Favorite Projects from 2018

Here, in no particular order, are my favorite projects from this past year, organized by craft.

Knitting:

Thirteenth Doctor-Inspired Scarf

Sewing:

Dirndl Blouse from a Burda Pattern

Crochet:

Kindle Cover 

Loom Knitting

 Adult and Toddler Hats in e-Wrap Knit Stitch

Creative Book Cover Resource

If you are like me, you would rather spend time knitting or sewing than designing covers for your ebooks.  Here is a business acquaintance who trades book cover designs for the social media work he does not enjoy.  Check it out: pdepages.com/uncategorized/book-cover-offer.

What do you enjoy and do well? Can you trade it with someone who is equally gifted in a different area?  Make a deal!

Margaret Beaufort Sweater--Sewn Together!

Check out this update on my Margaret Beaufort sweater on Steemit's NeedleWorkMonday.  I have finished the collar (which I made smaller than the pattern) and have just picked up stitches for the button band.

Loom Knitting--What's the Big Deal?

Knitting looms are multiplying in the needlework section of all the craft stores.  I always considered them a children's toy (having done my share of spool knitting with my children) and know a loom slows me down compared to my continental knitting on needles.  However, I can see some possible advantages as a knitting teacher:

1. It might be easier to teach loom knitting, as students are less likely to drop stitches off pegs than needles.  
2. I think students might have fewer tension problems in the beginning--though I could be wrong.
3. Looms should eliminate the common beginner knitting problem of adding accidental stitches because the old loop was not dropped after making a new stitch.

I will be testing my hypotheses this fall, as I am committed to teaching beginning loom knitting to homeschooled students in grades 6-12 at two cooperatives.  I might be completely mistaken, but I also might be wildly successful--a risk worth taking!

So I am slowing down a bit and looming samples this summer.  I'll keep you posted.

Too Busy Knitting to Write!

Having finished Christmas gifts, I started a bunch of projects for the new year, including some of my go-to winter hats.  I can't wait to show you all pictures of another man's sweater (Love Bites from Vampire Knits) and my almost completed Margaret Beaufort (from Tudor Roses) as well as some pattern test garments I'm making for several designers.  Hats, socks, sweaters...I love variety!

I hope you are enjoying your own projects as well. We got an unusual 8 inches of snow here in central NC, so it's a good day for knitting.