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..