Resource Area - HeartStrings Knitting Resources 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. Instructions for knitting this blanket are now available for purchase: Pattern #A88 Lacie Blankie
	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.
	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. Instructions for knitting this hat and mitten set are now available for purchase: Pattern #H10 No Two Alike Snowflakes Mittens and Hat Set
	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 knitting the teddy bear are now available for purchase: Pattern #H51 Technique Teddy Bear

Tutorials, Project Classes, Articles & Tips

From the knitting needles and spinning wheel of Jackie E-S, here are educational resources to build skills and increase your knitting pleasure.

• Technique Tutorials
  Learning new things makes knitting even more fun.
• 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.

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website, and the posts or resources that they may lead to, may be affiliate links, in which case, I may be compensated for recommending those products. However, I will never recommend something that I don’t personally believe in. As always, I welcome your questions and feedback.

• 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.

• 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
  An online directory of categorized links for arts and crafts on the internet.
• Craft Yarn Council of America - Yarn Standards
  Standard Yarn Weight System by the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA). Categories of yarn thickness, gauge ranges, and recommended needle and hook sizes. Also see Patterns by Yarn Weight for recommended HeartStrings patterns suitable for these yarn thicknesses.
• 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!
• 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.
• KnitHeartStrings
  Monthly KAL's for learning, sharing and taking the art of knitting to new heights. Join here and get access to exclusive member-only content plus your first Learn-and-Knit-Along pattern for free.
• 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.
• On-line video training at Lynda.com :: Get a 7-Day Free Pass
  Get more from your software.

• Sell or buy digital products with the easy-to-use PayLoadz service.

• 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.
• String and Air
  Judy Gibson's experiments using knitting as a medium that provides endless depths for exploration and discovery.