My latest Home Hooking column for Interweave Crochet Magazine is in the Fall 2012 issue, along with my pattern for a granny-stripe worked on the bias pillow. I love playing with pops of color in an otherwise neutral room at home, and pillows make that easy to do without having to make a big, home decor commitment.
This version uses Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) yarn in colors: Yellow(ish), Gun Metal(ish), Turquoise(ish) and Coral(ish) over a grey pillow.
The back of the piece was worked in solid, Yellow(ish).
I think I may have a slight, granny stripe problem. Get ready to see several more projects from me out this season with some version of the motif in it. I'm digging the retro-kitsch of it so much, I even used a close-up shot of the stripes from this very project, for my new business cards!
I also have a larger version of the Granny Bias pillow in my bedroom, but in a funkier, chartreuse/purple/ black combo. Obsessed much?
But I digress.
Get the yarn for this project online or at a store near you, and nab the magazine when it hits stands on September 13th.
Don't crochet, but wanna learn? Take my Crochet Lab course online and on your own time!
As we inch closer to official "crafting season" (aka "It's time to get gift-making!"), I thought I'd share a quickie idea that's great for using up those yarn scraps. You can easily add a little warmth to a room by knitting a easy, garter stitch cover to go over the front of any ol', plain frame. Check out my version featured in Crafts 'n' Things Magazine. To make it, I used left-over bits of Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) in Robin's Egg(ish) and Teal(ish), and worked two mitered pieces that were later seamed together and glued to a thrift-store frame. Simple and sweet. Just how I like 'em!
As summer has come to an end and we've gotten our kiddos ready to head back to school, it's time for us parents to get back into the swing of our regularly scheduled routine. Recently the folks at Paper Mate asked me what I was most looking forward to using their InkJoy pens for, now that schools back in session and I'll have a little more quiet time to myself. I'm a sucker for s good pen in any color, but for this project I chose one very special shade and put it to good use. Check out my video for the scoop!
Special thanks to Paper Mate, for giving me this forum to talk about my charity, Purple Stitch Project!
Last week our Bean(ie) Town, cabled hat, Stitch.Rock.Knit-along came to a head (har, har, har). Participants ranged from beginning knitters who'd never cabled a stitch, to ol' pros who love a good, quick project. As always it was a blast! If you weren't able to join us for this one, you can still nab the pattern in the Fall issue of Knit Simple Magazine. In the meantime, here's a re-cap of what we covered during our week of knitting beanies together on Facebook and Ravelry.
First up: Casting on! The most important thing to remember when working with circular needles, is to make sure that when you join the round that it's not twisted. You can see in the above picture how all of the bumps (bottom of cast-on round) are facing the same way. This means the the round is set up correctly, so we're good to go!
Secondly: How to read a knitting chart. When working with cables, you can choose to go off the written pattern, the chart or a combination of both. Really, whatever works best for you is fine. In the graphic above, I've broken down the basics of the what, where and hows of reading the chart for the Bean(ie) Town hat.
Next: Progress reports! Here are just a handful of the photo updates from fellow stitchers. I love getting a glimpse of others' perspectives!
But wait, there's more: How to knit a basic cable in rib stitch! I put together a video to demonstrate how to do the cables in this project. This is a great tutorial to watch though, even if you're not making this hat as it's relatively the same technique that would be used in any ribbed and cabled project.
K1P1Forever's Hat
Lastly: Finished beanies! Special thanks to all who participated. Here are a few of their FO's, but more and more keep coming in every day. The great thing about virtual knit-alongs is that you can work at your own pace and benefit from the information shared, long after the event it officially over. To see more photos from the KAL, follow the Pinterest board. I'll continue to update it as more pictures get posted.
L-R Michell523's, Margaret Nock's, Treasure Hooker's, and Diane Sabatos' finished beanies.
Our next Stitch.Rock.Knit-along will take place in October. We'll be making a chunky, lace cowl that'll make a great holiday gift item! If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to either hard copy or digital versions of Knit Simple Magazine so that you'll have the pattern the moment it comes out.
Looking forward to knitting along with you again soon. Oh, and don't forget to check in with me at Bernat.com for additional upcoming events!
Are you ready to party? Or rather Twitter Party -- Twarty, as it were? Well good then, because tomorrow I'm co- hosting one in celebration of Bernat Baby Month. Join the Bernat team and me for some Q & A, baby talk and yarn giveaways. Here's the scoop!
WHERE: Twitter feed, follow #bernatbaby WHEN: Wednesday, August 8th 2pm ET/1PM CT/11am PT WHY: Why the knit not? Also, to hang out with other yarn lovers, chat baby projects and win stuff.
