floral crochet scarf

NEW Crochet Pattern: Floral Peony Neck Warmer scarf

| Valerie Baber Designs

Etsy store: www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com or Ravelry www.ravelry.com/designers/valerie-baber 

The Floral Peony Neck Warmer Scarf is designed just for you to warm your day with elegance and style. Designed with a DK weight yarn on the base of the scarf and a sock or fingerling weight yarn on the flowers and leaves. The Floral Peony Neck Warmer Scarf warms your day with memories of summer walks in the garden surrounded by beautiful flowers. Perfect in any colour combination including neutrals, bright and bold or soft pastels. Make it all in one colour or various colours as shown in the photos. Yarn will be available soon for this design.

Scarf base – I used 1 skein DK 256 yards / 234 m per of DK weight by Sweetgeorgia Yarns. You can use most DK weight yarns for this design.

Flowers and Leaves (solid coloured scarf) – I used approximately 105 yards / 96 m sock weight or fingerling weight mini skein or other yarn of the same weight for the flowers and leaves. You can use most sock or fingerling weight yarns. If you are making the version with coloured flowers and leaves you will need enough yarn for the accents.

Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at: 

Etsy store: www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com or Ravelry www.ravelry.com/designers/valerie-baber and Lovecrafts: LoveCrafts (search Valerie Baber Designs)

Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items.

Happy crocheting and have a fibertastic day

New Floral Scarves just for you!

| Valerie Baber Designs

NOW AVAILABLE ON MY ETSY STORE AT:  www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com

Floral Peony Rose scarf in gray and a dark gray scarf base with pink,mauve, green accents in hand painted merino wool is READY to SHIP. Various colours are available embellished with peony and roses on a lace scarf base. This Floral Peony Rose scarf has a 2 roses and a peony in pink and mauve and accented with beautiful green leaves with a 3D effect adding to the design. The blossom on the tip of the scarf represent new beginnings like the blossoms in spring reminding us of new and beautiful moments to come. A floral accented scarf for winter that can carry you through the cooler days of spring and fall.

The yarn used in this design is a thicker worsted weight yarn perfect to keep you warm and cozy on the cooler days. Two buttons on the back of the scarf are used to fasten and hidden for a seamless look to this design.

I also have various styles of crochet patterns designed by myself and yarn so you can make your own scarf.

The Floral Peony Rose scarf is designed and handmade by myself, Valerie Baber, with high quality yarns. Made with hand painted merino wool 100% on the base of the scarf, hand painted merino wool 80% and nylon 20% on the floral and leaf accents.

All my designs are hand knit and crocheted with great care and durability and can be worn for many years to come. To preserve the yarn and longitivity of wear the design must be hand washed and laid flat to dry.

This style of scarf is great for when you want to add a unique and creative touch to your wardrobe. Adds a stylish essence to whatever you wear.

Various crochet pattern, yarn and ready to wear scarves, shawls, hand warmers and more by Valerie Baber Designs are available on my Etsy store: www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com 

Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at: 

Etsy store: www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com or Ravelry www.ravelry.com/designers/valerie-baber and Lovecrafts: LoveCrafts

Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items. 

Have a fibertastic day!

Floral Bouquet Scarf – Ready to Wear

| Valerie Baber Designs

Available on my Etsy store at: www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com

NEW! Floral Bouquet scarf in gray, pink, purple, green, hand painted merino wool. READY to SHIP and READY to WEAR design. This design is designed with various flowers on an elegant scarf base to give the essence of a bouquet of flowers trimmed with a lovely lace around the bouquet of flowers. ONE AVAILABLE IN ivory. Other colours may be available on my other listings.

This Floral Bouquet scarf has a pink rose, pink peony and 2 other purple flowers accented with beautiful green leaves with a 3D effect adding to the design. The blossoms on the scarf represent new beginnings like the blossoms in spring reminding us of new and beautiful moments to come. A floral accented scarf for winter that can carry you through the cooler days of spring and fall.

The scarf base for the Floral Bouquet scarf is done on my Cathedral Scarf base that was inspired by Gothic Cathedrals of the past. Various scarves are also available with an architectural theme. See my Etsy store, architectural sections on my website or my other blog postings to see the other architectural inspired designs.

Accented with 2 floral metal buttons to fasten as shown in the photos.

I also have various styles of crochet patterns designed by myself and yarn so you can make your own scarf.

The Floral Bouquet scarf is designed and handmade by myself, Valerie Baber, with high quality yarns. This design is done in a sock weight yarn or fingerling weight yarn to keep it lighter in weight, but still very warm and luxurious to the touch with the merino wool.

Made with hand painted merino wool 80%, nylon 20% (for durability).

All my designs are hand knit and crocheted with great care and durability and can be worn for many years to come. To preserve the yarn and longitivity of wear the design must be hand washed and laid flat to dry.

Other handmade designs that are ready to wear just for you are available on my Etsy store. I only use High Quality Fibres in this Design and always high quality yarns so you can wear them for years to come. Every design is designed and made by myself to ensure excellent quality and a unique style for your wardrobe.

All my designs are hand knit and crocheted with great care and durability and can be worn for many years to come. To preserve the yarn and longitivity of wear the design must be hand washed and laid flat to dry.

Various crochet pattern, yarn and ready to wear scarves, shawls, hand warmers and more by Valerie Baber Designs are available on my Etsy store: www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com 

Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at: 

Etsy store: www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com or Ravelry www.ravelry.com/designers/valerie-baber and Lovecrafts: LoveCrafts

Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items. 

Have a fibertastic day!

Fabulous Floral scarves, hand warmers, hats and more – Peony’s

| Valerie Baber Designs

peony on grey

peony onie scarf long purple3

peony combo blue grey 2

Fabulous Floral scarves, hand warmers, hats, ear warmers and more.  I have been busy designing new pieces to various collections including various Floral Peony styles shown here http://www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com and http://www.valeriebaberdesign.com  Check out both of my sites for the latest design as I will continue to add new ones weekly. Some of my other designs are ready to ship and some can be custom ordered with a variety of colours so check each listing you like to see on the last picture what colours you can do order them in.  These are some of the various design styles and colours available with a Peony floral touch, more colours are available than shown.

These are some of the new Peony floral scarves available this fall.  There are many different styles to choose from to suit your style.  I have also added many new one of a kind pieces recently to http://www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com with hand painted merino wool and hand spun wool. Have a wonderful day and be inspired to try something new today.

Floral Pussy Willow Scarf – Classic and Elegant Style

| Valerie Baber Designs

pussy willow scarf ivory8

The Floral Pussy Willow Scarf is inspired by the soft colours and texture of pussy willows with a floral touch.  This design is a 2 scarf combination with the base of the scarf the Classic Touch scarf with the leaf frieze vine accent scarf and a floral pussy willow brooch.  Available in various colours as well can be ordered in brighter colours too.  You can wear this design in various ways as shown or use the accent scarf and brooch on other items in your wardrobe.  Hand warmers shown are the Classic Essence hand warmers.

This design is a classic and elegant addition to your unique style with a softness like pussy willows in colour and texture.  The flower centre has 5 pussy willows finishing it off and made with kid mohair, silk and merino wool.  The entire piece is made with beautiful yarns from http://www.sweetgeorgiayarns.com

Available exclusively at http://www.valeriebaberdesign.com or http://www.valeriebaberdesign.etsy.com

Also available is the Floral Rose scarf in a similar look to this one where the rose is the centre of the flower.   In various colours shown here or order in a brighter colour too.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/252667375/floral-rose-scarf-ivory-classic-essence?ref=shop_home_active_12

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/252669327/classic-rose-fingerless-gloves-beige?ref=shop_home_active_8

Architectural Inspiration scarf – Milan Cathedral

| Valerie Baber Designs

More Architectural Inspiration scarves with a floral stone tracery feel.  All of these designs are available for order at http://www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com  This group of scarves new this season were inspired once again by the many Gothic Cathedrals of the past especially the Milan Cathedral.  This amazing building was designed and built by many architects, artists, craftsmen and so many more.  It is one of the most decorated Gothic Cathedrals that took over 200 years to build.  The various architects used a lot of floral inspiration in their stone tracery throughout the Milan Cathedral as shown below.

The various floral accents on the Floral Tracery Gothic Cathedral Inspired scarves were inspired by the Milan Cathedral and other Gothic Cathedrals of the past.  As mentioned in  my previous blogs I will be restarting my Architectural project as you can see why.  There is so much inspiration that I felt I needed to go another direction and begin my project with various Architectural buildings to pull my inspiration from.  I will be adding these designs to my work soon for Fall and Winter 2015/16.

It amazes me the incredible amount of work that has gone into these beautiful buildings.  I am awed at their creativity and design as each Gothic Cathedral stands alone in unique stature expressing the Architect, Artist and Craftsmen ideas and design skills that have stood for many years in their beautiful strength.  The Gothic Architecture era had a huge impact on how we design and build today.

Check my website soon for dates I am at the local St. Albert Farmers Market in the fall as well some of my work will be at another booth by the library at the Wiggles and Giggles booth.  Website:  www.vbaberdesigns.com

You can also purchase my designs locally at the http://www.artgalleryofstalbert.ca and the http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca

Have yourselves a wonderful week full of inspiration!

ArtWalk St. Albert…Pop by to see my latest designs and more

| Valerie Baber Designs

artwalk st. albert

I will be at the ArtWalk Street Party June 4th in St. Albert, Alberta so pop by for this great event with local Artist, buskers, music and more.  This Street Party is the kick off the St. Albert ArtWalk for 2015.  I will have a collection of some of my newest designs and the classics such as the Rose Onie Scarf.  Pop by for a great evening perfect for starting off your Summer fun!

See more on their website here:   http://www.artwalkstalbert.com

You can check out my latest designs that I am updating weekly so pop by my Etsy store at http://www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com

Here are a few pictures to tease you with of designs I have recently finished new for 2015.

Hope to see you there and have a fabulous day!!

Floral Twist Accent Scarf…dreaming of the warm days of Spring!

| Valerie Baber Designs

Floral Twist Accent Scarf
Floral Twist Accent Scarf

The Floral Twist Accent scarf…dreaming of the warm day of Spring coming our way, eventually!  It is so very cold here today and for the next few days and I couldn’t help but look forward to the warmer days of Spring.  Seems to be such a long winter this year and I am impatiently waiting for warmer days of Spring and Summer.  I love the look of Winter, but not the cold!  I have become a Winter wimp!

To break out for a moment of warm relief this week I was busy designing a nice light acceent scarf that I could wear during these cold days to warm my thoughts of the coming Spring.  I started with designing a new base for my scarf.  I wanted something that looked like it was twisting, but could lie flat.   This gives the essence of a vine twisting and turning up the lattice, in this case your neckline, with the leaves adding the movement and twists along the way.  I used a beautiful hand painted merino wool of blues, greens, purples an hints of yellow.  If  you look closely at the bark on trees, vines or other greenery you see many different colours that combined.  I love using hand painted yarns as they add a special unique touch to each piece I make as they are never the same from skein to skein.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/180894945/floral-twist-accent-scarf-spring-and

The Floral Twist accent scarf can be worn in many different ways and be used to dress up your favourite T shirt, sweater, shirt, or jacket.  A touch of bling in the glass button adorns each flower.  Various purples were used to make the 3 different flowers on this design.  There will be a cotton version as well in neutrals and bright and bolds to warm the day.

Warm up your day and think of the coming Spring!  Have a great one!

SPRING FORWARD…thinking of Spring

| Valerie Baber Designs

Floral Elegance scarf
Floral Elegance scarf

Spring Forward…thinking of Spring today as the snow is falling outside my window making a new blanket of white.  We have been very lucky these past few weeks with a wonderful warm spell that melted a portion of the snow we have been receiving since the end of October.  Yes, winter starts early here some years and the past few years have been very snowy to boot. Surrounded by the lovely warm weather these past weeks put me in the mood for some Spring weather and gardening.  The Floral Elegance scarf is a “new” version of my original scarf that brought me back into the knitting, crochet and designing world.  The picture below is one of the original styles I designed when my sister, Cheryl, asked me to design some scarves for her to sell.

Original Floral Elegance Scarf
Original Floral Elegance Scarf

Off I went to try some of the new and exciting techniques I learned while taking many wonderful courses at www.rivercityyarns.com.   One of my amazing customers wanted something different from what I was currently designing with flowers on a green base for the scarf.  I immediately thought of my first set of scarf designs under Valerie Baber Designs.  I have been wanting to revamp them a bit and change the overall design to a more 3D effect and add some fingerless gloves to compliment the designs. This scarf was inspired by various people in my life; my sister, River City Yarns and a wonderful customer.  It amazes me how different things and people can inspire your life daily.  You can link to this design on my Esty site, Intricate Knits at https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177538387/floral-elegance-scarf-in-green-with? and https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177535174/floral-elegance-fingerless-gloves-green?ref=listing-shop-header-1

A bit of background into my past designing. I previously designed various children’s hats, sweaters and other items under my business Hey, Diddle Diddle Knitwear.   Back in the day when my kids were babies and my greatest inspiration then and now in  my life. While designing finished garments and progressing into pattern writing and design I was inflicted with a serious hand injury that took over  a year to mend.  During this time I realized I needed a change in what I was creating and went back to school to finish my Interior Decorating and continued to work on achieving my Interior Design.  This duration was about 6 years and though I knit like a race horse running down the track in my Hey, Diddle Diddle days, I barely picked up a knitting needle at all.  This was very strange to me as it had been such a big part of my life for 10 years prior.  I assume it was that my creativity was elsewhere in my school and trying out new arts such as Stained Glass, Mosaic Tiling and more.  Ok, I said  this would be short…oops.

During the middle of my Interior Design program I had a serious back injury that made it impossible to finish my goals.   I was devastated, I had been working on school in this direction for 6 years at that point.  In sharing this background about my designing ventures I wanted to make a point about how life sometimes gives you moments of “pain” and anguish, but it can lead you down a path you never thought of going in the first place.  When you look back you see how it was exactly how things were to be and without these moments in life you wouldn’t be who you are today.

The strange part for me was an injury took me out of designing with yarn and an injury put me back into designing with fibre. I look back and see how all of the Hey, Diddle Diddle days, Interior Decorating School, Interior Design School though very different actually made it possible for me to design today with Valerie Baber Designs and Intricate knits.  Without all of these twists and turns I wouldn’t be able to accomplish what I do today.

Long story short you never know where life will take you and sometimes the worst times end up being the most important times in your life as they guide you to where  and who you should be.   I wanted to encourage those who needed a moment to see that sometimes when life gives you rotten lemons, pick your self up (or your knitting or crochet needles) and keep yourself going forward.  You never know what is around the next corner!!  My life took a complete turn around!  When things are tough don’t look back to see where you were, look forward so you can see what’s up ahead.

I am very thankful for all the people in my life who inspire and push me forward when I am trying to look back.  There are many others who have guided and helped me along this path including my other sister, Laureen, the Alberta Craft Council  http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca/ and the Art Gallery of St. Albert http://artgalleryofstalbert.ca/  to name a few.  Spring is a new start to the earth and life around it.  A perfect time to try something new and look at life in a new perspective.  I am looking forward to Spring…are you?  Have an inspired day!