Big 10 Knit-a-Long: Racing Stripes

Racing Stripes Afghan Block by Tamara Goff

This pattern uses slipped stitches against a stockinette background to create a texture of stripes racing along the block. It’s also a speedy knit so you should be able to race right through it! 

You'll need: US Size 7 needles or size needed to achieve gauge of 5 sts = 1 inch; Worsted weight acrylic yarn. Finished size should be 7” x 9”.
CO 32 stitches
Knit 4 rows for border

Rows 1 & 3: K3, sl 1, (k4, sl 1) x5, k3

Row 2: k3, sl 1, (p4, sl 1) x5, k3

Row 4: k3, p26, k3

Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 8 1/2”, then knit 4 rows for border. Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.

Want to see more afghan block patterns and learn more about our Charity Knit-a-Long? Check out this mid-year update! Did you hear we are having a giveaway for participants in our knit-a-long? Read this!

September Giveaway!

At last count, our stack of afghan blocks for the Big 10 Charity Knit-a-Long is 91 blocks high. If we have 180 blocks by the time we sit down to sew them up, we can make 5 child sized blankets for the Carolina Youth Development Center. FIVE! Wouldn't that be wonderful?

So I'm holding a contest for the month of September. Turn in an afghan block (either knitted or crocheted) and be entered in the drawing for yarn!

I have 3 different yarn giveaways--

1.  Two skeins, Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn, and Euroflax Sport Weight Linen
2.  Two skeins, LB Collection 100% baby alpaca DK weight, and Liberty Wool worsted 100% washable wool
3.  Four skeins Sirdar Snuggly baby bamboo (80% Bamboo, 20% Wool) in DK weight.

That means you have 3 ways to win!

1. The person donating the highest number of blocks during the month of September.
2. The group donating the highest number of blocks during the month of September.
3. The person randomly drawn from the names of all who contribute at least one block during the month of September.

Questions? Let me know!

Want patterns? Check here: Big 10 Charity Knit-a-Long

Simple Knitting Tools: The KnitOasis Bag

Announcing the KnitOasis bag!! Order yours today!

It's important, as a knitter, to have a secure, reliable way to haul your precious cargo (knitting). I tell my beginning students that carrying your newly-discovered hobby around in a plastic grocery bag is no way to live.

There are lots of great bags out there, plus, as a knitter, you can KNIT your own bag (I have a workshop coming up soon to do just that, in fact!).

Nothing beats a good canvas bag however and when that bag sports the logo of your favorite knitting resource, then you're going to love carrying your knitting in it!

These bags measure 14" x 14" x 3" and are made of 100% natural 8oz cotton. The logo is printed on one side in black and palm tree green. I've been using mine for 3 months and it still looks great! It's roomy enough for several projects, your knitting accessories, your wallet, a water bottle and a sweater (since the coffee shop can sometimes be chilly). The straps are long enough to slip over my shoulder, which helps when I'm trying to get my knitting bag out of the car while wrangling an excited dachshund.

To get your KnitOasis bag, just email me at knitoasis at gmail dot com or message me on the Facebook page or send a carrier pigeon with a note tied to its tiny pigeon toes.

Your cost? Only $15, which includes shipping and tax (if you're local). There will be a small postage fee added for shipping out of the area, depending on how far you live from glorious Charleston.

Mr. Deeds Wears a Cap: A New Pattern and a Sale

My love of old movies is certainly no secret. I have been a classic film buff since they used to show them on Saturday mornings on the non-network channel (Yes, I am old). The geometric and art deco designs that were used as set decor are so enchanting. I think my love of interesting lamps and clocks comes from old movies, plus there's just something about a man in a suit and hat.

It should come as no surprise then that while watching "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936) recently, I fell in love with this amazing bank of windows in the courtroom scene:

When lines and patterns catch my eye, I always wonder if I can turn them into knitted designs, don't you?

And so I did:

With a stranded Fair Isle class on the schedule, I decided that it would be lovely to have a pattern of my very own to teach, making this hat an excellent choice for a beginner project.

Available starting today in my Ravelry shop, its release is cause for a celebratory sale! Buy it and get any one other item for 1/2 off, from now till the end of August. 

Enjoy and I can't wait to see how your Mr. Deeds turns out!