Boot Cuffs Preview

An actual new design?! Well...not really a new concept, but I'm seeing these everywhere and wanted a pair of my own. So I created my own version of the boot cuffs. Three different varieties too! From very basic to a little more advanced (but still easy). I'm teaching a beginner crochet class soon and needed fun project in the most basic pattern that could be completed quickly. I thought the boot cuffs were the perfect item and wrote up a basic pattern. I will be offering this pattern for free. NGOZI BOOT CUFFS

The boot cuffs pictured below were going to be used, but I thought that the technique may be confusing for a complete newbie and that something more basic was more appropriate to teach in such a small time frame (3-5 hours). Nonetheless, I loved the way these turned out and started making some for sale in my Etsy shop and a craft festival I'll be doing in about a month. OBIUTO RIBBED BOOT CUFFS

The last pair of boot cuffs I'll preview here is my favorite. Love the stitch pattern and the versatility of being able to wear them either way up and using two colors. It's really like creating 4 cuffs and only actually working 2 cuffs. I think everyone likes the idea of an item that is multi-functional. I've been making these for sale also. They take longer to create than the other two pair, but it is still a quick proejct and your friends will LOVE you for making them a pair! ADAKU CONVERTIBLE BOOT CUFFS

Yarn Bombs Galore!

Okay…it’s been another long hiatus between blog entries, but this definitely merits mentioning here. I’m still recovering from last week’s events. What events? Well…I had the largest yarn bomb that I have created featured at the Birmingham Museum of Art. An entire car…well, probably one of the smallest cars available, but still! The event was called Art on the Rocks, which is a fun event that they put on in the summer months. It was the last Art on the Rocks event, right before the Andy Warhol exhibit was scheduled to leave. The design of the yarn bomb was inspired by Andy Warhol’s vibrant use of color, and The Rainbow Fish. To my surprise, I even ended up on the FRONT PAGE of The Birmingham News! You will rarely see my photo, since I’m horribly unphotogenic (is that a word?)…and I even tried to convince the newspaper reporter that he could focus on the car and that I didn’t really feel comfortable being photographed, that I would end up being embarrassed by it and I didn’t want to feel that way after all of the work that went into the piece. Long story short, two of my friends that were there convinced me to take the photo with the car, and I did it quickly just to get it over with and hoped for the best. I didn’t HATE the photo, which is saying a lot. I took the entire week off work so that I could focus on this project. This was my "week of living like a full time artist". I thought it would be relaxing, but I was so filled with anxiety and stayed so stressed trying to finish everything. There were nights where I didn't get more than a couple hours of sleep and I still feel like I'm exhausted, but have been on a crochet break this week. I've never felt so under the gun, but I was so pleased that so many people got a chance to see it.

There were a few other pieces sprinkled around the museum the entire weekend, and I did a live yarn bombing on Thursday installing the “CREATE” piece on the stairwell and a really long installment on the hand railing. I also got to display my “CAROUSEL HORSE” yarn bomb that I completed last year for the first time in public. It was featured on a Fox 6 News. JeJe Pruitt wanted to speak with me on camera (live), but I just could not bring myself to do that. I felt like I would have said something stupid, or become overwhelmed with emotion and just started crying…I just had a feeling I would have embarrassed myself and asked Carrie Montgomery to speak on my behalf. She is so at ease in front on the cameras and she did a great job.

I also need to add a photo of the yarn bomb I did to Miss Fancy in Avondale Park (Birmingham, Alabama).

City Neckwarmer - free crochet pattern

I use this pattern to teach a 2 session class. Leaving the students with homework, the practice of repeating rows and becoming comfortable with crocheting. This pattern teaches the students to begin and create a new row, and basic increasing. Much more fun than the standard scarf or washcloth for beginners. Feel free to try it for your beginner crochet class, makes a great first project. FOR PDF DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE Copyright © 2012 Donna Rutledge-Okoro, all rights reserved. No pattern or other material may be reproduced or distributed – mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying and posting to websites – without written permission from Donna Rutledge-Okoro. Pattern is for personal use only, however, you may sell finished items made from this pattern but please reference pattern source in ALL online listings. Do not post photos of construction. For email assistance and/or corrections, please contact Donna Rutledge Okoro at: MsSunflwr@yahoo.com.

Chez Lulu Yarn Bomb

In celebration of Sugar's birthday, Ordra and I took her to our favorite place to dine...Chez Lulu in English Village. If you live in Birmingham, AL and have never been there (or neighboring Continental Bakery), you have to try it. We shared a variety of favorite dishes, wine and just laughed and enjoyed each others company. That place never disappoints. The waiter didn't even seem to notice when I was yarn bombing one of the chairs, not even when I was holding the chair between my ankles at a 45 degree angle. We were kinda tucked away in an alcove so, none of the other patrons noticed either. I think he was pre-occupied with how much fun we were having, he was an awesome waiter. I felt compelled to leave a yarn bomb there, since it's been a favorite spot for over 10 years now...AND it was Sugar's birthday. I thought about this at the last minute and was totally unprepared, not even a scrap of yarn in the car or a hook. Stopped by the Walmart on the way over though, their hook selection was pathetic, actually had to get a Tunisian crochet hook (always wanted to learn that anyways). Did the trick though. At least they had yarn in her favorite color.