Double Stitch Crochetalong

Inspired Style Videos by the Double Stitch Twins!

2011-10-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

We are excited to share our inspiration and style with past, present and future Crochet Fashionista's on Youtube. We are currently, creating new videos each month to show different ways to take your crochet styling to "the next level". Enjoy!

First Halter

2011-06-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at the Happy Days Halter

Gypsy Duster in Pink/Purple Tones

2011-06-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

I was very excited last week when I finished my Gypsy Duster from the epic Designs for the Crochet Fashionista. Summer is the time for cool, open-weave, cotton crochet, so I knew where to look for patterns when I wanted something light but stylish on my hook.

I got a LOT of compliments on it at school.

The yarn from which this duster was made has a sordid history. For the whole story (and many more pictures), check out my blog post about it at Art, Like Bread. Thanks, Erika and Monika, for a wonderful and easily adaptable pattern.

Fashion Forward Sparkly Shrug

2011-04-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

I was excited to find the new e-book by our favorite fashionistas on the Red Heart web page! I made the Sparkly Shrug, but instead of using the suggested yarn, I used Red Heart Super Saver and Red Heart Soft.

I crocheted a size XL, and it fits perfectly. I love the pattern and I can't wait to start more projects from the same book.

For more pictures, and more info, check out my blog post. :)

Not bad, eh?

2 Beautiful Brides, 1 Crochet Design Team.... Double Stitch Twins, of course!

2010-08-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

What an honor! Two Dynamic Diva's entrusted us, to create their dresses for their sacred wedding ceremonies! The experience of creating the dresses were as unique as these two ladies are and we'd like to share some if with you.

First our Classmate from High School (HPCA class of '90), Melanie (pictured top left) found us on Facebook and told us #1, that she was getting married, and # 2, she wants us to create her wedding dress! We were elated and ready to get to work right away. But Melanie was so organized that it took us by surprise. She compiled a collage of 5 Double Stitch Dresses that she liked and made a note of which features on each dress, that she wanted to incorporate in her Nuptial creation.

She emailed a picture of herself, all of her measurements and scheduled her secret fittings (hubby-to-be didn't know what she was up to) from Chicago to St. Louis in advance. We had a blast catching up with her at her fittings and even got to meet her lovely mother and super supportive cousin. She had her dress with about 3 weeks to spare, and and she brought her Pre-Wedding pictures to our 20 year class reunion for us and others to view before she left for her Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Island wedding! She also got her wedding party prepped for DS fabulousness, when she wore a Double Stitch Overhead Sleeves to her Bridal Shower. Easy Breezy!

Next was Maya Azucena. We'd been dressing this gorgeous and talented vocal artist from Brooklyn, in performance worthy Double Stitch apparel for about 3 years, without ever meeting in person, and things were no different for her wedding dress. That's right, we created Maya's dress with 0 fittings! The biggest challenge however wasn't the lack of fittings. The real task was to combine what she wanted and liked without it looking too much like one of her favorite Double Stitch styles, the Caribbean Cut-Out.

Although Maya's dress has tons more earthy/artsy elements (motif flowers, cowrie shells, mother of pearl beads, belly chains, gold and bronze accents, embroidered flower & surface stitching), we were pretty free to implement them how we saw fit. We hit a bit of a snag less than 2 weeks before our due date, and had to unravel the dress from the hips down in order to create a more A-lined shape. But all in all, even that was pretty calm. We were still able to make the changes, and send her the dress 6 days in advance.

As crochet designers, we take all special orders very serious. But as women we take wedding dresses mega serious. Our goal is to ultimately make the Bride beautiful & satisfied while maintaining the integrity of a Double Stitch Creation. Our very first wedding dress for a 2006 Las Vegas wedding was near and dear to us, because our good friend and fellow artist Jocelyn, trusted us early in our crochet career with her dress. Her dress was our wedding gift to her and we had so much fun sharing this part of her wedding planning that we carry that attitude with us in all of our future collaborations with brides to be.

Double Stitch Twins on FaveCrafts Radio!

2010-07-05T17:44:00.001-07:00

Greetings All,

It's been a while since we've updated our blog, and a lot has happened since our last update. In light of our growing roles as Crochet Fashionista Personalities, we've changed our website to doublestitchtwins.com. We've also been busy cultivating crafty collaborations with the Craft and Hobby Association, Red Heart Yarn and Crescendoh publications just to name a few. Wanna hear the details? Check out our interview on FAVECRAFTS Radio on Sunday, July 11th, 2010! Don't miss it, we've got a lot to tell you!

Fave Crafts Designer Profile

Versatile Spring Wrap

2009-08-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hey, DoubleStitchers!!

I made up two of the "Versatile Spring Wrap", which I learned about from the free videos on Virtue Radio Network.

Here is a picture. For more info, check out my post on them at my blog. Thanks!

My projects (Crochet Unplugged) for the Double Stitch Crochetalong

2009-07-04T03:49:00.000-07:00

North Suburban Knit Out & Crochet Too!

2009-05-29T20:03:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Prairie Arts and Fibers, we had a blast kicking it all day at the North Suburban Knit Out and Crochet Too Event, at North brook Court on April 18th,2009. We've always said that artsy crochet & knitting people were the most fun to be around! I (Erika) judged the fastest crocheter contest, we both did a brief presentation about our book, and we submitted some funky looks for a runway show! What a Blast!!!

My remix outfit

2009-01-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

I made this back in November everyone loved it. Everyone was getting Obama shirts but no one had one like me (except those whom brought them from me). Which I've sold four. Looking to sell more.

My Re-version of peekaboo,t-neck & apron top.

2009-01-13T09:00:00.001-08:00

Greetings everyone,
I wore this to an event for a well known DJ birthday party where there were some celebrities and other well to do people in there designer clothes from the designer store's and all eye's were on what I was wearing. I think God for the talents He has given me and I think the twins for the inspiration they give me also. I don't know if you could see but I had on matching earrings and leg warmers that I made to go with my shirt-dress creation.I forgot to mention I also made my jeans on my sewing machine eight years ago and they're still wearing strong. I brought some designer jeans from a designer store and they didn't last three years before the started ripping up. Making clothes by hand yourself really pays off and doesn't cost as much, my whole outfit might have cost me $25.00- $30.00 in yarn, material, needle, thread and hook for the earrings. I say that's a still. I would like to know what others think of my work.

Shrunken Jacket

2008-08-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

So here's my shrunken jacket without the scarf...

Apron Top and Remix T-shirt

2008-08-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

So I attended the workshop at Soul Fly Shop in June and it has taken me this long to post my remix t-shirt. I just want to say that I had a wonderful time at the event. I also want to say that I love, love, love all of your designs. I find myself checking your myspace page for new pics almost every day...LOL. Anyway here are my two post for now.

Another Shrunken Jacket

2008-06-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

From Paula Strietelmeier Sheep's Clothing

60 W Lincolnway Valparaiso, IN 46383

219-462-1700 www.knitdoctor.com

(Posting this on their behalf)

Nice color combinations!

Shrunken Jacket

2008-06-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

I just made the shrunken jacket for myself, and I absolutely love it. I've already received a lot of compliments on it.

I wanted to use the Blue Sky Alpacas yarn shown in the book, but my LYS, Yarn Expressions, doesn't carry that brand right now. So I ended up with Malabrigo Silky Merino in Teal Feather and Mint Frappe.

Since I was using a different yarn, I had to experiment with some gauge swatches to figure out what would work with the Silky Merino. I ended up using a size H hook. I made the medium size, and I only needed 3 skeins of Mint Frappe and 2 skins of Teal Feather. I actually had quite a lot of each color left over. I'm going to make a pair of half-finger gloves with the leftover Teal Feather (I have Reynaud's) and a headband and who knows what else with the Mint Frappe.

Here are some pictures of the finished garment:

AmyS
Crochetville: Co-Owner
Cats in My Craft Basket: personal blog

Double Stitch on NBC5 Chicago

2008-06-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Watch the video of Erika and Monika on NBC5 Chicago from yesterday's Style File: http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=263671

Creation from your designs

2008-06-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies,

I wanted to share my creation from your new book. I combined the peak-a-boo dress with the t-neck top. I love the results. Thank you ladies for creating such lovely designs.

Sincerely,

P'chez

Book Launch Fashion Show

2008-06-13T10:41:00.001-07:00

Erika and Monika teach crochet at Soul Fly Shop in CHICAGO

2008-06-13T07:17:00.001-07:00

Save the Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008

Join Erika and Monika for some crochet fun at Soul Fly Boutique. They'll teach a couple of basic crochet stitches in the Beginning Crochet class,and those with crochet experience can participate in the Designer workshop and get started on one of the projects from the book!

Soul Fly Shop N Lounge Boutique
11614 S. Western Ave, CHICAGO

(#1) Beginning Basic Crochet 12 noon - 1:30 pm
(#2) Designers Crochet Workshop 1:30 pm - 3 pm
Age - Everyone
Free!!!

All Participants, feel free to bring a skein of yarn and your favorite crochet hook! Workshop #2 participants, please bring your favorite short sleeve T-Shirt. Books will be available for purchase during the workshop. Please rsvp @ info@doublestitchwear.com.

Washington DC crocheters

2008-06-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Washington DC, crocheter, Samantha (right) and her sister Nicole (left), out and about in their ReMix T-Shirt Sleeves (page 26).

Chicago Book Launch Event

2008-05-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Save the Date: Thursday, May 29, 5:30-8pm

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum Residents' Dining Hall

800 South Halsted, CHICAGO

Join us for the official book signing event and runway presentation featuring the designs from Double Stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista! Don't forget to bring your copy of the book for Erika and Monika to personally autograph! (Books will also be available for sale at the event.) Desserts and refreshments will be served. Please rsvp @ info@doublestitchwear.com

This event is FREE. Paid parking is available across the street. Reservations are recommended. This event is ADA accessible. If you have a disability and need additional accommodations to attend an event, please inform us at the time of reservation. The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum is part of UIC College of Architecture and the Arts and serves as a dynamic memorial to social reformer and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jane Addams (1860-1935) and other resident social reformers whose work influenced the lives of their immigrant neighbors as well as national and international public policy.

Check out the designs in the book

2008-05-05T14:23:00.001-07:00