10/30/2016

Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet - Sharf, Scarf and Shrug

10/30/2016
Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet - Shrug and Pocket Scarf
Inspirational image | Pinterest
It's amazing how many shrug ideas I've come across that are different and practical but at the same time give you creative license to make it your own by modifying the design to suit your needs. Here is an idea where you can knit or crochet both the shrug and scarf or just one or the other. Think about attaching a purchased scarf you may have to a shrug you'd like to make. Gather all your scrap yarn, make a shrug or scarf or both if you have enough. Make the scarf long enough to wrap around your neck or shorter to button at the front. The sharf, a funny name I coined for this design is easy to wear because the shrug holds the scarf in place. On a grey winter day, it'll keep you warm as you're reading a novel or like me binge watching a series while crocheting. Read further for different ideas to inspire you and free patterns for both shrugs and scarves.

10/17/2016

Needlecrafts - Knit, Stitched in Memories

10/17/2016
Needlecrafts - Knit, Stitched in Memories
Inspirational image | Pinterest
Inspirational images - Jill McGee, My Favourite Things | click on link for more images
Life is truly about creating memories and trying new things. Whether you have made a new dish, accomplished a goal or explored new territories, it's wonderful to somehow commemorate this event. At one point you took a picture and compiled an album, now we take pictures, make videos and post these events on social media. Declaring our deepest passions and what we have to say about them sometimes land on t-shirts with images and slogans. On a much more personal level, it's marvelous to share and somehow illustrate all our favorite things, whether they be travel, food, our heritage or where we live. When I saw Jill McGee's "All My Favorite Things" infinity scarf, I was inspired to write about this project. There are so many delightful, personal gifts you can make for people you love - whether it's an important wedding anniversary or a child's journey to adulthood, there is something important to knit about. Read further for helpful tutorials and videos as well as free alphabet and border charts to get you thinking about what you want to knit about yourself or someone near and dear to your heart.

10/11/2016

Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet - Berets Heading For Fall

10/11/2016
Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet - Berets Heading For Fall
All inspirational images | Pinterest and vogue.com
Odd balls of yarn leftover from projects always piles up in bags in my "room" where the yarn stash is. The stash area is really part of the laundry room with a cabinet and rows of clear boxes on one side organizing my yarn. As I work on projects, the leftovers are put in bags. Of course the yarn goes somewhere into the ether, because I never look at it again until it becomes a monster of a pile. That's when I go on a purging binge and these bags get passed down to my sister-in-law. Her husband has now warned me not to give her anymore yarn as it is mounting up and cluttering a spare bedroom. This post on berets is perfect for this type of dilemma. The hat doesn't call for much yarn and you can easily make the top one color and the band another. So this is me turning over a new leaf, hopefully. I am truly envious of knitters and crocheters who are able to use up every scrap of yarn they have. Do these people really exist or do they give away yarn as well. Well this post has 12 knit patterns and 12 crochet patterns ranging from classic shapes to the fashionable slouchy beret. There is plenty of opportunity to dive into that pile and make a few hats for yourself and everybody in your family.

10/03/2016

Needlecrafts - Crochet, Modern Fair Isle

10/03/2016
Needlecrafts - Crochet, Modern Fair Isle
Vogue Knitting Magazine, Fall 2016 | available at most news stands and here
Beanie, cowl and mitt set | free patterns available here
Fair Isle is traditionally thought of as knitted sweaters in wonderful stripes of colors either in part or covering the whole garment . The latest fall issue of Vogue Knitting has taken the fair isle technique and given the featured designs a modern twist. This issue is one knitters will be sure to keep in their library. However, as much as I love knitting, I am an avid hooker and find, for the most part, crocheters don't get many designs with this technique. Read on lovers of crochet because I have found designs you will surely approve of and definitely want to try. Remember, this technique is not for beginners and I have included a library of helpful videos and links to teach and help you understand fair isle crochet. In the same vein is intarsia or tapestry crochet which applies to shapes and using bobbins of yarn across the row. If you are unsure of tackling this technique, don't despair. Included are a cardigan, pullover and hat that uses a lovely texture stitch that looks like fair isle. There are lots of helpful videos, articles and lovely, free design patterns to try. Hopefully you will be as inspired as I was putting this post together !