Moving to a .com

Its been real BlogSpot!  I will leave this active for a while until I can move most of the important stuff over to the new digs. My new website will be at www.thirtytwotwentyknits.com

Come see me and thanks for the yarn love!

May?! Oh my!

What another long break that I have taken from updating the blog! Hopefully the true ThirtyTwoTwenty fans keep up with me on Facebook and Twitter (which I update much more often). But I will do my best to try to update this a smidge more often - now that life has hopefully settled a bit (no more regular wedding coordinating - even though I will be helping two friends with their weddings this fall and cannot wait).

So here are some photo updates of the post Christmas crochet and into the Spring (that already feels like summer - it was in the upper 90's today in OKC!)

Some sweet hats for the twinkies in my life and a darling beret for their older sister:

 

As the spring wore on and more pregnancy announcements came at me in every direction - I began to dream of little bitty fashion statements and started making them come to life with yarn:

 

 

 

At a crafterevening that was hosted at my house this spring - one of my precious friends who is expecting in September made a DARLING mobile out of felt raindrops and it inspired me to get to crocheting some darling little drops myself. Here was the result. Cloudy Day Crib Mobile. 

 

Just finished the spring show at Sunnylane Family Church (my "go to" Fall and Spring show) and it was great as usual. Here are just a few of my booth - my handsome fabulous awesome (I am kissing up big time here) husband helped me make some new display pieces so I could hang my ponchos and dresses and also a few strands of bunting up high:

 

Check out that crochet covered bottle - love love love!

 

Here is the whole thing in all of its glory! Purses and mobiles and dresses and blankets and bunting, oh my!

 

 

A sweet friend stopped by my booth and saw me finishing up a cotton crochet coaster (I usually crochet or knit during the entire show - it draws people in and helps me get a lot accomplished). She asked if she could hang out until I finished it and then buy it... and of course I obliged! She sent me this pic after the show - brings me great joy to see my expressions of yarn love in other people's homes.

 

Just finished a fun crochet contest on Facebook - and gave away a set of 4 in the winner's choice of color. I can't wait to work them up and post them for you to see!

 

 

Happy Springtime and have a safe Summer!

Happy December

Cannot believe it is December! And I really cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted on the blog. Was not a normal summer or fall and now that we are 24 days away from Christmas, I find myself in awe of how time flies. Let me catch you up on the yarny business around The 3220. 

Nothing could be happier than a strand of crocheted Christmas lights! I think they would be perfect on a mantle or across a doorway. 

Found the perfect little hand model at the craft show at Sunnylane. She rocked these sweet little crocheted fingerless gloves - and then her aunt bought them for her! Hooray! 

The green hat is already gone - but the purple cowl is still available ($35). The flower is detachable. The cowl is made with a speciality yarn I found in Claremore, OK. I love love love this cowl. 

Speaking of the craft show at Sunnylane - here is a snippet of my booth. The owl hat is still hanging around ($15 - newborn). 

After filling a special order for a hat from the show - I had this mustard yarn leftover. And I had to play. Sweet little pullover dress would be so darn cute with some leggings and a long sleeved shirt underneath. Polka dot headband. 

Another infinity cowl from the show that is still available ($35). This one is a chunky knit pattern and wraps and wraps and wraps. Super luxurious! (Yarn is another find from the sweet little shop in Claremore). 

More is to come for the blog in the next few weeks as I complete some special orders for Christmas! Feel free to contact me via email (thirtytwotwentyknits@gmail.com) to place 

a special order. 

Also catch me on Etsy, Facebook, and Twitter!

As you enter into this sacred season, take a few

moments to cuddle on the couch with your loves,

sip some hot cocoa, and breathe. Blessings

and peace from The 3220! 

Thunder Bolt - Free Crochet Pattern

We are a Thunder-Lovin' household. Family. City. State. We are proud of our NBA team! And we show it. Not only are we the loudest arena in the league (I have never even been to another arena, but I promise it can't get louder than ours...people's ears would bleed) but we wear our colors proudly. You can't go anywhere in the city without seeing the signs, and the shirts, and the jewelry, the bumper stickers. Blue and Orange. Thunder Bolts.

Last season I got a hankering (How's that for Okie?) for some yarny Thunder Gear...and figured I'd best be gettin my stitch on. Okay enough, people who are actually from here might get offended (i.e. my husband)...

And this is what I came up with:

I have used this trusty little bolt for hats, headbands, barrette clips, earwarmers...you get the picture. It's versatile. (I want to use it for bunting and for a weather themed crib mobile too...and for so many other ideas...)

I am not a professional pattern writer. So bear with me. Let me know if you have any questions. You can you use any yarn and any sized hook. I use a worsted weight with a (smaller) hook that made the stitches pretty tight. The hdc also helps the stitches to be pretty "dense." Basically, what I'm saying is, gauge is not an issue here.

There are three sections of the bolt (separated by a space, if that helps you visualize). In rows 4, 8, and 11 you will be decreasing in the center (or in row 8, close to the center).

Thunder Bolt Pattern

Ch - Chain
Hdc - Half Double Crochet
Hdc Dec - Half Double Crochet Decrease

(The numbers in parentheses at the end of each row are the number of stitches in the row once complete)

Ch 7
Row 1: Hdc in second ch from hook, Hdc to end (6)
Row 2 and 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc across (6)
Row 4: ch 1, turn, hdc across, hdc dec in center of row (5)

Row 5: ch 4, turn, hdc in second ch from hook, hdc in two remaining ch and in next two hdc (5 hdc)
Row 6 and 7: ch 1, turn, hdc across (5)
Row 8: ch 1, turn, hdc across, hdc dec in center of row (4)

Row 9: ch 3, hdc in second ch fr hk, hdc in remaining ch, hdc in next two hdc (4)
Row 10: ch 1, turn, hdc across (4)
Row 11: ch 1, turn, hdc across, hdc dec in center (3)
Row 12: ch 1, turn, hdc dec remaining 3 stitches (1) Finish off and weave in ends.

Then, if you would like, you can crochet around the edge in another color. I usually join the alternating color into the top of the bolt (anywhere really) and sc around, doing 2 sc around the corners.

Enjoy.

©2013 ThirtyTwoTwentyKnits/Kelly Ottinger, All Rights Reserved

Feel free to sell items you make with this crochet pattern, but if you sell them online, please add the link to this crochet pattern. You may not sell this crochet pattern or claim it as your own. You may post a link to this crochet pattern, but you may not publish or post this crochet pattern in whole or in part.

Wednesday Love

I love my Wednesdays so so so very much. It is the day I wait for each week the way some people wish for their Saturdays. I am a wedding coordinator. So my Saturdays (as much as I adore them) are not a day off for me. My offices close on Wednesdays. So for me Wednesday=Saturday. But the best kind of Saturday (because nobody else has the day off). Quiet. Alone. Do whatever I want to kind of day...unless I am a ding dong and schedule too much stuff...(too much stuff is like, anything more than a hair appt).

I oftentimes spend my entire Wednesday in the knitting nook. Crocheting. Watching episode after episode of Cheers/Frasier (don't judge). Today I was thrilled to be able to meet my very handsome husband for lunch and then return to my nook.

I finished off a cowl. And then started an afghan of sorts...geometric shape, "granny square"-esque pattern...turning out quite fabulous. Both projects using the hand-dyed yarn I bought at the craft show on Saturday. I am now completely and utterly smitten with the idea of doing some dyeing of my own.

Today I was also graced by the presence her majesty, Queen Gabby. She also really enjoys the new dyed yarn.

I would love to start posting some free patterns on Wednesdays. Maybe I will post one in a bit...in honor of a certain sporting event being played by a certain team that I love oh so much...

Craft Fair Talk and Tips

Let me first be clear about a couple of things....I am no craft show expert. Nor do I claim to have a corner on marketing, displays, or organization. I have done (I think...) eleven or so different shows - so while I am not a professional craft fair vendor (I definitely just do this for funsies) I have formed my own methods and learned some things over the last 3 years.

Also, let me tell you - I learn something new and do different things at every single show I do. So these aren't rules. They aren't even guidelines...just some things that work for me and make the process easier each time. Spoiler Alert: This post gets a little deep at some point. If you can't handle it, skip from #4 straight on to #6.

1. Be organized. (Ha!) I am so disorganized in general. But I will be honest, I attempt to be fairly together when it comes to my crafty things. Otherwise I think Adam would run away from our house. He is way neater than I am and if I didn't have the craftiness organized, that might be the last straw :-)

Have a box and a place for everything when you are packing up for a show. Have an idea (at least a loose one) of how you want to set up your booth, what will go where, and have a way to remember those things (I make lists and diagrams...if that's too anal for ya, try labels...I use those in conjunction with the lists and diagrams!) Being organized, having a place for all your product, display pieces, linens, price tags, pens...maybe I'll blog a craft show checklist...will help the process be so much more fun.

My number one tip on organization...take advantage of the night before setup times. Go set up (at the very least) your tables, linens, signs, and display pieces. Sometimes I will then set up some of the product just to see what it looks like...but then I personally take it down and never leave my product somewhere over night. Two reasons: even at a place I trust very much, it would be devastating to lose anything due to theft or some other unforeseen event (My nightmare: sprinkler system going off in middle of the night. Irrational? Yes. Will I ever leave product somewhere over night? Not a chance - the sprinkler system would go off!!!) Second reason - (confession time) - I rarely have all my pricing done until the night before. Even if I did...you know...sprinklers....anyway....

2. Be creative with your display. I try to make one new change at each new show (until its perfect...perfection is not real at craft shows...the end) - I feel like this helps me feel more sane, makes my booth a little easier to navigate, and if you want the God's honest truth, I sell more when the display is pretty.

Creative/pretty display does not equal expensive. One element of my display is literally dowel rods of different heights stuck into styrofoam blocks (and then I wiggle fabric around the rods and over the styrofoam to hide the ugly styrofoam)....that was cheap. Another (new this time) element of my display is a backdrop made with $10 worth of PVC pipe from the Home Depot and $20 worth of curtains from the Walmart.

Go to stores and look at how they display items (especially at little boutiquey type places). Google "craft fair/show display." Turn to Pinterest and search the same. Then browse the home organization aisles at hardware stores/walmart/target/etc. Hit up the dollar stores, thrift stores, and don't forget HobbyLobby/Michaels. Use fabric or paint to dress up inexpensive and potentially ugly/industrial finds. Play. Have fun.

3. Learn to edit. You don't have to take every single item you have "in stock" with you. Even if you do, you don't have to display ever single item you bring with you. This would make your booth space look way too cluttered. You want a clean and easy appearance or shoppers get overwhelmed. The first show I did, there was literally no "white space" on my table....every hat, scarf, and hair clip lay out on the table in layers. God forbid someone not buy something because they don't see the one thing they had in mind to buy. That's not real. If that thought gives you anxiety, have a shelf or a box under one of your tables with extra product, and if someone asks about something they don't see or looks lost, kindly remind them that you have additional product you can pull for them or ask what they might be looking for.

4. Price fairly. This means for your potential customers. But it also means for you. Don't feel like you have to price your handmade items unfairly low in order to move them. As an artist/crafter - your time and your product is valuable. This is what Etsy has to say about pricing on their blog: "Materials + Labor + Expenses + Profit = Wholesale x 2 = Retail" This may result in prices that even sometimes I am uncomfortable with. In some cases it is then appropriate to drop the number a smidge. But in some cases...like the case of a beautiful and painstakingly handcrafted afghan...it is okay to cringe a little. Someone might fall in love and not blink an eye. Be careful when it comes to pricing. Don't let it intimidate you. Etsy is an awesome resource to me when it comes to pricing. No matter what you are selling, hop on Etsy and search - "handmade soap" "lamps" "woodworking" etc. and see how other artists price their product that is similar to yours.

Have a "sale" section at your booth. Or if what you are selling is "out of season" at the particular show you are at - have a discount on those items (for example, at Spring Shows, I have a Clearance Sale for all of my heavily wintery items...like Earflap hats and thick scarves). And have sections or items that represent three different price points - low, medium, and high. Research shows that when people see items of different prices - they will be more comfortable looking and comparing and eventually buying - maybe not the most expensive item you have - but something. I read once to have an item at your booth that is priced (fairly) way higher than other items. Example: I have a crocheted apron in my stock. Made with all vintage yarn. And it is way too cute. And it took days...weeks!...to construct and finish. I price it very high. Most people look at the tag, widen their eyes, and turn their attention to the $15 hat that doesn't seem so expensive anymore and they can't live without now. Hallelujah. (and someday I might actually sell that apron)

Pricing is hard but be fair to you and your precious customers.

(Here is where it gets deep)

5. Be confident. This. One. Is. Hard. For me - my creations become very personal. My handiwork is very special to me and sometimes (especially the first couple of times...but I'll be honest...I still feel the sting at each show I go to and each item I post online) it is hard to put yourself "out there" like that. I will speak for myself, for me it is a mixture of pride and insecurity. I have a hard time selling something that I make. Period. Because sometimes I don't feel good enough. I know my product is quality...but I let my insecurity and pride get in the way and I start downplaying what I do and create. The comparison game comes into play big time for me - especially at shows. I think this is normal. But at each show it gets a little easier. For the first few shows you do, choose easy environments that are more laid back and potentially not as intimidating. Now that I have done some shows...my best bet will always be a juried show (which means they only let a few, and sometimes only one, of a specific craft in to the show). When I am the only crochet/knitting booth (or one of two) my confidence is higher and my sales are better.

Be confident in what you sell. Be confident that your booth is lovely. And for Peter's sake, be confident in yourself. Learn to take the compliments that people walking in and by your booth make with grace: "Why, your work is just beautiful!" ... "Thank you so much, I appreciate that!"

Getting feedback is so incredibly valuable to me that even if I sell very little, the time spent at the show was totally worth it. At every show someone gives me ideas about a new product or a new color combo or a new design. It is about growing.

(This is where it stops being so deep)

6. Talk. To other vendors. To whoever is running the show. To. Your. Customers.

Talking to other vendors is a beautiful way to meet new people, find about other local fabulous shows, and it cuts the competitive tension bull that can sometimes hang in the air at shows that do tend to be a bit more "serious" than others. I hate tense competitive bull.

Talking to the director of the show will give you the opportunity to thank the person that made this venture possible. It is also helpful to put a face with a name. And it is nice for them to able to put a face with your name. Be nice to these people, I do not envy their job.

I used to be afraid to talk to the people who were walking by my booth. Because I didn't want them to feel like I was trying to be all sales pitchy. But then I realized...if I don't talk to them, they will just walk right by sometimes. And that just won't do! So say "Hi, how are you today!?" Smile. Make eye contact. No need to tell them about anything or sell them anything...just say hi. You will be amazed to see how much more comfortable they are to actually approach your booth. Then...if and when they actually step towards your booth and look at product...I usually say something like, "Feel free to look and touch and try on and let me know of you have any questions". Simple enough.

7. Have a drawing at your booth. Draws people in. Gets them excited about your product. Make it for something good! Add a "social media element" - such as, "Enter this drawing by liking our Facebook Page." I still recommend having a way for them to enter without social media...that way it doesn't exclude someone who doesn't get into Facebook/Twitter/etc.

8. Have an email sign up list...for people who want to subscribe to your blog or get additional information later. Clipboards work wonders for this.

9. Have business cards. People like your stuff. They want your info. If you don't have them, 4 million people will ask for a business card ... and you won't have them. It makes you and your adventures in crafting look more legit. They are cheap. I get them at Vistaprint online (which is where I also got my banner for shows). Have business cards. Amen.

...well that was fun. Do you have any tips or ideas that you use when you go to craft fairs? Any questions?

Happy Crafting!

Spring Photoshoot Results!

Okay...the moment we have all been waiting for!!! The Spring Photoshoot! This went down at The3220 Friday night and I have spent the better part of the weekend playing and editing with these photos. Close to 20 of them have been ordered as prints for my booth this weekend at the Sunnylane Family Church Spring Craft Show! And now I am proud to share them with you here...

Special Thanks to Harley, Lylleigh, Landon, Hannah, Mia, Anna, Zoe, and Rachel
....and their fabulous mommas!