About M. E. Nolfi

     Hi!  I'm Mary Estok Nolfi  and I've been designing and creating crochet patterns (and other needlework) since age 7.  An overwhelming passion for design has influenced me in all facets of my life, having studied advertising and commercial art during the late 1960s and then pursuing an art business, selling my own designs at juried art shows and galleries since 1974.  (I started out in my home state of Ohio and moved on to Nevada, Texas, upper New York, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia,and just recently California.)

I also went back to grad school (while residing in Texas) in the 1980s to study architecture.  I have always had a great fascination for design along with an equally compelling interest in construction theory and techniques.  How something is made - from a basic construction standpoint  has always been a driving force behind my design pursuits; whether referring to landscape design, building construction, or needlework.  Attention to detail is also always present, along with use of texture and a wonderful knowledge of multiple stitch patterns (which I have gathered over my very inquisitive years of crocheting many this and thats).  I have also enjoyed giving great thought to my choice of fiber and hook size, as well as the construction/shaping methods and finishing techniques that I use in any design pursuits.  

A combination of all these creative thought processes is always pointed in the general direction of making sure the resulting patterns are user-friendly for beginners as well as more seasoned needleworkers.  The actual process of creating the pattern is just as important to me as creating the initial design.

At this point, I would like to add that I have had a great deal of fun when creating ANY crochet design, but particularly when working on the patterns that are available on this website in the M.E. Nolfi Designs category of the Crochet Shoppe.  You might also want to check out the five Leisure Arts booklets that feature a wide range of fashion accessory patterns.  Four of the booklets are shown below and are also available in the Crochet Shoppe. 

The fifth Leisure Arts book, titled "Learn a Stitch, Create a Scarf", is a wonderful pattern stitch primer that includes a carefully chosen combination of twenty-two playful pattern stitches; PLUS a delightful series of easy edging, fringe, and tassel treatments as well.  The book also pays homage to crochet's versatility with a collection of twelve scrumptious scarves, wraps, shawls, and pashminas for all occasions.   It is available in our Crochet Shoppe - $12.95. 

My most recent home was in Williamsburg, Virginia, just 1.5 miles from the historic colonial district (from1999 to 2010).  Although we loved the greenery, the hills, and the historic magic of Virginia, My husband Douglas and I, along with our dear little friend, Pierre (a loveable adopted Toy Poodle), and my 96 years young father-in-law have all just made a special trek across the country to establish residence in Palm Desert, California.  We absolutely love being much closer to other family members and getting back to our favorite desert eco-system surrounded by glorious mountain ranges and 100 golf courses.

I hope to finish a very special crochet book (that I started working on in Virginia) by the last quarter of this year (2010).  The publication date will be some time in the first quarter of 2011; and will mark the first book released by a new publishing house (Holly Berry Press), specializing in crochet books.  I can't wait. . .