Gloves, gloves, mittens!

Laris Designs pretty much has me swooning with all of her intricate glove patterns. It just so happens that we are doing a "beaded" KAL in the Hazel Knits group on Ravelry AND it just so happens that Laris is running a special promotional deal on her patterns (Ravelry downloads)... so I got three! Woot!

First we have Eve, which I might use for the KAL. (Totally copying Viki on this. It won't be the first time.) I haven't decided which color to knit, however I'm thinking about using the new Merino 9 base for this. It's a 9 ply with a tight twist (still fingering, though) so I'm thinking it will be hearty for gloves. Maybe ShannyPants?



Second, I had to have the Cheesehands. I couldn't resist these - especially since her sample was knit from my two favorite colors. I'm really excited to give some double knitting a shot on these. I'm thinking maybe Hoppy Blonde with Violeta or Hoppy Blonde with Splish Splash. Or maybe Blacklight with anything. Hmmm... decisions...



Finally, for my freebie pattern I chose Ramona. More double knitting. More awesomeness. High OcTANG and Beachglass? This is gonna be fun!

The 3 patterns for the price of 2 sale lasts through the end of the month. The Ravelry download is easy peasy and it automatically deducts the price off for the third pattern. (They are 4 Euros each, which comes to $11 plus change US dollars for the two.)

For more info about the Hazel Knits beaded KAL, check out this Ravelry thread. (Sorry non-knitters and lookie loos - Ravelry is a member only site. But it's free. And fun. Well, at least for fiber junkies...) Laris has a group too - lots of great FO's in that one. Indeed!

Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders.

Huzzah! Today, while at the Fiber Gallery, I stumbled upon the highly anticipated new One Skein Wonders book - this time highlighting sock yarn. I've been super excited to see this book for a while. Like many of you, I'm always on the look-out for creative ways to use sock yarn and I'm delighted to report that this book fits the bill. However, the thing that's got me all happy dancing is that this release includes two super cute patterns that feature Hazel Knits yarn. Both of these patterns were designed by Seattle fiber artist, Jennifer Rappaport-Chase of Rocket Boy Knits. Sweet!

First up is Seattle Bloomtime. This adorable scarf incorporates a diagonal eyelet pattern and opposing tails that compliment each other when it's draped around your neck.


Next is Emma's Star, which is made from DK Lively.


















I love how this pattern is very simple around the face and then ends up in a darling star pattern near the crown. It's slightly slouchy, but not so much that you feel like it's going to pull itself off your head.

While these two are my favorite patterns in the edition (of course!), I was pleasantly surprised at the number of patterns in this book that I immediately felt a strong pull towards. There are some fetching wristlets and the baby knits couldn't be any sweeter. Keep your eyes out and your needles warm for this newest addition to the One Skein line. I've already cleared out a little spot for it on my bookshelf (if it doesn't end up living on my nightstand. Heh :)

The Emerald City

Several months ago, I received a request from one of my LYS's, The Tinsmith's Wife to create a festive colorway for their 2nd anniversary party. They wanted something extra special to commemorate this milestone and it just seemed like a natural idea that I team up with who is becoming my partner in crime, Melissa from Stick Chick Knits. We wanted to make something that would really knock their customer's socks off. Knock their socks off? Just kidding - we wouldn't want that, so we opted for a shawl :).

Without further ado, I present to you "Emerald City" - a combination of rich greens and blues with highlights and low lights and a sprinkling of yellow.



While this sounds a little like something plucked straight from the land of Oz, it's is actually a nod to my beloved city, Seattle, which was officially nicknamed as "The Emerald City" back in the early 80's.

Of course, this yarn needed a spectacular design to really make it sing. Stick Chick Knits is on the case. Her drop dead gorgeous shawl, Eurybia, incorporates beads to really give it some shine.

Photo courtesy of Stick Chic Knits.

Both the yarn and the Eurybia pattern are available at The Tinsmith's Wife as an exclusive until mid-December. They are happy to ship and although their stock is running low from the sales during the anniversary gale, they will be restocked on both the yarn and patterns soon.

Beginning in mid-December the yarn will also be available on the Hazel Knits site and Eurybia will be available on Mel's site or by Ravelry download.

Seattle Trunk Show - Fiber Gallery

Get stocked up on yarn for your winter projects. I'll be at the Fiber Gallery on Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 from 10am - noon. The yarn will be there all weekend. For this hometown trunk show I'll be bringing several new colors that have never been seen before. New shades of green, brown, blue and more!

The Fiber Gallery is located at: 7000 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103.