Clever #Crochet to Be Worn Many Ways

Just another stroke of Genius from the Double Stitch Twins.

Inspiration: the 1920's

It all started when I returned to Mexico after a wonderful summer in the U.S.  I went out with one of my dear friends just to watch a movie and relax.  I didn't know what we'd see, and my friend chose the Woody Allen flick, Midnight in Paris.  I had absolutely no idea what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised with a beautiful, fun, inspiring film about one of the most artistic cities in the world.

Image Source: Amazon.Com

 What's more- I'm newly teaching The Great Gatsby in my U.S. Lit class this year.  It's great to find connections between the modern media and the curriculum.  I hope by the time we read the book (in November) we can get a copy of the film to inspire us in class. 

Image Source: http://images.quickblogcast.com/

The visuals of the film were exquisite, and you get the idea that these times of the past exist with us now.  In a way, they do.  They exist in our hearts, and in our history.  They influence us and inspire us in ways we don't even know. 

Image Source: amsu-english.wikispaces.com

 For instance, right now we're reading The Catcher in the Rye (1940's, I know.) in my U.S. Lit class.  I remember being floored by the writing- the voice- when I first read it.  So frank, so informal.  I read it in the early 1990s, about 45 years after the first publication.  Now, about 20 years after that, with the advent of blogs, and with the emphasis on the individual, with the disregard for the conventions of the English language, with reality television, and with all of the other works that have been influenced by and even attempt to emulate Salinger's style, I fear that the impact of the voice is lost.  It's still a worthy piece of literature, but perhaps it seems a bit less revolutionary.  However, that would tell us how far we've come, and just how influential this particular piece of literature has been.

So, the past exists with us now, and, inspired by the film, in which the main character actually visits the 1920s and meets his historic literary and artistic idols, I spent hours on the internet finding more information about Hemingway, Stein, Baker, Brunel, and the movements of the time.

Image Source: danliterature.files.wordpress.com

I downloaded the A Moveable Feast audiobook and listened to it three times that weekend.  I watched surrealist films on youtube. I decided I'd love to be Josephine Baker for Halloween this year.  And I moved forward, inspired by the 1920s and the movements of the time.

Then my favorite crochet fashionistas, The Double Stitch Twins released this pic in their Etsy shop

Click through to find this garment for sale on Etsy.Photo credit: Double Stitch Twins

I think it would be perfect for a Josephine Baker costume 

(in white over a long, simple, white sheath dress).

Image Source: findagrave.com

 It would be easy to find feathers and big jewels.

One last taste of the 1920s for you:  Vogue Magazine tweeted the Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 Collection from NYC Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.  

Images by Vogue Magazine

From Stashin' to Fashion

Etna yarn by Mondial

I bought about 9 balls of this gorgeous, pink-purple variegated, Italian yarn at 75% off in a posh local yarn shop.  Because it was thin (sport weight or a little lighter), I had intended to use it on a project from Crochet So Fine by Kristin Omdahl.

So, what's the problem?

The problem revealed itself when I tried to crochet the sport-weight yarn.  This yarn is lively.  It's springy.  Drape is not part of this yarn's repertoire.  The construction is difficult to explain, but let me try.  It is a cotton (66%), nylon (32%), metal (2%) blend.  Imagine the nylon as a sheath surrounding a core of cotton.  The metal is interwoven in the nylon.

I wished to make the beautiful, simple, elegant Sprout Chains Shawlette by Kristin Omdahl, but when I started stitching, I just got more and more frustrated.

Can you see why I was frustrated?

Was blocking going to help this mess?  (And it was a HOT MESS.)  

I felt it was a cape worthy of a poodle, but I myself had no desire to emulate poodle style, no matter how adorable my dear, sweet doggie is. 

After stashing the yarn away, and wondering what the heck I could do with it for months, I had a brainwave!  What would happen if I combined the problematic fiber with an easy-going cotton?  I had about 3 spare balls of Omega Trigo, which is available in Mexico.  It was already in my consciousness because I had forced myself to "finish" my Lacy Cropped Cardi by Robin Chachula.  For the entire traumatic story (which starts in 2009) see my Ravelry page.

But I digress.  I put together the Trigo and the Etna, and magic happened.  The yarn was thick enough to complete the Gypsy Duster by the Double Stitch Twins.  The color combination was beautiful.  I had a problem with the pink alone.  Could I bear an entire sweater out in that pink mess?  The lavender mellowed it out and also gave it enough weight to have a beautiful drape.

Voila!

In addition, the pattern was quick and the beautiful open weave made the color not too overpowering.  The subtle glint of the metal gave it just enough shine.  I felt like I had won the crochet lottery!

I still have a couple of balls of the Etna, but I'm no longer worried.  I am thinking a market bag or even a hat would be perfect!

Attention, Yarn Snobs

There's nothing wrong with loving expensive yarns that were cultivated in exotic locales and are hand-painted by rustic artisans.  I love those yarns.

By the same token, there's a lot to love about Red Heart.  Yes, I said it. 

 

Well, look at it.

Using the brand new e-book, Fashion Forward by the Double Stitch Twins for Red Heart, and my stash, I made a totally cute, versatile, and comfortable shrug using 100% acrylic.  It's cute, isn't it?  Here's my Ravelry page about the project.

I love the e-book, and at $4.99, it's very affordable for 10 patterns.  Bravo to Red Heart for signing the Double Stitch Twins.  Now we fans get their patterns for much less money AND they're all done in economical yarn!

I know this shrug is going to last.  I plan to launder it in a garment bag in the gentle cycle and air dry it.  This will reduce pill formation and prolong the life of the garment.  I think I see more of these shrugs in my future.

To see what else Erika and Monika are up to at Red Heart, check them out here. 

31 Crafts for March, National Craft Month!

March is National Craft Month!

What will you do to celebrate?

For me, crafting is not a special occasion.  Crafting is a way of life.  I feel very fortunate to have a useful hobby that I enjoy and something that I can do every day.  Crochet comes with me in the car on my morning commute (in which I am a passenger, don't worry!).  I take it on road trips.  I've always got something in my bag to pass those minutes spent in line at the bank.  You'll see me out at cafes with hook, yarn and latte.  Although I feel completely capable of participating in a meeting or monitoring a test while stitching, I draw the line there.  The only stitch time I sneak in at school is during recess duty.


Were it not for being open to new crafts, I may have never found this wonderful hobby, which is practicality, art, and craft all wrapped up in one.


In order to share some great ideas, but also remind myself of projects I'd like to do, I am linking to 31 high-quality craft tutorials to fill your National Craft Month.

Enjoy!

A floral adornment to my new stash bag.
Pattern Link (to Crocheted Stash Bag)

Accessories

 Crocheted Daisy Earrings at Thread Bear's Picnic

Knotted Rope Flower Hair Clip by Craft Snob

Last-Minute Dressy Cuff by Sew A Straight Line

Super Sash Crocheted Belt by Double Stitch for Red Heart

Milk Carton Coin Purse by Connect the Dots Crafts

Washer Necklace by One Scrappin Johnson

Gifts

Crocheted Button Bookmark by GoodKnits

Mini-Fold Book by Poppy Paperie

Laminated Luggage Tag by Mark Montano

One-Hour Sewn Bag by Skip to My Lou

Home

Wooden Beaded Trivets by A Merry Mishap

Bulletin Board Organizer by Paper Source

Glittered Coke Bottle by the Modern Surrealist

Teacup Pin Cushion at You Can Make This

Sew a Business Card Holder by Quilt In Progress

Spoon Poetry by Ephemeral Alchemy

Sewn Mail Organizer by Noodle Head

Tea Wreath by Kojo Designs

Collapsible Storage Baskets by Sew 4 Home

 

Food & Drinks

Skinny Girl Mock-a-Mole

Lemon Basil Vodka Gimlet by Well Fed

Blackberry Smash by Bless Her Heart

Paper Goods

No-Sew Pencil Case by Craft Jr.

Origami Nesting Boxes by Martha Stewart

Cards Adorned with Purses by Little Birdie Secrets

Envelope Clutch by The Hybrid Chick

Make Lots of Cards from Just 2 Punches by CraftyPod

Clothing

Sweater Turned Shrug by Venus Zine

Yarn Crafting

Crochet the Alphabet! by Amamzing

Finger Knit Basics at WikiHow

Introduction to String Art and Patterns at String Art Fun

Bonus craft!  

Purl Bee Crocheted Stash Bag



CHA Chicago 2010: Double Stitch, Marisa Pawelko, Westcott, & America's Next Top Crafter

The coolest thing about going to CHA this year was all of the unexpected surprises.  Mom and I felt like we were kids in a candy store! 

Before attending the two-day consumer event, we signed up for workshops each day.   It was not easy figuring out which ones to take, but after careful consideration, I selected Funky Junk with Marisa Pawelko, because it sounded very innovative and the picture looked cool.  :)  I knew I wanted to see Erika and Monika Simmons, the Double Stitch Twins again, so mom and I also signed up for their Remix It Crochet Class.

This is their commercial.  How cool are they?

Marisa, also known as The Modern Surrealist, really did teach us how to take junk and make it into upcycled treasures.  We learned little secret techniques and even folded paper bags into itsy bitsy scrapbooks.  Marisa was a wonderful teacher who spent a lot of time checking on every student and making sure that we were getting it right.  She was very supportive of each of our styles and completely inspired us to be fearlessly creative.  I was in awe of her GORGEOUS creations!

I was thrilled to see Erika and Monika Simmons, the Double Stitch Twins, in their class sponsored by Red Heart.  In fact, it is through their newsletter that I learned about the Supershow in the first place.  They were brave enough to teach a crochet class with no experience necessary!  They patiently taught everyone how to attach the yarn to our remix T-Shirts and form the stitches needed to make fun and funky creations.  Every time I see them in Crochet Today magazine or doing their thing for Red Heart, it makes me happy to say I've met them and they are as nice and down to earth as can be!

CHA is a time to throw caution to the wind and to try new things, so when I was on my way to the Westcott booth to make some rad scissor holsters (designed by Marisa Pawelko), I was all too enthused to participate in the live game show: America's Next Top Crafter.  It is hard for me to explain how completely cool and awesome the experience was, but suffice it to say, meeting the celebrity panel of judges would have been prize enough.  The show was hosted by none other than the Modern Surrealist herself, Marisa Pawelko!  The judges were Sarah Moore of Craft Critique, Stephanie Girard, who wrote Sweater Surgery, and Erika and Monika Simmons, who wrote Double Stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista.  No pressure.  Nope.

We were given ten minutes to decorate a scissor holster with a bunch of pretty fabric, ribbons, puff paint, and gemstones.  My weapon of choice:  the hot glue gun.  When they said go, I was moving fast and my hands were shaking.  There's nothing like speed-crafting to get your adrenaline going.  The minutes flew by and we were each asked to present our creations.  After seeing my competition, I knew I had lost, but it's not about whether you win or lose, right?  It's how you play the game.  The thing was... I didn't lose.  I actually won!  I couldn't believe it.  And the judges were so sweet in how they described my work.  I was on cloud nine!

So what did I win?  Well, I was lucky enough to win the entire line of Westcott cutting tools!  Can you believe it?  I love the tools because the titanium scissors are much stronger than stainless steel or other metals used in scissors, so they stay sharper longer.  I've definitely seen that so far.  I've been using them every day at school for various things and they cut like a charm, even through sticky stuff.

Now I'm set for quite a while in the scissors department, but you are reading the blog of someone who was once stopped by TSA for having 9 pairs of scissors in her bag. (I was very distracted! With good reason!) So as you can see, I need scissors, and I really do use them!  :)

Do You Love DoubleStitch?

Who are DoubleStitch?

Are you serious?

They are only the coolest, sweetest, and most talented crocheting twins out there! Erika and Monika Simmons have an amazing book, titled Doublestitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista, which I picked up at a craft fair in Chicago. Oh, did I mention that THEY SIGNED IT? :o)

This is me and them! They're so nice!

If you are sick of frumpy crochet designs, or spending $18.00 a skein on yarn for a pattern that requires 9 skeins, then check their book out! They use the mesh design quite a lot, making the designs versatile, easy, and quick. They also use normal, affordable yarns. How refreshing! This is a case where the finished product really looks like a garment that would have cost much more if you'd bought it in a store. And you don't feel like these take forever to complete. You can be wearing your amazing new garment in a week or less.

There is so much to tell about DoubleStitch. I am sure I can not fit it all into one post. Therefore, I'll leave you now with my version of their "Versatile Spring Wrap," which I learned to crochet from one of their free videos on the Virtue Radio Network. I did one up for myself and one for Mom. Of course, you can make these up in any color to go with any season. There are many ways to wear it!!

Wrap skirt front^ and back.

Cover-up front^ and side.

Capelet front^ and back.