1.16.2014

Skeinettes



While I was recently visiting the yarn shop Loop, during my recent visit to Philadelphia, I picked up these adorable tiny skeins of Koigu fingering weight yarn called "skeinettes".

The owner of the shop, Craig, assured me that they are the perfect amount of yardage for a single hexipuff.


And so they were. :)


I am slowly but surely adding to my beloved Beekeepers Quilt. I am so happy to have these "skeinettes" from Philadelphia included in the mix. I so enjoyed my time on the east coast and I know that whenever I see these little puffs in my finished blanket, I will remember that trip.



Into the bag they go with the rest of their friends! :)


1.07.2014

Finished Sweater!



Another sweater is done. And it feels so good. :)






1.01.2014

More Updates


Wow.. It's 2014 already?

The past few months have been a whirlwind of changes in both my personal and business life, but one thing remains constant. I am STILL working on my designs for Botanical Knits 2.

I know. I know. I am sure you are so sick of hearing about this "upcoming" book. But I promise. I'm nearly done and am planning on releasing it in the next few months.

I'm working on the final samples today.

An orange sweater out of Sunshine Yarns Merino Sport with lovely Autumn Leaf lace insets.


Now to finish up that seaming!


I just received back in the mail these tiny cozy mitts from a test knitter out of Brooklyn Tweed Loft which I am quite in love with.

These mitts have a similar "Twigs and Willows" stitch pattern from my sweater in the first book. These are a great option for knitters who want to try out the stitches, but don't want to make a whole sweater!


AND... I'm working on THIS again. And No. I don't want to talk about it. :)


Almost there!

12.26.2013

The Never Not Knitting Podcast : X Marks The Spot


Episode 77



Shownotes:







Order Lit Knits HERE





Enter to win this copy of Lit Knits; 10 Literature Inspired Knits by Audry Nicklin by leaving a comment under this post by January 15th. Please remember to include your contact information. Only one comment per person please! The winner will be announced on Episode 78.

Thank you for listening!









12.01.2013

Learning To Knit With Annie





Ever since we published Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf more than a year ago now, I have so enjoyed seeing pictures of little ones enjoying the book pop up different places on the internet.


I have been touched by the wonderful emails and comments left by parents, teachers, and grandparents, and the reports of children learning to knit from all over the world.

Photo courtesy of Nikki Waters

Photo courtesy of Brenda Castiel


Photos courtesy of Julie Crawford

As a reminder... the Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf book as well as the Deluxe-Edition Gift Set are 50% off through the end of today (11:59 pm PST, Sunday, Dec. 1). 


Catch the sale HERE.



11.27.2013

The Big-Blogiversary-Black Friday-Book Sale!



In honor of my 6 year "blogiversary" I have decided to run a little sale starting midnight
(Black Friday) November 29th and extending through Dec 1 until 11:59 pm. 
Please note that the sale will be scheduled according to Pacific Standard Time.

All printed books will be 50% off during this 3 day sale.

That means half off of...


        Botanical Knits                Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf               Coastal Knits
          


Please click on the above links to visit the respective ordering website for each book. 
I'm sorry, but shipping fees cannot be combined. Each website will calculate the shipping costs for you for each product individually. 

Thank you everyone for all of the support you have given me for the past 6 amazing years of blogging. 
I hope that you enjoy the sale! Have fun! :)





11.26.2013

The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 76 : Follow The Yarn



Episode 76




Shownotes:















Enter to win this copy of Follow the Yarn by Reba Linker along with a skein of Snow Capped Yarns Latouch DK in the Dried Sedge colorway provided by The Net Loft by leaving a comment under this post by December 15th. Please remember to include your contact information. Only one comment per person please! The winner will be announced on Episode 77.

Thank you for listening!





11.04.2013

Inspiration Journey




In looking for botanical inspiration for my new book, I stumbled across this beautiful photo online by photographer, Steve Stenzel.

I love this photo for so many reasons but I especially am impressed by how it represents the life cycle of this particular plant. From the new growth of spring all the way to the end of autumn.

I am so drawn to this natural color palette.




So much so in fact.. that I showed this picture to the ladies of Spincycle Yarns and they used it in creating a special new colorway just for me. 

And they did such a phenomenal job!


 This beautiful yarn perfectly captures the colors of changing leaves. 
The way that the colors subtly change from one to the next perfectly expresses this idea of the natural life cycle of spring to autumn. I am not usually one to go for multi-colored yarn.. but this one I love.


With this yarn I created my "Life Cycle" scarf design. This is an accent scarf consisting of a string of big leaves.. one growing out of the next. 


It works so perfectly with this yarn and I am so happy with it.

This scarf pattern will be included in my upcoming book, Botanical Knits 2.

The scarf pattern will call for 2 skeins of Spincycle Dyed in the Wool yarn. 
This special colorway is called "End of Summer" and is available HERE.



10.30.2013

The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 75 : Knitting Dreams


Episode 75




Shownotes:

















Photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy / Lori Johnson

Enter to win 2000 yards of this gorgeous certified sustainable wool yarn from Patagonia by following the Nature Conservancy on Twitter or Facebook and then leaving a comment under this post by November 15th. Please remember to include your contact information. Only one comment per person please! Three winners will be chosen and announced on Episode 76!

Thank you for listening! 






10.27.2013

Sprig



Oh how happy I am to say that my new Sprig sweater pattern is now available to purchase.
This pattern has been in the works a long time and I am so excited that it is finally ready!




This is a top-down raglan pullover with a very unique construction. One that I think is fun and will catch you by surprise.

The raglan itself is knit asymmetrically and also paired with an asymmetrical neckband. All of this asymmetry when paired together.. results in a symmetrical sweater. It is tricky that way!

It also includes dart like waist shaping for a flattering fit.


Here is the pattern information for those of you interested:

SIZE
33.5 (36.75, 40, 43.25, 46.5)[49.5, 52.75, 56, 59.25]” / 85.5 (93.5, 101.5, 109.5, 118)[126, 134, 142, 150.5] cm

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 33.5 (36.75, 40, 43.25, 46.5)[49.5, 52.75, 56, 59.25]” / 85.5 (93.5, 101.5, 109.5, 118)[126, 134, 142, 150.5] cm
Length: 24 (25, 26, 27, 28)[29, 30, 31, 32]” / 61 (63.5, 66, 68.5, 71.5)[73.5, 76, 79, 81] cm
Shown in size 33.5” / 85.5 cm. To be worn with 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm of positive ease.

MATERIALS
Quince and Co. Owl  [50% American Wool, 50% American Alpaca; 120 yd / 110 m per 3.5 oz / 50g skein]; color Chamomile; 7 (8, 9, 10, 11)[12, 13, 14, 15] skeins or approx 825 (925, 1025, 1150, 1250)[1375, 1500, 1650, 1775] yds / 750 (850, 925, 1050, 1150)[1250, 1375, 1500, 1625] m of a dk or light worsted weight wool or wool blend.

Alternate Yarns: Cascade 220 Heathers

1 US6 / 4 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle
1 set of US6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles
Stitch markers
Stitch holders
Cable needle
Tapestry needle
Two 3/4" / 2 cm buttons for optional button-loop closure on the sleeves
Sewing needle and matching thread for optional closure on the sleeves

GAUGE
20 sts/ 28 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on US6 / 4 mm needles or size needed for accurate gauge.



Keeping with the botanical theme, a sprig of foliage begins on one side of the neckline and gracefully wraps around one side. My favorite sweater detail is how these little leaves drape over one shoulder.




The other special detail is on the sleeve cuffs. The leafy sprig is mirrored on the cuffs of the sleeves with the leaves wrapping towards the back just like the neckline.



 The pattern also offers an option for a button-loop closure on the sleeve just for fun.


This is a special sweater full of all sorts of fun little botanically inspired details that I hope you will enjoy!


Please remember that this sweater is just a preview of my collection for the upcoming book, Botanical Knits 2. This pattern will only be available individually for a limited time only.

I have arranged for the entire cost of the pdf to be applied towards your future purchase of the new book once it is released next year. Please note the following instructions so that you can receive this discount in the future:

After purchasing Sprig, PayPal will send you an email as a receipt. 
PLEASE KEEP THIS EMAIL. YOU WILL NEED IT LATER. 
On the email you will see an 16 character code called a "Receipt No." or a 17 digit character code called a "Transaction ID". 




These numbers will serve as your coupon code to receive $6 off of the Botanical Knits 2 purchase price when it is released.

I wanted to offer this as a way of saying thank you for all of your patience with me as I have been working so long behind the scenes on this new book. I felt bad having so much time pass between releasing new patterns!

I really hope that you will enjoy this one. Be sure to pop into the Botanical Knits Group on Ravelry to share your pictures!