Summer Blues eBook Preview

The Summer Blues eBook will be out shortly, featuring some amazing pieces for your summer wardrobe. Each piece was created using Knitpicks Shine Worsted (http://www.knitpicks.com/).  Shine is a Cotton/Beechwood blend with a lovely sheen, and it knits up like a dream.

The collection features 5 designs, Bustier, Skirt, Jacket, V-Neck Sweater and Lacy Cropped Cardigan.

Easy, wearable knits with a twist of Sexy.

Where in the World are My Knits

So just for the fun of it, I have gone in a tracked where people are knitting my patterns, I have done up two maps, one of the world and one for the USYou may be wondering what brought this on; other than my quest for World Dominatin One Stitch at a Time; but really it was the knitter on Ravelry who posted the photo's of her completed Naida Beret. Which she knit for her Grandmother, both of whom live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

How amazing to know that something that started here in my studio is now being seen on the street of Kuala Lumpur. It is such an exciting and humbling experience.

Now someone has already pointed out the lack of southern knitters, but hopefully that will change with the release of the Summer Blues eBook which will be out early June. Featuring 5 great projects to keep you feeling cool in the summer, but still looking hot!

Check back for updates on that project and many more!

Spectra Scarf and other projects. . .

Stopped by in Niagara-on-the-Lake yesterday and visited my favourite little store, (okay, my second favourite, the fudge shop is #1)

Bee - Modern Fabrics & Yarns

188 Victoria Street

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

(905) 468 8190

info@beefabrics.ca

http://www.beefabrics.ca/

Amazing quilting and yarn store, featuring many of Kaffe Fassett's outstanding fabrics. If you are in the area, I would strongly suggest you stop by or even make it your destination, you won't be disappointed. The colours in the fabric section will take your breath away. And there is an equisite selection of yarns to please every knitter. The Rozetti Yarn line is there in strength, including Polaris, which is an acrylic/wool blend with sequins threaded throughout, adding extra sparkle to everything you create.

Finally decided on a skein of Spectra by Rozetti Yarns, and wore my new scarf today!! (photo is from http://www.universalyarn.com/ but mine is in the same colourway). Was a little difficult to get the hand of working with, but after the first few rows went along just fine. What an amazing way to quickly spruce up your wardrobe for spring. Pattern was emailed to me while I was checking out so I could cast on as soon as I walked through the door. That is what good customer service is all about!

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IN OTHER NEWS. . . And at the many requests of my students, I have started launching my video's on YouTube as a refresher of what is learned in class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trWgPaa9si0

Hope you will stop by and take a look.

Available for download is the new Naida Beret and Fingerless Glove set - FREE DOWNLOAD on Ravelry.

Also, won't have many new releases over the next few months - working on a big project for summer which I can hardly wait to complete (I will send out teaser photo's closer to the date) current designs are located at http://www.knitpicks.com/ or Ravelry: kdmcreative .

Diamonds Are Faux-Ever . . . and other stuff

Well, the dreaded holiday season is over, we are all running back to the gym and living on lettuce. What a perfect time of the year to start a new adventure - say perhaps knitting.

That said, I did slow down over the break, but am back at full speed.

The Sock Monkey's were a great hit

My Mom LOVED her Valour vest, and my Mother-In-Law loved her Saturday Morning Hoodie, and I finally wore my Birthday Sweater.

And now I have two new designs (one already live with KnitPicks), the Brava Colourwork Pillow and Diamonds Are Faux-Ever (which is the Pattern of the Month at Spun Fibre Arts.

I have a few other items coming up, but I will save them for another post.

Shhhh. . . . It's a Surprise

Getting ready for Christmas is always so much fun. And this year I am having huge amounts of fun.


I have finally moved into the realm of toy maker, and my two little, adorable nephews are my test market for the 2011 season.


I have decided to begin my journey with the tried and true sock monkey pattern from Paton's Classic yarn. I have make some adjustments to their pattern as follows:


Casting on both feet using the Magic Loop Figure 8 cast on, so both legs can be worked at once (will also use this technique to knit the 2 arms and 1 tail simultaneously).


Also, I have substituted Cascade 220 Superwash for the yarn (as I want to make sure these little friends can enjoy bathtime as needed).


I have both legs completed and about 1 inch up the body. So far everything is coming along very smoothly, and I can hardly wait to start stuffing them.


I will continue to post photo's of my progress and here is to making my deadline!

The Simplicity of a Sock

So as of this morning, everything I am working on became too big to walk around with.

The Tranquility Afghan is thankfully way to big to fit in my purse
The Helmsley Men's Vest #1 - has only the neck band to do, so a little awkward to work on while travelling
The Helmsley Men's Vest #2 - front done, back in progress, still no way it is purse worthy

And so I find myself looking for a simple project that will fit in my purse, and after many months of complex, large, time consuming projects I find my self enthralled at the thought of mindlessly knitting around in a circle, over and over and over again.

The Simplicity of a Sock - my new meditation for today.

Paton Kroy Sock in Mulberry - just cast on, loving the colours.

Tranquility

Well, after 6 weeks the first part of the Tranquility Home Spa collection has been released.
http://youtu.be/fbMPjFeuj98

It is made with Knitpicks Comfy Worsted, which is an amazing yarn. It is a Cotton Blend, and has an absolutely luxurious feel to it. I am currently working on the co-ordinating afghan which should be completed by Mid September.

I am also working on the Helmsley Men's vest which will also be released by the end of September (just in time for vest season). The Helmsley is an updated slim fitting vest, perfect for todays urban fella.