Anatomy of a Kit

Some kits, like the Oregon Tweed socks above, are pretty straightforward. The yarn from PicoAccuardi Dyeworks is a no-brainer for me as are the LaurelHill needles. I love introducing folks to both of these companies and we use their stuff in our kits because they're just my favorite materials to work with. The pattern in this case is mine so it creates a simple kit to put together, test and get to market!

As you can see by all the bits and bobs here, the Snowflake Bookmark is another one of our kits, but it takes a bit more to come together. This is a kit that's truly inspired by the first "counted" needlepoint kit I ever purchased in Scotland, so many years ago. We wind off just the right amount of each color, plus a little, cut the canvas, backing and give you a couple of needles. Then there's the pattern. I love to graph my patterns for needlework and knitting in Knit Visualizer.

The draw to kits for me is straight from my childhood. I remember ripping open a box, counting all the pieces, the strands, the parts of a needlework kit and diving in. It's still that way for me. About 6 months ago I found the original 1950's loom that I learned in, boxed and waiting for me on Ebay. It was not to be! Heartbroken but still searching for that memorabilia to add to my collection, I am trying to create kits for others that inspire.

Tell me about your first kit love!

En Vogue

There's a long but boring story as to why it took me so long to show off this great mention in Vogue Fall 2010. But, here it is featuring the Magic Carpet Socks. We liked the part where they asked for a second kit so they could actually KNIT them. How's them apples?

So, let me say again that these socks are an absolute blast to knit. There's just a few bobbles and they're right on the top for full effect. Never let me say a negative thing about a bobble again. I now love them.


The big ad campaign for the Clearance Sale is starting Monday, Nov 1st, so if you've got your eye on something, act now. These are limited addition kits, kiddos.

It's Anniversary Time

 Here's the handspun crochet shawl that kept me busy for a few weeks this early fall.

Yep, and that means a sale of epic proportion as I make way for new designs and products at Krafti-Kit. We're talking like...half-off most of the store! I love those packages going out. And things are moving quickly out that door so if you like it, snag it.

I also just got my first little newsletter out the "door". It was little, minimalist and I hope that it will be more in the future, but I didn't have time for the learning curve on this one and needed to get it out.

There are so many ways I like to communicate with other crafters. Just a couple of days ago I was on Twitter, chatting with other crafty folks the #craftsocial conversation that happens once a month. We were talking about pricing our work and once we got started, there were so many aspects, the 2 hours just flew. The main take-away points were educating our consumer about how exactly we make what we make so that they will understand what they are paying for. The second big point was to become "activists" for creating a culture in which craft artisans are paid a livable wage or more. Really relevant conversation for everyone there.

I'm going to take a little look through the blog archive here and see what else I can tell you about when it comes to this process of creating kits. But, before I end here I'd like to remind folks that I'm still on my path to turn you all into needlepoint nerds. Free mini kits are going out until I'm out of these babies. The little needlepoint pattern goes in a card for a completely impressive gift when finished.

When Things Don't Come Easy

 These are the first socks I ever designed. a beginner pattern now available on KK

On October first, we moved all the Krafti biz stuff into our SUV, a day before Laura's memorial gathering. It's difficult for me to write about the emotion behind all this right now as I am still just all in it. I am still in disbelief.

I do want all our friends, vendors and customers to know that the Krafti has been on a fast-track lately with all the press we've gotten this early Fall. Difficult timing of course, given this loss of Laura.

You know, I was always the voice in her ear, telling her what business move to make next. Now it's Laura's voice in my ear, saying "Just go ahead and do it. Do the business. Do Krafti-Kit"

I think if I weren't hearing that voice so clearly in my head, I would not be doing it, for sure.

So, first blog post behind me, I am moving forward and I hope you will all join me.

--Melissa

Life

Laura Cohen passed away September 21st at approximately 9 pm PST after a long battle with lung disease.

From her husband, Jonathan:

"Laura and I had no illusions that her ongoing bronchiectasis would kill her sooner or later but we never imagined how hard or how fast the end would come. In the end every moment I could spend with her was precious.  We were together for 25 years, married for 15, and I was proud and grateful to have such a loving and caring companion who never once faltered in her love for me.

I want to express my deepest thanks to those of you who were sending your prayers and positive thoughts.  They were a great help to me to keep me strong for her.  There will be a memorial at my home in the coming days and I will send out an official announcement.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the American Lung Association."

As Laura's business partner, I'm in a state of shock. Of course this is an awful turn of events. I expect to write more in the coming days and also thank you for your support at this difficult time.

----Melissa

Update

I just wanted to post an update on what's going on here at Krafti-Kit:

This past month, we've been very lucky to have gotten reviewed in Vogue Knitting, Interweave Crochet and the KnitCircus gift issue. It was the fruit of much hard work to get our brand out there and I know that Laura is very happy about this.

In news about our family here, Laura is quite ill and hospitalized. I wanted to give you all the chance to put her in your thoughts and prayers at this challenging time for Laura and her husband, Jonathan. There's not much more I can say right now.

As many of you know, I've moved to WA, 3.5 hours from Portland, OR where the Krafti home is. That of course makes this time particularly difficult. I do want you all to know that you can still connect with Krafti through me. I can be reached through Melissa@krafti-kit.com and invite emails from anyone who may need questions addressed during this period when Laura will be unable to answer her emails.

Farmers Market Score

I visited the Portland Farmers Market last week for the first time this year. The market is now open at least four days a week in various locations all over the city and there is a bounty of edibles that cannot be overlooked.


My first stop yielded a great big bunch of arugula which I put in burritos, in a salad and added a big, fresh bunch on top of a pizza. YUM!


I grabbed a pint of these delicious cherries and have been eating them all week with the fresh blueberries from Sauvie Island.



Aren't these tomatoes gorgeous? And so delicious. I sauteed them with these potatoes and


the purple and green bell peppers. YUM!!!




I am going back this week and hope to bring home some of the same and something different.

The market is open every Monday from 10-2 through October in Pioneer Square. Come join me and support our local farmers, bakers and meat and cheese artisans.

The Fruits of my Labor

Last Thursday, my husband and I went blueberry picking on Sauvie Island and this is only one tub of the eleven pounds we brought home.

What to do with all of those blueberries, you ask? Well, they will get frozen and eaten during the rest of the year and immediately made into some wonderful, delicious treats.

















From the Tassajara Bread Book, given to me by my mom, I created this wonderful blueberry tart. Which is almost gone. What's next? Maybe a loaf of Lemon-Blueberry Bread from The Silver Palate cookbook.

So, who will join me?

Laura

Coffee and cookies and friends, oh my!

A couple of weeks ago, Melissa and I met at Moonstruck Cafe to discuss THE BLOG. If you are lucky enough to live in Portland, visit the cafe on NW 23rd and partake of some coffee and a delicious shortbread cookie (and a piece of chocolate, or two).

It has been almost four months since either of us has posted to the blog and for that, I am deeply sorry. I promise that this will be the first of many exciting posts, full of information, projects and news about Krafti-Kit.

Until next time, have a great holiday weekend and knit, crochet, sew, spin and stamp your hearts out! I know I will.

Laura

Pick Pocket

Unless you studied costume design, chances are you just sort of assumed that pockets have been around a really really long time. But, oh no. They are a relatively new invention. This 'small bag-like attachment' was worn externally for years and years before we ever thought of actually putting it directly on a garment, let alone IN a garment.

Read more here about the history of pockets while I tell you a bit more about why external pockets still have a place in our lives.

Have you ever had a dress or top that came with a pocket, but as soon as you put anything of substance in it, your garment pulled and gaped or worse...sagged? Yes. Many pockets are simply decorative. When you buy a pair of dress pants or jacket the pockets are actually sewn closed so that they don't lose shape before you buy them.

The idea of a small bag, worn outside of your clothing was called a "disco bag" in the 1980's and forgive me, but it's hard to name it any better. You're out at say...someplace to dance, you don't want to leave your handbag with those small essentials on the bar stool or chair. You have this little shoulder bag that doesn't mess with your outfit but keeps your important stuff safe.

All of this, to tell you that I have designed a new beaded bag for Krafti-Kit that does it's job and looks great with all kinds of clothes to boot. It's cotton, knit with matte gold glass beads, almost, but not quite antique looking and at 7"x6" will hold all your essentials. The back of the bag is knit in seed stitch to keep it from being too heavy. You can even line it if you like but it's knit tightly enough to not even need it.

If you've been "on the fence" about knitting with beads, maybe this will get you right off of that fence and knitting!

Spring: News From a Broad

I have an annual SPRING CLEANING RITUAL.

Hard to believe?

Not if you know me.

Melissa: Laura's very...tidy. Laura does not come to Melissa's house. Melissa is NOT tidy.

It all begins with a list. I take a favorite notebook and make a detailed list, dividing the house into rooms and the rooms into their individual components.

I have no start or end date, but as each room is cleaned, stuff recycled, donated and alas, dumped, I feel lighter and I end up finding lost items

What about you? Do you have a spring cleaning ritual?

To accompany the ritual at home, Krafti-Kit is having a spring cleaning sale.

We've got some exciting new kits and we're movin' some stuff out!

C'mon over!

New Again

Yep, we have a new site!
We had some issues with the functionality of our previous ecommerce store so we've moved it and redesigned. It's already so much easier, we're really happy about it.

I keep reminding myself of letting go of the things that are not working to embrace the new. New businesses are a challenge!

So, here we go and I hope you all will check it out. We hope you'll check it out and take advantage of our free shipping through the month of February.

My Kit Love by Laura

Dotee Doll Kit Components

I first learned to knit from a kit.

I was recovering from an illness and was bored, so I declared to my husband that I was going to learn to knit. And I did. I bought a book and the cutest kit to make a snake puppet. The kit included black and red yarn, pattern and instructions, eyes and yes, needles. I can’t seem to locate that puppet, or there would be a photo. (Melissa rolls eyes...)

I love the idea of having everything I need to complete a project presented to me in a nice little package

One of the great things about the purchase of a fiber arts kit is, it won’t go spoil or go rotten sitting in your refrigerator like that biology experiment in the vegetable crisper (oh yes, it’s in there).

My love of kits has come full circle; from learning how to knit and (a little) crochet to running this exciting business with Melissa.

I believe our kits inspire learning a new craft and falling in love with an old one.

What are you inspired to learn, to improve upon, to hand down to a friend or loved one?

Leave a comment 'cause we'd love to know.

Notes From Laura: Faerieworlds

All photos courtesy of Micki Da Re

When my sister Erin and I were kids, my parent took us to the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire in California every summer. I remember dancing, theater, music, wandering poets, food and booths. I don’t remember when my family stopped going and until recently, I never gave it a second thought. That is, until I was presented with the idea of showing the Krafti-Kit wares at a similar celebration, Faerieworlds Winter Celebration in Eugene, OR.

Melissa had managed to talk her friend and the producer of this Fae party, Robert, into attending Black Sheep Gathering and the connection to Fiber-Arts was made. So, booth and demo space was procured and the planning got into full swing.

What’s my experience with Krafti-Kit’s first show as an exhibitor? It’s a lot of work. Not just the logistics, but I was “on” all day for two days. I did enjoy myself however. I enjoyed having my husband, Jonathan, hang with me in the booth, staying with friends, observing the attendees, meeting the different vendors and watching Melissa demonstrate her spinning and weaving skills.

The demo area of our booth was by far the most interesting. At one point, Melissa had a fan club of boys, ages 7-12 watching her spin and wanting to learn. Melissa definitely has the teacher buried deep inside and is always looking for a chance to show someone a new skill, like me.

Melissa teaching with our Drop Spindle Kit

Over the past few months of our working together, Melissa has taught me the basics of hand sewing and needlepoint. I can’t say that I am an expert at these skills, but the seeds have been planted. What did she teach me that stuck? Weaving. Krafti-Kit borrowed a small rigid heddle loom from fellow exhibitor, Eugene Textile Center and Melissa declared “Laura, you will learn to weave”. Well, actually I think she said “I am going to teach you to weave.” And I did. Now I want a rigid heddle loom. The seed has been planted, a monster created. All thanks to Melissa and Faerieworlds.

A fun first experience and I am looking forward to the Summer Celebration.

So Fae

What a great kit! I designed it? Oh, thank you. (smile)
A little background here: I was away from crochet for a while and then I found a single skein of sock yarn. Just laying there all by itself. It wasn't enough for a full pair of socks so I thought I'd do something radical: crochet! At exactly the same time, I fell upon Laurel Hill's crochet hooks. These crochet hooks single-handedly brought me back to crochet. At a show I bought one of the Palmwood hooks and it was so light and lovely to touch, I just had to...well...crochet!

In this lovely marriage of material and tool, I came up with a simple headscarf pattern because I'd been trying to grow out my short locks. After making a couple of these, I really wanted to do more. At the same time, Laura and I were starting this business and I saw the perfect opportunity for just that.
I sent Jen Hintz a picture of some Lichen from here in Portland and asked her to create a hand dyed yarn with withher bamboo/wool sock base that picked up on these colors. She went us a few skeins, but we immediately fell in love with this one.


In our kit, we're including an ebony crochet hook (from reclaimed wood) from Laurel Hill with our pattern and a big skein of Jen's yarn. I seriously hope you'll give this a try and it's a relaxing projects and slips through your fingers in the most delicious way! So Faerie. So Fae.