All Great Links Start With Ravelry

Not enough wonderful words can be said about this amazing site.  What started as an individual need to organize knitting and crochet patterns has become the mecca of pattern database management for us crazy die-hard stitchers.  If there is a knit or crochet pattern out there in the world, there is a 97.3% chance that you will find it on this site (the older the pattern, the sketchier it becomes.)  Not only is this a site to find a pattern (either for free or for purchase), this site is a personal database for documenting individual projects, library, yarn stash and hook and needle organizer.  There are also communities within the site in which groups can be found tailored to activities, interests or even businesses.  One of the many useful resources that this site has created is its ability to utilize individual projects as its database.  Tips, suggestions, alterations, comments, and real-life models are viewable to the free registered members which are boons to help guide through the myriad of patterns and make the final decision if that pattern is worth the time, energy and effort.
Don’t get us wrong, although many knitters and crocheters prefer Ravelry as their 1^st method in pattern searching (and if you haven’t found it yet, please do and you’ll be hooked – pardon the pun), there are additional great resource sites out there.  Here are a few of our favorites:

Pattern Resources

• Lion Brand – thousands of free patterns for knitters and crocheters plus great tutorials about their products and basic knitting and crochet techniques
• Red Heart / Coats & Clark – lots of patterns from the Red Heart family
• Bev’s Country Cottage – charity crafting website that has patterns plus a great size chart for hats, baby measurements, foot and blanket sizes
• Head Huggers – A great charity site reference for chemo hats.  For those who knit, crochet and/or sew.
• Chemo Cap Pattern Library – Because Ravelry can be overwhelming with the endless possibilities out there, this group was created to help find patterns appropriate for chemo hats.  The threads are divided between yarn weight, age and gender.  Great resource!
• Crochet Pattern Central – Lots of crochet patterns and tutorials will be found here!
• About.com - Has several individual easy to understand tutorials, patterns and tools for both Knit and Crochet
• Interweave – a vast resource on all types of arts and crafts; includes signup options for daily free patterns via e-mail. Crochet Me and Knitting Daily are their sites focused on the yarn craft.

Tutorials

• Knitting
• Knitting Help - Hands down, the best video tutorial site for learning from how to cast on to understanding intarsia.  If you want to learn to knit and watch someone do it, this is the place to visit during those wee hours in the morning with your yarn and needles in hand.
• Lion Brand Knitting Tutorials – Provides video and instructional tutorials for Knitting and
• Crochet
• Lion Brand Crochet Tutorials – Provides video and instructional tutorials for learning and understanding crochet stitches
• Crochet Geek – Video tutorials for learning how to crochet

Stores

• Fiber Circle – Located in downtown Farmersville, you will not find a sweeter lady who gives of her time, talents and resources!  Diane has generously supported Yarns of Hope and we want to give back to her by continuing to shop at her store!  She has a fantastic selection of yarns and has get-togethers during the weekend.  Bring a potluck item and nestle in on one of the couches!  200 McKinney Street, Farmersville, TX 75442-2120 (972) 782-6630.  Note: Be sure to call first before going as her hours are varied, but she lives upstairs and if she’s not open and is home, she will open the store just for you.  Now that’s personalized shopping!
• Woolie Ewe – Another local store based in Plano, this is a great shop to find higher end and luxurious fibers.  They also have great classes and teachers throughout the year.  Be sure to sign up as their friend on Ravelry and you’ll get a discount on yarn!
• WEBS – An online yarn and notions store – they have great sales worth checking out
• Knit Picks – Don’t let the name fool you; they have notions for crocheters too!  This is by far a great online store for all types of yarn, notions and materials any yarn crafter would need.  From stitch markers to swifters, there are great deals to be had and new exciting materials that you didn’t know you would need but will want to add to your collection.