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Tuesday, 09 February 2010

  • Eco-Baby Alert!

    Tuesday, February 9, 2010, Eco-Baby Alert!


    This is my modified Rainforest Wrapper from
    AwareKnits by VickieHowell and AdrienneArmstrong

    Last week I was able to finish knitting and prepping a few baby projects for a friend.  It's a girl!!!  The picture above is the cute Rainforest Wrapper that I modified with a leaf motif and velcro dots on the straps instead of buttons which I secured with a basic sewing stitch. I am currently making the original pattern which is in the book, and is basically the same except the pattern on the bodice is different.  There are so many fun and eco-friendly projects in Aware Knits that you'll just have to make them all.

    Puffalump Hat on VickieHowell.com and Ravelry.com

    I also included the Puffalump hat from Vickie Howell  
    and Owl embroidered baby bib from Jenny Hart.

    Owl Bib from Jenny Hart

    Everything is wrapped and ready to go to the new eco-friendly baby.  Name to be determined.  I included care instructions, info of why the wrap is a great and safe way for new baby to sleep (info from the book), extra yarn and thread for any repairs for the new mommy. 

    Have a productive week!
    Marg (waiting for the next wave of snow)

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Monday, 08 February 2010

  • Diana Couture Interview Day!

    Monday, February 8, 2010

    Diana Couture Interview Day!



    Yarn Owl Project Bags



    Serena Knitting Bag



    Yarn Owl yarn holder and/or sock project bag




    Today, I'm happy to say, is DianaCouture Interview Day!  Time to forget about snow, winter blahs and projects due.  It's happy time here at knit1fortheroad. Gather 'round the knit/crochet couch, grab a grande mocha and get ready for an inspiring interview.  I have to add that I have two of Diana's Owl project bags and it's crazy love for these adorable, well made and functional bags around here.


    Q. Welcome Diana! I’m so glad that you’re taking time out of your busy day for this interview. We are all huge owl fans here, so please tell us about your fabulous Yarn Owl knitting project bags and what inspired you to make them?


    A. Hi Marg, Thank you for your interest in my shop!
    As a knitter myself, I noticed a lot of bags for knitting/crochet that didn’t seem practical. For example, with most yarn holders, the yarn cannot be removed until the project is complete or the yarn is cut. Several styles are made of hard plastic or stiff material which makes it difficult to throw a project in a bag and carry it along with you.


    I wanted to make a yarn holder that didn’t hold my yarn hostage for the duration of a project or take up too much space. I developed the idea of the overlapping flaps. When the flaps are closed, I thought the top looked like an owl face and thus the name, Yarn Owls. As my yarn holders sit by me while I knit…and travel with me on a strap (like a pet)…it was easy to imagine them as having personalities. I like to think of my owls flying to their new owners via first-class mail and nesting in their yarn baskets. I always hope the new owner will love their Owl(s) as much as I do mine.


    Those of us who knit on the go know the value of having a bag or a yarn keeper that is the right size for its purpose. The smallest Owl will keep a cake or small skein of yarn tangle free without taking up extra space in a bag. The medium sized Yarn Owl can hold larger skeins like the Patons Classic Wool, or is the perfect size for a small skein/ball and a sock or other small project in progress. The tall size is for longer skeins, but it also works as a project bag and provides great storage for small projects that are being worked up on longer needles.


    Q. I like your thinking! One of the things I always notice with any Etsy shop, besides the wonderful items, is the shop feedback. Customer satisfaction is so key in any business. How have you accomplished this balance?


    A. I love what I do! I love my customers! Making money, although extremely important for eating and buying fabric and yarn, is not the main reason I do what I do.


    I treat my customers like I want to be treated when shopping on line. I guarantee workmanship and quality, strive to be accessible to my customers and always send an e-mail when an order ships. It is a pleasure to receive feedback or e-mails letting me know the Owls have reached their new homes and their new owners are excited to have them.


    Q. Diana, your love of design and craftsmanship is so apparent to anyone who visits your shop. I noticed you have majored in fashion design. Is there a teacher or mentor from school or in your everyday life that really fuels your passion for design?


    A. Thank you for the compliment! I am fortunate in that I teach part-time in the Fashion Design department at the University of North Texas (my alma mater), where I am surrounded by students and teachers who are passionate about design. Constantly thinking about design and craftsmanship and giving my students the tools to make their dream designs come to life is great fuel for creativity.


    My former teachers (and now teaching mentors), Janie Stidham and Anny Chang, as well as Marian O’Rourke-Kaplan, set the bar high and encourage the pursuit of excellence and creativity in design. My children give me feedback, and my mother is very supportive. I have to mention my customers here also, as my desire is to develop highly functional and beautiful products that my customers will love as much as I do.


    Q. It’s so inspiring to know that you teach others to develop their skills so that they can learn to create designs of their dreams. What was the turning point for you that led you to start your business? Do you have any quick tips for someone who wants to start an Etsy business?


    A.  I initially started selling handbags and handbag/accessory patterns on Etsy (patterns are currently only available on my website). Eventually I realized that by designing knitting bags I could combine my love for knitting and design by creating unique and highly functional products for knitters and crocheters. Currently I offer 5 styles of bags and yarn holders. I use all my products and love them, or I wouldn’t sell them.


    Between teaching, family and my business, I am very busy. Etsy allows me to sell on line with minimal expense and time spent on listing and managing my shop. My advice would be to (1) find advertising opportunities or endorsements outside of Etsy to bring traffic to your site and (2) list new items frequently. There are so many sellers on Etsy, it is easy to get lost in the crowd – it is up to you to make your shop visible.

    Q. Congratulations on your Yarn Owls being featured in Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Crochet Today Magazine. Did you do a happy dance when you saw your products featured?


    A. Absolutely! I don’t crochet because, I am embarrassed to say, I can’t seem to keep my tension even and all my projects end up wavy. However, I am very impressed with Crochet Today’s style and the projects offered. My Owls and I are thrilled to be loved by the magazine!


    Thank you Diana for reminding us all of the importance of passion for what we do, developing our skills, helping others reach their goals and believing in ourselves.  This has been a very enlightening interview.   On behalf of the readers, I'd like to thank you for coming by today and sharing your thoughts and insights with us.


    Marg


    Visit Diana Couture on Etsy, her website DianaCouture.com, on  Ravelry as Idaclaire, and on Diana Couture Blog

















Sunday, 07 February 2010

Friday, 05 February 2010

  • Bash the winter blast!

    Friday, February 5, 2010

    Bash the winter blast!


    Roxy models the incredibly cute and cozy Lyra's Cap and Autumn Wowza Scarf

    We're having a serious winter blast coming through this weekend and are gearing up for the snow with extra snacks and fun projects. 

    A quick and easy project that you can finish in a short time is the Lyra's Cap.  I found the pattern on Sarah Sutherland's site, ParallaxKnitting a few months ago, but haven't had a chance to make it.  I finished it in a couple of hours last night and have already worn it out and about. 

    You may remember the cap from The GoldenCompass and it caused quite a stir in the knitting communities.  Sarah's cap is made with 1 skein of Rowan Ribbon Twist in Rustic.  My cap was made with some unidentified bulky yarn in my stash and 1 strand of Patons Nuance in Mythic.  This hat makes an excellent companion piece for the Autumn Wowza Scarf, November's free pattern on knit1fotheroad.com.




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    Wherever you are, whichever team you're cheering for during the Super Bowl, I hope you find a little time for knitting or crochet this weekend.


    Marg (chilly with a chance of icey)















Thursday, 04 February 2010

  • Crafty Inspiration

    Thursday, February 4, 2010, Crafty Inspiration!



    Cover Image is by Natalie Jeffcott
    nataliejeffcott.com
    arthurscircus.com

    It's crafty time!  Issue #12 of Mix Tape is pre-selling now.  This color issue is another jumbo edition and I'm thrilled to tell you, my article, Crafting In The Animal Kingdom of Personality, is included in all the crafty, eco-friendly fun.  (Doin' a dance while typing, here)  Read this fun personality roundup and find out what your crafting personality is.

    Every issue is jam packed, people.  You'll also find reviews, expert crafters sharing their tips, insights into the world of crafting, and how they balance it all.  Toss in beautiful illustrations and graphics and mix with easy and fun ways to make your life more eco-friendly.
     
    You will find MixTape is full of heart. It's the perfect magazine to keep you inspired year round.  What are you waiting for?  Your copy awaits!

    Mix it up a little today and let your crafty side out.

    Marg (walking down Craft Ave with a smile)

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