Crafty is Cool

After a *really* tough few months, I am soooo excited to be leaving early in the morning to teach at the Jimmy Beans Wool retreat in Reno, Nevada! Looking forward to getting to be around a huge group of fellow crafty people. IYKYK. We're going to be making a super cute little zip pouch and I'm kind of obsessed with making them. My crochet mojo is coming back STRONG!

What do you do when you get in a crafting slump? Usually I like to make something completely different from my usual. What about you?

I love working on these! Every month I have a new design with Herrschners Inc. in the Ami of the Month series! Check them out! What's your favorite? I'm kinda partial to the little leprechaun sitting on a mushroom lol

Ami of the Month - Explore Unique Amigurumi Creations Discover our Ami of the Month collection featuring delightful amigurumi patterns, kits, and resources for crafting enthusiasts.

Here’s my joy. I was honored with a request from Kaiwen and Tara at KnitATX to make dolls of the teachers for the Knitting in the Heart of Texas Retreat. Of course I said yes and since they were all knitters, naturally I had to learn more knitting than the LB Homespun garter stitch scarf I made 15 years ago 😬
I made up a whole new doll design for these. All of their clothes are removable and interchangeable. Some are knit, some are crocheted. I tried to borrow from each designer’s work where I could. Do you spot any of their designs or styles? These were just what I needed to merge my two favorite fiber arts together.
Thank you .wool you all inspire me ❤️

Have you ever used a Della Q project bag?? I need this one ♥️🥹 Just ordered. See that little red heart needle case?? 🫠 link in comments

This is not a knitting account! BUT I taught myself to knit and made this cowl to chronicle our trip to Japan. Tree and basic cowl pattern from book by , the rest just made up. From bottom is autumn tree for the beautiful ones in Kyoto, Mickey head from our trip to , little pink deer inspired by this folder and our trip to Nara, torii gates from Fushimi Inari, and the elusive Mt Fuji which we saw on our Shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. So many different yarns. stroll for yellow and gray background, for the Disney background, and a fun box of minis I got from for the rest, purchased for a steal on Amazon (Link in stories)
Now I need to do one just for the food!

This is relatable 🥹

A little commotion for the wool wall 😍🌈 Surrounded by nature in her studio in Connecticut, Helena Hernmarck weaves large-scale tapestries designed for modern, architectural environments. Two new episodes of Craft in America are now streaming on the PBS app!

Things I’ve made this month ♥️ Knitting is so therapeutic for me, maybe because it isn’t my job. Of course crocheting will always be my favorite.
1) Not pictured because it was gruesome: My black chicken Shelly was injured and I stitched up her neck. She’s my favorite. Two weeks later she started laying eggs and I made this coffee cup cozy of her. I love ! So fun. Still learning how to get even floats.
2) Made my first sweater using Tosh Vintage in our collab yarn. Pattern and the sweater was still wet from blocking 🫠
3) Also used that fun blanket yarn to make a blanket for in-laws.
4) cookies! Recipe from ❄️
5) Used I got at to crochet a scarf for my son.
I made other stuff but life is complicated right now and I forget to take photos 🤦‍♀️
What’s your favorite thing you made for the season?? I love handmade gifts and making, no matter what the craft. Hence the name, crafty is cool. I was always such a flighty crafter, later learned my adhd was a huge part of it, so when I named my business I was like ‘what if I switch from crocheting?? Better make it general’ That’s why it wasn’t “crochetiscool”
😅

💚💛♥️💙💗

Part of Richard Simmons’ estate auction! Do you recognize these dolls? They were all models for my first book, AmiguruMe 🥹

From Richard’s Collection:

Set of Six Crochet Artist Dolls by Alison Hoffman Including Richard Simmons

6" (15 cm.) -12". Each is loosely crocheted to depict six different persons, with black bead eyes embroidered features, some with woven-in costumes and others with added costume elements. Included is Richard Simmons figure with added classic gym shirt and shorts. With original stitched-on cloth labels "Crafty is cool Alison Hoffman 2013".

https://www.theriaults.com/events/listing/80563/set-of-six-crochet-artist-dolls-by-alison-hoffman-including-richard-simmons

Life lately sure has changed. As many of you know, I’m the primary caregiver for my mom with Parkinson’s so I’ve had to slow down with everything else. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be with her and advocate for her. It puts life into perspective.
1. I started knitting again. The repetition of making a sock is so meditative for me. Yarn is Superhero Sock by in “Miser Brothers” 🔥❄️ Pattern is Vanilla Socks on 9” circulars by
2. My chickens have started laying eggs! Today Trixie layed her first, and it is blue 🥹
3. My oldest son and his wife moved to Kyoto in July of 2024. This is a view from their apartment. I am THRILLED to be finally seeing them next week after sooooo long. Very excited to visit Japan so give me all of your yarn shopping recommendations!
4. I made this granny square sweater using my and it’s wild! I added a dark gray ribbed neckline and cuffs after this with some yarn in my stash from
5. I got this hoodie from for the looooong plane ride lolol
6. My husband and I took my mom to to see . While there we got to see my aunt and cousin for the first time in so long. It was so great to get these oldies together 🥰😉
7. The is an amazing organization!! We were invited to see Grimm’s Tales and as former dancers 👯‍♀️ 😉 we both loved it!!
8. 9. And 10. And of course I still make monthly kits for !!
Thanks for reading this far. I may be MIA here but I’m trying to be fully present in real life ♥️