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Hello! Today, we’ll be meeting a really creative and fun crochet designer, Audrey from Canoe Mtn Design Co. Audrey sells some gorgeous crochet patterns on Etsy, and on her blog, too!
Find Canoe Mtn Designs on the Web:
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/canoe-mtn-designs
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CanoeMtnDesignsCo
IG: https://www.instagram.com/canoemtndesigns/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/canoemtndesigns
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199928530563074
Website/Blog: https://www.cmdcrochet.com/
Featured Designer Interview with Audrey of CMD:
Katie: Hi Audrey! I’d love for you to tell us a little about yourself and what you love to crochet.
Hello! I’m Audrey, the designer behind Canoe Mtn Designs. I live with my husband of 34 years in a small town in northern British Columbia Canada, in the middle of the mountains. I can see Canoe Mountain from my living room window, obviously that is where my company name comes from!
My shop is a variety of different patterns. Seems the older I get the shorter my attention span, and I get bored easily, so variety is what keeps me going. Last year (2022) I started a pattern series on my blog called “Scarf Challenge”. There were 2 free scarf patterns each month the challenge being that everyone creates a scarf to donate to charity. In 2023 I will alternate months with scarves and a blanket pattern. Again the challenge being to donate a blanket to charity.
Almost everything I create while designing gets donated. I send scarves & hats to Chase the Chill Edmonton, who then place them on fences, trees etc., where they know people who need them will find them. Some also go to a warming shelter. Winters are cold in Canada! The blankets get donated to seniors, and Project Linus, shawls go to seniors and also to a hospice. It’s amazing how many places love to receive something handmade.
Katie: The first question I always ask is, where did you learn to crochet? Did you teach yourself?
Audrey: Many years ago I was chatting with someone who mentioned that she crocheted scarves for charity while watching TV with her husband in the evenings. This sounded like a great idea to me! I can’t just sit and watch TV, so I bought 1 crochet hook, some really cheap yarn, and went to Youtube to find out how to crochet. I must have found the right videos or maybe it was just natural for me. After a few years of making things to donate I did start to go to craft fairs, but making the same thing over and over just isn’t for me. So I started designing.
Katie: I can totally relate! I started with a cheapo hook and yarn from the hundred-yen (Japanese $1) store, too! So, do you have a favorite yarn or crochet project to share with us now?
Audrey: Oh my. Those are hard questions! My favorite project hasn’t been released yet, but it’s a hat/cowl set. I love to create sets 🙂 My favorite yarn? Whatever yarn I am working with at the time? lol For blankets I love Bernat Premium, it’s really soft and affordable. When I design and crochet a shawl I’m in love with Estelle Worsted right now. I have 5 different colors wound and waiting for me to design with. I do love to try new yarns as well. This year I’m working with some small home based hand dyers doing reviews, interviews and give aways. It’s so much fun!
Katie: So do you like to listen to audiobooks or watch tv while you crochet?
Audrey: I watch tv in the evenings with hubby and crochet. I prefer peace and quiet, but in a very small house that isn’t always possible lol. Quite often I will get up very early in the morning (before 5am), make a cup of coffee, grab the laptop and sit in at the table and think about the next design. Fun fact – I love to watch the Toronto Blue Jays baseball on tv in the summer. I put it on the PVR so I can watch whenever I want.
Katie: Oh so cool! My family has watched quite a few Blue Jays games when they come to Tampa for Spring Training and to play the Rays! Can you tell us where you love to crochet best? Or what does your craft room/space look like?
Audrey: Since downsizing and moving where we live now I don’t have a craft room. My yarn is in a spare room, but for crocheting I’m either at the dining room table or sitting in the recliner. I do like to sit outside on the deck and crochet in the summer if the mosquitoes aren’t too bad.
Katie: Sounds lovely, outdoor crochet time is my favorite, too! Thanks so much for joining us, Audrey! Can’t wait for everyone to see some of the awesome crochet designs you’ve come up with! I know they’ll be feeling inspired to crochet something for charity (and to treat themselves, too!)
10 Crochet Patterns to Donate (or gift!) by Canoe Mtn Design Co.
Paid Patterns that were too Beautiful to Resist!
It’s no wonder this beautiful fingerless gloves pattern is her best seller! These are so classic and they look great in every color, too!
This earwarmer is super simple, but stylish and warm! I love the easy twist!
Crochet Book Market Bag Pattern
This cheerful crochet market bag looks SO amazing in a self striping yarn, doesn’t it? These would make perfect gifts for any little occasion- like Mother’s day, Valentines, or even Christmas!
This beautiful, textured bonnet looks absolutely stunning! I am in love with the pom pom ties, the open ribbing, and the perfect amount of slouch in the back.
This gorgeous crochet baby blanket has a simple 4 row repeat. It looks great in chunky stripes as pictured, but would be adorable in a solid color, or even a self striping yarn! Perfect for donations to charities like local hospitals and senior centers as a lap blanket, or as a baby shower or birthday gift.
This beautiful crochet shawl would make a lovely donation to a local chemo center, or a gift to a friend who could use a warm hug.
This gorgeous crochet wrap combines a few of my favorite crochet stitch textures for a lovely triangular wrap. You can donate it to a local warm up charity, and it would make a lovely gift item, too! (Treat yourself to one, too! This is so pretty!)
This beautiful set includes a cowl, a headband earwarmer, AND a beanie pattern all for the price of one! These sorts of items would bring so much joy to so many- even YOU as you make it!
This beautiful crochet blanket has so much style! I’m in love with the shells and the fun tan mesh that separates the stripes into a fishscale look. So cute! This would look great in mini stirpes, or even in bigger sections, self striping yarn, or ombre. Doesn’t it fill you with so many possibilities???
Last, but not least, the Cables of Love Beanie makes me swoon! I love the brim, I love the pom pom, and I adore the gorgeous stripes of cable textures. Beautiful, right?
BONUS Free Crochet Patterns!
This gorgeous crochet wrap is full of fun lacy textures for a light and airy wrap that’s still warm to wear.
Crafty Stitchers Charity Crochet Beanie
This lovely beanie comes with a matching scarf on Audrey’s blog! You’ll love how quickly this works up! Perfect for donating to charity, or for last minute gifting (we’ve all been there!)
This gorgeous crochet shawl wrap looks amazing in self striping yarn, but I’d love to see it crocheted in a luxury yarn for to treat a special friend (or yourself!)
Thank you so much for reading and checking out this designer feature! I hope you enjoyed all these awesome crochet patterns to donate from our guest, Audrey, and we will see you back again soon with another amazing collection of crochet designs!
