Hodgepodge of gifty goodness and free patterns...

Today I have a hodgepodge of knitting glee for Fall and Winter...get ready, here we go!

LionBrand.com has a wonderful way of making you want to knit and crochet with so many quick, easy and colorful patterns.  Check out the new free patterns for the home for instant inspiration! 

Knit Outta the Box is another favorite of mine.  They offer knitting kits, patterns, and cozy wearable items. Check it!

Caplet of Invisibility from LionBrand Free Pattern section for Halloween

Halloween Holla...

LionBrand scores again.

Purple Kitty is a good source  for Halloween projects of all types.
Give them a look.

Gifting opportunities at...

NobleKnits.com is always one of my favorite stops for the Fall season.  They have an array of free patterns great for gift giving.   Right now, I'm working on a couple of projects from their shop and will share them soon. Check out the patterns for sale, too. You don't want to miss out on a great knitting experience.  I've found their patterns to be well written and excellent quality.

Visit Soakwash.com, and check out the Soakbox.  There are six variations of boxes to choose from. The Soakbox is pure goodness for a knitter or crocheter and are sure to keep the recepient smiling. 

Shades of Winter: Knitting with Natural Wool from InterweaveStore.com - absolutely gorgeous!

There's your pattern and gifty goodness roundup...

Give your creative spirit a hug today and remember to bring your knitting and crochet with you wherever you roam.

Margaret-can't wait to have a pumpkin spice coffee from Panera Bread - with whip cream of course :)

Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title. ~From Scooby-Doo


 

Knit Outta The Box has an exciting new item!

This just in...My friend, Laurie Gonyea, founder of knitouttathebox.com has taken the iMitt© to the next level. You can now purchase the actual hand knit iMitt. Laurie descibes the new ready to wear hand knit item best, so here it is in her very own very knitty words:

Laurie's note:
" I have partnered with a woman's cooperative from Bolivia to hand knit the iMitt using a wonderfully soft alpaca. Every sale that I make goes to helping these women achieve their financial independence. I'm wondering if you would help me spread the word by going to my website and clicking on the "Like" button. If you want to purchase one that would be fabulous, but more importantly I'd love it if you told all of your friends about it."

You can still purchase the iMitt© kit, as well.

There you have it!

You may also enjoy reading Laurie's interview here on Knit1fortheroad.

Enjoy the weekend and choose the crafts that make your heart sing.

Margaret (I love to share a great Saturday knitting scoop)

Are you enjoying knit and crochet friendships?

Projects, projects, projects are crashing into daily duties, stresses and a serious migraine this week.  I've missed my usual blogging days and apologize for the inconvenience of an almost daily knit fix from my corner of the world.  Maybe it's the universe telling me to slow down and enjoy my stitches more.

One of the things I love most about meeting many of you in knitting/craft communities and at events is the good news you send to me, learning about new products or charities that you're working on and funny stories that happen in your knitty and crafty lives. 

Silver Cotton Slippers from Knit outta the Box

New from my friend Laurie Gonyea...
Here's a new product from Laurie Gonyea at Knit outta the Box called Silver Cotton Slippers made with "100% natural Turkish cotton spun with 5% pure silver. The healing properties of silver have been claimed for centuries, not to mention it is also an anti-bacterial."  I was excited to snag a kit when they became available.  The Turkish cotton and silver is super smooth and easy to knit with and I had so much fun with the easy double knit pattern.  Another feature of the kit is that it has everything you need for the project. Yay!  I'm thinking a wonderful gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself.
Laurie has recently updated her website - take a look!

Kathleen Greco of JellyYarns has some exciting projects coming up.  Kathleen is quite the artist and one of the most talented people exploring and creating sculptural crochet pieces.  You may remember her Interview(Part I)(Part 2) and Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef.  Here's her link on Ravelry that shows her latest creation, Jelly Yarn Freeform Coral Reef Cone.  This pieces wascreated for The Institute for Figuring Hyperbolic Reefs, Rubbish, Reason Exhibition, Art Center’s Williamson Gallery, June 7 - August 21, 2011.I love that Kathleen is an intuitive artist who follows her intuition and combines her skills to create such unique pieces.  She also has an exuberance for crochet and the creative process. Kathleen is on Ravelry.com as bluesmoothie and the JellyYarns Group and Annie's Gifts for Chemo.



Enjoy your friends, share the creative energy and watch your world change right before your eyes.  Pretty cool, huh?  It's a lot like that pay it forward thingy that's all the rage.  I'll leave you today with two thoughts on friendship that I like.

“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”  Brandi Snyder

And...

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”
unknown.
thinkexist.com/


Margaret (working on being a better human to my friends and kicking back in my new slippers)

Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists

Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting

Year round knitting projects and adventures await ...

Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.

Molly and the CraftyBastards! Arts and Crafts Fair

Molly, the festival doggie.
©Margaret Nock, 2010.
All rights reserved.

Scarf and bag from Knit Knitavian Style

Margaert and Molly

Saturday SoHo Scarf and Merry Meet Market Bag are featured in Knit Knitavian Style!

Set up at Laurie's Booth, Knit Outta The Box

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday afternoon.

Marg (pumpkin spice latte and rainy afternoons)

You might also enjoy reading:

KNIT OUTTA THE BOX INTERVIEW DAY!



©Margaret Nock, 2010. All rights reserved.

Ward off Monday madness, pirate references & grumpy co-workers

It's Monday, and time for a little housekeeping and updating.

There will be a Knit Knitavian Style Giveaway this Wed. that you're going to luv-luv Hint: thar be fabulous yarn involved! (wait, did I just say that in my best pirate voice?)

Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair...I'll be attending the Crafty Bastards event on Sat. Oct 2, thanks to my friend Laurie Gonyea of Knit Outta the Box (view her  interview here).  Laurie has graciously invited me to do a book signing at her booth.  If you're in the D.C. area, please visit this event.  It's so fun and crafty that you won't believe your eyes.  I'll be updating as the event gets closer. Support handmade - yay!

The second round of  special orders has begun on my Etsy shop, MargKnittinARound. Thanks to everyone who requested Nicole's Neckwarmer ($15.00)  and Delicate Desire Fingerless Gloves. ($20) Please convo me first on Etsy before you place an order on either item to verify color and lead time. You can also email me at knit1fortheroad@gmail.com if you prefer.  I accept Paypal and there's also free shipping in the U.S. this month...another Yay! You see, it's my birthday month and I just have to celebrate. I still have patterns, books, kits, and other hand crochet and knit items available.  If you like what you see, please feel free to click on See Who Favorites to Heart my shop or add a favorite item to your favs to keep my creative fingers going.  It also helps me know what you like and whether I should keep going, plus I just like feelin' the love.

Please grab your online discount code from last week's Soak Discount Offer - it's good until Oct. 15, 2010.  Our lucky gift certificate winner was AliTsao. Thanks to everyone who responded - you guys are quick!

The Etsy shop interviews and Creating the Hive interviews are still on, so please take advantage of the opportunity to share the crafty word, tell your crafting story and inspire others with your crafty cleverness.  You can email me directly at knit1fortheroad@gmail.com to request an interview. 

That's it for today.  Try to put your best knit forward today to ward off Monday madness, pirate references and grumpy co-workers.

Marg (thankful for the new day, cool winds, and coffee)

 Cup from http://www.etsy.com/shop/ateliermarla

Crafty is the word...

The talented Laurie Gonyea of Knit Outta the Box at her knitting demo during Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair. I'm holding her latest scarf kit.










Red head for my office from the scratch and dent bin that I couldn't leave behind.

This weekend was filled to the brim with crafts, crafty people. and crafting adventures for those attending Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair in D.C. and the Aritsan's Festival in Centreville. While I am still sorting things out and recovering from sensory overload - here are a few pics. I will be featuring artists, Etsians and more for you this week!












Goodie Bag! Free stickers, buttons, and flyers abound.













Wonderful dogs where brought to this dog friendly event for adoption. I couldn't bring one home - my husband was adament, so I was happy to make a donation for the cause and munch on a cookie or two. Lucky Dog does a great job so please stop by their site and support their efforts.
LuckyDogAnimalRescue.org





Centreville Artisan's Festival












Drying Pumpkins from the kid's creative corner


Well, that's it for now...more about some of the vendors that caught my eye that I know you're going to love. Stay tuned for the roundup of crafties~

Support your local handmade crafters and let the good times roll.

Marg (ready for the hayride, now)

It's all about the derby girls this weekend...

It's time for the roundup of the week. Two movies caught my attention. The first was WhipIt, inspired by the book Derby Girl by Shauna Cross. I have to admit I've been intrigued by women in the roller derby since the 70's when Raquel Welch first appeared in Kansas City Bomber. It was something I would have never been encouraged to try as a young lady, hence the fascination. We now know from the reality show a few years ago, Rollergirls and a segment on the special, KnittyGrittyKnitsters that derby girls also knit cool accessories unique to their sport, wear lipstick, and like most of us, make sacrifices to participate in an empowering activity, the sport of roller derby that is sweeping the nation and receiving it's well earned due. Of course, the cool names and outfits are also a bonus.

Next is Michael Moore's movie, Capitalism: A Love Story, maybe not so knitty, but interesting none the less. I will still be searching for knitwear on people in the movie anyway.

This weekend I'll be whipping up a cool pattern, Little Arrowhead Lace Scarf from Knit Outta The Box. You will remember the fab interview with the creator Laurie Gonyea right here on this blog-a-roo! If not - check it here!

Keep your eye on all things knitting and knitworthy!

Marg (wondering was I "Mad Marg" in the roller derby in a parallel universe? hmmm)

Parts and Pieces of a Knitful Life

In between working on new items for margknittinaround (my Etsy shop), recovering from surgery, and keeping up with charity items to make, I've been working on a few projects for myself. It feels like I'm knitting and crocheting in bits and pieces, parts and pieces, but somehow it all gets pulled togehter. I am constantly amazed by this occurence!

First the charity items and updates!








Two large blankets for the Blanketed with Love Campaign going out tomorrow.


This just in! Hearts of Love on Ravelry.com is gearing up for SEPTEMBER HEARTS OF LOVE member support and recognition of the national events that place this month focusing on several cancers ( see HOPE & SUPPORT RESOURCES, The YOUNG and so brave, and our MEMBER NEWS OF THE DAY topics). If you're on Ravelry - come on over and check it out.

Knitters for Obama also a Ravelry group, continues with their projects for teens and wonderful community projects. So please join in the great work that is being done there if you have time.









Knit Outta the Box

Laurie Gonyea is hard at work and has created a new Knit Outta the Box item. I rec'd mine last week and started a cute hat. The kit has everything you need to knit one project at home or on the run so do go by her site and discover what she's been up to.








Slim Silhouette Coat (Free pattern from LionBrand)

Over the holiday, I began this Slim Silhouette Coat (easy) with Lion Boucle'. So far, I'm loving the pattern and yarn.

Stay tuned to more items for margknittinaround, interviews for this blog, and a few surprises along the way.

Marg (living in the light and dodging the shadows)

Ever see a tweet jump over a hurdle?

Well, I'm in recovery mode - everything went well and I have missed blogging and knitting most of all.

I did try to talk the nurses into letting me take my knitting in with me the day of surgery which would been a great help to my nerves before the sedation process began. I'm not used to waiting or medical procedures so I guess that makes me a cranky, yet wonderfully knitty patient. They apparently weren't familiar with my wildly successful Knitting Therapy Experiment at my chiropractors office. Send white light to the people who make the rules about pre and post op surgery...knitting is good, knitting is relaxing, more knitting, less drugs....anyway, I will be blogging this week but will be going in for another check on Thursday so I don't know what to expect. Too much info, I'm sure, but I wanted to let you all know I've missed you and thank you for the emails, tweets, and shout outs. I know they will lead me to a quick recovery.

While I was checking my tweets, I rec'd one from LaurieGonyea of KnitOuttatheBox. She has two lines now so do go check them out...and if you missed her interview on this blog, Knit Outta The Box Interview Day.

That's it for now - more interviews and knit/crochet news and goodies coming your way soon. Thanks for your patience...

Marg (counting kind tweets and emails jumping over hurdles in my head before falling asleep)