Welcome back to my monthly Knit Nook update where I share a look at my completed knitting projects from the last month, any yarn hauls and new projects on the horizon, as well as the contents of this month’s KnitCrate (a knitting monthly subscription service).
April Completed Projects
Once again, I am feeling pretty unproductive on the knitting front this month. I had planned to complete the On My Wavelength pattern by Heather Dixon that came with the December 2013 KnitCrate. I carried the project around in my new super cute pouch from Threadofhearts on Etsy all month and have yet to even get started! As much as I love knitting and actually crave to do it, it somehow falls to the bottom of my priority list. I mentioned in my last Knit Nook that I’m more of a weekend knitter anyway, but my weekends have been pretty jam-packed lately. I know I just need to rank it higher on my priorities list, but it can be challenging to justify spending time on a hobby when there are other things to get done for work and around the house. I am going to try to dedicate at least three 15-minute knitting sessions per week for the next month and hope that the time spent knitting will motivate me to make it a higher priority. I really miss knitting! While I haven’t picked up the needles in almost four weeks now, I did manage to knit some more hexipuffs for my Beekeeper’s Quilt project at the beginning of the month when I was in Arizona. I hope to not be just a vacation knitter!
If you’re interested in purchasing the Beekeeper’s Quilt package or other items from KnitCrate you can receive 10% off your first KnitCrate purchase (not including monthly or bi monthly subscriptions) by clicking here!
Yarn & Supplies Haul
I did make a few knitting-related purchases this past month specifcally for an upcoming project. We have a family friend who has to wear a neck brace for awhile while she heals from a horseback riding accident and I wanted to make her something beautiful to wrap around it. I used one of the promo codes from the March KnitCrate to purchase the Flow pattern by Andrea Rangel, which is a scarf/shawl with gorgeous lace edging. I decided to purchase the yarn suggested in the pattern, so I picked up three hanks worth of the Lively DK in Cornflower by Hazel Knits. I also bought Size 8 Red Lace Circular Needles by ChiaoGoo. I am excited to start working on this project!
April 2014 KnitCrate
I absolutely love KnitCrate, which is a monthly (or bi-monthly if that seems like a bit too much yarn coming at you) subscription service geared towards knitters. There are eight different subscription options, which you can see here if you’re interested. I subscribe to the Beginner’s KnitCrate, which includes a pattern suitable to that level, enough yarn to complete that project, a couple of bonus items (ranging from soothing to sweet to fun), and promo codes for knitting related products. It’s basically the most awesome care package a knitter could ever dream of!
What’s in my April KnitCrate?
✻ Tellus by Kristi Johnson – Each KnitCrate subscriber received a special code to download this lovely wrap pattern for free this month. As an added bonus, KnitCrate provided a video tutorial teaching the sliding slip stitch, which is what the pattern is mostly comprised of. Video tutorials are so helpful to new knitters like me who are expanding their knitting know-how!
✻ Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock – This gorgeous superwash merino wool is super soft and so vibrant thanks to hand painting. I recieved the colorways Juniper Berry, which is a lovely muted teal, and Primula, a rich cranberry shade. I think the two of these make for a lovely combination and will be beautiful using the Tellus wrap pattern.
✻ Caveman Cookies – The soothing extra this month is a couple of grain-free, dairy-free cookies. This woman-owned business sounds amazing! They are “passionate about creating healthful, all-natural, Paleolithic baked goods made with ingredients that you can actually pronounce, and which your great, great, great ancestors could have enjoyed with you.” I love trying out new treats like this. It’s such a sweet bonus (pun intended) in the KnitCrate subscription!
✻ Wraps Per Inch Tool and Knit Card – This handy tool from Nancy’s Knit Knacks is a great one to have on hand in your knitting kit for those times when you need help identifying the weight of yarn. The included card also provides information on what size needles and crochet hooks are appropriate for each weight of yarn. I think this set will come in very handy in my knitting efforts!
✻ Promo codes also included for Knitbot patterns as well as the KnitCrate Minis Grab Bags.
I also subscribe to the 5 Mini Add-Ons package available through KnitCrate. Each month I receive five 30-yard mini hanks in hand painted/indie dyed yarns. It’s a nice way to try out a variety of hand-dyed yarns from different providers. I use the mini hanks I receive through this subscription for the Beekeeper’s Quilt. This month’s selections include vibrant colors from Shalimar Yarns. This hand painted sock yarn is the same wool (superwash merino) and weight of the full-size hanks from the April KnitCrate. I love the nice variety of colors to add to my stash for future hexipuffs!
Check out my coordinating Knit Nook video below for a closer look at my completed projects, yarn haul, and KnitCrate goodies:
I am happy to announce that KnitCrate has very generously offered an April 2014 Beginner’s KnitCrate as a prize for one of you! The April 2014 KnitCrate Giveaway will run until Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 6 PM CT. The giveaway is open internationally. All entrants under the age of 18 must have parental permission to enter. You can enter by following the directions in the Rafflecopter widget posted below (check out this blog post for more information on entering Rafflecopter giveaways). I’ll announce the winner on THIS blog post and KnitCrate will contact them directly through email. Good luck!
*** GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED ***
Congrats to Amy R. on being selected as the winner of the April 2014 Knit Crate Giveaway!
The Poll Results for *Would you knit for your pet if you had a simple and fun pattern?* out of 544 entries:
Yes (318) 58%
I don’t have a pet (88) 16%
Yes, if I had help (81) 15%
No (57) 10%
Sometimes Rafflecopter experiences technical difficulties. If you can’t enter for some reason, try again later and it will probably work.
Don’t forget to check out my group on Ravelry called Bliss Knits where we share current projects, knitting stories, and tips and tricks with each other!
Happy Knitting!
* Some of the products mentioned are part of the KnitCrate monthly subscription program, for which I pay for my own membership. I was gifted the Beekeeper’s Quilt pattern. The KnitCrate discount link I provide is a referral link, which means if you make a purchase using that link, I get credit towards future KnitCrate purchases. KnitCrate is generously providing the giveaway prize. Post contains affiliate links. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are genuinely my own. *
