Colors, like people, play off each other. Highlighting, complimenting, contrasting. Suggest a couple and color and win 50% off, during this celebration of color + love. . . . → Read More: 3rd Annual Month of Love Contest
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It’s been a while since I’ve talked about yarn (the New Year brought new projects), but it is still my first love. Sometimes I forget and wander into the land of launching a yarn store in 12 days or teaching other yarnies…but all it takes is one great pattern to pull me right back to my first love! This granny square is what drew my fervent adoration this week. Or maybe it was this entire rainbow-colored blog. Or maybe it was Mercedes of Kitchen Sink Dyeworks (she’s kitchensinkdye on Twitter), who is crocheting the most amazing granny squares from her handpainted yarn.
(yarn dyed, squares crocheted and photograph taken by Mercedes) But once I fell into this granny square vortex, I started scarfing up granny square information. How to Granny from Meet Me at Mike’s How to Granny from Purl Bee And then I . . . → Read More: Cro-Crazy I’ll confess, I am not a pattern-follower. And thus, I very rarely buy patterns. But occaisionally there are patterns so suited to a specific person, so unique, unlike anything I could design on my own and so beautifully photographed that I know purchasing the pattern is the only way to make the great item. The following patterns meet those standards and would be just the thing to shock your not-knitting gift recipients. (all of these links are to the Ravelry page, if you’re not on Ravelry, sign up, already! It’s free and fabulous!) French Press Felted Slippers – I NEED these! Need! Yarn Harlot’s Pretty Thing – such a pretty lacey cowl. Smith – Squee! A tiny stuffed hedgehog. Adorableness! Felted Clogs – Everyone in the world wants warm feet in winter. These clogs are the squooshiest! What’s your favorite pattern to knit into gifts? New knitter? Know one? Check out the (free) 7 Tips for New Knitters! . . . → Read More: 7 Tips for New Knitters For the past month, I’ve been asking you questions about your “learn to knit” experiences, because I’ve been creating a Learn to Knit kit (available next Tuesday!) Today I want to answer those questions and suggest that you read the comments ya’ll posted, because there are some sweet, hilarious and amazing answers! I think they show the multitude of ways people learn and adapt to something as individual as knitting. And if you don’t knit yet? Sign up for my free Maybe-Knitters e-course to help you decide if knitting might be for you. How did you Learn to Knit? I taught myself from Debbie Stollar’s Stitch N Bitch book, after having attempted to teach myself from another, far more dificult book. Debbie’s way of explaining things just made it all easier. AND that book turned me onto the wonder of Craftster.org and Knitty.com. Any question a new knitter has will . . . → Read More: Learning to Knit – My story I’ve been working on the (soon to come!) Learn to Knit kit (get it 50% off by signing up here) and writing a pattern that will be good for beginners but not too boring. Scarves, in my opinion, take MUCH too long for a brand-new knitter! Thy need something quicker, to feel that sense of accomplishment. And that got me wondering: What was your first knitting project? Leave your story in the comments. (Not a knitter? Think you might be? Sign up for the Maybe-Knitter e-course (free!) to find out) Last week you shared wonderful stories of learning to knit. (If you haven’t read them yet, you don’t want to miss it!) I’ve taught all different ages and abilities to knit (from 8 yr old boys to their grandmas!) and it seems everyone has a different perspective on what was (or wasn’t) difficult about the learning process. Some learned from a book and couldn’t get the “scooping” part of the stitch (that would be me!). Some learned from a family member that insisted you were doing it “wrong”. Some know how to knit, but if they go too long between sessions, they completely forget what to do (hi Mom!) What did you find challenging about learning to knit? Did it come easily? Or slowly? Please share your challenges in the comments! (Not a knitter? Think you might be? Sign up for the Maybe-Knitter e-course (free!) to find out) . . . → Read More: What’s challenging about learning to knit? How’d you learn to knit? . . . → Read More: How did YOU learn to knit? Today I’m interviewed on the Someday Syndrome, which is a website dedicated to helping you move past the “somedays” we all have. It’s a short interview and I talk a bit about the pity party I had for myself before I started selling yarn. If you’ve come here from the Someday Syndrome: Welcome! If you’re not a knitter, but you think you might like to someday start, why don’t you sign up for my free Maybe-knitter Mini-course? Maybe-Knitters FREE Mini-Course Email Address:* You’ll get 5 little tips on finding a local knitting group or teacher, the resources that I used to teach myself to knit and an early-bird discount when my Learn to Knit kit goes on sale. . . . → Read More: Fighting the Someday Syndrome & Learning to Knit I’ve heard from a few of you that you’d like a little notice when things are new in the Boutique. Since I add new things daily, it seems reasonable to do a little weekly round-up. And what day is better than Friday for rounding up? This week it was all about the Handspun Organic Cotton, in candy colors: Cherry
Hydrangea
Rosy Butter
Leaf
If you’re not sure what to make with Handspun Organic Cotton, check out these suggestions. Speaking of making, I loved this interview with crocheter/artist Ana Voog. What’s your fiber-y week been like? . . . → Read More: Fiber Friday – Cotton-licious Edition |
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