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

Too Hot to Knit/Crochet

It's NEVER too hot to pick up a hook or needles if you choose your projects wisely. But here are a couple of yarn projects that won't heat you up.



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/tassel-necklaces

This doesn't even require a hook or a needle. You can make up several of these without raising a sweat. Maybe you have a family reunion or a wedding to help organize. These tassel necklaces would make cute prizes or favors.



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/pompom-bookmark

You make this pompom by winding yarn around a fork and then braid the tails for the bookmark.

Kids can make these projects too. So if your kids get bored while waiting for school to start up again, hand them a little yarn and keep their fingers busy.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Red Heart Yarn Contest

http://www.redheart.com/

Red Heart Yarn is holding a contest from now until October 31, 2014. Enter a photo of you somewhere in the world holding Red Heart Yarn or making a heart shape with your fingers. You can see what they mean if you check out the link above.

There are monthly winners until the end of the contest. I personally could do a lot with $50 worth of yarn. The grand prize is $500 and $150 in yarn.

Hope you win,

Kathi

A New Slant on Knit and Crochet

If you are tired of the same patterns over and over, try something with a new slant.

Here's one for crocheters.



This is called "New Slant Afghan". http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32019.html

Maybe you'd like to wander around in circles:



This one is called "Spiraling into Fall". http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32007.html

If you prefer needles to hooks, here's a pattern that will shift your focus a little:




This is a slip stitch sampler. http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32155.html

Lion Brand Yarn has many patterns that will inspire you. If you are in Jackson County, Indiana, come in and see our knit and crochet books. We have a large selection of everything from mittens to large afghans. We have delicate lace patterns through tightly-worked Tunisian crochet.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Little Aran and Celtic Knits for Kids: 25 Designs for Babies and Young Children by Martin Storey

If you are a passable knitter and have little ones to keep warm, you will enjoy Little Aran and Celtic Knits for Kids: 25 Designs for Babies and Young Children by Martin Storey.

Most of the patterns are sweaters and jackets with cabling, Celtic knot designs, or little animals knitted into the piece. Some have hoods, some are slip-overs, and some are button-down. There are also socks, blocks, and an alphabet blanket.

It's currently in the New Book section.

Happy crafting,

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

Some Recent Crochet Projects

If you need some ideas to get your inspiration flowing, here are a few recent projects you might enjoy.

Prayer shawl

This one was started in the center using a fan stitch. Each color was added to both sides to make it balanced.

Lap robe

This was done with granny squares using a K hook. There are 48 squares in the finished piece and a final round of black on the outside.

Granny ripple afghan

Fast and easy project. For instructions, this is one possible link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-ripple-4

This pattern originally was Tunisian crochet. The squares were actually worked in single crochet, chain. A row of V-stitch was worked around each square, then a round of single crochet and finally a round of double crochet.

This is Tunisian entrelac worked with a N or P hook. The larger size hook makes the weave a little looser than normal Tunisian simple stitch. It doesn't curl as much as the tighter stitched one would.

Here is the pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20319.html.  If you need to see how the stitches are made, www.youtube.com has videos of how to work Tunisian crochet.

Happy crafting,

Kathi