(Late) Yarn Along

The blog hasn't been showing it, but I really am knitting quite a bit lately - most recently, working on a sample piece in my worsted single-ply "Redcoat:"

The pattern is the Penelope Garter Stitch Vest, from Lovely Knits for Little Girls (the book is in Ravelry, the pattern, for some reason, is not), and it is a really sweet, quick knit.


I recently splurged and actually purchased a book (I usually download titles from the library) - Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge, by Lindy Woodhead. Anyone else get watch Mr. Selfridge this spring on PBS? I'm a sucker for a good Edwardian costume drama (Downton Abbey, anyone?), and the big-name American-abroad fish-out-of-water thing sucked me right in. Selfridge was such an intriguing character on film that I really wanted to know more about him.

Shepherd's Harvest 2013

Usually, an afternoon at Shepherd's Harvest Festival is my Mother's Day gift. This year, I spent Mother's Day weekend at Shepherd's Harvest - this time, as a vendor with the Anoka Fiber Works co-op.


What a change to vend with a group! I just brought my Greener Shades, so it wasn't nearly the work as the other shows I've done. It was also nice to have so many others on hand - good conversation, no customers had to wait very long for personal attention, and everyone got a chance to visit other parts of the festival and take classes.


It was cold. And windy. The exhibit barns were like giant refrigerators. I don't think I've ever been there when all the big barn doors had to be closed. I was terrible about taking pictures this year - perhaps because my hands were stuck in my pockets trying to keep warm?


I did, however, have the camera on hand to capture Addy communing with some bunnies. She could have spent all day with this guy - he provided lots of sniffs and nuzzles, and was completely unfazed by her toddler giggles (which is more than I can say for our pets at home).

It wasn't a year of big spending for me - I picked up some metallic plying thread and plant-dyed braids from Cassie at Fuzzbee Yarns. I also (finally) bought a handmade Lazy Kate from one of my fellow co-opers, Mary of Spinning Magic. I really have no idea why I haven't gotten a Lazy Kate before now - a big improvement from plying with balls of singles stuck in bowls on the floor!

Luxe DK Yarn winner!

Congratulations to the lucky winner, Laura! 

"Doogs said...

Thanks so much for the give away! LOVE your yarn."

 

 An 8 ounce skein of Luxe DK in "Greener Pastures" is all yours!

Holla Knits Spring Review and Giveaway

Here we are - the 9th stop on the Holla Knits spring collection blog tour! This is my fourth time contributing to Holla Knits, and the fourth amazing designer I've had the pleasure to work with - Teresa Gregorio, who designed Lady Bat, featuring both Knit Picks Shine Sport and my Luxe DK.  I know I say this in every review, but I seriously love how the samples are knit up in two different yarns - a commercially available yarn and an indie yarn.

Lady Bat in Luxe DK

If you live in the Land of Endless Winter (a.k.a., the Upper Midwest), this collection is such a welcome breath of fresh air! As the snow continued to fall (and fall... and fall...), I was busy dreaming about summery knits. So much lacy goodness and bright, fresh colors!

I have a huge crush on this green from Unplanned Peacock

Since I just put away my snow shovels yesterday (seriously, on April 25), I am having a hard time wrapping my head around warm weather clothing. Evidence: I'm envisioning knitting both El Matador and Meeting Point because I can seriously see myself wearing both of these all year round.

The full Holla Knits Spring collection is available here - buy each pattern individually, or become a subscriber (a great deal - all the patterns, plus added pattern support videos, and blog tour yarn giveaways).  And, check out the Ravelry group for upcoming KALs and pattern advice from the designers.

**I want to know what you're dying to knit from the new collection - let me know in the comments below, and I'll enter you for a chance to win a skein of the gorgeous Luxe DK in Greener Pastures (subscribers only!), or the Lady Bat pattern (for non-subscribers). Contest closes on April 30, so get your entries in now!**


Don't forget to check out the rest of the blog tour - catch up on some great knitting and designing bloggers, with lots of chances to win some goodies!

April 16 - The Sweatshop of Love - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 17 - Canary Knits - Pattern giveaway

April 18 - Yarn Hollow - Pattern giveaway

April 19 - Under the Red Umbrella - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 22 - Stash, the Knit Picks Staff Blog

April 23 - Emma Welford Designs - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 24 - Pink Brutus Knits - Pattern giveaway

April 25 - Rewolluzza - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 26 - Knits in Class - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 29 - WEBS Yarn Store Blog - Pattern kit giveaway

May 1 - Masi Knits - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

May 3 - Unplanned Peacock - Pattern giveaway

Holla Knits Spring!

The latest issue of Holla Knits is out! Even if it doesn't look (or feel) like spring outside your window (it definitely doesn't here), you can dream about it while perusing fresh spring and summer knits.

Holla Knits really knows how to throw a fabulous blog tour - chock full of giveaways, great photos, and reviews of the collection. It's already underway, so be sure to check back on previous posts to enter the giveaways.

April 16 - The Sweatshop of Love - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 17 - Canary Knits - Pattern giveaway

April 18 - Yarn Hollow - Pattern giveaway

April 19 - Under the Red Umbrella - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 22 - Stash, the Knit Picks Staff Blog

April 23 - Emma Welford Designs - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 24 - Pink Brutus Knits - Pattern giveaway

April 25 - Rewolluzza - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 26 - Knits in Class - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

April 29 - WEBS Yarn Store Blog - Pattern kit giveaway

May 1 - Masi Knits - Pattern giveaway, subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway

May 3 - Unplanned Peacock - Pattern giveaway

Shop Hop 2013

The annual Minnesota Yarn Shop Hop was this past weekend, wrapping up on Sunday. It was the biggest Hop to date, with 16 (!) Twin Cities local yarn shops participating - and a surprising number of knitters made it to all 16 in one day.


I was fortunate enough to be asked to dye yarn for The Shepherdess once again this year. The theme for this year was where you knit (I Yarn @) - The Shepherdess had a peace symbol for their charm, which I took to mean "I knit in peace." The shop owner, Kathy, and I worked together to create three colorways to fit the theme, and Kathy designed an adorable little beaded bag for the pattern.



I used a brand new base yarn for this project - named "Mifun" for rice noodles, the yarn is a fingering/sock weight 60/30/10 Superwash Merino / Bamboo / Nylon blend. I was especially pleased how it took the dye - and it knits like a dream. The color names were also selected in conjunction with the theme: Keep Calm and Knit On (purple), Moment of Zen (green), Bliss (pink).

A huge thanks to all the participating shops and the knitters who came out, despite the weather. I can't wait to see all the hoppers finished beaded bag projects - be post your finished projects on Ravelry! I'd love to share some here on the blog.

Shop Hop, Day 2

Good morning, knitters! Today is day 2 of the Minnesota Yarn Shop Hop!
I know it's snowing (again), and yesterday was not the best start due to the yucky snowy commute, but it's a new day, and the shops are open at 9:00 for an extra hour of Shop Hop joy.

I'll be at The Shepherdess in Anoka again this morning, and my yarn will be there, too! This beautiful shop is absolutely worth the drive from the city, and what better way to spend your Fiber Arts Friday?

I won't give you a peek at the yarn I created just for the hop (no spoilers!), but I will share my newly expanded wall to tempt you: