March Reader Who Crochets: Cindy Regnier

DestiKNITters, you know what the third Wednesday of each month brings: a reader! Meet Cindy Regnier, a fellow lover of books and yarn.

Cindy, ware you crocheting right now? 

A cardigan sweater. I am so excited to see it finished.

What feels like your favorite crochet accomplishment? 

The year I made crochet projects for my three kids at Christmas.

What feels like the worst crochet mistake/foible/wrong choice you’ve ever made? 

My son asked for a slouchy beanie hat. I found a great pattern, but was in a hurry to get started so I used a hook that was too big. Result: weird looking hat, but he loved it. Said it was something no one else had. 

Do you have a favorite stitch? 

Not really. What I enjoy is a project that uses a variety of stitches.  A textured afghan I made for my DIL used some new stitches I’d never done before. 

Metal or wood needles? 

I have always used metal hooks (and knitting needles), but I'm not opposed to trying new materials.

White chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate? 

I’m a dark chocolate girl.

Coffee or tea? 

Um that’s hard. I guess I’d say tea since I drink iced tea all day. I do like a good cup of coffee in the morning.

What’'s your favorite Allie novel? 

That’s a tough one because they’re all great! I would choose The Texas Rancher’s Return as my favorite because I absolutely fell in love with Gunner.  I love the entire Blue Thorn Ranch Series.

What are you reading now? 

A new novel by Erica Vetsch called My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas.

Do you have a favorite crochet/knitting character from a book, movie, or television show? 

That would be Laura Ingalls Wilder. I love all the Little House books and the mention of Laura knitting lace for a petticoat during The Long Winter is what comes to mind. I believe Laura gave that lace to her sister Mary as a gift.

Give a shout out to your favorite local yarn store.
I stole this one from my sister-in-law as I usually order yarn online, but it is close by and a great store: 

The Shivering Sheep

308 N. Buckeye

​

Abilene, Kansas 

theshiveringsheep.com

For being a Reader Who Crochets, Cindy receives ten hanks of Cascade 220 in "Cotton Candy" and a copy of The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart for herself, and a copy of Coming Home to Texas for a friend.  If you'd like more information on how to be featured on Readers Who Knit/Crochet, email me at allie@alliepleiter.com for details.

March Reader Who Crochets: Leslie McKee

It's that time again where we meet a reader who loves yarn as much as we do. DestiKNITters, say hello to Leslie McKee.

Leslie, what are you working on right now? 
I’m currently between projects, trying to decide what to do next. I was on an unexpected break for quite a few months due to an injury to my dominant hand/wrist. I tend to do most of my crocheting during football season, as I believe it helps my team, the NY Giants, win. And, as I was injured last season, I believe that played into their losing record. I love minions, so I’m considering how to use that for my next project. I haven’t made any hats yet, so I may try that … or perhaps try a minion amigurumi.

What feels like your favorite/greatest crochet accomplishment? 

It’d probably be finishing my first afghan.

What feels like the worst crochet mistake/foible/wrong choice you’ve ever made? 

I’d always been told to buy all your yarn at once. Well, I didn’t follow that advice once, and you can clearly see a patch in the afghan that’s slightly different due to the yarn being from a different batch. Thankfully, it was one I had planned to keep for myself.

Do you have a favorite yarn you like to work with? 

I generally stick with the brand my gram used to teach me to crochet: Red Heart. However, I’ve used a few different brands when going with softer yarn for a baby blanket.

Metal or wood crochet needles? 

Metal

White chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate? 

Without a doubt…dark chocolate! (I can eat milk chocolate, but I don’t like white chocolate at all.)

Coffee or tea? 

Tea, particularly herbal/decaf ones. My favorite splurge is pumpkin chai tea from my church.

What’s your favorite Allie novel? 

A Heart to Heal – I used to be a special education teacher, so I was able to have a bit of a personal connection to it.

What are you reading now? 

I’m always reading review books.  I just finished The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron (June release). I just started reading Small-Town Nanny by Lee Tobin McClain (June release) and Playing the Part by Jen Turano (March release).

Do you have a favorite stitching character from a book, movie, or television show? 

Mrs. Weasley in the Harry Potter books. She’s always making sweaters for her children and Harry. (I also like how Dumbledore mentions knitting patterns!)

Give a shout out to your favorite local yarn store: 

I actually get the majority of my materials from 

Michaels 

2601 W Lake Ave B8

Peoria, IL 61615

locations.michaels.com

Thanks to our friends at Cascade, Leslie gets 10 hanks of Cascade 220 in Caribbean and a copy of Bluegrass Hero.  She chose a copy of A Heart to Heal for her friend.  If you'd like to be featured in a future "Reader Who Knits/Crochets" post, send an email to allie@alliepleiter.com.