The NorthWesternBelle

If it weren't for YouTube, I'd still be crocheting in straight rows and nothing else. I'll just get that out there up front. I love YouTube for the fact that it hosts videos of ANYTHING you might be interested in learning how to do. Along those lines, I was recently randomly browsing crochet videos and came across this video by the Crochet Geek that I instantly fell in love with. Crochet cats? Sign me up! I gave it a shot yesterday; the video is a bit long winded for me, so I went to the web site and found the written instructions. It's basically three rows of shell stitches (2 DC Sl 2 DC) in each color with a drop stitch for the arms on the first row. They really do look like cats! So awesome! This reds with gray combination was turned into an infinity scarf...Infinite Cats! So awesome. I'll be getting this beauty listed on Etsy ASAP! I've also already got plans for an afghan for my BFF, who is a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady. The sc...

This beautiful vintage afghan is on its way to NC as of Friday! This gray and red beauty was part of our very first vintage inventory acquisition earlier this year. I'm actually pretty sad to see it go, but I'm sure its new home will love it a lot! It's built in a BLO SC (back-loop single crochet, for those of you who don't speak crochet), which is a classic technique. My mom has had a BLO SC afghan since before I was born! I actually found a great tutorial on YouTube for this chevron pattern. I'm going to give it a shot on either a lap or a baby afghan soon (Christmas colors might be awesome!), because I finally finished the massive ripple afghan I've been working on for over a year now! Behold: The color in this photo isn't good because one of my bedroom lights is out. Still, you can see, it covers my queen size bed no problem because it's actually more like king-sized. In any case, it's a fantastic blanket that my hubby loves a lot, a...

The prototype Death Star Pillow is complete and is available now on Etsy! Front view... Back view... I seriously love this! I think on the next one, though, I'll use a much smaller hook for the super laser. It's not quite proportional like it should be, but it's still pretty awesome. Building such a big sphere requires a LOT of counting, and this one ended up being about 24" inches in circumference. I could probably get away with making a 25 in one by using slightly bigger hook. I like how tightly this one is weaved, though. Get one today for your most nerd-tastic friend or family member! C'mon...who doesn't love Star Wars? Besides my Aunt, who thought the "death star" was a real thing. She gets a pass, though, because she is other wise awesome. The miniature version is also available on Etsy as a made-to-order item. I'm still thinking that I'll have to keep the mini prototype, but the full-size prototype is probably going to...

After I posted the link for our Jack Skellington beanie, an old friend of mine contacted me on Facebook to find out if I could make one for her Boston Terrier. The pic above is the reference she sent me. I've never made one before, but it doesn't look too complicated. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a free pattern for a doggie beanie, but I figure it can't be too difficult. I'm excited to get started on it! I will keep you all posted on the progress. Thanks for looking, Loves! Always Yours, The NWB

The NWB received its first custom order request this weekend! We received a message on Friday afternoon about creating a custom cape in purple burlap. It's going to be for a Skeletor costume, which makes me ridiculously happy! I knew my nerdy people would find us eventually! The customer sent me two photos for reference (as if I needed them!) Without any on hand, Taiza P. and I headed out in search of purple burlap at our local fabric stores. Unfortunately, we had no luck. Fortunately, though, Taiza did have a perfectly purple polyester on hand, which she turned into this cape in record time: My hubby was kind enough to be our Tough Guy model :) This cape is much lighter than a burlap one would be, and is going to be easier to wear. We figured that even if our Skeletor client didn't want it, someone would, but the consensus opinion is that this is perfect for Skeletor! As luck would have it, the client likes this one! It is definitely going to be less scratchy...

I just love the Nightmare Before Christmas, and I loved it BEFORE it was all sorts of popular (shut up, Hipster). My three year old has started asking to watch it repeatedly, though, so we'll see if I still love it as much as I do by the time he gets tired of it. The process can take months, but I'm thinking my love for it will persevere. In the mean time, I'm making these awesome Jack Skellington hats in all sizes! You can place an order for your custom hat on Etsy. Get it in time for Halloween by placing the order before October 15 . Processing is two to three business days, and shipping is via USPS Priority Mail. All hats are built in durable acrylic yarn that is fully washable. I have 15 years experience with crochet, and all ends are securely sewn in. Specify what size and finishing options (ear flaps & ties, contrasting finishing edge, added elements like a poof ball at the top!). All sizes from infant to adult XL are available, and each hat will be uni...

The lovely and very talented Taiza P. has created a whole lot of handmade costume capes for the NWB's Halloween inventory ! They are each unique and there are many styles available. Lined & Hooded Cloak in Gold-Threaded Burlap Black Cape with Straight Collar - Two Available! All of these and more are available now on Etsy! Sheer Black with Hood , 3 available! Wrinkle-free Gray Polyester with Hood , 2 available! Apricot & Lace Hooded Cape , 2 available! Blood-Stained Gray Hooded Cloak , 2 available! Silver Lame Hooded Cape with Black Stitching , extra long Silver Lame Hooded Cape Reversible Silver Lame and White Lace Hooded Cape Sheer Pinstriped Hooded Cape We also do custom capes! In fact, we made one over the weekend for a Skeletor costume. Stay tuned for the post about that project! Thanks for looking, Loves! Always Yours, The NWB

Yeah, I'm a huge nerd. So, this happened. I was at work yesterday without any polyfil stuffing to finish my pillow-sized Death Star . So, to pass the time, I made this Death Star hat, which turned out swimmingly! Am I seriously the only one who thought of this? Because I haven't seen any others on the Internet. So, if you end up with one of these awesome things from one of your crafty friends, you're welcome! The construction was pretty basic: an adult sized hat made of acrylic gray yarn, worked in rows, with ear flaps (which, I will probably leave off the next one). The super laser is just a flat, three-row circle, also worked in rows and with an invisible join to finish it off. The detail work is sewn on in a lighter gray. With all the stitching, this hat ended up being a Teen/Small Adult size. I'll be getting a listing created for it this weekend, so stay tuned! Update: it's for sale now!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/204203754/crochet-death-star-beanie...

That's no moon... It's my new favorite crochet item EVER! So, the fabulous George Takei posted a picture of a crocheted Death Star pillow a few days back on his Facebook page. Basically everyone I know proceeded to send it to me/post it on my FB page/ask me about making one. The nerd in me couldn't resist. She never can. I seriously am in love with this tiny one. It's approximately 6" across (16" circumference). I made it using the Mathematically Perfect Sphere pattern I found on Pinterest. The super laser is just a flat circle, and I stitched on the details based on Google Images of the Death Star. I'm keeping this one for myself because I love it so much. It seriously makes my nerd heart swoon. I did also manage to locate the pattern for the pillow-sized one that Mr. Takei loved so much, and BONUS! It was free on Ravelry (pattern by Patricia Castillo). It's taking me a bit longer to finish, since it's going to end up being about 2...

I really love my current schedule. At my real job, I work Sunday through Wednesday, 10 hours shifts. This gives me Thursday, Friday and Saturday off each week, which is seriously fantastic. I usually manage to get some crafting in each weekend, but it's not often as much as I'd like. Between cleaning my house (a constant struggle), my three-year-old and the hubby, I'm lucky to actually finish any projects. This weekend the bestie and I decided it was time for a craftathon, and we went for it on Friday. She spent most of the day cutting fabric for a commissioned quilt. I spent most of the day organizing my crafting headquarters (aka, the living room). I don't have a before picture because it was really bad before, but here's the after: Yeah, that's the massive ripple blanket that I've been working on for about a year...it's 99.9% finished. It's going to be done soon..... Anyhow. I managed to compress all of my finished handmade product i...

Handmade Crochet Baby Afghan - Blue, Green, Yellow & White - 31" square w/fringe Time left : 3d 20h 39m Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Handmade Crochet Chevron Afghan - Shades of Gray w/Dark Red Time left : 3d 20h 28m Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Handmade Quilt - Vintage Calico Fabric - Autumn Leaves Time left : 3d 20h 24m Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Vintage Zippers - Mixed Lot of 20 - Various Lengths & Colors - Mostly Talon Time left : 1w 19h 8m [View Detail]

Handmade Crochet Baby Afghan - Chevron Ripple - Pastel Blue & Pink with White Time left : 3d 20h 22m Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Crochet Fantasy #20 May 1985 - Vintage Crochet Pattern Magazine Time left : 3d 18h 47m Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Handmade Crochet Afghan - Cream, Mint Green & Pink Coral- 46X63 - Twin/Throw Time left : 2d 23h 3m Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Handmade Crochet Baby Afghan - Green & White Crochet Baby Blanket Time left : 1d 38m 47s Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Fashion Dressmaking I & II by Singer - Vintage Sewing Book Set - 1971 Time left : 2w 3d 33m [View Detail]

Handmade Crochet Baby Blanket - Popcorn Stitch - Pink Blue Green Yellow White Time left : 19h 19m 59s Price : $ 10.00 [View Detail]

Handmade Crochet Afghan - Cream, Mint Green & Coral - 46X63 - Twin/Throw Price : $ 12.70 [View Detail]

Handmade Crochet Baby Afghan - Blue, Green, Yellow & White - 31" square w/fringe Price : $ 8.00 [View Detail]

Handmade Quilt - Vintage Calico Fabric - Autumn Leaves Time left : 3d 20h 37m Price : $ 25.00 Free shipping Bids : 0 [View Detail]

Vintage Zippers - Mixed Lot of 20 - Various Lengths & Colors - Mostly Talon Time left : 2w 19h 23m Price : $ 18.00 Free shipping [View Detail]