getting naked with knitspot

I first met Anne Hanson at TNNA in Long Beach. It was my first TNNA, and I had not yet made the switch from graphic artist to full time fiberista. I didn't really know what to expect, and I was fairly overwhelmed. Anne and I had only corresponded before, but she came into the lobby, recognized me, and greeted me as a long lost friend. I will never forget that moment; I relaxed and felt at home immediately, even in the face of all that yarn and fiber, and all those people. Anne is like that. She's warm and intelligent and welcoming and gracious. She kept telling me to chuck it all and pursue my fibery dreams full time. (I'm thinking she was right.) And today when faced with a situation where I'm trying to decide what to do, I often think WWAHD (What Would Anne Hanson Do)? She inspires me: to be a kinder person, to be a better designer, to be more open. I hope you all get a chance to meet her one of these days, perhaps to take a class or chat.

But I'm sure you're wondering about the naked part, right? I feel lucky to have spoken with Anne about her BareNaked Knitspot Club before it even began. We were at another TNNA, and we were fondling naked (undyed) yarns. Anne has a background in textiles, and it's very cool to watch her feel the fibers and judge the "hand" of different yarns. She said she was thinking of doing a club that was exclusively undyed yarns and wondered if people would be as amazed by the different fibers, natural colors and options as she was. Yes yes yes, I said! We fondled some more. TNNA ended. We went home. Months passed. And all of a sudden I saw that she and Mr. Knitspot had come up with this fantastically cool club. You can read about it here and here. 2012 was the first year, and since it was so successful last year, Anne has decided to do it again in 2013!


So. What can you do? Go. Check it out. Lovely yarns, a range of Anne's great patterns.

Mr. and Mrs. Knitspot do it right.

adorn it

I met Laura Nelkin at my very first TNNA. She was working for Schaefer Yarn, and we shared a room, sight unseen. I thought she was fabulous then, and I still do. So much positive energy in one small person! Since then, she's left Schaefer and has been on her own for some time now. And she's doing some very cool stuff! Her second serialized knitted bling eBook, Adorn Anew, updated today with the latest pattern, so I took some time going through the whole book again.

Super cool. I love how she has links to video tutorials.

She also mentioned a photo teaser of November's design in her Ravelry group, so you all need to see that one too, of course!

I also happen to have a couple of her kits: for the Mudra cuff

and necklace. They go hand in hand with the eBook.

And I have to tell you how very very cool they are. I know more and more shops are carrying them, so I'm betting that one near you will be soon if they aren't already. And as much as I want to hoard these (because they are so freakin' awesome!) I am going to give them away to two lucky commenters. This is probably more what Laura had in mind when she sent them, don't you think? ;) So, I will pick two lucky people who comment on this post (on my blog - please don't email me a comment as they get kind of lost). You all have until Friday, midnight PDT, October 5. So comment! :)

And the winner is...

Teabird!!! Congratulations! You were chosen at random to receive a copy of the lovely Coastal Knits book! :D Many thanks to everyone who left a comment. I know Hannah and Alana read the nice things you all said and enjoyed every moment. :)

More later. There's a little something I just unpinned from blocking!

Blog Tour & Give-Away: Coastal Knits

I admit it. I am a western girl through and through, and I have never been to Maine. For some reason, though, it has always fascinated me. The east coast feels older; more steeped in tradition, and there is a decidedly different quality to the air. I have been to the Atlantic in other states, but I have always wanted to see Maine, where Hannah Fettig lives. Is it because I love lobster? I can't say why that state pulls me. But I can say that I loved every moment of going through Coastal Knits.

Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig wrote this lovely little book of patterns based on their bi-coastal friendship. Alana in Southern California and Hannah in Maine have put together a collection that perfectly evokes their respective corners of the world.

By now, many of you have seen and queued projects from the book, especially the popular Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah. But being the contrarian that I am, I'm not going to talk about that one, or any of the specific projects. Honestly? It was too difficult to choose amongst them!

I want you to see some of the book: a truly beautiful little work that makes you want to jump into the pages and take a walk along the shore, through the trees, and then back across the meadow, before you settle down with a cup of cocoa around a bonfire on the beach. I think there are clams involved too. If there aren't there should be!

The book begins with a description of the the two designers' friendship and a little background on what led them to put this collection together. They talk about their homes and inspirations, and the local yarns used in the book. Being a west coast gal myself, it was fun to see the California yarn page, and recognize Tactile Fiber Arts.

And then on the Maine page? There's String Theory! One of my very favorites.

The projects, photography and design all came together for me, to make me feel as though I were there. I love the fact that, in addition to the great projects, the whole book is so well done, so evocative, and such a great realization of the underlying idea.

I can't write this without showing you the Maine page.

See what I mean? So, now. Leave me a comment by Sunday October 23, 12 midnight PST, and I will enter you to win a copy of the book! You know you want one. :)

Blog Tour & Give-Away: Bambeanies

News Flash: Woolly Wormhead isn't woolly any longer. Or wormy of head. This threw me momentarily when I met her at TNNA this past summer. I wasn't actually sure it was really her. But, she assured me, it was. She has a non woolly and wormy name too, which seemed a better bet under the circumstances. Whatever one calls her, however, she and her hats are always fabulous. I had a terrific time talking with her after finally meeting her!

I am feeling really rather fortunate to be participating in the blog tour for her latest book, the charmingly named Bambeanies. (I love puns!) It's a book of wee hat patterns with adorable wee models to show them off to perfection. And it couldn't have come at a better time for me. I owe several babies some knitted love, and these are absolutely perfect. My very favorite of all is Nupkin.

Really. How cute is that?! Though I have to say the adorable model may have a little to do with my falling utterly head over heels. Then there is Moochie. (Same adorable model; did you notice?)

And Aurora. Look at that great hat! (And those beautiful deep brown eyes; I am a sucker for cute kids.)

Though, I have to admit that the babies for whom I am knitting are all boys. Every one of them. So Bimple is likely to be the pattern most used in this house. Isn't it cute?!

I do think that, after the boys, I will need to knit Connie's little cutie-pie a Bambeanie. I am, after all, her honorary auntie. :)

So this brings us to the give-away part! Her Woolly-ness has been kind enough to offer me three copies of Bambeanies - two digital copies and a signed print copy - to give to you! Leave me a comment on this post by 11:59 pm PST, Thursday October 13, and I will select three recipients randomly! Good luck! :)

Blog Tour: Contemporary Irish Knits

Last year (was it really only last year? it seems so long ago!), two of my local knitting friends flew off to spend time at the ill-fated UK Knitting Camp. Being them, they had a great time. (Honestly, I think they could have a great time shoveling manure.) They came back with all sorts of tales of the people they met and the fun they had. One of them mentioned meeting a designer from the area, who had been teaching at the camp. She said this designer reminded her a lot of me and that we would really hit it off. But she couldn't remember her name because she had met so many people that weekend!

Fast forward to TNNA in Columbus this year. We were all sitting around and knitting in the lobby of the hotel, and I was introduced to Carol Feller. She immediately said, "I met some of your friends!" Mystery solved. And after another 40 minutes, I realized my knit-buddies were absolutely right. Carol and I had a ton in common, and, barring jet lag, could have talked all night.

So, of course I needed to be a stop on her blog tour. Right?! (Check Carol's site for the other stops!)

Contemporary Irish Knits is great little book with something in it for everyone in the family, even the men! And since my family, in fact, consists of men, those were the knits that first drew my attention. It is almost unheard of that Mr. Romi would wear a sweater with any type of patterning on it. But I knew immediately that he would actually wear the two men's sweaters. Yay for Carol and her similarly male family! Our very favorite one is the aran hoodie: Straboy.

It's rugged and textured, with just the right amount of patterning and a generous sized hood.

I love that there is no ribbing or drawstring, and the hood flows out of the center textured panel.

It looks like a sweater you could wear day after day after day.

A favorite sweater for mucking around and then relaxing in front of the fire. I've almost convinced myself to knit it. Almost. Did I ever mention Mr. Romi played football in college? Yes. He's big.

Then there's the more dressy Knockmore, with just enough detail and stitch pattern to make it interesting to me from a knitting perspective and acceptable - even very much likable! - to Mr. Romi. Another winner.

I love the detail along the sides, under the sleeves.

It is elegant, understated, and classic.

I now know who to blame if I am unable to meet my other deadlines. Mr. Romi wants a sweater!

Thanks a lot, Carol! ;)

Photographs: © Joseph Feller

Perfectly Plus Blog Tour

When I was asked to participate in this blog tour, I really wasn't sure at first. I hadn't seen the "Perfectly Plus" book before and couldn't find any pics of the contents! But then? I found the cover. I was completely sold. If it were just for this one design by Marlaina "Marly" Bird, I thought it was worthwhile read!

When I received the book, I was really very pleasantly surprised. I love simple lines, and this book is filled with wearable pieces that would look good on many different body types. My two favorites are Marly's cover sweater:

and Amy Polcyn's "Make Me Blush."

Both are simple and elegant, with clean lines. Definite wardrobe staples.

Moving on, there is a great section up front on sizing sweaters to fit, and whatever size you are, it's absolutely worth a read. This book is headed straight to my reference shelf. I know; I was going to give it away, but I find I can't part with it! How's that for an endorsement? ;)

My only complaint is that the smallest size is a 1x. I would have loved a greater size range, but that can be solved by using a different gauge. Because really? I must have these two sweaters. Must. Have. Them.

You can purchase the book at Annie's Attic.

Enchanting

Janel Laidman's new book, The Enchanted Sole, is here!

I just got my copy in the mail, and am one of several bloggers lucky to be participating in a virtual tour.

First of all, if you liked her first book, The Eclectic Sole, you will love this one even more. With 20 sock patterns based on legends, myths and fairy tales, this book has a pattern for everyone! I particularly loved the colorwork patterns - Janel is a master of painting with yarn - so I will concentrate on those.

My very favorite pattern? It's a toss up between Mirror Mirror and Firebird, although Tree of Life gives the other two a good run for their money! Both Mirror Mirror

and Firebird

are mismatched and I love that! Firebird has a particularly inventive chart. Look at the feathers! Fabulous.

Then there's the gorgeous Tree of Life

and the Labyrinth!

Even though it's not colorwork, Selkie also drew me in.

I'm just blown away by the beautiful job that Janel did on this book. I was lucky enough to hang out with her and Knitspot Anne at TNNA last January, and we talked into the wee hours about publishing and self-publishing in particular. It's so much work, and she did such an amazing job! Well done, Janel. You inspire me! :)