More Patriotic Ideas for Knit and Crochet

There's still a week before the Fourth to do a project or two. Here are a few more ideas.

Crocheted Apron

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0149AD.html?noImages=

Knitted Napkin Holders

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90205AD.html?noImages=

Crocheted bag

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/ccusa-patrioticBag.html?noImages=

Knitted placemats

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kkc-patrioticPlacemats.html?noImages=

Pocket Wrap

Crochet pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/ccusa-patrioticPocketWrap.html?noImages=

Knit Pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kcusa-patrioticPocketWrap.html?noImages=

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Knit and Crochet for the Fourth

If your needles and hooks are just aching for something to make in red, white, and blue, here are some ideas to get you started.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/americana-star-table-runner

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/uncle-sam-hat-beard

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/freedom-flip-flops

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/patriotic-votive-cozies

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/patriotic-party-banner

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/party-swag-stars

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Hearts and Warm Things

Valentine's Day is not too far off.  Maybe you would like to knit or crochet a little something for a special person in your life. Here are a few of the books we have at the library to help you with your project:

We have scads of books to help with knit and crochet ideas and patterns, as well as books with many other crafts to help you make your special days even better.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

New Year's Drink Cozies

As the New Year approaches, you might be planning a get-together with some of your family and friends. In the midst of the festivities, people put their drinks on various pieces of furniture and then forget which one was theirs.

Here are a couple of quick suggestions for keeping it all straight.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40617.html?noImages=

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0121AD.html?noImages=

If everyone has a different color or a different design, their drinks won't get confused.

Happy New Year, everybody,

Kathi Linz

Holiday Ideas

It's time to knit and crochet for the holidays. I'm not going to tell you that all of these are GOOD ideas, but you might find something in this list that sparks your creativity.



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/christmas-love-hearts



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/christmas-wreath-throw



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L30258.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L30257.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32351.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32307.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20606.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90148B.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90168B.html?noImages=




http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/christmas-coming-throw




http://www.redheart.com/learn/videos/learn-how-crochet-christmas-baubles



http://www.redheart.com/learn/videos/learn-crochet-christmas-coasters

Who's left on your list? Maybe you can gift them with a little something hand crafted.

Happy holidays,

Kathi Linz

Learn Drop Stitch Crochet by Kim Guzman

Do you remember broomstick lace? It's a kind of crochet worked around a broomstick handle or a large knitting needle to give an openwork design.

Kim Guzman has turned this technique into a drop-stitch look that makes some interesting designs. Along with the basic tutorial pages, you will find patterns for wraps, a jacket, scarves and a hat, a tank top and cowl.

They are cool designs and worth a look. Currently this book is in the new book section at the library.

Kathi Linz

It Girl Crochet by Sharon Zientara

It Girl Crochet: 23 Must-Have Accessories by Sharon Zientara has some great new ideas for wearable crochet. There are hats, scarves, purses, mittens and fingerless mittens/gauntlets. There are capelets and shawls. I was taken by some of the creative designs that are in this book. The patterns seems to be easy to accomplish.

The book is in New Items at the Jackson County Public Library.

Small Projects for Warm Weather

If you are looking for a small project that won't envelope you in warmth during these summer days, check out these small projects for inspiration. Maybe this would be the ideal time to start getting ready for a craft show or Christmas bazaar.

Buttoned Up Cuffs - Crochet


http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4166.pdf

Urban Squares Purse - Crochet



http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4114.pdf

Red Heart Yarn has a series of macrame bracelet patterns. This one is a chevron.



http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LC3871.pdf

Elegant Night Cowl - Knit



http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4119.pdf

Button Up Headband - Knit



http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW3974.pdf

I hope this gives you some crafty ideas to keep your fingers in the yarn and still stay cool.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Baby Booties

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20323.html?noImages=0

Small items are the perfect project for hot summer days. Perhaps you have a little one in mind that could use a little splash of color on their tiny feet. The link above is for crocheters and the ones below are for knitters.





http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10256.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10011.html?noImages=

Please don't forget to look for patterns st www.ravelry.com, www.crochetpatterncentral.com, and www.knittingpatterncentral.com as well as hundreds of blogs which share free patterns.

Happy crafting and stay cool,

Kathi Linz

Easter Patterns

Easter's late this year, so you have a little extra time to knit or crochet something cute for someone special.

I looked at the patterns offered by various yarn companies and couldn't choose which ones to present to you. So I will list the links to the Easter patterns and let you browse to your heart's content.

Lion Brand Easter Patterns

Lion Brand Yarn had three pages of patterns for knit, crochet, and loom knitting. There are lambs, bunnies, Easter eggs, hats and baskets.

  

Red Heart Yarn Easter Pattern

In addition to the sorts of patterns offered above, Red Heart Yarn has place mats, baby cocoons, Children's wear, and little hens that fit around a plastic Easter egg.

   


Bernat - Caron Yarn Easter Patterns

Bernat only has a few patterns, but they are cute.



Don't forget to check with  www.ravelry.com/,
www.knittingpatterncentral.com/‎, and
www.crochetpatterncentral.com/‎

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Two New Books

Knitters, we have a new book for you entitled Warm Mittens and Socks: Dozens of Playful Patterns and Skillful Stitches to Knit, Crochet, and Embroider by Eva Trotzig.



I glanced through the book and found something that will make almost anybody happy. Warm hands and feet sound pretty good this winter.

Crocheters, this one's just for you. Crochet Red: Crocheting for Women's Heart Health by Laura Zander has 30 patterns for sweaters, hats, cowls, jackets, and other assorted goodies. Each pattern is shown in red, but can be worked in the color of your choice.



You can currently find both of these books in the New Book section.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Fingerless Mitts, Gloves, Wristlets...or Whatever You Call Them

One of the most popular posts I've ever written has to do with fingerless mitts.

I spent my entire life thinking of them as being the standard costume of poor, starving writers. Now I finally found out that the reason they are doing so well today is because people need their fingers free to text! I don't know how I could have missed that for so long. lol

Free patterns abound in cyberspace. If you look on Ravelry.com, you will be able to see photos of the patterns. Some of those are free and some are paid.

Another excellent resource is http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/fingerless_mittens.php.

I scanned down the list and there has to be at least a hundred patterns. The last time I checked, all of these patterns were free for anyone to use. The sister site for crocheters (and with just as many patterns) is http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/mittens_gloves.php

Allfreecrochet.com has many patterns. I don't find it especially easy to navigate, but that might just be me. http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Fingerless-Gloves

The sister site for that one is http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Hands-and-Wrists.

If you are interested in making up some of these for Christmas gifts, you'll find the basic ones take no time at all and not too much yarn. Unless you decide to work in the round, all you have to do is work up a square and sew the sides together, leaving a small opening for the thumb. They should be a smidgen smaller than you think they should be because the stitches will relax a bit with use - and also the patterns are often designed to stretch.

Happy crafting and Happy Thanksgiving,

Kathi Linz

More New Crochet Books

We have The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi by June Gilbank. This is a very cool book by the writer of PlanetJune craft blog.

The information in this book includes how to work basic amigurumi shapes, how to plan your own pattern for an amigurumi creature, how to joint the arms and legs, about eyes, hair, clothes, etc. and it has a few patterns including the most adorable hamster pattern ever.



What's your pleasure - popcorn and bobbles, ripples, mitered boxes, octagons, hexagons, sea shells, flowers?  They're all in here and many more. 100 Colorful Granny Squares to Crochet: Dozens of Mix and Match Combos and Fabulous Projects by Leonie Morgan is in the new book section for the next couple of months.

New Crochet Book at the Library

We have a new crochet book called Crochet at Home: 25 Clever Projects for Colorful Living edited by Brett Bara.

There are pieces that are useful and pieces that are pure decoration. There's something for almost any taste in this collection. 

My favorite are these matryoshka dolls that actually open up to nest inside each other.

 



Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz