Summer Earring Crochet-A-Long

I’m so excited to host my very first Crochet-A-Long! Crochet is such an amazingly versatile craft, and I want to introduce people to thread crochet through my fun earring designs. Earrings are quick projects and I adore making them, but those tiny stitches can be intimidating! Be intimidated no more! I designed several summer earring patterns perfect for dipping your toe into crochet earrings and I want to help you make them successfully through this CAL!

Schedule

• The Summer Earring CAL is a 2 week CAL, taking place from Monday, July 8th through Monday July 22nd.
• This is a FREE CAL! All the patterns will be available free on the blog! They will be published here on the blog on Fridays: July 5th: Popsicle Earrings, July 12th Fun in the Sun Earrings, and July 19th Sunset on the Water Earrings.
• I’m going LIVE!!!! I’m going to do an Instagram live on each Monday and Friday during the CAL at 2pm EST (SO Mon, July 8th; Fri, July 12th; Mon, July 15th; Fri, July 19th; Mon, July 22nd) During these sessions, I’ll answer questions, share tips on working with thread, suggestions for supplies, info about other amazing earring designers, maybe even a guest appearance from one or two!?

Materials

• The patterns have all been designed with gorgeous colors from the Curio 10 thread from WeCrochet. I love this crochet thread for earrings because the colors are modern and it’s easy to work with. The colors I used are: Bahama, Clarity, Conch, Clementine, and Canary.
• But of course, use whatever size 10 crochet thread you like! I have 3 other brands of crochet thread in my stash and any of them would work for these earrings. Colors to look for: medium blue, light blue, coral/pink, orange, yellow.
• You’ll need some earring findings! These are available from any major craft retailer. I usually get mine from Michael’s. These patterns call for simple fish hook style findings. One variation in the Fun in the Sun earrings pattern calls for jewelry hoops. I also love to add a jump ring or two for extra swing in my earrings sometimes, so if you are going ALL OUT grab a pack of those.
• Some type of tiny pliers. Jewelry pliers are going to be the easiest to use, but if you don’t have them, search among your household tools for an itty bitty pair of pliers. I used a red pair of tiny pliers I stole from my husband for the first 2 years that I made earrings before getting a “real” pair and they worked just fine.
• Aleene’s stiffening spray! This is a must for me! You could use some watered down glue or regular fabric starch, but frankly I like making earrings because they are fast and those two options aren’t as speedy. (Sidenote: for Popsicle Earrings and Sunset on the Water earrings, blocking isn’t as critical as it is for the Fun in the Sun.)
• 1.5 mm steel crochet hook! I always say the smallest hook size you can manage for the thread produces the loveliest earrings, though. SO if you are new to thread crochet, try a bit larger of a hook. 1.65mm or 1.80mm will do just fine.
• Blocking mat and pins: particularly important for the Fun in the Sun earrings.
• Tapestry needle, scissors.

How to participate:

• Literally just try to make a tiny popsicle, take an in progress photo, and tag me on Instagram @motherlodecrafts AND #summerearringcal
• Make 6 pairs of sun earrings in three styles and 2 colors, take a photo, and tag me on Instagram @motherlodecrafts AND #summerearringcal
• Make a tiny wobbly sunset, take a photo, and tag me on Instagram @motherlodecrafts AND #summerearringcal
• Impress yourself by making a lovely set of summer earrings, take a photo, and tag me on Instagram @motherlodecraftsAND #summerearringcal
• So basically just TRY! If you end up hating thread crochet, fine, we can still be friends and now you know it’s not for you. You are still participating!
• AND yes there is a giveaway at the end! Do I have a plan yet for the giveaway? Sort of. I have a set of handmade stitch markers and a pin from WeCrochet. I’ll add a couple more things. I’m debating between finding general crochet items or specific crochet earring items. Giveaway will be open for US addresses, but I’m happy to send an international winner free earring pattern PDFs!