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)

I'm blogging from Endless Possiblilties Avenue and ...

Today, I'm blogging from Endless Possiblilties Avenue and Miracles in the Making Blvd. 

I rec'd one of my favorite catalogs from Halcyon Yarn. For me, it's a place where all of your dreams of knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, felting, fiber finds, accessories, kits, rug punch, patterns and kits come together in one colorful place.  It's a place to dream and envision your next adventure and partake of delicious possiblilites to help you grow with your creativity.  Okay, now this is the part where I hone in on my favorite items...

If you're like me, you would love for Autumn to last a little longer and it's possible with the Autumn Beaded Bag Kits - These lovely kits will inspire you no matter the season.  You may also purchase the pattern alone and revel in the color choices -yippee! I love options, don't you?

Skip on over to sturdy Rug Punch Tote Bag Patterns, Felted Bags , and the Knitted Carpet Clutch.

My favorite accessory, if I had to just pick one, has to be Debra's Garden Socks and Lace Needle Gauge Pendants in beautiful colors with matching drawstring bags.  Pretty and practical.

I've mentioned the endless creative possibilites portion of this blog.  Now, I'd like to share the miracle in the making part for us all to consider.  It's so necessary that we step up more in preventing violence in our communities and schools. A great start would be to be more responsible and thoughtful with our words and actions in our everyday lives.  We also need to ask more questions.  Does your child's school or university have a policy to handle complaints or reports of abuse, unstable behavior, or threats?  If so, what are they?  Is help being readily provided for anyone suffering from mental illness, bullying, drug addiction, or sexual abuse?  Are we, as bloggers, hard working people, teachers, celebrities and politicians alike being more responsible about the messages we put out there? Are there ways we can use our own creativity to make a difference?  I think we all have a lot of work to do. 

More knitting, less violence with our words and actions is what we need on Miracles in the Making Blvd.

Margaret (I hope that you will look for and feel the miracles in your life and community this week)

Here are two of my favorite books that have helped me recover from sadness and tragedy in my own life.  You might find them helpful, too.

Illuminata: A Return to Prayer

Everyday Grace

Follow the thread and see where it leads you

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to Fort Howard Park for the Defenders Day celebration and re-enactment.  It was nice to see so many families out with children visiting the encampment, and learning about the history of the area. 

Of course, my knitdar went off when I discovered girls in period costumes knitting, weaving, spinning and dyeing. Heavenly!  Here are a few pics I thought you might enjoy.

Good day! A lovely woman of the period spinning and educating the crowd gathered around.

Iron kettles were used to soak fiber, boil walnuts, acorns, tomato leaves and other items from nature to make dye.

 

Large wooden spoons were on hand to gently stir and move fiber.

Voila!

I hope you take some time to look back in history and honor the skills of your ancestors.  Our world is rich with color, history and textures.  Follow the thread and see where it leads you.

Marg (enjoying living on the blue planet)

Knit Knitavian Style:  Allow your knitting adventures to begin.

Cover Me Amazing Snood

© Margaret Nock, All rights reserved.

Vegetable Dyes: A Book of Recipes and Information Useful to the Dyer

Support your local spinner...

Last week we had a chance to go to St. Mary's.  While we were visiting, we saw the Craft Guild of St. Mary's, a group of crafters and artisans from the area, who were there to spin, weave, and sell their crafts.  The Guild also has classes available.  Naturally, I was drawn to their tent and sale table.  I snagged a wonderful handpun wool by Tracey Pintell Quade, a member of the Craft Guild.  I came home with my prized handspun wool and created the ribbed scarf pictured above.  I added a strand of Patons SWS in Natural Earth to create some accenting colors to the already beautiful color of the wool.

Wherever you roam, I hope you find the knitty, crafty, and yarnie and support their efforts any way you can. 

Happy Tuesday!
Marg (enjoying historical Maryland)
The Legends of Sotterley

Weave your yarn stash away!

Hello all those who seek stash solutions...consider this option.

Loom in a Tube

Loom in a Tube books and kits will have you up and weaving your stash away into interesting projects for you and your home. Weave your yarn or yarn and beads and expand your talents. Either way, it's a win, win for you. The folks at Loom in a Tube help you with instructions for begginning weavers and include the materials to get you going. The loom can be put away mid-project in the tube for safe keeping no matter where you are. Portable and easily used in your lap or if you need to stand it up, there is a stand available. Storage is a breeze. As always, compare the price of this loom with others and choose the best for your needs. I have found many to be bulkier with less info and materials to provide.

Tight warps ahead! Ok, at least I didn't say warp speed ahead, although I was tempted.

Marg (totally obsessed with birthday cake today)