Inspiration for Yarn Storage

Today is I love yarn day, and it has me thinking that I need to show my yarn more respect. Not that my Ikea storage boxes aren't working, but I think I need to decorate my studio with the same energy I put into my crochet designs. I was so inspired by Raising Up Rubies studio. She really demonstrates what I am talking about, and everything she puts in her studio has personality. I have a studio, but for some reason, I usually work at the dining room table! I think if I had a studio as amazing as Raising Up Rubies, I might never leave it! 

I want everything in my studio to be something I love. Antique treasures I have found, or  clever uses for things I already have. I have decided the first thing I want to collect are vintage candy/ cookie jars to store yarn in. They would be especially great for my collection of yarns for freeform crochet. I think they look wonderful sorted by color like this:

Dottie Angel repurposed a pair of clogs to use as a needle holder. I love the idea of making a souvenir into something useful!

This old library card catalog was converted into a sewing and yarn storage unit by bitsandbobbins. So charming!

Now I have a good excuse to go antique shopping again. I feel truly inspired today!

Crochet Inspiration, Styling, and Perception

I had to laugh today when my Fire Whirl Hat was featured on Crochet Me's Facebook page. I read the comments, and found that everyone thought the hat reminded them of the hats that the band Devo wore in 80's. Honestly in all of the time I spent designing this hat, and in the time since the Winter Issue of Interweave Crochet came out, that reference never crossed my mind. I was a child in the 80's and I remember loving those hats in Devo's "Whip It" video. Now I am wondering if somehow they did influence the design! When I was designing the hat, I remember loving the idea of a flat top, and I wanted each layer to have a flat top. 

I think the styling of the hat and the fact that one of the hats had red in it, may have evoked more of a Devo feeling than I originally intended. Actually, the hat sample that the man is wearing was made to be a child's sized hat. They decided use it on the male model at the photo shoot instead. That shows how well the hat stretches and how versatile the pattern can be! 

When I submitted the design to Interweave, I showed it worn slightly to the side, which I thought made it more elegant. I also suggested using the same winter white color for the magazine sample. It is amazing how a small shift in the way something is worn, as well as the color choice, can give it a very different vibe.

I love that the style of this hat can go in a another direction, and I hope one day soon I will see some photos on Ravelry of this hat crocheted in all red for a Devo fan!

Original Styling of Submission Sample

Unintentional Inspiration Reference: Devo circa 1980

Inspired Crochet: Tiara Trim Meets The Babette Blanket

I am so thrilled that I came across another use for the Tiara Trim pattern I designed for Interweave Crochet Magazine, on the I Love Pom-Poms Blog. This clever and creative crocheter, completed the amazing Babette Blanket designed by the fabulous Kathy Merrick, and decided to use the Tiara Trim pattern as her inspiration to edge the blanket. She used the middle rows from the original trim pattern and changed the last row to make the trim wider. Bravo for her creative use of this trim!

Project Photos from I Love Pom-Poms Blog

Original Trim Sample

A New Crochet Home Decor Inspiration

It has been reported, that some of the walls in the new Missoni Hotel in Kuwait are painted with beautiful yarn strands applied on top, giving the illusion that it is wall paper.  When I heard this, it gave me the idea to apply crocheted chains or motifs to a wall in my studio.  It would require some research as to what kind of adhesive to use, but the idea has the wheels in my head turning!

Art Possibly Inspired By Crochet Stitch Diagrams?

I was passing by a trendy restaurant in a new mall here in Kuwait, and noticed that this lovely artwork painted on the side of their wall, resembled a crochet stitch diagram.  Perhaps I have had my nose buried in stitch dictionaries too much lately, but even my husband agreed.   The fabric used to upholster their seating also had this crochet diagram design.  I suspect that the artist translated the design on the fabric to create the mural.  My crochet projects are often inspired by things I see when I am out and about, and I love that artists are now being inspired by crochet!  

Inspiration from the Souq

I have been enjoying the new digital camera that my husband bought me for my birthday.  You never know where inspiration will strike!  This time it was in the form of color and texture.  We were shopping in a traditional market in Kuwait called Souk Embarakiya.   There were several prayer bead stores, but this one was the most colorful.  The turquoise walls just set off the colors of the beads.

 I also found the basket shop a charming example of old Kuwaiti life that is still relevant today.  I especially love the gold baskets with the colorful tassels.  I want to buy one some day for a festive occasion.  

Inspiration and a Photographer in the Making

I am in the midst of getting inspired for my next project.  You never know when inspiration will strike....The other day, my daughter was playing dress up in her room and styled this outfit herself.  When she sat down in front of her doll house, the colors all worked together so well, it was a perfect photo op!  Most of the time she doesn't like to have her picture taken, but that day was an exception as she was so proud of herself.  She has since taken over my new camera and has taken hundreds of photos.  It is great to see the world from her point of view!  

The colors and patterns in this photo have inspired me for my next project.  Something whimsical for sure!