'tis the Season...

for faux-fur!

 Lavish Collar

by Anthropologie

Faux-fur accessories are the definite fashion trend
this holiday season!  

While doing a little late-night window shopping, 

 I spotted Anthropologie's Lavish Collar.  It comes in five colors and can be yours for $68.00. 

Vera by Louisa Harding

If  you're a knitter and looking for a little winter glam...

why not knit your own faux-fur collar?  

You can knit Louisa Harding's Vera collar in just one ball of her new Luzia yarn.  Luzia is available in 10 colors and retails for $28.99.  That means you can knit your own faux-fur collar for less than half of the Anthro collar!  And, there's even enough time left to "whip" one out for a last minute Christmas gift!

(Vera photo credit:  Louisa Harding Luzia book, photo credit:  Stephen Jessup.)

Catching up!

 Charm Gloves

Did you join the Louisa Harding Charm glove knit-along?  I've been busy the past few days playing  "catch up" to everyone else's progress in the knit-along.  This has been a busy month for me since I've been in the middle of moving and demoing a kitchen.  

Stockinette & Lace

I'm on track now though to get my gloves finished by the knit-along's June 30th deadline.  Once you get the Charm gloves on your needles you can probably knit them up in just a few days.  The cable cuff section takes a bit of concentrating but then the lace and stockinette section knits up really fast.  I'm knitting these gloves for a Christmas gift and the best part about a knit-along is that you are encouraged to finish your project within a specified time frame.  Perfect for me, a flitter knitter!

I highly recommend this project from Louisa's Three Graces book.  There's just over a week left to complete the gloves during the knit-along....so if you hurry I bet you could get a pair finished, too!

Louisa Harding Book Giveaway Winners!

Three Graces

Drum roll please...

I am pleased to announce the three "lucky" knitters who will each receive a copy of Louisa Harding's "Three Graces"  pattern book thanks to Knitting Fever!

Here are the Three Graces book winners' comments on which Louisa Harding yarn they would love to knit Louisa's Charm gloves in:

Raveler jls123 "I would knit the gloves in colorway royal blue (#17) Grace Silk and Wool. It is such a deep and saturated color and would be perfect!"

Raveler kcmomof2:   "I would want to knit it in Willow!  Such a light airy color and look."

Linda said: I love pink and the gloves would look beautiful in a nice girlie pink!"  

I will contact the winners I can via Ravlery and winner Linda please contact me.

Whether you won a book or not, I hope you'll join the Charm Knit-Along from the Three Graces book and knit along with us.  As for the knit-along, Louisa herself would love to join us.   She told me:  "I’m looking forward to seeing all the Charm mittens in the KAL, I’m almost tempted to join in only I am still knitting for the fall/winter collections……and we have more photography this week!"

(Photo used with permission.  Photo credit:  Stephen Jessup.)

Charm Gloves Knit Along

 Simply Charming!

I just adore Louisa Harding's Charm gloves.  They are unapologetically feminine and oh, so pretty.  

Earlier this year while on holiday at the Monterey coast I was able to try on a shop sample of  Louisa's Charm gloves at Monarch Knitting.  The moment I tried them on, I knew I would be knitting several pairs for myself as well as for holiday gifts. 

 Be Charming!

Well, it turns out, I'm not the only Louisa Harding admirer ready to knit the Charm gloves.  Ann, Knitting Fever's social media gal, is ready to start the Charm gloves, too. When Ann heard that I was going to knit them as my next project she said:  "Well if two's company then three is a knit along."  So thanks to Knitting Fever, there's now a Charm gloves knit along!

Three Graces

Charm Gloves Knit Along

June 1 through June 30, 2013

For the knit along you will need Louisa's Three Graces pattern book, 2 skeins of Grace Wool & Silk or Grace Hand Dyed and 1 skein of Grace Hand Beaded depending on which version you knit.

For official details please visit the Charm Knit Along thread in the  Louisa Harding Ravelry Group.  To keep "in the loop" you can join the conversation in the Ravelry group and on Knitting Fever's Facebook page.  

And there's prizes!  If you complete your Charm gloves and post a photo of your completed project (by June 30th) in Louisa Harding's Ravelry group you will be entered into a prize drawing.  You must use a Louisa Harding yarn to be eligible for the drawing.  The prizes will be awarded by Louisa's distributors:  Knitting Fever in the USA, Designer Yarns in the UK and Diamond Yarns of Canada so this is an international knit along!

Three Graces Book Giveaway!

If you would like to join the knit along and need the Three Graces book here's your chance to win it! The wonderful folks at Knitting Fever are letting me give three books away!

So take a look at the Three Graces book at Knitting Fever along with the Louisa Harding Grace yarn range. Leave a comment here on my post by midnight, Sunday, June 2, 2013 of which Louisa Harding yarns and colors you want to knit your gloves in.  Your comment will enter you into the book giveaway.

Three randomly selected people will each receive the Three Graces book.  US residents only.  Void where prohibited.   One comment per person.  Please leave your name along with an email or Ravelry name in your comment for me to contact you if you win.  I will also post the winners in a follow-up blog post. 

 Good luck!

(Three Graces book images used with permission.  Photo credit:  Photographer, Stephen Jessup.) 

Louisa Harding Book Giveaway Winners!

Dixie

Drum roll please...
I am pleased to announce the three "lucky" knitters who will each receive a copy of Louisa Harding's new Jesse  pattern book thanks to Knitting Fever!

Thank you to everyone who commented for the Jesse book giveaway contest.  According to your comments... Miss Kitty (the book's cover top) and Daisy Duke are your favorites.

Here are the Jesse Book winners' comments about their favorite design in the book:

Corina Sahlin commented:   "I wouldn't mind making the cute Miss Kitty!"

bigredmoose92627 commented:  "So beautiful...how could one pick...thank you for sharing.

Virginia Smith commented:  "The cover color of Miss Kitty is my favorite."

If you're a winner please contact me with your information.

A special "thank you" to Knitting Fever for sponsoring the Louisa Harding Jesse book giveaway.  Be sure to  stay tuned for your chance to win with my next Louisa Harding book review and giveaway over the next few weeks.

(Jesse book image used with permission.
Photo Credit:  Stephen Jessup.)

Jesse

Jesse

No matter where you hang your hat...

you're sure to love Louisa Harding's new Jesse collection!

The Jesse collection features Louisa's new cotton yarn Jesse supported by her Jesse pattern book featuring 13 projects for hand knitting.  Daisy Duke, Oakley, Dixie and Miss Kitty are just some of the projects that fill the pages of  Jesse and contribute to its adorable "Western theme" charm.  Don't worry if you don't own a pair of cowboy boots because Louisa has designed and "styled" the projects in Jesse to appeal to both "country gals" and "city girls" alike!

Here's a quick little "roundup" of some of the projects in Jesse:

Dixie 

Meet Dixie.  

I think the Dixie top is very "figure flattering" with its "cinched" waist.   Louisa's one-color version (shown above) features a neat "western style" leather throng tie in lieu of ribbon.  Dixie would look great worn over a cotton summer dress or paired with a cute top and a faded pair of "old blue jeans".  Cowboy boots optional!

Oakley

Here's Oakley.  

There's no denying...

The Oakley top would look great worn with a pair of Wranglers, Levi's or even a cute denim skirt.  And, you don't have to be a cowgirl to love the Oakley top...city slickers will want to knit this top, too!

 Elsie

 Meet Elsie.

I think Elsie is the perfect addition to everyone's summer wardrobe.  Louisa designed Elsie to be knit as a striped shrug (as shown) or as a solid color capelet as well.  You can see the Elsie capelet version by viewing the complete Jesse collection at Knitting Fever. 

 Mae

Well hello there, Mae!

I love the Mae Bolero.  

Mae can be knit as a two-color bolero (as shown) or as a one color bolero with a leather throng (cord) neckline tie.  I think Mae can "set the stage" and turn any summer outfit into a "show stopper"!  

Miss Kitty

Hello Miss Kitty.  

Miss Kitty is one of the prettiest tops in the book.  Miss Kitty also graces the cover of Jesse photographed in the solid-color version.  I love the rich "denim look" of the Miss Kitty cover shot which is knit in Jesse, shade 109 Indigo.

Daisy Duke

Aww, Daisy Duke.  

With a name like that, one can't help but think that Daisy Duke should be worn with a pair of short "cut-off" jeans.  For most knitters though, the Daisy Duke top will pair-perfectly with jeans, capris or even a pretty floral skirt for summer.  

Well there's your sneak peak at the Jesse book.  A nice new feature of Louisa's new spring/summer pattern books is that she now lists the height of the model photographed in her books.  The projects in Jesse are photographed on a 5'9" model.    

Jesse Book Giveway

Now for the fun part!  After you view Louisa's new Jesse collection, leave a comment here on my post and tell me your favorite design from the book and you'll be entered into the Jesse book giveaway.  Three of my "lucky" blog readers can win Louisa's new Jesse book thanks to Knitting Fever.

So leave a comment on this post before Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  Three randomly selected people will each receive a copy of the Jesse book.  Book prizes will be mailed out by Knitting Fever.  US residents only.  Void where prohibited.   One comment per person.  Please leave your name along with an email or Ravelry name in your comment for me to contact you if you win.  

 Good luck!

(Jesse book images used with permission.  Photo credit:  Photographer, Stephen Jessup.)

Happy May Day

My "Cameo" Shawl

"April showers bring May flowers"!

Today is May Day.

On this day of celebrating spring...
I always think of beautiful flowers, ribbons and dancing around a Maypole.

Pretty Flowers & Sari Ribbon

Since it's May Day,
I felt it befitting to share with you, my flower embellished "Cameo" shawl.

The Cameo shawl by Louisa Harding graces the cover of Pretty Knits by Susan Cropper (from Loop in London).  The moment I saw that cover, I knew I had to knit it!  Louisa's Cameo shawl is my all-time favorite piece I have ever knit.  It's description in Pretty Knits sums it up perfectly:

"This lace stitch shawl in colors inspired by a "cameo" brooch is the height of divine knitting.  The drape and the attention to detail will make you feel gorgeous as soon as you put it on.  The flower corsage closure, replete with ribbons and buttons, makes it even more exquisite."

I changed the colorway of my Cameo shawl version to more resemble the colors of a Wedgwood blue cameo.  It made it's debut appearance a few years back when I wore it to afternoon tea at the Pump Room Restaurant while on holiday in Bath, England.  I like to think that both Louisa Harding and Jane Austen would approve of my wardrobe choice!

Louisa Harding Book Giveaway Winners!

Bertie 

I am pleased to announce the three "lucky" knitters who will each receive a copy of Louisa Harding's new Colline pattern book thanks to Knitting Fever!

Thank you to everyone who commented on my post for Louisa's new book Colline.  According to your comments...Bertie is a "top" favorite in the new book.  

Here's the Colline Book winners' comments about their favorite design in the book:

Jules wrote:  "Hi Lisette, thanks for the preview! The new cotton/alpaca blend sounds interesting--the benefits of alpaca with the coolness of cotton. My favorite design has to be the cover one, Bertie. I like her color combination on that!"  

Sarah wrote:  "Hard to choose just 1 fav: either short sleeved Phil or Stan!"

Gwen A. wrote:  "Jamie is my favorite...and in my current 'favorite' color, too!  :)
Thanks for the preview and the chance to win the book!"

I have contacted the winners through Ravelry.  A special "thank you" to Knitting Fever for sponsoring the Louisa Harding book giveaway! 

Stay tuned for your chance to win with my next Louisa Harding Jesse book review and giveaway over the next few weeks.


(Photo credit:  Stephen Jessup)

Colline

Louisa Harding's 

Colline

The 2013 spring/summer Louisa Harding books and yarns are now making their debut.  Louisa says:  "This season I am embracing the idea of recapturing 'Zest' and 'Joie de vivre'."

As a designer, Louisa found inspiration for her latest collection from her travels last summer to Barcelona, Spain.  In describing Barcelona, Louisa says:  "Look up and you stumble upon some of the 20th century's most exciting architecture and decorative arts.  Buildings created with zest, passion, enthusiasm and craftsmanship."  

Colline

 Filled with inspiration from her Barcelona travels, Louisa created her 2013 spring/summer collection of yarns and designs using bright "zesty" colors. Her vision is clearly visible in her Colline pattern book which features 14 fashionable designs.  I particularly like her color-blocking styles where you pair high-contrast shades of color together...perfectly achieved with her new Colline yarn color palette.  

Colline is a soft blend of 80% cotton and 20% alpaca and comes in 12 vibrant colors.  According to Louisa:  "Colline is beautifully soft to the touch and produces great stitch definition when knitted".  

Well now that you know a bit about the Colline collection,

let's have a peak inside the book...

Bertie

 Here's Bertie.

Va, va, va voom...

Bertie just might be my favorite design in the book!  I think it's perfect for a night out "on the town" enjoying tapas or making an entrance at a special summer event.  Bertie is also available in a two-color version.  

Jamie

Here's Jamie. 

Louisa is famous for her cardigans and Jamie is a perfect short sleeve cardigan for summer.  For those who like color-blocking, Louisa also designed Jamie as a contrast edge cardigan.  I love how Louisa designed this cardi with a lace-up ribbon closure in lieu of buttons!

Marni

Meet Marni.

I love the retro look of the Marni top.

Marni can be knit as a solid color top (as shown above) or in a two-colored, striped version. 

Pete

Here's Pete.

I love Louisa's capelets.  Pete is a two-color (color blocked) capelet and can also be knit as a one-color caplet with sleeves.  

Stan

Meet Stan.

Stan is the perfect accessory to brighten up your summer wardrobe!  Louisa designed Stan so you can knit a scarf version in two hanks of Colline or a shawl version in 3 hanks.  

All these gorgeous photographs from the book are by Louisa's husband, photographer Stephen Jessup.  You can view the entire Colline collection at Knitting Fever.com.  

Colline Book Giveaway!

Now for the fun part!  After you view Louisa's new Colline collection, leave a comment here on my post and tell me your favorite design from the book and you'll be entered into the Colline book giveaway.  Three of my "lucky" blog readers can win Louisa's new Colline book thanks to Knitting Fever.

So leave a comment on this post before Saturday, April 27, 2013.  Three randomly selected people will each receive a copy of the Colline book.  Book prizes will be mailed out by Knitting Fever.  US residents only.  Void where prohibited. 

Good luck!

(A special "thank you" to Vincent at ImagiKnit in San Francisco, CA for assisting me in taking my Colline photographs at ImagiKnit.  All Colline book images are by Stephen Jessup and used with permission.)

Store Spotlight: ImagiKnit

 ImagiKnit

One of my favorite streets in San Francisco is 18th Street in the Mission District.  The stretch of 18th Street between Guerrero and Sanchez is home to San Francisco's famed Tartine Bakery and Cafe, Bi-Rite Market and the most wonderful yarn store in the city,

ImagiKnit.

This past weekend my husband, nephew and I enjoyed a San Francisco getaway.  The guys went to the Giants games and I went yarn shopping!

 Great Walls of Yarn

ImagiKnit is located on the ground floor of an old San Francisco style Victorian building at the corner of 18th  St. and Sanchez St.  (I read somewhere that its location is in the former garage of the building.)  The roomy store has two large rooms which are filled to the ceiling with the tallest yarn shelves I have ever seen! 

 Great Customer Service!

 Keeping with it's Victorian architecture, owner Allison Issacs has decorated ImagiKnit with antique furnishings and flea market finds.  Her vintage styling and decor give the store a comfortable vibe and make you just want to sit down and knit.

Even though ImagiKnit is in a big city, it has a very welcoming and a real "neighborhood feel" to it.  The staff are always friendly and helpful every time I've ever shopped there.

 Allison Isaacs

On this visit, owner Allison Issacs was behind the counter so I had a chance to chat with her.  I found out that she recently celebrated the 10 Year Anniversary of ImagiKnit last September.  

 Allison loves that her store is a destination stop for many tourists visiting San Francisco.  While I was there, I recognized another customer's Scottish accent who happened to be visiting from Scotland.  I love to visit yarn stores when I travel, too, and ImagiKnit is certainly one of the best yarn stores I've ever visited.  Luckily for me...it's only a 2 hour drive from where I live!

My So Called Scarf

Before Allison officially opened ImagiKnit she was "knitting up a storm" making samples for the shop.  Alison told me:  "After I opened ImagiKnit, one scarf and pattern really put me on the map!"  That scarf is her

 "My So Called Scarf".  

According to Ravelry, nearly 6,000 "My So Called Scarves" have been knit to date.  Thanks to Allison, it's now a free pattern.  And, you can see in the photo above that the original scarf is still hanging around the shop...just like an old friend should!

 Got Yarn?

 ImagiKnit's yarn stock is impressive!  I can always find my favorite brands there like:

Louisa Harding, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Habu, Malabrigo, Be Sweet, Koigu, just to name a few.

So if you find yourself in the city by the Bay,

be sure to get over to 18th Street and ImagiKnit.  Make sure to allow enough time for a coffee break or lunch just down the street at Tartine Bakery and Cafe!

ImagiKnit

3897 18th Street 

(corner at Sanchez St.)

San Francisco, CA  94114

(415) 621-6642

Idiazabal & Membrillo Pressed Sandwich

(Lightly smoked sheep cheese with quince jam.)

Tartine Bakery & Cafe

600 Guerrero Street

(corner at 18th St)

San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 487-2600

Hot Off the Press!

Louisa Harding's New Books

Look what I have my "hot little hands" on...

the new Louisa Harding Spring and Summer pattern books!

Every season, I eagerly await the arrival of the new Louisa Harding books at my local yarn store.  This week I am so excited to be one of the very first knitters to get my hands on the new books which are "hot off the press"! 

Louisa's new pattern book are:  Jesse, Colline, Mila and Etcetera.  Last night I flipped through their pages and the books are gorgeous!  Louisa's husband and photographer Stephen Jessup certainly knows how to capture the beauty and essence of his wife's designs.  For these books, Stephen photographed the collection against a white background which not only showcases Louisa's "fashion-forward" style but also her new "colorful" Spring/Summer yarn line.  

Perhaps you are just a bit curious on how I got my hands on these new books so fast?  Well here is the exciting news:  The wonderful people at Knitting Fever, Louisa's American yarn distributor, have graciously sent me the books for me to review on my blog.  I couldn't be more excited!  

And, there's exciting news for you, too!  When I do a book review on my blog, there will be a prize drawing for the book I review that my blog readers can win.  The book prizes will be selected by a random number generator and the prizes will be mailed out by Knitting Fever.  

So stay tuned... 

you could be a winner of one of these new Louisa Harding pattern books.  

To "keep in the loop" with my upcoming book reviews and other news, you can follow my blog with updates via email now.  The email sign-up box is towards the top right hand side of my blog.  

I'll be back soon with a book review and prize drawing!  

Be Collarful

 The Spring/Summer Issue

Spring has sprung and color is "popping up" everywhere. 

Also "popping up" this spring is my favorite knit wear designer, 

Louisa Harding

 in the new Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Vogue Knitting.

 Collarful Additions

Vogue Knitting says it best...

"A designer known for alluring adornments believes that flirty collars are just the thing for a spring transformation."

Since I love knitting Louisa's accessories,

I just had to buy this issue strictly for Louisa's collars!

 Be Collarful

On pages 46 and 47, 

you'll find Louisa's six beautiful collar patterns in the magazine.  With names like, Ruby, Tango, Victoria, Bubblegum, Ginger and Candy I couldn't help but think of other fabulous fashion eras when collars were all the rage.

The collars are detachable and perfect to add a "pop" of color to transform a cardigan or top into an instant fashion statement.  Louisa has designed them to use just one hank of her luxurious yarns.  

I'm a bit partial to the Ruby and Ginger collars since I love knitting with Louisa's Grace Hand Beaded and Mulberry Hand Beaded yarns.  

A Vintage Collar

Louisa's background was fashion and dressmaking before she became a knitwear designer.  I think her fashion background is always evident in her designs.  As for myself and fashion,  I love how fashion repeats itself.  

Fashionable collars were all the rage in the 1950's.   Recently my mom gave me her vintage beaded collar from the City of Paris department store in San Francisco, Ca.  As a teenager, my mom wore detachable collars on her cardigans all the time.  

Well, now I can't wait to add some vintage "fashion flair" to my wardrobe with Louisa's pretty collars.  I'll be knitting them for Christmas gifts as well...

how about you?

Great Scot!

My Scottish Souvenir 

A souvenir from Scotland...

I've just finished knitting my Rose Red beret by 

Scottish designer, Ysolda Teague. 

 K1 Yarns Knitting Boutique

On holiday in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2011,

I brought along a shopping list to buy Scottish Orkney Angora yarn so I could knit Ysolda’s Rose Red beret.  After a morning tour of Edinburgh Castle, I couldn't wait to find K1 Yarns Knitting Boutique and shop for yarn!  It was an easy find for a tourist..just off the Royal Mile in Old Town.

 Orkney Angora St Magnus DK

Oh, which color to choose for my Rose Red?  Ysolda's version in scarlet red is divine but since I don’t wear red, I naturally chose my favorite color turquoise instead.

Getting Started

The Rose Red pattern is knit from the top down beginning with an i-cord. It’s a bit fiddly at first on the double point needles but it gets easier every round. Since this is a lace and cable pattern, I used stitch markers for each lace repeat to help keep me on track.

My Rose Red

I loved knitting with this yarn, love Ysolda's pattern and love my Scottish souvenir!