Overlay Crochet, the 411

It seems the coasters I featured in my journal entry earlier today (with the Overlay Crochet technique) is inspiring others to try it -- I love that!  :)

First, let me say about my post earlier today, that I finished the eighth of the series and spent a good amount of time trying to photograph them to "show the texture."  It didn't work out as great as I had hoped because the lil' gems now have a reflective quality to them.  (mumble mumble mumble)  What I ended up doing was taking individual shots of them and then turned them into a .gif image ... this is what you should see to the right, and it may take awhile for it to load.  Hopefully it shows up all right.

Now, for how to get the 411, how to obtain MORE information on this technique that I am so infatuated with!!

* Question: Where did you get the clear coasters from?
   Answer:  Amazingly, from my stash!  A few years ago a local craft store had a bunch of them on clearance, so I snagged every one of them!  Hadn't seen them available since, that is until last week.  I saved these lil' gems until just the right project came along; it finally did.   Check your local craft store, in the needlepoint section.  It comes with a little canvas and pattern (no fiber).  They sell for about $5 each.

* Question: Is there a book or website I can visit to learn this technique?
   Answer:  Not that I'm aware of.  I did hear though that Melody is either in the works of publishing a book on the technique, or a website.  I'm not sure which, but it's very much worth waiting for.  Her patterns featuring the technique have appeared in publication.  Check out the October 2003 issue of Crochet Fantasy for her "Tapestry Necklace" pattern, and the December 2002 issue of Bead & Button for her "Kaleidoscope of Crochet" necklace pattern.  If you can follow a pattern well, then these patterns will be a good introductory to the technique.

*  Question:  Do you know where I can take a class with Melody to learn this technique?
    Answer:  You can start your search at the Crochet Guild of America's website.  They have the course available there -- costs (I think) $80 and you do it via correspondence.  Otherwise you can search the Internet using words like "Overlay Crochet" and "Melody MacDuffy."  You may get some hits of various areas where she'll be teaching.

*  Question:  Who's going to drink that wine?
    Answer:  Who said it wasn't already consumed?  (giggles)  Ah, just kidding.  Maybe I'll share a glass or two with my hubby.  :)

Now, a question from me.  What are you doing still sitting there?  Grab your yarn, your hook, and a book that tells how to do drop stitches and cables ... the Stitch Bible is a good place to start.  So is Donna Kooler's encyclopedia of crochet.  Get the practice in now so that when it come time to learn the technique, you'll be ready!  ... and don't forget, I love "Show & Tell!"  Leave me a message here, or email me to provide me with a link to your crochet images!!!  :)