Planning..


Every night for the past month or so I have been knitting...and knitting...and knitting some more.
I wish that I had something truly magnificent to present to you to show for all of this hard work.. 
but instead all I have is this.



So pretty... riiiiight? 

Although this is merely a big old pile of ugly swatches, I feel that it is the beginning of something truly great.
I am working on a new collection of patterns that focuses on botanical elements in my favorite Autumn colorways. It's so "me".. and it is so very self indulgent. I am loving it and I hope that when I finally finish it.. that you will too.

I will keep you updated as to my progress!


Alana Comments
Goodbye Little Sweater.. I will miss you.





This is unfortunately the last time my almost seven month old son will wear this treasured handknit, 

I knitted this for him at the very end of my pregnancy and thought of this little guy with every stitch. When I hold the cardigan in my hands, all of those sentimental feelings and memories of awaiting his birth come flooding back to me. I love this sweater for many reasons.

The funny thing is that once he was born I took the sweater out of the closet and held it up to him. 
It seemed so large at the time... surely he would never ever fit into it. 
But now seven months have passed and it is practically bursting at the seams.. 
(You may have noticed that one of the buttons has popped off.)

I am happy to report that this little cardigan has been well loved and well worn.
But now with my son growing larger and the weather growing hotter every day.. it's time to pack it away in his baby keepsake box. 

I just had to share this final photo taken last weekend at our friend's fancy anniversary party on the coast. 
It was the perfect opportunity for this cardigan's final outing.

You just gotta love a baby in a bow-tie and hand-knit cardigan. The three go together so very well. :)


Alana Comments
Birdie And Bunny


A few weeks back my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.
Every year around this time we do a little family gift exchange, so I indulged in a few 
quick and tiny little knit toys for the kids.

Meet Birdie and Bunny. 


These toys were knit from the Chubby Chirps and Bunny Nuggets patterns by Rebecca Danger. Her toys are always so fun and quirky. I knit up one of her monster patterns for my daughter a few years back and have been following this designer's work ever since.



These patterns were so incredibly quick to make and would make an excellent last minute gift for any child. 

My daughter has seemed to really enjoy them. And my son...




...finds them delicious.



Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 62 : Play By Play Knitting

Episode 62

Shownotes:

Bunny Nuggets

Chubby Chirps

Coastal Kids

Wee Wildflower

Little Oak

Little Oak Photoshoot Fail

HERE

and

HERE

Knitted Dinosaurs: 15 Prehistoric Pals to Knit from Scratch

Jen on Ravelry

Down Cellar Studios Podcast

Join The Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Follow Me on Twitter!

Enter to win a copy of the book, Knitted Dinosaurs, by leaving a comment under this blogpost by June 15, 2012. Please do not forget to include your contact information!

The book winner will be announced on Episode 63.

Please email me your personal knitting story to share on a future episode! Send your 5+ minute story recording to nevernotknitting@gmail.com and receive a knitting related thank you gift from me!

Contact me for details.

Thank you for listening!

Coastal Kids Drawing Giveaway






The very friendly Happy Knits yarn shop is kindly sponsoring generous yarn giveaways for our new 
Coastal Kids patterns!

Please leave a comment (with contact information) below to enter to win both the pdf pattern as well as the yarn needed to make Wee Wildflower or Little Oak. Remember.. only one comment per person please!



Two winners will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, May 18th.

One winner will receive the Little Oak pattern pdf along with 4 skeins of the lovely 
Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK in any in-stock color of their choice. The second winner will receive the pattern pdf for Wee Wildflower along with 2 skeins of any in-stock color of Madelinetosh Pashmina.

Happy Knits has a wonderful selection of many of our favorite yarns. Check out their shop HERE. In addition to this lovely giveaway, they are also offering blog readers free shipping on all orders placed on Friday, May 18th. Just enter the code "NNK" during the checkout process.

Oh... and be sure to enter Hannah's giveaway on her blog as well!

Thank you Happy Knits!




Alana Comments
Wee Wildflower


I am happy to tell you that the third pattern in our new Coastal Kids collection is now available!


Meet Wee Wildflower. The pint sized version of my original 


The delicate details of this cardigan lend itself to a little girls size so well.
I love how this little sweater looks on my daughter. 
It's lightweight and soft and just so perfect for a little springtime layer.



Here is the pattern information:

SIZE
6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2, 4)[6, 8, 10, 12, 14]
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest circumference (closed): 20 (20.75, 21.75, 23.5, 25.25)[26.75, 28.5, 30.25, 32, 33.75]” / 51 (53, 55, 59.5, 64)[68, 72.5, 77, 81.5, 85.5] cm
Body Length: 10.5 (11.25, 12, 12.75, 14.25)[15.5, 18, 20, 21.5, 22.5]” / 26.5 (28.5, 30.5, 32.5, 36)[39.5, 45.5, 51, 54.5, 57] cm
Shown in size 4; To be worn with 1-2” /  2.5-5cm positive ease.
MATERIALS
2 (2, 2, 2, 2)[3, 3, 4, 4, 5] skeins Madelinetosh Pashmina (75% Merino Wool, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 360 yd / 329m per 3 ½ oz / 100g) in Mulled Wine OR 400 (450, 500, 575, 700)[800, 975, 1150, 1325, 1450] yds / 375 (425, 475, 525, 625)[725, 900, 1050, 1200, 1325] m of a sport weight wool blend such as Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight or Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.
US3 / 3.25mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle
US2 / 2.75mm 32” / 80 cm circular needle
US1 / 2.25mm  32” / 80 cm circular needle
  
2 stitch holders, stitch markers (m), cable needle (cn), 2 (2, 2, 2, 2)[2, 3, 3, 3, 3] buttons 5/8” / 1.5 mm diameter, tapestry needle, sewing needle and matching thread
GAUGE
28 sts and 34 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on size US3 / 3.25mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge.




In these photos, my Dad took us kite flying at the wildflower meadows on Shell Creek Rd. 
This is the same inspiration spot highlighted in Coastal Knits for the original Wildflower Cardigan.




So. Much. Fun.


I hope that you and your little one enjoy Wee Wildflower as much as we have!



Purchase the pdf below or look for the pattern in print at your local yarn shop.




Also be sure to check Hannah's blog on May 11th for the release of the final pattern in our collection...



Alana Comments
Little Oak


The first pattern in our new Coastal Kids collection is now available for purchase!



Here is Little Oak, the tiny children's version of my original Gnarled Oak Cardigan 
from the book Coastal Knits!

Although I love the adult version of this sweater, I think that I might love this tiny 6 month size even more! 
It is so sweet to see a miniature version.




Although the original adult sweater was designed for women, I definitely think that the
 baby sizes could work for both a girl or a boy. 
Knit up in this beautiful glowing brown, I think it suits my little guy very well.



Here is the pattern information:


Please note that the smaller sizes require a smaller gauge.

SIZE

6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2)[4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14]

Shown in size 6 months and size 4; to be worn with 1-2” /  2.5-5 cm of positive ease.

MATERIALS

Sizes 6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2) 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins Becoming Art Theia Sport (75% Merino Wool, 15% Cashmere, 10% Silk; 260 yd / 238m; 4 oz / 113g); in Tulgey Wood OR 380 (430, 500, 575) yds / 347 (393, 457, 526) m of a sport or fingering weight wool blend such as Madelinetosh Tosh Sock.

Sizes 4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) 3 [4, 5, 5, 6, 7] skeins Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK (100% Merino Wool; 225 yd / 206 m; 3 ½ oz / 100g); in Sequoia OR 675 (795, 955, 1110, 1270, 1385) yds  617 (727, 873, 1015, 1161, 1266) m of a dk or sport weight wool blend such as Madelinetosh Tosh Merino or Madelinetosh Tosh Sport.

Sizes 6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2)

US3 / 3.25mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle and set of 4 dpns

US2 / 2.75 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle
Sizes 4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14)
US6 / 4 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle and set of 4 dpns
US5 / 3.75 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle
Stitch markers, 4 scraps of yarn to hold underarm sts 1 safety pin marker, 2 stitch holders, cable needle, tapestry needle, 5 (5, 6, 6)[5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8] medium buttons ½ (½, ½, ½)[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)”/ 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5)[2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5] cm in diameter, sewing needle and matching thread

GAUGE
Sizes 6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2) 28 sts and 38 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on US 3 / 3.25 mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
Sizes 4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) 24 sts and 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on US 6 / 4 mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge.


A note about yarn choice and gauge:
For this design, I felt that a thicker yarn knit at a tight gauge made the leaf and cable motif at the yoke really stand out. If you happen to knit loosely, you may find that you are more easily able to achieve the same gauge by substituting a thinner yarn such as a sport weight for the larger sizes and a fingering weight for the smaller sizes. Remember that although the thickness of yarn is a personal preference, the most important thing is that you are able to match the pattern gauge.





Since all of our Coastal Kids patterns are available in a wide range of sizes, 
Big Sister has a matching Little Oak of her very own!

Here is the size 4 on my very very petite six year old daughter. :)


It's not often that I come across a sweater pattern that can be knit for both of them and myself as well!




Our family will be enjoying this design for years to come and I hope that yours does too!


Purchase the pdf below or look for the pattern in print at your local yarn shop.


Be sure to check out Hannah's blog on May 4th for the release of our next Coastal Kids pattern...



Mini Water's Edge!



Alana Comments
Coastal Kids Is Coming Soon!





Our new Coastal Kids patterns will be released soon!

This is a collection of four individual pint-sized versions of the original garment designs from our book, 
Coastal Knits: Little Oak, Mini Water's Edge, Wee Wildflower and Tiny Rocky Coast.

Each design is available in children's sizes ranging from 6 months thru size 14.

These patterns will be available individually as pdf downloads or in print through your local yarn shop.

Check back here on May 1 for the first pattern release.. Little Oak!

Hannah and I are so excited about these little knits! 
We think that they turned out so cute and hope that you enjoy knitting them too!




Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 61 : Coming Clean

Episode 61

Shownotes:

Coastal Knits

New Baby Boy!

Baby Hat

Baby Owl 

Stitches West 2012

Winter Trails Hat Pattern

The Fibre Company Organik

My Grandmother's Knitting

Larissa Brown

Knitalong

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter!

Enter to win a copy of  the book, My Grandmother's Knitting, by leaving a comment under this blogpost by May 15, 2012. Please do not forget to include your contact information.

If it isn't included then I will have to draw another winner! Only one comment per person please.

The book winner will be announced on my next podcast episode.

Please send me a personal knitting story to share on a future episode! 

Send your 5 min+ story recordings to nevernotknitting@gmail.com and receive a knitting related thank you gift from me!

Details in the episode...

Thank you for listening!

It's Back


I recently ordered a new little something...



Do you know what this means?

That is right.. The podcast is returning!

Season 7 will be starting up soon!


Alana Comments
Springtime Wildflowers

I recently stumbled upon a lovely version of the Wildflower Cardigan pattern from Coastal Knits that I just had to share.



The photos courtesy of the lovely Kristen from learnersperknit.blogspot.com


She did such a lovely job on it, don't you think? This sweater is so flattering on her. It fits perfectly!

Spring is definitely in the air and this is the perfect sweater design for it. As a little update, I am happy to tell you that I just finished a tiny version of this cardigan for my daughter and it looks rather adorable on her!


The Wee Wildflower cardigan will be part of the new Coastal Kids pattern collection that Hannah and I will be releasing shortly.

Stay tuned!



Alana Comments
Work-At-Home Mom



My "office"


Yep. That's me. I am a work-at-home Mom of two little ones. I just had to snap a picture of my 
"knitting chair" today because I felt it well represents my life at this time.

Between the day to day children/cleaning/family/work juggling act I feel that I am working constantly, but accomplishing little. I joke with my friends that I am now knitting at a rate of one row per day.

I have had to become an expert at the fine art of multitasking. 
Right now I am typing this blog post one handed with a baby in my arms.

It's a crazy life for sure.. But I'm glad to have these little people around me during the day.
Although our days can be hectic and somewhat exhausting, I know that deep down I wouldn't want it any other way.





Because.. someday they will be all grown up.. and I know that I will miss playing barbies while feeding a baby and typing an email and making dinner..

..right?


Alana Comments
Because Elephants Need Scarves Too.


Over the years I have been trying to teach my daughter to knit. 
If you are a long time reader.. you may remember this post from a few years back.

Now that she is six years old, I am happy to report that
she has turned into quite the accomplished little knitter.



She has now finished her first project. A stylish scarf for her elephant.




And she is very proud.


... as am I!

Last night she says to me.. 
"Mom.. why don't we both grab our knitting and sit on the couch and knit together?"

Somebody pinch me.. I must be dreaming. :)




Alana Comments
A Special Little Something

I've been busy over here!

Recently I had the privilege of working with one of my favorite yarn lines again... Becoming Art.
This time I have knitted up a very special little something out of her Theia Sport yarn in the Tulgey Wood colorway. This is a new design for my baby boy.

Can you guess what it is?



How about now?


Yes, you are right. It's a cute little sweater. But not just any sweater...


A tiny version of my Gnarled Oak Cardigan!

The Little Oak Cardigan will be released as part of a new pattern collection from myself and Hannah called Coastal Kids. We will soon be releasing pint size versions of our favorite Coastal Knits patterns!

Look for the new Coastal Kids collection within the next few months!

I cannot tell you how much I love this little sweater. And the good news is.. the little guy also thinks it's pretty great.



Now onto a tiny version of the Wildflower Cardigan for my daughter!



Alana Comments
Stitches West 2012


Well.. we are back from Stitches West... or "Mommy's Never Not Knitting party" as my 6 year old daughter refers to it. :)

I have to say that despite all of the work, I had a really great time this year and am very glad that I was there.

Our booth.

With my booth-mate Lisa being 8 months pregnant and me with my 3 month old little guy.. it really was a bit of a miracle that we actually pulled it off!


I brought the little guy to the booth with me as much as possible.. but come to find out.. babies don't really like knitting conventions. Weird. 

I know that he did, however, enjoy meeting Ysolda


You might notice the star-struck look on his face. :)

My favorite thing about this year was getting to see everyone's enthusiasm for Coastal Knits. I signed many books over the weekend which was very fun!


I also found many knitters around the convention center wearing their Coastal Knits garments. I tried to track down as many as possible for a picture.

Rocky Coast sighting

Rocky Coast sighting #2


Ok.. another Rocky Coast..

And yet another!

This last knitter pictured actually spun up all of the yarn for her Rocky Coast Cardigan herself! Didn't she do such a beautiful job?

Gnarled Oak

Water's Edge

Sand and Sea Shawlette

I loved hearing this knitter's story behind her Sand and Sea Shawlette. If you own a copy of Coastal Knits, you will know that this design was inspired by the incoming tide at Morro Strand Beach. Apparently this is the exact spot where this knitter's husband proposed to her. This shawl was a sentimental knit for her and she lovingly refers to it as her "engagement shawl". I thought that was so sweet.


Rustling Leaves on Maia from Tactile Fiber Arts!
Cambrian Cowl on Carrie Sundra from Alpenglow Yarns

And Ysolda took a liking to the Wildflower Cardigan that I had on display and wore it all day on Sunday. It looks so cute on her!

 Well actually if you want the real story.. she stole it off of our mannequin. But I figure that if Ysolda likes your sweater.. that's a good thing. And if Ysolda steals your sweater.. you let her. :)

She did give it back though.. so it was really more of a borrowing.

Thanks to everyone who came up and said "hello" at Stiches this year. It was great to see all of you!


Alana Comments
Ready For Stitches West!

I'll be heading off to the Stitches West convention this week and I am awfully excited!



I will be sharing booth #1139 with the amazing Lisa Sanchez from Becoming Art again this year.
I will be there with all of my patterns, many knitted samples, and of course lots of copies of Coastal Knits... oh and a cute baby too.
I'll also have lots of fun little things there to give away to all of you.. so be sure to stop by and say hello!

Just look for the blonde girl covered in spit up holding a baby. :)


There are two book signings scheduled if you would like to bring your copy of Coastal Knits for me to sign.

Friday 2/24 booth #1139 I will be signing books from 2:00-2:30
Saturday 2/25 booth #931 (Alpenglow Yarns) I will be signing from 11:30-12:00

But if you happen to catch me at any other time during the show, I'll be happy to sign it for you then too. :)

I look forward to seeing all of my friends again and meeting new ones. See you soon!



Alana Comments