Two years ago today, I started Never Not Knitting. Little did I know back then what this blog would turn into or what fun it would bring to my life.

In honor of my two year "blogiversary" I would like to extend a thank you. Thank you to all of you who regularly visit me, who comment on my posts, who support my blog sponsors. It's been such a pleasure for me to meet so many fantastic knitters from all over the world.

Today I would like to give something back to my loyal readers and supporters. I have gotten in touch with some of my favorite online knitting vendors and friends to bring you the best giveaway this blog has ever offered. (And I've offered a lot of giveaways!)

In order to get to know my readers better, I would like to announce 2 new drawings!

DRAWING #1
All you have to do in order to enter drawing #1 is to leave a comment under this blog post. Please tell me in your comment how you found the Never Not Knitting blog and how long you've been a reader. That's it!

The prize for drawing #1 is going to be a compilation of NeverNotKnitting patterns, yarn, and other sweet treats!

DRAWING #2
I know that I have a lot of readers from all around the world. I would love to put some faces with the names. Entering drawing #2 is going to require a little more effort than drawing #1 but, believe me, it's worth it... the prize is going to be huge...huge...HUGE!

The prize for drawing #2 is going to be a box of goodies including designer knitting patterns, skeins of yarn, a gift certificate, buttons, a row counter, a tee-shirt, sweet treats, the entire Never Not Knitting pattern collection, and knitting notions bags.

All of these goodies will be provided for you by these amazing vendors and artists:

Audknits
Gudrun Johnston
Jane Richmond
Knitbot
Knitcircus
NeoKnits
Sew Liberated
The Caffeinated Knitter

Tottoppers
Funky Carolina
Pretty Knitting Jewelry
RoseKnits
Dancing Ewe Yarns
Loops
One Planet Yarn and Fiber
Pulling at Strings
Tangled Yarns

This prize and contributor list may be added to as time goes on!!

What you need to do to enter drawing #2 is to email me a picture of yourself in your favorite knitting location. You'll need to be holding a sign that says "I am Never Not Knitting at" and then put where your favorite place to knit is (like the name of your local yarn shop, etc). Also put where you are from...State/Province and Country is great!
(See my picture above as an example.)

Email the picture to nevernotknitting@gmail.com and put in the subject line
"Blogiversary Picture Drawing Giveaway".

When the drawing is over, I will be compiling all of the photos into a large collage to be shared in a future blog post on NeverNotKnitting.com. It'll be so fun for me to see pictures of all of you!

RULES
You can enter both drawings #1 and #2, but only enter each drawing once.

Drawings both end at 11:59PM PST, December 15, 2009. I will randomly choose a blog comment for drawing #1 and an emailed picture for drawing #2 to determine the winners. I will announce the winners on the blog on December 16, 2009.

Thank you so much for sharing my knitting adventures with me over these past two years!
I hope that you will take the time to enter these drawings! It will be a lot of fun! :)

Episode 28

Shownotes:

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

The Cedar Leaf Shawlette

Lady Godiva

Cedar Leaf Knit Kits

Please Join The Cedar Leaf Shawlette Knit-a-long!

Nic on Ravelry

The Jolly Green Giant

Nic's Blog

Wren Ross

The NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

*Don't forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

is offering free US shipping to all NeverNotKnitting podcast listeners and blog readers until Dec. 15th, 2009.

Be sure to enter the promotional code "NNKship" in the checkout process!

*Free shipping does not apply to any Lalana items*

Congratulations to Episode 27's drawing winner,

Anita

! She won a skein of Malabrigo worsted!

Click here

to download the MP3 of Episode 28.

I am so happy to announce that my Cedar Leaf Shawlette pattern is now available for purchase.

This is a tiny crescent shaped shawlette that drapes beautifully around your shoulders and looks absolutely stunning wrapped around your neck as a scarf.

This design marries my two favorite things in the whole world. The color green and knitted leaves. I couldn't love it more!

The curved stockinette st body is created through the use of short rows, and the beautiful leafy border is knit onto the body of the shawlette after its completed.
I found the construction to be very easy. No seaming. No picked up stitches.

As you can see, the shawlette is quite versatile. It can be successfully worn several different ways.

I wore mine out for the first time today. It was wonderfully soft and it added a vibrant accent to my winter outfit. I really want to wear it every day. Would people think I was weird?

Good thing I'm starting on another. That way I can switch off colors at least.. :)

Here is some pattern information for those of you interested:

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: 54 inches from end to end.
Width: measures approx 8 inches at widest point of center including leaf border.

MATERIALS
Handmaiden Lady Godiva [50% Silk, 50% Wool; 273 yd/250m per 100g skein; color: Cedar; 2 skeins or approx 350 yards of a dk weight wool blend. Alternate yarn: Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3 ply, Malabrigo Silky Merino, or Manos Silk Blend. (You'll want a yarn with plenty of drape)

1# 32" US #7/4.5mm circular needle
1# US #7/ 4.5mm double pointed needle for leaf edging
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts/36 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on size 7 needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

This pattern includes instructions for short row shaping. I found a couple of good instructional videos highlighting this method here and here.


You can also find a great video showing how to hide the wraps on the purl side here.

(This illustrates how the leaves are knitted on)

Cedar Leaf Knit Kits are available here through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

I really hope that you enjoy knitting up a Cedar Leaf Shawlette of your very own. Im going to be starting my second one shortly and invite you all to knit-a-long with me here on Ravelry.

Hope to see you there!





Pattern is now available in French! Click here to purchase the french translation.

Pattern is also now available in Dutch! Click here to purchase the dutch translation.

My new pattern the Cedar Leaf Shawlette will be available for purchase soon!

If you are interested in knitting up the Cedar Leaf Shawlette, you are able to pre-order the kit in the fabulous Handmaiden Lady Godiva yarn right now through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click here for details.

The kit will include the pattern and 2 skeins of Lady Godiva in the color of your choice at a 10% discount. One Planet wants to insure that the color you want is available. It will be dyed to order especially for you.

I highly recommend this Cedar colorway. It is unbelievably beautiful. The way the greens and hints of brown and rust blend together is so reminiscent of Autumn.

I've also been eyeing that Chocolate colorway. It looks so rich and decadent!

I have a new design on the needles... and I am loving every stitch.

Check back soon for more progress pictures!

Episode 27

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Bonita Knit and Sew

Bobbin's Nest Studio

Joan McGowen Michael

Ysolda Teague

Pagewood Farms Denali

Damson

Coraline

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Malabrigo Worsted

Malabrigo Worsted Project Ideas

Vine Yoke Cardigan KAL

Malabrigo Sock Yarn

Daybreak Shawl

Baktus Scarf

Sock Yarn Sweater

Silky Merino

Gayle on Ravelry

Gayle's Ribby Pulli

Wren Ross

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

*Dont forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering all NeverNotKnitting blog readers and podcast listeners 10% of the entire selection of

Malabrigo yarns

through December 1, 2009.

Just enter in the special code "

NNK1

" in the checkout process!

Congratulations to commenter "

3 Dogs and a Chinchilla

" the winner of last episodes podcast drawing to win a skein of O-wool balance from Dancing Ewe Yarns!

Also congratulations to

Louise

! She won the signed copy of

Itty Bitty Toys book

courtesy of

Susan B. Anderson

Click here

to download the MP3 of Episode 27.

A lot has been going on around here!
First of all, my pile of gray Malabrigo is rapidly turning into the
squishiest, softest, cuddliest cardigan. I cant wait to wrap myself in it when its done.

The pattern is Vine Yoke Cardigan by Ysolda Teague. Its a pleasure to knit, but I have to admit that the sweater's current proportions are scaring me a little.
Fortunately I know a thing or two about blocking handknits into submission.

Also last weekend I had the awesome opportunity of going on a knitting retreat put on by Bonita Knitting and Bobbin's Nest Studio.
There was a beautiful boutique set up just for the retreat participants. It wasn't my fault that they happened to include the most beautiful skein of sock yarn in the sale.

I had to cast on for Damson straight away.

Do you blame me?

Leave a comment under this blogpost to be entered to win a signed copy of Itty Bitty Toys!
(The cutest toy book EVER)
You have until November 1 to enter the drawing!

The winner will be announced on the podcast and blog, so check back to see if you've won!

Drawing now closed! Winner is commenter #230, Louise! Congratulations! 
Thankyou to everyone for entering! I run drawings on a regular basis, so try again sometime!

I just knit the most fantastic little toy out of Susan B. Anderson's new book Itty Bitty Toys.
The last chapter contains 5 ingenious reversible patterns, including this one... my favorite.



It starts out as a tiny egg and hatches into a sweet little Bluebird.
What a fun concept.



It was so quick! And way easier to construct than I thought it would be.
For this project I used 3 skeins of O-wool balance in colors Opal, Natural, and Agate. It only took a tiny amount of each skein.

(Yarn available here.)

I just used some scraps to make the beak and eyes. There was no way that I was going to order a whole skein just for that!



The "Bluebird/Egg" pattern also comes with its own tiny little nest to rest in. So adorable!

If you would like to hear more about O-wool yarn and the book Itty Bitty Toys, listen to my latest podcast episode #26.

Episode 26

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Itty Bitty Toys

Pictures From Inside the Book

Spud and Chloe Blog

Susan's Blog

Susan on Ravelry

NeverNotKnitting Theme Song

O-wool Balance

Elijah

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Vine Yoke Cardigan KAL

Join the NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter!

*Dont forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering all NeverNotKnitting blog readers and podcast listeners 10% of the entire selection of

O-wool Balance yarn

through November 1, 2009.

Just enter in the special code "NNK1" in the checkout process!

**Be sure to check back in a couple of days because I'm going to be posting a special drawing for the

Itty Bitty Toys book

. You will be able to enter to win a signed copy from

Susan B. Anderson

!**

Click here

to download the MP3 of Episode 26.

Elijah the knitted elephant has finally been completed.

(Pattern here. Yarn here.)

My daughter insists that Elijah is in fact a girl name and is convinced that 'she' is the best thing that ever was.

The finished Elijah has proven to be such a soft cuddly companion.
For that reason I'm so glad that I made him... um.. I mean HER. :)

Unfortunately I found the knitting part of the project a bit of a pain. I LOVED the fact that it was knit all in one piece, but at the same time picking up those stitches and knitting at such a tight gauge proved rather cumbersome.

I really should have done the body parts in order and worked both ears last. I found it to be quite challenging knitting an arm after an ear. The double pointed needles kept getting caught and it was kind of annoying. I guess that the order of instructions is there for a reason!

Oh well.. 'Shes' done now and just way too cute for 'her' own good..

This past week I finished Gail, and rediscovered the magic of blocking.
It makes such a difference!

I used one skein Handmaiden SeaSilk in the Ireland colorway and size 7 needles.
(Yarn found here.)
With the help of this chart, this truly was a painless, quick lace project.
As you know, I'm not a huge fan of variegated yarn, so the Ireland colorway, although beautiful, made me a little nervous. I have to say that I'm quite pleased with the result though. I think that the colors blended nicely and fairly evenly across the piece.

I love the sheen and drape of this gorgeous yarn.
I definitely will be working with it again in the future.

Lace shawls are so addicting! I'm already looking at more patterns!

Episode 25

Shownotes:

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

Second Molly

Molly Pattern

Artesano Alpaca 4-ply

Gail

Handmaiden SeaSilk

Elijah

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Malabrigo Worsted

Aeolian

Damson

Mara

Laurel

Barbara on Ravelry

Martha Stewart

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

The winner from the Episode 24 drawing is

Debby

! Congratulations!

Click here

to download the MP3 of Episode 25.

Here is my Molly hat all completed. I'm very glad I chose to make the solid color version for myself.

I am in love with this yarn Artesano Alpaca 4-ply, and this color Fern is gorgeous. I love the heathery flecks of blue and yellow tones.. but then again I have not yet met a shade of green that I didn't like.

Click here for the pattern. Click here for the yarn.

The patterned brim doesn't stand out nearly as much as it does on the striped version, but I think it's pretty just the same.

Just a nice subtle detail to add interest.

I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of use out of it this Fall.

Tomorrow, September 27th I will be meeting with the local knitting group at Woodstone Market in Avila Beach 2:30pm. Ill be there with all of my design samples answering questions and talking about the process of designing your own handknits.

Join us if you can!

Haltermelon is back and now available in new extended sizes! (Now all the way up to size 6!)

Here is the pattern information for those of you who are interested in knitting one up:

SIZE
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (shown in size 2)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 15.5 [16.5, 17.25, 18.5, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24] inches (One inch of negative ease allowed for a fitted bodice)
Length: approx 6.5 [7, 7.5, 8, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11] inches after blocking
MATERIALS
[MC] Manos Cotton Stria [100% Peruvian Cotton; 116 yd/106m per 50g skein; color: #204;

2 [2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins[CC] color: #205; 1 skein, split into 2 balls
Scraps of black yarn (I used Panda Silk sock yarn doubled up in Black.)

1# 16” US #6/4mm circular needle
And
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle (for larger body sizes only)
Stitch holderOne medium button
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

Check out all of the great Haltermelon projects posted on Ravelry by clicking here.

(This pattern has been updated into a beautiful new pattern layout June 2010.)

My new pattern "Molly" is now available!

This little beret is simple and classic with a few unique details thrown in. The lace pattern brim adds a feminine touch and I think that the swirled top looks really interesting paired with the stripes.

...And don't be fooled by my little hat model. This beret pattern is written for all different sizes, ranging from baby to large adult. You can make a striped version like this one, or in a solid colorway for a more conservative style. I'm in the process of making myself a solid colored Molly right now.

I used the yarn Artesano 100% Alpaca 4-ply for this hat, which is soft and warm. I think that the slightly fuzzy texture looked really pretty in the stripes. This pattern would also look great in

a plain sock yarn though, and be a perfect way to use up some mis-matched leftover balls.

Here is some pattern information for those who might be interested in knitting it:

SIZE
Extra Small [Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large] (shown in size Medium)(Baby [Toddler, Child, Small Adult, Large Adult])

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Brim Circumference approx: 14[16, 18, 20, 22] inches unstretched and after blocking.
Length: approx 5.5 [6, 7, 8.5, 9] inches from cast on edge to top of hat.

(6 [7, 8, 9.5, 10] for a slouchier version)

Note: Brim will stretch a bit with wear. So if you are in between sizes, go down one size smaller to ensure proper fit.

MATERIALS
Solid Version: Artesano 100% Alpaca 4 PLY [100% Alpaca; 200 yd/184m per 50g skein; color: Fern; 1 [1, 1, 2, 2] skein(s) or approx 145 [165, 185, 215, 245] yds.

Striped Version: [MC] Artesano 100% Alpaca 4 PLY [100% Wool; 200 yd/184m per 50g skein; color: #0785 (Bolivia); 1 [1, 1, 1, 1] skein or approx 85 [95, 105, 125, 145] yds.

[CC] color: #2318 (Anemone); 1[1, 1, 1, 1] skein or approx 60 [70, 80, 90, 100] yds.

1# 16” US #1/2.25mm circular needle for brim
1# 16” US #3/3.25mm circular needle for body of hat
1# set of US #3/3.25mm double pointed needles for top of hat and I-cord
Stitch markers in 2 different colors
Tapestry needle
Measuring tape

GAUGE
32 sts/38 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on US size 3 needles

Kits for Molly are available here through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click HERE to see an adult version of Molly in a solid color.

I hope that you enjoy the pattern!

(This pattern has been updated into a beautiful new pattern layout July 2010.)

I have been knitting mostly for my daughter lately and really wanted to make a few things for myself again. Recently I got this beautiful skein of Handmaiden SeaSilk in the Ireland colorway.

Yarn found here.

I started knitting the shawl pattern Gail. (Pattern here.)

I promise that it will look so much better when its done and all laid out and blocked!

Its going through its crumply messy stage at the moment.

I I love the purl side!

I also started the Vine Yoke Cardigan pattern that was featured in the new issue of Twist Collective.

This is SO fun to knit. Its knit from side to side! Ive never knit a sweater in this style before!

I am using Malabrigo Worsted in Polar Moon.

(The tag actually says that the color is Polar Morn, but Im convinced thats a typo... What is a "Morn" anyways?)

I am supposed to be doing this sweater as a knit-a-long with Hannah Fettig of Knitbot.

She is totally way ahead of me! I need to catch up! :)

Episode 24

Shownotes:

One Planet Yarn and Fibers

The Naming of Molly

Artesano Alpaca 4-ply

Elijah

Sublime Organic Merino

Sheepish

Cafe Au Lait Mitts

Handmaiden SeaSilk

Laminaria

Gail

Helpful Chart For Gail

Montego Bay

Lace Ribbon Scarf

Swallowtail Shawl

One Planet Designer Kits

One Planet Customer Bonus Programs

The Perfect Sock

The Perfect Sock Colorway

Tabby on Ravelry

Tabby's Knitting Blog

The NeverNotKnitting Listeners Group on Ravelry

*Dont forget to enter this episode's drawing!

The drawing winner for Episode 23 is "

D

"!

The winner of the signed copy of Fairy Tale knits is

KnittyBarb

!

Congratulations!

One Planet Yarn and Fibers

has kindly offered 10% off the entire shop to the NeverNotKnitting listeners and blog readers.

Just enter the code "NNK" in the checkout process!

Offer is valid until October 15th.

Click here

to download the MP3 of Episode 24.

A week or so ago, my daughter asked me if I would make her an Elephant. Have no clue why. But that's what she asked. I love to knit toys so I happily obliged!

This most adorable knitting pattern "Elijah" immediately came to mind. Ive decided to use up my scraps of the super soft Sublime Organic Merino leftover from my Sheepish sweater to work on this cute little guy.

Isn't this the most perfect Elephant color?

(Pattern available here. Yarn available here.)

So.. not to worry! He isn't finished yet!

I hate knitting things twice, so I had to move onto a leg after I finished one ear. At least I did it on the opposite side so he looks more "balanced". :)

I just thought he looked kind of funny and cute at this stage of the process... in a pathetic/deformed sort of way. I just had to share these pictures. Its cruel, I know.

...I think he's embarrassed...