Latest Gift-A-Long 2016 projects on my needles currently...

I am currently finishing up my first shawl ever as part of the Shawl/Stole KAL. I chose Wraptastic from Stitchnerd Designs.  I have had more fun than I expected, so I will give it a thumbs up👍, as it was well written, had a lot of good tips and pictures showing how to read the wrap & turns. I chose a darkish denim blue Cascade 220 for my yarn and knitted it on US 9 needles.

I have also chosen to make Baguette Socks by Kirsten Hipsky (Two of Sticks Designs).  I am using 220 Cascade Superwash Sport in a dark green on US 2 (since I knit big).  It is slow going because of my carpal tunnel doesn't like little needles.  However, it is an excellent portable project for going to appointments and I hope to finish it before the end of the KAL for Giftalong 2016 Feet. 

And the winner is...

Well, I only had one person who left a comment about which UkeeKnits pattern that they would like to try.  She is by default the winner.  Judith, thanks for leaving a comment and becoming the winner of a free pattern from UkeeKnits.  I will be in touch with the information you need to redeem your win of the pattern prize that Faye so graciously donated.

Thanks again, Faye for agreeing to be profiled and providing a prize for a lucky winner. She loves your 2 Hour Smocked Toque.

Knotions, December 2016..has one of my patterns....ChaCha going live....WOOT!!!!

I just want to let everyone who reads this to go check out the new issue of Knotions.  You can find the patterns that will be in the issue going live December 3, at Knotions, December 2016.  There are 16 patterns and one of them is my ChaCha Backpack in two sizes.  There are additional pictures of the backpack appearing in the issue.  Those pictures and probably more will also be on my pattern page shortly, so that you can see both sizes and all the cute details.  My friend Teri's daugher Carla & niece Nicole modeled for me, since I have no young ladies in my immediate family who could fulfill that need.  The ladies were a blessing and were real troopers.

I am so excited about this, because it was my first ever submission to a magazine and it was selected.  I worked really hard on it and had no idea the amount of work that goes into a magazine submission.  Jody (the editor of Knotions) has been phenomenally helpful and patient with this newbie to the publishing world.  I will probably submit more ideas time goes on, but for right now I'm going to concentrate on some of the patterns that have taken a back seat to this project.  Keep your eyes peeled here for another new design soon..

I am partnering with someone to bring another design to life.  It should be a really fun knit.  That's all I'll say for now, because I'm still in the middle of the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long KAL. I am having a blast, and I will post more projects and hopefully more designer profiles before it's over.

Knit on!

Close up of ruffles on child size

Butterfly buttons add a touch of whimsy

Carla is modeling the child size

Nicole is modeling the teen/adult size

My friend's daughter Carla & niece Nicole  made lovely models

Cute flip flop buttons make this fun!

Close up of ruffles

An interview with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits

During the first few days of the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long 2016, I was privileged to have contact with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits on Ravelry.  She is the designer of the first two projects that I completed toward my attempt to "tame the opadoo".  The (2 Hour) Artist's Loop and the 2 Hour Smocked Toque which can be found on her Ravelry designer page..

She agreed to be a short interview for this blog and graciously donated a prize. I am asking readers the question; "What UkeeKnits design would you like to make?" and ask you to leave your answer in the comment section by December 5, 2016. If you are a Ravelry member, you can leave your Ravelry name and if not, leave an email address where  you can be contacted.  A name will be selected at random from all those leaving an answer and that person will receive the gift of a free pattern from UkeeKnits.

And now without further ado, my interview with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits:

KraziKnitz: Please tell us about yourself and where you are from:

• Faye:  I live in a seaside resort community on the western edge of Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada) with my family and our chocolate lab.  The area is a temperate rain forest; the rainy season lends itself well to knitting and other indoor hobbies. But not so much to waiting for wet-blocking to dry!

KraziKnitz:  How and when did you begin designing?

• Faye: I've been designing as long as I can remember.  I started sewing doll clothes at age 4 and attended fashion design school after high school. About 6 years ago, I was in-between jobs and with a lot of time on my hands. I was playing with knit designs and decided to post patterns for my creations on Ravelry.

 KraziKnitz: Where do you find your inspiration?

• Faye: This can and does vary.  I tend to be a process knitter, so I like to learn something new and try out variations of the techniques.

KraziKnitz: You have a nice variety of patterns.  Do you have a favorite item to design?

• Faye:  Thank you!  I do like accessories.  Cowls have been a lot of fun.  I like variety.

KraziKnitz: What advice would you pass on to anyone contemplating becoming a designer?

• Faye: Make a business plan; think about your goals and your brand image from the start.  I didn't do this, but I really wish I had.

KraziKnitz: Do you have a  website, blog or newsletter that you would like to mention?

• Faye: You can follow me on  Instagram and/or Twitter: @UkeeKnits

Check out Faye's designs and don't forget to leave a response to the question; "What UkeeKnits design would you like to make?" by 6:00 pm EST on Monday 12/05/16.  A name will be drawn at random from all of the responses.  Again, if you are a Ravelry member leave your Ravelry name, so that you may be contacted by pm.  If you are not a Ravelry member, leave an email, so that you may be contacted as well.

Thanks for reading my humble little blog. I will try to have occasional giveaways, so keep your eyes peeled and check back often.  You never know what you might find.  Keep knitting, crocheting or whatever craft you love.  The sale part of the Gift-A-Long ends at 11:59 pm EST tonight, so get it on it while you can.  The party atmosphere goes until the end of December, so party on and join the crowd at the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long 2016 group on Ravelry. 

See you there!

Coming soon...An interview with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits...(with a prize) :)

In a day or so, I will be posting an interview with with Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits.  She is the designer of the first two projects that I completed for the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long 2016.  I am not only participating as a designer for the first time, but participating as a knitter.  Well, I am also considering some crochet projects as well.  More about that later....We also have a prize donated by Ms. Kennington for someone who reads and will comment when the time is right.  So stay tuned for that interview and what we will use as criteria for winning that prize.
If you would like to check out her designs,  you can find her designer page at http://www.ravelry.com/designers/faye-kennington.

Knotions, December 2016..

I am about to have my first pattern published in an  online webzine called Knotions.  I am so excited and I can't wait.  It will be released December 3, 2016. You can find more information at Knotions, December 2016.

Now that I got all the ecstatic stuff done. (jumps up & down in an undignified manner)! Here's some additional information about the pattern. I mentioned the upcoming previously in a post, but I could not give specifics until I knew which issue it would be included in.  So much has happened since I retired and could give my design career more attention.

I am also humbled and appreciative and would like to thank Jody, editor at Knotions for taking a chance on me.  I am such a newbie to this part of designing.  I peppered her constantly with questions! She was so patient, kind and always answered so that even this babe to the business of publishing could understand. 

When you just have to have ruffles! Lots of girls love ruffles and can never have enough ruffles. If you want to indulge your inner "rufflista" or pamper that little girlie girl in your life, this backpack is for you. Cool buttons can help you express your sense of style to make this a one of a kind work of art. One two, chachacha!

The ruffles on these bags become quite sculptural once felted. The pack comes in two sizes, child and teen/adult.  The straps have two button holes, which if paired with multiple buttons makes it adjustable.  Adjustability allows for multiple wearers or one wearer that is growing. 

I am also including the picture that will be used in Knotions.  There will be more later once the pattern is actually published, but this is the one I can release for now. Without further ado, may I introduce you to ChaCha.  

Also a big thanks to my friend Teri, for allowing me to photograph her daughter Carla, and in other pictures her niece Nicole.  They were excellent models and most appreciated, especially since I have no young ladies of appropriate age in my family living close enough to impose upon for photo shoots.

My friend Teri's 6 yr. old Carla was a great model.*

First finished objects from Gift-A-Long 2016....

I have finished two quick knit patterns by Faye Kennington (known as UkeeKnits on Ravelry. Both items were knit with bulky yarn that I have had for a while.

 I also had some beautiful buttons, that went perfectly with the yarn for the cowl, so it was meant to be.  The universe put the pattern, the yarn and the buttons together at just the right time.  I knit it for myself, because I rarely make anything for me.  It will be pulled out for the few cold days we get in my part of Florida and it will keep my neck toasty.  The pattern is called (2 Hour) Artist's Loop, which had I not been interrupted I would have completed in the allotted time.

 The  color way is Quetzalcoatl from Kathleen Spins.  I picked it up on one of my birthday yarn jaunts down in Port St. Lucie.  There was a small yarn shop called Yarn It!, but I don't know if it is still open.  The buttons came from another shop in Cocoa Beach, which is no longer open. It's sad when a little quality shop that has cool stuff closes. 😞

This is my first gift-a-long, both as a designer and participant. I am selecting patterns from a variety of designers at differing levels of complexity.  I started with two of UkeeKnits' patterns, because I liked the way they could be knit up quickly for a little instant gratification. Instant gratification seemed good way to start this party of like-minded crafty folk.

yarn, pattern & buttons

close up of buttons

Completed project

Too hot to wear for long.  Please ignore double chin & wrinkles for 

aesthetic reasons.

The second project is the 2 Hour Smocked Toque, by the same designer.  The yarn has the colors of sunrise on the beach, which conjures warm feelings anyway.  The pattern has some interesting details, that make the knitting a little more fun.  You have to pay attention when knitting the pattern rounds.  The pattern is well written and knits up quickly.  Another beautiful item that I will only wear occasionally, but will make a statement of bright color and interesting texture whenever and wherever it is worn.

Beginning of the process

 Keep your eyes peeled to this blog for an interview with Faye Kennington, (Ukeeknits on Ravelry.  She has also graciously donated

Left face

Right face

a coupon code for a pattern from her collection.  Details on the pattern prize, will be forthcoming on the same day as the interview. Don't worry we'll let you know how!