Festival season gets crafty

glastonbury_craft.jpgFestival season is upon us and folks are heading to the big (and often muddy) dancing Godzilla that is Glastonbury this weekend, so I thought I'd round up some festival craft favourites.

Perri Lewis, crafty Guardian gal and writer for many craft mags, is Glastonbury-bound, but has found time to schedule Glastonbury Craft posts while she's away. Keep an eye on Make and Do with Perri to see them.

Shine shows you how to make your own windsock from a bandana.

Hexotica takes you through turning an old umbrella into a goth parasol, in case the sun shines a little too much (fingers crossed).

And EHow show you how to make a beer helmet, so you can carry on dancing while you sip.

In previous years we have also let you know how to sew your own tent, and make your own dress from a shower curtain as well as showing off some customised wellies.

You're all set. Have a happy festival and let us know if you spy any festival craft!

[Fabulous image via Carl Hiett on Flickr]

Spectacular Stitched Science Specimens

stitched_science_1.jpgThis weekend Stitch London's Stitched Science takes over part of the Science Museum with all things crafty and cosmic. Part of the project is a display of 'Stitched Specimens' being sent in from all over the world.

Stitch London's Stitch Up is showing pics of the handmade exhibits are they arrive at The Fleece Station for display. From crocheted molecules, to embroidered mould to pom pom skulls and some amazing beaded ovum, there is an astounding mix of stitched science to see.

Join them at the big event June 25 and 26 or follow it online on Twitter and Facebook.

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London Craft: Welcome to Monsterville

Monsterville_Page.jpgMonster-making mayhem has broken loose in Stratford's Discover Centre as Monsterville comes to town and everyone's invited to get their monster on!

The monstertastic exhibition was created by illustrators Sarah McIntyre (You can't Eat a Princess), Neal Layton (Emily Browne) and Ed Vere (Mr Big) to offer an "unbelievably hideous and funny experience" for the whole family.

The exhibition is open until March 2012 and promises to be "the mankiest exhibition ever". Take a peek at the launch party on Sarah's blog. It has to be smelled to be believed. Get down to the monster town and see for yourself.

Posted by Lauren O'Farrell on June 11, 2011 10:35 AM in Craft news| Events| Kids Crafts| Social crafting
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Free Knitting and Stitching Show stall with Craft Guerrilla

knitted_biscuit_kerry.jpgWant a shot at selling your wares at one of the UK's biggest craft shows this year? The folks over at Craft Guerrilla are offering six amazing opportunities at every show to do just that.

The crafty queens have teamed up with the folks at Twisted Thread to run their *NEW* Designer Makers Competition. The competition offers places at each of the UK's Knitting and Stitching Shows. The shows, run in London, Harrogate and Dublin, bring people from all over in search of craft inspiration and you'd be right in the thick of it for free.

All the details are over at the Craft Guerilla website. The deadline is June 30th so get applying now while there's still time. Quick!

(Image via Sarah Kerry, one of last year's winners with her cool and kooky knitted biscuits)

Posted by Lauren O'Farrell on June 6, 2011 11:46 AM in Competitions| Craft news| Events
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Stitched Space window at Lion Brand Yarn Studio

lion_brand_window.jpgCosmic craft all the way with this amazing stitched space window display I was lucky enough to see when I visited New York City's Lion Brand Yarn Studio recently.

The woolly store, flagship of a company that has been spinning yarn since 1878, changes its woolly window display every few months with new fibre artists being showcased each time.

If you can't make it along to the store you can follow the window dressing tale on the store's blog, along with stories of all the other awesome activities they cram in. Can't wait to see what appears next.

Knit Graffiti the movie: help tell the story of knitting graffiti

knit_graffiti_bus.jpgYarnbombing, yarnstorming, knitting graffiti or fibre street art. Whatever you call it it's a tradition that is popping up in all corners of the world and making more waves than ever before. But how did it all begin?

In an effort to tell the story of the origins of sneaky stitching, two film makers plan to make a Yarn Graffiti Documentary to untangle the tale. Director Sarah Gonzalez and producer John Moore are looking to fund the making of their film by asking people to contribute what they can over at Indiegogo.

The team are asking you to help keep an independent film on a craft phenomenon rolling and you'll be rewarded too. Not only will you get a warm fuzzy feeling, there's also the chance to be credited in the final cut. If you can't help with cash there are other ways to help .

Give a little, give a lot. Help the cinematic storytellers proudly take craft to the big screen.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day gets graffiti knitted in London

stitchcrawl2011.jpgThis year Worldwide Knit in Public Day crashes headlong with International Yarnbombing (or yarnstorming for the less violent) Day in a glorious spectrum of public purling this year on June 11.

To celebrate both of these Stitch London, the city's radioactive woolly Godzilla which has recently gone global, are holding their HUGE annual Stitch Crawl (going multi-craft after being the Knit Crawl for four years) to invite all crafty types to come out and craft in public in an epic tour taking in London's parks and a royal palace. They'll be graffiti knitting all the way too.

If you fancy it but can't join them then it's likely there is an event of one or the other in a city or town near you. Check out the WWKIP Day website for listings in your area and wander over to the International Yarnbombing Day on Facebook for more info on the sneaky stitching side of things. Or start one of your own.

Get out there and stitch where folks can see. Go on.