You’ve seen our epic yarnbomb of a 1950’s Chevy truck in Old Navy‘s San Francisco Flagship store (up til January 2015). Now get ready for the second epic yarnbomb: three yarnbombed bumper cars in Old Navy’s New York 34th St Flagship store.
How awesome is Old Navy to choose yarnbombing to celebrate #OldNavyStyle in a season full of fashionable knitwear for the people! We were so stoked that they asked us to do this second project on the same block with the Thanksgiving Day parade. It’s our little Miracle on 34th Street. Forget Santa’s lap–go snuggle your derrier into one of these vintage babies this Christmas. (And I know you want to but sorry, they don’t move around.) Be sure to tag us in your pics (@knitsforlife@thedappertoad@oldnavy) so we can see you!
For those of you who are interested in learning to step up your work to more ambitious yarnbombing projects, get your scroll on and I’ll tell you a bit about our process. It’s basically three steps: design, construction, and installation. But first, the pics!(more…)
Finally, you can cycle in a maxi dress! We’re excited to announce another fresh crochet pattern is out today: the bicycle skirt guard on Ravelry, Etsy, and Craftsy. A perfect crochet project for spring or summer, or just a pretty way to yarn bomb your bike with crochet and still cycle chic. Don’t crochet? Gift the pattern to your favorite crocheter with a box of cupcakes and your biggest smile. Grandma will love making something you really want for a change! (more…)
The inspiration for these exotic crochet earrings came from a chocolate tasting room in Palo Alto, California called The Chocolate Garage. Specializing in the world’s best-tasting bean-to-bar craft chocolate, the staff needed some appropriately exquisite, hand-crafted accessories that evoke the exuberance of cacao. I designed this pattern while savoring a bar of The Garage’s so-called Happy Chocolate, so it was only fitting to christen them Happy Earrings. (more…)
Recycled bottles turned into handmade functional fashion
Are you tired of choosing between functionality and fashion? Do you wish your iPad and MacBook matched your crochet TOMS? Never fear, Knits for Life is here. An eco-friendly, hand-crocheted iPad or MacBook sleeve is a smart investment that will cuddle your device ’til it’s obsolete. (more…)
I don’t go to local yarn shops because they bore me. Gasp! *Shields head from crockery sailing out of the interwebs towards me* Phewf! That was a close one. If you’re still listening because you kind of agree, raise your hand! See, I knew we were buddies.You guys are the ones I’m looking at as I announce my new crochet pattern. DOO-do-do-DOO! (more…)
These are chunky stirrup leg warmers for adults. A friend wanted to gift a custom pair to her athletic employee, and the result is stylish but still perfect for yoga class. It made me sad to think this custom pattern wouldn’t see the light of day again, so here it is for you to enjoy! You can make them a long or short as you like, and with or without the stirrup. I’d love to see your work, so tag your Instagram pics with #knitsforlife or tweet them to me @knitsforlife
Back in the fall I declared this winter the season for wearing cuter headbands. Banish the big flowers made by grandma! Be gone, sorority-esque cliches! Now, with much trumpeting and fanfare, I pull back the red curtain and unveil to you two new lines of cute chunky knit headbands. Plus, get your scroll on: 20% off all new headbands and enter to win one for Christmas!
Chunky Cable Knit Ear Warmer Headbands
Winter cannot force us to ditch the summer braid! Braids are toute la rage all year round, now that you can wear them on a squishy, chunky ear warmer. Plus, they’re made with a blend of warm wool and easy-care acrylic so you can even throw them in your laundry! $35 at knitsforlife.etsy.com
Convertible Turban Headband and Cowl
Step off the curb like a silver screen starlet with an über-chic turban look. Already flying off the shelves, I’m gifting this perfectly cozy, stretchy accessory all Christmas and Hanukkah long. $35 at knitsforlife.etsy.com
Some one-of-a-kind pieces came out of the design process too. Here are a few of my favorites. Find more in the shop under the Eco Accessories tab.
XOXO Hugs and Kisses Ear Warmer Headband. $29 knitsforlife.etsy.comSparkly Silver and Cocoa Powder Brown Cable Knit Ear Warmer Headband. $29 knitsforlife.etsy.com
Knit your own
OK, smarty pants, so you know how to knit, huh? Great, you can make these for all your friends!
The knitting pattern for the braided cable knit ear warmer is free at transientexpression.com. Note that if you use super bulky yarn like I did, you only need 8 repeats of the pattern.
From now until Christmas, save 20% on my new ear warmer headbands in the Etsy shop with code XMAS2012. I ship items the same or next day in cute, hand-stamped gift wrap with no price on it so you can gift it directly in the mailing package. I also include a free vetiver-scented buckwheat sachet your recipient can pop in the microwave and use as a pocket hand warmer. They’ll be warm cuddly from head to toe!
The coupon goes “poof!” on Christmas eve and on Christmas morning I’ll announce the winner of a free ear warmer! You get one headband from the cable knit line or the turban line in your favorite color shipped to your door for free. To enter:
2. Share Knits for Life’s Facebook announcement on your feed. You must go to Knits for Life’s page and click “share” on the story already posted there. Sharing a link to this blog post on your page doesn’t count. My page: https://www.facebook.com/knitsforlife
3. Leave a comment below letting me know you’re in!
Don’t forget to order by December 17 in time to ship for Christmas.
Here’s a tip for you: don’t mix variegated yarns and textured patterns. Like Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, neither shines when the other’s around.
Crochet stitches are even more textured than knit stitches, which means you should save your variegated colors for knitting projects with simple textures (i.e., stockinette). Textured crochet projects in particular don’t do well with textured yarns, because the clash is even more exaggerated. Got it? Ok, I want to see beautiful Ravelry project pages from now on!
Now, enough of the technical talk! In the course of learning this lesson, there’s one gorj yarn in particular I hooked up and unraveled several times, always choosing it for the wrong project. (Yes, I’m a perfectionist!). Vanquished, I used it in a simple (stockinette!) hat & glove set and it began to belt out riffs of I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Mint Chip Pom Pom Hat in Natural Wool and Alpaca by Knits for Life.
(Somebody! Ooo! Somebody! Ooo! Somebody who lovesme!)
Mint Chip Pom Pom Hat and Fingerless Gloves Set, in Natural Wool and Alpaca, by Knits for Life.
(Somebody! Ooo! Somebody! Ooo! To hold me in his arms, Oh!)
Mint Chip Fingerless Gloves, in Natural Wool and Alpaca, by Knits for Life.
(Dontcha wanna dance! Say you wanna dance! Dontcha wanna dance!)
Follow @KnitsForLife on Instagram to see photos of my process and inspiration. Soon I’ll upgrade my 3GS, I promise!
Now the color positively rustles powdered snow from a flocked blue spruce. Maybe that’s why it’s called Snowbird. I also kind of want to lick it, so I put a big scoop of mint chip on the hat and now, indeed, I think the project is a perfect match.
xxxo,
Lorna
Fall and winter present a problem for the ladies: we love a warm head and ears, but we don’t want to mess up these well-groomed locks. American college campuses are the natural habitat for one solution: knitted headbands. Sorority sisters and Rastafarians alike (yes, I had dread locks for a decade!) can get behind the warm, chunky headband.
But ladies, must we wear a huge crocheted flower on our noggins?
Cute, but so two-thousand-and-late: Winter Earwarmer Flower Headband by Penny Mae Designs, $20.
Do we really need to look like everyone else?
The Bronies are coming for the most famous headband on Pinterest: Cable Knit Headband Ear Warmer by Three Bird Nest, $28
I mean, you’ve been to Europe. You want something rad like this
Knitted Turban on asos.com.
but not quite this.
Bella Knit Headband with Fox Earmuffs in Taupe/Grey by Eugenia Kim, $187.
More like this
Farah Headband by rag & bone, $150.
and this.
Heather Headband by Club Monaco, $60.
People always ask what I’m working on. This is it. The quest for a better headband for 2012-13, in trendy colors like espresso brown and metallics.
Copper Brown Knit Headband in Organic Cotton by Knits for LifeSapphire Blue Knit Headband in Organic Cotton by Knits for LifeSapphire Blue Knit Headband by Knits for Life
I love to post my works in progress and inspiration on Instagram, so follow me to see all my current projects (@knitsforlife).
I finished off the Infinity Turban Headband on last week’s road trip along the California coast. Follow @KnitsForLife on Instagram where I post shots of my process.Follow @KnitsForLife on Instagram for shots of my process, like this study in knit climbing knots for upcoming cowl and headband designs.
Cast on an inspiring pattern like the ones below and play along!
Parisian Twist Headband Ear Warmer Knitting Pattern by McLaughlin Designs, $5.Knotted Headband Crochet Pattern by Stephanie Jessica Lau, free.
If you’re like me, you’ve been listening to everyone’s amazement at it being August already thinking, “Hello! I’ve been waiting for August to come ’round since the mid-season finale of Doctor Who!” Are you, too, obsessively re-watching all the latest Doctor Who episodes, trying to guess where the plot will lead next? If one thing’s for sure, it’s that the team of characters this season is a solid mix of personality, style, and swashbuckling fun.
This week, in anticipation of Part 2 of this season of Doctor Who, I’ll be posting How To’s on dressing like your favorite character. Starting with my favorite, River Song. Does your Netflix account suggest you’d like the category “dramas with a strong female lead”? Have you watched The Cook, the Thief, his Wife, and her Lover for the Alex Kingston cameo, only to watch it over again for the thrill of it? (And to see Dumbledore and The Queen in those amazing roles again.) Then you might enjoy this round-up to dress like River Song. Next up: Amelia Pond!
KNITS FOR LIFE 
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