5.22.2014

From Mama, With Love E-book Review


I am so happy to be part of the blog tour for the adorable new e-book, From Mama, With Love, a collection of 15 sweet little knits designed by Connie Chang Chinchio, Tanis Gray, Margaux Hufnagel, Melissa LaBarre and Kate Gagnon Osborn.


Each of these incredibly talented designers are also mothers of small children and love to create adorable knits for their little ones. They have all come together to produce this e-book, each contributing 3 patterns each with their own children as models. As a knitwear designer and mother of two children myself, I just love this idea of moms getting together to collaborate on a project like this!

You can view all of the projects in the e-book HERE.

I find myself especially taken with the Sid Scrappy Hat designed by Melissa LaBarre. 
Isn't this just so adorable?



Take a look at From Mama, With Love and help support these talented, hard-working moms.
Good job ladies!


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5.12.2014

Sprig Cloche




I just received the photos of my new hat design, Sprig Cloche, from the beautiful Julie Crawford of knittedbliss.com. This hat pattern will be included for free with pre-orders of Botanical Knits 2 on our website. I will also release the Sprig Cloche pattern for sale in July.




I'm awfully excited about this little hat.

After the popularity of the Oak Trail cloche pattern from Botanical Knits, I wanted to try and create the cloche style hat shape once more. This time I experimented with increasing, decreasing and short rows to create an asymmetrical brim, much like the neckband of the Sprig sweater from Botanical Knits 2.

This hat is stylish and can be worn many ways. Julie is wearing it in more of a slouchy style in this photograph, but it can also be worn very low on the forehead. Additionally the "sprig" of foliage can wrap in the other direction around the opposite ear.

I think that you will find this pattern to be another fun and interesting knit. I look forward to releasing it!

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5.07.2014

Botanical Knits 2 Printed Book Sneak Peek



I was soooo excited to find what arrived in the mail for me today.... 
Advanced copies of Botanical Knits 2! Fresh from the printery!



It is always such a rewarding experience to see your finished book printed and bound for the first time. 
I have to say however... I was equally excited to see this adorable little bookmark I had made up.


This bookmark is a special giveaway item that will be shipped out with the books to all of you who 
pre-ordered Botanical Knits 2, and it has been designed with a couple special, little, useful features.


It clips perfectly to the page to mark your place in the book.


And even contains a 1" cut out to measure your stitch and row gauge!


 I just love how the little leaves stick up out of the book! Who knew a bookmark could make me this happy? I hope you love it too and find it a useful addition to your book!

Everyone who pre-orders will also receive an extra pattern with their book shipment. I am working on it right now and I love how it is turning out...

Here is a little sneak peek.


Botanical Knits 2 will be shipping next month! But pre-orders are still open on our website HERE. 
Remember that everyone who pre-orders will receive the e-book right away and the print book, bookmark, and extra pattern next month in the mail!

I can't wait for the big shipment to arrive so that I can start shipping all of these out! :)


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4.10.2014

Basic Baby Cardigan



When I received this beautiful yarn in the mail, it was love at first sight. I don't normally choose blue, but I am currently so drawn to this dusky gray/blue shade. 


What makes this skein of Snow-Capped Yarns Olde Salt Knight yarn extra special is that it is inspired by the colors of and also hand-dyed in coastal Alaska. I am headed there this summer for a knitting retreat, and I dreamed of my upcoming trip to Cordova while knitting with this yarn.

I made up this simple baby cardigan as a sample for my upcoming sweater finishing workshop that I will be teaching this summer. It was so quick to knit and a great project to practice seaming techniques.



I thought I'd post the pattern for free for anyone who is interested in making one for the little one in their life.
It can be made for a baby boy or baby girl and is just the perfect easy knit for a last minute gift.
Embellish it with pockets, appliques, or colorwork for an original look, or keep it clean and classic just the way it is.




Click HERE to download this pattern for free!
Click HERE to learn more about Snow-Capped Yarns.


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3.27.2014

The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 80 : "No Like It"



Episode 80



Shownotes:

























Enter to win a copy of Knit The Alphabet provided by publisher Stitch Craft Create along with this beautiful "Knit Me Somethin" necklace provided by Shirley Campbell by leaving a comment under this post by April 15th. In your comment please tell me how you would like to use the knitted letters from the book. Please also include your contact information. Only one comment per person please!

The winner will be announced here and contacted on April 16th. 

I will be back at the microphone for the beginning of season 9 in July. Thank you for listening!




Drawing now closed! Thank you to everyone who participated! :)
The winner is Karine7 on Ravelry. Congratulations! :)


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3.18.2014

Knit The Alphabet



I recently discovered the book, Knit The Alphabet, by Claire Garland and couldn't resist knitting up a quick "N-N-K" out of scraps to display on the shelf of my office.

I've been a big fan of Claire's designs for years now. (Proof HERE and HERE.)
I have always loved her whimsical use of knit stitches to create the most adorable toys and now.. letters!



There are so many fun uses for these knitted letters. They would make such a fun decoration for a kid's room. Can you imagine a name strung up over a bed or small letters hanging from a crib mobile? What about a giant first letter of your child's name as a "pillow" on the bed? If I was "super mommy" I would love to knit the whole alphabet to practice making words with my 2 year old.

They are just so fun to make and play with..


and squish.



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3.07.2014

Gramps


I recently finished the most adorable little old man sweater for my 2 year old boy.

This pattern is called Gramps and was designed by Tin Can Knits. Not to be confused with the other Gramps Cardigan I made for him before he was born by Kate Oates. :)



I fell in love with a sample of this Gramps sweater during my visit to Monarch Knitting recently and promptly cast on. I guess I just couldn't resist the shawl collar and tiny pockets. And who wouldn't love those knitted elbow patches?


I used Berroco Blackstone Tweed for the body and a lone skein of Madelinetosh Vintage floating around in my stash for the trims. I love the contrasting texture and color in the two yarns.

It is just completely adorable. I love it. And my son... well.... doesn't.


This is the best picture I could get of him in his new sweater.. and there was a lot of bribing involved to even get him into it.

Listen to my next podcast episode for the entire devastating story. :(



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3.05.2014

Big Botanical Knits 2 Yarn Giveaway!


Thank you so much to everyone who has already ordered Botanical Knits 2! 
I so appreciate all of your support and enthusiasm for the new designs! As a way of saying thank you, I have a special yarn giveaway for you to enter to win!


 This is a sampling of some of the beautiful yarns I had the privilege of working with in my new book.  Included in the stack are:

-2 skeins Sunshine Yarns Merino Sport in Heirloom Tomato
-8 skeins of Rowan Felted Tweed Aran in color #720
-3 skeins of Quince and Co. Owl in Chamomile
-2 skeins of Juniper Moon Farms Moonshine in color #0001
-1 skein of Juno Fibre Arts Alice Dk in Potpourri

I must tell you.. each and every one of these yarns was such a joy to knit with. 
Whoever wins this lot is going to be one fortunate and happy knitter!

I will be running this particular drawing a little bit differently from others that I have organized in the past. I've noticed that many of you have already started knitting projects from Botanical Knits 2 which makes me sooo happy and excited. I have started an entry thread HERE on the Botanical Knits group on Ravelry where I would love for you to post a picture of your finished knit from the new book. Everyone who posts a picture of their finished Botanical Knits 2 project on this thread will be entered in the giveaway. You will receive a separate entry for each project that you post. I will provide all of the drawing rules in the Ravelry thread, so please be sure to read the requirements carefully. 

I will end the drawing on April 15th and announce the winner on my blog and on the thread on the 16th. 
Pick up your needles and ready, set, knit!

I cannot wait to see all of your projects!

Drawing now closed! Thank you to everyone who participated! I so enjoyed seeing your beautiful, beautiful knits! :) I randomly chose between the drawing entries, and the winner is Donnabriz on Ravelry who knit up a gorgeous Thicket beret. Congratulations! :)

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3.03.2014

Botanical Knits 2; Now Available For Pre-Order!

Botanical Knits 2; Twelve More Inspired Designs to Knit and Love is now available 
to purchase as a digital e-book for $18 or to pre-order in print for $22 plus shipping.

If you choose to pre-order in print, you will receive a complimentary copy of the digital e-book to download right away along with two special surprises in the mail when the book ships in June!

-A botanically inspired, gauge-measuring bookmark to use with your new book
-A complimentary new pattern designed by me!

If you would like to purchase Botanical Knits 2 locally, it will be available to purchase in yarn shops and bookstores worldwide beginning in June.

Shop owners, please visit my wholesale site for more information about carrying Botanical Knits 2 in your store.

If you have purchased the individual Sprig pattern in the past, please don't forget to enter your "receipt no." or "transaction id" from your paypal receipt 
in the ordering process to save $6 on your order of Botanical Knits 2!

I hope that all of you really enjoy this new book! Please do post pictures of your finished knits on the Botanical Knits ravelry group or our facebook page! I can't wait to see all of the new designs knit up by all of you in different yarns and colors. Happy knitting! :)


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2.27.2014

The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 79 : The End of the Optimistic Knitter?


Episode 79


Shownotes:

























Follow ME on Twitter!






Enter to win this copy of Knit Your Own Zoo (provided by Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers) along with a skein of New Zealand Southlander yarn (provided by Skeinz) by leaving a comment under this post by March 15th. Please remember to include your contact information. Only one comment per person please! The winner will be announced on Episode 80.

Don't forget to check out our website botanicalknits.com for more information or to place your order for the new book, Botanical Knits 2! Pre-orders will be open on March 3, 10:00 am PST.

Thank you for listening!








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