Keeping you Posted

I am currently in the process of a total reorganization.  This blog will be moving very soon.  I am REALLY excited about the changes.  Please stay tuned for the exciting things to come!

One, Two. New Patterns for You

I have released two new patterns in my ravelry store today. 

RING AROUND THE COLLAR
 This cool spring to summer top is knit in Blue Heron cotton, rayon metallic making it a perfect top with jeans for a casual look or with a flowy skirt for a more elegant dressed up look.  The rings are crochet separately and added to the neckline.

                   THE HOLYOKE SHAWL

See my Ravelry store to purchase the downloads.

I "Felt" Your Pain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My inspiration today came from a question from a friend who had knitted and felted a yoga mat tote. Her problem was that the bag came out a little bigger than she had hoped.  The tips I have for you today can be used with any felted item that needs tweeking.  First off, since this was her first knitted and felted item she was terrified at the thought of cutting the felted piece without having it unravel. 

 

 

 

A knitted (or crocheted) felted piece acts very similar to the felt fabric that you would buy in the store except that it is thicker.

You CAN cut your felted piece without the fear that it will unravel.

The edge achieved is very clean.  You can choose to leave the edge "raw" or you can do some embellishments.

In the case of the yoga mat, my friend wanted to add some bling.  My suggestion was to do a crocheted embellishment on the "raw" edge with beads.

You can poke through the felt with a crochet hook without the fear of tearing the fabric.  You could also use a knitting needle or other sharp object to pre-poke the holes to be sure that your holes are uniform in spacing.

 

 

Add the beads for a more decorative finish.

 

Now the next problem!! How do you get those little beads threaded onto the yarn?!

I use dental floss threaders.

You can buy dental floss threaders in any drug store.  The threader will replace your needle.

 

 

Thread your yarn into the "eye" of the threader as you would with a needle.

Use the tip of the threader to add the beads.

 

 

Slide the beads over the "eye" and onto the yarn.

Much easier than using a needle.

 

Check out these other adventures using felt and beads using a needle felting technique!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Errata: Holyoke Shawl Chart Key

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holyoke-shawl/edit