Getting Stitched on the Farm

If you enjoy knitting blogs, you might enjoy my favorite knitting blog "Getting Stitched on the Farm with Kristen Nichols". Kristen lives on a bucolic sheep farm in Western Massachusetts. Kristen is an enormously talented designer and her blog captures life on the farm intertwined with knitting and other design inspiration. 

Meet Kristen!

Baby Hats

Baby showers are always delightful and my Bon Bons baby hat patterns make the perfect shower gift. Knit up in my Jil Eaton Cottontail, they are washable and perfect for newborns.

The patterns are available on my Ravelry shop. Happy knitting!

Learn to Knit

As summer vacation is approaching you might consider teaching your child to knit with my Learn to Knit Pom Pom Scarf kit. Uniquely, it comes with the scarf already cast on the needles and by following the illustrated instructions, kids can learn to knit. By the time the scarf is finished they can easily do the Knit-On Cast-On. Casting-On is often the most difficult thing to learn, so this kit enjoys great success.

Kits are available in your local yarn shops and via Classic Elite Yarns. 

Mini Collections

Here are the two new patterns in my mini collection for May 2014. These patterns are available as pdf downloads through my Ravelry shop.

266QK Smocked Day Dress

Little girl¹s sleeveless dress with smocked bodice and ruffles.

Sizes

6 months (1 - 2 - 3) years

Materials

Jil Eaton CottonTail

267QK Swedish Sailor

Child¹s color-blocked boatneck pullover

Sizes

6 months (1 - 2 - 4 - 6) years

Materials

Jil Eaton MinnowMerino

Knitting for Your Noggin

This week I wanted to share an article that talks about the benefits of knitting and how it can have similar effects to meditating. Keep knitting and keep your brain happy!

As part [of] its "Inside Your Brain" series, CNN recently took a look at how knitting affects your noggin. Findings indicate that knitting can be an effective treatment of PTSD. This has to do with how knitting has similar benefits to meditation, which helps "dampen internal chaos." 

Read more here.

Color Inspiration

Most knitters are gardeners and I am no exception. Every year we plant 800 tulip bulbs in my side-garden. It's a gorgeous display and tulips have certainly been one of my inspiration when choosing colors for my yarn lines.


I encourage you to go out and enjoy the bounty of spring and get inspired for your own creations!

Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book

I teach classes and workshops around the country and my students are always asking for my favorite knitting reference book. And I always reply Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by the esteemed editors of Vogue Knitting is the best of the best. Everything is explained clearly and techniques are beautifully illustrated. I recommend every knitter have it on their bookshelf.

You can find it here!