Something Royally New

I'm trying something new today and I'm really, really excited about it.

Night Watch by Lizzy House

I've added the very first quilt patterns to the shop! They're both by Lizzy House, who also designs super fun—royally fun—fabric, some of which you see here.

Castle Treasury

Aren't they lovely?

But wait! There's more! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Lizzy also paired up with the fabulous Nicole Vos van Avezathe of Follow Bunny to create this adorable Castle Peeps embroidery sampler:

Castle Peeps Royal Sampler

I love it so much I'm obviously going to have to rearrange my handmade holiday plans to include it. It's perfect for my little knight, who just turned four and is learning his letters.

Quite a royal day, don't you think?

Happy stitching!

Handmade Home Winner!

Can I just say how much I loved reading all the comments for these giveaways this month? I think it was my favorite part. Everyone is so creative and crafty. I doubt I'll ever run a giveaway without some question to answer in your comment. It's just way too fun to read about what everyone is up to!

Which brings me to the winner of this giveaway: Kendra! A very crafty bird who writes a sweet blog, By Hand at Home, which I'll definitely be visiting regularly now!

Congratulations Kendra!

New Phydeaux!

Well, I'm very happy to say that there are new patterns in the shop today. I always like that. And these are just so lovely, really, you'll probably have the same reaction I did when I first saw them. Which of course was to immediately go yarn shopping!

Ariel Lace Neckwarmer

Cheques Shawlette

Dentelle Scarf

Embraceable Cowl

Regalia Cowl

I know, that still begs the question, which one to start with. True.

I love that they're all so elegant, but have really different styles. It's almost like you could make one of each and there would undoubtedly be someone in your life for each style. OR, and I apologize in advance for liking this option just a tiny bit more with the holidays upon us and all, you could make them all and have something for all your different fashion moods... Just a thought.

Happy knitting!

Anniversary Book Giveaway :: Week Four!

This is the final week of the Anniversary Book Giveaway month, and I have to say that I've saved a really good one for last.

Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule

If you have never visited Amanda's very inspiring and oh so lovely blog, I highly recommend dropping by. This book is full of sweet, heartwarming, comforting and creative ideas for homemaking, many drawn from projects featured on her blog. But don't take my word for it, here's a bit about the book from the publisher:

"For many of us, our home is the center of our life. It is the place where our families meet and mingle, where we share our meals and share our dreams. So much more than just a space to live, our homes offer us a place of comfort, nourishment, and love for us and for our children. 

In Handmade Home, Amanda Blake Soule, author of The Creative Family and the blog SouleMama.com, offers simple sewing and craft projects for the home that reflect the needs, activities, and personalities of today’s families. As Amanda writes in the introduction, “As a crafter, I’m always looking for the next thing I want to make. As a mama, I’m always looking for the next thing we need—to do, to have, to use—as a family. The coming together of these parts is where the heart of Handmade Home lies.” 

Filled with thirty-three projects made by reusing and repurposing materials, all of the items here offer a practical use in the home. From picnic blankets made out of repurposed bed sheets to curtains made out of vintage handkerchiefs, these projects express the sense of making something new out of something old as a way to live a more financially pared-down and simple life; lessen our impact on the earth; connect to the past and preserve a more traditional way of life; and place value on the work of the hands. Also included are projects that children can help with, allowing them to make their own special contribution to the family home. 

More than just a collection of projects for handmade items, this book offers the tools to create a life—and home—full of beauty, integrity, and joy. 

Projects include:
Papa’s Healing Cozy: This hot water bottle cover becomes a simple way to offer comfort to a sick child
Baby Sling: A simple pattern for an object that offers so much to a small child—refuge from the world and a place to lay their head next to a parent’s heart
Beach Blanket To-Go: Repurpose old sheets to create the perfect picnic blanket for special outdoor meals
Cozy Wall Pockets: A creative solution for storing a child’s small treasures."

And here's how you can win it:

• Sometime today before 10 pm leave a comment with a resource, idea, tutorial link, story or some other inspired thing about your own handmade home.
• Tweet (or retweet) about the giveaway—with the all important @magpiepatterns mention so that I know to include you in the drawing.
• Or share something from the Magpie Patterns Facebook page with your FB friends (and then send me a note so I know that you did!). 
• Or become a follower of the blog (and send me a note or something so I know).

And like last time the book drawing is for US and Canadian crafters only, BUT I don't want to diss all the wonderful crafty birds in other parts of the world. SO if you don't happen to live in North America, you can do any of the above to win a pdf pattern of your choosing (shipping books beyond this continent can get pricey), which is also a very happy thing if you ask me.

After all the entries are in I'll randomly choose a winner, once more using Rae's rather successful toddler method (although mine's a preschooler, it has still worked well) and then contact that person by email, twitter, or Facebook (so be sure to include a method of contact) to get shipping digits.


Good luck and happy homemaking!

And the Green Sewing Winner Is...

Actually, there are two. You see, the first winner is Liefgoed (yay!), who hails from Amsterdam (double yay!) which means that she gets to choose any pdf pattern in the shop because of the whole shipping cost thing.

Bolero by Leila and Ben

Fingerless Mittens by Frouge's Art

Grocery Bag by Keyka Lou Patterns

But, it just seemed a shame not to give away the actual book when everyone left such great ideas for green sewing! So my preschooler pulled a second winner's name from the hat, who (luckily) is from Canada: Andrée Lachapelle. Hooray!

Sewing Green

Congratulations to both of you! And happy (green) sewing everyone!

Really Good News

That's what I've got today. And it's this: the Rococo Shawl pattern by Tickled Pink Knits is in the shop.

 Rococo Shawl

Gorgeous, right? I know!
Who else is doing a little happy dance right now?
Ok, so go get your needles!
Happy knitting everyone!

Anniversary Book Giveaway :: Week Three!

Since I've decided to celebrate my little shop's one year anniversary all this month by giving away a book every week, and it's Monday, that must mean it's time for another prize. Yay!

This week's book is by the super fabulous Betz White:

Sewing Green

Oh how I love this book. Anyone who combines environmental common sense with adorable sewing patterns is speaking my language!

"By its nature, do-it-yourself sewing is environmentally friendly. In Sewing Green, Betz White takes stitching to an even higher level of sustainability, presenting 25 projects made from "repurposed" thrift-store and back-of-the-closet finds and organic fabrics. White’s whimsical yet practical designs include an apron constructed from men’s dress shirts (and a wallet from the shirts’ cuffs!), a soft blanket pieced from secondhand cashmere sweaters, and even a tote bag refashioned from used Tyvek envelopes. Along the way, White dispenses tips on everything from how to deconstruct old garments for reuse in new creations to how to wrap gifts with resusable fabric scraps instead of paper.

Inspiring profiles about well-known leaders in the eco-stitching movement are sprinkled throughout, and a complete resources section helps crafters make eco-smart choices. With Sewing Green, today’s sewers will be fashioning handmade heirlooms and sustaining traditions for generations to come."

Ok, so here's a little reminder about how to win this very awesome book:

• Sometime today before 10 pm leave a comment with a green sewing tip you've read about, tried, or considered.
• Tweet (or retweet) about the giveaway—with the all important @magpiepatterns mention so that I know to include you in the drawing.
• Or share something from the Magpie Patterns Facebook page with your FB friends (and then send me a note so I know that you did!). 
• And a new one this week: become a follower of the blog (and send me a note or something so I know).

And like last time the book drawing is for US and Canadian crafters only, BUT I don't want to diss all the wonderful crafty birds in other parts of the world. SO if you don't happen to live in North America, you can do any of the above to win a pdf pattern of your choosing (shipping books beyond this continent can get pricey), which is also a very happy thing if you ask me.

After all the entries are in I'll randomly choose a winner, definitely using Rae's rather successful toddler method (although mine's a preschooler, it still worked out great last time) and then contact that person by email, twitter, or Facebook (so be sure to include a method of contact) to get shipping digits.


Good luck and happy sewing!

Put Up Your Dukes!

It's a fight you don't want to miss!

luvinthemommyhood is sponsoring the fight of a lifetime by pitting comfy sews against cozy knits. I think it's going to be a knock-down, drag-em-out, fight to the death!

{But probably after all that we'll all have tea together and work on our projects.}

Still you can't miss out on casting your vote for your favorite craft, so drop by Shannon's blog to throw your hat into the ring. And while you're at it, enter to win the Magpie sponsored book giveaway.

May the best craft win!

And Our Lucky Winner Is...

Yay for Atoth! You've won the copy of Reversible Knitting, and it sounds like it'll be a natural fit for you!

Happy knitting everyone!

All I Did Was Knit

Ok, is that the best title for a post or what? We just got back from a too-short trip to a little haven of Pacific Northwest paradise, also known as Bainbridge Island, and pretty much all I did was knit.

 Except when I stopped in to visit the good folks at Churchmouse Yarn and Teas.

(Ok, I also walked on the beach, sighed with delight at the views, had sinfully delicious ice cream at Mora, and fabulous coffee at Pegasus, but that's it. Really.)

I brought four projects (because you just never know, right?), including:

This one, which will be a cardigan for baby Norah and is being made out of leftovers of yummy Malabrigo in Pollen. I really want one for myself too, but then all the girls in the family would have matching sweaters. Would that be weird?

And this one, which is going to be another Pasha out of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, because I've decided you just can't have too many Pashas in the house. Especially when they're red.

And this one, which was going to be a shawl but decided to be a scarf at the last minute. Actually, considering how much yarn I bought for the shawl pattern, it will probably be several scarves. I guess that lets the cat out of the bag for a few holiday gifts...

And finally this one, which will someday be one of those coffee cup cozy sleeve things for the paper-cup-look-alike ceramic mug I just bought. It doesn't really need a cozy since it doesn't get hot on the outside (clever design, no?) but I just know it'll look better with one. Which counts for something, right?

Although I didn't finish any of them this weekend, I did get to work on three out of four, which in my opinion is a very lovely way to spend my time!

Happy knitting everyone!

Wear Your Knits Inside Out...

Which is exactly what you'll be doing if you win our giveaway book this week! But don't worry, you won't look all crazytown (thanks to I Heart Linen for that awesome phrase) because all the knits from this book are reversible.

{All images from Reversible Knitting}

Most of the stitch dictionaries on knitters’ shelves are remixes of familiar stitch patterns already published elsewhere. Not so for Lynne Barr’s groundbreaking book Reversible Knitting. Not only is every one of the 50 stitch patterns completely new and never before seen, but each is also reversible—for a total of 100 different looks!

Reversible stitch patterns can be used to create projects where either side can be worn facing outward, or where two sides of the piece are visible simultaneously (such as a scarf or a garment with collar or cuffs that that can be worn up or down). In addition to stitch patterns, the book features 20 such projects—from accessories like scarves, hats, and socks to sweaters and dresses—designed by the author and by 12 top knitwear designers including STC authors Véronik Avery, Norah Gaughan, and Teva Durham.

What a great idea, right? Spill a little ketchup on your sweater and don't have time to run home for a quick change? No problem, just flip it inside out and you're as good as new!

Ok, so the rules are the same as last week. And those are:

• Sometime today before 10 pm leave a comment with a story about a time you wish your knit garment had been reversible.
• Tweet (or retweet) about the giveaway—with the all important @magpiepatterns mention so that I know to include you in the drawing.
• Or share something from the Magpie Patterns Facebook page with your FB friends (and then send me a note so I know that you did!).

And like last time the book drawing is for US and Canadian crafters only, BUT I don't want to diss all the wonderful crafty birds in other parts of the world. SO if you don't happen to live in North America, you can do any of the above to win a pdf pattern of your choosing (shipping books beyond this continent can get pricey), which is also a very happy thing if you ask me.

After all the entries are in I'll randomly choose a winner, definitely using Rae's rather successful toddler method (although mine's a preschooler, it still worked out great last time) and then contact that person by email, twitter, or Facebook (so be sure to include a method of contact) to get shipping digits.

Good luck everyone! And happy knitting!

Baby Legs

I just made something that I never thought I would. Only because I wasn't really clear on when I'd use them. But, honestly, has practicality ever been my number one crafting concern? Um, no.

Of course not, cuteness is way higher on the scale. And well, Babylegs, or baby leg warmers, are just cute. No doubt.

So I used some Sheep Shop Sock Yarn and knit these little things up in a jiffy using this tutorial. Well, sort of. Actually, I just guessed when I cast on, and happened to get it right. (I don't necessarily recommend that as a knitting method, unless you're willing to start over a few times, which is what often happens when I throw caution to the wind like that.)

Hopefully Norah will get a little more wear out of them than the baby socks I knit (and knit, and knit), but if not, we can always re-purpose them as super hero armbands.

So it's all good!
Happy knitting!

And the Winner Is...

First, thanks to everyone who entered! And thank you for all the happy anniversary wishes! You are all so sweet!

And now: congratulations to Miss Paula, who is the winner of the Alabama Stitch Book. Yay Miss Paula!

Happy Stitching!
(And check back here on Monday for another book giveaway!)

Still Life: Knitting With Baby

Happy knitting!

More Anniversary Goodness

As mentioned previously, this month is the Magpie Patterns shop one year anniversary and clearly there's nothing to do but celebrate (I love any excuse, really)!

{Knit Booties from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts}

So, I'm giving stuff away. Yay!

{Bunny Wallet from Zakka Sewing}

You may find other Magpie Patterns giveaways scattered around the crafty-web-world, but I'll also be giving away a book every week right here on this little blog until the end of the month to US and Canadian crafty birds.

{Seat Cover from Printing by Hand}

Because really, who couldn't use more craft books in their library?

This week our book is the lovely and very inspiring Alabama Stitch Book.

“Haute homespun out of the Deep South.” That’s how Vogue magazine has described the fashion of Natalie Chanin. Alabama Stitch Book brings us a collection of projects and stories from her clothing and lifestyle company, Alabama Chanin, known for the cutting-edge twist it puts on tried-and-true sewing, quilting, and embroidery techniques, applied mostly by hand to recycled cotton jersey.

This long-awaited book from Chanin begins with her story. After living in New York and Vienna for over 20 years, she began to transform cotton T-shirts into high fashion using the needlework skills she learned as a child in Florence, Alabama. When she moved home, Chanin hired local women (many of whom had worked in the state’s now defunct textile factories) to stitch her couture collections with her.

What follows is a step-by-step guide to the stitching, stenciling, and beading techniques used in the 20 projects showcased in the book: T-shirts, skirts, and corsets that are sold at chic shops around the world, plus a journal cover, sampler quilt, and tablecloth, among others. Also included are a pullout stencil, perforated postcard for bead-embroidery, and reusable patterns. Throughout are Robert Rausch’s beautiful photographs set against the back roads, farms, and homesteads of the rural South.

Ok, so how do you get a copy sent to you? Simple: 

• Sometime between now and tomorrow (October 5) at 10 pm, leave a comment letting me know who your very favorite pattern designer in the shop is. Tough choice I know, so if you can't decide on just one person, it's ok.
• Tweet (or retweet) about the giveaway—with the all important @magpiepatterns mention so that I know to include you in the drawing.
• Or share something from the Magpie Patterns Facebook page with your FB friends (and then send me a note so I know that you did!).

But, I don't want to diss all the amazing and fabulous crafty birds in other parts of the world SO if you don't happen to live in North America, you can do any of the above to win a pdf pattern of your choosing (shipping books beyond this continent can get pricey), which is also a very happy thing if you ask me.


After all the entries are in I'll randomly choose a winner, probably using Rae's toddler method and then contact that person by email, twitter, or Facebook (so be sure to include a method of contact) to get shipping digits.

Here's to free books (and patterns)!

Oooh! Magpie is One this Month!

Guess what! My little shop is one year old this month - yay! What started as a groggy-I-still-need-coffee conversation with my dad about wishing someone would collect (in a selective fashion) all the lovely patterns in one place — not just knitting patterns or just sewing patterns, but rather patterns for (almost) all the fiber arts — has blossomed into an online boutique of growing popularity (hooray!). How cool is that?

Daydream Forest Set by SeptemberHouse

I mean, beyond giving my little pattern-collecting obsession free reign, I've met some of the very sweetest, most talented, amazingly creative people in all the world!

Linen Stitch Scarf by Churchmouse Classics

So, if you ask me, this shop has made me doubly blessed! And when you come to that kind of realization—and it's your one year anniversary—it couldn't be a better opportunity to celebrate. Don't you think?

Dapper Dillinger Trousers by Patterns by Figgy's

So, why not start the celebration with a sale? Beginning today and going through the weekend everything will be 15% off. AND the first 12 orders (twelve months in business, get it?) that include shipping will get a free (randomly selected) Sublime Stitching pattern. To get the discount use the code ONE15 when you checkout. To get the free embroidery pattern hop over here and start shopping!

Oatmeal Pullover by Jane Richmond

And don't feel you have to keep this to yourself. Invite your friends!

Happy anniversary shopping!