Designs by KN blog

I had great plans for the day, to spend hours knitting & crocheting items for an upcoming holiday mini-boutique we hold every year at my workplace. With the early morning sunshine streaming in the window & that blue, blue Colorado sky cheering me on, I set to work early this morning. Alas, only one project completed so far (see my new patterns).  Instead, here I am at the computer blogging about something entirely different!  Since it’s holiday gift-shopping time, you may find some of the following ideas useful if you need a gift for a knitter/crocheter in your life who might like to get organized (including yourself!)

Mind you, the photos that follow are of things that I have been gifted with or acquired over the past 40+ years of crafting.  Much of the wealth of tools and yarn has been donated to charitable causes over time, yet I find myself still in possession of a variety of sets and kits … and believe it or not, they are still in constant use.

Don’t you just love kits and things that come in small boxes? I do, which explains why I’m a sucker whenever I see cute little items like the craft kits shown below.  I find them irresistible.  Every year at work we participate in a “Toys for Tots” drive and my choice of toy to donate is usually something educational. I often contribute learn-to-knit or learn-to-crochet kits designed for children.  The kits shown here are ones I’ve had around the house for several years and are not for little kids, but one of these (or others like them) might be a fun surprise for “grown-up kids” you know that enjoy playing with yarn, knitting needles & crochet hooks (they are still available through various sources including Amazon):

Cozy Crochet Kit

Winter Knits Kit

My other favorite thing, besides little boxes o’ fun, are organizers for knitting & crochet tools. One of the first things I asked for as a Christmas gift from my husband 36 years ago was the Boye “Needlemaster”. Here’s the original set, still looking good and still in use today (the Needlemaster is available for purchase through many knitting supply sources.)

When I assisted in a needlework shop in the early ’80s, cross-stitch was the “in” craft. The shop also had needlepoint canvases, supplies & kits, but the knitting yarns were relegated to the back shelves. I was a crocheter when I started there but quickly taught myself to knit, inspired by the champion knitters that came into the shop. Naturally, working in a craft shop with every tool I’d ever want right there at my fingertips led to purchasing … you guessed it … new crochet hooks & knitting needles!  My fondness for little kits was evident even then. One purchase was this entire set of Leisure Arts crochet hooks in a zippered case (the absent hook is currently stuck in a work-in-progress somewhere):

As my knitting skills improved, I acquired more knitting needles and one day decided to sew myself a needle roll to contain them all (can you tell what decade it was by the fabric choice?)

Years later, my DD gifted me with these modern needle & hook organizers which have already seen a lot of use (these came from The Organized Knitter, which according to the website is no longer in business):

One accessory that has become almost permanently attached to my side is a small denim multi-pocketed bag I found at Wal-Mart years ago. It was originally intended for a going-away gift for a coworker but as it turned out she received something else and I kept the bag! It has served me well all these years and is still sturdy and portable, despite being stuffed with every knitting & crochet implement imaginable (including the Boye Needlemaster & crochet hook fabric rolls seen above). There are zillions of beautiful knitting bags available, but plain & practical me appreciates this plain & practical version just fine:

On one occasion, DD gifted me with a Snapware Yarn-Tainer from Target (these are still available through various sources.)  For some reason, I love looking at it even if it’s not being used with a current project (it’s so clean!):

For sock knitting, my friend (& superior web admin of Piece by Piece) gifted me with this way-cute sock project bag which she thoughtfully and generously packed with hanks of sock yarn and a set of rosewood dpns from KnitPicks:

Socks are my C.O.O.S. (Choice of Options Socks) pattern

A few years ago I won a design contest and one of the prizes was a $50 gift certificate to Herrschners.  What did I pick? A little bit of sock yarn and this adorable set of short single-point bamboo needles in a colorful fabric needle roll from Clover, perfect for scarf knitting (not that I needed any more needles, but the whole thing is so darn cute who could resist?):

Any of these ideas would be appreciated by a yarncraft-lover.  If you’re like me in your love of organizational aids, here are a couple more ideas:

Wooden cubbies (DH & DD gifted me with these a few years ago, so now I feel like I have my own little yarn shop in the corner!)

Little plastic drawers:  For notions, buttons, beads, pompoms, etc. (I also have a couple of these next to my desk at work).  I just  love opening and closing these little sliding drawers to access the treasures inside:

Well, enough procrastinating, I’d better get organized and get back to stitching some projects for the boutique.  If all this inspiration has you in the mood for a little DIY project of your own this weekend, you can make your own version of a “yarn-tainer” with this pattern for Yarn Bowl Bags from Designs by KN:

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Since I’ve heard from two blog readers today as well as others who have recently made projects from my patterns,  I want to express my appreciation for their comments as well as my thanks for:

…the first time I walked down a Woolworth’s yarn aisle in the early ’70s, where I stood mesmerised by rows & rows of 4-ply acrylic yarn in every color of the rainbow. It led to my first fumbling crochet efforts and my first “real” afghan (sadly, no photo of that unique project exists).

…the first charitable cause I ever knit for: Christmas-at-Sea. I still try to contribute something every year to this worthy cause that benefits merchant & river mariners who are away from home out on ships throughout the world on Christmas Day.  You can knit or crochet hats & scarves for this charity or other charitable causes of your choice. There are many out there, like Care Wear,  that appreciate our handiwork to warm and comfort others.

Oliver’s Cap & Mariner’s Scarf

… the birth of a beautiful daughter, who from childhood to present day has put up with being dressed in all of mom’s knit & crochet garb, and who has endured many photo shoots modeling the latest design fresh off the hooks & needles:

#40 Tabard by Gail Madden from Vogue Knitting, Fall/Winter 1983 (now out of print)

Soft Seed Stitch Hat & Scarf Set

… my family & friends who through the years have received countless handmade gifts from me, some useful, some just plain fun, and who have served as patient models as well:

Men’s Fingerless Mitts

Goose Wall Hanging by Michele Wilcox, from Annie’s Crochet Newsletter, Issue 26 Mar-Apr 1987 (now out of print)

… the discovery of an online crochet group and its moderator (Sherrie of Piece by Piece) who turned out to be a nearby neighbor. From this surprising beginning and that first little fridgie pattern

Spring Flower Fridgie

a long-standing friendship and business relationship grew into the extensive DBKN pattern database that we offer today.

… the needlework & yarn shops I was allowed to assist in (The Nifty Needle & The Red Wheel, now sadly both gone). It was at The Red Wheel that a yarn sales rep spotted my patterns and samples on display in the shop. I am thankful for that rep and that very lucky day which started the chain of events leading to the creation of Designs by KN.

… bountiful supplies of yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, patterns, magazines & books, as well as resources like the internet, networking sites and databases such as Ravelry, Flickr, Facebook where I can display new designs and share ideas with pattern searchers.

… the publishers who have chosen my designs for a variety of venues, both print and online.  From that very first amazingly wonderful cover experience:

#13 Tasseled Earflap Hat, photo by Paul Amato, copyright Soho Publishing

to the contest-winning Crazy Lady Hat

to the cute-as-a-bug professional photos

Holiday Elf Hat, photo copyright Creative Knitting/DRG Publishing

to the “1000 faves on Ravelry” experience

Provence Summer String Bag, photo copyright Classic Elite Yarns

to the Debbie Macomber Blossom Street Collection booklet

Twist’n Stripe Socks, photo copyright Universal Yarn

to a complex but successful design challenge

Fisherman Afghan & Pillow

it’s been an amazing adventure so far.  I look forward to continuing the fun!

… and most of all, to those of you who have expressed interest in my patterns and who have encouraged Designs by KN through the years, my sincerest thanks and appreciation. You cannot imagine the joy a designer feels when they see their ideas being crafted by people all over the world.  Photos of happy recipients in their finished hats, scarves, mitts and socks is what I am thankful for this day.

So, from a grateful DBKN, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Please enjoy a virtual Tootsie Roll Midgee on me!

Butterscotch Basket

Tons of fresh snow has graced the Colorado mountains this week and more is on the way, making for spectacular landscape views and amazing sunrises.  All that fresh powder means the first trip to the ski slopes for DH. Off he went at 5:00 a.m., headed out for a day of either cross-country or downhill skiing (he alternates between the two and I’m not sure what today’s choice is!)

If you’re a skier or a ‘boarder, now’s the time to grab those warm hats you’ve been knitting or crocheting, like DBKN’s Tasseled Earflap Hat:

Vogue Knitting has been offering a $2.99 pattern sale all week and it has just been extended through this weekend, ’til midnight Sun. 11/21/10.  Included are the tasseled earflap hat above as well as DBKN’s Sun Hat (for summer wear) from Knit Simple:

Both photos by Paul Amato, copyright Knit Simple/Soho Publishing

Check out my Ravelry page and website for many more hat patterns to get you through the winter snow & ski season, like my fave Double-Double Crochet Hat:

If you’re a skier or ‘boarder, you’re probably headed for the mountains or already in the lift lines rather than reading blogs right now. However, if you’re like me and your interest in skiing is more of the armchair traveler variety (although I was a fairly good skier back in college days) you may prefer to get out your knitting needles & crochet hooks to spend this pre-Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by yarn and patterns, ready to start a new project.

It was very cold here this morning and on Saturdays like this I either pull on a wool sweater or wrap up in a cozy shawl, grab a cup of hot tea after breakfast, and head for my knitting corner to get busy stitching. 

For the past few years at my workplace, in December we have set up a mini-boutique in a corner of one room where staff can offer their handcrafts for sale to other staff members, who enjoy the opportunity to do some of their holiday shopping conveniently on-site.  My contribution is usually hats, fingerless mitts, ear sweaters, and dishcloths, all of which are hot sellers (some of the proceeds are donated to charitable causes, like Care Wear.)  So while DH is out skiing down the mountain today, I plan to spend time in my knitting corner cranking out goods for the upcoming mini-boutique.

I’ll probably be wrapped in one of my favorite shawls while sitting in my favorite crafting chair. If you enjoy making, wearing or gifting shawls, here are some pattern ideas from the DBKN collection:

Easy Knit Shawl

Cozy Comfort Shawl

Something Special Wrap

Violet Cloud Shawl

Cozy Mohair Wrap

As with the hat patterns mentioned above, you’ll find more shawl ideas at Designs by KN.

Time for me to get to work.  Somehow it seems that Saturdays fly by much too quickly and there aren’t enough hours in the day. Whatever suits you this weekend, whether it’s outdoor mountain snow activities or indoor cozy craft endeavors, enjoy yourself!  Here’s a touch of that fresh Colorado snow to inspire you …

A freaky snowstorm blew into our area yesterday afternoon. Besides the wind, cold & snow, I think it must have blown a bit of craziness in with it. Today was one of those days when I wish I was one of my lucky, spoiled cats.

I could have stayed in bed curled up on a nice Cushy Pet Pad:

I could have spent the morning pretending to be at the seaside with my Pet Beach Mat:

I could have spent time playing with my favorite critters:

Pet Turtle Toy

Happy Crab

Amigurumi Bumblebees

After playtime, I could have taken a snooze with my other favorite toy:

Whale Boy

After lunch, I could have stretched out in the sunshine on my Cottonfish-trimmed Cushy Pet Pad:

And then my day would have been complete.

But alas, as a human I had to get through a most bizarre and unusual day full of crazy events.  After such a day, I’m glad to return home where my lucky, spoiled cats await me.  After such a day, I take a lesson from them on how to kick back and relax:  grab some yarn to play with, find a comfy place to curl up in, and snuggle up in something soft and warm, like this  Cozy Comfort Shawl:

May we all enjoy moments of peace and quiet with our needlecrafts in the midst of crazy days like these.  Stitch on!

So, I’m working on a scarf. DD visited a yarn shop on her travels to another state, and came home with some lovely yarn bought on sale, with the request that I knit a scarf with it for her. She had the design in mind (“a bit of argyle on the ends, please”) and I have set to work. Now, the great scarf vision in our minds may or may not end as imagined, and I am at the “wondering” point. Yet, I will persevere and see how well it turns out.  So far it’s going fine and the knitting has been pleasant accompaniment to watching college football on TV. When the scarf is complete, I hope DD will enjoy being “wrapped in wonder” … hmm, when I get around to writing & publishing the pattern, perhaps it will be called the Wonder Scarf!

Since the cold weather is here in earnest, today’s post features some other scarf projects from the Designs by KN collection. All patterns mentioned here are of the standard “long, long rectangle” variety (although there are other styles in the collection).  If you’re thinking about what to make for Christmas gifts, here are some ideas.

Several years ago when I assisted at the LYS and taught beginning knitting & crocheting classes, I designed a few scarf projects as teaching projects. One of the first was the Simple Crocheted Scarf for Teens & Adults. If you’re just starting out into the endlessly fascinating craft of crochet, this is a great project to practice your skills on:

Another teaching project combines single and double crochet with spaces, to help develop pattern-reading skills:

Open Block Scarf (with accompanying hat pattern):

One of my most popular scarf designs is the Liquid Gold Chain Mesh Scarf which works up quickly in sparkling novelty metallic yarns (or basic yarns as well.) With the holidays upon us, the red version shown could be a hit at any party:

Some DBKN scarf designs have been published in print and in ezines such as Crochet Uncut:

Spumoni Ice Scarf

Old World Scarf

Wacky Fun Tube Scarf

For knitters, check out the list of scarf patterns here and on my Ravelry page.  Featured below are just a few of them:

Moss Rock Lace Scarf (with accompanying hat pattern)

Chunk-a-Block Scarf

Color Combo Scarf

Mohair Horseshoe Scarf

Two of  DBKN’s scarf designs were published in the Winter 09/10 issue of  Knit Simple (available as a back issue now):

Accordion Scarf

Photo by Rose Callahan, copyright Knit Simple/Soho Publishing

Diagonal Scarf

Photo by Paul Amato, copyright Knit Simple/Soho Publishing

Well, I’d better get back to the “wonder”-ful scarf-in-progress before I dream about designing more.  The weather forecast here calls for more snow, so it’s the perfect day to knit further along the long, long rectangle.

Hope you will enjoy trying some of these patterns for yourself or to make as gifts this holiday season. Happy Winter!

Burly Twirly Scarf (pattern in human-size!)

78 degrees yesterday, 32 degrees and snowing today. Yes, the first snowfall of the season has arrived. Of course, I just had to run out and do my grocery shopping at the high point of the storm, right? What could be more fun. While I was loading the bags into the car the snowflakes were coming down in huge blobs, adding a little excitement to the drive home on sloppy, slushy roads.  Once I was safely inside and sufficiently warmed up, I took a moment to capture the snowfall that had turned the landscape from a dry, fall brown to winter white in just a few hours:

What better inspiration for pulling out yarn and needles to get busy knitting and crocheting in preparation for the long winter nights ahead.  Since the news reports here are warning of two more snowstorms lined up behind this first one, guess it’s time to dig in the closet and pull out …

the earflap hats:

Tasseled Earflap Hat

Photo by Paul Amato, copyright Knit Simple/Soho Publishing

the beanies:

Knit Hat (for anyone!)

Crochet Hat

the cable hats:

Recedere HatPhoto copyright Knitscene/Interweave Press

Dissolving Lattice Hat

Photo copyright Creative Knitting/DRG Publishing

the berets:

Around Town Beret

Acorn Bobble Hat

the slouchy hats:

Blizzard Ridge Big Slouchie Hat

and the toques:

Montera Cob Toque

Photo copyright Classic Elite Yarns

As knitters and crocheters we can keep ourselves and others warm by creating hats for the cold weather in any style we prefer.  I know I’ll be pulling on my favorite Double-Double Crochet Hat when the next snowstorm hits:

Brrr, it’s cold and with the end of daylight savings time it’s dark early.  Although it’s time to say goodbye to those long summer nights and perfect 78 degree fall days, I do look forward to many hours ahead creating warm & woolly projects this winter.  Hope you enjoy it too! (For more ideas, check out the variety of patterns at Designs by KN and Piece by Piece.)

Little did I know when I designed Chunky Cap several years ago that it would suddenly become my most favorite, quick-to-make project.  I timed myself this morning: an entire hat made in only 30 minutes!!

Of course, the gorgeous model in Crochet Today! looks way more fabulous in her hat than I do in mine,

Photo by Paul Amato, copyright Crochet Today!/Soho Publishing

but I am enjoying cranking these  out and trying them on. This is a semi- loose-fitting style worked in a bulky novelty yarn (magazine version in Red Heart Light & Lofty) that is interesting and feels great when worn.  The variations I am creating right now are in a combination of yarns, the result of receiving a big bag of assorted bargain yarn from Goodwill (thanks, Mom! One can never have too much yarn.) There were several skeins in the bag suitable for turning into hats, so I am donating them to our local hat/scarf/mitten drive.

The three shown below were made holding one strand of  Lion Brand Homespun together with one strand of Bernat Soft Boucle:

Since they are worked on a size N hook, you can crochet these quickly in oddments of time.  If you need a new hat (before the snow flies!) for yourself, as Christmas gifts, or to donate to charity, give this pattern a try.

Speaking of Christmas, in the last post I mentioned the “2011 Sticks, Hooks and Shuttles” calendar currently available through the Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc. site (home of Peaches & Creme yarn).  I also mentioned that I had entered and won some design contests in the Peaches & Creme Ravelry group.  One of those designs is a knitted Christmas stocking which you may find interesting to make (although it will take much longer than half an hour!) It was created with Peaches & Creme Art. 930 worsted weight cotton. I had a great time designing and embellishing it with ruffles, just for something different:

Ruffled Lace Christmas Stocking

The holidays are getting closer every day, and even though it’s supposed to be 80 degrees tomorrow (is this November in Colorado?) working up some quick-to-make chunky caps or a cotton Christmas stocking might be just the thing to inspire your weekend knitting & crocheting.

Until next time, have fun!  Now back to that bargain-yarn bag from Mom …

While charitable causes that appreciate hand-knit or crocheted items exist throughout the year, the need becomes more apparent when the holidays arrive. I know of worthwhile causes in my small town community as well as larger worldwide communities found through the internet. For example, there is a coat drive in progress at my workplace and a hat/scarf/mitten drive this month at a neighborhood church.  On a larger scale, Warm Up America & Lands’ End have teamed up in the Lands’ End FeelGood Campaign, to which I and my coworkers are donating a total of 51 squares to be sewn into blankets for the needy (patterns here):

One very special charitable cause I would like to mention is a fabulous calendar project put together by Flo Carlisle at Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc. I first met Flo through the Peaches & Creme group on Ravelry, and am so glad I did (see note below).  What a fun group to participate in!  Through that venue, I learned of Flo’s generosity and vision which has resulted in the “2011 Sticks, Hooks and Shuttles” calendar to benefit Alexandra’s House and Care Partners of Asheville. Thirteen patterns (knit, crochet, weave) are included in the beautifully-photographed calendar available here.  I absolutely love the cover photo (so much so that I ordered 3 copies!)

Photo copyright Pisgah Yarn and Dyeing Company, Inc.

If you too would like to support this worthwhile cause by purchasing a calendar, additional information is here.  All proceeds go to charity.

Idea: the “2011 Sticks, Hooks and Shuttles” calendar would make a great Christmas gift — one that will keep on giving throughout the year.