January’s hook winner was Bobbi Chatelain. She chose a Trai size L crochet hook. And, February’s hook winner is Julie DeJonghe. Julie picked a size F Ebony hook.
Ebony, Nam Oc and Trai crochet hooks
If you would like to enter to win a Laurel Hill Crochet Hook, sign up here. A new winner is randomly picked each month and you could be next!
We invite you to send us a review of the hook you received. Tell us about yourself, how you learned to knit or crochet, or your current project. Take a picture of yourself and your project, and send it to us rbrown@laurelhillonline.com.
We are pleased to introduce Corinne Freeman to the Laurel Hill community. Corinne will be providing free, new projects and patterns to Laurel Hill for your crocheting pleasure. Thank you, Corinne!
Corinne writes:
“I truly do love to create things. I have been crocheting and knitting for many years. I was very fortunate to have my family members teach me the basics. From there, I have worked on improving my skills through the many venues for learning fiber crafting.
Back in 2010, I did a couple of craft fairs. I had made so many projects that I needed to reduce some of my things. I was extremely excited about how well I did, and I decided shortly after to open up my own ETSY store. I thought it would be fun, and there is nothing better than having someone love what I have made. I am so very fortunate to be a young grandmother raising my granddaughter. That old saying that “they keep you young,” is very true.
Box Stitch Crochet, by Corinne Freeman
Now, I am proud to be able to fuel my creative side in my first published book, which is truly a dream come true. My book is called Box Stitch Crochet, which is a stitch I was able to learn from a family member. Most of the time this stitch is used for Afghans or Baby Blankets, as the stitch works up quickly. It’s great for new baby gifts. I like the fact that my book takes this stitch in a different direction, by focusing on making wearable items such as camisoles or shawls, along with other accessories.
Thank you for reading this and have a wonderful day! May your day bring you strength, peace, and joy with the positive things we all have in our world.
If you are a knitter or crocheter, or if you love someone who is, you will know that you can never have too much when it comes to the tools of the craft. At www.LaurelHillOnline.com, your one-stop fiber arts tools online shop, you will discover the perfect gift for someone near and dear to you, or treat yourself to a set of heirloom quality tools to be passed on and cherished. Laurel Hill has been known for more than a decade for the exotic woods of Ebony, Nam Oc, and Trai that comprise a variety set. All crochet sets include a beautiful multicolored fabric case to protect the following size hooks: D, E, F, G, 7, H, I, J, K, L, M.
Crochet hooks handcrafted from beautiful ebony
Seeking the perfect stocking stuffer? Whether you select beautiful handcrafted knitting needles, a practical stitch counter, or cedar sachets to protect your beautiful creations, Laurel Hill has thousands of accessories to choose from. Even the yarn crafter who has “everything” will be surprised and delighted with something brand new that shows how much you care and appreciate her (or his) passion.
An amazing selection, reasonable prices, and the ease of ordering online make Laurel Hill your go-to for holiday shopping. Simply visit www.LaurelHillOnline.com for a wonderful, user friendly, shopping experience.
And from all of us at Laurel Hill, we wish you Happy Holidays, a Happy, Healthy New Year, and a 2017 filled with Happy Yarn Crafting!
When it comes to knitting and crochet, Paula Susan Lesko Meyers does not hesitate to seize a new idea and run with it. A self-described “Renaissance woman,” Paula mines the internet for the latest patterns and the highest quality fiber arts tools, unafraid to try anything at least once. Her vast internet research is what led her to Laurel Hill where she was thrilled to discover her new “gorgeous set of wood crochet hooks” that she says are “so lovely and warm in my hand.”
Paula added, “I love, love, love them – they are so comfortable to hold. The artisans who create these handmade wood hooks are extremely skilled in their craft.”
Those accolades are not to be taken lightly, especially when they come from an experienced yarncrafter like Paula. Spending cozy childhood summers in the Pocono Mountains, Paula learned to knit and crochet from her aunt/godmother before she was 10 years old. She caught on immediately, asking for spare yarn, extra hooks and whatever pattern books she could get her hands on. Her first projects included pet toys for the family’s menagerie. Off and running, Paula began trying out new ideas and new patterns as fast as she could find them.
A former administrative assistant who now has more time to explore her many interests, Paula’s repertoire of projects has grown substantially to include: pot scrubbers, dish cloths, material lined crochet purses, crochet evening clutches, rosary pouches, rag rugs, and so much more. She has even delved into “plarn,” bags and door mats crocheted from plastic bags for recycling.
Plarn: Crafts crocheted from plastic bags for recycling!
Paula has amassed so many patterns and projects that she keeps a cache of three-ring binders on hand for reference! And when she is not yarncrafting, one can often find Paula in her garden or creating colorful floral arrangements. As she says, “I embrace everything.”
Mindful of those less fortunate, Paula devotes a great deal of time crocheting projects for local church auctions, and she also creates “silent” rosaries for members of the military. We learned that soldiers out on missions have to be absolutely quiet to protect themselves – hence the need for crocheted rosaries that do not click together during prayers. Kudos to Paula for fulfilling that special need!
Anticipating an upcoming move from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, Paula has already started planning how she will move all her binders and yarncrafting accessories. As an inspiring and inspired Renaissance woman, she is determined to continue her passion uninterrupted!
Let Us Know
We are always eager to hear your comments and feedback, and your input keeps our offerings fresh and relevant. What inspires you to knit or crochet? Please share your stories with us and learn more at http://www.laurelhillonline.com./
Sue Stone has been amassing knitting needles, crochet hooks, and balls of yarn for weeks. You might wonder if she is adding to her stash, but in fact she is in charge of collecting prize giveaways for Knots of Love’s High Tea, one of the organization’s most highly anticipated events of the year. Taking place on April 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Spring Field Tea Garden in Fullerton, CA, the raffle and silent auction are poised for great success under Sue’s care.
In case you are not familiar with Knots of Love, it is an amazing, award-winning 501c3 organization that donates knitted and crocheted caps to men and women, including veterans, undergoing chemotherapy, burn victims, brain surgery patients, head trauma patients, and individuals with Alopecia. They also donate tiny blankets to fragile new lives in incubators.
Sue started knitting caps for Knots of Love more than five years ago after reading an article in the local newspaper about the organization. She had learned to knit from her mother and grandmother as a small child growing up in Australia, but had put her needles down for some time until she was inspired by the Knots of Love story. Since then, Sue has made more caps than she can count and has become a dedicated volunteer, stepping up this year to help organize the High Tea.
Apparently an expert in time management, Sue is also a full time labor and delivery nurse, and she is on the board of the National League of Young Men, an organization she participates in with her two high school aged boys.
Sue explains that for her, knitting is a great stress reliever, even helping her keep calm when she went back to school from 2013-2015 for her nursing degree. Knitting helped her stay focused during what she calls “that crazy time.”
While she was in nursing school, Sue Stone found that knitting was a great stress reliever.
For Sue, volunteering for Knots of Love is truly an act of love.
“I love doing it,” she says. “I have so many nurse co-workers with cancer, and my Dad was just diagnosed with lymphoma this week – it’s important for me to help those who are suffering and to show them some love.”
All of us at Laurel Hill are grateful for the good work Sue and her team are doing, and we wish all the best to Knots of Love for a fun and successful High Tea! We can’t wait to see the photos!
If you live near Fullerton, CA and you want to know more, visit KnotsofLove.org for more information on the event.
Let Us Know
We are always eager to hear your comments and feedback, and your input keeps our offerings fresh and relevant. Do you knit or crochet for good causes? Please tell us about it. We would love to share your good deeds with our readers!
Laurel Hill is known for listening to our customers and providing them with their favorite fiber arts tools and accessories. That’s why we are thrilled to announce the arrival of ChiaoGoo to our vast selection of high quality knitting needles, crochet hooks, gift sets and accessories. We now carry many of ChiaoGoo’s bamboo/wood and stainless steel Single Points, Double Points and Circulars, as well as several fabulous accessories.
The Story of ChiaoGoo
Yarn crafters love ChiaoGoo for their pointy tips and gentle touch. Did you know this line has a rich, exotic history? The Zheng brothers were born and grew up in Linan, China, “The Bamboo Capital of China.” Grandfather Zheng was a bamboo craftsman who spent the majority of his life traveling from town to town with his bamboo tool kit making household goods such as chairs, tables, mattress sheets, rice barrels, baskets and steamers. Father Zheng followed in his father’s footsteps and was able to build a workshop in the early 1980s. Father Zheng’s workshop produced similar household goods, but the primary product was bamboo knitting needles.
Demand for the needles originated with Mama Zheng. She is an excellent knitter and knit in order to keep her family warm during the long, cold winters. Mama Zheng would often knit extra items and sell them to neighbors and friends to make some extra money for her family of seven. She was the needle “tester” and frequently asked for special needles to meet her needs. Mama Zheng is the inspiration for the ChiaoGoo brand name which means “highly skillful and crafty lady.”
Coming to America
In the 1990’s, the youngest son, Leon, established Westing Bridge LLC in Troy, MI for the marketing and distribution of the bamboo needles outside of China. Leon came to the US in 1997. He attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV where he received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Laser Technology. After graduation, Leon upgraded the family business replacing key machinery to improve product quality, productivity and working conditions. He purchased a special laser to imprint the ChiaoGoo name and size on each needle produced.
Let Us Know
We are always eager to hear your comments and feedback, and your input keeps our offerings fresh and relevant. Please let us know what you think about the addition of ChiaoGoo and if there’s anything else you would like to see at Laurel Hill, your one stop web shop. And please remember to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on our new Instagram account, LaurelHillKnitCrochet.
At Laurel Hill, we love meeting new people who share our passions. We are especially fortunate to have a new friend, Tammy of Posh Patterns, an extremely talented yarn crafter who recently tried our Ebony Crochet Hook for the first time. She shared her thoughts with us (below) and generously provided us with a FREE pattern to try this elegant cowl ourselves. If you mention or share this pattern, please credit Posh Patterns! Thank you, Tammy, and welcome to the Laurel Hill community!
Elegant V-Stitch Cowl
I’ve recently had the opportunity to work with a Laurel Hill Ebony Crochet Hook. And I have to say…this hook was extraordinary!! I will admit that I am a little fussy about my crochet hooks, too. Since I spend a lot of my “work time” stitching, my hook just has to feel nice to hold, and be comfortable to work with. This hook was just that! The wood was incredibly smooth and luxurious feeling, and the shape of the part that rests in your hand was very comfortable. On top of that, the tip of the hook has a shape that is perfect for grabbing the yarn – not too deep, not to shallow. All around, an absolutely beautiful crochet hook!
So what did I make with my fabulous new Laurel Hill Ebony Crochet Hook? I used one skein of a pretty alpaca yarn and made an elegant cowl that is going to be fantastic for spring. It uses a V-Stitch pattern, which gives it an open feel, and it’s just the right size for that little bit of extra warmth that you might need on a spring day, or evening.
Enjoy!!
Tammy, Posh Patterns
Elegant V-Stitch Cowl
Supplies:
Chunky Weight Yarn (yarn pictured is Plymouth Yarns Baby Alpaca Grande; color 0145)
Size M Laurel Hill Ebony Crochet Hook
Tapestry Needle
Abbreviations:
St: stitch
Sl: slip
Dc: double crochet
Ch: chain
Size:
30” around, 7” tall
Directions:
Chain 50. Being careful not to twist the stitches, join to the first chain to form a circle.
Round 1: Ch 1. 2dc in same ch, skip 1 ch, *2dc in next ch, skip 1 chain; repeat from * around. Join to first dc.
Round 2: Slip stitch in the space between the first 2 dc sts. Ch 1. 2dc in same space, *2dc in the space between the next 2dc group; repeat from * around. Join.
Round 3-9: Repeat round 2.
NOTE: This is where you can adjust the height of your cowl. If you’d like it to be taller, work more rounds. The cowl shown has 9 rounds, and used exactly 1 skein of Baby Alpaca Grande.
Fasten off.
If you create this beautiful cowl, please share your photos with us on this blog or on our Laurel Hill Facebook page!
Cindy Stickney is the first to donate to Knots of Love via Laurel Hill’s new program
It was Cindy’s sister Becky who first told her about Knots of Love (www.KnotsofLove.org), an amazing nonprofit 501c3 that donates caps to men and women, including veterans, undergoing chemotherapy, burn victims, brain surgery patients, head trauma patients, and individuals with Alopecia. They also donate tiny blankets to fragile new lives in incubators. And Cindy, a breast cancer survivor herself, wasted no time in becoming involved.
A self-taught crocheter, Cindy has already created 12 hats for Knots of Love. She explains that she can relate to the difficult journey others are experiencing, and it is her way of giving back.
Coincidentally, Cindy began crocheting for Knots of Love around the same time that Laurel Hill , the source for beautiful handcrafted crochet hooks, knitting needles and fiber arts tools, announced that the company would donate a portion of all sales to the organization. Laurel Hill’s goal is to equip the yarncrafting community with the tools to knit or crochet with a giving heart.
Cindy created these beautiful hats and sent them to Knots of Love for donation to cancer patients.
Right after the big announcement published in Knots of Love’s monthly newsletter, Cindy discovered Laurel Hill and placed her first order knowing that she had found another way to donate to Knots of Love, and hopefully some helpful, comfortable tools for her craft. Here’s what she had to say:
“I just wanted to let you know that I received the Laurel Hill crochet hooks, and I love them! The day they arrived, I decided I needed to sit down that evening and give them a try. They are so lightweight in your hand and glide through the yarn very nicely. They’re very comfortable in my hand, so I can understand why they would be great for those with arthritis. I only wish that I’d purchased more!”
We are honored and delighted to welcome Cindy to the Laurel Hill family and to thank her for her giving heart and generous spirit.
Profile of Laurel Hill friend & yarn crafter Danette Bartelmay
Our conversation took place over the phone with a distance of 1,265 miles between us, but talking with Danette Bartelmay was like sitting together on a cozy couch with a hot cup of tea. Her warmth and vitality carried over the miles as Danette shared her story, a richly woven tapestry of love, family and yarn crafting.
Danette’s passion for the fiber arts began at the age of 16 when the woman who eventually became her beloved mother-in-law taught her how to cross stitch. This gradually led to crewel and embroidery, a carefully stitched journey that ultimately resulted in learning crochet from her co-worker at a beauty salon. Then, about 30 years ago, she added knitting to her vast repertoire.
A certified crochet teacher by the Yarn Craft Council, Craft Yarn Council Danette has become so skilled that she not only teaches crochet out of her home, she can repair damaged projects, and even create patterns from existing pieces. In between, she devotes family time to her husband, two daughters, four grandchildren, and close-knit extended family.
Danette loves spending time with her family: pictured here with her husband and their granddaughter Gabby.Amazingly, she still has time to stock her Etsy shop, Front Porch Knits, and publish a blog entitled “Rose Petal Tea”. In addition, Danette knits for charity and participates annually in the local craft fair in Morton.
All of her accomplishments have not come without their challenges. Suffering from rheumatoid arthritis since she was nine years old, Danette also fights the pain of lupus on a daily basis. While a compromised immune system keeps this former bank teller at home much of the time, Danette’s doctor strongly encourages her to keep up with yarn crafting. For Danette, crochet and knitting are everything – she has created a world where friends and students gather round, enjoying each other’s company, learning and crafting together. It is warm. It is cozy. It is a community.
A beautiful creation by Danette
Of course we asked Danette about her fiber arts tools, and her response was very gratifying. She explained that she had been on a lifelong hunt for good quality crochet hooks – she never could find just the right ones. Then a few weeks before Christmas, she googled “rosewood or ebony crochet hooks” and discovered Laurel Hill. For Danette, there is no going back. She is “hooked” on Laurel Hill for so many reasons.
“I LOVE the length and weight of the hooks,” Danette enthuses. “Not too long, not too heavy and they glide just beautifully. And how amazing to learn that they are arthritis-friendly!”
Danette says she is very picky about the way hooks catch, and Laurel Hill’s easily let go.
“The hooks are made exactly right and I love the points, no other hooks have points like these,” adds Danette. “Plus, they are wood and so warm in your hands.”
Danette exclaims that she will not use any other crochet hooks but Laurel Hill’s. We’re delighted that she is so happy, and even more delighted to have a new and wonderful friend. Another cup of tea?
For more on the warm, comfortable and beautiful crochet hooks Danette uses, visit LaurelHillOnline.com
Have you ever thought about how you respond to others’ expectations of you, or your expectations of yourself? I have become very interested in this question since reading Gretchen Rubin’s books and listening to the weekly podcast she produces with her sister Elizabeth Craft.
One of the topics they ponder is how to discover the secret of making or breaking a habit. According to Gretchen, to change our habits we first have to figure out ourselves.
She explains it as follows:
“When we try to form a new habit, we’re setting an expectation for ourselves. Therefore, to change our habits, it’s crucial to understand how we respond to expectations.
We all face outer expectations (meet deadlines, observe traffic regulations) and inner expectations (stop napping, give up sugar).
To help us figure out how we respond to expectations, Gretchen has devised the “Four Tendencies” framework: Here’s a brief summary:
Obligers. These are people who are fantastic at meeting outer expectations — for friends, loved ones, co-workers and so forth — but not as good as meeting inner expectations, or those they make of themselves. Knowing that other people are depending on them is what impels them to get things done. Most people are Obligers.
Questioners. These people resist outer expectations until they are sure those expectations are valuable, worthy or fair. They tend to take a long time to make decisions because they’re busy crunching numbers or doing other research. However, questioners do well with inner expectations.
Upholders. Upholders tend to meet both outer and inner expectations. Deadlines? Appointments? No problem. If you’re checking things off a to-do list every day, chances are you’re an Upholder.
Rebels. They have a tendency to resist both outer and inner expectations. No one else can tell them what to do. Rebels are the smallest group in the framework.
Knitters & Crocheters can demonstrate Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies
As an Upholder, I have figured out a lot about myself, my family, friends and co-workers. And as a public relations professional who writes and blogs for Laurel Hill, a company dedicated to providing sustainable, hand crafted fiber arts tools, I couldn’t help attributing the Four Tendencies to different types of yarn crafters. Here’s my take on the Four Tendencies for Knitters and Crocheters:
Upholders
You, fellow upholder, follow every knit or crochet pattern to the letter, purchasing all recommended yarns and tools on the materials list. You set a timeframe for completing each project, and you are adamant about working on only one project at a time no matter how much you yearn to start a new one in between.
Obliger
Sweet, kind obliger – you also adhere firmly to directions but you never create a project for yourself. You are a serial gift giver – creating baby blankets and booties even for your most casual acquaintances. If you ever do make something for yourself it will only be because your knitting or crochet group holds you accountable until you do.
Questioner
Why should I follow the pattern? Why would I use a #10 needle when a #13 needle will get the job done faster? How come I can’t make my own pattern? Wait a moment while I calculate the new measurements that will improve this. Our intrepid questioner will always think of a new and better way.
Rebel
Don’t be surprised if there’s a project in progress and six more stashed in the closet in various stages of completion. Oh, wait – crochet hooks, who needs crochet hooks? I am going to use my fingers, or a giant novelty tool I just invented. And this project – I am going to do it from the bottom up rather than the top down – why? Because I feel like it!
Where do you fit in? Gretchen has created a short quiz so you can determine your tendency:
We would love to know how the quiz works out for you and how you demonstrate your tendency. It’s just for fun, but you might learn more about yourself and others close to you. Please share!
If you are a knitter or crocheter, or if you love someone who is, you will know that you can never have too much when it comes to the tools of the craft. At 
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Laurel Hill Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks 