SMP Craft

Have you seen Scotland’s latest tourism campaign? It’s simply brilliant! I really can’t think of a better reason to visit Scotland than these two adorable Shetland ponies wearing Fair Isle sweaters! This is a cuteness-factor overload!

Button up, ponies! It’s chilly out there!

Alright, so it’s a bit of false advertising. I’ve been to Scotland and sadly not once in my travels did I spot a Fair Isle-sporting pony! Someone needs to fix that pronto! A few years ago there was a massive call online to knit sweaters for penguins who were affected by an oil spill in New Zealand (the sweaters prevented them from preening themselves and ingesting the oil). Why not start a campaign to knit sweaters for underdressed ponies!? I know, I know. Ponies don’t really need sweaters, but…but…I just really want to see more photos of cute squat animals wearing Fair Isle! Is that so wrong?

If you’d like to help me realize my dream of seeing more Fair Isle-wearing ponies, then have I got the book for you! The Very Easy Guide to Fair Isle Knitting is not only a great introduction to Fair Isle, there are over 60 gorgeous patterns (plus ideas for variations) and 11 easy-to-make projects in the book, all containing clear step-by-step instructions, color-knitting charts, and close-up photographs. You’ll learn everything from basic two-color seeding to all-over Fair Isle pattern knitting. Check out the sample pages below to get a peek at the pattern directory (some of which I think any pony would love to wear!) I even included a Fingerless Mitts project, which I think would be a cinch to adapt into some hoof warmers!

The Very Easy Guide to Fair Isle Knitting
Step-by-Step Techniques, Easy-to-Follow Stitch Patterns, and Projects to Get You Started
 by Lynne Watterson
$22.99/$26.50 Can.
144 pages, trade paperback

Do you use Evernote to organize your life? No? Well, I highly recommmend it. Evernote is an excellent way to store all your notes, ideas, and inspirations online all in one place, which you can then access from all your devices (your office, your smartphone, your tablet, etc.)  So obviously, this is an overwhelmed crafter’s dream come true! By creating different notebooks (say, for example, one for crochet scarf patterns, one for home decor inspiration, and another for cupcake recipes you want to bake) you can organize any images, or web articles and blog posts that inspire you by clicking on a “web clipper” button which you can quickly and easily install on to your search engine’s toolbar, and you can add personal notes, as well.

I am a new convert to Evernote, and let me tell you, it’s the best way I’ve found to keep all my ideas and interests in one place. My ideas for blog posts, DIY projects, recipes, wedding centerpiece ideas, and even my apartment-hunting notes and addresses are all in mine.

I found this great post on Evernote’s community page by their Craft Ambassador Jenni Lathrop. It contains some great advice for how crafters can stay organized using Evernote. She had some helpful ideas like scanning in yarn labels so you know exactly what you bought in case you run out of materials mid-project, and creating an inventory notebook that contains the weight, color, and amount of all your yarn stashes, so that the next time inspiration strikes you can quickly verify whether you have the yarn you need or if you need to get more. I highly recommend giving it a read and downloading Evernote, if you don’t already use it.

…sigh… If only organizing all my craft supplies in one place were this easy!

Did you make it to Vogue Knitting Live last weekend? I had the pleasure of winding up and down the aisles, stopping at all the different stalls to fawn over the gorgeous designs, and touched loads and loads of delicious yarn! Several of our authors were on hand to share their skills and sign books. All in all, it was a wonderfully inspiring weekend. Here are some highlights of things we saw, felt, and loved.

Yarn, yarn, yarn!

I think I could have gone home in a cab stuffed to the gills with yarn and still wouldn’t have been satisfied! There are so many beautiful kinds scattered throughout VK Live, it’s impossible not to go there and spend 90% of your time just petting yarn. Here are a few of my favorites that I spotted:

I love the color combinations in these multicolor yarns

Yarn spun with strips of money

There was a yarn bar for sampling how different kinds of yarns knit up

Hooks and needles

I also spotted these oversized knitting needles and crochet hooks from Loopy Mango that I’m just enamored with! I want some, obviously so I can make giant knit and crochet items with them, but also because I think they would make awesome conversation pieces for the home!

They look a little daunting to wield, but because of their size, I imagine projects knit/crochet up fairly quickly using these tools. A simple scarf or a cozy vest, like the gentleman below is wearing, probably only takes one episode of Downton Abbey to complete, right?

And, I found this sweet woman working on her crochet most encouraging. If she can handle that big hook, so can I!

If you went to VK Live, I hope you enjoyed yourself and were able to snag some great finds. If not, I highly recommend checking it out when it comes to your area. There’s so much to be seen, and you definitely get inspired to take your knitting to the next level by trying out some new yarns, stitches, and tricks that you spot in the stalls and on the runway.

Now, who wants to buy me some of these goodies?