Crochet

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If Only…..

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If only I lived closer to this place.  If only there were more days in the week.  If only I had a gazillion dollars to follow all my yarn and beading dreams.

This shop is a wondrous place!  I think I’ve written about it before, but I wanted to share more since I just had the opportunity to revisit the shop during the recent Yarn Crawl.  It’s about 30 miles from my front door, making it possible for me to drive past FOUR other yarn shops to get there.  But, it’s worth the trip from time to time.

This picture of their yarn collection does not do it justice.

Behind this rack by the front door are numerous other racks that contain the more ‘interesting’ yarns – bulky, wool and blends, lace weight, etc.  Then, there are the wall displays of beads and the tables full of beads and charms.  The front window is full of finished beadwork available for purchase that include items made in the shop itself as well as Fair Trade items.  There are also other goodies – Laurel Burch Bags and Wallets, woven and braided belts, beaded dresses, and lovely scarves, and all manner of beading accessories from wire to hemp to findings.  I could spend days in this small space and not touch everything here!

One of the best features of this shop is that they are Crochet Friendly!  The staff is warm and welcoming, always ready to help find something or corral your purchases.  This charming shop is in a very unassuming strip mall on Route 159 in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The shop has several specialty teachers who offer a wide variety of classes.  This scarf was on display for an Intermediate Crochet Class.  I don’t think I need the class, but I DO want the pattern and have left a message for the teacher to see if it’s available for me to purchase.  I already own the Coffee Beenz yarn to make it with!

 

The Bead Place is open 7 days a week, making it a possible destination for me on a dreary Sunday afternoon……….Hmmm.  I’m getting ideas here.  What about you?

Comments

  2. June,
    I don’t have the answer to your question. However, you can contact them via the website http://www.beadplace.net or call them at 618-222-0772. If they can’t help you, you can surely find what you need at either http://www.shipwreckbeads.com or http://www.firemountaingems.com . When I did a lot more beading than I do now, I was able to visit Shipwreck Beads in Olympia, Washington in person. Fantastic place! Hope you find what you need at the Bead Place.
    jd

  3. More eye candy! Yummmm! I, too, invested into a whole bunch of yarn from Walmart. Seems they carry inexpensive Red Heart HUGE skeins. Where I live, town is NOT 10mins away. So, I made sure that I have enough to put a dent into any project w/ the common yarn. Since I had to loll for a specific color, I’m finding skeins in other colors that are waiting for the “just right” project. Thank YOU! Love your comments & sites! Sheri ^c^

  5. Ironically, I live maybe 10 minutes from this little store and have driven past it numerous times, but never considered going in. It is #1 on my list of places to go check out now. I may need to sign up for their silversmithing class this weekend too. Thank you so much for this post!!!

  6. What is the name of the scarf pattern? That is really pretty. I would be interested in ordering it. Thanks!

  7. WOW! The mere mention of The Bead Place brought back memories! I used to shop there when my cousin was alive (she lived in Fairview Heights until her passing). Whenever I visited her we would always make a trip to the shop and play with the yarn. Occasionally I would come home with several skeins of yarn with no real project in mind for them at the time mind you. I’m going to have to make a trip down there again despite no family to visit — unless of course, I can start calling THe Bead Place family from now on. 🙂

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.