Tagged: crochet

Dec 30

Crafting resolutions, part 2

OK, more ideas for knit and crochet resolutions. Don’t forget to share yours in the comments!

6. Take a class. Look, first and foremost, knitting and crochet classes are FUN. You sit around for a few hours doing something you love with other people who love the same thing. It’s not algebra class, people. There’s no exam at the end. It’s just a great way to learn something new. And even though these days you could learn to turn a heel by watching an Internet video, you’ll almost always be more successful if someone is standing over your shoulder and helping to guide your needles in the right direction. You can always watch the video when you get home if you need a reminder. We’ve got tons of great classes this winter and spring. Some of them are on basic topics that you might need to improve your work — fixing mistakes, finishing techniques, etc. But some are just classes you can take just for the fun of it — owl mittens, fair isle tam, intarsia, aran knitting. Check out our schedule, and then sign up.

7. Plan your gifting. True, we just came out of the gift-knitting season, and it’s hard to think about it again. But you just might find you enjoy making gifts much more if you start thinking about it well before Thanksgiving. Make a list of all the people you’d like to knit or crochet for next holiday season, as well as other gift-giving occasions, like birthdays, Mother’s Day, etc. That way, you can spread your gift-making throughout the year, instead of doing it all in the span of a few weeks. Or …

8. Give yourself a break from making gifts. My mom (who is also a maker) and I often say that the holidays create a lot of self-imposed stressed for people who like to make gifts. We feel forced to make handmade presents for everyone who crosses our paths, when most likely, very few of them expect it. Decide right now that in 2011, you’ll give yourself a break from making gifts. Or choose one or two worthy recipients, and make really special gifts for them. If you’re feeling guilty, resolve to alternate years — in 2011, you’ll lay off the handmade gifts, and in 2012, you’ll get back to it.

9. Learn to crochet. Yes, it’s a very specific resolution. But it just might be worth doing. I’ve already laid out all my reasons here, so I won’t do it again. This year, we’re adding a new one-session class called Crochet for Knitters. So if you think you’ll never be a full-fledged crocheter, maybe that’s a good one for you. You’ll learn some basic techniques to enhance your knitting, like a provisional cast-on, basic edgings and simple embellishments.

10. Knit socks. Again, very specific, but with good reason. Socks are just plain fun. I taught a socks class earlier this month, and it rejuvenated my love of sock knitting. Socks can be simple, fancy, lacy or cozy. Sock yarns are fun to buy, and don’t take up TOO MUCH space in your stash. And there’s something magical about turning a heel that makes you feel like an absolute knitting genius. Plus, it’s a really good feeling to knit something so useful, something that you or someone you love can wear every day. Take our socks class to get started and you’ll see what I mean.

OK, that’s probably enough to get you started. So tell us, what’s your stitchy resolution for 2011?

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Posted in Chat, Classes

Dec 14

Give the gift of creativity

Are you buying for another knitter or crocheter this year? Come do your holiday shopping at Knit and Stitch! (And if a few extra skeins of yarn happen to slip into your bag, so be it.) And if you’re hoping for a little fiber under your tree this year, why not “accidentally” leave this page open on your screen? Or, if you’re the more direct type, just send this link to someone who loves you.

Kids CrochetFOR THE LITTLE CRAFTER

For a crafty person, there’s nothing better than passing on the love of making things to another person. And when that person is a child, it’s even better. Crochet is a great craft for kids — it is sometimes easier to pick up than knitting, and it’s quite a bit easier to fix mistakes. Pick up a copy of “Kids Crochet,” a wonderful how-to book by Kelli Ronci. I recommend this book to adults to want to learn to crochet too; it’s well-written and clearly illustrated, and contains lots of contemporary, fun projects. Kids can crochet a bulky neckwarmer, a little ball, a cute stuffed cupcake, or even a sweater! (A skein of Rowan Big Wool would be perfect to make that darling neckwarmer on the cover. And pick out a few great buttons while you’re at it!) Let us help you pick out a few skeins of basic wool and some hooks, and you’ve got a gift that will keep a kid busy during winter break.

Brushed Suri MittsFOR THE IMPATIENT KNITTER

If you know a knitter who loves to stitch, but doesn’t have the time to seek out patterns, match yarn and buy new needles, help her out by making up a little kit with all the essentials. She can cast on in minutes if you’ve given her yarn, a pattern and appropriate needles. Of course there are tons of patterns that will do, but I suggest one of our favorites of this season, the Brushed Suri Mitts. These are seriously gorgeous, and seriously simple. (If you know someone who has knit her share of basic scarves and is ready to try something new, this would be a great project.) Blue Sky Alpacas’ Brushed Suri has been flying off the shelves after knitters touch the sample mitt we’ve got in the store. It’s super-soft and cozy, and looks elegant and luxurious. The mitts only take one skein of yarn, so this is an affordable gift, but one that will be so appreciated! BSA does a great job with their patterns — this one comes on a narrow card that fits just right into a small project bag. (Why not buy a small bag to give with the project?) Pick up a skein of Brushed Suri, a pattern card and a set of size 5 double-pointed needles, and you’re all set. (A set of stitch markers or a tape measure would be a nice add-on too.)

Beaver bagFOR THE DISORGANIZED CRAFTER

You’ll rarely find a knitter or crocheter who can’t use another bag, pouch or tote. Fortunately, we’ve got lots of them! If you know a crafter with more WIPs than she can count on both hands, why not give her a stash of project bags in different shapes and sizes? One favorite around the shop is the little beaver tote (at right), which is the perfect size for a small or medium project, and is just so darn cute. It’s sturdy, too, so you don’t have to worry about needles poking through the sides. Add on a small zipper pouch for stitch markers and tapestry needles, or The Perfect Notions Case, which I’ve noticed that several magazines (including Interweave) are calling a “must-have” gift. We’ve also got lots of larger Dick and Janezipper pouches that would be just right for a sock or mitten project. (This Dick and Jane pouch is my favorite!) Stuff a ball of sock yarn in there for a special treat. Or stock it with tons of notions — tapestry needles, a pom-pom maker, cable needles, point protectors, a tape measure, buttons. What knitter can’t use more of those things? We’ve got some fun and unusual notions — come check out our notions wall, to the right of the cash register. We can point you toward some neat little gadgets, or browse and see what catches your eye. (Notions make great stocking stuffers for the crafter in your life!)

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS ADVANCED BEGINNER

For a lot of knitters, socks are the next frontier. Why not help a newer knitter advance to something more challenging? Pick out a few skeins of sock yarn, a selection of DPNs (or long circulars for Magic Loop) and a small project bag. Add a Knit and Stitch gift certificate, and your recipient can take a sock-knitting class with us in the spring. Or we can help you pick out a book or pattern to get her or him started.

FOR THE SPLURGE-WORTHY KNITTER

A few balls of cashmere. Enough said.

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Posted in Shop news

Nov 24

Thankful for teachers

Apple!There are many, many things to give thanks for this holiday week, but I thought I’d choose one to focus on today  – an important one. Teachers. It’s safe to say that everyone can be thankful for teachers, but those of us with young children are particularly grateful, as we send our kids off every day to be nurtured, instructed, loved (and disciplined) by people who are relative strangers in September.

Every year around this time, I struggle to find a way to show gratitude to the wonderful people who teach my children. I’m sure many of us are in the same boat: How do you effectively say, “Thanks for putting up with everything my kids throw at you (oh, and also teaching them)”? And how do you find a suitable gift when you’re also trying to do the 4 million other tasks that seem to pile up starting in late November?

For those of us who like to give handmade gifts, the struggle is even more difficult. Sometimes it can be hard enough to make gifts for our nearest and dearest, let alone as many as a half dozen teachers who may be part of our kids’ lives. And honestly, I think most teachers appreciate a nice gift card with a heartfelt note — one size fits all, and you don’t have to worry about their “style,” favorite color, wool allergy, etc.

But I am a maker, and it’s hard for me NOT to give a small handmade token to people who are such huge parts of my children’s lives. And since I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way, I put together a list of some quick, thoughtful and (mostly) inexpensive gifts that might be good for the teachers in your life. (Warning: If the “apple for teacher” theme offends you, you might want to stop reading now.)

If you’ve given some well-received gifts to teachers (handmade or not), or are a teacher yourself, please share your ideas in the comments. We’d all love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Let’s get the apple stuff out of the way:

– Apple for teacher: This year, a few teachers in my life will be getting these cute stuffed apples (photo above). I’ve made a few already, from scraps of Cascade 220 and some fingering-weight leftovers for the stems and leaves. I stuffed them with lentils and yarn scraps, so they are a nice weight to sit on a desk.

– Apple cozy: I’ll be the first to admit, apple cozies fall into the category of “completely unnecessary.” But they also fall into the category of “completely cute.” I mean, a sweater for an apple? What could be more adorable than that? And it’s a nice twist on the “apple for teacher” theme, not to mention quick and easy. This buttoned crochet version is very cute (and adjustable), but there are lots more versions out there. I like this one too.

– Apple washcloth: Designer Susan B. Anderson, guru of all cute things, has a free pattern on her site for a sweet apple washcloth. (This would be lovely in Rowan Handknit Cotton, which we carry in the shop in lots of colors.) Package it with a pretty bar of soap (World Market is a great source) or with a nice bottle of dish soap (Method, Mrs. Meyers and Williams-Sonoma all make gift-worthy soaps) to use as a dishcloth.

– Apple coasters: I also love these crocheted apple coasters — wouldn’t four of them look sweet tied up with a ribbon?

OK, moving away from apples …

– Coffee sleeves: These are a super-quick project — you can churn out a whole bunch of them with scraps of yarn. Our own Melissa has written a pattern for a cute pleated sleeve, and there are dozens of other great patterns on Ravelry to knit or crochet. This buttoned-up version has been in my favorites for a long time. It would be a fun way to use some of the cute buttons we’ve got in the shop. (If you run out of time to knit these, let me recommend the fabric coffee sleeves available at the Doe & Mouse Etsy shop. They were a hit with my son’s teachers last year.) Package the sleeves with a Starbucks gift card, and you’ve got a great gift.

– Fingerless mitts: At my kids’ schools (and most elementary schools, I imagine), the kids go outside in pretty much any kind of weather. And that means the teachers do too. For people who are constantly zipping coats, wiping runny noses and settling playground scuffles, fingerless mitts are a good alternative to mittens or gloves (except during really, really cold weather, of course). Last year, I gave my son’s teachers Dean Street Mitts, and they were very well-received. You could knit them up in Malabrigo Worsted for a real luxury item, or use a hard-wearing yarn like Cascade 220 or Berocco Ultra Alpaca for a nice sturdy pair. There are tons of wonderful mitt patterns on Ravelry, and many are very quick.

Big Lace Scarf– Big Lace Scarf: Joelle Hoverson’s “More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts” has been a big hit around the shop, and of course it’s filled with lots of great quick gifts that would work well for teachers. But one of my favorites is the Big Lace Scarf. I am not much of a lace knitter, but I love the way the scarf looks, and I knew one of my son’s teachers would love it. I used three skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky and size 15 needles, and I was done in two evenings. The BSA Bulky is so, so squishy and warm, and the alpaca gives it a lovely softness. Plus, the scarf looks impressive, even though it’s actually very easy. (Also a very low-pressure introduction to lace.)

– Bulky cowl or scarflette: On the theme of bulky yarn, I love the Wham Bam Thank You Lamb neckwarmer, which is basically just a big garter-stitch rectangle sewn up in kind of a creative way to create a neat cowl. Rowan Big Wool or BSA Bulky would both be great for this cowl. Or try this simple “neckie,” which is just another big swatch. And it’s a great opportunity to use some cool buttons too. The nice thing about projects like this (besides the fact that they’re super-quick and ultra-warm!) is that they suit a wide range of styles.

OK, that’s enough to get us started. Your turn — what have you given teachers in the past?

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Posted in Chat, Patterns

Nov 20

Weekend inspiration

The weekend has already started, but it’s never too late for a little inspiration …

  • Crocheted fan scarfOur customer, Susan, was in the shop last weekend and shared with us this gorgeous crocheted scarf (at right). We had to immediately snap a photo. Guess what? The pattern is actually for a bookmark! Instead of the thread called for in the pattern, Susan used yarn to create this fluffy ruffled scarf. Yay for crochet!
  • Another customer, Kim, shared this FREE pattern that she’s planning to knit: a bulky, garter-stitch cowl. Doesn’t it look cozy? And on size 17 needles, it’s a one- or two-evening project. (A last-minute gift, perhaps?) This would look beautiful in Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky or Rowan Big Wool.
  • While scanning Anthropologie’s holiday offerings this week, I spotted these pretty hand soaps with crocheted covers. And that reminded me of these: crochet-covered sea stones, on the Purl Bee. World Market has lots of inexpensive round hand soaps in lovely fragrances that would work perfectly for this project. It would make a relatively quick gift for someone on your list. Or, if you don’t crochet, just buy the pretty soap and knit a washcloth to go with it.
  • Speaking of washcloths/dishcloths, this designer has patterns for dishcloths featuring a menorah, a dreidel and a star of David. This would make nice hostess gifts if you’re headed to someone’s house for Hanukkah.
  • Did a baby come into your life this year? You still have time to knit the little one a Christmas stocking before the big day. (If you get cracking!) This would be a perfect first stocking — I love the car motif on the boy’s version.

JUST A REMINDER …

Did you enter our giveaway to win a copy of the wonderful “Red Collection”? No worries — you’ve got time. We’ll choose a winner at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24.

AND ANOTHER ONE …

We’re getting excited for our Black Friday sale! The action starts at 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 26. Stock up for holiday knitting and crochet, or treat yourself to something. We’ll see you then!

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    Posted in Chat, Patterns, Shop news

    Nov 12

    Come stitch quick gifts Dec. 5!

    Wine bottle scarves and hats

    How else does a bottle of chilled champagne keep warm?

    There’s a reason that there are entire books devoted to “last-minute” gifts: During the holiday season, it seems we’re always in need of a little gift for one person or another, and of course, it’s always, ALWAYS at the last minute.

    Maybe you’re heading to a holiday party, and don’t want to go empty-handed. Maybe you need another small gift for your child’s teacher(s). Maybe your mail carrier has been extra-vigilant about leaving your packages where they won’t get rained on, and deserves a little gift. And maybe (probably?) you just can’t bear another trip to the mall.

    This year, Knit and Stitch is excited to host a special winter workshop devoted especially to these small, quick gifts. On Sunday, Dec. 5, join us in the shop to learn to knit or crochet a few little items that are just right for last-minute gifts. The workshop runs from 1 to 5 p.m., but you can come and go as you please — we’ll have lots of hands available to help you get started on the project you choose. The workshop itself and the patterns are absolutely free, and you can buy kits that contain mini-skeins of yarn and some additional small items to complete your projects. (The kits will contain plenty of yarn for several projects.)

    Of course, the workshop is going to be fun! But it’s also a chance to sharpen your skills. If you’ve never knit on double-pointed needles (or are a bit rusty), this is your chance to get some free instruction and practice on a very small project. No need to tackle a sock or mitten as your first DPN project — we’ve chosen some very cute patterns that even a DPN beginner can tackle. If you’re a crocheter — or want to be — we’ve chosen a simple (but SO cute) crochet project as well. So if you want to learn to hook, there’s a chance for that too.

    So what are we stitching? Here are the projects we’ve chosen:

    • Wine bottle hats and scarves (pictured above): How can you not smile when you see these? A bottle of wine is always appreciated, but a bottle of wine wearing a hat and scarf will be the talk of the party! How about a six-pack of beer wearing hats in your favorite team’s colors? Awesome.
    • Korknisse: Corks wearing tiny hats and sweaters! See a great example here. These are a great way to practice on DPNs, and use up little bits of yarn. Turn them into ornaments or gift toppers, or make a whole gang of them to sit on a table or mantel.
    • Coffee sleeve: You know those cardboard cup sleeves you get at coffee shops? Why not knit one? Saves a tree, and looks super-cute around your morning latte. Add a Starbucks gift card, and this becomes a perfect teacher gift.
    • Crocheted bird: This adorable bird decoration is also great crochet practice. You’ll learn to crochet a circle, which is the foundation for lots of crochet projects.

    Think you’ll join us? We want to have plenty of kits (and staff) on hand for everyone. If you think you’ll drop by the open house, send us a quick e-mail at knitandstitchbethesda@gmail.com. We won’t hold you to it, but it would help our planning considerably.

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      Posted in Patterns, Shop news, Techniques, Workshops

      Nov 02

      A call to crochet

      Crocheted potholders

      Fruity trivets and potholders, a free pattern from purlbee.com

      I learned to crochet before I learned to knit. My mom has crocheted for as long as I can remember. She tried to teach me for the first time when I was in high school, but it didn’t “take.” (Which might have been because at the time, we were sitting in a car with a flat tire, waiting for help to arrive.)

      About seven years ago, when the new wave of knitting and crochet was just beginning to hit, I asked her to teach me to crochet granny squares. For Christmas that year, she gave me a big box of yarn, an assortment of hooks and my first lesson. I crocheted about a dozen granny squares in that first week, and assembled them into a scarf. It was kind of lumpy, so it eventually went off to Goodwill, but an obsession had begun.

      The next year, I learned to knit, and while knitting has eclipsed crochet among my fiber-based hobbies, I still crochet several projects a year. I think crochet gets a bad rap, especially among knitters. When I was first learning to knit, I was browsing in a yarn shop, and I heard another customer ask one of the shop staff about the difference between knitting and crochet. “Well,” the woman replied, her voice dripping with disdain, “Crochet always looks handmade, but knitting can look really professional.” Obviously, she wasn’t a crocheter.

      But I was (am!), and I’ve always remembered that conversation. And it’s just not true; just as knitting has soared in recent years, spawning lots of beautiful new patterns and yarns, crochet has also had a renaissance. It’s no longer just a craft of bulky acrylic afghans and lacy doilies. The new wave of contemporary crochet has something for everyone.

      You owe it to yourself to give crochet a try — sign up for our two-session beginning crochet class, Wednesday, Dec. 1 and 8. In the first session, we’ll learn the basics, and then in the second class, we’ll learn to read a pattern and crochet a basic granny square. I’ll also chat about a few ways crochet and knitting play well together, so if you’re already a knitter, you can use crochet to enhance your projects.

      Still not convinced? Here are my top five reasons that crochet is worth a look:

      Granny square potholder

      A cotton potholder made from two basic granny squares

      1. Have you ever tried to knit a perfect circle? It’s (sort of ) possible, but it requires some skill. It’s easy to crochet a perfect circle. And from there, the possibilities are endless. Surely you’ve seen all the cute patterns for crocheted toys (called amigurumi). It’s become easier to find patterns for knit amigurumi, but it started as a crochet phenomenon, partly because it’s easier to form some of the stuffed shapes in crochet.

      2. I’m not going to get into a debate about whether crochet is easier than knitting. Plenty of people find that one craft or the other just isn’t for them. But I will say this: I find it a lot easier to fix my mistakes in crochet. When you crochet, you only have one stitch on the hook at a time, so if you mess up, you just unravel back to where the mistake occurred. Anyone who’s tried to fix mistakes in knitting knows that it’s not always that easy. I’m a pretty advanced knitter, and I’ve still been known to frog significant portions of a project rather than try to fix a mistake.

      3. Much like knitting, crochet takes on an entirely different look depending on the materials you’re using. You can use a tiny hook and skinny thread and crochet a doily, or a giant hook and bulky yarn and crochet an area rug. Out of the same pattern!

      4. I won’t carve this in stone, but often, crochet is quicker and takes less yarn than knitting. For example, I almost always choose crochet when I want to make a baby blanket. I did knit a super-squishy bulky blanket for my niece, but both of my own children have crochet blankets. I just find that it’s faster, and when you’ve got a deadline like a baby’s arrival, that’s a good thing.

      5. If you’re already a knitter, crochet is a good trick to have up your sleeve. Even if you’re a novice knitter, you can knit a basic hat in stockinette stitch. Crochet a giant flower, sew it on, and suddenly you’ve created something really special. You can also crochet beautiful borders and embellishments for lots of knitted items. And if you’ve never used a crochet provisional cast-on, you need to check it out. Great for turned hems and other fun improvements to your knitting.

      Did I convince you? Good — call the shop now at (301) 652-8688 and register for Beginning Crochet. And keep an eye on this space for more reasons you really should pick up a hook.

      A NOTE ON THE PATTERNS

      The cute potholders and trivet are crocheted from a free pattern available on The Purl Bee. They’re knit with a K hook from the lovely Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton, which we carry at Knit and Stitch in lots of gorgeous colors. The yarn is held doubled, to make a nice thick potholder (or trivet) to protect your hands (or countertop!).

      The granny square potholder is actually just two basic squares (a granny square, and a plain double-crochet square), crocheted from cotton yarn with a G hook. They’re crocheted together with a round of single crochet.

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      Posted in Classes, Shop news