All about.......Hemp

A large part of this blog is about what I do, how I do it and with what.  With what is a big deal to me.  There has been so much awareness raised about "eco-fashion"  and "eco-textiles", but what does this mean really?  So this is where I am prepared to explore the textiles I am using such as hemp(both raw and mercerized), soy, bamboo, recycled sari silk, and banana silk.
Now, not everyone out there is gonna agree with me on what is "eco-fiber" and what isn't, so I am prepared to take some flack for this.  My purpose of writing this information in my blog is not convince any persons, or change anyone's beliefs, but just to inform those whom are interested about available "eco-fiber".

So, thanks to all those folks who are following me, and supporting my "with what".

Hemp:  Now, hemp is really becoming one of my favorite fibers to work with.  The colors are amazing, rich and saturated.  Amazing Drape!  Now believe it or not it stands up with silk when it comes to drape.  Hemp keeps me cool when it is warm and yes, it keeps me warm when it is cold.  Hemp is comfortable to wear, and softens more and more with use and washing.  No dry cleaning!  :)  Now, I do still hand wash my hand crocheted items, but I don't want to stretch or misshape them, especially when they are wet as this can result in a misshapen finished product.   Hemp combines beautifully with other textiles such as cashmere cotton, silk, soy, tencel (wood fiber) and wool.
Hemp will not stretch, (do not be confused with stretch from your crocheted or knitted fabric), pill, or fade.  Hemp is naturally moth proof, antimicrobial, and UV resistant.  
Hemp plants grow extremely fast, and do well in almost any climate. The same components that make hemp fabrics anti-bacterial and mildew-resistant also make the crop naturally resistant to pests. Hemp requires no or very little use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or even fertilizer.  It's also resistant to weeds because it grows so fast and tall, blocking out sunlight to smaller plants.  Hemp can be grown in the same field year after year with no negative impact on the land. Its long root system aerates the soil and helps control topsoil erosion.  Hemp fiber is very long and that is part of what makes hemp a great textile.  Short fibers such as cotton, ( I am not hacking cotton here), are weaker and more prone to breakage, which shows hemp is incredibly durable.  Hemp is grown in over 31 countries including: Russia, China, Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany, Australia and South Africa.
Hemp is incredibly versatile, it is used as food; hemp hearts (hulled seeds), and oil, textile fiber to make clothing, YARN, rope, canvas, and paper, just to name a few.
The process which is used to convert hemp from a plant into usable fiber is done mostly by machine and requires no chemical process.  So, even the process itself, is earth friendly.
Most hemp yarns are dyed using fiber reactive dyes.  Many consumers also appreciate the eco-friendliness of fiber reactive dyes. Some companies process the dyes with natural ingredients and materials, focusing on creating a product with a minimum of harmful waste. Since the dyes are colorfast, they will not bleed into wash water, leading to a reduction in dye-laden water runoff, which can be harmful for the environment.

So, here's to hemp! 


I hope you found my little blurb informative.  :)

Please note some of the information has been reproduced with permission from Lanaknits.


For more information on Hemp for Knitting and Crocheting Please visit www.lanaknits.com and www.darngoodyarn.com

Sale in my Esty shop this Weekend!  From Saturday October 10 to Monday October 12 all shipping is half price!  I have already lowered my prices, so come take advantage.  Happy Thanksgiving to all you Canadians!

Getting my stuff out there!

So, business online has been pretty quiet since summer has ended....not sure why?  So, I decided to get there and see what I could come up with on my local scene.

I spoke with a lovely lady named Cindy at the Community Farm Store (Local Organic Produce and lifestyle items)  about 2 weeks ago about selling some of my Hemp Tams.  (Ultimately, you've got to figure out your target audience before doing this.)  I followed up last Friday and she took 9 Hemp Tams( I also sell these Tams and the pattern in my Etsy shop).  This is a start.  Technically this is consigning, but a sale is a sale.
Now for my tags,  I use a handwritten tag for size, price etc. Then I use another card to tell the buyer how to care for their item, and then a business card to round it all off!  I want people to see me. 
Not, every business owner I approach is so willing to take my stuff, but if I don't get off my duff, nothing will sell.  But, every time I get out there it gets easier and easier, not to mention a confidence builder.

Another Good Idea!
WEAR WHAT YOU MAKE!  How can you expect anyone else to wear your stuff if your don't?
I wear what I make, people ask me "where'd you get that?"   I have family and friends commission me to  make gifts.  Go to where your target audience is.  People will notice you, it just takes time,(who has loads of that?).
I have been wanting to do a craft/gift fair for a while but this has been hard because I work weekends.  I am doing a very popular one called Christmas Chaos in November and next spring I will hopefully get a table at the Chemainus Market on Wednesdays.

Next post, researching your materials and  some info on hemp yarn.

A Scarf for Rainee Fundraiser

I just wanted to give everyone an update that Rainee is doing very well since her surgery.  She is adjusting very well to only having the sight of one eye.  Which is the best news that we could all hope for.  To date I have raised $70.00 CAD, which in December, my Daughter and I will donate all the funds we have raised at that time to Vancouver Children s hospital.  Thank you for all your support.  If you are interested in purchasing a copy please use the link to my Etsy shop.  :)

Chriss and Billie

Free Belt Pattern

So, I am sorry that this has been so long in the coming, but you can plan and plan and life just seems to happen.

My inspiration came from having a few belts that were worn out belts lying around.  Anyone who knows me knows that I hate just throwing things away.  I also think its very important to provide patterns that make durable, useful items that look good on more than a mannequin.   So on to first (yes....there will be more) and most simple, Upcycled Buckle Belt Crochet Pattern....

You will need:
About 150 yards of worsted bulky weight yarn (depending on how long your belt will be,  any kind of yarn, Plarn, or Tshirt yarn would be cool.  If you don't have bulky then hold 2 strands of worsted weight or 3 strands of dk weight yarn together  Recycled Sari Silk looks awesome!)  I used Raw hemp from Darn Good Yarn for the lighter one and Lanaknit Allhemp6 in chocolate for the Darker one.
Size 5.00 mm Crochet Hook.
1.5" Belt Buckle (you can use a different sized buckle, however you will have to adjust the amount of stitches.
Darning needle

Row 1:  Join with a sc to one corner of you buckle, four more sc around buckle, move your swivel pinto middle of buckle and continue to crochet around it, 4 more sc, ( your Buckle should seem  pretty full at this point.
Row 2: Chain 1, does not count as first sc. sc in each sc across, stitches should be done as tight as possible

Repeat Row 2 till desired length, now at this point I recommend crocheting you belt about 3 " shorter than you want it.  Your belt is gonna stretch, and I want you too anticipate this rather than be dissapointed.
To make a pointed end:

Last Rows:
Chain 1, turn, sc2together across first 4 sc, sc in next sc, sc2together across last 4 sc.
Chain 1, turn, sc2 together across first 2 decrease stitches, sc in next sc, sc2 together across last 2 decrease stitches.
Chain 1, turn, sc3 together with last 3 stitches, fasten off, and weave in end. 
Now to help prevent stretching, and to give your belt a nice finish you need to edge your belt in a slip stitch, so with right side facing start at belt buckle, join with slip stitch to belt, now simply put one slip stitch into edge of each row along one side of the belt to the end, then work along the opposite side. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Placing you belt loop is important,  At this point I would try on your belt and using a stitch marker find the best place for your belt loop.
Belt loop:
join with a slip stitch to to side of belt in stitch indicated by your stitch marker, chain 9, slip stitch to stitch parallel from first slip stitch, slip stitch into next stitch ( this works as you turning chain) sc or hdc in each chain of belt loop, across, slip stitch into stitch beside join, fasten off and weave in ends!!!  
Finishing!  If your belt is twisting, I suggest you wash it, gently, following the instructions for your yarn, then roll into a towel and squeeze out excess moisture and lay flat to dry.

Now, I hope you enjoy your belt for a long time to come,

So who's looking for some ways to reuse some perfectly good stuff around their home?  Well, stayed tuned because I gotta free pattern coming up real quick!  I'll give you one clue:  It's a cinch!  LOL.  :)

Whooooo! My first Blog!

I decided that this was probably a better way for peopel to get to know what The Art of Zen.......Crochet is all about.
So here's my little spiel......I have been crocheting for over 14 years now. I am a lefty, not left handed but a left handed crocheter. So if I were to ever be so bold as to write a sweater pattern, I would have to reverse everything, (well not everything, but at least the sleeves!) I love creating items, accessories in particular, that are made with eco friendly textiles, now I know some people have some different views on what that is, so I will tread lightly on this one. I believe in the 3 R's REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. I believe in supporting those less fortunate than we are by purchasing supplies from fair trade, equal opportunity, fair wages/compensation, child labor free, etc. sellers. My favorite supplier is www.darngoodyarn.com
I love growing and do grow as much of my own food and sharing it with others.
Anyways, I will be posting more, but now it is time to get the kids off to school.
So here's to trying something new!