Starting at the very beginning, I want to thank the two ladies who introduced me to the wonderful world of crochet when I was a child: Claire Cox, my next door neighbor, who taught me how to form my first crochet stitches and started me on my first afghan; and my best friend’s mom, Carolyn Stone, who taught me how to read crochet patterns, and who always cheerfully answered my questions.
To Teresa Morse for being the best, most supportive and unselfish county fair crochet chairwoman on the planet!
To Linda Malcomb, Emily Hoover and my daughters Becky and Hannah for being willing to be thrust into the crochet modeling world, no matter how silly you may have felt wearing sweaters, capes, and scarves in the heat of summer.
To Svetlana Ford and her daughter, Anya, who have patiently answered my one million and one questions about the amazing yarns in their shop.
To Ope Aboagye, BJ Thomas, Laura Pfannschmidt and Teresa Mitchell for being prayer warriors on my behalf, as well as for encouraging me, but most importantly, for being my friends.
To my editor, Noel Rivera, whom I just met, but already recognize as a kindred spirit. Thanks for making this so easy for me.
To Christine Polomsky for being a patient photographer and just plain fun to talk to.
To Bobbie Matela for helping me learn to think outside the box on my crochet designs.
To Carol Alexander for raising the bar to new heights in the crochet world and for graciously including a few of my designs in your publications.
To Carolyn Mahaney for keeping the high calling of serving in the home and for teaching women like me to love and cherish it at a time when the world would encourage us to abandon it. I can’t wait until I hear Him say, “Well done!” on your behalf.
To my Mother-In-Law, Irma Barker and my sister, Brenda Schweitzer, you two are the most generous ladies I have ever known. When I grow up, I want to be more like you!
To my mom, Harriette Schweitzer, who has been my cheerleader throughout my life, even when I’ve fallen flat.
To my dad, Robert John Schweitzer, artist, American patriot and defender of freedom. I know you can see this from your place in glory! You are the most creative person I’ve ever known, never afraid to try or to fail at new things. Thanks for letting me be by your side as you created so many things in our home. I’m looking forward to seeing you again on that day.
To my children, Becky, Caleb, Hannah, Hudson and Joseph, and my beloved best friend, Craig, for putting up with yarn piles that magically multiply, and for getting me out of countless I.T. disasters. You, more than anyone, see the good, the bad and the ugly in living color and are, henceforth, sworn to secrecy! You know that I love you more than my inadequate words can say.
A monumental thank you to Lindsey Stephens for turning my crochet hieroglyphics into a more understandable language for crocheters. I think I owe you a case of Advil by now.
Finally, to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Supreme Creator and Designer who laid it all down. The best we can ever do is imitate what you have already done. May this book echo a faint whisper to Your glory. “Such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary, nevertheless, I lay it at Your feet. . . .”