crochet

Let’s Make a Sweater in November

~ 3kittensl ~ Leave a comment

It’s time for NaKniSweMo again. What??? Yep, NaKniSweMo. Kind of rolls of your tongue, doesn’t it? It’s actually National Knit a Sweater Month – also known as November to non-yarnie folk. According to Knitty, NaKniSweMo has been around since 2010 when Shannon Okey copied NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month – which my sister does every year…)

It never fails that each year when October rolls around, I start thinking about doing NaKniSweMo – dreaming about which sweater I want to knit, scrolling through Ravelry, testing out yarns from 3 Kittens, etc. A couple of years ago, I participated (and if I recall, I held a Knit-A-Long at the store). That year, I made a Janesville Jacket out of my favorite yarn – Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok.

I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to knit this year. Something simple or something more complex? Will Covid allow me more time to knit or less? My daughter wants me to knit a sweater for her, but do I want to make something for her or something for myself? I have a week to figure things out! In the meantime, here’s the plan if you want to join me:

  • Choose your sweater.
  • Buy your yarn – obviously at 3 Kittens… If you already have yarn in your stash from 3 Kittens, feel free to use that. There’s no need to buy more!
  • Join our Facebook Group (see below).
  • Join our Zoom knit/crochet-a-long* (see below).
  • Swatch your project.
  • Get ready to start your sweater on Nov 1!

Facebook Group We have a private Facebook Group just for NaKniSweMo 2020. You can join here. In the group you can:

  • Share what you think you might want to work on (links to Ravelry and/or photos are encouraged).
  • Ask questions about your project – I’ll try to answer.
  • Post pictures of your progress.
  • Get to know each other better.

Knit/Crochet-A-Long* Gather virtually with me on Thursday evenings in November (except for Thanksgiving Day) from 6-7pm via Zoom. I’ll put each week’s Zoom link in our Facebook Group (if you don’t do Facebook, you can email me for the link as well). I’ll be working in the store during that time, but since it’s typically slow on Thursday evenings, we can meet, even if I have to get up and help somebody in the store. These Zoom gatherings are FREE! It’s really just a place for us to sit and talk while we knit, so there won’t be any teaching. But I’ll be happy to answer questions as they come up. Sign up for the Knit/Crochet-A-Long here.

Let’s have fun!

*I know it’s NaKniSweMo, but crocheters are welcome to join as well (for NaCroSweMo???).

New Yarn and Patterns Inspired by the 1940s

~ 3kittensl ~ Leave a comment

The Minnesota Yarn Shop Hop normally happens in April. From August to April, the local yarn stores that participate in the Hop plan, plan, and plan some more. We work with hand-dyers to create exclusive colors in the yarns we choose to highlight. And we design patterns to showcase the yarn. We arrange to donate money to food shelves. And we organize the event to make it the most appealing to a broad range of participants. It’s a long process. But, oh so worth it.

Then, along comes a pandemic. The best laid plans have to be abandoned – including 2020’s Shop Hop. Sigh!

But, guess what? We already had our yarn and patterns, so… Introducing our homage to the 1940s!

The 1940s was a time of war, tragedy, and hard-won peace. Because World War II was such a huge part of the decade, we asked local dyer Trippin’ with Dixi to create colorways reminiscent of army fatigues and the Red Cross.

Migration Fatigues
Migration Red Cross

We chose Trippin’ with Dixi’s Migration base to showcase these fabulous colorways. We wanted a fingering weight yarn, but not the ubiquitous merino. Not that we don’t love merino wool – it’s just that there is so much of it in today’s yarn world. At 3 Kittens, we’re always looking for non-merino yarns to introduce to our customers! And the blend of wool, yak (!), and nylon in Migration is just so luscious, we couldn’t resist. The yarn will be available while supplies last, so get yours while you can! Click here to purchase.

When Laura started thinking about the patterns, she considered what was happening in the forties to influence the design process. For the knit pattern, Laura chose to do a riff on argyle socks. ‘A Short History of Argyle Socks’ on the Joseph Turner website, says –

During the 1940s and 50s, after World War II, the Argyle pattern once again grew in popularity. Beginning in England, the craze spread across the pond to the US, where girls learning to knit would create Argyle patterned socks for the boys they were sweet on.

Because argyle socks are typically done with multiple colors in intarsia, but that just seemed too complicated, Laura decided to create her own faux argyle pattern using knits, purls, and twisted stitches. The resulting Fogyle Socks have a continuous diamond shaped pattern running up the leg of the sock. The stitch pattern is both charted and written out.

During World War II, many of those on the home front wanted to help in whatever way the could. One thing that many people could do was knit or crochet for the troops. From socks to “helmets” to sweaters to vests, people could create useful items to warm and comfort soldiers on the front. Laura used the idea of making “helmets” as an inspiration for her crochet pattern, the Medic Hat. It is a very easy, slightly slouchy beanie made with basic stitches.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry – free through July 15, 2020.

We hope you enjoy our 1940s inspired patterns and yarn!

#YarnbombTheBonanza

~ 3kittensl ~ Leave a comment

by guest blogger, Knitteapolis 

                  A quick definition of yarnbombing: A type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted cloth, rather than paint or chalk. While yarn installations–called yarnbombs or knit bombs–may last for years, they are considered non-permanent, and, unlike graffiti, can be easily removed if necessary. The practice is believed to have originated in the U.S. with Texas knitters trying to find a creative way to use their leftover and unfinished knitting projects, but it has since spread worldwide.

 

Hello,

My name is Knitteapolis and I am the Minnesota Yarnbomber. You might have seen some of my yarnbombs on bike racks or on street signs in the Twin Cities. I’ve also created custom yarnbombs for the Mall of America, American Heart Association, Creative Kidstuff, the OVALumination in Roseville, sureCAN Productions, How To Make Everything, Minnstameets, and Bundle Up MN.

Right now, I’m super excited to announce that I am currently creating a fabulous custom yarnbomb for the giant Junk Bonanza event at Canterbury Park! Junk Bonanza is a Ki Nassauer event for purveyors & shoppers of vintage finds, beautiful antiques & artisan-repurposed pieces. I will be yarnbombing a life size horse statue that will be placed at the entrance of Junk Bonanza this April. The horse statue will be covered head to toe in cozy knits & crochet. However, this horse needs a winner’s wreath of pink and orange flowers to go around his neck and I would be honored if YOU would join me in creating this wreath! But I need your help! I will be accepting any and all pink & orange knit or crochet flowers up until April 14th. Please send as many as you like. Whether you create 20 flowers or 2, I appreciate your contribution and look forward to sewing it into the fabulous wreath. I’ve attached some links to some patterns below but feel free to knit or crochet any type of flower you’d like. The only thing we ask is that you use pink or orange yarn. I also would like to encourage you to take photos of your beautiful flowers and upload them to social media to show off your creations. Use the hashtag #YarnbombTheBonanza and you’ll be able to see & meet the other fiber artists who are donating their flowers to this funky fun yarnbomb.

Here is a link to learn more about the awesome Junk Bonanza.

For questions and/or a shipping address you can reach me via my email: Knitteapolis@gmail.com

You can also find out more about Knitteapolis on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. The following two videos are also fun: Fox 9 News and North Suburban Beat.

Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely, Knitteapolis

 

If you would like to make flowers for the yarn bomb, Knitteapolis has provided a few pattern links:

CROCHET FLOWERS

http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Crochet-Flower-Patterns/The-5-Minute-Flower

http://pattern-paradise.com/2015/03/31/free-crochet-pattern-flower-power/

http://yarnartwithsuepinner.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/part-1-giant-flower-pattern.html

http://www.bhookedcrochet.com/2013/07/13/crochet-flower-pattern/

http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-flower-pattern-rose/

 

KNIT FLOWERS

http://voknits.com/blooming-rose/

http://pilgrimpurse.blogspot.com/2012/01/variation-on-easy-flower.html

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/nicky-epstein

https://misscraftyfingers.wordpress.com/2010/11/25/a-knitted-flower-with-pattern/

http://www.berroco.com/patterns/peruvia-rose

These patterns are here if you would like to try them but are in no way mandatory. You are more than welcome to free form crochet or knit your flowers or use a pattern you already know and like.

shawls of fall contest 2013

~ 3kittensl ~ Leave a comment

The Shawls of Summer Fall Contest is back!

Show off your hand knit or crocheted shawl to everyone. You may win a prize or two!

 

 

 

 

Susan F's winning shawl from last year
Susan F’s winning shawl from last year

Sign Up Begins July 25

Drop Off Finished Shawls – September 20-25

Shawls on Display – September 23 – 29

Party

September 27

5:00-7:00pm

Celebrity Judge – Nancy Bush

Eat, drink and vote for People’s Choice!

(Due to limited seating for Nancy’s lecture, you must register for this event; click here.)

 

 

 

 

Contest Rules

  • Shawls and shawlettes are eligible. If you have questions about the applicability of your item, please ask!
  • Shawls must have been started after 8/1/12.
  • You may enter as many items into the contest as you would like.
  • Yarn must be purchased at 3 Kittens – proof of purchase or approval of store owner is necessary if yarn is not purchased at sign up.
  • Shawls can be made from any pattern you choose. If you choose to enter a shawl of your original design, you will be required to sign a document stating it is your own design when you drop off your shawl for display.
  • Items will remain on display from September 23-29. They may be picked up on September 30.
  • 3 Kittens shall make every effort to protect your item(s) while on display at the store. However, 3 Kittens shall not be held responsible for any damage or loss during the contest.
  • Categories and prizes will be determined at a later date.