Saturday Sampler: 8 FREE Knitting Tutorials

 

With all the extra time spent indoors, fall is a great time to learn a few new skills. Here are 8 FREE knitting tutorials I've found to help you ramp up your knitting this season:

  

TEN ways to work in ends as you go, from TECHknitting!

 Cabling without a cable needle, from the Knitting Daily blog (essential technique IMO).

 Methods for joining new yarn, from STITCH This!

 

 Knit Picks shows you how to set in sleeves.

 Short row shadow wraps, from Signest

 Anne Hanson offers a free mini class on grafting over at Craftsy.

 Ysolda teaches you the tubular cast on (which is a bit labor intensive, but really does look astonishingly better).

 And my photo tutorial on magic loop.

What new technique are you interested in learning?

Saturday Sampler: Mother's Day Gift Knits

(I enjoy doing these sampler posts, but the trouble is, they require the kind of aimless Internet wandering I have much less time for these days. Still, I will try to post them more frequently!)

So, Mother's Day is, astonishingly, 2 weeks away.

I know!

Stumped for gift ideas? Here are a few items you can finish in time!

With or without beads, Arroyo will be a hit--and it's free!

Photo courtesy of Alana Dakos

Alana Dakos' Cedar Leaf Shawlette is another great spring piece that's quick to knit in DK weight.

Photo courtesy of Knit Picks

And this is the one I'm going to attempt--from the Gloss Collection (featuring my Penny Vest), this sweet little Captivating Capelet should work up quickly in DK (and sans beads).

Photo courtesy of Anne Hanson

Anne Hanson's Fallberry Mitts will fend off a spring chill, despite the name. Another free pattern!

Photo courtesy of Susie Rogers

And you can't go wrong with Susie's Reading Mitts.

Photo courtesy of Jared Flood

Maybe it's still hat weather where you are? Try Jared Flood's Porom--airy enough for spring, but works up quickly in DK weight.

Saturday Sampler: January Blahs

Go away snow, we're ready for spring!

Some people say February is the worst month, but I have to go with January. For starters, it's longer than February. It's also the holiday letdown period--Christmas is over, and there's nothing to look forward to. February has Valentine's Day, which some people enjoy celebrating--and even if you don't, I'm sure you enjoy eating chocolate. Plus, February brings us that much closer to March, and the start of spring. And of course, on a personal note, February is when my little booger was born, so now we have something very special to celebrate every year.

But January. Ugh. Worst month. So here are a few ideas to cheer you up.

1. Selfish knitting.

It's still sweater weather, so cast on a cozy sweater project for yourself, now that holiday knitting is done. Maybe something in worsted weight, that will knit up quickly. Like Tanis Lavallee's I Heart Aran:

Photo courtesy of Tanis Lavallee

2. Warm weather knitting.

Start a project now, have it done by the time the warm weather arrives. Maybe the Penny Vest, from yours truly?

3. Mend and Repair

If you're feeling too blah for new projects, why not fix up some old ones. Patch up those socks using this tutorial from Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer.

Photo courtesy of Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer

Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer

Or if your socks are beyond repair, like most of mine are, join the Knitmore Girls' Operation Sock Drawer and get working on some new ones--socks are great projects for every season! (It all starts in Episode 247.)

4. Baking!

Before you know it, it's going to be TOO DARN HOT to have the oven on. Ever. So get your baking in now. And whatever you make, do a double batch and freeze half. Try wrapping tightly in foil first, then place in a ziplock (squeeze ALL the air out) to prevent freezer burn. Voila--homemade baked goods in June.

Photo courtesy of Berger Cookies

Ever tried a Berger cookie? If you're not near Baltimore and can't get the real thing (too bad!), give this copycat recipe a go.

5. Organize!

A fresh start can lift your spirits and brighten your mood. Check out some of my New Year's organizing ideas from last January. 

And if all else fails, snuggle up on the couch under your favorite blanket for a movie marathon--you can't do that in July!

Saturday Sampler: Holiday Knitting

OK, folks, it's crunch time.

It is now November 9, which puts us about 6 weeks out from Christmas.

I don't even want to tell you how close we are to Hanukkah.

But it's less than a month.

If you haven't started your holiday knitting, it is GO time.

It's past GO time, actually.

Which means I'm waaaaaaay behind, as usual.

So instead of getting started, I'm going to share a few quick(ish) holiday project ideas with you.

Photo courtesy of Knitty.com

Hats are a great quick knit gift, and this Brambles Beret has 3 slouch options, so you can get the look you want. Also, FREE!

And speaking of hats, my Hugs and Smooches hat comes in 5 sizes, for all your gift giving needs!

 Photo courtesy of Tanis Lavallee

If socks are your thing, try these Business Casual socks from Tanis Lavallee--they're unisex, and the FREE pattern is easy to memorize for on-the-go knitting.

Photo courtesy of Jared Flood

Elizabeth's Zimmerman's Mitered Mittens knit up quickly in aran weight, and are great for variegated or self-striping yarns. You can find the pattern in Knitter's Almanac, which costs all of $7 on Amazon.

If you need a baby gift, you can't go wrong with the speedy Baby Sophisticate, simple yet adorable.


So what are you knitting for the holidays? Have you started yet?

Saturday Sampler: Creepy Crafting

 Halloween is just around the corner--but there's still time to tackle some spooky, spirited projects before the day arrives. Here are a few ideas for you:

Photo courtesy of Knit Picks

Everyone could use some pumpkins--knit or crochet! 

Photo courtesy of Dina Wirawan

I . . . am not even sure what this is, really. A vampire candy corn? Regardless, it's pretty cute!

Photo courtesy of Thomasina

A quick costume for your little one.

Photo courtesy of Knitty.com

Or yourself!

Photo courtesy of lizclink

Even if you're not into costumes, you can still get into the Halloween spirit with this charming hat.

Photo courtesy of magandmick

Or just decorate your home with some terrifying ghosts.

 Photo courtesy of Emilee Mooney

Or maybe decorate yourself with bats! (Wa na na na na na na na BAT SHAWL!)

Celebrate Halloween with a spooky flash sale from Craftsy this weekend--big discount on mystery classes. Learn a new technique to boost your holiday knitting!

Saturday Sampler: Welcome Fall!

It's September, and it's currently cold enough in my house to be wearing handknit socks, so I declare it fall (nevermind that we're supposed to get back up into the 80s next week). Let's welcome in our favorite season, shall we?

We start with one of these:

 Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks

(Almost bought one yesterday, but it wasn't quite cold enough.)

Then we add one of these:

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale . . . lots of great pumpkin ales, but this one is THE BEST. And it was cold enough for one last night.

Maybe we cook up some of this:

And then the knitting begins!

Clearly, we need this:

French Braid Cardigan, by Tanis Lavallee

Definitely, this:

Atmos Cardigan, by Hilary Smith Callis

 Have to warm the baby up too:

Beatrix, from the Kelbourne Woolens Baby Collection

And let's keep our heads warm too:

Hugs and Smooches, by yours truly.

As a special fall celebration, you can get the Hugs and Smooches hat for $3.99, through the month of September!

HAPPY FALL!

Saturday Sampler: Bye Bye Summer!

Yep, somehow, it's the last day of August. Which means the very bestest time of year is almost HERE!

I really, really want to like summer. I do. I loved it as a kid, as a teenager, as a college student. But then--adulthood. As an adult, you most likely spend summer locked up in an office, or at home shuttling your kids to activities and trying to make sure they don't drown. Either way, you're not relaxing at the pool with a good book.

Also, bugs.

I swear, summers are a lot buggier than they were back in my day.

There are some lovely things about summer--fresh herbs and veggies from your garden, grilling, beach trips, picnics--but I'm always glad to say goodbye when summer's at an end.

Here are a few ideas for celebrating these last days of summer:

Give your self a fun, summery pedicure, to see you through the end of sandal season.

Make some popsicles to enjoy while the heats hangs around for a few more days (weeks . . . months?).

Use up those garden tomatoes--gazpacho!

Or, as I plan to do, tomato jam!

And you can't let the mint go to waste--mojitos!

Freeze those herbs and veggies, so you can enjoy summer year round.

Start learning to crochet, so you can make this fun top for NEXT summer!

And remember. . .

Saturday Sampler: Trimmings and Finishing Touches

When you put all that time and effort into a handknit sweater or shawl, you want it to look perfect. So don't skimp on the small details--the perfect buttons, sassy ribbon for the button band, and other thoughtful touches will give your handknits that extra something special. Here are a few of my favorites:

Find these and other perfect buttons at AMECOScrafts on Etsy. I just placed an order on the 15th, and it's already arrived!

 
Prefer fabric buttons? NotSoShabbyChic has a nice selection!

Like beaded knits? The Loopy Ewe sells beads now!

If you reinforce your button bands with ribbon, check out BJsRibbonsGalore on Etsy, full of fun ribbon options!

You did amazing work on that shawl, now show it off with a stylish shawl pin! Check out Nicholas and Felice's Etsy shop for more beauties like this one.

If you sell or gift your knits, you might consider adding custom tags like these, available from MommieMadeIt.


Looking for other ways to put a special finishing touch on your knits? Check out Craftsy's Button Bands and Buttonholes class with Ann Hanson, or try Franklin Habit's class on Heirloom Lace Edgings.


Happy finishing!

(This post inspired by the Finish Up Summer! KAL. Join us over on Ravelry to see how many WIPs you can get out of your WIP basket before fall arrives!)

Saturday Sampler: Yarn, Fiber and Knitting Events

Let's face it: summer is not the time for fiber festivals and the like. It's too hot to play with wool. It's too hot to pet sheep under a blazing sun. It's just . . . too hot to have fun.

Fortunately, some great events are coming up in the fall, and I thought you'd like to know about them now so you can start planning!

(These are East Coast events because that's, you know, where I live.)

First up, the Garden State Sheep and Fiber Festival in New Jersey, September 7-8. Might still be a bit warm for this one, but the vendor list looks promising, and they're offering drop spindle lessons every hour!

Then we have the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival, September 28-29 in Berryville, VA. I haven't made it to this one in the past, but I hope to check it out this year, if scheduling permits. Lots of great vendors lined up, according to their site, including Wandering Wool!

If you live further north, you can check out the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival that same weekend, in Tunbridge, VT. It apparently includes a cashmere goat show!

October 4-6 is a big weekend: we have both the Fall Fiber Festival and the Nimblestix Mountain Retreat, both in Virginia. I'm excited to say I'll be at the Nimblestix Retreat, providing I can remember to send in my deposit. (I'm also excited to say the Retreat site is about 30 minutes from Barboursville Vineyards, where CP and I got married, so we might just have to stop by.) The Retreat and the Fiber Festival are only about 25 miles apart, so you could certainly do both, if you're not toting around a crabby 8 month old.

The biggest event, perhaps, is the New York Sheep and Wool Festival, AKA, Rhinebeck, October 19-20 in Rhinebeck, New York.

It kills me to say we won't be going to Rhinebeck this year, but it's a busy work period for CP, and I'm not prepared to haul baby to upstate New York alone. Sniff. Don't miss this one if you don't have to! Seriously.

New England has its own fiber festival, being held November 2-3 in Springfield, MA.  I don't know much about this one, but if you're in that area, you might want to check it out.

Then we have Stitches East, November 7-10 in Hartford, Connecticut. I haven't been to Stitches East since it left Baltimore, but it's sure to be fun for all.

The popular Knitter's Review retreat, will be held that same weekend, in Canandaigua, NY. It looks amazingly fun, so if you want to go, make sure you register right away on August 2.

Any fiber-y events you're looking forward to?