The second Coastal Kids pattern has now been released! 

Introducing Mini Water's Edge by Hannah Fettig.

This is a tiny children's version of the original Water's Edge Cardigan pattern from Coastal Knits.

Isn't it so cute? This design works so well for little ones.

Click HERE for more information about this design.

It's available for purchase HERE. Enjoy!

The first pattern in our new Coastal Kids collection is now available for purchase!

Here is Little Oak, the tiny children's version of my original Gnarled Oak Cardigan 

from the book Coastal Knits!

Although I love the adult version of this sweater, I think that I might love this tiny 6 month size even more! 

It is so sweet to see a miniature version.

Although the original adult sweater was designed for women, I definitely think that the

 baby sizes could work for both a girl or a boy. 

Knit up in this beautiful glowing brown, I think it suits my little guy very well.

Here is the pattern information:

Please note that the smaller sizes require a smaller gauge.

SIZE

6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2)[4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14]

Shown in size 6 months and size 4; to be worn with 1-2” /  2.5-5 cm of positive ease.

MATERIALS

Sizes 6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2) 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins Becoming Art Theia Sport (75% Merino Wool, 15% Cashmere, 10% Silk; 260 yd / 238m; 4 oz / 113g); in Tulgey Wood OR 380 (430, 500, 575) yds / 347 (393, 457, 526) m of a sport or fingering weight wool blend such as Madelinetosh Tosh Sock.

Sizes 4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) 3 [4, 5, 5, 6, 7] skeins Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK (100% Merino Wool; 225 yd / 206 m; 3 ½ oz / 100g); in Sequoia OR 675 (795, 955, 1110, 1270, 1385) yds  617 (727, 873, 1015, 1161, 1266) m of a dk or sport weight wool blend such as Madelinetosh Tosh Merino or Madelinetosh Tosh Sport.

Sizes 6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2)

US3 / 3.25mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle and set of 4 dpns

US2 / 2.75 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle

Sizes 4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14)

US6 / 4 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle and set of 4 dpns

US5 / 3.75 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needle

Stitch markers, 4 scraps of yarn to hold underarm sts 1 safety pin marker, 2 stitch holders, cable needle, tapestry needle, 5 (5, 6, 6)[5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8] medium buttons ½ (½, ½, ½)[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)”/ 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5)[2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5] cm in diameter, sewing needle and matching thread

GAUGE

Sizes 6 months (12 months, 18 months, 2) 28 sts and 38 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on US 3 / 3.25 mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

Sizes 4 (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) 24 sts and 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on US 6 / 4 mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

A note about yarn choice and gauge:

For this design, I felt that a thicker yarn knit at a tight gauge made the leaf and cable motif at the yoke really stand out. If you happen to knit loosely, you may find that you are more easily able to achieve the same gauge by substituting a thinner yarn such as a sport weight for the larger sizes and a fingering weight for the smaller sizes. Remember that although the thickness of yarn is a personal preference, the most important thing is that you are able to match the pattern gauge.

Since all of our Coastal Kids patterns are available in a wide range of sizes, 

Big Sister has a matching Little Oak of her very own!

Here is the size 4 on my very very petite six year old daughter. :)

It's not often that I come across a sweater pattern that can be knit for both of them and myself as well!

Our family will be enjoying this design for years to come and I hope that yours does too!

Purchase the pdf below or look for the pattern in print at your local yarn shop.

Be sure to check out Hannah's blog on May 4th for the release of our next Coastal Kids pattern...

Mini Water's Edge!

Our new Coastal Kids patterns will be released soon!

This is a collection of four individual pint-sized versions of the original garment designs from our book, 

Coastal Knits: Little Oak, Mini Water's Edge, Wee Wildflower and Tiny Rocky Coast.

Each design is available in children's sizes ranging from 6 months thru size 14.

These patterns will be available individually as pdf downloads or in print through your local yarn shop.

Check back here on May 1 for the first pattern release.. Little Oak!

Hannah and I are so excited about these little knits! 

We think that they turned out so cute and hope that you enjoy knitting them too!

Episode 61

Shownotes:

Coastal Knits

New Baby Boy!

Baby Hat

Baby Owl 

Stitches West 2012

Winter Trails Hat Pattern

The Fibre Company Organik

My Grandmother's Knitting

Larissa Brown

Knitalong

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter!

Enter to win a copy of  the book, My Grandmother's Knitting, by leaving a comment under this blogpost by May 15, 2012. Please do not forget to include your contact information.

If it isn't included then I will have to draw another winner! Only one comment per person please.

The book winner will be announced on my next podcast episode.

Please send me a personal knitting story to share on a future episode! 

Send your 5 min+ story recordings to nevernotknitting@gmail.com and receive a knitting related thank you gift from me!

Details in the episode...

Thank you for listening!

I recently ordered a new little something...

Do you know what this means?

That is right.. The podcast is returning!

Season 7 will be starting up soon!

I recently stumbled upon a lovely version of the Wildflower Cardigan pattern from Coastal Knits that I just had to share.

The photos courtesy of the lovely Kristen from learnersperknit.blogspot.com

She did such a lovely job on it, don't you think? This sweater is so flattering on her. It fits perfectly!

Spring is definitely in the air and this is the perfect sweater design for it. As a little update, I am happy to tell you that I just finished a tiny version of this cardigan for my daughter and it looks rather adorable on her!

The Wee Wildflower cardigan will be part of the new Coastal Kids pattern collection that Hannah and I will be releasing shortly.

Stay tuned!

My "office"

Yep. That's me. I am a work-at-home Mom of two little ones. I just had to snap a picture of my 

"knitting chair" today because I felt it well represents my life at this time.

Between the day to day children/cleaning/family/work juggling act I feel that I am working constantly, but accomplishing little. I joke with my friends that I am now knitting at a rate of one row per day.

I have had to become an expert at the fine art of multitasking. 

Right now I am typing this blog post one handed with a baby in my arms.

It's a crazy life for sure.. But I'm glad to have these little people around me during the day.

Although our days can be hectic and somewhat exhausting, I know that deep down I wouldn't want it any other way.

Because.. someday they will be all grown up.. and I know that I will miss playing barbies while feeding a baby and typing an email and making dinner..

..right?

Over the years I have been trying to teach my daughter to knit. 

If you are a long time reader.. you may remember this post from a few years back.

Now that she is six years old, I am happy to report that
she has turned into quite the accomplished little knitter.

She has now finished her first project. A stylish scarf for her elephant.

And she is very proud.

... as am I!

Last night she says to me.. 

"Mom.. why don't we both grab our knitting and sit on the couch and knit together?"

Somebody pinch me.. I must be dreaming. :)

I've been busy over here!

Recently I had the privilege of working with one of my favorite yarn lines again... Becoming Art.

This time I have knitted up a very special little something out of her Theia Sport yarn in the Tulgey Wood colorway. This is a new design for my baby boy.

Can you guess what it is?

How about now?

Yes, you are right. It's a cute little sweater. But not just any sweater...

A tiny version of my Gnarled Oak Cardigan!

The Little Oak Cardigan will be released as part of a new pattern collection from myself and Hannah called Coastal Kids. We will soon be releasing pint size versions of our favorite Coastal Knits patterns!

Look for the new Coastal Kids collection within the next few months!

I cannot tell you how much I love this little sweater. And the good news is.. the little guy also thinks it's pretty great.

Now onto a tiny version of the Wildflower Cardigan for my daughter!

Well.. we are back from Stitches West... or "Mommy's Never Not Knitting party" as my 6 year old daughter refers to it. :)

I have to say that despite all of the work, I had a really great time this year and am very glad that I was there.

Our booth.

With my booth-mate Lisa being 8 months pregnant and me with my 3 month old little guy.. it really was a bit of a miracle that we actually pulled it off!

I brought the little guy to the booth with me as much as possible.. but come to find out.. babies don't really like knitting conventions. Weird. 

I know that he did, however, enjoy meeting Ysolda. 

You might notice the star-struck look on his face. :)

My favorite thing about this year was getting to see everyone's enthusiasm for Coastal Knits. I signed many books over the weekend which was very fun!

I also found many knitters around the convention center wearing their Coastal Knits garments. I tried to track down as many as possible for a picture.

Rocky Coast sighting

Rocky Coast sighting #2

Ok.. another Rocky Coast..

And yet another!

This last knitter pictured actually spun up all of the yarn for her Rocky Coast Cardigan herself! Didn't she do such a beautiful job?

Gnarled Oak

Water's Edge

Sand and Sea Shawlette

I loved hearing this knitter's story behind her Sand and Sea Shawlette. If you own a copy of Coastal Knits, you will know that this design was inspired by the incoming tide at Morro Strand Beach. Apparently this is the exact spot where this knitter's husband proposed to her. This shawl was a sentimental knit for her and she lovingly refers to it as her "engagement shawl". I thought that was so sweet.

Rustling Leaves on Maia from Tactile Fiber Arts!

Cambrian Cowl on Carrie Sundra from Alpenglow Yarns

And Ysolda took a liking to the Wildflower Cardigan that I had on display and wore it all day on Sunday. It looks so cute on her!

 Well actually if you want the real story.. she stole it off of our mannequin. But I figure that if Ysolda likes your sweater.. that's a good thing. And if Ysolda steals your sweater.. you let her. :)

She did give it back though.. so it was really more of a borrowing.

Thanks to everyone who came up and said "hello" at Stiches this year. It was great to see all of you!

I'll be heading off to the Stitches West convention this week and I am awfully excited!

I will be sharing booth #1139 with the amazing Lisa Sanchez from Becoming Art again this year.

I will be there with all of my patterns, many knitted samples, and of course lots of copies of Coastal Knits... oh and a cute baby too.

I'll also have lots of fun little things there to give away to all of you.. so be sure to stop by and say hello!

Just look for the blonde girl covered in spit up holding a baby. :)

There are two book signings scheduled if you would like to bring your copy of Coastal Knits for me to sign.

Friday 2/24 booth #1139 I will be signing books from 2:00-2:30

Saturday 2/25 booth #931 (Alpenglow Yarns) I will be signing from 11:30-12:00

But if you happen to catch me at any other time during the show, I'll be happy to sign it for you then too. :)

I look forward to seeing all of my friends again and meeting new ones. See you soon!

Just sharing a recent knitted sample of my Cedar Leaf Shawlette pattern in Malabrigo Silky Merino in the Sand colorway. The golden leaves are so very pretty.

 This was expertly knit up for me by greentrianglegirl on Ravelry.. who also happens to be the host of 

A Playful Day podcast... where I made a recent guest appearance.

What a small world it is.. :)

I just received my three samples of my new Winter Trails pattern back from my test knitters.. and before I put them in this month's trunk shows, I thought I would share a picture.

For this pattern, I chose to have it tested in three different worsted weight yarn blends,
but all in a wintry off-white. 

I love seeing the differences that yarn choice makes in this design.

From the right: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Natural, Cascade Venezia Worsted in color #101, and Cascade Cloud 9 in color #101.

I think that my favorite has got to be Cascade Cloud 9. I have always really enjoyed how a fuzzy yarn like this looks knitted up in cables. (Here is another example of great cable-to-fuzz ratio. Oh and here is another favorite fuzzy knit.)

Thank you to Veronika, Stephanie, and CeRae for doing such a great job on these knits for me!

Pattern available HERE.

I am happy to tell you that there is a new addition to my pattern line! 

And yes.. since you asked.... I AM proud of myself for completing this pattern while having a new baby in the house! :)

Although I seem to be designing at a snail's pace these days, I am very happy with how this hat turned out.

 The cable pattern weaves through itself and is very fun to work up. Also.. the entire project knits up quickly with a worsted weight yarn. The end result is a squishy, cozy, elegant hat, perfect for a cold winter's day.

For the hat pictured, I chose The Fibre Company Organik yarn in Arctic Tundra after being 

inspired by this lovely knit. What a fabulous yarn this is! 

This is my first time working with it, and the texture of this yarn is amazing. 

Soft, slightly shiny, slight halo.. gorgeous.

Here is the pattern information for those of you interested in knitting up a Winter Trails hat of your very own:

SIZE

Women’s Medium-Large

(fits 19–23” / 48–58cm head circumference)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Brim Circumference approx 17” / 43cm unstretched.

MATERIALS

The Fibre Company Organik [70% Merino, 15% Alpaca, 15% Silk; 98 yd/90m per 1.75 oz / 50g skein]; color: Arctic Tundra; 2 skeins or approx 180 yd / 165m of a worsted weight wool or wool blend.

Alternate Yarns: Cascade Yarns Venezia Worsted, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino, Malabrigo Merino Worsted

1 16” / 40cm US7 / 4.5mm circular needle for brim.

1 16” / 40cm US8 / 5mm circular needle for body of hat.

1 set of US8 / 5mm double pointed needles

Cable needle

Stitch marker

Tapestry needle

GAUGE

18 sts/ 24 rows = 4" / 10cm in Stockinette stitch on US8 / 5mm needles or size needed for accurate gauge.

The pattern contains both charted and written instructions.

As always, thank you to Julie Crawford for modeling and to her husband for the excellent photography. 

I hope that you enjoy the pattern!

This pattern is now available in French!

I just recently had this lovely set of pattern samples knit up for me by one of my fabulous test/sample knitters, Anne. This is my Autumn Vines Beret and Oak Grove mitts worked up in the lovely Road to China Light yarn in the Ruby colorway by The Fibre Company. I've used this yarn before but I especially I love the elegant look it gives to these designs in particular. The slight fuzzy texture and sheen is so luxurious!

Although the stitch pattern is different, I've always felt that this hat and mitt pattern would serve as an excellent coordinating set, especially knit up in the same colorway like this.

I often have samples knit up for trunk shows and to put on display in different venues... but this particular set.. I wish I could keep. It's so pretty!

Autumn Vines Beret pattern found HERE. 

Oak Grove mitt pattern found HERE. 

Yarn found HERE.

There are so many good things lately that I have been very happy and excited about...

First of all.. on a personal note.. our little guy is now 2 months old and is all smiles these days.

Just a smiling face sitting atop a pair of shoulders. No neck in sight. :)

Aside from that, I've felt re-enthused about my knitting and have been working on a new design!

Squishy elegant cables are always a treat.

Also. I am planning out a trip to Santa Clara, California at the end of February because I am going to be a vendor at Stitches West again this year! The neckless baby and I will be sharing a booth again with Lisa Sanchez from Becoming Art. Crazy? Yes, probably. But it will be fun.

See.. so many good things.

When I was recently invited to my friend's baby shower celebrating the birth of her new baby son born only 3 days before my own.. I was a bit concerned. Not about attending. But about getting her a gift.

These days, I rarely get out of the house.. Not only does it seem to take half the day to get myself ready to go anywhere, but between lugging around a huge diaper bag, and a baby carrier containing a baby that may start screaming at any moment.. shopping is a bit nightmarish at this point. Not to mention.. my first attempt at grocery shopping with both children last week has left me traumatized to the point in which I may never recover...

So I am very happy to say that with a little ingenuity and the help of the internet..  I put together a clever little baby gift (if I do say so myself) without leaving the house. 

In keeping with the "owl themed" baby shower, I purchased these sweet hand-painted little owl shirts from this awesome etsy shop. A onesie for baby Logan and a little tee shirt for his older brother, Cole. 

I just love these..

I then found a stray envelope and handcrafted a personalized card using the computer and some of my daughter's construction paper.

And then comes the cutest part.

Using some scraps of yarn, felt, some left over buttons, and this pattern as a guide,

I created this cute baby owl as a present topper...

..and attached him to the box like this..

All of the wrapping materials were recycled as well.. 

(because I am one of those people that carefully folds up and hoards 

wrapping paper and ribbons when I receive a gift.)

So there you have it.

An owl themed gift created from the comfort of my own home.

And by the way.. she loved it. :)

Over the past few weeks I have gone through my pictures from the photoshoots for Coastal Knits and was reminded of how much I enjoyed that experience. For those of you familiar with our book, you'll know that it isn't me modeling my designs, it's actually my former babysitter and friend Andrea.

Hannah and I had originally intended to model for the book ourselves, but since I ended up pregnant during the time the pictures were taken.. I wasn't exactly feeling or looking very "model-y".

It really worked out well however because not only did Andrea make for a perfect model, but now I have a super cute and squishy baby too! :)

We spread the picture taking over three separate days using the evening time for the best light. 

My husband, daughter, and Andrea's fiance, Hunter accompanied us each time. 

On a side note.. Both Andrea and Hunter are two of my most favorite people and couldn't make a cuter couple! 

In fact.. you podcast listeners might be interested to know that Hunter is also the voice behind the Never Not Knitting podcast theme song! We have known Hunter for years. He is an amazing and talented guy, and proved to be a great help on the photoshoots as well. He worked the second camera for me and helped us carry coats, props, and even my daughters pink sippy cup. What a guy.

We were able to capture some really pretty model shots of Andrea for the book, but it wasn't all serious work all of the time...there were definitely some silly times too.

Additionally.. Andrea was such a great sport because I made her do all sorts of uncomfortable things.. like model in front of onlookers. 

That's the awkward part about photoshoots in public places. :)

I also made her climb eucalyptus trees for the Rustling Leaves Beret photoshoot.

and instructed her to stare at them lovingly...

Which she actually did. 

Poor girl. I really put her through it. :)

We weren't the only ones who had fun though.. my daughter LOVED exploring our coastal locations with my husband while we were busy taking pictures.

She walked the flower fields of Shell Creek Rd...

Ran through the waves at Morro Strand Beach...

Climbed the gnarled oaks in the Los Osos Oaks State Reserve...

And walked the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk with us.

And had a fabulous time with Andrea as well. 

Andrea started babysitting for us when my daughter was only 8 months old and the two of them have a very special relationship. My daughter looks up to her so much. It is very sweet.

What a fun experience it was creating this book with friends distant and local. It was a lot of work, but I will always look back on the process with fond memories.

Thank you again to Andrea and Hunter for all of your help with our project. 

We couldn't have done it without you!

Someone that I know is now 1 month old...

...and has gained 3 pounds...and grown 2 1/2 inches...as you might have noticed.

I haven't wanted to mention it to him, but his Owlet sweater is already growing a bit snug around his tummy. And lets not even get into the double chin situation. :)

The month has gone by all too fast. I can't believe how much he has already changed and grown.

The past few weeks have reminded me of how unbelievable time consuming newborns can be.

It is amazing how much I work and how little I accomplish. At the end of the day I try to remind myself that this is the most important job I can be doing right now.. taking care of my little chubby guy.

The rest can be put on hold for the moment because this special time won't last long... and in a year from now I will miss this roly-poly baby in his handknit sweater sitting on the couch with his big tummy and multiple chins.

Somehow between all of the feedings, diapering, and soothing.. I managed to knit up this stripey little hat for him a few weeks back. I'm a bit surprised that I actually got this done. I rarely have time to myself anymore, and when I do.. Instead of knitting, I find myself exhausted and staring blankly at the living room wall. I know that when we get into more of a routine, I will have more energy and get my creative enthusiasm back.

This little hat was knit from two stray balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, and I made up my own pattern using Kate Oates awesome Math For Hats book as a guide. 

I love the way this little project turned out and I think baby does too... maybe.. I dont know.. It's kind of hard to tell. :)

It just feels good to get something off the needles. It makes me feel productive.

Congratulations to Tonia!
The winner of the Blogiversary Book Giveaway!