Independent craft blog since 2007
Craftbits.com has had a major makeover. Gone is the knitting lady and her litle black cat and in is the fun creative layered design which represents craft tables around the world, layered with lists, inspirational images and doodles of projects promised and projects past.
Take a look at the new design and let us know what you think of our new look sister site. We also have lot’s of giveaways to coincide with the re-launch.
Knitwear designers can get inspiration from almost anything when it comes to re-creating a color scheme, an image or a texture in stitches. Sometimes the inspiration isn’t always obvious in the finished project, but sometimes it’s more literal.
That’s the way it is with the Tin Ceiling Blanket from Purl Soho. Not just because the inspiration is in the name, but if you’ve ever seen one of these old ceilings you can see that the design of the blanket is quite similar to the pattern of the tin tiles.
This is also a good example of the idea that you don’t have to use fancy stitch patterns or lots of color to make a big impact with your knits. This single-color blanket (designed by Gianna Mueller and inspired by a washcloth and towel set designed by Sandi Rosner) is made completely with knits and purls, other than slipped stitches at the beginning of rows to make neater edges.
The pattern is written out row by row, but there’s also a chart, which means this project is a great opportunity to practice reading a chart where you can check your work against the written pattern if you need to.
It comes in two sizes, a crib blanket and a throw. The yarn used in the sample is an organic cotton sold by the cone, which is a great way to get a large quantity of yarn and have fewer ends to weave in. In fact, you can knit either size of the blanket with just one cone of yarn, which isn’t inexpensive but makes you a great, sturdy, heirloom quality but still washable blanket you’ll use for years to come. (Of course you can use any sport weight yarn you like to make this blanket.)
Check out all the details and grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.
[Photo: Purl Soho]
Love it! Great layout and more colorful.
Really fresh design – like the wood panelling background – nice work!
Love it!!
Though I love Craftbits, I have to admit I really do not care for the new site design.
The old site was very clean and inviting. The new design is so cluttered and over-worked that it really makes it difficult to navigate with the same ease as before.
The lined paper background also makes it very difficult to read the text.
I truly mean no offense, but I would love to see this new site design cleaned and sharpened up some.