Never Not Knitting: June 2010

6.23.2010

Toasty Mitts

Recently I had the privilege of working with this gorgeous handspun skein provided by Lisa of Becoming Art. It was love at first sight. I find this color combination amazing! The colorway for this one is

"Green Goodness" just like the skein pictured in the previous blog post.

Of course this skein is spun up differently, but all of the same beautiful colors are there.

I had to make something simple and special with this yarn, so I decided to work up some mitts for this upcoming winter. The pattern is called "Toasty" and can be found for free here.

These mitts were so insanely easy to make! They went so fast and were so fun to make in this beautiful yarn.

I found it to be a wonderfully mindless, comforting knit.

I really enjoyed watching the colors change as I went. It's addicting working with yarn like this.. you always want to see what colors are coming up next.

I really love the way these turned out and I am now officially addicted to handspun yarn. This project even motivates me to drag out my spinning wheel and see if I can produce amazing yarn like this on my own.

After that entire project, I even have this cute little ball left over. I'm thinking that my daughter's doll might just need a handspun sweater. :)

Click here to see all of the beautiful yarns and fibers that Becoming Art has to offer.

6.16.2010

Becoming Art Drawing Giveaway

Aren't these skeins amazing?

(Becoming Art Agave light fingering weight in the "Green Goodness" colorway.

Merino, nylon, cashmere blend.)

(Becoming Art Handspun 2-ply aran weight in "Deeper" colorway. Merino, bamboo, silk blend.)

Enter to win these amazing Becoming Art skeins by leaving a comment (with contact info) under this post. One winner will be announced July 1, 2010. So check back then to see if you've won!

I had the pleasure of reviewing Becoming Art yarns on my last podcast episode. I'm currently working with a gorgeous handspun skein at the moment that I will be sharing pictures of shortly.

Remember that you can get free shipping (international too!) at the Becoming Art Etsy shop until the end of June.

Just enter the code "NNK" in the comments section when you place your order.

Drawing now closed. Winner is JoannaCos! Congratulations!

6.15.2010

NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 38 : Love Potion

Episode 38

Shownotes:

Becoming Art

Misti Alpaca

Peter Rabbit

Well- Dressed bunny pattern

New Spring Garden Tee for Girls

Join the NNK Ravelry Group Here!

Follow me on Twitter!

The Winner of Episode 37's Be Sweet Bamboo drawing giveaway is knitterlydesigns! Congratulations!

Receive free shipping (international too!) at the Becoming Art Etsy shop

until June 30,2010! Just enter special code "NNK" in the comments section when you place your order.

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers! Have fun!

Download the Mp3 for Episode 38 HERE.

6.14.2010

New Spring Garden Tee For Girls

Recently, as you know, I came out with the Spring Garden Tee pattern in adult sizes. I was happy to provide a version for women but sad that I was leaving out a big size range with the pattern. I had it available for babies, little girls, and adults. But nothing in between. I know that girls sizes 8-14 are sizes often ignored in knitting patterns. Time and time again I hear knitters complaining about the lack of designs offered in this range.

The Spring Garden Tee is a versatile pattern that I could see worn by a girl of any age. So I am very happy to announce to you that my original Spring Garden Tee pattern for girls has been redone and is now offered in sizes all the way up to a girls size 14. Now every woman, girl, child, and baby in your family can have there own Spring Garden Tee to wear!

My friend Veronika from the Yarn on the House blog test knit the new pattern for her 8 year old daughter, Jasmine. Isn't she super adorable? I think the tee looks so cute on her! Thank you again Veronika for your help and for these gorgeous photos!

Another revision you might notice to the pattern is the sleeves. Before the length of the sleeve lace varied between sizes. Now all sizes have the same look. I think that it was OK before, but I like it better this way.

Here is the new pattern information for those of you interested in knitting one up:

SIZE
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) 8, 10, 12, 14] (Pink version shown in size 2. Green version shown in size 8.)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 17 [18, 19, 20, 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) 26.5, 28, 30, 31.5] inches (0 inches of positive ease)
Length: approx 10.5 [11, 11.5, 12, 12.5 (13.5, 14.5, 15.75, 16.75) 18.75, 20.5, 21.5, 22] inches after blocking

MATERIALS
Rowan Calmer [80% Cotton. 20% Polyester Fibre; 175 yd/160m per 50g skein] color: Pink version color #482, green version color #500; 2 [2, 2, 2, 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) 4, 5, 5, 6] skeins or approx 250 [275, 300, 325, 350 (400, 450, 500, 550) 650, 750, 825, 900] yds of a dk weight cotton or cotton blend yarn.
1# 16” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# 16” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck and sleeve edging.
(You may need to use US #5/3.75mm double pointed needles for smaller sizes).
2 pieces of scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE
24 sts/36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

Here are the original pictures of my daughter modeling the tee over a year ago when the pattern first came out. As you can see, this tee looks great on girls of all ages. Still to this day, this has been one of my favorite knits for my daughter. It is simple and quick to make since it is all knit in one piece from the top down. It is also versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The pattern calls for Rowan Calmer which is an excellent yarn choice for children. It's a soft springy yarn that holds up very well with washing and wearing. My daughter's tee still looks like new!

I really hope that you enjoy making this revised version for the girls in your life, big or small! :)

Now available in French. Click here for the French translation.

6.13.2010

Peter Rabbit

Recently I attended my Sister-in-law's baby shower for my soon to be born nephew.

I wanted to bring a little handmade gift, but not just any handmade gift.

I was trying to think of something a bit out of the ordinary and came up with this little idea.

I've always enjoyed classic children's books, and I love the Beatrix Potter collection.

So, for my nephew I decided to get him his very own special edition of "Peter Rabbit"

and knit him his own little knitted version of Peter to go with it.

I have this little vision of him holding Peter while having the story read to him.

Here he is... complete with his own little carrot and blue jacket.

Just like the character in the story. I think he turned out quite well!

The pattern I used for Peter was the Well-dressed bunny pattern found here.

I modified the mini waistcoat pattern that is included by adding sleeves and a shawl collar.

I was trying to get the style as similar to the illustration as possible.

The carrot I invented on the fly and sewed to one of his little hands...err... paws.

I was so pleased to find the tiny carrot button that is used on his jacket.

It's been sitting in my button stash for years. I was thrilled to finally find the perfect project to use it for!

One of my favorite parts of Peter has to be this white fluffy tail. So cute!

Making Peter Rabbit was a wonderful way to use up all sorts of yarn scraps that I had lying around!

His body is made up of Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn, the jacket is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn...

and do you recognize some of that green yarn on the carrot?

Its none other than a few snippets of my special "Never Not Knitting Green" skein!

I really hope my nephew loves him!

6.07.2010

Green Adult Spring Garden Tee

A special thanks to Preeti from the ramblingroses blog for test knitting the

Adult Spring Garden Tee for me!

She knit up the size 36 out of Be Sweet Bamboo in the meadow colorway.

She did a wonderful job and I think it looks gorgeous on her!

The kit for the adult tee can be ordered in this lovely green here from

One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

6.02.2010

Spring Garden Tee in Adult Sizes

Introducing... The Spring Garden Tee for adults!

Since I came out with the original Spring Garden Tee for little girls last year, so many of you have requested a grown up version. I hope you like it!

The Adult Spring Garden Tee is reminiscent of the children's pattern, but includes some more sophisticated, mature styling details. I love the new wide scoop neckline and the delicate sleeves. I also added waist shaping and extended the length on this version.

The result is a basic, well-fitting tee that is elegant, feminine and flattering. I hope that you enjoy making and wearing it!

I knit this up out of Be Sweet Bamboo which is an exceptionally beautiful yarn. The slight color variation, sheen and drape make the piece lay so nicely and look so decadent. The Champagne color that I used is such a great neutral that can extend even into the cooler months. I think that this top will also serve as a great layering piece in the fall.

Here is the pattern information for all of you interested in knitting it:

SIZE
28 [32, 36, 40, 44] (shown in size 32)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 28 [32, 36, 40, 44] inches (0 inches of positive ease)
Length: 20 [21, 22, 23, 24] inches from back neck after blocking
(Note: If using a 100% bamboo or silk yarn, please note that the garment will stretch with wear. If you are between sizes, it is advisable for you to choose the smaller size to ensure proper fit.)

MATERIALS
Be Sweet Bamboo [100% Bamboo; 110 yd/100m per 50g skein]; color: Champagne #623; 5 [6, 8, 9, 10] skeins or approx 540 [660, 780, 910, 1040] yds of a dk weight bamboo or similar yarn.
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 32” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# 24” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck and sleeve edging.
2 pieces of scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE
24 sts/32 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

In case you are wondering.. No. I didn't lose weight, grow a few inches and dye my hair. :)

This lovely model is Julie Crawford from the amazing Knitted Bliss blog. (www.knittedbliss.com) She did a wonderful job and I am so pleased that she agreed to model for me.

Kits for the Adult Spring Garden Tee are available through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click HERE for the kits.

There is also a Knit-a-long for the Spring Garden Tee HERE. I hope that you will join us!