Author: Rachele Carmona

12 Steps from Copying to Clarity: The Creative Journey Through Style, Burnout, and Artistic Breakthrough (Series Main Post)

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Hello, lovely! Today, I’m announcing a very special series. If you remember a while back to the Creative Clarity Series, I’ve broken a couple of the posts down into a more digestible 12 parts. I’m calling it the Creative Journey, and it has 3 phases, each with 4 parts to it. This series is for crafters of any kind who are feeling a bit lost, don’t know where to begin, feel uncertain about personal style, are burned out, or want to take the next creative step, but don’t know which direction to go. This 12-part Creative Journey Series will guide you through 3 phases of creative discovery. It’s like a map that tells you where you are in the process instead of telling you how to find a destination. The Creative Journey Series will help you recognize that you are already an artist, you just have to figure out which phase you are in, and trust me, this is not a linear path, rather it’s a spiral upward. You may find yourself back at the …

Free Crochet Pattern: Cottage Quilt Blanket (UK Terms)

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Hello, gorgeous crafter! Today I want to share a crochet pattern that is from 2014 – a full decade ago! Throughout all these years, there has only been a paid PDF version, but now I want to release the free version in an effort to continually make sure all of my patterns are accessible to everyone. This versatile blanket pattern is inspired by fabric quilts which mix patterns together to make an eye-catching piece. There is a lot of thought that goes into every part of this blanket, and you will definitely enjoy the different ways you can use this pattern. Enjoy and happy crafting! PDF Format The PDF version of this pattern is available on Etsy, Ravelry, and in my online shop, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase. This pattern is in UK Terms – Click here for US Terms.

Free Crochet Pattern: Cottage Quilt Blanket (US Terms)

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Hello, gorgeous crafter! Today I want to share a crochet pattern that is from 2014 – a full decade ago! Throughout all these years, there has only been a paid PDF version, but now I want to release the free version in an effort to continually make sure all of my patterns are accessible to everyone. This versatile blanket pattern is inspired by fabric quilts which mix patterns together to make an eye-catching piece. There is a lot of thought that goes into every part of this blanket, and you will definitely enjoy the different ways you can use this pattern. Enjoy and happy crafting! PDF Format The PDF version of this pattern is available on Etsy, Ravelry, and in my online shop, and both US and UK Terms PDFs are included in the purchase. This pattern is in US Terms – Click here for UK Terms.

FO No. 1 of 19: Rainbow Galaxy 2024 VVCAL Blanket

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Hello, lovely! Today, as promised in my last post, I am showing off the first of 19 WIP finishes. I truly hope to finish these WIPs this year, but time will tell. In the WIP pile reveal post, I was wondering which WIPs I would start with first, and when it came down to it, I decided to just pick something I knew I would really enjoy. Of course this means it was 1) a rainbow! and 2) hexagon motifs! So, here is my 2024 VVCAL demo blanket using the Catona color pack and the Stone Washed and River Washed color pack. I didn’t use all of the motifs, and this is a throw-size blanket. There were some challenges along the way, which I’ll be sure to mention in case it helps someone out. I’ll be adding in FO pics and links to all of the WIP -> FO blog posts on the WIP pile reveal post.

Major WIP Round-up: 19 projects to finish!

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Hello, gorgeous crafter! Today I’m revealing something deeply personal: My enormous WIP pile. I used to be that person who finished every project, but these days, raising four growing kiddoes, writing a book, and trying to find quiet time for my husband and myself, I am more like a person who photographs projects so that they look finished, and then relegating them to the WIP shelf of shame. So, let me bare all, here in this blog post, the 19 projects of my WIP pile. These projects are in various stages of completion, and there’s even an unpublished pattern here! As I finish them, the completed project will be up for sale, and I may group them up into a little sale periodically, so y’all don’t get sick of me peddling my wares. I list the 19 projects below, with a few photos for each one and pattern/yarn information as well, because I know some will be wanting that info. Expect a full blog post with all the details and progress/finished photos as I complete …

A CypressTextiles Year-End Update!

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Hello, lovely crafter! It’s been a couple of months since I made a blog post, and so I wanted to make sure I checked in before the end of December. (Narrator: “She did not finish the post in December lol”)… It’s been a very interesting year, and a lot has been going on behind the scenes that I can’t wait to share with you. Enjoy this little 2024 recap celebration of the goings on in CypressTextiles land – thank you for reading! Etsy Success! Sometimes I find I have a tendency to just release patterns and then walk away, to move on to the next artistic endeavor. The joy in my work comes from first, designing, then making, and then sharing, in that order – so often I do rush through the sharing part. I post on my website, I list in the shops, and then head back into my cave and start designing again, which leads to my shops being neglected at times, but this year I had an unexpected surprise in my Etsy …

Free Crochet Pattern: Pink Pony Blanket (UK Terms)

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Hello, gorgeous crafter! Today I want to share with you my latest crochet pattern. I wanted to create a simple and fun pattern that could tie together any color palette. This piece would be great for a stash buster, or with a planned layout, but if you use DK weight yarn or another weight thinner or thicker than Aran Weight yarn, then you will need to adjust the number of motifs that you make to achieve the same blanket size. Resizing instructions are at the end of the pattern. You’ll love this one! A note about the name, I was looking through Chappell Roan songs (currently obsessed), and thought Pink Pony Club would fit this blanket perfectly. The colors and the vintage, kitschy style of the blanket are well suited to her style I think! Then, I looked up the meaning behind the song, and it says the Pink Pony Club is a metaphor for having a safe space to exist, and I thought that was really beautiful. So Here you are! Pink Pony Blanket …

Free Crochet Pattern: Pink Pony Blanket (US Terms)

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Hello, gorgeous crafter! Today I want to share with you my latest crochet pattern. I wanted to create a simple and fun pattern that could tie together any color palette. This piece would be great for a stash buster, or with a planned layout, but if you use DK weight yarn or another weight thinner or thicker than Aran Weight yarn, then you will need to adjust the number of motifs that you make to achieve the same blanket size. Resizing instructions are at the end of the pattern. You’ll love this one! A note about the name, I was looking through Chappell Roan songs (currently obsessed), and thought Pink Pony Club would fit this blanket perfectly. The colors and the vintage, kitschy style of the blanket are well suited to her style I think! Then, I looked up the meaning behind the song, and it says the Pink Pony Club is a metaphor for having a safe space to exist, and I thought that was really beautiful. So Here you are! Pink Pony Blanket …

Colour Lab Blanket Crochet Pattern Update, Plus Full PDF Now Available!

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Hello, lovely crafter! As we have just wrapped up the 2024 VVCAL, I want to share some news about another CAL that I wrote nearly two years ago. The Scheepjes Colour Lab CAL was a massive undertaking, from brainstorming the design, to creating the blanket and tweaking the yarn amounts to build the yarn kits, to coming up with alternate colorways for more yarn options. After all the hard work, it was an absolutely incredible experience. Now, I am pleased to announce that Scheepjes has allowed me to put together a full PDF version which includes the entire blanket pattern. As of now, the pattern is available in the Scheepjes Facebook groups as several separate files, and it takes some digging to go back and forth for the pattern. Now, the whole pattern is in one place, and in case you need assistance with the pattern, the PDF includes links to the associated blog pages as well as links to the videos for each part. Shop the PDF Find the Colour Lab Blanket PDFs here! …

2024 VVCAL: Weeks 19 and 20 Instructions

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 19 of the 2024 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to start joining. There is only 1 post this week, with the BORDER! Yay! You have Weeks 19 and 20 to work on the join and border of your blanket. I am giving you the complete border today! I hope you have enjoyed this VVCAL! As usual, it has been a pleasure to host it and see all of your makes along the way. Feel free to finish the VVCAL at your own pace, as it’s my belief that crochet is meant to de-stress you, not re-stress you. As you finish, we would love to see your progress photos on Instagram under hashtag #vvcal, and in the official Facebook group of the VVCAL. Find the border instructions below, in both US and UK terms. There won’t be a video for this border but it is quite simple. Thank you for your support during the VVCAL! If you would like to buy …

2024 VVCAL: Week 18 Instructions – 3 Ways to Join Hexagon Motifs (US and UK Terms)

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 18 of the 2024 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to start joining. There is only 1 post this week, with all of the joining options. Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20 PDF Version 2024 VVCAL PDF – My Online Shop // Etsy // Ravelry Of course I have also created a value bundle for you – 2022 and 2024 VVCALs US and UK Terms (4 PDFs) – Available on Etsy.

2024 VVCAL: Fuchsia Motif

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 17 of the 2024 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here! I love spending this time with the VVCAL community! We are going to have so much fun relaxingly working through these motifs each week. Attention! If you have not yet seen the Week 17 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Primrose Motif, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos. Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles PDF Version 2024 VVCAL PDF – My Online Shop // Etsy // Ravelry Of course I have also created a value bundle for you – 2022 and 2024 VVCALs US and UK Terms (4 PDFs) – Available on Etsy. 2024 VVCAL Quick Links

2024 VVCAL: Orchid Motif

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 17 of the 2024 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here! I love spending this time with the VVCAL community! We are going to have so much fun relaxingly working through these motifs each week. Attention! If you have not yet seen the Week 17 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Primrose Motif, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos. Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles PDF Version 2024 VVCAL PDF – My Online Shop // Etsy // Ravelry Of course I have also created a value bundle for you – 2022 and 2024 VVCALs US and UK Terms (4 PDFs) – Available on Etsy. 2024 VVCAL Quick Links

2024 VVCAL: Week 17 Instructions

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 17 of the 2024 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here! I love spending this time with the VVCAL community. We are going to have so much fun relaxingly working through these motifs each week. Quick Links to Each Week: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20 PDF Version 2024 VVCAL PDF – My Online Shop // Etsy // Ravelry Of course I have also created a value bundle for you – 2022 and 2024 VVCALs US and UK Terms (4 PDFs) – Available on Etsy. What to Expect Today Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles – 2024 VVCAL Quick Links Important Note for Joining We will be joining our motifs during weeks 18 and 19. For this VVCAL, I really wanted to give the option for the SC join as you go with PLT, because I love the look, and so many of you do as well. – In order to achieve this join, the final round of the motifs cannot be worked completely, because during weeks 18 and 19 we …

2024 VVCAL: Baby’s Breath Motif

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Hello, and a huge welcome to Week 16 of the 2024 Vibrant Vintage Crochet-A-Long (VVCAL)! I’m so glad you’re here! I love spending this time with the VVCAL community! We are going to have so much fun relaxingly working through these motifs each week. Attention! If you have not yet seen the Week 16 Instruction post, please head there first and see the instructions for the version that you are working. Below, you will find the Primrose Motif, in US, and UK Terms, Chart, Video, and Step by step photos. Social Media Hashtags: #VVCAL and #CypressTextiles PDF Version 2024 VVCAL PDF – My Online Shop // Etsy // Ravelry Of course I have also created a value bundle for you – 2022 and 2024 VVCALs US and UK Terms (4 PDFs) – Available on Etsy. 2024 VVCAL Quick Links