Annie's Spring Spirit Crochet Lookbook Home Collection 2018

Spring Spirit Collection Crochet 2018

Annie’s Signature Designs

The essence of spring will soon be filling the fresh air.

Cravings for color and projects designed to reflect the rising temperatures are knocking at the door of my creative mind. I’m just as eager for the longer days and renewed energy of the new season to come as I am excited and proud to present this Spring Spirit Collection for Annie’s Signature Designs.

Back in September, I kicked off this collaboration with a talented team of professionals.

Our goal was to create a crochet collection of fashion-forward garments that would appeal to women who are passionate about good design.

We also set our minds toward creating a fun selection of comfortable and colorful pieces perfect for today’s modern home interiors.

The creative stages since then were exhilarating as we lost ourselves in trends, colors, yarn and creativity. The designers I worked with did an amazing job interpreting my thoughts in the creative process, and their creations feel as close to my heart as my own designs.

The collection features a full range of styles with an aesthetic that is casual and laid-back, perked up with artisanal details. The pieces are feminine, comfortable and practical. Most importantly they are versatile and are designed to go from casual to chic on stylish women of all ages.

Exquisite, lightweight yarns in natural fibers add texture and interest to tees, tops, hoodies, cardigans, afghans and accessories. A distinctive palette of coral, turquoise and blue joins appealing neutrals like beige and cream to provide multiple options as well as matching simplicity.

The photo shoot took place on the beaches near San Luis Obispo, Calif.

I find the coast of California out-of-this-world gorgeous. As the quiet twilight eases on the central coast bays, I cannot imagine a more scenic backdrop for this cheerful collection.

So please come join me in this celebration of my love for crochet and yarn.

I cross my fingers that looking through the pages that follow will inspire you to create something from the brand-new Spring Spirit Collection.

Enjoy

Triad Baskets

Triad Baskets

Palmeras Place Mats

Palmeras Place Mats

Color Burst Coasters

Color Burst Coasters

Jubilant Table Runner

Jubilant Table Runner

Blooming Bowl

Blooming Bowl

Pescado Pot Holders

Pescado Pot Holders

Bliss Pillow

Bliss Pillow

Rhapsody Afghan

Rhapsody Afghan

Alegria Afghan

Alegria Afghan

Sand Dollar Cardi & Necklace

Sand Dollar Cardi & Necklace

Windway Cardigan & Top

Windway Cardigan & Top

Cresting Waves Tunic

Cresting Waves Tunic

Cresting Waves Tunic

Cresting Waves Tunic

Seashell Cardi & Necklace

Seashell Cardi & Necklace

Bloom Cocoon

Bloom Cocoon

Back Bay Cover-Up

Back Bay Cover-Up

Anemone Shawl & Earrings

Anemone Shawl & Earrings

Breakers Tee

Breakers Tee

Pacifica Poncho

Pacifica Poncho

Coral Reef Set

Coral Reef Set

Deep Sea Tunic

Deep Sea Tunic

Triad Baskets Designs by Lena Skvagerson Time to get organized! Sort your yarn stash and crafts with this handy basket trio. For all three baskets, crochet with 4 skeins #816 teal and 2 skeins #842 cinnamon of DK-weight Omega Sinfonia using U.S. size J/10/6mm crochet hook. Finished sizes: small: 12" in circumference x 3"H; medium: 20" in circumference x 5"H (in front); large: 24" in circumference x 7"H.

Get Pattern

Palmeras Place Mats Design by Lena Skvagerson Set the table in style! These dramatic place mats are stitched in a rainbow of bold colors that will be a lovely addition to any table. Crochet with 1 skein each #883 coral, #831 aqua, #832 soft blue, #825 Mexican rose, #821 mandarin and #834 gold of DK-weight Omega Sinfonia using U.S. size E/4/3.5mm hook. Finished size is 14" in diameter.

Get Pattern

Color Burst Coasters Designs by Lena Skvagerson A great stash-buster design! Liven your coffee table with bright and cheery mandala coasters. Crochet with 1 skein each #834 gold, #821 mandarin, #825 Mexican rose, #832 soft blue, #831 aqua, #828 lilac and #883 coral of DK-weight Omega Sinfonia using U.S. size D/3/3.25mm hook. Finished size: circular: 61/4" in circumference; oval: 81/2"W x 6"H.

Get Pattern

Jubilant Table Runner Design by Lena Skvagerson Make a bold color statement in your table setup! The vibrant colors and ornate style of this beautiful table accent will make a striking centerpiece for your table. Crochet with 1 skein each #807 khaki, #813 denim, #840 green leaf, #816 teal, #817 light teal and #883 coral of DK-weight Omega Sinfonia using U.S. size H/8/5mm hook. Finished size is 73"L x 10"W.

Get Pattern

Blooming Bowl Design by Maria Isabel A statement centerpiece that is both practical and decorative. Like flowers in spring, this crocheted bowl that is worked with tapestry crochet in 5 shades will fill your dining room with life. Crochet with 1 skein each #5753 Aegean Sea, #5765 spice, #5724 pumpkin, #5743 goldenrod and #5740 seedling of Berroco Comfort Chunky using U.S. size 7/4.5mm hook. Finished size: 121/2" top diameter x 5" bottom diameter x 41/2"H.

Get Pattern

Pescado Pot Holders Designs by Lena Skvagerson Stitch a trio of cheery kitchen pot holders! Simple and easy to match to any decor, these pot holders can be stitched up in no time! Crochet with 1 skein each #813 denim, #829 mint, #832 soft blue and #807 khaki of DK-weight Omega Sinfonia using U.S. size J/10/6mm hook.

Finished sizes: Circle: 9" x 9"; Star: 111/2" diagonal; Square: 8" x 8".

Get Pattern

Bliss Pillow Design by Elizabeth Ann White Add a lively touch of cheer to your home decor! Complement your home with a touch of whimsy with this striking pillow beautifully accented with mandalas and tassels. Crochet with 8 skeins #46 natural and 1 skein each of #55 gold, #268 cerise, #143 surf, #174 salmon and #275 spring green of King Cole Dollymix DK using U.S. sizes F/5/3.75mm and G/6/4mm hooks. Finished size: 12"W x 20"L.

Get Pattern

Rhapsody Afghan Design by Margret Willson Add a touch of spring to any room! A variety of fun, interesting stitches and color creates this eye-catching afghan that’s perfect for brightening any room. Crochet with 3 skeins each #4545 peri and #4601 off-white and 2 skeins each of #4420 guacamole, #4620 minty, #9251 coral, #9263 cinnabar and #9870 deep sea of worsted-weight Red Heart Soft using U.S. size I/9/5.5mm hook. Finished size is 60"L x 48"W.

Get Pattern

Alegria Afghan Design by Priscilla Hewitt This afghan is not your ordinary design. Beautiful, textured and unique— this mandala afghan is like nothing you've ever seen before! Crochet with 15 skeins #4961 preppy stripe of worsted-weight Red Heart Super Saver using U.S. size H/8/5mm hook. Finished size is 58" in diameter.

Get Pattern

Sand Dollar Cardi & Necklace Designs by Donna Yacino and Lena Skvagerson Welcome the kiss of spring! The circular design shows off the lovely ebb and flow of this long-color–repeating yarn. For the cardigan, crochet with 4 (5, 6) hanks of DK-weight Berroco Medina #4746 tripoli using U.S. size 7/4.5mm hook. For the necklace, crochet with scraps of fingering-weight yarn using U.S. size C/2/2.75mm hook. Cardigan instructions are written for sizes S/M (L/XL, 2XL/3XL). Necklace is 12" in diameter (excluding beaded dangles).

Get Pattern

Windway Cardigan & Top Designs by Jill Hanratty Intertwine casual design and beautiful style! This set transcends the seasons and each piece is beautiful separate, but looks so lovely together. Crocheted from the top down, this set can be made to a length of your choosing. Crochet the set with 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) skeins of DK-weight Omega Sinfonia #807 khaki using U.S. size G/6/4mm hook. Instructions written for sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL).

Get Pattern

Cresting Waves Tunic Design by Che Lam Show off your unique style! Spring calls for flattering style, color and lace, and this tunic delivers all three. For the multicolored tunic, crochet with 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins #1850 apricot, #1600 buttercup and #714 sky, and 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s) #711 ecru; for the singlecolored tunic, crochet with 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) skeins #1574 coral using King Cole Cottonsoft DK and U.S. size G/6/4mm hook. Instructions are written for sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL).

Get Pattern

Seashell Cardi & Necklace Designs by Lena Skvagerson Embrace the beauty of spring with gorgeous designs to match! This beautiful design allows for a gentle spring breeze to caress your skin and is a must-have design this season! Pair with a necklace with a few pops of color and you’re ready to go! For the cardigan, crochet with 6 (7, 7, 8, 9, 10) skeins of sport-weight Omega Mimosa #19 cream; for the necklace, crochet with 1 skein each #813 denim, #809 green mist, #802 crème and #817 light teal DK-weight Omega Sinfonia using U.S. sizes G/6/4mm hook for the cardigan and E/4/3.5mm hook for the necklace. Instructions are written for: Cardigan: S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL); Necklace: 111/2"L x 11/2"W.

Get Pattern

Bloom Cocoon Design by Lena Skvagerson A year-round beauty! As you stitch from the center out, this cocoon blooms like a beautiful flower. Crochet with 8 (10, 12) skeins of King Cole Vogue DK #2122 glacier using U.S. size I/9/5.5mm hook. Instructions written for sizes S/M (L/XL, 2XL/3XL).

Get Pattern

Back Bay Cover-Up Design by Jill Hanratty Let’s go to the beach! Enjoy some fun in the sun while looking great. Crochet with 3 (3, 3, 3, 4) balls of DK-weight Universal Bamboo Pop #305 ocean dots using U.S. size J/10/6mm hook. Instructions written for sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL).

Get Pattern

Anemone Shawl & Earrings Designs by Lena Skvagerson Bring the garden to your wardrobe! Add a bit of whimsy to your wardrobe with this stunning shawl and earring duo! Crochet with 1 ball each of fingering-weight Omega Dalia #540 brick, #538 Mexican pink, #576 blue, #532 coral, #574 turquoise, #537 pink lily and #524 oxide for the shawl and earrings set using U.S. size G/6/4mm hook. Shawl measures 84" wide x 40" at center.

Get Pattern

Breakers Tee Design by Lena Skvagerson Crochet your go-to tee for spring! This top is perfect for the crocheter without a lot of time but with a lot of style! Crochet with 4 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6) balls of DK-weight Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop #111 midnight blue using U.S. size H/8/5mm hook. Instructions written for sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL).

Get Pattern

Pacifica Poncho Design by Lena Skvagerson A sensational design! Transition your wardrobe from one season to the next with this visually intriguing poncho. Crochet with 8 (12) balls of worsted-weight Universal Yarn Fibra Natura Cottonwood #41136 Jojo using U.S. size H/8/5mm hook. Instructions written for sizes S–L (XL–3XL).

Get Pattern

Coral Reef Set Designs by Lena Skvagerson Crochet fun accessories with flair! Perfect for everything from a day at the lake to shopping with girlfriends, these accessories will be your go-to this season. For the hat, crochet with 1 skein #21 sand; for the bag, crochet with 2 skeins #32 coral and 1 skein #21 sand; for the flip-flops, crochet with 1 skein #86 jade or 1 skein #32 coral using lace-weight Omega Eulali yarn and U.S. size E/4/3.5mm hook.

Get Pattern

Deep Sea Tunic Design by Che Lam Perfect project for beginners! This summery tunic is worked in a lovely shell stitch and simple shaping for a comfortable A-line shape. Crochet with 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) skeins of King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK in color denim using U.S. size G/6/4mm hook. Instructions written for sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL).

Get Pattern

Contributors About the Team: Lead Designer Lena Skvagerson drew from her years of experience in the European design markets to create many of the captivating designs in this collection, and Connie Ellison provided more than 30 years of merchandising expertise. Together they reached out to this group of likeminded professionals to contribute and be part of this cohesive collection.

Lena Skvagerson Che Lam

Jill Hanratty

Lena Skvagerson is the lead designer of Annie’s Signature Designs. You may know her as one of the experts on the Annie’s television show Knit and Crochet Now!, which airs on PBS. Lena passionately designs everything from exquisite knit shawls to adorable crochet booties.

She draws her creativity from more than 25 years in the European knit and crochet design markets. The Spring Spirit collection is her fifth collection for Annie’s Signature Designs.

Jill Hanratty is a freelance crochet designer with a degree in fashion design and many years of dressmaking experience.

Jill lives in New Jersey and is happiest designing and making crocheted and sewn garments.

Che Lam is the creator behind the knit blog Handy Kitty. Once the in-house knitwear designer at DROPS Design in Norway and now working as a freelancer, Che shares her design ideas, inspirations and tutorials on her blog. Her first book, Learn How to Knit With 50 Squares, was published in February 2016. Che is also a contributor to Annie’s magazine Creative Knitting.

Elizabeth Ann White Elizabeth Ann White has been a professional crochet designer for almost 30 years and has had literally hundreds of designs published through the years. Starting out as a freelance designer for Annie’s in the late 1980s, she has also worked as a crochet pattern editor and as an in-house designer.

She now self-publishes many of her designs, but continues to do freelance designing for special projects. Elizabeth lives on a farm in Texas and has three sons, three daughters, 16 grandchildren and one new great-grandchild.

Margret Willson

Donna Yacino

Priscilla Hewitt

María Isabel

Scott Campbell

Margret Willson has been a freelance knit and crochet designer since 1997. Over the years, hundreds of her designs have been published in various books, magazines and online collections. Love of texture and color inspires most of her work. Constantly learning new techniques ignites her creativity. She especially enjoys designing garments and blankets. See her most recent work on Ravelry at mwillsondesigns.

Donna Yacino lives in Barre, Mass., and has been part of the Berroco design team for more than 20 years. She has been knitting since she was 11. She is obsessive about anything green, especially yarn; she is a beach lover, beekeeper, book collector and maker of beautiful things.

Priscilla Hewitt is a freelance crochet designer.

She is the originator of Matelassé crochet, a style that combines (often) original stitches with standard stitches to create wonderfully textured, symmetrical afghans. A self-taught crocheter for 50 years, Priscilla still loves to sit down with a ball of yarn and experiment with new techniques in crocheted texture.

Maria Isabel was born and raised in Mexico City with her sister and parents. She has always been involved with crafting since she was a young girl thanks to her grandma and mom, who taught her how to crochet and knit. Studies and work came along, but Maria always made time for these relaxing and fun hobbies. She started visiting local yarn stores in her spare time to learn more and fell in love with the beautiful yarn world. Maria became a teacher in two yarn stores and little by little she started writing crochet patterns too.

Scott Campbell has made a career of photographing the fiber arts for over 30 years.

He continuously searches for light that illuminates and reveals the subtleties woven into the creations that he photographs. He enjoys collaborating in the creative process with designers, stylists and graphic professionals.

Annie’s Signature Designs AnniesSignatureDesigns.com