Simply Summer Knitting and more...

Knit Simple

Inspiration!

Brighten Your Home Decor with

Bernat Beach Ball Dishcloths

Little House in the Suburbs

A delightful mix of knit patterns (free), recipes, crafts, a book and much more.

Enjoy the lazy hazy days of summer, weekend projects, and the upcoming holiday weekend coming our way soon.

Happy 4th of July,

Margaret

Here are just a few of the knitting projects waiting for you!

Merry Meet Market Bag

 Knit Knitavian Style is available as an ebook for only $3.99 in the Author House Bookstore.  Hooray! Grab your download today and begin your fall knitting with glee.






 

SoHo Saturday Scarf

 

 

Cotton Bobble Throw

 

 

Delicate Desire Fingerless Gloves

 

Lolly Luscious Hat



Knitavian Shruggle




Happy Knitting!
Margaret
 

 

Summer Knits

 

 

What's on your summer knitting list?

 

Here are some summer knitting patterns to keep you inspired through the lazy days of summer.



 

Metro Knits Pattern Booklet

Spring/Summer Collection with 13 classic designs and instructions for sizes Small to 3X!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fall 2015 issue is now available...

Visit Knit Simple Mag to see the free preview of the latest edition, puruse free patterns,enter give-aways, join in the latest knit-a-long and enjoy the latest new colors and knitting pattern joy!

 

Happy summer knitting, everyone!

 

Margaret

 

 

 

 

Happy Holiday Creativity!

Check out Knit and Crochet Delights and Holidays Happen! at Knit1fortheroad.com on Pinterest for crafty inspiration...

Happy Holidays!
Margaret

Happy 7th AnniversaryKnots of Love!

I can't believe it's been 7 years since I first found Knots of Love online (Hand crochet & knitted caps for chemo patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses) and had the pleasure to get to know Christine Fabiani, the dynamic and dedicated founder of knotsoflove.org! Today, I invite you to visit the website and take in all the love and giving of the Knots of Love community.

Congratulations to Christine,the Knots of Love team, volunteers, and the wonderful people who knit and crochet from the heart for the Knots of Love cause.

It's truly a happy day! 
Be the love.
Margaret

Trendy Times

I'm almost back to knitting projects!
While I've been away recovering from a little knitting fatigue in the fingers and wrists after several years of knitting and crocheting non-stop, a few fun things have been happening in knitting.  Here are some of my favorite trends of the season. Enjoy the info and I hope your knitting something wonderful. 

Please share your winter knit and crochet projects here if you like.  I always enjoy seeing your projects and so do other readers. Your input may inspire someone who otherwise would not even try to knit or crochet. :)

Arm Kitting 30 Minute Scarf ... I encourage you to try it!

Knit and Crochet and Yarn Trends For 2014 ... This Lion Brand Yarn blog post will give you some great ideas for knitting and crochet projects. Huzza!

Shetland Ponies in Cardigans – Photos & Video! Although this lingers from 2013, I thought I would add it as I love Scotland, I love ponies and I love sweaters so I'm sharing. (not sure how the ponies feel about this, but they seem to tolerate their photo opp like pros)

I will be posting more often now and sharing more of my own knitting adventures, so do check back or follow along.  Thanks for reading!

Margaret(visualizing knitting now)

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)

Home is where the knitting cups are...

Home is where the knitting cups are.

We've finally gotten moved into our new home and I 'm ready to get back to knitting! Out of state moves are too much to deal with but we managed together, including the Yorkies, who were surprisingly cooperative.

While I was in the midst of chaos and disarray, I managed to create another free pattern which I will have for you Monday.  Thanks for all the well wishes, energy, and healing messages for our recent loss.  We miss Ray, my father-in-law, but hold his spirit close to our hearts.

Enjoy the inspiring knitting story (click on the link below) and I hope you're creating something wonderful. Please feel free to share what you're working on with everyone in the comment section. I always like hearing from you and of course comments are monitored to prevent harassment or spam ( as that belongs in a can) so that you can feel safe. 

Margaret (sipping a warm drink on an artic day)


http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/19/4563546/runner-in-kc-marathon-knits-his.html

Happy World Wide KIP

I'ts not too late to knit in public during World Wide Knit in Public Day- June 8-16, 2013! I urge you to grab your needles and yarn and go find like minded knitters through your local yarn stores, groups, and on the web. And don't forget to share you experiences on social media.

Check out this video of Liat Gat's (KNITFreedom) interview about the how knitting saved her life.




Have a knitty weekend everyone!
Margaret

Caps for Craft Hope Project #21 Rally for Roma

Invite your spirit back home...

Hope you're knitting or crocheting something wonderful this week.

Margaret

Needles busy - hearts open...

Caps for KOL

Monday is a great day to get organized.

Today is a beautiful snow day here in Maryland and the perfect time to bag up some hand knit caps for Knots of Love.  Just a little reminder with the approach of warmer weather that knitting charities are still busy working for others all year round.  I urge you to keep your needles and hooks busy as these charities rely on our skills to make items for so many in need.  

Needles busy - hearts open.  Sounds like a winning combination to me.

Knit-Share-Go!™ knit1fortheroad.com

Margaret

Knit1fortheroad content, patterns,and photographs are the property of Margaret Nock, knit1fortheroad.com, Knit-Share Go!™ and for non-commercial (personal) use only. Unauthorized reproduction or use, sale in whole or in part, or distribution of the content, pattern, or knit items is prohibited. All rights reserved.

a little gratitude goes a long way...

Early Morning Gratitude Shawl

The early morning is a time I enjoy knitting my gratitude with simple stitches (like a garter stitch, for example)for all that is wonderful and all that will be wonderful in the world.  This morning was one of those gratitude experiences. I usually knit outside, but inside can work just as well.

If you'd like to try it,choose a stich that is easy for you,a place you feel safe and a time that's quiet.  Take a few deep breaths and release your worries in prayer, meditation, or simple awareness, whatever feels comfortable to you.  Now, think of any and all things that you are grateful for in your life and think of them as you knit your stitches.  Be aware of how your knitting tension and rhythm changes as you release the worry and bring in the gratitude. A few minutes of gratitude will help you throughout your day.  Think of your knitting gratitude moments whenever you feel tired, stressed or upset during your day. You might also choose to bring your knitting with you and squeeze in a little gratitude knitting at lunch, or on breaks. Try it throughout your day in different situations once you feel comfortable with the process.  You can choose not to make an actual pattern or project. Use your yarn and needles in the way that feels best to you and will keep in you in the habit of being grateful. 

Yay you,if you're already enjoying your gratitude knitting! Keep it up or give it a try. Either way, it's all good and mistake free.

Margaret(found yet another feather in an unusual place today)

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

 

Did you notice?

15 years of smooth sailing...

Today its all about sharing with you and a huge Thanks to all for the well wishes for the big 15th Anniversary last week.  

Every picture has a backstory.  We were experiencing 100+ heat resulting in limper hair styles -however, this didn't stop us as we managed to zip through all the appts, work, and roadblocks of our day to make it to our date on the Spirit of Baltimore  Harbor Dinner Cruise! (thank goodness for Groupon.com for the helpful discount on tickets) We figured 15 years warranted a bigger celebration this year.  The crew was fun and entertaining, the music was great for all kinds of dancing and the food was yummy. Dave and I celebrated without cell phones, ipads, internet, and yes knitting - forgive me (haha) or any worries.  Mother nature provided a heavy rainfall on the way back to the car - but we held up under shelter with some really nice people, so even that wasn't a big disaster.   I couldn't help but notice that we were all there in different stages of love.  There was a new young couple on a date, a couple with a small baby, an older couple out on the town and Dave and I, midway in our married life.  It was a wonderful experience to see these various stages of love being expressed all in one place.  I will always remember that experience and cherish it.

Make every day a BIG anniversary for yourself - celebrate each day and see those worries and bad situations diminish in importance. Make love your priority today.

More knitting blog posts coming...and some exciting news!Remember to take time to knit a little love in the meantime!

Margaret (did you notice Spirit was involved in this equation?- just sayin') 

boldly ripping, restarting and enjoying the creative process

Today I felt moved to encourage you all, especially newer knitters, to allow yourself permission to make mistakes.  Any time we make mistakes in knitting, or our lives, we are learning an important lesson which encourages us to study more, find new teachers and experiment.  Please don't allow the fact that you might have to restart, rip out or take a time out on any knitting project that you're working on.  It's simply part of your knitting experience and we all go through it.


I once had a painting instructor that said - "Don't let your work become too precious to you" - I thought about this absurd comment (seemed to me at the time) and I soon learned that when something becomes too precious when we're being creative it can actually block or hold us back from exploration and the fluidity of our creativity.


This is something to consider if you ever get discouraged with your projects.


Margaret (boldly ripping, restarting and making room for growth in my creative process)

©Margaret Nock, Knit1fortheroad.com™ The patterns, content and photographs on this blog 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.

Stitches from the Heart

Recently, I received an email from Teresita (Seaside Purl) of Hearts of Love on Ravelry.com sharing with me that this great charity organization, Stitches from the Heart, just celebrated its 15th birthday. Hooray! 

Here's Teresita message in her own inspiring words about her involvment with Stitches from the Heart:

 I have been a member and Area Representative for the Elk Grove-Sacramento Chapter that I started back in 2008 (June) which was the same year that I started HEARTS of LOVE. My chapter is local and I get together once a month with the knitters and crocheters that are members and we do what we love to do….. make baby creations for SFTH which then distributes them to newborns in hospitals across the country.

This year we have a new director that has taken over after the Founder and former director of SFTH decided to retire. We have a goal of trying to reach one million handmade creations which then will allow us to have a national spokesperson and thus get the word out to many more crafters.

We have chapters in states across the country but are hoping to add more states to the SFTH Family. I have been helping and spending time this summer promoting SFTH and getting the word out about this wonderful organization which is a non-profit baby charity organization.

Please visit SFTH on Facebook or website for more information about this organization.  On Ravelry?  Feel free to contact Teresita of the Hearts of Love Group on Ravelry if you are interested in helping knit or crochet items or starting your own group of SFTH knitters and crocheters in your area.  Please help spread the word!

I hope you will look for ways to celebrate the wonderful community of charity knitting and crochet. Open your heart and mind to receiving the gift of creative giving.  For those of you who already have, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Have a wonder filled week.

Margaret (enjoying the chance to begin again today)

For Your Spirit from Me ...

Take a few moments to find the beauty that surrounds you wherever you go today.

©Margaret Nock. All rights reserved.

Simply Red

You may have noticed I've taken a few days off from blogging.  I hope you've been creative since you last stopped by.  This is my post for the 3Beeutiful Things Group today on CreatingTheHive called  Simply Red and I'd like to share it with you here.  Try adding different shades of red in small doses to your knit and crochet projects and feel the energy of red!
Things are popping around here and I will be back to my regular knitting, blogging, and sharing with you all the knit and crochet goodness that comes my way.  Tweeting and fb likie love is ongoing so you can check there as well :)

Allow the color red to surround you in your daily life...

in your art and crafts projects...

and in your garden.  Seek out the color red in the park or along the path of your favorite

 nature walk.

Creating The Hive - Join me!

3Beeutiful Things Group: Simply Red

While I was an art student, I discovered a reluctance to using red freely in my artwork.  There was a little fear there, I’ll admit it.  My intuitive professor was aware of this reluctance and taught me how to balance strong colors like red and incorporate them into my artwork.  This lesson of balance released my fear and I began to use all my colors more freely.

Embrace the color red and increase your daily enthusiasm.  Allow red to inspire confidence and a sense of protection against fear and daily anxiety.  Red will stimulate your energy and encourage you to take action.  You only need a small amount of red to feel the sensations and vibrancy of this wonderful  color.  Close your eyes and see the color red to help you feel these sensations.   Add this color to your wardrobe, home décor, art and craft projects and discover how it makes you feel.

Enjoy the vitality of the color red in your life.  You are fearless!

Tomorrow is the 4th of July here in the US.  Happy happy!  Be safe and enjoy the day.
Margaret

What the???

Here's a little inspiration for you for the weekend. 

andrea brena: knitted army at DMY berlin 2012

Enjoy happy knitting or crochet on a summer day!

Margaret

Go Dads!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads! 

I was thinking about my Dad today and remembering his sense of humor, wisdom and kindness.  Relationships with family and friends can be rocky at times, but the love is always there beneath the surface. We only have to choose to acknowlege it. This poem really opened my heart today and I wanted to share it with you. 

What Is A Dad?

A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you break the rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail...

- Unknown

 The Best fathers day Quotes

Thanks for everything, Dad. You are always in my heart.

Margaret

 

All you need is...

Early morning knitting when the house is quiet and the birds are singing is one of my favorite ways to start the  day.

a little inspiration and a lot of summer knitting or crochet.  Try these free knit(and 1 crochet) patterns and get stitching early this weekend.

A Really Reversible Dishcloth by Kathy Cairns Hendershott

Easy Friendship Bracelets from Noble Knits

and

Four summer shawls from Lion Brand (3 knit patterns and 1 crochet)

This was taken in Annapolis, MD recently

Try a relaxing walk surrounded by nature  soon and breath in the vitality.  Now focus this energy toward your creative work and soar to new discoveries about your creative personality.


Thanks for reading and have a weekend filled with wonder and delight as you go about your day and the simpliest tasks.  That's when creativity will most likely sneak up on you.


Margaret(inspired just thinking of you expressing your very own unique creativity)

Optional Opportunities Abound...

Your knit and crochet patterns for Spring don't have to limit you or your wardrobe options.  Remember to consider the weight and color of your yarn, embellishments like buttons, or any trim that you might add whenever you start a new project.  Look at what is already in your closet and the items that you will be using in the coming months for inspiration.  Think of ways you can incorporate your projects into Autumn and possibly Winter, depending on your climate. 

I recently finished a project called Sea Breeze Top (crochet pattern available as a free download from LionBrand) that I had put on hold for a few months. It gave me time to think about possibilities for this top beyond the beach and hot summer days.  The Sea Breeze top is made with durable, yet comfortable, Cotton Ease in Violet (color 191).  I considered adding a lightweight shrug or longsleeved wrap  to change it up a bit and allow for some flexibility on when and where this top could be worn.  It would also look cute over a lightweight longsleeved tee or turtleneck for cooler days.

Hopefully, today's blog will spark an idea or two and help you stay creative, consider all of your options and enjoy each and every project you make.

Margaret (anticipating a rain shower and the fresh air it will bring)

©MargaretNock, All rights reserved.

The 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 photos is prohibited. All rights reserved.