Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Arkansas Crochet

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cro grey goat 0814

This is a picture of Pearl, the pet rabbit of a very cozy, cute yarn shop in the historic downtown of tiny Van Buren, Arkansas.  While I was in the shop a few weeks ago, I also got to meet Pearl’s human, Margaux, one of the yarn artists that operate the shop named Grey Goat Fibers or Who’s Got The Button.  Still kinda confused about the names.

So, how did I wind up in a yarn shop in Arkansas?  It’s all because of a husband and his love of trains.  There’s a great 8 hour round trip rail excursion that runs between Springdale, Arkansas and Van Buren, Arkansas.  My husband and I took a long weekend to ride the train across the beautiful countryside of northwest Arkansas.  If you’ve never been, you should go.  Eureka Springs is a high light in that area as is the Crystal Bridges (free art museum) in Bentonville.

We had a three hour ‘layover’ in Van Buren during which we ate lunch, walked the old down town streets, and did a bit of shopping.  When I saw the yarn shop, I wasn’t even sure it was open.  My very tolerant husband seated himself on a bench while I tried the door and gained entry to this charming little shop.

You can see more about it on their Facebook page as I didn’t take any pictures myself.  If you’re in those parts, be sure to stop in and say hello.  They support local farms and crafters, including selling fleece from locally sourced Wenslydale, Gotland, and Icelandic sheep.  And, NO!  I’m not going to learn to spin.  No!  I’m sticking to buying the yarn.

Comments

  1. Jd you are bringing back a lot of memories!! My husband has been with the UP for his whole career and his early years were spent all over Arkansas and Missouri! I know every town you spoke of like old friends. This shop sounds like a place I’d love to go but it’s a trip from Omaha ! Glad you shared with us!

  2. Sheila,
    I’m actually from a small town about 60 miles from Springdale. I have cousins in Springdale and the environs. It’s actually growing so rapidly that your husband would not recognize it! Your trivia for the day: Springdale has the largest population of Marshallese (people from the Marshall Islands) in the world, outside of the Marshall Islands themselves. Don’t know if they crochet.
    jd

  3. The kids might like to start with a really simple headband. Girls seem to love cute things to wear in their hair.

Have you read?

Crochet Christmas Dove Ornaments With a Printable Gift Poem

There is something especially lovely about a handmade gift that comes with a few thoughtful words. These crochet Christmas birds pair a folded yarn ornament with a decorative poem card, turning a little crochet project into a keepsake.

The design has a rounded head, a tiny embroidered eye and beak, and a forked tail. A broad overlapping section forms the wing, giving the bird that folded, origami-inspired appearance. It is a simple-looking shape with plenty of handmade charm.

A Crochet Bird That Doubles as a Gift Topper

What appeals to me most is the idea of using the bird twice. Tie it onto a wrapped present as a gift topper, then let the recipient hang it on their Christmas tree afterwards. The wrapping gets recycled, the ribbon goes into somebody’s “far too useful to throw away” drawer, and the bird becomes part of next year’s decorations.

Cream would be a lovely choice for a Christmas dove, while cranberry red, sage green and dusty blue offer a different seasonal look. Keeping the wing plain lets the crochet texture and folded layers stand out.

For a personalised crochet gift tag, an embroidered initial is a sweet addition. One small letter gives the ornament a purpose without needing to squeeze an entire name onto the wing.

The Printable Christmas Dove Card

The accompanying printable brings the gift together. Watercolour-style holly, evergreen branches, berries and gold accents frame the card, with space above the poem for attaching the crocheted bird.

The original Christmas poem shares wishes for peace, joy and love, then invites the recipient to hang the dove on their tree. There is also a “With love from” line, so the finished card feels like a complete little present.

I would print it on firm cardstock and attach the bird with a removable thread or ribbon loop. That way, the recipient can lift it off the card easily when it is time to decorate the tree.

It is a thoughtful Christmas gift concept, especially for crafters who enjoy making small decorations with a personal touch. The bird and poem card belong together: a little handmade ornament, a Christmas wish, and something to bring out again next December.