Hurray for Hannah!

Oh have I got good news today! I've added a bunch of Knitbot patterns by Hannah Fetig to the shop. And they're pdfs! Yay! Yay!

{I love instant gratification patterns!}

So now we've got:

Effortless Cardigan

Lightweight Pullover

Climbing Cables Hat

Mediumweight Pullover

Family Sock

Sock Yarn Sweater

Yoked Sweater

Zip Up Sweater

In addition to the two that I already carried:

Featherweight Cardigan

Wispy Cardigan

Phew! How awesome is that?

Happy knitting!

Granny Squares

So, after my initial visit to Dottie Angel, where granny is trés chic, I suddenly and overwhelmingly fell for granny squares. Yep.

From Posy Gets Cozy

by Ingrid Jansen

Found on Arian Armstrong's blog {who just happens to have illustrated the Magpie logo}

Via Design*Sponge

I mean, how cool, right? Ok, so here's the crazy thing: I don't know how to crochet. Sure, I can add a simple trim to a sweater, but that's it. I have no idea how to make a granny square. {Bad crafter!}

So, in order to right that wrong, I'm turning to Martha. Where else?

Bookmark c/o Martha Stewart Living

My first project? This gorgeous little bookmark. And if all goes well, there just might be an entire blanket in my future!

Happy crocheting!

Looking Forward to Spring

Isn't that always the case in January? {And even more so in February.} Once the fun of the holidays is officially over, I'm suddenly ready for winter to pass and spring to begin.

Since I can do little to hasten the seasons (except for employing a little travel magic with a trip to say, Mexico or Hawaii, which for some inexplicable reason I can't get my husband to sign onto...crazy man) I'm going to let Polka + Bloom bring spring into the house. Just look at this gorgeous new design:

Sweet Posy by Polka + Bloom

I love the colors Carina chose, so bright and cheery. I think it would also be so lovely in a single color on a solid background, like she suggests in the pattern description. I've never actually been able to do that, since I can't resist all the colors, but maybe this time I will...

Happy stitching!

Feeling Inspired!

Lately (ok, for a long, long time) I've been coveting a little Liberty of London fabric. There are only two issues. The first is that I can't decide which pattern I love most (see below for a visual demonstration of my dilemma):

Eloise

Phoebe

Floribunda

New Season

All of them are so lovely, aren't they? And that's just a tiny, tiny sampling!

And the second is that I don't have a particular project in mind. Which I think I ought to, for this special fabric. But here are a few darling things that have been made with Liberty of London fabric, for inspiration:

Neon Elastic Skirt via the Purl Bee

Madame Constance

Heart garland

Bibs, via the Purl Bee

Oliver + S Music Box Jumper via the Purl Bee

That last one really gets me. Sheesh, how sweet is that? However, I'm actually thinking about making something for, um, myself. (Gasp!) Maybe the awesome Schoolhouse Tunic by Sew Liberated:

Or Colette's Chantilly:

Or how about Keyka Lou's Curvy Clutch:

What do you think? Anyone want to help me choose?
Happy crafting!

Two New Lovlies

It's more knitting today, which is always a good thing in my book. I've got two new patterns by Elena Rosenberg in the shop this morning. And they're a couple of beauties.

Victoriana Scarfette

Meringue Scarf

Isn't that Victoriana Scarfette just elegant? It would be so lovely under a classy wool coat, wouldn't it? I love the floral details on the ties, so pretty!

And the Meringue Scarf, well that just says "spring" to me—although you could certainly wear it all year. I have some scrumptious, bright blue Malabrigo yarn that was supposed to be part of a shawl (but just didn't end up fitting the part) that would be perfect for this pattern. Hmm...

Happy knitting!

Piratey Stripes

Despite the fact that I used one of the most luscious yarns on earth (Cascade Yarn's Eco Alpaca) I simply couldn't convince the four-year-old to wear his completely awesome (if I do say so myself) gray, stripey sweater.

Until I called the stripes "Pirate stripes."

Nevermind that pirates tend to wear their stripes on their socks. This pirate wears them on his sweaters.

I used the Heirloom Stitches Britt pattern, which is knit top down in one piece, making it great for stripes. And using my typical two-row stripe pattern, there weren't too many ends to weave in (my very least favorite part about knitting).

I haven't knit him a cardigan since he was tiny. I knit them for the girls all the time, so it's a mystery why this is his first one in three years. In any case, it's such a great pattern and I'm particularly happy with the piratey stripes.

{As an unrelated side note, any other young pirate fans out there should check out the tunes by the swashbuckling Captain Bog and Salty, a local band that has a hearty following. It's pretty much a constant at our house, and has the whole family chanting "Eat a lime!" on a regular basis.}

Happy knitting, me hearties!

Another Cutie

I've got another cutie from Cécile Levesque for you today.

Esprit Folk Pullover by Cécile Levesque

Isn't it though? I love the details. I think just the right details make a sweater. This version looks feminine to me but it would be so easy to make it perfect for a boy (I would just leave off the picot edge).

She only has it sized up to 8 years, so I can't make one for myself, but I would if I could. (And if I didn't already have so many other projects started, of course. Ahem.)

Look for more patterns by this talented French designer in the future. She has a bunch more that I have my eye on that are currently only available in French. But she assures me that she'll be translating them soon...

Happy knitting!

Feeling Inspired! + Apparently I Like Jars.

Well, despite my bold statements earlier, I haven't made a lick of progress on my craft room. In fact, it's very possible that it's in worse shape. {I've been busy. What can I say?}

However, I have learned something about myself that might come in handy when I do—finally—get around to organizing and decorating my craft space.

Apparently I like jars. Especially old and funky mason jars that hold small things. Exhibit A: some of the images I've collected as inspiration:

{By ButterflyFoodie}

{From Country Living}

{From Madame Cupcake}

{By Umla}

{By Madame Cupcake}

{By Dottie Angel}

And luckily I already keep a lot of my crafting supplies in jars (sadly hidden away in cupboards and drawers, however). Which means at least one aspect of this project won't be too terribly hard to arrange!

Happy crafting!

Cute. Cute. Cute.

This pattern. I tell ya. I know, I'm a bit of a pattern enthusiast, so I'm prone to this reaction, but this pattern by Cécile Levesque makes me want to stop what I'm doing and knit one of these little cuties up.

Esprit Folk Tunic by Cécile Levesque

Alright, it's true that I have thing for pinafores right now and that could explain my irresistible urge to start this project immediately. But that's ok, right? I mean honestly, is there anything cuter than a little girl in a pinafore (knit or sewn)?

Plus this one has that natural folksy look I just love (kind of a Zakka thing, don't you think?). You know I'll be at the yarn shop before the end of the day. I'm hopeless.

{You can see now why I have so very many unfinished projects in my WIP basket.}

Happy knitting!

A Friendly Companion

I'm reading a very friendly little book right now that is due out this March. A Knitter's Home Companion is a charming collection of patterns, recipes, and stories and is somehow reminiscent of some of my favorite—but largely unrelated—books like The Plain Reader and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. Maybe it's the combination of heartwarming anecdote and careful instruction or perhaps the quiet emphasis on the beauty of something so simple (and yet profound) as knitting, homemaking, and community.

The patterns (without color images) are so sweet and simple—but so perfect!—that I'm reminded of Elizabeth Zimmermann's patterns. Common sense, straightforward, no-tears knitting that result in something cherished for years.

In fact, can I just offer this completely fabulous Elizabeth Zimmerman quote, which kind of sums up this lovely little book (and is found heading up the last chapter)?

Knitting is formed by a series of loops pulled through loops to the end of time or to "desired length"... Be grateful for this and don't expect any more. (from Knitter's Almanac)

I love that because really, isn't the rhythm and comfort of knitting a perfectly lovely thing to be grateful for? And how wise to just love the process without any expectations beyond it (such as, say, a perfect garment).

Of course I'll try a pattern or two (maybe the Trio of Lacy Washcloths, and definitely the Chicken Egg Warmer) and I might even test out a recipe (probably Aunt Charlotte's "You Won't Believe How Easy It Is to Make" Jam). But mostly I'm enjoying the stories Michelle Edwards offers with each pattern or instruction. They're so warm and friendly I really do feel like I'm sitting with a friend while we knit. It's lovely and a joy. Just what you want out of any kind of companion, don't you think?

Well, with knitting on my mind, I simply can't resist leaving you with a picture of my latest love. I did my best but I'm afraid this muted Pacific Northwest winter light combined with my lack of photography experience just don't do this red justice. But oh, she's still lovely I'd say.

Madelinetosh Merino Light in Scarlett

Happy knitting—and reading!

Oh Sweet Georgia

So I went to the yarn store last night and fell in love.

Tosh Merino Light

{It happens to me all the time.}

Georgia by Jane Richmond

But what doesn't normally happen—and did this time—was that I went with a pattern in mind (Georgia by Jane Richmond), walked right up to a gorgeous shade of red (Scarlet) on the awe-inspiring Madelinetosh wall, picked up three skeins (they're big; 440 yards each), and was ready to go.

Um, what?

Generally, my "quick" trips to the yarn store are at minimum 45 minutes.

But what can I say? It was love at first sight. Reds are really tricky—or at least I'm really picky about reds—so when I saw this absolutely perfect red in the right weight...well, why look any further?

{Full disclosure: Ok, I did browse for another 10 minutes. But just for fun.}

Too bad I was so proud of my speediness that I forgot to have the yarn wound. Did I mention each skein is 440 yards? Oh well.

Happy knitting (or winding)!

Feeling Inspired!

There has been a lot of beautiful embroidery turning up, around and about the web lately and I've been reminded how much I love it.  Here, see for yourself:

Caroline's Bag in White

Cottage Embroidery Pillow

Vestido Mexicano

Myrna May's Cake

Antique rug

SeptemberHouse's Pendant

Am I right? So unbelievably lovely!

Can you believe that rug was meant to be walked on? Are artisans intense or what? We just want handmade beauty to be everywhere—even under our feet!

I'm definitely feeling stitchy, but I seriously doubt I'll try to tackle a rug. But something like that cake, now that's another story...

Happy stitching!