I'm happy to say that my Oak Grove pattern is now available for purchase.

In the area I live, I am surrounded by oak trees at every turn. In fact, the house I grew up in has an oak tree grove in the front and back of it. I spent many hours of my childhood collecting acorns, leaves and moss while playing outside. 

The above picture was taken against the very old oak right in front of my parents house. 

Considering my history with oak trees, and my obvious love for knitted leaves, this seemed like a perfect pairing. I love the texture of these mitts. How the leaf is embossed looking, as though it is sitting on top of the knitted fabric. Its very simple yet striking.

As you can see, the pattern is shown in 2 different yarns and versions. There is the brown fingerless mitt version knit up in Becoming Art Cielo Sport in the Sunlit Amber colorway. 

Its such a rich cozy color. I just love it. 

If you love it too, you can order kits for Oak Grove through the Becoming Art website here.

The green fingerless glove version is knit from The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! yarn in the color Gladiator Katydid. What a spectacularly soft yarn this was to work with. And this color is also divine. 

It is hard to pick a favorite for sure. 

The fingerless glove version is not hard to knit, but definitely takes more concentration. Beginners would probably enjoy knitting up the fingerless mitt version the best. Its quicker and easier.

Here is the pattern information for those of you who are interested in knitting up some Oak Grove mitts of your very own:

SIZE 

Women’s Medium 

(Note: For smaller hands and wrists go down a needle size for a tighter fit.)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Width: 7”/ 18 cm around 

Length: 7”/ 18 cm (fingerless mitt version) 6.5”/ 16.5 cm (fingerless glove version)

MATERIALS 

Brown Mitt Version: Becoming Art Cielo Sport 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 256 yd/234m per 4oz skein; color: Sunlit Amber; 1 skein or approx 150 yds/137 m of a sport weight wool or wool blend.

Green Glove Version: The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! 70% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Cashmere, 10% nylon; 412 yd/376m per 4oz skein; color: Gladiator Katydid; 1 skein or approx 150 yds/137 m of a sport weight wool or wool blend.

Alternate Yarns: Madelinetosh Pashmina, Classic Elite Fresco, Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

1# set of US3/3.25mm double pointed needles 

Stitch marker 

2 Stitch holders 

Cable needle 

Tapestry needle

Pattern now available in French! Click here for the French translation.

Enjoy! :)

On episode 47 I had the privilege of featuring the work of designer, Hannah Fettig and sharing one of her personal knitting stories.

Hannah has kindly offered this huge assortment of Knitbot products for a drawing giveaway. 

There were so many items, I could barely fit them in one picture. :)

The winner chosen will be receiving the following:

Patterns

Featherweight Cardigan

Zip-up Cardigan

Lightweight Pullover

Mediumweight Pullover

Effortless Cardigan

Yoked Cardigan

Kits

Wispy Cardi kit (pictured below)

Climbing Cables kit

AND

A printed copy of Hannah's new Jackets E-book!

Phew... that was a lot to list.

To enter to win, please leave a comment (including contact information) under this post. Please tell me in your comment whether you have knit any of Hannah's patterns before and which ones you like the most. 

Remember, only one comment per person please.

I will randomly choose a winner on January 15, 2011. Please check back then to see if you have won!

Drawing Now Closed! Congratulations to Rachel, the winner!

Episode 47

Shownotes:

Knitbot

Stitches West 2011

Oak Grove Preview

The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga!

Becoming Art Cielo Sport

Oak Grove Kits-coming soon!

Hannah's Design Page on Ravelry

Whisper Cardigan

Knitbot Store

Jackets E-book

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

The winner of Episode 46's

Cascade 220 Drawing Giveaway

 is "

w e n t i n g

"! Congratulations!

*Please check back soon to enter the drawing for Episode 47!

Get 25% everything in the Knitbot store on Etsy and on all Knitbot pattern pdfs on Ravelry 

until January 15th!

Enter code "NNK2011" in the checkout process on either

Etsy

 or

Ravelry

.

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

Click 

HERE

 to download the Episode 47 MP3 file.

Illustrations by Jill Zielinski Designs. I have a new pattern coming out soon! It's a pair of fingerless mitts called Oak Grove and I am very excited about them! I will be posting all of the pattern information within the week. For now.. here is a sneak peek!

This beautiful version of my Autumn Vines beret pattern came in the mail to me just the other day. This is a test knit done for me by the talented Lily France and she did an amazing job as always!

The yarn she used was Classic Elite Fresco which is a soft, slightly fuzzy, beautiful alternative to the crisp smooth yarns that I used in the other samples. I thought I would share this hat with you to give you an idea of how the yarn can completely change the look of the pattern.

And guess what else? She got this hat out of only one skein!

Yarn found HERE. Pattern available HERE.

Thank you Lily!

From the top: Madelinetosh sock in Ginger, The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! in Gladiator Katydid, and Becoming Art Cielo Sport in Sunlit Amber.

Recently I've had the pleasure of working with these 3 gorgeous yarns. There is nothing more inspiring as a knitter than working with good materials in colors that you love. As I work on my newest design projects, I cant stop thinking of all of the new patterns I want to create. All I want to do these days is knit and knit and knit... and buy more beautiful yarns of course! 

Leave a comment under this post by January 1 to enter to win these 2 skeins of Cascade 220 provided by Sandrasingh.com as well as an autographed copy of the French Press Felted Slipper pattern from Melynda Bernardi. Oh yes.. I also have thrown in a copy of my newest Best Friend Sweater pattern published by

Spud and Chloe.

Both the slipper and sweater pattern are perfect projects for the Cascade 220 yarn.

Please check out my latest podcast episode to learn more about Cascade 220 and to hear a funny knitting story provided by Melynda Bernardi of French Press Knits. 

Also, check out Sandrasingh.com for discounted rates on Cascade 220. She has also provided a special free shipping code to the NNK readers and listeners for all orders over $50. Enter the code "NNKFree01" at checkout.

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment telling me how you feel about Cascade 220 yarn. 

Have you used it in the past? Do you have a favorite colorway? 

Only one comment per person please, and don't forget to leave your contact information so that I can easily get a hold of you if you are the winner! Have fun!

Drawing Now Closed! Congratulations to "w e n t i n g", 

the winner! 

Episode 46

Shownotes:

Sandrasingh.com

My Best Friend Sweater/ Campfire Jacket

Best Friend Sweater on Spud and Chloe

Cascade 220

Noni Designs

Purchase Noni Designs Here

Melynda's Blog

Melynda on Ravelry

French Press Felted Slippers

Bickford Seam Video Tutorial

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter

The winner of Episode 45's Knitterella Drawing Giveaway is

Maria

! Congratulations!

*Please check back soon to enter the drawing for Episode 46!

Get free US shipping (a $6.99 value) on orders of $50 or more from

sandrasingh.com

until January 15th!

Enter code "NNKFree01" in the checkout process.

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

Click 

HERE

 to download the Episode 46 MP3 file.

Over a year ago now, I designed this little sweater for Spud and Chloe.

I'm so happy to see that it has finally been published!

This sweater is available in children's sizes 1-12 which is so great. 

It is fun for me to see it modeled by an older child because the version that I turned in was a tiny size 2.

Here is my original sweater. I named it the Campfire Jacket. 

My friend's little boy, Benjamin, modeled it for me. Isn't he so sweet?

For all of you who complain about me not designing things for boys... well... here you go! :)

This is a great little cardigan because, like all of my other children's patterns, it is knit in one piece! Even the pockets are knitted in. Its unisex, cozy and warm. And of course you know how much I love the Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn! It's a perfect choice for children's garments.

The color that this sweater is knitted in is called "Chipmunk". I've never seen a dark green chipmunk myself... (except for this one) but anyways.. this colorway is what inspired the campfire theme. I found these amazing handmade tree branch buttons on Etsy, and I think that they really made the sweater extra special.

All of the pattern information can be found HERE on the Spud and Chloe website. 

All of the Spud and Chloe patterns can be purchased through your local yarn shop.

I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to design for such an awesome company. 

I hope you enjoy this knit!

I've just received all of the Autumn Vines Beret samples back from my test knitters.

All 3 of these hats were knit from Madelinetosh Pashmina
which is an excellent substitute yarn for this pattern.

The hats used approx half of the yarn. I think that you could definitely make 2 hats from one skein.

Colorways from left to right: Tart, Winter Wheat, and Briar

All of these samples were sent off in this month's trunk show displays. 

Check the schedule to see if any of these hats will be appearing at a yarn shop near you.

Out of all of these colors, I have to say that my favorite has to be this Winter Wheat colorway... 

although I probably shouldn't wear it in a hat. 

It would perfectly blend in with my blond hair and look really strange, I'm sure.

I am dreaming of a sweater in this color though. That would be so pretty. 

That delicate gold has really got me hooked.

Thank you again to Yaena, CeRae, and Andrea for test knitting for me! You did a wonderful job!

Just the other day I received in my bulk shipment of Autumn Vines Beret patterns from the printery! 

I love the way they have turned out!

The past few days have been completely taken up with pattern order processing and packaging. 

Let's just say that the post office lady knows us all by name now. :)

Check for the printed pattern in a yarn shop near you!

Enter to win this generous selection of Knitterella gift tags provided by knitterella.com...

...along with this brand new autographed copy of New England Knits contributed by Melissa LaBarre!

It was my pleasure to feature Knitterella gift tags as well as to share a knitting story from Melissa in my latest podcast episode.  Click here to listen!

To enter this giveway, please leave a comment (with contact information) under this blogpost. 

Only one comment per person please. 

I will be announcing the winner on December 15th, so please check back then to see if you have won!

Drawing now closed! Congratulations to Maria, the winner! 

Episode 45

Shownotes:

Knitterella 

Jill Zielinski Designs

Louet Gems Fingering Weight yarn

Paper Dolls Sweater

My Interview with Veronika

The "Dad Sweater" 

Humorous Gift Tags from Knitterella

Melissa LaBarre

Melissa's Blog

Melissa on Ravelry

New England Knits

Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

The winner of Episode 44's

Brave New Knits Drawing Giveaway

is

Judi A

! Congratulations!

*Please check back soon to enter the drawing for Episode 45!

Get free shipping on all

Knitterella

purchases through the month of December!

Just mention Never Not Knitting in the checkout process and Jill will refund you your shipping charges.

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

Click

HERE

to download the Episode 45 MP3 file.

I've just completed four new sweet, whimsical, little designs for springtime out of this 

rainbow of Louet Gems Fingering Weight yarn. 

Patterns will be revealed in the new year... but I'll give you a hint now:

Something for little girls. 

It's been awhile since I designed for little ones. It was nice to get back to it. :)

Three years ago today I started my blog, and what a wonderful journey it has been. 

This blog has led me into wonderful friendships and exciting new creative opportunities. 

November 26, 2007 will always be a special day to me.

 For the past 3 years I've used this date to give back to my readers, and to all of you who have kindly supported me from the very beginning.

This year I will be offering a 50% off sale on all of my pattern pdfs. The sale will go on all day tomorrow, November 27th. From midnight to midnight PST.

To receive your discount, please enter the special code "3yearsofnnk" in the checkout process.

(Note: It has come to my attention that some of you are having a hard time with the discount code. At the bottom of the Ravelry Shopping Cart window, you will see a little link that says "Use Coupon Code", please enter in the code there. Email me if you have any questions: nevernotknitting@gmail.com)

Thank you, and enjoy!

If you'd like to leave a comment for me, I would love to hear from you!

I'd love to find out how you originally stumbled upon Never Not Knitting and how long you've been reading!

I have a new giveaway for you to enter!

In episode 44 of the Never Not Knitting podcast I had the privilege of interviewing Julie Turjoman, the author of Brave New Knits. Julie's publisher, Rodale Books, was kind enough to provide a copy of the book for me to give away to one of you!

In addition to the book, the winner will receive a skein of Malabrigo Sock yarn in the eggplant colorway kindly provided by Sandrasingh.com. This is the yarn and colorway called for in the book's  

Orchid Thief Shawlette pattern by Ysolda Teague.

Isn't this pattern gorgeous? And it only takes one skein!

It was hard to capture the gorgeous color of this yarn with the camera. It is a lovely deep dusky purple.

Be sure to listen to episode 44 to learn more about Brave New Knits. Also, don't forget to visit Sandrasingh.com. You can get 10% off of all yarns, magazines and needles through December 15th! 

Enter code "NNK01" at checkout.

To enter to win, please leave a comment (only one!) including your contact information under this post.

I will be announcing the winner here December 1, so please check back to see if you have won!

Drawing Now Closed! Congratulations to Judi A, the winner!

My Autumn Vines Beret pattern is finally done!

It took a long time to get it just right but I couldn't be more pleased with the end result.

This design is tied with Cedar Leaf as my favorite published pattern.

I love how the cabled leafy design looks like a tangled vine traveling up the sides of the hat. 

It was a very interesting and fun stitch pattern to work up.

The yarn that I used, Becoming Art Cielo Sport, complements the design so nicely. It shows off the textured pattern very well and the subtle highlights in the color bring the pattern to life.

 Usually the samples that I knit end up in my trunk shows.. but no. Not this hat. This is mine. I love it.

Here is the pattern information for those of you would would like to make an 

Autumn Vines Beret of your very own:

SIZE

Stretches to fit a 19-22" / 48-56 cm head circumference.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Brim Circumference: approx 18 inches after blocking.

MATERIALS

Becoming Art Cielo Sport [100% Superwash Merino Wool; 256 yd/234m per 4oz skein]; color: Cinnamon; 1 skein or approx 200 yds of a sport weight wool or wool blend.

Alternate Yarns: Madelinetosh Pashmina, Classic Elite Fresco

1# 16” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for brim and body of hat

1# set of US #5/3.75mm double pointed needles for top of hat and I cord

Stitch marker

Tapestry needle

GAUGE

25 sts/ 32 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch on US5 / 3.75 mm needles or size needed for accurate gauge.

If you run into me this Autumn, this is what I will be wearing... every day.

 

I am so happy to be surrounded by knitted leaves in my favorite Autumn colors. 

Kits for the Autumn Vines Beret are now available for pre-order through Becoming Art. 

Please click HERE to see all of the amazing colorways available!

Pattern now available in French! Click here for the French Translation./
Ce modèle est maintenant disponible en français. Cliquez ICI pour l'acheter.

Happy Knitting!

Episode 44

Shownotes:

Sandra Singh

Stitches West 2011

Autumn Vines Beret Pattern

Autumn Vines Beret Kits

Becoming Art Cielo Sport

New Autumn Colorways from Becoming Art

Brave New Knits

Jared Flood

Brave New Knits Patterns on Ravelry

Julie's Website

Julie on Ravelry

Orchid Thief Shawlette

Ysolda Teague

Malabrigo Sock Yarn

Anzula Yarns

Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

The winner of Episode 43's Roseknits Bag Drawing Giveaway is

Cheryl

! Congratulations!

*Check back soon to enter the drawing for Episode 44!

Get 10% off of the entire selection of knitting needles, magazines, and yarn from

Sandrasingh.com

through December 15th by entering code "NNK01" in the checkout process. 

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

Click

HERE

to download the Episode 44 MP3 file.

As promised, here is a picture of my newest hat design. The pattern is soon to follow! :)

If you have listened to my last podcast episode or have followed my blog for a time, you will undoubtedly be aware of how much I love Roseknits knitting bags!

I am very happy to say that Annie from Roseknits has sent me this beautiful bag to give away to one of you!

Seriously.. I want this bag for myself. Isn't it so amazingly adorable? So fun and cheerful.

 But this drawing prize would not be complete without some fantastic things to go IN the bag! 

In Episode 43, Melissa Wehrle from neoknits.com was kind enough to share her story of becoming a knitwear designer with all of us. She has kindly contributed a copy of her first sweater pattern,
'The Grannie Smith Cardigan' to this prize.

But I decided that the winner probably should also have some yarn to go with it... :)

Months ago I received this beautiful skein of Fancy Lace yarn from Emily, the talented dyer behind Viola yarns. This skein is amazing. It's a beautiful soft blend of Silk, Cashmere and Alpaca. What a treat. I've decided to pass this lovely skein onto one of you. Crazy I know. What am I thinking?

This skein holds a whopping 1300 yards. That is enough to make an entire Granny Smith Cardigan sweater for yourself!

To enter to win this amazing prize set, just leave a comment under this post with contact information. 

Please only one comment per person.

Before you comment, please visit the Roseknits Etsy shop and let me know in your comment which style bag you like the most. The Etsy shop can be found HERE. I have my favorites. 

I'd love to find out which ones you like too!

I will announce the winner here on November 15th. Please check back then to see if you have won!

Drawing now closed! Congratulations to Cheryl, the winner!