Saturday at the American Legion

I sold hats. 
At the Bell Gardens American Legion tonight was a very very good show.  4 live reggae/ ska bands performed, and I sold hats.  Just hats.  No purses, no pouches, nothin but hats...

It was SUCH a good show.  Made a little money for me and some For the post.

Dog Sweater

This is the standard dog sweater that I make.

Polymer Clay is my other medium.

I love polymer clay.  This piece was done on the lid of a tin.

Some New Material

I have so much material.  Trying to get it up for sale in my etsy shop.

I'm playing yarn shop.

Too busy to crochet...  But I did make these hats yesterday.  They feel good. 
There will be a reggae, ska show at the Legion where Tracy works on the 17th.  I'm going to sell beanies.

Flattery Will Get You...... Around.

Flattered?  I'm sure.  Just wanted to share with my blog that I'm getting flatter and flatter with every stitch.  Here's a colorful rug I am making to practice the art of "flattery".  Got some really beautiful material today.  I got a ton of the flourescent pink from a couple weeks ago.  And some nice printed tan and black material.
Some good green came my way, too.  Photos to follow.

Happy Halloween

Lulu is a cave gurl and Stitch is a Hot Dog

Another way for one to say, "I ball."

The I ball beanie.

Gnomie, Don't you know me?

The gnomie stash.  He's not just for the holidays.

This picture is from a couple of weeks ago.  It was a good day.  I think Lulu was sort of bad for business.  She distractingly cute.

Beanie that Sabrina claimed.

What better to wear than a crochet hat?    I made it this afternoon. I was going to sell it....    But I got jacked.  My girlfriend, Sabrina, liked it.  It looked really good on her so I gave it to her.  If you like it, I'll make you one.  Let me know.

Thicky Beanie

You're looking at the beanie I made last night.  I like how thick it is.  Almost looks like curly hair from far away.

What fills your heart?

This heart was made from a crochet pattern thatI found on easymakesmehappy.blogspot.com.  I never usually follow patterns exactly.  But this pattern is perfect. 

The yarn I used is actually a red slinky fabric that has been cut by a big machine.  It is really stiff so it maintains its shape whether it is filled or unfilled.  The hole that closed up when I did the last stitch  is where I loosen it up to hide stuff inside.  Then I tighten it and stick the tail inside. 

This little holder can be used for pens, hooks, picnic cutlery, cosmetic brushes, water bottle, or pretty much what ever suits your busy life. 
The material used for the bottom portion is thicker than that of the upper portion.  That is for stability and aesthetics.  I prefer the top to appear a bit daintier. 
I crochet with fabric yarn.  Similiar to tshirt yarn, but factory cut by big machines.  I also make my own lengths from the post industrial surplus of the textile industry.  You can make your own from tshirts or other fabrics.  Cut strips to about 1 inch and connect with knots.  Keep the knots to the back side of your work. 
Use the hook size that gives you the firmest tightest stitch that you can handle.  Use a steel hook size 00 to a G.  Do not use a hook that will bend or break easily.  You can anticipate a bit of "manhandling" to occur. 
Start with a magic ring. Six sc into ring ss into first stitch to close.  Ch1 sc into same stitch 2dc into next stitch and each stitch around.  Do not close off row. 
Rounds are worked in continuous spiral from this point.  *1sc in next st, 2 sc in next st.* repeat around.  Continue making a flat circle as big as the base you wish to create.  When you wish to make your piece go upwards and create the sides, start placing only one stitch in each stitch .  Working in a continuous circle yet creating stripes accordingly.
Add buttons and an edging of shiny floss.

What difference does the hook make?

The hook makes a difference in the gauge.  That is the size of your stitches.  On a rainy day like today, I have chosen a hook that will speak to me about sunshine and warmth.

You gotta fight for a spot to vend on Venice Beach

That's the fee.  That's what you pay.  It's a test of your courage,negotiation skills, and your composure.  First come, first served can be loosely interpreted by people.  It means to me that your table doesn't hold your spot if you aren't there at ten o'clock.  Tourists come to see booths selling stuff-- not your empty chairs and tables that you left there the day before.  Sunday my spot holder person flaked on me.  My truck was all loaded up and I had my ass down there...   So I considered it carefully and I took the spot.  It didn't go over very well with the bum community.  But they remember me from about a month ago when the LAPD tried to get me to move out of another late comer's spot.  I didn't budge.  I complied with the little food distribution loophole.  But I didn't budge.  That kind of thing needs to be in writing if it is to be adhered to. 
Chairs and tables don't hold spaces. They can't expect them to.

Starting trends is how I'd like to leave my mark.

Here on Venice Beach's Boardwalk is where a trend could pick up some momentum.

Organizing Bowl with decorative Vintage button. $13.00

Available on Venice Beach Boardwalk

This bowl was made while Maggie and I were talking about the American  rEvolution...  My little girl makes me so proud of the woman she is becoming.  Just like her mom.

The bowl is a basket.  It's oval and very nicely shaped.  It was made with a few lengths of fabric yarn.  The hook used was a small one.  The button is sewed on with day glow thread.  Thirteen dollars.

Welcome To my blog...

This blog is about textiles and fibers.  About the beauty and practicality of making them into things that serve our lifestyle.  Finding ways to express this concept in my work is the mission before me.  I will be blogging here about the interesing things along the way and of course...  Crochet. 

I can talk about crochet all day long.  When I dream at night,  I dream of crochet.  I can remember when my little sister was teaching me, she explained,  "Crochet is a french word...".   I know I've come so far since then. It's kept so much of my sanity in tact.  Keep crocheting.  Just stitch the pain away.   

If you need to see any of the old content it has been left at hooklinestinker.blogspot.com.  This isn't my first barbebeque.