Mug Sweater

Recently I came across the Mug Sweater pattern and had to make one of my very own. Who can resist that tiny pocket and little mitten hands!?

 I especially love that you sew tiny hooks to the mittens so that the hands can be "posed" on the sweater. 

This little sweater only took me an evening to make up and just a small amount of yarn. I used Cascade 220 Superwash Sport. I think that Superwash is a good call for a project like this. Since it will be used around coffee or tea, spills are inevitable and it needs to be able to be washed. 

All I can think about now are all of the people in my life that I need to make one of these for...Mug Sweaters for everyone!

If you would like to make a Mug Sweater for yourself or for a friend, I have the pattern for sale in my online shop HERE and adorable little Kits HERE.

Alana Dakos Comments
Botanical Collection

Along with the release of Baby Botanicals, we have an accompanying Botanical Collection available full of all sorts of botanical accessories you will use in creating your sweater.

Each item is available individually or part of our Botanical Gift Set. My favorite item in the collection has to be our new drawstring project totes!

They are perfect for not only carrying your project around, but can convert into a gift bag when your sweater is complete!

 

 

Alana Dakos Comments
Baby Botanicals

It's here and finally available to order!

Baby Botanicals is not just for babies! Each of the 5 patterns included in this collection is sized to fit girls of all ages, 6 months-12 years, and are inspired from the adult sweater patterns from my Botanical Knits series. Now you can make a sweater for you and your little one to match!

Inside you will find a pattern for...

Twiggy

This is the cover sweater and my favorite in the collection! You may recognize it from the adult version, Twigs and Willows, included in Botanical Knits. Twiggy features set-in sleeve construction and two stunning branches that frame the neckline. The branches are created simply with the use of cables and are less complicated to knit than you may think.

Early Autumn

A tiny version of Autumn's End from Botanical Knits! Early Autumn is knit in one piece from the bottom up and features a panel of lace on the sleeves and sweater front to keep your interest on the needles. This is a perfect beginning lace project!

Tiny Vines

Just like the adult version, Entangled Vines from Botanical Knits, Tiny Vines features an embossed twined leaf detail cascading down the elbow-length sleeves. This charming cardigan is worked from the top down in one piece and you will be instantly mesmerized watching the vines grow as you knit!

Baby Branches

I love this sweet tiny version of the Bare Branches coat from Botanical Knits 2! Baby Branches features a secret bare tree motif on the back only visible when the hood is worn. This coat includes a dramatic hood and set-in sleeve construction. It is knit in pieces from the bottom up and seamed together at the end.

Little Buds

Little Buds is named after the budding plant motif featured on the circular pockets and back of this sweet little cardigan. This design is knit in pieces from the bottom up and features set-in sleeve construction along with a large collar which is worked at the end. This is the child-size version of Buds and Blooms from Botanical Knits.

Baby Botanicals is a high quality 44 page, 8 1/2 x 11", soft-cover book full of beautiful photos, original illustrations, comprehensive schematics and both charted and written pattern instructions. Each garment is available in 9 different sizes with both metric and imperial measurements. 

Additionally each printed copy of Baby Botanicals will include a scratch-off sticker code for you to download a complimentary, digital e-book version that will store in your Ravelry library!

For the Ebook only click HERE.

To purchase the print / Ebook combo online click HERE.

Or look for Baby Botanicals in your local yarn shop!

That is not all! There are lots of fun accessories to go along with the book that I will be sharing more about in a future blog post. Check out our Botanical Collection of notions HERE.

I hope you enjoy knitting from Baby Botanicals and that the sweaters you produce are a favorite for the little ones in your life. Don't forget to tag your photos with #babybotanicals and share your project photos in the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group as well!

Alana Dakos Comments
A New Little Something

I have had a new project in the works for quite some time now and I am so pleased to say that it is FINALLY at it's end! I'm excited to introduce a new little collection of sweaters for girls of all ages, Baby Botanicals.

Baby Botanicals Collection Collage Small.png

These are the pint-sized versions of some of my favorite adult sweaters from my Botanical Knits and Botanical Knits 2 books. Just like their adult counterparts, each design captures the beauty of plant life in eye-catching, fun-to-knit details. 

Look for the release of my new book soon! I have some fun surprises in store in the coming week.

Alana Dakos Comments
Henry's Hat

This year so far has brought our family some unexpected challenges with health and the accompanying worry and stress that tags along like an unwanted guest.

But we are getting by with the support of our family, friends, and lots of food.

And I am personally getting through it one project at a time. Quick, fun-to-knit, happy little projects for myself and for my kids. I seem to get more and more productive the more stress I am under. The act of making new things is very calming.

My latest finished knit was this sweet little hat for my son. 

This is the pattern Henry's Hat, from the story by Joanna Johnson featured in Episode 97 of my podcast.

We have enjoyed this story over and over again, and having a hat to match Henry's in the story makes it even more fun to read.  

I wrapped up this hat to give as a gift to my son, and when he first saw it, he immediately recognized it from the book. 

 I knit this hat from a stashed skein of Malabrigo Merino Worsted in the most fitting color of green. I love how it turned out and how well it fits!

The pattern is available HERE. The book is available HERE.

Now I'm off to continue knitting my worries away...

More project updates coming soon!

 

 

Alana Dakos Comments
Slipper Girl

Ever since I made these slippers a few months back, my daughter has been begging for a pair of her own. 

In order to make a pair to fit her 10 year old feet, I knit the pattern as written using a needle a few sizes smaller. Knitting the fabric so tightly was hard on my hands but the finished slippers stretch over her feet tightly and will wear well.

These slippers were knit from the Lily Slipper Flats pattern from the book Home by Pam Allen. I used Quince and Co. Osprey yarn in the Honey colorway along with two adorable stitchable Owl buttons from my online shop.

She loves them so much that she wears them constantly around the house and even to bed at night! As a knitter... I couldn't ask for more. 

 

Alana Dakos Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 97 : The Sasquatch Sweater

Episode 97

 

Enter to win a signed copy of Henry's Hat from Eric & Joanna Johnson by leaving a comment below with your contact information by May 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be contacted directly.

Thank you for listening!

Alana DakosNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 96 : Third Times The Charm

Episode 96

Enter to win a signed copy of Swoon Maine by leaving a comment below with your contact information by April 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be announced in Episode 97.

Thank you for listening!

Alana DakosNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Tiny Shoes

Many years back I fell in love with a pattern for tiny mary jane style knitted shoes for babies. I mentally filed the pattern away thinking I would make it for a future baby daughter. I pictured her in my mind's eye wearing these little mary janes in red.

Only my second turned out to be a baby boy, and I ended up making this pattern for him instead.

Recently, however, when a friend gave birth to her second daughter, I knew exactly what to make for her.

This is the Tiny Shoes pattern designed by Ysolda Teague knit out of Blue Sky Alpacas Sport. Like all of Ysolda's patterns, the construction was quite captivating. Never have I started a baby bootie before with an I-cord! :)

Pattern found HERE. Yarn found HERE.

These knit up super quickly and I will be mailing them off to my friend tomorrow. I hope she loves them. :)

Alana Dakos Comments
Trailing Ivy

Introducing my latest pattern, Trailing Ivy!

It is funny how some designs are such a struggle from conception to finished item and some fall together effortlessly. Trailing Ivy fortunately was one of the latter. The finished shawl looks quite a bit like my original sketch and seemed to just knit itself.

I have fond memories of the design process on this one and I am absolutely thrilled by how it turned out. 

In this shawl, 3 trailing ivy motifs grow out from the increases on the body and into the pleats. The vines are placed in such a way that when the shawl is worn, one falls in the center of the back and the others gracefully cascade down the length of each arm.

Originally this design was released as part of Miss Babs 2015 Armchair Traveling Knitting Tour and was knit out of the beautiful Kunlun yarn. The version shown above was knit up in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Yaksi which was also a wonderful choice.

For more information about the pattern and purchasing, please click HERE.

Happy knitting! :)

Alana Dakos Comments
Taking Root

I am so happy to share with you my latest hat design called Taking Root.

As you are well aware, I cannot seem to stop designing textural botanically inspired knits. They just seem to flow out of me involuntarily. One finished design will inspire another. 

This one I worked on years back when I was working on Botanical Knits 2, but just couldn't seem to get it right until recently. I love the way it finally came together. I love the playful curves of the vines and the crisp lines of the twisted stitches. 

This pattern was orginally released as part of the Augustbird Tea Time Club for November and was knit in her beautiful Bowerbird yarn.  The sample shown above is knit in another favorite of mine, YOTH Yarns Big Sister in the Avocado colorway. 

Please click HERE for all the pattern and purchasing information.

I hope that you enjoy making it! 

 

Alana Dakos Comments
Getting Ready!

The Never Not Knitting store will be at Stitches West from February 18-21 at booths #1242 and 1244!

If you will be at the show, please stop by and say hello! :)

I will have some dear friends visiting and signing books at the booth this year which is so exciting! Have you ever wanted to meet Hannah Fettig of Knitbot, Carrie Bostick Hoge from Madder, Kate Oates from Tot Toppers or Elizabeth Doherty of Blue Bee Studio? Well.. now is your chance! :)

Stitches West Book Signings

Friday
10:00 am Hannah Fettig
10:30 am Carrie Bostick Hoge
11:30 am Kate Oates
1:30 pm Carrie Bostick Hoge
2:00 pm Hannah Fettig
3:30 pm Kate Oates
4:30 pm Elizabeth Doherty

Saturday
10:00 am Hannah Fettig
10:30 am Carrie Bostick Hoge
11:30 am Kate Oates
1:30 pm Carrie Bostick Hoge
2:00 pm Hannah Fettig
3:30 pm Kate Oates

Sunday
10:00 am Kate Oates

At the show we will carry the beautiful Quince & Co. yarn, books and patterns galore as well as lots of special little notions and gifts from my shop. We will also have a huge display of Wool & Wire jewelry!

It's going to be so much fun!! I can hardly wait. I hope to see you there! :)

Alana Dakos Comment
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