Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

SHANNONDALE CRAFT CAMP

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WOW! I ran across this ‘camp’ last week when I attended the 2008 Missouri Fiber Retreat. Crocheters are in the minority at the Fiber Retreat, but there are lots of interesting arts and crafts represented, including knitting, weaving, spinning, fingerweaving, tatting, and more. There are lots of folks who raise llama, goat, alpaca, and other yarn on the hoof and they sell their regionally grown wares. Hard to resist.

Shannondale is a small town south of Salem, Missouri off Interstate 44:

shannondale MO craft camp crochet fingerweaving

Like I said – a small town.

The Shannondale Craft Camp is held in a small town south of Salem, Missouri just about in the middle of nowhere. However, there are 65 different intensive classes offered over the period of April 24-27, 2008. These classes include crochet with wire and plenty of other fiber related goodies. Check them out at http://www.shannondalecraftcamp.com/index.php

I learned about the Shannondale Craft Camp from my fingerweaving teacher. If she is any example of the level of instructors at the Craft Camp, the classes will be well worth the money. They haven’t posted any pictures of crochet – but have plenty of other handcrafts on the gallery on their website.

Should you be so inclined, you can register for one or more classes from their extensive list and book a room on site. Go to their site to browse and register:

www.shannondalecraftcamp.com or call Barbara at 573.435.6455.

There are different price levels, but they typically offer some combination of sleeping and eating arrangements included in the tuition.

I’m sure there are other regional craft camps, fiber festivals, and handcraft events. I’ll post more as I find them.

Have you read?

The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book: That Rooster Had Me Hooked

Apparently, this is the year chickens took over my crafting attention. First came the emotional support chickens, then the pocket chickens, and now a rooster has managed to talk me into looking at another crochet book.

Honestly, put a crocheted chicken in front of me at this point and I’m going to stop scrolling.

That is exactly what happened with The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book. The rooster sucked me in before I had even properly investigated what else was inside. After all the emotional support chicken crochet patterns we’ve been sharing, you would think I’d have had enough poultry. Apparently, there is still room in the imaginary yarn coop.

Now, a little honesty before we go any further: I haven’t read this book yet or tried its patterns. This is a look at why it has caught my attention ahead of publication. I have a very good feeling about this one, and I’m expecting it to be a lovely addition to the crochet bookshelf.

What’s Inside The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book?

The publisher describes a collection of 25 crochet patterns with variations for more than 45 amigurumi projects, created by ConcernedApe, Megan Lapp and Ryan Novak.

The announced projects include Junimos, Slimes, chickens, a Junimo Hut and familiar game items. There are simpler projects such as Eggs alongside more challenging makes, including the Mermaid Pendant.

The chicken variations are particularly tempting, with different beaks, combs and tail feathers, plus White, Blue, Brown, Golden and Void varieties. You can probably see why my attention keeps wandering back to the coop.

It is scheduled for release on 26 January 2027 through Random House Worlds, with 240 pages in the hardcover edition.

Why This Crochet Book Is on My Radar

What appeals to me is the combination of recognisable characters and slightly ridiculous little objects. Those are often the crochet projects that make me smile most. A useful blanket is wonderful, but sometimes you simply want a tiny yarn creature keeping you company beside the sewing machine.

If you’ve enjoyed our emotional support pocket chicken crochet feature, you’ll understand the attraction. Small, characterful projects have a way of becoming much more tempting than the sensible project already waiting in your basket.

For Stardew Valley fans, there is also the pleasure of making something connected to a favourite game. We’ve previously shared a Junimo crochet pattern, so this feels like a lovely next book to explore for readers who enjoy that crossover between gaming and yarn.

Would I Add It to My Crochet Wishlist?

Absolutely. I can’t yet comment on the clarity of the instructions, the finishing details or how the patterns work up. Those are things I would want to assess with the book and a hook in hand.

But based on the announced collection, I know this is going to be a good one for my kind of crochet browsing: plenty of personality, playful projects and chickens I’m already mentally choosing yarn for.

You can take a closer look at The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book on Amazon.

I came for the rooster. I suspect I’ll stay for the rest of the farm.