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While we know it’s not true, some people still think that knitting and crocheting is still just an old-fashioned hobby reserved for grandmas in rocking chairs.  Now there’s not anything wrong with knitting in a rocking chair (that sounds amazing right now, actually), but as a hobby, knitting and crocheting have moved so far beyond that point, that it’s not right to limit it to a stereotype.  Yarn is more than just something our grandma’s used to work with; it’s a bold medium that everyone – at any age – can use to express themselves artistically.

At the Craft & Hobby Association Winter 2012 Conference and Trade Show  in Anaheim, Calif., which I had the pleasure of attending, it seemed that yarn companies were adamant on showing just how artistic and fashionable yarn can be!  Not sure what I mean?  Read on – and don’t miss our special surprise at the end of this post!

Lion Brand Yarn sign from CHA. “Yarn is Art.”

One of my favorite booths, and I must admit they have an amazing setup every year, was Lion Brand Yarn’s booth.  Aside from the adorable sign that proudly claimed, “Yarn is art,” they had several standout pieces all designed from the talented Lion Brand Yarn team that I couldn’t wait to share with you.  If these pictures don’t scream modern art, I don’t know what does:

Lion Brand Yarn exhibit at CHA

Lion Brand Yarn exhibit at CHA

I wish I could hang that last one on my wall in my apartment.  If your house needs a dose of edgy decor, this trendy afghan should do the trick – just hang it up on a plain wall for an instant piece of modern art.   Love it. I might have to get my hands on more Lion Brand Yarn and try to make one for myself!

And just in case the first two innovative pieces from above didn’t prove their point, the Lion Brand team also concocted this incredible sculpture-like dress below made out of felted knit leaves.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves:

Lion Brand Yarn exhibit at CHA

Before we move on to other yarn goodies, another really cool thing that Lion Brand did this year was reach out to design schools from all over the world.  The challenge? Make a stunning piece of wearable art using Lion Brand products.  The result?  Twenty two modern designs were featured throughout Lion Brand’s booth and during their annual fashion show.  I don’t have room to show them all, but here are a few of my favorite designs:

Dress designed by emerging designer, Heater Orr, with Cotton-Ease from Lion Brand Yarn

Designed by emerging designer, Gretchen Kreutz, using Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn by Lion Brand

Yarn flowers made with Simplicity Bloom Loom

If you’re not a big fan of wearing flowers, Bernat’s booth showed a great example of how crochet flowers can be used as colorful accents in home decor.  Don’t you love this chair:

Chair covered with crocheted flowers at Bernat’s booth

For those fashionistas out there who can’t get enough of ruffles, I’m pleased to tell you that ruffles and ribbon yarn is the new trend with many yarn companies!  Going along with the yarn is art theme, Red Heart has plenty of gorgeous artisan-like products coming out in the next few months.  One of my favorites was the light, airy and shimmery yarn called Sashay which will be available in new colors in April 2012.  The yarn itself is made out of ribbon-like material, making it ruffle.  Here’s what it looks like all knitted up:

Pretty stylish, right?  Remember, yarn can be used as an artistic way to dress up our wardrobe, as well as the walls!  Love that scarf and want to make it now?  Learn how to create your own similar scarf on FaveCrafts.

So tell us, have you ever used yarn to decorate your home?

P.S. Want to win a swag bag of crafty goodies from CHA?  Enter our contest before February 10!