Noema Knit Along!

 Delilah Cowl

Have you heard,

there's a Noema Knit Along just starting in the  Louisa Harding Lovers Group in Ravelry?

I'm so excited about the Noema Knit Along!  Knit alongs are so much fun and are often just the nudge I need to get a project started and completed in a timely manner.  I also love the interaction with knitters from all around the world.  We draw inspiration from one another and share tips and ideas.  And, not to mention,  the lovely Louisa Harding herself frequently pops in the group offering with help and advice!

For my knit along project, I'm knitting Louisa's Delilah Small Cowl for a birthday gift.  I'm knitting it just as shown on the cover of the Noema pattern booklet in Noema color 5 Cocktail.  I couldn't resist this yarn or pattern for myself  so I also purchased Noema color 9 Jive for a bright blue summer cowl for me!

I had the pleasure of seeing a shop sample of the Delilah cowl in person and even got to try it on.  I can tell you that this is the perfect fashion accessory for any one and any age!  After I finish mine, I'm going to knit one for my mom, too.  If you're looking for boutique-style knit projects or even Christmas gifts, this is a perfect pattern and yarn to use!

Here are the Noema Knit Along details:  

The Dates

Noema Knit Along

April 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015.

The Details

You may knit any Louisa Harding Noema pattern from her Noema pattern booklet or new individual Noema leaflet patterns.  You must use Lousia's Noema yarn.  

The Prizes

Lousia's distributor Knitting Fever is generously providing prizes for the knit along.  Check out these fabulous prizes!!!

 First prize;  10 balls of Noema 

Second prize:  6 balls of Noema

Third prize:  4 balls of Noema

To be eligible for the prize drawing, you will need to post your finished Noema project in the Noema Knit Along thread with a photo of it in the Louisa Harding Lovers Ravelry Group.

For more details see the dedicated thread in the Louisa Harding Lovers Group on Ravelry.  Hope to see you there! 

Some Cloudy Day

The big reveal....

These leg warmers were my favorite knit project during the holiday season.  I knit them for a University of Nevada, Reno grad student.  She wanted Anthropologie legwarmers which were sold out.  How did I know that?  I saw that she pinned them on Pinterest!  So I whipped these out for her on Addi Turbo 12" circs as a last minute Christmas gift.

And, she loves them!

Legwarmers are back!

The pattern for the legwarmers is Some Cloudy Day 

by Tiny Owl Knits and it's a free pattern!

I knit mine in Rowan's Felted Tweed DK in color 165 Scree.  The color looks blue sometimes and in other light, appears more gray.  Hmm, kind of just like a cloudy day.  

Wee Folk Hats

 Sibling Hats

If you're 5 years old and have a new little baby brother...

I think you should have matching winter hats.  And Woolly Wormhead's Quynn hat is the perfect hat pattern for siblings and wee folk.  Quynn is by the talented hat designer who calls herself Woolly Wormhead.   Woolly is British, so I love that she says her baby and childrens hats are for wee folk.  

Lately I've been knitting a lot for wee folk.  I really should be knitting Christmas gifts but I just can't help myself and have been knitting hats for little ones instead.  I love knitting hats for babies and children.  Off the needles this week are these adorable pixie-style winter hats for one of my husband's employee's wee folk.     

Baby Quynn

Woolly Wormhead's adorable Quynn hat is designed in Noro's Kureyon yarn.  I agree, Kureyon's color palette and striping is a winner for this hat pattern.  I chose my Kureyon yarn in boyish colors of variegated browns and greys,  color #149.

For the new baby (born just a month ago) I knit the 16" newborn/3 month size.  I am a tight knitter so I cast on with size #9's and knit the hat in size #7's as the pattern recommends.  

Big Brother Quynn

For the big brother hat, I knit the child size 20" diameter hat.  To properly finish the hats,  I soaked them in Soak liquid wash to soften up their Kureyon wool.  It does the trick nicely.  Then I pinned and blocked the hats on my knitting blocks.  Lastly I fully air dried them on a sweater rack. 

This was my first Woolly Wormhead hat project and I loved knitting this pattern.  I not only love the design but love that you can knit this hat in so many different sizes for siblings.  I've always loved matching wee folk hats...

because growing up, my little sister and I always had them!  

Cakes & Purls

 Masse's Pastries

Cakes and Purls...what a cute name for a yarn store!

A few months back, I checked out a few newer yarn stores in Berkeley, California that I had never been to before.  And, yes, there is a yarn store in Berkeley called Cakes and Purls.  

 Claddagh Yarns

My first stop was  Claddagh Yarns.  This cute little shop is nestled in a North Berkeley neighborhood known as Gourmet Ghetto.  If you're curious about why this area is called Gourmet Ghetto...well, it's home to nearby Chez Panisse along with other fabulous food stores, the original Peets Coffee, bakeries and restaurants.  

Claddagh Yarns is owned by Amanda Fernandez and she opened the shop back in September 2013.  The shop is small  but carries great yarn stock from Debbie Bliss, Noro, Malabrigo and Imperial Yarn Ranch to name a few.   There were some lovely knitted samples on display that really caught my eye.  This little shop is worth seeking out.

Whenever I find myself in Gourmet Ghetto, a must stop is Masse's Pastries.  They have the most delicious pastries, cakes and French macarons!  The owner Marcia Masse is so personable.  We have chatted about Paris, Paris by Mouth and red currants on more than one occasion.

Cakes and Purls

 My last stop of the day was Cakes and Purls.  I love this concept of a yarn cafe where you can "sit and knit" and have your cake,too!

Cakes and Purls is owned by Maria Sitaro.  She holds a degree in Pastry Arts and combined her love of fiber by opening Cakes and Purls.  The shop is roomy and there are plenty of tables and chairs to meet your knitting friends here and enjoy a little cake and purls.  

Ashley Flower Headband

While visiting Cakes and Purls I was drawn to a yummy cashmere yarn and pattern by Pepperberry Knits. I purchased a yummy skein of their cashmere yarn in color Posies and knit Pepperberry's adorable Ashley Flower Headband for a gift.  It's always fun to discover new yarns and new yarn stores.  And yes, for the record, I left Cakes and Purls with a couple of cupcakes, too!

Baby, it's Cold Outside

Holiday Gift Set

I love knitting gifts.  I recently gave this holiday gift set to Kaitlin who is a grad student at the University of Nevada, Reno.  Thank goodness it is cold in Reno so she can wear it this winter.  Here in Northern California where I live, temps have been in the 60's and even 70's so my own hand-knits have not even seen the light of day.  

I loved putting this gift set together using Classic Elite's Fresco yarn in color Cinder.  This was my first time knitting with Fresco and I loved knitting with it.  Fresco is a lovely combo of wool, baby alpaca and a bit of angora.  It works up beautifully on the needles and creates such a soft and luxurious knit fabric.

 Climbing Cables Hat

As for the gift set details, I chose Hannah Fettig's Climbing Cables Hat for the hat.  I found and purchased Hannah's PDF pattern on Ravelry.  The pattern is in chart form and is an easy pattern to follow.  You can view my project on Ravelry with my personal notes and height alteration I made to it.

Fresco Lace Cowl

For the cowl, I chose Cecily Glowik's Fresco Lace Cowl .  Kaitlin is very fashionable and I love the style of this cowl which is like an infinity scarf then doubled up into a cowl size.  You can find my personal notes for it on Ravelry.  Kaitlin loved it and said "it's perfect to wear on cold mornings around campus". 

I highly recommend both patterns and thank both designers for their beautiful designs.  I look forward to knitting a set like this for me....

maybe to wear next winter!


(Baby, it's cold outside gift tag by Knitterella.)

'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!

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.) 

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.)

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!