About Optimistic Crafts Studio

Hi Readers!

Back in November 2014 Optimistic Crafts' brick and mortar studio space softly opened with the goal of creating a crafty little haven on Saturdays here in Astoria, Queens, New York. Each Saturday is open studio - bring a handiwork project and work on it in our bright space. We've been a bit knitting-centric, but love all crafts. If you're in the neighborhood, bring something portable you are working on along and hang out with us.
You can also browse our mini shop that has a collection of yarn & notions for knitting and crochet as well as some fun embroidery kits and gifts and some garment care items. You can also look for project inspiration in our little library of resources we have for in store use.

A busy evening at the project table. 

March will hopefully bring some warmer weather and a new round of crafty goodness. We'll be starting Beginner Knitting classes every Saturday in March, so if you don't know how to knit yet, now's the time to learn! If you're in the New York City area, email optimisticcrafts@gmail.com to reserve a space for the 2 hour class starting at 12:30 pm. Your choice of Saturdays March 7,14, 21, and 28. Classes will be held to 6 person maximum. The fee of $45 gives you the skills to get going on a project and comes with yarn and needles. If you already knit, feel free spread the word to someone who wants to learn. We're cooking up some more fun events and classes, too. Stay tuned here and/or check out our Facebook page (the place with the most-posted details).

Meanwhile,

Stay warm and optimistic!

Elisabeth

Hat knitting links and progress

Hi! Wow, it's been a little while since I posted. Since then, my page views have now passed a whopping 1000! So thank you if you are reading this! 
Fall is upon us and I am getting inspired by cooler weather. How about you? I would love to do some sewing--absolutely obsessed with Prada's fall line! Check out the video (and if the clothes aren't awesome enough, music by the Cocteau Twins!!!)
Despite the urge to sew, knitting and crocheting have still been my focus lately. Yay knitting! ...in the ad by Chanel.
Kollabora is inspiring some knit hat-making with their 10 fave knit hats and I started making a one from a pattern I found on Ravelry. Always starting, optimistic that I will finish! Here it is in progress--I took it off the circular needles to check the fit. 

Beginnings of a hat

Acorn Shrug progress - 3 skeins and going strong.

Making progress on  the Acorn shrug--it is coming along nicely! What are the odds that I'll finish it before I start something else? Hmmm. Have you started anything, finished anything?
So much yarn-y stuff going on! Other Optimistic ideas... the 30 day sweater challenge. Do it! And October 11th is I love yarn day! Let's celebrate!
More soon from 

Optimistic Crafts

Optimistic Project Status

Hello there! Well, with the long weekend, I have been working on crafty stuff and gathering ideas for more. So here's where things stand at the moment on some of the things I've mentioned in previous posts. In case you're wondering.
Progress:
Knitting the cardi-wrap and relaxing in the airconditioning. Finished the left front panel and on to the right one. 
Starting a new crochet project: The Acorn Shrug. I have this one saved on Kollabora [fun DIY site--so many cool, creative people there], but the pattern and the yarn is from LionBrand. It's  Wool Ease in "Sienna".

 I think this color was discontinued because I got it cheap back in the winter from their site. Not really sure about the color --almost the same as the example!--or the style (for me), but it is an easy project to work on between other things.
Stalled:
Next steps for the summer sundress sewing project involves ironing. But I really want to wear the dress! #conflicted but still optimistic that I'll actually finish a summer project before summer is over! 

Parallelogram Pillow. Knitting done and bound off! Need pillow form. Need to decide on fabric for the backing. Need to block the yarn--will take forever to dry in this humidity.


So many other ideas not sure which ones to start on next!
...but more on that next time.
Hope you had a fun and safe 4th of July Weekend!
Optimistically,
Elisabeth

Holy Cowl(s)!

Ok readers, once again I skipped 2 weekends! At least the 2nd skip was for good reason. I decided last minute to enter this contest at thefiberfactor.com to attempt to be a part of an online knitting project-runway-type competition! As an amateur designer, but long time knitter, I hope I have a shot! I'm betting there are some fantastic entries. I just couldn't let it go by without trying. It's been a few years since I've made an original design and I would love to challenge myself to do that! Watch the site to see how it all unfolds, I mean unravels! I'm excited! 

Holy Cowls! I couldn't resist using that title because...

I finished a cowl! And took a picture of another one finished a while ago.

Cowl #1: Knit cowl for yarn experiment--how much does one skein make? Finished!

So now my curiosity is satisfied on how much area one average size worsted weight skein covers. it measures 32 inches long and 12&1/2 wide knit with with size 9 needles, 48 stitches across in Lion Brand Wool Ease worsted weight yarn (3oz.,197 yards). Color Azalea Pink. It looks nice with curled up edges, but optimistically I will block/flatten it to be 100% finished.
Cowl #2: Crocheted cowl, photographed! I made this last year, also a one-skein project. I didn't use a pattern, just worked in loose double crochet with a big crochet hook. I wasn't testing yardage on this one, but it worked great in one-skein of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick.

Next, back to sewing projects! And a meetup with the Knitting & Boozing group from whyleaveastoria.comon Wednesday night—if you are in Astoria, join in at Winegasm. Such a strange name, but I'm looking forward to good wine and snacks! Each time I go, I meet some really nice people who live in my 'hood.
Since it is Crochet Month, I’ll leave you with a crochet tutorial link from The Purl Bee. Try testing your skills or learn something new. Let me know how it goes!

Happy crafting everyone!