Crochet

As my way of saying thank you, I am now offering all my patterns for free. I have been very busy with my job lately - with much travel, I haven't been able to be as attentive as I would like. So, now you can enjoy my entire pattern library for free.

Right now, the patterns are available only in my Ravelry store. I am working on some pages to link to the patterns from my site for those who are not Ravelry members.

Enjoy!

As I sit here in a conference room waiting for my next meeting (in 90 minutes), I am brought back to this article. It has been on my list of articles to write for some time now. It just seems that it gets pushed a little lower on the priority list as the days pass. But, here I am with a perfect opportunity to capture those thoughts and put them together.

Portable projects, in my mind, are those projects that you always seem to have along with you. They have five characteristics, in my mind.
1. Small enough to tuck in a purse or tote – not necessarily the whole project, but a portion of it that can be worked on the go
2. A pattern that is easily memorized or compact enough to carry
3. A project that can be started and stopped quickly. If you are working a project while waiting for an appointment, you don’t always have the luxury of knitting to the end of the row, repeat, or round
4. Needs a minimal set of notions – you don’t want to have to carry your whole tool set around
5. A project you enjoy sharing with others.

Knitting in public usually attracts attention, and it’s nice to meet new people over a small project.

I just ran across this short video clip from CBS News' Early Show that talks about the health benefits of knitting and crocheting. I know that I have always taught my classes from the perspective that the calming and relaxing benefits of needlework are valuable, even if they are only offering you a short, portable retreat from the stresses of your day. Now, there are medical professionals sharing the health benefits, such as reduced blood pressure, reduced memory loss, and lower cholesterol! So, get out there and find some yarn, a hook or pair of sticks, and get stitching!

Once upon a time, if you saw me knitting a scarf, I would most certainly have been doing it while teaching a beginner's knitting class. Why would an experienced knitter be working on something as simple as a scarf? Just a long rectangle with rows upon rows of repetition. In the last week, I have changed my mind. I am now finding all sorts of reasons why knitting a scarf is a great idea. I am drawn to creating them and seeing what happens! Here's some of the reasons why scarf knitting has re-inspired me.

1. Scarf knitting doesn't take much yarn.

This is of course, subject to the scarf you are making, but most scarves can be made up with a skein or two of yarn. That way, you can take advantage of the "last ball" sales at your LYS or use up the extra bits from larger projects. A scarf is also a way to make a luxurious item with an expensive yarn and not spend a ton of money.

2. Scarf knitting uses up those single skeins of gorgeous silk yarn you just "had to have" at your last trip to the yarn shop.

Here is the pattern! This was a totally fun scarf. Making all those little circle motifs actually was relaxing and enjoyable, because I got to experience the joy of completion so often! The pattern is available for free, so get your copy now. The pattern is an immediate download in Adobe PDF.

I promised that the crochet scarf would be next, and it’s almost done. I will be felting it tonight, and probably releasing the pattern over the weekend. This will be a free pattern and I’ll post it here on my blog and at Ravelry. Enjoy!

I was browsing the web today and ran across this pattern for the cutest little crochet basket. She has been using them for diapers and baby things, which is an absolutely perfect thing! This may become my next baby shower gift idea. Please go check out her blog and enjoy crocheting!

I've just moved the patterns from the webstore to the boutique. The new program in the boutique does a much better job with downloadable items. If you need a fun Christmas gift, be sure to check out the boutique for great, quick-knit patterns and finished items as well!