Joshua Tree, California

World Famous Crochet Museum

An old California photo stand has been turned into a shrine to the cozy art of crochet.

The incredibly appropriately named Shari Elf was not even thinking of her crochet obsession when she purchased the disused photo-processing booth in Joshua Tree, California, that now houses the self-titled World Famous Crochet Museum.

Elf had been collecting crochet items since the early 90s, years before she decided to purchase the roadside hut that now houses her collection. After just happening on the stand, she purchased it without a real idea of what she would do with it. Once she acquired it, however, she moved it to its current Joshua Tree home and covered it in a layer of blinding green paint. Her collection of crocheted items had been placed in storage, but she carted it back out and arranged it along the new shelves she built inside.

Among the eclectic collection you’ll find just about every conceivable type of item, represented in crochet form. There are animals like poodles (Elf’s original crochet subject), bears, and unicorns. There are also more abstract designs like smiley faces and lumpy little creations that are less identifiable.

The upbeat collection celebrates the eclectic tastes of its owner as much as it does the art of crochet, but with few other contenders to the title, this little roadside oddity may just be as famous as its sign claims.

Know Before You Go

The museum is free and open 24/7. It's located toward the back of a vacant lot, near the Joshua Tree Saloon. From the entrance gate, keep heading to the back of the lot. There is free parking as well.