If you happened to listen to my latest podcast episode, you will already know of my new knitting obsession.

The beekeepers quilt which is comprised of hundreds of these little knitted hexagon puffs aka "hexipuffs".

I've tried.. but I literally cannot stop making them. I am truly obsessed. 

They are so fun and quick and oh so satisfying. 

Here is my "hexipuff station." 

I've been working on these every night using up my stray balls of sport and sock weight yarn. I have now completed over 50. Only about 350 left to go... 

 I have decided to seperate them into groups according to color family. I would like to have an equal number in each group so that I can spread them evenly across the blanket when I seam these altogether.

Everytime I finish a new little hexipuff, I love to spread them all out again and see how they look. 

My daughter and niece offered up their expert opinions this afternoon as to how these hexipuffs should be arranged.

Even in this incomplete state, this project is just so much fun.

I'm off to knit more hexipuffs! 

(Follow my board on pinterest if you would like to see my hexipuff inspiration!)

Thank you everyone for all of your kind comments about my new soon-to-be-released knitting book! And yes, as many of you have guessed, the theme of the design collection is one of my favorite inspirations...

l e a v e s    

(Of course!)

Many times in the past, I have wondered how certain designers get from a ball of yarn to a finished garment. I don't know if my process is comparable to anyone else's but I thought I would share a brief look at how I create.. in case you were curious.

Behind this beautiful stack of finished knits...

are things that are not very beautiful at all. Some would call them downright messy.

First is the large, unwieldy pile of knitted swatches.

All of these little knitted scraps represent new yarns tested, and multiple variations of different stitch patterns. In some instances, I even knit one complete prototype of a small item such as a mitten, sock or hat, and then perfect the look of it the second time around.

Then there is the big mess of a design notebook.

Although it looks like a huge chaotic disaster, there really is a method to my madness here. 

I promise.

This notebook is packed full of little sketches, ideas, and pattern instructions that I wrote down as I knit. All ideas and notes for each pattern are divided into sections, and the yarn labels are even stapled with each design.

You see? It is organized even though it doesn't look like it.

This notebook has been my constant companion and has gone everywhere with me the past year. When I thumb through it, I see all of the projects.. and well... my life... from 2012.

I found some old podcast notes...

My first draft of "Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf"...

And even a few stories from my daughter scattered throughout...

I have to tell you.. I will always treasure this messy notebook for the memories that it contains.

Every messy, paper-clipped scribbled page as well as my messy pile of swatches helped contribute toward something that I am truly proud of.

This pristine bag of finished knits.

More pictures and information about these designs coming soon!

Something new and exciting is coming to Never Not Knitting in 2013...

A new collection of 12 hand-knit designs compiled in a new self-published book!

I have been working hard on this group of knits for sometime now and am extremely proud of them.

The book will be finished up soon, so I am excited to finally share some photos and details with all of you!

There is more information to come.. but for now.. can you tell what the "theme" behind the new design collection is?

Episode 69

Shownotes:

My Fisherman's Pullover

The Beekeeper's Quilt

Kate Oates Knitting Clothes Kids Love

Jimmy Beans Wool

Knit Red

Kanani on Ravelry

Join The Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Follow ME on Twitter!

Enter to win one of these two new knitting books by leaving a comment under this post by January 15th.  Don't forget to leave your contact information! The winners will be announced on Episode 70.

Thank you for listening!

I just finished this wee little fisherman's pullover for my cousins new baby boy, Leo.

This pattern, Fisherman's Pullover, is from the book 60 Quick Baby Knits. Recognize this yarn? I used the leftovers of my Madelinetosh DK in Vintage Frame from the Gramps Cardigan.

As soon as I saw this little sweater pattern in the book, I fell in love. I love little preppy boy sweaters like this! I have all of the yarn to cast on a larger size for my son next.

This sweater has everything I like in a pattern.. It was interesting but not too hard.

 I love the way these cables turned out. (They are so pretty.. err.. handsome!)

It looks like it will be a warm, cozy sweater to keep little Leo warm this winter. I look forward to shipping it out to New York tomorrow. I hope my cousin loves it! :)

Earlier this week my daughter got to read her new story, Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf to her first grade class, as well as the kindergarten class with her teacher from last year.

In honor of this special occasion, I wanted to make some knitting themed treats for her to be able to pass out to the kids.

With the help of Pinterest, I found this idea for edible marzipan yarn balls. 

I couldn't make them as nice as the ones in the tutorial.. but they still turned out cute. These suckers were extremely time consuming! It took me about 10 hours to make 35!!

(I of course chose the signature green from my Never Not Knitting logo... of course.)

And then my husband and father-in-law made these awesome mini knitting needles from wooden dowels and  wooden screw hole covers for the ends. 

I LOVE THESE.

The last component was 35 freshly baked and frosted cupcakes. 

Put it altogether, and we got this...

A cute knitting themed little cupcake.

The great part about it was that after the cupcake is eaten, the knitting needles can be washed and used again for actually learning to knit. They aren't as nice and smooth as regular knitting needles, but they were a great inexpensive alternative to purchasing a set of needles for every student in the class.

Plus they are miniature. And everything that is tiny is just cute. :)

We provided a little ball of "real" yarn and a set of knitting instructions to all of the kids in the class so they could try it on their own.

I was so pleased by how everything turned out. Of course my daughter was so excited to dress up like Annie and to share the story with the other kids. And I was thrilled by how well it was received. The kids seemed extremely enthusiastic about the story, about learning to knit, and of course.. the cupcakes!

And before my daughter read the story, I was able to talk to the class a little bit about knitting and yarn. 

That was so fun for me to share a few fiber facts with these little ones. I asked them a few questions to test their knowledge and the answers were adorable and hilarious.

Here are a few of my favorites. :)

Me- Does anyone here know what yarn is made from?

Answer- fuzz.

Me- What kinds of things can you make with yarn?

Answer- paper towels?

Me- Has anyone had to practice something a lot before you became good at it, like Annie with her knitting?

Answer- Yes, I tried broccoli.

In the end the story accomplished exactly what I had hoped. All of the kids seemed genuinely enthused about learning to knit. I saw many kids after school holding the yarn and knitting needles trying to make stitches. I wished that I had more time that day to help these future knitters get started.. but hopefully we can do that another time. I can't wait!

My kids are getting big. :(

My daughter is in first grade and that newborn baby of mine turned 1 without even asking me.

But on the bright side... he can now fit into a 12 month sample of my "Sheepish" cardigan design.

I loved seeing my daughter wear this little sweater years ago when I made it for her, (Hers was in a size 2) and it is equally fun seeing it again on my baby boy.

Its a great versatile pattern. Soft, cozy and sheepy. :)

(And by the way.. over the years many knitters have written me about these fabulous sheep buttons. They are available from this website here. They really do make the sweater!)

A few weeks ago, in honor of my friends baby shower, I knit up this little 6 month size Baby Sophisticate Cardigan for her soon-to-be born, baby boy.

And I had to include this bow-tie and baby fedora because a gentleman has to look his best, of course!

I knit up this sweater in no time flat using one lonely left-over skein of Malabrigo Merino Worsted in the Paris Night colorway from my stash. 

This is such an easy little knit, so perfect for a quick baby shower gift. 

(Apparently my sister-in-law also thought so, because she showed up to the baby shower with the gift of a  hand knit Baby Sophisticate Cardigan too. )

(In the same size.)

: O

I first fell in love with this pattern when I first made it over a year ago now, 

when I was expecting my own baby boy.  This sweater and a matching knitted hat was the very first outfit he ever wore. My husband put it on him in the recovery room right after birth, and it was this sweater that he wore home from the hospital. 

I will never forget that site of my new, snugly, sweet boy enveloped in this cozy hand knit. 

This particular pattern will always hold a special place in my heart because of it.

Episode 68

Shownotes:

Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf

Baby Sophisticate Sweater Pattern

My Original Version of Baby Sophisticate

Taking home the baby from the hospital

Malabrigo Merino Worsted

Gramps Cardigan

Madelinetosh Tosh DK

Fisherman's Pullover

60 Quick Baby Knits

Mabels Closet

Hannah Fettig

Quince and Co. 

Jennifer on Ravelry

Jennifer's Blog

Napoli Sweater

Join the Never Not Knitting group on Ravelry

Follow ME on Twitter

Enter to win a signed copy of the limited edition Mabel's Closet booklet by Hannah Fettig by leaving a comment under this post by December 15th. Don't forget to leave your contact information!

The winner will be announced on Episode 69. 

Thank you for listening!

Back in January of this year, Amy Clarke Moore from Interweave contacted me and asked if I might be interested in contributing a design to the ever beautiful Jane Austen Knits magazine. Being a fan of all things Jane Austen, I was immediately interested and started scouring the Internet for design ideas.

I then came up with this.

This Pleated Neck Scarf knit from two different colors of Rowan Kid Silk Haze and fastened with a crocheted flower button. It's ethereal, feminine and reminiscent of the ruffled collars commonly worn in the Regency Era.

Photos courtesy of Interweave. Photography by Christa Tippmann Believe it or not.. this is my first REAL, ACTUAL published magazine pattern. (in print) Kind of exciting! :) Find the pattern in the latest issue of Jane Austen Knits Fall 2012.

Just a reminder that pre-orders for Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf will be ending on 

November 15th at the end of the day. (Please see below)

(Update 11-19-12: The pre-order promotion has now expired. Thank you everyone for your support! We look forward to shipping the books out to you!)

This is your last chance to order this

Price: $18.95

And get this,

this,

 and this.

In this.

For only the price of this.

In all seriousness... the Deluxe Edition-Gift Set is only free for pre-orders. 

Once pre-orders are over (beginning on November 16th) 

the Deluxe Edition will go to it's regular price of $26.95.

That means that if  you order the book before the 16th.. you will save $8 on this awesome gift set!

The books are being shipped to us now and we are so excited to start sending out your orders. 

Thank you everybody for all of your support. :)

In putting together our latest book, it was fascinating for me to learn of all the steps involved in creating just one book illustration. Talk about a lot of work! I had no idea what kind of labor and time went into this type of artwork. I now look at my daughter's picture books with renewed appreciation!

I invited Neesha Hudson, the illustrator of Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf, 

to share her illustration process with us. 

I hope you enjoy this journey of seeing one page from conception to completion.

"I start with a very rough, quick sketch to get the general feeling and composition."

"Then refine that sketch into a line drawing. 

This is exactly how the finished illustration will look."

"I then transfer the drawing onto illustration board by laying carbon paper underneath my 

line drawing and tracing over it."

"I then ink the line drawing with FW waterproof ink. Once the ink is dry, I apply thin washes of watercolor. The first layer is yellow applied to the whole image to get a base. While the paint is still wet, I dab some red in select areas, like noses and cheeks."

"Sometimes I have a little helper." :)

"Finished watercolor."

"I then scan the watercolor and paint it digitally. As you can see, lots of beverages are involved in the process!"

"Finally, the finished illustration!"

"And here it is with text."

From "this" to "this" in approximately 10 hours time. Amazing! Thank you Neesha!

I am so happy to tell you that our new children's story, Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf, is now printed and our shipment of books will be on the way to us shortly. I can't wait to hold the final book in my hands and start shipping it out to all of you who have pre-ordered!

What a fun project this has been for us as a family. Starting out this project, I of course knew quite a bit about knitting and pattern writing, but nothing about the process of creating a children's book. I have learned so much about what all of this involves, and I found it fascinating to watch this project take shape.

As you heard in my latest podcast episode, I have Neesha Hudson to thank for the amazing illustrations in this story. She worked so hard on this book for us and I am amazed by her talent. 

The character development was really interesting. I would give Neesha a general idea of how my daughter and I envisioned the characters, and she would sketch out different options for us to choose from.

Here is Annie.

I wanted Annie to resemble my own daughter somewhat, but still be her own unique character.

After a direction was chosen, she refined the sketches more...

and more...

and more... until we settled on a final version that we were both happy with.

And I think she is so adorable!

If you are interested in learning more about the extensive process that Neesha went through for each and every illustration, be sure to check back soon for a guest blog post from Neesha herself.

Episode 67

Shownotes:

Pre-order Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf!

Sticker Sheet

Puzzles

Paperdoll Set

About the Book

Meet the Characters

Playful Stripes Sweater

Annie's Swiss Cheese Scarf Pattern

Neesha Hudson

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group

Follow ME on Twitter!

Enter to win a signed Deluxe Edtion of Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf by leaving a comment under this blog post by November 15, 2012. Please do not forget to include your contact information!

The winner will be announced on Episode 68.

Thank you for listening!

My daughter and I have been working together on Annie's Swiss Cheese Scarf pattern to go along 

with the new book.

It's all finished now and the pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry HERE.

This scarf is just like Annie's in the story. Big "Swiss cheese" holes on one side.

It went super quickly and only took one skein of yarn. 

I chose Quince and Co. Osprey in the Rosa Rugosa colorway.

I let my daughter knit some of the sections by herself for a more "authentic" look. :)

.

Everyone who purchases the book, Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf will also receive a free pdf download of my Playful Stripes Cardigan pattern. 

(The sweater that Annie is wearing in the story.)

Knit up these two patterns so that your child can match Annie! 

Wouldn't this make a fun little set to give along with the book for a present?

Here is my daughter sporting her own "Annie ensemble."

\

And now with attitude...

:)

I am happy to announce that our new children's book, Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf, is now available for pre-order!

The book is scheduled to be shipped by late-November, 

but if you pre-order now you will receive a matching

-20-piece children's puzzle

-paperdoll set

-sticker sheet

All packaged together (with the book) in this adorable gift box!

Please visit our new website at AnnieCanKnit.com to learn more about our book, 

meet the characters, and even take a peek inside! 

(My husband has worked on this website diligently for weeks and I think it turned out really cute!)

We hope that you love Annie as much as we do! We are looking forward to shipping these out to everyone!

Here is the final item that I have to share with you that will be included in the 

Deluxe Edition-Gift Set of our soon-to-be-released children's book, Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf.

A special, custom made....

P u z z l e !

I absolutely love this little 20-piece puzzle. This is one of my favorite scenes from the book 

where Annie's mommy teaches her how to knit on the couch. 

It reminds me of when I taught my daughter to knit.

That will always be a special memory for me.

My daughter has had lots of fun taking this puzzle apart and putting it back 

together over and over and over again.

Remember... this puzzle will be part of our Deluxe Edition, but will be included for free for everyone who pre-orders the book!

Pre-orders will be available shortly!

In yesterday's post.. I promised you...

S t i c k e r s!

Yes! A sheet of five glossy, durable stickers to go along with our soon to be released children's book,

Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf.

This sticker sheet is part of our "Deluxe Edition-Gift Set", 

but will be included for free to everyone who pre-orders our new book.

(Pre-orders will open very soon on our new website. AnnieCanKnit.com)

Would you like to join our mailing list and be emailed as soon as pre-orders are ready?
If so, enter your email below.

If I know one thing.. it's that kids love stickers. My daughter would cover every square inch of our home in stickers if given the chance. There are stickers on our furniture, mirrors, walls.. you name it.

My daughter was soo excited to see these new "Annie stickers".. but I am being careful to keep them out of her reach.. otherwise I may wake up one morning to find our entire living room covered with them. :)

Thank you to everyone who has written me about the book. I am so excited about this project and am thrilled to hear that all of you are too! :)

I have another exciting "Annie item" to share with you tomorrow. Any guesses as to what it might be?

It's been a few months ago now since I announced the beginnings of my new children's book project, 

Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf.

What you do not know... is that since that time, this project has literally taken on a life of it's own!

As is my nature, I love to complicate things. I love to add on. Do more. Go the extra mile.

Sooooooo.... I decided to get some fun "extras" manufactured to go along with this story book. 

Because, I guess a self published children's book just didn't seem like enough to take on. :)

These extras will be part of a "deluxe edition-gift set" that will be all packaged together with the book in
it's own special decorative box. 

AND by the way... everyone who pre-orders the book, will get the gift-set "extras" for free!

Over the next few final days leading up to the pre-order opening, 

I will be sharing pictures of these special little items. 

Up first..

Paperdolls!

I just loved paperdolls when I was a child. I don't see them around much anymore though, sadly.

I thought they would make a perfect accompaniment to the story.

 You might just recognize some of Annie's outfits! 

They are all Never Not Knitting patterns for children that can be found in my pattern store.

My daughter and I had an absolute blast cutting out these dolls last night and dressing up Annie.

Here are some of our favorite outfit combinations. :)

There are still more fun things for me to share!

Tomorrow... stickers!

We just received our printing proofs for our new children's story, Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf.

It's so exciting to see all of the pages together like this. It's starting to feel very real!

It seems like every day something new and exciting for this project is arriving in the mail. 

I will have some very fun little "extras" to share with you shortly.

Everything is coming together and it has all turned out to be so cute. 

Pre-orders will be opening up very soon.

I AM SO EXCITED!