Description : This Knit Neck Scarf will provide you with a way to stay warm, while still looking elegant and sophisticated.

Craft Link : Knit Neck Scarf

Read More : Knit or Home

Description : The wonderful thing about this Knit Owl Tutorial is that it comes from The Purl Bee, and like all their projects, the instructions are detailed and clearly photographed.

Craft Link : Knit Owl Tutorial

Read More : Knit or Home

Description : This DIY Knit Wall Clock looks complicated to me, but according to the designer, it’s actually quite easy.

Craft Link : DIY Knit Wall Clock (Retrobaby)

Read More : Knit or Home

Description : Make a stylish pocketbook with this Free Knit Purse Pattern.

Craft Link : Free Knit Purse Pattern

Source : Lion Brand Yarn

Read More : Knit or Home

Description : This Free Thigh High Footless Sock Pattern is much easier to master than a regular sock pattern.

Craft Link : Free Thigh High Footless Socks Pattern

Source : Lion Brand Yarn

Read More : Knit or Home

As the world is still reeling from the tragedy that  struck Japan, crafters are gearing up to raise money to benefit the people of that country. 

The generous staff over at Mason-Dixon Knitting has  done their part by designing a wonderful new knit blanket pattern, the proceeds of which will be donated to help out Japan Relief. 

The pattern is called The Mitered Crossed Blanket and sections of it are pictured above and below.  Because the blanket was designed in response to the crisis and not preplanned, there is no completed photo to post. Additional photos will be added to the website as more sections are completed.

If knitting is your thing, please click right over to Ravelry and go make your purchase right away. The cost is $5.00 and your contribution will help, in a small way, to normalize the lives of the Japanese people.

If we, as craftsman, each do what we can, we can begin to make the lives of the Japanese people a little easier to bear.

 Read More : Knit or Home

Ready to shake things up a little?  Take your  next project to a whole new level by experimenting with fun alternatives to store bought yarn. Each of the fibers I list can be used  for both knit and crochet projects, and as an accent or for the entire piece.

Here are some of my favorites….

1. Plarn – Popular for the last few years, Plarn is an acronym for plastic yarn. Grocery bags and trash bags are recycled into placemats, totebags and washclothes.

2. Pet Hair Yarn – Spin yarn from cat hair, dog hair and even rabbit fur. The resulting fiber makes sweaters and hats with a novel story to tell.

3. Recycled Newspaper Yarn -  At 20 yards of yarn from a single sheet, newspaper yarn enables you to do a lot, with little. Turn recycled newspapers into floor mats, wall hangings and other decorative objects.

4. T-Shirt Yarn - Since t-shirt yarn is both durable and bulky, it makes great trivets, rugs, washcloths. If “country” is not your style you may want to dye the t-shirts before using them.

5. Wire - Working with wire is not too different than working with yarn….just a bit harder on your hands. Combine the wire with beads for some seriously wonderful jewelry designs.

6. Raffia -  These fibers will all be a lot more difficult to use than yarn, but the interesting texture will make the extra effort worthwhile.

7. Denim – Denim is extremely hardy, so it’s perfect for rugmaking, shopping bags, trivets and pot holders.

8. VCR VHF Tapes - When I first heard about crafters using VCR VHF tapes for knitting and crocheting, I thought the results would appear juvenile  and unattractive. Not any more. You’ll be surprised at how nice tape projects turn out.

9. Polymer Clay - Create amazingly beautiful jewelry using an easy- to- master faux knitting technique…Not real yarn, but so wonderful, it was impossible to resist! Tutorial is located here.

10. Repurposed Sweaters - With today’s emphasis on economy and reuse, it’s not surprising if we look back to our frugal ancestors for some “new” ways of recycling. Unravel your own out-of-style garments or thrift store garments when your yarn collection gets low.

Other ideas?

How about string, thread, ribbon, discarded silk clothes, sheets, narrow rope, curtains and pantyhose. Virtually anything goes.

Just remember the saying…. If you can think it, you can do it!

Read More : Knit or Crochet or Home