Thursday, August 29, 2013

Beekeeper's Quilt



Wheee! The beekeeper’s quilt! ♥
Made of little stuffed honeycomb shaped puffy pockets.
We call ‘em HEXIPUFFS! ♥
Use leftover scrap sock wool & it doesn’t have to be lined because it’s puffy & double sided!
The hexipuffs are fun to make because they’re smushy, cute & feel like a little finished project all by themselves.
wheeee I love tossing them in the basket!
Oh yes, and they are knitted in the round ♥
I made a video blog with more info about them here: http://vimeo.com/26832987
This project is most rewarding if you knit it “on the go.” It’s so portable! I had a little bag with me in my purse at all times.
(and in the car too!)
All of my hexipuffs were made during “in-between” times over the span of one year. It’s really fun to add your new little hexipuff to the honeycomb basket.
Knit them while you are waiting in lines, waiting for dinner, talking to friends, in the car etc. and see how many you end up with. :)
Pattern includes:
lots of photos, photo tutorial on the quick, easy way to join the hexipuffs, full color charts for duplicate stitch flowers.
(poppies ~shown~ & violets)
ps. joining them is QUICK & EASY! i joined my whole quilt together in 2 days. :) (full photo tutorial in the pattern) ♥
They are joined at the corners with simple quilt-ties for better “flop-a-bility”
(Also: Because of the way they are connected, if one gets damaged or stained, they can be lifted out easily 1 at a time to be replaced :)

Suggested yarns - Poems Sock, Saki Bamboo, Whisper Lace, Alpaca Lace, Heritage, Kid Seta, Cherub Baby, Baby Ull, On Line Supersocke, or Huasco yarns.

This Just In...

50 Knitted Gifts for Year-Round Giving

Looking for just the right gift to knit, but can’t find just the right pattern? 50 Knitted Gifts for Year-Round Giving presents dozens of inspired projects for the whole family, for every occasion throughout the year. Patterns include home decorating items, toys, personal accessories, and garments, all with special touches to reflect the occasion or season.

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Discover the perfect beginning and ending for every knitting project! This one-of-a-kind reference presents more than 50 ways to cast on and bind off, creating edges that are tighter, looser, stretchier, lacier, longer-lasting, prettier--whatever your project needs, you’ll find it here. Detailed instructions for each technique are combined with step-by-step photography so that nothing is left to chance. At-a-glance charts identify the right cast on or bind off for various types of knitting, as well as cast on/bind off pairs that work well together. This indispensable guide will ensure that all of your knitting projects are polished and pleasing, from start to finish!

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Finally, a One-Skein Wonders book just for crocheters! Edie Eckman and Judith Durant offer 101 great crochet projects -- from jewelry and scarves to bags, hats, dresses, and home dec items -- that each use just one skein of yarn. Whatever your experience level, you'll find something here to delight you!



In Knitting Gifts for Baby, Mel Clark has created a timeless collection of baby knits. Her unique designs are both eye-catching and practical, with patterns for newborns through to toddlers. A wrap for a newborn in deliciously soft organic cotton, a cute fishing vest with lots of pockets, for the toddler who likes to collect “treasure” and an easy cardigan knit from the top down that requires almost no finishing are just a few of the patterns that will appeal to knitters, both new and experienced. What better way to celebrate a new arrival, or a first or second birthday for that matter, than with a unique knitted gift made just for baby.

9780307965707

Dare to Wear Crochet in More Ways Than OneConvertible Crochet is a brand new way to think about crochet fashion, exploded lace motifs, and flattering silhouettes. Award-winning designer Doris Chan helps you get more out of crochet with these endlessly adaptable patterns and techniques that can work with a variety of different looks, personal styles, and body shapes. You'll learn to personalize these designs by easily making alterations, adding removable elements, or simply styling the piece in an ingenious new way. Make it once. Wear it again and again.



Learn the must-have basics of sweater construction and ways to achieve better-fitting garments!
Best-selling author of Blueprint Crochet Robyn Chachula presents an approachable resource on the basics of crochet design. This friendly introduction to sweater and garment construction will give you a deeper understanding of working with crochet and help you make better-fitting garments in the process.

In this collection of 16 patterns, Robyn focuses on four basic garment types and their variations-"classic" construction (including raglan, drop-sleeve, and side-saddle sleeve); unique construction (side-to-side or from the bottom up, around the shoulder, and back down); motif construction; and top-down (both round and raglan types).

The perfect introduction to the building blocks of crochet sweater construction, Blueprint Crochet Sweaters breaks down intimidating garment design into easily digestible parts, offering a deeper appreciation and understanding of how to create projects that reflect your own personal style.




Dive into a must-have for handknitting and interior design enthusiasts. Makes a perfect gift, too!
Add personality and interest to any room with beautifully designed and handcrafted knitted pieces from Ruth Cross's Knits at Home. You'll enjoy exploring different handknit patterns-from throws to fitted covers, elegant wall hangings to floor rugs that have a beautiful, organic feel. Starting with the very basics of simple knitting and purling and progressing to add further texture and embellishment, Ruth guides you through a range of stitch patterns and techniques that can be adapted to different shapes and sizes.

Ruth not only offers elegant and appealing home decor projects; she also gives you the techniques to design organic and freeform home items of your own. Taking an experimental approach, Ruth combines traditional stitches with new stitches she has devised herself, with unexpected and striking results. With help from Knits at Home, you'll create completely personal pieces that will light up any room.




Go beyond the basics! Learn how to convert flat patterns to circular techniques with 12 classic, beautiful projects suitable for all ages.
With The Art of Seamless Knitting, take your knowledge of top-down, bottom-up, and seamless knitting to a higher level by adapting lace, cable, and color patterns to circular knitting and shaping techniques. The book delves deep, showing different modes of construction and stitch pattern adaptations for seamless (or nearly-seamless) knits while also offering a sophisticated collection of elegant and timeless designs that knit up quickly, give a custom fit, and do not require sewing.

The Art of Seamless Knitting is the go-to hands-on reference book that will be a staple in any knitter's library.


Crocheted Accessories


This sumptuous step-by-step guide unites traditional crochet skills with contemporary fashion styles and icons. Crocheted Accessories introduces crochet makers of all abilities to a new vista of exciting possibilities. The book aims to give beginners the confidence to tackle exciting projects, as well as inspire intermediate crochet makers to develop new skills and dexterity. Vanessa Mooncie takes the reader on a making journey, explaining the techniques needed to produce a wide range of vibrant and exhilarating pieces; from intricate bumble bee brooch pins and vintage-inspired tattoo emblem brooches to delicate flower posy corsages and charming heart-shaped rings. Each chapter includes a project that all levels of makers can accomplish, as well as history boxes explaining the development of crochet through the ages. Projects include: fantail dove brooch, daffodil headband, mod target cufflinks, love heart tattoo brooch, trinket charm bracelet and oak leaf necklace.

Photographs by Karen Pearson.

Knit to Flatter is about learning to celebrate the body you have been given, and creating sweaters that make you look and feel great.
Part instruction manual and part pattern collection, Knit to Flatter teaches you how to assess your shape and then knit accordingly.
I present silhouettes and styles that work with each body shape, along with four ideal sweater patterns per category. Several more designs are then given to work especially well with various figure elements, like a large or small bust or curvy or straight waist.
Of course, all designs are crafted to be easy to modify, and include suggestions for tailoring the sweater to your needs. Like all of my designs, each pattern is written in 10 sizes, and the garments are photographed on a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some samples even include bust darts, and those sample instructions are provided with the pattern.



50 adorable designs from Norah Gaughan and the Berroco Design Team.

Remember we always offer a 20% discount on all books!

This Just In...

New handmade wooden items, needles and sewing items...







Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Yarn of the Week - Alpaca Lace

Alpaca Lace is the yarn of the week - enjoy a 10% discount.



Fiber:100% Baby Alpaca
Yardage:50 gr / 437 yds
Gauge:28 sts = 4" (10 cm) - US 2
Wash:Hand Wash Cold, Lay Flat to Dry
No Bleach

More Patterns.

Surge



A wave-like pattern of staggered shells, combined with a soft wool yarn with a long color repeat and subtle color changes gives you Surge - the colors of the beach rolling one on top of another.
This toasty wrap is crocheted from a center foundation chain out to each end, and the buttoned, slot and tab finish gives you more visual interest at the shoulder. One size fits most, a more customized fit can be achieved by lengthening or shortening the length of the piece before the decreases, or changing the button position to suit your own curves.
Intermediate level crochet
654 yards worsted weight wool (model shown used Wisdom Yarn Poems in color #473)
Hook size H/8/5.00 mm or size needed to get gauge
Two 1 1/8” - 1 1/4” shank buttons
ERRATA on early versions:
First Half Row 5: … )3 times, sk 3 dc, 4 dc in next sc, hdc in each of next 3 sc…
First Half Row 26: Work bracketed instructions 2 times, not 3 times
First Half Row 32: Ch 1, turn at end of row.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Fairy Castles



i have needed a little home for my
DPNs and crochet hooks for quite some time.
these fairy castles unroll and keep them all
tucked up safely inside. ♥
the roofs are attached with elastic cord, and the
front snaps closed with some hefty magnets so
they can be popped in a knitting bag for easy travel ♥
these are knitted & felted.
EEEEK these have made me fairy happy.
sorry. i had to.
~~~~~ pattern available ~~~~~
the mini castle holds tapestry & cable needles
the grey castle holds crochet hooks
the brown castle holds DPNs
mini castle holds up to 5 tapestry needles
crochet castle holds hooks B(1) - K(10.5)
dpn castle holds needles US 1- 11
(very detailed instructions are included for all 3
castles with notes on felting and assembly… also
instructions are given to include 5, 6, or 7 inch long dpns,
and to adjust for more hooks & needles in case you have lots!)

Suggested Yarns - Cascade 220.

Lip Balm from ACL



Amateur Chemistry Lab sells both conventional and vegan, handmade lip balms. These lip balms are made with good-for-your-lip oils and come in a variety of great flavors like cream-cheese frosting, strawberry and honey. They are like lipsmackers for adults!

Monday, August 26, 2013

This Just in

New fall items are starting to come into the store...


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Gnome Homes



These
 gnomes 
ate my 
double pointed needles!

Naughty naughty gnomes…
but wait? hmmm. kinda handy.
The hats pop up & snap back down with elastic
and reveal a set of dpns tucked safely inside.
The gnomes are felted,
(but they dont mind, they needed a bath anyway.)
Plus, they are a LOT easier to make than they look

Let 
the 
gnomes 
help 
you
 organize 
those 
little
 sticks.
fits dpns sizes 0-5 and lengths 5”, 6”, 7”.

Suggested yarns - Whisper Lace, Kid Seta, or Alpaca Lace.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Otto





A cute baby polar bear toy knit without seams on double pointed needles. Otto was designed to be round and cuddly but still easy for little hands to grasp. He knits up quickly and the size can be varied by changing the weight of yarn used. Otto would make a wonderful gift for any kid, or adult.
Because size is not crucial to this project the gauge does not need to be matched exactly and the overall size can be changed by changing the yarn weight and needle size. The most important thing is to work Otto at a relatively tight gauge to create a firm fabric without holes that the stuffing can poke through. If you are using a different yarn weight you should use needles to achieve a tighter than recommended gauge.

YOTW - Dolce Merino

This week enjoy a 10% discount on Dolce Merino.


A sweet 50/50 blend of merino and microfiber, Dolce Merino is a DK weight yarn available in a palette of 42 colors. Great for colorwork and complex stitch patterns, this high twist yarn adds wonderful stitch definition to a slight sheen --- creating lasting garments and accessories.

Pattern Ideas.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

WIP Wednesday - Group

Join us for stitching group this Wednesday from 4 to 7. Any handwork is welcome.






 



Featherweight Wrap to Knit



Lighter-than-air -- wear it when a mild breeze stirs, or to dress up your favorite blue jeans and tee or tank, this wrap flatters all figures with its flared shape-- see photo of back.
Worked top-down in one piece, it has optional short row shaping at the top of the elbow-length sleeves which are shaped with decreases on the top and undersides. The long shawl edge can be pinned or belted.
This pattern is easy to make without the short rows at the top of the sleeve; with short rows it is intermediate. Sleeves are picked up and knit down from the armholes in the round.
Skill level: EASY
 
Yarn Suggestions - Poems Sock, Saki Bamboo, Whisper Lace, Alpaca Lace, Heritage, Kid Seta, Cherub Baby, Baby Ull, On Line Supersocke, Extra Twist Merino, or Huasco yarns.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

This Just In...

New fun items in Theresa's Booth...





Starry Night Cardigan to Knit



Knitted from the top down, the length is easily customized. The short sleeves are banded by a cuff that gives the arm symmetry, and its one button closure makes it swing with just the right amount of flare. Fitted sleeves are worked with vertical decreases below the shoulder and increases under the arm. Knit in worsted weight yarn, using a circular needle, it quickly turns into an indispensable garment.” Gauge is over garter stitch. The only sewing is under the arms! (From the Patternfish catalog page.)
Skill level: EASY

Suggested Yarns - Casablanca, Cherub Aran, Eco Duo, Pacific, Pima Silk, Classic Shades, Cotton Supreme, Good Earth, and Poems, Cascade 220 ®, or 220 Superwash.

Sausalito



This cross-front cardigan flatters so many figures and has been a bestseller from day one.

Suggested Yarns - Casablanca, Cherub Aran, Eco Duo, Pacific, Pima Silk, Classic Shades, Cotton Supreme, Good Earth, and Poems, Cascade 220 ®, or 220 Superwash.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Stitching Group Tonight

Don't forget to come and share your WIPs or finished projects with us. WIP Wednesday in the classroom from 4 to 7. Everyone is welcome with any type of handwork.