Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Supporting Independent Artists

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The Winter 2007 Happily Handmade giveaway will begin accepting entries on February 12th. You can only enter the giveaway through the fabulous Independent Artist sponsors. This [tag]giveaway[/tag] is sponsored by a group of [tag]independent artists[/tag] who are promoting their shops with this giveaway.

2/12–3/31: Winter 2007 Giveaway entry period
4/2: Winter 2007 Winners announced!

History of the Giveaway

-Quoted from the website –“The idea behind the [tag]Happily Handmade Giveaway[/tag] began in the Spring of 2004 from a brainstorming session among a handful of indie artists. Each time we organize this event, it grows larger and more successful. During an event, our participating Indie Shops will create a sign-up form on their respective websites where you may enter the our participating Indie Shops will create a sign-up form on their respective websites where you may enter the Happily Handmade Giveaway drawing to win one of these fabulous gift boxes.

You may enter the drawing by visiting one, two, or ALL of the Indie Shop Sponsors. Feel free to enter through all of the Indie Shop Sponsors for more chances to win! Items included in these wonderful gift boxes may vary from clothing and handbags to bath & beauty products and jewelry. While you are visiting our Indie Shop Sponsors, please take a peek at what each talented artist has to offer. You’ll be glad you did”.

The Rules are simple, visit the sites, you may enter the giveaway through each individual Indie Shop Sponsor page. Each sponsor will have their own requirements for entry. It is your duty to complete these requirements as instructed. Please read all the rules on the rules page for more information.

Please help support these wonderful independent artists and you just might win a nice gift!

Have you read?

Summer Headband Knitting Patterns

Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.