Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

You...can make a difference!

Just say "no" to cardboard cuffs for your hot tea or coffee cup! Switch over to an "eco-friendly" knitted cuff and you'll never go back to cardboard again!

Last week I took a fun "Coffee Cuff" class at Knitique. The pattern is called Coffee Cuff Six Ways on Ravelry by Nicole Mattson. My cuff is knit in JoJoland Rhythm, a worsted wool yarn, in color M61. It was knit on #8 DPN's.

I think a knit cuff makes a great present. My cuff is for my sister along with a Starbucks gift card. I decided to test her cuff out yesterday on my own Venti Latte. It passed the test with flying colors. All the Starbucks employees were raving about it and I was amazed at how it kept my coffee hot much longer. It is a great insulator!

Make the Eco-Friendly choice!

So drink your tea or coffee in style now with an eco-friendly hand-knit cuff. Wouldn't it be great to knit these up in pretty colors to match your wardrobe! Think of all the possibilities! Best of all, what a great way to use up leftover yarn, too..saving it from the landfill!

Kudos to Starbucks for caring about our planet, too. You can read more about what Starbucks commitment to the environment at Starbucks, Shared Planet.

Men's Heavenly Cable Sweater

Allison knitting her

"Heavenly Cable Sweater"

I met Allison last Friday at my favorite LYS Knitique. I was at the knitting table when Allison came in to knit. I could see she was knitting something special so I immediately asked her what she was knitting. She told me it was a sweater from the book Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. I was pretty excited to see a project being knit from Lorna Miser's new book so I asked Allison to tell me more.

Here is Allison's story:

Allison met Lorna at the book signing party at Knitique a few weeks back. Allison told me she has been going through a difficult time in her life right now. Her husband is on a year long deployment in Iraq amongst other things, too. When she got home that night after meeting Lorna , she sat down and read the entire book...cover to cover.

Men's Heavenly Cable Sweater

Allison says "Lorna's book and it's stories really gave me encouragement". Allison fell in love with the Men's Cable Sweater pattern from the "Appointment in Heaven" story. She is knitting it for her husband for a surprise Christmas present this year. (So shhh...it's a surprise!) She is knitting it in Cascade 220 Superwash in, of course, a great looking "Army green" color!

Every knitter has a story of how they learned to knit. Like many knitters, Allison's Grandmother, an avid knitter, taught her to knit when she was in junior high. She remembers knitting a sweater back then and never knitting again. A few years back a co-worker nudged her back into knitting and it all came back to her.

This is Allison's first cabled sweater. She loves knitting cables. Allison says " it is her dream with knitting to be as good as her Grandmother". I think you've accomplished that Allison! When your grandmother (who is 92yrs old) sees it...she will be so proud of you!

Your Grandmother's knitting legacy will live on with you...just as Lorna's Grandmother Helen's legacy lives on with her!

Bizoo Bizu

Bizoo Bizu

Louisa Harding's New Book

Everyone loves adorable babies. This adorable baby photo (on page 23) in the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Vogue Knitting is getting a lot of attention these days!

The adorable baby photo is for a Louisa Harding ad. I did a little research and found out that the adorable hat is from Louisa Harding's new book Bizoo Bizu. It is already out in the UK. Louisa's West Coast Rep Cindy told me today it is now shipping to the US market.

Louisa Harding Baby Hat with Ribbon Bow

Bizoo Bizu is filled with 28 patterns for newborn babies and toddlers up to three years old. The boys and girls patterns are knit in Louisa's Kashmir Baby Yarn.

I love ribbon and embellishments so I adore Louisa's hat design with the ribbon bow. The printed ribbon says "with love". How sweet...I love it! Hopefully Louisa will give us her resource for her printed ribbon.

You can also check out scrap booking/rubber-stamping stores for printed word-saying ribbons. I've used a French inscribed "le bebe" ribbon to wrap baby gifts with. It comes in both pink and blue. Wouldn't it be great to knit this hat in creme and include both pink and blue ribbons to the parents instead of a uni-sex baby hat. Then when the baby arrives the parents can put the appropriate (boy or girl) ribbon color on the hat!

I'm calling my LYS today to reserve this book. I need to knit a baby hat for my husband's co-worker's baby-to-be. I can't wait to knit Louisa's new hat pattern and embellish it with a sweet little ribbon bow!

Think of all the design possibilities one can do now..personalizing and embellishing knits with ribbon!

Favorite baby hat books!

Frilly Hat

Baby Beanies

by Amanda Keeys

Baby hats are just adorable! I love making them for precious little babies. They are my kind of knitting project, too...quick and easy!

Sometimes I think I spend more time on Ravelry (the online knitting site) than actually knitting. Thanks to Ravelry though I find inspiration and great finished projects to look at. My knitting friend Sara at Knitique is a new grandmother and makes the cutest baby hats for her little Maddie. Seeing her projects on Ravelry has helped me find some adorable baby hat patterns.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite baby hat books with you. All my favorite books are written by very talented knitwear designers who all just happen to be young mother's themselves!

All my hats are modeled on my vintage 1960's Madame Alexander doll. I am so glad I saved her since she makes a great baby hat model. My friend Sheila even asked me recently if I loan her out for photo shoots!

All my hats have been knit in easy care Cascade's Cotton Club.

The hat above is the Frilly Hat from Baby Beanies by Amanda Keeys (mskeeys on Ravelry). The original hat shows it with a button. I chose to knit a flower embellishment from her other pattern, Sweet Spring. The book has 29 adorable hat patterns for babies and toddlers along with the cutest photography!

I love Amanda's story. She lives in Australia and is a self-taught knitter. She is a professional childrens's photographer and young mother of four with number five on the way. She loves using cute knitted hats in her photo shoots. Since she was having trouble finding hats she started designing and knitting her own hats. I love that!

Check out her incredible blog Fall into Blue...for the most adorable children's photography...along with the most charming knit hats!

Louisa Harding Blanket & Hat

Natural Knits for Babies and Moms

I saw this set on Ravelry when Sara made it for her new born Granddaughter Maddie. Since I love anything Louisa Harding, I immediately ran out and book the book! I made my blanket and hat set in a soft "buttery" yellow for a baby shower gift.

Louisa is a young mother to two young children. Her children inspired her to create her popular Miss Bea series of knitting books. Since she is a "Mum", I bet memories of her children as "little ones" influenced this book, too!

Louisa's signature style generally leans towards the soft and feminine side. So naturally Natural Knits for Babies and Moms is filled with 21 soft and soothing hand knits in organic yarns.

I can't wait to buy Louisa's new baby book Bizoo Bizu. (More adorable baby hats to knit!) It is already out in the UK and will be arriving at US yarn stores anytime now!

Rosebud Hat Itty-Bitty Hats

Susan B. Anderson

I love roses so I naturally fell in love with the Rosebud pattern by Susan Anderson. Rather than knit the leaves, I chose to recycle and felt a green wool thrift store sweater for my leaves. I cut the felted wool into leaf shapes and then did blanket stitch detailing around them.

Rosebuds
Itty Bitty Hats

Susan B. Anderson's book is filled with three dozen adorable baby hats. I can't wait to try more of her patterns. She is a busy mother to four kids and has a wonderful blog SusanBAnderson that you can follow, too.

My favorite Baby Hat books

I hope my favorite baby books (and Sara's) have inspired you to knit up some adorable little baby hats. Don't you think every baby deserves a hand knit hat?

Lorna Miser: Local Girl Makes Good!

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Lorna Miser, local girl makes good is today's headline!

Today marked Lorna's local book stop # 4 for Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting at Sierra Knitting Co. in Cameron Park, CA. As usual there was a great turn out for the book signing and trunk show. One lady from Seattle was visiting the area and was thrilled to meet Lorna and get the book autographed for a special friend back home.

Lorna Miser

Local Girl Makes Good

Lorna lived in the Sierra Foothills for 25 years so she is well known and loved in this area. Everyone is so excited for Lorna, our local girl, making good with the success of her first book. Lorna's publishers are thrilled, too! In just a few short weeks Lorna's book made #13 on the Best Sellers List for craft books. Way to go Lorna!

Heart Pillow

I love the heart warming stories in Lorna's book. Debi Padlicki the owner of Sierra Knitting took a cue from the Heart Pillow in the book and made a purple heart shaped cake for Lorna. If you haven't noticed already...purple is Lorna's favorite color.

Lorna Miser & Debi Padlicki

Knitting isn't just about yarn, patterns and needles. Knitting is also about friends, conversation and heart warming stories. At today's event we all gathered around Debi's big round table and enjoyed knitting stories. I loved the story that Lorna told. Debi opened her shop about three years ago, and before her shop was officially opened, Lorna pushed a note through the door wishing Debi good luck and success. That's a knitter for you!

Sierra Knitting Co.

Debi's store is really cute. I love all the purses she has hanging around the shop. 

A few months back, 

I took a felted purse class from Debi and loved it. 

2012 Update:

Sadly Debi's store is now closed. 

You can find Debi Padlicki designing patterns now though. 

Lorna Miser is everywhere!

Good Day Sacramento

Sheila Igoe, Reporter & Lorna Miser

Lorna Miser and her new book Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting are everywhere these days!

Her book is flying off the shelves at all my LYS (local yarn stores) national book and craft stores, too! Today she was even on TV! Lorna Miser and her good friend Sheila Igoe (whose mitten story "Helping Hand Mittens" is in the book) were on Good Day Sacramento today chatting about her book.

Lorna and Sheila both did great on camera...it was the professionals who kept flubbing up. They just couldn't seem to get both of their names right! That's okay Lorna and Sheila...we know who you are!

Knitting Expert
Lorna Miser

Yes, Lorna was on TV today! Those of us who know her are so excited for her and her book's success!

Knit 'n Style
June 209 Issue

Lorna is not only on TV and in books these days she is a regular featured knitwear designer in national knitting magazines. Look for her in the June 2009 issue of Knit 'n Style magazine on magazine stands now.

Lorna's Helpful Hints!

I am new to knitting in hand dyed yarns so I loved reading Lorna's article on how to knit with hand dyed yarns. Since Lorna is the original founder of Lorna's Laces hand dyed yarns, she certainly knows a thing or two about hand dyed yarns!

For lace knitting in hand dyed yarns, Lorna recommends using colors that don't compete with the lace pattern. I love this advice from Lorna too, "colors that work well with any lace pattern are ones that are monocrohromatic or all the same hue".

Purple Diamonds Please Scarf

Lorna's Purple Diamonds Please scarf is a wonderful lace scarf featured in the magazine. It is a small repetitive diamond pattern knit in Aurora Yarns, Acqurello yarn.

Faith, Hope, Love,Knitting

Congratulations Lorna and Sheila, too!

Enjoy the spotlight!

Lorna Miser Book Tour Stop #3

Lorna Miser 

Tonight marked Lorna Miser's third stop in her local book signing and trunk show for Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. Knitting friends, Sheila, Michele and I are going to as many of Lorna's local book signing events as we can. I think we are now known as "Lorna's Groupies"!

Tonight's event was held at Spin a Yarn in Vacaville, Ca. Lorna told me that I would love this shop because the owner Parri Shebley has decorated it with antiques and vintage displays. Lorna was right...the shop was darling. It even had a self serve tea bar. I loved that!

Sharing Knitting Stories

Every knitter has a story. I love Lorna's book and her heartfelt stories of knitting in it. The customers at Spin A Yarn were thrilled to meet Lorna in person tonight and share their own stories about knitting, too. As Lorna says "knitting does bring people together!"

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Lorna Miser book signing

Lorna's next book signing will be Tuesday April 21, 2009 at Sierra Knitting in Cameron Park from 3:00 PM to 7:00PM. And, yes, the Lorna's Groupies are sure to be there!

To keep up with Lorna's appearances be sure to check her calendar on Lorna Miser Designs. 

Update 2012:

Spin a Yarn has moved to 

Winters, CA

Beachcomber Bay & Summer Knitting

Beachcomber Bay

&

Summer Knitting

It's time for summer knitting!

Summer is arriving early in California. We are supposed to reach temperatures in the 90's this weekend! So this week, I put my wool knitting projects aside. I have made the switch over to summer knitting. I currently have two summer knit projects on my needles and both are from Louisa Harding's Beachcomber Bay The Accessories Collection.

Mermaid Purse

by Louisa Harding

Being a California girl, I grew up going up to the beach at Santa Cruz for fun (at the Boardwalk) and beach combing. The beaches south of Santa Cruz were always scattered with sand dollars and sea shells. I loved collecting them. I still love beach combing.

Another knitter grew up loving beach combing, too, only in completely different part of the world. That knitter is Britain's knitwear designer, Louisa Harding. Louisa's Beachcomber Bay The Accessories Collection is filled with inspiration from the seaside and her own memories of beach combing. I believe this is Louisa's fourth book for her Louisa Harding yarn line.

Yesterday I cast on for the Mermaid purse. It is knit in Louisa's Flotsam yarn. In her book, Louisa describes this yarn as "reminiscent of washed up ropes and fishing lines." I agree and like it's lofty and slubby texture. I lucked out and found my yarn in a discontinued ocean blue colorway (No. 2) at my LYS.

I am knitting my purse for our summer vacation on the Oregon Coast. I can't wait to beach comb on vacation and embellish my Mermaid purse with shells and bits from the Oregon beaches.

Periwinkle Wrap

I am also knitting Louisa's Perwinkle wrap pattern. The Periwinkle wrap is the reason I bought this book. It is the gorgeous wrap featured on the books' cover!

The Periwinkle wrap is knit in a feather and fan pattern. It is knit in four Louisa Harding ribbon yarns: Sari Ribbon, Kimono Ribbon, Fauve and Glisten. (I modified my wrap size and cast on 76 stitches instead of 40.) I love this gorgeous color combination of yarns! They certainly do remind me of sea waves.

Beachcomber Bay

Accessories Collection

by

Louisa Harding

I highly recommend the Beachcomber Bay Accessories Collection book. It is one of Louisa's early spring/summer collection books from 2006. You are sure to love the "beachy" purses, hats and beach cover ups which are all timeless summer designs.

Louisa says it best in her book's introduction, "I hope the ideas and patterns are a starting point to inspire your knitting this summer". "Next time you look at the beach, look really close and see what you can find to inspire you".

I've been inspired. How about you?

Bunnies & Beatrix Potter

Flopsy Bunnies

"Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits and their names were, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter". And, so begins the story The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Beatrix Potter

(1866-1943)

Easter time makes me think of cute little bunnies and the charming children's stories of Beatrix Potter.

To many, Beatrix Potter is known and remembered by Peter Rabbit and her children's books. She was so much more than a children's book author. She was truly a Victorian woman ahead of her time. She was also a conservationist, botanical illustrator, respected farmer and sheep breeder.

Beatrix Potter was born in London, England in 1866. As a child she was home schooled and encouraged to paint and draw. As a child she would smuggle mice, rabbits and hedgehogs into the house. She also had a pet rabbit, named Peter. (Now we know the inspiration for all her adorable animal characters in her books!)

Every year her family spent holidays away from London in the countryside. Beatrix drew and painted everything she could. She loved animals and being in the country.

Hilltop Farm, Cumbria, England
17th Century Stonehouse

In 1905, Beatrix left London and moved to Cumbria, and English county in the Lake District. Thanks to royalties from her first few books, she purchased a working farm called Hill Top Farm. This was the start of her deep interest in farming and preserving the land.

In the 1930's and 40's she and her husband were sheep farmers and breeders. Their Herdwick Sheep won many prizes at county shows. Herdwick sheep are a breed native to the Lake District. Beatrix was also the first woman elected President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association. She also helped save the breed from extinction.

Herdwick sheep are a dual breed who produce a thick, coarse grey fleece due to their harsh environment. Sorry knitters since their wool does not dye easily it is mostly used for carpet wool. There is a co-operative of women farmers, dyers, spinners, weavers and knitters though in Cumbria today called The Wool Clip .

Beatrix passed away in 1943 at the age of seventy-seven. To ensure the conservation of her beloved Lake District, she willed to the National Trust, 15 farms, over 4,000 acres of land and her Herdwick sheep flocks. One provision was that her Hill Top Farm had to remain exactly as she left it, complete with her furniture, art and china. It remains open today for the public to enjoy.

My husband and I love travelling to England. We visited the Lake District in 2003. We made the special journey to Cumbria to visit Hill Top Farm.

So in honor of Beatrix Potter, I would like to share a few photos from a knitting book called The Beatrix Potter Knitting book. All the patterns were inspired by the art and life of Beatrix Potter. Since it is Easter, I selected the cute little bunny ones to share today.

Benjamin Bunny

Sweater, Pull-Ups

&

Tam-O-Shanter

Benjamin Bunny
Sleeping Bag

Flopsy Bunnies
Baby's Jumper (Sweater)

The Beatix Potter Knitting Book

The Beatrix Potter Knitting Book by Pat Menchini was first published in 1987. It features more than 50 delightful handknits for all ages. Many of the book's photographs were taken on location in Beatrix Potter's own English, Lake District.

If you ever find yourself in the beautiful Lake District, I encourage you visit Hill Top Farm. You might also enjoy the movie Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter, which was filmed in the Lake District.

While visiting the Lake District, I also highly recommend having Sticky Toffee Pudding and afternoon tea at the nearby Sharrow Bay Hotel.

Vintage Crochet Mini Dresses

Vintage Crochet Mini Dresses

My Mom's 1970's crochet mini dress got a lot of attention. Thanks for all the nice comments here and on Ravelry.

Besides knitting I have an obsession for collecting vintage knitting and crochet patterns. I knew I had some "mod" patterns from the 60's and 70's so I went looking through them today. Can you believe I had this pattern which is pretty darn close to my Mom's dress?

The vintage pattern is Big & Little Crochets, Leaflet # 2519, by Columbia-Minerva. (Original price, 35 cents.) I can not find a date on it but it appears to be from the same era, the early 1970's. The hot pink dress is pattern # V-15 and the turquoise dress is # V-16.

The pattern for the pink dress can be found on Ravelry or at Vintage Creations for free.

My Mom's 1970's Crochet Mini Dress!

My Mom's 1970's

Crochet Mini Dress

Today just happens to be my Mom's birthday. In honor of my Mom, I thought it would be fun to share her 1970's crochet mini dress with you.

Now keep in mind, my Mother did not save this dress. I did. I love the fact that I did not knit or crochet since I was a young girl yet I saved everything we had in our house associated with the needle arts my entire life. Even though I did not knit again until I was in my mid 40's, I know that knitting and crochet were dear to my heart or I would not have saved everything that I have saved all these years.

1970's era mini dress!

Today I asked my Mom where she bought this dress. My Mom said she received it from her mother for Christmas back in the early 1970's. My Mom said "she probably bought it at Goldman's or Joseph Magnin's back then!" My Mom loved the dress but wasn't sure when she would ever wear it. Then the perfect event presented itself, her high school class reunion.

My Mom and Dad

&

the Chartreuse Mini Dress

I've always loved vintage so I am thrilled that I saved this dress. I think my Mom wore this around 1970 - 1971. It is in remarkable great shape for being stored in a plastic dry cleaner's bag (in a box) out in the garage all these years. I just love it's 1970's chartreuse green color!

Vintage Tarrri Dress Label

The designer dress label says Tarrri (I think). It is 100% wool. It was made in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. It must have been hand made. The crochet work is beautiful. The mini dress is 33" in length. And yes...my Mom was quite "foxy" in it back in the day!

Crochet Shell Pattern?

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at 1970's fashion and my Mom's mini dress. I am so glad I saved it! Someday I hope to become a better crocheter. I would love to crochet a scarf in this crochet shell pattern in a chartreuse for my Mom to wear and me to borrow!

Maybe an avid crocheter can help me to identify it's shell pattern? I would love any tips or comments!

The Knitter Issue Three

The Knitter Issue Three

I am a lucky knitter!

This week has been a good knitting week.

On Tuesday I had morning coffee, lunch and knitting with my new knitting friends Lorna, Sheila and Michele. On Wednesday I went to my class at Knitique and Danielle (owner/teacher) told me that I am a really good knitter. That praise just made my day since I have been taking knitting classes from Danielle for over a year now!

And, then I lucked out and found Issue Three of The Knitter!

Urchin Sweater

by Kim Hargreaves

This issue's theme is Coastline Designs. It is filled with lots of wonderful patterns inspired by the waves, shells and ripples of the seaside and perfect for this time of year, springtime!

Here is a sneak peak at Issue Three if you haven't' been lucky enough to see it yet. Every issue has sold out both in the UK and US. Hmm...perhaps I should just subscribe to The Knitter?

Starfish Shawl

by Norah Gaughan

Norah Gaughan is an American Knitwear Designer and Creative Director for Berroco.

On Ravelry, I have a British (Yorkshire Gal) knitter friend, Melanie who is lives in Australia currently. We met over our love of Yorkshire Tea and Tea Cozies! Melanie knows how much I love British designers like, Louisa Harding and she loves American Designers, like Norah Gaughan. I thought of Melanie when I saw this issue so I hope she can find Issue Three! She says it is pretty tough to find in Australia. Good luck Mel!

Beachcomber Bag

&

Wristwarmers

by Amanda Crawford

What fun accessories for a summer outing or beachcombing at the beach! The Beachcomber bag and coordinating wristwarmers are knit in Wendy Supreme Luxury Cotton DK in Spring Bouquet and Crystal Blue colorways. I have never heard of this yarn, have you? It must be popular in the UK?

Mason-Dixon Knitting

Even though The Knitter is a British magazine there is a regular feature each month with good 'ole USA gals Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne. They have the popular following Mason-Dixon Knitting. This month's feature is about too many scarves? I love scarves so I am loving this article. I am known on Ravelry and wherever I go knitting as I Love Scarves!

Louisa Harding

My favorite British Knitwear Designer!

Well, it's no secret that Louisa Harding is my favorite knitwear designer. I loved this issue's article Best of British, the ultimate guide to the UK's top knitwear designers. In my book, Louisa Harding tops that list!

Issue 4 has already hit the news stands in the UK on March 31st. I can't wait to find my copy here in the states. I read that there is a Louisa Harding capelet pattern in it!

PS: Issue 3 has errata for both Issue 1 and 2!

Close-Knit Friendships

Designer Lorna Miser

Today marked the second book signing and trunk show on Lorna's book tour for Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. It was held at my other LYS Babetta's Yarn & Gifts.

This morning I started reading Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. I was so touched by Lorna's stories about knitting and her knitting friendships. Then my telephone rang. It was Lorna's good friend Sheila asking me if I would like to go see Lorna today at Babetta's Yarn and Gifts. Of course, I said "yes"!

I met Lorna when I joined the Cameilla Stockinettes, my local knitting guild chapter of TKGA last January. She is also the president. When Lorna found out that I live in Folsom (like her and Sheila) she immediately introduced me to Sheila and said "you've got to knit with us"!

Lorna and Sheila's friendship story is in the book. They met knitting about five years ago at a local coffee shop. Sheila was knitting mittens and having some difficulty. Lorna offered her help and advice. So yes, there is a pattern in the book called Helping Hand Mittens along with the story of how they met.

Today at the book signing, I purchased a book for my knitting friend Ruth. I met Ruth on Ravelry, the online knitting community. I admired one of her projects and we have been emailing ever since. Ruth lives in Oklahoma. I live in California. We do plan on meeting one day. We hope to meet on a special knitting tour maybe even in London or Paris!

As Lorna was signing Ruth's book, I was telling her the story about my friendship with Ruth. Lorna shared that she had a similar knitting friendship with a friend in Mississippi. They eventually did meet and Lorna then realized that her knitting friend had a very Southern accent. Hmmm...

I bet my friend Ruth has an accent, too?

Lorna signing a book

for my special knitting friend Ruth

I love stories about knitting and friendships. Every knitter you meet has a story. Every knitter I know has made wonderful friendships through knitting.

I love the resurgence of knitting. Knitting group get-togethers today are like the quilting bees of my grandmother's era. Now I know why the ladies all gathered around the quilt at quilting bees. It was much more than just quilting. It was about celebrating womens creativity, kinship and friendship.

Thank you for your knitting friendship Ruth! Enjoy your book. It's in the post!