Adorable Sheepish Version

I just couldn't help but share these adorable photos from my talented friend Kate at Tottoppers.

Her little boy Charlie is just the cutest and he wears his new "Sheepish" sweater so well!

It looks so cozy and warm on him, doesn't it?

I'm so happy to see that this little sweater works equally well in a little boy's wardrobe.

Pattern available here.

Li'l Man Vest

This past August I had the privilege of joining the Spud and Chloe design team!
I love working with the Spud and Chloe line of yarns, they are so soft, easy to work with and even machine washable. Perfect for kids!

This is the first of my patterns to be released through the Spud and Chloe company.

This little bulky vest makes the perfect classic, cozy, last minute gift for the little one in your life. It's knit with 3 skeins of Spud and Chloe Outer on size 10 1/2 needles. You won't believe how fast this little thing knits up.. Only a few evenings at the most!

Spud and Chloe named this pattern the "L'il Man Vest", but I think it can be worn by a girl as well. I've always thought it would look adorable on my daughter paired with a crisp white shirt, a plaid skirt and tights.

You will find this pattern at your local yarn shop or online here. Enjoy! :)

Crazy Lace Giveaway

Please leave a comment under this post to enter the Crazy Lace drawing giveaway!

If you are chosen as the winner, you will receive this signed copy of Crazy Lace by Myra Wood.
Also included in the prize is this gorgeous 950 yard skein of Madelinetosh Lace from
The Backwards Loop to create your own "crazy lace" with.

(Please listen to Episode 30 of the NeverNotKnitting podcast for a review of Madelinetosh and an interview with author Myra Wood.)

You have until Jan 1, 2010 to enter the drawing! Please check back then to see if you've won!


Drawing now closed! Winner is Wooly Knits and Bits! Congratulations!

The Results Are In...

Thank you to all of you who entered my "blogiversary" drawings! I was delighted to read all of your comments and receive all of your pictures! What fun!

Now to announce the winners...

Drawing #1: I randomly selected one of the comments left under the blogiversary post and I am happy to announce that the winner is Katerina

who wrote: "I found your blog through your podcast, and I found your podcast through searching iTunes for knitting podcasts! (I listen to quite a few of them and always like to hear a new voice!) I enjoy your reviews and laid back style I've only been a reader/listener recently - but enjoying hearing/reading it!"

Congratulations Katerina! I will be sending some of the NNK patterns, a few skeins of yarn and some treats your way!

And now onto Drawing #2!

Here is a collage of all the wonderful knitters who sent me their pictures! I just love this! :)

It was great seeing all of your faces and learning more about your favorite knitting spots.

I randomly chose between all the pictures sent...

And.....

The...

Winner...

Of...

The...

HUGE...

Giveaway...

Prize...

Issssssss........

Tracy!!!

Tracy wrote: "Here is my picture for the NNK Drawing. I was going to take a picture of myself at my LYS where I buy most of my yarn and notions, but honestly I love knitting at home after dinner and a long day of teaching. It is a perfect place for me while knitting and spending time with my husband and the other members of our family (dogs: Bandit, and Bailey and our tom cat Winston). "

Yay Tracy! Congratulations!

This is what you won!

Also included in this prize is a beautiful button selection from Tangled Yarns, (Regrettably the package is being shipped all the way from Australia and didn't make it in time for the photo-shoot) and an ingenious row counter from Pretty Knitty Jewelry!

Well I just have to say that this drawing was sooo much fun! I would like to start running drawings like this regularly throughout the year. If you would like to be a contributor for an upcoming giveaway please email me: nevernotknitting@gmail.com.

Thank you everyone for participating!

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 30 : Interview With Myra Wood

Episode 30

Shownotes:

The Backwards Loop

Smoky Cedar Leaf Shawlette

Cedar Leaf Shawlette Pattern

Malabrigo Silky Merino

Cedar Leaf Knit-a-long

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Damson

Madelinetosh

Tea Leaves Cardigan Pattern

Tea Leaves Progress

Tosh Merino

Malabrigo Worsted

*Eyre

Eyre Cedar Leaf Shawlette

*Pastoral

Worsted

Sock

*Wren

*Lace

Myra Wood

Myra on Facebook

Xiphium Shawl Pattern

Crazy Lace

Crazy Lace Ravelry Group

International Free Form Group

Myra’s Graphic Design Portfolio - (check this out!)

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Get free shipping through The Backwards Loop until Jan 15th by entering code: “freeship” in the checkout process. Also be sure to listen to episode 30 to get an alternate discount code for selected Madelinetosh yarns. The special podcast code applies to all yarns with an *.

Episode 29 drawing winners: Michelle is the winner of the signed copy of Made In Brooklyn, and Donita won the skein of Classic Elite Princess from Dancing Ewe Yarns! Congratulations!

This is the last episode for season 3. Please join me back for Episode 31 on March 1, 2010.

Thanks for listening!

Download Episode 30 MP3 here

Crazy Lace

A New Sweater And The Bag It Calls Home

I recently fell in love with yet another sweater pattern. The Tea Leaves Cardigan by madelinetosh. Even though I still have a few projects currently on the needles, I felt the need to cast on for this one right away.

Do you blame me? Seriously.

Is it just me.. or is this ruched yoke pattern in this colorway of madelinetosh merino pretty much the most beautiful thing ever?

I decided that I had to go with the Tannehill colorway for my sweater, just like the original pattern photo. This color intrigued me in the pictures and is equally stunning in real life. Usually I would be scared of so many colors thrown together in one yarn.. but its so elegantly executed. It's truly unique and lovely.

(Be sure to listen to Episode 30 of the NeverNotKnitting podcast airing tomorrow.
There will be a special offer from Backwards Loop for the madelinetosh yarns.)

Plus I had to have something exciting and new to put into my new RoseKnits project bag.
If you aren't familiar with these bags, I highly suggest you check out RoseKnits etsy shop and the selection at Backwards Loop.

I am in love with this little bag. It holds 2 balls of yarn, my work-in-progress and the pattern quite comfortably with room to spare!

And it's a whole lot cuter than the gallon size ziploc bags that I normally use...

I also love that it has its own handle! Perfect for knitting on the go!

Smoky Cedar Leaf

My second Cedar Leaf Shawlette is now finished!
I'm so happy to have another in a different color. This one goes perfectly with my winter coat.

Also, this will be the sample that travels around in my trunk show.
So if your local yarn shop is carrying my patterns, you might get to see this one in person.

This was knit from 2 skeins of Malabrigo Silky Merino.
I have no idea how I squeezed it out of only 2 skeins!
I think I've been rather stressed lately so I must be knitting tightly. :)

I used the beautiful gray colorway "Smoke".

(Yarn available here. Pattern available here.)

My favorite thing about this pattern is seeing the leaves overlap eachother.
I love knitted leaves.. and seeing them altogether like that.. just makes me happy. :)

I also really enjoy wearing the shawlette wrapped around my neck (as shown above)
so that all the leaves are showing at once.

So far this design has proved to be a very wearable knit for me.
This is the first scarf I go for in the morning. I hope to make more in different colors soon. Wouldn't it look gorgeous in an autumn colorway?

If you are interested in this pattern, I'd love for you to join the Cedar Leaf Knit-a-long.
Click here!

Made In Brooklyn Drawing Giveaway

This signed copy of Made in Brooklyn could be yours!

Enter to win by leaving a comment under this post before December 15th.

I will choose a commenter at random and be announcing the winner on the podcast and blog, so be sure to check back!

This book contains the Laurel hat pattern that I just knit, and it is chalk full of other beautiful designs as well.

It will surely make a wonderful addition to your knitting library. :)

Drawing Now Closed!

Winner is Michelle! Congratulations!!!

Laurel

Here is the lovely new hat I just recently completed.
The pattern is named Laurel and it's from Jared Flood's new book Made in Brooklyn.

(Book found here.)

It truly is a stunning pattern isn't it? I love how all the cables and bobbles twist together and join into the center of the crown.

The knitting of Laurel was fun and kept my interest, but was a bit on the tedious side with all of the cable crosses.

(Can you tell that I took this picture myself?)

If you are interested in knitting this hat, be sure to take a look at this errata page before starting. Also, I would suggest different bobble instructions than those presented in the book.

I found my bobbles to be kind of irregular and puny. I would definitely work them differently if I was to make this again.

I worked this hat out of the suggested yarn Classic Elite Princess in the Milord's Madder colorway. It's such an ideal Autumn color.

(Yarn found here.)

The great news is that I made this hat out of only one skein of the Princess yarn! With some to spare even!

I'm seriously thinking about casting on for the Grove mittens in the same colorway to match!

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 29 : The Fantasy Sweater Shelf

Episode 29

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Brooklyn Tweed

Made in Brooklyn

Loop and Leaf

Quincy

Rowan Cocoon

Bridgewater

Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace

Laurel

Laurel Errata

Grove

Classic Elite Princess

The Martha Sweater

Amy on Ravelry

Amy’s Knitting Blog

The NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

*Don't forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

Dancing Ewe Yarns is offering all NeverNotKnitting podcast listeners and blog readers 10% off all Classic Elite Yarns for the month of December 2009.

Enter code "NNK1" in the checkout process.

Congratulations to bethgormong, the winner of Episode 28's drawing!

Click here to download the Mp3 of Episode 29.

2 Year Blogiversary And The Best Giveaway Ever!

Two years ago today, I started Never Not Knitting. Little did I know back then what this blog would turn into or what fun it would bring to my life.

In honor of my two year "blogiversary" I would like to extend a thank you. Thank you to all of you who regularly visit me, who comment on my posts, who support my blog sponsors. It's been such a pleasure for me to meet so many fantastic knitters from all over the world.

Today I would like to give something back to my loyal readers and supporters. I have gotten in touch with some of my favorite online knitting vendors and friends to bring you the best giveaway this blog has ever offered. (And I've offered a lot of giveaways!)

In order to get to know my readers better, I would like to announce 2 new drawings!

DRAWING #1
All you have to do in order to enter drawing #1 is to leave a comment under this blog post. Please tell me in your comment how you found the Never Not Knitting blog and how long you've been a reader. That's it!

The prize for drawing #1 is going to be a compilation of NeverNotKnitting patterns, yarn, and other sweet treats!

DRAWING #2
I know that I have a lot of readers from all around the world. I would love to put some faces with the names. Entering drawing #2 is going to require a little more effort than drawing #1 but, believe me, it's worth it... the prize is going to be huge...huge...HUGE!

The prize for drawing #2 is going to be a box of goodies including designer knitting patterns, skeins of yarn, a gift certificate, buttons, a row counter, a tee-shirt, sweet treats, the entire Never Not Knitting pattern collection, and knitting notions bags.

All of these goodies will be provided for you by these amazing vendors and artists:

Audknits
Gudrun Johnston
Jane Richmond
Knitbot
Knitcircus
NeoKnits
Sew Liberated
The Caffeinated Knitter

Tottoppers
Funky Carolina
Pretty Knitting Jewelry
RoseKnits
Dancing Ewe Yarns
Loops
One Planet Yarn and Fiber
Pulling at Strings
Tangled Yarns

This prize and contributor list may be added to as time goes on!!

What you need to do to enter drawing #2 is to email me a picture of yourself in your favorite knitting location. You'll need to be holding a sign that says "I am Never Not Knitting at" and then put where your favorite place to knit is (like the name of your local yarn shop, etc). Also put where you are from...State/Province and Country is great!
(See my picture above as an example.)

Email the picture to nevernotknitting@gmail.com and put in the subject line
"Blogiversary Picture Drawing Giveaway".

When the drawing is over, I will be compiling all of the photos into a large collage to be shared in a future blog post on NeverNotKnitting.com. It'll be so fun for me to see pictures of all of you!

RULES
You can enter both drawings #1 and #2, but only enter each drawing once.

Drawings both end at 11:59PM PST, December 15, 2009. I will randomly choose a blog comment for drawing #1 and an emailed picture for drawing #2 to determine the winners. I will announce the winners on the blog on December 16, 2009.

Thank you so much for sharing my knitting adventures with me over these past two years!
I hope that you will take the time to enter these drawings! It will be a lot of fun! :)

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 28 : The Jolly Green Giant

Episode 28






Shownotes:
One Planet Yarn and Fiber

The Cedar Leaf Shawlette

Lady Godiva

Cedar Leaf Knit Kits

Please Join The Cedar Leaf Shawlette Knit-a-long!

Nic on Ravelry

The Jolly Green Giant

Nic's Blog

Wren Ross

The NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

*Don't forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

One Planet Yarn and Fiber is offering free US shipping to all NeverNotKnitting podcast listeners and blog readers until Dec. 15th, 2009.

Be sure to enter the promotional code "NNKship" in the checkout process!

*Free shipping does not apply to any Lalana items*

Congratulations to Episode 27's drawing winner, Anita! She won a skein of Malabrigo worsted!

Click here to download the MP3 of Episode 28.

Cedar Leaf Shawlette

I am so happy to announce that my Cedar Leaf Shawlette pattern is now available for purchase.

This is a tiny crescent shaped shawlette that drapes beautifully around your shoulders and looks absolutely stunning wrapped around your neck as a scarf.

This design marries my two favorite things in the whole world. The color green and knitted leaves. I couldn't love it more!

The curved stockinette st body is created through the use of short rows, and the beautiful leafy border is knit onto the body of the shawlette after its completed.
I found the construction to be very easy. No seaming. No picked up stitches.

As you can see, the shawlette is quite versatile. It can be successfully worn several different ways.

I wore mine out for the first time today. It was wonderfully soft and it added a vibrant accent to my winter outfit. I really want to wear it every day. Would people think I was weird?

Good thing I'm starting on another. That way I can switch off colors at least.. :)

Here is some pattern information for those of you interested:

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: 54 inches from end to end.
Width: measures approx 8 inches at widest point of center including leaf border.

MATERIALS
Handmaiden Lady Godiva [50% Silk, 50% Wool; 273 yd/250m per 100g skein; color: Cedar; 2 skeins or approx 350 yards of a dk weight wool blend. Alternate yarn: Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3 ply, Malabrigo Silky Merino, or Manos Silk Blend. (You'll want a yarn with plenty of drape)

1# 32" US #7/4.5mm circular needle
1# US #7/ 4.5mm double pointed needle for leaf edging
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts/36 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on size 7 needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

This pattern includes instructions for short row shaping. I found a couple of good instructional videos highlighting this method here and here.


You can also find a great video showing how to hide the wraps on the purl side here.

(This illustrates how the leaves are knitted on)

Cedar Leaf Knit Kits are available here through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

I really hope that you enjoy knitting up a Cedar Leaf Shawlette of your very own. Im going to be starting my second one shortly and invite you all to knit-a-long with me here on Ravelry.

Hope to see you there!





Pattern is now available in French! Click here to purchase the french translation.

Pattern is also now available in Dutch! Click here to purchase the dutch translation.

Pre-order Your Cedar Leaf Kit!

My new pattern the Cedar Leaf Shawlette will be available for purchase soon!

If you are interested in knitting up the Cedar Leaf Shawlette, you are able to pre-order the kit in the fabulous Handmaiden Lady Godiva yarn right now through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click here for details.

The kit will include the pattern and 2 skeins of Lady Godiva in the color of your choice at a 10% discount. One Planet wants to insure that the color you want is available. It will be dyed to order especially for you.

I highly recommend this Cedar colorway. It is unbelievably beautiful. The way the greens and hints of brown and rust blend together is so reminiscent of Autumn.

I've also been eyeing that Chocolate colorway. It looks so rich and decadent!

A Sneek Peak At Cedar Leaf

I have a new design on the needles... and I am loving every stitch.

Check back soon for more progress pictures!

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 27 : The Malabrigo Not Meant For Me

Episode 27





Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Bonita Knit and Sew

Bobbin's Nest Studio

Joan McGowen Michael

Ysolda Teague

Pagewood Farms Denali

Damson

Coraline

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Malabrigo Worsted

Malabrigo Worsted Project Ideas

Vine Yoke Cardigan KAL

Malabrigo Sock Yarn

Daybreak Shawl

Baktus Scarf

Sock Yarn Sweater

Silky Merino

Gayle on Ravelry

Gayle's Ribby Pulli

Wren Ross

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

*Dont forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

Dancing Ewe Yarns is offering all NeverNotKnitting blog readers and podcast listeners 10% of the entire selection of Malabrigo yarns through December 1, 2009.

Just enter in the special code "NNK1" in the checkout process!

Congratulations to commenter "3 Dogs and a Chinchilla" the winner of last episodes podcast drawing to win a skein of O-wool balance from Dancing Ewe Yarns!

Also congratulations to Louise! She won the signed copy of Itty Bitty Toys book courtesy of Susan B. Anderson

Click here to download the MP3 of Episode 27.

Project Update...

A lot has been going on around here!
First of all, my pile of gray Malabrigo is rapidly turning into the
squishiest, softest, cuddliest cardigan. I cant wait to wrap myself in it when its done.

The pattern is Vine Yoke Cardigan by Ysolda Teague. Its a pleasure to knit, but I have to admit that the sweater's current proportions are scaring me a little.
Fortunately I know a thing or two about blocking handknits into submission.

Also last weekend I had the awesome opportunity of going on a knitting retreat put on by Bonita Knitting and Bobbin's Nest Studio.
There was a beautiful boutique set up just for the retreat participants. It wasn't my fault that they happened to include the most beautiful skein of sock yarn in the sale.

I had to cast on for Damson straight away.

Do you blame me?

Itty Bitty Toys Drawing Giveaway!

Leave a comment under this blogpost to be entered to win a signed copy of Itty Bitty Toys!
(The cutest toy book EVER)
You have until November 1 to enter the drawing!

The winner will be announced on the podcast and blog, so check back to see if you've won!

Drawing now closed! Winner is commenter #230, Louise! Congratulations! 
Thankyou to everyone for entering! I run drawings on a regular basis, so try again sometime!

Egg? Bluebird?

I just knit the most fantastic little toy out of Susan B. Anderson's new book Itty Bitty Toys.
The last chapter contains 5 ingenious reversible patterns, including this one... my favorite.



It starts out as a tiny egg and hatches into a sweet little Bluebird.
What a fun concept.



It was so quick! And way easier to construct than I thought it would be.
For this project I used 3 skeins of O-wool balance in colors Opal, Natural, and Agate. It only took a tiny amount of each skein.

(Yarn available here.)

I just used some scraps to make the beak and eyes. There was no way that I was going to order a whole skein just for that!



The "Bluebird/Egg" pattern also comes with its own tiny little nest to rest in. So adorable!

If you would like to hear more about O-wool yarn and the book Itty Bitty Toys, listen to my latest podcast episode #26.

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 26 : Interview With Susan B. Anderson

Episode 26



Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Itty Bitty Toys

Pictures From Inside the Book

Spud and Chloe Blog

Susan's Blog

Susan on Ravelry

NeverNotKnitting Theme Song

O-wool Balance

Elijah

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Vine Yoke Cardigan KAL

Join the NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter!

*Dont forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!


Dancing Ewe Yarns is offering all NeverNotKnitting blog readers and podcast listeners 10% of the entire selection of O-wool Balance yarn through November 1, 2009.

Just enter in the special code "NNK1" in the checkout process!

**Be sure to check back in a couple of days because I'm going to be posting a special drawing for the Itty Bitty Toys book. You will be able to enter to win a signed copy from Susan B. Anderson!**



Click here to download the MP3 of Episode 26.

Elijah

Elijah the knitted elephant has finally been completed.

(Pattern here. Yarn here.)

My daughter insists that Elijah is in fact a girl name and is convinced that 'she' is the best thing that ever was.

The finished Elijah has proven to be such a soft cuddly companion.
For that reason I'm so glad that I made him... um.. I mean HER. :)

Unfortunately I found the knitting part of the project a bit of a pain. I LOVED the fact that it was knit all in one piece, but at the same time picking up those stitches and knitting at such a tight gauge proved rather cumbersome.

I really should have done the body parts in order and worked both ears last. I found it to be quite challenging knitting an arm after an ear. The double pointed needles kept getting caught and it was kind of annoying. I guess that the order of instructions is there for a reason!

Oh well.. 'Shes' done now and just way too cute for 'her' own good..

Gail

This past week I finished Gail, and rediscovered the magic of blocking.
It makes such a difference!

I used one skein Handmaiden SeaSilk in the Ireland colorway and size 7 needles.
(Yarn found here.)
With the help of this chart, this truly was a painless, quick lace project.
As you know, I'm not a huge fan of variegated yarn, so the Ireland colorway, although beautiful, made me a little nervous. I have to say that I'm quite pleased with the result though. I think that the colors blended nicely and fairly evenly across the piece.

I love the sheen and drape of this gorgeous yarn.
I definitely will be working with it again in the future.

Lace shawls are so addicting! I'm already looking at more patterns!