Happy Yarnsgiving!!

 Have you heard about this? It's all about making with yarn and giving that thing at Thanksgiving.  This is the second year for yarnsgiving.  It was started by the Craft Yarn Council of America.  Designers get together and create new and beautiful things for knitters and crocheters to make to give away.  Now, if you think it's just something like creating yarn dolls, think again.  Last year's submissions were creative and fabulous.  Check out the website here 

Yarnsgiving runs from I Love Yarn Day, October 12, to Giving Tuesday, December 2.  In the spirit of donating, the inspiration is to create things for donation to Warm Up America.  Warm Up America offers blankets and warm winter accessories for people who struggle with homelessness, being below the poverty level for basic necessities.  

I'm planning to offer both a knit design and a crochet design.  My knit design submission will be a cowl.  I am thinking of a striped cowl with leaves in lace.  My crochet design submission will be a napkin ring featuring a turkey.

In my mind, they look fabulous.  Now to get the patterns written, the prototype done, the pictures taken, and everything submitted.  Come craft along with us.

Yarnsgiving has a list of sponsors we will support.  The perennial favorite Red Heart is listed.  This has been a workhorse in my area for close to 60 years.  Also in the yarn department will be yarnspirations that support the Caron brand and Bernat brand.  

This year's colors come from Pantone's line of paints.  They are beautiful colors.  I want to go to the paint department and pick up swatches of the colors for shopping for yarn,  I will link the colors in a new post when I get them.

tiny travel purse

Last year due to the weather, my husband and I have had to rearrange our rooms a bit.  As much as I like winter, this one has been a challenge at times.  But due to that new set-up, I came across the small purse I crocheted for the trips we have taken.  I really like it as I can tuck it in a pocket if necessary or carry it on my wrist. In spite of its size it holds a lot.  I carried my husband's smart phone when we were together.  It also carried my cell phone, the cash/traveler's checks, license, credit and debit cards, insurance cards (you never know what could happen when traveling), my emergency knit/crochet guide, change, confirmation pages for all the reservations, crochet hook, pen, pencil, note paper, and some jewelry.  Best part of this was the airlines didn't count it as a purse, so I could take a backpack with as another carryon with clothes and other essentials.

How did I make this?  What would I change?  What did I like about it?  I like it for its compact size and stretchy nature.  If I did another one, I would add a gusset.  And now for the pattern.

Tiny Travel Purse

1 oz worsted weight acrylic yarn, color of choice.  I used Red Heart Super Saver in aspen print.
5 yards of a contrast color.  I used Red Heart Super Saver in aran.
H hook
4 inch closed on both ends zipper

Pocket 1. (Make 2)

Ch 16.
R1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and rest of ch across.
R2-6: ch 2, turn and  hdc in each st across.
Fasten off after row 6.

Pocket 2  (Make 2)

Ch 16.
R1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and rest of ch across.
R 2-9: ch 2, turn, and hdc on each st across.
Fasten off after row 9.

Main body (Make 2)

Ch 16.
R1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in rest of ch across.
R2-15: ch 2, turn, and hdc in each st across.
Fasten off.

Now decide your configuration.  I put the pockets all on the outside.  You can put some inside and some outside.  My configuration is pocket 1 on the very outside, pocket 2 is between 1 and the main body.  I did this on both sides with all the bottoms at the bottom of the bag.  Now starting at the thinnest part at the top of one side, single crochet all together with the contrasting color.  Work down the side through all layers as you come to them.  Work 2 sc in the corners, across the bottom and back up the other side to the corner.  For the strap, I worked 30 foundation sc and joined to the beginning sc.  Sew the zipper by hand.  That's all there is to it.

For the gusset,  ch 6, hdc in 3rd ch and across.  Ch 2 turn and hdc across.  Rep R 2 until you have 40 rows.  Insert it Between the pockets/main body sections and sc these sections to each side.  Lastly sew in the zipper.  Do this by hand for 2 reasons.  1 It's too small to do on your sewing machine easily and 2 you can be sure to position it just right and not shred the yarn.

In the new issue of Crochet World!, I saw a similar item.  The magazine called it a car organizer as it clipped on the air vent.  It was also one sided to hold the daily commute necessities.  Guess good ideas really are timeless...

Design Wars 4

Vote for your favorite designs.  There are 5 categories.  Share this on your fb page, and a few other things and you could win a prize pack from Red Heart.  Looks like in addition to yarn, you get Crochet Today and hooks and a Red Heart Shopping bag/project bag.

http://www.designwarschallenge.com/2013/08/14/dw4-vote-red-heart-yarns-prize-pack/

The website has this to say:  

"Thank you for supporting Design Wars, and our voting fun! There are 5 categories available and you get to vote for the design that you feel best suites each! Only one vote is allowed per person (per poll) for this round, so give these designs some serious though before your vote is cast! The design that receives the most overall votes will be named the Best Design Overall. Votes will be taken from 14-24 August, and we would be so thankful if you could please share this excitement with your friends after you vote please! Also, be sure to enter for a chance to win our Red Heart Yarn Prize Pack, below! Thank you!"

Christmas in July day 16

Christmas is more fun with little ones around.  I think most will agree.  I know how much they love toys too and someone to play silly games with them.  Today is about making some timeless toys and some just for fun.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/leon-lion-ornament

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/colorful-elephant

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0582.html?noImages=0

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10018.html?noImages=0

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/purr-fect-mini-kitty

These ideas should spark some ideas.  Share what you create for the young ones in your life.

Christmas in July day 15

Yesterday was such a big topic, it needed two days.  Today will touch on those pieces that sit around for decorative purposes, kind of like the animated things seen in malls and store windows.  Unless you have skills to animate these, they are still lives.  I don't possess those skills.

Angels  tree top angel angels of all kinds 

Santas  Santa-gnome-ornaments  a bunch of jolly old elves

This can also be a skirt for your tree, Christmas stockings, gift bags.  The list goes on and on.  In addition to links online, I know Leisure Arts puts out a lot of pattern books for holiday knit and crochet patterns.  I find them at thrift shops, yard sales, in stores.  Sometimes all that is needed is an update of the colors because the item is back in fashion.

One thing I wanted to do for my kids but never seemed to find the time for was an Advent Calendar.  Advent Calendars might not have gotten done, but we did have an Advent Wreath each year, complete with handmade candles.  (I could never find the 3 purple and 1 rose colored candles over Thanksgiving and never thought to look earlier in the year)

Each year, I have a collection of Santas I put on top of my refrigerator on one side and a collection of snowmen on the other.  These are small collections.  However, one of the snowmen is a knit creation with a knit scarf and wearing a stocking hat.  I will post a pattern and picture of him closer to the holidays.  My Santa that is hand made is a crochet creation made by someone in my dad's side of the family.Since most of these relatives are no longer with us, I can't ask.  Again I will post a pattern and a picture.  One year I gave my husband's grandmother a crocheted moue for Christmas.  His name is Christ Mouse and was a Leisure Arts pattern.  After she passed, the mouse came back to me.  My mother in law wanted a similar one but sadly my pattern had flown the coop by that time.  Christ Mouse now lives with her.  I will see if I can get a picture of him to post.

As you might be able to tell, Christmas and it's traditions are a big part of our family life.  I might just be getting out of one of the traditions though.  The annual Cookie baking frenzy.  My oven controls are shot and I don't intend to fix them anytime soon.  With just a husband and me, we can use a toaster oven.  I'm not crazy enough to bake cookies in one of those.

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.

Saturday's Yarn Tasting Class

Saturday, there will be a yarn tasting class.  I will be featuring five novelty yarns, what can be done with them, and how to use them. These are the yarns and projects I plan to feature.

Premier Starbella yarn

Red Heart Boutique Chic yarn

Loops & Threads Pompom yarn

Loops & Threads Poodle Yarn

Red Heart Boutique Sashay yarn

Patterns and how-to's for each project will be in class.  Come check out the newest yarns and how to use them.

Christmas in July continuation

Sorry it's been a bit since I posted anything.  My church had its annual carnival and I co-chair the whole thing.  We got rained out a day and a half and had a day and a half of good weather.  Better luck next year.  This is why my mind has not been on knitting or crocheting.  On the up side, I had my yearly review at Michaels today and found some interesting new yarns to play with.

I picked out Loops & Threads Poodle and Pompom and Flaunt yarns, Red Heart's Boutique series Chic, and Premier Yarns' Starbella.  I then headed over to Ravelry after checking out the patterns available for these yarns on the company sites.  As much as I hate to admit it, some of these yarns are very popular in scarves.    They take the work out of projects and allow you to use simple stitches to complete a scarf in a small amount of time.  The finished items look stunning and you can get all the glory.  Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

I have also seen some interesting and unique ideas for some of these yarns, shawls, purses, hair scrunchies, adornments like flowers for other items, purses/clutches, pillows, blankets, cuffs and mitts, and strangely tea cozies.  For as much as I like a nice cup of tea when it's cold out, I never really thought about these for tea cozies but they are there.  And they look really interesting.

And now since a tornado watch is in effect for my location, I must get off the computer and shut things down.  This weather system arrived earlier than expected.  At least I don't have to go out right now for a class and I'm home from my day job.

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

Red Heart is having a thank you yarn of the month giveaway!

Thank You Yarn of the Month Giveaway

To kick off the New Year we thought what better way than to do a giveaway of Shimmer yarn. Plus the best part is that there will be a new yarn giveaway every month in 2012!

Enter to win Red Heart’s Yarn of the Month Giveaway Shimmer Yarn Prize Pack (retail value $60)!

Red Heart Shimmer combines beautiful rich shades with a matching glistening thread of metallic. The metallic wrap adds sparkle, yet does not take away from the soft hand. Shimmer is a size 4-medium weight acrylic yarn and is machine wash and dryable!

Official Rules