A Happy Customer

There is nothing like a happy customer ... no matter what age.

Our friend Anne bought a snake from us for her granddaughter, Norah.

Here are some pictures of Norah with the snake. Isn't she a cutie!

Anne said that Norah is fascinated by the snakes tongue.

It seems that Norah is making friends with the snake.

If you would like to be featured on our blog wearing things that you bought from us ... send us a picture. I'd be happy to post it.

Trash to Treasure

Your trash could be someone someone elses treasure. We've all heard that old saying.
Instead of throwing something away ... you could find another way to use it.

Pictured below is a yarn bombed crock. I have four of these crocks sitting in my basement. I can't remember how I got them ... but I did and they are in good shape. So this crock is going to be used to store things in our knitting studio.

This technique gives the crock a textured look. Donna crocheted around this crock with tweed yarn. I have some t-shirt yarn that will match the bathroom I just had renovated. We will have to get on that project real soon.

Take a look at this. One of my Facebook friends sent this to me. It is a sweater made into a pet bed. I think this is a great idea for sweaters that have seen better days.

We have four days and counting to the McClure Ave Yard Sale. I hope we are inspiring you to come to the sale and finding some treasures. 

Countdown to McClure Ave Yard Sale - 5 more days!

I usually talk about knitting on our blog, but this week I am going to write about recycling or upcycling items that you may find at a yard sale.

The reason for this series of blogs - this Saturday, August 3 the street I live on, McClure Ave, is having its street sale from 8a - 2p.

I am going to start the week out by talking about what you can do with T-Shirts. The first set of pictures shows you three ways that you can wear a T-Shirt as a necklace.

The T-Shirt is twisted and clasped with a clip in the back to make a necklace

Here the T-Shirt is wrapped two times around the neck for a longer infinity scarf look.

This picture show the T-Shirt worn in one loop around your neck.

These are all the T-Shirt necklaces we will have available at our yard sale.

Now I am going to show you a T-Shirt fringed infinity scarf.

This picture show how you can layer two T-Shirt Infinity Scarves.

This shows you how you can wrap the T-Shirt twice around your neck for a different look.

Just incase you are wondering all of these items are made from the bottom of the shirt.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's upcycled item.

JulyFest Highlights

In my last blog I promoted the JulyFest event that benefits the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale.

Here are some highlights of the event.

Missy Steele Pottery. 

Alicia Rae's Retro/Vintage Cards. 

This is Regent Park Naturals Soap.

Crafts by Susan

Here is Carrie and Linda with their jewelry, clay roses and paintings.

Beloved Creations Jewelry by Amy Graham

Intentional Stones Jewelry

Wooden cars, trucks, trains and airplanes.

Here are some items created by Toni Lucas.

Here are some handcrafted decorations made from poly mesh.

You can't have a Swissvale Library event without the baked goods!

In October, The Friends of the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale will have its bi-annual book sale. Stay tuned for the dates.

JulyFest at the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale

The Third Annual JulyFest at the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale is taking place this Saturday, July 20 from 10a - 3p.

Knitting by Pam and Donna have helped organize this event along with the Friends of the Library. 

All proceed will benefit the library. 

This year we will have the craft fair in the senior center in the lower level of the library. Weather permitting we will have a flea market in the lawn. If it rains it will be inside the library.

Of course, you can't have a Swissvale Library event without the bake sale.

You can also have lunch with us featuring a taco bar, pasta salad and hot dogs.

Let me give you an idea of what kinds of crafts and pieces of art you will find at the sale.

• Retro/Vintage Inspired greeting cards
• Handcrafted Poly Mesh Decorations and Gifts
• Handmade Soap
• Fabric Crafts
• Clay Roses
• Jewelry
• Photography
• Handmade Wooden Toys like Trucks and Cars
• Knitted and Crocheted Items

Knitting by Pam and Donna will have their line of scrubbies, towels, dishcloths and stuffed animals. 

We have a new addition to the stuffed animal basket - the Angry Bird.

We will also have a Swissvale Exclusive!

The $2 Basket

You never know what treasures you will find!

Please come and support the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale.

I hope to see you there!

100% Cotton Yarn

There is nothing more American than 100% cotton. I figured it would be appropriate to blog about cotton yarn on the Fourth of July.

There is so much you can do with cotton yarn - I guess that is why cotton yarn is one of my favorites.

Here are the brands that we most frequently use. We use Lily Sugar 'n Cream most of the time. We also use Lion Brand and Bernat. I use to use Peaches & Cream, but they were bought out. I really loved their bright colors. I miss them :(

Here are some of the projects we have made using cotton yarn.

These are hanging towels. I use the cotton for the handle.
The cotton wears a lot better than the acrylic yarns.

These are the famous dishcloths using cotton yarn.
We tried making fancier dishcloths but our customers seem to like the plain pattern.

These are flower scrubbies.
Donna crochets around the scrubbie with cotton yarn so you have a rough and a soft side.

At the top are the dish soap dresses.
In the basket are the gift bags.
We use our left over scraps for these projects.

Speaking of left over scraps. These two snakes are made of left over cotton yarn. These snakes give you an idea of how bright the cotton yarn can be.

The snake with the "X" for the eyes was a custom made order.
The snake with the safety eyes will be going on tour with us at our craft shows.

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn

One of my all-time favorite yarn brands is Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.

 I have made hats, cowls and recently this great purse.

This is a thicker yarn where you use bigger sized needles so the projects work up very quickly and the result is always wonderful! I have never been disappointed by this yarn.

The first set up pictures I am going to show you is the button hat. I use vintage as well as new buttons - the only thing is these buttons need to be big to make a statement. This hat is very warm and covers your ears well.

The next two hats I am going to show you is done with a great cable. It also has a nice brim that can be folded up or pulled down for extra warmth.  Everyone looks great in this hat ... even me who looks horrible in hats.

Now I am going to show you several cowls. In case you don't know what a cowl is - it is a round scarf that you pull over your head. Bigger cowls are called infinity scarves which has no beginning and no end. Most cowls and infinity scarves are knitted using a circular needle.

I hope you enjoyed this little fashion show.
Tomorrow I will share with you some projects using another of my favorites - cotton yarn.

Not your Grandma's scarf.

Over the next few days I am going to blog about either my favorite or some interesting yarns

We are going to start this series with interesting.  These scarves I am going to show you are made with Sullivans Yorganza Fashion Scarf Fabric. As you will see this is a new twist on grandma's old organza scarves.

This is Yorganza in its package.

You use the holes you see above as your stitches.
You can either knit in every hole or every other hole.

There are all sorts of prints. I have chosen to use animal, snake skins and floral prints.

Here are some pictures along with their close ups so you can see the prints a little better.

Here is the black and white animal print.

Here is the close up of the black/white animal print fabric.

Here is the brown/black animal print

Here is the close up of the brown/black animal print

Here is the green snake skin print.

Here is the close up of the green snake skin print

Here is the brown snake skin print

Here is the brown snake skin close up.

Here is the rose print floral fabric.

Keep an eye on our blog this week for more of my favorite yarns.