Thank You Knits

It is quite a common practice for knitters to share their handmade creations with loved ones for special occasions such as the arrival of a new baby, Christmas or birthdays, or to donate knits to charities within their community or all over the world. How often do you hear of people giving thank you gifts? Thank you notes are surely a kind gesture, but thank you knits? That is something I rarely hear about.

A few weeks ago, life threw me a whole lot of lemons. Luckily, I have some amazing friends who helped me through it: calling, texting and emailing often, bringing meals and even watching my kids... a lot. When I sat down to write each of them a special thank you note, I just couldn't do it. Some things are too difficult to put into words. So I said thank you the best way I knew how... with love and time and yarn.  I made each friend a handknit gift.

Hermione Hearts Ron in Fibre Company's Road to China Light (blue tourmaline)

Emma trying on Michelle's new hat while pretending to be fishing.

Rae by Jane Richmond, a favorite pattern of mine.

I used Sweet Georgia's Tough Love Sock in Goldmine.

... a perfect color for my friend, Sara

Ruche Beret by Susan B. Anderson in Highland Duo (white) for Danielle
(I know it's a bad picture, I swear this is the softest hat in the world - a must-knit for knitters.)

Knitters, the next time you feel the need to say thank you... knit something. I guarantee that both you and the recipient will feel happier because of it!

Little Birds

So when I last posted it was the height of summer, and now... well it's practically autumn! Sorry about that. I cannot tell you how many times I have made blog posts in my head. Sounds silly, I know. I find the pre-school car line and the shower to be the most inspiring of times, but the second I get a moment to sit down at the computer... well, you know how it is with 2 kids, a busy summer, and the distraction of yarn. 

That being said, I'm here and I am back in the game.

So today I'd like you to meet my most recently published patterns: Little Birds Beret and Little Birds Tunic. 

Both patterns are in the most recent publication of the Knit Now magazine (issue 25). It is a British monthly publication and I am completely thrilled to be apart of it!

See that cute baby in the dress and beret on the cover? She is sporting both of my new designs! The yarn used in the samples and in the pattern is King Cole Merino Blend DK. I originally wrote the pattern with Quince and Co.'s Chickadee in mind. So either would be great choices for the project. The King Cole yarn is a heftier and woolier yarn (although still a lighter DK yarn - almost sport weight), maybe a little better suited to winter-wear. The Chickadee (a favorite of mine, as you all know) is a springier, smoother wool that would be great for transitional weather.

Here is a picture of my swatch using Chickadee.

To celebrate this achievement I will be giving away 2 skeins of King Cole Merino Blend DK in the Aran colorway (the off-white color used for the bulk of the hat and tunic). The beret uses 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins for sizes 0-6 mo (6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 2-4 years, 5-10 years). And the tunic uses 2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6) skeins for sizes 3mo (6mo, 12 mo, 18 mo, 2 , 4, 6 years). It also uses very small amounts of Sky, (light blue), Mustard (orange) and Saxe (medium blue). So 2 skeins could make the smallest tunic or any size of the beret!

If you want to make either item with Chickadee, I'd recommend Egret, Glacier, Birds' Egg and Apricot.

To put yourself in the running, please leave a comment on this post by Wednesday evening, September 18th. I will post a winner using the online random number generator. Don't forget to order or pick up a copy of this magazine so you can get knitting!