future girl has a bag pattern in the new anticraft book – I designed this lined crochet tote bag so it would be a canvas on which you could add your own personalized design. I submitted two designs for the book. …

treefall I made this bag yesterday and I’m really happy with it. I’m not very good in general with bags, but this one just worked so nicely. I obviously didn’t use a pattern, I just made it up as I went along and actually managed to make the whole thing from beginning to end in Bella’s nap time. I don’t think that you can tell from the photo’s but the whole top of the bag folds over to create the flap.

evil mad scientist Adding a seat belt buckle to a commuter bag improves its accessibility and usefulness. It’s a pretty easy modification, and super cool if you can find just the right buckle. Airline safety belt buckles (fasten low and tight across your lap…) are becoming more readily available and have a certain industrial charm.

wheelchair tote bag by my recycled bags wheelchair tote bag crochet pattern using regular acrylic yarn. I crocheted several of these handy totes lately for a special needs project for our local VA hospital. I made these with red, white, and blue scrap and recycled acrylic yarn to have a patriotic look for the Veterans.

wardrobe refashion – I fused the grocery bags using this tutorial. then i just sort of winged it on the pattern. Simple construction really. i just cut out a front piece and then the back with a flap and a strip for the sides and the bottom. i sewed in some belt loop things around the perimeter for the red scarf to run though.

wasp bag – pattern [via u-handbag]

baby tote pattern at whispering pine

Four years ago I taught myself to crochet. I was working at a local craft store while between jobs and bought a kit with hooks and a how-to book to get me started. Years before my grandmother, an avid crocheter, had taught me to chain but I never ventured further than that. The impetus to learn was that one of my friends was pregnant and I thought a handmade gift would be something lovely to give. I worked feverishly at home and eventually brought my project to work so that I could crochet on my lunch hour. I never encountered anything negative from crocheting at work and it was the only public crocheting I would do for awhile. The blanket was a success, despite my beginner status.

Now, four years later I have branched out with my crochet and have done numerous afghan’s for friends and their babies as well as making purses. My job now has me traveling several times a year and I frequently take a hook and some yarn to work on whatever project I have going at the time. Getting through security has never been a problem for me, though I do watch the scissors and try not to have them in my bag. While waiting to board the plane or during the flight I will usually crochet to pass the time. Most people just stare silently and dart their eyes if I look up. On a recent trip to South Dakota two older ladies watched in awe as I worked a single crochet baby blanket. They had crocheted in the past, making dishcloths and blankets, but now their hands were mired with arthritis. I chatted with them for awhile, but mostly kept to myself, due to my uncertainty about how to react when there is interest in what I am doing. Do I explain in detail or quickly state what I am doing and get back to my project?

Recently I moved my endeavors from airports to the swamp. My husband and I are avid hikers and we frequently explore the wilds of South Florida. We were planning to spend the night at a cabin in a local state preserve so that we could join several other hikers the next morning and take off bright and early for the swamp to look for orchids and bromeliads. Unfortunately I was also under a self imposed and baby imposed deadline to get an afghan completed before the little one arrived. So, I sat myself down on a hanging chair and whipped out a few squares in single crochet and a basket weave pattern. Two men, other than my husband, that were at the cabin showed an interest in what I was doing and asked a few questions. Later I found out a short video clip had been taken and I got nicknamed the “Granny”. I found it a little discouraging to be called that, but then again I have to take it in stride as grannies the world over started out crocheting when they were young. And to be called a granny is much less offensive than many other epithets that could be said.

A more positive public display of crochet I witnessed happened just last week. I went to visit my grandmother in a rehabilitation facility where she has been staying due to a broken leg. As I walked down the long corridor I saw a woman in a wheelchair crocheting away at a variegated yarn. I had brought a project to work on as well and as I sat with my grandmother for a while my mom and I mentioned the lady down the hall. My grandmother informed us that the lady had been making baby afghan’s for any of the nurses and doctors who were pregnant. Going beyond herself and thinking about others when she was in probably not in the best circumstances health wise, makes me hopeful that most crocheting and crafting receives a positive affirmation from non-crafters.

Crocheting in public or crafting in general is something that can bring both positive and negative aspects. I certainly wouldn’t stop doing something I loved because someone was misinformed or rude to me. The only thing you can do is to educate those who ask about your project, let the bad things roll off your back and enjoy the creative life you choose to lead.

About the author: Misti Little is an environmental worker by day and multi-crafter by night. When she isn’t hiking in the South Florida wilderness with her husband, she can be found crocheting to her favorite movies, oil and pastel painting, gardening and hanging out with her two cats. The photograph is of Misti taken by her husband Chris Little. You can find Misti at her blog Oceanic Wilderness.

Beautiful handmade designed calendars for 2008. here are some I love.

debi van zyl calendar [via freshly blended] limited edition count down the year with concentric circles, [sold out already] {blog here}

calendar from seasprayblue

linear calendar from lizardpress Poseidon 2008 is printed on Kitakata, a handmade, tree free paper from Japan of 100% Philippine gampi.

tarahogan letterpress calendar – INK+WIT has teamed up with Pistachio Press on this 2008 letterpress wall calendar. INK+WIT designed and illustrated the pages and Pistachio Press (pistachiopress.etsy.com) is doing all of the printing.

Whip Up is now taking article and tutorial submissions.

We are looking for tutorials and submissions that fit within Whip Up’s feel – read our Manifesto for more information. We are looking for thematic articles and tutorials to fit within the months themes – see monthly themes below – but also timely articles outside of these themes will be considered , such as exhibition and pattern reviews, craft memes, fun, frivolous and extreme ideas, etc that cannot wait and do not fit within the theme.

Submissions now being accepted for November, December and january

* November: Public crafting
* December: Holiday crafts
* January: Children’s crafts

To learn more about how to submit an article read the submission guidelines here

a creature for hugging from bobolina

kings hat from monster crochet

future girl shower scrubbie pattern review

crochet candy corn sweater for a cat [via craft]

bloody crochet saw from monster crochet

Buyhandmade.org is a collaboration between Etsy, Craftster, indiepublic, Craft Magazine, Interweave, Burdastyle, The Austin Craft Mafia, Design*Sponge, and The American Craft Council, nine prominent forces in the DIY and handmade worlds. Calling themselves The Handmade Consortium, they have banded together to encourage people to buy handmade this holiday season.

Clipboard advent, Link

Felt pocket advent, Link

Watchmaker tin advent, Link

3D joke tree advent, Link

Cookie sheet advent, Link and here

Of course Martha’s got some going on as well:
- matchbook advent, Link
- baby sock advent, Link
- greeting card advent, Link
- advent in a box, Link
- ornament advent, Link
- mini stocking advent, Link

Bottle cap advent, Link

Yoyo advent calendar, Link

Advent tree with walnuts, Link

Paper advent box, Link

Origami snowman advent, Link

Get on over to flickr and view an interesting array of calendars! Link.

If you find any more please feel free to email them to whipup.tutorials[@]gmail.com

[etsy store 'funky shapes']

The angst that is involved in gift giving in the holiday season is not diminished by taking the handmade option.

Some parts of the angst have disappeared such as the worry about becoming a rampant consumer and dealing with the crowds at the mall. And I always get so angry about the enormous amounts of packaging that seems to surround kids toys. And the price of everything is outrageous especially when you know that the item is made in a factory in China and those getting the profits are the rich fat cats in their tall towers who don’t care about anything except money. And then the day after Christmas when the toys fall apart and are tossed in the rubbish and all the little bits fall off everything and the item suddenly is useless – when the batteries are not included and you end up with piles of rubbish to throw away – makes me so so angry – the quality is just not there.

And of course there is no love in going to the mall, all sweaty and stressed, searching high and low for the perfect gift and then just buying something because you are running out of time. There is no feeling in all the plastic packaging and the and the annoying snotty nosed pimply shop assistants who really don’t care. Many people become a Scrooge and choose not to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or Solstice or whatever your holiday celebration is at this time of year. But I just don’t see that as the answer.

[liquid paper 'inside my workshop']

Choosing to make something (or buy something that has been lovingly made from an artist or crafter) is one way of saying NO to the commercial holiday experience, saying NO to sweatshops and environmental damage, saying NO to crappy plastic landfill. You are saying that giving at in the holiday season is more than just stuff and things and spending money, it is love and joy and being part of something better in the world.

But that does not diminish the angst of giving. The angst of whether the person you are giving your beautiful handmade, thoughtful gift to, the gift that you have spent time and love making, is going to love it like you do, is going to appreciate it as it should be appreciated. The truth is that most of them will not realise how much work you have put in – especially if they do not make things themselves, and if they are not going to appreciate it – and they don’t need another handmade scarf/hat/bag then what is the point of giving it to them. Giving, I think, is about feeling good about what you have given but also equally about knowing that the person you are giving it to will love it, appreciate it and actually use it. It might be more environmentally friendly and in tune with the person receiving the gift to give them a voucher for iTunes or a book voucher or purchasing something from a fairtrade community co-op (like Oxfam).

[flickr photos: reindeer clips from Caruba]

Another thing to consider is whether you have the time and the emotional stamina to make gorgeous handmade gifts for all your loved ones? In our family – amongst the adults we have put a price limit on gifts and a time limit too – we are realistic – for children though we are a little more generous – while at the same time ensuring that Christmas lives up to its promises, we don’t wish it to be the commercial bonanza that is depicted on tv. For the shildren the holiday season should be about fun and family and celebration, personal traditions, cooking and preparation is a big part of it – the anticipation is almost too much – and too many presents on Christmas morning can be emotionally exhausting – too much choice inhibits creativity.

So while you may have taken the pledge to give handmade this holiday season – don’t wear yourself out, don’t make it a stressful holiday by taking on too much. Be realistic, set yourself limits, be easy on yourself and make this holiday more about the joy and fun of Christmas than about the perfect gift.

Hanukkah Crafts for Kids

Kids advent ideas – Origami cups

Alice at Futuregirl has a new pattern – called Supercute Sea Creatures. There’s a pattern for an octopus, fish, jellyfish, and starfish. Each creature is between 3 and 4 inches tall and wide, which makes them just the right size for ornaments, package tags, or clip-ons for backpacks.

Love makers sustainable Craft fair at Ambatalia Fabrics in Mill Valley. Ambatalia is a green, sustainable fabric store – and a truly a unique place. In addition to selling hard to find fabric and notions they also offer classes and hold art shows. They’ll be having a craft fair on Tuesday December 4th from 2pm-8pm. There’s a great list of people selling at the fair. There will also be two screen printers from Remade in America printing that day so that people can bring by t-shirts and clothing to print on.

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