You’ve probably noticed the banners on the right side of my blog (and hopefully clicked on a few of them to see what they’re all about!). So far In the Usual Way is not a for profit blog, but I still love giving exposure to local businesses. The one I’d like to tell you about today is the first banner you see under “Friends and Partners”.

Robot Knit Chucks from Pretty Sneaky

Pretty Sneaky is an online store run by my friend Katie, who is the most talented knitter I’ve ever met. As you can see from the photo above, her speciality is custom knit Chuck Taylor sneakers and she can knit nearly any design you can imagine from the cute robot above to more complex patterns like this Fair Isle design:

Fair Isle Knit Chucks from Pretty Sneaky

My favorite items in her shop are the more geeky ones that use the pixelated look of knitting to highlight familiar images and characters from 8-bit video games. Recognize any of these?:

Mario Knit Chucks from Pretty Sneaky

Final Fantasy knit chucks from Pretty Sneaky

If you love the look of the knitting Katie does but don’t want it in sneaker form, fear not! you can purchase some of her knitting for your wall at Pretty Sneaky Home. I love the pop of color in these abstract designs below:

Modern abstract framed knitted panels from Pretty Sneaky Home

I also love these monogrammed knit panels– as a newlywed I can honestly say I would love it if someone gave me and my husband a set of these for our living room.

Custom double initial and heart framed knit panels

If you haven’t taken a look at either Pretty Sneaky’s collection of custom knit chucks or their home decor, please click any of the links in this post and take a look around. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I haven’t been paid to say any of this (the “sponsor spotlight” title is just because “friends of In the Usual Way” seemed too long). I get so excited whenever I see an artist doing something as fresh and fun as Katie is doing and I think it would be a shame not to share that enthusiasm with you!