Webs had me at adorable!

I was purusing the WebsYarn site and fell in love with the Wool Pets Needle Felting Kits. There’s quite the variety over there and an adorable wool animal is just waiting to be created with your crafty hands. Price ranges from $16-$20 and the kit includes everything you need which makes it a great gift for you and/or a felty friend.

While you’re there, check out the holiday gift guide - you’ll love the Creative Cookies on the cover. There’s even a free cookie pattern to knit or crochet -O calories!

What a great way to start off the holiday season!

Stay feltie folks!

Marg (now wishing I had a cookie)

Knit, Prance and Enjoy Your Free Pattern

Discovering joy in your life can be extremely difficult with all the stress we have in our daily lives. Today, for me, however,was not one of those days. After work, I decided to take the dogs out for a walk in the brisk air. They tromped through large dry leaves on the ground, rubbed their noses in who knows what, and basically had the time of their lives. I was laughing and feeling the joy they were emitting from their little bodies. They reminded me of the powerful lesson to find joy in life. You may have to look around, but it’s there for you. Take just one minute to “prance like a yorkie” and I guarantee you’ll giggle from this dog eyed perspective of the world.

To celebrate autumn, I have a special free pattern for you to celebrate this season of gratitude. Many of you have emailed asking for a scarf pattern to go along with the WowzaWristWarmers from Knit 1 for the Road pattern book. Here it is…my autumn gift to you, the Autumn Wowza Scarf. It’s warm, soft and perfect for chilly weather.

 

Autumn Wowza Scarf

This is a companion piece for the Wowza Wrist Warmers from Knit 1 for the Road pattern book.

Materials:

1 ball Lion Brand Yarn, Wool Ease, worsted weight, 123 Seaspray, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 3 ozs, 85 gms, 197 yrds, 180 meters

Size 8.0 (5.0mm) US Needles

Stitch Markers, Measuring Tape, Tapestry Needle, Scissors

Suggested Manufacturer’s Gauge is 4” x 4”, 18 sts and 24 rows

Note: The original wrist warmer pattern was made with Filatura Di Crosa, 127 print 43, 50 gms, 92 yds, 100% wool on the same size needle. If you’re using this yarn you will need 2 balls.

Cast on 33 stitches

Ribbing

Row 1 K2, P2 across row and knit the last stitch
Row 2 Same as row 1.

Continue these 2 rows for 2”

Next

Row 3 K1, P1, Knit across row to last 2 sts, K1, P1.
Row 4 K1, P1, Purl across row to last 2 sts, K1, P1.

Next Row starts the four rows of your pattern

Pattern Rows

Row 1 K1, P1, Knit across row to last 2 sts, K1, P1.

Row 2 K1,P 1, Purl across row to last 2 sts, K1, P1.

Row 3 K1, P1, K5, P3, K5, last two stitches K1, P1.

Row 4 K1, P1, Purl across row to last 2 sts, K1, P1.

Repeat these 4 pattern rows for 34” or desired length.

Next,

K1, P1, Knit across row to last 2 sts, K1, P1.

Next Row

K1, P1, Purl across row to last 2 sts, K1, P1.

Repeat Ribbing for 2”

Bind off in pattern. Weave in all ends.Total length was 38”.

Block if necessary.

Blocking method that I used:

I sprayed the scarf with tepid water, placed on the ironing board and used an ironing cloth or a cloth you have on hand (very important) over the scarf and lightly ironed over the scarf with a low heat. After ironing, I placed it flat on a towel to dry completely where it would be undisturbed.

You can also use a rust proof pin and lay flat on a blocking mat, board or towel and dry overnight if you don’t feel comfortable using and iron.

Lay flat when ironing or blocking

 

Margaret Nock, Copyright knit1fortheroad.com, 2009
This pattern is meant for non-commercial use only. All rights reserved.

Knit, prance like a yorkie and enjoy the rest of the week.

Marg (giggling at the idea of us all prancing at one time!)

My needles are smokin’!

It’s Tuesday and time for a little charity…projects, that is. Here’s what I’m sending out this week to various charities.

 

BB’s KnittedMittens made with Woolease, worsted weight. Made for RavelryGroup Knitters for MCCNY, a teen homless shelter in NY. The site I downloaded the pattern from is no longer available, but the designer, Bonnie Batten is on Ravelry.

Crochet caps for Knots-of-Love.org

Update: If you are a fan on The Young and the Restless, a knots-of-love cap will be worn by the character Lily, this week. Exact air date was not available. 

And as promised, I finished the knitted scarf from the Knitting Therapy Experiment and will be mailing it tomorrow to Scarves from the Heart.

Binding Off with my smokin’ needles

That’s a wrap! Hope your needles are smokin’ too during this season of gratitude.

Knit-Share-Go discover you inner knitty self and let it shine through to the world.

Marg(I’m wearing shades in the blinding glow of you knitty self)

Holy Yarn Ball!!!

The Yarn Shop in Chestertown MD

Livin’ large with this fabulous and festive yarn ball and large set of knitting needles.

This weekend was filled with nearby visits to small towns, surprising knitty sites, local history, Halloween festivities, fireworks, TallShips in the harbor and a lot of scarey costumes, decorations and way too much Cinnamon Spice Latte. Whew! I’m glad to be home and getting caught up. The leaves have dropped off the trees and the weather is getting cooler. Time to stay home, knit, and prepare for the holiday season to come. Ok, maybe a few local craft events in the meantime.

This morning I came across a wonderful free knit pattern for a vest from NaturallyCaron (designed by Kim Guzman) that is sized from small to X-large. Take a look! The vest looks warm and cozy – perfect for a gift or for yourself. Visit the pattern boutique for both knit and crochet patterns.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and plenty of Cinnamon Spice Latte to go around.

Marg (manuevering the Monday maze)

Knitting Therapy Experiment Update

Knitting Therapy Experiment Display

The knitting therapy box is back home and the scarf is complete. I was amazed how nice and even it came out, considering there were a few people contributing to it. Scarves from the Heart will be the lucky recepient of the scarf. The experiment was successful and my chiropractor has asked for another skein of yarn. Good things take a little time, and I feel that it was worth it to raise awareness of knitting, cancer, and the healing properties of knitting while you wait for your chiropractic appointment. All good. Small steps, big changes.

If you missed the previous posts on this experiment, or are interested in knitting therapy posts, check them out here!

 

OMG Monday!

If you knit or crochet, they will come!

LOOK TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF KNITTING

KEEP YOUR KNITTING CLOSE

KNITTING THERAPY IN PLACE

KNIT, PURL, TAP

HappyHalloweenWeekend! Have a chilling celebration. 

Marg (maybe a crochet experiment next time?)

Last Minute Halloween and Day of the Dead Ideas

It’s getting close to “go time” for Halloween and El Día de los Muertos and it’s time to get busy! Here are a few links to help you with party, costume, and the motivation to get out there and celebrate the occasion. I have to admit, I’m a huge Halloween geek and have already taken a few historic ghost tours in the area. Don’t forget your ghost detectors or protectors, as the case may be. Not a big Halloween fan? No worries, it’s a great time for reflection. Follow your heart, turn off your porch light and celebrate your blessings.

Halloween and Samhain - Get the History here! 

HalloweenHowl – How to Make Soul Cakes and the history of this treat (and while you’re making them, listen to Stings new song Soul Cake) 

Mother Nature Network

VickieHowell

eSSortment 50 last minute ideas

FamilyCorner

Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos)

azcentral

cut out + keep

Craftzine - Crafty Chica Challenge, Create a Day of the Dead Shrine

eHow Day of the Dead Mask

Ok, that’s the scoop on this holiday! 

Marg (remembering my ancestors and lighting a candle)

Need Needles?

Check out KnitPicks for the new acrylic Zephyr interchangeable needles with case (great for travel) and you can also purchase an Options Needle Tip Stand for at home really cool storage! Strong and durable yet lightweight – I think I’m in love. I also like the idea of having a stand for them – you’ve got options, baby. Check it! Put it on the holiday gift and wishlists. While you’re visiting the shop, check out the Holiday Gift Section and the Free Pattern section. This has been your roving knitting reporter, Marg on the lookout for the knitty and knitworthy.

It’s time to Zephyr-ize!

  Marg (woefully behind in my knitting this week-hope you’re not)
 Celebrate Autumn!

Kit’s Karma Creations Interview Day!

KitWright (left)

JoyTroyer (right) 

Are you ever drawn magnetically to certain artists at events? This was the case for me, when I saw Kit Wright and her booth at a recent craft event. Grab your herbal tea or pumpkin spice coffee, gather round the knitting couch and get ready for Kit’s story.

Inspiration, friendship and creating from necessity are key ingredients to the creative process and a successful business. Today, Kit of Kit’s Karma Creations has taken time out of her busy shop to share with us her inspiring creative journey.

Q. Welcome Kit! Please tell us how you started your journey creating such colorful and unique items and your collaboration with Joy Troyer.

A. Coming from a military family with 4 kids, I taught myself to sew early to satisfy my lust for clothes “just like the other kids.” From age 14 on, I made most of my own clothes.

Then I married and we had a daughter, a dramatic clothes horse from the start, and an extremely fast growing son (now 6′ 6″). This continued to be a creative solution to a limited budget.

Prom Season was a big challenge since our daughter went to many dances with her drama buddies. My most daunting project ever was the “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” Marilyn Monroe dress!

In 2003, my husband and I left Baltimore and moved to California for him to attend school for his second career. The economy had already tanked in California so there were no jobs in the Non-Profit Early Childhood field to be had. So in the best “lemons to lemonade” tradition, I took out my sewing machine and started sewing and going to art fairs.

Luckily, I met Joy Troyer of dyeingarts.com, Batik Artist and illustrator of The Everything Seed. and Wind. She became my mentor, encouraging and guiding me with business advice, website and photography assistance, and invitations to art fairs.
Kit’s Karma Creations was born and Joy and I became best friends and business partners.

At first, my creations were mainly quilted and embellished liturgical stoles and tote bags . Soon hand-beading and embroidery, and applique nature scenes followed. The beautiful scenery in California inspired scenes with ocean, sun and mountains of golden brown and deep hunter green. And I fell in love with the many ethnic fabrics and batiks available which lead to a period of Asia influenced bags and stained glass stoles.

With our return to the East came a change in the colors and scenery- bright Autumn leaves, rolling emerald green hills, and sand and ocean. Maryland has much of the natural beauty I loved in California and Massachusetts in another color palette!

In 2006, we found that we could print Joy’s batik images on fabric. Joy’s spiritual batik images combined with my creative designs, gift for color and sewing magic created a winning line of art bags, jackets, and stoles. Like quilting, it was more then the sum of the parts- magic. In 2009, we debuted our latest collaboration, Karma Quilts (quilted wall art).

Even though now we live 3000 miles apart, Joy and I continue our BFF and Art partner status with the help of Internet, Southwest Airlines, and many phone calls and emails a week. Joy is still in California and I live on the Maryland Eastern Shore near Salisbury.

Q. Please tell us about your exciting design a bag option for your customers.

A. Since any of Joy Troyer’s images can be printed on fabric, all can be turned into a Karma Bag. No two bags are alike and are made to order. Just choose your favorite batik print image, color preferences, and the type of bag: Bitty Bag, Love Knot Bag, or Everything “Green” Bag.
Joy’s images can be (and have been) made into wall art or stoles too.
I also have a line of Design a Bag Karma Bags with a music theme, Flaming Chalices, or the Happy Humanist logo.
I am happy to make custom bags upon request and have done special orders with dogs (Labs), dancing cats, and peace doves so far.

Q. You have so much variety in your work, Kit, and there seems to be a central theme surrounding every piece. We are all interested in what inspires you the most when you are designing and creating for your shop.

A. One of the great things about teaching Preschool for 30 years was witnessing the daily wonder and magic that children see. Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes a color combination or an interesting shape catches my eye or it is a gorgeous bit of nature. A bill board, a stretch of sand and ocean, an article of clothing, stained glass, a trip to some place new or simply the magic of new light on something familiar… all can spark a picture.

Many times a custom order or an interesting fabric will take me in a new creative direction. A recent request for an ordination stole with a water theme had me experimenting with shiny transparent fabrics in blues and green trying to collage a shimmery water at sunrise effect. That lead to the butterfly bag, another custom order.

Another custom order request for a knitting/craft bag leads me to design a new extra large Love knot bag with specialized pockets for knitting needles and supplies.
And so it goes…

Q. Balance is a crucial element for all of us in life. As an artist and business owner, how do you achieve balance in your day to day life.

A. Balance is really a challenge for all of us. I am not sure I do achieve balance on a daily basis, but perhaps, I do overall. I tend to work intensely and best when under pressure. I create furiously when I get an inspiration or have a time limit. And I rest and regroup after a big event or fair season.
Fortunately since I have some control over my time, my day happens so organically that I don’t notice the “plan”. I usually work as hard and fast as I can until I get tired then I change gears and work on something else.
And I have a patient, low key, and encouraging husband who accepts that the week before a fair or in heavy special orders season, I may be just a tiny bit “crazy-girl” and he enjoys grilled cheese or makes dinner.

I love the ebb and flow of your process, Kit, and I know that we can all learn from your story and soak up the wonderful palette of colors in your creations. Thank you so much for the interview and for giving us a glimpse of your creative and joyful life.

Visit Kit’s Karma Creations for more info, products, and upcoming events.

Remember to buy handmade this holiday season!

Marg (soaking in the colors of Autumn)

Gnomes, PaintedFelt and Playscapes Abound!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall 2009 issue

 

Over the weekend, while traveling around the state, I had a chance to get caught up on some of my favorite mags and I thought I’d share with you some of the knitty, feltie, woolly scoop.

 

LivingCrafts is all about felting, family crafting, painting wool and knitting. The Fall 2009 issue is jammed packed with fun projects to make. There are clear directions and pattern cutouts just waiting for you.

 

 

The adorable knitted Gnome hats are a fun item for you to make for the kid’o in your life and a gorgeous felted coat for yourself.

 

One of my favs is the NeedleFelted Playscape by fellow Etsian Tabitha Smith of manyharmonytrees. Drop by her shop for examples of her work and grab LivingCrafts asap!

 

 

Vist the LivingCrafts website for more pics and info on the projects. There’s also great resource info included in every issue. Become a fan on Facebook, sign up for their newsletter and don’t forget the craft room.

 

 

Keep it crafty this week!

 

 

Marg

The Witches of Etsy

Etsy has gone witchy lately. Check out these witches of Etsy and get in the mood for Halloween. Let the witchy goodness begin…
 
kandjdolls offers an adorable crochet witch PDF Amigurumi pattern Jazzy the Good Witch.scarymerry has a STITCH WITCH Custom Made KNITTING NEEDLES and STITCH MARKERS SET. They are available in aluminum or bamboo.

 

 
KnittingsMyBag Gotta have a witchy bag like this one! Knitting Bag Small Witchy Woman with 10 Pockets!

Rabbithollowprims check out the Primitive Witch Candy Container. You can also catch the interview with shop owner, Sue O’Conner here on knit1fortheroad.

Buy Handmade and stay witchy!

Marg with the sparkle fairy.