Treasures Made From Yarn

Finished Projects

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:58:00 +0000

I finished many projects this week Two of the projects are for my mother-in-law. She did suffer a stroke two weeks ago, She is doing very well considering she had a major stroke. So I finished her shawl and at her request, I made a belt.

I also finished a pair of net socks. I did an earlier post about them here.

I also just finished a scarf I really fell in love with the pastel colors. I bought this yarn on clearance at my LYS.. I kept the pattern simple to let the colors shine through.

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:17:00 +0000

I did manage to finish some projects this week. I still have the year long blanket project and I have a couple of scarves.

Finished Net Socks

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:29:00 +0000

I am finally finished with the net socks I started last month. Overall I followed the pattern found here.
It did end up a little big on me. I would have to make some adjustments if I do these socks again.

knit fish: The Sunday Market Shawl

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:16:00 +0000

I would like to try out this pattern.

knit fish: The Sunday Market Shawl: Inspired by the drapey loosely woven shawls sold at the local Sunday market, I designed this scarf/shawl to be worn on cool summer nights,...

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:06:00 +0000

It had been a hectic week last week, my mother-in-law had a stroke last week, she is doing well and recovering. I am almost done with her shawl. I still need to do the outer edges, add a button, and as a last minute request, she wanted tassels (fringe).

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Made a couple soft balls as toys for the grandchildren.

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sun, 12 May 2013 13:29:00 +0000

Happy Mother's Day. I did the vase a while ago. I did the carnation a few weeks ago for the craft fair. I thought the two would go good together.

Solomon Knot Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sun, 12 May 2013 01:55:00 +0000

I made a couple of necklaces for the craft fair a few weeks ago. I like how they turned out. I found some pendants on clearance at Michael's.

The yarn used is Key West Karibbean Kotton from The Sassy Skein.

Here is how I made the necklace.

With size f hook.

Ch 3, make 30 Solomon knots.

Join with slip stitch with first chain and the next two chains.

(*Make 2 Solomon knots. Skip one knot and sc with the next knot. * repeat around. Slip stitch with 3 sc's) repeat one more time, finish off. Put pendant around the slip stitch section.

Scarf Giveaway From Jane In July

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:25:00 +0000

I am hoping to win this scarf!

I thought it would be a good idea to start featuring ETSY giveaways. I don't know about you, but I like to win free stuff and help other ETSY shop owners promote their business.

So Jane In July in giving away one of their beautiful scarfs, the contest ends May 20 and there is no purchase necessary to win. I am hoping to win the black ruffled scarf. There are many more to chose from and winner does get pick one from there shop.

You can find the contest here.

Good Luck!

Crocheted Ball

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:41:00 +0000

On a whim, I decided to make a simple ball. I had a little bit of Homespun yarn and thought it would make a cute ball. I think the grand kids will enjoy playing with it.

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:40:00 +0000

I still have my blanket, my net socks, and a ruffled scarf going on, but I am showing off a shawl I am working on for my mother-in-law. She wanted something that was long and had a button in front and it had to be in red and white.

Finished First Sock and Started Shawl

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:08:00 +0000

I finished the first sock on the net crocheted socks that I am making. The pattern I am following can be found here.

I also started a shawl at the request of my mother-in-law. She wanted in red and white, to have a button in the front, and long. I like how it is progress and hope she likes it. I plan to write up a pattern for the shawl.

Blanket Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:54:00 +0000

Just showing off the progress on my blanket. As a reminder, I am doing a year long project using the 365 knitting stitches a year calendar I got for Christmas.

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:32:00 +0000

The craft fair turned out well. I started new project while I was at the fair. I am making a net sock alternating two different colors. I think these socks will be sexy when finished.

Craft Fair!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:40:00 +0000

Our church is holding its annual craft and I have been scrambling to get things done. I made carnations, some pot holders, jewelry, and duct tape wallets. I also a stash of projects done already that I could sell. My husband still has candles he made last year that he will sell. It is not strictly crafts, it is also a flea market. We are suppose to have good weather. Hopefully we will have a successful day.

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:12:00 +0000

I have been scrambling all week getting ready for a craft fair. One of the items I am working on is pot holders.

Solomon Knot Shawl

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 01:26:00 +0000

The Solomon Knot Shawl is mostly a stash buster, but I did buy the orange Simply Soft yarn because I wanted orange in my shawl. It also turned out way longer than I wanted. I also liked the edge I put on it. It is a variation on my favorite edge.

How I did the edge is:

dc, ch 4, tr in dc just made, dc, in the same stitch as the first dc.

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:21:00 +0000

Here are pics of my WIP'S.

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:05:00 +0000

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:48:00 +0000

I am still plugging away at the blanket. I also am still working on a shawl and a ruffled scarf.

Cute Doll

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:07:00 +0000

On a whim,I made this doll. I start to make a tree, but a little ways down I though it would make a cute hat and make this doll. The head is made around the hat. I did not follow a pattern for this doll, but I is close to pattern I have printed off the web years ago. I tried to find the pattern now with no luck. It is the Dear Dolly pattern, the only place I found it currently on the web is on eBay.

So if I find the pattern on the web I will update this post.

Turning Yout Home Made Yarns Into A Home Made Business - Guest Post by Jennifer Smithson

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:41:00 +0000

Turning Your Home Made Yarns into a Home Made Business

Have you ever considered turning the crocheting and knitting you love as a hobby into a business that actually brings in money? It’s a wonderful way to earn more money aside from your regular job, and it would be a great little venture for you to think about.

I’d advise you to think ahead if you want to give this a go. There are several steps you’ll need to consider if this is to become more than just a dream. You’ll need to plan ahead responsibly and create a business plan, just as you would with any other business, if you want to be successful. Just imagine what you could achieve in a few months from now if you start knitting yourself a new business!

[image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Knit1.jpg]

Which products could you make?

Obviously, quality is the name of the game. Which products could you sell well and make a reasonable profit on? The good news is many people are prepared to buy something homemade and individual in nature for a higher price than they’d pay for something mass produced. I know you can offer the personal touch – that’s the beauty of knitting – so you can definitely find a ready market for your crocheted and knitted goods.

Another possibility is to pick a product that would take longer to make, but which you could sell for a higher price. I’d choose something like a big thick chunky sweater for this approach; I’ve found people really respond to something handmade like this.

[image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cable-caston-pull-yarn-throught-stitches.jpg]

Where would you sell them?

Many craft items sell incredibly well online. We’ve all heard of Etsy, but I’ve found other sites like Folksy that are also successful. You can take advantage of a cost effective and easy to use platform to use to sell your wares. You could also set up your own website and sell your knitted and crocheted items on there, but to my mind, the fastest and cheapest start would be to go to one of the established and well known sites. You can focus on attracting traffic to your own site later. There’s plenty to enjoy and discover as you feel your way into this business idea.

Alternatively why not sell your wares locally in shops and at craft fairs? Perhaps you could get a stall at a local event. They’re sociable affairs – I love them and if you have the gift of selling you’ll love them too.

Considering the costs of starting a business

Turning homemade yarns into a proper business requires thought and investment. If you want to sell knitted goods on craft sites, you can start earning money from your first sale. I’d hold off on starting a website until later on. However, you will need to make many items in order to fill your online store or provide a good display for a local craft fair or shop. You’ll need lots of wool or yarn for this, so you may want to get a small business loan to start off with. You will also need to pay fees for a stall if you decide to go down this route. Business cards are an absolute must, so you can hand them out to anyone who may be interested in purchasing something from you. You could also promote your business via a blog like this one! With a good business name – something quirky and memorable – your investment in promotion can go a really long way. I believe it is necessary to invest in promotion, business cards and stock if you want to be professional and earn some cash from the hobby you love. Think of this – start as you mean to go on, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. Don’t be scared about a small loan, as it can get you going on the road to success if you use it wisely.

As you can see, there is a lot to focus on if you want to turn your hobby into a viable business. Don’t be overwhelmed though – you can do it! You could end up with a small additional income, or you could hit the jackpot and find everyone wants what you are knitting. Just imagine how wonderful that would be – to earn an income from the hobby you love most. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

WIP Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:08:00 +0000

I had wish I had done my square borders in black from the beginning. I think it would of giving the blanket a stained glass look.

Blue Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

For Blue Monday, I am showing off a scarf I am working on.

Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Julie Huston) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:56:00 +0000

Photo done on Instagram

Happy Easter! I am showing off a SMALL portions of my egg collection. Somewhere in my pattern collection is a crocheted hanging planter I printed out from the web years ago. It might work for holding my paper eggs.