Season's Greetings 2018

Hi Crafty Friends!
A few bits of news about appearances by yours truly of Optimistic Crafts:

There is a HUGE Small Business Saturday retail crawl here in Astoria this year! 
Optimistic Crafts will have a table at crawl participant Q.E.D. A Place to Show and Tell for their Holiday Bazaar and celebration. DIY embroidery, knitting and crochet projects await!
11/24/18

Then, the first 2 Sundays in December, we'll be at Bohemian Hall for their annual Astoria Holiday Market. We've got a bigger table there and will have project kits plus other crafty supplies and gift items. Check in on the Facebook page for crafty pics and ideas
12/2 & 12/9/18

Hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have some time to relax and enjoy the many things and people to be thankful for this year!

Elisabeth for
Optimistic Crafts

Fall News from Optimistic

Well, hi there!
Again it's been awhile. Hope you have been staying crafty and balancing work, life and DIY. At Optimistic HQ we've been struggling with that for a while. Ultimately it lead to the tough decision to close our Saturday DIY studio space. 
It's intention as a crafty oasis in Astoria for people who love to make yarn and needlework projects was never fully realized and, alas, the corporate world beckons. Certainty of a full-time paycheck and the time-demands involved was the answer for now.
If you visited the space, you know that it was a bright, lovely, out-of-the-way craft-enthusiast zone. Your presence and crafty conversations were much appreciated.
Moving on... Optimistic Crafts (Elisabeth) will be around Astoria from time-to-time. Currently lined up to teach a crochet class at Q.E.D. A Place to Show and Tell on November 4th, and then will have a table of DIY supplies and kits at the Bohemian Hall Holiday market every Sunday in December. We'll also still be 'live' on Facebook & Google+ as Optimistic Crafts and Insta and Twitter @OptimisticDIY.
Thank you all for following along and for your support and craftiness!
xo
Elisabeth
for 
Optimistic Crafts

Updated Optimistic Summer Sew-Along Timeline

Hello there! 
Back in May we were pretty Optimistic about our sew-along. Now, here is an updated timeline! Hopefully you have completed the beginning stages of buying the pattern and fabric, preparing the fabric and pattern and getting all pieces ready to sew. Remember to comment here and/or on our Facebook page with your progress. 

wrap dress 112B

7/15 6/17 - start sewing! - once the pattern is chosen we can break this further into steps. Come use one of our machines in the bright studio space on Astoria Blvd. or work at home to get started stitching.  

6/24 - studio is CLOSED - but you can keep sewing if you're working at home! 

7/22 7/1 - we're open - keep sewing! --should be about done by now – just kidding. Keep sewing! Elisabeth is making progress... top and skirt parts connected. Hard to see on little mannequin lady. Next waistband/tie/wrap sections.

7/29 7/8 - catch-up finish-up day –hemming and finishing day.

8/5 7/9... wear your creation! Another meetup perhaps?  Yay! Aim for 8/17 Happy Hour somewhere in Astoria - tbc.

Can't wait to see your creation!

Optimistically,

Elisabeth

Sew-Along Next Steps

Hi All!
So, by now you should have purchased the pattern and your fabric for the winning selection - wrap dress. Print and prepare your pattern pieces. Wash or soak the fabric (according to your fabric's care instructions!)
Full schedule & details in previous post

For our sample studio project, we really wanted to pick a stripe like in Burdastyle's example. Just less white and less blue (not E's favorite). Ended up with this neutral embroidered gauze material. 

Sure hope it looks just as good!

Next, press and lay out your material and pattern pieces and start cutting! Gulp.

Here we go!

Summer Sew-Along

H Readers!
If you didn't see our recent social media posts, we're doing a sew-along!
Elisabeth has long been a fan of Burda Style patterns and the collection they posted recently has so many cute/pretty summer styles that one of our reader's suggested a sew-along... and we're game! 
Here is the collection.
Pick your favorite and a runner up. Post your answer in the comments. (or see our Facebook or Twitter posts and comment there)

TIMELINE  - this is a suggested structure - up to you to go at your own pace - we'll be using our Saturday studio time to work. You can join us in person or work on your own. See more info at the end of this post.

Now - 5/29 Vote! Leave a comment with your choice.

5/30-6/2
Purchase and download the chosen pattern (or your fave). Gather up your supplies and fabric. If you're in NYC area, join our Astoria shopping meetup on Thursday 6/1. Elisabeth will meet you at Astoria Fashion Fabrics  on 30th Avenue around 6:15-6:30 (they're open 'til 7), then we'll have a drink at Sweet Afton nearby and talk about our project. You can also check out Broadway Silk if you have time beforehand.

6/3 - cut out and assemble your pattern
-at the studio, we have 2 large tables, plenty of scissors and tape + tissue paper for tracing if you like to trace instead of using the printed paper. Pay-what-you-wish studio fee.
[it's also a Knitting Saturday! Beginner Class at 1 and Intermediate at 3]

6/10 - cut your fabric and prepare the pieces for sewing
[it's also a Crochet Saturday! Beginner Class at 1 and Intermediate at 3]

6/17 - start sewing! - once the pattern is chosen we can break this further into steps

6/24 - studio is CLOSED - but you can keep sewing if you're working at home! 

7/1 - we're open - keep sewing! --should be about done by now

7/8 - catch-up finish-up day

7/9... wear your creation! Another meetup perhaps?

The goal is to encourage you to make something - your level of participation is entirely up to you. We'd love it if you join us in our studio and/or share photos of your progress. You can choose whatever pattern you like, but we'll make whichever one gets the most votes. 

If you want to learn to sew, we can provide tutorials for $15/hour on our machine or yours if you want to bring it. If you know how to sew, but don't have a sewing machine, come use ours we'll come up with a package price for the sew-along.
Lastly, let us know if you have questions. Reply here, send an email, or message us on social media +Optimistic Crafts , @OptimisticDIY on Twitter and Instagram or OptimisticCrafts on Facebook.
Optimistic that it will be sew fun!
Best,
Elisabeth
for Optimistic Crafts

Transitions

Hi Crafty Readers! 
Another transitional weekend ahead... that space between summer and fall when, I don't know about you, but I get all kinds of creative ideas! Over at the shop we'll be doing a Fall Brainstorming Session to help rally those ideas into achievable projects.
Our upcoming class schedule is on our temporary website here. And you can also check out our Facebook page for most detailed info.

We hope to get better about Blog postings again as there is so much to say about the Maker Movement and projects, and techniques, and learning,...
Anyway, for now:
September is National Sewing Month! - time to learn, or get out that machine you haven't used in a while. We can help over at the studio.
October 15th is I Love Yarn Day! - we'll be celebrating! 
Stay cool, thinking of fall and winter ahead!
Best,
Elisabeth for

Optimistic Crafts

It's a Craft Party Weekend! June 18th & 19th, 2016

Etsy encourages the creative community to celebrate their birthday every year by having an #etsycraftparty ...so, we're hosting at Optimistic Crafts DIY studio space.

Join us Saturday and/or Sunday to celebrate!

12pm - 6+pm

It's an open house for craftiness...

We'll have acitvities to work on in our space including:

Crochet Tutorials

Pom pom key chain or embellishment

A simple sewing project

Votive candle-holders to papermaché

Embroidery projects

Misc. yarn, paper, and other materials so you can get creative.

Light refreshments

Note, there will be project fees based on each project and materials use. (starting at $5)

FREE - Bring a project you made or are making for show-and-tell and to work on in the air-conditioned space or on the breezy balcony

Optimistic Crafts is at

37-02 Astoria Boulevard South #302

ring "Optimistic" on the A-Z call button - elevator to the 3rd floor

Check out our Facebook page for the most details and to RSVP 
(RSVP preferred, but not necessary).

Regular hours: every Saturday 12-6 and by appointments Sundays and evenings.

Sunday March 20th in Astoria...

Optimistic Crafts is bringing our DIY enthusiasm and some of our kits and supplies to the Bohemian Hall Beer Garden Spring Market on Sunday 3/20/16.

Hope you can stop on by and celebrate the beginning of Spring!

 Bring a knitting or crochet or stitching project to craft in public in the Beer Garden!

Small Business Saturday and being Thankful

Hi readers,
Well THE Season is upon us! Are you making things for the Holidays? I'm making a few small gift items...secret for now... optimistic that I will finish in time! Spending the weekend being thankful that my hands and eyes work to create! 
Over at Optimistic Crafts' headquarters, we'll be celebrating Small Business Saturday. This "small" event has become a BIG deal for independent businesses and is a great time to go out and support your local neighborhood favorite shops, many of them offering specials or at least some tasty treats to sample while you enjoy their spaces. Got a favorite local spot? Show them some love, or if you are visiting somewhere, explore! #shopsmall 

Here in Astoria, Queens there's a big retail crawl. Some of my favorite shops are participating! I hope to attend some before and after Optimistic Crafts.
I'll be at Optimistic Crafts from 12-7 with some fun embroidery projects - one making personalized ribbon tags for your holiday gifts. You can "write" a message or someone's name for a couple bucks materials fee. We'll also be adding a slew of beginner classes for the upcoming Saturdays so stop by to learn more and sign up. Tell us you read this and get a special offer (Sat. 11/28 only). We also have some great gifts in our mini shop.

gift tag and pom poms at Optimistic Crafts

Whatever you are up to this weekend, I hope you have a peaceful and enjoyable time!

All the best,

Elisabeth for

Optimistic Crafts

Falling for Warm Colors and Chunky Knits

Hi there!
It's that Back-to-School time of year. Are you finding new inspiration in the change of season?
Here at Optimistic Craft mini DIY space and shop, we've stocked up on some great fall colors of Brown Sheep Nature Spun, Lamb's Pride and Burly Spun yarns. Here's a little sampling...

I'm loving the chunky yarn trends! Could spend hours looking at ideas over on Pinterest

We're continuing to be open on Saturdays only from 12-6 for Open Studio and classes. See tab for scheduled classes. You can schedule time for evenings and Sundays if you want to take a class on a certain day, just let us know. Or if you'd like to get a group together for a learning session party we can do that, too!

As for personal projects, starting A LOT and being very Optimistic about finishing -- especially sewing a new winter coat! More on that later, but now here's my first completed sewing pattern review. Contests are a great way to get things completed! Hopefully I make it to the 2nd Sewing Bee Round.
Enjoy your projects-in-progress!
Optimistically,
Elisabeth

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

Optimistic Crafty Resolutions

Welcome to February & belated Happy New Year!

I've been optimistically working on the agenda for 2015's projects. Since I  like to work on multiple things at once, and in multiple mediums, this is not an easy task! I do find the getting-ready-to-make- stage one of the most fun parts of making things though. It is not hard to come up with inspiration by looking at magazines, art exhibits, other people. I also find inspiration in material and patterns themselves. While some people have an organized process, I tend to just grab for what feels right. 
So far, tentative plans involve:
Sewing
I don't think I sewed anything in 2014, except finishing The Oranges dress from 2013 which I still haven't posted a picture of. So [sew] that has got to change this year. I would like to start with a simple black practical skirt. I have the pattern. I have the material. Somewhere under some stuff. And my sewing machine is under there too. Another goal: carving out a dedicated sewing space at home.
Knitting
I focused on a lot of knitting last year. This year will likely keep going. On the agenda, some small things to start: mittens, dish cloth, SOCKS - time to tackle my first pair! With knitting I will get out a bunch of yarn in my stash, lay it out and match it up to a pattern that calls for the yarn - or vice versa, starting with the pattern and then seeing what I already have to make it with.
Embroidery and/or Needlepoint - really want to do something in these mediums this year!
Crochet - a dust/sweeper cover, for sure. (No need for throw-away sweeper refills!)

What is on your to-make agenda? What are your sources of inspiration? ...Happy making, whatever you decide!
Optimistically,
Elisabeth

P.S.
Well, this has been a long post. Finishing it with some actually FINISHED knit items!!!

Pastel Color Play Baby Blanket/Throw
Michelle Hunter's book ... is SO MUCH FUN!! I highly recommend it for easy skill advancement with colorwork.

Coffee cozy cutie! I made this up by using an Oblique Rib stitch pattern found in a knitting stitch dictionary and using the cardboard piece shown as a template. 

November News

Greetings Crafty Friends!
I've been a bit neglectful of the blog these days. Very busy working on Optimistic Crafts brick and mortar Saturday studio space! I am pleased to announce the grand opening next weekend, Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2014.
We will be in the new space with a fun holiday embroidery project at the craft table. Opt to work on that or bring something you are working on and show us! 
Our mission is to be a crafty oasis for sharing projects, project inspiration and how-tos. We will carry a small selection of supplies and materials--right now, an assortment of yarn, knitting and crochet notions, embroidery kits and garment care. 
Classes coming soon. Let us know your interests!
Optimistic Crafts is at 37-02 Astoria Boulevard, 3rd Floor. Here is a view from the balcony on a sunny day, and the space as work-in-progress. 

Back to...

Hi readers!
Wow, I know I haven't been blogging much, but didn't realize it had been so long! Well, I'm back, at least for now, and Optimistically will begin posting some more. Despite the lack of writing, there has been no lack of crafting happening here. Mostly knitting these days, but some sewing on the horizon. Starting to think of fall. Inspiration is not hard to find! For example, the Calvin Klein collection for Fall 2014 is amazing! Yarn! Knitted, felted, and woven. Oh my! The silhouettes are great, and I love lace-up boots. 
You can see the whole collection here on Vogue.com

What are you loving for fall? ... and what are you working on? Feel free to leave a comment.
Until the next time!
Optimistically,
Elisabeth

Of Course Your Man Can Craft

Hope everyone's new year is off to a great start!
Lots in the craft-world news lately about men. I am wondering why it seems like such a novelty--after all, the urge to make something with one's own 2 hands is decidedly human. Societal norms have designated certain crafts as feminine or masculine, but I say, everyone just make whatever makes you happy! It's about the act and process of creating something, selecting the materials for it, building it and seeing the results! Here's a recent article about men knitting to de-stress in the UK. [an easy on the eyes example!]
Some very talented gentlemen who span a gamut of needlecraft talents, among other things, will be talking about it next weekend at Vogue Knitting LIVE! (the amazing yarn-o-philes dream of a show in New York) 
FREE PANEL: Sunday, January 19
12:30 PM-1:30 PM: Men at Work- How They Turned Their Passion into Their Careers
Project Runway's Suede, Steven Be, Josh Bennett, John Brinegar, and Franklin Habit discuss their creative work in a female dominated field. 

[Copied from Vogue Knitting LIVE! event page]It should prove to be interesting and inspiring--though I am a little biased... 
I will be in the Marketplace helping out at the SuedeSays booth on the 6th floor. Read here what Suede is up to, and come visit!
...and keep creating! Or at least try it!....lol

K.Sutherland Knits (?)

Happy 2014

Happy New Year!
As usual the end of the year was met with a flurry of activity. Did you make any holiday gifts this year? I made: A chunky knit headband for my sister-in-law. A coffee cozy for my dad. A beer cozy (with skull and cross bones!) for my brother.

from Etsy Blog -Featuring Felted Dreams

Of course I forgot to take pics of all of them, but using your imagination and Ravelry, you, too, could make them yourself!
Now, time to sit down and think on the new year ahead! 
Vogue Knitting LIVE will be here in New York in a few weeks! Such a great place to get ideas and supplies for yarn projects. Knitting, after all, was the #5 thing in Google's "how-to" searches in 2013!
I did not do much sewing last year, so I'd like to get back in to that. Thinking a simple dress.
For something new, perhaps an embroidery tutorial? Urban Threads has such fresh, fun embroidery projects.
Kollabora has tons of inspiration in their Kollabora 'best of'...sewing, knitting and all kinds of fun!
In any case, I wanted to write before it got much further into January! I hope the year is off to a good start for all and that 2014 is a wonderful journey!
Tell me your crafty plans!
Optimistically,
Elisabeth

Optimistic Crafts - Live!

EVENT CANCELED.. sorry for any inconvenience.

Hi all! 
Optimistic Crafts is setting up shop for a debut mini LYS (Local Yarn Shop) at the Bohemian Hall Holiday Market in Astoria Queens. Yes, the infamous "beer garden". Tab over to the "shop" page to see more details!
If you are in NYC stop by and say 'hi'. Bring a project (weather permitting) and hang out in the garden--they say the grill will be open and warm winter beverages will be available! 

Tree at Bohemian Hall Beer Garden

Wishing you all a very warm and happy holiday season!
Elisabeth

Optimistic Crafts

Autumn into Winter

Well, how did time fly by?! Hope you have been as busy as I have with life and events and crafting/sewing/knitting... etc! Me, I am catching up--or trying to!--and preparing for the holidays. More on that later, but for now...
Back in October, I attended the Craft Yarn Council's class to become Certified Instructor Program for knitting. It was so fun to go back to school for a weekend! 2 & 1/2 full days of knitting goodness! Interesting stuff and nice people, too. 

 Swatches were scrutinized and reviewed for what could be improved. I learned a lot about technique and teaching and gained confidence in my skills! Next step, logging teaching hours to get the official certificate. Anyone in the NYC area who'd like some help or a class in knitting, let me know. (if you mention you saw it here, I will give you an extra-reasonable session rate!)

Then, in November, I went to the Pattern Review anniversary celebration at Elliot Berman textiles. The theme was Little Black Dress, but the party was anything but boring black! Kyle at vacuumingthelawn.blogspot.com posted a great review here. Hey, and that's me on the "runway"! Pattern Review is such a great sewing resource and a room full of fun and talented people were there to celebrate. I loved that everyone was smiling through the whole evening! A few pics I took...

And then there are the projects! Lots in progress. Little finishing. Maybe more to show next time.What have you been working on? Stay warm and keep up the progress! 
Optimistically,
Elisabeth

Crawling Along - Brooklyn NYC Yarn Crawl Review

Hi Readers!
This past weekend there was a "yarn crawl" in NYC. Yarn stores gave discounts and had special events encouraging visitors to go to each one, like a pub crawl. I went with a group of knitters from my Astoria meet-up connections, organized by one creative pro knitter who wanted to check out the Brooklyn shops. There were 6 of us of various knitting backgrounds including a self-proclaimed "yarn snob", the previously mentioned creative pro and one totally new knitter who had never been to a yarn store (!!!). 

bench covering at La Casita

It was a fun day starting off with Kir Royales, yarn, brunch, yarn, yarn and a long train ride--knitting all the way--back to Astoria. 

dissections at La Casita Yarn Shop

La Casita has a wonderful vibe and packs A LOT into a small space including a cafe with drinks and coffee. They had this cool dissection diorama! Amazing work.

Brooklyn General is just an all out dream space. A little out of the way but HUGE! They also carry fabric and sewing supplies, including Colette patterns--I'm such a fan of theirs and I wrote about them back in May in this post.

Argyle Yarn Shop

Argyle is another inviting spot with great price points and a FABULOUS selection of books and pattern magazines. The owners and staff were amazingly friendly. We stayed there awhile.
All in all a great day full of inspiration! Did you find any inspiration last weekend?
Maybe you could try next weekend?...
Some ideas:
Friday is I love yarn day! Make something with yarn and enjoy the process! 
The King's County Fiber Festival will be going on in Park Slope.
Ok. Well that's all I've got for now. 
Happy Yarn Day a little early!
Optimistic Crafts

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