Welcome back to my monthly Knit Nook update where I share a look at my completed knitting projects from the last month, any yarn/supplies hauls, and new projects on the horizon, as well as the contents of this month’s KnitCrate (a knitting monthly subscription service).
Recently Completed Projects
As you may already know, Don and I spent 12 glorious days in Italy during the second half of September. That meant quite a bit of plane and train travel. I was happy to bring along my Beekeeper’s Quilt project. It’s the quintessential travel-friendly knitting project, in my opinion, since knitting each hexipuff only requires about 15 yards of sock weight yarn, a few DPNS, a crochet hook, and some polyfil. Not only is this stuff light to travel with, it packs small, and I keep everything I need to make about half a dozen hexipuffs in a small Orla Kiely for Target cosmetic case. Any extra mini hanks and polyfil are also small and light enough to not make a dent in my suitcase, and I am very particular about what I pack when weight restrictions are in play. I ended up knitting 15 hexipuffs over the course of our journey, which has doubled by current lot. Yes, I need several hundred to make anything from them, but I’m in no particular rush and this is a great project to turn to when I’m in between things and want something I know I can knit easily and well.
Yarn & Supplies Haul
I’ve been really good about not hauling yarn (despite finding a few yarn shops in Italy as well as a wonderful LYS close to my home) since I get so much with my KnitCrate subscription. I did, however, make a rather significant knitting related purchase just last week and ordered the addi Click Turbo Basics Interchangeable Needle Set. I’ve been contemplating buying a circular needle set for awhile, since I do seem to chose projects that require circulars and it would be nice to be able to size up for my bind-offs since I have a tendency to do that too tightly no matter how hard I try not to. This set was highly recommended to me by a knitting friend whose opinion I trust, and I found a really great price on Amazon, so I went for it. I’m actually using them already with the project I am currently working on. So far, so good! If I am being very nitpicky I will say I wish they were a tiny bit sharper and that the cord was a bit less stiff, but I’m thinking I will get used to both of these things in time.
Upcoming Projects / What I’m Currently Working On
Since we’ve been home, I’ve moved on to a bigger project, the Faraway, So Close shawl pattern by Carina Spencer. This lovely pattern, as well as the vibrant targhee worsted yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, came with my June 2014 KnitCrate. The pattern includes several kinds of stitches that give the shawl a beautiful, lace like effect without being terribly difficult. That being said, I am so happy to have help with this one as my very kind friends at KnitCrate gifted me access to the coordinating videos that accompany their Newbies KnitCrate subscription for this pattern in particular. Knitting video tutorials are such a big help! I’m excited to continue working on this pattern as I take on the drop stitch sections.
October 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 October KnitCrate?
✻ Big Bad Wool Weepaca – This soft and cozy yarn is made from 50% fine washable merino and 50% baby alpaca. I love the vibrant shades of green! Even though the leaves are changing all around, I always think of green as a color well suited for both spring and fall. They included one hank of tree frog, one of leaf, and two of beach white.
✻ Ombre Mosaic Cowl and Chambray Headband by Pam Powers – Two gorgeous patterns came in this KnitCrate. I love the cute ruffle and fun twist in the headband and the cowl is stunning with the gradiant-style pattern. Just looking at that one makes me wish I had a video tutorial, though!
✻ Lilly Brush – “Let the sweater rescue begin!” The fun extra this month is a brush designed to remove pills, lint, and pet hair without damaging delicate items knit with natural fibers. What a useful tool to send to knitters!
✻ Talbott Tea – The soothing extra this month is a couple of tea sachets from Talbott Tea, a brand I am not yet familiar with. I love trying out new teas! I am also known to knit with a cup at the ready. Knitting and tea go together so well!
✻ Promo codes also included for discounts on Pam Powers patterns as well as orders from Ancient Arts Fibre and KnitCrate.
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 my Beekeeper’s Quilt. This month’s selections includes five natural shades from the Meow Yarn Collection by Ancient Arts Yarn. This hand-dyed yarn is made from 100% bluefaced leicester wool. The colors are inspired by cats and a portion of the proceeds of the sale of all Meow Yarns will be donated to The Meow Foundation to benefit stray and abandoned cats. Yarn with a cause! Love it!
If you’re interested in purchasing the Beekeeper’s Quilt Kit or other items from KnitCrate you can receive 10% off your first KnitCrate purchase (not including monthly or bi monthly subscriptions) by clicking here!
Check out my coordinating Knit Nook video below for musings on my knitting journey and a closer look at my KnitCrate goodies:
I am happy to announce that KnitCrate has very generously offered a Beginner’s October KnitCrate or a Newbies Series 1 (winner’s choice!) as a prize for one of you! The October 2014 KnitCrate Giveaway will run until Thursday, October 30, 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 the winner of the October 2014 KnitCrate Giveaway!
The Poll Results for *Would you pay for video tutorials on knitting patterns?* out of 730 entries:
Yes (424) 58%
No (306) 42%
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 and access to the video tutorials for the Faraway, So Close pattern. KnitCrate is generously providing the giveaway prize. Post contains affiliate & referral links. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are genuinely my own. *
