New handmade tatting tool from LadyShuttleMaker

hook Whoa! Here’s an excellent new product from the hands of tatting/ceramic diva LadyShuttleMaker: flat, retractable hook pens. She says,

A few years ago I purchased a hook pen for use in my tatting projects and I loved it for many reasons, mainly because it was harder to lose and I didn’t end up stabbing myself with the point because I always retracted the hook when it was not in use. Unfortunately those pens are no longer made so I decided to start making my own. I have even been able to improve upon the design. Because these hook pens are flat they are perfect for saving your spot in your tatting pattern books. No more hooks rolling away and getting lost in your couch cushions…YAY! Go to my Etsy shop to get your hand decorated retractable hook pen which is also doubles as a bookmark.

As usual, I have no affiliation with this artisan. I just think her product is awesome. See more photos and get ordering info from her blog post.

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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]

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