Help us create a new fabric! Print out the page, color the triangle of hook, yarn, and needles however you like, and send it to us by the deadline. Your work may be featured as part of a collaborative design!
We will choose our favorites to be incorporated into a fun, tessellating fabric pattern that will be made into fun items such as project bags.
Be sure to fill out the contact information to be entered in the drawing and so we can list contributors on the product description page.
(Example: Stephanie L. - Louisville, KY)
Completed entries received by the deadline (March 15, 2023) will be entered into the drawing. Five (5) winners will be selected at random and announced in our newsletter. Each of the winners will receive a finished project bag!
By submitting an entry, I authorize Makers’ Mercantile to edit, alter, copy, or distribute this work for social media, advertising, marketing, and commercial purposes. Further, I agree that I will not receive any monetary compensation for the use of my work.
Makers’ Mercantile Showroom & Lounge is open to the public! Inside, you’ll find a good selection of yarns, notions, and products on display. We have room to seat 15 people comfortably in this bright, clean space. Bring your fiber projects and your friends!
The lounge is currently open the following hours:
Monday - Friday 9am – 3:30pm We have additional team members on Tuesdays & Thursdays to assist you.
Customer Pickups Looking to pick up your order? Park in one of our curbside pickup spots and gGive us a call at 206-747-7121. During Lounge hours, come on in if you wish - and ring the bell located in the lounge. We will bring your order to you!
Where is the Makers’ Mercantile Showroom & Lounge? We are located at 8041 S. 180th St., Kent, WA 98032. Enter the building and walk down the hall to the right. You'll immediately see the Lounge to your right.
Visiting for the First Time? If it's your first time visiting, Welcome! Ring the bell in the Lounge or call us and we will be happy to show you around the space.
Food & Drink You are welcome to bring snacks/drinks into the room. We do ask that drinks have lids.
Yarn Winding You are invited to use the yarn winder & swift in the Lounge. If you have yet to use these tools, let us know and we will be glad to show you how.
Placing Orders In the lounge, you can see the colors and feel all the wonderful yarns, check out our notions, kits, and project bags, and even test out the needles and hooks.
When you are ready, you are welcome to use our computer to place an order. At checkout request curbside pickup, and then let us know you placed an order by calling or ringing the bell located in the lounge. We will process the order and bring it to you.
Questions? Need Help? We are here! Give us a call at (206) 747-7121 or ring the bell. Someone from the Makers’ team will be happy to come help.
Curious about why a hand knitter might want to own an addiExpress Kingsize knitting machine? Here are 10 reasons this useful tool belongs in every hand knitter's collection:
When you want to see how a yarn will pattern, you can quickly run it through the machine and get a general idea. True, you cannot alter the gauge or needle size, but like we said, you will get a general idea – and if you don’t bind off, you can quickly photograph the fabric with your smartphone or camera, and then easily rip it out. You can even rewind the yarn into a cake directly from the piece you knitted. Easy peasy!
You can use the addiExpress Kingsize to knit panels that can be combined to make a sweater. Since your machine has a row counter, this is most easily done by casting on and working in waste yarn for a few rows, then working the desired amount of rows in the main yarn, and then ending again with a few rows in the waste yarn. Once the desired amount of panels are created, take a circular needle and run it through the first row of stitches of the main yarn on the cast on end and bind off. Repeat this on the bind off end. Next, line up the stitches and match your panels row by row.
You can do far more knitting for charity! Reversible hats especially, are very easy and quick to make on the addiExpress Kingsize. No hand knitting is necessary– but you can certainly add some flair by using your hand-knitting skills to create ribbing or other embellishments.
Tubular scarves make scarf knitting easy! Togive them more of a “hand-knitted” look, we recommend casting on and binding off using waste yarn, and finishing the ends of the scarf by transferring the stitches to a circular needle and either creating a ribbing in the round, or close the ends entirely by knitting two stitches together (one from each side of the fold), followed with ribbing. You can also add fringe!
Felted slippers are a breeze...but do require a little shaping created by hand-knitting! Check out our free felted slipper pattern!
As a hand knitter you know how knit stitches are created, allowing you to manipulate stitches on the addiExpress Kingsize more easily than someone who does not hand knit. This knowledge offers the opportunity for so much more creativity, such as dropping stitches that can be picked up with another color, or from the reverse side, creating a more dimensional stitch pattern than simple Stockinette!
It is a true stash buster ! You can hold finer yarns double (and triple) stranded on the addiExpress Kingsize, making it possible to create hats and scarves and panels by combining those lighter weight yarns to achieve the worsted gauge the machine creates.
Creating felt that coordinates with your hand-knitted piece is super easy. Simply knit your non-superwash yarn in a tube and bind it off. Toss it in your washing machine to felt, cut the tube open, and you’ll have a great piece of felt to use in conjunction with your hand-knitted pieces. Create felted collars, button bands, front panels or patches that coordinate perfectly with your knitted piece.
Twisted headbands are all the rage! They are quickly knit in stockinette stitch by hand. but imagine how quickly they are made on the addiExpress Kingsize! Adding special touches, like a cable, can be accomplished with practice, but only if you understand stitch construction, (which as a hand-knitter, you do)!
It’s super fun! Once you get started combining your addiExpress Kingsize along with hand knitting techniques, you are certain to discover how pleasurable it is to create items for yourself, your family and friends, and for charity, using the two together. It truly is the best of both worlds!
MM: Thank you for taking time to chat with us today, Hannah! We are so excited about your book and want to know, what was the inspiration behind writing it?
HM: I became interested in making patterns with the addiExpress Kingsize once I discovered how easy it is to use, and how quickly it knits. I wasn’t finding exactly the kinds of patterns I was looking for out in the world and thought it could be beneficial to new and experienced addiExpress knitters alike to have a guidebook that included detailed instructions for finishing, embellishment, and modern patterns that were easily customizable.
MM: So, the book also includes all that extra instruction? That's fantastic! Do you think the book is suited for people new to the addiExpress, or is it for folks more experienced with the machine?
HM: Both! But especially for newbies. This essential guide brings you completely up to speed on all things addiExpress—the history, the parts, how to cast on, bind off, embellish, do special techniques, all from the very beginning. And all 30 patterns are arranged with the most beginner-friendly at the start, all the way up to more advanced projects by the end. So, by the time you make it through to the end of the book, you’ll be an addiExpress Expert!
MM: Aah! It's a bit of a course in how to become a brilliant user of the machine. We have a number of customers who ask if the machines good for kids as well?
HM:Absolutely! Anyone can learn how to use the addiExpress knitting machines! Cast on is simple, and turning the handle is all it takes to knit round after round. No matter age or ability, the learning curve for the addiExpress is accomplishable by anyone willing to learn.
MM: I know you can make hats, but what else can you make with these machines? Can you make other things like sweaters?
HM: Anything you can imagine! They can make tubes, flat panels, and you can increase and decrease just like with regular hand knitting. The online community of addiExpress knitters has also gotten ingenious with hand-manipulated alternative stitch patterns, as well.
MM: A LOT of our customers ask for information about what yarns work best in the machine. Do you have any ideas/suggestions as to what size yarn works best?
HM: Generally, worsted weight is just the right size, but fiber content can make a big difference in your stitches per inch. Natural yarns usually work the best, because of their stretchy animal fibers, while acrylics and cottons tend to have less flexibility. The needles on an addiExpress Knitting Machine are about the equivalent of a US 10.5 [6.5mm] knitting needle. Weights from Lace to Aran will work in the machine, but each yarn is unique, and it is recommended to make a swatch before committing to a project with a new yarn.
Some of my favorite yarns available through Makers’ Mercantile® include:
MM: One last question. With all the fluff and fuzz that might build up in a machine, how do you keep it clean?
HM: Keep some canned air on hand! After a few projects, take your addiExpress outside, hold it upside-down and spray as much as you can inside the top with the canned air. This will help get out any residual fibers that get caught inside while knitting. You can also disassemble your machine to spray out the inside, just be sure to keep track of all your screws so they don’t roll away!
I have done a number of videos demonstrating how to remove/replace parts on the addiExpress as well. Even if you don't need to replace any parts, they are a good resource to learn how the machine is assembled.
A hearty congratulations to everyone who visited all 20 shops during the tour! It is a fantastic feat that we are certain will leave you inspired. Here are the crafty folks who made Makers' Mercantile stop #20:
Visit the shop in person or make a purchase online during the tour and you will receive download codes for the knit and crochet patterns we have created for the tour.
Alternatively, during the tour, you will also have the option to purchase the patterns for $10 each.
Mitered Square Tunic
by Melissa Leapman
Most sizes of the Mitered Square Tunic by Melissa Leapman take just two cakes of Concentric Cotton by HiKoo®. It begins at the bottom and is worked in a few simple pieces. Some quick finishing around the neck and the addition of sleeves and voila! You've created a lovely, gradient crocheted tunic you
can be proud of.
Want to make the piece shorter? Simply begin the neck shaping sooner... it's as easy as that.
This pattern is our gift to our customers now through
August 22, 2021.
Save 10% off Concentric Cotton now through 8/22/21
Choose two colors of CoBaSiby HiKoo and knit up a pair of Crab Walk Socks! Designed by Ellen Thomas of The Chilly Dog, these ankle high beauties feature patterning that keep the knitting interesting. This pattern is our gift to our customers now through August 22, 2021.
Due to increases in the cost of shipping, we will be revising our shipping policy effective August 1, 2021, as follows:
Free shipping on all orders of $75.00 or more within the contiguous US.
Orders under $75.00 being shipped in the contiguous US will be charged a flat rate of $5.00. We will choose the most economical way to ship your order. This may be UPS, USPS, or FedEx.
Orders of any amount shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, and other US territories, will be shipped for a flat fee of $7.00. This may be UPS, USPS or FedEx.
Expedited shipping may be requested for $10.00
International orders will be charged based on product weight, size, and the country being shipped to.
Subscription boxes will ship at the rate specified at the time of sign-up.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact us at hello@makersmercantile.com and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Our online workshops and events are hosted through Zoom. The application can be downloaded on tablets, smartphones, or computers. Please be sure you have a stable, strong internet connection during the workshop. If you have used Zoom in other events, or to virtually visit with friends or family, then you probably know how to use the app!
Makers' Nite and other FREE events If you see a link to join the meeting on one of our virtual events (like Makers' Nite), then simply save that link, or click on it 15 minutes before the event begins. Unless otherwise noted, there is no need to register for free events!
The Day Before a paid event (such as an online workshop) A day before the event, you will be provided with login information. Take a moment to check to ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of Zoom on your devices. Did you complete any homework necessary? Gather your materials and make sure they are all in one spot, so you are ready when it's time to learn.
Please Note: Our system will send receipts and login information to the email address that you provide at the time of purchase. Some people use a different email for PayPal, etc. so please check the email address used at the time of purchase for the information needed to access events. If you have difficulties finding your receipt or other information, please reach out to us asap so that we can assist.
One Hour Before Class Make sure that you have the most up to date version of the Zoom app. Not sure how to do that? Click HERE.
15 Minutes Before Class You will be able to join the event about 15 minutes before the beginning of the event. Be sure to have your materials kit, as well as paper, pen/pencil, and other notions you think you may need.
Set yourself up in a quiet location, and if possible, wear headphones. Turn off any television, radio, or other source of sound.
When Class Begins Each attendee will be "muted" when they enter the room. We encourage you to stay muted, and to utilize the chat room for questions. Our instructors have assistants that will relay questions during the event, and as needed, will call on students to unmute themselves to ask questions.
Classes are only offered live and will not be recorded.
Refunds/Cancelations Attendees can cancel and get a refund for the workshop portion of a class up until the time sign-in information has been delivered for the workshop. The materials fee is not refundable
Something Isn't Working Having troubles? Try leaving the event, and then join again. If that doesn't solve the issue, restart your device and rejoin the class. If you continue to experience issues, please call 206-747-7121, or email us hello@makersmercantile.com
The holidays are just around the corner, and we feel time ticking by as we inch towards the moment handmade gifts need to be sent on the journey to the lucky recipient.
Need some ideas about what to make or buy for your deserving friends and family? The Makers' team has compiled some ideas here of gifts to make and give.
Monthly Subscriptions
Give the gift of creativity all year long! Choose from our three subscription box offerings: Sock of the Month, Hat of the Month, or our kids box, the Craft Corner. Each priced at just $27 a month, all boxes come with instructions, materials, and gifts to keep the crafter creating.
Our subscription programs run monthly, and you can cancel any time.
Big stitches and big yarn means a quick knit. As an added value, we are including an addi US 10.75 fixed circular 47" long needle, and a printed copy of the pattern to make this wonderfully huge big lace shawl. Running out of time? You can simply gift this HUGE cake of Donegal tweed, the pattern, and needle to the knitter in your life.
Twined knitting is a technique that involves the wrapping of yarns around each other after every stitch. It requires yarns that are twisted opposite each other. In this kit, you'll find "S" twist and "Z" twist yarns specifically created for this purpose. Make these fun mittens as a special gift and learn a new technique at the same time!
(or, give the kit as a gift and let that special person in your life get to experience the magic of twined knitting!)
Also in the kit, you'll receive a download code for the Kerstin mitten pattern (a $ 7 value!) Check out the project page on Ravelry HERE.
From the mind of Franklin Habit comes this beautiful lace scarf. Using just one hank of Infinito, a bevy of lace stitches harmonize as the yarn color shifts slowly from light to dark.
Purchase one hank of Infinito now through 12/1, and we will include a copy of the pattern as our gift to you (a $5.00 value).
In addition, you can review the tutorial videos from our KAL HERE.
Fun as a gift to make and then give (or a great all-inclusive kit to give to a lucky recipient) the Woolbuddy kits offer a collection of adorable animals that are just waiting to be crafted. Click the button below to see the options.
Luxurious, 100% extrafine merino wool. What could be better?! This super soft yarn is prepared in so many color options that you are certain to find one (or three!) that strike your fancy. Lifestyle by Zitron is presented in pre-wound 50 gram balls. Want more yardage and some color gradients? We encourage you to consider Unisono. It is essentially the same yarn as Lifestyle, but is prepared in 100 gram hanks and has more multi-color choices.
Want a multi-colored yarn to go with Lifestyle? You are in luck! Ambiente by Schoppel-Wolle is an idential yarn base, but it has been space dyed so that when it is knitted, a pattern that resembles Fair-Isle appears!
100% Superwash Merino
170 yards per 50 gram ball
6.5 sts = 1 inch on US 2 - 4 (2.75 - 3.50 mm) needles
Join your fellow Makers' for our September Instagram Challenge! Use the daily prompts as inspiration to post submissions on your Instagram account. Each day brings provides a prompt.
Have fun with your submissions, and let us celebrate the creative process together. Simply remember to tag @makersmercantile and use the hashtag #MonthforMakers on each of your challenge posts. Remember to follow us as well for more fun adventures.
Oh! Did we mention? There are 3 chances to win amazing prizes! Winners will be announced via Direct Message in Instagram.
