A bag of possibilities

A bag of possibilities.

Recently, I purchased this Dishie Yarn when it was on sale  at KnitPicks.com.  Seeing the new yarn fills me with glee as I anticipate another knit or crochet adventure.  My goal is to make something wonderful for my kitchen or table.  While pondering the possibilities, I was wondering what's in your project bag or on your needles for the long days of summer?

Happy Summer Solstice!

Margaret

Tip for Thursday:

Incorporate a new color into your life.  Add it to your knit, crochet or craft projects, home decor, or wardrobe.  Discover how this color makes you feel.  Does it lift your mood, make you feel energized, or calm you.  Take note of your response and remember the feeling whenever deciding color choices to use for the next project.

©Margaret Nock, All rights reserved.

Wrap and coil, knit and smile!



A fun way to wrap those needles!

It seems like we, as knitters, are always looking for fun and functional ways to keep our knitting tools organized and right at our fingertips.  I really like the Knitting Needle Coil Wraps, for my double pointed needles. Knitpicks.com offers two sizes, a SMALL set of  five per package (US Needle Size 2-10) and a LARGE for US Needle Sizes 10 1/2-17 in a package of three. If you're like me, you set your needles down, loose them or discover they've rolled onto the floor of the car, sofa, or wherever, and you have to stop and search .  These little gems will eliminate that problem for sure.  They come in purple (SMALL) or green (LARGE) and are $1.99 per package.

Life is challenging enough.  It's time to enjoy easy ways to stay organized and frownie face free.

 Margaret

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. 
~Joseph Campbell






 

What's cool, colorful and soft?

Simply Cotton Sport Yarn available at KnitPicks.com

Well, you have to think cotton of course!  This time of year, many of us start thinking more about cotton fibers for our new projects.  The new colors for Spring will propel us into the season of warm breezes, sunny days, and gentle raindrops.

Here are some of my standby cottons and cotton blends for Spring and Summer 2012...

Shine Sport and Shine Worsted are so colorful and fun to work with.  You have to love that 60% Pima cotton blended with Modal.

Simply Cotton Organic Sport or Simply Cotton Organic Worsted are also wonderful because they ae 100% cotton and still easy to knit or crochet with.  You might also enjoy the colorful Simply Cotton Sport selection.  

Lion Brand's Cotton Ease is a sure pick for softness and durablity. It's wearable, yet great for home decor projects.   It also comes in beautiful colors that will mix and match well.  It's definitely a "go to" yarn.

I hope this lineup of cotton yarn gives you a few ideas for upcoming projects and many hours of knitting and crochet happiness.

Margaret (also liking cotton candy, but that's another story...)

Begin your Spring  Knitting with a signed copy of Knit Knitavian Style.  Visit MargKnittinAround on Etsy.  Year round knitting fun, inspiration and interviews ahead! 
Also available on Amazon and AuthorHouse Bookstore.


 ©Margaret Nock, Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.
Author House Publishing, 2012. Intellectual property of Margaret Nock, knit1fortheroad.com™
Unauthorized reproduction in whole or in part, or distribution is not allowed. All rights reserved.

 

Savings in the stars...

The Lantern Moon Star Stitch Markers.  New at WEBS.com.

the Lantern Moon Star Stitch Markers, that is. The set is under $10 (budget friendly) and your knitting friend will thank you for such a colorful and functional addition to their knitting accessories.  Grab online at WEBS or visit your local yarn store.

Butter Hand Cream made by Amazing Grace Farms for KnitPicks.com is scrumptious!

Visit Holiday Knitting Central at KnitPicks if you need to create your holiday wishlist or shop for the knitters,spinners, new knitters in your life.  There's also a Stocking Stuffer tab for just that perfect knitting thing-a-ling....and to help you stay within your budget, click on Gifts By Price!  I really love the 4oz Butter Hand Cream for only $7.95 from Amazing Grace Farms to keep my hands smooth.

Shopping for a little treat for yourself and need a wallet friendly experience?  Try DBNY for great sales on store closeout items.

Keep it simple, knit with verve, and enjoy your holidays.


Margaret (actually feeling a bit jolly - hmmm, very interesting)

Happy Bags

I feel a much needed bag day coming on.  This morning, I rec'd a catalog from Knit Picks with some summertime fun.  My fav pick just has to be the Chic-a Bags.  Take a look!

On Etsy...

Three Bags Full

zoesbagboutique

fromnancy Creating Things


We need for the sun to come out today, to reflect on our feelings, and the world to make sense around us again.

Knit, create and live in grace.

Margaret (Max is sharing a happy face with you to get you rolling)

©MargaretNock, 2011. All rights reserved.

Grace must find expression in life, otherwise it is not grace.

Karl Barth

wisdomquotes.com

and

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

Denis Waitley

wisdomquotes.com

Knit Knitavian Style: Allow your knitting adventures to begin.

Happy Birthday Creating The Hive!  Join in the celebration here.

How do you do Baggu?

Baggu Duck Bags at KnitPicks.com

I was going to blog about Spring knitting today, but I came across an email alert that really made my heart beat a little fast so I'm going for the knitting accessory/great bag blog instead. 

Spring brings new color and project bags.  Knit Picks has two affordable bags in 8 fun colors.  Introducing the Baggu Duck and the Baggu Standard Bags, just for you! 

Baggu Standard

They can also be a great tote for all those beach, pool, vacation and marketing moments coming your way this summer. 

Yarn stasher, possibly?  Mother's Day present? (May 8th)

Ahh, the endless possibilities of a "go to" bag and a balmy day.

I'm going back to my needles now that I've fulfilled my duty as a knitting tote bag enabler.

Margaret (dream, think, and knit in color)

©MargaretNock, 2011. All rights reserved.

The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques

The Knitter's Guide to Combining Yarns: 300 Foolproof Pairings

Your invitation to create, share and inspire on CreatingTheHive. 

Light and lofty with Aloft...

Aloft Mohair Yarn at KnitPicks.com

There's a new mohair yarn in town... check out Aloft in the most gorgeous colors at KnitPicks.  While you're there, be sure and see the patterns for this scrumptious yarn...

River Stole by  Susanna IC  and Helen's Grace Shawl by Joyce Fassbender , two talented designers who are part of the Independent Designer Patterns section.


Download each of these patterns for only $1.99 and let the knitting fun begin.  Yay, we love, we love!

Margaret (as if you needed more encouragement to knit and be merry)

Is that you going into your new knitting year turbo style?

Lacy Cocoon Kit - Green at KnitPicks

New kits from Knit Picks! Yay - take a look....

Knit Pick New Kits

I really have my eye on Lacy Cocoon Kit - Grey.  It also comes in green!

LionBrand Patterns for 2011!  New patterns await your needles and hooks from the friendly folks at Lion Brand.com.

Felted Loops Pillows and Big Stitch Pillow- Love, love these for the home or dorm.
Car Blanket- handy, and beautiful.
Samples Scarf - a great project to hown your skills.
4th of July Pot Holders (early, I know, but it will be here before you know it)
Storybook Baby Hoodie and a sweet Baby Sweater Dress- Alright!
Caramel Tweed Shawl - absolutely dreamy.
Heart Pillow just in time to make for Feb. 14th!

There are quite a few new patterns to choose from so take a little time to puruse the site for projects utilizing their search option and you will love-love, too! 

I see projects galore for you in 2011.Grab your goggles, fire up your needles and hooks and get ready to blast into the new year with knitting and crochet gusto.

Margaret (Wow! Some of you are turbo already.)

Chime into the discussion at my blogpost,  What's your favorite mind, body and spirit...on CreatingTheHive.com!  Join here to add your comment - it's free, fun and full of inspiration.

Give me more! Free patterns, that is...

Okay, yet another bloggie on free patterns, but I just couldn't resist these fab patterns at KnitPicks.  It's time to ramp it up people!  Have a no stress weekend, please.

Day 4 of Holiday Music
American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics

Have a Creating The Hive Holiday.
Join here - it's free and festive. Yay!

Marg (it's freezing - time for tea)

It's a great time to be a knitter...

Here's the second Snookie  I made for the Father's Day KAL on Facebook with Vickie Howell.  This one's for my Kindle and made with Naturally Caron Country in Peacock.   It's not too late to join in and enjoy the fun.  Check out the Snookie photo wall.  What's on your needles? 

This just in!  Knit Picks has a new needle kit, called Try It Needle Set.  Each kit includes Harmony wood tips in size 6, Nickel plated tips in size 7, and Zephyr acrylic tips in size 8, two 24" cables, along with stitch patterns to swatch while you try out the needles.  It's a handy kit for the new knitter and knitter's that already enjoy using interchangeable needles.  The more the merrier!

It's a great time to be a knitter!

Marg (clicking needles for charity today)

You might also enjoy:

Snappy, Stylish, Snookie

Bibs, booties, Felici and more!

Felici Self Striping Sock Yarn available at Knitpicks.com

There are some new kits at KnitPicks.com that are perfect for a fun filled summer with the children in your life. They also offer some grownup goodies for your knitting pleasure.  Let's go!

Start off with bibs and booties!

When I Grow Up - Girl

When I Grow Up - Boy

Move on to the fanciful and friendly critters.

Critter Mitts Kits

Fanciful Friends Dragon or Unicorn Kit

Check out the new goodies for grownups...

A little something fabulous and fun for the sock lovers.

Sock Cocktail Kits,Choose Mojito Sock Cocktail Kit or Violet Martini Sock Cocktail Kit, or both.

Felici fingering weight and sport weight yarn in 16 yummy limited edition colors - hooray!

More new yarns for your knitting adventures.

I think we have a busy summer ahead.

Happy kit hunting and knitting.

Marg (enjoying the colors of Felici and feeling fine)

Sushi Wallet Knit Felting Kit

Line up for the spring knitting parade!

Line up for the Easter (Spring) Parade and celebrate the new season.  Here are a few hi-lights from this week's wanderings.

Kids Craft Weekly has easy Easter crafts for you and the family to make together.  Simple, fun, and easy crafting time is the perfect gift for your family this year.

The Daily Knitter has the scoop on recycled yarn available on ebay that you might find interesting.

New spring/summer yarns are now at KnitPicks! Check it and get your color fix.

Try this Classic Elite Solstice Dias de Betty (free pattern) from Webs.  It's just the thing for spring.  It's made with Classic Elite which is 70% Organic Cotton/30% Wool, a nice blend for those slightly cool spring days.  It's a great transition piece for your wardrobe. 

Happy Spring!

Margaret (definitely fell down the rabbit hole this week, but slowly recovering)

 


The Easter Egg

The Spring Equinox: Celebrating the Greening of the Earth

Baby Gund Lamb "Winky White"