#jamesriverwrap

That's a lot of #jamesriverwrap! 😂 Cheers to 2021! #topnine https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfVD8_pGns/?igshid=aaqgxpsxggdt

Today's the last day to save 10% on the #jamesriverwrap for the pattern launch! You can use coupon code windingriver on either Etsy or Ravelry. And be sure to check my saved stories or click the hashtag to see some of my pattern testers' projects! https://www.instagram.com/p/CDri9nrpuJo/?igshid=smzop7rmarc4

Have you grabbed your copy of the James River Wrap pattern yet? If not, be sure to use coupon code windingriver to save 10% on the pdf pattern download via Ravelry or Etsy! (Follow the links in my profile) ⁠ ⁠ #jamesriverwrap #crochetpattern #crochetwrap #crochetshawl #crochetcetera #createandgrowchallenge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDmcv0RJFq9/?igshid=1g2vp1kb12zba

Eep! I put my first piece of non-crochet or fiber related art up on Etsy today! I actually don't specifically plan to sell this one, so I figured it would be a good practice listing. That being said, if someone does want to buy it, I'll be delighted to send it on for someone else to love instead! But I had a couple pictures already and wanted to break the ice, so to speak, and it is, you know, relevant, I guess? to the #jamesriverwrap pattern release since the painting was inspired by the crocheting! It's part of the James River Collection! (that feels a little silly to stay but I like it anyway) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDhXEmhJnuD/?igshid=5tuq7yykvpxj

I first envisioned this project on the road to visit @centeroftheyarniverse and @danceswithwoolrva, the first two of my four stops on the inaugural @jamesriveryarncrawl. My other two stops on the crawl were @theflyingneedlesyarn and my own LYS at the time, @yarnmatters. Sometimes a design concept comes from the yarn but sometimes it comes all on its own, suddenly, like lightening striking in a moment of inspiration, and then I have to find the yarn to bring it to life! So at each shop I visited, I looked for locally dyed yarn in colors that reminded me of my own time on the rivers there in Virginia. The river in my pictures is (shhh) actually in Texas, where we moved just a week after the yarn crawl last year! I'm so pleased to finally be able to share the pattern with you. Thank you SO much to my tech editor @jamesbartley.co.uk as well all of my fabulous testers, including Donna, @keinaphels, @shabelcreations, and @sandhyakarandikar. You all ROCK!! The pattern is available on Ravelry as well as in my new Etsy shop and you can save 10% for the pattern launch with coupon code windingriver, now through August 16th at 11:59 CT. Enjoy!⁠ ⁠ Featured dyers: @littlefoxyarn, @kimdyesyarn, @robinspromise, @the.fiberists, @baad_mom_yarns, @urbangirlyarns, @temptingeweyarn, and @wise_owl_crafts ⁠ ⁠ #jamesriverwrap #jamesriveryarncrawl #littlefoxyarn #kimdyesyarn #robinspromiseyarn #thefiberists #baadmomyarns #urbangirlyarns #temptingeweyarns #wiseowlfiber #centeroftheyarniverse #danceswithwoolrva #theflyingneedles #yarnmatters #crochetpattern #createandgrowchallenge https://www.instagram.com/p/CDeo0SLJNyy/?igshid=kkuf81u7zwqw

@williamsanastasia_ wants to know what my superhero origin story would be for the #createandgrowchallenge. How did I get here? Spinning my own (z-twist!) yarn and all! I have to tell you that one surprised me, ha ha. The stitch markers I've made, off and on, for a few years now, and they were a result of my jewelry making as a teen, which was the result of my grandmother teaching me how to make rosaries. Which reminds me that my creative bone lives deep not only inside me, but through the generations that came before me. My mother taught me to crochet. My grandmother taught me to make rosaries. My Granny helped me try my hand at woodworking (and Mom helped me build my workbench where I make shawl pins). My Dad took me stomping through the woods and made me sit still and listen (for deer and turkeys and even bears!) and Mom gave me names for the trees and flowers that we saw. My superhero origin story would be like that of the prodigal son, blind to the gifts and joys that I was so lucky to know as a child that I forgot for so long. My superhero story would be one of homecoming. I'm still searching to identify my super power, but I can feel it lingering closer! What's YOUR super power?? P.S. this is Greenscape from @thing4string in a superwash merino - my first full skein of chain ply! Doesn't it tie in beautifully with the #jamesriverwrap collection!? #connieleespins https://www.instagram.com/p/CDcUOYGJS_I/?igshid=o70597jeid2v

The #jamesriverwrap releases tomorrow, y'all! Here's a look at some of the fabulous interpretations by my pattern testers. ❤️ Donna added beads to her river, making it twinkle in the light, just like the water can do in the sun! @keinaphels worked with more of a fall palette of yarns local to her and it looks like it has a lovely drape. @sandhyakarandikar also worked with a selection of local yarns, and added a fringe! And @shabelcreations featured fabulous red for a completely different take on the design. I love it! So many thanks to all of my testers for their valued feedback and wonderful photos. I really couldn't do this without them and I absolutely love seeing all the different ways one design can come to life in the hands of different makers!! 💙💚💛 Now. Who's gonna make this with ombre yarn? Or a long-sequence self striping yarn? 😍 Be sure you're signed up for my newsletter to get an exclusive discount code for 20% off for the launch (new subscribers also get a BOGO code they can use right away)! https://www.instagram.com/p/CDbmhaGpqZQ/?igshid=r3ben8n9a1bj

Hello, August! And hello to all of the lovely new folks since my last intro post. In case you didn't know, I'm Connie and I'm a Fiber and Mixed Media Artist. Whoa, I said it out loud! Well, sort of. ;) I'm a crochet designer and teacher who doesn't get to do much teaching anymore and thanks to the pandemic and #the100DayProject I found myself on a journey back into art in other forms. And so you'll probably start seeing a lot more art here again! Did you know when I first opened my Instagram account, I was mostly sharing pictures of my nail art? I've had my Facebook page a little longer and it has always been almost exclusively crochet and fiber focused. But now that I'm painting again (having a baby put a stop to nail art pretty quickly!) I'm discovering that I can take a concept or a moment of inspiration, like the James River, and I can interpret it and reenvision it through a variety of mediums, which is making my inner artist clap her little hands in utter delight! So anyway, all that is mostly to just say hi and that I'm participating in the #createandgrowchallenge from @williamsanastasia_ and, of course, we begin with an intro post! So here I am, struggling with the wind during the #jamesriverwrap photo shoot - I ALWAYS struggle with the wind, it seems! But my darling husband is becoming more and more patient and productive every time I stick him behind the camera! If you feel like sharing, I'd love to hear a little about you, too! Is the weather miserably hot where you are, too? It's almost fall, though! What are you most looking forward to in the coming months? https://www.instagram.com/p/CDW6X1TJgAG/?igshid=1bt21n9nj74hz