Weekend Wanderings for Knitters

Got Stash?   
Do you need a handy place for your yarn? Try these cool Knitterella Project Bags. They are direct-to-garment printed on a roomy 12" x 16" muslin bag with a drawstring and oh so portable at a affordable price.

Need yummy yarn?

Do you have a special project in mind but don't have the yarn? Search Etsy.com for yarn easily by color, weight,and project. There are fabulous handmade yarns available by customer minded shops who often take requests. It's an eye candy experience for sure.  

Noble Knits, Feel Good Yarn Company are fun places to visit if your looking for kits, special holiday offers and free patterns.

Try Knitting on the Net if you're looking for stitches to create your next knitting project. It's a great resource for knitters of all levels.

Agusta Shawl Free Pattern

Last but certainly not least visit Fairmont Fibers, LTD. and enjoy lush free patterns.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Happy knitting!

Margaret

 

Sock knitting for Spring!

I've had this mad desire to clean and reorganize house, car, and office, and most of all yarn stash.  The sock yarn has called out to me and I'm into the sock knitting zone lately.  I feel that some of you might also have sock knitting fever so here are some great sock patterns, books, and yarn to dive into.  Sock knitting is also super portable for traveling, baseball games, and poolside - you get the idea. Yarns come in all weights and fibers, including cotton blends which are nice for this time of year. It's a good idea to follow the recommended yarns in your pattern and to most of all enjoy creating them. 

Free Knit Pattern:  Geek socks from Knitty.com

Book:

"The eighteen patterns, most for three sizes (S, M, L), in this book will take your sock knitting in a new direction, literally! Instead of the conventional toe-up or top-down methods, you can now simply knit out from the middle of the sole, up over the foot and on up the leg, with no breaks for the heel and no stitches to pick up. You will view your sock toes in a whole new way when you knit from the ground up!"

 
Luscious Yarn:  Sock Yarn at Noble Knits!

Lovely Self Striping Yarn Selections on Etsy!

Looking for a knitting pattern, community, and inspiration?   Join Ravelry, it's free!


Enjoy!

Margaret

Happy St Patrick's Day!

   

May you always have...
Walls for the winds
A roof for the rain
Tea beside the fire
Laughter to cheer you
Those you love near you
And all your heart might desire.

 

 

Visit Margknittinaround on Etsy and enjoy more knitting patterns and books on sale.

Free knitting patterns at knit1fortheroad.com

 

 

Happy knitting!

 

Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super Sale!

Hi happy knitters! 

January is the perfect time to tidy up and have a super sale in my knitting shop margknittinaround on Etsy.

Signed copy of Knit Knitavian Style (20+knit patterns, interviews, and more) only $5 plus shipping.

 

and signed copy of Knit 1 for the Road (as seen in Knitting UK 2008)(travel size with 10 knit patterns)are on sale for $3 plus shipping.

...and when they are gone, they are gone!
 
There are  also knit patterns at a low price to download instantly.  Don't forget there is a free knit pattern you're going to love with each purchase!

Stay tuned for new patterns in 2015.

Happy knitting in everyone!
Margaret

Pumpkins, Cinammon and Spice!

Pumpkins, Cinammon and Spice! Autumn has to be my favorite time of the year.  My birthday is on the 22nd,which is also the first official day of Autumn - hooray! I'm celebrating with this new digital knit pattern now available at MargKnittinARound on Etsy.

PLUM PERFECT DIGITAL KNIT PATTERN AT MargKnittinARound onEtsy

Description:

Welcome in the Autumn Season by knitting this warm, versatile and stylish scarf with Lion Brand Cashmere Blend or substitute a yarn of similar weight. This knitting project is rated Easy, with basic knitting knowledge needed. Clear instructions and pictures of ways to wear your scarf. THIS ITEM IS A DIGITAL KNIT PATTERN.

BONUS!You will also receive a FREE Digital Knit Pattern with purchase of this item. It's super easy to download both patterns after payment.

You may convo me on Etsy if you have any questions regarding either pattern.

Happy knitting!

Margaret

©Margaret Nock, Knit1fortheroad.com™ The pattern, content and photographs in this document are the property of knit1fortheroad.com and for non-commercial (personal) use only. Unauthorized reproduction, sale in whole or in part, or distribution of the content, pattern, or knit item is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Find of the day...

Knit 1 LA: Baby Iselle's Blanket

This is just the sweetest little baby blanket to knit from Knit 1 LA and it's free.  You will also find additional free patterns on the sidebar of the Knit 1 LA blog page.  Visit Karen Clements on Etsy.


Margaret

Knit Poolside Hairbands

It's a new week with more opportunities to keep your summer knitting portable and easy with this new pattern at MargKnittinAround on Etsy.

Poolside Hairbands

(3 knit patterns) The quick and easy knit hairbands are a super stylish and easy solution to portable knitting and turning bad hair days into good ones. These hairbands are perfect for long or short hair and knit with Cotton-Ease® Yarn, your hairband will be soft, yet durable and easy to wash. Knit with US size 8 (5.0) straight needles.

These patterns can also be easily adapted for cooler weather with wool or acrylic yarn of similar weight. Autumn days are just around the corner.

RECEIVE A FREE WITH PURCHASE KNIT PATTERN:

You will also receive a free with purchase digital download as my free gift and appreciation for visiting my shop.

Knit and wear with glee.

Margaret

Simply Yarnie Creations...

Today, I made a visit to one of my favorite websites, Etsy.com.  I came across the most delightful artful yarnie shop called cornflowerbluestudio.  The designer and owner is the absolutely amazingly talented Rachel Hunnicutt.  Take a look!

After the storm...

 

We were lucky to come through Hurricane Sandy safely here.  These pics were taken at one of my favorite places to visit, Pickering Creek Audubon Center.

Remember to enjoy a deep relaxing breath today with your knitting and count each blessing with every stitch.

Margaret

Etsy Opportunity!

This morning I woke up to see an adorable free download from Etsy shop owner, Ariana Couvinha of Etsy shop Couve on the Etsy Blog. Etsy will feature an artist's redesign of their Twitter profile and the wallpaper download will be available to download to your desktop or mobile device.  It's a great way to enjoy the Etsy love, and also a chance to be featured.  Read all about the artist and find out how to get your free download ...

Push Button Art

I hope you'll stay creative, support art and artists, and always look for the fun opportunity just waiting around the corner...

Margaret (feeling a creative vibe all around today)  

It's a handmade celebration over here!

Most of my decorations are handmade by myself or by talented crafters I find on sites like Etsy.com or at local craft shows.  This wreath was created with crafty magic by PeachParlor on Etsy.

Happy Halloween!

from Dave, Margaret, Molly and Max

View from a spooky train ride we took a couple of weekends ago...

©MargaretNock, 2008-11. All rights reserved.

Visit me at knit1fortheroad.com for free patterns, resources and more!

Follow along merrily on Twitter @ knit1fortheroad

Delight in knit books, patterns and handmade items @ MargKnittinARound on Etsy.com.  More items coming soon, stay tuned.

Join me on Creating The Hive, it's free, full of fun and crafty inspiration.



off my needles and into the shop...

...well almost.  This lovely scarf is knit with Noro and is the perfect Autumn accessory to spruce up your wardrobe.  In the meantime, you can find more ready to wear items, knit patterns, my books and kits at MargKnittinARound on Etsy.

You can also find some nifty free patterns on my website, knit1fortheroad.com in the free pattern section.

Side note:  Molly had her senior check and is doing great - whew!  and Max was a good Yorkie, too.

I feel needlicious today. How bout you?

Margaret

Fresh off the presses...

©Margaret Nock, Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.

Author House Publishing, 2011. All rights reserved.

Fresh off the presses...signed copies of Knit Knitavian Style are now available.  New sale price in my Etsy shop, margknittinaround.  I'll be adding new goodies in the next few days...stay tuned.  Follow knit1fortheroad on Twitter, Craftsy (Margaret Nock) or join me at CreatingTheHive.

Thanks for the well wishes this week. I'm back to knitting with minimal stitches and a "can do" crafty attitude.  Thanks to Max (my Yorkie) for using his keen senses to find the tumor.

Allow your heart to fill with the joy of knitting, crochet and crafty times ahead this weekend.

Margaret (fingers knitting, mind drifting towards the endless possibilities of joyful hearts)

Find free knitting projects and resources at knit1fortheroad.com

Now available on Kindle!

Knit 1 for the Road


If you would like to see Knit Knitavian Style on Kindle, please click on the Tell the publisher! button on the left hand side of the Amazon listing.  Every click helps.

Finding Charm is easier than you think...

Bracelet and Earrings Alpha Kappa Alpha Greek Sorority

I first met Sarah, the creative dynamo behind the successful Etsy shop, Finding Charm on the crafting community, Creating The Hive. I experienced the WOW when I visited her lovely shop, experienced her jewelry, and discovered her knowledge of marketing. I quickly grew to appreciate Sarah and share in her enthusiasm for the handmade life. Grab onto your handmade enthusiasm, here comes Sarah to share her own handmade experience with us today.


Q. Sarah, why did you start designing jewelry?

A. I always had a thing for fun and whimsy in jewelry pieces. I especially love oversized cocktail rings. I would go to Dallas three times a year. I lived in Kansas City, Mo at the time. I would stock up on fun and affordable jewelry from Sam Moon and other fun hideaway shops on Harry Hines Blvd. These were things I’d purchase, wear able to toss or sell on Craigslist. They are a far cry from “quality”, definitely fashion jewelry. In Christmas 2008, I moved down to Dallas for a new job. I found living in Dallas is much different than visiting. It is harder to meet people and just never found that welcoming group. I found myself with more time on my hands and thought one day at one of my little jewelry shops, I could make this. One piece led to another and I started meeting people because of the jewelry I made. People would ask me where I got my bracelet, earrings, or whatever I was wearing at the moment. Then a couple of gals mentioned Etsy to me. I hadn’t a clue! I thought, what the heck? I’m a marketing manager full time, I could do this. I love the consumer marketing best. I had no idea the competition out there for jewelry. I had to work extra hard to compete with those that have been established. Within six months I had nearly 20 online sales and double that in person to person sales. I’m pleased with my efforts considering it’s a hobby and I have a full time job. Right now, all my profits go into my savings account toward my first house. Which may happen at the end of this year.

Blue Charm Bangle Bracelet

Q. That’s so wonderful, Sarah, that you took your passion for jewelry, the tools for marketing that you enjoy, stuck to it, and became a successful Etsy shop. Tell us about your adventures with charm and why you chose Finding Charm for the name of your Etsy shop.


A. I came up with my shop name rather simply. I wrote down a variety of keywords related to jewelry from catalogs, magazines, and websites. Then I started combining them. I narrowed it down to 5, and then sent the names out to family and friends to vote on. It came back unanimous…Finding Charm.

Pink and Silver Chandelier Earrings

Q. That’s an excellent way to brainstorm and come up with the perfect name for your shop. Sarah, you’re one of my favorite Etsy shops to visit because you offer reasonable prices, value and excellent customer service for your customers. You’re also a whiz at promoting your business, and your shop is always colorfully organized and easy to navigate. What advice would you like to share with a crafter or artist who is just starting their business online?


A. Well thank you! One word: commitment. I had no idea the amount of time and energy it would take. You definitely get out what you put in.

I'm fortunate to have my marketing background so that I can catch up with the full time crafters. I also share tips for the handmade community as well on my blog. I've discovered systems and created some so that I'm working even when I have to be away from the house. Twaitter and Hootsuite have helped me with my commitment. I attribute most of my sales because of social networking. That is key for the handmade market. It takes a lot of time. You can't just list something in your shop and expect to sell like mad.

I do put a lot of thought into each of my listings and when I list them. I won’t relist or list a necklace if I listed one the day before. Once I determine the type of item to list, then I evaluate the color, materials, texture because these pieces will be neighbors. I do this every day. What contrasts with the red piece from yesterday…oh a green one would be perfect. That type of thing. This doesn’t work for all crafts, but it works for my shop and my sections. Thank goodness I have a backlog of pieces.

Shades of Gold Pearls and Crystal Statement Necklace

Q. What good advice, especially for people struggling with ways to start. Do you have a favorite way to unwind after a busy day of jewelry making?

A. To unwind, I do something non-creative. I’ll watch TV or read. I have a funny guilty pleasure in watching some of the A&E shows like Hoarders and Billy the Exterminator. I’ll watch a movie or my favorite sitcoms – LOVE the Office and The Big Bang Theory. I read a variety of things. I love to read. I read novels, magazines that are work and non-work related. But I can get burned out creatively pretty quick and the first to go is the jewelry. Thank goodness it comes around summer time when sales slow anyway. I’m always on my marketing game. Have to be…it pays the bills!


Q. Time out for gilty pleasures will definitely ward off creative burnout for many of us. Please share with us, Sarah, any upcoming shop news, events, or dreams and aspirations for your life as a jewelry designer that we haven’t covered?


A. I’ve been considering offering my marketing services to the handmade artist community at an affordable rate. I’m asked regularly for marketing advice. I know there are a lot of resources out there, but often times they’re so generic in nature they don’t apply to all. I’ll read them and say “yes, if or but…” I think that’s why so many crafters seem lost or unsure of their efforts. They really need a one-on-one analysis. It drives me buggy when I see a helpful post focus on SEO, keywording, or good pictures and that will solve your problems. Having a logo is not your brand. Those are just pieces to the strategy. I recently posted a Facebook poll and blog post to gauge what some of the community thinks of such a service and to give some explanation to it. I’d love to hear your readers’ feedback as well. The more the merrier! As for jewelry, I’ll keep making things because I have stash of supplies and still get inspiration. My energy feels like it is being shifted to help the handmade community in a different way. I think the jewelry is what connected me to the wonderful handmade community and make me realize they need me to help them. I want each of them to thrive and be successful, and if I can help in some way, I’d be so happy.


Sounds like an exciting new venture is unfolding for you Sarah. Continued success and happiness to you. Thank you for taking time away to share your passion for the handmade community with us today. 

Want to learn more about Sarah and her budget friendly handmade jewelry at Finding Charm? Please visit the following links.

 Etsy
Zibbet
Artfire
eCrater
Finding Charm Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Made It Myself
CreatingTheHive

The photos for this interview have been provided and are the property of FindingCharm.  All rights reserved.

Harry Potter Finale and Incredible Finds...

While, I was checking my circle on Etsy today, I discovered some Harry Potter items that caught my eye.  Gather round for some magical HP goodness on Etsy.com.

So loving A Cup of Sparkles Treasury today!  or how about Happy Potter Day?

Looking for Harry Potter items to knit?  Freshisle Fibers has an array of free pattern links for you.

Hope you're waving your wand, clicking your needles or waving your hooks for the finale.

Have an enchanted weekend.

Margaret (enjoying the Phoenix Rising mythology today along with the inspired pattern, Phoenix Rising Bag pattern on Ravelry.com)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Where is your special refuge?

The best times can sometimes be close to home.  A patio, porch or yard can be a great refuge for you, your needlework and nature.  Windows with a view of the street or park are also favorites of mine.  Here are a few pics from my refuge, the backyard, taken on an overcast day and right before a rain shower.  Enjoy.

Textures:  A soft knit blanket, Cotton Bobble Throw, sturdy and textured project bag, Merry Meet Market Tote.  Both knit patterns can be found in Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin and a crochet project called Sea Breeze Top, a free pattern from LionBrand made with yummy Cotton Ease.

A viewof my favorite wildflowers and the smell of an oncoming summer shower in the air...

The beauty of yellow and gold against tiny purple and blue blooms...

Gentle sounds: birds, leaves blowing in the breeze and windchimes...

A resident bird creating an amazingly constructed new nest...

I hope you take some time to enjoy your special refuge to recharge this weekend, wherever it may be.  Visit often and live well.

Margaret (wishing you a wonderful weekend with scruptious yarn and all your favorite colors...on sale of course.)

Visit margknittinaround on Etsy for more knitting patterns, books, and kits.

 

Visit knit1fortheroad.com for free patterns and more!

©Margaret Nock, Knit1fortheroad.com™ 2008-2011 The patterns and photographs are the property of knit1fortheroad.com and for non-commercial (personal) use only. Unauthorized reproduction, sale in whole or in part, or distribution of the pattern, or knit item is prohibited.
 All rights reserved.

Knit 1 for the Road on Amazon, Also available on Kindle, and margknittinaround on Etsy.


Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin. on Amazon, AuthorHouse/Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, margknittinaround on Etsy.