Monday, June 24, 2013

Develop a Productive and Healthy Activity Through Knitting

There are different recreational activities enjoyed by today’s world. These recreational activities give pleasure and enjoyment. Many people decide to experience physical activities while others choose on activities that can have output. Once you finish one, there is the feeling of accomplishment and success that grows inside your heart. From this, you cannot help continuing your work until you made a lot of items.

One of the most common recreational activities in the world is knitting. Knitting, as most dictionaries would define, is a method by which a thread or yarn is used to make a cloth. It can be done by a hand or machine. It is not only done for leisure times but also, it is use to gain extra income.

According to studies, knitting together with other needlework provides several benefits. These studies have found the rhythmic and repetitive action of knitting can help prevent and manage stress, pain and depression, which in turn strengthen the body’s immune system, as well as create a relaxation response in the body which can decrease blood pressure, heart rate, help prevent illness, and have a calming effect. Pain specialists have also found that the brain chemistry is changed when one knits, resulting in an increase in "feel good" hormones and a decrease in stress hormones. Knitting, along with other leisure activities has been linked to reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. (Walsh, C., http://www.prlog.org/10179509-knitting-and-crochet-offer-long-term-health-benefits.htm)

There are different styles and methods in knitting as well as there are different yarns and needles needed to achieve the desired knitted item. Materials needed in knitting are straight knitting needles, yarn, scissors, stitch markers and knitting needle organizer.

1.       The three important factors to consider in buying needles are; first, determining whether the pattern calls for straight, double point or circular needles, second, is by knowing what material the knitting needles are made of and third is knowing the size of needle required.

2.       Yarn is the most important material in knitting. Without yarn, knitting is not possible.  Better to buy yarn that has quality but cost effective. You can get yarn made out of acrylic, wool, angora, silk, cashmere, cotton, bamboo, and even corn. Items made from quality yarns will made quality finish products. Try to buy yarns from any yarn sale like yarn sale in Ormond Beach that provides you patterns knit patterns.
3.       Any type of scissors will do but it is cool and enjoyable to work with embroidery scissors. Embroidery scissors are used to trim threads closely and accurately. Therefore, embroidery scissors have sharp tips that will quickly trim thread.

4.       In knitting, stitch markers are necessary. They come in plastic or metal or you can make them yourself out of extra yarn. Stitch markers are small rings that are slid onto the knitting needles to help keep track of stitches. They are usually placed every 5 or 10 stitches so you can count your stitches more easily and check if you have added or lost stitches. 

5.       If you care about yarns, you must also care about your needles. The three kinds of needles are straight knitting needles, circular needles and double pointed knitting needles. The size of the needle needed depends on the patterns you have. Each knitting needle has a US size and a Metric size .You must also have knitting needle organizer to keep your needles. Knitting needle organizers also come in different designs you could choose from.


Knitting is such an enjoyable activity. With this, you can have an anti-stress time without cooking yourself to boredom. Moreover, through engaging in this activity, you become productive to the world of industry by selling and buying knitted items.  

Walking Through the Fashion Runway With The Ball of Yarn



Let your style be idolized by others with cool knitted outfit. Learn to make one for yourself with The Ball of Yarn. Visit our website at http://theballofyarn.com.

Fabulous Surprises in Ormond Beach



Aside from the beautiful view of Ormond Beach, The Ball of Yarn is also one of the mostly visited shop in town. It houses fabulous yarns suited for all seasons. Click on http://theballofyarn.com for more details.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

From A Ball of Yarn to a Great Business

Colors and threads can turn a window into something like that of the Palace of Versailles in France, a plain ground into a red carpeted Hollywood catwalk, or a plain looking lady into a princess. Truly, great things come out of simple stuffs. It hasn't been that long since I had special interest for fashion. I started watching Project Runway on ETC and developed fascination on clothes especially after they are turned into fabulous outfits for the runway.

My admiration to this really fantastic effort to make these soon – to – be very expensive clothes fell on the same place where yarns are the good guys. I had seen this business called The Ball of Yarn. As the term implies, the business is all about yarns. The Ball of Yarn started in September 2011 in Florida though it has been around for much longer. This humble business was established by a team of a mother and daughter that are passionate about knitting and crochet in Ormond Beach.


The dedication given out by the team gave a lot of opportunities for people to learn more about the goodness of making knitting a hobby, furthermore, a business. The Ball of Yarn opened classes and taught those who are interested in knitting and crochet. Their classes in Ormond Beach provide knitting patterns that will be followed by the students.

Since the knitting shop in Ormond Beach was established, the business was able to serve as a charitable institution helping out in medical agencies including the Pregnancy Crisis Center by donating booties. They have also donated chemo caps to the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center – Comprehensive Cancer Center and a variety of baby items out of their yarns to Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center. Hospice of Volusia – Flagler County was also benefited through prayer shawls. The leftover yarns from the Ball of Yarn are donated to the United Methodist Church and the Senior Citizen Center.



Learning and doing what you enjoy is an advantage to make a business grow. The Ball of Yarn did not start big but it becomes broader and broader as it shares its success. Posted on their website is the schedule of their classes. Their classes range from small to personal in order to give large focus on what a learner needs to know about the knitting and crochet. The products from knitting and crochet were not just very usable but fashionable as well.