Crochet Hook Sale - in time for Mother's Day!

I am disappointed, but not surprised, when I got a call that my stove would not be arriving (a month ago) and that it was again on back order.  The next date was possibly in 2 more weeks from now but when I checked, I was told that it could be a very long time yet before I would receive it.  Apparently this appliance shortage (among many other things) is much bigger than imagined.  So I decided to do something about it and went in search of any stove (with a convection oven) that was available and was fortunate to find one in stock here in town.  It will be arriving next week and so I can finally get back to baking my clay (and food without burning it) very soon.

In the meantime, I do have plenty of items in stock that would make excellent mother's day gifts so I am starting right now with all my (individual) crochet hooks at 30% off.  These are already made up and in stock and since I cannot create any new ones at the moment, I will not be taking any special orders as of yet.  These are a popular item of ours and so once a size/color is gone, it may not be back again.

If you know someone with arthritis or carpel tunnel and has difficulty crocheting, these hooks are ergonomic and very comfortable to hold in your hand.  They are my own design and many customers have shared with me how much they love them. 

The sale on our crochet hooks ends this Sunday, April 18, 2021

Use the coupon code:

crochet30

at the checkout to receive your 30% off discount

Shop Now

And we have many other items on sale (overstock and clearance) in our online store.  Simply click on the "Items Option" tab (left hand side) and click on the "on sale" box.  These items have already been reduced so no coupon code is needed.

New Shawl and Collaboration

Over the past few months I have been collaborating with a good friend of mine, Carmen, who is also in the same Artisan Co-op Market that I am in.  She is a talented crocheter and goes by "Stitches in Tyme - Contemporary Crochet".  I have been posting some of her pieces with my buttons and shawl pins on my facebook page but I wanted to share more about it here.

This is a shawl she recently made for me.  I had the yarn sitting around hoping I could find the time to eventually make something but never seemed to manage it.  So I was more than happy to give it over to Carmen when she offered and now I am so excited I have my finished piece and can hardly wait to wear it!

Isn't it lovely?  It is also super soft and drapes so beautifully.  The yarn is from Colour Adventures and in a Cupcake blend which took 2 "cakes" to create.

The shawl sticks are from my Snap Decisions Collection which have a snap base and you can interchange the decorative snaps.

Carmen has other beautiful shawls that she has created available in the Shuswap Artisan Market.  I have matched up some optional shawl pins to coordinate in case someone is looking for that perfect match.

Or if you would like Carmen to make something special for you, she does custom orders.  You can see more of her creations on her facebook page here.

Carmen also crochets hats, scarves, finger-less gloves and unique baskets, just to name a few.  We have also teamed up by adding a snap base, instead of typical buttons to some of her hats.

This is so much fun as you can choose your preferred accent design and interchange them for a whole new look!  We have a selection available in my online store and if you would like Carmen to make you a different color or design with an added snap base, just contact me or Carmen with your request.

Interchangeable Snaps for Sewing and Knitting

When I first discovered the original (made in China) "Snap" jewelry on the internet I let out a squeal and was so excited about the concept.  I immediately started researching out suppliers to see how we could incorporate this inventive idea with our clay.  My original idea was not only to use it for jewelry but in some way add it to items that were sewn, knit, crocheted or felted and accessories like leather shoes or belts.

After a lot of experimentation and testing we came up with several methods to add interchangeable snap bases to your finished items.  The first method is a snap base that you actually sew on which we have invented and made ourselves.  This is the simplest way to create an interchangeable button for items such as a jacket or handbag like the one shown below.

Handbag with Sew on Snap Base

Handbag with Snap Base and Flower "Snap" that is Interchangeable

Sew on Snap Base to Create an Interchangeable Button

These sew on snap bases are now available in our online shop (click here or on the above photo).

The other method is attaching the snap base to your item using a crimping tool.  It is simple to attach this way to an item that is knit or crocheted, however you will need to use a sewing awl to make your hole in a fabric garment such as a jacket.  If you do this I recommend sealing the hole with fabric glue or "Fray Check" before attaching the snap base.   If you are attaching your snap base to a material such as leather, then you will need to punch a hole before crimping.  The snap bases and tools shown above are available in our online shop (click here or on the above photo).

Here I have attached a snap base to a felted hat.  When the brim was turned up it was too thick for the snap to go through both layers so I attached it to the outside brim only.  I had to put a hole through the felted brim with an awl in order for the bottom part of the snap base to fit through.  Now I can attach different Art Bead "Snaps" for a fun new look or to coordinate with what I am wearing!

Stitch Markers and Stitch Marker Holders

This time of year has been much busier for us than the past.  Some of it is due to our working on creating new items to sell through the yarn shops.  We held off making stitch markers for quite some time because we thought the market was already saturated and so who needs another stitch marker, right?  So it has been really exciting to see how a simple item like our Brilliant Bloom stitch markers has become a very popular item.  The markers are very light so they do not tug or pull on your work.  We also make them in 12 different styles and colors so people like to collect them all.

We just finished a large order for one of the local yarn stores.  Some people would think making this many at a time could be tedious or boring but we really enjoy this sort of thing.  We just put some music on in the studio and Dave has his routine and I have mine -- it is like a mini "assembly line".

Of course we wouldn't want to do this every day but when you make large amounts at a time, it can help you perfect your craft.  And while in this "production" mode, it is perfect for talking and discussing ideas while we work and brainstorming for the next new idea like our Rainbow Lollipop stitch markers.  

We originally created this pattern for crochet to coordinate with our handcrafted crochet hook handles but we received a request for some with the ring for knitting.

So that led to the idea of making a stitch marker holder to attach to a knitting bag and are made in the same fun bright colors.

If you do not live in our area and would like to purchase some for yourself, we now have them listed in our Etsy shop.

Interchangeable Crochet Hook Set in our Etsy Shop

A winner of the Giveaway for one of our Interchangeable Crochet Hook sets at Knot-Sew-Cute was announced today.  You can see who won on their blog post here.

We are finding these are a very popular item and selling fast.  They are now listed in our Etsy shop.  We only have one left right now but expecting another order to arrive soon.

Rainbow Lollipops for Crochet

We have been expanding our line of accessories for knitting and crocheting.  This is our latest pattern  called "Rainbow Lollipop".  The aluminum crochet hooks that we use were begging to be covered with some fun bright colors.

To create the lollipop pattern we made a "cane" in a rainbow color blend rolled up like a jellyroll.  The cane is reduced in size and then thin slices are applied to different colored clay backgrounds.

Our crochet hooks are not only colorful to look at but feel good in your hand with our own unique ergonomic design.  There is a shaped finger grip making them easier to hold but will also help in maintaining a consistent tension.

The sizes are stamped at the end of each crochet hook for easy identification and are available in a 2.0 all the way up to a size 10.

And of course we had to make some crochet stitch markers to match.  They are in a set of five different colors on a lobster claw clasp for attaching to a bag.

We've been working long hours to make a large supply and they are now available in our Etsy shop.   

Flowers and Lady Bugs

It feels like spring at our house with the snow outside melting and all the flowers and ladybugs inside.  We just finished off more of our Brilliant Bloom stitch markers for the local yarn stores and this time made extra to list in our Etsy shop.

This is our stitch marker set for knitting.  The rings will accommodate up to size 7mm (10 3/4 US) size knitting needles.  They are on a double clasp with one of our matching clay beads to attach to a bag.

This is our stitch marker set for crochet that are on a clasp to attach to a bag.

Crochet Cowl Pattern Using our Buttons

Kim and Tara of Knot Sew Cute Design Shop create the most fabulous crochet patterns.  Kim just published her latest pattern -- this gorgeous v-shaped cowl which shows off our handcrafted buttons in the woodgrain pattern.  Don't you love this picture?  Our buttons never looked so good!  To see more of their crochet patterns, you can check out their Etsy Shop, or visit their blog where they have links to the many other shops they are available (column on right hand side).

We make the buttons shown here in assorted textured patterns.  They are available in a rich antique shade of brown....

... and for those who prefer more color, we make them in bright and muted shades as well.