Cabled Leaf Pullover

Hooray! I am happy to say that my Cabled Leaf Pullover pattern is now available individually!


This is a cozy pullover that will be a great go-to wardrobe addition this upcoming autumn! 
The body of the pullover is relatively simple with the addition of dart-like waist shaping for a nice fit, but my favorite part of the design is this particular type of neckline. This was my first time experimenting with a split-neckline versus a V-neck and I think it is so flattering! It was also very fun figuring out how to incorporate the cable detail right into it as if it was all one piece. I am really happy with how it turned out.

Additionally, I am happy to say that this pattern was written to accommodate nine different sizes ranging from 32"-57 1/2" bust measurement!


For this particular sweater, I worked with Manos del Uruguay Maxima which is such a soft and cozy wool. I think it would be gorgeous in Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Dream in Color Calm or 
The Fibre Company Organik yarn as well. 




Here is the pattern information for those of you interested in knitting up a Cabled Leaf Pullover of your very own!

SIZE
32 (35.25, 38.5, 41.5, 44.75)[48, 51.25, 54.5, 57.5]” / 81.5 (89.5, 97.5, 105.5, 114)[122, 130, 138, 146.5] cm

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 32 (35.25, 38.5, 41.5, 44.75)[48, 51.25, 54.5, 57.5]” / 81.5 (89.5, 97.5, 105.5, 114)[122, 130, 138, 146.5] cm
Length: 21.25 (22.25, 23.25, 24.25, 25.25)[26.25, 27.25, 28.25, 29.25]” / 54 (56.5, 59, 61.5, 64)[66.5, 69.5, 72, 74.5] cm
Shown in size 32” / 81.5 cm; to be worn with 2-3” / 5-7.5 cm of positive ease.

MATERIALS
Manos del Uruguay Maxima [100% Extrafine Merino Wool; 219 yd / 200 m per 3 ½ oz / 100 g skein]; color: Sand; 5 (5, 6, 7, 7)[8, 8, 9, 10] skeins or about 975 (1100, 1225, 1350, 1475)[1625, 1750, 1900, 2025] yd / 875 (1000, 1100, 1250, 1350)[1475, 1600, 1750, 1850] m of a worsted weight wool or wool blend. 

1 US7 / 4.5 mm 32” / 80 cm circular needle
1 set of US7 / 4.5 mm double-pointed needles

Stitch markers in 2 different colors
Stitch holders
Cable needle
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts / 26 rows = 4” / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch on US7 / 4.5 mm needles or size needed for accurate gauge.

Modeled by the lovely Julie Crawford of knittedbliss.com.

The Cabled Leaf Pullover pattern is available in pdf format below or in print at your local yarn shop. 

Remember that all of my printed patterns sold through yarn shops include a scratch off code on the back for you to download a complimentary pdf version that stores in your Ravelry library! By supporting your local yarn shop, you will receive two pattern formats for the price of one!

The Cabled Leaf Pullover is also available in French HERE.

I hope that you enjoy making this cozy pullover!






Alana Comments
Knit This, Purl That!

Recently I was invited to teach at a wonderful yarn shop Knit This, Purl That! in Pleasanton, CA.
The owner, Sandy as well as her staff were so very sweet and welcoming. 


As I walked around this adorable shop I was pleased to see my patterns and knitted samples prominently displayed at nearly every turn. What a compliment!







I couldn't have asked for a nicer group to work with in my class. 
Everyone was so supportive and kind. 


I am so grateful to Sandy and these wonderful knitters for an amazing weekend in Pleasanton. 
I hope to visit again!

If you are ever in the area, be sure to stop by Knit This, Purl That! in Pleasanton. 
It's a great shop with great people!


Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 90 : Sweatoo you!

Episode 90

Enter to win a copy of Knits For Boys contributed by Stackpole Books along with a skein of Hikoo Abracadabra Yarn by leaving a comment below with your contact information by May 15th. Only one comment per person please. The winner will be contacted on May 16th.

Thank you for listening!

AlanaNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
This Little Piggy


Attention all knitters. I have an important announcement to make. 
I have just now finished the most adorable baby knit that ever was.


This hat.


 "This Little Piggy" hat by Kate Oates is complete with a snout, ears, and of course...



... a curly tail in the back!

I knit this hat up in only one day with only one skein of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. This yarn is a perfect choice for a baby knit because it is so soft.. and just the perfect piggy color too, don't you think?

I am so glad that my friend just recently had a baby girl because it gave me an excuse to knit this hat!
And it's hard to believe.. but it's actually cuter on a tiny baby. If that is even possible.





Congratulations to my friend Kyla and her new sweet little Piggy, Tessa.

Pattern available HERE.




Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 89 : The Sentimental Knitter

Episode 89

Enter to win this beautiful  "Big Woods Shawl Kit" from Little Skein in the Big Wool 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 90!

Thank you for listening!

AlanaNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Trunk Show

Come visit the Never Not Knitting trunk show when it is at a LYS near you!
 
April 2015
Kid Ewe Knot in Bridgeville, PA
Maddie Made It in Torrance, CA
 
May 2015
 Kniticality in Saluda, NC
Wildfiber Studio in Santa Monica, CA
 
June 2015
 The Celtic Knot in Silverdale, WA
The Speckled Sheep in Lancaster, PA
 
July 2015
Wildfiber Studio in Santa Monica, CA
 
September 2015
 Knotted Needle in Grosse Pointe, MI
 
Please contact Alana if you would like to host the Never Not Knitting trunk show at your local yarn shop.
nevernotknitting@gmail.com
NeverNotKnittingComment
Knitting in the Northwest

Just a few days ago, I returned home from one of the most memorable and luxurious trips I have ever had the pleasure of going on.

I am so honored to have been an instructor at the Lantern Moon Retreat this year in Sisters, Oregon.
We all stayed in adorable cabins in the Five Pine Lodge and it was beyond amazing. There is nothing like knitting in cozy, peaceful surroundings!




The best part however was getting to meet all of these fabulous knitters! 


If you are ever looking for a knitting retreat to attend in the future, I highly suggest Lantern Moon retreats. Cathy and Sharon really put on a nice event. I have never eaten so much good food and had such great company in my whole entire life!

By the way, if you find yourself in Sisters in the future, be sure to stop by The Stitchin' Post, a fabulous yarn and fabric store with a selection to die for! 


The next stop on our trip was Wildfibers yarn shop in Mount Vernon, Washington...


... where I was greeted by this welcoming yarn shop owner, Sarah, wearing her beautiful Sprig pullover!


 I was so happy to see so many Botanical Knits samples displayed beautifully around the store and classroom. Sarah really did think of every detail to make my time there special.

I was happy to spend a full day at this beautiful store teaching classes, making new friends and of course...shopping! Of course.


My visit to Wildfibers coincided with the Spincycle Yarns trunk show. It is always a pleasure to get to visit with the ladies of Spincycle and check out their gorgeous colorways.


 On our way back from the shop, we passed by the most beautiful site I may have ever seen. 
A gigantic field of daffodils. As far as the eye could see. Amazing.


My husband and I greatly enjoyed our time on the Pacific Northwest. I am so grateful to Cathy, Sharon and Joel from Lantern Moon for inviting me to be part of such a lovely retreat, to Sarah for hosting me at Wildfibers and for all of the knitters who made me feel so welcome.

I hope to visit again.

Alana Comments
Botanical Knits Patterns Now Available Individually


I am so excited to share that the patterns from my book Botanical Knits, published in 2013, are now available for purchase as individual pdfs!




Please visit ravelry.com HERE to purchase your favorite patterns from the book.

Of course, the complete collection is still available in ebook form at botanicalknits.com or in print at your local yarn shop.


Enjoy!



Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 88 : Interview With Kitterly

Episode 88

Enter to win a free kit of your choice from Kitterly.com! Please leave a comment below with your contact information by March 15th to enter. Only one comment per person please. 

The winner will be announced in Episode 89! 

Special promotion: Use coupon code "STITCHES2015" to receive 15% off of your next kit purchase on kitterly.com! 

Thank you for listening!

AlanaNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Exclusive New Pattern! The Cabled Leaf Pullover



Introducing my brand new sweater design which is for now exclusively available through kitterly.com!


Kitterly is a brand new site with a personalized and easy approach to shopping for your next knitting project! They provide an easy way for you to search according to project type and skill level and get all of the materials you will need for the project of your choice in just a few simple clicks! They take all of the guesswork out of the process for those who like to shop for materials online.

I am pleased to have many of my patterns available to purchase on the Kitterly site as well as my latest pattern as an "exclusive Kitterly project".

This particular sweater was just debuted at Stitches West this past weekend, so I have a special Stitches discount code to share with you. 

Use code "STITCHES2015" in the checkout process to save 15% 
on your next project purchase on kitterly.com!


Please click HERE to learn more about my new Cabled Leaf Pullover modeled by the lovely 
Julie Crawford from knittedbliss.com.





Alana Comments
Headed to Stitches West!


I am spending my day today tying up loose ends getting all packed up for Stitches West 2015! I'm so excited! For those of you attending the show this year, please visit Lisa (Becoming Art Yarns) and myself at booths 1039 and 1041. Come check out Lisa's amazing hand-dyed yarns and all of my new leafy designs! :)

I knit up a few more of my Little Leaves from my book Botanical Knits to decorate our booth this year. Find the pattern in the back of your Botanical Knits book or for free HERE on Ravelry.

I look forward to seeing everyone again this year at Stitches West! :)




Alana Comments
Arlo

I just finished this most handsome Arlo cardigan for my son and I love it soooo much!
The cables on this sweater are to die for.



This pattern is from BT Kids. I came across it months ago and immediately fell in love. I am happy to have finally gotten the chance to knit it up for my sweet boy. It is a little on the big side, but I like the idea that he will be able to wear it next year as well. 





The yarn I used was Quince and Co. Lark in the Frost colorway which was a perfect match for this pattern.

Pattern available for purchase HERE.
Yarn available HERE.



Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 87 : All The Colors

Episode 87

Enter to win a copy of 150 Scandinavian Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone (provided by Interweave Press)  as well as four skeins of Limited Edition Blacker Yarns Westcountry Tweed (provided by Blacker Yarns) by leaving a comment with your contact information under this post by February 15th. Only one comment per person please. There are two identical prize sets to give away... so two winners will be announced in Episode 88!

Thank you for listening!

AlanaNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Perennial


When spring arrives, a perennial plant once dormant, will grow and bloom once again. 
I am so pleased to share with you my newest pattern design, Perennial, which
 captures the beauty of new spring growth with a sprouting plant motif growing up one side.



The great thing about this little hat is that it only requires 125 yards of worsted weight yarn making it a great one-skein, stash-busting project! 

As with most of my patterns, both written and charted instructions are included to accommodate different knitting styles.

Modeling and photography provided by the beautiful Julie Crawford of knittedbliss.com.





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

SIZE
Women’s Medium-Large 
(fits 19–23” / 48–58cm head circumference)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Brim Circumference approx 17” / 43 cm unstretched. 

MATERIALS
Dream in Color Calm [100% US Wool; 240 yd / 219 m per 3 1/2 oz / 100 grams; color: Fern Slipper; 1 skein or approx 125 yd / 115 m of a worsted weight wool or wool blend. 

Alternate Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Manos Del Uruguay Maxima

1 16” / 40cm US7 / 4.5 mm circular needle 
1 16” / 40cm US8 / 5 mm circular needle 
1 set of US8 / 5mm double pointed needles
Stitch markers in 3 different colors (1 color each to mark beginning of round, motif stitches, and decreases)
Cable needle
Tapestry needle

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



In other exciting news, we added a new feature to all NNK printed patterns in order to support all of our local yarn shops that we appreciate so much!

If you would like to purchase the Perennial hat pattern in print from a yarn shop near you, it will include a scratch off code on the back for you to receive a complimentary download version of your new pattern. And the best news is that the accompanying download with be stored in your Ravelry library!

Now you will be able to enjoy your beautiful printed copy as well as the pdf download to print out and mark up as you please. 2 formats for the price of 1!


I hope that all of you will enjoy knitting up Perennial as well as our new download feature on the printed patterns!

Purchase the pdf only version of Perennial below or purchase in print at a yarn shop near you!





Alana Comments
Tycoon Vest

I think my boy looks so dapper in this new vest I just finished for him.
And the good news is that he did not complain about wearing it one bit! 
I think he is coming around on the knitwear.



This is the Tycoon Vest pattern by Kate Oates knit out of Berroco Ultra Alpaca.

I bought this yarn before my son was born with the intention of making him a sweater.. it's only taken me 3 years to get around to it. :)


My favorite thing about this pattern was the slip stitch textured pattern. It was fun to knit and the resulting fabric is so warm, thick and squishy.

Pattern available HERE.


Alana Comments
A Little Handmade Gift

I have recently been invited to a baby shower for my friend due in a few months, and I knew a special handmade gift was in order.

I again used my precious supply of Patagonia wool to knit up a Cradle Cardigan by Hannah Fettig for her new little daughter. This is a basic design in a classic color but I think it will be so useful.



The cardigan is paired with a hand sewn Geranium Dress designed by Made By Rae and....



...a tiny Garter Ear Flap Hat.



I found this pattern for free on The Purl Bee and modified it for the sport weight yarn to match the sweater. I thought this hat worked really nicely with the cardigan due to the garter stitch details.



I look forward to giving this special handmade gift to my friend. I hope her and her new baby love it.

Cradle Cardigan Pattern available HERE.
Garter Ear Flap Hat Pattern available HERE.
Geranium Dress Pattern available HERE.



Alana Comments
Baby Latte Coat


I just completed this adorable Baby Latte Coat for my son, and after a little bit of bribery, he finally put it on so I could snap a few pictures!



 This is going to be the perfect coat for him to wear this winter. The design itself is so dapper with the double row of buttons and textured band. I used Quince and Co. Osprey yarn in the honey colorway for this knit and I love the warmth and squish that this yarn provides.



Pattern available HERE.
Yarn available HERE.


Alana Comments
The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 86 : Finding Athena

Episode 86

Enter to win one of these beautiful Raw Palette color collections of dk weight YOTH Yarn provided by Veronika Jobe by leaving a comment with your contact information under this post by January 15th. Only one comment per person please! Three winners will be announced in Episode 87.

Thank you for listening! 

AlanaNevernotknitting Podcast Comments
Yoked

I recently knit up this sweet tiny little cardigan as a baby gift.
It took only a few hours to make. It was soooo quick and easy!
Granted.. this is the smallest size. It looks like it would fit maybe a 3 month old.



I used a stashed skein of Becoming Art worsted weight yarn. I lost the label.. so that is unfortunately all I know... but you cannot go wrong with Becoming Art. Everything Lisa dyes up is just beautiful. The pattern is called Yoked Cardigan by Hannah Fettig. I did make one tiny modification. I added some decreases to the sleeves to bring them in a bit. I prefer that to the flared sleeve look.



I think this might be my new go-to baby gift pattern. It is so very sweet. If you are looking for a last minute baby gift, this is the cardigan for you! 

Pattern available HERE.


Alana Comments
Foxy

I just happened to finish knitting the most adorable hat pattern I have ever seen.
I did not make this for any special reason, nor was I planning on knitting it. It was simply a case of seeing this design and having to have it... right now.

I am so enjoying the current popularity of woodland animal patterns, and this one is no exception.

Meet Foxy!


This unbelievably cute hat was knit from the Foxy & Wolfie pattern designed by Ekaterina Blanchard and I used two very beautiful yarns from my out of control massive yarn collection. 

The orange skein is the beautiful Snow Capped Yarns Olde Salt Collection in the Rusty Anchor colorway from Cordova, Alaska. The Cream color yarn is Big Bad Wools Weepaca in Raw White. Both yarns were wonderful to work with and I am happy to have found these perfect colorways in my stash for this hat!

I made the toddler size and it somehow fits both of my kids. I think my 3 year old son has a giant head and my almost 9 year old daughter has a tiny head. Works out perfectly.

In other news.. both of my children love this hat. My knitwear-hating son actually asked to put it on.
Wow.



This little hat makes me so happy.

Pattern is available HERE.


Alana Comments