Newest Promotion for December -Adopt a Critter

In addition to the 20% off all patterns, I have added a new secondary promotion with a deeper discount.  In honor of shelter animals everywhere, I have added a discount of 35% on all my softie patterns until midnight 12/22/2016, using the coupon code ADOPT.  

George T Dawg is giving tours at the shop, but  he will follow you home, if given the opportunity.  Don't look at the eyes! He'll get you with those mournful looks every time. So stop by Paula King's Ravelry store (aka KraziKnitz by Paula).

Make a cuddly friend for yourself or someone you love.  Soft and cuddly creatures can be a great comfort to all of us, young or old.  You can tell all your secrets to a special friend and never worry they will be shared with anyone else.  George is like that, he makes a great confidant who would take all of your secrets and lock them in his heart forever.

December promotions

I currently have two promotions running.

First, a general sale of 20% discount on all patterns with no coupon code needed until midnight 12/24/16.

Secondly, I will have a rotating promotion on different patterns until the end of the month. My current additional savings is on all patterns with the word SLOUCH in the title.  These patterns have a 35% discount until midnight 12/18/16.  The coupon code is SLOUCH.

My shop is KraziKnitz by Paula aka Paula King's Ravelry Store.  Check the blog regularly or my group on Ravelry which by coincidence is called KraziKnitz by Paula.

New promotions will pop up every few days at least through the end of the year.  Happy Knitting!

Merengue Knot Bag & Skein Shop Independent Designer Program

I am proud to announce the release of Merengue Knot Bag, in conjunction with the Skein Shop Independent Designer Program.  I was fortunate enough to become acquainted with Alexandra Parks (aka Sasha) of Skein Shop and Dashing Mouse Designs, while buying some yarn for another design that I am currently in development.
She expressed an interest in my designs after looking at my designer page.  She asked if I would be interested in participating in their Independent Designer Program.  After receiving the details, I told her that I would love to collaborate on a design. This pattern is the result of that collaboration, with Skein Shop providing yarn support, tech editing and a lot of promotion.  I provided the inspiration, design and prototypes.  Sasha is a designer herself, but prefers to spend her time dyeing her line of yarns. You can find more information about the Independent Designer Program on the Skein Shop blog.
The Merengue Knot Bag inspiration came from the extravagantly ruffled costumes of some Latin dances. I love the sculptural qualities of felted ruffles.  I wanted to pair those ruffles with a simple knot bag.  The pattern has a nice photo-tutorial to help with construction of the ruffles.
So, without further ado, please take a look at the pictures below and start thinking of what colors you want to use for your own Merengue.
I am also offering an introductory promotional discount of 25% until 12/15/2016 midnight.  Take advantage of this and make yourself a tropical delight to chase away the winter cold (at least for a little while).  My shop is Paula King's Ravelry shop...KraziKnitz by Paula,

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!