31 Mar 2011 No Comments
The Simple Crochet Baby Blanket is a free pattern that would be perfect for beginner crocheters. Use this simple crocheted baby blanket for little boys or girls depending on your color choice.
By crochet.about.com
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
I survived my walk down the runway at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts Recycled Runway fashion event last weekend in a dress I made out of more than a dozen issues of this newspaper. I arrived at the event with a pounding headache, suffering from a severe craft hangover, the painful effect of staying up until 5:30 a.m.,…
I survived my walk down the runway at theUrban Institute for Contemporary Arts Recycled Runway fashion eventlast weekend in a dress I made out of more than a dozen issues of this newspaper.
I arrived at the event with a pounding headache, suffering from a severe craft hangover, the painful effect of staying up until 5:30 a.m., finishing my dress. I spent the eve of the show folding squares of newspaper into flower petals I taped, stitched and glued together to form large blooms as accents to the waistline of the dress.
I drew inspiration for my “Headliner” dress from a variety of books, which has prompted me to offer a roundup of reviews.
Paper flowers
“Kanzashi in Bloom: 20 Simple Fold-and-Sew Projects to Wear and Give” by Diane Gilleland (144 pages, $21.95) details the Japanese art of folding fabric squares into three-dimensional flower petals that are assembled into full blooms. Gilleland illustrates three petal-folding techniques to make projects ranging from tiny blossom earrings and rings to hair accessories and clothing and handbag embellishments.
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood drew inspiration from a craft book, “Kanzashi in Bloom: 20 Simple Fold-and-Sew Projects to Wear and Give,” when she made a dress of newsprint.Traditional Kanzashi projects are made with silk, but Gilleland recommends beginners start with cotton.
I skipped fabric completely and moved right to paper, making more than a dozen tedious blooms out of newsprint for my dress.
Now that I can fold these things in my sleep, I will be exploring the fabric-flower possibilities.
If you love to make flowers, you’ll find this book inspiri
The Grand Rapids Press
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
Charity Crochet Poll
By crochet.about.com
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
A new supply of Casbah (/index.php?option=com_phpshop&page=shop.yarn_flypage&product_id=2714&category_id=8ce994f047220b8984516f5938126429) is here, and oh boy is it soft! These skeins are from a new spinner for Hand Maiden, and this yarn is delicious: same blend as before, takes the colors a little brighter and it seems a tad squishier. Yum!
We now have Casbah (/index.php?option=com_phpshop&page=shop.yarn_flypage&product_id=2714&category_id=8ce994f047220b8984516f5938126429) in the new Blomidon, Madder, Moondust, Nightshade, Nymph and Snow Crocus colorways – more choices for your socks, shawls, scarves, gloves/mitts, hats!
By yarn@knitty-noddy.com
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
Shelby Allaho's “Kyoto Coat” and “Jewels of the Sea” show off her needle prowess.
The Crochet Guild of America‘s Third Annual Crochet Design Contest had dozens of winners; among them was an Oregon crocheter who won both the top prize and a first place.
The $1,000 grand prize (sponsored byCoats & Clark) went toShelby Allahoof Eugene for her exquisitely detailed “Kyoto Coat.” A news release from the CGOA described the winning entry: “The satin-lined child’s Japanese Kimono-inspired coat in orange, brown and pink wool features a crazy-quilt style sash and delicate ruffled skirt. … Designers were entered by member crochet artists, contributing original work including crocheted gowns, free form sweaters, beaded bags and beautiful afghans.”
First ($300), second ($200) and third ($100) place awards were given in six design categories (sponsored byBoye Needles,Caron International,Coats & Clark,DRG Publishing,Interweave PressandLeisure Arts).
Winners by category are:
SPECIAL OCCASION
• First Prize Entry: “Bridal Fantasy” by Patricia Williams, New York.
• Second Prize Entry: “City Nights” by Willena Nanton, New York. (Also winner of $200 for People’s Choice Award from Caron International.)
• Third Prize Entry: “Weightless Tunisian Stole” by Vashti Braha, Florida.
DAYWEAR
• First Prize Entry: “Co-Tri-Mo Sweater” by Carole Schumann, New Jersey.
• Second Prize Entry: “Fantasy in Purple and Lime” by Margaret Hubert, New York
.• Third Prize Entry: “Corktown Cropped Cardigan” by Sandra VanBurkleo, Michigan.
SMALL WONDERS
• First Prize Entry: “Flower Boxes Play Mat” by Deb Burger, North Carolina.
• Second Prize Entry: “Reversible Antique Brooch Baby Blanket” by Tanis Galik, California.
• Third Prize Entry: “Baby Bubble Throw” by Shari White, New Jersey.
Peggy McMullen, The Oregonian
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
Simple crochet baby slippers are a perfect gift. Pair these baby slippers with a matching blanket and hat for a complete set.
By crochet.about.com
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
Juliane Anderson started as an art teacher. Armed with a dual major in art and education, the Hillsdale native taught in schools in Lapeer and Kellogsville. She liked teaching but found the late '70s was a challenging time for her chosen career — one of the first subjects to get axed when state funding decreases forced districts to cut…
A business milestone: Juliane Anderson, owner of Threadbender Inc., is celebrating 25 years in the yarn business.Juliane Anderson started as an art teacher. Armed with a dual major in art and education, the Hillsdale native taught in schools in Lapeer and Kellogsville.
She liked teaching but found the late ’70s was a challenging time for her chosen career — one of the first subjects to get axed when state funding decreases forced districts to cut back.
“I was laid off every year I taught,” she said, recalling her tally of four layoffs.
“The last one took.”
That’s when Anderson decided to stay home to raise her daughter. Meanwhile, she thought about a dream she shared with many fiber artists.
“I’ve always loved yarn, and I was a weaver,” Anderson said. “I thought there was a shortage of weaving shops.”
She openedThreadbender Inc., 2767 44th St. SW in Wyoming, on May 1, 1984. She sold looms and weaving yarns to weavers but also attracted a growing number of knitters.
“So I ordered more knitting yarns,” Anderson said.
Nearly 25 years later, Anderson still is selling looms and teaching customers to weave, but her business has come to be known widely as a knit shop frequented by local knitters looking for a fiber fix. Customers can take knitting classes as well as stock up on patterns and supplies.
Several other shops have opened and closed, but Threadbender’s business has remained steady for Anderson, who says she didn’t open the shop with the intention of getting rich.
“I love the products I sell,” she said. “I love the people I see, and that is probably one of the reasons that this sort o
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood | The Grand Rapids Press
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
We spend countless hours being choosy about our protein powders, debating the merits of psychologists vs. psychiatrists, and wondering whether we should ditch our prescriptions for functional medicine, and if we have time to worry about our wardrobe, we’re usually stuck worrying about whether it’s eco-friendly or flattering our well-earned yoga butt. But this video from our friends over atAdvanced Styleis a great reminder that clothes can be medicine, too (and not because they’re engineered to help you suck in your gut or reduce cellulite).
Outfits can’t replace workouts, and we’ll be the first to admit that you can’t always plan a killer outfit in between yoga class, breakfast, work, and washing your face with the perfect botanical cleansers (and for that reason, we’re big fans of the five items or less approach to fashion), but Debra and Tziporah remind us that clothing isn’t an unnecessary indulgence; it’s a way to be creative and joyful. (And if Tziporah rocks her outfits on a bike, then we can put on a decent pair of shoes after going to the gym.)
Video By Lina Plioplyte forAdvanced Style
Post from:BlissTree
Advanced Style: The Devil Wears Prada, and So Do Happy, Healthy Women
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
A fine and toasty hat. No one has to know that it's simple and speedy, too.
This is your basic easy, speedy knittedwatch cap. It’s an ideal gift for just about anyone who has a head. (And although the pattern has a link to convert it to crochet, ignore it — the download costs $17.95, and really, wouldn’t it just be easier to find a free crochet pattern? I thought so, so I foundthis onefor you.)
If you have a one-skein pattern you’d like to share for our project of
collecting patterns to share between now and Christmas, check outthe detailsof what it can mean for you.
Mary Mooney, The Oregonian
31 Mar 2011 No Comments
Jennifer McCoy opened her front door dressed to the nines and waved me into her Grand Rapids condo, where she had a lovely display of handmade goods arranged beautifully on the kitchen table. It was clear McCoy is all about stylish presentation. And this 21-year-old newlywed knows a thing or two about mixing something old with something new.
Jennifer McCoy opened her front door dressed to the nines and waved me into her Grand Rapids condo, where she had a lovely display of handmade goods arranged beautifully on the kitchen table.
It was clear McCoy is all about stylish presentation.
And this 21-year-old newlywed knows a thing or two about mixing something old with something new.
When she gets home from her job as an office manager for Edward Jones Investments, McCoy spends the winter evenings stitching scarves, broaches, capelets/shrugs and wristlets to embellish with vintage buttons and pretty ribbons and sell online.
Jennifer McCoy, 21, of Grand Rapids, models a handknit neckwarmer/cowl ($49) she made for her online shoppinsandneedlesbasket.etsy.com.In the warmer months, she shifts her attention to sewing vintage-inspired aprons, using antique hankies for the pockets.
Starting young
McCoy says she was born to sell. She grew up in Derry, N.H., where, as a child, she sold candy and baked goods. Now she knits and crochets her original designs and ships them around the country. “When I was 5 years old, my grandma (Barbara Croley) taught me the basics of crochet,” she said. “She showed me how to make scarves for my dolls.”
By fourth or fifth grade, McCoy had taught herself to knit.
She continued making things on the side and was inspired to launch her business while battling the flu last spring. She stayed home sick from work and was watching “The Martha Stewart Show” on TV. The show featured an interview with Esty.com founder, Rob Kalin. Once McCoy heard about the Web site that serves as a global marketplace for handmade goods, she couldn’t wait to get started.
“I would be sick
