For quite some time now we have been mesmerized and inspired by the work of the unsurpassable artist Margaret Oomen - we are particularly drawn to her crocheted stones.  Her creations and her talent leave us absolutely speechless, as does her wonderfully kind personality.  Resurrection Fern is her blog about her life as a mother of four, rural physician and textile designer.  She also has an Etsy Shop where you can purchase her gorgeous crocheted stones (if you're quick enough since they go so quickly!) as well as beautiful still-life photographs of her crocheted stones, such as the image above.

Today marks a very special day for us and for Margaret's dedicated following because she has generously agreed to create an exclusive Crocheted Stone pattern for Purl Bee readers.  For years people from around the world have asked Margaret to teach them how to crochet around stones and now their prayers have been answered!  The pattern she made for us is called Little Urchin Crochet Covered Sea Stones, pictured above.

When you look at the meticulously detailed crochet patterns that Margaret creates, it's not hard to believe that she has a background in biochemistry and synthetic organic chemistry. 

We were really inspired by the shots above and below from her Etsy Site.

Perhaps Margaret, herself, best describes what she does:

Currently I am using stones that have been made smooth by the constant energetic forces of nature. I have collected them during my travels and from the kind donations of wonderful people all over the world. I feel the ocean and sea stones connect us in ways difficult for us to fathom.  I cover these stones using only repurposed vintage threads worked with vintage crochet hooks. I like the idea that these materials were forming lace patterns long before I used them in my own two hands to cover the stones. The crochet patterns are almost always inspired by things I have observed in nature: lichen, leaves, webs, frost patterns, and snowflakes, to name a few.  Fractal patterns, Fibonacci, and other mathematical sequences are more obvious with some of the crocheted stones than in others.  Most of my patterns are made up as I crochet along using the color, texture, and shape of the stone to guide me.  When I am not crocheting I am arranging my collections and photographing them in arrangements that emphasize their relationships to each other and the natural world.

The lovely pattern embellishing the stones above is the one that Margaret created for the Purl Bee.  She was inspired by sea urchins found near her home this summer.  See her incredibly informative Little Urchin Crochet Covered Sea Stone Project Journal so that you, too, can make your own crocheted covered stones.

Thank you Margaret for your generosity and for inspiring us everyday!!  -- The Purl Bee