Mirtooli Crochet

Goodby 2011 - Hello 2012

2012-01-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

2011 Closed with a very successful sale at Bazaar Bizarre in San Francisco.

Happy New Hat Owners

2012 is here!

This year I'm taking a pattern writing workshop at Stitches West in February- (which will help me to get those patterns out there quicker!)

Also looking forward to attending the CGOA - (Crochet Guild of America) conference in Reno Nevada in September! http://www.knitandcrochetshow.com/

I hope to see some crochet friends from far off places!!!(other countries even?!!?)

These are some of the Items I will have for Sale at Bazaar Bizarre.

2011-11-23T08:53:00.001-08:00

Prices will range from $39- $70 for the gloves. All one of a kind - using beautiful hand dyed natural fibers - made up as I go - crocheted by little old me - here in the USA -

Lacy Scarf using a Modular Circular Motif

2011-10-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Look at Bluebird Yarn Shop's Calendar of events to find the class in which I'll be teaching this pattern. http://www.bluebirdyarn.com/Bluebird_Yarn_and_Fiber_Crafts/Classes_Events.html

A Super Simple Scarf Pattern

2011-09-13T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is a super simple scarf pattern I am now teaching at BlueBird Yarn Store in Sausalito, CA. I wrote up this pattern for beginning crocheters. It is inspired by a scarf posted on Ravelry. You can download the PDF by clicking on the image of the scarf on the side bar.
http://www.bluebirdyarn.com/Bluebird_Yarn_and_Fiber_Crafts/Home__Marin_Countys_Best_Yarn_Store.html

Clara in the Flower Vest

2011-09-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

I took advantage of having my lovely model, Clara, here in the USA this August.
She was visiting from Paris -
Modeling a "Flower Vest" I made for myself.
PS. dear friends - No pattern for this right now. Most of the things I make up as I go along. I'm working on my pattern - writing skills. Onward and upward - some day i hope to publish
a sweet little book with all my crazy ideas and creations - with patterns!!!

I really do crochet projects bigger than hats!!!!

2011-08-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Getting Ready for Holiday Craft Fairs

2011-08-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

New Patterns to be published soon!

2011-08-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

Finally.. I will be publishing new patterns! The fingerless gloves are being forwarded to a few friends for testing. The 2- pointed baby hat will be soon to follow as well as the "Lacy Scarf". I'll also be selling hats, gloves etc. this Holiday Season - watch my blog to find out where and when!

Maire Treanor's skillful hands helping me with my crazy "hippie" Irish Lace

2011-08-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

Clones Irish Lace with Maire Treanor

2011-08-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

This past July I had a wonderful opportunity to meet and take a workshop with,
Maire Treanor, an amazing Irish Lace crocheter. She has been documenting and preserving this exquisite delicate crochet craft. The class was filled a great group of intrepid crocheters who weren't afraid of those little tiny sized crochet hooks and skinny thread. Talk about patience!!! I found Maire to be a very kind and encouraging teacher. Her vast knowledge was not only of the stitches ( including the famous clones knot) but also the history and economics of the "Lace Industry" in Ireland.

Ava's Birthday Hat!!!

2011-05-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Another Rare Vintage Photo

2011-04-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

It's a little blurry - but here's a vintage photo of me circa 1982 -
at a little Holiday Sale. All crocheted items - aaaaaand - I'm so YOUNG!!! - no gray hair!!!!
ps. all the patterns in the hats are basically "tapestry" crochet. I had kind of figured out how to make color changes creating all sorts of designs on my own.
Now I see some really incredibly complicated and beautiful designs on Ravelry ( laracroft) http://crochetcodex.blogspot.com/

Another Commission!!!

2011-03-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

Wow! I got another commission from a wonderful man - who is generous and allows me creative freedom!!!! Two traits I adore!!! He called it a "snood" - but technically it's a hooded caplet or maybe a hooded cowl? I had so much fun making it!! Think I could write a pattern too -

Valentine's Day Commission

2011-03-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks all for your comments on the "Crab" Head - Hat- Hmm - a Pattern - don't think so- would be too hard for me to write. But I am in the process of writing several patterns. They should be ready this Spring. I've had a lot of commissions lately, which is kind of great!!!

Crab Head

2011-01-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

I'm going to a workshop with Prudence Mapstone - Jan 15 and 16 - so excited!!!

here's what i've been working on lately - It's for my cousin Meighan - who will wear ANYTHING I make!!!

2 Pointed Hats

2010-08-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

I have made many 2 pointed hats over the years.Every time I crocheted one I put it together in a different way. Last year I gave myself the challenge of creating a systematic way of constructing the hat in order to publish a pattern. I taught several classes at "Blue Bird" yarn store in Sausilito, California.Each time I would amend the pattern to make it more direct and understandable . Finally I consulted a tech editor to further refine it.Some of the hats pictured in the photo - montage are a bit fancier and more complicated.The pattern gives the basic construction, and a good starting point .

More Xenobia!!!

2010-07-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

Love Love Love what she does!!!!!

Playing around with some yarn from "Crystal Palace"

2010-06-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Susan from Crystal Palace gave me some mini mochi to play around with. I just adore the colors and morphing color changes. I'm working on this vest to wear to fiber events.

My new heroine!!!

2010-05-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have found my new Heroine!!!!!
Xenobia Bailey!!!!!!!

XENOBIA BAILEY'S "NEW DAY: IN THE EYE(I) OF THE DREAM ERA" ARTIST JOURNAL: XENOBIA BAILEY'S MOON LODGE, TRANCE FORMER TENT AT LA TRIENNALEDI MILANO DESIGN MUSEUMS EXHIBIT: DRITTO ROVESCIO, 2.24-3.29.09 , MILAN, ITALY

2010-05-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

XENOBIA BAILEY'S "NEW DAY: IN THE EYE(I) OF THE DREAM ERA" ARTIST JOURNAL: XENOBIA BAILEY'S MOON LODGE, TRANCE FORMER TENT AT LA TRIENNALEDI MILANO DESIGN MUSEUMS EXHIBIT: DRITTO ROVESCIO, 2.24-3.29.09 , MILAN, ITALY

Cecilia's Car Cozy!!!!

2010-05-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

My friend Cecilia has been working on this car cozy for several years . Here is the finished ( or almost finished state)
check out the Youtube video to see it constructed!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khLspVuP4DY

2010-05-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Lately

2010-05-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

Still working on patterns - getting closer to being more confident about writing them.
Here's a couple of projects I have slated to publish patterns for

So Cool and groovy back in the 70's

2010-01-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

Peter Max Crochet

2010-01-14T10:52:00.001-08:00

My First Crochet Book

2010-01-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

Here's my first crochet book - "the Peter Max Book of Crochet"!!! I recently bought it on Amazon for nostalgia sake. I won't tell you how much it cost. I simply had to have it!!! I didn't remember the hat at all, which is odd when you look at what I do now. Mostly I remembered making some mittens. One was 5 sizes larger than the other because my gauge changed as I became more adept at the pattern. I was really into the rainbow variegated yarn back then. I was such a "hippie" ha ha .
Although the book has a 1972 copyright - I am almost positive I had it in 1970.

first pattern available for download!!

2010-01-05T13:47:00.000-08:00

Here is my first FREE pdf download
( see link on right)
This is a good pattern for a beginner.
Please find tutorials on how to chain, slip stitch
and single crochet before you begin.

Hats for Sale

2009-12-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

2009-12-07T11:23:00.000-08:00

the third person to tryout my 2 pointed hat pattern is having great success!!
I am so proud of her!!! She picked really beautiful colors!

HATS WITH NEW OWNERS

2009-12-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

My great nephew Owen, My great Niece Eloise, My New friend and artist compatriot , Susan
and My niece Isabella ( holding Owen)

2009-12-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

All these hats are now for sale in my Studio.

They range in price from $84 - $138

Soon I will have the pattern for this hat .
I will probably charge $8.40 for a pdf pattern .
Already the pattern is 4 pages with color photos of the steps
I will be including a tutorial of how to make a bobble and also
instructions in making the various adornments. I have has great success so far with my test pattern!

2009-11-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

I've been teaching a class in how to make this 2 pointed hat at Bluebird Yarn in Sausilito, Ca. Another class begins this Sunday November 29.

It has been a thrill to see someone else follow my pattern and actually be successful at it! So soon I really will have a pattern for this 2 pointed hat for sale.

The beginning of My "hat making career" ca. 1975

2009-11-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

2009-10-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

I'm Back!!!!!
working on a pattern for this hat and variations of it.

Ruffle Cuffed Crochet Fingerless Gloves

2009-07-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

2009-07-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

I used "A Verb for Keeping Warm" light blue , alpaca/silk blend in a sport weight.

I used a 4.5 mm hook- which is a little larger than what might be used ordinarily for this weight of yarn. The result is a light and delicate weave that has a lot of stretch to it.

Ok - I had posted a deeply flawed pattern for these fingerless gloves ( but FREE!) - my apologies to anyone who tried it!!!

A Verb For keeping Warm

2009-07-12T15:53:00.001-07:00

How Lucky I am..... My studio is located in the same building as a "Verb For Keeping Warm".

These ladies have the most delectable
yarns for sale. They hand dye it all - using only natural dyes. The colors are exquisite.
I often see the fibers hanging out to dry - Such a beautiful sight to see!!

This is a hat crocheted entirely using their yarns.

2009-07-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

2009-07-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

fingerless gloves -
mini mochi and
baby alpaca dk

Nicki Hitz Edson

2009-07-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

I have just discovered this AMAZING fiber artist.
Of course its her CROCHETING that really blows me away!!!

http://nickihitzedson.com/

Hats from 2007

2009-06-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

Two Pointer Hat for Tameka

2009-06-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

I gave this hat to Tameka before she left for Spain this last winter.

"Crocheted Fingerless Gloves"

2009-06-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

cotton thread, fish net stitch,
lacy black hearts on the top.
I am writing a pattern for these,
which will be available in a few months

Nick Cave- Sound suits !!!

2009-06-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I'm a little late to the table - but I have just discovered Nick Cave - The Artist who makes and performs in Sound suits. ( odd that there are TWO Nick Caves who perform in sound suits!)

I'm attaching a youtube video of him.
What he said - that I liked the most- was about the joy and delight factor in the viewer .
I believe that is the same feeling I strive for in my creations!