'Tis the crafty season ❄
Our winter edition is here! Let the cozy crafting commence.
The chill has arrived in Chicago and it is time to break out that balaclava you made and enjoy the city. While our meetups are on a short pause, there is no shortage of crafty fun to get into this season. We are so excited to share with you some updates and recs, a look back at 2023, and more.
news from the club 📰
We are on break from December 2023 through January 2024. We are taking some time to rest and plan for an exciting year ahead - see you in February!
But don’t worry - the crafty fun doesn’t stop. Here’s just a few highlights from some of our favorite orgs around the city:
Art Camp Chicago just announced their December events, including a ceramic ornament workshop on 12/7 and a mending circle on 12/13, aptly named Stitch & Bitch.
The Chicago Public Library is teaming up with artist Aram Han Sifuentes for a free protest banner making workshop on 12/9. Details and registration can be found here. (If you haven’t checked out the full list of events CPL offers, go do yourself a favor and change that now.)
December means its maker mart marathon - a great way to support your local artists and makers while you check off your holiday shopping list. (Links with details and ticket information in footnotes!)1
We made a zine! Our Crochet 101 zine is now available on our website.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support independent crafters at Second Shift’s makers market last month, and a special thanks to those who sold their art at our table.
year in review ⏪
(Hi, its Laura… you know I couldn’t let this go without a sappy note 🥺) In the 2 years since our first meetup, this community has grown bigger than ever expected. We are so thankful for anyone who has been to one (or many) of our meetups, for always creating an open environment to be creative and learn together. We are also super grateful for the local businesses who have welcomed us, and our sprawling craft supplies, into their spaces. It has been wonderful crafting with you all this year, and we can’t wait to see what 2024 brings.
last minute gift ideas 🎁
Painted candles!
If you do this, please use colored wax for your safety if you plan on burning them. Acrylic paint works but do not burn paint, folks!! Acrylic painted candles are for decoration only.
Cross stitch magnets!
All you need are your usual cross stitch supplies, magnets, a hot glue gun, and some plastic aida. They’re so simple, quick, and totally adorable. Perfect to cover the entire fridge with; you can’t ever have too many magnets.
Crochet ornaments and garlands!
Easy, adaptable, and totally cute. Your favorite amigurumi and/or applique pattern can easily be transformed with some chained strings or a loop. If they aren’t explicitly holiday themed, they’re a great decoration year-round.
Knit or crochet hats and scarves!
Beanies are the perfect project to learn to knit in the round. My favorite knit beanie pattern is the Coffee Beanie from LadyJayCrochet on Etsy without the “coffee” color work. It works up super quickly and simply!
Crocheting a beanie is also super simple. All it takes is a rectangle. Here’s a tutorial from Jenna Phipps that we just love. Basically: chain enough stitches to fit around your or your loved one’s head, and crochet as long as you want the beanie to be. Then you’ll seam the sides together, cinch the top, fold over, and it’s done! I personally like doing a half double crochet rectangle with worsted weight yarn.
staff show and tell 🎒
Laura A few months ago I was introduced to the haven that is America’s Antique Mall, and found this replica of a Three Graces sculpture. I immediately knew I wanted to cover it in tattoos. I found a bunch of american traditional flashes that I loved, created stencils in procreate, and then used acrylic paint (and teeny tiny brushes) to ‘tattoo’ them.
Breezy I had been in a rough sewing slump for the past few months, and I wanted to pick up a quick-win project to get myself going again. Additionally, I hosted Thanksgiving and aimed to be extremely extra with the table setting. Inspired, I created these placemats using a thrifted sheet and ric-rac from my collection. I absolutely looooove how they turned out.
Mary My lovely eyeball girl! Such a fun and big color work project. Crochet or Cry has the coolest tapestries if you want to start your color work journey and have some cute wall art at the end!
Leah This year, I have been obsessed with coloring! Bobbie Goods is an incredible artist with coloring books that are so popular that they are almost as hard to get as Taylor Swift tickets. These coloring pages feature the sweetest animals, and the perfect amount of details to keep me interested. You can get digital downloads of her coloring pages at bobbiegoods.com!
creators & creations we’re loving 💞
Material Grrrlz magazine - so obsessed with this magazine issued every two months by Alexa Kari. It includes free patterns, interviews with other creatives, fun games, memes, horoscopes…what’s not to love?
ways to give back this season 🎗
The Orange Tent Project The Orange Tent Project shows up for our neighbors experiencing homelessness and helps provide meals, tents, and connections to housing programs. Their website provides information on how to get involved, and you can donate directly as well.
The Parlor The folks behind Trash People are working towards opening a free store in Logan Square for clothing and other essential items. They are currently running a drop-off and sorting point, and collaborating with local community groups to determine the best way to distribute the items they receive. You can help support them by donating to the project, volunteering your time to help sort, or booking a slot to drop off your new or gently used items.
Pilsen Pantry The Pilsen Pantry is supporting our community through the distribution of fresh, culturally-appropriate food, clothing, housewares, and community events. You can view the many ways available to help their mission by volunteering or donating money or supplies.
Chi-Care Chi-Care helps provide warm meals, water, and basic human needs for people experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland. They have a variety of ways you can get involved, all which start by filling out a volunteer application.
Details for all the makers markets listed above! Running list as we discover more can also be found here.
12/2 in Ravenswood: Vintage House Chicago @ Artifact Events
12/2 in Ravenswood: Holiday Market @ Cultivate Brewery
12/2 in Humboldt Park: Midwinter Market @ Orkenoy
12/3 in Evanston & Skokie: Holiday Craft Fair @ Sketchbook Brew
12/3 in Near North: Refine Collective @ The Salt Shed
12/3 in Logan Sq: Windy City Made @ Stan Mansion
12/9 in Ukrainian Village: Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle
12/10 in Lakeview: Christmas Market @ OLMC
12/10 in Logan Sq: IHIM Bar Hop @ Revolution/Navigator/Pilot Project
12/10 in West Loop: Trashy Holiday Market @ Ignite Glass Studios
12/14 in Avondale: Holiday Market @ The Brewed
12/16 & 12/17 in West Loop: Renegade @ Morgan Manufacturing
12/16 in Avondale: K8E’s Playhouse Pop Up @ Bric Brac Records
12/17 in Wicker Park: Underground Art Market @ Royal Palms
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