Knitting With Plastic Bags

Pattern for the Chilly Coaster is below

Hey everyone!  I have been wanting to do this tutorial for ages, and finally got around to it!  Below is the tutorial and video, and a free pattern for my Chilly Coaster, made from plastic grocery bags.  I call it Chilly Coaster, because it is meant for cold cups.  Also, this coaster is just for fun, not really to keep condensation from getting on your table.  So be warned, don't use this thinking it will protect an important surface.  And while you could use it for a steamy, hot mug of coffee, also know that the plastic may melt, leaving a nasty mess on your cup.  So, cold drinks only on water safe surfaces.

First, here is the video.  Below that you can print the tutorial if you wish, and the pattern.  Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!

Knitting With Plastic Bags Tutorial




Chilly Coaster Pattern

How to Knit - Brief Start to Finish Sample

I see a lot of questions from new knitters about how to start knitting.  Even though they may have watched videos about casting on, knit/purl stitches, and binding off they are still unsure of exactly how to put it all together.

The below video is a very brief video showing casting on, knitting a few rows with knit and purl stitches, and then binding off.   This video is not meant to teach specific techniques (see the "Free Knitting Videos" Tab at the top for more detailed, slower videos), rather it is just meant to show what to do once you are ready to begin working on your pattern.

This video is not meant to instruct on how to read a knitting pattern, although I have a sample pattern in the video.

This video is basically a "I have yarn, needles, and a pattern.  Now what?" demo.  It is meant solely to demonstrate the process of casting on, knitting, and then binding off.

JJ's Knitting Knook

I recently visited JJ's Knitting Knook, located on Stuarts Draft Highway in Waynesboro, VA.  Great little shop, full of beautiful yarn!  This place looks like it used to be a house - there are several rooms of yarn, books, needles and fibery goodness.  I was waited on by Teresa, who was very nice.... and very patient when, after I had already made my yarn purchase, I decided I also wanted to get The Knitter's Block.... and then remembered I had wanted to check out some rosewood needles too.  She very kindly got the needles for me, opened them up and allowed me to inspect the cables.  Very nice little store that I hope I have the chance to visit again!  I actually missed one of the rooms and wish I had gone back to look.  So if you go, make sure you look in all of the rooms!

Below are some pictures, and check out Episode 17 of the podcast to see what I purchased.  Teresa is in one of the pictures, by the way :0)

Sapphires-n-Purls Podcast Episode 17

Hi everyone!  Just thought I would take a minute to tell you about JJ's Knitting Knook, which I visited last week in Virginia.   Of course I have a few knitting magazines in my "to read" pile - I won't list them all here, you can find links to all of the magazines I show you up in the magazine tab at the top of the blog.  All this and just a little about what I have been up to lately.

The post with all of the pictures of the shop are HERE




Knitter's Pride Cubics Interchangeable Knitting Needles

Cocoknits Knitter's Block Kit - this is awesome!

Araucania Yelcho 

Sublime Tussah Silk DK

Kollage Cornucopia and Corntastic

I am almost positive I saw somewhere that the Cornucopia is discontinued, and the Corntastic is the substitute.  I can't find the website where I saw that now, if anyone knows feel free to leave a comment!