Simple Knitting Tools: The KnitOasis Bag

Announcing the KnitOasis bag!! Order yours today!

It's important, as a knitter, to have a secure, reliable way to haul your precious cargo (knitting). I tell my beginning students that carrying your newly-discovered hobby around in a plastic grocery bag is no way to live.

There are lots of great bags out there, plus, as a knitter, you can KNIT your own bag (I have a workshop coming up soon to do just that, in fact!).

Nothing beats a good canvas bag however and when that bag sports the logo of your favorite knitting resource, then you're going to love carrying your knitting in it!

These bags measure 14" x 14" x 3" and are made of 100% natural 8oz cotton. The logo is printed on one side in black and palm tree green. I've been using mine for 3 months and it still looks great! It's roomy enough for several projects, your knitting accessories, your wallet, a water bottle and a sweater (since the coffee shop can sometimes be chilly). The straps are long enough to slip over my shoulder, which helps when I'm trying to get my knitting bag out of the car while wrangling an excited dachshund.

To get your KnitOasis bag, just email me at knitoasis at gmail dot com or message me on the Facebook page or send a carrier pigeon with a note tied to its tiny pigeon toes.

Your cost? Only $15, which includes shipping and tax (if you're local). There will be a small postage fee added for shipping out of the area, depending on how far you live from glorious Charleston.

Mr. Deeds Wears a Cap: A New Pattern and a Sale

My love of old movies is certainly no secret. I have been a classic film buff since they used to show them on Saturday mornings on the non-network channel (Yes, I am old). The geometric and art deco designs that were used as set decor are so enchanting. I think my love of interesting lamps and clocks comes from old movies, plus there's just something about a man in a suit and hat.

It should come as no surprise then that while watching "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936) recently, I fell in love with this amazing bank of windows in the courtroom scene:

When lines and patterns catch my eye, I always wonder if I can turn them into knitted designs, don't you?

And so I did:

With a stranded Fair Isle class on the schedule, I decided that it would be lovely to have a pattern of my very own to teach, making this hat an excellent choice for a beginner project.

Available starting today in my Ravelry shop, its release is cause for a celebratory sale! Buy it and get any one other item for 1/2 off, from now till the end of August. 

Enjoy and I can't wait to see how your Mr. Deeds turns out!

Finger Knitting Fun event--it was fun!

Saturday was a little different. Instead of teaching traditional knitting, I presented the basics of finger knitting to an awesome bunch of kids and parents.

Thank you to Lara Neel, who contacted me about sharing Vickie Howell's new book, Finger Knitting Fun, with the knitters in Charleston. I think we made some fans here!

The participants made snakes, bracelets and necklaces out of a variety of yarns. My favorite yarn to use was, appropriately enough, Vickie Howell's Sheep(ish) yarn by Bernat. A single ply wool blend, the colors we used were bright and happy.

If you have little ones or work with little ones or just want to learn a rather addictive new skill, finger knitting is a great addition to your repertoire, and Vickie's book makes it easy with great projects and easy to follow directions.

I loved seeing all the creativity and excitement of "next I'm going to make....!". 

Fun fur yarn made for great finger knitted bracelets.

Pic-worthy projects, made in a morning.

Finger knitting in progress!

Not only did she make pretty jewelry, she's a pretty good model, too!

Snakes! Notice the rattle and angry expression on the red one. Look out!

Fun to make, then fun to play with!

Thank you to all the moms (and one grandma!) who came out to learn finger knitting with the kids early on a Saturday morning. I heard that the family of snakes was played with all afternoon, so I'm calling the event a rousing a success. Who knows, I might even hold this event again, it was just that much fun.

Also a HUGE thank you to Calvary Lutheran for providing a bright, clean space for our event.

Big 10 Charity Knit-a-Long: Waves in Motion

Looking for a way to get through the dog days of Summer? How about knitting up some afghan blocks for our Charity Knit-a-Long project? Here is the latest, our pattern for August, Waves in Motion.  I like how this one is pretty from both sides, but the ends don't curl up like in similar patterns. Also, waves make me think beach, which makes me think ocean breezes, which makes me think COOL....!

Enjoy, let me know what you think and keep those blocks coming! It's a great project for your knitting group--I just received a package of 5 lovely blocks from a local group. Totally made me day! Thank you, Lyn, and your fellow knitters, for helping us reach our goal of sending as many blankets as possible to the Carolina Youth Development Center!!

Waves in Motion Afghan Block

You'll need: US Size 7 needles or size needed to achieve gauge of 5 sts = 1 inch; Worsted weight acrylic yarn. Finished size should be 7” x 9”.
CO 30 stitches

Knit 2 rows for border

Row 1: K6, *p2, k6; rep from *
Row 2: K1, *p4, k4; rep from *, end p4, k1
Row 3: P2, *k2, p2; rep from *
Row 4: P1, *k4, p4; rep. from *, end k4, p1
Row 5: K2, *p2, k6; rep from *, end p2, k2
Row 6: P6, *k2, p6; rep from *
Row 7: P1, *k4, p4; rep from *, end k4, p1
Row 8: K2, *p2, k2; rep from *
Row 9: K1, *p4, k4; rep from *, end p4, k1
Row 10: P2, * k2, p6; rep from *, end k2, p2

Repeat rows 1-10 for approximately 8 3/4 inches.
Knit 2 row for border, then bind off.
Weave in ends.