Jean Leinhauser

I wanted to talk a bit more about Jean Leinhauser. I did learn that she died of a heart attack and that is always a shock to those who care about a person, so unexpected. What is not unexpected is the outpouring of love within the crochet community. She will indeed be missed. My sympathies go out to Rita and all her family and friends.

Although I never met her in person, I spoke to her via e-mail a number of times. One particular instance comes to mind. During the Crochet Cabana 10 year anniversary, Janie Herrin had given me permission to post one of her patterns and to keep it on my web site. Years later I learned that Janie had sold her designs to Jean and Rita. I contacted Jean through Crochetville and she gave me permission to keep the pattern on the web site. I thought that was very generous of her.

Jean also visited the memorial page I made for Janie and was so sweet and complimentary about the page. One thing she said to me sticks out and applies today as we think about Jean herself passing on. She said, "It is really amazing that so many of us who never met her [Janie] considered her a dear friend. She and I spoke on the phone and emailed back and forth, and I truly loved her. She was a beautiful and gentle soul." I would say the same of Jean. Even though I never met her, I know I will miss her gentle soul in my world.

If you don't have a Jean Leinhauser / Rita Weiss book, how can you look at yourself in the mirror?? LOL I'm just kidding. It would be nearly impossible to own them all, though I've made a pretty good start. I have so many and even one that was autographed by the legendary duo. If you need to round out your collection with another wonderful book, Search Amazon.com for Jean Leinhauser

It would be nearly impossible to list all her books, but here are just a few of the books that I personally own. As I went through the list, I thought to myself that I own quite a lot of crochet books! LOL It seems a great many of them are by Jean. I guess I liked her style. :-)
100 Crochet Projects
All About Crochet: The Dictionary of Crochet Stitches and Techniques
Weekend Afghans
365 Crochet Stitches a Year

100 Purses to Knit & Crochet
New Ideas for Today's Crochet 
7-Day Afghans
101 ripple stitches: Knit and crochet
100 Afghans to Knit & Crochet
101 Crochet Stitches: With international crochet symbols
50 Crocheted Afghan Borders (Leisure Arts #4382)



So many folks have blogged about her. I thought you all might enjoy reading some of these posts.

CGOA http://cgoanow.blogspot.com/2011/06/jean-leinhauser-rest-in-peace.html

Margaret Hubert http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com/2011/06/it-has-been-long-while-since-i-wrote.html

Kim Guzman http://kimguzman.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/memories/

Doris Chan http://dorischancrochet.com/2011/06/15/the-passing-of-a-crochet-legend/

Gwen http://qtracregal.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/new-poetry-warm-and-sweet-in-memoriam-jean-leinhauser/

Wheat http://wheatcarr.com/passing-thoughts/jean-leinhauser-irreplaceable-loss.php

Marcy Smith http://www.crochetme.com/blogs/marcy_smith/archive/2011/06/15/farewell-jean-leinhauser.aspx


Leslie http://www.crochetbug.com/square-9/

Marty Miller http://notyourgrannyscrochet-marty.blogspot.com/2011/06/jean-leinhauser-my-friend.html

Jean, you will be forever in our hearts.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie