Easy Crochet Along Cowl with your Hand or Finger

Make a super quick cowl with your hand & fabulous yarn in less than 20 minutes! Red Heart Boutique has a new yarn called Dash. It is a knit tube (also called an I-cord).  Save time for a quick handmade gift for you or a friend with this gorgeous yarn.

Yarn in video: 1 hank 3929 Mountain (the earth tones)
Yarn in photo: 1 hank 3944 Meadow (the green tones)
Yarn on my mom: 1 hank 3939 Twilight (blues/purples - Makes me think of Twilight Sparkle, LOL)


http://thecrochetcrowdblog.com/2013/06/29/redheart-dash-yarn/

OR make your own finger knit tube out of a Red Heart Yarn, like Treasure, and you'll have something stunning! Here is my video on how to finger knit http://youtu.be/NulgNzKp1LY

http://www.redheart.com/yarn/boutique-treasure

The pattern is inside the label of Red Heart Boutique Dash or follow along from start to finish with this video tutorial.  (Or this link here http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/hand-crochet-cowl-0) Let's crochet!

I'm more of a beginner crochet person, in this video, and can do this easily.  The foundation row is a bit funny when starting, but once you get the hang of it you will be flying!  Have fun.

http://youtu.be/lvN-ToRT5tw

 Happy Crafting!!
Kristen Mangus
Copyright 2014 GoodKnit Kisses





Website                    Http://www.goodknitkisses.com
GKK YouTube            Http://www.youtube.com/GoodknitKisses
Kristen Mangus Vlog  http://tiny.cc/9lgh0w
Blog                          Http://goodknitkisses.blogspot.com
Http://www.facebook.com/groups/LoomKnitClub

How to Finger Knit by Kristen Mangus

Patterns for sale:
Cowl-lick Knitwear a miniponcho Triangle Cowl http://etsy.me/127HQh9
Chic Retreat Cowl http://t.co/D05voukj
Striped Afghan on S loom http://ow.ly/fQveA
Slouchy Newsboy Hat (with alternate for no slouch) http://ow.ly/fQwgj
Twisted Keyhole Scarflette or Scarf Double Knit (unisex all ages) http://ow.ly/fQwNB
Mossy Earflap Hat (specify for infant or toddler) http://ow.ly/fQxjN
Ribbed Banded Beanie with 4 point flower top (EASY) http://ow.ly/fQxGA


Our other Red Heart Boutique yarn video for making a rope scarf is all the rage, try it now!

Thank you for subscribing & watching!

Crafting Comminity - Knit & Crochet

Kristen at GoodKnitKisses hosts International Loom Knit and Crafting Club. This is a fluid and changing CREATIVE community that is open 24/7 for YOU, the crafter in Fibre Arts!  

Follow GoodKnitKisses on YouTube, Twitter and especially our Facebook Group to hang with other crafters. We range from young to not as young, newbie to expert and everything in between! Everyone is super helpful, encouraging and creative! If you are in a slump, just ask for help at 3am and someone will answer soon I promise! We have many international fans to chime in as well so it really is a 24 hour/ 7 day a week community! Have fun and Happy Looming!! -Kristen

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoomKnitClub/  

More on GoodKnitKisses: Free Video tutorials on how to knit without needles on a loom, crochet, crafts and a few easy short cooking videos. Learn how to use a loom and patterns to make items on them. Various loom Along videos are constantly being created, filmed, produced and uploaded to YouTube just for you! Create your own design after learning the basics or loom along with Kristen at GoodKnitKisses as you go! Mikey aka Micheal Sellick at the Crochet Crowd, also has featured videos on crochet basics and crochet along tutorials as well. Get the latest loom and loom knit book reviews in video blogs as well! These are free to you!

Kristen does sell a few select patterns at vivaloom.com and her ETSY shop. In the future these may be offered in full video form as an unlimited rental on YouTube if we get enough positive feedback! :-)

 http://www.youtube.com/goodknitkisses

 Scroll down on the main channel page (main page from the YouTube link) To FEATURED PLAYLISTS. These are organized categories to help you navigate to the area you want first. Click the title and get your own personal link to bookmark for that playlist in the future! How cool is that?! If you play a video in the list, the next video will pop up right after the other is finished; this eliminates searching high and low! We hope you join us!! Happy Crafting!! -Kristen

New Flyers - What do you think??!

I created these to show off some of my work for an artist fair, just for display purposes.  Its not a craft fair but I'll be setting out business cards and these.  What do you all thing?  PLEASE PLEASE comment below or message me.

©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Rectangle Loom: Casting Off & Finish Loose Beginning End of Panel

Hi loom fans!

Today I've uploaded two new videos to my YouTube Site!

One video shows casting off the rectangular loom from a Twisted Knit Stitch or Single Rib Stitch.

The next video does something I've never found by using Google or searching videos on YouTube.  When I first learned to loom knit I figured out how to cast off or bind off my project from the loom but the starting end or side (beginning part you first cast on) always loosed "looser" than the final side.  If you crochet then it doesn't bother you.  You are probably finishing that end or adding a crochet border around he whole piece.  I didn't know how to make this EASIER so I made up my own.  The benefit was no extra yarn was needed!!  This is great if you ran out of that yarn after making a long scarf or panel.  It's also very quick!  I hope this helps you on your next project.  PLEASE come back and comment or let me know on my YouTube channel.  I'd love to hear from you.  Here is the video...thanks for tuning in and Happy Looming!! ©2011 GoodKnit Kisses

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for ALL new videos.  I may not always blog about them :-)

New Valentine Jewelry listed and QUICK POLL!

Hi friends!

I've got a simple poll I'd LOVE to have your quick feedback on.  It's to the right and its all about what you'd like to read next!--------->

Tonight on Etsy GoodKnit Kisses has posted three more necklaces perfect for you or a friend for Valentines day. SHOP GoodKnit Kisses from here and get my blogger Valentine Discount.  Type BLOGGER5 to get a 5% discount at checkout.

Thanks for passing the link onward.  Love you my friends and readers!! :-)

Trial & ERROR

Last night I was excited to make a matching bracelet and necklace for the first time.  I've never made this type of bracelet.  In fact I haven't made a bracelet since braiding Friendship bracelets long ago...remember those?

I'm a larger gal and have larger wrists.  I also know there are many more like me who would like a larger bracelet so I decide to trudge onward and make one for "us".  Why can't we have lovely and large jewelry without forgoing a tight bracelet or finding something to extend the length?  Decided; let's make it!

I plan out my workspace.  Carefully selecting and counting.  I lay it out and start to crochet together my silver wire. Where is my brain?!  I left off beads!  Not a problem.  I'll work the strand into the design for bulk, it will add width which it needs. Starting again. My beaded strand is too short for my wrist..I think. So I cut, tear it up and start over.  I make a few more of my pieces in the right length. Or this is the length I "think" is correct.  I totally forget that I need to include the clasp size in my number and by the time I do this my bracelet is so large I can put it over my mannish female hands. Not good.

To top it off the larger beads are too heavy and fall down on the wrist.  Now on display is my fine finishing technique.  Pretty, but not what was intended.

Design sometimes is about trial and lots of error.  Tonight I plan on tearing it up and starting it again.  This WILL be a bracelet someone will love.  I can FEEL it! :-)


P.S. Wanna tell me YOUR trial and errors?  I'd love to hear it...come on.. make me feel better.  lol

On the hook with Handmade Jewelry

Recently I was introduced to the world of crocheted jewelry. This has a major BLING factor!  Its not a yarn or thread that limps out resembling a hemp and bead design. Imagine Sterling Silver Wire with Swarovski Crystals, custom glass beads or any number of beautiful and funky textured bead designs.


I put it to the test and was immediately in love with the results.  Hand selecting my beads, wire and all the way down to my toggle clasp, I began to envision that first necklace.  I love to wear black.  Don't we all?!  Come on...its so slimming! Yes black attire is a staple for many including myself. Black can be boring though so I selected a few different shapes and sizes of beads and lots of texture in a glass bead. Some were small, round & shiny. Many were oblong in a honed finish with beveled edges that shined. And a few select Larger glass balls in a matte finish with a swirling design shown through from the smooth glass base of the bead.  Now to get it together!

(Please note this is meant to show how the product is layered but not necessarily a pattern.  You'll be able to buy my creations on my Etsy site :-)

I started by making a strand out of sterling silver wire, mixing my selection of beautiful glass beads. I made two more strands.  See the picture below.

Then I lace all of the strands together which gives a gorgeous effect! Complete with a quality clasp or toggle...and a few personal touches I like, and presto a lovely piece of jewelry has been created!

Now I just need a photographer for this beauty as my iPhone will simply NOT do it justice!

Looming Design

Hello Blogger World!

This is my first ever official blog so let me introduce myself. My name is Kristen Mangus.  I am a registered Interior Designer in the great state of Texas!  I am a native Texan but well traveled and NO I do not own a ranch or even a horse! I have ridden them; they are amazing and beautiful animals.  I do say all that to dispel a general way of thinking that Texans are that way and rural.  I live in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex area, home of the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers and my alma mater Texas Christian University Horned Frogs, GO FROGS!  I'm also a mom of three, two girls and now a baby boy who will be 3 months this Friday which is also my 10th wedding anniversary! I love my husband, he is my best friend. I love my kids.  They are 4, 2 and of course newborn.  Here is a picture of my son.

I describe myself as a designer who is a Crafter at heart. I've always loved to make things with my hands like bows or anything with a hot glue gun.  My grandmother & mother taught me the basics of sewing but it never really stuck.  Don't get me started on how many bobbins and machines I have tried to sabotage! I really appreciate things that are well made by other creative people and when I think I can learn a new thing I'll dive in.  I want to learn all I can and make something of quality that lasts and others enjoy.  If its useful, holds up well and is pretty I've done my job.  That goes the same for my work as an Interior Designer.  My forte is space planning, you know like where things are placed juxtaposition or related to other things.  How much stuff can I fit in here that is functional & useful that flows well and is beautiful but not cluttered looking? I'm very analytical in my way of thinking about things and I always keep in mind how my clients live in and use their space.  Chatting with other creative and crafty people is always fun.  Learning from others is a joy.

So I recently discovered LOOM KNITTING. I am very excited about it! I've always admired handmade things as you saw above but saw knitting and crocheting as a dying art. I've noticed though with places like Etsy and fine boutiques, that hand stitched items are on the rise and have risen to the times with beauty!  I mean that things made now have a classic touch and don't necessarily have an OLD look to them. This ain't your grandma's knitting! In fact there are several of my friends I've discovered that knit. I've now met many more 30-somethings that knit or crochet. So I set out to learn.  I bought a "I Taught Myself to Knit" and "....Crochet" kits on Ebay with a gift card I had. I went to the store to get yarn and what did I see?  A Knift Knitter Loom Kit.  Knitting Loom?? What is THAT?! Um...would that be easier for a girl with mild Carpel Tunnel? It turns out it IS and it is VERY ADDICTING! What a relaxing craft! Since that early cool day in October I have Googled and you-tubed my way through instructions and videos on how to loom knit and even have started creating my own patterns.  I've even stated selling things I've made with the positive responses I've been getting! You can find my designs on Facebook and currently I'm building my store on Etsy. You can follow me on here or "Like" me on Facebook. Feel free to ask questions or chat about looming at GoodKnitKisses@gmail.com or post them here. I'm also crocheting or rather still learning to do more and improve. I'd love to hear from you!