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A GIFT FOR YOU
"Your patterns are just fabulous ... unique and yet based on tradition."
- Jennifer C.
"I just love the simplicity of your patterns and the complexity of their appearance."
- Maureen M.
"
"I enjoy your website. It is easy to use and full of information ..."
- Debby L.
"... I love Heartstrings patterns. They are clear and well presented and Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer, the designer, is just a lovely, inspiring woman - well worth supporting by the purchase of the pattern."
- Kimberly L.

Index of Articles & Tips

From the knitting needles and spinning wheel of Jackie E-S

Creativity Fiber Frenzy In-Process Finishing Blocking and Care Spinning Yarn Knitting with Beads
Bits of Lace 2012 BOBBOL 2013 Miscellaneous

My wish is that a tip or comment here will cause you to think of something in a new way, or you will recall something long forgotten, or lead you to other random thoughts and "un"-ventions. These are offered to you without charge, but if you find them helpful and would like to donate something, of course I would be most appreciative.

In addition to the listings here, there may also be some other articles of interest to you in recent issues of HeartStrings Knitterly News, the e-Newsletter publication of HeartStrings FiberArts. I also invite you to subscribe to the newsletter so that you can read the newest articles as I write them.

Creativity

Whether planned or serendipitous, you too are a creative knitter. Here are ideas to help you become more confident and let your inner self express itself!

Fiber Frenzy

What's all this fuss about fuzz? Knowing more about fibers and yarn attributes can help make you a more confident knitter when choosing yarns to suit your project's purpose.

Finishing as an In-Process Activity

By incorporating these "finishing" tips into your project right from the beginning and throughout, you can make the final finishing steps of your knitting project easier and seem effortless.

Blocking and Care

Whether you call it blocking or dressing or finishing, check out these articles for helpful methods and tips.
  • Blocking Tips
    Make blocking a pleasurable part of the knitting process.
  • Blocking in Progress
    Blocking is something we usually think of as only doing in the final stages of completing a knitting project – usually the very last thing! But have you ever worried while knitting whether you were going to like the outcome? Avoid the uncertainty of whether something is going to turn out satisfactorily by doing a blocking in progress.
  • Knitted Lace Blocking Magic
    Do you believe in magic? Well, just compare the before and after of blocking knitted lace!
  • Weaving in Ends
    Should you block first then weave in the ends, or weave in the ends then block it?
  • Extracting Water
    Tips for use with small hand-washed articles.
  • Special Soap?
    Treat your fine woolens as you would your own hair.
  • Washing Socks
    Hand washing method for deep cleaning delicate yarn.
  • Is Dry Cleaning OK for a Lace Gift?
    Q&A: Should I advise the wearer to have it dry cleaned when necessary, since she won't have blocking materials?
  • Wash Before Giving?
    Remove any doubts that the item is thoroughly clean and fresh, while making your item look first-class.
  • Blocking a Smoke Ring
    Keep it simple - how to block a smoke ring. Even though a smoke ring is a tubular item, the lace can be successfully blocked as two layers rather than complicating matters by trying to block in-the-round. Here's how ...
  • What percentage can you expect lace to increase in size after blocked?
    Is it a general rule of thumb that a piece of lace will typically increase in size by 25% after blocking? It depends ...
  • Repairing a hand-knit sock with a knit-in-place patch
    Considering the time and expense of making hand-knit socks, it is well worth the effort to repair them if you eventually wear through a hole.

Spinning Yarn

Did you know that many of the HeartStrings designs are sampled in handspun yarns? (That spinning wheel in the HeartStrings logo is no coincidence.) There are more and more of the yarn/dyeing companies that are making lovely fibers available to hand spin into yarn. Let these blog articles inspire you in your own journey of creativity with fibers. Even for non-spinners, there will almost certainly be something you find interesting.

Knitting with Beads

Miscellaneous Articles and Other Quick Tips

If someone asked, chances are someone else has the same question. Besides all these resource articles, there are also other Tutorials, Tips & Techniques for Bits of Lace 2012 and BOBBOL 2013.

HeartStrings Knitterly News

Not getting HeartStrings free e-newsletter? Subscribe now for more future articles and tips.

Thank you for interest. I am here to serve you and help keep your knitting a pleasurable experience. If you have questions or need assistance with purchasing or knitting my HeartStrings patterns, let me know. Sincerely, Jackie E-S

Email address: jackie@heartstringsfiberarts.com
Phone: 678-262-6338 or 877-764-2747 (toll-free in US)
Postal address: HeartStrings, Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer, 53 Parlange Drive, Destrehan LA 70047-2133 USA

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Last revised Sunday, 09-Feb-2014 10:04:01 CST