Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Beam ‘N Read Lights – A Must Have For Your Knitting Bag!

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What is a Beam ‘n Read Light?

If you are a knitter (and you are, if you’re reading this blog), you need this light.

Picture a small, yet powerful, easy to use, hands free light. Small enough to be portable (perfect for student’s back packs, glove boxes, knitting bags, and yes I have one in my motorcycle saddlebag).

They are perfect for travel and in an emergency. Perfect for reading both printed books and e-readers that are not backlit. And, of course, perfect for your needlework.

They use a small, long lasting battery, but selected models are also have ac/dc adapters. The adjustable (and elastic on some models) neckstrap combined with the bright LED lights focus the light wherever you want it. Clip on magnifiers make it just that much better, as do clip on light filters.

Don’t want to wake everyone up by turning on lights? Just use your Beam N Read.

Here are some features:

  • Shines wide and bright, hands free light directly on workspace / personal space
  • Lightweight, easy to carry, provides a personal task light anywhere, anytime
  • Energy Efficient: Extra long battery life saves money and the environment
  • One light works with all eReaders: Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, etc.
  • Unique accessories include clip on filters and clip on magnifiers
  • Versatile and useful for many tasks at home and during travel

Sure there are other lights that will do what this one does, but this is ONE light!
To get this much versatility, you’d have to have a whole arsenol of lights.

Buy Beam N Read Lights and other ASF products at specialty stores, Amazon.com, and here on Readinglight.com

ASF Lightware Solutions encourages you to support local & specialty stores

If you are unable to find what you need, give us a call toll-free at 1-800-771-3600

Retailers: See our Reseller Information Page or call us toll-free

Have you read?

Learn a Flower Bobble Technique to Knit a Fun Shawl

Generally I like knitting patterns where I feel like you can use whatever yarn you have (because my stash is big enough and I want to use it, thanks) and make a successful project. This is one of those times when a special yarn makes the process that much easier. 

The Floral Bouquet Shawl from Xandy Peters uses a specific extended color pooling yarn from Feisty Fibers, which allows you to place the bobble flowers with increasing frequency as you knit the project. 

It starts with a solid color yarn, then the two color yarn is added in, and you make a bobble whenever you encounter the color pops. This would be hard to replicate with other yarn that doesn’t have the extended color pooling built in.

The background of the shawl is ribbed, making the project reversible. 

The shawl uses fingering/sock yarn and comes out to be an asymmetrical triangle that’s 54 inches/137 cm long and 36 inches/ 90 cm deep and 60 inches/150 cm across the top edge. 

Xandy says the pattern is for intermediate to advanced knitters. Knowing how to work traditional bobbles would probably help, but there’s a great video tutorial for how to work the floral bobbles so you can practice on other yarn or even incorporate the bobbles into other projects. 

The bobbles are five-petaled flowers but they also kind of look like starfish to me, which could be fun on a child’s cardigan or other pattern. They’d also be fun on the leg of a sock or around the brim of a hat for extra whimsy. 

The pattern includes photo and video tutorials, and written and charted instructions. It also includes tips on what to look for if you choose to use different yarn for the project, and instructions on how to dye your own yarn to use in the project. 

If you want to give it a try, you can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Xandy Peters]