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The Harrison Sweater

The Harrison Sweater

The Harrison Sweater, previously published in Love of Crochet Magazine is now available for individual purchase in my KNitDesigns Ravelry Shop.

The Harrison Sweater, is a bottom up crochet cardigan worked from the bottom up with set-in sleeves.  The sleeves are worked from the cuffs to the shoulders.  The shoulders are joined, sleeves set-in, and side and sleeve seams joined.

The yarn used, Knit Picks Swish Worsted was the perfect match for the design.  The yarn has a great hand and stitch definition that makes the basketweave pattern pop.  The color, cobblestone Heather, makes the cardigan the ideal everyday piece for the man in your life, but the all-over texture adds detail and interest to push you through completion.  Just one more row....



The Harrison Sweater

The Harrison Sweater is a classic shape and pattern, in a neutral color . But I think the thing I love most is how good it look in my own closet.  It's your man's sweater you'll love to steal, umm... borrow!

I absolutely loved creating this cardigan and hope you enjoy it as well.

Happy Crocheting :)


Get The Harrison Sweater PATTERN NOW



                                          

                                     
                                                                                       

Milam Gap Boatneck Sweater

I have found that I enjoy designing sweaters more than any other item.... at the moment. That can change at anytime.  I try to find inspiration from fashion magazine trends, but most of all, the landscape around me.

Milam Gap Pattern Via Ravelry $6 (psst... read on for discount code below)


The Milam Gap is my recent self-published sweater.  The inspiration came about the summer of 2011 when my family and I spent our vacation in the Blue Mountains of Virginia. While in Virginia, we spent a day on the scenic and winding Skyline Drive. This sweater is my memory of that day trip. The intricate details of the cables on the front of the sweater is reminiscent of the slow winding path of the Skyline Drive, while the plain stockinette back is a reminder of the calm of sitting on a porch in a rocking chair with a glass of local wine on a cool evening watching the mountain lines fade into darkness.


CONSTRUCTION NOTES:
The boatneck sweater is worked in one piece in the round from the bottom up to the armhole opening, then separated for the back and front.

Shoulders are seamed and sleeves are picked up and worked in the round from the top down with short rows shaping the sleeve caps.

PATTERN INCLUDES: chart and schematics

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 110 yards/101 meters; 1.76 oz/50 grams); Lemongrass Heather; 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) skeins.
Needle: US 6 (4.0mm) & US 7 (4.5mm) 32" Circular (cir),
& double-pointed needles (dpn) or Magic Loop for the sleeves; or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 20 sts and 32 rows = 4" in St st; 30 ½ sts = 4" in Counterpane Cable Patt on larger needle.

DISCOUNT - Get 10% OFF this and any other pattern in my Ravelry shop using coupon 01BLOG2013 ending March 31, 2013.

Special Thanks to photograher E F Ruegsegger - Leahnari.deviantart.com

ERRATA:

Front decrease should read - Dec Row (RS): K1, *k2tog, rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 52 (60, 68, 76, 84, 92, 100, 108) sts.

Sleeve Row 2 should read: Sl1, p15 (19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, 43) sts, W&T

Goals, NOT Resolutions for 2013

I don't do resolutions. Personally, resolutions do not work. For me resolution has a negative unattainable

connotation - what will I give up and what will I not do in the new year.  However, I love, love setting

goals and challenges which is a little different from resolution in that it is usually more attainable and involves mapping out ways to accomplish these goals and to adjust those end goals as situations change.

2012 has been an amazing year for me and my family in so many ways. We have been so blessed... I guess it's to compensate for a horrid 2011. As we close out the old year, we enter the new and unknown, filled with endless possibilities. I think the start of the new year for me is a time to open up to the endlessness of untapped potentials.
       
The new year is a time to envision what can be, to open yourself up to the many possibilities of the future that lay ahead ready to be uncovered, to shake off the past and all it's disappointments, and to face a new day where anything can happen. Because so many wonderful things happened to us in 2012 (don't get me wrong, last year was not all sunshine and puppies. We had a lot of difficulties and trial, but in the end, we pulled through as a family and came out stronger) for me and my family, 2013 will be a year of giving, a year where we pledge to give back even more. In 2012, we became active in our local community; giving of ourselves even when it was difficult. This new year we are taking it a step farther to give even more of ourselves, beyond our my local area. To embrace causes we feel strongly in, not just by writing a check, but to lend a hand whenever possible. While there are a lot of organizations that need monetary assistance, there are those that need a human touch and time even more. I challenge readers of this blog post. Look around your local area, there just might be an organization that needs you. Spend an hour or two helping out at the library or at the senior center. Volunteer to teach your craft to kids during school breaks. How can you give back to your community?
       
To start the new year off right, as part of my pledge to give more, in addition to my current volunteer activities (at the library, senior center, and elementary school) I will be choosing individuals at random to gift copies of my patterns. These people will be chosen at random each Tuesday in January (starting Jan 8-29) , then the first Tuesday every month for the rest of the year to coincide with Knit Purl Gurl's Random Act of Pattern-RAP. The recipients will be selected from those who have favorite, queued, or purchased one of my patterns. This will be one of the ways I plan to give back this year. What do you plan to do in the new year to help a fellow man in need?

All Politics Aside and Holiday Cheer

Last evening, Senator Stephen Brewer came to our small library (Monson Free Library) so far from Boston to read Hanukkah and Christmas books to the kids. Our family's first experience with the Senator's annual reading was last Dec when we happen into the library the afternoon he stopped in. From speaking to the library director after that reading, we discovered he's been coming in at Christmas time to read for quite a number of years - this was is 17th year coming out to read. After last year's reading, my son wanted me to make sure we would come back this year. As soon as I saw the newsletter from school announcing the day and time, I knew we had to be a part of it, again. It's now our new tradition.

What I loved about Sen. Brewer's visit is that he did not have a huge entourage of photographers and media snapping pictures for show off.  Sure, he might be doing it for political gains, but it felt real to the kids and their families. He reminds me of a grandfather with lots of grand kids at his knee at the fireplace. I am glad to be able to show my son the other side to politicians besides what is going on right now in Washington.

It's such a small thing, but the impact to the kids is immeasurable. Thanks to Senator Brewer for taking time out of his busy schedule to share such a simple tradition with long lasting effect on the kids who look up to you.

Hoilday sillies coming out.

I can hardly believe we are mere days away from Thanksgiving. Everybody says this all the time, but seriously.... where did the year go. So much has happened this year and while I was going through all those "happenings" I was wishing for the year to end. But looking back now, it all went by really quick.

So now that we have resolved ourselves to the fact that the big "C" (insert the letter for your winter holiday here) is among us, let's get down to business. What do I get for the fiber enthusiasts in my life? Well, I'm sort of on a budget. I say sorta because I am frugal (I am actually very cheap... I've been cheap before being cheap was cool) and I don't want to get a bunch of junk to fill a quota. For me, I want the gift to mean something, and to some extent regardless of price. Call me crazy, but to me it's about the quality rather than the quantity. Yes, I am that parent that give my kid a handful of gifts instead of buying out Toys R Us for a bunch of crap my kid won't be able find a week after christmas. 

Side note: I was petitioning for my family to cancel Christmas this year. I started the propaganda way back in June (yes! I was thinking about Christmas and how to get out of it way back then), but no taker. Can you believe that?!?!? They are so selfish! I'll show them!

Anyway, back to the point of this blog post, I am getting off track...  So, like I said, I have a few fiber enthusiasts in my life that really appreciate woolly goodness. Some of them having every known tool, and if they don't have it, I'm sure is already in their stockings. I was going through my lovely fiber and handspun stash and found some items that would work for most of my fibery gift recipients.  My handspun is very special stuff - you or any normal person might not think so, but that's OK, just don't tell me, I like to think everyone think my handspun is the bee's knees like I do (does anyone even uses the term bee's knees anymore? geez, how old am I??) - so to me, my handspun would be the ultimate gift, right? I mean, just the amount of time spent on the spinning out-price a lot of store bought items! And bonus if I am having happy thoughts and good intentions, right?! If I am wrong, don't tell me.

So I have some handspun for gifts set ready to be tagged and gifted. I also, have some extras that I will be putting up in my Etsy shop. You might not be a spinner, but appreciates handspun yarns. You can gift to your fellow fiber enthusiast or gift to yourself. There is nothing wrong giving yourself a little holiday cheers. It might be the only way to get something you really want. You buy one gift for them and one for you, one for them, one for you, etc. It's Christmas, a time for giving... to yourself.  hehe hehe I'm awful! But seriously, what do you expect when Black Friday starts on THURSDAY! 

In addition to the handspun currently in my shop, I will be listing the following also (price starting @ $24).  Now stop putting off that Holiday knitting and crocheting. Your blog reading break is over, back to those hooks and needles (crack whip).

 

ENNIS COWL - New knit pattern + 20% Discount

Over the weekend I added my newest pattern, the Ennis Cowl, to my Ravelry Pattern store, my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

The Ennis Cowl is a long 41" circumference and  6 1/2" wide seamless cowl worked in the round in one piece. The cowl is worked in one piece in the round. The design is simple but not boring due to the combination of cables and garter ridges. NOTE: Pattern has written and charted instructions.

The cowl uses 4 skeins of Lotus Winter Sun Aran in color 08 - Merlot. Lotus Yarns is a new to me brand out of China. While the brand is new to me, it is quickly becoming a favorite.

So what do you get? The Winter Sun Aran line is their 100% superwash extrafine merino.  Each skein is 92yds/84m for a 50g ball. This yarn knit up like a dream and frogs better than I would have liked to know. I frogged this project ALOT (nothing to do with the yarn, it was all user error) and the yarn looks just as good as it did knitted up the first time. The yarn is loosely spun, which makes it super soft, squishy, springy, and super luxurious to wear next to the skin. However, because the twist is not very tight, the yarn can be splitty when worked at a loose gauge. I found that working on a smaller and pointy needle will combat that issue.

So, in honor of the new release of the Ennis Cowl, I am offering up a 20% Off Discount of purchases made through Oct 31, 2012 in my Ravelry Store using coupon code ENNIS1012. Stop by, take a look and say hello. I love hearing from you.

New pattern + 20% OFF.... Mansfield Shawl

I've been thinking about shawls, A LOT, lately. There are so many great knit shawls out there in so many different styles and shapes. I love 'em all but knitted shawls take forever.

I wanted something quick, easy, not too lacey, that I could wear under a winter coat as a scarf or just as a shawl, casual and practical with jeans. But most importantly, tjat it will take less than a week from start to wear. So, with all these 'must haves' in mind, the Mansfield Shawl was born one night while watching Jane Austen's Mansfield Park on DVD... for the one millionth time.

The Mansfield Shawl is a top-down triangular shawl that begins with a long foundation chain and shaped with short-rows and slipped stitches.  Once the body of the shawl is complete, stitches are worked along both legs of the triangle for the lace edge.  The pattern uses a wool and alpaca blend sport weight yarn on a large hook for a lovely drape, but would work equally well with heavy fingering wool blend.

Until the end of October 2012, use coupon code MANSFIELD2012 in Ravelry and get 20% OFF this pattern.

If you are not familiar with doing the Foundation Single Crochet (Fsc) beginning chain, there are tons of lovely tutorials on Youtube.  Below are a few of my favorites to get you started.

Furturegirl Youtube channel
Futuregirl.com - Blog written tutorial
Art of Crochet by Teresa chainless single crochet foundation - Youtube 
ChiCrochet Youtube channel

A little thrilled....

I just got home to sit down to read through the newest issue of Interweave Crochet (Fall 2012) I'd picked up earlier at my local Jo~Ann Fabrics. The magazine was the usual: table of content, letter to the editor, yarn company ads, and more ads ... until page 5. Yes, it's another ad, but this was not just ANY ad.  This is a Premier Yarns ad with MY DESIGN - Cordelia Cowl & Capelet.

I am so over the moon to see this ad. This design bring back a lot of memories.  The concept was developed and sample completed during an emotionally trying period last summer. It's amazing that I was able to create anything at all, but this project was great therapy to forget about the present tangled ball of mess and look to the finished product. 

Cordelia Cowl and Capelet are available on the Premier Yarns website as a free download... check it out.

Thanks Premier Yarn for including my design in your ad. It really made my day.

A poem entitled....Countdown

Countdown...

How harsh and bitter the cold can be,
At times I feel it's grasp take a hold on me.
I try to fight it and look towards the lights,
Of the warmth and joy Spring will bring.

56 days is all I have left,
Of this bleak and dreary existence.
A lot is riding on sticking it out,
I hope I'm strong enough to last.

How I long to be done with all the games
And the soul-less practices for profits gained.
Less than two months and I will be free,
To explore the riches money cannot offer.

Everyday I count,
Soon to be free
My plans for the future,
Are nearly complete.

THE PROFIT TRACKER- excel tool

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FEBRUARY 3, 2012!!

THE PROFIT TRACKER can do so much for you and your business. Whether you are a seasoned craftpreneur or just starting out, you can't go wrong with THE PROFIT TRACKER.

USES & BENEFITS OF THIS TOOL:
The PROFIT TRACKER is an easy to use Excel base tool offering a comprehensive analysis of the profits and losses of your business.

As a craftpreneur, I often have a hard time (1) figuring out how much I am making on a sales on Etsy, (2) accurately account for how much I am spending on supplies, (3) identifying which venue (Etsy, craftshow, etc.) I am selling at is more profitable, and (4) determining if my overall business is profitable.

For many years, I used QuickBooks, both in my professional career and in my own business. However, over the last few years I found that I needed something simpler that I can use anywhere. Therefore, I created The Profit Tracker using Microsoft Excel, which allows for easy data entry and quick analyses.

THE PROFIT TRACKER is geared specifically towards Etsy sellers (formulas already imbedded to calculate fees) who might sell in other marketplaces, such as craftshows. However, the tool is completely customizable for other online marketplace fee structures. If you need assistance setting up for other online marketplaces, please contact me to discuss.

Here are some of the things THE PROFIT TRACKER will help with:

• Track the health of your business every day.
  Instantly get a snapshot of your business profitability.
  See how your business is performing.
  Compare overall performance from month to month and/or venue to venue.
  



• Analyze which marketplace is more profitable.
  If you sell in multiple venues, easily see which one is more profitable, at any given time.
  See if your Etsy shop is more profitable during a specific month, season, etc, so you can focus your marketing.
  For the same item or a given time period, determine whether one venue (i.e. craftshow or wholesaling) is a better value (including fees and other related expenses) than an online marketplaces (i.e. Etsy and Paypal fees).
  



• Analyze your product offering and promotional efforts.
  See which item is more profitable.
  If you run an advertisement or promotion for a month, look at prior months to track the effectiveness of the ad/promo. Did you make more money during the period of the ad/promo run? Has sales consistently increased since the ad/promo?
  



• Analyze where you shop for supplies.
  Look at all your vendors to see how much you are spending.
  Compare overall performance among your vendors.
  Basically, see where you are spending your money and how often.
  



• Makes the TAX SEASON relatively painless.
  Get your receipts out of your shoebox and into a more manageable system.
  Print and take to your tax preparer, all the information you need is there in one place.
  



• Assist in making decisions.
  Can you afford to make that big purchase at vendor X?
  Should I do another craftshow?
  Overall, how is my business doing?

What you get when you order THE PROFIT TRACKER:

1. You will get a file ready to load your data
File contains built-in formulas to calculate your data.
A pivot table file that summarize your data in an easy to read format.

2. You will get an e-book training file.
The e-book will contain a sample files of the excel spreadsheet and pivot table.
There will be many notes with pictures/screen shots.
Detail explanation of the information you need to enter verses what the tool will calculate for you.

3. In addition, you will receive technical support for 2-weeks after purchase.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FEBRUARY 3, 2012!!

Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012 - A Year in Review

Let us hope 2012 will be a little better than the last year. 2011 for many has been a very challenging year. So much has happened locally, nationally, and around the globe. The world has seen political up rise and revolution, destruction, disasters and renewal of faith in humanity.

For the KNitDesigns household, it has been a mixed bag ranging from good (published patterns) to down right scary (tornado and snow storms) to a renewal of faith (angels who aided with the tornado clean-up). But together we made it through to see another year, where the possibilities are endless.

Below is the KNitDesigns household year in photo.

NEW DESIGNS for Frabjous Fibers

BACKYARD FRIENDS

MAY 2011 - Celebrating my little boy's 7th Birthday

MAY 2011 - More Backyard FRIENDS.

- View from our bedroom after the June 1st tornado.

- Assessing the damage the day after the tornado.

-After a summer cleaning up, finally a vacation.

- Off to Virginia we go for a week. And guess what, we were hit by a earthquake, while in the caverns!!!
- Luray Cavern

- Shenandoah Skyline Drive

After a long, hard 6-months, our house is finally back to rights.
- New roof and siding. Isn't it beautiful.

- But there is still work to be done outside.

Despite all that we have loss, despite the frustrations we face with our insurance company, despite the stress and emotional turmoil, through it all, we are optimistic about the future.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

More Knitting in the Sun - WENDY (pleated empire top)

So, last year I had the great privilege of having a knit pattern design accepted to be included in Kristi Porter's new book, More Knitting in the Sun (pattern links to Ravelry here). I have been a huge fan of Kristi's work for many years, so the chance to be included among the other fabulous designers that contributed to the book was a great honor.

I really like the concept for this book which features 32 wonderful warm weather knit projects for kids. And now, having seen the entire book, I love the projects. They are age appropriate while at the same time able to span multiple age groups. A great majority of the projects are suitable for young teens and not just geared towards babies and toddlers. Often times I see kid patterns sized up to 10, 12, or 14 and I think 'sure my 7-year-old niece like this, but would my 14-year-old niece want to be caught wearing this?' Often times the answer is no. With this book, the answer is ABSOLUTELY YES. Kristi did an excellent job of putting these designs together in such a beautiful way.




A little about my design.
When coming up with this design I wanted to create something both my 7-year-old and tween nieces would be willing to wear. The Wendy top reflect my own personal style for simplicity with touches of details along with long lasting wear-ability. Since this book is geared toward kids, I wanted to create something that was relatively fast to make, but was easy to tweak if the garment did take a little while longer to complete.

The idea behind Wendy was that the child could start out wearing this piece as a baby-doll type dress or a long tunic and as she grew, which inevitably kids do, the top could become a tank worn with shorts or capris. In addition, because I was a tomboy as a kid and was often times forced to wear frills, I thought the detailing would be a good compromise, not being too overly girly. Of course the frill edging (done in crochet) can be left off, but I think it's a great way to get more structure and stability to the sleeves/straps and prevent the garment from stretching out. Besides, the edging is a great way for knitters to add elements from crochet.

I really enjoyed working on this design and finished garment. Not seeing the garment in a year, and now now have it modeled and styled, I was totally blown away. The models are all so cute and the photography amazing. I hope you all get a chance to see the book. Go check it out at your LYS or Amazon.

Photos made available by Kristi Porter & Wiley Publishing

DayDreaming

It's a cold and rainy Wednesday morning in CT/MA and I am setting at my desk at work daydreaming. I daydream quite a bit, but lately more so, in particular today because it's a perfect day to just cuddle up in my craft room with my latest pattern design in progress and a good movie... of course a Jane Austen flick. Maybe Pride & Prejudice or Sense & Sensibility. Heck! Let's make it a movie marathon and do both.

I think the major reason I've been daydreaming so much this past week is because I will be traveling across the country to Arizona next week for work, leaving my boys (husband and son) and my fully stocked craft room. So, I am thinking about what I will bring for my trip. While I love planning for getaways, I usually have unlimited space in the car and unlimited time to craft. None of these features will be available for this trip, so I'm left to plan frugally as I will have very limited space to in my luggage and even less time to craft as I will be stuck in conferences all day and into the late evenings with NO KNITTING or CROCHETING!!! arrrgggghhhh.

So I am thinking of bring a sock project. While I am not a sock knitter, I can work on a plain vanilla sock without worrying about a pattern. I might bring one or two of my latest design ideas. One's a knit and the other is crochet... I'll have to think about that some more. There's also the concern of running out of yarn while away from my stash. But of course I will be making plans to visit a yarn shop or two that opens after 5pm. We'll see how well that works out. This trip is pretty packed, so I might have to call uncle on one of the evening's activities and get some fiber therapy. Last year when I went to Scottsdale, I had a very quick (less than 20 minutes) trip to JessicaKnits, which is a cute little shop, but they're business hours are not conducive to a visit this year, so I'll have to see what else I can find out there. I'd be interested in seeing what that side of the country carries compared to the East Coast. Hopefully with more than 20 minutes to shop!

A new one... Sadie

So, here's Sadie; my newest design. The pattern is a rather simple knit hat with an interestingly constructed brim, cable details, and bobbles topped with a box pleat. This is not a hard pattern, but the results will be well worth it. Make it either as a beanie or a slouchy.

The yarn! When I saw this yarn in Webs, I had to have it. I was drawn to the color. Of course I didn't have a pattern in mind, but I knew I had to have two skeins of this luscious Valley Yarn Stockbridge (50/50 Alpaca/Wool) in the Kiwi colorway.

$4.50

Back to School. Is it Fall already?

It's that time of year again. The weather is changing, the smell of diesel fuel from millions of school buses starting up in the morning is in the air, and the leaves and turning that beautiful golden color we love. Yep, it's FALL in New England. It seems like it went from 90 degrees to 60 in 12-hours and that's where it's been for a few weeks now.

It seems as if every year, summer vacation is getting shorter and shorter. I remember starting school in September. This year our town started school on Aug. 26th. It felt too quick. My baby - he's 6 and doesn't mind me still calling him that - started first grade this year (biting nails nervously). I think I was more nervous for him that he was. It's like this every year. I worry if he'll make friends, if he'll do well, AND like ever year, I worry for nothing! He is a very popular kid. Always been. We live in a small town and EVERYONE knows him. We go to the library and all the kids and their parents know him by name and of course we know none of these people. Sometimes I wonder if we have the right kid because he is a complete opposite to my husband and I - but then we just have to look at the nose :) So, is there some rule out there? Do we now need to know all these people and THEIR kids? When I go to the grocery store, I am that person with my ipod plugged in and a determined stride - get in, get what I need, and get out.

Oh well, this parenting thing is a work in progress. I think I almost got it all figured out... almost!

TWO PATTERNS AVAILABLE: Knit Picks Independent Designer Program

This past Thursday, 2 of my patterns went live on Knit Picks' site as part of the Independent Designer Program. The team at Knit Picks is wonderful to work with. Knit Picks offers a great opportunity to Indie Designers; advance on the design and professional photography. If you are an independent designer looking to get published with maximum exposure, I highly recommend it. So, if you are a fan of Knit Picks already, head over and support the designers there. Prices are at wholesale prices... only $1.99. And if you're not familiar with Knit Picks, now is a great time to get acquainted.

Galway Slouchy Crochet Beret Pattern $1.99

Available at Knit Picks and Ravelry

This simple lacy beret is perfect for beginner and intermediate crocheters; worked from the brim to the crown. The pattern is a great transition piece from season to season and is available in one size for adult woman.

Haiden Earflap Beanie Hat Pattern $1.99

Available at Knit Picks and Ravelry

This simple and cozy hat is very versatile and super easy to make. The hat is worked from the earflaps to the crown, with stitches picked up for the brim and earflap ties. The pattern is sized for Toddlers to Large Adults.

Note: this hat is meant to be made snug; the sizing below will stretch 2-4 inches

The Good and Sad of it

Quick RE-CAP of the last 2 months...

January started out really rough for our family. On Jan 1 we experienced a very sudden death. Why do we wait until tragedy hit to fully appreciate what the people in our lives mean to us? If I can convey nothing else, please take time to love each other. Now I'll get off my soap box.

Later in January, I submitted 3 designs to be a part of the KnitPicks Independent Designer Program. All 3 hat designs have been accepted, of which 2 have been completed and sent to KnitPicks. I expect to see the final product up on KnitPicks soon. The final design is still being worked up. In February I joined forces with Jess of Storied Yarns for her Percy Jackson K/CAL Round One (March 2010) yarn club. I am contributing a crochet pattern: The Wexford - Crochet Lacy Cowl. Here is a little teaser of the upcoming cowl. The cowl is a simple lace crochet pattern, similarly used in my latest for sale pattern on etsy: GALWAY SLOUCHY BERET. Please check it out.

Review of Storied Yarn: I absolutely love her dye job on her sock yarn. The colors are rich and transition well. I did not experience any nasty pooling. The yarn is soft and super easy to work with, and held up wonderful to multiple frogging. I haven't experienced any pilling while working with the yarn and frogging. The yarn fell just as great on the last stitch as it did at the beginning. I have a skein of her laceweight in her new “Daughter of Athena” colorway. I can't wait to use it. I think I will make a shawlette. I will post pictures and a review of the yarn once I've had a chance to work it up. Please check out Storied Yarn for her March KAL/CAL.

Finally, in early March I will be posting my tally raised from the sale of patterns to support the efforts in Haiti. My goal is $100. Hopefully I will be able to report as much or more to Doctors Without Borders. A very big Thank You to all who have purchased my patterns to help in the Haiti relief.

Thank you....:)

Is it just me or did 2009 just flew by. So many wonderful things have happened. I just want to thank everyone who have supported me in my patterns and bath/body products. To those who have purchased my patterns, please stay tuned for new designs for 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Artfire & The Manic Purl Podcast

So, I was curious how successful Artfire.com is... compared to other marketplace for handmade goods such as Etsy.com. I signed up a while ago, but yet to list anything. So I was thinking maybe the time is now?!

Today I received an email from Artfire. Per the email"There are no limits: no insertion fees, final valuation fees, commissions or hidden fees. Unlimited listing and selling is completely free for all members of ArtFire." But how can they do that. How can they manage to maintain the sight without the fees? I'm assuming sponsors such as Lionbrand and Jo-Ann, play a big role.

Anyway, the free listing is enticing in getting some of my new ideas out to the public. So even if my items doesn't sell, I'm not loosing out on anything, right?. I guess I'll give it a try and see where things lead. Wish me luck.

I've listed an item. Check out my Artfire store at http://www.artfire.com/users/KNitDesigns.

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PODCAST REVIEW:

Today I listened to the Manic Purl's podcast... I am a big fan of the show. This was Chrissy's 2nd annual Christmas show. Her Christmas show last year was AMAZING and so I was excited when this show uploaded. The program was fun, exciting, well thought out and relevant. Besides the music that just sucks you into the holiday mood, she gives great gift ideas for both knitters and spinners. Last year around this time, I wasn't even thinking about spinning, but this year, I am all over the ideas suggested in that category.

On her list, Chrissy has spinning wheel as a gift idea. How cool would that be.... finding a spinning wheel under (or maybe next to) the christmas tree. That would be nice.

Chrissy asks her listeners to post in the comment what fibery item(s) they would most want for the holidays. What do I want for christmas you might ask??? Well, I want the next best thing. I want a gift certificate (large bills only please) to Webs to use at their end of year sale. I figure since I'm going to Webs anyway to shop at the sale the day after christmas, my family might as well make it easy and give me cash to do with as I please. Well, we'll see who's paying attention this Christmas. For all you knitters, crocheters, and spinners, I hope you get what you want for Chistmas. You might want to check out my hand salve to help with your tired hands after you're done this holiday season.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS :)