11.19.2012

What the HK is on Viki's Needles?

Last week, I showed you some projects knit and crocheted in Hazel Knits by other knitters. This week I finally have a couple of my own projects to share.
 
At long last, I completed my project from the May/June Irish Girlie Knits knitalong. There is absolutely no reason why these socks took so long other than I am too easily distracted by new shiny projects. Although, maybe that isn't strictly true. We were under renovation at home and had contractors milling about for six months and even this simple chart was too much to concentrate on at times. Okay, let's call it a combination of the two.
 
When things finally settled down, it took no time at all to finish my Sweet Home socks. I've got to tell you, Arroyo is so beautiful it is going to be very hard to give these away. But I know my mother in law will appreciate them. So in the gift drawer they go! With any luck they will stay there.
 

 
To celebrate the completion of one KAL project, I've cast on another. This one is for the ongoing Flora KAL (it's not too late to join, more info here). I'm knitting my second pair of Haystacks in the club colour Queen of the Night in artisan sock. These socks are definitely for me. I'm loving purple right now.
 

I also have a couple of secret projects on the go and I'll share them as soon as I can.

11.13.2012

What the HK is on Your Needles? Vol. 31


Yesterday, I was wasting time researching on Ravelry and found so many gorgeous projects knit out of Hazel Knits that I knew it was time for another What the HK? post.
 
With so many projects how do I select which projects to share? The key for me is to find a project that meets one or more of the following criteria: an interesting project, an interesting colour choice or colour pairing, a trendy new pattern or, perhaps most importantly, a great, clear, interesting photo.
 
So, here's what caught my eye yesterday.
 
We recently completed a knitalong on the Hazel Knits Ravelry group featuring patterns by Rosehiver. It was difficult to pick only a few to represent all the completed projects, but a few stood out.
 
Christine (ravname mapleweave) chose to shake up her project a bit by alternating which colour was the main colour (adding an extra level of complexity to the chart reading). She chose Chocolatier and the club colour By the Seashore in Artisan Sock to knit up this fun pair of fraternal Fireweeds.
 

Emilie (ravname Em-for-Me) knit her Fireweeds using Indigo and Nickel in Artisan Sock. I love the composition of this photo (and the obvious thought she put into taking it). The moss and angle of the photo make me feel like the shot was taken from a faerie's eye level. It's slightly whimsical.

 
Tara (ravname: Taraflea) chose to knit a different Rosehiver pattern for the KAL (after she already finished her Fireweeds!). She knit these intricate looking Water for Elephants socks in Equinox and Nekkid in Artisan Sock. This is the original pattern that drew me to Rosehiver's patterns and I was thrilled that Tara chose to knit them for the KAL.
 

 
 
Katniss was another popular pattern during the KAL and Lainey (ravname: lmolin) chose to knit her Katniss in Chocoberry in Artisan Sock. Chocoberry is a delicious colour that I haven't seen knit up enough times and the socks turned out awesome. Her photo really captures the colour.
 
 
 
How could this gorgeous shawl not catch my eye? Cassy (ravname: casystotyle) knit her Damask shawl in Saffron in Artisan Sock and it positively glows. You can find more of Cassy's projects and designs on her blog www.knitthehellout.com.
 



Ravname: lauramv knit up this Excess hat in Greenlake in Artisan Sock. What caught my eye? The simplicity, her smile and seriousness of the dog, and the fact that Greenlake was the first HK colour I ever used. She has several other photos on her project page that show the hat better, but this picture worked for me.


Megan (ravname: pandabearknits) knit up a cute Slable hat in the club colour Witching Hour. I personally love the colour (I was the designer for the club pattern that used this club colour so it has a special spot in my heart) but I also love the Toile-like background.  I love toile prints!


And finally, ravname: TheKnittingChica crocheted this stunning Mist Stole in Vamp in Artisan. The picture is beautiful and we don't see enough crocheted projects so this was an easy pick for me.

 

So that's what's grabbing my attention this week. What attracts you to a project? Do you try to make your project photos interesting or is your project page really just an inventory of what you've finished? I usually try to take good photos but get hit by the shy bug when I'm outside (in the best light) with my handknits. I'm afraid of what the neighbours will think.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their projects with us!
 


11.07.2012

Giveaway


Thanks to everyone for leaving a comment on the Indie Socks book giveaway.
 
I used the trusty old random number generator to randomly select a winner.
 


Comment #36 was Jody.

 
I agree, Jody. Cinnabar would make an awesome pair of Tulip socks.
 
Jody, please send an email to viki AT hazelknits DOT com with your mailing address and we will get the book in the mail to you as soon as possible.
 
Cheers!
 



11.06.2012

November Newsletter

Our November newsletter went out a couple of days ago. Here's a look at what's new at Hazel Knits.
 
What's New For November?
 
This newsletter introduces our featured color for November and tells you all about our exciting new Ravelry KAL/CAL.
 
Featured Color
 
November's featured color of the month is Cinnabar. This featured colorway will be on sale for 10% off until November 30, 2012.


 
Blog
 
We are currently hosting a fun blog contest on the Hazel Knits blog. Check it out, leave a comment, you could win a book! The contest ends Tuesday, November 6th at midnight Pacific time.
 
Upcoming Events
 
Hazel Knits yarn was available in the Stick Chick Knits / Dancing Sheep booth at the first ever Knit Fit ! event in Seattle, November 3-4. Mel debuted a new shawlette pattern with a "Just Add Needles" kit - it's a beauty - this time knit in Hoppy Blonde.
 
We aren't sure of the date yet, but we are currently planning for a huge sale on "seconds" and clearance items. Keep your eyes peeled for a special emailing with all the details as soon as we are ready to announce them.
 
Yarn Club
 
Signups for the December yarn club close on November 30th. Order before November 14th to receive early bird pricing!
 
November/December KAL
 
The start of November brings with it the start of a new KAL/CAL. This time we are focusing on a theme for our knitting/crocheting - FLORA. To participate, knit or crochet any pattern (socks, hat, sweater, shawl, whatever) that is named after, inspired by or depicts a plant or part of a plant. You can find more information about the Flora KAL here.
 
Cheers!
 
Viki Wallner
Social Media Coordinator
Hazel Knits
viki@hazelknits.com
check out the blog at www.hazelknits.blogspot.com
or visit our webstore at www.hazelknits.com


11.01.2012

Book Review and Giveaway

The amazing designer Chrissy Gardiner recently published a new book called Indie Socks: Knitting Patterns and Dyer Profiles Featuring Hand-Dyed Yarns. The book includes 24 stunning sock patterns using a variety of techniques. Each pattern highlights the beauty of the hand-dyed yarn it is knit in.


Hazel Knits was thrilled to be chosen as one of the indie dyer's featured in the book and Chrissy's pattern Tulip was knit using Hazel Knits Artisan sock in the color Wheatberry. The result was a gorgeous cuff-down sock with a delicate lace pattern.


You can check out the all of the patterns included in Indie Socks on Ravelry or find more information about the book on Chrissy's website. The book is available in both printed and e-book formats (on Ravelry).

There is even a Ravelry group dedicated to the book with a series of Knitalongs planned over the next year. November's KAL includes the Tulip pattern.

Now here comes the fun part - we've got an extra copy of the book at HK Headquarters and we'd like to give it a new home with one of you. To enter to win Indie Knits by Chrissy Gardiner leave a comment on this post by midnight (Pacific) Tuesday, November 6, 2012 telling us which Hazel Knits color you think would make the best pair of Tulip Socks. We'll draw one of the comments at random and send that person a copy of the book. One comment per person please.

For me, I'd go an expected direction and choose Splish Splash.  I think it would make a knockout pair of Tulips.

 
 
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thanks for commenting!