Time for knitty and luscious giving!

It's time for knitty and luscious giving!  Your knitting friends and loved ones need wonderful gifts this season, too.

One of the things that your knitting friend or loved one will enjoy is a bag for all the wonderful yarn and accessories that go along with their projects:

Knitting Project Bags at Knit Picks $3.99 - $10.99

Circular Knitting Needle Case from Namaste Inc.

Visit Knit Picks or Namaste for an array of bags and cases that will delight any knitter.  Your local craft and knitting stores will also feature beautiful bags and accessories for knitting and crochet.

2013 Knit Simple Winter Edition 

Vogue Knitting 2013 Crochet

Ask them if they would like a digital subscription to their favorite knit or crochet mag.    

Don't know what they like or what to buy?  Try a nifty gift card to their favorite yarn store and watch their faces light up.  Some of us just love going up and down the isles in yarnie anticipation of our next project and need to squeeze a skein or two or check out our fav new knitting books to receive inspiration.  We also need our tools of the knitting kind.

Raise your latte or egg nog to snagging  50% or more off your purchases...and don't forget to knit!  Knitting can relieve your stress levels and keep you in the creative zone during this hectic time of the year.

Margaret (snowy days + knitting = tranquility now)

Ghostly DIY crafting, ideas and recipes...

Pic taken with a flash during my solo journey into the darkness at Ft Mifflin last Spring. I was walking in total darkness.  Guess I'm more afraid of snakes, clowns, and mean people than the dark.  Go figure...Knitting and exploring respectfully since I can remember.

Do you need some DIY Halloween help?  I was looking around today and noticed Tipnut's DIY Halloween section.  It's a great place to find oodles of free crafty projects, recipes, decorating and party ideas.  You can never be too prepared or too spooky for Halloween. 

Dave and I have our official list of Autumn and Halloween festivities to see and I'll be sharing the spooktacular fun as we go.

Side notes: We saw Abduction this past weekend. It was filmed in Pittsburgh, Dave's hometown and we had fun checking out all the scenes of the city.

My Halloween read is a book by Zak Bagans and Kelly Crigger, Dark World.  It's an interesting look into Zak's life as a ghost hunter. If you enjoy the series, it will not disappoint.

Margaret (knitting, cleaning, and destashing tra la la)

Follow me on Twitter for more knitting, crochet, crafting and whatev - its easy! @ knit1fortheroad

Visit my Etsy shop, margknittinaround for knit pattterns, my books, kits, and ready to wear items.

Visit knit1fortheroad.com for free knitting patterns, resources, crafty interviews, and more.

©MargaretNock, 2008-11. All rights reserved.

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.
H. P. Lovecraft
Visit theholidayspot.com for more quotes.

Can you believe...

SoHo Saturday Scarf from

Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.

All rights reserved.

it's back to school time?  I know! I was just mastering my boogie board, kowabunga!  I did not just write that. Anyway, here are some cool projects to make for back to school that will rally kiddos of all ages.  You might even scoop up a couple of projects for a rainy day, wintery weekend, or holiday gift for yourself or a loved one.

Back to School – 10 great designs for under $25 from the good folks at Red Heart

An array of pillow patterns to knit await you at KnittingPatternCentral.com.  A perfect gift for the college student.

Check out the free patterns at some of my favorite sites to peruse for more ideas, free patterns, and great yarn:

WEBS, KnitPicks, Caron International and of course, Ravelry.com will all fill you with knit and crochet glee.

CraftStylish.com and CreatingTheHive.com offer helpful tutorials on crafty delights for the creative at heart.

Autumn Wowza Scarf from knit1fortheroad.com

All rights reserved.

Be sure and check out the free pattern section on my website, knit1fortheroad.com!  

Over 25,000 "Back to School" items to choose from on Etsy.com - woot!

Don't have time in your busy schedule to create your own goodies?  Check out the latest back to school extravaganza on Etsy.com and revel in the handmade creative goodness.  Here's the link for Back to School items.


Don't you just love to have crafty and creative options.  Enjoy every crafty moment of your life.

Margaret (enjoying a handmade Friday afternoon)

Are you a crafty pants? You're invited to CreatingTheHive, the crafty place to bee!

Snag a copy of Knit Knitavain Style and start your knitting season early. Full color, easy to read with 20+ patterns. Resources, interviews and more to keep you inspired all year round.  Join me on the corner of "Inspiration Avenue and Knitavia Blvd. Bring your knitting!"

Here are just three projects that are perfect for you to wear and use right now!  The versatile Merry Meet Market Tote, the Spring Fling Wristlets, and the SoHo Saturday Scarf (pictured at the top of this post).
 Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.  Also available at AuthorHouse Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and margknittinaround on Etsy.com

©Margaret Nock, Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin. Author House Publishing, 2011. Unauthorized reproduction in whole or in part, or distribution is not allowed. All rights reserved.

March on in to Monday with your crafty self.

Leave it to CraftStylish to give you fresh ideas, patterns, and get your creative mojo going. It's March. It's Monday. Let's get going.


Here's an article by Mary Ray called Do You Need a Little Extra Creative Support? on Craftstylish (Sewing/Quilting)that you might find interesting.

Another from the recycle, reuse dept. from Jennifer Stern (fashion), The 2009 Prom Dress Recycle that will definitely get you motivated on a Monday to check your closet for items to donate.

A pet favorite! Knit a Mutt Mitt: Dog Washing Made Easy by Tina Hilton (knitting) and Craft for Cats: Two Yarn-Scrap Toys for Your Feline Friends , also contributed by Tina Hilton.



You can also add your own gallery of projects - just create an account. How cool is that?

These are just a few projects to ponder. There are plenty more on the site, so do add it to your favs and get crazy crafty. Reuse, recycle and get ready for spring.

See you on CraftStylish!



Marg (margknittinaround on CraftStylish)

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)