Some may say that I spend too much time on the web, but the gems of information and inspiration I find there – WOW! So I thought I’d take a few moments to highlight some of my favorite knitting blogs.* Some are written by “famous” knitters/designers; others are by regular stitchers like you and me who are exploring the possibilities with yarn.
*What’s a blog? It’s a web-log (like a journal). Each entry is called a “post.” What you’re reading right now is a post on the Fine Needle blog (we call it news). You can “subscribe” to a blog through a reader (like Google Reader) or sometimes via e-mail.
A recent find, on my part. Delightful knitting blog of a young woman from the British Isles who is a children’s book illustrator by profession. Her blog is charming and witty.
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee writes about knitting. Author of several knitting humor books (with tips on knitting), she’s sure to entertain and awe with her prolific knitting.
Do you have a favorite knitting blog you follow? Leave a link in the comments – and tell us why you follow that blog!
Knitters, it’s that time of year again! Time to gather your friends and take to the road for the 3rd annual Eastern Shore Yarn Crab Crawl! This year there are ten, (yes ten!!), shops participating, including The Fine Needle.
Here’s how it works:
You purchase a membership at your local participating yarn shop for $15 (we have 4 3 left as I post this)
Your membership includes a special tote bag and a passport – you need to bring both with you when you visit the shops!
Visit the participating shops during the month of September and you get 20% off all yarn purchases
If you visit all ten shops in September, you are eligible for a grand prize gift basket valued at over $200 (be sure to get your passport stamped at each shop!)
There are weekly drawings in each shop for gift certificates
There are special events on weekends, and many shops have extended hours during the month
For those who would love just to have information about the ten shops (and even a few coupons to use at some of them!), you can purchase a passport for $3 from any participating shop.
Here is the list of participating shops – from north to south:
This beautiful cowl features cables, reading a chart, working K3tog/tbl (I’ll explain that in class!), and creating an increase of 6 stitches from 1 stitch. Wow! I know it sounds like a lot, but the result is worth it.
You will begin class by making a small swatch to familiarize yourself with the pattern and test for gauge. From there, we will begin the cowl! The featured yarn is Scrumptious – a silk and angora blend that is incredibly soft.
Supplies needed: US 8 (straight or circular), cable needle, row counter, measuring tape, tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers. (*if you are a tight or loose knitter, consider bringing US7-9 needles). Button(s) finish off the project. Please bring a light worsted weight yarn (leftover bit is good!) to practice the new stitches.
This class is geared for advanced beginner to intermediate level students. You must be comfortable with knitting and purling.
This class is part of the Feed Your Creativity series of classes, and features Scrumptious yarn. Class price includes yarn, pattern, and guided instruction. The class is offered several times throughout the month, and you may attend more than one session at no additional cost. For those who cannot attend any of the classes, kits will be available (yarn and pattern).
You’re a quilter. You’re making a lovely quilt block, but when you’re finished, the blocks seems… well, lumpy. This sounds like a pressing issue, and that’s pressing as in using the iron.
Let’s start with a simple four patch block. This block is made of two (2) squares of a light color fabric and two (2) squares of a dark color fabric. The general rule-of-thumb is to press the seams toward the darker fabric, and indeed that makes the most sense in this case as well. The real magic begins when the two pairs are sewn together to form the final block.
The opposing seams “nest” together, lock the fabrics in place, and create a perfect intersection of seams. However, the magic doesn’t stop there! When you go to press the newest seam, you can manipulate the seam allowance to create a configuration that evenly distributes the fabric. It also creates a mini-four patch at the seam intersection.
See the process in action by watching the little video below:
Do you always press your seams to reduce the bulk and distribute the fabric as evenly as possible? What issues to you encounter when quilting? Leave a comment below!
Tomorrow (Saturday, August 7) our little town hosts a big celebration: the Blessing of the Combines. Let me tell you, those combines are going to need a lot of blessing this year since we’re in the middle of a terrible drought. Which is ironic, since most corn and soybean fields were underwater from November until mid-May. We try not to let that dampen our spirits, and on the first Saturday each August, combines roll into town and there is an all out celebration: food, music, entertainment, crafts, food, food, food. And it looks like one of this year’s blessings will be that this Saturday will not be the hottest day of the summer (it usually is!).
Anyway, in celebration of the “season” – all of our corn yarns: Cornucopia and Corntastic are 20% off for the month of August. If you haven’t tried knitting or crocheting with corn yarn, you need to get some and try it out! It’s soft, strong, and wicks away moisture. Cornucopia has a tubular constructions (it’s like a narrow tubular ribbon) and knits up at about a worsted weight. Corntastic is plied and knits up more at a DK/sport weight. Get all the details in our online store – or stop on in and try some out!
I just dropped off my daughter for a sleepover at camp. As soon as she entered the room a friend of hers ran over with her pillow, exclaiming, “Look, I still have that pillowcase you gave me for my birthday that your mom made!” It gave me warm fuzzies – because we gave her that pillowcase five years ago, and she’s still excited about it.
My children often give their friends pillowcases I’ve made as gifts. We pick out the fabrics and I whip up case (usually the morning of the party). Often the initial reaction of the recipient is, well, polite pleasantness. What’s a pillowcase compared to the latest game/toy/gadget that awaits in the unopened presents? But my daughter’s friend is not the first, nor do I suspect will she be the last, to come up to me years later and say with enthusiasm, “I still have that pillowcase you made for me!”
All books are on sale the month of August! We’ve been sorting through our stacks of books, and there are just too many. You can benefit from our surplus and stock up on great titles of quilting, sewing, knitting, and crochet books. There are even some books on scrapbooking and paper crafts too. Patterns and magazines are also in the mix. Come find new inspiration!
Photo by: Haria Varlan
Current Titles:
Buy 1…. 10% off
Buy 2… 20% off each
Buy 3 or more… 25% off each
Old Titles: 50% off
Clearance Titles: $5 each
Magazines & Used Books: $2 each
Patterns: Buy 1 get 1 freeClearance Patterns: $1 each
Don’t go getting your panties in a bunch when I say this, but… I’m beginning to think about Christmas. (ducks to avoid being hit). I know, I know, it’s not even August yet. Really I’m just starting to think about Christmas because I want to be armed and ready for when YOU start thinking about Christmas and the holidays; for when YOU start panicking about what to make/give/get. So, YOU don’t really have to think about it YET.
Starting in September I’m going to have a series of articles here on the blog that will help you get those creative juices flowing and those handmade gifts and decorations will start coming off those sewing machines/knitting needles/crochet hooks. There will also be links to lovely people who make stuff, so that you don’t have to make it all yourself.
What I’m looking for now are some links. If you make stuff and sell it on your own website and/or Etsy.com*, I’d like to hear from you. If you have bought some cool handmade stuff from a website and/or Etsy.com, I’d like to hear from you. Leave a comment (click “Leave a comment” or “Comments” at the end of this post).
I’m trying really super hard this year to only give handmade gifts. That doesn’t mean that I necessarily have to make all the gifts (although I will make quite a few), but those I don’t make will be made by some other lovely crafts person. Will you join me in my challenge buy (and make) handmade?
*If you’re not familiar with Etsy.com go check it out! It’s a website devoted to selling handmade and vintage items.
