Trend: Go Green!

photo by Heather Holbrook

One of the hottest trends in crafting right now is going green. More and more companies are working hard at becoming environmentally friendly.

Close To My Heart recently reported how they are becoming a more green company. All of their papers are SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative) certified, this means that the pulp used comes from sustainable forests and that every process used to create it from harvesting to the final product is environmentally friendly. And that the process to make their clear stamps uses soap and water soluble chemicals for clean up to avoid harming the environment. Visit their website to find a consultant near you. The card shown here is one I made using Close To My Heart papers and their fun set called ”Treetops” which is available from their new Summer Catalog and Idea Book.

photo by Die Cuts with a View

Die Cuts with a View has got an adorable new paper stack called The Green Stack as well as chipboard that are made from 70% recycled paper.

photo by K & Co

K & Co has recently released their Remake line printed with soy based inks and made from 100% post consumer waste.

photo by Unity Stamps

Show your support for the environment by stamping with Unity Stamps cool Eco Chic set.

The July/August issue of Papercrafts magazine is devoted entirely to being green, it’s got loads of great ideas for crafting green, it’s on newstands now.

And of course check out all the fantastic ideas posted on our Recycled Crafts blog right here on CraftGossip!

-Heather

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

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