Gully Green

Well, I’ve done it. Swallowed a million and one excuses, and am listing a pattern…for sale. (Gasp. Shock.) I’ve been procrastinating a long time, but in the past week had no fewer than three people tell me to just DO IT, so I’m going for it.

Ahh…life on the edge.

I’m calling it “Gully Green”. The idea was originally born during my post about upcycling holiday wrapping — I initially planned on knitting a plain-jane bag. But then I got to thinking…why not combine the sturdiness of crochet with the loveliness of knitted lace? Why not make a pretty marketbag, that could be used as gift wrap?

That got the wheels spinning. Then I started thinking of all the different variations — maybe a small one, made in mercerized crochet thread, to hold little trinkets. Perhaps a tall skinny version in wool as a wine cozy…perhaps…well, you get the idea.

The pattern is tested and ready, and I’m looking forward to seeing what people do with it.

Happy hooking and knitting!

(And now I’m going to go breathe. My heart is pounding and hands are shaky…who’d have thought this would be such a rush?)

Upcycle Your Holiday Wrapping

I’m snuggling inside today, watching as a fine-grained snow blows and billows and drifts around our home. With the wind-chill factored it, it’s about -20 degrees celsius. (For my American friends, this translates to “Brr!”)

While I sit and work on holiday gifts, my mind is drifting too — how am I going to wrap them? My goal is to avoid purchasing disposable products of any kind. In fact, I’d like to take it one step further and use mostly recycled materials. If I can do so in a way that will create something with a long-term use — all the better! I love the term “upcycle” – it’s like recycle, only better.

To that end, I’ve been searching the vast net for interesting ideas and links. Hope you find them as inspiring as I do! I’d love to hear your suggestions, or see pictures of your eco-friendly wrapping.

Little Origami Boxes ( recycle cardboard — cereal and cracker boxes, for example.)

Greeting Card Gift Boxes (use greeting cards from last year, or check the thrift store for random vintage cards)

Sew A Bottle Gift Bag (check your thrift store for funky fabric scraps, or for holiday table cloths or placemats)

Sew A Simple Drawstring Bag (again, look for fabrics that you already own or can thrift — those ugly curtains might make an adorable little bag!)

Knit or Crochet a “Market Bag” (I’m hoping to make a few of these, and line them with tea towels, cloth napkins, handkerchiefs, etc. The bag can be reused for shopping, and the fabric lining for another purpose. No waste!)

Repurpose the unexpected. Large gift? Maybe you have a lonely pillowcase in a fun print that could be tied with some leftover ribbon.

Make the Wrapping the Gift – how about a stockpot filled with jars of homemade soup mix? Or a mixing bowl with jars of cookie mix? Use a towel to wrap jars of homemade bath salts, and fasten with a ribbon. Gift handmade soaps wrapped in washcloths…see where I’m going with this?

Happy wrapping!