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!

For your Wellies...

Back then

and Now 

One of my favorite 

"last minute Christmas gifts"

I knit this year were these 

 Hunter Boot toppers.  

The adorable "Cali girl" recipient loves them!

You can find the pattern here on Ravelry: 

 #21 Boot Toppers

What would Jane knit?

Jane Austen Knits

It's no secret that I adore Jane Austen.

Today is Jane's birthday.  

She was born on December 16th, 1775 in Hampshire, England. 

In honor of Jane's birthday today, 

I'm curling up with a good cup of English Afternoon Tea,
my knitting and 

 the movie Pride and Prejudice featuring Colin Firth, 

as my favorite Mr. Darcy!

I also love the magazine Jane Austen Knits that debuted last year.  

Since it's Jane's birthday today, 

I thought I would share with you where you can find a
Jane Austen treat for yourself.  

Just click here 

and you can get a free download of the scarf pattern 

from the cover of the premier issue of 

Jane Austen Knits Magazine from 2011.  

Stylish Storage

Ceramic Cables

Vases aren't just for flowers!

I'm storing my straight needles now in an adorable "wintery white" ceramic cabled vase.  

I found my cabled vase in the holiday section at Target.  As you can see, the 8" vase is perfect for holding straights.  They also have a larger 10" vase and photo frames in this "wintery white" cable design perfect for knitters who love cables!  They are selling out fast in stores but are still currently available at Target online.  

Happy Holidays! 

Hats Off!

Donation Drive Hats

Hats off to Knitting Fever for their donation drive collecting warm goods for Hurricane Sandy victims!

After Hurricane Sandy my husband and I gave a donation immediately to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief.  As a knitter though, one can't help but want to send warmth like a nice warm hat.  As I said before, I have to limit my knitting time due to hand surgery earlier this year but I can certainly shop for hats!

Yesterday I went shopping for mens hats to send back East for Knitting Fever's donation drive.  I found 13 cool beanies at Tuesday Morning.  They were $15.00 hats for only a $1.99 each!  They are easy-care acrylic which is best for this type of donation.  I am packing them up today and shipping them off to New York.  I hope they bring warmth to those in need.  

If you want to help, you can take donations to participating yarn stores for Knitting Fever's drive and Knitting Fever will pick up the shipping costs.  (Yay, to Knitting Fever!) Or you can ship them directly (like me) to:

Knitting Fever, Inc

Attn: KFI Sandy Relief

PO Box 336

315 Bayview Avenue

Amityville, NY 11701

The employees at Knitting Fever are busy sorting and then delivering the donations themselves around the Long Island region.  

Again...hats off to Knitting Fever for being such a wonderful company that truly cares!

Make it Better

 Craftalong Hats 

I love the power of crafters!

Crafty bloggers, Brett Bara from Manhattan Craft Room and Natalie Soud from A Dose of the Delightful have organized a way to get warmth to Hurricane Sandy victims in their region.  It's called Make it Better:  Craftalong for Sandy Relief. 

They gave a shout-out to fellow crafters to knit, crochet or sew warm hats, socks, blankets, scarves, sweaters and mittens and they will deliver them to those in need. 

I wanted to knit hats but due to having hand surgery earlier in the year, I have to limit my knitting.  I still wanted to help.  So the other day I went thrifting and found 13 gently used (even new) hats to send to the craftalong.  Of the 13 hats, four were actually hand-made by someone else's loving hands.  I have hand laundered them and they are now on their way to New York City.

My hope is that the hats bring warmth, comfort and a smile to some young girls and ladies who could use a warm winter hat as they recover from Hurricane Sandy.  

Brett and Natalie have received over 2,700 items (and still counting) from fellow crafters.  They are now busy delivering the warm goods to various shelters in the Rockaways area of New York.  The deadline for their drive has ended but there are still many other groups collecting goods to help those in need.  

One of my favorite companies Knitting Fever in Amityville, New York (home of my favorite designer's yarns) is accepting donations of warm clothes and goods and are delivering them around Long Island which was hard hit by Hurricane Sandy.  They hope to continue to accept donations and distribute them for as long as there is a need.  Please visit the Knitting Fever Facebook page or their blog for more information and ways that you can help.