KAL

Time for a Log Cabin blanket KAL

New for Autumn 2024 - a shiny brand new knitalong and e-book for you

All about the joys of Log Cabin Blankets.

If you enjoyed my Mitered Square Blanket KAL you’ll definitely want to catch this.

It will run in much the same format over 4-6 weeks, starting in September - and as with previous KALs please don’t worry - I’m not expecting you to churn out a king sized blanket in a month.

Instead the aim is to introduce you to the concept of Log Cabin Style blankets. To the different shapes and styles you can construct and to give you the tools and the inspiration to create a truly unique Log Cabin blanket of your very own.

Each week will feature instructions on how to knit a Log Cabin style square - each of them will be different and will give you an idea of how the basic concept can be used to create a multitude of different possibilities - all from the same building blocks.

The four blocks will work together, so if you want, you can knit each of them and then stitch them into a small, lap-sized sampler blanket as a starter project . Or you can downsize each one and use them as test pieces for your own log cabin adventure.

Why Log Cabin style?

  • Perfect for stashbusting and using up random yarns from your stash

  • Endlessly adaptable - you can go as large or as small as you like

  • A great opportunity to play with colour

  • Relaxing garter stitch for the win - no stress knitting here

  • An ideal knitting project to keep you company in autumn/winter

Dates for your diary

  • After purchase you will receive a pre-KAL information sheet, just so you know what materials you need to get together and what to expect.

  • The dedicated Facebook group for the KAL will open towards the end of August so that you can all gather and chat about your plans in advance.

  • The first week of our KAL will be Mon Sep 16th and a new block will be released each Monday for 4 weeks.

  • There will then be two-week period where folks can discuss their plans for their own log cabin blanket and I’ll be on hand to offer any help that might be needed.

  • The Facebook group will remain open as long as it’s needed.

Something old...something new KAL

The Fuss Free Festival Shawl - skip to the end for the sale information

I’ve always been fascinated by my ability to be distracted by new shiny things, much to the detriment of older, less shiny projects. Projects that still need finishing but that my brain seems resolutely determined to ignore. There is a sound scientific basis for this apparently which is good to know

It turns out that seeing or experiencing completely novel images or situations helps our brains to develop and continue to grow, even into later life.

It helps me to feel a little better when I overlook the 100s of knitting patterns I already own in search of something new I saw just that day. But in my heart I know that those older patterns still have tons of value.

Just because I first bought and downloaded something five years ago doesn’t mean it’s any less of a valuable pattern. I still like the item and would ideally like to own it and wear it. But it’s so tempting to overlook it in pursuit of something brand new (to my eyes).

Something old, Something new craft-along

With this in mind I thought a ‘something old, something new’ craft along might be fun this summer - to go along with the Summer of Books and Yarn.

We could cast on something new alongside something that we’ve had in our pattern store for a long time. Scratching our novelty itch (as it were) alongside the pleasing thriftiness that comes with using something that we already have.

Or alternatively, you could pair a new pattern with an old yarn from your stash (or vica versa).

What do you think? We could start on July 22nd to coincide with the start of the Summer of Books and Yarn, using the hashtag #NewAndOldKAL on Instagram - there will also be posts on the Everyday Knitter Facebook Group and in my Substack community

Pattern Sale!

To go along with the KAL I thought I’d have a 20% sale on my patterns - by way of brightening up our rather dull and cold summer (so far). Until the official start of the KAL and readalong on Jul 22nd you can get 20% off all of my patterns on my website or on Ravelry.

Use code NewAndOld for the 20% discount to be applied at checkout

Where did a year go?

How on earth is it August already?

But leaving that aside I was amazed, reading through some old journals to realise that it's been a year since I decided to move away from the old Everyday Knitter Facebook group and set up a new community on the Mighty Networks platform.

The old Facebook group feels like a whole world away now and I can't ever imagine going back to Facebook groups again.

In fact, if I didn't need to maintain an account in order to have any kind of business presence I'd delete my FB in a heartbeat. I hate that I can't do that, but at least I can minimise my presence there as much as possible.

If you haven't had a look at our Everyday Knitter community on Mighty Networks I'd really urge you to give us a try. It takes a bit of getting used to, as does any new platform but it is a refreshingly different and advert/algorithm free place to be.

And we have a new KAL starting today - for the Pattern Please Shawl - just in case you needed an incentive. You can find all the KAL information on my previous blog post.

And if you’d like to check out the group, please just tap on the link below.

A Summer KAL

I wanted to let you know about a relaxed, no hassle KAL that I’m running over on the Everyday Knitter Mighty Networks community. If you are a member of the group, the pattern is being made available free to you for the duration of the KAL so do pop over there to get the code. And if you haven’t joined us yet, please do consider checking us out - here.

If you would rather knit-along in your own way there is a 50% discount code as well - see below for details.

About The PPS

It stands for Pattern Please Shawl - a slightly cheeky reference to the eternal ‘pattern please’ requests that pop up perennially in Facebook groups. The PPS is an elongated kite shape, that is fun to knit but does take a little more yarn than the average ‘one skein’ project.

Where can I get the pattern?

Go to the link below and use the code PPSSUMMERKAL, this will allow you to download the pattern for a 50% discount (until 31 August 2021)

https://payhip.com/b/DY5j

When does the KAL run?

It will start on Monday 2 August and run until 20 September 2021

Yarn requirements (uses 4ply/sock weight yarn)

Small version: 70" long and 12" wide/deep (pictured above)

  • 60g main colour plus 5 x 10g contrast colours (CC1-CC5) - 50g contrast in total

Large version: 90” long and 18” wide/deep (pictured below)

  • 2 x 100g skeins 4ply/sock weight yarn

Stashbusting

With 60g of main colour and 50g contrast colour (for the small version) this is the perfect project for making use of mini-skeins if you have any to hand, or using up odds and ends for the stripes. 

A new e-book: How to Knit a Temperature Blanket

As my own 2020 Temperature Blanket draws to a close I find I'm not ready to say goodbye to it just yet. It's been quite the year - to say the least - and knitting this blanket has given me so much comfort and support during some very unsettling times.

I wanted to create a resource for those who'd like to knit their own Temperature Blanket and so I've written a 19 page e-book with tips, suggestions and resources for you such as:

  • Working out a temperature scale

  • Yarn choice

  • Estimation of yardage

  • Size and gauge

  • Choosing colours

  • Ideas for construction

Like any big project the idea of starting a Temperature Blanket can seem a little daunting. Decisions on yarn, needles, colours, temperature scales etc - can all seem a little overwhelming. That's why I thought it might be a good idea to do this together - within a separate group in the Everyday Knitter Mighty Network.

If you purchase the e-book there is a link in the PDF which will take you to the dedicated, private group which, whilst quiet at the minute, will hopefully provide you with a year long source of support and encouragement from others undertaking a Temperature Blanket of their very own.

Once 2021 is underway I might open this group out to others from the main Mighty Network group who are undertaking their own annual project (of whatever nature) but I'll be totally honest and say that I haven't decided about that yet. Whilst I want to make it as accessible as possible I would like the group, at least for the first month to be exclusively for those who are undertaking this project.

If you have any questions please do pop it in the comments below or email me (email link at the bottom of the page

What is Payhip anyway?

As more designers are chosing to explore platforms other than Ravelry you might have noticed Payhip being mentioned more and more. It is certainly a popular platform among those designers taking part in this years FastenOff Yarnalong. It’s become my top choice for selling digital downloads as it’s so quick and easy to set up - plus it takes care of the EU VAT issue which is an absolute must for me. The platform is extremely user friendly but as with anything new, it can seem a little unfamiliar at first so I thought I would jot down a few helpful pointers to help you find your way around.

What is Payhip anyway?

First and foremost, it's a place you can buy digital products (also physical ones, should I ever have any). 

It works exactly the same as Ravelry from the purchasing perspective. You add a pattern to your cart, you enter your email address and then pay using PayPal with either a credit/debit card or a PayPal account. A download link to the pattern is then emailed to you.

A few things to note:

1. Payhip is not a marketplace like, say Etsy. You can't search it for knitting patterns. You'll need to know the URL for the designer you want to buy from - or search Google for the designer name plus Payhip.

2. Check out yarndatabase.com for an A to Z listing of designers who are selling using Payhip (and other non Rav platforms)

3. Payhip doesn't require you to sign in and doesn't hold your details. If you want to follow a particular designer tap the blue follow button in their profile. Then, when they upload a new pattern you'll get a notification. This single feature is probably my favourite - and is a distinct advantage over Ravelry.

4. As with Ravelry, you don't need a PayPal account to buy a pattern. You can use your credit or debit card through the PayPal site.

5. Payhip doesn't have a library function. The PDF is sent to you to store as you wish, which is generally good practice with any digital download. Even before the Ravelry issue I always donwloaded the file to my own storage rather than relying on the library function of another platform. I use Evernote to store mine as it's search function will find text even in images or PDFs so I don't need to worry about tagging

6. If you do want a copy of a pattern for your Ravelry library, please email me at the support address on the bottom of your pattern and I'll gift you a copy

I hope this helps answer your Payhip questions but please let me know if there's anything I've missed


Privacy Policy: I do not share personal data with third parties, nor do I store information collected about your visit to this site for use, other than to analyse content performance metrics through the use of cookies. You can modify or turn off cookie settings at any time by modifying your internet browsing settings.