New Year Brings New Ideas

My first new creation of 2012 that's been in my head for weeks and I finally found time to sit and work out the pattern. I got the idea from the fabulous Vicki Howell who had something similar featured on Knit Simple magazine. I followed her pattern but didn't like the results. (probably user error) so I switched the idea to a crochet form and figured a stitch that would work with my vision.

I used a great resource for developing new ideas: one of those books with dozens of crochet stitches and instructions to create each.

The next step was developing some way to clasp the scarves closed. I made a cute little pin by glueing vintgage earrings and broaches to a giant safety pin. They will come complimentary with the cowl wrap. I'm working with jewel maven Idabelle Fosse of Bella Diva to help me develop something more elaborate for customers to purchase with their wrap.

It's a great feeling to have a new idea come from your head and turn out as you'd hoped. It's what crafting is all about!

EtsyRAIN Handmade Holiday Show

I've been so busy getting ready and helping with the marketing efforts that I nearly forgot to promote the show on my own blog! Well, it's the night before the show and I expect to get very little sleep since I have several more pieces to make before I sneak in some shuteye. The volunteer marketing team has been helping the organizers get the word out about what could be the biggest EtsyRAIN show yet! It's been featured, written about and mentioned far and wide. Anyone who doesn't heard about it surely has been under a rock.

ScarfCity will have some new items never before seen by EtsyRAIN show shoppers; including leg warmers and cloche hats. After many requests, I finally wrote myself a pattern for leg warmers and started knitting them in fun and funky colors. I have quite a variety ready to sell.

Cloche hats are the new "in" hat. I try to gage what's trendy and new by what Nordstroms chooses to stock for fall and they've got dozens of cloche hats this year.

It's time to pack the car for tomorrow's unload and setup.

Here are the "deats":

Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center

201 Mercer Street

Saturday and Sunday November 26 and 27

11-5 both days

Yule Boutique: Pacific Lutheran University

I get to take a mental sigh this week and know that I am being backed by capable hands. My booth buddy this week is my DAD! He's the greatest dad on the planet. ALWAYS, ALWAYS there when I need him. When he helps me set up it's always in record time because he's a doer ...that's where I get it from!

So Dad and I will be at PLU's Yule Boutique on Saturday. Be sure to say "Hi Rolly" if you see us! We'll be in the Country Fair room this time, a change from last year. The shoppers there are fantastic and the show is a good match for those who are looking to get some serious checkmarks off their Holiday Shopping List.

Tacoma here I (and dad, and Smigel) come!

note: always pictures is my dad's dog Zaire, R.I.P.

My Friends & More Holiday Bazaar

My needles have been flying to get ready for my next craft fair adventure. I'll be in Bothell this weekend at the IUOE Hall at 18701 120th Avenue Northeast from 10 to 5 this Saturday.

This show promises to be a lot of fun for visitors. Santa arrives at 1pm. Parents and pet owners are encouraged to bring their own camera for pictures with the Jolly One. AND ....there's free refreshments!

I've been gearing up all week to sell at my first Poulsbo craft fair. I found this one by chance and I'm not really sure how it's going to go, but I think this early holiday show has a lot of potential.

To get ready, I've made lots of items in their school colors, purple and gold. The way I figure it ...if they don't sell they can turn into Husky-colored items since University of Washington has the same school colors.

My mom (and dog Smigel) are coming with me since two-day road trip craft fairs can be grueling. We're hitting the road this Saturday, November 6th and 6 a.m. (YIKES!) We'll take the ferry to Bainbridge and should be in Poulsbo in a matter of minutes.

Thankfully, we're staying overnight in Bremerton, so we don't have to do the ferry thing two days in a row (I just don't know how those islanders do that!)
I'm also excited because I've changed my display setup (yet again) and I'm excited to give it a try.

Poulsbo ...here we come!!

Craft Fair Schedule

Scarf of the Month is on hold through this busy craft fair season and is set to return in January. Meantime, here's where you can find ScarfCity for the next few weeks:

November 5 & 6
North Kitsap Holiday Fest
North Kitsap High School - 1780 NE Hostmark, Poulsbo, WA
Hours: Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

November 12
My Friends and More Holiday Bazaar
International Union of Operating Engineers
18701 120th Avenue NE, Bothell
Hours: 10am - 5pm

November 19
PLU Yule Boutique
Pacific Lutheran University Campus, Tacoma, WA
Memorial Gym
Hours: 9am - 5pm

November 26 & 27
EtsyRain Handmade Holiday Show
Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 201 Mercer Street
Hours: 11am - 5pm both days

December 30
Seattle Tennis Club Holiday Bazaar (private club)
922 McGilvra Blvd. E, Seattle, WA
Hours: 9:30am - 3pm

December 2 and 3
Kent Winter Craft Bazaar
Kent Commons, 525 4th Avenue North
Hours: Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 9am-5pm

December 10 (My birthday!)
I Heart Indie Holidays
Wallingford Boys and Girls Club, 1310 North 45th Street
Hours: 11am - 7pm

Scarf of the Month - AUGUST!

Crochet Cowl Scarf!

Materials: 200 plus yards of yarn. Try variegated yarn for more interested, or mix your favorite colors.

Skills: simple chain stitch, double crochet

Directions:
1. Chain stitch until the chain (held together at the ends) can easily slip over your head with very little room after that (because this project will widen slightly as you work).

2. Connect chain with a slip stitch. Avoid twisting the chain.

3. Mark first stitch with a stitch marker and double crochet in each chain stitch around.

*Note: Do not join at the end of the round. Continue to the next stitch in the next row without leaving a gap. Move the stitch marker to the next row (first stitch) and continue.

4. Continue in this pattern until the piece is as long as you would like it. Single crochet your final row using the stitch marker to determine where to start and stop. Fasten off, weave in ends. Longer cowls can be pulled over your head for a hood. Shorter cowls are easy to slip off if you get hot. It's your choice!

HAPPY SCARFING!