I knit....

...this (Ann Weaver)


...and this (Kirsten Kapur)


...and this (Nipper Knits...look for me under #3)

And I'm donating this... (making a shawl for a charity KAL contest)

And worked on these... (tech editing for TTL)


can't wait to show you everything (in person) soon!

Uber Bad Blogger

Yeah, I've been WAY BAD at blogging lately...whoops!

I've been working on some pretty fantastic test and sample knits which will be published this fall - so keep your eyes peeled for my name popping up on other peoples blogs...hooray! One of these was published yesterday, but I'm somewhat ashamed to say I haven't yet finished mine. To my credit, I'm about 70% done, the pattern is easy to follow and I did the lace edge on the cast on edge...so, in theory, i did test it 100% :o) Check out Kirsten's new shawl design - you'll want to wrap yourself in one RIGHT AWAY! Also, bonus points for me since I'm using "inherited" yarn stash from (Brooklyn Handspun) Marie, by way of (Gleek) Stephanie!

Also, can we talk about Rhinebeck (canwecanwecanwe ohpleaseohpleaseohplease)? Ken's 7th (WOOL) anniversary sweater was finished on time and he's been wearing it with the miserable chilly rain weather we've been having - score one for me! He'll wear it to Rhinebeck - feel free to check out the sweater but not in a Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert sort of way (although Ken would be flattered - ha ha). As for my Rhinebeck sweater plans, well, like last year, I'm sure I'll be knitting it the week/days/hours before - and possibly on the drive up with Kim and crew. I'm thinking of reknitting a dress I designed (top down) but that may be too ambitious? Ugh, decisions decisions!

Well, more pattern excitement as I'm able to announce...happy knitting everyone!

A Contest and Prizes (from me)!

Do you need a little something to keep you warm in your chilly office? Have you been looking for a light-weight project to knit on those hot summer nights?

My good friend Kirsten Kapur is running a Summer Shawl KAL. With each shawl you compete during the contest, you will earn you a chance to win a prize. Loving her designs and wanting to support her, I've just made the following prize offer:

"Don't have time to make all the shawls in your Ravelry Queue? choochooknits has offered to knit one winner a TTL shawl, in a yarn/colorway to be determined after a brief consultation. This prize can be for you...or a gift for that special someone! Winner will select from TTL patterns currently available from the TTL online shop."

Check out the group and get knitting! There's a little under two months left - so you should be able to knit, oh, three or four shawls in that amount of time, right? Oh wait, that's ME - ha ha ha

Happy knitting all!

Flurries in July?

Well - a FLURRY OF ACTIVITY at least!

I've been blessed with so many knitting opportunities this month...continuing into August, unless I'm as fast a knitter as my friends swear I am and finish them all this week...ha ha. And I have to admit, yes, I feel a small amount of guilt for not sitting down and writing up some of my own patterns...but i DO love being able to help other people realize their visions. Perhaps being a facilitator is my true calling? I'm OK with that!

Since a bunch of these projects are for publication (in some form or another) I'm unable to share pictures...but the work is with some fabulous friends and talented designers...so look out for an abundance of information as the Fall arrives.

So, whatchu been up to fellow knitters and lovers of fiber?

Organizing

One of my recent projects at work-work involves going through OLD files and purging/sending for destruction.

In an attempt to bring this sense of organization into the rest of my life, I've been going through my stash, cleaning up old paperwork, putting things back where they belong (which is no easy task with a 5 yr old in the house), etc.

But hey, why stop there? I can organize my Ravelry project page too! Who knew? I set up a few folders, added a few tags, and viola!...organization everywhere! Pretty awesome...and EASY!

Check it out!

Remember me?

Wow. Yowzas. Zoinks.

It's been WAY too long since I last blogged. And I'm sorry for that!

Work-work has been keeping me busy and I'm just never on the computer at home (well, hardly ever). If I could mobile-blog, that would make things easier. I'm sure there's a way...do you know?

My Ramona sweater was well received, in my opinion, considering the fact that most sales came from word of mouth...so THANK YOU for your support, fellow knitters!

I've just designed a cotton, open-front (no button) cardigan and am trying to work out the numbers to share with you! I made the prototype for a friend's birthday gift. Since she likes green, low maintenance clothes, and never buttons her cardigans...well, this design was a no brainer!

I'm still cranking away on my needles every train ride I get...and am looking for ways to knit wool, even in the summer months. For those keeping track, I'm on my 9th sweater of the year, and also knit three sweaters for CC...so does that count as another 1.5 sweaters towards my goal of 11 in 11? Or do I shoot for 12? Also, *some* friends of mine suggested I could probably knit 24 sweaters...but that wasn't the initial goal so maybe I'll do 24 in 12 instead? Hmmm. Maybe I could knit sweaters in other sizes and then raffle them off as a fundraiser...now that's an idea!

So how's everyone handling their transitional knitting from spring into summer? Anyone planning their Rhinebeck knits yet? I know I am! I'm blessed to be staying in a house with a group of awesome ladies for the first time ever! My hub and CC will come up on Sunday so they get their "fix" as well. But which spectacular sweaters will i knit/wear?

Ciao, my good friends. Happy knitting!

Ramona is released into the world! Hooray!

At long last, my Ramona sweater pattern has been released and is available for purchase on Ravelry.

My sincerest thanks go to Kirsten Kapur for her guidance, patience and, above all, friendship while writing this pattern. I couldn't have done it without her! She's even blogged about it - squeeeeee!

Here are a few pictures to entice you...my version (Camel) is knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca; Kirsten's (milk chocolate) is knit with Stonehedge Fiber Mill's Shepherd's Wool. There are two hem options and the sweater is knit from the top down - try it on as you go!

Going and going and going...

As a mom who has a full time job, and knits almost as a second "job", life can get pretty crazy sometimes. And the one thing that REALLY gets away from me is blogging...and I feel guilty about it. Believe me, I love to write...but it's one of those things that doesn't always make the priority list. Know what I mean?

Since we last caught up, so much knitting has happened!

In mid-January I attended Vogue Knitting Live in NYC. It was held at the Hilton two blocks from my office, how could I resist? On Friday afternoon I took a menswear design class with Josh Bennett (boy meets purl) and he was fabulous...full of life, inspiration, and knowledge! I organized a dinner for a group of AWESOME knitters afterward, and we all had a great time meeting each other and dining on nommy greek food. We wandered back to a bar at the Hilton later, and hung out and laughed some more. I stayed overnight with a good friend and we headed back to the Hilton on Saturday morning.

Not only did I take my time in the marketplace, but I signed up for a last minute Lace/Charting class with Tanis Gray. She was a delight to meet...even though she told me I was way beyond the class level :o) Later on I went back to the marketplace and ran into so many friends I've met at workshops and book signings: Joanna Johnson was at Knitty City signing her new book; I ran into Jill from VA, who I met at a Knit A GoGo event a few years ago; a woman I met at the Shirley Paden workshop at Sticks and Strings last fall; and the list goes on. I also met Erin (Minty), Ysolda, The Kelbourne Girls (Kate & Courtney), and Cirilia, Connie, Melissa W, Colleen, Deb, Amy and Kat for the first time; and saw Kirsten, Kim, and Caro again. Everyone was just so nice...which is what I love most about knitters!

To note, my designs for Decadent Fibers were well received and I can't wait to see projects popping up on Ravelry in the coming weeks!

I've continued to do some test knitting for Kirsten - and she just finished knitting my Ramona sweater pattern (I am SO blessed!!!). I'm ironing out the last of the sizing issues and hope to have it released in the next week or so. I think you're going to love it as much as we do!

On the needles right now...
- a sample scarf for Buffalo Gold of Kristin Omdahl's new pattern "I Do Diamonds"
- Frost Flowers and Leaves Shawl from A Gathering of Lace. I started this last July and have a personal goal to finish it within a year. I'm getting toward the end of the major repeat section and there are a gazillion stitches - wish me luck on the final push!
- Colorwork mittens for a swap. No, I'm not generally a colorwork knitter - but I do like a challenge. Since they are a surprise for the recipient, I'll just say that my own ability has quickly surpassed my expectations. Ruth...you will not be disappointed :o)

That's all for now! Happy Valentine's Day to all...and Happy B'day to my amazing husband!!!

All my best,
Karen

Busy Knitting

In the past week I've cranked out SO many projects...it's almost surreal!

Back in November (or October?) I signed up for a Funky Carolina handspun hat swap. With thanks to Kirsten, I was able to knit with some yarn she spun (because y'all know I don't dare take on another addiction!). I recalculated/rewrote my Falling Leaves hat pattern for worsted weight and the new version looks so cute in handspun! Like the original chunky version...it's free on Ravelry...check it out here

I also knit a second Lolly Go Round double-cowl using Decadent Fibers Creme Brulee (a mix of merino, silk and mohair). I'll be bringing it, and some printed patterns, to Vogue Live on Friday. Stop by the D.F. booth to see it...as well as two other patterns I designed for them.

Also, if you happen to see me at Vogue Live (I'll be there Friday afternoon and most of Saturday), please stop me and say hello! I'll have some discount cards that can be used through the end of the year...and many exciting patterns will be published...so hang onto it for future use.

In addition to the above knits, I also whipped up another Darth using Cascade 128 Superwash...and have a second one, in a different color, on my needles as I write. These two hats are for the friend of a friend...and need to be done by Thursday. First of all, if you've never used this yarn - you're missing out! It's soft and a real pleasure to work with. Second, and I know that I'm a little biased because, after all, it's my own pattern - but hot damn, this pattern works up SUPER fast!!!

A test knit (sekret for now) and another Lolly Go Round are on the menu for this week...and I hope to have them done in time to model on Friday and Saturday! Hooray!

How's your productivity been? Happy Knitting Tuesday to all!

Inspiration/Addiction/Obsession

Last fall I took a day off from the hustle and bustle and drove down to Philly with Kirsten to visit our friend Andrea for lunch and some yarn shopping. Our first stop was Loop and we each picked up a couple skeins for quick projects and went on our merry way.

Only I haven't just gone on my merry way. I've obsessed. Often.

You see, there was a beautiful peony colored cowl that I have NOT been able to get out of my head. Once I got home that afternoon, I called Loop and asked about the pattern/yarn. Then I went online and *ooohed and ahhhed over it (and, if this entry were a pattern, I would say "rep from * to end" - ha ha).

Isn't it lovely?


It could be that I'm in love with the color...because I knit a hat using Quince & Co's Rosa Rugosa and everyone compliments me whenever I wear it. Or maybe it was the texture/fiber...so SO soft and luxe. In any event, I haven't forgotten...and am torn on what to DO about it? Do I just give in and order the pattern and yarn once and for all. Do I set a goal: If I knit X number of skeins from my stash I can place an order? Oh gosh, the decisions!

Any recent projects you've seen that you can't get out of your head?

happy knitting all!

Happy Holidays to All!

O Mod Tannenbaum Christmas

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View the entire collection of cards.

Productivity and Knitting

A couple weeks ago I bought a small, passport sized, journal to keep my to-do list in order. No matter how many fancy electronics or apps I have at my disposal, I'm still a very orderly paper-list keeper. There's something about manually crossing an item off a list that is quite satisfying. Plus, I find that writing EVERYTHING in one place keeps me "in line" and productive...for the most part.

With that said, "blog" has been toward the top of the list but hasn't quite been accomplished. Of course it's a never ending item...but the constant reminder (and guilt of not having done it in a while) has finally gotten me here...hooray!

Knitting updates...there are PLENTY!

Hallett's Ledge:

My goal for Rhinebeck was to knit Elinor Brown's Hallett's Ledge cardigan in two weeks. Yep, two. When all was said and done you can look at it two ways - I either finished it in 12 days...OR it's still not finished. Let me explain. Picture this: the sweater body and sleeves are complete and sewed together. The sweater has been blocked. All I need to do, in two days is the button band. Simple, right? Ribbing and sewing on of buttons. Apparently, not so easy. The band knit up right quick. But the buttons I had, well, they were WAY too heavy. So on Friday night, with our trip to Rhinebeck looming, I was off to our local JoAnn Fabrics, sweater in hand, purchasing ribbon (for finishing and supporting) and buttons. Back home in front of the sewing machine, things took a turn for the worse. Frustrated. Deflated. Aggravated. Yep, I felt those emotions. But what to do? It was nearly 9:00pm and the next minutes would make or break me. Should I abandon the sweater and finish it AFTER Rhinebeck? Um, I didn't come this far for nothin! Do I seam rip the ribbon, frog the button band and start from scratch? Well, it seemed like a good idea. So there I was, trying to seam rip the ribbon OFF the button band. Do you know how difficult that can be? Seriously, what a pain in the butt. After 5 minutes of torture I had a moment of brilliance. Why not just CUT the button band off? I had plenty of yarn left over. Out came the sharpy-sharp scissors and chop chop chop - the button band was gone! Whoot whoot. But now what? It's now 9:45 and getting later by the minute. Would I really be one of those people who finish their sweater on the drive to Rhinebeck? Would I be pulling an all nighter? Now imagine you're me, sitting there with this beautiful sweater in front of you. A beautiful deep purple sweater full of cables. What do you do? Well, why not just seam the fronts and make it a pullover - if only temporarily? Why not, right? So that's just what i did. I seamed the fronts. I know, I know, it sounds SO insane! But it worked out ok - I promise. I also sorta promised myself that I would UNDO the seam and properly finish the sweater. Well, that hasn't been done and I've worn it a dozen times since. Maybe my Hallett's Ledge is just meant to be a pullover...just maybe.

Here are some Rhinebeck photos...you can decide for yourself :o)

with Andrea and Kirsten...


with Yvonne, Misa and Kim...


with Ann and Andrea...


Unfortunately, I also didn't see all my knitter friends/acquaintances - somehow I missed Stephen A (boo hiss), Caro, Mary Heather, and Jaya...to name a few. Next year my friends, next year!

Post Rhinebeck knitting...
- SEVERAL revised versions of my Falling Leaves Bulky Hat pattern (so far I've knit 5 hats and a matching cowl)
- A new hat pattern, inspired by Ken and Darth Vader (coming soon)
- A slouch hat (test knit for throughtheloops)
- Socktober socks (designed by throughtheloops, modified by me...since I'm SO out of sock mode these days)
- A hat for Ramona
- A new shawl pattern (test knitting)
- And tech editing my first "for money" pattern

More pics and more exciting news coming VERY soon (and I'm not just saying that, for reals this time - ha ha)

Until then - Happy Friday and Happy Knitting!

All that's missing is Alice in the Rabbit hole!

Well, tomorrow is 10/20/10 - just had to get that random tidbit out of the way...whew!

So things have FINALLY started to settle down around here - and I thought you might a like a wee update, eh?

The wedding cake was a huge success (after a long tale of trials and tribulations...but I won't bore you with the details). Here are some photos for your pleasure...

In progress...


and Finished!


One of the bride and me...


And the cutting of the cake...



Before and after the wedding we were driving back and forth across the tri-state area to Martha's Vineyard for the annual fishing derby...here are some of my favorite shots...

Me in the car nice and cozy and knitting...Him on the beach, freezing and fishing


The Punk...


Ramona the Brave...



Up next - RHINEBECK!!!

Zoinks! It's October already?!?!

Yep, so the big four oh has come and gone (thank goodness!) and we're already into October. For those who may not be aware, these couple of weeks have been THE craziest I've had for a while. I've tried to keep everything nice and laid back (as works best for me) but we're now at the pinnacle of everything - and it's TOO TOO much for me. Yep, I surrender. This weekend is Alyssa's wedding and I'm the cake maker/baker. There's a LOT more about the logistics of this cake and our plans - but I'll tell you all about that next Tuesday (or when the chaos is behind me/us). Trust me, you'll also wonder how I managed it all.

So, for the times when I can't possibly bake or make LOADS of buttercream icing, I've been knitting - to keep my sanity in check! And the train ride to/from work is about the only time I've been getting - bah humbug! At least I'm knitting a couple things that I love.

1. Hallett's Ledge by Elinor Brown. I started this without telling anyone. It was sort of an impulse and I'm using yarn from my stash - hooray! Basically, I REALLY wanted to make a new sweater for Rhinebeck and I'm hoping this is done in time. With a bunch of roadtrips in my future, this seemed like just the thing!

2. Surprise shawl. All I can say about this is that I'm taking my time and using softer than soft yarn. I think I probably started Hallett's Ledge to take mini-breaks from this because I need to concentrate on the little stitches :o)

3. Socktober Socks by Kirsten Kapur. So many people have raved about past Socktober KALs that I finally decided to join in. The first clue was posted on October 1st and one clue per week will be released for the rest of the month. I have not cast on - BUT I do have my yarn wound (thanks to Whitney sending it to me that way!) and am putting needles in my bag in case I get an opportunity to start in the coming days.

Well, that's all I can share for now. Look for pictures of the wedding cake and some knitting next week. Until then, say a prayer that I get everything accomplished! Boo-yah!

Peace and Happy Knitting!

Anti-Cardigan?

I'm working on some sketches for the Shirley Paden workshop and most of my designs are pullovers. "Am I anti-cardi?" you ask. "Well, sort of", I say. "Why is that?" you reply. Plain and simple...I have bewbs. Yep, two of them. And they're THERE - no mistaking them. Ever.

I try to avoid button down shirts because I find if I buy them to "cover" (as it is), then the body portion seems overflowing with material. And while I'm tall and admit my size is ample, I'm not in the "tent" category (nor is that flattering on anyone).

When I see ladies with gaping button-bands, and know people are getting a peak of their undergarments, well, that isn't something I want to share with the world. So I avoid oxford shirts and cardigans - pullovers are safer for me.

But I LOVE some of the cardigans I've seen lately. And, to be honest, I adore my Tangled Yoke sweater - mostly because I customized the fit.

And yet, to design a cardigan? Tougher than tough for me. Would I actually wear it? Ugh, what to do?

Tell me, fellow knitters, do you have any issues with a certain type of design?

Allergies, Aging and Memories

Last week was pretty difficult on me, physically speaking that is. Ever since having pneumonia in June, I've been meaning to get to a new allergist to proactively manage my allergies/bronchitis/etc. Lucky for me, there's a local doctor who has Saturday hours and I was able to get in this past weekend. The bad thing is that I wasn't allowed to take any antihistamines for 5 days prior to the appointment. And hey, I TOTALLY understand why - it just made me a miserable Karen for those 5 days! My eyes were gunky, my throat was itchy, my head ached, and I sneezed a gazillion times. Ah, yes, allergy season was in full force!

If you've been fortunate to never having visited an allergist, and I hope you haven't had to, you may not be familiar with the testing process. Essentially, your arms (sometimes shoulders) become a mine field of welts and, if you're allergic to what they test for, you'll wind up wanting to scratch your skin off for the 20 minutes it takes to wait for proper results.



All in all, I received 31 shots and found that yes, indeed, i'm SEVERELY allergic to dust (#21), grasses, summer pollens, and a variation of ragweed. My new regiment includes a higher dose antihistamine that Zyrtec, a nasal spray and an inhaler. Boy, I'm the life of the party now, eh? ha ha

On Saturday afternoon we helped my folks downsize my grandmother's apartment. Yes, of course there was dust...that I'm allergic to...doesn't that make sense? Anyway, sorting through some of her things brought back many memories of my childhood and I kind of wish my sister could have shared the day with us. My grandmother has traveled around the world and visited so many amazing places (i.e., China...during the first year they began allowing outsiders to visit) and her belongings reminded us of just how much she's done.

We went back to visit with her on Sunday and she was SO thrilled to see Ramona and equally excited that Ken was able to fix her cable/t.v. It's the little things that really make it all worth while sometimes.

In knitting news...I've been knitting like a fiend, as you can imagine. I'm finishing a sample sweater this week and prepping (doing "homework") for the Shirley Paden workshop next Sunday. Last night I made two different red velvet cake recipes as testers for Alyssa's wedding cake (Oct 9th). I have to sew in the ends of her super secret shawl and then have to start up a secret project and find time to (possibly) make my much talked about Rhinebeck sweater (Oct 16th). Where on earth does all the time go? I'm hoping that things get back to a more "normal" pace after Rhinebeck...but I doubt they will :o)

Happy knitting everyone!

There's NO way that 40 is the new 30, is there?

So in a few short weeks I'll be (*gasp*) 40. Forty. The Big Four-O. Two score. Four decades. Old.

Alright, alright...some of you *might* be scratching your head saying "come on, you, forty? no way" - but yes, me, forty, way

Twenty was a blur. Thirty was FANTASTIC. But I'm a wee bit wary of 40...for no other reason but it seems like a big milestone. Instead of partying, I'm going out for a nice dinner with some friends and family. Instead of waking up with a hangover, I'm likely to wake up and do laundry. Is forty too responsible? Am I still young at heart? Is there anything "young" about me?

For those of you who read this blog and know me...yes, I'm a goofball and I AM indeed forever young in mind and spirit.

In other, non-age related happenings, we went to the NJ Sheep and Wool festival on Sunday. It was tons of fun (as you can see below)...and I was even able to meet Kirsten Kapur and her lovely daughters.

As far as knitting goes, I just finished a couple of samples for Kaleidoscope and have one more sweater to do this week. After that I have a couple of other test/sample projects lined up...and somewhere in between all that I have a wedding cake to make for Alyssa and a Rhinebeck sweater to start/finish! Whew...where does the time go.

Oh, right, and I'm FINALLY taking Shannon Okey's Tech Editing class - which I'm jumping out of my skin THRILLED about. Hooray for higher learning and knitting!

Updates

Well, summer vacation is officially over and its back to the grind for everyone in my family. The Punk is thoroughly NOT enjoying school; Ramona is happy to be in the oldest group...excited for kindergarten next year (boo hoo hoo); and Hubby is back to answering emails at all times of the day.

In the knitting world...well...I'm KNITTING more than I can keep up with! I'm still sample making for Kaleidoscope Yarns and test knitting for a variety of designers. Makes me *almost* wish I could make it all a full time job. Alas, I'll continue to dream.

I published my Dora shawl pattern, although my test knitters are still working on it. I felt, after making another one myself, that I had the kinks worked out and could safely publish it, knowing errata can be posted as needed. I've listed it on Ravelry...please support a newbie designer if you have an extra $1.99 to spare :o)

I'm still trying to decide what to knit for Rhinebeck and have narrowed it down to a couple choices...stashed yarn playing a HUGE part of the process...since we all know I'm trying my darndest to bust it up!

And since I've been busy and lacking in the photo department...here are some recent uploads for you. Have a great weekend y'all!

*guilty* I visited a new yarn shop

Ordinarily I buy my yarn from Jill at Kaleidoscope (i DO consider her my LYS even though she's 300 miles away!) or online, direct from yarn companies.

However, I'm working with a few fabulous ladies who are test knitting my Dora shawlette pattern and thought it might be worthwhile for me to do a KAL with them. Well, of course the stashed yarn I wanted to use has become discontinued (WHY do I buy yarn on sale all the time?!?!). So I did some research on newer yarns and was going to go with some Classic Elite in one of their sport weights. I looked up local yarn shops on Ravelry and found one open until 6:00pm - perfect for me!

During the years I've lived in the area, friends have had mixed reviews about Accent on Knits, in Morristown...and have called them, on occasion, to see if they carry emergency yarn (they didn't). The owners are a husband and wife team...and Barry was at the register when I entered the shop. I was honest "hi, I'm new to your shop, can you help point me in the right direction?" And he was very helpful, telling me how the store is organized (by color...first time I've seen that) and that they offer first time customers a 10% off discount (how very nice!).

It was, quite frankly, a little hard to orient myself with this "by color" business. I found a yarn I liked in the mauve section, but then couldn't find it in the green section. I kind of like the idea of "here's the type of yarn AND the colors we carry" all in one place.

In the end I bought a bunch of Cascade 220, some sportweight yarn for the shawl and an alpaca lace. While checking out I got to chatting with Barry about my knitting, my test knitting for designers, and how I wanted to tech edit more often, etc. He seemed interested in what I was telling him...more so than some other shops I've popped my head into from time to time. I learned that their dog, a boxer, often came to the shop and that, because of their small jaws, they had a hard time playing with tennis balls (and often bust them open quickly). Barry and his wife also welcome bringing your children along while you shop (he must have spied my family waiting out in the car!). A perfectly nice way to spend some time after work, wouldn't you say?

While I may not always shop at AOK, it's nice to know there's a good shop, just around the corner, in cases of emergency or instant gratification.

Knitting it Old School

While I've not yet gotten my petoushy (as the kids say) to the book store to purchase Knitting It Old School, I've perused the patterns on Ravelry and drool more and more with each click.

I read what Caro had to say about naming one of the sweaters (WileyWahine), I then came across this article and understand why the gals love him so. Hooray for people who see value in the "little guys".