Needlecrafts - Knit,Crochet | Canada Day Accessories

"I am Canadian", a popular Molson beer ad in 2000 starred a man named Joe: an average Canadian, standing in a movie theatre, with a cinema screen behind him showing different images relating to Canadian culture.
This year on July 1st is Canada's 150th birthday and I am a proud Canadian.
The family will be up north at the cottage celebrating my brother-in-law's milestone birthday and a nephew's engagement. Good times!
The project patterns in this post show off the flag and the beautiful maple leaf.
A coffee sleeve for our famous "Timmies" to enjoy with Timbits on the way up to the cottage.
A beanie to wear on boat rides and cooler evenings and an Ipad cover.
Small quick projects to inspire you to stitch some Canadian pride.

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Needlecrafts | Vintage Inspired Knit Pattern

Inspiration is everywhere...vintage patterns have always been a great source.
Ultimately it's not about reproducing the same shape or overall design but inevitably something catches your eye inspiring you to express what you see in a fresh, new way.
In this instance, the large diamond pattern became my point of interest but not in a heavily repeated design.
Using the pattern as the border along a boat neck allows the lovely line of diamonds to be the focus and flatter the neckline.
Choosing which way to work the lace diamond was another consideration as each method produces a slight variance in the lace.
Everything else in the design is kept simple and easy to knit.
The free pattern is written in one size, ample for a small/medium or a slightly more fitted large in a worsted weight.

They say that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Enjoy!

Video Tutorial | K2tog - knit 2 together

Video Tutorial | yo, k1, sl1, psso - yarn over, knit 1, slip 1, pass slip stitch over

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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.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Fall 5 Fall Fashion Trends

1. Chunky Textured Beanie | free pattern available here

2. Cosy Hooded Cowl | free pattern available here

3. Scoop Neck Crop Top | free pattern available here

4. T-Shaped Tunic | free pattern available here

5. Color Block Tunic | free pattern available here

Even though we are in a continual spiral of humidity and heat waves, the stores are dribbling out the fall fashions.
The featured fashions in this post are essential to the easy wardrobe that both busy students and moms need - throw it on over jeans or leggings and you're good to go.
The crop top vest, great for layering over a shirt for added warmth but no fear of overheating in a cardigan.
All of these foundation pieces will serve you well this coming fall and winter.
The color block tunic offers you an opportunity to break up the color with simple garter, ideal for beginners or and easy rice or moss stitch .
The generous hooded cowl can become a poncho pulled down on the shoulders.
From classic worsted to super bulky yarn weights, there are five easy pieces to add to your fall wardrobe.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet - Cold Shoulder trend

All images above | style.com and pinterest

Every woman young or old, at least all the ones I've ever encountered and spoken to has some part(s) of their body they are not comfortable exposing. My problem area or at least in my mind has always been my upper arms, right back to my younger days. Cap, elbow length or short sleeves are pretty much what I wear, although sleeveless under shrugs has been my uniform of late. Of course the runway fashion, can appear a little over the top, but really even those are watered down when sold to different boutiques and department stores. Trends are for inspiring and usually trickle down to wearable styles, but the sizzle of the runway is so much fun. This is why the "Cold Shoulder" trend makes so much sense. The upper arm is covered but the peek-a-boo opening in the seam can be sexy or at least feminine. Please be sure to see the free patterns after the jump, knit and crochet patterns, basic "T" shapes with shoulder seams. The lacy knit pattern takes care of two trends- open shoulders and lace effects. The crochet pattern is striped, another spring trend. These are basic shapes if you eliminate the patterning and decide to work with a solid color or color block. Also, think of this as a stash buster, the back worked in one color and the front divided into two or even three colorways. Have fun thinking up ways to design your own spring fashion....the basics are there for you to experiment with.

All images above | style.com and pinterest

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Ruffled Edges

All inspirational images | Pinterest

Great news! It would appear that spring is around the corner according to the groundhogs, but it's also fun to look ahead and see what are some of the knitwear details trending for next fall. Romance is in the air with all the ruffles being shown not only on the usual edges of hems and sleeves but also in more unusual ways. Whether it's a tiny ruffle finishing off a boat neck or used as a dividing line for color blocking, these are the details you think about incorporating into any new project. These details update patterns you may already have in your library. Just by adding these finishing touches, your garment takes on a fresh and modern appeal. Think about all edges - hem, shoulders, neckline and sleeves. Note the rows of ruffles on the sleeves of the featured vintage pattern. Give your designs some edge next time you are going through your patterns! Be sure to see all the different types of edgings, tutorials and helpful videos.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet - Rectangle Ponchos

Garter fringe knit poncho| free pattern available here
Crochet stripe poncho| free pattern available here

At this time of year I feel like cocooning and binging on T.V.programmes I missed or sporadically watched. Case in point, "Mad Men" and now "Downton Abby". It's great to watch each season as one big movie. What a treat! Of course that doesn't interfere with my knitting or crochet but it's always better to have extremely easy projects. As you get involved, patterns get mixed and before you know it you are ripping back a few rows. The featured pattern in this post is perfect - 2 rectangles to knit and/or crochet, a good way to even practise new stitch patterns. There's not much pattern here to think about, thankfully. So get out all the odds and ends or take advantage of the great sales on yarn and start creating!

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet - Head Bumps

All inspirational images above | Pinterest

Talk about standing a head above everybody. These beanies or toques are definitely sky high. What is most interesting are the many shapes you can make with the crown. Pussycat ears are definitely whimsical and fun. Embellish them further with pom poms. The children's version, in some cases, are called gnome hats as they resemble the pointed hats on those magical, humenoid creatures. Whatever you name them, these designs can be very flattering for those who need to wear hats that have some height. An extremely popular past post - Making Headways featured looser, flatter beanies. Look for free patterns there as well. Read further and be inspired by the different styles of knit and crochet hats, free patterns to knit and crochet as well as versions for the small fry. See helpful tutorials and videos on how to duplicate stitch a design onto a plain hat. The sky is the limit with these high hats.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Wide Neck Pullover

Pattern image | Burda Knitting F/W 2013

Whenever I come across a design or pattern that is simple but fulfills many purposes, I immediately want to share it with readers.
The wide neck sleeveless vest or shell is perfect to wear on it's own with a cami underneath or over a jean jacket for added warmth in late fall and early winter.
Knitting with a double strand of worsted weight yarn is not new but what is new are the wonderful array of colours available to experiment with.
What a wonderful way to allow you to be creative and create your own marl yarn, which is really two colours twisted together. Think of all the possibilities, whether you like strong contrasts such as black and white or subtle tonal contrasts like pale pink with sage.
Don't forget trying a tweed or space dyed yarn with a solid. Yummy mixtures, only limited by your imagination. Work a solid with marl yoke as shown or design your own colour definition.
All you have to remember is to work two strands together.
Fully fashioned sleeve openings are featured in this pattern, not to worry as this knitting term is explained both in words and with a helpful video.
Two pieces, easy stocking stitch knitting. What could be better?
Read further for schematics, pattern instructions, helpful tips and videos on finishing that garment perfectly.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Taking a Ribbing

All inspiration garments | Club Monaco

Some of the simplest, classic designs in knitting can make a strong fashion statement. In this case, the humble rib takes center stage whether it's a simple K1, P1 rib or a handsome wide K6, P3 rib. The garment shape and yarn color can convey the fashion message whether it's subtle or in your face bold.
Read further for several collections of free knitting patterns, starting with the quick and easy accessories to the more elaborate pullovers for the male in your family. Cozy and oversized or slightly more form fitting, there will be a stylish pattern to suit everyone's taste for this fall. Also, there are several alternative rib patterns for you to try, test and think about using in future projects.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet, Foldover Shrug

Main, bottom inset images | free pattern available here
Top inset image | free pattern available here

Main image | free pattern available here
Inset images | free pattern available here

Putting together past posts featuring shrugs, I came to realize just how much I love shrugs.
From the very first one I made, it was love at first wearing.
Up until then, I owned and loved jackets of every description, not conservative but they were the backbone of my work life wardrobe.
As soon as you slip on a shrug, you realize how easy it is to wear yet they provide the same benefits of a jacket.
Call it softwear, once you try one, you'll never go back.
The jackets I kept still hang in my closet, just in case, but I know eventually they'll be given away.
Read on and find your favorite style. Trust me, you will love them too.

Click on images of past posts featuring easy shrug patterns and ideas

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!