Companies that Care!

 Himalayan Hiking Hats

My Louisa Harding Charity Event
all started with an idea I had and a big box of yarn.

I'm still pinching myself that my little idea has now raised over $1,600.00
for Macmillan Cancer Support.
 I have to say, this was all made possible thanks to
some very generous companies and people
that really, truly care.

I would like to take this time to thank the companies
that embraced my fund raising ideas to help raise money for
Louisa Harding's effort for Macmillan Cancer Support.

 Louisa Harding Yarn

First off, 

I owe a huge thank you to Louisa's American yarn distributor,

  Knitting Fever.  

I took a chance and wrote them a letter about my fund raising idea.  To my surprise and delight, a week later, a huge box of Louisa Harding Thistle yarn arrived
and my idea of a fund raiser became a reality.  

"Thank you" Knitting Fever for your Thistle yarn donation 

which I turned into Himalayan Hiking Hat kits featuring

Louisa's Karuwa and Sardi hat patterns.

Thank you so much for being a company that cares! 

 Soak Sample

Once I was making up my Himalayan Hiking Hat Kits,
I wrote to Soak Wash to see if they could kindly donate a
  Soak Sample for each kit.

Soak is my personal favorite wool wash of choice and my
knitting teacher Danielle Bowen of Knitique, A Yarn Boutique
taught me to always soak my knits because the stitches will settle down and look so much nicer.  Years ago I was so afraid to soak my knits...now I can't wait to soak my projects and watch them come to life!

"Thank you" Soak Wash for generously donating a
Soak Sample for each of my Himalayan Hiking Hat kits!

 Interweave Books

I have just about every Louisa Harding book ever published
in my personal knitting library.

When I decided to have a fun Raffle Drawing at my event, I contacted Interweave Books to see if they would donate a book or two.  They did not hesitate and sent three
 Louisa Harding books that they have published:
Natural Knits for Babies and Moms,
Knitting Little Luxuries and Knitting in the Details.

The books were a big hit and the Raffle Prize Drawing alone
raised $168.00 at the event!

Danielle Bowen

Owner of Knitique, A Yarn Boutique

It was one thing to have an idea but another to find the right venue for my event to be a success.
I turned to my knitting teacher and friend Danielle Bowen, the owner of Knitique, A Yarn Boutique.  It seemed quite fitting to have the event at Knitique because the first Louisa Harding books I ever saw, led me to Knitique and Danielle for knitting lessons.  An added bonus is that Knitique is the cutest and "hippest" yarn boutique around.

Danielle also donated some fabulous prizes for the Raffle Drawing.  She is also graciously hosting my upcoming Silent Auction at Knitique while Louisa is on her
Nepal Hike from November 1-11, 2012
 to raise even more funds for Macmillan.

My "heart felt" thanks to all these wonderful companies that truly care.  Together with their help and donations,
we have all made a difference.

Please patronize these wonderful companies
and support them whenever you can!

We did it!

Louisa Harding Fund Raiser Event

My Louisa Harding Fund Raiser 

at Knitique, A Yarn Boutique on October 5, 2012 

was a smashing success!  

Drum roll please...

I am thrilled to report that the event raised just over 

1,000 Great British Pounds 

which is just over $1,600.00 US Dollars

for Macmillan Cancer Support!  

It was a party!

Thanks to Danielle Bowen and her Knitique customers,

the hat kits sold-out and I exceeded my personal fund raising goal for Macmillan!  The Knitique ladies embraced the Himalayan Hiking Hat kits and Louisa's story. 

The evening was filled with fun, prizes, cupcakes and my heart-felt talk about Louisa Harding and her Himalayan Hiking Hat story.  Louisa wrote a personal letter for me to read that evening and I would like to share this excerpt:

"And to those of you attending this evening...

I would like to thank all you amazing knitters for supporting this event and helping me toward my fundraising goal with your very generous donations.

As most of you will know by now about my fundraising trip to Nepal and the reason behind it, but I just wanted to add that until cancer touches your family in a very immediate way you have no idea of the support network you need to help you.  When my husband Stephen was diagnosed with Lymphoma, Macmillan Cancer Support played a very important and vital educational role for me alongside the comfort that came from family and friends. 

A few months ago I was talking with my really lovely friend Debbie (Bliss), asking her if she would write a little piece in her magazine about my fundraising.  "Of course", she replied and added, "I think it is so important that knitters realize that we are real women with real life situations, juggling our family and working lives just as they do."  

And we are real women juggling just as you do, that is why I appreciate your support tonight."
Louisa Harding

I also shared my personal story, connecting my favorite designer Louisa Harding to Danielle (and Knitique) and how cancer has touched my immediate family as well.  The evening was so much more than just raising an incredible amount of money for Macmillan Cancer Support.  It was also about supporting and honoring the women in our lives who inspire us and make a difference in our lives. 

Raffle Prize Winners!

And, of course, there were prizes!

Thanks to the generous donations from Interweave Books and Knitique, A Yarn Boutique

we had a fun raffle prize drawing with fabulous prizes which alone raised $168.00!

Danielle & Lisette 

Louisa wrote a thank you to Danielle and I on Ravelry:

An amazing total Lisette and Danielle and the 

fantastique "Knitique Boutiquer's",

thank you all for being so supportive and generous.  

With love and thanks,

Louisa

Dear Louisa,

It was our pleasure!

All the way from England....

Louisa Harding Book Plates

Look what came in the post yesterday all the way from Yorkshire, England....

hand-signed book plates from Louisa Harding herself 

for my Louisa Harding Event tomorrow night

 at Knitique, A Yarn Boutique. 

This is so like Louisa to do something this lovely 

adding an extra special touch to the event!

The book plates are wonderful for Louisa's American fans 

because Louisa doesn't make many public appearances 
or book signings here in the USA 

due to her busy design schedule and being a young "mum". 

Thanks to Interweave Books generous donation,

 I'll have three Louisa Harding books 

(Knitting in the Details, Natural Knits for Babies and Moms, and 
Knitting Little Luxuries)

 for my Raffle Drawing which will now come with a Louisa Harding signed book plate, thanks to Louisa!

All proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support 

on Louisa's Just Giving site. 

There are a limited number of Louisa's autographed book plates for her books at the event.  Knitique will offer mail order for Louisa's books they carry and include a signed book plate by Louisa until they run out. If you'd like to purchase one of Louisa's books with a pretty
 Louisa Harding signed book plate 

Please contact:  Knitique, A Yarn Boutique for mail order 
(916) 714-7719

 Knitique even has some of Louisa's early Miss Bea Collection books 

with her adorable childrens patterns!

Okay, that's some of the latest news...

more exciting things are happening but I have to run 

now and put some more hat kits together for tomorrow night!

With a little help from my friends...

 Louisa Harding Charity Event

I believe one person can make a difference...

and a group of knitters can make a huge difference!

My plans are in full swing now for my Louisa Harding Charity Event.  I could not be doing this event without a little help from my friends and the kindness of strangers whom I have never met.  

I have received fabulous support from the knitting industry, local knitters and even a few famous British ladies.  Mum's the word for now...but I will be revealing some exciting details for the fabulous prizes and silent auction very soon!

I have shared the event details with Louisa and she told me, 

 "When I decided in January to take on this trek, I had the idea that I could raise funds by asking my knitting friends to help.  I really had no idea that they would be sooooo supportive. 

 It really has been over whelming."  

Sardi Hat

So like Louisa, I am enlisting a little help from my friends
and fellow knitters to embrace
Louisa's Himalayan Hiking Hats 

and help raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

I will be offering Louisa's Sardi and Karuwa
Himalayan Hiking Hat kits 

 for a *donation at my Louisa Harding Charity Event. 

And as mentioned above, there will also be a fun prize raffle and silent auction. 

Karuwa Hat

And the fun will not end that night... 

With a hat kit donation, you qualify for my "FREE" 

Louisa Harding Charity Knit-Along Class 

at Knitique on Saturdays, 

October 13th and 27th from 4:00PM  to 6:00PM

for support and help knitting your hats. 

You're Invited!

Louisa Harding Charity Event

Friday, October 5, 2012

6:00PM to 9:00PM

Knitique, A Yarn Boutique

8741 Elk Grove Blvd

Elk Grove, CA 95624

RSVP (916) 714-7719

For more information and to donate for Louisa's Himalayan Hiking Hats,

please visit:  http://www.louisaharding.co.uk/macmillan/

*minimum hat kit donation is $25.00

Louisa Harding Himalayan Hiking Hats photo credit:
Stephen Jessup

Climbing Mountains

Designer Louisa Harding & husband, Stephen Jessup

I still remember the first time I looked through 

a Louisa Harding book.  It was actually two books, Louisa's 2007 Venezia Felice Mai Dopo and Venezia Una Volta pattern books.  Page after page, Louisa's gorgeous designs and her husband Stephen's beautiful photographs (he's the photographer for her books) transported me to a magical place.  I never knew hand-knitting could be so beautiful!

After discovering Louisa's books and yarns, I signed up for knitting lessons. The first Louisa Harding pattern I ever knit was Louisa's Scala Wrap from that Venezia, Felice Mai Dopo book.  I even wore my Scala Wrap when I met Louisa in person back in 2009 when she visited Northern California from the UK. 

 Louisa's designs, yarns and books have given me such knitting pleasure and I have made treasured friendships all around the world with fellow Louisa Harding admirers.  So when I found out that Louisa was climbing mountains...I just had to help.

In January, 2011, Louisa's husband was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  She and her family received exceptional care from Macmillan Cancer Support.  As you can imagine, Macmillan Cancer Support can not give their vital services to families facing cancer without people supporting them.  So Louisa is now supporting them by joining Team Macmillan on their fund raising Nepal Hiking Challenge in November and by raising donations with her Himalayan Hiking Hat patterns she designed for her incredible endeavor. 

Last May, I organized a Himalayan Hiking Hat knit-a-long in the Louisa Harding group on Ravelry to help create support and awareness for Louisa's Himalayan Hiking Hats and fund raising effort.  In my heart, I have yearned to do so much more.  So a week ago I wrote to Louisa's American yarn distributor, Knitting Fever, and they are now generously helping me so I can raise more funds for Louisa. 

Thanks to Knitting Fever, I am organizing a local Louisa Harding Charity Night where I will be offering Louisa Harding hat kits for donations to raise funds for Louisa's charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.  All proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, Charity Registration No. 261017 and will be donated on Louisa's Just Giving page.  To date, Louisa is at 60% of her personal fund raising goal of raising 5,000 GBP's for Macmillan Cancer Support.  My personal goal is to raise $1,000 US Dollars for Louisa and Macmillan Cancer Support. 

So, if you're a knitter who has been touched by Louisa Harding as I have or if you or a loved one have been dealt the C-word cancer (as my family has, as well), I hope you will help me support Louisa to reach her fund raising goal.  

It's easy to help.  If you're a knitter, simply go to Louisa's Himalayan Hiking Hats page and download her hat patterns and then make a donation for them on her Just Giving page.  I've knit the Annapurna and Karuwa hats so far and they are a delight to knit.  There are hat designs for every skill level and naturally, they all have Louisa's signature look.

Perhaps the simplest and single greatest thing you can do is to help me spread the word to fellow knitters of Louisa's Hiking Hats and their story.  There will be seven total Himalayan Hiking hat patterns in all.  Currently there are three patterns to download and according to Louisa, three more patterns will be released next week.  The seventh hat pattern, Louisa, will actually be knitting on the Nepal hike.  Louisa's aim is to have her photograph taken wearing a different Himalayan Hiking Hat on each day of her seven day hike.  I can't wait to see the photos of Louisa wearing each of her hats!

As for my Louisa Harding Charity Night,

I will be releasing more details over the next week.

Since I don't own a yarn store, 

my friend and knitting teacher, Danielle Bowen, 

owner of Knitique, A Yarn Boutique,

is graciously hosting my event for me.

Louisa Harding Charity Night

Friday, October 5, 2012

6:00PM to 9:00PM

Knitique, A Yarn Boutique

8741 Elk Grove Blvd

Elk Grove, CA 95624

(916) 714-7719

Stay tuned for more details!

Details will also be posted on 

Knitique's Facebook page. 

Catching up!

Jubilee Tea Party

 I'm back to knitting 

and 

back to blogging!

I never intended to take such a long break from my blog.  

Frankly, the Jubilee Celebrations wore me out a bit 

and I've had a busy summer.

I also haven't knit much this year 

due to recovering from hand surgery in March.

I'm back now 

so stay tuned!

PS:  The photo above is from my local knit shop, Knitique's 

Jubilee Tea Party where we wore our Vivian hats that we knit 

and felted in a class to celebrate
Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

Tea Party Treats

 I also helped decorate and cater the tea party
which was so much fun!

I'm Knitting a Mini Jubilee Bunting!

Tea & Jubilee 

The May issues of the British knitting magazines

 have finally landed in the States.

I've been watching for them since I knew they would be filled with Jubilee goodies

and sure enough they are!

Mini Jubilee Bunting

I was so inspired by the magazines 

that I'm now (last minute) knitting a mini-bunting 

to adorn my Diamond Jubilee tea party table. 

I hated to miss out on all the Jubilee knitting 

so this little project is one I can tackle 

as my hand and fingers continue to heal.

I'm knitting my bunting with a Jubilee Celebration Yarn kit

that came as a "free gift" with the  Let's Knit magazine, issue 54.

There are patriotic projects for the yarn in the magazine but after seeing the adorable 

 mini-buntings by Nicole at Nicole and the bee, 

I opted to use my yarn kit for a mini-bunting like hers. 

You can find the pattern on Ravelry called Knitted Bunting

and modify it to a mini size, like Nicole did.

I also love Jane Brocket's knit Bunting 

and borrowed her style idea

 by putting my knit bunts on red rick-rack 

for a vintage1950's look.  

Quite fitting I think, since after all, 

Queen Elizabeth was crowned Queen in 1952 

and had her Coronation in 1953. 

 Jubilee Knits

All three British magazines are filled with brilliant

Jubilee projects including:

 Union Jack flag and cushion, several crown hats, corgi hat, a crochet picnic throw, several buntings, pom pom tea cosy, Jubilee coin purse, egg cosy and a placemat just to name a few.

 And all the magazines came with free gifts.

I love that about British magazines! 

Cool Knitannia

The Simply Knitting magazine came with a free pattern book called

"Cool Knitannia".

I can't wait to knit that adorable tea cosy on its cover 

with crowns and hearts 

to use with my Emma Bridgewater pottery.

Gotta run for now though...

I'm off to knit more bunts. 

(In the photos:  Emma Bridgewater Pottery and Betty and Barclay Union Jack Bunting.)