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All the United States California Joshua Tree World Famous Crochet Museum
AO Edited

World Famous Crochet Museum

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

Joshua Tree, California

Added By
Kevan Toombs
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CAPTION
The World Famous Crochet Museum.   Samir S. Patel (Atlas Obscura User)
Some of the collection up close.   Samir S. Patel (Atlas Obscura User)
Shari Elf, Queen of Crochet.   Samir S. Patel (Atlas Obscura User)
Some advice and musings from Shari Elf.   Samir S. Patel (Atlas Obscura User)
The entire collection on display.   lasvegashoosier / Atlas Obscura User
It’s a real museum and only asks for a 25cent donation-if you can find the can!   Circus MamaV / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
August 2020 via instagram.com/factory_girl   hoursvary / Atlas Obscura User
  joeypesto / Atlas Obscura User
It all started with poodle soap bottle covers   Avoiding Regret
Welcome sign   Avoiding Regret
A crocheted version of the museum itself   Avoiding Regret
September 2022   RobNZ / Atlas Obscura User
  scott 78cd95f6 / Atlas Obscura User
August 2020 via instagram.com/factory_girl   hoursvary / Atlas Obscura User
  chasepopt / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2019   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
  MtnLady / Atlas Obscura User
  MtnLady / Atlas Obscura User
  robnasby / Atlas Obscura User
🤌🏼   xkettnerdx / Atlas Obscura User
  metexanvt / Atlas Obscura User
Crochet Museum   deannatrusty / Atlas Obscura User
  Circus MamaV / Atlas Obscura User
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About

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 1990s, 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. She later moved it to its current Joshua Tree home and covered it in a layer of lime-green paint. Her collection of crocheted items had been placed in storage, but she carted it 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, 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. With few other contenders to for the title, this little roadside oddity may just be as famous as its sign claims.   

Related Tags

Roadside Attractions Collections Art

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.

Community Contributors

Added By

lasvegashoosier

Edited By

pragmatica, ScottFromWyoming, erjeffery, Avoiding Regret...

  • pragmatica
  • ScottFromWyoming
  • erjeffery
  • Avoiding Regret
  • metexanvt
  • matthewtaub
  • RobNZ
  • ccesare
  • chasepopt
  • hoursvary
  • Circus MamaV
  • robnasby
  • scott 78cd95f6
  • MtnLady
  • xkettnerdx
  • causeiwander
  • joeypesto
  • deannatrusty

Published

October 13, 2020

Updated

January 10, 2024

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Sources
  • http://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2014/06/19/world-famous-crochet-museum-unique-attractions/11027085/
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/43121
World Famous Crochet Museum
61855 Twentynine Palms Highway
Joshua Tree, California, 92252
United States
34.134911, -116.313784
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