Tardis Hat

You can make this quick and fun Tardis Hat using the instructions generously provided by Acquanetta Ferguson via Ravelry.  I made several of these very quickly for my daughter and a couple of friends.  Make it with or without earflaps.

Fun Group for Quilters

If you would like to network with quilters from all over the world, join The Patchwork Posse.  I have seen how much work the founder, Becky, puts into this growing group and think you would find it worth your while to join.

There are no annoying daily e-mails with advertisements.  You may lurk or participate, share your project pictures, and ask questions in the forums.  There are also fun events like mini-quilt swaps.

It costs nothing to join and you just might enjoy yourself!

KeepsakeQuilting

Make Money from Knitting? It's Possible

Here is a new resource I've found that looks both comprehensive and practical: Knitting for Profit.

It's available on ClickBank as a pdf, so you can read it on your computer or e-reader or print it out.  The author covers designing, publishing, and selling completed products at a profit.  Learn to get paid what you are worth for fine hand knitting and related services.

District 12 Sweater Finished!

I used my favorite pastels instead of the gray in the free pattern from Patons or the brown from the movie Catching Fire.  The finished sweater is soft (Caron Simply Soft lives up to its name) although I could have made it at a tighter gauge and been even happier with the results.  The sleeves I made extra long to cover my hands if I get cold.  I did the finishing during a cold snap and will probably wear it tomorrow as our morning low will be around 10 degrees (ridiculous for North Carolina!)

Unique Jewelry Books

This is an amazingly creative book.  While there are many titles that tell one how to use pricey beads and ready-made ornaments, this book elevates often humble ingredients to designer jewelry status.  Bobby pins--really!  The bobby pin collar necklace alone would be worth the price of the book.  Even if you have many jewelry books already, I'll guarantee you want this one.

I received an advance digital review copy of this book through NetGalley.  The book was published April 15, 2015.  You can order it now.

While waiting for The Jewelry Recipe Book to arrive, check out Priscilla Bead Work Book as well.  This is book is available for immediate download on ClickBank.

Jane Austen Knits!

I finally broke down and bought a copy of  The Best of Jane Austen Knits: 27 Regency-Inspired Designs.

There are so many lovely Spencers, shawls, and even men's items that I am hard-pressed to decide what to do first.  I may begin with a baby hat, since I have a new nephew on the way and hopefully an adopted grandchild soon.  Perhaps one of the shawls could be re-engineered as a baby blanket, too.  When I decide, I will let y'all know, O.K.?

Historical information about Jane Austen and the Regency period is interspersed with excellent photographs, charts,and patterns for period-inspired garments that a modern knitter would wear. 

Latest Articles on Knitting

I have a few new articles that might interest blog readers:

Really Hideous Knitting is a reminder that just because something can be knit, doesn't mean it should.

In Resources for Serious Technical Knitters I offer some books and sites I have found helpful in taking my knitting to the next level, and the next...

Finally, I read and reviewed Winter Knitting, an excellent book for lovers of Norwegian or Fair Isle knits.