I Love Bamboo

Bamboo is my favorite yarn fiber because it's:

1. Super soft
2. Natural and sustainable
3. Beautiful and has wonderful drape
4. Durable (if you treat it well)
5. Biodegradable 
6. Naturally antibacterial

Although, as with all things, it has its downsides.

1. The price (at least compared to acrylic)
2. Needs to be hand-washed (gently: it can swell and lose strength in water)
3. Splits a bit (not as much of a problem for crochet hooks as it is for knitting needles)

For me, however, bamboo's softness and natural sustainability wins out over the price and the handle-with-care issues.

Even when I'm making things for kids. Acrylic might hold up better, but I'm dedicated to crafting with natural fibers. Especially when it comes to items I sell in my store.

So, what are my favorite brands?

Bamboo Ewe by Stitch Nation is probably one of the least expensive and easiest to acquire. Its a light worsted weight blend of 55% viscose from bamboo and 45% wool.

Red Heart produces Eco-ways Bamboo Wool, an affordable, worsted weight blend of 55% bamboo and 45% wool.

I also liked Tranquility by the South West Trading Company, but they discontinued the brand, so I can only find it on Etsy.com or at the Stitches trade-shows.

I say check it out next time you're looking for a soft, beautiful yarn for any clothing project.

First Sale: Lessons Learned

Sometimes, most times, the only way to learn is to do. That said, it's great that the first two sales from my Presque Isle Etsy store were made to my mom and my good friend Andi.

Lessons learned:

1. Followup emails are necessary. First I need to put together an email that lets customers know I got their order and will be shipping their purchase soon. Then I need an email that tells them I've shipped their purchase. I got away with not doing it this time because I speak to my mom and my friend Andi every day--they know I got the order and they know exactly when I sent it. 
2. I need a logo. I thought I could get away with not having one... until I wanted to create my hang tags to send with my beanies. Suddenly I realized how bland they were without a logo.
3. PayPal charges a fee for sales. It's a tiny percentage, but it helps to know that when you're trying to figure out what your net profit is going to be.
   
4. Invoices are the easy part. I usually hate Microsoft Word, but their templates are very helpful.
5. A Thank-You-Please-Come-Again postcard would be nice. Something to include in my shipment. Something that says thanks for buying from me. Hope you enjoy your purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about your purchase. Oh, and I do custom orders if you want matching gloves or a scarf to go with your beanie!
6. Stamps.com is essential. It's the easiest way to create and print mailing labels with postage.
7. Packaging is important. Right before I put my first beanie in the envelop made of and stuffed with recycled materials, I realized that if this package was left on a doorstop where it was raining or snowing, the beanie would be soaked right through the package. So I bought some Dupont Tyvek envelops to wrap the beanie in before I put it in the recycled package. Not the most earth-friendly, but I plan on fixing that for my next shipment.
8. I need a scale (or at least set up a chart with approximate weights for my average shipments). I used the scale in the mail room at my day-job to figure out the weight of my first package. Turns out I may not have to charge as much for shipping as I originally thought.

I'm sure I'll be learning a lot more in the months to come. But until I build up inventory, I think I'll probably be more occupied with holiday gifts for my friends and family than sales from my Etsy store.

Presque Isle has launched!

Finally! After months of crocheting, writing, organizing, and picture taking the Presque Isle shop on Etsy.com is open for business.

I'm sure some people expect a ton of responses and loads of orders the moment their store opens, but honestly, I'm happy to have a slow start. I need to work out the kinks before people start ordering things.

The CIRRUS beanie in gray and teal.

My friend Andi ordered a CIRRUS beanie from me and I still need to sew the label in, make the hang tag, and craft my follow up emails. She also requested a pair of gloves to match the beanie, and gave me some great advice on promoting custom orders in my receipts and thank you messages.

I have so much to learn!

For example, I didn't think I'd really need a logo, but as I create the hang tags I realize a logo would be a nice sign-off. So now I'm figuring out if I want to design one on my own or get my designer BF to do it for me :)

Anyway, check out Presque Isle when you have a chance and let me know what you think!

Scarves for a Good Cause

Sure there are plenty of projects to work on right now, especially with the holidays coming up, but here's one easy charity project to keep in mind--and the deadline isn't until February for many states!

The Special Olympics USA Scarf Project collects handmade scarves and presents them as gifts for the Special Olympics Athletes.

Every year the project picks the official yarn colors and Red Heart puts the yarn on sale for about a dollar off the regular price. The colors this year are:

Red Heart Super Saver 387 Soft Navy

Red Heart Super Saver 319 Cherry Red

Red Heart Soft 4604 Navy

Red Heart Soft 9925 Really Red

Red Heart also supplies free crochet and knit patterns, but you can use any pattern you like as long as it's between 54" and 60" long, and approximately 6" wide.

Each state that elects to participate asks for a certain number of scarves. So if your local center reaches their goal, you can send your scarves to another state who needs them.

I was sad to find out California isn't one of the states that chose to participate in the program, so I'm sending mine to Colorado :)

Ravelry Rocks

One of the best web resources for fiber crafters, Ravelry.com is my favorite place for all sorts of crochet and knit information.

Sweet Eleanor Scarf

Patterns: Rather than scour dozens of sites, you can go straight to the Patterns section of Ravelry and search for what you need. The results range from brand name patterns to user created and submitted patterns.

Some are free and some will cost you, but you can sort your search by whether you want to pay for a pattern.


Yarns: Sure you can find some great new colors and textures by browsing around the listings in the Yarns section, but if you're thinking about putting down cash on a few pricey skeins, knowing how the yarn is going to perform is even more valuable.

Just click on the Comments tab at the top of a yarn's page and find out what other people think about: how the yarn washes, if it pills or splits when you work with it, and even how the quality of the brand has changed over the years.

Noro Kureyon

Also, if you're thinking about buying a yarn through the internet, getting an idea of the texture and weight from someone other that the seller is extremely helpful.

Oh, and if you just bought a bunch of yarn on sale because you simply couldn't pass up the price, just look up the yarn on Ravelry and click the Pattern Ideas tab. You'll find dozens of ways to make use of your new stash.

Forums: Ask questions and get answers on everything from patterns and techniques to trade shows and tools. The Ravelry community is really what makes this site awesome.

Groups: Looking for a little more human interaction? Ravelry is tied to fiber artists groups all over the world. From Albania to Wales, you'll find groups of crocheters, knitters, and spinners--you can even add your own.

Ravelry Wall Art

Shop: Support Ravelry by purchasing fun stuff from their Mini-Mart. Or buy yarns, patterns and anything else for fiber arts from fellow Ravelers in the Marketplace.

My Notebook: The online library that helps you keep track of your stash, tools, books, patterns you're working on and those you want to work on, and everything else.

Now all I need is a Ravelry mobile app, and rumor has it there's something in the works :)

Photo Studio in a Box

Finally opened up my photo lighting kit and made efforts to set it up and take photos of my beanies last night.

The Square Perfect SP500 Platinum Photo Studio in a Box I bought on sale from amazon.com is awesome. It's everything a hobby photographer could ask for: two lights on adjustable stands, a large light diffusion tent, alight reflector, backgrounds, and a camera tripod. Everything comes in a big, snazzy looking carrying case with a padded interior and padded dividers.

The equipment setup was easy, but I realized immediately I hadn't given myself enough room for adjustments. A small desk is not enough surface space to set up the tent, the lights, and the tripod. The lights are small-ish for tabletop use, so I just rigged them up on a couple bar stools for the time being.

The tripod can stand on the ground, but I thought it was kind of unwieldy for my little digital point-and-shoot, so I used my GorillaPod on the tabletop instead.

Next step: Photo composition. Trying to figure out how to make a beanie on a white mannequin head look more interesting :)

Discovering New Color Palettes

Spent the weekend working on my giant granny square blanket. It's taking a little longer than I estimated, but I'm enjoying the exercise.

Meanwhile I'm contemplating color combinations for the next blanket. I have several sites I like to check out for popular color combos and playing with new colors.

COLOURlovers is a global community of creatives who share palettes, patterns, and more.

Kuler always has some great palettes to inspire you.

Kuler is a web app for generating color schemes and checking out other people's palettes.


Pictaculous generates color palettes from photos you upload to the site.

The next step is finding yarns in these colors! To be honest, I'm often limited by the yarn that's available to me at the time I'm inspired to make a project. I think I may look into an iPhone app that helps me generate color palettes while I'm standing in the local yarn store.

By the way, with regards to the giant granny square blanket: can anyone tell me how to keep all four sides lined up parallel? Right now my outer squares look like they are turning by at least 5 to 10 degrees from the center square... I'm going to end up with a spiral if I keep going at this rate.

Cumulus Beanie Pattern Redux

"Cumulus" beanie in peach.

Finally figured out the pattern I made up for my Cumulus Beanie. I'm not sure I got it exactly right because increasing a cluster stitch can get a little complicated.

However, the beanie fits well and looks how I wanted it to, so as far as I'm concerned it's mission accomplished.

Now I get to try writing out the pattern. It will be the first pattern I've ever written and I'm not sure I can get it to the point where I could share it with other crafters and have them understand it, but I shall do my best.

I guess this is the learning process when it comes to designing your own pieces. Next time I'm going to write everything down as I go--even if it only makes sense to me ;)

A good gift pattern

What qualifies as a good gift pattern? For me it depends on how many different versions of the same pattern can I make by changing colors. Also, how many different people do I know will actually enjoy getting the finished product for a gift?

My work so far on the Granny Square Blanket

For example, scarves and beanies are great go-to's because guys and girls of every age and inclination can wear scarves and beanies--as long as they don't live in a tropical climate year-round.

In my search for gift projects this year, I've stumbled across a couple patterns that may work depending on how long they take to complete. I'm doing tests now.

The first is a Giant Granny Square blanket that The Purl Bee posted. It's one giant granny square that is just an ever increasing rainbow of fuzzy goodness. I can watch my favorite SyFy shows and work this blanket at the same time.

Everyone needs an extra blanket: to curl up on the sofa with, take to a picnic in the park or at the beach, add an extra layer to the bed, or even use when company comes to stay the night.

So far I'm estimating 18 hours or less to finish one blanket. I may not make blankets for everyone, but I think I can crank a few out by Christmas :)

Love Love Love Amigurumi

This post was inspired by the Star Wars amigurumi created by fellow Etsy shop owner lucyravenscar.

I've only completed one amigurumi--a cat, surprise surprise--and I gave it to a friend of mine.

Does this qualify as a possible holiday craft? Amigurumi personalized for all my friends and family? Elephants, dogs, dolphins, turtles... doesn't everyone have a favorite animal?

Or a favorite movie for that matter? I've seen Amigurumi for The Exorcist, Despicable Me, Harry Potter, Batman, Alice in Wonderland--and the list goes on.

Here are a few sites I've found that have great amigurumi patterns. Fun, cute and quick (for the most part)!

Great Amigurumi
Free Amigurumi Patterns
Ana Paula's Amigurumi
Ami List
This Web Design School page gives you links to 50 free amigurumi patterns.

And of course you can always go to Ravelry and search for amigurumi patterns.

:)

Make and Donate Blankets for Project Linus

I'm determined to finish and donate a baby blanket for Project Linus this year. 

Marble Baby Throw from Lion Brand Yarn

Project Linus "provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer 'blanketeers.'"

Since 1995, they have distributed over three million blankets to children in need. These blankets go to children in hospitals, foster homes, shelters, and even to private homes. 

I'm sad to have discovered that there isn't a San Francisco chapter of this organization. However, there's an East Bay chapter to which I will happily donate my work.

Anyway, I've already found the pattern I want to use:  Marble Baby Throw from Lion Brand Yarn. I think I'll go for more neutral colors though. (I'll post photos when I finish)

I might have to consider making a couple fleece blankets as well. :)

Planning for the holidays—in September

I can't remember a time when I didn't try to give at least SOME personally handmade gifts to my friends and family for the holidays.

One year it was cross-stitched tree ornaments. Another year it was fleece melting snowman decorations. Another it was decorative containers full of peanut butter blossom cookies. The year after that it was personalized oven mitts and potholders. Last year it was crocheted beanies and scarves.

I also can't remember a time when I actually got all the crafting done that I wanted to get done in time to give all the gifts I wanted to give.

Thus a holiday gift-giving post in the middle of September: because if I don't start thinking about it now I'm going to be holed-up in my parent's guest room on Christmas Eve frantically putting the finishing touches on a scarf for my mom... like last year...

Now to find this year's theme. I think cookies are a given. They're kind of becoming a tradition. But what should I make for my main project? This is obviously something I'll have to revisit in the coming weeks as I research the possibilities.

P.S. I'm still trying to figure out the Cumulus beanie pattern from the last post :(

Recognizing a pattern

Finding stitches I like and working them into a circle for beanies can be a bit of a pain--at least for me. Especially if I'm working with a cluster stitch or some other stitch that is built out over several stitches. The crux is figuring out the increases. (If anyone has any tips or tricks I'll take them!)

Worse than that, however, is a month later trying to remember the pattern I successfully completed, but never wrote down. For example, the pattern I developed for my Cumulus beanie was formed mostly with a simple cluster stitch crocheted together over three single stitches, but I couldn't remember how I got the hat started!

I worked on trying to remember the sequence for a couple hours--and frogged a lot of tests--before I remembered I started the first three rows with half double stitches; which are easy to increase. Unfortunately, the a-ha moment hit at almost midnight, and I have a day job.

So, I wrote myself a couple notes and tonight I will endeavor to re-create the Cumulus in a different color.  Wish me luck!

Beanie Photos

The one thing holding me back from launching my etsy store: photos.

My "Nor'easter" beanie crocheted with camel hair
and bamboo yarn.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to showcase my beanies.

I have some pics I took out at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, but I don't think they show all the angles and details I want to focus on.

Plus there's no size reference. So I bought some mannequin heads and I ordered a photo lighting kit, complete with two photo light tents, eight backgrounds, two high output lights and a camera tripod.

I started to build my own light tent from cardboard and tracing paper, but I kept getting weird shadows from the frame.

The black, purple, and blue beanies are mine.
(The solid purple one isn't.)

So I'm thinking, unless I want to take pictures of my beanies on the heads of my rock climbing crew (like I did here), it's going to be the beginning of October before I get my store launched. **sigh**

Actually, using my friends as models isn't a bad idea. It's just that if I want to sell my beanies it's probably best if the hats aren't first on the heads of any "dirty little freaks" -- as we so affectionately call each other.

In the beginning, there was the starting chain...

I'd like to start this blog off by offering much respect to all the dedicated craft bloggers out there. It takes curiosity, inspiration and determination to craft, but it takes a lot more creativity, courage, and dedication to keep writing about it after the projects are finished.

To those who've been doing it for years, I salute you! Here's hoping I can keep up the tradition :)

~~ * ~~ * ~~ *~~

Most of my posts are going to focus on the work I'm doing for my little design start-up, Presque Isle, but don't be surprised if I dedicate quite a few of my posts to the crafting community at large. I'm continually inspired by the incredible creativity of the crafters I discover online, and I'd love to share their work here.

Speaking of inspiration, here's a pair of fingerless gloves I conjured up after a couple days of playing with pattern ideas.

I used alternating rows of front-stitching and back-stitching for the cabled look of the glove itself. Then I combined slip stitches, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches for the scalloped edge where the buttons go.

I hope to offer these gloves in my etsy.com store--as soon as I get the store launched. It's incredible how much work it takes to put a couple hand-worked pieces online. Or maybe it's just the procrastination gene I inherited. Either way, I'm almost there!

Wish me luck! ;)