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Book Review – A Brief Aside

by

When I’m not crocheting (and working and walking and dancing and doing other non-crochety things), I’m often doing other kinds of crafting.  One of the benefit of crafting that is especially close to my heart is the repurposing of what might otherwise be called trash.  I found this book at the library recently and wanted to share a bit about it with you.

Before running across this nifty book, I’d never heard of Danny Seo.  Now, I’m a fan!  Unlike many of the so-called ‘upcycling’ books and websites I’ve seen, this book is full of items that one might actually use and enjoy owning.  No macaroni embellished cigar boxes or toilet tissue wreaths.  The items in this book are truly upcycled – that is, they are an improvement over the often humble items from which they are composed.

 

Upcycling By Danny Seo

While there’s not a whole lot of crochet in this book, there are two things I wanted to bring to your attention.  First, Seo uses a lacy fabric or doily as a stencil to spray a mist of white paint on a wood cabinet to create a lovely, ethereal design.  Second, sturdy looking doilies are used to embellish simple square pillows that appear to be made of some strong fabric like menswear suiting.  The juxtaposition of the lacy doilies with the masculine looking backing fabric is stunning.

There are lots and lots of other grand projects and ideas in this book.  You can get a better idea of Seo’s creative mind at his website www.dannyseo.com.  If you’re like me and truly appreciate the creative genius in others, you’ll enjoy this guy’s work!

Comments

  1. Oh, Mr.Seo!!! I first saw him on the Nate Berkus Show and fell in love with his home. So much of what he does IS doable and beautiful, and it shows when you see items from his book in his own space. Great designer, I can’t wait to get my hands on his book!!

  2. I love Danny Seo’s books. He’s very creative and practical, too. I got my hands on this book at the library, too, but would love to have my own copy!

Have you read?

Christmas Tree Crochet Scarf – A Fun and Festive Pattern Worth Revisiting

Some crochet patterns are practical, some are pretty, and some are just pure holiday fun. This Christmas Tree Crochet Scarf from CraftBits falls firmly into that last category, and honestly, that is exactly why it caught my eye again. It is quirky, cheerful, and the kind of novelty scarf that makes people smile before you have even had a chance to explain that yes, you really did make it yourself. The pattern comes from CraftBits and creates a scarf made up of Christmas tree motifs joined together into one gloriously festive wearable.

If this scarf looks a little familiar, you might already have spotted it in our roundup of 18 Free Christmas Crochet Scarf Patterns To Make As Gifts or in our collection of 15 Fun And Silly Crochet Scarf Patterns. It has definitely popped up on Crochet.CraftGossip before, and for good reason. It is one of those patterns that manages to be both wearable and wonderfully ridiculous, which is a very fine line in the world of festive crochet.

What I like most about this design is that it does not try to be subtle. It fully embraces the novelty Christmas vibe, and sometimes that is exactly what a seasonal project needs. The scarf is made using repeated tree shapes, so it has that satisfying motif-based construction that many crocheters enjoy. It also gives you the chance to play with embellishments like pom poms and stars, which adds even more personality to the finished piece. According to the CraftBits pattern, the scarf uses Red Heart Super Saver yarn, a size I hook, and simple decorative extras including felt and pom poms.

This would be such a fun project for a holiday party outfit, an ugly sweater event, a handmade gag gift, or just for someone who genuinely loves festive accessories. We all know at least one person who would wear this proudly while serving Christmas lunch or turning up to school pickup in December like the absolute queen of holiday spirit.

It is also the sort of pattern that feels a little nostalgic in the best possible way. CraftBits has had this project around for years, and it still holds up because novelty crochet never really goes away. It just waits patiently for the rest of us to catch up again. And let’s be honest, there is something refreshing about a project that does not take itself too seriously. Not every scarf needs to be neutral, elegant, or sensible. Some scarves are allowed to be actual Christmas trees.

So yes, you may have seen this one before in our scarf roundups, but I think it deserves its own little spotlight too. If you are in the mood to make something playful, memorable, and completely unapologetic for the holiday season, this one is worth another look.