Ninnycat Crochet is now a proud member of the 5 Boroughs Team, an eclectic band of artists as creatively diverse as the vibrant, multicultural city we represent.

Our mission is to work together to promote our shops through shared passion, collaboration, supportive treasury-making, and meaningful networking. Visit the blog, or follow us on Twitter to see where we are, and what we do!

Ciao,
Vanessa

November Love: The Cozy Project

This month's crochet love is all for these absolutely sweet coffee cozies by The Cozy Project.

{They're customizable!}

I think this is the perfect gift to start your holiday shopping with (if you haven't already). The crochet can say all the things you mean to say, or don't get to say enough :)

About the artist

I love being creative! My mom taught me to crochet in my early teens and now I carry a zippy bag of yarn and a hook almost every where I go.
These reusable cozies are environmentally friendly. They can be stashed in a pocket or purse and reused every day . They are sturdy, and keep your hot drink toasty while protecting your fingers from heat. They also work well on cold drinks absorbing condensation and preventing that ring of water from lingering wherever you set your cup.

You can also find me here: 
thecozyprojectblog.blogspot.comfacebook.com/cozyprojecttwitter @thecozyproject

Hope you had a sweet November :)
Warmly,
Vanessa 

October Love: Voodoo Maggie

This month's love goes to the Etsy shop Voodoo Maggie for this ridiculously cute Octo-Pumpkin Crochet Pattern.


{Octo-Pumkins!}
I cannot stand how adorable these photos are; I laughed out loud on the train today when I found this.


Climbing fences and getting into mischief with his pirate buddies.


This pattern is a perfect weekend project!

About the artist, Maggie Clark

I was just reading over my previous version of this and it was a little gross. I'm not all sweetness and light, but I'm a good person and a great crafter. I believe that art and the tools/supplies to create it should be affordable and hope to one day de-throne Martha Stewart. One the road to that goal I have a love of crochet, and want to share that with you. I can write up a pattern for or make plush of just about anything, so if you have idea you don't see in my shop just me a line.

I also just opened up shop with my big sister and my mom, offering digital and paper scrapbook embellishments. You can find us at http://thosecraftygirls.etsy.com

I also happily contribute to the April's Army Charity Shop which you can find here http://AprilsArmy.etsy.com Open at the end of every month. Go buy stuff for a good cause.

Happy Autumn, everyone!

Warmly,
Vanessa

September Love: Threads of Beauty

September, the beginning of my favourite time of year, is now here. I am so happy that the weather has a chill already (the Sweater Queen is back!), and thoughts of crochet, comfort foods and walks through a leafy Central Park are always in my thoughts. And so, while I'm late to start many things this season, I'd like to start Autumn with some September Love (and a warm welcome) to the brand-new to Etsy shop Threads of Beauty.


{Alluring Bloom}
Seriously, can we talk about how wonderful this piece is? The soft palette of colours, and the touch of flowers; very feminine, very vintage.


Did you see the small pearl beading detail hand-sewn in? Swoon.

Here is a little intro from our artists Lorelai:

My name is Lorelai Bertino. I have been crocheting for many years and love all aspects of the craft. At times, throughout our fashion trends, crocheted pieces have been brought back onto the scene, making another statement about the timeless beauty of the art of stitching. Though we have fallen in and out of love with crocheted garments, I feel that crocheting, and the ornate pieces that can be created, always hold a place within our fashion history, future, and present.

Crocheting is not just about the tattered and worn, but loved afghan, draped upon the back of Grandma’s sofa, or the treasured, but faded scarf that was presented to you as a child. Crocheted pieces can hold beauty and class, elegance and timeless appeal that will only continue to stand out as trends fade and years go by.
I wanted to create crocheted pieces that were unique, lovely, and visually captivating. I wanted to create pieces that might change the way women looked at their every day wardrobe. Whether it be summer and you’re looking for that particular piece to take a summer dress to the next level, or maybe it’s winter, and you want to stay warm without resorting to the average scarf, I wanted to create pieces of beauty that would amplify any style with a vintage, yet fashionable feel!

Through my love for crocheting, and the time I’ve invested in each piece, I hope that you, too, will love the style in which I have presented this time honored tradition!

We love your work, Lorelei! Good luck on your crafty endeavours and keep us posted!

Warmly,
Vanessa

Love this month's artist? Visit her shop at www.threadsofbeauty.etsy.com

The Emily Bloomer

I love the monochromatic nature of winter. Getting my Spring collection prepared for March has be such a colour-shock! It's like stepping out into bright daylight after spending the day indoors.


{the emily bloomer}
I love teal; it's such a bright, cheery colour. It reminds me of rainy spring days.


I played around with a pattern in a baby book I bought, and gave it some loving adornments:


{lavender mohair flower and chocolate ribbon}


{soft white shell lace edging}
Teal is the preview colour number one for my Spring 2011 collection. More colours to come!

Besitos,
Vanessa

The Audrey Cardigan

After much tinkering with last Sunday's project, I finally worked my way through the pattern (with lots of improvision), resulting in this beautiful baby cardigan.


{The Audrey Cardigan}
The original pattern was classic, but a little plain. So after making and assembling the sleeves and body of the sweater, I started to design some finishing touches that would give it a vintage, classic baby girl look. I stitched a peter pan collar (which is my favourite collar; it's sooo childlike and vintage-feminine; I've changed quite a couple of collars on my jackets to this) to give more character, and stitched a shell lace edging down the front of the sweater to cover the buttons.


{peter pan collar}


{hidden buttons}
The sleeves were supposed to be full-length, but I shortened them to elbow-length and finished them in white picot-edging. The finishing touch is a small vintage-style button at the very top of the collar.


{picot edging}



{vintage-style button}
I absolutely love this cardigan; I will definitely make more and put them in my Etsy shop.

Besitos,
Vanessa

Winter Wonderland

It snowed overnight, and we awakened to another beautiful morning; the bare trees, grey sky and covered ground makes everything look like a tranquil black and white photo.


And can I say? I absolutely love Winter. And grey days. For some reason, cloudy days cheer me up. There is something so comforting and calming about overcast skies and rainy or snowy days. I'll take them anytime over sunny days. I hope it snows for my wedding.


I hope you get a moment of warmth and comfort today; I'm off to make a cup of hot cocoa.

Besitos,
Vanessa