DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

This holiday is a wonderful time of year for knitters and crocheters. It kicks off the season of craftiness and I want to give my friends an opportunity to enjoy Knit 1 for the Road products. Sooo, if you've been sitting on the fence, waiting for a sale - this is your chance! Now's the time to PUT THOSE NEEDLES together and enjoy ENORMOUS SAVINGS with these awesome items!

$5 OFF KNIT 1 FOR THE ROAD (PATTERN BOOK)AND KIT AND KABOODLE KITS, PLUS THE VENTURA TOTE BAG PATTERN IS ABSOLUTELY FREE WITH ANY PURCHASE!!! This bag is a must have for Fall farmer's markets and craft shows as well as a great all around tote for your knitting and crochet projects!

FREE SHIPPING!!!!

SALE IS TODAY (FRIDAY) THROUGH MONDAY - DON'T DELAY, QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED.

VISIT margknittinaround on ETSY AND enjoy savings GALORE!

Marg

DO YOU NEED YOUR SPACE? CHERISH A LITTLE KNITTING OR CRAFTING PARADISE ALL FOR YOU? DREAM UP YOUR SPACE WITH A LITTLE INSPIRATION FROM CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS STUDIOS FALL 2008

This issue offers 30 creative spaces for artists, crafters, and knitters, as well as tips on how to make the most of the space you have. Need I say more my crafties?

Dream It - Make It!
Marg

KNITTERS & CROCHETERS UNITE!

In the spirit of this convention week and the upcoming holiday - Here are a couple of organizations I think you might want to look for and join in your communities. The Knitting Guild Association and the Crochet Guild of America. They offer classes with support, events, a bit of structure to a knitters or crocheters busy schedule as well as a forum on both the local and national level. Check for them in your area - or start your own. You can also visit knit1fortheroad.com for a list of more info on resources for knitters/crocheters, reliable charity sites, wickedly fun sites for the k and c mind and more!

Just one more way to grow and learn - knit/crochet-share-go!

Tomorrow, check in to hear all about the FANTABULOUS LABOR DAY OFFERS ON

MARGKNITTINAROUND ON ETSY. ;) BLAST INTO FALL COLORS AND CLICK THOSE NEEDLES TOGETHER - TIME TO GET YOUR KNIT ON FOR THE FALL SEASON.

Marg (aka stash-o-rama mama) working on stash buster patterns for you.

NOT YOUR MOTHER'S BAD PLAID

Thinking about fall, for me, means taking a good look at the trends in fashion and how they relate to knitted or crocheted garments.
So far it looks like the key words are:

tonal

metallic

feminine

texture in fabric (aka nubby knitting or textured yarn)

Accessorize with snazzy newsboy caps, long paten leather gloves (shiney or metallic) and wide fashion belts with fashionista buckles. The waistline is back! Knit 1 for the Road offers Belts are Back! pattern on page 23 - on sale now, with free shipping on margknittinaround.

Car coats in plaid in gray, black and red as well as solid colors are all the rage. Belted sweaters are also an option.

Look at the overall shapes of the garments and choices of colors and how they can be knitted. This is when a little bit of sewing/pattern experience really comes in handy. Find knitting and crochet patterns in Fall issues of all your favorite knit/crochet magazines if you aren't into experimenting with your own patterns yet.

Dive into fall fashion and keep an eye on trends to keep your knitting and crochet projects fresh and new every year, expand your skills and push your own fashion boundaries!

Knit-Share-Go!
Marg

Knit 1 for the Road Knitting Kits now on margknittinaround on Etsy!

HEART FELT PROJECTS

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER ISSUE OF INTERWEAVE FELT (SEPT 2008). If you knit or crochet, then you will love the possibilities that entice you in every issue of this beautiful publication. New to felting, or never felted but seriously want to? This magazine will inspire you to experiment, design and get your felt on!

Here are some felting links which provide overall info in written or video form -Enjoy!

Basic Needle Felting Overview

FELTING VIDEO PART 1

FELTING VIDEO PART 2

You can also refer to the Felting directions in Knit 1 for the Road on pages 33-34 for basic instructions for a knitted project.

These videos and links are a helpful addition to your felting experience. Do take a class at your local yarn store or perhaps your local community center to enhance your skills and get one on one instruction...you can always dive in and experiment at home too!

Happy Fall Felting!

Marg

VISIT margknittinaround for Knit 1 for the Road patterns and knitting kits!

KNITTERS KEEPIN' IT TRIM

It's all about keeping trim! Check out knitting and crochet books for beautiful trim edgings. Knit or Crochet an edging and transform your knitting project into a unique and finished piece. Look for books with large, color photos and clear directions to guide you through the process. Knitters, if you don't crochet, now's the perfect time to learn simple techniques to enhance your knitted projects.

For more info on where to find crochet and knitting information, visit Knit1fortheroad.com. Updates on links, information, and resources, as well as fun sites are made often.
The Knit/ Crochet Gratitude Challenge is on! Knit or Crochet just 1 cap and send directly to Knots-of-Love.org. How easy is that?!
Visit the site for details on type of yarn (no wool fibers please) to use, patterns, etc and consider this a stash buster event!

AND, I encourage and invite you to share your creativity with other readers by sending in a pic of your cap or a link to your blog where you've posted your lovely cap! Please send to knit1fortheroad@gmail.com and I will post the info right here!

Join in the fun - Knit/Crochet-Share-Go!
Marg
VISIT margknittinaround on Etsy!

WAS THAT YOU IN THE SCHOOL SUPPLY AISLE?

Here's some info for you that you may have missed standing in line at the local discount store with your kids, basket full of school supplies, clothes, and balls of $1 yarn...'cause I know you didn't walk outta there without a yarnie product! Perhaps that was you rummaging through the school supply isle with the longest school supply list known to overworked, underpayed woman or man of the house!

THE GRATITUDE KNIT/CROCHET CHALLENGE IS ON!

Knit or Crochet 1 cap - that's right, just 1 cap for

Knots-of-Love!!!

Check out the amazing Christine Shively, the founder, and learn what she and her KOL group are doing. KOL is listed on the Charity Page of knit1fortheroad.com AND will make sure your caps are delivered to patients in need. Cute patterns are provided, as well as yarn that you can use to make them. (NO WOOL fiber, please) Think comfy! This could be your stash buster project!

Both Michael's and Jo-Ann's are having awesome sales - check for coupons - and stop by while you're out this weekend.

Join in! Share your pics and I'll post them - or share your link and I'll post it to the blog. Let others know about the challenge!

Visit the site and Send your caps directly to them.

KNIT/CROCHET -SHARE - GO my generous friends!

Marg

Eventful Knit/Crochet, Fiberlicious Opportunities

GEAR UP FOR SOME EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP! VISIT THESE SITES FOR THE FULL SCOOP. IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA OR HAVE PORTABLE KNITTING/WILL TRAVEL ATTITUDE, BE SURE AND CHECK OUT THE INFO.

STITCHES Midwest 2008

August 21-24, 2008Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center
SHAUMBERG, IL

STITCHES EAST

November 6-9, 2008
Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD

Annual Northern Michigan Lamb & Wool Festival

Saturday, Sept 27 - 28, 2008
Ogemaw County Fairgrounds, MI

Look for local events in your area on the internet event sites, local paper and craft or knitting stores and enjoy the fall season in creative style!

This has been Marg, aka knitting festival hound - reporting

VISIT

margknittinaroundon Etsy!

BUTTON ON DOWN WITH YOUR KNITTIN' SELF

Do you have a project that's in need of a fabulous fashionista button, but you don't know how to make the hole for it? No worries here. Dive into making a button hole that will leave you wondering why you never tried it before. First of all, there are several ways to make a buttonhole, but I have found this method leaves a hole that is sturdy and wide enough for your button. You will knit or purl (depending on your pattern stitch). For the lesson I knit Row 1 and purl Row 2.

Let's get to it.

Row 1 – Knit over to the stitch where you want to start your buttonhole on your garment.



You will then yarn over (Y/O) twice (that is, bring the yarn forward and wrap around your needle twice) and knit through the back loop of the next stitch.

Knit the next two stitches together and continue knitting across the row.





Row 2- Purl over to the yarn overs (Y/O) from the first row,


purl one yarn over (Y/O) and drop the other yarn over (Y/O) off the needle.


You will continue to knit across the row. Dropping your yarn overs (Y/O) can be a little scarey at first, especially if you're new to knitting, but it works out – no worries!


Row 3- Knit to the buttonhole, knit one stitch through the hole and let the old stitch fall off your needle, continuing to knit across to the end of the row. This makes the perfect opening for your button.

Attaching the fashionista button….you will obviously have to line up the button hole and button so please mark the spot with a marker or rustproof pin. I prefer to sew the button on with a strand of yarn I'm using, when possible, to make the button extra secure (we're hard on buttons around here!).

I hope you'll enjoy your new found skill of button hole making! Go you! Now get out there and accessorize my wickedly knitty friends. I see you doing your happy dance, out there – lookin' good.

You can find more tips and resources in Knit 1 for the Road, now on Amazon and on my Etsy shop, margknittinaround.

Visit knit1fortheroad.com for knit/crochet links, info, and more!

Knit-Share-Go!

Marg buttoning down with no worries ;)

MIXIN' IT UP

Hi Crafties and Knitties Alike!

Mix it up a little with MixTape Issue 5. This is the largest issue so far and it's craftabulous - filled with fun and inspiring articles, artist profiles, as well as how to get and stay organized ya'll!

Knitters, you will want to visit page 3 for those easy arm warmers!!!

AND check out features for the next issue (six) on page 52 which comes out in November of 2008. It will include Crafting on the Rollercoaster of Life by yours truly ;). I'm thrilled and honored to be included in this fun, trendy, hip magazine.

MixTape magazine is mailed and distributed far and wide and you will get your issue quickly...in a recycled paper envelope, no less.

Yearly subscriptions are available so gear up for a wonderfully crafty, wickedly knitty, year with MixTape.

Time for your Tuesday happy dance - come on, I KNOW you have it in you!

Knit-Share-Go!

Marg (doin' the Tuesday happy dance while no one is looking)

Visit margknittinaround on Etsy!

Sale items, kits, signed copy of

the book with free shipping AND a new section called Stash Busters with

MORE items coming soon!

SWEET PETITE KNITTING TOOL!

Over the weekend, I got caught up with some knit/crochet mags and I found a little gem to share with you in Crochet Today which is fun, perfectly functional, and portably petite! What more could you want? Pylones-USA. has just the handy measuring tool for you. There's definitely something for everyone with 20 different designs! Measure your projects in style with these goodies. Visit the homepage to see all the different items they offer and enjoy all the colorful novelty styles.

The August Knit/Crochet Challenge is still on! Knit or Crochet just 1 chemo cap for Knots-Of-Love.org. That's it! Simple stash buster project for you. Please visit the site for patterns, types of yarn needed (no wool please) and learn what a difference this organization and it's dynamic founder, Christine Shively are making. You're invited to help make the difference!!! Join in for this fun challenge. I will be happy to post your photos or links to your blogs of your adorable chemo caps and share the luv! Send your photo or link to knit1fortheroad@gmail.com. All caps should be sent directly to Knots-of-Love.org.
Thanks for your emails regarding the knitting lessons - I'm so glad you are able to enjoy and use the lessons - there will be more coming your way!

Happy Monday?! Well, it will be if you find a little time to Knit-Share-Go! ;)
Marg
SALE! margknittinaround on Etsy

KNIT 1 FOR THE ROAD IN KNITTING!

CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER VIEW!


A little press to share today from Knitting(UK). Here's what they had to say about Knit 1 for the Road.


REMEMBER THE AUGUST GRATITUDE KNIT/CROCHET FOR KNOTS-OF-LOVE.ORG THIS WEEKEND WHILE YOU'RE OUT SHOPPING FOR THE KIDS OR YOURSELF AND GRAB SOME SOFT WASHABLE, ACRYLIC OR DURABLE COTTON TO MAKE A CAP. PATTERNS ARE LISTED ON THE SITE AS WELL AS YARNS TO USE. Michael's and Jo-Ann's have been having sales so take advantage or maybe use up some of your stash!

How many of you hide your yarn from your spouse, significant other, etc.? Are they allowed to go with you to buy yarn? Heehee. I'm guessing not. Where's your favorite stash hiding place? If you've got a system and an awesome hiding place - please comment - knitters/crocheters need to know!

I hope you'll find time to knit or crochet this weekend while the kids are absorbed with trying on their new clothes, and husbands are using their power tools - not your scenario? - SWEET - run free my rebels and revel in it! Do your thing -knit-share-go!
Marg
Kits for Knitters on margknittinaround on Etsy - The Whole Kit and Kaboodle Knit 1 for the Road Kit is in da house!

A YARNIE GOES TURBO ONCE IN AWHILE

In this household, it's not just the men who go for the power tools. The knitty amoung us go turbo all the time with our tools...and sometimes we don't even need batteries! Like with the handy Yarn Requirments Guide by the fabulous Ann Budd, of Interweave Knits fame. It will help keep your stash at bay and your budget in check because you won't be buying extra yarn for a project. Ann features eight of the most popular designs that are being knitted today and gives you sizes from baby/toddler to adult and multiple gauges from fine to bulky yarns. OH knitty, you say, clapping your needles together! Think of the time you'll save standing in front of the yarn bin at your local store trying to figure that one out! It's portable too -fits right into your bag and has a spill proof protective coating so you're in the clear there.
AND, no batteries or upkeep (happy dance)!
I purchased mine from KnitBits and keep it in my Knit-Share-Go! tote bag from Cafe Press.

I hope you'll keep this tool in mind. Always follow your pattern suggestions for yarn requirements - but, if you're like me, and flying by the seat of your knitting needles and on the move - accurately improvise with The Knitter's Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements.

We can talk turbo another time ;) frrrrrrrrrm

Knit-Share-Go!
Marg

margknittinaround on Etsy has kits for you!

PAY IT FORWARD IN KNITTING STYLE!

Recently, I was in a local discount store (I mean-serious discount) and noticed that one of my favorite knitting books had landed on the shelf...I thought, oh NO! How could that be? and then I thought - hey, wait a minute, due to the whacky publishing world where a book takes on a life of its own and travels from place to place looking for a home - why not the discount store? Someone who could not afford the regular price has access to a wildly reduced price and is able to knit on! Very cool. Then I thought, hold on there - our local library sorely needed craft books of all kinds...and of course I had to proceed from there. Already in the habit of donating books either to the library, Goodwill, or library book sale, I started looking at these books differently and bought one from the stack to take to our little library where they were estatic to receive basically a brand new book - and hip one at that.

Check your own library for books that need to move on - lighten your load and spread the knit/crochet/craft word to others.

REMEMBER - knit or crochet 1 chemo cap for Knots-of-Love.org is your Gratitude knit/crochet challenge this month ;) Cute patterns, yarn choices, and more for you on the site! I will be happy to post your creations or links to your blog to share with others. Don't be shy, people. You can email me at knit1fortheroad@gmail.com.

Get inspired!!!

Have an amazing Wed -

Knit-Share-Go!

Marg

THREE'S NOT A CROWD...in knitting, that is

Greets and Tweets to everyone!

How 'bout a 3 needle bind off refresher? Why 3 needle?, you ask...
The 3 needle bind off is simple and a great technique to know for seaming two edges together ( like when you're knitting a sweater and need to join the sleeve to shoulder)...not so great for socks as there will be a slight ridge on the inside.

In a nutshell - here's what you're gonna do...
Separate and Hold your edge stitches on 2 needles (with right sides together which makes an invisible seam) Take your not so odd man out 3rd needle and knit together a stitch from the front needle with one from the back.
knit both live stitches onto 3rd needle
pull through
andhere it is on the 3rd needle
You will repeat knitting a stitch from that front needle with one from the back needle one more time with feeling!

Next, slip the first stitch over the second.

Repeat knitting a front and back pair of stitches together, then bind off.

Whew - sounds complicated yet simple all at once!

Here's your seam on the wrong side

it will be invisible on the public or right side. yay! hooray!

This is Marg keepin' it real, keepin' it smooth...you do the same. ;)

Visit knit1fortheroad.com for new info and links just added!

JOIN ME! for this month's Gratitude Knit/Crochet Challenge - details on knit1fortheroad.com

Visit me on margknittinaround for some awesome, affordable kits and patterns. The Whole Kit and Kaboodle is in da house!

Click here learn more about me and the book...
Judyth Piazza chats with Margaret Nock, Author of Knit 1 for the Road