Countdown to Knitmas: Day 24!

Tomorrow is the big day! We have been working hard on all of the preparations and we can rest as our loved ones tear into the wrapping paper, pour over the contents of stockings, devour the sweets, and bask in the afterglow of delicious meals.
As you rest, please consider a gift to yourself; I am a strong proponent of knitters learning to crochet and crocheters learning to knit. Perhaps you knitters have a hook laying about and you crocheters a set of random needles? Both fiber arts are fantastic, having unique properties and textures. They also play very well together, as edgings or completely intermingled in projects. I have crocheted the yoke of a sweater for its decorative quality and then knitted the rest for the drape of the fabric. I am currently working on a simple granny square blanket that I plan on decorating with a garter st edging upon near completion. Then, there is my go-to-gift, a knitted washcloth with a crocheted edging (which I need to go finish and wrap when I am done typing).
So, here are some links to videos that will teach you to do the knitted cast on and to do the chain stitch, for knitting and crochet respectively. If you can do either of these base steps, then you can do all of it. If you are brave enough to take a look at them and to try, then you are brave enough to add the opposite skill to your fiber tool chest.
How to do the Knitted Cast On - the base row for your knitting
How to do the Chain Stitch - the base row for your crochet (this video also has how to do single crochet, the next step)
Both videos have a little refresher on how to make a slip knot at the start, so if you have any friends who do neither, then feel free to challenge them to learning something new, too.
Since you are taste testing these skills, you may want to take it a step further as you plan your new year. Below are the dates of the beginning levels of both.

Beginning Knitting:
Saturdays, January 15, 22, and 29 @ 4 to 6 pm
Wednesdays, February 9, 16, and 23 @ 6 to 8 pm
Saturdays, March 2, 9, and 16 @ 4 to 6 pm
Beginning Crochet
Saturdays, February 12, 19, and 26 @ 4 to 6 pm
Advanced Beginning Crochet
Tuesdays, March 22, 29 and April 5 @ 6 to 8 pm

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 23!

We're getting so close! And there is still time to pick up a quick gift for the knitter in your life if you haven't yet, the shop is open tomorrow, Christmas Eve, from 10am-2pm. Need some ideas??

Any knitter would be excited to receive a set of Interchangable Knitting needles! We carry the Denise set, which are plastic, and cost $50-55. I like these alot, I have a set and they are a good stand-by. If you want something a little fancier, we also have the Addi Turbo Click needles, which are $170. Another cute gift is the Knit Kit, a little case that has a tape measure, stitch counter, yarn cutter, stitch counter, crochet hook, collapsible scissors, stitch markers, point protectors, and a darning needle. That's a lot for $22! And, if nothing stikes your fancy, you can always get a Gift Certificate!

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 22!

When giving a hand made fiber gift, we always worry if the recipient will know just how much careful they should be when considering washing their new treasure. There are two things that you can do to help ensure that there are no mysteries or accidental felting incidents.
Thing one: Include the ball band with your present. The ball band or tag holds all the information from composition to care (from "100% alpaca" to "handwash, lay flat to dry, etc."). Since you may be one who keeps the bands and tags or you may find that the care symbols are too hard for a lay person to interpret, you could copy down the information on a 3"x5" card or a decorative tag.

Thing two: You could become less subtle and include some wool wash with your gift. We have Eucalan brand in 3.3 oz at only $4.00, which is a small price to pay for some peace of mind. If you have a lucky individual whom you plan on knitting or crocheting a lifetime worth goodies for, then you may want to invest in a large bottle of Eucalan or Kookaburra. These rinse optional washes are almost easier than doing the regular laundry: fill a sink with cold or look warm water, add an appropriate amount of wash, insert fiber item, let soak for 20 mins., and lay flat to dry.

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 21!

Today I have an extra special treat for you! Our awesome crochet teacher Elisa has sent us a great free pattern!

Leia's Lacy Scarf is so pretty, I just love it! Elisa always makes the most beautiful things, and I'm so excited that I can share this free pattern with you!

LEIA’S LACY SCARF
By Elisa Purnell
Copyright November 2007


The quickly mastered stitch pattern in this open, lacy scarf shows off your favorite variegated or hand-dyed yarn to great advantage.

Materials:
-Schaefer Yarn Company Laurel or approx. 400 yards
aran weight yarn
-Size “I” crochet hook

Stitches:
Foundation Single Crochet (Fsc):
-chain 2, insert hook in first chain of chain 2 (closest
to slip knot), *draw up loop (you’ll have 2 loops on hook);
-YO, draw through first loop (**chain 1 made - still 2
loops on hook);
-YO, draw through remaining 2 loops. Fsc made.
-Insert hook in chain 1 of previous stitch, repeat from *.
“V” Stitch: (2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet) in same
stitch.
Picot: Single crochet, chain 3, slip stitch in vertical bar and side
bar of single crochet just made.

Body of Scarf:
Foundation single crochet (Fsc) 19. Turn (do not chain). Slip stitch in top of first Fsc, chain 3.

Row 1: (2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet) in 3rd Fsc, *skip 2 Fsc, (2 double
crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet) in next Fsc, repeat from *, skip 2 Fsc, double crochet in
last Fsc. (You should have 5 “V” stitch shells.)

Row 2: Chain 3, *(2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet) in next chain 1 space, repeat
from * across; double crochet in top of turning chain 3.

Repeat Row 2 until scarf is 80” long.
Chain 1, turn, work 19 single crochets evenly across.
Do not fasten off.

Picot Edge:
Working down long edge of scarf: Chain 1, single crochet in same stitch, single crochet in next, Picot in next stitch; *(single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, Picot in next stitch) to corner; (single crochet, chain 1, single crochet) in corner. Repeat from * around. Fasten off.

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 20!

There is still time. To finish that last gift that you forgot that you needed. When we are open tomorrow (Tuesday), you can run in to get the supplies for this adorable, speedy scarf. With one hank of Misti Alpaca Chunky and US 13 or 15 needles, you can swiftly make this ruffled scarf. You can download the pattern at their website or remember to ask for a copy when you are picking up your yarn. This winter is at least the 3rd Christmas that our sample of this pattern has saved gift givers at 11th hour. I made one for my sister-in-law starting Christmas morning and had it ready to give at 2pm that afternoon.

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 18!

So you have been working your fingers to the bone to complete your gifts on time. Are you ready to get yourself a gift or do you need some special luxury yarn to work that final last minute gift? Are you looking for something to get you out of the house during this dreary weather? Well, MADELINETOSH PASHMINA JUST ARRIVED!!!
This stunning yarn is a merino/silk/cashmere blend. It feels like a dream, the colors are breathtaking, and it comes with 360 yds (enough to make a lovely pashmina style shawl). Oh, and it is washable. There are new colors that haven't been seen on our shelves yet, so you'll want to see what's new. How could it be better?

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 17!

Today I've got another tip on a quick Christmas gift to whip up, and this one is REALLY fast. I'm not kidding...Coffee Cup Sleeves! Much cuter and softer than the little cardboard sleeves that they slide onto your cup at the Coffee Shop, these are cute little gifts to give to teachers, your Mail Person, the neighbors, anyone!

It's such a simple little thing to knit, you can customize it with different cable patterns or whatever you feel like! I like to keep one in my purse and use it when I go to Starbucks or Coffee Bean.