Craftside

Knit It Together's Suzyn Jackson will be at Stitch DC June 10th and Knit Leaf Pattern

This book is such a great mix of living and knitting:

Knit it Together:
Patterns and Inspiration for Knitting Circles   

Editor
Suzyn Jackson

For as long as people have knitted, they have gathered to share their craft--and each others company. Knitting bees brought industrious colonists together to socialize. Knitters joined forces during the World Wars to knit warm socks for soldiers. And today the bond between knitters is as strong as ever, with knitting circles springing up in neighborhood coffee shops and community centers, making their way online, and taking up social causes.

This book puts the knitting circle, with all its profit and pleasures, within reach of anyone who wants to Knit It Together. A delightful, practical resource for knitters hoping to start or join a circle, or for a knitting circle looking for patterns or inspiration, the book provides how-to tips as well as wonderful stories of knitting circles past and present--and best of all, a collection of patterns designed to be completed in a group. Long-time knitter and author Suzyn Jackson includes a brief history of community knitting groups and a list of charities that accept knitted items.

I thought I's share this knitted leaf pattern with you today. Click on the image to read about all the ways this project could be used including for an eco-charity event. My mom and her brother are currently doing a lot of research into our family history which is another reason why this project jumped out at me. A knitted family tree might be kinda cool?

 

 

Click on the image to read the full instructions on how to knit a leaf.

And if you would like to meet Suzyn Jackson and will be in the Washington DC area

she will be at Stitch DC, 731 8th Street SE, Washington (202-544-8900) on

Wednesday, June 10 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm

for a book signing, discussion and trunk show

for this new book

Knit It Together: Patterns and Inspiration for Knitting Circles.

Today's question:

Have you participated in a group project? And if so what was it?

I have made a quilt as a group, I regularly attend Church of Craft meetings and most of my parties include a craft that everyone can participate in. I think it's a great way to build long lasting friendships and be productive at the same time.

Leave your answer in the comments and you'll be entered to win a free book!

Hey-are you on Facebook? Pop on over there and become our fan!

"F" is for Flowers Knitted and Crocheted by Margaret Hubert from her new book

Knit or Crochet - Have it Your Way
15 Fun Projects with Complete Hook and Needle Instructions for Each
By
Margaret Hubert

Knitters who don’t know how to crochet often see crochet patterns and wish there was a way to convert them. The same is true for crocheters who don’t know how to knit. Those who know how to do both like to choose one over the other for the inherent “look” that each offers. This book gives them the option, as instructions for each project are given in both knit and crochet.

Margaret Hubert designs for yarn companies and book and magazine publishers including Crochet, Interweave Press, Quick and Easy Crochet, Crochet Fantasy, and Belle Armoire.
 

 

And as the book states, you get it both ways!

Here is the knit version:

 

Click on the image to enlarge for the pattern.

Well you know me I had to give this a try, with just a bit of a difference, I used two different colored yarns and threw a pom pom in the center! I do a lot of crochet flowers but it was my first time knitting one, it was very cool!

So if you knit and crochet how do you decide which one you are going to use for a project you are designing?

I knit for square stuff and crochet for round or 3-d projects.

But that's just me, I am very curious to know what other fiber lovers do!

"C" is for CHA- Sweater Surgery Warm and Fuzzy Flowers from recycled wool sweaters

Do these little bloomin' beauties make you crave spring? Well if you are somewhere cold I hope they do! They are warm and fuzzy 'cause they are made from recycled wool sweaters!

I will be at CHA hosting a Make and Take and book signing from 10:00-12:00 on Sunday in the Quayside Publishing Group's Booth #2552 to promote my book:

Sweater Surgery
How to Make New Things from Old Sweaters

By yours truly,

Stefanie Girard

Contemporary crafters are thriving on personalizing, modifying, and altering fashion as not only hobbies but as a lifestyle.

Why repurpose your sweaters? Because you can't buy sweater fabric by the yard. Sweaters get damaged or go out of style but we still love the prints, colors, and textures. You don't have time to knit it from scratch. It's ecologically correct. And most of all--it's fun!

Sweater Surgery shows you how to upcycle all your slightly worn, slightly damaged, or plain old out-of-style sweaters into fabulous new items for your wardrobe and your home. Readers learn how to choose, cut, restitch, felt, and embellish old sweater fabric, transforming it into beautiful handbags, mittens, scarves, hats, hoodies, skirts, jewelry, soft toys, pillows, and more!

Complete instructions for 27 projects, plus a huge gallery of exciting ideas for further inspiration.

I have a degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute and worked as a set decorator and prop master for 10 years in the entertainment industry. I have produced, written scripts and edited Web content for television shows and have been covering these creative topics for HGTV, DIY Network and Lifetime TV. I have designed and written directions for over 400 craft projects for clients.

But if you can't make it to CHA here are the patterns for you:

 

Click on image to download and print.

To see pictures from last year's CHA, click on the link below or to the right. And for more
Sweater Surgery projects and patterns hit those links!

On to today's question, "If you make flowers, what do you like to make them out of. If you don't make flowers but grow them or buy real ones, what is your favorite? And why?"

I'm not quite sure if pussy willows are a flower but they are my favorite! I love to craft with the little soft buds.

And my namesake, which my grandmother used to call me, Stephanotis.

Happy Inauguration Day!

Bullion Stitch Embellishment- Never too soon to start your Christmas Crafts!

Hooked Bags:
20 Easy Crochet Projects
By
Margaret Hubert

Bags and totes are very popular crochet projects, and the more creative, the better. Hooked Bags presents 20 easy crochet projects for bags of many sizes, shapes, and styles, such as the bucket, saddlebag, hobo, clutch, drawstring, and amulet.

The designs have unique looks featuring novelty and cotton yarns; original straps and closures; and embellishments like beading, flowers, and fringe. For the many beginners, the illustrated basics section teaches the stitches. Unusual features of the book include alternative instructions for left-handed crocheters, creative bag linings, and a handy ruler. Hooked Bags launches an exciting series of crochet books with easy, contemporary projects.

Margaret Hubert designs for yarn companies and magazines such as Crochet and Woman’s Day. Her designs have been in numerous exhibitions such as the 2004 traveling show “Rhythm of Crochet.” She teaches at yarn shops, retreats, and national gatherings. She is the author of six books including How to Free-Form Crochet. Hubert also has written a companion to this book, entitled Hooked Hats.

Pop on over to the CPi Crochet titles by Margaret Hubert.

Not only is Hooked Bags packed full of great projects there are also super fun embellishments and great instructions for fun stitches like this for the Bullion Stitch.

(Click on image to enlarge)

I wanted to combine my love of the embellishment with this stitch and here is what I came up with:

(I simply glued a vintage button in the center in this case)

Directions:

Chain 5 and join to form a loop.

Follow the directions from Hooked Bags for the Bullion Stitch only instead of going into a stitch, work each bullion into the loop.

Make 14 bullion stitches and join.

I added a few tiny pom poms and popped this fun wreath embellishment onto a snarky purse.

Simply because I used green yarn  I thought this came out looking a bit wreath-like. So I think I'm going to make a whole bunch and decorate with bells and bows and of course more pom poms and use them for Christmas decorations, gift toppers, and broaches! I think they are so little that making them in the summer heat will be a rather pleasant project.

Click on her name below to read more about Margaret and all her books, including her latest-Knits for Men
20 Sweaters, Vests, and Accessories! 

Fun Fleece Flower from Wild and Wonderful Fleece Animals

New from Creative Publishing international:

Wild & Wonderful Fleece Animals:
With Full-Size Patterns for 20 Cuddly Critters
By
Linda Carr

Fleece is soft, warm, easy to work with, and simple to sew—requiring no lining or edge-finishing. Even brand-new sewers can make the perfect gift in a weekend, or less!

This book provides easy step-by-step instruction to make a range of cuddly fleece creatures to keep or give away--in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns. Each of the 20 animals is featured in a full-size photograph, along with a variation in one or more colors or sizes. There are easy-to-follow line drawings and step-by-step text instruction for construction and assembly of each one. Linda adds her own creative touches to each of the simple shapes--decorative trims, bright appliques, and quick, secure closures. Full-size tissue patterns and templates are included for each of the projects. Fleece fabric is easy to find, and the selection of colors, patterns, and textures is increasing in larger craft chains and in traditional fabric outlets.

Includes full-size, fold-out patterns and templates for each of the 20 projects.

Linda Carr designs toys, dolls, and kids’ and doll clothing for Vogue patterns. She has worked with Vogue to create many licensed patterns, including Jim Henson’s Muppets, Cabbage Patch Kids, World Wildlife Federation toys, and the Madame Alexander series. Linda was featured in the February 2007 issue of Vogue Patterns. She is also the author of Classic Cloth Dolls: Beautiful Fabric Dolls and Clothes from the Vogue Patterns Collection.

This book is packed full of the cutest animals you just have to make so you can snuggle them!

I have a bunch of little nieces that I know will love them. I better get cookin' on my Christmas gifts for them. In the mean time I had to instantly make this flower. It was so easy and quick!

(Click on images to enlarge)

I grabbed a scrap of fleece (you may recognize it from my cold pack cozy project)

I cut the pattern out and then used it to cut the fleece. I gathered and sewed the pom pom on as the instructions indicated. Here you have it:

And yes, this is my current everyday purse with a Hello Kitty  cell phone cozy. Some things you just can't out grow!