1.30.2011

Knitcircus Pattern Preview





I have a sweet little springtime pattern (along with another surprise)
coming out in the next issue of Knitcircus magazine! 
The spring issue will be released on Wednesday, February 2. So be sure to check it out!


Posted by at 9 comments:

1.27.2011

Three Different Ways to Enjoy Cream and Sugar



I've just received back these 3 Cream and Sugar Cowl samples from my lovely test knitters.



It's a wonderful thing having my patterns knit up by others because not only does it help me get the pattern in tip top shape before releasing, but it also allows me to see what the pattern looks like knitted up in different yarns.

These above samples are all knit in fingering weight yarns, but each yarn is very different from the other and produces varied results.

The gold cowl was knit by Eliana and is out of Malabrigo Sock. A very straightforward and nice fabric. 
Malabrigo is such a classic wool yarn, I'm glad to find another great application for it.

The brown cowl, knit by Preeti, is out of The Fibre Company Road to China Light. This cowl is the epitome of soft and squishy. This yarn also gives the fabric a slight fuzz which is lovely and adds warmth.

The third cowl, the pink one, was knit for me by Sarah. This was knit from Madelinetosh Prairie which is a light fingering weight yarn. This yarn created a delicate, ethereal looking cowl. I really like the resulting effect. Its very beautiful and different.

Thank you to all of my fabulous test knitters for creating these samples for me!


Posted by at 14 comments:

1.23.2011

Cream and Sugar Cowl


I'm happy to introduce you to the newest addition to the Never Not Knitting pattern collection.
The Cream and Sugar Cowl is now available for purchase.


This is a cozy and lightweight cowl ideal for transitional seasons such as spring and autumn. 
This cowl is made up of big, fat cables knit out of fingering weight yarn, 
so the resulting fabric is quite squishy and stretchy. 
I think it's a great application for that special sock-weight yarn that we all have in our stash. So many of us collect skein after skein of sock yarn while lacking the desire to knit the accompanying number of socks. Well.. maybe that is just me. :)



Cowls are such a nice "no-fuss" accessory. I just love that quality in cowls. Not a big unruly scarf to deal with, just a nice simple piece to slip over your head for that extra layer of warmth and style.


The yarn I used for this cowl was Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in the Ginger colorway. 
This color is so cozy and inviting with its rich caramely color and subtle variations. 
It reminds me of the color of coffee or tea when you add cream.. and sugar.
If this yarn was a food. I would eat it. 

I have to say that I really enjoyed knitting this cowl. The pattern is simple and easy enough to knit that it went very quickly. Also, I think that this cowl is very flattering. I've designed it so that the bottom is slightly wider than the top. That way it lays well on your shoulders and frames the face nicely.


Here is the pattern information for those of you who are interested in knitting up a Cream and Sugar Cowl of your very own:

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 
Width: approx 15”/ 38cm around on the top, approx 20”/ 51cm around on the bottom unstretched. 
Length: approx 9”/ 23 cm.

MATERIALS 
Madelinetosh Tosh Sock 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 395 yd/361m per 114 gram skein; color: Ginger; 1 skein or approx 350 yd/ 320m of a fingering weight wool or wool blend.

Alternate Yarns: Malabrigo Sock, Becoming Art Dulche Light Fingering, Madelinetosh Prairie, The Fibre Company Road to China Light
1 16” US5/ 3.75mm circular needle 
1 stitch marker 
Cable needle 
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
24 sts/ 28 rows = 4" / 10cm in Stockinette st on US5 / 3.75mm needles or size needed for accurate gauge.







Thank you to Julie Crawford of www.knittedbliss.com for being such a beautiful model and to her husband for the excellent photography.

I hope that all of you enjoy the pattern! Happy knitting!

This pattern is now available in French. Please click here to purchase the French translation. 







Posted by at 38 comments:

1.21.2011

Cream and Sugar?


Illustration by Jillzielinskidesigns.com

The "Cream and Sugar Cowl" pattern is coming soon!



Posted by at 14 comments:

1.19.2011

Ida's Kitchen Drawing Giveaway





In Episode 48, I was pleased to share a knitting story contributed by Kirsten Kapur. I have long admired Kirsten's designs, and this Ida's Kitchen hat pattern is no exception. It looks like such a fun, exciting little knit. If only I had more knitting time available right now.. I would totally make this.

Dancing Ewe Yarns has kindly contributed 3 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas Melange in colors #802, #806, and #807 to get one fortunate knitter started on an Ida's Kitchen hat of their very own. Additionally, Kirsten Kapur has donated a copy of her hat pattern along with her new sweater pattern, the Washington Square cardigan to this drawing prize.

To enter to win, please leave a comment (with contact information) under this post telling me what you thought of Episode 48. Remember, only one comment per person, please.

A winner will be randomly chosen and announced on February 1, 2011. 
Please check back then to see if you have won!

Drawing Now Closed! 
Winner is "Lyeng11"! Congratulations!





Posted by at 364 comments:

1.15.2011

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 48 : Keep Your Hand-knits Close


Episode 48




Shownotes:
















The winner of Episode 47's Gigantic Knitbot Drawing Giveaway is Rachel! Congratulations!

*Please check back soon to enter the drawing for Episode 48!

Get 15% the entire selection of Blue Sky Alpacas yarn through the Dancing Ewe Yarns online shop
until February 15th!
Enter code "NNK" in the checkout process to receive your discount.
This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

Click HERE to download the Episode 48 MP3 file.


Posted by at 48 comments:

1.14.2011

My New Winter Ensemble






Here is my new winter ensemble of leafy handknits in all of my favorite colors.

Although they are all different, I think that they compliment each other nicely, don't you?

From Left to Right: Autumn Vines Beret, Cedar Leaf Shawlette, and Oak Grove


Posted by at 32 comments:

1.12.2011

One Skein of Pashmina Can Go a Long Way





I just recently received these Oak Grove mitts back from my test knitters. 
Thank you to Ve, Andrea, and CeRae.

As you can see, I had them knit up in the same colors of my Autumn Vines Beret samples, 
and these will be included with next month's trunk show displays.

These are also knit out of the Madelinetosh Pashmina yarn.. 
and I have a little surprise for you Madelinetosh fans.

You can squeeze an Autumn Vines Beret AND a pair of the Oak Grove mitts out of only 1 skein of Pashmina!


Posted by at 21 comments:

1.06.2011

Oak Grove


I'm happy to say that my Oak Grove pattern is now available for purchase.


In the area I live, I am surrounded by oak trees at every turn. In fact, the house I grew up in has an oak tree grove in the front and back of it. I spent many hours of my childhood collecting acorns, leaves and moss while playing outside. 

The above picture was taken against the very old oak right in front of my parents house. 


Considering my history with oak trees, and my obvious love for knitted leaves, this seemed like a perfect pairing. I love the texture of these mitts. How the leaf is embossed looking, as though it is sitting on top of the knitted fabric. Its very simple yet striking.



As you can see, the pattern is shown in 2 different yarns and versions. There is the brown fingerless mitt version knit up in Becoming Art Cielo Sport in the Sunlit Amber colorway. 
Its such a rich cozy color. I just love it. 

If you love it too, you can order kits for Oak Grove through the Becoming Art website here.

The green fingerless glove version is knit from The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! yarn in the color Gladiator Katydid. What a spectacularly soft yarn this was to work with. And this color is also divine. 
It is hard to pick a favorite for sure. 

The fingerless glove version is not hard to knit, but definitely takes more concentration. Beginners would probably enjoy knitting up the fingerless mitt version the best. Its quicker and easier.



Here is the pattern information for those of you who are interested in knitting up some Oak Grove mitts of your very own:

SIZE 
Women’s Medium 
(Note: For smaller hands and wrists go down a needle size for a tighter fit.)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Width: 7”/ 18 cm around 
Length: 7”/ 18 cm (fingerless mitt version) 6.5”/ 16.5 cm (fingerless glove version)

MATERIALS 
Brown Mitt Version: Becoming Art Cielo Sport 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 256 yd/234m per 4oz skein; color: Sunlit Amber; 1 skein or approx 150 yds/137 m of a sport weight wool or wool blend.

Green Glove Version: The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! 70% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Cashmere, 10% nylon; 412 yd/376m per 4oz skein; color: Gladiator Katydid; 1 skein or approx 150 yds/137 m of a sport weight wool or wool blend.
Alternate Yarns: Madelinetosh Pashmina, Classic Elite Fresco, Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light
1# set of US3/3.25mm double pointed needles 
Stitch marker 
2 Stitch holders 
Cable needle 
Tapestry needle



Pattern now available in French! Click here for the French translation.

Enjoy! :)








Posted by at 31 comments:

1.03.2011

Gigantic Knitbot Drawing Giveaway


On episode 47 I had the privilege of featuring the work of designer, Hannah Fettig and sharing one of her personal knitting stories.



Hannah has kindly offered this huge assortment of Knitbot products for a drawing giveaway. 
There were so many items, I could barely fit them in one picture. :)

The winner chosen will be receiving the following:

Patterns

Kits
Wispy Cardi kit (pictured below)

AND
A printed copy of Hannah's new Jackets E-book!

Phew... that was a lot to list.


To enter to win, please leave a comment (including contact information) under this post. Please tell me in your comment whether you have knit any of Hannah's patterns before and which ones you like the most. 
Remember, only one comment per person please.



I will randomly choose a winner on January 15, 2011. Please check back then to see if you have won!

Drawing Now Closed! Congratulations to Rachel, the winner!


Posted by at 853 comments:

1.01.2011

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 47 : Sleep Deprivation


Episode 47





Shownotes:












The winner of Episode 46's Cascade 220 Drawing Giveaway is "w e n t i n g"! Congratulations!

*Please check back soon to enter the drawing for Episode 47!

Get 25% everything in the Knitbot store on Etsy and on all Knitbot pattern pdfs on Ravelry 
until January 15th!
Enter code "NNK2011" in the checkout process on either Etsy or Ravelry.
This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

Click HERE to download the Episode 47 MP3 file.



Posted by at 36 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)