Winners in the Winter

 Snowflake needlepoint in the snow

I've not even had my tea yet and I'm blogging.
Last night was the cut-off on the Knit Circus contest and so I had to get my winners notified!
Congrats to LoonyHiker, RetroBaby and Sheila!
Thanks to the rest of you for your comments. I hope that you learned more about Knit Circus and Krafti-Kit.

So, today is the last day for my designers to finish and get their Late Spring designs to me. I'm already in the middle of knitting one of them. It's not a sample but just test knit for myself. Of course, I selected a discontinued yarn (RYC Cashcotton DK) and realized I was going to run out. BUT the Yarn Goddess smiled upon me and I was able to find two more balls in the right DYELOT in California at Monarch Knitting and Quilts, thanks to the internets.

This week I am actually leaving the homestead and heading down to Sacramento. I hate leaving my cats because of their age but I'm feeding Brahms lots and lots of food before I go to get her weight up. She's enjoying the extra feeding and I'm simply glad food still excites her at her age. Of course I'll be bringing plenty of knitting with me for the trip.

That reminds me how much I love kits for travel. It's all just right there. In fact, I became a buyer of kits on holiday many years ago. That was before I knew how to plan these sorts of things, but buying kits on the road can be awfully fun. That was what got me into these little counted needlepoint pieces. Small, light and addictive! If you've never tried them, please give one of this "bargain in crafting" kits a try! You'll especially like them if you like knitted colorwork!

Before I go I've got to finish this re-organization of my office. Later!

Give AWAY!

 Photo by Mitch Da Re

On those days when I get to give stuff away, I'm a pretty happy camper. On days when I get to give really awesome stuff from other folks, I'm REALLY happy.

I finally got the In The Press page up today and one of our glowing reviews was from my favorite online knitting magazine, Knit Circus. Have you checked it out? The way it works is that you basically get to look at the magazine, read the articles, cop some free patterns and a recipe or two. Then, when you find something you've just gotta knit, you can buy the rest of the content? Seriously great concept. The quality is there and the patterns are pretty impressive.

So, I'm happy to say that between today, Weds., Feb 9th and 12 midnight on Sunday, Feb 13th, if you post a comment to this blog post, I'll put your name in a pot for a drawing. I have three prizes to give away:

• Two Spring Pattern Collections from Knit Circus (online now)
• One full year subscription to the Knit Circus Pattern collections.

So, two things:
Check out our new In The Press Page
Comment on this blog (and make sure I can contact you, if you win)

Sooner Than Later

 Winter Sun Mittens, worked up in Cascade 220 Heathers

It's that time of year, solidly in Winter, but planning for late Spring, that can twist one's brain up in a knot. I suppose for those who don't like the cold stuff, it can be an optimistic time. For me, it's generally a time to knit with as much wool as I can!

This year, my first in Washington state, it started out very cold and snowy and then turned to oddly mild. As someone who is VERY weather oriented, this can be a little disconcerting. Of course, because I don't drive, all I hear from others when I complain at the lack of snow is: But you don't have to drive!.
Whatever.
If I drove, snow would not deter me. Of course, that's a huge "if" ;-)

Here's the good news: New Spring designs in the works! I may have just slid in a mitten pattern last week, but I'm working on some samples for Early Spring that will WOW you. As just a tease, I'm posting a bit of some lavender "texture" from my sample pile.

I've found some really talented new designers this year to work with. Some patterns and kits are on the way that I know you'll love. Sometimes I wonder how close to my own personal aesthetic I should stay when it comes to Krafti-Kit. I've come to the conclusion that there's a market for every type of design, and if I'm not enthusiastic about it, how can you be? So, I'm continuing to publish designs that are something I want to make. It not only has to be great to wear, or look at, but the actual process of working up the kit or pattern has to be fun as well. That's my criteria.

As always, drop on by the store and see what's new!