Four Seasons

Now that the Mystery Knit-A-Long has drawn to a close, I am happy to announce that the shawl pattern, Four Seasons, is now available to purchase in it's entirety!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Knit-A-Long! It was so fun for me to follow everyone's progress and to see so many of you stretch outside of your comfort zone and learn new skills. This shawl could appear a daunting project in it's entirety, but taken one stitch, one row, and one section at a time... it is very doable!

This shawl incorporates the idea of each of the four seasons interpreted in cables and lace. The beginning begins with the bare branches of Winter, moves into the budding leaves of Spring and Summer, and lastly the falling leaves of Autumn. 

The sample pictured is knit from The Fibre Company Cumbria which is a wonderfully soft yarn with a slight halo which sets off the cables so nicely. Any worsted weight wool blend will do of course, but I especially love this yarn for this design.

Please click HERE for all the pattern and purchasing information.

I hope that you enjoy it! :)

 

Alana Dakos Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 95 : A Dirty Yarn

Episode 95

Enter to win a Katrinkles needle gauge and set of 3 buttons (of your choice) by leaving a comment below with your contact information by February 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be announced in Episode 96.

Thank you for listening!

Alana DakosNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Have Ewe Any Wool?

I have a confession to make. I love being a shopkeeper. 

I love my tiny store more than I ever thought I would. I gave up on my original dream of being a shop owner years ago when I started designing, and thought it was something I had put aside entirely. Boy, was I wrong.

When I leave my little shop in the evening I find myself staring in through the lit window at night for way too long just to see what it looks like to customers walking by. I have even spent time at the shop on a day I'm normally closed "just for fun".

When I am not in my little shop, I miss it. I think about it and wonder how its doing. 

 It's this excitement that led me to the idea of offering "Care Packages" to those of you who don't live nearby. A curated collection of specialty handmade items from artisan companies and talented individuals from around the world, lovingly gift wrapped and packaged altogether in a pretty box. A special little slice of my store, from me to you. 

After all... everyone loves receiving unexpected gifts in the mail right?

My premier Care Package celebrates the love of sheep and wool and is the perfect choice for any wool enthusiast. The contents of the care package are a surprise… that is after all half the fun… but the recipient can expect to receive items in the following categories:

  • crafting notions
  • personal care 
  • items to use around the home
  • wool care 
  • crafting materials

Our care packages will allow the recipient to enjoy a variety of beautiful items beautifully presented at a discounted price.

This is a limited edition item and is only available while supplies last. "Have You Any Wool" Care Packages will ship at the beginning of February.

There is both a standard size and deluxe size available. Click HERE to see! :)

Alana Dakos Comments
Mystery Shawl Knit-A-Long Coming Soon!

I am so excited to be starting my very first Mystery Knit-A-Long!

At the end of the knit-a-long you will end up with a warm cozy shawl but you won't know how the pattern will change along the way! Your shawl pattern will be released in a series of four “clues” containing charted and written instructions… but no pictures!

The final measurement for your semi-circular shawl will be 28” deep with a wingspan measuring 60”. Your finished shawl will be a wearable art piece full of textured cables, knitted leaves and lace. A nice sampling of many techniques all in one project! If you have enjoyed knitting my other cabled, botanically-inspired patterns in the past, you should enjoy this one as well.


The knit-a-long will begin with the release of the first clue on January 8th. Three subsequent clues will magically appear in your Ravelry library every Friday thereafter. You will receive an email and ravelry message notification each time a new clue is ready.

Join us by purchasing your pattern HERE. Don’t forget to visit the Never Not Knitting group on Ravelry to join other knitters who are taking part in this knit-a-long and share the fun along the way! I have some exciting prizes that I am giving away at the end... including this lovely stitch marker shawl pin for the knitter who finishes first! Please see my post HERE for details.

 If you have any questions about the pattern or knit-a-long, please contact me HERE.


To create your Mystery Shawl you will need the following supplies:

  • 400 grams or approx 880 yds of worsted weight yarn. A few suggestions are: Cascade Yarns 220, The Fibre Company Cumbria
  •  Size US8 60” circular needle or size needed to achieve the gauge of 18 sts and 24 rows to 4” / 10 cm.
  • Cable needle
  • Tapestry needle

Have fun! :)

Alana Dakos Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 94 : Yarn Shock

Episode 94

 

Enter to win a  copy of The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting  by Faina Goberstein and Simona Merchant-Dest provided by Interweave Press by leaving a comment below with your contact information by January 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be announced in Episode 95.

Thank you for listening!

Alana DakosNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Lily Slipper Flats

I loved knitting this sweet little pair of ballet flat slippers. These are from the book Home by Pam Allen and they literally took me only a few hours to complete. I used Quince and Co. Osprey yarn in the Chanterelle colorway and there is enough left over from that one skein to make at least one more pair!

Instead of the 3 colors that the slipper pattern calls for, I chose to make mine solid and add a cute little tree branch button to the top as an extra special detail.

Buttons are available in my online store HERE.

I am so impressed by how adorable and easy this pattern is. I will definitely be keeping these slippers in mind for the next time I need a quick and easy gift. But for now, this particular pair is looking wonderful displayed on my vintage shoe forms. 

 

 

 

Alana Dakos Comments
Teeny, Tiny Knitted Gifts

Is there anything cuter than seeing things in miniature?

I love knitting toys, but I have to say knitting tiny toys is even more fun.

I purchased these sweet little Tiny Hedgehog and Tiny Penguin kits by mochimochiland last Spring at Wild Fibers yarn shop. Recently when my cousin and her family came to town, I finally got the push I needed to finally make these up as a gift for her 3 year old son. I couldn't believe how quick they were to make.

They fit perfectly in 3 year old hands and tiny pockets and I just love the idea of my little cousin having a few very small knitted friends to share his adventures with. 

 

Alana Dakos Comment
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 93 : Nettie Mae's Mittens

Episode 93

 

Enter to win a signed copy of Top Down; Reimagining Set-In Sleeve Design provided by author Elizabeth Doherty by leaving a comment below with your contact information by December 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be announced in Episode 94.

Thank you for listening!

Have a personal knitting story you would like to submit to the podcast?

Please submit your proposal below!

Alana DakosNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Welcome!

Welcome to my brand new website!

After 8 years of blogging, I was more than ready for an update! :)

In addition to the new site, I have also introduced an online shop featuring my printed books along with some of the specialty gifts and notions that I carry in my retail shop. 

To celebrate the new Never Not Knitting website and my new online shop, I am offering a Black Friday Weekend Sale on a few select items. 

Let me know what you think of our new online home in the comments below. Thank you for following me over to this new space. :)

 

 

Alana Dakos Comments
Baa-ble


I recently found myself jumping on the knitting bandwagon with this irresistible knit!
I tried to resist it. I really did.. but adorable versions kept popping up all over the net. 
What was I supposed to do?

The Baa-ble hat pattern is so addictive with that row of fair-isle sheep. Once I cast on I couldn't put it down. This hat was completed in no time at all. 

I knit my Baa-ble hat in Quince and Co. Osprey in colors Storm and Honey and used up some small amounts of stashed cream and dark brown yarn for the sheep.

I modified the original design just a bit by making a shorter ribbed brim. I didn't want to wear mine folded up. I also didn't include that pom-pom at the top.

This pattern is free of charge and can be downloaded HERE.

You know you want one too!


Alana Comments
Secret Garden

I am happy to say that my new

Secret Garden

shawl design is now available to purchase as an individual pattern!

This shawl was originally released as part of the gorgeous

Secret Garden Kit

from 

Little Skein in the Big Wool.

I had a new pattern sample knit up in one of my favorite yarns,

Madelinetosh

Tosh Merino Light

in this eye-catching colorway called Shire. 

This shawl is available in two sizes, medium and large. It fits perfectly around your shoulders as a shawlette or can be secured around the neck and worn as more of a capelet style with the garter edge folded down into a warm shawl collar.

Here is the pattern information for those of you interested in knitting up a

Secret Garden

shawl of your very own:

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Length: 57 (68)” / 145 / (173) cm from end to end. 

Width: 17.5 (20)” / 44.5 (51) cm at widest point of center. 

MATERIALS 

Madelinetosh

Tosh Merino Light

[100% Merino; 420 yd / 384 m per 3.5 oz / 100 g skein]; color: Shire; 2 (3) skeins or approx 750 (1025) yd / 700 (950) m of a fingering weight wool or wool blend. 

1 40” / 100 cm US3 / 3.25 mm circular needle 

Stitch markers 

Cable needle 

Tapestry needle 

1 medium button for optional button closure 

GAUGE 

26 sts / 36 rows over 4” / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch on US3 / 3.25 mm needle or size needed for accurate gauge.

The

Secret Garden

 pattern will be available in a yarn shop near you very soon!

If you would like to purchase the

Secret Garden

shawl pattern in print, it will include a scratch off code on the back for you to receive a complimentary pdf download version of your new pattern. And the best news is that the accompanying download with be stored in your Ravelry library!

Purchase the pdf only version below.

Enjoy! :)

Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 92 : Appreciating Helen

Episode 92

Enter to win a beautiful Wool & Wire silver-chain stitch marker necklace designed by artist Sallee Anne along with 2 packages of stitch markers by leaving a comment below with your contact information by November 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be announced in Episode 93.

Thank you for listening!

AlanaNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
The Secret Garden Shawl Kit

Early on in the year I was invited to be part of something very special.
I was invited by Anne Vally of littleskein.com to design a special shawl pattern inspired by the book  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

I jumped at the chance. 
I not only love the story, but as you know... botanical inspiration is sort of my thing. :)

Immediately I thought of the ivy-covered stone wall surrounding the forgotten garden.
Adapting one of my favorite stitch patterns, I created this delicate textured shawl with the lovely Western Sky Knits Magnolia Sock yarn in the Misselthwaite Manor colorway.


And.. I love it!






The bottom has a lace-border while the sides of the shawl are done in garter stitch which can be folded down and worn in a shawl collar style. It can be wrapped around your neck, fastened with a shawl pin, or you can use the optional button-closure in the pattern to wear it in more of a capelet style.

Anne has kindly created a great video showing a few styling options HERE.

The Secret Garden Shawl is currently available exclusively in kit form through littleskein.com in the following gorgeous colorways from Western Sky Knits.


I especially love this green!



 The kit arrived at my doorstep packaged beautifully. With every Secret Garden inspired element developed by a different artist, this kit is so truly special. I am so impressed by the amount of detail included in every last little item.

I am so grateful to be a part of this project. It really has been a treat.



More information about the Secret Garden Kits from Little Skein in the Big Wool can be found HERE.

Look for the individual Secret Garden Shawl pattern to be released in November!


Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 91 : Knitting On The Go

Episode 91

Enter to win the secret November Tea Time Club Spot from Augustbird by leaving a comment below with your contact information by October 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be announced in Episode 92!

Thank you for listening!

AlanaNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Dapper

I am so happy to have a pattern included in the Knittin' Little Fall 2015 Collection!

Knittin' Little is a new website created by designer Andrea Sanchez. This awesome site is dedicated to providing knitters with patterns for children as well as ways to engage little ones in the love of fiber arts.

For the premier collection, I wanted to design something special for my little guy to wear... 


A proper, gentlemanly jacket for Fall appropriately named "Dapper".



Knit in squishy Garter st, Dapper is complete with all of the pleats, buttonbands, and pockets, of a traditional suit coat. The handsome notched collar and buttonbands are worked right into the jacket fronts for reduced finishing work at the end.



This pattern contains lots of little special details that are fun to create, 
and make for such a beautiful finished product.



Here is the pattern information for all of you interested in knitting up this jacket for the little one in your life:

SIZE
2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12)

FINISHED SIZE
Chest: 24.75 (26.75, 28.75, 30.75, 32.75, 34.75)" / 63 (68, 73, 78, 83.5, 88.5) cm
Length: 14.5 (15.5, 16.5, 18.5, 20, 21)" / 36.5 (39, 42, 47, 50.5, 53) cm
Shown in size 2; to be worn with 2-3" / 5-7.5 cm of positive ease.

YARN
Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers [100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yd / 200 m per 3.5 oz / 100 g skein]; color 8011; 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins or approx. 550 (625, 700, 800, 925, 1025) yd / 500 (550, 625, 725, 825, 925) m of a worsted weight wool or wool blend.

NEEDLES
2 US 7 / 4.5 mm 32” / 80 cm circular needle
Stitch markers
Stitch holders
Tapestry needle
3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4) buttons 1”/ 2.5 cm for body
6 buttons ¾” / 2 cm for sleeves

GAUGE
20 sts / 40 rows over 4” / 10 cm in Garter st on US7 / 4.5 mm needles or size needed for accurate gauge.




As with any photo-shoot with a 3 year old, there are always the most spectacular out-takes. 
I call this one... "The most awkward pose ever..."


and finally... his "musical number"


Dapper is available for purchase HERE.

Add it to your favorites on Ravelry HERE. 

I hope you enjoy it! :)


Alana Comments
Adorable New Greeting Cards

I'm kind of in love with this adorable set of 3 greeting cards illustrated by the 
talented Neesha Hudson.



You may remember Neesha as the illustrator of our Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf book published in 2012. 



I have greatly admired Neesha's amazing artwork for the past several years and her illustrations have appeared in all of our self-published knitting books to date including
 Coastal Knits, and Botanical Knits 1 & 2. 

I thought it would be fun to ask Neesha to take on the task of producing a small line of all-occasion blank cards featuring wool-producing animals. I love giving hand-made gifts whenever possible and I thought that these cards would make the perfect addition. :)


Cards measure 5 x 7" and are sold in a collection of 3 with accompanying envelopes for $12. 
Each card is blank inside to allow them to be used for all occasions.

They would also be so cute in a frame, don't you think?

Cards are available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE or on nnkpress.com/gifts.

Alana Comments
New Knits for a New Guy



I recently knit up this sweet little set as a gift for my cousin's soon to be born baby boy.



This is the Hello Kimono and Wee Hat pattern from Kate Oates new booklet, "New Guy" and I loved every second these were on my needles!

It has been maybe years since I did stranded colorwork in my knitting.  Now after this project, I feel obsessed. Now I am spending my evenings pouring over colorwork patterns on Ravelry.
I. Want. More. 

It's nice to change it up once in awhile.



For this project I used Quince and Co. Tern in Kelp, Aventurine and Popham. 

My favorite part of this little set are these sweet rocket-ship buttons. I purchased them months ago from Monarch Knitting in Pacific Grove and was happy to finally have a chance to use them. 

I'm a firm believer in buying up cute buttons at every opportunity. They can be hard to find! :)


I just gave my cousin this set at her baby shower this last weekend with a few pairs of hand-sewn baby pants. 

I can't wait to see her tiny new baby in them! :)



Alana Comments
Welcome Mocs


I simply could not resist knitting up these sweet tiny moccasins for a friend of mine who is expecting.


The pattern is called Welcome Mocs and is included in the adorable new booklet, New Guy, by designer Kate Oates. 

I used Quince and Co. Tern to knit up this little pair and it hardly took any time or yarn to make them! I could probably squeeze two more pairs out of the remainder of the skein.



I am so happy with these cute little shoes. 
It almost makes me want to have another baby of my own... almost.



Alana Comments
50% off Weekend Summer Sale Beginning Tomorrow!


Let's start the summer off right! 

Save 50% on all Never Not Knitting individual pattern pdfs starting tomorrow 
Friday, June 26th - Monday, June 29th!

Enter the code " SummerSale2015" in the checkout process HERE on my blog or HERE in my Ravelry store to receive your discount.



This sale includes all single digital pdf patterns in the Never Not Knitting pattern line but does not include e-books or any printed materials. Promotion will run from midnight-midnight PST.

Have fun and happy knitting! :)


Alana Comments
Never Not Knitting... The Yarn Shop!

I have a little confession. I've been keeping a secret from you.

Kind of a big one.



I am opening up a yarn shop! 

I know!

As many of you already know, a few years back I started a small publishing and wholesale distribution company called NNK Press. Recently we decided to move our offices downtown and use the front of our office for an adorably tiny, but quaint storefront.

As you can see we don't have a lot of room to work with, so we are not able to function as a full-service knit shop. Instead our selection will be limited to a curated collection of specialty yarns and notions. My goal is really to support and showcase the work of independent artists. You will find some gems here you may never see anywhere else!


We are starting with a selection of yarn from three of my favorite yarn companies.
Spincycle Yarns, YOTH Yarns, and Quince and Co. 
All are beautiful and a bit uncommon. All bring something special to our small space.










To get away from shelves of patterns stored in binders, I organized all of our single patterns in these cute file boxes alphabetically and by type. I love the way these turned out.


One of my favorite decorative parts of the shop are these fun yarn balls that I have hanging in all of the front windows! 

Thank you Pinterest. Thank you.




I am hoping that the Never Not Knitting retail store will be a fun stop for our local knitters as well as for all of you traveling the California coastline. If you are in our area, please stop by and say hello!

We are opening up this Friday the 19th from 10am-6pm!
Everyone who comes and visits us on our opening day will receive a free pattern!

Never Not Knitting
5990 Entrada Ave.
Atascadero, CA 93422

We accept orders by phone: 805. 703. 4010 

Business Hours: Mon, Wed, and Fri 10am-5pm

Hope to see you there!



Alana Comments