Wonderful Monday

Yes, I am still talking about Monday. This is because it was a LOVELY mail day yesterday!

The first package was from Allison at field wonderful. She had a giveaway the other week for Job's Tears, and she was so nice and ended up sending all of us a package!

I love handwritten notes so much <3

I just love that she made her own envelope!! I am definitely going to try and make my own too!

Job's Tears

Thank you so much, Allison, for the Job's Tears! They are so beautiful. I had never heard or seen Job's Tears before. I am so excited to make something with them! I am considering a necklace and maybe some nice, lightweight stitch markers.

And, Allison is having another giveaway right now! What a kind and generous lady. Visit her blog and enter to win a beautiful skein of Malabrigo Sock Yarn!

 
The second package is the cutest thing ever!!! It's from Casey at Tangerine Designs and as soon as I saw the photo of this bag, I wanted it:

The Lorax is KNITTING!!!!!!!

My socks fit perfectly, with plenty of room to spare. I really like the cinch closure at the top and it is so well crafted. With my socks and yarn in the bag, it sits perfectly up by itself :) It is the perfect knitting bag! I really am looking forward to a long and loving relationship with my new Lorax knitting bag!!

I also adored these pins so much, so I bought them too. Hehe... I think they are just so cute!

Thank you, Casey, for the most adorable knitting bag and pins ever! I think she had listed three Lorax bags on her Etsy, and they were all snatched up like that! Casey has a bunch of other cute knitting bags, like Star Wars and anatomical hearts with knitting needles, and notions on her Etsy, check it out! Also, help her celebrate her Etsy one year anniversary in the month of June!

Now I have to get back to knitting! Happy Tuesday!

Review: Yarn U app for the iPhone

Yarn U

**This review is sponsored by Mary Beth Klatt**

Yarns found in Mary Beth Klatt's app, Yarn U, include Berroco, Debbie Bliss, Rowan, Classic Elite Yarn, Noro, Cascade Yarns, as well as the Knitpicks line, just to name a handful. Yarn can be searched for by weight, manufacturer, fiber, and washability through the handy filter tool at the top of the screen, or by scrolling through the entire list. For each yarn listed, there is a picture and a brief informational section that includes manufacturer, yarn weight, stitch gauge, fiber content, and yardage, as well as pros and cons of that particular yarn.

              

This is not a complete yarn list nor is it static. Since first downloading Yarn U in December, I’ve noticed several changes in the app. For instance, the yarn list on the home screen is still alphabetized by yarn name, but now includes a brief description and the yarn manufacturer, which I find incredibly helpful. There are comment sections for users’ inputs for both yarns and app, and Mary Beth Klatt is constantly replying to messages. Many comments request a certain yarn to be added to the database and some comments are directed towards the app programming. I have no doubt that she reads every comment and sincerely considers them. 

              

Bottom line: Yarn U is a convenient and helpful app for knitters and crocheters who frequent local yarn stores or shop online for yarns, who want to know more about a certain yarn at a glance, and are handy with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod (and soon Android, as Mary Beth Klatt tells me).

To find more information on or to download Yarn U, visit the App Store. 

Bits of end yarn

Since I like knitting with colors, I change yarn a lot and end up with a bunch of tail ends. I used to throw them away, but recently have discovered a good use for them.

Left: yarn bits. Right: stitch markers

I like to save them in a coffee mug near the couch where I usually knit. If I start a project that requires stitch markers (anything knit in the round like mittens and hats for example) I pull out a small bit of yarn. I make a loop and knot it twice. Voila! Homemade, basically cost-free, from-trash-to-use...stitch marker.

I use these for knitting only, not crochet. I've never used stitch markers in crochet, but I am pretty sure they are claspables, like safety pins. If you used one of my stitch markers, you'd have to cut it out because it would be stuck in your crochet (which, I suppose you could do if you don't mind!).

You can definitely purchase stitch markers at any yarn store, they are usually made from plastic. But why buy something you can make for virtually no cost? Plus, if you lose one (and they are pretty small) it's no big deal because it was scrap yarn. Yay!