Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Other Glass to Read…

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Patricia Frantz bead

Patricia Frantz bead

I look around and I’m sure you look around the internets for interesting information about glass. Is there anything else? No. So I’m going to give you suggestions of some other blogs you may want to check out to learn about what other glass people are writing about. I’ve done this before with some bead makers…this time it’s across the board glass interests. Let’s start over at Frantz Art Glass. I mentioned them the other day as a supplier that will be at The Best Bead Show in Tucson. They have a blog and they talk about the classes they have scheduled as well as what’s new in their store. A good place to wander over to. Frantz is one of the best suppliers of glass and tools and equipment around.

Next try out Masters Glass Art. This is a fused glass blog on the site of David and Christine Masters. They sell glass products that they make as well as have a newsletter and some tutorials. It’s always good to wander around and see what else is out there. Next we’ll go over to Caligirl Art Glass and check out her blog. Very cute…tell me about any blogs you like to check out.

Have you read?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]