crochet

tillievuksich

#6 of 2015

My sixth favorite moment of 2015 would have to be the day I won “Fastest Fingers In The West” at the Washington State Fair (Puyallup Fair…still no clue why they changed the name) for being the fastest knitter and crocheter!

It was September 15th, 2015 and I asked my Mom to go with me for moral support. Plus, it had been over a decade since we attended the fair together and it was so much fun hanging out with Mom.

Since I was little, I’ve loved the fair! I looked forward to it every year. I had always wanted to enter some of my handmade crafts, but was afraid of the critique they would recieve. I don’t know why though, because the judges are the sweetest people who only give constructive critisism and always give an encouraging word.

When I was online doing the registration process to enter my crafts in the fair, I came across the “Fastest Fingers” contest and knew right away that I could throw-down in this challenge! I won’t win a running race, or walking for that matter, but I got some wicked fast skills at knitting and crochet, so I signed up and took first in both contests!

No matter what you are into or passionaite about, there is a place for you to shine. I found my “people” and now have some kick-ass ribbons to show for it!

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Fastest Fingers contest at the fair. I got the blue, first place ribbon!
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tillievuksich

Ta-Da! Behold: the coolest chair you ever did see.

We did it! We finished yarnbombing the chair at the WA State Fair and, oh my, is it awesome!

ybchair ybchair2 ybchair3

The card has the artist’s signatures. I’m in the process of negotiating the sale of this fiber art with the fair. They buy a piece of art every year for their private collection. It would be amazing if they did purchase it, because the money would go to student’s negative lunch accounts in the Eatonville School District. The group I am a part of is called Yarnbombing For Lunches and last year we raised $400 with our fiber art to donate to the school on behalf of students with negative lunch account balances. This year our goal is $1,000 and this sale could get us a step closer to it. We’ll hold an online auction starting December 3rd…I’ll keep you posted on the details in case you would like to help us and also score some unique usable fiber art!

One last thing, I met a really cool kid as I was packing up my demo. His name’s Will and he sat down to wait for his Mom who was looking at all the home arts. He said he liked the chair and asked what it was and who made it. He asked if I ever yarnbombed a person and I told him “No, but a famous Polish fiber artist has, Agata Olek. I don’t think it’s been done in the states. Do you want to be the first?” to which he responded “Yes!  And I’ll wear to a sporting event and get on the Jumbo-tron.” Will’s Mom came over and said her son was serious and gave me their contact info so we can get started. I’m excited to have a life-size model to yarnbomb!

Thank you to the WA State Fair for having me out to demo my art and to all the amazing people I met along the way! We’ll be in touch.

tillievuksich

Yarnbombing At The Fair

Last Saturday was my first ever Fair demonstration and it was AWESOME! I had a great turn-out of people who came by my yarnbombing demo to knit and crochet with me.

 

fair demo It was so much fun! There were people from all walks of life joining in to yarnbomb a chair. I love the collaborative nature of fiber art!! It truly brings people together.

The chair will be complete at my next demo, this coming Saturday from 4-8pm upstairs on the South Stage in the Home Arts pavilion. Stop by if you can and add a stich to the project. I’ll have needles and hooks and yarn, so bring your imagination and nimble fingers! I can even teach those who don’t know a knit from a purl how it’s done.

fair demo2 Thanks to everyone who showed up last weekend! I was blown away by your talents and had the best time getting to know you all, my fellow fiber artists. It’s a wonderful community to be a part of. I look forward to this coming Saturday. Hope to see you there!!

tillievuksich

See You At The Fair!

I have some great news! I have been asked to be a knitting demonstrator at the WA State Fair. I will be given a little stage, microphone and six hours over two Saturdays to spread my love of fiber art. I’m thrilled!! Can.Not.Wait!

I’m focusing my demo on Yarnbombing. So it will be eye-catching, whimsical, and totally bad-ass! I’ve taught small groups and individuals to knit and crochet, but nothing on this scale-I’m excited to try it.

The Fair will print out as many handouts as I request. I will put together a pamphlet that showcases local and online businesses that support fiber arts, as well as educate people on current fiber artists that are blurring the lines of craft and art.

In our current technological age, where everything moves so fast, it’s awesome to re-introduce the art of knitting and crochet. Slowing down and focusing our energies on a tangible piece of art is where it’s at. This ain’t your Grandmama’s knitting! The only doilies we’re making now are with rope or cut-up sheets and it creates a rug or large wall-hanging.

I also plan to do a giveaway each time I do a demo. It will be a knitting bag filled yarn, needles, notions and info. Possibly chocolate and lotion! You’ll just have to come see me at the Fair to find out.

Check out this amazing crochet art from Katika:https://www.facebook.com/Katikacrochetart

Here is a Yarnbomber from New York who is doing amazing instillations:https://thewillowwanderer.wordpress.com/

tillievuksich

Doggie Style

Now that I have your attention…

I want to introduce my line of knitting and crochet patterns for miniature dogs; quick and easy but big on style.

Bringing sexy back or at least the awesome Granny Square! Behold, my furry baby, Rebel, modeling my crochet dog sweater design. Handsome, right?!
Bringing sexy back or at least the awesome Granny Square! Behold, my furry baby, Rebel, modeling my crochet dog sweater design. Handsome, right?!
It's actually a knit & crochet design. I like to use both methods in my creations.
Crochet granny square dog sweater with a knit collar and tummy panel. Warm and cute!

You can buy this Granny Square Dog Sweater pattern in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/petzcouture or through Ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/retro-style-dog-sweater

Houndstooth is one of my favorite patterns and what better way to use it than in a stylish dog sweater. This little jumper knits up fast and looks quite fetching.

Houndstooth small dog sweater knit in fresh modern colors. You know your pet wants one in every color, right?!
Houndstooth small dog sweater knit in fresh modern colors. You know your pet wants one in every color, right?!
If you have a small dog and like to knit, then this pattern is a must-have. It's quick and takes a small amount of yarn. Your pup will be stylish and warm come winter.
If you have a small dog and like to knit, then this pattern is a must-have. It’s quick and takes a small amount of yarn. Your pup will be stylish and warm come winter.

Get the Houndstooth pattern here on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/houndstooth-dog-sweater-3 or over in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/petzcouture

If you buy my patterns and make your dog a sweater, please share a picture! I love to see cute pets in my designs. I have a Facebook page you can post them to: http://www.facebook.com/petzcouture

I take great pleasure in creating fun designs for pet lovers. It makes me happy to know my ideas are out there wrapping puppies in love and warmth. Added bonus, they look super stylish too!

tillievuksich

What I’m Working On Now…aka, YARNBOMB 2015

Last summer I helped organize and install a yarnbomb (a large public display of fiber art made of hand knit and crocheted fabric) in my hometown. It was awesome! And I’m doing it again this year.

It started as a fun idea for a community art project then turned into something bigger and better. We ended up using our art to help raise money for local public school students’ negative lunch accounts. It was successful in putting an end to the practice of trashing lunches over insufficient funds and prompted the school district to enable “robo-calls” (automated calls home telling parents about lunch balances that are low).

My own children experienced the lunch lady yanking their lunch and trashing it over their lunch account balance being in the negative. However, I had no idea the what the balance was at the time since I paid up for a couple months and figured they would send home a notice when the accounts needed refilling. They didn’t and what happened left my kids hungry and upset, with good reason. My mama-bear instincts came out and I had words with the principal, lunch staff, and even wrote a letter to the school board. Yet, I was hearing that nothing had changed in the cafeteria.

That’s why we put our art to good use by starting https://www.facebook.com/Eatonvilleyarnbombers?ref=bookmarks to help make a difference for students who find themselves low in lunch funds. Kids have to eat to learn. Period.

Here’s a few snaps of last year’s yarnbomb and the amazing people who helped pull off such a beautiful and heartwarming endeavor:

Crafty men in my life lending a hand with the yarnbomb install. Rubin and dad, Evan.
Crafty men in my life lending a hand with the yarnbomb install. Rubin and dad, Evan.
Yarnbombing for Lunches crew (most of of anyway).
Yarnbombing for Lunches crew (most of us anyway).
Group effort with this tree. Lisa, Rubin, and I tackle it in no time.
Group effort with this tree. Lisa, Rubin, and I tackle it in no time.
Donna, Karen's mama, putting the finishing touches on this tree.
Donna, Karen’s mama, putting the finishing touches on this tree.
My mother-in-law, Tracey, and my son, Rubin, putting up a funky granny square piece.
My mother-in-law, Tracey, and my son, Rubin, putting up a funky granny square piece.
My daughter, Emma, helping with installing a yarnbomb at the park.
My daughter, Emma, helping with installing a yarnbomb at the park.
Jade with her pom-pom string ready to decorate a tree for the instillation.
Jade with her pom-pom string ready to decorate a tree for the instillation.
My daughter, Faith, and hubby, Evan, attaching a yarnbomb to a tree in the park.
My daughter, Faith, and my hubby, Evan, attaching a yarnbomb to a tree in the park.
Gwen and her hubby working on installing another piece on a lamp post.
Gwen and her hubby working on installing another piece on a lamp post.
Sherry helping Lisa install her yarnbomb piece on a lamp post.
Sherry helping Lisa install her yarnbomb piece on a lamp post.

This was a year-long project in the making, but worth every minute! It was a lot of fun to create, especially knowing how meaningful the outcome would be. We received yarn donations form many different states after I put a request in the Ruralite magazine (our utility company’s publication). The response was amazing! The generosity of complete strangers touched my heart and helped make the yarnbomb better than I could have imagined! Even Lion Brand Yarn Company was kind enough to send us a box of cool yarns. Thanks to everyone who had a part in the Eatonville Yarnbomb of 2014!

*We raised $400 to donate to the school district for negative lunch accounts*