Spiral Quilt Palette A: BrownB: Creme TanC: Light TanD: Grey Last month I wrote a post describing how I use photos for color inspiration in my projects and I described the easy technique I use to convert photos to yarn color selections. So many people are afraid of color - and using photos to select color in this way really is a bit like "training wheels" for one's color confidence. We are offering a new yarn on the website (Lucci Cotton Tape) that I am enamoured with right now - one of the great things about it is that it comes in so many colors. I teach how to make this really versatile Multi-Garment in my Craftsy Tunisian Crochet class - and this yarn is perfect for it. When I...
You know how patterns direct you to make a swatch before you begin your project? Do you actually do it? If you said "yes", here's another question for you: do you wash and block your swatch before you validate your gauge? I'm not a purist, and if you are doing something like a blanket, a scarf, or even some unstructured wearable like a poncho - then close-enough is good-enough when it comes to gauge. But if you are making a fitted wearable, then gauge is CRITICAL and it will make or break your project. Think about it for a minute: At some point you will need to wash whatever you make and washing the fabric and drying it is going to change...
Most veteran knitters and crocheters have classic books on their bookshelves and they refer to these books again and again.
I've compiled a list of my "go to" books and I keep these books handy for reference. I've even gone so far as to cut out the pages of some of them so I could feed them through my high speed scanner and carry a pdf version of the book on my smartphone. (Have you seen the ScanSnap? It will change your life!)
What do you think about my book list? Would these books make your list too? Which books would you include on YOUR list? Let me know in comments.
NEW: We've got a new Single Skein Stuff Evening Bag Kit as well as a new tutorial on how to line your handbag. I have been knitting and crocheting for years now, and I have only just begun to discover the joys of sewing. I've been focusing on getting to know my sewing machine (I'm so happy with this "budget" starter machine!), and I even enrolled in Diana Rupp's fantastic beginning sewing class on Craftsy. I'm sure there are a lot of knitters and crocheters like me who can hack their way through a lining and come up with something half-way decent. But as I bring my sewing up to the next level, I thought it might be valuable to share some of my new discoveries -...
Sari Palette We are preparing to add some really exciting yarns to the website and I've been swatching to learn more about them before we start promoting them. I particularly like a DK cotton tape yarn not only because it has a very modernist texture, but because it comes in so many gorgeous colors. (This new yarn is also value-priced. Stay tuned!) In my Tunisian Crochet Class on Craftsy, I teach a lesson on how even people who consider themselves "color blind" can put together some amazing palettes with photographs they find online and free tools such as Pinterest and ColourLovers. With the help of these tools and a little photoshopping, I've combined the original photograph inspiration, a 4-color palette, and a selection of 4...
