The Winter Olympics is starting soon, and you know what that means...
Its also time for the Ravelympics!

The "Ravelympics" is an event put on by Ravelry.com. The concept of Ravelympics is to challenge yourself by starting and finishing projects during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Choose a project that will be a stretch for you or that will force you to perfect a new technique.
Ravelry.com states, "The goal of the Ravelympics is to support you in expanding your knitting/crocheting horizons.
Just remember the one rule: Challenge yourself!"

The Ravelympics officially begin at 6 pm Pacific Standard Time February 12, as the Opening Ceremonies begin in Vancouver. Now is the time for all of us to pick our projects, enter the events and pick a Ravelympics team.

(Please click here for additional information on how to proceed.)

Please join team Never Not Knitting for the Ravelympics this year!

We have a wonderful, active ravelry group and would love to have you knit along with us. Also there will be a special Ravelympics drawing in the Never Not Knitting group for all of you who complete your Ravelympic project goals.

(Please leave a comment on this ravelry thread to add yourself to our team list.)

Show your support for Team Never Not Knitting and add this button to your blog.

The button is located at:
http://jdakos.com/nnk/Ravelympics_NNK.gif

and then just make it link to:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/never-not-knitting

As for me....

I've gathered all of my Ravelympics knitting supplies.

My goal is to complete a series of little knitted toys for my daughter AND to share my progress on the blog every day during the Ravelympics!

So be sure to check back often to see my progress. I'm keeping the toy projects secret on the blog for now.. I thought it might be fun for you to guess what they are as I go. :)

The yarns I chose are mostly natural organic fibers in lovely muted tones.I think that this color palette lends itself very well to children's playthings. I cannot wait to get started!

I am desperately trying to finish up my Tea Leaves Cardigan before the Ravelympics begin.I hope to have finished pictures to share in a couple of days! :)

When my 4 year old daughter came to me the other day and said
"Mommy I want to knit too. Can you show me how to make stitches?"
I practically melted in my seat.

"Are you kidding me?.. !!!"

I have been waiting for this day.. for well... about 4 years! :)
I've determined that my daughter will love knitting.
She'll have to. I will make her.. or something.

So every few days we've been having "knitting classes" together.
They last about 5 minutes or so...But it is oh so sweet
to watch those little fingers hold the yarn and needles.

I've remembered a little children's knitting rhyme that I heard somewhere to help her remember the steps.

It goes something like this..

"In through the front door. Run around the back. Out through the window and off jumps Jack!"

I can't wait until we can truly knit together. That will be so fun!

I love buttons. They can add so much to a finished piece.

I was recently very excited to find this awesome button selection at Tangled Yarns
and couldn't help but get some for myself!

Both of these buttons are made from coconut shells so they are nice and lightweight.
This is a really good thing because if buttons are too heavy
they can weigh down your sweater or cause the fabric
to fold over on itself if left unbuttoned.

I love the way the cut out buttons look with my Tea Leaves Cardigan!
They are the perfect size too!

Now all I need is a buttonband for them!

Yep.

I bought more Madelinetosh. Somebody stop me please...

This winter I have really enjoyed working on sweaters. But not just any sweaters.. sweaters knit from single ply soft merino wool.
It's my new knitting obsession.

There is nothing like spending a wintry evening inside
with a warm merino sweater on your lap.
There is something so cozy and comforting about the process.

These two in the photo are my Vine Yoke and Tea Leaves Cardigans.
One is knit in Malabrigo Worsted and the other in Tosh Merino.
Two very similar yarns. Equally soft and squishy.

I've been making fine progress.. they are both over halfway completed!
I'm very excited to get them done.. but will miss working on them at the same time.

Thankfully I came across another sweater pattern recently which would make another wonderfully squishy project.
Click here to see. I'm thinking about Tosh Merino in Tart for this one.

Wow. I love yarn.

Ever since I saw this hat on the cover of the book Boutique Knits
... I knew that I had to have it.
It's just so cute!


Originally this hat was supposed to be for me.
But this color I chose for it ended up being kind of a difficult color for me to wear.

I was trying to pick a pale pink color.. but you know how it goes with shopping online.
I went with the Champagne colorway in Blue Sky Alpacas silk and alpaca blend,
but it turned out that it was much more of a peach tone than pink.

Also the yarn was thinner than I was expecting so I had to double it to get the correct gauge.
The blend worked wonderfully for this pattern though.. the silk gave it the pretty
sheen and drape, and the alpaca added the soft halo which I really love.
2 skeins was just enough to finish the hat.

Even though the hat didn't work out for me.. I think it looks absolutely precious on my soon to be 4 year old daughter.
Kids can wear anything and still look cute!

I just love the feminine vintage style of this cloche and look forward to making myself one out of a different yarn.

I'm thinking a charcoal gray angora blend. I think that would look really classic and cute.

Does anyone have any good yarn suggestions for me?

I just couldn't help but share these adorable photos from my talented friend Kate at Tottoppers.

Her little boy Charlie is just the cutest and he wears his new "Sheepish" sweater so well!

It looks so cozy and warm on him, doesn't it?

I'm so happy to see that this little sweater works equally well in a little boy's wardrobe.

Pattern available here.

This past August I had the privilege of joining the Spud and Chloe design team!
I love working with the Spud and Chloe line of yarns, they are so soft, easy to work with and even machine washable. Perfect for kids!

This is the first of my patterns to be released through the Spud and Chloe company.

This little bulky vest makes the perfect classic, cozy, last minute gift for the little one in your life. It's knit with 3 skeins of Spud and Chloe Outer on size 10 1/2 needles. You won't believe how fast this little thing knits up.. Only a few evenings at the most!

Spud and Chloe named this pattern the "L'il Man Vest", but I think it can be worn by a girl as well. I've always thought it would look adorable on my daughter paired with a crisp white shirt, a plaid skirt and tights.

You will find this pattern at your local yarn shop or online here. Enjoy! :)

Please leave a comment under this post to enter the Crazy Lace drawing giveaway!

If you are chosen as the winner, you will receive this signed copy of Crazy Lace by Myra Wood.
Also included in the prize is this gorgeous 950 yard skein of Madelinetosh Lace from
The Backwards Loop to create your own "crazy lace" with.

(Please listen to Episode 30 of the NeverNotKnitting podcast for a review of Madelinetosh and an interview with author Myra Wood.)

You have until Jan 1, 2010 to enter the drawing! Please check back then to see if you've won!


Drawing now closed! Winner is Wooly Knits and Bits! Congratulations!

Thank you to all of you who entered my "blogiversary" drawings! I was delighted to read all of your comments and receive all of your pictures! What fun!

Now to announce the winners...

Drawing #1: I randomly selected one of the comments left under the blogiversary post and I am happy to announce that the winner is Katerina

who wrote: "I found your blog through your podcast, and I found your podcast through searching iTunes for knitting podcasts! (I listen to quite a few of them and always like to hear a new voice!) I enjoy your reviews and laid back style I've only been a reader/listener recently - but enjoying hearing/reading it!"

Congratulations Katerina! I will be sending some of the NNK patterns, a few skeins of yarn and some treats your way!

And now onto Drawing #2!

Here is a collage of all the wonderful knitters who sent me their pictures! I just love this! :)

It was great seeing all of your faces and learning more about your favorite knitting spots.

I randomly chose between all the pictures sent...

And.....

The...

Winner...

Of...

The...

HUGE...

Giveaway...

Prize...

Issssssss........

Tracy!!!

Tracy wrote: "Here is my picture for the NNK Drawing. I was going to take a picture of myself at my LYS where I buy most of my yarn and notions, but honestly I love knitting at home after dinner and a long day of teaching. It is a perfect place for me while knitting and spending time with my husband and the other members of our family (dogs: Bandit, and Bailey and our tom cat Winston). "

Yay Tracy! Congratulations!

This is what you won!

Also included in this prize is a beautiful button selection from Tangled Yarns, (Regrettably the package is being shipped all the way from Australia and didn't make it in time for the photo-shoot) and an ingenious row counter from Pretty Knitty Jewelry!

Well I just have to say that this drawing was sooo much fun! I would like to start running drawings like this regularly throughout the year. If you would like to be a contributor for an upcoming giveaway please email me: nevernotknitting@gmail.com.

Thank you everyone for participating!

Episode 30

Shownotes:

The Backwards Loop

Smoky Cedar Leaf Shawlette

Cedar Leaf Shawlette Pattern

Malabrigo Silky Merino

Cedar Leaf Knit-a-long

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Damson

Madelinetosh

Tea Leaves Cardigan Pattern

Tea Leaves Progress

Tosh Merino

Malabrigo Worsted

*Eyre

Eyre Cedar Leaf Shawlette

*Pastoral

Worsted

Sock

*Wren

*Lace

Myra Wood

Myra on Facebook

Xiphium Shawl Pattern

Crazy Lace

Crazy Lace Ravelry Group

International Free Form Group

Myra’s Graphic Design Portfolio - (check this out!)

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Get free shipping through The Backwards Loop until Jan 15th by entering code: “freeship” in the checkout process. Also be sure to listen to episode 30 to get an alternate discount code for selected Madelinetosh yarns. The special podcast code applies to all yarns with an *.

Episode 29 drawing winners: Michelle is the winner of the signed copy of Made In Brooklyn, and Donita won the skein of Classic Elite Princess from Dancing Ewe Yarns! Congratulations!

This is the last episode for season 3. Please join me back for Episode 31 on March 1, 2010.

Thanks for listening!

Download Episode 30 MP3 here

Crazy Lace

I recently fell in love with yet another sweater pattern. The Tea Leaves Cardigan by madelinetosh. Even though I still have a few projects currently on the needles, I felt the need to cast on for this one right away.

Do you blame me? Seriously.

Is it just me.. or is this ruched yoke pattern in this colorway of madelinetosh merino pretty much the most beautiful thing ever?

I decided that I had to go with the Tannehill colorway for my sweater, just like the original pattern photo. This color intrigued me in the pictures and is equally stunning in real life. Usually I would be scared of so many colors thrown together in one yarn.. but its so elegantly executed. It's truly unique and lovely.

(Be sure to listen to Episode 30 of the NeverNotKnitting podcast airing tomorrow.
There will be a special offer from Backwards Loop for the madelinetosh yarns.)

Plus I had to have something exciting and new to put into my new RoseKnits project bag.
If you aren't familiar with these bags, I highly suggest you check out RoseKnits etsy shop and the selection at Backwards Loop.

I am in love with this little bag. It holds 2 balls of yarn, my work-in-progress and the pattern quite comfortably with room to spare!

And it's a whole lot cuter than the gallon size ziploc bags that I normally use...

I also love that it has its own handle! Perfect for knitting on the go!

My second Cedar Leaf Shawlette is now finished!
I'm so happy to have another in a different color. This one goes perfectly with my winter coat.

Also, this will be the sample that travels around in my trunk show.
So if your local yarn shop is carrying my patterns, you might get to see this one in person.

This was knit from 2 skeins of Malabrigo Silky Merino.
I have no idea how I squeezed it out of only 2 skeins!
I think I've been rather stressed lately so I must be knitting tightly. :)

I used the beautiful gray colorway "Smoke".

(Yarn available here. Pattern available here.)

My favorite thing about this pattern is seeing the leaves overlap eachother.
I love knitted leaves.. and seeing them altogether like that.. just makes me happy. :)

I also really enjoy wearing the shawlette wrapped around my neck (as shown above)
so that all the leaves are showing at once.

So far this design has proved to be a very wearable knit for me.
This is the first scarf I go for in the morning. I hope to make more in different colors soon. Wouldn't it look gorgeous in an autumn colorway?

If you are interested in this pattern, I'd love for you to join the Cedar Leaf Knit-a-long.
Click here!

This signed copy of Made in Brooklyn could be yours!

Enter to win by leaving a comment under this post before December 15th.

I will choose a commenter at random and be announcing the winner on the podcast and blog, so be sure to check back!

This book contains the Laurel hat pattern that I just knit, and it is chalk full of other beautiful designs as well.

It will surely make a wonderful addition to your knitting library. :)

Drawing Now Closed!

Winner is Michelle! Congratulations!!!

Here is the lovely new hat I just recently completed.
The pattern is named Laurel and it's from Jared Flood's new book Made in Brooklyn.

(Book found here.)

It truly is a stunning pattern isn't it? I love how all the cables and bobbles twist together and join into the center of the crown.

The knitting of Laurel was fun and kept my interest, but was a bit on the tedious side with all of the cable crosses.

(Can you tell that I took this picture myself?)

If you are interested in knitting this hat, be sure to take a look at this errata page before starting. Also, I would suggest different bobble instructions than those presented in the book.

I found my bobbles to be kind of irregular and puny. I would definitely work them differently if I was to make this again.

I worked this hat out of the suggested yarn Classic Elite Princess in the Milord's Madder colorway. It's such an ideal Autumn color.

(Yarn found here.)

The great news is that I made this hat out of only one skein of the Princess yarn! With some to spare even!

I'm seriously thinking about casting on for the Grove mittens in the same colorway to match!

Episode 29

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Brooklyn Tweed

Made in Brooklyn

Loop and Leaf

Quincy

Rowan Cocoon

Bridgewater

Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace

Laurel

Laurel Errata

Grove

Classic Elite Princess

The Martha Sweater

Amy on Ravelry

Amy’s Knitting Blog

The NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

*Don't forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering all NeverNotKnitting podcast listeners and blog readers 10% off all

Classic Elite Yarns

for the month of December 2009.

Enter code "NNK1" in the checkout process.

Congratulations to

bethgormong

, the winner of Episode 28's drawing!

Click

here to download

the Mp3 of Episode 29.

Two years ago today, I started Never Not Knitting. Little did I know back then what this blog would turn into or what fun it would bring to my life.

In honor of my two year "blogiversary" I would like to extend a thank you. Thank you to all of you who regularly visit me, who comment on my posts, who support my blog sponsors. It's been such a pleasure for me to meet so many fantastic knitters from all over the world.

Today I would like to give something back to my loyal readers and supporters. I have gotten in touch with some of my favorite online knitting vendors and friends to bring you the best giveaway this blog has ever offered. (And I've offered a lot of giveaways!)

In order to get to know my readers better, I would like to announce 2 new drawings!

DRAWING #1
All you have to do in order to enter drawing #1 is to leave a comment under this blog post. Please tell me in your comment how you found the Never Not Knitting blog and how long you've been a reader. That's it!

The prize for drawing #1 is going to be a compilation of NeverNotKnitting patterns, yarn, and other sweet treats!

DRAWING #2
I know that I have a lot of readers from all around the world. I would love to put some faces with the names. Entering drawing #2 is going to require a little more effort than drawing #1 but, believe me, it's worth it... the prize is going to be huge...huge...HUGE!

The prize for drawing #2 is going to be a box of goodies including designer knitting patterns, skeins of yarn, a gift certificate, buttons, a row counter, a tee-shirt, sweet treats, the entire Never Not Knitting pattern collection, and knitting notions bags.

All of these goodies will be provided for you by these amazing vendors and artists:

Audknits
Gudrun Johnston
Jane Richmond
Knitbot
Knitcircus
NeoKnits
Sew Liberated
The Caffeinated Knitter

Tottoppers
Funky Carolina
Pretty Knitting Jewelry
RoseKnits
Dancing Ewe Yarns
Loops
One Planet Yarn and Fiber
Pulling at Strings
Tangled Yarns

This prize and contributor list may be added to as time goes on!!

What you need to do to enter drawing #2 is to email me a picture of yourself in your favorite knitting location. You'll need to be holding a sign that says "I am Never Not Knitting at" and then put where your favorite place to knit is (like the name of your local yarn shop, etc). Also put where you are from...State/Province and Country is great!
(See my picture above as an example.)

Email the picture to nevernotknitting@gmail.com and put in the subject line
"Blogiversary Picture Drawing Giveaway".

When the drawing is over, I will be compiling all of the photos into a large collage to be shared in a future blog post on NeverNotKnitting.com. It'll be so fun for me to see pictures of all of you!

RULES
You can enter both drawings #1 and #2, but only enter each drawing once.

Drawings both end at 11:59PM PST, December 15, 2009. I will randomly choose a blog comment for drawing #1 and an emailed picture for drawing #2 to determine the winners. I will announce the winners on the blog on December 16, 2009.

Thank you so much for sharing my knitting adventures with me over these past two years!
I hope that you will take the time to enter these drawings! It will be a lot of fun! :)

Episode 28

Shownotes:

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

The Cedar Leaf Shawlette

Lady Godiva

Cedar Leaf Knit Kits

Please Join The Cedar Leaf Shawlette Knit-a-long!

Nic on Ravelry

The Jolly Green Giant

Nic's Blog

Wren Ross

The NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

*Don't forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

is offering free US shipping to all NeverNotKnitting podcast listeners and blog readers until Dec. 15th, 2009.

Be sure to enter the promotional code "NNKship" in the checkout process!

*Free shipping does not apply to any Lalana items*

Congratulations to Episode 27's drawing winner,

Anita

! She won a skein of Malabrigo worsted!

Click here

to download the MP3 of Episode 28.

I am so happy to announce that my Cedar Leaf Shawlette pattern is now available for purchase.

This is a tiny crescent shaped shawlette that drapes beautifully around your shoulders and looks absolutely stunning wrapped around your neck as a scarf.

This design marries my two favorite things in the whole world. The color green and knitted leaves. I couldn't love it more!

The curved stockinette st body is created through the use of short rows, and the beautiful leafy border is knit onto the body of the shawlette after its completed.
I found the construction to be very easy. No seaming. No picked up stitches.

As you can see, the shawlette is quite versatile. It can be successfully worn several different ways.

I wore mine out for the first time today. It was wonderfully soft and it added a vibrant accent to my winter outfit. I really want to wear it every day. Would people think I was weird?

Good thing I'm starting on another. That way I can switch off colors at least.. :)

Here is some pattern information for those of you interested:

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: 54 inches from end to end.
Width: measures approx 8 inches at widest point of center including leaf border.

MATERIALS
Handmaiden Lady Godiva [50% Silk, 50% Wool; 273 yd/250m per 100g skein; color: Cedar; 2 skeins or approx 350 yards of a dk weight wool blend. Alternate yarn: Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3 ply, Malabrigo Silky Merino, or Manos Silk Blend. (You'll want a yarn with plenty of drape)

1# 32" US #7/4.5mm circular needle
1# US #7/ 4.5mm double pointed needle for leaf edging
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts/36 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on size 7 needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

This pattern includes instructions for short row shaping. I found a couple of good instructional videos highlighting this method here and here.


You can also find a great video showing how to hide the wraps on the purl side here.

(This illustrates how the leaves are knitted on)

Cedar Leaf Knit Kits are available here through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

I really hope that you enjoy knitting up a Cedar Leaf Shawlette of your very own. Im going to be starting my second one shortly and invite you all to knit-a-long with me here on Ravelry.

Hope to see you there!





Pattern is now available in French! Click here to purchase the french translation.

Pattern is also now available in Dutch! Click here to purchase the dutch translation.

My new pattern the Cedar Leaf Shawlette will be available for purchase soon!

If you are interested in knitting up the Cedar Leaf Shawlette, you are able to pre-order the kit in the fabulous Handmaiden Lady Godiva yarn right now through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click here for details.

The kit will include the pattern and 2 skeins of Lady Godiva in the color of your choice at a 10% discount. One Planet wants to insure that the color you want is available. It will be dyed to order especially for you.

I highly recommend this Cedar colorway. It is unbelievably beautiful. The way the greens and hints of brown and rust blend together is so reminiscent of Autumn.

I've also been eyeing that Chocolate colorway. It looks so rich and decadent!