December 2015

Month

Go Knit Pouch on the move! Where can you use it?

These little pouches are great for walking around knitting. I use this one in the store. I remember seeing Jill Brewer walking around the after-school program with her ball of yarn tucked under her arm, assisting kids, knitting away steadily. She could have used one of these. Are we multi-taskers or what? In fact, Amanda Lilley made similar pouches for awhile and I still use hers. These Go Knit pouches have a snapped loop to hook to your belt loop, purse, backpack or chair. The water resistant, lightweight nylon, keeps your project protected from the elements (i.e. cats, dogs, and sticky fingers).

Another project bag in the shop is from Della Q–Edict. Each of these little bags has a knitter’s or crocheter’s saying going up the side and a small pocket inside. They are drawstring and really reasonably priced–only $10!

Both project bags are great gift ideas for you! Time to drop a few hints around to your friends and family…

December 16, 2015 0

Crochet me that hat!

This Winter 2016 Interweave Crochet has patterns that make me wish I were a hooker–well a better crocheter than I am anyway. There’s a fantastic pattern for “Winter’s Eye Afghan” by Lisa Naskrent, that joins octagons and squares to create this “eye of the storm” motif. Gorgeous. Then there are two sweater patterns that I would love to wear…seriously…I would love to wear these crocheted sweaters. The detail of the button tab makes the piece, “Seaside Sweater” by Daniela Nii. Of course, the other one, “Prairiefire Vest” by Suesan Roth, and the hat I want you to make me, “Flame Hat” by P.K. Olson, are both Tunisian crochet. Now, I have attempted Tunisian crochet, and I can honestly say, it is not in my immediate future. I am just a beginning crocheter, so the rather slow progress of Tunisian has kept me from dedicating time to that technique. Maybe I can tackle it during mud season… All in all, this is a great issue with patterns that are inspiring and hip…and crocheted!

December 10, 2015 0

Do men wear pom poms?

I designed “Everyone’s Hat and Scarf” with this question in mind. I showed my mid-fifties friend the hat with a pom pom and he said, “I like it, but get rid of the pom pom.” Maybe it’s an age thing. I had a young male knitter in who is making a slouch hat. I asked him about the pom pom. He said he’d probably put one on. Pom poms are fun. Not all men are. So the pattern is out: with reversible cables, the hat can be turned up to a conservative watchman’s cap; it’s long enough to be a slouch, either can be with or without the pom pom. The scarf is long enough to be worn as a scarf that can be wrapped several times, or as a cowl that can be wrapped three times. Something for everyone. Next question on my mind? Do men wear fringe?