For anyone who hasn't been lucky enough to attend a screening of the indie craft movement documentary, Handmade Nation, you can now purchase a copy of the film on DVD. The DVDs are available through Buy Olympia, which also happens to be one of the businesses profiled in the film. [via Sublime Stitching]

Longcat is long, and so is this longcat scarf by Etsy seller xHezaChanx. [Thanks, Sarah!]

PT @ MAKE points us to this "Know It All No 2 Pencil Set" on Etsy. These would really help me out, since it takes continual, persistent repetition in order for me to commit anything to memory. I wish they made a set with my most frequently called phone numbers for when I lock my self out of my apartment.

I am thrilled to see that our pal, Kristin, of Craft Leftovers has created a set of hand embroidery patterns, of which the first installment is now available in her shop. Her drawings are always so lovely, and beg to be stitched. Now, she's created some for that express purpose. Her Crafty Buddies designs are adorable, and she's even offering up a freebie pattern of a cute-as-all-get-out thimble.

Robyn Devine of A Devine Life just launched the Three-Season Mitts E-Book for sale on Ravelry. The e-book is just $8 and features six unique patterns for hand/arm warmers, each one matching the personality of the friend she was making them for (or the level of warmth needed!). I love all the beautiful details in each pattern. From a subtle cable to a button accent, you'll be keeping your hands warm in style. You also have the option to purchase each pattern separately too. Make them for yourself or start working on your holiday gifts for friends.

As a special to CRAFT readers, Robyn is sharing with us her pattern for these awesome Sarah Mitts!

Download the PDF for the Sarah Mitts Pattern
(Note: If you are having problems viewing the PDF, please right-click on the link to download the file to your desktop.)

I've been a big fan of Terry Border's Bent Objects for a while now, and featured his Horrific Yarn Sculpture back in February. I've been following his progress on his upcoming book, and can't wait to get my hands on a copy. He's just released a trailer for the book that is hilarious and gives samples of his work as well as a few funny cameos from Border and his ... very limber cat. I laughed out loud throughout the trailer, and the images used are the Bent Objects sculptures that didn't make it in to the book. Looks like I better make my family don some ear plugs when the book arrives. Enjoy!

Related:
Bent Objects Horrific Yarn Sculpture

The latest installment of Craft Leftovers Monthly is now available, and is a mix of introductions to fall and Halloween History. They will be on sale until the 20th and then all orders will be sent out on the 22nd.

Kristin from Craft Leftovers writes:

October is such a great month to write a zine for - fall is so close, a touch of halloween, and the last bit of running around outside. Learn about halloweens past, my mom's adventure making costumes for me and my sister, folk lore, fairy houses, paper leaf garlands, and even stamp projects using out door found objects! And more. Of course more!

This month's kit is so fun! Bringing the Outdoors in with Weaving! It's a mini book about weaving with the outdoors + yarn + warp + mat board to weave on.

One of my longtime blog friends, Andrea Tung of Making Things created this adorable knitting pattern to make this Coquette Cocktail Hat. A name I like! You can pick up the pattern at Ravlery for £2.00 (or around $4).

Andrea writes:

How to be unforgettable; wear a beautiful hat! There is no other fashion accessory that can achieve what a hat can do. This miniature beret style cocktail hat was inspirited by the likes of old Hollywood film beauties, like Audrey Hepburn- graceful, sophisticated and full of personality. This is a speedy knitting project, so you can knit one up in time for a party of night out (possibly make one for all the girls for a hen night)! Or be bold! Wear it nonchalantly on the street and receive lots of smiles and attention from passing strangers! It is called "Coquette" after all; it's French for "flirt".

You can read my interview with Andrea back in 2006 on Make:Online (before we had Craftzine.com). Andrea is also the proprietor of Fable Handknit, an online shop she created that sells her luxurious baby alpaca yarn.

Kristin from Craft Leftovers writes:

Lately I have been dreaming of crochet, making sweaters, trivets, dishcloths, bears, baskets, just about anything I can think of. And this month's issue is all about that looped love: the history, its properties, different ways crochet patterns can be written - illustrated through three different crochet patterns - a basket, a face cloth, and a little amigurumi cat nip mouse. Plus some recipes, puzzles, and more. It's an issue with a little bit for everyone, whether you are a crocheter and want to be inspired or just curious about looping stitches together.

And this month's kit is sure to bring you some joy: A Clutch Duo - hook or circular needle clutch. You get a great vintage button, enough fabric to make your clutch, and the duo pattern + templates.

Here's more about the artist through his Etsy profile:

Tracy is inspired by objects found in nature,wet river rocks, the insides of trees,wildflowers,spots on salamanders, negative spaces,clear mountain creek water, fungis, patterns on rattlesnakes,mosses, lichens on rocks, smells on a summer night, rain that pours straight down in the evening at night in June, the lushness of the Smoky Mountains in July, looking at creek bottoms while under water, creatures under rocks, Tennessee in the cool green spring,the grand canyon in winter, and wide open spaces.

A few years ago, Monster Crochet shared a skeleton antimacassar she made for Halloween. She's just released the charts for creating your own skeleton antimacassar in knit, crochet or cross stitch. This would be a fun project to tackle to count down to Halloween, but I imagine you'd need to get started right away!

From the site:

The Punchneedle Handbook was designed to be a go-to reference book for all your punch needle questions, whether you're a complete beginner or you're looking for ways to improve your technique.

You'll find everything you need to know to get started in punchneedle, from equipment advice to detailed instructions on how to punch, and tips and techniques that will help you to create beautiful punchneedle embroideries in no time.

The comprehensive troubleshooting section covers 8 common problems you may see in your finished embroideries, together with easy methods to fix them and tips on how to prevent them from happening in future.

With ideas and techniques for how to finish your work and turn it into eye-catching wallhangings, appliques, cushions and more, The Punchneedle Handbook is the only miniature punchneedle book you'll ever need!

Kristin writes:

This months kit is pretty neat. All the supplies you need to make your own codex bound sketchbook - boards for the cover, scrap paper to fill it, waxed linen thread, and a curved needle for stitching. Included in the kit is a brand new mini book: Stitch and Sketch IT!

In this issue there are articles on:

- How to make your own charcoal
- Book reviews for books about drawing - from Instructional to Inspirational
- Sew your own Pencil Wrap
- A great right up on an enthusiastic draftsman Micheal Nobb
- And of course many other fun things that will just have to remain a surprise to you

You can get a 3 month subscription, 1 month subscription or just the August zine in the Craft Leftovers shop!

And make sure to check out the Zine and Mini Book section of the shop for all the back issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly, just added are February, January, and December for the first time.

We are psyched beyond belief about the upcoming Maker Faire Bay Area, just a week and a half away! We wanted to remind you about the fun and excitement that'll go down at the Bazaar Bizarre portion of the Faire, an indie craft/art/design marketplace. Bazaare Bizarre is proud to announce that half of this year's lineup is new and emerging crafters (never have vended at a craft show before)! Please check out the vendor gallery to see who'll be at the Faire, and check out Doug MacNeil's vendor interviews. We can't wait to see you there!

The photo above is of Xylocopa, a laser-loving crafter couple who make unique wooden jewelry and home accessories, and will be at Maker Faire's Bazaar Bizarre this year again, yay!