Posts Tagged ‘knitting book’

New Winter Obsession: Itty Bitty Booties!

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

It seems like every year I become obsessed with a different craft.  Last winter it was crocheting scarves.  I literally had no room left in my closet because I made so many scarves.  I made them to give as gifts, to give to charity, and of course a bunch to keep for myself (I do live in Chicago after all… I’m gonna need as many scarves as I can get!).

Well, just as quickly as I became obsessed with scarves, my passion seemed to fizzle out come springtime.  I think I just made too many scarves in such a short amount of time, I simply burned out.  316451 main New Winter Obsession: Itty Bitty Booties!

Not to worry though!  I now have a brand new obsession for Winter 2011-2012:  knitting baby booties!  I’m not really sure where this obsession came from.  I don’t have any kids of my own and don’t know that many babies, but I just think it’s so fun to make teeny tiny shoes!  I recently bought this book, A Dozen Darling Baby Booties, and have been busily knitting booties ever since! I’ve made my way through 4 of the 12 patterns already and I’m absolutely in love with the little girl booties with the pink pom poms dangling off the ankles.  Those are definitely my favorite so far.

If you’re in the market for baby bootie knitting patterns — whether you have a little one of your own or not; we won’t judge! — I’d highly recommend this book.  You can buy a copy of A Dozen Darling Baby Booties from CutRateCrafts for less than seven bucks!

Since I know I’m probably going to finish all of the patterns in the book well before New Year’s — I’m in a knitting frenzy over here! — I also started poking around the Internet looking for some other patterns to try.  After all, there will still be a lot of winter left once I finish with the patterns in the book and I’m pretty sure my obsession will take me well through April.  I just love knitting these little booties so much!  So, here are some of the other fun baby bootie patterns I found online.

5 Hour Baby Booties:          Knit Monster Booties:      
5 hour baby booties New Winter Obsession: Itty Bitty Booties!         knit monster booties New Winter Obsession: Itty Bitty Booties!

Pom Pom Booties:                 Bitty Baby Uggs:
Pom Pom baby Booties New Winter Obsession: Itty Bitty Booties!    baby ugg New Winter Obsession: Itty Bitty Booties!

Which of these baby booties is your favorite?  Would you make any of these?

 

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Satisfy Your Fiber Cravings with New Products for Knitting and Crocheting

Monday, September 12th, 2011

With fall being just around the corner, I’m getting excited for comfy cozy knits and Christmas gift projects. Knitting shines at this time of year, when warm scarves, mittens, and sweaters begin to seem much more inviting than they were a month ago. In fact, imagining myself cuddling up next to the fire with a ball of wool and a pair of chunky needles is the one thing that makes the thought of bitter cold bearable.

You can get in the mood for fall fiber too with CutRateCrafts’ newest collections of knitting products and crochet products. These knitting and crochet goodies are not only perfect for fall crafting; they are also our hottest products from this summer! Take a hint from knitters and crocheters who got a jump on their Christmas crafting in July and check out these products!

Here are some of the yarns, books, and other gadgets I’ve been coveting for this autumn:

409735 main Satisfy Your Fiber Cravings with New Products for Knitting and CrochetingKnitted Gifts – When I first started knitting, I was constantly trying to knit gifts for my friends and family members, and strangely enough, no one seemed that excited about it. Now that I can actually knit something that resembles a garment, I’m getting wishlists like I’m Santa Claus. I need Knitted Gifts soon or there’s no way my “nice” list is getting anything but coal this year.

 

070477 main Satisfy Your Fiber Cravings with New Products for Knitting and CrochetingNeedlemaster Kit 200 – I bought my first set of interchangeable needles last August thinking I was set for life when it came to buying needles. A year later, I stared at an empty needle case with one too-short cord, a pair of size 13 needle tips, and one size 15 tip and suddenly realized that you can never have enough needles. In my reluctance to buy another set, I have hunted cords and needle tips in my house like they were wild game, but I have to admit the high-tech name of this kit has provided further incentive to invest in another set.

074617 main Satisfy Your Fiber Cravings with New Products for Knitting and CrochetingNo Hands Knitting Chain Row Counter – You only think you learned how to count in kindergarten until you start following patterns. Every knitter knows that numbers upwards of 20 are a serious hazard when counting stitches, and even 1-5 become difficult when counting rows. Make it easy on yourself and get the knitter’s version of an abacus: the chain row counter.

 

376857 main Satisfy Your Fiber Cravings with New Products for Knitting and CrochetingShawls Two On The Go – My office is a refrigerator; I actually believe I could leave milk in my filing cabinet for a week and still drink it. The summer months are simple: I can simply dress for winter and feel comfortable. But the winter months get a bit more complicated, so the current plan is to knit a gigantic blanket in an attractive pattern and call it a shawl so that it still qualifies as business casual.

 

068134 main Satisfy Your Fiber Cravings with New Products for Knitting and CrochetingRed Heart Fiesta Yarn – The quintessential holiday yarn. Fiesta in Wheat will allow me to knit my mother a Christmas stocking that is simultaneously rustic and over-the-top sparkly. My mother and my grandmother are the only two people I have ever know to achieve this unusual marriage of holiday styles.

 

 What are your fiber cravings this fall? Tell us!

 

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Back to School Crafting Books

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Most people don’t know that I’m pretty isolated when it comes to crafting. I taught myself to knit and crochet with an old basket of yarn handed down from my grandmother and the Stitch ‘n Bitch and Happy Hooker books by Debbie Stoller. I don’t hang out at my LYS, and the few actual stitch ‘n bitches I’ve ever been to were certainly full of stitchin’ bitches (if you know what I mean).

Although I love to knit and crochet, it’s fairly low on the list of priorities, and I’ve only finished about 25 projects since I learned. Regardless, I still feel confident tackling patterns with an advanced experience level or chatting about stitches with veteran knitters (when I come across them). My confidence in my knitting knowledge comes neither from experience nor from education by experts; it comes from my lifelong love of reading and reliance on my local library. Everything I ever wanted to know about knitting or crocheting I learned from a well-written book. Crafting books not only inspire us to increase our skill level, they also provide us with the knowledge and the tools to do so.

Every time I run into a term I don’t know or a technique I’m unfamiliar with in a knitting pattern, I go “back to school.” I pull out my knitting books and reread sections on the topic to gain a better understanding of what I need to know.

Today, I’m encouraging you to go “back to school” with the books in this week’s CutRateCrafts e-mail newsletter. This reading list includes books that will familiarize you with knitting, crochet, and jewelry-making techniques outside your current repertoire. With the knowledge in these books, you will have the confidence to attempt projects you never thought you could do before!

Companion Books:

Companion books are the reference guides that take you from square one through your first few projects and beyond. I learned to knit and crochet with companion books that included detailed photo tutorials on how to create basic stitches. Companion books also include tips on things like finishing off, sewing pieces together, and blocking. Companions also come in handy when you make a mistake and you aren’t sure exactly how to fix it. Use these books to teach you how to knit or crochet (if you haven’t already learned) or as a refresher on the basics if you’re still fuzzy on certain parts of a project.

For Knitting: Knit Fix: Problem Solving for Knitters

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For Crocheting:  The Crocheter’s Companion

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Stitchionaries:

“Stitchionaries,” or stitch dictionaries, are collections of instructions on creating hundreds of different stitches. These reference guides are the best books to have in your repertoire if you seek to expand your knowledge of techniques and patterns. They are also wonderful resources for knitters and crocheters who are venturing into the world of design. If you run into a pattern with sketchy directions for a special technique, check a stitchionary for a more detailed description of the stitch.

For Knitting:  400 Knitting Stitches

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For Crochet:  101 Stitches to Crochet

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Crochet Compendium: The Ultimate Collection of Crochet Techniques

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Project Technique Books:

I call these types of books “project technique” books because they explain specific techniques and provide instructions or patterns to make specific projects with that technique. These combo books are great for branching out into a new topic you are interested in. You will learn more specialized techniques and find several projects to practice with. These books are also useful for building a knowledge base; you can read about the techniques and see examples of new techniques used in different ways without actually making the projects.

For Jewelry Making:  Beaded Ornaments for the Holidays and Beyond

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For Knitting and Crocheting:  100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet

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The Knitter’s Book List: Summer Reading Assignments for Every Knitting Niche

Monday, August 15th, 2011

August is the time of year when every child is suddenly scrambling to finish his summer reading list before the first day of classes. With all that frenzied page-turning going on, you’re sure to have some quiet time to do a little reading of your own. When tackling a novel for book club seems a smidge too daunting, crack open a knitting book for a little light reading and a lot of inspiration.

It’s no secret that I love knitting books and I love hoarding patterns.  I spend far more time drooling over gorgeous patterns and fantasizing about the artistic genius of knitting designers than I do actually knitting. I know I sound horribly unmotivated, but the truth is that flipping through knitting patterns is the only way to get myself excited about knitting when I’m in the middle of a difficult or tedious project. If you’re stuck in a funk or need a creativity injection, try checking out a knitting book on your favorite subject (hats, socks, shawls?) or an unfamiliar techniques (Fair Isle, entrelac?). You’ll be surprised by your renewed enthusiasm for knitting projects!

378402 main The Knitters Book List: Summer Reading Assignments for Every Knitting NicheIf you like shawls: Shawl knitters tend to be knitting addicts fascinated by texture and pattern. If you like the simple comfort of a handknit shawl, check out Knitted Prayer Shawls, which also includes a collection of prayers and blessings to send along with each shawl. Charitable shawl knitters will also find inspiration in Debbie Macomber Friendship Shawls.

345931 main The Knitters Book List: Summer Reading Assignments for Every Knitting NicheAnother wonderful facet of knit shawls is their ability to reflect motifs and design concepts in their beautiful stitch patterns. Unencumbered by shaping or practical elements like armholes and collars, shawls are free to express a designer’s vision. In Shawls and Scarves: The Best of Knitter’s Magazine, you’ll find shawl patterns inspired by lotus blossoms, evergreens, arrowheads, theater curtains, and even mathematical formulas. Ocean Breezes: Knitted Scarves Inspired by The Sea narrows this concept even further, drawing design concepts only from marine elements like cockleshells, coral, and sea foam.

Other awesome books on knitting shawls:

285589 main The Knitters Book List: Summer Reading Assignments for Every Knitting NicheIf you like samplers: Some knitters like to play around with technique and motif in small projects, like dishcloths or afghan squares. Maybe they have short attention spans (like me!) or maybe they’re just trying to learn as much as they can. Sampler books and “stitchionaries” are great for knitters who like to experiment with technique. For the ultimate beginner’s project, look for Easy Knit Squares at your local library to create a simple sampler afghan, or try knitting a few of the dishcloths in Garden Dishcloths to Knit. If you’re a bit more advanced and want a challenge in your knitting samples, try making swatches from 400 Knitting Stitches or play with some of the fascinating finishing techniques in Knitting Over the Edge.

 

369332 main The Knitters Book List: Summer Reading Assignments for Every Knitting NicheIf you like garments: I’m one of those picky knitters who needs her projects to be both functional and beautiful. I can’t resist knitting elaborate items for my wardrobe that take several months (and sometimes years) to complete. If you’re like me and you love a taste of both fashion and crafty genius in your knitting, (along with a healthy dose of garment construction) you might enjoy perusing Interweave’s French Girl Knits. I’ve never actually made one of these timeless, delicate knits (see pattern hoarding confessions above), but I just know that someday those lovely sweaters will grace my dresser drawers! For those of you who tend more towards practicality and comfort, check out Knit Kimono, a collection of drapey sweaters with bold designs.

 

290153 main The Knitters Book List: Summer Reading Assignments for Every Knitting NicheIf you like hats: Hats are favorites for many knitters. These projects knit up quickly and show off new stitch patterns and techniques. They’re also practical, fashionable, and generally seamless. What more could you want in a knitting project? For tons of quick and satisfying knit hats, check out Hip Knit Hats, which includes 40 patterns in a variety of styles; Kids’ Knitted Hats, for the little ones in your life; or Just Hats, a varied collection of projects to knit and crochet.

 

What are your favorite knitting books?

 

 

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Favorites for Fiber Crafters

Monday, July 25th, 2011

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m a soft crafter through and through. I love anything to do with needles, stitchery, and fiber. This weekend I worked on binding a quilt, photographed my latest crocheted scarf to post on Ravelry, and cut out the lining for a jacket I finished knitting last month. That’s why I’m tickled pink when our CutRateCrafts weekend mailings are full of tools for soft crafters. I love telling you all about the exciting tools we have that I use in my everyday crafting!

085546 main Favorites for Fiber CraftersThe first thing that caught my eye in this week’s collection was the SideWinder portable bobbin winder. I’m not much of a traveling seamstress, so I don’t really need a portable bobbin winder, but the bobbin winder on my sewing machine broke several years ago. For eons, I wound my bobbins on my grandmother’s sewing machine, used bobbin thread that didn’t match, or simply avoided sewing altogether. But I recently decided it was time to purchase a SideWinder, and I absolutely love it! Of course it’s not as convenient as simply winding the bobbin on your machine, but it does the job without requiring you to unthread your machine. Since buying the SideWinder, I’ve got oodles of beautifully colored bobbins lying about.

086991 main Favorites for Fiber CraftersIn fact, I’m really coveting one of these handy Stack ‘n Store Bobbin Towers. It would do a whole lot better than the old shoebox where I’ve been sewing my bobbins and other sewing notions!

309626 main Favorites for Fiber CraftersAmong the knitting supplies, I found this clever little book called Knitting Loves Crochet. Although I can crochet and knit, I have yet to combine the two in a garment. I would love to browse through this book and see how the designer, Candi Jensen, combines the two crafts so that they complement each other. Why shouldn’t we soft crafters combine our crafts? Hard crafters mix techniques all the time. Scrapbookers use stamping, cutting, glitter, painting, and collage all on one album page, and yet we’re often afraid to put even one row of crochet edging on a knit sweater. If you’re a knitter who’s nervous about branching out of her craft, be fearless! All you have to lose is a ball of yarn or a yard of fabric (let’s just hope it was on sale!).

087975 main Favorites for Fiber CraftersThe last item that really called to me in this collection was the Go! Baby Fabric Cutter Tote. I’m the editor of our sister site, FaveQuilts.com, and I see tons of quilters who use the Accuquilt Go! Baby Fabric Cutter to make cutting fabric for piecework a snap. I know all you quilters love your quilting guilds and quilting bees, and this tote is perfect for bringing your fabric cutter along!

Check out this collection and tell me what your favorite tools are. Or weigh in on combining techniques in soft crafting. Do you combine knitting and crochet? Knitting and sewing? Sewing and crochet? Tell us about it!

 

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Fancy Footwork

Friday, July 8th, 2011

When I was younger, whenever I  got dressed for school, no matter what I was wearing, I’d always put on my frilly white socks adorned with lace and ruffles, kind of like these frilly beaded socks, but for everyday. Although I was pretty shy, I let my place trimmed socks Fancy Footworkersonality shine through with those socks.

As I grew up, I switched from those white lace socks to more modest ankle socks. But the other day, I was cleaning my room and found an old pair of those socks–along with the pink ones. It got me thinking about learning how to knit my own pair, and I hope to get around to it someday. I want to create something like these yoga socks, which will be quite useful for yoga and Pilates classes, but I also like the design of these anything-but-basic cable knit socks Since I’m a beginner, I’ll just stick with the simple stuff for now.

But for those of you who are familiar with knitting and crocheting socks and other wearable crafts, there are a plethora of knitting and crocheting sock ideas, especially from one of our favorite books, Martingale & Company–Crocheted Socks! Authors Jane Rehfeldt and Mary Jane Wood offer great tips for every type of knitter, from beginner to advanced. The book combines many types of knitted and crochet socks, including basic (and not-so-basic) cable socks, as well as patterns for ribbed and lace. Though the yarn suggested may be a bit difficult to find, you can find an easy substitute at your local craft store. Give your sock drawer a blast of color with any of the new designs featured in these books!

325621 main Fancy FootworkNot into crochet? Try another one of our favorites, Martingale & Company–Knitting Circles around Socks by Antje Gillingham. This book allows you to knit two socks at the same time on two circular needles, and you can slip them onto your feet as soon as you are done. The instructions are very easy to follow, especially for those who are unfamiliar with knitting jargon. The book features a “Basic Sock Pattern,” toward the beginning of the book, to show exactly how to make a pair of plain socks on two different-sized needles, as well as plenty of individual photographs and diagrams to help the reader learn the basics of knitting socks. In addition to the basics, there are also eight other unique designs, including knit socks with beads, socks with stripes, and, of course, knit socks with ankle ruffles.

If you’re up for more of an adventure, you can try the sequel to Knitting Circles around Socks with Martingale & Company–Knitting More Circles around Socks. The book is divided into two sections: cuff-down socks and toe-up socks. Each section starts with a pattern for a basic knit sock, knit on two circular needles. With 12 new patterns, the book also includes patterns for men’s socks as well as a handy sizing guide for children’s socks.

So, if you’re ready to step up to the plate and try new crochet and knitting patterns, with your own copies of these books, you can order them on CutRateCrafts. Trust me, you’ll be hooked!

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A Knitter’s Perspective on Worthwhile Tools

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Over this past weekend, I couldn’t get enough of my knitting! I finished my very first knit sweater on Saturday (can you believe I’ve been knitting for 5 years now without ever having finished a sweater?). I was so satisfied and inspired that I had a lacy camisole started on my needles almost before the sweater was bound off. Needless to say, I adore knitting. When I saw this weekend’s CutRateCrafts newsletter collection, I was ecstatic! The collection is all about knitting (with a bit of Christmas in July throw in for non-knitters!).

When I read over the weekend collection, I usually highlight products I would like to try or interesting knitting tools I’ve heard about. But this weekend, I noticed that I already have many of the products in the collection, and they’re all great! So I thought that today I would tell you which products are really worth the investment. These products are tested and approved by a real knitter!

369332 main A Knitters Perspective on Worthwhile ToolsI noticed the book French Girl Knits, which came into my hands about a year ago, right away. Each and every pattern is delicate, ladylike, and beautiful. The book mostly features sweater patterns of all styles, but also includes one wrap skirt. I always go crazy over knit skirt patterns since they aren’t always easy to find! Some of my favorite patterns from this book include a cable and lace jacket called Stella, a practical but feminine cardigan named Viola, and an Alpine corset-laced tank called Cybele (and if that last pattern inspires you to sew a matching dirndl skirt embroidered with tiny edelweiss, I won’t judge).

Another book that caught my eye was 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders. I have a habit of wandering over to a display of discounted yarn and grabbing a skein of everything that strikes my fancy because, after all, they’re on sale! Fast forward to a storage bin full of mismatched skeins and me searching pattern databases for a project that uses no more than 100 yards and isn’t amigurumi. I really don’t need any more variations of patterns for knit vegetables. This book solves that problem with a huge collection of small projects organized by yarn weight.

Speaking of my yarn collection, I’d also recommend you to take a look at the Cropper Hopper 3-Drawer Rolling Cart. The only logical place to store my yarn is the closet in my guest bedroom. It’s a regular clothes closet: about 1-1/2 feet deep with no shelving and an essentially useless hanging rod. Rather than stack bins of yarn on top of each other so that I have to unstack and re-stack every time I need something, I made the decision to use free-standing storage drawers about a year ago. I can’t tell you how helpful this has been in organizing my yarn. The wheels on this 3-drawer unit are especially helpful for reorganizing or moving (which I did several times in the past few years).

075504 main A Knitters Perspective on Worthwhile ToolsAnother knitting purchase I have never regretted is my interchangeable needle set. I waffled over this decision for a long time but finally decided to purchase them, and I’m so glad I did. I had inherited a healthy collection of straight needles from my grandmother, but when I started knitting in the round, I began to realize how much money I could spend buying every size and length of circular needle under the sun. Worse, my needle collection was becoming so frazzled and disorganized that I couldn’t even find the needles I did have when I needed them. My interchangeable needles were a godsend. Now if I’m swatching a project away from home and still figuring out what needle size to use, I simply throw the whole set in my bag. When I have to change needle sizes in the middle of a project, I can just switch out the needles tips attached to the cord. If I start working on a new project that calls for the same size needles as I had been using for another piece, I just detach the needle tips and attach the cord to itself or another pair of tips. I’d recommend a set (or two!) for any serious knitter.

Take a look at the collection and tell me which products you already have. What are your best knitting investments?

 

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Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

A smörgasbord of knitting information.  That’s the first thought that came to mind when I flipped through the pages of Vickie Howell’s Knit Aid: A Learn it, Fix it, Finish it Guide for Knitters on the Go. Whether you’re an experienced knitter who just needs a brief refresher on some of those easily forgotten techniques or you’re brand new to knitting, this book is a handy guide chocked full of helpful tips, instructions and suggestions. 346181 main Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell

For the beginners out there, the book includes a useful basic reference section that discusses everything from how to read yarn labels and how to interpret basic sizing standards to tips on how to choose a project and how to find the right knitting method for what you want to make.

More experienced knitters will find this book is just a handy thing to have around, whether it’s sitting on your coffee table while you knit or whether you tuck it into your knitting bag for some help on the go.  Readers have also found that this book can be their new best friend when they want to review a more obscure technique (like how to knit and purl Continental-style) or when they have those brain freezes that happen to us all every now and then.

The book also includes some nice unexpected surprises, like an on-the-go gauge ruler and a piece of knitter’s graph paper that you can scan and print out to use for your own project designs.  How cool is that?!

Last but certainly not least, I love how this book has lots and lots of illustrations.  If you’re a visual learner like I am, there’s nothing better than having all of the steps neatly drawn out for you.  No more scanning through lines and lines of unnecessary text… just look at the easy to follow illustrations!

Knit Aid would make a great present for any knitter in your life, but it’s also the perfect gift to get yourself … you’ll thank yourself later when you’re stuck on a technique and have this handy guide at your fingertips!

You can get your copy today for less than $7 by heading over to the CutRateCrafts online store.

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Review of Knit Aid by Vickie Howell

An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less? I’m Sold!

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Sometimes I find it hard being a crafter with a short attention span.  I constantly find myself starting projects and abandoning them after only a couple of days.  As I write this, there is a half-finished knit scarf lying on my end table and my couch is covered with a crochet blanket I’ve been putting off for months now.  It’s mainly blankets and throws — big things — that I find so daunting.  I just never feel like I have enough time to finish them, and when I start thinking of how much more time they’re going to take to complete, I just give up.

341628 main An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!This is why I love the Knit in 10 Hours: Afghans and Throws pattern book, available at CutRateCrafts.com.  It’s meant for people exactly like me.  The book offers six quick-knit designs that you can start AND finish in one weekend.  I really love the Tiger Stripes pattern and the Clear Skies design, but really I’m excited to make them all … and I’m pretty confident that I’ll actually complete all six because they’re so simple to make!

There are also some great fast and easy patterns at allfreeknitting.com, so be sure to check these out too:

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px An Afghan in 10 Hours or Less?  Im Sold!

Loom Knitting Pattern Book

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

I have a confession to make: I have never tried loom knitting. Not only have I never tried loom knitting, but I also completely discounted it as some kind of unreasonable outgrowth of a children’s craft kit. Having never looked into loom knitting, I assumed it was an easy method for creating generally shapeless objects like cowls, scarves, and hats. It seemed too simplistic for the lacy, cabled sweaters and dresses I dreamed of.

loom knitting pattern book Loom Knitting Pattern Book

But then I discovered the Loom Knitting Pattern Book from St. Martin’s. I noticed the woman on the cover wearing not a shapeless shawl, but a jacket with sleeves and ruffles and a collar and all kinds of things I didn’t think a loom could create. I hesitantly peeked inside to see what other surprises loom knitting might hold. There were a lot of projects. And they weren’t all scarves. There were sweaters, vests, and children’s clothing in almost every shape you can think of, including a dress. This is when my concept of loom knitting started to crack. I was amazed at all the things you could make with a simple knitting loom! Loom knitting is much easier for many knitters because there are no needles to manipulate. The loom also makes it incredibly hard to drop a stitch, since each column of stitches has its own peg on the loom. With the Loom Knitting Pattern Book, you can make 38 different clothing items with an easy-to-use knitting loom. The book even includes a few outfits for pets!

Of course, even after glancing through the patterns, I thought, “Fine. A loom can make a bunch of tubes and panels, and then you can stitch them into a garment. But it certainly can’t make lace and cable patterns.”  But then I looked a little bit closer at the sock patterns, and I was shocked to find “Lace Panel Socks” and “Cables and Ribs Socks.”  So I guess a loom can do everything a pair of needles can do. So if you’re like me, and you’ve just figured out all the amazing things a knitting loom can do, then what are you waiting for? Get a set of looms, get the Loom Knitting Pattern Book, and start knitting!

If you’re still hesitant because you’ve never knit with a loom before, remember that it’s simple! Many children learn to knit first on knitting looms because they are easy to manipulate. Check out some of the new loom knitting videos on AllFreeKnitting for a thorough tutorial. You can also read more details about the Loom Knitting Pattern Book in an editor’s review on AllFreeKnitting.

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Loom Knitting Pattern Book