Random Thoughts

Crochetville 2016 Blog Tour -- The Crochet Express Stops Here!

Today the train stops here at my blog! I am offering you my Almost Random Lace Scarf pattern free on Ravelry from March 5, 2016 until March 13, 2016 with the code: 2016. You don't need to be a member of Ravelry to get my pattern, but it is truly a great community and I recommend that you join. If you already have this pattern, send me a message and I will gift you one of my other patterns.

I designed this pattern to show that randomness isn't all that scary. This pattern is both written and charted and is designed so that anyone can crochet a ‘random’ lace scarf. The benefit is that I have done the math so that the edges are nice and even. Along with the pattern for the scarf shown, I have included tips to help you delve further into randomness. This pattern also includes instructions for blocking as I think it helps bring out the beauty of any lace.

Here's the link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/almost-random-lace-scarf

But wait! That isn't all. There are many more fun stops ahead. Not to mention prizes,give aways, and fantastic yarns and patterns to discover.

For information about the Blog Tour: crochetville.com/all-aboard-the-crochet-express-blog-tour

For Blog Tour Gereral Info: crochetville.com/general-information-2016-natcromo-blog-tour

For the Crochetville Blog: crochetville.com

This fantastic event continues for the entire month of March, so don't miss out!

Random Creations from the Past

I am feeling especially random today so I thought I would put up photos of some of my past creations. Yes, good blogging for me is lots of pictures and a few words. Here we go...

My first freeform piece made while touring Europe 1977-1978. I didn't know about freeform then, I called it doodling with yarn. It was made with one continuous thread and is framed in an old window with a partial screen that I found in the basement of my house which is over 100 years old:

A wall quilt I made sometime around 2000:

My four seasons of trees - a little exercise for myself in creative knitting and also the first pattern I ever wrote out. The pattern is free here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/four-seasons-of-trees

A nest with eggs I made by manipulating fabric:

A friend gave me a bag of old electronic parts and said "do something with this" So I made some necklaces:

This was for the Itsy Bitsy Bikini Challenge in the Freeformations group on Ravelry for the Ravelympics 2008 and, no, I haven't worn it yet...

Well, that's enough for now. I will end with my Loon. I am currently using it as my Ravatar so you might recognize it:

Crochetville's Blog Tour has started!

This is the first day of the Crochetville Blog Tour for National Crochet Month. Be sure to check each day to learn more about crochet designers, yarns, and for the daily give aways and prizes:

http://crochetville.com/all-aboard-the-crochet-express-blog-tour/

My date on the tour is March 5, so be sure to stop by and get the coupon code for my Almost Random Lace Scarf pattern which will be free on Ravelry with the code from March 5 to March 13. Oh, and if you already have the pattern, send me a note and I will gift you another of my patterns - your choice.

I thought spring had sprung but now I am watching a snow storm outside my window. Here are a few of my Irish Crochet samples to bring back the spirit of spring.

And now, back to hibernating....

Fall 2016 Colours!

The new colours are now in from Pantone. I am sure this will inspire you when choosing your yarn colours for fall. I especially like the blue tones they have chosen and am also in love with the sharkskin. Check them out here: Pantone Fall 2016 Colours

Things are gearing up for National Crochet Month. March will be busy and fun. I am getting ready for the Crochetville Blog Tour as my date is March 5th and I will be offering one of my patterns, Random Lace Scarf, free for a week to celebrate. My hope is to have crocheters discover the joy of freeform and randomness in general. More details to follow...

Crochetville's National Crochet Month Blog Tour coming this March!

Hey, crocheters! Did you hear? Jude Butterworth Designs is part of this year’s #natcromo Crochet Express blog tour.

Here's your ticket:

Make sure to check out all the fun. There will be daily giveaways and 3 designers will be featured each day, 93 in all! Don't miss out! Follow the link for all the details:

http://crochetville.com/all-aboard-the-crochet-express-blog-tour/

Hope to see you there!

All aboard!

Thoughts on Freeform Beading

I do love those lovely shiny tiny beads. I also am a fan of things asymmetrical.

I started doing freeform work in crochet, but have also expanded into freeform beading. I think it was only natural that this would happen.

Hope you enjoy looking at my work!

Thoughts on Freeform

Defining 'freeform' is a complicated task. If just picking up a hook and going for it were to be considered as 'freeforming', then all designers would be doing freeform whenever they design and this isn't true.

Experimenting with different shapes and textures might be a candidate, but perhaps only if there is some sort of cohesion. Sometimes when I experiment, I just join a new sample onto another one to avoid starting a new chain and this I would not consider doing freeform as there is no real goal in mind -- I am just playing with ideas

So just what is it? It cannot be merely working without a pattern or joining existing motifs in a new way. Many call it 'scrumbling' and I do like this idea as freeform seems to consist of a variety of irregular motifs.