Time for a share...

It's Monday and time for a share...

Here's an improvised crochet blanket I made over the weekend with Caron Simply Soft in Strawberry and Pistachio for Knots of Love NICU Blankets Program. 

Hope you're knitting or crocheting something wonderful this week.  Please share what your working on, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Autumn!
Margaret


"Summer ends, and Autumn comes, and he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night."
Hal Borland

Capsation!

Today's the day!  Knots of Love (KOL) chemo caps are ready to hit the trail. 

Looking for some wonderful charities to knit, craft or crochet for?  Check out the Charity Org page on my website, knit1fortheroad.com for some ideas and inspiration.  While you're there, dive into some free patterns...the Autumn Wowza Scarf and the and Shades of the Celtic Forest Wrist Warmers are perfect for this time of year and would look autumnliscious on you. Just sayin...I can visualise you sipping a Pumpkin Spice hot beverage in your knit1fortheroad finery.  Visit the Free Patterns page.

Stop by Ravelry.com and CreatingTheHive.com for more charity groups and get involoved.  You'll make lots of new friends, explore new patterns, and help put your stitches in the hands of someone in need.  All good, or what? Woot!

The weekend knitfest is almost here...
Enjoy!
Margaret (inviting you to Creating The Hive...go here.)

Visit me on Etsy!  MargKnittinARound, Margaret Nock
Follow merrily along on Twitter @ knit1fortheroad
Find me on Facebook, Margaret Nock

Find my books on AmazonBooks, AuthorHouse/Bookstore (sale price), Kindle Store ($5.99 download) and signed copies on MargKnittinARound on Etsy.  These are reliable sources for my books. 

If you would like to see Knit Knitavian Style as a Kindle download, please feel free to click on the button on the left hand side of the Amazon page to let the publisher know.  Every click helps!

 Due to the massive changes in publishing and the aggressive nature of the internet, I have not authorized and am not affiliated with anyone who charges ridiculously high prices for any of my books.

In the bag and out the door...

At our house, we have a little saying that we like to attribute to Max's attitude when he wakes up in the morning...in the harness and out the door!  Ahhh, the life of a little doggie.  In my case, it's chemo caps for KOL (knotsoflove.org) this week that are in the bag and out the door.  Instant feelgood.  Here are a few pics to share the occasion...

A few of the Chemo Caps made with LionBrand Cotton Ease for KOL

Fill out the simple and handy form to help organize all the KOL caps when they reach the KOL office.

To USPS and away (or shipping option of your choice)

Easy breezy! I so love using yarn I scooped up on sale, fun and easy patterns, and recycling envelopes...helping others, a total perk.  Join in the KOL community. Learn about the incredible way this group is helping patients, one cap at a time.  It will  be all the inspiration you need. 

We have to remember to factor in those charity knit and crochet projects into our busy schedules.  Our needlework skills are needed with everything that is going on in the world. Think of it as your feelgood activity...along with eating chocolate, hugging your kids, and a 50% off yarn sale...this is the part where you fill in your own feelgood choices _______________.

If you need help choosing a charity, please visit my website, knit1fortheroad for ideas.  Check on Ravelry, your local yarn, craft store, or knit/crochet groups and enjoy the community of giving today.  You'll find the projects that resonate with you pretty quickly. 

Max and I will be cheering you on! 

Margaret (knitting new goodies for the shop today and allowing my heart to lead the way more often)

Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause

Knit Along with Debbie Macomber – A Charity Guide for Knitters (Leisure Arts #4803): 14 Featured Charities & Projects For Each!

Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time

Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch

The Power of Three...

Monday always seems like a great day to look ahead and discover patterns for the ultimate knit and crochet season.  Here are three patterns that really caught my eye today and I hope you like them too.

Vokuhila Socks (knit) Free download at Vogueknitting.com. (note:  you'll have to login to dowload patterns, but it is free!)


Noni Tablet Bags Pattern No. 149 (knit and felt) at Dreamweaver.com. Dreamy!

Downtown Hoodie (crochet) in the latest issue of Crochet Today! September/October 2011.

Knit, hook and felt your worries away.

Margaret (making chemo caps for KOL in preetty, preetty colors)

Know, then, whatever cheerful and serene

Supports the mind supports the body too.
~John Armstrong
The quote garden

Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.
Full color with 20+ knit patterns, interviews and resources. Read the inspiring interview with Knots of Love (KOL) founder, Christine Shively!

The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry

Charts Made Simple: understanding knitting charts visually

Are you a busy crafting bee?  Join me on Creating the Hive and find out what all the buzzzz is about.  It's free and 0 calorie!

Follow along on Twitter! @knit1fortheroad

NEW YEAR KNITTING RESOLUTIONS

Here are a few suggestions for you to consider when thinking about your knitting or crochet future in 09. Think about where you may need more work or maybe more courage in regards to your knitting skills or projects. You may be surprised with what you come up with and the result of your efforts.

1. Always knit a gauge when required. (hard one, I know)

2. Find time to knit or crochet for charity. (difficult but extremely worthwhile to not only the one you help, but also your mind and spirit)

3. Take control of the stash! (this one stays on the list every year!)

4. Dedicate some time each week or month to share knitting projects, skills, or advice. (Easy and fun!)

5. Study new techniques and try to make at least one major knitting event each year and encourage other knitters you know to come along. (FUUUUN)

6. Check out your local yarn and craft stores for classes and free groups to join in the community. (inspiring)

7. DARE to knit in public! (adventurous and fun to document-pics or journal- for yourself or blog)

8. Listen to podcasts (relaxing and informative) Visit knit1fortheroad.com for suggestions.

9. Join an internet community for support. (like Ravelry.com.)

10. Try to enjoy the process and any happy accidents that are included in that process.


11. Document your projects by keeping a knitting journal online or on paper and include digital photos, pattern and gauge swatch.

12. Look for inspiration around you for colors, textures, or patterns that you might want to incorporate into your knitting. These ideas can also be documented for future use.

Some new things for this blog in 09 will be more interviews with knitters, business people involved in the knitting/crochet world, Etsy artists, and people who will inspire you to make a difference with your knitting.

More knitting lessons, tips, and info being added to the blog and also to www.knit1fortheroad.com. Another book is in the works and there will be a giveaway or two. You are also encouraged to send in your finished Knit 1 for the Road patterns (in the book and from my Etsy shop, margknittinaround) and any of the Knit/Crochet Along projects for charity. You may send them to knit1fortheroad@gmail.com and I will post them on the Knit 1 for the Road gallery. This is a great way to share your creativity with others. The next knit/crochet along will be announed Janurary 09 - stay tuned!

Thanks to all of you for your emails and suggestions, reading this blog, as well as visiting my Etsy shop, and purchasing any of my patterns and of course, the book.

Have a happy and safe new year's celebration and enjoy your knitting.

Marg (working on being fully present)