Knitting/crocheting in the news

I saw this in the news this morning. From the Today's show on NBC:

"People are craving items that feel special and less mass produced. Personalized crafts, like knitting, crochet, needlepoint and quilting, are popular again. They give a sense of comfort and warmth."

Although its comforting to know that my favorite past time is gaining in popularity - I also don't enjoy being called a "granny"!

Loom Knitted Asymmetric Cables Handbag

Description:
Asymmetric Cables uses more advanced loom knitting skills to create the beautiful off center cables and textured patterning. Lined with satin and using thick satin ribbon for the handles, this bag is an eye catcher. This pattern is available on Pegs & Needles for instant download or on LoomKnittingDesigns.com.

Skill Level: Advanced

Loom required: Knifty Knitter Green loom or any large gauge loom with atleast 30 pegs

Yarn used: 106 yards of Super bulky weight yarn. Sample is made using Lion Brand Thick and Quick in color "Sky Blue".

Finished measurements: 8 inches by 11.5 inches

Techniques used: cabling, e-wrap, purl, flat panel method bind off, advanced stitch patterns and charting, and basic sewing skills for the lining.

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Progress on the needles

Just a little "On the Needles" update - I'm making progress on the Ribby Shell for the upcoming wedding I'm attending at the end of May. I finished the back this weekend - you can see the back in the top left corner of the picture) - and all I have left to go is the front V-neck shaping. There are two versions of the shell in the same pattern. One version is for a flat panel version - this is made with ribs under the arm pits and a flat panel of Stockinette stitch across the front and back. The last shell I made from this pattern I used that style. This shell - as you can see from the picture - is ribbed all over. I can't wait to finish it as I love how the other one fits. I can't wait to have another one.

Also on my needles - a bolero jacket/sweater for a loom knitting board member. This is about 75% done. I'm using a vogue knitting pattern and it's coming out very nice. I got the yarn from elann.com and it's been wonderful to work with. I want to make myself one next with the same yarn! It's not something I would have picked out for myself - but now that I've seen it and used it - I'm hooked!

Purse handle link..

People have been having trouble finding the handles I used on my mini handbag. Apparently not all Joann Fabric stores have the handles in the stores and I even looked online at the Joann website and they don't carry them.

I did a search and found only one company that has handles similar to the ones I used. (NOTE: I am in no way affiliated with this company, nor have I ever ordered anything.) But - it may be an option if you can't find anything in your area. The company is called M & J Trimming and it looks like they are out of New York City. Here's the handles that look the closest to the ones I used. Oh, and just beware. It looks like they are ordered individually not by the set - " Handles are sold individually, not by the set."

If you try them let me know how they are to do business with. It looks like they have some good items that are hard to find elsewhere.

Fruitfull day!

Well, you remember that other teaching gig I mentioned a while back? Today was my first demo day at the new store. I tell you - I walked in to get ready to do my demo and there was already a crowd of women waiting for me. As soon as I walked into the store I put my stuff down, picked up the KK looms and went to town. The women were full of questions and were even taking notes! Most had a set of looms already and had been playing around with them but hadn't really figured out much to do with them yet. I took down names and email addresses for my own personal class email list and they all want to take my first class. This would make my first class already half full - and half full of people that are really excited about the looms and the knitting possibilities.

This is a huge difference from my Boulder Michael's classes. It's like pulling teeth to get anyone interested in a KK class - besides the kids KK classes. The kids classes are always packed! Now I'm excited about this new teaching gig. It looks like it's going to start off with a bang anyway!

Oh, and while I was demoing a fellow Michael's employee (the floral designer) that I also know from the Boulder store stopped by my table and wanted to walk right off with my mini handbag. She liked it so much I had to wrestle it away from her and offer to make her one. She quickly agreed to my price and picked out some yarn! Well, I know that she'll talk up my classes - and she's a great friend as well...so I've already made her her handbag while watching a movie tonight! This handbag I made using the "Wesport Shades" color in Bernat Soft Boucle. This is the color she liked best and was already talking about having me make her a couple more in different colors.

Need your input

Want to help me decide what to create next?

Sometimes I have so many ideas for patterns I can't decide what to make next. So, I've decided to take some input. What would you like to see next in my patterns? Answer this quick poll...

What are you itching to make on your loom? If I were to make another pattern tomorrow what would you want it to be?
	clothing (sweater, shell, hat, etc)
	more handbags!
	fun things (toys, doodads, etc)
	things for the home (blankets, afghans, pillows, etc)
	stuff for your pet(s) (pet sweaters, collars, beds, etc)
	other (leave me a comment with your "other" suggestion)