Aren't these skeins amazing?

(Becoming Art Agave light fingering weight in the "Green Goodness" colorway.

Merino, nylon, cashmere blend.)

(Becoming Art Handspun 2-ply aran weight in "Deeper" colorway. Merino, bamboo, silk blend.)

Enter to win these amazing Becoming Art skeins by leaving a comment (with contact info) under this post. One winner will be announced July 1, 2010. So check back then to see if you've won!

I had the pleasure of reviewing Becoming Art yarns on my last podcast episode. I'm currently working with a gorgeous handspun skein at the moment that I will be sharing pictures of shortly.

Remember that you can get free shipping (international too!) at the Becoming Art Etsy shop until the end of June.

Just enter the code "NNK" in the comments section when you place your order.

Drawing now closed. Winner is JoannaCos! Congratulations!

Episode 38

Shownotes:

Becoming Art

Misti Alpaca

Peter Rabbit

Well- Dressed bunny pattern

Stitches West

Toasty Mitts

Debbie On Ravelry

Love Potion Yarn

New Spring Garden Tee for Girls

Join the NNK Ravelry Group Here!

Follow me on Twitter!

The Winner of Episode 37's Be Sweet Bamboo drawing giveaway is

knitterlydesigns

! Congratulations!

Receive free shipping (international too!) at the

Becoming Art Etsy shop

until June 30,2010! Just enter special code "NNK" in the comments section when you place your order.

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers! Have fun!

Download the Mp3 for

Episode 38

HERE

.

Recently, as you know, I came out with the Spring Garden Tee pattern in adult sizes. I was happy to provide a version for women but sad that I was leaving out a big size range with the pattern. I had it available for babies, little girls, and adults. But nothing in between. I know that girls sizes 8-14 are sizes often ignored in knitting patterns. Time and time again I hear knitters complaining about the lack of designs offered in this range.

The Spring Garden Tee is a versatile pattern that I could see worn by a girl of any age. So I am very happy to announce to you that my original Spring Garden Tee pattern for girls has been redone and is now offered in sizes all the way up to a girls size 14. Now every woman, girl, child, and baby in your family can have there own Spring Garden Tee to wear!

My friend Veronika from the Yarn on the House blog test knit the new pattern for her 8 year old daughter, Jasmine. Isn't she super adorable? I think the tee looks so cute on her! Thank you again Veronika for your help and for these gorgeous photos!

Another revision you might notice to the pattern is the sleeves. Before the length of the sleeve lace varied between sizes. Now all sizes have the same look. I think that it was OK before, but I like it better this way.

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

SIZE
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) 8, 10, 12, 14] (Pink version shown in size 2. Green version shown in size 8.)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 17 [18, 19, 20, 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) 26.5, 28, 30, 31.5] inches (0 inches of positive ease)
Length: approx 10.5 [11, 11.5, 12, 12.5 (13.5, 14.5, 15.75, 16.75) 18.75, 20.5, 21.5, 22] inches after blocking

MATERIALS
Rowan Calmer [80% Cotton. 20% Polyester Fibre; 175 yd/160m per 50g skein] color: Pink version color #482, green version color #500; 2 [2, 2, 2, 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) 4, 5, 5, 6] skeins or approx 250 [275, 300, 325, 350 (400, 450, 500, 550) 650, 750, 825, 900] yds of a dk weight cotton or cotton blend yarn.
1# 16” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# 16” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck and sleeve edging.
(You may need to use US #5/3.75mm double pointed needles for smaller sizes).
2 pieces of scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE
24 sts/36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

Here are the original pictures of my daughter modeling the tee over a year ago when the pattern first came out. As you can see, this tee looks great on girls of all ages. Still to this day, this has been one of my favorite knits for my daughter. It is simple and quick to make since it is all knit in one piece from the top down. It is also versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The pattern calls for Rowan Calmer which is an excellent yarn choice for children. It's a soft springy yarn that holds up very well with washing and wearing. My daughter's tee still looks like new!

I really hope that you enjoy making this revised version for the girls in your life, big or small! :)

Now available in French. Click here for the French translation.

Recently I attended my Sister-in-law's baby shower for my soon to be born nephew.

I wanted to bring a little handmade gift, but not just any handmade gift.

I was trying to think of something a bit out of the ordinary and came up with this little idea.

I've always enjoyed classic children's books, and I love the Beatrix Potter collection.

So, for my nephew I decided to get him his very own special edition of "Peter Rabbit"

and knit him his own little knitted version of Peter to go with it.

I have this little vision of him holding Peter while having the story read to him.

Here he is... complete with his own little carrot and blue jacket.

Just like the character in the story. I think he turned out quite well!

The pattern I used for Peter was the Well-dressed bunny pattern found here.

I modified the mini waistcoat pattern that is included by adding sleeves and a shawl collar.

I was trying to get the style as similar to the illustration as possible.

The carrot I invented on the fly and sewed to one of his little hands...err... paws.

I was so pleased to find the tiny carrot button that is used on his jacket.

It's been sitting in my button stash for years. I was thrilled to finally find the perfect project to use it for!

One of my favorite parts of Peter has to be this white fluffy tail. So cute!

Making Peter Rabbit was a wonderful way to use up all sorts of yarn scraps that I had lying around!

His body is made up of Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn, the jacket is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn...

and do you recognize some of that green yarn on the carrot?

Its none other than a few snippets of my special "Never Not Knitting Green" skein!

I really hope my nephew loves him!

A special thanks to Preeti from the ramblingroses blog for test knitting the

Adult Spring Garden Tee for me!

She knit up the size 36 out of Be Sweet Bamboo in the meadow colorway.

She did a wonderful job and I think it looks gorgeous on her!

The kit for the adult tee can be ordered in this lovely green here from

One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Introducing... The Spring Garden Tee for adults!

Since I came out with the original Spring Garden Tee for little girls last year, so many of you have requested a grown up version. I hope you like it!

The Adult Spring Garden Tee is reminiscent of the children's pattern, but includes some more sophisticated, mature styling details. I love the new wide scoop neckline and the delicate sleeves. I also added waist shaping and extended the length on this version.

The result is a basic, well-fitting tee that is elegant, feminine and flattering. I hope that you enjoy making and wearing it!

I knit this up out of Be Sweet Bamboo which is an exceptionally beautiful yarn. The slight color variation, sheen and drape make the piece lay so nicely and look so decadent. The Champagne color that I used is such a great neutral that can extend even into the cooler months. I think that this top will also serve as a great layering piece in the fall.

Here is the pattern information for all of you interested in knitting it:

SIZE
28 [32, 36, 40, 44] (shown in size 32)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 28 [32, 36, 40, 44] inches (0 inches of positive ease)
Length: 20 [21, 22, 23, 24] inches from back neck after blocking
(Note: If using a 100% bamboo or silk yarn, please note that the garment will stretch with wear. If you are between sizes, it is advisable for you to choose the smaller size to ensure proper fit.)

MATERIALS
Be Sweet Bamboo [100% Bamboo; 110 yd/100m per 50g skein]; color: Champagne #623; 5 [6, 8, 9, 10] skeins or approx 540 [660, 780, 910, 1040] yds of a dk weight bamboo or similar yarn.
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 32” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# 24” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck and sleeve edging.
2 pieces of scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE
24 sts/32 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

In case you are wondering.. No. I didn't lose weight, grow a few inches and dye my hair. :)

This lovely model is Julie Crawford from the amazing Knitted Bliss blog. (www.knittedbliss.com) She did a wonderful job and I am so pleased that she agreed to model for me.

Kits for the Adult Spring Garden Tee are available through One Planet Yarn and Fiber.

Click HERE for the kits.

There is also a Knit-a-long for the Spring Garden Tee HERE. I hope that you will join us!

This pattern is now available in French!/Ce modèle est maintenant disponible en français! Click here!

Episode 37

Shownotes:

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

Children's Spring Garden Tee

Rowan Calmer

Be Sweet Bamboo

Be Sweet Bamboo Color Card

Be Sweet Mission

Be Sweet Yarns

Magic Ball

Be Sweet Bamboo Projects on Ravelry

Adult Spring Garden Tee Knit Kit

Spring Garden Tee Knit-A-Long

Knitted Bliss

Nic on Ravelry

Nic's Finished Coat

Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group

Follow me on Twitter!

Add me as a Friend on Ravelry!

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

The Winner of Episode 36's Amy Butler drawing giveaway is

Lisa

! Congratulations!

Receive 10% off of at

One Planet Yarn and Fiber

until July 1,2010! Just enter special code "NNK6" in the checkout process!

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers! Have fun!

Download the Mp3 for

Episode 37 HERE

.

I always enjoy seeing my patterns done up in different yarns and colorways.

A while back an Icelandic magazine published my Playful Stripes pattern and photographed it in this combination of colors.

I would have never thought that grey would ever work with peach or green... but it totally does! I loved this combination so much that I asked my wonderful Ravelry friend, Yaena, to knit up another Playful Stripes sample for me using these colors together.

Aren't these colors surprisingly beautiful?

If you'd like to knit up a sweater just like this you will need

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in these following colors.

[MC] Medium Grey #9

[CC1] Baby Green #3

[CC2] Soft Peach #5

[CC3] Off White #101

[CC4] Lilac #10

The pattern will specify how many you need of each skein for the size you want to make. The pattern can be found here.

I will be using this sample for a second trunk show display.

My first trunk show of samples is booked so far in advance now that I'm having another

set of samples knit up so that I can have 2 trunk shows traveling simultaneously.

This is a fun excuse for me to have my patterns knit up in different colorways to show some variety.

I think that one of the most fun things about this Playful Stripes pattern is picking out the colors.

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino has such a great variety of beautiful colors to choose from. The possibilities are endless!

Another color combination that recently caught my attention was found on ravelry.com.

Click here to see. When I knit this sweater again, Id like to try these colors next. So cute!

You know what else is cute?

After the photo shoot, I caught Playful Stripes cuddling with Elijah the knitted elephant.

I quick snapped a picture while they weren't looking. :)

Do you remember this sweater? My first garment design?

The sweater I accidentally made too big for my daughter at the time? Yea.. that one.

The Playful Stripes cardigan.

Well, I tried the sweater on my daughter again during this past winter

and it actually fits quite well this year!

She, at 4 years old, can finally now wear a size 3!

Now that the sweater fits well, I decided to rephotograph this piece and add the new and improved pictures to the pattern.

While I was at it I also decided to get the pattern layout redesigned...

then I figured that as long as I was having the entire pattern redone, a few numbers should be reworked as well.

One thing just led to another. :)

I'm happy to present to you the new and improved Playful Stripes pattern. The pattern is now beautifully redesigned (by a professional graphic designer) with original artwork and illustrations. There is a full sizing schematic now included which should prove very helpful, and there has also been some refinements made to the fit of the garment.

Here is the pattern information to those of you who are interested in knitting this design:

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

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 17.75 (18.75, 19.75, 21.75, 22.75) [24.75, 25.75, 26.75, 27.75] inches / 45 (47.5, 50, 55, 58)[63, 65.5, 68, 70.5] cm
Length: 8.75 (9.25, 10.25, 11.25, 12.25) [13.25, 14.25, 15.25, 16.25]" / 22 (23.5, 26, 28.5, 31) [33.5. 36, 38.5, 41.5] cm after blocking. 

Shown in Size 3; to be worn with 2" / 5 cm of positive ease. 

MATERIALS
[MC] Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino [55% Merino Wool, 33% Microfibre, 12% Cashmere; 137 yd/125m per 50g skein]; color: Off White #101; 2 [2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6] skeins
[CC1] color: Light Pink #601; 1 skein
[CC2] color: Chocolate #011; 1 skein
[CC3] color: Baby Blue #202; 1 skein
[CC4] color: Pea Green #503; 1 skein
1# 32-inch US #4/3.50mm circular needle
1# 24-inch US #4/3.50mm circular needle
1# 32-inch US #3/3.25mm circular needle
4 pieces of scrap yarn to hold underarm stitches, safety pin markers, and stitch holders
5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7) Small buttons
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
24 sts/36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 4 needles

This really is a fun little sweater to make. It's knit from the bottom up in one piece and the striped yoke is so addicting! That part went so fast for me. I just wanted to keep adding one more color to see what it would look like.. it went by in a flash!

I certainly hope that you enjoy it too!

As some of you already know, I've recently been working on an adult sized version of my Spring Garden Tee pattern! It's coming out very soon.. so I thought Id provide you with a little sneak peek now.

Look for the completed pattern around June 1!

This copy of Amy Butler's new book Midwest Modern Knits (provided by Dancing Ewe Yarns) as well as these 2 skeins of

Amy Butler Belle Organic dk and aran (provided by Westminster Fibers) could be yours!

To enter to win, please leave a comment (with contact information) under this blogpost!

Winner will be announced June 1, 2010! Check back then to see if you are the winner!

Remember, only one comment per person please. :)

Winner is Lisa! Congratulations! Drawing Now Closed!

Episode 36

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Amy Butler Belle Organic

Midwest Modern Knits

Amy Butler Website

Jessica on Ravelry

"I Purled My Knit"

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow Me On Twitter!

The Winner of Episode 35's drawing giveaway is

Penelope10

! Congratulations!

*Check back in a few days to enter a special "Amy Butler drawing" for episode 36!

Receive 15% off of the new

Amy Butler Belle Organic yarn

at

Dancing Ewe Yarns

until June 15,2010! Just enter special code "NNK1" in the checkout process!

This offer is exclusive to the Never Not Knitting listeners and blog readers!

To download Episode 36 of Never Not Knitting directly as an MP3 file click here.

Life has recently thrown us some unexpected surprises as sometimes life does. One change that has caused some stress recently is our moving houses, and figuring out exactly where all of that yarn of mine is going to fit. :)

But I'm still here working and knitting.

Here is my latest design project.. almost done! Well.. On my end anyways...

there is still the business of test knitting, tech editing, and pattern layout.

It takes a team to get a pattern published!

This is my first adult garment and I'm awfully excited about it!

Expect to see it around the first of June.

Also.. check out this wonderfully cheery new yarn I got in the mail yesterday..

There's nothing like brightly colored yarn to cheer a person up, right?

I have a little design project in mind for this one as well and I can't wait to get going on it.

This yarn is part of an exciting new line that I know a lot of knitters have been talking about.

I'll be sharing a review of it in my next podcast episode!

Episode 35

Shownotes:

Knitting Iceland

Ragga's Blog

Helene's Blog

Knitting Iceland Contact Information

Knitting Iceland Facebook Page

Knitting Iceland Ravelry Group

Evelyn Clark

Ysolda Teague

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Follow Me On Twitter!

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

Congratulations to

Olof

the winner of last episodes "

Color By Kristin Drawing"

!

Download the MP3 for Episode 35 HERE

This is so cool I just had to share it with you!

A few weeks back Shelley, the owner of Loops yarn shop in Tulsa Oklahoma, asked my permission to use my Haltermelon and Cedar Leaf Shawlette pattern pictures for a front window display for her shop.

Of course I said YES!

Above are the pictures she sent me of her new window displays.

You can't tell from the pictures but these photo banners are 4 feet across by 6 feet tall!

How awesome! I so wish that I could see the displays in real life!

I cant tell you how amazing it feels to have a yarn shop prominently feature my designs like this.

It truly is an honor! Thank you Shelley!

If you live close by, please check out Loops! You can find more info about the shop by clicking here. Loops stocks all of the

Never Not Knitting designs in print if you'd like to see my patterns in person.

I just wanted to share with you this lovely version of my Cosette Wrap knit out of Malabrigo Worsted.

This was made up by my lovely friend Claire to be included in the Never Not Knitting trunk show.

What a wonderfully cozy sample this is. Malabrigo Worsted is such a soft wool and reasonably priced as well!

The body of the wrap is knit in the Paris Night colorway and the edging is in Polar Moon.

If your local yarn shop is on my trunk show schedule, you'll get to try on this cozy wrap for yourself!

Wow, do I have a great drawing for you to enter!

On my latest podcast episode I had the privilege of interviewing Kristin Nicholas, the author of Color By Kristin.

What a fun book this is! The designs are so colorful and whimsical and the

book offers informative practical design information as well!

Book available here.

Here are my 2 favorite sweater patterns from the book.

Don't they look like they would be so fun to make?

All of the patterns in Color By Kristin call for Nashua Julia Yarn,

a yarn developed by Kristin Nicholas herself.

In order to give you the full Kristin Nicholas experience, you have a chance to win a brand new copy of Color By Kristin (provided by Sixth & Spring Books) along with these 12 skeins of the beautiful Julia yarn! (Yarn provided by Westminster Fibers.)

What a great opportunity this is to play with color and try out the many great colorwork techniques presented in the book.

To enter to win this fabulous prize just leave a comment (with contact information) under this drawing post!

If you'd like to gain an additional drawing entry, please link to this giveaway

from your blog, twitter, or facebook account.

In your comment, please show me where I can find your link.

Remember, only one comment per person please.

The winner will be announced May 1, 2010, so please check back then to see if you've won!

Drawing Now Closed. Congratulations to Olof, the winner!

Episode 34

Shownotes:

Sixth & Spring Books

Color by Kristin

Child's Zip-up Cardigan

Best Friend Pullover

Julia Yarn

Kristin's Website

Kristin's Knitting Blog

Interview with ME

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter!

The winner of episode 33's drawing giveaway is

Pandora's Box of Fiber

! Congratulations!

*Check back tomorrow for a new drawing giveaway to enter.*

Download the Mp3 for Episode 34

HERE

.

Guess what? Just recently I was interviewed via Skype by Veronika from the

Yarn on the House blog!

You'll have to stop by and give it a listen! It's definitely a more candid, personal type of interview. I'm sure you'll learn some embarassing.. um.. I mean.. surprising new things about me! :)

Yarn on the House is a really fun blog!

Veronika posts a drawing and gives away yarn every single week!

How great is that? If you are as yarn obsessed as I am, this is definitely a blog to subscribe to!

Here is this weeks giveaway! Click here to get all the details and to enter to win!

Thank you Veronika for featuring me this week!

As you might have noticed lately, I've been making a few changes around here!

One of the things I've added is a new and improved pattern store that enables you

to purchase several patterns at once instead of one at a time.

View the pattern store tutorial below.

I hope that you enjoy this change! :)