Chemo Caps at Craft Happy!

If you happen to drive by our shop on the first Tuesday night of each month, you'll see the lights on bright- that's because we're knitting up here! On our charity nights, Craft Happy opens it's door for a good cause. The first Tuesday of the month we devote to Chemo Caps, a worldwide organization with chapters, well, almost everywhere! We knit hats for local cancer patients, and once we have a basket full of cute, soft hats, we take them to the hospital and make a large donation. Want to join us? Grab your knitting, because we'd love to have you!



I often get asked about a hat pattern. There are a lot of patterns out there, some easier than others, but I'm here to tell you-- Yes, you CAN knit a hat without using circular needles, and I'll show you how! This is my easy-breezy hat pattern, cobbled together from several patterns I've run into through the years. This is my go-to pattern: to complete this hat all you need to know how to do is knit, purl, increase and decrease, and you, yes, you, can knit a Chemo Cap and help give back to our community!

First, choose a soft yarn (the more natural the fibers, the better). I usually start with size 10 needles, but use whatever size seems to work best with your yarn of choice.

Cast on between 42-50 stitches. This hat is going to fit a regular-sized head. Of course, you can go fewer or more stitches, depending on the final size you want to achieve.

Knit one, purl one for about 8 rows, or until the band measures about 2 inches wide.

Once the band is the width you want, we will begin the cap portion, beginning by knitting 5, increase by 1, knitting 5, increase by 1, all the way across.

Purl the next entire row.

Here's where we begin the stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row), until the cap portion is again about 3 inches.

Now we begin decreasing! Knit 5, decrease by 1, all the way across.

Purl the next row.

Knit 4, decrease by 1, all the way across.

Purl.

Knit 3, decrease by 1, all the way across.

Purl.

Knit 2, decrease by 1, all the way across.

Purl.

Knit 1, decrease by 1, all the way across.

Purl. Cut a long tail when you get to the end here. Thread that tail into your darning needle, and put the needle through the remaining stitches you have left on your needle. Pull the thread tight, taking the stitches off your needle, and you should have the top of the cap all done!

Sew down the side of the cap (wrong-side out) and weave in the ends. Turn your cap right-side out and marvel at your new hat!

Feel ready to make your first easy hat? Join Craft Happy the first Tuesday night of every month for Chemo Caps, and help us give back to our community. We start around 6:30pm and knit until whenever. We absolutely can't wait to have you here!

Camp Craft Happy now enrolling!

Kids Sewing and Knitting Classes join the calendar!

Hello fellow-crafters!

Wow, what a beginning to 2010! ReNew Year is off to a great start, Knitting 101 is filling up, and we've been staying warm and dry in our downtown shop! Crafting and creativity never take a break here at Craft Happy, even if it's cold and rainy out.

We wanted to let the blogosphere know about some fun upcoming crafting classes, geared specifically for kids! We here at Craft Happy have had a huge amount of requests for kid-specific sewing classes and knitting classes. Well, you asked for it, and you got it!Our very first Kids Sewing Class takes place this month, on Saturday morning, February 27th. This class is for those aged 7 to 14 who want to learn how to use a sewing machine, and you will create your very own purse in this class!


We are also offering a Kids Knitting Class on Saturday, March 6th. Taking a shower is more fun when you can use washcloths that YOU made! This class is for ages 7-14, and you will take home your own set of washcloths and knitting needles at the end of this session (too fun!).

We will also have one more Kids Sewing Class later in March, and we'll be making our own craft apron in that class. It's sure to be a blast!

In fact, we're having so much fun crafting with kids that Craft Happy will be offering week-long Sewing Summer Camps and Crafting Summer Camps in June, July, and August. More on that once March rolls around (it'll be here before you know it)!

If your kids are looking for a fun way to spend their after-school time, Craft Happy also offers After Class Crafts every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon. We make a lot of fun stuff that is finished and ready to take home at the end of each session. We'd love for you to join us!

Looking for a specific class? Let us know! The more we hear from you, the more we can tailor our calendar to suit your needs and crafting desires. Ooh yeah.

Stop by our shop and see the new Spring merchandise we just got in (super-cute!). And all knitted goods are 50% off in our Sick-Of-Winter Sale. Check it out next time you swing through downtown!

See something you like? Sign up for classes online here. Or you can always give us a call! 261.7704

Until next time, stay warm AND crafty!

Happy Re-New Year!

Hello fellow crafters! Welcome to 2010!

If you're anything like the crew here at Craft Happy, then you know the after-holiday time is the perfect (i.e. necessary) time to clean out some closet space. Out with the old, in with the new, right?

For those of you who hate to part with anything, no matter how old or, ahem, unstylish, Craft Happy is here to help! This month we take something old (a wool sweater), and magically (ok, not so magically), repurpose the pieces to create something new and cool and totally usable again.

Here's our old sweater:

It's kind of ehh, right? But it's got potential, and it is 100% wool, so we felted it down (cold water, detergent, a washing machine, check out October blog for more felting details) and now we can have our way with it, craft-wise.

First we made some measurements and decided this old sweater could become a cute mini-cardigan with just a little work. Off goes five inches from the bottom- but don't throw that away, we can use that later!

We also are trimming the sleeves to a three-quarter length, making this bulky sweater ready for a new sassy life.
The ends of the sleeves won't unravel (because of the felting), but they look a little unfinished. Needle-felting to the rescue! With a little wool roving, we add a simple embellishment around the edges that matches the neck line (nice, huh?).

Mini-cardi is complete and ready to begin it's new life as a welcome member of your closet!
The cut-off end of the sweater is long enough to become an ultra-warm scarf. Just add a button hole and a large button and you're set!

The sleeve ends are sewn a wee bit around the thumb-area to make matching fingerless gloves. Sweater, you have a new life (or, lives) in 2010!

Projects like this we call 'ReNew Year.' 'ReNew Year' is an ongoing craft class here at Craft Happy; check out our online calendar for more info about upcoming craft classes! Join us and get Craft Happy in 2010!

Craft Classes at Craft Happy (...say that three times fast!)

Hello fellow crafters!

Wow, December already! I'm still trying to adjust my stomach from Thanksgiving-gorging, and here it is, counting down to Christmas. If December has caught you by surprise as well, you may be close to melt-down status when thinking about gifts and shopping. Never fear, Craft Happy is here!

Our mantra is, 'Why Buy it when you can Make it?' Yes, You! Handmade gifts mean so much more to the person receiving them, and I bet they'll use it year after year, rather than dump it into a donation pile once the newness-novelty has worn off.

With that in mind, I wanted to highlight just a few of our craft classes we are offering for December. The great thing about all the craft classes we offer at Craft Happy is, class size is limited, from 5-8 people, so you never have to worry about falling behind or not understanding- we're here for you, every step of the way! And you leave with a finished product, I promise- Ready to give as a gift (we even have gift wrap!), or to keep for yourself (shh, don't tell anyone!).

* Knitting Class- Have you ever thought about making a scarf? It seems intimidating, what with those needles and all, I know, but don't worry, we've got you covered! Our knitting classes are limited to only 5 people, and we supply you with the yarn and the needles, all you need to bring is yourself and a sense of adventure! Knitting as a handcraft has been around for centuries, join the elite among us who include knitting in our almost-daily habit! Craft Happy has knitting classes weekly. Check out our calendar!

* Sewing Class- Ok, 'Project Runway' watchers. It's time to put down that remote and get to work. You (yes, You) can learn the basics of sewing in our Craft Happy sewing class! Walk away with a finished purse or wine bag. We supply all the materials and one-on-one instruction in our cozy sewing lounge. You'll be amazed at what you can make! And Craft Happy has sewing classes weekly (how convenient!). Check out the calendar, ok?

* Jewelry Making Class- This is the ultimate don't-Buy-it-Make-it class! You design and create unique necklaces and earrings in this class. Your only limit is your imagination! This handcraft is totally fun (and addictive). We supply the materials and instruction, you walk away with the finished goods. Sound good? Check out the calendar, already!

We have lots of other craft classes this month, including Soap Making, Tea Parties, and Family Craft Time, just to name a few (ooh, and don't forget to check out our weekly Craft Happy Hour- unwind and make a craft at the same time!). With our discounts through the end of the year (bring a friend, and you both receive 15% off; come solo, get 10% off), you have no reason to stress this holiday season, I promise!

Brave the weather and the crazy shoppers and get Craft Happy this holiday season!

Skinny Scarves for Fall!

Hi all!

It's almost threatening to cool down here in South Carolina (it IS November, you know). With the (hopefully) oncoming cold weather, I like to have something to keep the chill off my neck, but most scarves are just too bulky to wear all the time. Scarves are not really known as a fashion accessory. At least not before TODAY.

I have found the solution to my want-to-be-fashionable-but-also-stay-warm needs! The Skinny Scarf! Anyone who knows how to do a knit stitch can make their own Skinny Scarf. All you need is some non-itchy yarn (it does have to go around your neck, don't forget), and a set of double-pointed needles (scary):
Not really. Double-pointed needles are a great way to make knitted cords (called eye cords). I've made short eye cords for purse handles and things like that. To create the Skinny Scarf, just cast on four stitches. After you knit the first row, DON'T turn you needles around! Just slide you stitches to the other end of the needle and begin knitting again (crazy, I know). This creates a narrow knitted tube, or eye cord.

To make your own skinny scarf, cast on four stitches and don't stop knitting till you have the length you want (check often, or you'll end up with a scarf too long!). With only four stitches, it's very easy to finish a skinny scarf in about an hour and a half to two hours. And your finished result?
A scarf you can wear inside AND out! If you have multiple (like me), layering them is fun as well. It's a great and practical accessory now that a chilly breeze may be blowing our way.

Ghost Coasters, or, as I call 'em, GHOSTERS

Although the weather may say otherwise, it's definitely almost Halloween. My intake of candy says so and my neighborhood supply of pumpkins says so, so it must be almost that time of year.

In order to celebrate Halloween this year, I made many, many things, but the one I want to share with you is spooky coasters. Nothing's scarier than condensation dripping onto your unprotected table, am I right?

Even if your love of tabletops is less than adamant, I think you'll still want to make these coasters. The beautiful thing about them is, anyone can do this!

Taking old wool sweaters and felting them into fabric has become quite a thing in the crafting community. I've done it on accident many times- sorry cool wool skirt. Who knew I was such a trend-setter? Anyway, if you are unsure about how to felt, here are some quick rules to follow:

1) Select a sweater made from at least 80% wool. Combing the Goodwill is a great place to find old sweaters people have given away, and they are usually less than $2!

2) Let the felting begin! Wash those wool sweaters in hot water, add a little bit of detergent (just a little) along with a pair of jeans (to agitate the sweaters and get them all riled up!)

3) Check your felting. Some sweaters felt faster than others. If you pull a sweater out of the washer and it looks like the fibers have felted together into a wool-like fabric, then it's done!

4) Rinse in cold water. Shocking the fibers helps them bind tighter, and we need to get the detergent washed out as well.

5) Lay out to dry. This can take a day or two, but it's well worth the wait!

Now that you've got some cool patterned felt to work with, you can make a limitless amount of crafty stuff out of it! Go ahead, cut right into that sweater! It won't unravel now that it's felted.

I planned to make coasters, but in the 'spirit' of Halloween, I got a little creative. I designed a ghost template out of paper and used it to cut a set of Ghosters from my felted sweater!

Be sure your template has a place that's round and large enough to accommodate holding a glass or cup.

So your Ghoster doesn't end up looking like a melting snowman (which mine did at first), add some details! I took a different colored felted sweater to cut out the eyes and spooky mouth. I then needlefelted the details onto the Ghoster. Needlefelting is a super-fun craft that takes wool and uses a sharp needle to bind the fibers together (do not do this while watching TV! Ouch!).

Now you have beautiful Ghosters to help celebrate the season and keep your drinks cozy. Happy Halloween everyone!