Knit, Blog & Be Happy!

Two years ago, I decided to feature a curated box for our Monarch Knitting clients. We are heading into our third year with a slight tweak to the box. Instead of featuring a large, more expensive box, the Curated Season Box will be a bit smaller and at a better price.  Why in heaven's name do I do these boxes? The simple answer is: I enjoy taking the time to select the perfect items for each box. My mantra for each product is, would I want to receive and use this? Would I feel good about gifting it to another crafter...

With Thanksgiving just a week away, I have been reflecting on the things that I am most thankful for in my life. One of the things that popped into my mind was how much knitting has enriched my life. Not only did it lead to a career that I love, it has opened my world to so many interesting people and friends.  I posed the question to our instagram audience, "In the interest of the coming season, please share your reason(s) you are thankful for your knitting or crochet?" Knitting is my calm amidst the chaos. I'm grateful for the...

Let me start with one note, this post is not meant to be a comprehensive study of blocking. One could write a book about the subject. I simply want to highlight why blocking is so important and talk about how I approach the process. Why block? Blocking is the magic fairy dust of knitting and crochet. Simply said, blocking improves the look of a project. You have spent a lot of time working on a project, so why would you skip the last important step? So many good things happen: your stitches relax,  some tension issues can be eased and the yarn blooms...

When I was at H+H this past summer, my friend Josie of KnitChats took me to meet Pam Powers and introduce beautiful yarn line, Ikigai Fibers.  This booth was filled with color, knit and crochet projects alike, and a feeling of joy. Because Pam has been a designer for years she knew exactly what she was looking for when she created her line. Ikigai “is the Japanese philosophy of having a source of value in one's life that makes everything worthwhile”. She says it best herself:  “I have been fascinated with Japanese crafting for many years and have been fortunate...

Over the last couple of weeks I have been singing the praises of TKB Cords to visitors in the shop.  Honestly people, these are a game changer for all knitters.     What are they? TKB (The Knitting Barber) cords are hollow silicone cables that can be used to hold stitches. Each set has three cables, one 60 inch (152cm) and two 30 inch (76cm), and comes in a handy storage tin. They work on needles up to a US 9 (5.5mm).  How do you use them?  All you do is pinch the end of the cable and place it snuggly on...