The Sweatshop of Love Blog

I’ve been complaining about constantly knitting bow headbands on twitter. So much so that PT (@acmevalley) and Jamiegurumi Jamie (@jumpshot) went off on one of their twitter pun rants last night.

Bow Puns

A Whole Lotta Bows

I’ve knit 20 bow headbands in 8 days as part of my Renegade Brooklyn prep. If I never see another bow headband for the rest of my life it will be too soon. It’s a real mind over matter task, knitting the same thing OVER AND OVER.

Lots and lots and lots of bow headbands

But now on to bigger and better things! Like knitting 14 Twin Cities Headbands!

I want to thank everyone who has donated money to Perennial Plate through my raffle this week! There is still time to throw some dollars their way and enter for a chance to win some hand knit goodies, so make it happen for a great cause.

2nd Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week

And next week is the 2nd Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week. I really sucked at it last year. I love the idea of it – a bunch of crafty bloggers blogging answers to the same questions – so I’m going into it with the best intentions. We’ll see how far I get.

There is a lot going on next week so I’m not making any promises. BASEBALL SEASON STARTS! You know how important that is to me. I’ll be going up to Michigan to hang with my family for the first time since Christmas so I’ll have my arms full of baby.

And my mom got a puppy. A PUG puppy.

So Knit and Crochet Blog Week might have to take a back seat to baby and puppy videos. Something tells me we’ll all be ok with that.

While I’ve only been in NYC for 15 days I couldn’t be more excited to get out of the city and go to another city this weekend.

PT and I are off to Boston tonight! We’ll be hanging out with our friends Lucas and Laura, who you’ll remember from our trip to Portland in February, and who have recently moved to the Boston area. SO excited to see them! And I’m gearing up for another food frenzy.

We are taking some shady Chinese bus for $15. That is one thing I love about being on the easy coast. Everything is so close! 4 hours in a shady Chinese bus and magically you are in Boston. 4 hours in a shady Chinese bus from Chicago and you’d be in the middle of nowhere Iowa or Ohio.

PT's G Train Stop, Train Approaching!

It’s loud here. It makes me very anxious, and I feel like there is nowhere to escape from it. It’s exciting and fun, but I like hearing birds and trees and breezes.

Bow Headbands for Renegade!

I have been knitting. I’ve made 11 Detroit Tigers Bow Headbands and I can’t even look at them. I want 20 for Renegade (which is coming up fast! It’s only three weeks away!) and I think I have 17 finished.

Headbands! Headbands! GAH!

I’ll have to knock out the last three in a week or so because I pick up my size 5s and I just have the urge to throw them out the window. Which, in PT’s apartment, would have them landing in the middle of the street since he has no screen.

I keep having to remind myself: NO SCREEN! DON’T REALLY THROW THINGS TOWARDS THE WINDOW!

… Weekend in Boston sounds like it’s much needed, right?

So instead of bow headbands I’ll be bringing my mom’s Christmas present that I started working on yesterday. That is right! I’ve officially started my holiday knitting, like any good home crafter, in August.

Have a great weekend everybody!

I had an eventful weekend:

1. My Summer Tour Ebook of Knitting Patterns got some hot press on Chicagoist!

2. Then I got hit by a car while I was riding my bike:

Upper Thigh Leg Bruise!

Holy Ouch!

Luckily I landed on the car that hit me instead of the ground, so I only ended up with this intense bruise from where my handlebars tried to catch me.

PSA: Y’all take a glance over your right shoulder BEFORE taking an abrupt right turn into the bike lane, ok?

3. I didn’t do too much moving around this weekend besides alternating hot and cold packs on my leg, so I made these:

Bow Headbands!

Six Bow Headbands! And not one is Detroit Tigers colors. I made them using left over yarn, mostly cotton scraps, from other projects.

Why did I make six bow headbands? Because…

4. I got into Renegade Craft Fair Chicago! I’ll be sharing a booth with Caitlin (yes, Caitlin’s Cardi Caitlin) who makes Sweater Toys. Cute right? I’m going to mostly be pimping the Sweatshop Knit Kits, but I might as well have some bow headbands ready, just in case.

I’m so grateful:

a) To be alive and (mostly!) well and that I have so many people around me concerned for my well being and so willing to help me when I’m in need.

b) That the ebook has been so lovingly received!

c) That I have the ability to make the most of kinda crappy situations. Any excuse to knit a lot!

d) That I’ll get to spend an entire weekend pimping my kits and hand knits with other amazing crafters doing the same.

e) That I think it’s ok to use both numbering and lettering in the same post.

So I’ve got 3 months to get ready for Renegade, pump out a fall knitting class schedule, perhaps maybe release another ebook *cough cough*, get some Summer Knit Kits out (JULY 19TH! SAVE THE DATE!). Holy hell.

Today is the day! I’ve been talking about it and working on these patterns like a crazy person and today it is finally ready for you to enjoy!

It's Here! It's Here!

That link takes you to www.e-junkie.com where you will type in your info or paypal and a PDF of the ebook will be available for download. Pretty sweet, right?

This ebook includes easy to read and super clear instructions for 10 fun summer knits and some helpful how-tos to get you through this summer knitting season. Scroll down for pictures and click links for more information on each pattern.

Questions about a pattern before you buy? Let me know!

Ebook Patterns:

Caitlin’s Cardi ~ More Info

Door County Wooden Handle Bag ~ More Info

Twin Cities Headband ~ More Info

Hyde Park Legwarmers ~ More Info

Traverse City Tube Top ~ More Info

Gus Gus Kitty Toy ~ More Info

Detroit Tigers Headband ~ More Info

Twin Cities Anklets ~ More Info

Baby Sweater Buffet ~ More Info

The Look Entrelac Tank Top ~ More Info

Shoot me an email if you have any questions about any of the patterns found in the ebook. I hope from the bottom of my heart that you enjoy it!

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