Read, Knit and Hang Out with CraftLit

Do you know about CraftLit? It’s a really fun podcast that’s all about the intersection of crafting and reading. Or, as the show’s tagline puts it “stick a book in your ear” because ” you might want to use your hands for something else.”

The podcasts combine readings of classic literature with crafty chatting (the current selection includes a knitalong) and background information that makes the books easier for modern “readers” to understand and relate to.

The podcast is currently at work on Jane Eyre, and podcast host Heather Ordover is planning her first-ever CraftLit Google Hangout for June 5 to allow people to meet face to face and take part in an hour-long book club style discussion.

The hangouts will take place at 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. There are three options because the Hangouts can only accommodate nine people, and that way more people can join in the fun.

For $39 you can take part in the Hangout, get a recording of the “book club” to watch later, receive an “enhanced edition” ebook of Jane Eye that includes the text with links to audio from CraftLit and discussion questions to fuel your own bookish chats.

If you take part I’d love to hear a report on how it goes!

Looking for more Easter themed Knitting patterns? Check out these Knitting patterns we found over on Etsy.

Over the years I have shared a lot of pumpkin knitting patterns, and I’ve knit and crocheted a lot of pumpkins myself. But it feels like there are always more fun things to try with knit pumpkins, so this year I wanted to look a little more beyond basic stockinette or ribbed pumpkins and share some pumpkin patterns with cables, bobbles and colorwork.

In the cable collection we’ve got these cute little basic cable and ribbed pumpkins from Elly Bear Knits. There are two sizes that make a wide, flat pumpkin and a taller round pumpkin. Both are worked in the round as a tube that’s cinched top and bottom when you’re done, and they use bulky weight yarn.

Another cute cable pumpkin knitting pattern comes from Gray Bear Akswokrat. This one is knit flat and it looks like a chunky yarn but you could use other weights to make pumpkins of different sizes. This one also has an I-cord stem and uses yarn to cinch up the sections of the pumpkin, giving it a more natural look.

Add some bobbles to your pumpkins with this design from Autumn Shelter Makes. Also worked in the round in a tube, it features a repeating pattern of bobbles and uses yarn wrapped around the outside to make segments. This one looks like worsted weight yarn to me.

Of course there’s nothing that says your pumpkin has to be a single color, so let’s throw in some colorwork. I love the look of the Cozy Fall Pumpkin knitting pattern from South Stitch Girls. The little leather loop adds a rustic touch but you could also just add a stick. These pumpkins have five colorwork options and are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round.

There’s also the Autumn Fair Isle Trio pumpkins pattern from Equestriann Style, which has three different sizes of pumpkins with four colorwork designs. They are worked in super bulky yarn in the round and look good with high contrast or more muted color combinations.

Have you read?