More Updates

Wow.. It's 2014 already?

The past few months have been a whirlwind of changes in both my personal and business life, but one thing remains constant. I am STILL working on my designs for Botanical Knits 2.

I know. I know. I am sure you are so sick of hearing about this "upcoming" book. But I promise. I'm nearly done and am planning on releasing it in the next few months.

I'm working on the final samples today.

An orange sweater out of Sunshine Yarns Merino Sport with lovely Autumn Leaf lace insets.


Now to finish up that seaming!


I just received back in the mail these tiny cozy mitts from a test knitter out of Brooklyn Tweed Loft which I am quite in love with.

These mitts have a similar "Twigs and Willows" stitch pattern from my sweater in the first book. These are a great option for knitters who want to try out the stitches, but don't want to make a whole sweater!


AND... I'm working on THIS again. And No. I don't want to talk about it. :)


Almost there!

Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 77 : X Marks The Spot

Episode 77

Enter to win this copy of Lit Knits; 10 Literature Inspired Knits by Audry Nicklin by leaving a comment under this post by January 15th. Please remember to include your contact information. Only one comment per person please! The winner will be announced on Episode 78.

Thank you for listening!

Learning To Knit With Annie




Ever since we published Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf more than a year ago now, I have so enjoyed seeing pictures of little ones enjoying the book pop up different places on the internet.


I have been touched by the wonderful emails and comments left by parents, teachers, and grandparents, and the reports of children learning to knit from all over the world.

Photo courtesy of Nikki Waters

Photo courtesy of Brenda Castiel


Photos courtesy of Julie Crawford

As a reminder... the Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf book as well as the Deluxe-Edition Gift Set are 50% off through the end of today (11:59 pm PST, Sunday, Dec. 1). 


Catch the sale HERE.



Alana Comments
The Big-Blogiversary-Black Friday-Book Sale!


In honor of my 6 year "blogiversary" I have decided to run a little sale starting midnight
(Black Friday) November 29th and extending through Dec 1 until 11:59 pm. 
Please note that the sale will be scheduled according to Pacific Standard Time.

All printed books will be 50% off during this 3 day sale.

That means half off of...


        Botanical Knits                Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf               Coastal Knits
          


Please click on the above links to visit the respective ordering website for each book. 
I'm sorry, but shipping fees cannot be combined. Each website will calculate the shipping costs for you for each product individually. 

Thank you everyone for all of the support you have given me for the past 6 amazing years of blogging. 
I hope that you enjoy the sale! Have fun! :)





Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 76 : Follow The Yarn

Episode 76

Enter to win this copy of Follow the Yarnby Reba Linker along with a skein of Snow Capped Yarns Latouch DK in the Dried Sedge colorway provided by The Net Loft by leaving a comment under this post by December 15th. Please remember to include your contact information. Only one comment per person please! The winner will be announced on Episode 77.

Thank you for listening!

Inspiration Journey



In looking for botanical inspiration for my new book, I stumbled across this beautiful photo online by photographer, Steve Stenzel.

I love this photo for so many reasons but I especially am impressed by how it represents the life cycle of this particular plant. From the new growth of spring all the way to the end of autumn.

I am so drawn to this natural color palette.




So much so in fact.. that I showed this picture to the ladies of Spincycle Yarns and they used it in creating a special new colorway just for me. 

And they did such a phenomenal job!


 This beautiful yarn perfectly captures the colors of changing leaves. 
The way that the colors subtly change from one to the next perfectly expresses this idea of the natural life cycle of spring to autumn. I am not usually one to go for multi-colored yarn.. but this one I love.


With this yarn I created my "Life Cycle" scarf design. This is an accent scarf consisting of a string of big leaves.. one growing out of the next. 


It works so perfectly with this yarn and I am so happy with it.

This scarf pattern will be included in my upcoming book, Botanical Knits 2.

The scarf pattern will call for 2 skeins of Spincycle Dyed in the Wool yarn. 
This special colorway is called "End of Summer" and is available HERE.



Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 75 : Knitting Dreams

Episode 75

Photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy / Lori Johnson

Enter to win 2000 yards of this gorgeous certified sustainable wool yarn from Patagonia by following the Nature Conservancy on Twitter or Facebook and then leaving a comment under this post by November 15th. Please remember to include your contact information.

Only one comment per person please!

Three winners will be chosen and announced on Episode 76!

Thank you for listening! 

Sprig


Oh how happy I am to say that my new Sprig sweater pattern is now available to purchase.
This pattern has been in the works a long time and I am so excited that it is finally ready!




This is a top-down raglan pullover with a very unique construction. One that I think is fun and will catch you by surprise.

The raglan itself is knit asymmetrically and also paired with an asymmetrical neckband. All of this asymmetry when paired together.. results in a symmetrical sweater. It is tricky that way!

It also includes dart like waist shaping for a flattering fit.


Here is the pattern information for those of you interested:

SIZE
33.5 (36.75, 40, 43.25, 46.5)[49.5, 52.75, 56, 59.25]” / 85.5 (93.5, 101.5, 109.5, 118)[126, 134, 142, 150.5] cm

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 33.5 (36.75, 40, 43.25, 46.5)[49.5, 52.75, 56, 59.25]” / 85.5 (93.5, 101.5, 109.5, 118)[126, 134, 142, 150.5] cm
Length: 24 (25, 26, 27, 28)[29, 30, 31, 32]” / 61 (63.5, 66, 68.5, 71.5)[73.5, 76, 79, 81] cm
Shown in size 33.5” / 85.5 cm. To be worn with 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm of positive ease.

MATERIALS
Quince and Co. Owl  [50% American Wool, 50% American Alpaca; 120 yd / 110 m per 3.5 oz / 50g skein]; color Chamomile; 7 (8, 9, 10, 11)[12, 13, 14, 15] skeins or approx 825 (925, 1025, 1150, 1250)[1375, 1500, 1650, 1775] yds / 750 (850, 925, 1050, 1150)[1250, 1375, 1500, 1625] m of a dk or light worsted weight wool or wool blend.

Alternate Yarns: Cascade 220 Heathers

1 US6 / 4 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle
1 set of US6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles
Stitch markers
Stitch holders
Cable needle
Tapestry needle
Two 3/4" / 2 cm buttons for optional button-loop closure on the sleeves
Sewing needle and matching thread for optional closure on the sleeves

GAUGE
20 sts/ 28 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on US6 / 4 mm needles or size needed for accurate gauge.



Keeping with the botanical theme, a sprig of foliage begins on one side of the neckline and gracefully wraps around one side. My favorite sweater detail is how these little leaves drape over one shoulder.




The other special detail is on the sleeve cuffs. The leafy sprig is mirrored on the cuffs of the sleeves with the leaves wrapping towards the back just like the neckline.



 The pattern also offers an option for a button-loop closure on the sleeve just for fun.


This is a special sweater full of all sorts of fun little botanically inspired details that I hope you will enjoy!


Please remember that this sweater is just a preview of my collection for the upcoming book, Botanical Knits 2. This pattern will only be available individually for a limited time only.

I have arranged for the entire cost of the pdf to be applied towards your future purchase of the new book once it is released next year. Please note the following instructions so that you can receive this discount in the future:

After purchasing Sprig, PayPal will send you an email as a receipt. 
PLEASE KEEP THIS EMAIL. YOU WILL NEED IT LATER. 
On the email you will see an 16 character code called a "Receipt No." or a 17 digit character code called a "Transaction ID". 




These numbers will serve as your coupon code to receive $6 off of the Botanical Knits 2 purchase price when it is released.

I wanted to offer this as a way of saying thank you for all of your patience with me as I have been working so long behind the scenes on this new book. I felt bad having so much time pass between releasing new patterns!

I really hope that you will enjoy this one. Be sure to pop into the Botanical Knits Group on Ravelry to share your pictures!







Alana Comments
Finishing Fever


After months of working at a very comfortable pace, I woke up one morning a few weeks back with a sudden case of "finishing fever" and decided that I had to finish up my 
collection for Botanical Knits 2... right away. 
As in NOW. As in yesterday.

I don't know where the sudden rush of motivation came from.. but I have been working like a crazy person ever since. I am determined to get these knits designed and done as soon as possible.

That means... a lot of knitting... and a lot of playing with new yarn. It could be worse, right?

I thought I'd share with you some of the highlights from my past few weeks of work.

Firstly, I got these gorgeous special skeins of Spincycle Dyed in the Wool yarn in a brand new colorway to test out. I am so excited to see what they will knit up like! The colors are so rich and beautiful.



I also finished a new shawl design that I just love. 
It's a new and updated take on my Cedar Leaf Shawlette and all of the other leaf bordered shawls floating around out there in pattern land.


Its cool and whimsical and I am really happy with it.


And I love the way that this gorgeous purple yarn goes with the other colors I'm using.



I am also knitting a sweater out of this rich glowing brown yarn.
Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I am "un-knitting" a sweater out of this rich glowing brown yarn.

I have spent a fair amount of time ripping back today as I learned an invaluable and unfortunate lesson about the placement of bobbles on the front of a sweater. 

Turns out a bobble put in the wrong place on a sweater front can look rather inappropriate. :(



Speaking of sweaters... do you remember this lovely little green sweater?
Oh good.. I'm glad. 

 I promise that I haven't forgotten about it. 
I still have plans to release this pattern individually very soon.
Thank you for your patience with me. 



Back to work I go! More updates soon!

Alana Comments
Tiny Ivy


I can't quite tell you how happy these little knitted leaves are making me right now.



They are so fun to make!


These tiny ivy leaves will be a new pattern to be included in my upcoming book, Botanical Knits 2


Alana Comments
Inspired By Nature


I just got the Winter 2013 issue of Knitscene magazine in the mail...


and was delighted to see my article published!


I was quite flattered when Amy Palmer, the editor of Knitscene, asked me to contribute an article. I've never written something like this for a magazine before, but fortunately it came quite naturally. 
After all.. This is on one of my most favorite subjects. :)




I hope that you enjoy reading my article on pages 26-28!

Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 74 : The Matching Sweaters

Episode 74

Enter to win a copy of these two books, One + One Hats, and The Ultimate Hat Book by leaving a comment under this post by October 15th. Please remember to include your contact information. Only one comment per person please! The winner will be announced on Episode 75.

Thank you for listening!

Little Details Make the Sweater

Awhile back I talked of a new sweater design on the needles out of the beautiful Quince and Co. Owl yarn.
I am happy to report that this sweater has now been completed and I am really enjoying the little details that make this piece so unique.

A little button and loop closure on the cuff...


 A sprig of foliage winding around the asymmetrical neckline...


and the way the leaves gracefully drape over one shoulder.



This design was created for my new book Botanical Knits 2, but I can't wait until then to share this sweater with all of you!

Soon I will have this individual pdf available as a limited time purchase. And... not to worry.. the entire cost of the pdf will be applied to your future purchase of Botanical Knits 2 when that becomes available next year. 

This is just a little thank you for your being so patient with me as I work on the patterns for the upcoming book.

I hope to have this pattern available soon! 


Alana Comments
East Coast Book Tour Recap



I am back home with my kids and my normal routine after one jam packed week of traveling with my husband. Last week I had the amazing opportunity of being hosted by 3 amazing yarn shops and getting to explore the Eastern coast of the United States. In one weeks time we traveled through 5 different states on 8 different plane trips, 2 train rides and multiple taxis, buses, and subways. 
Whew. It was fast paced.. but I'm not complaining. We had an amazing time!

My first stop was Brooklyn, New York where I got to visit the fabulous and cozy Argyle Yarn Shop
The husband and wife owners, David and Esther, were so helpful and accommodating. The book signing and workshop was amazing and I got to meet some very enthusiastic Never Not Knitting blog readers. As for New York itself.. wow. What an overwhelming difference from the small town I live in. 
There was just so much to see... 



The next day we took a train to Philadelphia and were awestruck by this beautiful city. I spent a wonderful afternoon at Loop yarn shop. Between the cupcakes and beautiful Botanical Knits display, the owner, Craig, and all of the knitters there made me feel so welcome. I had a great time visiting with everyone!
The city of Philadelphia was so fun to walk through. We of course had to have a "Philly Cheesesteak" and see all of the beautiful colonial sites. 



My next stop was Looped Yarn Works in Washington, DC, and what a charming little store this was! The shop was made up of two octagonal upstairs rooms with lots of windows and sunlight streaming in. It was a very cozy space with a great yarn selection and comfy couches. The owners Janie and Susan were so fun and supportive. I am so grateful to them both for inviting me to the East coast in the first place. The knitters I met in DC were also amazing. So supportive and sweet. I loved the time I spent here.



After 3 yarn shop events in a row, we traveled through Maryland and up to Maine, where I got to visit with my friend, Hannah Fettig after 5 long years! We have kept in touch and worked together via phone and email during this time, but it was so nice to see her in person once again. Her husband and family showed us around the beautiful coast of Maine and took us to several locations featured in our Coastal Knits book. Hannah even kindly gave me one of her extra Rocky Coast Cardigan samples which I was able to wear at Two Lights State Park. I felt like I was in the pages of our book. :) We were amazed by how truly beautiful this state is.

I was also excited that we were able to meet up with Neesha Hudson, the illustrator of our Coastal Knits book as well as Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf and Botanical Knits
What a treat to finally meet her in the flesh!


Thank you to everyone who stopped by these yarn shops to say "hi" and to these amazing yarn shop owners who made this trip possible. We had a wonderful, wonderful time that I will never forget!

Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 73 : The Tell-Tale Hat

Episode 73

Enter to win a copy of Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys by Susan B. Anderson by leaving a comment under this post by September 15th. Don't forget to leave your contact information! Only one comment per person please.

The winner will be announced on Episode 74.

Thank you for listening! 

East Coast Book Tour


Big news! I am coming to the East Coast! 


Next month I have the privilege of doing a small East Coast book tour for Botanical Knits!

I will be visiting 3 awesome stores in 3 different states to do a book signing and teach a sweater finishing workshop. The workshop will guide you through some of my favorite sweater finishing techniques for a professional looking garment including invisible seaming, blocking, and weaving in yarn tails. 


Here is the schedule:


First stop
Brooklyn, NY
Book Signing 6-7 pm, Friday, September 6th 
Sweater Finishing Workshop 7-9 pm- Limited space available
 Please call 347.227.7799 to reserve class space


Second stop
Philadelphia, PA
Book Signing 4-6 pm, Saturday, September 7th 
Sweater Finishing Workshop 2-4pm- Limited space available
 Please call 215.893.9939 to reserve class space


Final stop
Washington, DC
Book Signing 12-1:30 pm, Sunday, September 8th 
Sweater Finishing Workshop is FULL



I am so excited about this trip! If you live nearby, I hope that you will stop by even just to say hello. 
I am so looking forward to meeting you!



Alana Comments
The Lacy Beast


I just finished my very first lace shawl design and I am feeling over the moon.
Not just because I designed it. But because it is finally. off. my. needles. And because I didn't kill anyone in the process of creating this lacy beast.



This shawl was ripped out and re-knit so many times that I lost count. Or at least I have repressed the memory. Being the lazy and over confident knitter that I sometimes can be, I could not be bothered with putting in lifelines. Instead I fearlessly shoved hundreds of lacy stitches off of the needles, ripped back and tediously had to feed all of those tiny yarn overs and decreases back onto my circular needle... over and over and over again.

Several times I wanted to give up. Several times I wanted to disown this project.
But in the end, I kept with it. I conquered the beast. The battle has been fought and won.

Hopefully my pain will result in your knitting joy. 
Look for this pattern in my upcoming book, Botanical Knits 2!



Alana Comments
Verdure



ver·dure

  [vur-jer]  
noun
1.
greenness, especially of fresh, flourishing vegetation.
2.
green vegetation, especially grass or herbage.
3.
freshness in general; flourishing condition; vigor.


I felt that the word "verdure" was a great title for this new little botanically inspired pattern.



These mitts feature a fun twisted stitch, sprouting plant motif on the back of the hand. 
It is so fun to watch it grow as you knit!

The pattern calls for only one skein of Madelinetosh Tosh DK. I used the Grove colorway which is such a perfect shade of green.



photography by Vivian Aubrey

I have designed these mitts to be included in my upcoming pattern book, Botanical Knits 2. But I am happy to announce that this pattern is available individually for a limited time as part of
Twisted yarn shop's Mad About Tosh Club 2013.

The pattern is available HERE.

Enjoy! :)





Alana Comments
A Wildflower Wedding


I always feel so honored when knitters choose to knit my patterns. 

There are just so many patterns from so many amazingly talented knitwear designers out there. I am so grateful when one of my designs is chosen from the vast sea of available options.

But nothing is quite so special as when one of my designs is chosen to be knit and worn for one of the most important days in one's life.

A wedding.



I was beyond flattered when Allison Scoon (sticknspokes on Ravelry) contacted me last year to tell me that she would be knitting my Wildflower Cardigan for her upcoming wedding on the Isle of Mull on Scotland's west coast.

What a romantic location.


When she sent me these pictures, I was blown away. 
The cardigan turned out so great and she looks so beautiful in it!

As an avid knitter, it was very important to Allison to have handknits prominently featured in her wedding. 
She knit her husbands tie and kilt hose as well as her two lovely daughter's bridesmaids cardigans
Truly a handknit wedding! Every knitter's dream.



I am so grateful to Allison for choosing my cardigan design for her special day and for allowing me to share it her amazing pictures with all of you. 



Congratulations Allison and Malcolm!


Wildflower Cardigan pattern available HERE.


Pictures copyrighted by Allison and Malcolm Ward and ewanbaxterphotography.com


Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 72 : Sweater Surgery

Episode 72

Enter to win these 2 skeins of Black Pearl laceweight yarn from The Yarn Sisters Co. along with Ysolda's Strokkur and Orchid Thief Shawlette patterns by leaving a comment under this post by August 15th. Dont forget to leave your contact information! Only one comment per person please.

The winner will be announced on Episode 73.

Thank you for listening!