10.29.2011

The Tiniest Baby Shoes


One of the very first things I cast on for our new baby are these ridiculously tiny and adorable baby shoes from the pattern, Saartje's Bootees.


This is actually the biggest size that the pattern offers, and they are just SO small. I wondered for a long time whether or not they would actually be big enough, but in the end decided to just complete the pair and hope for the best. It helped that I was reassured by two very kind knitters who provided photographic proof that these shoes do actually fit newborns. 

I suppose that newborns are much smaller than I actually remember them being. :)

This is one of the cutest unisex baby bootee patterns that I have come across, and they work up in no time! I would love to make more in different colors and using different yarn weights for some size variation.

I've already planned out our baby's "first outing" outfit. I think these bootees add the perfect touch.







10.28.2011

Hospital Hat



Sometimes simple is good. As is in the case of this tiny, blue newborn hat.



It's knit from Rowan Calmer yarn so its stretchy and soft and a perfect hat for keeping baby's head warm while in the hospital. A very practical knit.

I remember making a special hospital hat for my daughter when she was born. It felt so much more special than the weird, not so soft, machine-knit, gender neutral, hats that they were giving out. 

When you are a knitter.. these things matter. 

10.27.2011

Aviatrix





One of my favorite things I have knit for the baby is this sweet little aviator style hat. 
This is from the free pattern, Aviatrix, and it's knit using Blue Sky Alpacas Sport.

It's hard to capture the hat's unbelievable cuteness with it just laying flat like this... It seriously needs to be modeled for the full effect. Unfortunately, there were no teddy bears around with the appropriate head size, so we'll just have to wait until baby arrives to get the perfect shot.

I know this hat will be warm and cozy and I love how it buttons around the chin. If I had more time, I would love to make this in every size and in many different yarn and button combinations. 

Did you know that this pattern actually comes in 7 different sizes with options for 3 different yarn weights?!? Amazing, right? 



10.26.2011

Teeny Green Socks


Because where there are cute tiny baby boy shoes..


There must be teeny, handknit, bright green socks to go with them.


These are knit from a Pigeonroof Studios sock yarn that I received at Stitches West this year. 

The pattern was a heavily adapted basic sock pattern for babies. There are many free patterns like this available on Ravelry. What a perfect solution for small leftovers of sock yarn!

All that I am missing now are some baby feet...



10.24.2011

The Countdown Begins




In two weeks from today (or really any time in between) we will be welcoming a new baby boy into our family. There is nothing like self publishing a book to make 40 weeks of pregnancy fly by!

Right now I am going through that crazy pregnant lady "nesting" phase where I feel absolutely panicked about getting all loose ends tied up and everything set and ready for the baby.

I happen to have these two gorgeous gray cabled knits on the needles at the moment.. and although its completely illogical, I feel the desperate need to get both done before the baby's arrival. 

Because... those things make total sense when you are a crazy pregnant lady... ok? 
Ok.

This is the Gramps Cardigan pattern in progress.. being knit out of Madelinetosh DK. I seriously think that this is the cutest baby sweater ever. I know I've said that before.. but seriously.. It's the NEW cutest one ever. 
I can't wait to finish it!


And also vying for my attention is an extremely snuggly cozy Rocky Coast Cardigan for me, knit in the amazing Fiber Company Terra yarn. What a joy this is to knit, and I imagine it would be a comforting thing to wear in the cold wintry postpartum period up ahead.


I better get to work! I only have two weeks left! Will I make it??

In the meantime, I'll continue sharing the pictures of my already completed baby knits with you.. look for more over the next few weeks!


10.23.2011

My Work Week


This past week or so.. I've been literally surrounded by stacks...




and stacks... 




and stacks....




And some more stacks...



....which would have been so completely daunting and overwhelming if it wasn't for the help of our wonderful family and friends who tirelessly helped us get all of these copies of Coastal Knits packaged and out in the mail to all of you! 

Thanks to all of their help, we were able to get completely up to date with orders as of the end of last week. As a big, tired, very pregnant lady.. I am so grateful to each and every one of them!




Whoever might think that mailing out piles of books around the world is easy... well.. its no small feat let me tell you! Never did I imagine how many books would have to be shipped out thus far. I am amazed.. truly.

Thanks to your unbelievable support of Coastal Knits, I am happy to announce that less than two weeks after the book shipment was delivered, we are already into our second print run! 

Can you believe it? I can't. 

Thank you everyone!


10.15.2011

Winner of the Coastal Knits Pre-Order Giveaway!


Thank you again to everyone who pre-ordered Coastal Knits! 
Your enthusiasm for our project has been overwhelming!

We randomly picked among the list of names that pre-ordered and Hannah and I are happy to congratulate Kathleen Moul on winning this amazing basket of yarn!




We hope that you enjoy your new book and sampling the yarns that were used in our Coastal Knits projects!



NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 60 : Interview with Alana and Hannah


Episode 60




Shownotes:

Thank you so much for listening to this special season finale episode of Never Not Knitting. 
As you may have already heard, this will be my final episode for awhile while I plan for and enjoy the newest member of our family due in a few weeks. I hope to come back to the podcast in the future.


Thank you to everyone reading for the amazing support you have given me over the years. 
You have been so encouraging and wonderful.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I am very happy to have kicked off the Coastal Knits Blog Tour with this episode!


Please follow along with our friends as the book is reviewed, interviews are conducted, and many of those involved in Coastal Knits chronicle their experiences in helping to create this book!


Saturday, October 15 – Never Not Knitting Podcast hosted by Alana and Hannah
Monday, October 17 – Kate Oates of Tot Toppers
Tuesday, October 18 – Knitmore Girls, podcast review
Wednesday, October 19 – Mary Joy Gumayagay, our wonderful graphic designer
Friday, October 21 – Romi Hill of Designs by Romi
Monday, October 24 – Andrea Sanchez, adventures of a sample knitter
Wednesday, October 26 – Kelbourne Woolens, distributors of The Fibre Company
Friday, October 28 – Allegra Wermuth, of Petite Purls
Monday, October 31 – Susan B. Anderson
Wednesday, November 2 – Carrie Bostick Hoge, of Maddermade and Quince & Co.
Friday, November 4 – Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic
Monday, November 7 – Nicole Dupuis, sample knitter chronicle
Wednesday, November 9 – Ariane Caron – Lacoste of Falling Stitches
Friday, November 11 – Deirdre Kennedy, adventures of a sample knitter
Monday, November 14 - Shannon Cook of Luvin the mommyhood
Wednesday, November 16 – Anne Hanson of Knitspot
Friday, November 18 – Julie Crawford of Knitted Bliss
Monday, November 21 – Margaux Hufnagel of tentenknits
Monday, November 28 – Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops
Wednesday, November 30 – Jaala Spiro of Knit Circus
Friday, December 2 – Cecily Glowick MacDonald of Winged Knits
Monday, December 5 – Veronika Jobe of Yarn on the House



To learn more about Coastal Knits or to place an order, please visit our website at coastalknits.com



Click HERE to download the Episode 60 MP3 file.





10.12.2011

Books, Books, and More Books!



Guess what arrived today?


Our west coast shipment of Coastal Knits books!

Lots and lots of them!


It was so fun getting to open that first box and finally see the finished product! Super exciting!



There are a lot of books here and we will be working around the clock getting your packages ready!


We are going to be starting shipping on October 15th, so you have until midnight PST on October 14th to place your pre-order and qualify to download the special pre-order package.


Remember that everyone who orders before the 15th is entered into our special Coastal Knits Pre-Order Giveaway! The winner will be announced here and on Hannah's blog on October 15th.

Click HERE to pre-order while there is still time!



I can't wait to ship these out to you!



10.10.2011

Hooded Jacket



While we are waiting for Mr. Baby to arrive, some of these baby knits may be modeled 
by this very reluctant bear.




This is the Hooded Jacket pattern knit from the book Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss. I love this book and have knit many patterns from it over the years. This is the second time I have knit this little cardigan... It's a favorite of mine. It's simple, wearable, cute and practical. And since I chose to knit it in Spud and Chloe sweater yarn in the Firecracker colorway.. it's also washable!



I think we'll be getting a lot of use out of this little jacket this winter season.


10.09.2011

Baby Sophisticate


Well.. after weeks of talking about baby knits on my podcast, I think it is HIGH TIME that I actually share them with you here on the blog!

As you know, I've been preparing for the arrival of our baby boy due in less than a month! 
I've knit several baby things but have been too busy to blog about them. 
SO.. over the next few weeks, prepare to see a lot of tiny baby, knitted, cuteness. 
There is a lot to catch up on!

First up.. Baby Sophisticate.



Maybe the fastest, cutest newborn sweater EVER? This is one awesome pattern that you can find for free on Ravelry HERE.

I knit the whole sweater and a matching hat in just a few days using only one skein of Malabrigo Worsted in the taupe colorway.

I used Kate Oates Adventure Hat pattern from her new book Math For Hats. It turned out great!



Perfect future baby shower present? I think so!

10.04.2011

Tactile Fiber Arts Drawing Giveaway



In Episode 59, you heard me talk all about the gorgeous Tactile Fiber Arts Wild Crafted yarn line. 

Well.. here it is! Pretty, right?
It's no wonder that I selected this yarn for use in my Rustling Leaves Beret pattern for Coastal Knits!



These gorgeous colorways were created using natural botanical elements gathered here in California such as plum leaves, fresh eucalyptus leaves, and horsetail.

Along with these 4 amazing skeins, you have the chance to win this signed 
copy of, Bambeanies, by Woolly Wormhead
(Woolly contributed an awesome personal knitting story to the last episode. Be sure to listen!)




To enter to win this fabulous prize, please leave a comment (including contact information) under this post. Only one comment per person please.

The winner will be announced here on October 15th, so please check back then to see if you have won!

Drawing Now Closed! Congratulations to Nuttygal, the winner!


10.01.2011

NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 59 : The Process Knitter


Episode 59




Shownotes:





Karabella Aurora 8






















Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!


Follow ME on Twitter!






The winner of Episode 58's One Planet Yarn and Fiber Drawing Giveaway is "Fibercrafter"! Congratulations!


*Please check back soon to enter the Tactile Fiber Arts Drawing Giveaway for Episode 59!


Receive 15% off at the Tactile Fiber Arts online shop by 
entering code "coastalknits" in the checkout process.


This offer is valid through November 15th at tactilefiberarts.com and is exclusive to the 
Never Not Knitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

Click HERE to download the Episode 59 MP3 file.