Christmas in July day 13

Headbands continue to have a following.  I will admit to using these on occasion.  The reasons why people wear these instead of hats are many and varied.  There are some who wear them with hats as well.

Here are some quick and easy patterns

Ribbed headband

Fair Isle headband plus matching mittens

crocheted Headband

and finally  cold weather cables

Some of these sites require registration.  All are free.  Sign in to access your preferred pattern.

Christmas in July day 9

Hats are a quick and easy project.  The can go from simple watch caps to more elaborate creations like jester hats and beyond.

There are also books dedicated to hats sold in Michaels.  Check the selection at your local store.  Here are a few links to free patterns.  

wear-it-well-beanie

Judy's hat

Electric ear flap hat

Hats for everyone in the family - crochet

Hats for everyone in the family - knit

Yarn and How Much Do I Need?

As an ongoing part of the series of questions I get frequently asked, How much yarn do I need for X? tops the list right at the same number of times as What kind of needles should I use?

Yarn choices are amazing.  There are so many new things out there on the market to try.  But this post is to deal with How much not fiber content.  Although fiber content can make a difference, weight does make a difference in how much to purchase.

There are generalities I can point to for a quick answer but that doesn't begin to get an accurate number for how much do I need?  yarn yardage requirements is a quick link to Lion Brand Company's chart for very basic information for both knit and crochet.

You need to know your gauge with a specific yarn.  You need to know how big your project needs to be.  You need to know what kind of drape you want your project to have.  An example is you don't want a floppy drape-y fiber like alpaca would give you if you are doing a tailored jacket that needs to hold its shape.  You also don't want a crisp yarn when your project should be molding to your curves or cuddling baby.  All of these have to be taken into account.  You should also wash your swatch.  Your fiber choice could relax into an ocean sized puddle when gotten wet or shrivel like a prune.  Wouldn't it be better to have that happen to a swatch than an afghan or sweater?

But, you say, I'm using acrylic/polyester/super wash wool!  Even those fibers can react to water or even just knitting or crocheting in unexpected ways.  Please don't ever wash synthetic fibers in hot, hot water and then dry in a hot dryer.  You can kill the spring in the fiber.  

More will be posted on this topic in the future.  This is just to get you thinking.  If you have questions, post a comment.  It will be addressed.

Time to start thinking about Christmas

It's time to start thinking about what gifts you are going to make for family and friends.  Does Mom need a new pair of fingerless mitts?  Maybe Dad or Husband needs a new hat to stay warm while working on snow removal.  Warm socks would find a welcome home with anyone on your gift list.  Does someone need an afghan in a drafty house?  Classes that teach the techniques for these ideas and more are going to be starting up in August.

What is your knitting or crocheting gift list looking like?  Are you doing anything for coworkers?  Do you create for charity?  Let the me know in a comment.

Are there techniques you would like to learn that I have not offered?    Let me know of interests you have.  I'm always interested in what others might want to learn.

Do you have a wish to see matching hand crafted stockings to hang by your fireplace?  A Granny pentagon or an elongated sock design can both help fulfill this wish.

How about a knit tree skirt?  Crocheted snowflakes or icicles?  A nice crocheted popcorn garland to wrap around the tree?

Have you had a desire to knit a sweater for a gift?  Pattern ideas will be coming in the future.  Check with yarn companies for patterns for a start.

         www.lionbrand.com  www.caron.com    http://www.patonsyarns.com/       www.redheart.com
           http://www.michaels.com/Yarn-Needle-Crafts/projects-yarnandneedlecrafts,default,sc.html

New Classes Scheduled

Well, Lent and Easter are over.  I hope everyone had a nice holiday vacation.  I know I did.  Even though I cooked for the family like I do every year, I got to spend a lot of time with my husband and son that I don't normally have due to work conflicts.

Festival season will be starting soon.  I co-chair my church's festival each year.  During that time for set up, festival week, and clean up, I will not be running classes.  You will notice a gap in the class line up from the middle of June until the end of July.  This is why there is a gap.  I look forward to doing more blogging in the future.

Here is a schedule of my beginner knit classes.  Below you can find the advanced knit classes and both beginner and advanced crochet classes.  I look forward to each one of these classes.

Discover Knit Stitch Class

May 24  6 – 8:30 pm

July 26  6 – 8:30 pm

August 23  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Purl Stitch Class

May 31  6 – 8:30 pm

August 2  6 – 8:30 pm

August 30  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Pattern Stitches Class

May 10  6 – 8:30 pm

June 7  6 – 8:30 pm

August 9  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Cables Class

June 14 6 – 8:30 pm

August 16  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Single Crochet

May 21  6 – 8:30 pm

July 23  6 – 8:30 pm

August 20  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover the Tall Stitches of Crochet

May 29  6 – 8:30 pm

July 30  6 – 8:30 pm

August 27  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Textured Stitches

June 4  6 – 8:30 pm

August 6  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Granny Squares

June 11 6 – 8:30 pm

August 27  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Baby Knits Class

May 25  6 – 8:30 pm

July 31  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Mitered Knitting Class

June 1  6 – 8:30 pm

July 27 6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Fair Isle Class

June 8  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Advanced Knitting Classes

May 11 6-8:30 pm Intarsia

June 15 6-8:30 pm  Beaded Knitting

August 3 6 – 8:30 pm  Socks Pt. 1 – Example sock

August 10 6 – 8:30 pm Socks Pt. 2 – Cuff, Leg and Heel

August 17 6 – 8:30 pm Socks Pt. 3 – Foot, Toe and Graft of Toe 

Discover Baby Crochet Class

May 23  6 – 8:30 pm

July 25  6 – 8:30 pm

August 22  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Throws and Wraps in Crochet Class

May 30  6 – 8:30 pm

August 29 6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Crochet Gifts Class

June 6  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Advanced Crochet Classes

June 13 6-8:30 pm Beaded Crochet