OMG! Heart

Why has Ravelry never gotten its own post on my website!? It’s been an institution online for the Knitting and Crochet community since its inception. And something that is such a given sometimes people forget to mention it! I’d been knitting for years but only found out about it around 2010. I guess I was knitting in my own bubble without many friends who shared my hobby and oblivious to such a thriving community. So perhaps a post like this may help other ninja bubble knitters (and crocheters!).

Great Community
There’s lots of groups and networks for whatever your knitting or crocheting heart desires. Ask questions in the forum, look for pattern help, plug in and make some new friends, share your expertise, or simply post your completed projects for the whole community to see. Trolling the groups is also a great way to get a birds eye view into the knitting and crochet subculture.

Great Tools
There are lots of great tools too like a project tracker, stash manager, needles and hooks manager, you can favorite your favorite projects, place them in a queue, keep track of works in progress, and check out what others have to say about the pattern you’re working on. And the tools don’t suck. All the yarns actually link to the manufacturer, colorway, etc. You can even include when you bought it and the price. They’ve really thought of everything.

For crafters who also sell their handmades online, it’s a great way to maximize your exposure. Kind of like Facebook but for Knitting or Crochet only!

What I Like Best
The really advanced pattern finder. You can search for very specific things from hats for kids in worsted weight yarn only to all free patterns for skirts to only projects using Size I9 hooks or US SIze 5 Needles. It’s really handy. For crafters looking for just the right pattern or some inspiration it’s really one of the best pattern finders out there. Simply because it’s crowd sourced!

You can also find lots of helpful pattern insight. For example, if someone or some people have already worked on your pattern and posted it up, you can find it there, check out their comments and errata to see if they’ve stumbled across the same problems you have! There are so many projects and patterns, especially free ones found online, that it’s probably been done by someone on Ravelry! Yup, it’s that great.

The only cons are you must be logged in to see anything. So someone cannot simply link to a page, me on Ravelry, and just see some content. Which I find really restrictive. They should make some pages public or at least partially public like on Facebook! It would at least give people a taste of what they might be signing up for before they sign up. Other than that I hope they never change how well it works or how many great features they offer!

It’s Free!
Ravelry now has 3 million users! So it’s popular and definitely a powerful resource. 3 million knitters and crocheters from all over the world is in itself a cool concept. It’s really a knitter or crocheter’s dream online buddy. For those who are especially organized, it’s got everything you need to satisfy your obsession. Really. If you’re not already on there, check it out. It’s free to join, and you’ll find there’s something on there to suit every fiber need from dabblers to die hards!

Materials:
2 Balls Lion Brand Yarn Lion Wool, Color 187 Goldenrod, 158 yards, $5.99
Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle

Needles:
US Size 5 [3.75mm] Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles, 16inch
US Size 5 [3.75mm] Double Pointed Knitting Needles (dpns)
Cable Needle

Measurements:
23″ circumference
8″ inches high

Gauge:
4.5 Stitches per Inch
5 Rows per Inch

Skill Level: Intermediate

Pattern:
Body:
Cast On 162 stitches.
Round 1: Color A [K1, bring yarn forward, slip next stitch purlwise, bring yarn back]. Repeat from [...] until end of round.
Round 2: Color B [slip next stitch purlwise, bring yarn forward, P1, bring yarn back]. Repeat from [...] until end of round.
Round 3 – 80: Repeat Rounds 1-2 for 39 more times. Or until hat measure 6.5 inches tall. Make sure to end on Round 2.

Begin Decrease Rounds:
Decrease Round 1: Color A: *[K1, bring yarn forward, slip 1, bring yarn back] 7 times, slip next stitch (color A) purlwise, place next stitch (color B) on cable needle and hold at back, place first stitch back on left needle and knit it together with next stitch (both stitches should be color A), bring yarn to front, place color B stitch back from cable needle onto left needle, slip both color B stitches purlwise, bring yarn back*. Repeat from * to * until end of round.
Decrease Round 2: Color B: *[slip next stitch purlwise, bring yarn forward, P1, bring yarn back] 7 times, slip next stitch purlwise (should be the stitch you decreased above), bring yarn forward, P2tog (both stitches should be color B), bring yarn back*. Repeat from * to * until end of round. (144 stitches)
Decrease Round 3: Repeat Round 1 (of original pattern).
Decrease Round 4: Repeat Round 2 (of original pattern).
Decrease Round 5: Repeat Decrease Round 1 but substitute “7 times” for “6 times”.
Decrease Round 6: Repeat Decrease Round 2 but substitute “7 times” for “6 times”. (126 stitches)
Decrease Round 7-8: Repeat Round 1-2 (of original pattern).
Decrease Round 9-10: Repeat Decrease Round 1-2 but substitute “7 times” for “5 times”. (108 stitches)
Decrease Round 11-12: Repeat Round 1-2 (of original pattern).
Decrease Round 13-14: Repeat Decrease Round 1-2 but substitute “7 times” for “4 times”. (90 stitches)
Decrease Round 15-16: Repeat Round 1-2 (of original pattern).
Decrease Round 17-18: Repeat Decrease Round 1-2 but substitute “7 times” for “3 times”. (72 stitches)
Decrease Round 19-20: Repeat Round 1-2 (of original pattern).
Decrease Round 21-22: Repeat Decrease Round 1-2 but substitute “7 times” for “2 times”. (54 stitches)
Decrease Round 23-24: Repeat Decrease Round 1-2 but substitute “7 times” for “1 times”. (36 stitches)
Decrease Round 25-26: K2tog/P2tog around (slipping stitches only to rearrange them). (18 stitches)

Finish:
Cut yarn ends leaving 8″ tail. Thread each yarn end onto tapestry needle and through like-colored stitches. Cinch yarn end to close the top of each side of the hat. Weave ends in on each side by following the path of the stitches (like duplicate stitch) so they are not visible.

Make oversized pompom. Approx. 3 inches wide. Make sure to leave ample tail for attaching. Attach pompom.

Weave in ends.

How to Make a Perfect Pompom
I wanted a good fat puffy GIANT POMPOM! I also wanted to make make sure it was about 2.5 to 3 inches wide. But i didnt want to spend money or buy extra junk like a pompom maker, so I came up with an easy way to make a pompom template.

All you need is some scrap cardboard, scissors, a mug and a quarter or an old CD to use as stencils.

Make 2 rings (like a donut shape), cut a slit through the rings making the donut shape into a C-shape. Widen the slit by trimming some more off the ends so it’s easy to pass the yarn through.

Take yarn, wrap around the C-shape as if you’re trying to make a yarn covered “C”. No need for needles or pre-cutting yarn. Just slip yarn through the slit to wrap. This way there’s no wasted yarn, the working end of the yarn is coming straight from the ball and you’ll never run out.

To make sure the pompom comes out the size needed: e.g. If you need a 3 inch pompom, the rings have to be about 1.5 inches thick (plus a little extra for trimming).

When full enough, snip edges, pull yarn tail through, cinch, and tie. Fluff and trim making sure to not trim off yarn tail. You’ll need that to attach the pompom.

Here are some other great references with detailed photos on how to make a pompom:
www.inklingsandyarns.com
www.prudentbaby.com
www.classiceliteyarns.com
www.ehow.com

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Knitmare on Elm Street by Hannah Simpson ~ Price $11.56

My BF got this for me from Forbidden Planet and OMG! HEART the patterns in this book. The book has great illustrated and easy to understand instructions and the diagrams feature “werewolf” hands demonstrating the knitting techniques. Fun! A pun on Freddie Krueger and the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, Knitmare on Elm Street is filled with AWESOME knit patterns like:

Circus Monkey (with mini cymbals)
Freddie Krueger Hand Puppet
Necronomicon iPad Cozy
Kraken Tentacle (yes it’s just one giant tentacle!)
Nosferatu
Light-Up Ghost
Haunted House Diorama (my fave!)
Freakshow Finger Puppets

If you’re in NYC, Forbidden Planet sells them! So you can pop into their store and check out the freakishly fun gems in this book in person. Forbidden Planet is located right across from the Union Square Movie Theater and a block away from The Strand Bookstore.

Forbidden Planet has been a popular haunt for comic book nerds for as long as I can remember. It’s chock full of graphic novels to mangas, collectibles from G-Force figurines to Hulk Hogan busts, t-shirts to keychains, tote bags to candy, and of course the oddball knitting book!

Regal Union Square Stadium 14 Movie Theater is right in that area and is one of my fave mainstream theaters to go to. Sunshine is my fave indie theater. (They have great movie snacks and if you buy popcorn there, they have a popcorn flavor bar where you can sprinkle your popcorn with assorted “cheese powders” like nacho cheese or apple cinnamon.) Among other notableslike IFC where Crispin Glover screened his “What Is It?” and Anthology where they always play a wonderfully curated selection of films on the big screen! Like everything from John Cassavetes to Point Blank to Big Trouble in Little China … WIN!

The Strand Bookstore is one of my fave bookstores in the entire city (all 5 boroughs included). I go to Strand for it’s huge selection of books at great prices. e.g. I got my Albertus Seba’s Cabinet of Natural Curiosities there eons ago. And can also get anything from 100 Years of Cholera to Great Gatsby to cookbooks.

St. Mark’s Bookshop is also brilliant and one of my faves. I go to St. Mark’s for the best curated selection, indie and mainstream. You can’t ever go wrong with anything you pick up in this little book store. It’s a treasury of the best to read now and/or what’s noteworthy and worthy of reading now even if it’s not new! Of course the prices here are never as good as Amazon, however it’s just so chock full of exquisitely selected books, it’s more than worth the (very) slight markups you’d pay compared to Amazon.

Forbidden Planet
832 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
(212) 473-1576
www.fpnyc.com

Anthology Film Archives
32 Second Avenue New York, NY 10003
(212) 505-5181
www.anthologyfilmarchives.org

Regal Union Square Cinema
850 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-6266
www.fandango.com

St. Mark’s Bookshop
31 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10003
(212) 260-7853
www.stmarksbookshop.com

Strand Bookstore
828 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
(212) 473-1452
www.strandbooks.com

IFC Film Center
323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street
(212) 924-7771
www.ifccenter.com

Hello Kollabora.com! You new crafty website you… Hmm, what to say about this new online community slash craft site that’s kind of like a when Craftsy met PS I Made This and I Spy DIY love triangle?

1.) Somebody over there is my long lost craft twin.
2.) Fiberistas unite!
3.) Seriously though, did you make this site for me?
A.) Kraft Krush!

I first heard about it through a lovely welcome note I got in my inbox! On first glance, I liked the layout and design, visual yet minimal Pinterest-style moodboardy. M.I.A. as interpreted by Saved By The Bell font. But further exploration revealed it’s chock full of great projects and handy features for the savvy crafter.

I raided their pattern library for some great projects. Here’s just a few of my picks, take a peek, you get the idea. :) Join the Kollabora community too and share your knit love. Heck Yeah!

❤ Patterns range from Free to Pricey! Quick to Fair Isle.

❤ It’s not just for Knitting and Crochet, but also features Sewing and Jewelry! The Quad-fecta.

❤ Fun Fact: Kollabora features many knits/designs from people and places I love!! Many already featured on my site. Sister from another misterrr! I also met a bunch of the Kollabora team at this year’s Maker Faire where they had a really fun booth full of Berninas and Novelty Yarn.

❤ Bonus: Kollabora makes shopping for your project materials easy! Just click on a project you like, check the items you need, {pattern, yarn, needles}, GO! And voila, all the materials you need for that one project without having to click all over the internet (lazy fingers) for them! x.x $$$ Q.Q

Patterns In This Post:
Florence and the Machine Sweater
Novita’s Snood Dogg
Fair Isle Capelet
Greta Capelet
Halloween Origami
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Snow Pea by We Knit You A Merry Christmas

I saw these on Daily Mail and had to repost. They’re awesome knit patterns for the holidays. They make great fun little knit gifts. And books make great gifts for knitters too. Patterns contain both knit and crochet items.

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

We Knit You A Merry Christmas By Debbie Harrold, $7.95
Mollie Makes Christmas By Mollie Makes, £5.79

Via http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2234120/
Mollie Makes Photo from Mathilde

Check out these awesome dog and cat knits by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne. Great to make as gifts for dog lovers. Great books to give as gifts for knitting lovers. Fabulous and affordable. AWESOME!

Knit Your Own Cat By Sally Muir & Joanna Osborne, $10.17
Knit Your Own Dog By Sally Muir & Joanna Osborne, $10.17
Knit Your Own Dog: The Second Litter By Sally Muir & Joanna Osborne, $9.56

Via http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2234120/

I was looking for some skirt patterns to try and here are my two faves. I loved the pleats and also wanted to try knitting in the “short rows” or “wrap and turn” technique. I am currently working on the Hey Mickey skirt. Both patterns are free!

Hey Mickey Skirt by Jacquelyn Landry
This is great for a beginner to intermediate knitter. This simple skirt is custom to your measurements. And your yarn choice! Make a gauge swatch with your preferred yarn and needle size. Fill in a few numbers based on the stitches per inch from your swatch, height of skirt, and height of waistband and voila! You can use the same pattern to custom create a skirt for your toddler or yourself!

This skirt is knit pleat by pleat instead of from the top down. So you only change colors after each pleat and can try on the skirt as you go, just wrap around your waist with the pleats going vertical to see if it fits! It’s done when it wraps comfortably around your waist. [pdf]

Full Pattern:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hey-mickey
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTmickey.html

Ashley Skirt by Louet Yarns
This is an intermediate to advanced pattern that’s also a pleat-style skirt that’s very stylish and comes in two looks! It’s a really nice pattern especially considering it’s free! The skirt is done in Louet Euro Flax, a gorgeous linen yarn!

The instructions are hard to decipher at first but it includes a crochet cast on, needle changes, many colors, and a mix of knitting techniques like short rows and picking up stitches. [pdf]

Full Pattern:
http://www.louet.com/pattern_details/ashley.shtml

“Short Rows” or “Wrap and Turn”
Purl Bee has a lovely simple straight-forward tutorial on how to perform this technique here, Purl Bee Short Row Tutorial. In short, it’s a way to knit extra rows into a piece partway through a row! It’s a great way to do shaping for style and fit in knitting. In this case, it makes a kind of built-in pleat and without much work!

An easy rule of thumb I use is:
1. Always slip the stitch first and always purl-wise
2. Move the yarn to the opposite side of where it is now
3. Do it again. Backwards. Slip the original slipped stitch back to the other needle (where it was before). Move the yarn back to the opposite side again (to where it was before). Done!

You have just wrapped the yarn around that stitch and thus completed a “wrap and turn”. Now turn your work over and continue just like you would a new row! Finish out the row and you have just completed one short row!

I wanted to knit but didn’t have a project I wanted to do. So I raided Knit Rowan’s free pattern library and found some great stuff!! I was looking for something easy that I could wear now like a skirt… I didn’t find a skirt pattern but these are worth a mention because they’re really nice for free patterns. And in the Intermediate to Advanced skill range too! Usually free patterns are very basic and include things like scarves, hats, baby stuff, or home dec and don’t have the extra details and finishing that sets a basic project apart from more advanced projects. But these are a wide range of apparel with lots of fine details. e.g. Check out the Batwing Jacket and the Box Pleat Cardi! WOW! So YAY Rowan and thanks!

You’ll have to register and create an account in order to view and download these patterns but it’s worth it!

• 
  Hooded Baby Poncho – Devon [pdf]
• 
  Tunic – Dusky [pdf]
• 
  Baby Blanket – Bunny Blanket [pdf]
• 
  Sleeveless Sweater Fair Isle – Embrace [pdf]
• 
  Crop Sweater – Beth [pdf]
• 
  Poncho – Megan [pdf]
• 
  Balloon Sleeve Crop Sweater – Millet [pdf]
• 
  Classic Sweater – Couch [pdf]

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Here are a bunch of free dog sweater patterns I found while trolling Ravelry for some, well, free dog sweater patterns! I’ve been looking to try some for awhile but still haven’t gotten around to it. I have not tried any of the below yet but will in the near future hopefully!

OMG! Heart this website, Grandmother’s Pattern Book! It’s kind of a weird looking site but it’s chock full of mostly free Crochet and Knit Patterns from across the web. Lots of vintage and unusual patterns. From amigurumis to accessories to apparel. Frogs and Toads to Skorts and Skirts! It links out to many great pattern websites too so it’s a good way to discover new sites! Here are some highlights below.

Patio Pants Set and Eyelet Pants Set

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