totally up to machine washing and drying.  I actually hang my hand made dish cloth up to dry to assure that all the dampness is gone.  Why?  Because they last a whole lot longer that way!  I find that the fibers don't break down as quickly.   Of course wash and dry as normal then hang up if you like.  With all the great colors of kitchen cotton available these days, you could make dozens of these sets :)   Next a GREAT idea for all kinds of occasions and situations.  The Pocket Placemat is a really nice idea for people like myself who have food allergies or issues with gluten.  Why?  Because one can keep their own silverware in the pocket and not run the risk of having it touch or get mixed up with others at an event.  I have Celiac disease but I live in a house with people who still eat gluten.  I can make pocket placemats for special occasions allowing everyone to keep their utensils and plates separate from my own.  How about outdoor dining?  With the beautiful porch and patio furniture out today making a pretty little placemat set is a great touch!  Check out the pattern here:  http://crochetzone.com/2015/05/30/free-crochet-pattern-for-pocket-placemat/

Last but certainly not least a very well thought out cowl/scarf pattern.  It's a tailored look and will set well on or under a suit jacket or winter coat.  The pattern calls for a very nice super bulky fashion yarn.  Crochet Zone added a knit version here to keep those of us who both knit and crochet happy!  I like this look because it's not something that needs to be pulled on over your head to wear.  Now it's April in the Northern Adirondacks and currently the temperature is 30 degrees with a real feel of 22. However the sun is shining.  I'm one of those people who will put a good bit of time into my hair then realize I'm going to need a scarf around my neck for warmth AFTER I do my hair.  This little cowl answers the whole problem. http://crochetzone.com/2015/10/22/free-crochet-pattern-for-twilight-cowl/

If you don't want to miss out on what the Crochet Zone has going on my suggestion is that you "Like" their facebook page.  MA Santos  not only has her splendid blog  but a great Facebook page with all kinds of great free patterns and information on giveaways you can enter! https://www.facebook.com/Crochet-Zone-330382157152597/timeline   Crochet Zone is also on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/crochetzoneblog/ AND you can find Crochet Zone on Ravelry of course http://www.ravelry.com/people/crochetzoneblog

Thank you to MA Santos of the Crochet Zone for the beautiful well thought out patterns.  We really do appreciate all the work our designers put into what they do.  Remember of course that the pictures and patterns belong to the Crochet Zone so credit where credit is due and please use your own pictures to display the items you've created from the Crochet Zone's patterns.   Thanks for reading today! 

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