Small to 3X to knit or crochet, hooray!

Good people come in all knitting and crochet sizes.

Check out these free knit and crochet patterns :

Big Beautiful Patterns

all sized XXL and up from Caron International.

Need more?  Check out

Style for You, Style for all Sizes S-3X (Leisure Arts)

Have a safe and peaceful Memorial Day.

Marg (soaking in the history of this holiday)

Serious SlingSax Attack!

Another sax attack is on!  Crafters have an on going love for sacks, bags, and totes for their crafty needs.  Wait, maybe it's just me.  Anyway, arriving just in time for summer, here comes the colorful SlingSax from Envirosax to make our day.  They're a hands-free accessory perfect for everyone.  Check out the mini sax version, too. The Sling Sax is created by incorporating recycled plastic bottles and other plastic waste into fabric.  Isn't that some good news for the planet for a change? 

I hope you'll consider recycling, donating, reusing, and upcycling items in your home.  Lately, I've been switching to green recipes for home cleaners and have noticed less allerigic reactions. Yay!  Your pets and children will thank you, too.

Lately, there has been so much trash left on the ground in the park, on the street and dog poo left by summer visitors that I've been carrying extra bags for clean up when I'm out walking the dogs. 'Tis the season, and this year has already been a record breaker. There's no money for any cleanup crews in a lot of areas, so please be mindful and spread the word if you see anyone dumping their trash or not picking up after their dogs. Some people just didn't get the memo, but I know you did.  The holiday weekend will bring out the best and worst in people so I'm putting my eco-knitty mask on and considering a green cape with an emerald tiara to go with it, how 'bout you?  I'm picturing us all showing up that way at the park right now.  You look stunning recycling that glass bottle!

Happy planet, happy people - it's a no brainer.

Marg(wishing everyone saw the big picture like you)

Natural Alternatives for You and Your Home: 175 Recipes to Make Eco-Friendly Products

Knit, Laugh, Stash

We all need a good giggle these days.  Help keep track of your days, knitting events, and outings with Franklin Habit's 2011 Calendar:  Stash of Knitting Cartoons at the InterweaveStore.  It's a fun gift for you and any knitter in your life.  This knitting accessory has notable dates in the knitter's year, a festive holiday knitting countdown, birthdays of knitting luminaries, and knitting festivals.  Entertaining, functional and full of fun.  I think it's a keeper.

It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons
Looking for more knitting laughs?  Check out It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons at the InterweaveStore or on Amazon by the same author.  You'll be rolling around giggling in yarn with this clever book. 

Have a good belly laugh this week and enjoy the moment.

Marg (laughing at Molly and Max's Yorkie antics)

Interweave Press - French Girl Knits

What's on your needles?

Yarnie items of the past.  Pic taken in MD last weekend.

Today has been a busy one.  I've been working on book editing, and going over photos, etc.  I haven't had any new projects on my needles that I can share at the moment with you, but I would like to know what you've been working on.  Please comment if you have a knit, crochet, or crafty project you are currently working on, and would like to share with the readers.  I love hearing from you.  As usual, the no spam rule applies here as the readers already have a phone plan, local friends and good mortgage rates... you get where I'm going. 

Calling all Etsians! If you have an Etsy shop and would like an interview, please see The Summer of Etsy Love.  This is a great opportunity to share your crafts, promote your shop, and give the readers some insight into you and your creative process.  All good!

Click click, knit knit...

Marg (zipping through the Monday to do list)

Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn

Etsy Delights!

Etsy Showcase

The weekend is a great time to peruse, pounce and add to your Etsy favs.  Here are some wonderful Etsy shops you might enjoy visiting and supporting.

Danger Crafts is filled with kits, patterns, notecards and more knitting and sewing fun to keep you busy all summer.  I just love the monster madness, cute bears, and kits.  All good here!

jcskyline's  has doodad's to use and make you smile.  I especially love the buttons. I'm in giggle glee mode right now just looking at them.  Stop by!

I Heart Glitter has some wonderful pocket watches.  I'm a sucker for a great watch and these definitely fit the bill.  The watch covers come in categories like movies, /theater, music/writers/art, hello kitty and more! Sooo fun and functional.

Visit the Etsy showcase.  Father's Day is June 20th!

If you have an Etsy shop, and would like to be interviewed here on this blog, please feel free to email me at knit1fortheroad@gmail.com and type Etsy Interview in the subject line. 

Have a creative weekend.
Marg (feeling creatively knitty)

You might also enjoy:
The Summer of Etsy Love
MEET Etsian LolaLynn!
Ateliermarla Brings You Sunshine and Vibrant colors!

Keep your hands crafty with The Xtensor

THE XTENSOR, YELLOW

It's time to consider hand health and relief from the pain of the repetitive motion of crochet and knitting.  Check out this handy, easy to use product from TheXtensor.com.  It stimulates the muscles of the hand, the extensor muscles and tendons and will relieve stiffness in your joints and carpal tunnel which are all common ailments of the crafty.  The Xtensor is the recepient of the Medical Design Excellence Award and is made in the U.S. at a certified green facility. Yay!  I think we have the perfect knitting and crochet accessory here. The uses for this product are exciting and I encourage you to read about it, join their facebook page and follow along on Twitter.


Here's to keeping your hands crafty, your mind creative, and your projects on their hooks and needles. 


Marg (paying homage to hardworking hands today)

Bibs, booties, Felici and more!

Felici Self Striping Sock Yarn available at Knitpicks.com

There are some new kits at KnitPicks.com that are perfect for a fun filled summer with the children in your life. They also offer some grownup goodies for your knitting pleasure.  Let's go!

Start off with bibs and booties!

When I Grow Up - Girl

When I Grow Up - Boy

Move on to the fanciful and friendly critters.

Critter Mitts Kits

Fanciful Friends Dragon or Unicorn Kit

Check out the new goodies for grownups...

A little something fabulous and fun for the sock lovers.

Sock Cocktail Kits,Choose Mojito Sock Cocktail Kit or Violet Martini Sock Cocktail Kit, or both.

Felici fingering weight and sport weight yarn in 16 yummy limited edition colors - hooray!

More new yarns for your knitting adventures.

I think we have a busy summer ahead.

Happy kit hunting and knitting.

Marg (enjoying the colors of Felici and feeling fine)

Sushi Wallet Knit Felting Kit

The Summer of Etsy Love

The summer of Etsy love is at hand.  I'll be starting Etsian interviews here on Knit1fortheroad soon.  If you have an Etsy shop, and would like to be interviewed, please send me an email at knit1fortheroad@gmail.com, and write Etsy Interview in the subject line. 


The interviews consist of 4-5 questions that you will need to answer.  Photos, in jpeg form, of items you'd like to feature from your shop, and any links or upcoming craft events should also be included. The questions will not be the same for every interview.  I try to do a little homework so that the questions will be as specific to your shop and craft as possible.  It's amazingly simple, quick and fun. Please spread the word to your crafty Etsy friends.


The summer series went very well last year and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. You can catch up on your summer reading, in the meantime, by visiting the Etsy Interviews below this post.

Happy crafting, happy day.
Marg (so loving the Etsy life)

Happy Knitting Trails Ahead!

Molly and Max, my two doggies in residence, amaze and inspire me on a daily basis.  Today, I was struggling for a way to photograph a project and Molly led the way to a solution.  She normally has her nap on the bed, and today, she insisted on going to the sun room and sitting on the sofa.  This is something new for her and totally out of character.  Every time I left her, she would follow me, whine and stare at me in Yorkie fashion, and lead me back to the sofa.  I took the hint and sat with her for a few minutes.  The latest projects were right in front of us on a table waiting to be photographed. The light bulb finally went off in my head.  Molly would look perfect on the small blanket project. I took pictures of her right away.  This action alone, inspired me to finish these projects and move on with what I needed to accomplish today.

Children and pets are our helpers. They tune into our moods and share their wisdom in unbelieveable ways.  We just need to pay attention and rock the good vibes. 

Here's  message from Max to get your knit adventure on this weekend.
Happy Trails!

Marg (thankful)

What hue are you?

Earthues Natural Dyes

Today, it's time to explore Earthues natural dyes.  These dyes have rich color and are safe to dispose of making them a friend to Earth - and we all know Mother Earth can use all the friends she can gather.  When visiting the site, you are greeted as a friend and colorist, a wonderful word I haven't heard since art school. I love that!  My anticipation of pure glee builds from there.

Earthues has compiled a dye kit and packaged them in a fun reusable box. The dye is perfect for both animal and plant fibers with no heavy metals or tin.  Your color results will vary slightly, depending on the fiber you're using, but that's what makes your exploration unique and fun.  Each kit includes everything you need to dye up to 40 lbs of your own yarn or fiber, tools, instruction booklet and assistance.  You may also purchase Earthues colors individually.

Earthues are available at Halcyon Yarn and other retailers.  Visit the Where to buy tab on the Earthues site to locate a retailer near you.

I hope you enjoy an adventure in color soon. 

Marg (feeling the indigo hue this morning)
Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Custom-Color Your Favorite Fibers with Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques

Vegetable Dyes: A Book of Recipes and Information Useful to the Dyer

Quick! I need my stitches.

Today's been pretty busy.  I've just sent in my new pattern book for editing and am looking forward to adding the finishing touches.  There will be more info later for you, plus giveaways as the completion date nears.  I've listened to your suggestions, comments and requests and have tried to include as many as possible in this next book.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and inspiration.  You keep me motivated.


Looking for event info and don't know where to go?  Here are a few links to help you find the scoop on upcoming events.  Knitting events will inspire and motivate you, so please don't miss out on an opportunity.


http://www.knittersconnection.com/


http://www.knittersreview.com/upcoming_events.asp


http://www.americasknitting.com/more_events.htm


http://www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events.php


I'll be taking a much needed Monday mental health knitting break this evening.  I hope you'll join me.


Marg (Quick! I need my stitches.)

 

Knitty skies and light winds

A visit to Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park this weekend reminded me of the importance of sewing, spinning and knitting in our history.  They have been excavating this area for artifacts representing over 8000 years of human culture, beginning with Native Americans of the Archaic Period (7500-1000 BC).  You can see many unearthed pottery shards, arrow heads, spears, household items, gun parts and glassware, but I naturally look for any proof of needlework of any kind wherever I roam, and was intrigued by these buttons and pins.  It's a wonderful place to take your children and for adults.  They have some hands on activities so if you are planning a trip or live in the area, check out their website for details on upcoming events.

I'll be posting another short history note soon from today's excursion involving the importance of knitting, spinning and weaving in one of Maryland's first farming communities.

Tomorrow there will be knitty skies and light winds.
Marg (two steps forward, one step looking back)
You might also enjoy reading:

Adventures of a Sock Monkey Visionary!
In search of the oldest knit artifact...

18th Century Knitting Patterns

Dollhouse Artwork Framed Colonial Girl Knitting