Resource Area - HeartStrings Resource Area

Enjoy this assortment of resources and other inspiration. The resource links are grouped into categories to guide you through the directory.

Meanderings

Besides all the patterns I design and models I knit, as showcased in the Jackie E-S Design Collections, I try to make time to do other fun things. Here are some of my other creations related to spinning and knitting (and the story of a disaster, too - but it has a happy ending). Enjoy!

	Lacie Blankie My decision to make a blanket in lace stitches should not be all that surprising. I made this lace blanket in a Cotswold fleece that I selected for its subtle golden gray tones, and handspun to a light worsted weight 2-ply. The blanket went on tour with the Save the Sheep Exhibit and is included in the book Handspun Treasures from Rare Wools from Interweave Press.
	Jacob Throw I handspun yarn from a Jacob sheep fleece and knitted this throw based on the pattern "Springtime" in First Book of Modern Lace Knitting by Marianne Kinzel. This was the first project that I took from fleece to finished result.
	Lace Sampler This Lace Sampler is a work-in-progress, just as many samplers-of-old were throughout a needle artist's lifetime. Even in its unfinished state, it is beautiful, educational, and a good reference for lace structure and stitch pattern design.
	Knitting Style – "Lever-action" English style knitting This is not an endorsement of the way I knit. I am describing here, only because so many people have asked. If you are looking to add to, change or refine your repertoire of knitting methods, I hope you find these ideas helpful. The basic premise is that less wasted motion means quicker knitting. A side benefit is the reduction of risk for repetitive motion stress ailments.
	Lace Repair – Repairing a lace knitting disaster Nearing the big FO (Finished Object) stage for a shawl, I instead detoured to the disaster stage. I washed and went to block the shawl and a big area in one of the corners was nearly disintegrated. Here is the story …
	Icelandic Shawl These are my notes on the Hyrna Herborgar shawl. This beautiful pattern was designed by Sigrídur Halldórsdóttir and is included in her compilation of Icelandic patterns Three-Cornered and Long Shawls. I knit this shawl in silk, although the traditional yarn to use would be an Icelandic wool singles.
	Shetland Lace Shawl Here is a picture journey of the making of my classic ring shawl in wool/silk laceweight yarn. The shawl is not quite 6 oz (about 165g) and measures approximately 56" square. I've included lots of pictures of my shawl in progress, as well as completed.
	White House Project – child mitten and hat set Along with other knitting guilds across the U.S., The Half-Fast Knitters of New Orleans was invited to decorate the 1998 Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House. The guild members asked me (Jackie E-S) to design and lead the group project. The child-size set is luscious white angora with Fair Isle stylized Norwegian snowflake and trees knit in blue alpaca/wool, green wool, gray baby mohair, and burgundy wool/viscose. Just as real snowflakes are each different and unique, each stylized snowflake is a different design motif.
	Polar Meringue Teddy Bear Teeswater is a breed of sheep rendering a wool unique in texture and length, as well as offering challenges to a designer. I created Polar Meringue using two very different sets of fiber preparation, spinning, and knitting techniques. My results include a mini triangular lace shawl in a fine worsted-spun 2-ply, worn on a teddy bear knitted in soft bouclé core-spun yarn. Instructions for the teddy bear are included in the online class I teach at Needlecraft Univeristy.
	A Continuous Yarn Do you feel as I do sometimes, and just wish that your ball of yarn would go on and on? Read about 3 of my favorite methods for joining yarn. Each method meets different needs and scenarios depending on the type yarn, fiber and color(s) I am using – Splitting Plies and Re-twisting Stitching Together Interlocking Loops (Russian Join)

Articles & Tips

From the knitting needles and spinning wheel of Jackie E-S, here are articles and tips from past issues of HeartStrings Knitterly News, the e-Newsletter publication of HeartStrings FiberArts. 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 otherwise lead you to creative expression and added joy in your knitting.

• Index of Articles & Tips
  The list of articles has grown to deserve its own page!
• Newsletter Archive
  Some of the past issues of HeartStrings Knitterly News.

Links to Offsite Resources

Here is a variety of resources maintained on other websites – some related to cyber-fiber, and some others of general interest.

• A Knitters Guide to Copyright
  Educate yourself and others on the issue of copyright. This is in a simple question and answer style that helps you understand what is right vs. what is illegal.
• Amazon, Go Green
  Discover the benefits of going Green and please help save the planet. Here are the products that customers have selected as the best green products offered by Amazon.com. The Green product selection includes cleaning supplies, ENERGY STAR office electronics, and high-efficiency lighting.
  
• American Contract Bridge League
  One of my favorite non-knitting activities is duplicate bridge. This is the official site of the ACBL of which I am a member and have been traveling to various tournaments around the country. I am working toward winning enough master points to becoming a Life Master!
• Association of Knitwear Designers is dedicated to the promotion and accreditation of its professional members. AKD seeks to be the leading source of qualified professionals in all fields of the knitwear design industry. See my accreditations as Author Designer, Teacher, and Publisher.
  
• aWeber
  Are you in business and looking for a reliable, easy, cost effective tool to capture visitor sign ups, and send unlimited permission-based newsletters with a great delivery rate? Take a free test drive demo to see aWeber in action!
• Bella Online/Knitting
  A site rich with links and articles. Formerly edited by Alison Trembley-Boucher; the editorship has now passed on to others.
• Craft Listing
  A new online directory of categorized links for arts and crafts on the internet.
• Custom Website Creations
  Your website should be as unique as you and your business are. GNC Web Creations specializes in custom website creations and original graphics that will meet all your special needs. Also, check out the great training center and articles at this website hosted by J. Bailey (Cricket). It's a wealth of resources for web marketing, search engine optimization, and more!
• Faroese Sweaters
  An old Faroese saying goes "wool is the gold of the Faroes". From the Viking age up to this century, wool and wool products have been of major importance for the existence of the Faroe Islanders. These comfortable jerseys and cardigans are perfect for leisure and more formal wear.They are produced by a small family business on the Faroe Islands that has been buying wool, spinning yarn and knitting jerseys for more than a generation.
• TheFitterKnitter, technical illustrator
  Besides being a knitter herself, Cindy Moore is a grand person to hire to develop your press-ready graphics and ads (or even a re-working of some of your own drawings, as I had her do with my original hastily drawn HeartStrings logo! See what Cindy did for me here). TheFitterKnitter is her company in which she provides the services of a technical illustrator, graphic designer and marketing consultant.
• Hostgator, web hosting service
  Hostgator is value for the money in a low cost, reliable hosting service for your web sites. This is what I use, so you know I live by my words!
  
• Interview with God
  Not a fiber link, but certainly inspirational and thought provoking for when you need a lift or help in centering your life again. I also invite you to stop by my church - Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Kenner.
• Knit 'n Style Magazine Online
  Trend-setting knitwear from the fashion runway.
• Knit2Fit
  Customize your hand knitting projects to fit your body, your budget, your lifestyle! Strategies and techniques to alter patterns and customize designs. Hosted by Michelle Katerberg.
• Knitter's Review
  Experience the World of Yarn - A fabulous weekly e-newsletter by Clara Parkes.
• Learn to Knit and Crochet
  The internet site of the Craft Yarn Council of America.
• 
  Sell or buy digital products with the easy-to-use PayLoadz service.
• Socks 101
  An illustrated tutorial on using the mechanics of making socks using double point needles.
• Socks on Circs
  An illustrated tutorial on making two socks on two circular needles.
• Ship Support Project
  Support our America's Troops deployed in the war on terror - one stitch at a time. Knit, crochet or sew for The Ships Project. Even if you do not have time to make items, you can simply join I Give so that many of the online purchases you would make from well-known companies anyway will help fund the postage to ship donations to out troops. Once you join, you can also raise money for The ShipS Project by merely using ISearchIGive to search the internet (the link is on the IGive.com page).
• String and Air
  Judy Gibson's experiments using knitting as a medium that provides endless depths for exploration and discovery.
• TNNA Retail Store Directory
  Find a needlearts retailer near you or where you are traveling. A service of The National Needlearts Association.