So who wants to win some fabulous handmade eco friendly items to Celebrate Earth Day?
Absolutely anyone can enter! Just visit my Blog for the Details:
http://theartofzencrochet.blogspot.com/2010/03/earth-day-giveaway.html
Mar
3
Earth Day Giveaway!!
Jan
20
Free Lacey Crochet Scarf Pattern
New Free Pattern on my Blog!!
Free Scarf Crochet Pattern
To get the free pattern to make this scarf please visit my blog @
http://theartofzencrochet.blogspot.com/
BTW: I think this scarf would work up really lovely in any of Nicole’s Yarns, especially the Banana Silk!!! I am going to give that a go next and will post photos on my blog for you to see, (and admire!)
Have the best day ever!!
Jan
7
Happy New Year!!
Ok, so I know I am a little bit late, but I have been ever so busy. I wanted to let you all know about my New Years Resolution, I know, your thinking “good grief, what is she on about now?”
Not really a run of the mill resolution. I decided I wanted to make my business, The Art of Zen…….Crochet, a lot more hmmmm….Eco friendly? I know that seems a catch 22 phrase nowadays. Anyways, I want to put some serious effort into recycling, upcycling, repurposing! So here is just the beginning of this. I used some of the premium Recycled Sari Silk and some recycled T shirt Yarn to make this cap!
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- Recycled Sari Silk and Recycled T Shirt hat
Enjoy and Happy New Years Crafting!
To see more Great Ideas and Items I make please visit my Etsy shop @
http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22
Nov
25
Free Crochet Pattern Time again!!!
So, I have been playing a lot lately at using up scraps of yarn and sometimes upcycling or recycling items I already have to give them a new look! As I promised I would post them here on crochet Corner. I think This bracelet would be great as a stocking stuffer for Christmas! Or even as a gift for a gal of any age.
Here’s one for a Bracelet:
Sari Silk Bracelet
20-40 yards of Recycled Sari Silk Yarn
An old bracelet of any width I used a plastic one about 1/2″ wide
Size 4.5 mm crochet hook.
Darning needle.
Row 1: Make a slip knot as you normally would to start crocheting. With the inside of the bracelet towards you and the yarn on the outside insert hook to the inside (from top to bottom) of bracelet, yarn over and draw up a loop, bring yarn around back side of bracelet, yarn over, pull thru 2 loops on hook. You are going to repeat this until you have covered your bracelet. Push your stitches close together to ensure you cover your bracelet fully. Join with slip stitch to first stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends. Please see the photos below for visual help.
Tip, work the tail from the beginning under as you go, then you don’t have to weave it in later. Have fun! 
Nov
19
Crochet Corner with Chriss
Got some Sari silk yarn leftovers? Well, stay tuned because we will be releasing some super fun and easy crochet projects to use up those scraps. In the mean time check out this purse I made all out of scraps!
The Leftover's Purse
The new “scrap patterns” will be much smaller and will include recycling some household items or something you could find inexpensively in a second hand or dollar store. I am thinking stocking stuffers!!!
If you have any requests for patterns, please let us know, we are always looking for fresh ideas or new twists on old ideas.
DGY will also be releasing a lovely pattern (at a great price, of course!) for Sari Silk Fingerless Mitts! I wasn’t gonna post this picture, but I think I will! Here it is:
DGY's Premium Recycled Sari Silk Fingerless Mitts
Have the Best day ever and Happy Crafting!
Nov
12
Crochet Corner With Chriss
Crochet Corner With Chriss is coming soon!
Oct
10
Crochet: A bit of Lace Hemp Tam Pattern
Click Here For the Pattern
Click Here For the Pattern
This tam is stylish and warm. Like the matching scarf, the hat is lacey but not overly feminine. Instructions are included for 3 sizes of brims and the option to add more “slouch”. This is a quick project that can be crocheted in a few hours depending on your crochet level, so this is a perfect pattern for a last minute gift that definitely won’t look last minute! This pattern advanced beginner.
Click Here For the Pattern
Oct
1
Meet Chriss! Crocheter Extraordinaire!
Nicole: So here goes the question, what inspires you to create what you do?
Chriss: Well, that is a complicated question, sometimes I see an item on a person, such as a hat or a belt, and I haven’t seen it done in crochet, before. So I try it, and sometimes it works out horribly and sometimes I come up with a really awesome item or pattern.
Click Here for the Belt
My daughter, Billie, is a huge inspiration. She is such a huge help when it comes to being able to wear things in different ways. Sometimes, we talk about an idea that didn’t work out, and she can help me modify the idea. Not to mention, she is my resident model.
Click Here for the Pattern
Crochet had this bad rap for a long time as being, doilies, mile-a-minute afghans, bulky vests, and slippers. Not to say those things don’t have there place in crochet, its just crochet is so much more. A lot of people hear crochet and are immediately put off,then I show them and they are so shocked! So, I get inspiration thru breaking boundries or changing the way people think about crochet.
I have said this one before, knitters/knitting inspire(s) me. Why? There has been a major explosion of crochet patterns in the past 7-8 years, but before that it was hard to find cutting edge/ or even really trendy crochet patterns. There are so many really great knitting patterns, so sometimes I look to whats happening in the world of knitting.
The origin of yarn can be inspiring. I look at the texture, drape, and color of the yarn. We’ll use DGY Premium Recycled Sari Silk for an example: Well, first off its silk, and silk has wonderful drape. Color? Well, that one speaks for it self. Texture, I love to work with Sari Silk in fairly tight stitches, that way it stays put and doesn’t fray too much. Also I think that is one of the best ways to display the yarn.
Premium Recycled Silk Yarn
And lastly nature inspires me, sometimes its listening to the rain, an awesome sunset, being in my veggie garden, playing with my kids, or like many others the season inspires me.
You say, “why?” And I say, “why not?”
Jul
6
Chriss Smith Rocks!!! Her Etsy store is magnificent!
So, you know how sometimes life puts the most coolest people in your life? Well Chriss has been this person for me with Darn Good Yarn.
She owns this great Etsy Store which you can visit by clicking here!
Sari Silk Patchwork Bag/ Purse
Hemp Shower Bath Puff
So, I know that we all have the best intentions to knit or crochet gifts for our friends and family…but if you’re like me, OMG where the heck does the time go? It’s like, I get home, cook, clean, put the never-ending pile of laundry away… and I’m supposed to craft now?! It breaks my heart, but sometimes a clean house is better than a hand-made gift….this is where Chriss comes in. She is this master crochet-er based out of British Columbia… see, we’re international here at Darn Good Yarn:)
The Sari Silk Fringe Neck Piece/ Scarf/Bib
I mean look at all these crafts Chriss crocheted… and think about the time you will save and the looks on the faces of the people you give these as gifts to…or the look on your own face when you get yourself your own gift..hehehe!
Oh yes, please watch out for exclusive patterns by Chriss which will only be here at Darn Good Yarn!
