Toms Marketplace

If you know me, or have been reading this blog... you know I love the idea that craft and social entrepreneurship can change the world (It's a part of my graduate thesis)!  A lot of companies are using craft based products (crochet and jewelry making in Uganda, knitting in Peru, fabric batik in Ghana) to provide jobs and a starting place for economic growth in areas with a lot of poverty.

For the past few Christmases, I have posted about companies you can buy from that not only make great products, but are working to make the world a better place.  Now you can see them all gathered on one easy site.  World changing has NEVER been so easy.  Check out Tom's Marketplace to see how they have brought a ton of cool companies together to change the world through how we shop.

AND I LOVED seeing my old bosses from Krochet Kids international up there... AND even one of the products I helped work on during my time there... the Hoot!

Go shop.  Buy cool things.  Make the world a better place.  Feel awesome.  It's that simple.

Time to say Thank YOU!

Dear Friends, Customers, Crafters and the like,

One year ago, I was packing up my life and shedding some tears saying goodbye to Krochet Kids, some of the most amazing and brilliant women interns around, my great California family (CONGRATS ON GRADUATING, Michael Burke!), and life living a block from the ocean.  I was thinking, crap... what now? and dreading returning to an uncertain life plan.

BUT - the last year has been completely awesome.  I've been getting some really sweet and supportive comments on the latest patterns and realized the last time I said THANK YOU was far too long ago...

In the last year...

I finally got the hang of Tapestry Crochet and had a ton of fun making new patterns.  One of the tapestry crochet patterns was even featured in the recent release of Simply Crochet!

My very first book of patterns was released in November - Hooked on Hats II!  And it has actually been pretty popular!  (And my Grandma actually brags about it at her needlework groups - which is
kind of cool!)

The picture of the Beach Sweater that was taken my first week working at KKi and even appeared on the KKi intern blog recently appeared on the cover of Inspired Crochet magazine.  It captured a really fun pattern and a time in my life where I could actually walk to the beach!

A hat I made was worn by super star athlete Julia Mancuso in the Spotlinght on Skin Cancer  campaign - an issue close to the hearts of my pale skinned Irish family that has an affinity for sailing and the sun...

I have gotten to watch KKi slowly release each of the designs I helped work on during my time there.  I love (I MEAN REALLY LOVE) the idea that women on the other side of the world are making, with their own two hands, something I helped design and it is empowering them to rise above poverty.  It makes the world feel small and connected through craft, which is pretty fantastic!

I started graduate school and in my first semester got to work on a product development project for a nonprofit company called Aspen Pointe that works to help American veterans and their families.  And the products we made were entirely of recycled army parachutes- we made hammocks and camping gear... pretty cool, huh?  More than just a school project, we got to help people and learned a whole lot along the way.

And I sort of settled on my thesis research - which I'm sure you will read more about over the next two years - but I'm researching how craft contributes to community and belonging through a design line that is incorporating crochet designs (duh) and African craft and symbolism.  I think it has the potential to be pretty cool (and so much fun).

AND I started my no new clothes Clothing Challenge - and it is almost over.  I have made it almost one full year with no new clothes (OK, there were a couple exceptions in there...) BUT for the most part I've thrifted to sooth any shopping cravings.  I'll have to write more about this at a later time, but the whole experience has been tremendously awesome.

AND NONE of this would have been possible without the love, kindness, support, and words of encouragement from all of you.  I have loved all the experiences of the last year.  And most of all I have loved making things.  Thank you so much for sharing in this journey with me and making alongside me!  Crafters are truly incredible, and you all prove that to me everyday!

A very sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Happy stitching!
Love,
Sara

Shopping Time 2

 Yesterday I talked about how you can spend your money to help Oklahoma.  Read about it HERE.

You can also whip out your wallets and get some of the new products recently released from Krochet Kids international and help a woman living in poverty in Uganda or Peru.  Check out these projects I  helped work on while I was there!

The Emma

The Hoot (for kids)

The Mimi

The Penelope

The Ava

The Davy

The Lola

The Olivia

Buy any and all KKi products at www.krochetkids.org/shop/

KKI's Spring Collection

Have you been shopping Krochet Kids International's Spring Collection?  Better get on it!  The boys were on TV in Los Angeles today and the collection got some great time on TV!  The owl hat and headband with a bow were projects I worked on last year!  And catch a glimpse of the Crochet Flower DIY too!

Shop now at krochetkids.org

Flower Crown Obsessed

I love love love reading the Free People Blog!

They are currently obsessed with flower crowns, AND if it wasn't snowing so much here in Colorado, I would be too!

The best part?  You can make the Flower Crown DIY and have a lovely crochet one yourself!

OR EVEN BETTER, buy The Emma Headband from Krochet Kids international and support a crocheting woman living in Uganda.

There are so many ways to enjoy a flower crown right now... has me so excited for spring!

Flower Crown DIY

The Emma from KKi

Image from the Free People blog

Image from the Free People blog

PROJECT

You know what's happening right now?  Project trade show... in Vegas.  Can not put into words how much I wish I could walk those aisles right now.

Even more awesome than that?  Their Project Love section that features companies specifically geared toward social responsibility and philanthropy.  I only expect to see this section grow through the coming years since so many companies are leaning towards using fashion and intelligent consumers to change the world... and why not?  I think it's genius.

AND EVEN slightly MORE AWESOME THAN THAT?  These photos from some of the Krochet Kids projects I worked on developing last year.  Recognize the Crochet Flower DIY? ... from the August 2012 show... yay yay yay...

In Case You Missed It...

In case you missed the American Giving Awards, Krochet Kids ALMOST got the million!  They won out of all the Community Builder Groups and got second place over all and won 500,000 dollars!  Pretty AWESOME!!!  Thanks so much for voting and telling your friends to vote!  I was pretty much giddy last night watching all my old bosses on TV!  Here are a few photos ...

The Emma

Remember the Flower Crown DIY from last year?  Now it's The Emma!  Available from Krochet Kids as the perfect holiday gift for under $20!

If you didn't vote for them to  win a million... make up for it by buying a great product and help a woman living in poverty!

Spirit of the Holidays!  YESSSSS!

Insta-SLC

This was an overactive week for SansLimitesCrochet on Instagram...  Lots of holiday parade photos (this year's Parade of Lights and Macy's 2004)... lots of Krochet Kids photos (I hope you voted for them to win a million - if not, it's OK, just go buy a hat instead!) ...  and a pic from a Ugandan orphanage for World AIDS day...   oh yeah... and of course, some really cool stitching DIY projects.

Hope you have a lovely week!  Hopefully a new pattern coming out today... just working on taking some PHOTOS!  (PS  In the works with One O.A.K.  Photography for some really fun pictures that are more than just out by our front door...  get excited!)

Leaving early next week to head out to San Fran for Renegade!  (read up -------------->)
Blog posts may be sparse, so be sure to follow SansLimitesCrochet on Instagram or Tumblr for road trip, craft fair, and stitching photos!  

LET'S WIN THIS!!!

Dear dear friends!
So, last year, about this time I found out I was going to have the chance to intern at Krochet Kids international - a non-profit company that teaches women in Northern Uganda to crochet (and now women in Peru to knit). The hats these women make are sold in Nordstrom's stores, various boutiques, some Whole Foods stores, and Urban Outfitter's online. These women have a steady, paying job for the first time ever... combine that with business classes, a mentor program, and investment opportunities... and these women are now not only changing their lives, but the lives of those around them. That's how people are being empowered to rise above poverty. The coolest part? Each hat is signed by the lady who made it, so you can go online, look her up, read her story of change, and thank her for that hat handmade for YOU on the other side of the world... that's pretty awesome.

My fellow interns and I worked tirelessly for months because we believed so strongly that this could change the world (and cause crochet beanies are awesome- am I right?). Now Krochet Kids is one of 25 charities vying for a ONE MILLION DOLLAR GRANT from Chase Bank at the American Giving Awards, but they need YOUR VOTE to make it happen! (Go ahead and do that at http://bit.ly/vote4kki)

The number one criticism we got in our inboxes at KKi Headquarters was the wish for AMERICAN jobs... because we have problems here too (though nothing like the poverty in Uganda). I still remember working for KKi at a sustainability event and chatting with people about making this company more environmentally sustainable. The next week I discussed with the boys the idea of using recycled sweaters to make hats... they were so excited they went out and bought sweaters right then and there and started developing a plan for how their business model could work right here in this country for those living in poverty. I still remember how excited these guys were about the idea of helping more people. That always has been and always will be the focus at KKi. What was only whispers back in April could become reality this week - with YOUR VOTE.

There are few chances in life to do so much good with such a small action. You are just a few mouse clicks away from helping one small company change the world. So please please please take some time to vote before 9pm on December 4. And if you are even half as jazzed on KKi as I am, share this with YOUR friends. And watch the American Giving Awards on NBC on December 8 to see if your vote made a difference. And keep an eye out for KKi's spring collection with a ton of my crochet designs. OK... that's all.

Peace, Love, and so much THANKS,
Sara
(And I promise this will be the last time I facebook bomb you with so much stuff... thanks for your patience!)

Word from KKi HQ is that we are in a close second!  YOUR VOTE WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE TODAY!  #LETSWINTHIS

Be the Change

Be the change you want to see in the world.  Ever been so pumped about your stitching you thought it had the power to change the world?  IT DOES!  And these guys are doing it!

Stitchers UNITE!  Take to your facebook accounts, and help this knit and crochet non-profit CHANGE THE WORLD!!!

And exactly one year and one day after I found out I was going to have the opportunity to contribute a few crochet designs to this place, you can tune in to NBC and see if your ONE vote helped them win ONE MILLION DOLLARS!  December 8!

Do it!  Do it NOW!  HERE...   
Vote4kki!  Let's do this!!!

#letsdothis

OK OK OK!!!  Voting starts today!  You have the power to cast a vote and help Krochet Kids international win ONE MILLION FREAKIN DOLLARS to continue their work empowering women in Uganda, Peru, and who knows where next (hint hint... HERE) to rise above poverty!

#LETSDOTHIS



(The wood paneling behind Kohl was hand stained by my fellow freakin awesome interns, the hat Kohl is wearing was made by Lucy... my inspiration while I was there - she makes the best hats, I did a lot of quality control checking... and the cycle of change painted on the wall was done by my favorite Aussie -Leah... I helped hold the ladder and tried not to freak out about her falling... I worry... I can't help it...)



So it is time friends!  Vote at http://bit.ly/vote4kki.

And watch the American Giving Awards which of course is happening on my lady (and fellow intern) Liz's birthday (Dec 8) and one year and one day after we heard we were picked to work at this awesome place.

So crafters unite!  Help some amazing women on the other side of the world by helping this organization...  #letsdothis   !!!!!!!!!!

KKi Designs!

Hey!  The first of some of the designs I did for KKi are starting to come out!  (So exciting for me to see them made by someone other than me!)  I was super pumped to learn about KKi's release of kids hats... so jumped on the Etsy owl trend...  Check it out!

And buy your little a hat and help a woman in Uganda all at the same time.  (Cyber Monday pals... it's coming!!!)

Krochetkids.org

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!  Now I'm going to go make quiche and pie and other yummy things... have a splendid day with those you love!

A BIG Announcement

This time last year I was interviewing  for my design spot working with Krochet Kids international.  Such an awesome way to use stitching to make a difference in people's lives...  yet the biggest criticism I heard was "Why are you giving jobs to women in Africa, when people here need them?"

Well for the last few weeks they've been hyping a "BIG announcement."  AND today it came.  I heard some early whispers of this while I was there... excited to see it coming to life... but it needs your help to get off the ground.  HELP THEM WIN ONE MILLION DOLLARS!  (Dang - that's a lot of empowerment happening!)  So share the images below and read their press release...  spread it like wildfire, people!  Please and THANK YOU!  

Krochet Kids intl. (KKi) – a non-profit empowering communities around the globe to rise above poverty – was selected as one of twenty-five charities to participate in the American Giving Awards hosted by Chase Bank.  They have a unique proposition to rally support for their cause and votes for the Facebook voting platform November 27 – December 4.  The non-profit accessories brand that has successfully provided opportunities for communities in Uganda and Peru is looking to bring their life-changing model for empowerment home to the USA.

KKi has built a brand over the last five years focused on creating life-changing employment and educational opportunities to some of the most difficult areas in our world through the creation of their headwear and accessories line.  Over 180 women in Uganda and Peru are beneficiaries of this work and the organization is not stopping there.  If KKi wins the American Giving Awards they will be able to test their theory of change and empowerment for communities here in the USA.

KKi will partner with existing US-based organizations to implement their newest endeavor and ensure success of their programs in a very new context.  They are taking suggestions on potential project areas and communities.

What You Can Do To Help:

KKi is looking for the support of people leading up to the week of voting and during the week (Nov. 27-Dec. 4) to share this powerful story or empowerment at home.

Tweet:

“Help @krochetkids bring jobs to America!  Vote for them 11/27 – 12/4: http://bit.ly/vote4kki”

Facebook:

Download our communication kit and use the images to change your cover photo and profile picture.

Half the Sky

Last night I watched the first half of this documentary on PBS.  The book Half the Sky has been on my "want to read"  list for so long...  I'm pumped the writers have turned it into a documentary.  It is very powerful, and definitely worth watching the second half tonight!  (Something to stitch to, friends!)  Just check out this trailer...



So... yes, this is a crafting blog... but I think all crafters should watch this!  Why?  Because most of us are women (huge props to all the crochet dudes out there, though).  Watching this documentary makes me appreciate my life so much, and helps me gain a far deeper understanding of the world (which we all need, always).  There are so many women in this world that experience life in ways I can not even imagine...  and they are so amazingly strong and kickass.  There is just no other word to describe them.

Another cool thing?  Craft can help.  It really can.  Just look at the women empowering themselves by knitting and crocheting at the Krochet Kids international compounds in Uganda and Peru... or the women making jewelry with 31 Bits... or the women making yarn from recycled silk saris in Nepal and India for places like Darn Good Yarn...  or you and DEFINITELY me using it to make some money, improve our lives, and maybe even fight a little depression...  Craft is something done by women all over the world, and even though it seems like such a little itty bitty thing... it can make this world a better place.

Watching this documentary reminds me so much of the women I met and talked with during my time in Uganda,  still, to this day, the most impressive and powerful women I have ever met.  We are half the world.  We are half the sky...   we can change this.  Check out the Half the Sky Movement today.  And tonight get all your lady pals, and better yet - the men in your lives, to sit down and watch on PBS. 

Rock on, ladies. 

The Falling Leaves Scarf

I've been pretty excited about Fall... in Colorado especially, it is my FAVORITE time of year!  After a weekend of playing in the mountains with all the pretty falling leaves, you can now make and wear something that shows your love for the season too!

On Etsy and Ravelry and Craftsy!

And it will match perfectly with last year's DIY the Leaf Headband  if you feel like being extra seasonal!

 

And... funny story...

I was working on this pattern on my back porch yesterday and had to run inside to get a tape measure.  There was a massive spider - I mean practically tarantula sized and just as juicy- dangling over the door.  YIIIKES!  So when I came back out... I tried to do a graceful run/hop/door close... and ended up falling flat on my butt... not gracefully at all.  Luckily my crochet wrists were fine, but I have some major bruising on my bum (TMI?  Sorry!).  Looks like I'll be crocheting standing up this weekend!  Stupid spider!!!

Hope you are stitching happier than I!  Have a great one!