I heart artichoke hat

Here’s a fun little project that I’ve been tackling the last few days.  The inspiration for this hat came this past Saturday from my table neighbor at the November Cleveland Craft Coalition Bazaar.  She had a beautiful scarf crocheted in a variegated fall color way using a crochet stitch that I had never seen before called the crocodile stitch.  Since I love learning new techniques,  I decided that I had to teach myself how to make this stitch.

The process of learning the technique was fairly easy with the internet.  All I had to do was google “crochet crocodile stitch” and I got tons of results.  I started with learning the basics from this video on YouTube.  After I learned the basics of the stitch I was ready to put it to use.

Though I think a scarf is a great application for this highly textured stitch, I wanted to try a hat, which is how I found this free crocodile stitch hat pattern.  What’s interesting about this pattern is that it’s worked from the bottom up, which is opposite from the way I am used to crocheting.  Along with becoming very familiar with the crocodile stitch by making this hat, I also needed to learn how to make a half double crochet foundation row, for which I used this YouTube video.  Unlike a regular chain stitch foundation row, the half double one allows for much more stretch.

As soon as I saw the pattern online I knew right away that I wanted to make my hat look like an artichoke.  I mean this stitch just screams ARTICHOKE to me!  Luckily, I had nearly an entire skein of Caron Simply Soft yarn in Dark Sage from the shamrock garland I made last March.

It was very easy to adapt the before-mentioned pattern to look more artichoke-like.  All I needed to do was create a stem on top to complete the look.  Easy!

Have you made something recently that utilizes a new technique?  I’d love to hear about it, or better yet see it!  You can post a photo of a finished project using a new technique that you learned on the zween facebook page, or just tell me the story of a project in the comments below.

Meet the artists of Coffee + Crafts

The first ever Coffee + Crafts trunk show at the Root Cafe is only about a month away, so I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you who will be there and the sorts of crafty awesomeness that they will be bringing!  For more information about the show, check out the event page on Facebook and while you are there go ahead and RSVP!

Thursday December 15

Chris Sorensen
Crafty and creative in her own right, Chris is also the owner of the awesome Lakewood brick-and-mortar shop called Crafty Goodness.  Chris works in a variety of media and will be showcasing both her own work as well as work from her shop.  You can check out her website, craftygoodnesscle.com to see more!

Photo curtsy of Chris Sorensen

Kat Remick
Kat makes fun and festive headbands, hair clips, fascinators, ornaments and more!  Learn more about Kat on her website; kittenkaboom.wordpress.com

Photo via HausOfKaboom on Etsy

Amy Annico

The Cleaner Wiener Dog Soap Company specializes in sulfate-free dog soaps derived from organic ingredients which are simple and clean. Liquid and bar soaps are available for your dog’s bathing enjoyment. Amy will also be selling glass-block and upcycled bottlecap jewelry in dog and holiday prints.  To see more of Amy’s products, check out her website or Etsy shop.

Photo curtsy of Amy Annico

Friday December 16

Arooj Ashraf
Handwoven scarves, hand-stitched purses, pressed flower greeting cards and hair accessories.  Learn more about Arooj on her website; arooja.com

Photo curtsy of Arooj Ashraf

Katherine Johnson
Quilted mug rugs and coasters using some repurposed fabrics or embellishments, and greeting cards using some recycled papers/cards/embellishments.  Find out more about Katherine on her website; theartfulhausfrau.blogspot.com

photo curtsy of Katherine Johnson

Saturday, December 17

Meagan Shuttleworth
Lovely trendy, retro aprons for those who want to add a little style to their everyday chores in the kitchen or entertaining guests! Handmade flowers are added to each apron as a reminder to stop and smell the roses!  See more from Meagan on her website; The Witty Tales of Trendy Meg and see more aprons in her Etsy shop

Photo via Trendy Meg on Etsy

Ingrid Nolan
Fused plastic bags/accessories, coffee take-out cozies, crochet/knit hats, scarves, and fingerless gloves.

Photo curtsy of Ingrid Nolan

Emily Lindberg
Upcycled items such as crocheted owls made from plastic grocery bags and recycled fabric collages, as well as some coffee related stuff and maybe a few things to keep you warm as well!

Sunday, December 18

Brittany Charek

Fun, funky and useful novelty guitar picks made from recycled scrap plastic (recycled gift cards, ID cards, advertising, etc).  Grab a pack of assorted picks or just “pick” out your own.  Check out all of Brittany’s great stuff over on her Etsy shop.

Photo via holdenallen on Etsy

Joanna Wilson
Beautiful hand-embroidered greeting cards.  See more in Joanna’s Etsy shop.

photo curtsey of Joanna Wilson

Denise Kareliski
Fleece scarves, headbands and matching purses.

photo curtsey of Denise Kareliski

Cleveland Craft Coalition November Art and Craft Bazaar

As you likely know, November marks the beginning of the holiday season! (Already?! Ah!!) If you really want to occupy Wall Street, stay out of the big box stores and do your part to support local, handmade art this holiday season.

Join the Cleveland Craft Coalition for our November 12th Art and Craft Bazaar from 1p.m.-5p.m. at bela dubby!! We will have 17 artists with all sorts of great, handmade things that would make great gifts- for someone else, or for yourself!

If you haven’t already, check out the event page for this bazaar so you can RSVP and invite your friends!

Check out the artists that will be featured:

Arooj- henna tattoos, pressed flower greeting cards
Bethany- (http://www.etsy.com/shop/beethingsstudio)- jewelry
Bridgette- beaded, hemp and wire jewelry
Catherine- (http://www.kittenkaboom.wordpress.com/)- headbands, fascinators, hair accessories
Chris- (http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftygurll)- pottery, ornaments, sushi sets
Colleen & Liz- knitware, wallets, feathered accessories and whatnot
Emily- (http://www.zween.wordpress.com/)- a wide variety of upcycled items; from plarn handbags to funny greeting cards, to magnets and jewelry.
Ingrid- snarky cross stitch, amigurumi
Kristen- totes, record bowls
Margaret- (http://www.etsy.com/shop/MagsImagination)- polymer clay decorative items
Nicki- (http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZombieSocks)- zombie sock monkeys
Rachael- (http://www.crankypants.etsy.com/)- handcrafted hair accessories
Rhiannon- (http://www.etsy.com/shop/Snikitty)- voodoo dolls, hair accessories, cat toys, ornaments
Samantha- (http://thesnowstore.net/)- crocheted amigurumi
Sarah- (http://www.tbysarah.com/)- herbal teas, herbal products, tea accessories, aromatherapy products
Tina- quirky housewares, kitschy prints

But wait, there’s more!

Check out the Events page at the top of my site for all the other great events coming up between now and Christmas!

Halloween How-To: Crochet Bear Ears

Here’s some fun, last-minute bear ears I made last night.  They only took about a half hour to make!  So, if you know how to crochet and need a really quick costume for next year, this is something to keep in mind.

How to make cute head band-style Halloween ears;

First crochet around the head band in single crochet.  I left just a little bit of room on each end where it tucks behind my ears.  Once you have single crochet along the whole band fasten off.

Now decide were you want your ears to be.

Ears (this pattern is for making rounded, bear-like ears, but could easily be adjusted to make triangular cat-like ears, or long bunny-like ears)

First ear

Row one- With the RIGHT SIDE facing and a new strand of yarn, single crochet into 6 sts (please note that I used a fairly thick yarn, so if you are using finer yarn you may want to adjust the number of stitches.) Ch 1, Turn. (6 sts)

Row two- 1sc in each st, ch 1, Turn . (6 sts)

Row three- sc 2 together, 1 sc in next 2 sc, sc 2 together, ch 1, Turn.  (4 sts)

Row four- 1 sc in each st, fasten off yarn

Second ear

Row one- With the RIGHT SIDE facing, repeat row one through four of first ear.  (this means that you will be starting from the right side of each ear and working left)

Finishing

With the RIGHT SIDE facing and starting on the right side of the right most ear; sc around ear, 1 slip stitch in each sc between ears, sc around second ear, fasten off.  Weave in all ends.

Inner ear (optional)

At this point you have ears!  If you used a fairly bulky yarn and crocheted it fairly tightly, they should have nice structure and stay up all by themselves.  Now you can add a little bit of pink to the centers to make them look more authentic.  For this part you could just cut little pieces of pink felt that are the appropriate size and shape, or, you can crochet them like I did.  To crochet the inner ears I used a finer yarn and a smaller hook and I followed the same pattern as for the outer ears but did a single crochet around the entire shape to end it.  After that I just used some black thread to sew the inner ears to the outer ones.  Easy!

I was working on some plarn owls last night and suddenly had the idea to make these.  I wasn’t sure if my co-workers would dress up for Halloween so I wanted to have something just in case.  Turns out nobody did, so they ended up staying in my purse all day.  Oh well!  I think these would look really cute with a matching crochet tale and mittens complete with little claws!

Wine Cork Car

Sometimes I get in a making rut.  I find that this usually happens when I want to get lots of stuff “done.”

Being goal oriented is important to be sure, but usually the best ideas come out of just playing around.  I’m not saying that making a car out of wine corks is the best idea that I’ve ever had.  That’s not the point.

The point is to exercise my mind and hands by creating something new.  Maybe it will fail, maybe it wont.

What you see here is another way for me to “sketch” out ideas.  Just as not all thinking needs to be done exclusively in the brain; not all sketching needs to be done on paper.

For those of you who are wondering, yes this car actually does roll!

Remember folks; drink and craft responsibly.

*This post has just been linked to Upcycled Awesome #68 over on The T-Shirt Diaries.

Call for Artists: Coffee + Crafts @ the Root Cafe

What is Coffee + Crafts?

Coffee + Crafts is a four-day-long indie craft trunk show event taking place at The Root Cafe December 15th-18th from 4-7 pm.  Each day three different artists will showcase their unique items to the public in the warm, inviting, and community-centric atmosphere of The Root Cafe.

What we’re looking for in an artist/crafter for the Coffee + Crafts show:

Quality-  No matter what you make, make it well!  You will be asked to submit 3-5 photos of your work.  Make sure those photos are accurate representations of your work so that it shines!

Variety- We want to offer a variety of items at this event, which is why we will be showcasing three different crafters each day of the show.  That means a total of 12 crafters will be represented over the course of the 4 days!  When applying, please indicate all the dates you are available to exhibit your work.  The more dates that you are available, the more likely you will be to be chosen.  That said, you may still be chosen even if you are only available one of the dates.  In addition to having a variety of different crafters at this event, we also want the products that these crafters offer to be different as well.  In other words, this isn’t going to be a show of 12 jewelry artists, or 12 crochet artists, etc.

Cohesion-  Though variety is important, we also want this event to have some cohesion, so we will be looking for items that fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Coffee related (ceramic mugs, coasters, take out cup cozies, etc)
• Environmentally sustainable (items made from recycled, organic, or sustainably harvested materials)
• Holiday related (greeting cards, ornaments, etc)
• Winter apparel

Uniqueness-  If you have ever been to the Root Cafe you’ll realize that it’s not your average coffee shop.  It’s one of a kind, it’s eclectic, it’s…unique!  We’re looking for vendors who embody this.

Outgoing personality-  With only three artists showing each day, we hope that this will give vendors the opportunity to make personal connections with the patrons of the Root Cafe.  Remember that what you do is interesting to a lot of people.  Don’t be afraid to tell your story (about who you are, how you got started, how you make your items, etc).  This is all part of the alour of buying handmade, so don’t be shy!

Sound good to you?

Great!  We’d love for you to apply!

How to apply:
Just email zween.mail[at}gmail.com to receive your application or if you have any questions about the show.  Applications are due by October 31st, so don’t delay!

Coffee + Crafts has it’s own page on this site!

Click the Coffee + Crafts button at the top of the header to view all the pertinent details about this event.

Pink Plarn Bag for October

A few days ago my good friend Chris who owns and operates one of the cutest shops in Lakewood called Crafty Goodness gave me her sizable stash of pink plastic grocery bags along with several fabric belts.  Among the belts was a very tween-y pink and white striped number from Aeropostale, complete with a huge heart-shaped buckle!

I knew right away that I wanted to make another messenger-style bag with these new materials.  After starting over three times, I finally settled on the crochet hook and color pattern that I wanted to use.

This time around I went for my chunkiest hook, so as to make the bag lighter and more flexible.  Since it is a smaller design than my last messenger-style bag I think that this worked well.

This was my first time integrating white plastic bags into a tapestry crochet design.  I really like how the white and the pink bags pop against the brown, neutral bags.

When my husband came home, the first thing he said was that it looked like it was a breast cancer awareness bag because of the pink.  I hadn’t even thought of that!  Of course!

This year is the 25th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more about ways to reduce your risk for breast cancer, and how to detect it early, check out this article from the Mayo Clinic.

Thank you for stopping by!  Happy crafting!

This post was just been linked to Made By You Mondays on Skip to my Lou!