Knitting with Frog Tree yarn

Finally, a moment to sit down and swatch some Frog Tree Picoboo yarn.  It's a pima cotton amd bamboo blend.  The Picoboo yarn has some sheen to it which I am drawn to and comes in these rich hues that are undescribable.  I've sketched a spring shell and I've swatched it.  I'm swaying back and forth as to which colorwork I want to incorporate into the shell.  This design will premier at TNNA, Columbus.  If you haven't heard of Frog Tree yarns, go to the link below.  It's a non-profit organization that supports the Bolivian women who hand knit the sample sweaters seen in yarn shops and dye the yarns.  It's a fabulous foundation and one that I will be donating 10% of my pattern proceeds to.

http://www.frogtreeyarns.com/AboutUs/tabid/57/Default.aspx

Knitting Favorites of 2009

I thought I better reflect on what I liked in the world of knitting for 2009.  I wish I had thought of this sooner as anything I liked last January has totally escaped my pee brain.  So here's my top

6 favorites for 2009:

1 - favorite yarn:  Zealana "Tui" for it's buttery feel when knitting  (http://www.theyarnsisters.com/)
Though I have many favorite yarns for various reasons, Tui made the top of my list based on 3 critical points:  the feel when knitting, the rich colors of the yarn and the chunky weight of the yarn.

2 - favorite variegated yarn:  Crown Mountain handspun hand dyed sock yarn (http://www.crownmountainfarms.com/)
Since knitting with Crown Mountains handspun yarn, I've gained an appreciation for the handspun yarns.  When you feel like treating yourself to something new, try a hank of handspun yarn - it's worth the price.  It almost makes me want to learn how to spin!

3- favorite knitting gadgets comes from my close friend, Sherri - (http://www.simazenthings.com/).  Her sock journals and stitch markers are my favorite and her sisters tote bag is a knitters staple.

4- favorite knitting teacher - Cat Bordhi (http://www.catbordhi.com/).  Although I have had some incredible knitting instructors this past year (Sally Melville is my runner up), Cat was the most generous and gifted of the instructors.  Very approachable, very down to earth and full of energy.  As for my 2nd runner up - Sally Melville, well, she just made me look at sweater construction and design in a whole new light.

5- favorite book - The Essentail guide to Color knitting techniques by Margaret Radcliffe.  There are  few books that convince me to fork out $30.  This book did.  It's a fabulous book and it should be a staple for all knitters.

6- favorite events - TNNA (http://www.tnna.org/) and Madrona Fiber Arts (http://www.madronafiberarts.com/).  TNNA is a wonderful event - excellent classes, the newest publications, designs, yarns and great networking.  It's where I have met some amazing people.  The energy in the air is exhilerating and it's truly a knitters vacation!  Madrona comes in as runner up because they too have the best of classes and instructors and a huge yarn market to satisfy all knitters and spinners alike.  It's truly a first class event.

So that sums up 2009 for me.  As for my least favorite part of 2009 .....learning, relearning and still not understanding Dreamweaver and maintaining my website.  It's so true that you can't teach old dogs new tricks!  I'll continue to try and I can only hope that next years 2010 favorites might just be "maintaining my website".

Wardrobe Favorites book now on sale

Oh my gosh - here's what you can find inside "Wardrobe Favorites". I absolutely love how Leisure Arts combines my sweaters with the perfect attire, accessories, pose and model to make me say "wow" to my own sweaters! I feel funny "wowing" my own work but I tell you - it's all in the presentation. I'm mystified at how I got to this point, grateful for those who nudged me in the right direction and hopeful that my designs are well received.

Circular Knitting Redefined...due out February 2010

It's so tough waiting to see what the book cover is going to look like when you've contributed a few designs. I don't do well with the waiting process. I stumbled on this hap-hazardly (as usual) when I went on http://www.anniesattic.com/. I knew it was coming out in February - but in the book publication world, that could mean February 2011! I have 2 designs in this book - the second design will have to be a mystery until the book comes out! I'm having a great time and learning a little bit about patience.

Newest book due out next month

http://www.leisurearts.com/items/4517/Wardrobe-Favorites/c/Knitting/s/newest/default.aspx

Looks like this book is finally here - well, it will be in about 3 weeks anyway.

From what I remember, there are 5 women's sweaters in this book - 1 being a simple cabled cardigan, 1 being a cropped and cabled open cardigan, a sleeveless 2-toned shell, a short sleeved tie shrug and my favorite - the simple yet flattering pullover shown on the front cover. It's a nice variety of sweaters for all seasons.

This book uses some specialty yarns like Cascade "Pastaza" and "Cotton Rich" and Elsebeth Lavold "Silky Wool" as well as a few more commonly found yarns like Bernat and Patons.

I can't wait to get my samples back so I can wear this sweater! That's the only drawback to publishing....it takes a while before you can wear the sweaters you've knit.

Holiday Pattern Sneak Preview

Here's a sneak preview of my one and only holiday pattern.

The test knitter just finished both hat and scarf in hot pink and the tech editor just pulled my email request out of her spam file. So as soon as she gives me the okay, I'll get it published - just in time for that last minute holiday gift. Yarn used was Cascade "Baby Alpaca Chunky" in Ice blue. http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-BabyAlpacaChunky.asp

Featured Designer for November

Leisure Arts asked me to be their featured Designer for November for their E-news. My book "Fun Time Sweaters" was going to be the featured book so they thought it was only fitting to ask me to write an article. Well, here's my article.
http://www.leisurearts.com/enews/archive/11_2009/YarnLink/InTheKnow.html

What I wasn't expecting was the cover of my newest book due out in January. I almost didn't recognize the sweater! It actually was my favorite sweater in that grouping, knit out of Elsebeth Lavold "Silky Wool". It was definitely a nice surprise - now I can't wait to see what they did on the inside of the book!