It wasn't until spring of 2022 that I decided to get more serious about my business, and the first thing that needed to be re-vamped was the name! I chose Charm and Strange after some lyrics in the song Downward by the band Ripe. Ripe has described themselves as seeking to look at love and happiness with the same depth that many artists look at grief and sorrow - a sentiment that is clearly reflected in all of their music, and one that resonates with me greatly as I have always been optimistic (almost to a fault). My goal as a crochet shop owner is to help you reduce your waste in and around the house. This is a goal that I have had for myself for a long time, and I want to make it easier for you to produce less waste as well! I know that when most people think about crocheted goods, they think of hats and scarves, so I carry a signature design that I love making for each of those as well. And how could I be Charm and Strange without my all-time best-selling item, Hats for Cats? These may not fit in to my goal of being "practical and functional," but they certainly add a degree of charm and quirk into the life of a cat owner. As if it were destiny, the cotton yarn that I have found to be the softest and the most durable is also made from 85% recycled cotton. This means that it saves the manufacturer 1,500 liters of water for every 75 gram ball over producing a ball of all-new cotton yarn! Even the paper label they put around each ball is made from 100% recycled paper, so I know they also have a commitment to sustainability. Sustainability is also why your packaging might look a little funny. Reusing is generally more effective than recycling, especially when it comes to plastic - so I reuse the packaging from my own online shopping to package orders from my shop. This also helps to keep my shipping costs down as I don't have to spend money on new packing materials - which is why I am able to offer free shipping on all orders at Charm and Strange Crochet! Most of the items in the shop are made from the above mentioned 85% cotton, 15% polyester yarn. Anything that is not cotton is made from a 100% acrylic yarn. This means that everything in the shop is machine washable (gentle cycle preferred) and technically dryer safe. Some shrinkage may occur, so I always recommend air drying your Charm and Strange Crochet items; if you do use the dryer, please use your lowest heat setting (or no heat if you have that option). Everything made at Charm and Strange Crochet is 100% handmade by me, Kate. I live in a smoke-free home with a cat in the metro Detroit area. If you have a severe cat allergy, please consider this when placing an order. My cat does not have access to my yarn storage, but I often work on the couch where he loves to snuggle with me. (Sometimes I have to shove him off of my lap just to be able to work!) Your order will not arrive covered in cat fur by any means, but if you need to order from a pet-free home, I understand. At this time, I can only ship to the United States and US territories/military bases.
