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2011: off to a good start!

January 11, 2011 by allison

Happy New Year!

I hope that 2011 is treating you well! I certainly can’t complain!

A few months ago I was approached by the editor of Spool Magazine about featuring my Entrelac Scarf pattern in their Winter 2011 issue. I was, of course, thrilled to share the pattern with an even larger audience of needleartists and was excited to get the issue last week in the mail, hot off the presses.

I’ve talked about Spool before and will continue to sing its praises. This issue in particular is packed with a lot of fun projects to knit and crochet and even a cute baby quilt that is perfect for the new quilter (like me!).

Look for it at your local fabric or yarn shop, order it online, or subscribe at SpoolMag.com.

And many thanks to my amazing friend, Heidi, who took a most excellent photo of the scarf for the magazine.

Posted in knitting | 8 Comments »

Catching up

December 3, 2010 by allison

Oy vey, I started this post back on Nov 17 and am just now getting around to finishing it and posting it! I guess the holidays are here for sure because it seems my days are filling up with things to do while at the same time feeling like they’re getting shorter and shorter!  I can’t believe it’s already December!

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I ate too much and drank too much (in the true spirit of the holidays). And I’m going to be doing it all over again in just a few short weeks! Thank God for Spanx.

So let’s catch up on the exciting life and times of yours truly…

I finally got my iPhone 4. I think I mentioned months ago how I wanted one but was going to hold out for the white ones. (Heh heh heh.) Since I did not see an end to my wait (and my Blackberry was getting buggier by the day) I caved in a bought a black one. And so began my love affair (along with my addiction to Angry Birds and Words with Friends – I’m KnittingAllison, by the way. Start a game with me!).

When not absorbed in iPhone games I have been knitting and crocheting and have actually finished a few things (and started a few more…)

I finished Geoff’s vest and we think it fits him ok. It may be a tad too snug but we aren’t sure as it hasn’t really gotten cool enough for him to wear it for any length of time. But I liked the way it turned out and really enjoyed the pattern. Info about the project can be found here.

I also crocheted a quick Vintage Trivet from Linda‘s book Crochet Adorned. I am loving this book! So many great things I want to make! My project info for the trivet is here.

I also started my Que Sera, a Chevron Scarf for my mother-in-law and my Echo Flower Shawl. Oh, and I started (and finished!) a crocheted shawl called the Elise Shawl which is finally blocking as I type this (it’s only been three weeks since I finished it… I am really on the ball over here). I’ll try and get some good pics when it’s finished drying!

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Along with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I am knee-deep in knitting classes! My tech editing class is going great and I am learning so. much. stuff. about pattern writing and grading and design. And the shawl design class I’m taking with Stefanie Japel just started! I can already tell it will be such a great class. Money well spent! I hope to be cranking out some great new patterns in 2011!

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I hope I’ll be able to pop in here again before the end of 2010 (if the holidays and classes don’t swallow me up!). Until then, I’ll leave you with a snuggly picture of my snuggly dogs doing what they do best. Happy Holidays!

Posted in crochet, frank, knitting, olive | 3 Comments »

Spool Magazine

October 18, 2010 by allison

I first discovered Spool Magazine last week on Linda Permann’s blog and I knew I had to have it! I subscribed immediately and got my first issue on Saturday (talk about getting it to me quickly!).

Spool is a quarterly, tabloid-sized (11×17) magazine printed on heavy (i.e. quality) newsprint. I actually love the larger size of Spool. I enjoyed spreading it out on my dining room table (with my mug of hot tea) and leisurely leafing through it as I would the morning paper. And what I love best is the variety of needle arts it covers (cross stitch, knitting, crochet, needlepoint, crewel, embroidery and more!). I’ve dabbled in almost all of those (and the others I’ve wanted to try). This magazine is perfect for inspiring me to learn something new!

Each project has full-color pictures and charts along with a wonderful introduction to the designer behind it. Linda is featured on pages 18-19 with a great write up and a feature of her book. And of course she shares instructions for a super-cute set of crochet covered hangers (which I have to make for myself!).

In addition to the different projects and patterns there are book reviews, a featured shop and great articles. I especially enjoyed “I Like This So You Might Too” where readers share their favorite things (from books to superheroes).

If you are lucky enough to live near a shop that carries Spool I would encourage you to pick up a copy ($4.95). And if you’re like me and not so lucky, please consider subscribing or purchase a single issue online (and encourage your local shops to carry it!). At only $18 for a one year subscription (in the US), you definitely get your money’s worth. Canadian and International subscriptions are also available.

Visit spoolmag.com to subscribe or purchase single issues.

Posted in reviews | 4 Comments »

I promise I’m still knitting…

September 29, 2010 by allison

…but that’s not what this post is about.

In the week and a half since taking a crochet class seldom could you find me without a hook in my hand. It’s a whole new world that I am eager to explore!

I’m diving into my Ravelry project queue and finding all of the crochet projects I added weeks and months and years ago (before I even knew how to read them).

First up was the Queen Anne’s Lace Scarf, which practically flew off my hook. I love it! More pics and project info here.

Then I started this afghan, and I am totally in love with it. I love the color and sheen of the yarn I chose. I think it gives it a real “vintage” feel. And I can crank out the squares now without looking at the pattern, which makes it perfect for watching TV. Project info here.

Oh, and I also finished that dishcloth you saw a piece of in my last post.

I am quite enjoying being bi-crafty. The {yarn} world is my oyster!

Posted in crochet | 2 Comments »

Show and Tell

September 21, 2010 by allison

Remember this post when I went on (and on and on) about wanting to learn crochet? I took the advice of Linda (and if you’re wanting advice on crochet, she’s definitely the one to listen to. I mean she’s written a whole book about it!) and signed up for a crochet class at my local yarn shop. The class was this past Saturday and already I am “hooked” (ha ha! get it?!). Oh, and I got a non-knitting friend to go to the class with me and now she’s “hooked” as well! I’ve brought another yarnaholic into the world! [insert evil laugh here] My next goal is to get her knitting, too!

Taking a class was definitely the best thing for me. I had tried teaching myself from books but nothing ever stuck. I would always have to flip back and forth trying to remember all of the stitches and would end up frustrated. It is so much better when you have a person there to talk you through the stitches. Because of that, I could focus on the steps of each stitch and actually remember them (which is kinda the point).

My show and tell consists of a little flower I made in class on Saturday (after doing my practice swatch with all the stitches). Then there’s my first attempt at a granny square I did last night and a dishcloth in progress (and yes I know I was griping about not wanting to crochet dishcloths the rest of my life but this one is fancy. It has two different stitches in it! Fancy!)

So now I’m starting to feel more confident about reading crochet patterns (and understanding them!). Those of us in class decided we wanted an advanced class so the instructor is coming back in a couple weeks for that. Very nice!

I’m excited to see where this new craft takes me!

Posted in crochet | 1 Comment »

O hai September!

September 12, 2010 by allison

I’m finally seeing signs of fall here and there. It’s still pretty hot here during the day but the nights are getting cooler and I can see the light and shadows changing outside. I love this time of year. August was unbearably hot, bordering on miserable.

But one highlight of August was winning a copy of Shannon Okey‘s new book The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design.

I am LOVING this book! At first I tried reading it in bed before going to sleep but quickly realized that doesn’t work! I have to have a highlighter and pencil at the ready for notes and I have to have a computer nearby because of the helpful web links throughout! This isn’t just a passive read! The information is invaluable and this book is definitely a must-have for anyone wanting to write their own patterns and market them. I also signed up for Shannon’s Tech Editing class, which starts soon.

Speaking of classes, I’ve also registered for Stefanie Japel‘s shawl design class, which starts in November. So I guess this fall will be “back to school” time for me! I can’t wait! Does this give me an good excuse to buy lots of cool folders and notebooks and pens?

Of course, all of this knit education will lead to more designing, which will lead to more patterns from me! And speaking of patterns, I am excited to watch the number of people knitting my Entrelac Scarf pattern growing every day! As I write this post, there are 1,072 projects on Ravelry using my pattern. And as of this minute, there are 11,627 scarf patterns listed on Ravelry and my Entrelac Scarf is ranked #28 in popularity! #28 out of almost 12,000 patterns?! Unbelievable. ::so humbled:: ThankyouThankyouThankyou

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As for progress on my current projects, there is some to report!

Here is photographic proof that I have reached the ribbing on Orangina, which means I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I also finished the back of Geoff’s vest and have started knitting the front. I need to get some pics of it. Since it seems to be going a lot faster than I anticipated, I’ve put it aside to finish Orangina. The weather won’t be cool enough for him to wear it until late October anyway.

I also accidentally cast on for the Echo Flower Shawl (mine will be a similar color to this one). I say accidentally because I really didn’t mean to. You see, Geoff and I headed home to SC for a week and I was getting my knitting projects ready for the trip. I was anticipating a ton of knitting time (it’s a 10 hour drive each way) so I wanted to make sure I had enough knitting to keep me entertained. I had planned to just knit the fiddly part – the provisional cast on and garter strip – so I wouldn’t have to tackle that part in a moving vehicle. But I ended up knitting the entire set-up chart.

Whoops.

These things happen.

Posted in knitting | 3 Comments »

Casting on

August 18, 2010 by allison

Well, I started Geoff’s vest last week and am making pretty good progress so far. I also finished the back of Orangina so now the front and back are complete. I want to block both pieces before putting them together to start the ribbing but before I do that I’ll need to get the stacks of clean laundry off of my blocking board (that’s what I get for keeping it in the laundry room). So I hope to get those pieces pinned down in the next couple of days and then get a move on to finish it! In the meantime, Geoff’s vest is keeping me quite busy. Love love love this pattern!

Pattern and project info here.

I’ve been seeing a lot more of Geoff these days which is fantastic. His big project at work is finished and he has been able to work a more “normal” schedule. Yay! So to reward him for all of his hard work and long hours, I cast on for his vest before starting any more projects for myself. I know, I know… I’m the best. wife. ever.

In other news, I have decided to jump ship from Blackberry and join the ranks of the iPhone lovers. I’ll admit it! I’m jealous of the apps! Not to mention the storage space. I’ve started coveting the iPhone 4 and love the white one that Apple has on their website. Of course, they’re dragging their feet when it comes to actually releasing it to the public. Anyone out there have an iPhone 4? Do you like it? I’ve heard nothing but good things from those who do have it and no complaints about the antenna issue. Though Apple is offering free bumpers/cases to those who want one in order to “fix” the antenna problem. Of course, that free offer ends Sept. 30 and what do you want to bet that the white iPhones won’t be out by then? This would not surprise me at all. Anyway, I just need to be patient and wait for my pretty white iPhone but if there is one thing you should know about me it’s that I. hate. waiting.

Posted in knitting, life | 2 Comments »

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