Jimbo is a semi-retired patent agent in Spokane Washington who whittles. His blog chronicles his effort to fulfill his dream of rebuilding the family home:
My dream in life since 1953 when my dad died was to own our property again on Deadman Creek (we say “crick”) and in October of 2000 we were able to buy 30 acres of the place back. Now I’m doing what I can to build a cabin to replace our house which is no longer there. One thing I’m doing to support the building project is hand carving wood crochet hooks from branch wood I collect from the ranch.
Crochet hooks
Hand carved buttons
Wall hanging
Find out more about Jimbo and his whittling adventures by visiting his blog:
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Those hooks are beautiful. Thanks for the link Drew!
Jimbo’s hooks are a credit to his craft… and ours!
Wow! It is sooo inspiring to others “Living the Dream”. The bonus is the creativity and art that has evolved from it. It gives me hope. Plus I would LOVE to have one of those hooks and some of those buttons! Great Post.
Thank you Drew, for helping with my dream. You know, i could almost pay for a cabin with the trees from the ranch, if i decided to have the place logged off. Couldn’t find it in my heart to do that… its such sacred ground to me. Making and selling hooks from dead branches seems to be a far better way (if slow) to fund the project. Besides, its a great way to share a bit of the beauty and inspiration from there with other creative people.
Thanks again Dude!
I just posted a similar story about the log cabin my husband and his family built from the trees on the 40 acres they own in Alaska. You can read the story here: http://maizehutton.blogspot.com/2006/04/ultimate-diy-project.html.
I own a Jimbo hook and absolutly love it. It is like this craftsman hand carved it to fit my hand it is the most treasured crochet hook in my stash!!! If you dont own one I highly recommend you get one.
I also have a Jimbo Hook and the smooth wood, the gentle indent for my thumb, and the beauty of the wood (and Jim’s story) makes this an absolute treasure. I carry it with me and share it with my crochet friends (and non-crochet friends!) every chance I get and the response is amazing.
I won a couple Jimbo hooks and want more. They are warm and gentle like the wood should be. I love his story and would buy a dozen if I think I would get away with it. What a talented person to take what nature has provided and allow others to see the beauty everytime they take it to a virgin piece of yarn.