Monsters!


A few days ago I stayed in all day with a cold. Who gets sick in the middle of summer anyways? Although I was miserable, it allowed me the opportunity to finish up two of my knitting projects. And that means that I now have some new photos to share!

First up...


Monsters Up high framed

The knitted monsters! They are done! Aren't they cute?
My daughter is pretty happy with me for finally sewing these up for her.


Monster in pocket framed

I really enjoyed this pattern. These monsters are so hilariously cute and
I love that there is both a Mama and baby. So sweet.
The pattern is called "Daphne and Delilah" and can be found HERE.

Looking at monsters framed

My daughter has declared these as "her new best knitted toy." Cant beat that.

Monsters standing framed

I just love making toys. Especially ones with attitude.

Alana Comments
Funky Carolina Drawing Giveaway!

Check out these beautiful sampler bundles of fiber from Funky Carolina!
Aren't these colors gorgeous?

Enter to win one of the bundles by leaving a comment, with contact information, under this blogpost.

Two winners will be announced August 15, 2010, so be sure to check back then to see if you have won!
Remember, only one comment per person please!

To find out more about the Funky Carolina company,
please listen to my latest podcast, Episode 40, for a review.

Drawing now closed!
The winner is StaceyKnitsIt! Congratulations!

Oops! Sorry everyone! I forgot to announce a second winner! There are after all 2 prizes! I just forgot before, Im sorry!
The second winner is Crafty Scorp. Congratulations to both of the winners!


Alana Comments
The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 40 : The Dixie Do-Over

Episode 40

Shownotes:

Funky Carolina

Monsters in Progress

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport

Frukttradgard Pattern

Road to China Light

Blue Faced Leicester

Funky Carolina Etsy Shop

Funky Carolina Website Store

Funky Carolina Fiber Clubs

Carrie's Blog

Kate on Ravelry

Kate's Blog

The Dixie Lace Sweater

The Winner of Episode 39's

Fiber Company drawing giveaway

is

Chantal B

! Congratulations!

For the current promotion:

*Attention*

The Funky Carolina promotion has been changed as of 8/5/10.

To minimize confusion,

both

US and international customers will receive 10% off their order through the month of August.

To receive your discount, just enter special code "NNK" in the comments section when you place your order. The discounted amount will then be refunded back to you.

Also be sure to listen to the podcast to find out about the "exclusive" Funky Carolina shopping opportunity!

These offers are exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers! Have fun!

Click HERE

to download Episode 40 MP3 file.

The Fibre Company Drawing Giveaway!


Would you like to sample The Fibre Company's products?

Enter to win these beautiful skeins of The Fibre Company's Road to China Light and Savannah (provided by Kelbourne Woolens and The Backwards Loop) along with the beautiful Frukttradgard hat pattern by leaving a comment under this blog post.

The Frukttradgard pattern is just lovely. I'm working on my second right now,
but click HERE to see pictures of the one I've completed.

Winner will be announced here on August 1, so be sure to check back and see if you've won!

As a reminder, please include contact information in your comment so that I may notify you if you are the winner.
Also remember only one comment per person please. Thanks!


This drawing is now closed! Congratulations to Chantal B. the winner! :)


Alana Comments
Never Not Knitting For Tiny Ones

My friend Leslie has one of the cutest granddaughters ever and the other day Leslie's daughter kindly let me borrow her for a photo shoot. I recently had a bunch of my spring/summer patterns knit up in a 6 month size for my second trunk show.
I'm so happy to have such an adorable model to show them off!

Meet Adelaide..


Isn't she sweet? As you can tell she started the photo shoot pretty happy. I think she liked wearing Chloe and the sweater looked adorable on her! This sample was knit up out of Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn in
one skein each of the Watermelon, Popsicle and Rootbeer colorways.
This has been a very popular pattern this summer!


Next up.. Haltermelon!

I think that this little halter top looks especially adorable in the smaller sizes!

Adelaide at first seemed very happy to put this outfit on. It was nice and comfortably cool on a very warm day.
But as you can tell, she quickly became a bit concerned...

Perhaps she doesn't care for watermelons after all?


Hmm... doesnt look like it.. When we put the Watermelon sweater on her, we had a little "Watermelon Overload" incident on our hands.

"Watermelons all over me! Ahhh!"

Once the Watermelon situation was dealt with, Adelaide was very happy to model the
Spring Garden Tee for me. I found this beautiful soft blue (Rowan Calmer color #463) to be a wonderful color for her.

On my blog I recently shared pictures of this tee on an older girl, but its fun to see how it looks on a baby as well.
It really is a versatile pattern!



Thank you again to Adelaide and her Mom and Grandma for making this photo shoot possible.
And don't worry Adelaide.. Ill keep that Watermelon sweater far far away.. It will never bother you again.

Thank you also to my fabulous sample knitters CeRae and Yaena.
The garments turned out beautifully!

If your local yarn shop is on my trunk show schedule, you'll get to see these beautiful samples in person.
Have your yarn shop owner contact me to be added to the list! nevernotknitting@gmail.com



Alana Comments
Fruktträdgård


Recently I made this lovely hat for a knitting friend diagnosed with cancer.
I'm very happy with how it turned out and I hope that she likes it too.

This is the Frukktradgard hat pattern. Yes. I said Frukktradgard. :)
Isn't it beautiful? All of those lacy leaves. I love it!

I knitted this out of the yarn called for in the pattern, only one skein of Road to China Light from The Fibre Company. What lovely yarn this is. I highly recommend it!
Check out my latest podcast episode for a review.


You will find the Frukktradgard pattern available here.
The yarn is available here through the The Backwards Loop.

I'm getting ready to start a second Frukktradgard for another friend
of mine out of the Aquamarine colorway of Road to China.
I'll be sharing pictures of that one soon!


Alana Comments
NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 39 : Adventures Of A Prodigal Knitter

Episode 39

Shownotes:

The Backwards Loop

Paper Dolls Sweater

Sabbatical

My Snicket Socks

Daphne and Delilah the Momma and Baby Monster

F

ruktträdgård

Hat

Melissa LaBarre

The Fibre Company

Road to China Light

Kelbourne Woolens

Kelbourne Woolens Patterns

My Selbu Modern Hat

My Tea Leaves Cardigan

New England Knits

Brenda On Ravelry

Brenda's Blog

The Crayon Pocket Cardigan

The Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

The Winner of Episode 38's Becoming Art drawing giveaway is

JoannaCos

! Congratulations!

Receive 10% off at

The Backwards Loop

until August 1,2010! Just enter special code "julypodcast" in the comments section when you place your order.

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers! Have fun!

Click

HERE

to download Episode 39 MP3 file.

(All iTunes downloading issues should be fixed! Let me know if you have any further problems with downloading Episode 39. Thank you!)

Yet Another Podcast Announcement
Hi Everyone! Unfortunately the Never Not Knitting podcast is experiencing some technical difficulties. I lost my finished podcast file and have to start over. :(

It will be out tomorrow! Sorry!
Alana Comments
Healing And Knitting




Recently I've been going through a medical situation that has proved very taxing physically as well as emotionally. I am feeling much better now though. Thank you everyone for all of your kind notes and well wishes.

During this time I have found great comfort in my knitting. It has been such a nice distraction to focus on and relax with. I've picked up my Snicket socks again and am working on sock #2. I've also started a beautiful new lacy leaf project in an unbelievable yarn that I will be reviewing in the next podcast episode.

I'm sure you've noticed that both my current projects are green. Indulging in my favorite color makes me very happy. :)


Alana Comments
NeverNotKnitting Podcast Announcement



Hello podcast listeners: I just wanted to let you know that Episode 39 will be postponed to
July 15, 2010.
I've been dealing with some difficult medical situations lately, and I am using this time to recover.
Thanks for all of your support!
Alana Comments
Toasty Mitts



Recently I had the privilege of working with this gorgeous handspun skein provided by Lisa of Becoming Art. It was love at first sight. I find this color combination amazing! The colorway for this one is
"Green Goodness" just like the skein pictured in the previous blog post.
Of course this skein is spun up differently, but all of the same beautiful colors are there.

I had to make something simple and special with this yarn, so I decided to work up some mitts for this upcoming winter. The pattern is called "Toasty" and can be found for free here.

These mitts were so insanely easy to make! They went so fast and were so fun to make in this beautiful yarn.
I found it to be a wonderfully mindless, comforting knit.

I really enjoyed watching the colors change as I went. It's addicting working with yarn like this.. you always want to see what colors are coming up next.

I really love the way these turned out and I am now officially addicted to handspun yarn. This project even motivates me to drag out my spinning wheel and see if I can produce amazing yarn like this on my own.

After that entire project, I even have this cute little ball left over. I'm thinking that my daughter's doll might just need a handspun sweater. :)

Click here to see all of the beautiful yarns and fibers that Becoming Art has to offer.




Alana Comments
Becoming Art Drawing Giveaway


Aren't these skeins amazing?

(Becoming Art Agave light fingering weight in the "Green Goodness" colorway.
Merino, nylon, cashmere blend.)

(Becoming Art Handspun 2-ply aran weight in "Deeper" colorway. Merino, bamboo, silk blend.)


Enter to win these amazing Becoming Art skeins by leaving a comment (with contact info) under this post. One winner will be announced July 1, 2010. So check back then to see if you've won!

I had the pleasure of reviewing Becoming Art yarns on my last podcast episode. I'm currently working with a gorgeous handspun skein at the moment that I will be sharing pictures of shortly.

Remember that you can get free shipping (international too!) at the Becoming Art Etsy shop until the end of June.
Just enter the code "NNK" in the comments section when you place your order.

Drawing now closed. Winner is JoannaCos! Congratulations!


Alana Comments
NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 38 : Love Potion

Episode 38

Shownotes:

Becoming Art

Misti Alpaca

Peter Rabbit

Well- Dressed bunny pattern

Stitches West

Toasty Mitts

Debbie On Ravelry

Love Potion Yarn

New Spring Garden Tee for Girls

Join the NNK Ravelry Group Here!

Follow me on Twitter!

The Winner of Episode 37's Be Sweet Bamboo drawing giveaway is

knitterlydesigns

! Congratulations!

Receive free shipping (international too!) at the

Becoming Art Etsy shop

until June 30,2010! Just enter special code "NNK" in the comments section when you place your order.

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers! Have fun!

Download the Mp3 for

Episode 38

HERE

.

New Spring Garden Tee For Girls


Recently, as you know, I came out with the Spring Garden Tee pattern in adult sizes. I was happy to provide a version for women but sad that I was leaving out a big size range with the pattern. I had it available for babies, little girls, and adults. But nothing in between. I know that girls sizes 8-14 are sizes often ignored in knitting patterns. Time and time again I hear knitters complaining about the lack of designs offered in this range.

The Spring Garden Tee is a versatile pattern that I could see worn by a girl of any age. So I am very happy to announce to you that my original Spring Garden Tee pattern for girls has been redone and is now offered in sizes all the way up to a girls size 14. Now every woman, girl, child, and baby in your family can have there own Spring Garden Tee to wear!

My friend Veronika from the Yarn on the House blog test knit the new pattern for her 8 year old daughter, Jasmine. Isn't she super adorable? I think the tee looks so cute on her! Thank you again Veronika for your help and for these gorgeous photos!

Another revision you might notice to the pattern is the sleeves. Before the length of the sleeve lace varied between sizes. Now all sizes have the same look. I think that it was OK before, but I like it better this way.

Here is the new pattern information for those of you interested in knitting one up:

SIZE
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) 8, 10, 12, 14] (Pink version shown in size 2. Green version shown in size 8.)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 17 [18, 19, 20, 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) 26.5, 28, 30, 31.5] inches (0 inches of positive ease)
Length: approx 10.5 [11, 11.5, 12, 12.5 (13.5, 14.5, 15.75, 16.75) 18.75, 20.5, 21.5, 22] inches after blocking

MATERIALS
Rowan Calmer [80% Cotton. 20% Polyester Fibre; 175 yd/160m per 50g skein] color: Pink version color #482, green version color #500; 2 [2, 2, 2, 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) 4, 5, 5, 6] skeins or approx 250 [275, 300, 325, 350 (400, 450, 500, 550) 650, 750, 825, 900] yds of a dk weight cotton or cotton blend yarn.
1# 16” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# 16” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck and sleeve edging.
(You may need to use US #5/3.75mm double pointed needles for smaller sizes).
2 pieces of scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE
24 sts/36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

Here are the original pictures of my daughter modeling the tee over a year ago when the pattern first came out. As you can see, this tee looks great on girls of all ages. Still to this day, this has been one of my favorite knits for my daughter. It is simple and quick to make since it is all knit in one piece from the top down. It is also versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The pattern calls for Rowan Calmer which is an excellent yarn choice for children. It's a soft springy yarn that holds up very well with washing and wearing. My daughter's tee still looks like new!


I really hope that you enjoy making this revised version for the girls in your life, big or small! :)

Now available in French. Click here for the French translation.








Alana Comments
Peter Rabbit

Recently I attended my Sister-in-law's baby shower for my soon to be born nephew.
I wanted to bring a little handmade gift, but not just any handmade gift.
I was trying to think of something a bit out of the ordinary and came up with this little idea.

I've always enjoyed classic children's books, and I love the Beatrix Potter collection.
So, for my nephew I decided to get him his very own special edition of "Peter Rabbit"
and knit him his own little knitted version of Peter to go with it.
I have this little vision of him holding Peter while having the story read to him.



Here he is... complete with his own little carrot and blue jacket.
Just like the character in the story. I think he turned out quite well!

The pattern I used for Peter was the Well-dressed bunny pattern found here.
I modified the mini waistcoat pattern that is included by adding sleeves and a shawl collar.
I was trying to get the style as similar to the illustration as possible.
The carrot I invented on the fly and sewed to one of his little hands...err... paws.

I was so pleased to find the tiny carrot button that is used on his jacket.
It's been sitting in my button stash for years. I was thrilled to finally find the perfect project to use it for!



One of my favorite parts of Peter has to be this white fluffy tail. So cute!


Making Peter Rabbit was a wonderful way to use up all sorts of yarn scraps that I had lying around!
His body is made up of Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn, the jacket is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn...
and do you recognize some of that green yarn on the carrot?
Its none other than a few snippets of my special "Never Not Knitting Green" skein!



I really hope my nephew loves him!


Alana Comments
Spring Garden Tee in Adult Sizes

Introducing... The Spring Garden Tee for adults!


Since I came out with the original Spring Garden Tee for little girls last year, so many of you have requested a grown up version. I hope you like it!


The Adult Spring Garden Tee is reminiscent of the children's pattern, but includes some more sophisticated, mature styling details. I love the new wide scoop neckline and the delicate sleeves. I also added waist shaping and extended the length on this version.


The result is a basic, well-fitting tee that is elegant, feminine and flattering. I hope that you enjoy making and wearing it!

I knit this up out of Be Sweet Bamboo which is an exceptionally beautiful yarn. The slight color variation, sheen and drape make the piece lay so nicely and look so decadent. The Champagne color that I used is such a great neutral that can extend even into the cooler months. I think that this top will also serve as a great layering piece in the fall.


Here is the pattern information for all of you interested in knitting it:

SIZE
28 [32, 36, 40, 44] (shown in size 32)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 28 [32, 36, 40, 44] inches (0 inches of positive ease)
Length: 20 [21, 22, 23, 24] inches from back neck after blocking
(Note: If using a 100% bamboo or silk yarn, please note that the garment will stretch with wear. If you are between sizes, it is advisable for you to choose the smaller size to ensure proper fit.)

MATERIALS
Be Sweet Bamboo [100% Bamboo; 110 yd/100m per 50g skein]; color: Champagne #623; 5 [6, 8, 9, 10] skeins or approx 540 [660, 780, 910, 1040] yds of a dk weight bamboo or similar yarn.
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 32” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# 24” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck and sleeve edging.
2 pieces of scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE
24 sts/32 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles




In case you are wondering.. No. I didn't lose weight, grow a few inches and dye my hair. :)

This lovely model is Julie Crawford from the amazing Knitted Bliss blog. (www.knittedbliss.com) She did a wonderful job and I am so pleased that she agreed to model for me.


Kits for the Adult Spring Garden Tee are available through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click HERE for the kits.

There is also a Knit-a-long for the Spring Garden Tee HERE. I hope that you will join us!




This pattern is now available in French!/Ce modèle est maintenant disponible en français! Click here!



Alana Comments
The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 37 : The Knitter's Blush

Episode 37

Shownotes:

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

Children's Spring Garden Tee

Rowan Calmer

Be Sweet Bamboo

Be Sweet Bamboo Color Card

Be Sweet Mission

Be Sweet Yarns

Magic Ball

Be Sweet Bamboo Projects on Ravelry

Adult Spring Garden Tee Knit Kit

Spring Garden Tee Knit-A-Long

Knitted Bliss

Nic on Ravelry

Nic's Finished Coat

Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

Add me as a Friend on Ravelry!

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

The Winner of Episode 36's Amy Butler drawing giveaway is

Lisa

! Congratulations!

Receive 10% off of at

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

until July 1,2010! Just enter special code "NNK6" in the checkout process!

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers! Have fun!

Download the Mp3 for

Episode 37 HERE

.