Well, yesterday’s post was a bit of a false start on the track – I was an entire day early. So, without further ado, TODAY, SATURDAY, MAY 18th is Craftsy’s FREE class day for new members! (for real!)

From Craftsy:  On May 18th, Craftsy is hosting Free Class Day to benefit DonorsChoose. For one day only, new members can choose one free course from a selection of favorite Craftsy classes, up to a $39.99 value! If you haven’t taken a Craftsy class yet, Saturday is your chance to sign up for your first by choosing from classes in quilting, sewing, knitting, cake decorating, and more.

If they meet their goal of giving away 10,000 classes, Craftsy will donate $5,000 to DonorsChoose to fund arts education in public schools across the US. Existing members are not eligible for the free course offer, but will still receive a special treat. 

If you’re looking to expand your craft and hobby repertoire, Craftsy is having a free class day - today only for new members! In addition to knitting, they have crochet, quilting, baking, metalsmithing, sewing, and more!

Go check out their class offering and take advantage of their freebie today.

Yay for givaways! And yay for sunflowers, which is my wonderful mother’s favorite flower seeing as she hails from Kansas.

Sarah E. White is giving away a copy of Kristin Nicholas’ book 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt over at Craft Gossip. Be sure to go over and leave her a comment there by May 19th in order to win!

Knitting

Awww, puppy! I love dogs, and I love knitted rugs even more. Here’s a free knitted rug pattern from Free-KnitPatterns.com for you to whip up. I might try this and throw in all of my scrap yarn – and see what comes out!

Designed by E. J. Slayton.

Walking on this quick-to-knit rug will feel like wading in refreshing ocean waves. Rug size: 28 x 27 inches

Skill level: Easy

Free-KnitPatterns.com – Free Pattern of the Day

I’ll admit it:  I’m totally not into zombies. As someone who grew up in the 70s and 80s, I was more into Anne Rice. I know, I know… even the Walking Dead has absolutely zero appeal to me. That being said, I am absolutely dying to make this adorable little knitted zombie! Mary Mooney from the Oregonian decided to whip up her zombie alter ego, and the results are adorable:

Seriously, that is totally gross and cute at the same time.

Head over to her blog and see how she put together her brain-dead mini-me. Also, if you are interested in learning how to create your own knitted zombie, check out Fiona Goble’s How to Knit Your Own Zombie: Over 1,000 Combinations to Rip ‘n Reassemble for Horrifying Results. Even if you’re not a fan of zombies, they are really cute.

I’ve added a new feature to iKnitty.com – introducing the new iKnitty Forums!

In the forums, you can ask questions about the stretchy bind-off, find out what that knit stitch was you saw in a book at Michael’s, or get a new free pattern knitting resource.

I only ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

- Keep language PG(ish) … we have Girl Scouts earning their knitting badges reading the site!
- There is no such thing as a stupid question!
- NO trashing or bashing tolerated, and trolls will be dismembered and thrown into the moat.
- This website and therefore the forums are public, so anything you post could possibly be used against you (usually by your friends and family calling you out on your yarn-hoarding problem).
- Spam (obviously) will be deleted immediately and spammers will get THE BANHAMMER.

Please enjoy, play nice, and I hope that you utilize this great resource and opportunity to share with your fellow yarnies.

If you’re near the Washington, DC area, be sure to make it over to the Artisphere, which is the arts center of the Rosslyn neighborhood in Arlington. They kicked off their city-sanctioned yarnbombing last month, and my darling friend Sammy sent me these delightful pictures!

Are you an advanced beginner and looking for a FREE pattern and a VIDEO TUTORIAL for knitted fingerless mitts? You are absolutely in luck, because Very Pink.com has a wonderful pattern and tutorial for you!

v e r y p i n k . c o m