Giveaway!

Good news everyone! I am having a huge winter giveaway at my other Blog, and I've just published a new pattern!
http://www.nantucketknitter.com Go to Smiles are Contagious at www.nantucketknitter.com to check it out. Hopefully you will be redirected shortly!

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Moving!

Hi there everyone.
I have decided that there is no reason for me to have two Blogs, when I talk about knitting so much in my other Blog, Smiles are Contagious, which is my main blog. Hopefully, this will automatically redirect over there soon, but if not, please visit www.nantucketknitter.com from now on!
See you over there!

Friday Finishes

This week, I finished a couple of commissioned hats:

I love these hats. I love the angora/merino wool they're made out of, it's super soft and yummy. Maybe someday I'll add an adult size to the pattern!
Ravelled here: http://ravel.me/NataliesKnits/aebth3

Also, I made some Knucks:
I have been knitting my fingers off for a very long time now, with commissions (which I love that I am getting!) plus I've been renting tables at markets for my wares. And I enjoy knitting to no end, but for the past week or so, I've been feeling burned out. So, I decided it was time to make something for myself:

KNUCKS! I ran into this pattern on knitty.com when it first came out, and always meant to make it. My favorite kind of glove is the one with the half fingers, but I've never attempted them. (Well, I did once, but never finished the second glove.)
This pattern is great. The fingers are knit first, so the fiddliest bit is out of the way. Not that the fingers are really fiddly at all - they probably took me half an hour start to finish.
These are knit in DK weight, so they're super quick. (By the way, the coloring in the photo with just the fingers done it the most accurate. It's a real pretty pale blue.)
Ravelled here: http://ravel.me/NataliesKnits/k1

And I made a pair of Vehnän Mitts.

Another super quick knit, using Dk weight yarn and size five needles.
Ravelled here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vehnan-mitts

Linking up to Friday Finishes, join in the fun at Smiles are Contagious!

Flaunt it Fridays.

Vehnän Mitts - a free pattern

Recently, I was trolling the web for funky ribbing stitches to finish off my Knucks. When I found the prefect ribbing, I kept noticing a beautiful stitch being displayed in the sidebar. The website had dubbed it the "Wind in the Wheat" stitch.
I loved it so much, I had to make some mitts out of it. And, since I have some unexplainable obsession with all things Finnish, I decided to name them Vehnän Mitts; Vehnän being Finnish for wheat. (Well, really, it means "common wheat"). Vehnän Lapaset is roughly translated to Wheat Mitts, but I thought that may be a bit unwieldy on the tongue.

You can knit these mitts in a weekend and they take less than a skein.

What you need
Yarn: Any DK weight. Shown in Gloss DK yarn by KnitPicks, in cream; number 24985
Needles: A Set of US number Five DPNS or circular long enough for Magic Loop method.
Notions Tapestry needle, stitch marker
Note: If you’re making these gloves with only two DPNs or using the Magic Loop method, the stitches will rearrange themselves on the needles. I recommend arranging the stitches back to an even amount on each needle every time you work round 12.

Wheat in the Wind stitch adapted from the instructions found here: http://www.craftcookie.com/knitting-stitches/eyelet-lace-stitches/162-wheat-in-the-wind

Wheat in the Wind stitch
Rounds 1 & 3: p1, k11; repeat from *
Round 2 & all other even rounds: Knit all sts
Round 5: * p1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k4; repeat from *
Round 7: * p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k3; repeat from *
Round 9: * p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k2; repeat from *
Round 11: * p1, k4, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k1; repeat from *
Round 12: Knit all sts
These rounds form the Wheat in the Wind stitch.

- Instructions
Arm/Wrist
CO 36 sts on three DPNs. Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to indicate beginning of round.
Work one inch of k1, p1 ribbing. K one row.
Work Wheat in the Wind rounds 1 – 12 three times. A total of 36 rows worked.
Work Wheat in the wind rounds one and two.

Place Thumb
Work 18 sts in patt, knit next six sts with scrap yarn. Move the six sts worked back to the right needle. With working yarn, resume in patt until the end of the round.

Hand
Finish working remaining Winds in the Wheat rounds.
K 3 rounds straight.
Work one inch in K1, P1 ribbing.
Bind off in patt.

Thumb
Carefully remove waste yarn and place resulting live sts on needles; there will be 6 sts below the opening and 5 sts above. Attach yarn and k 6 sts below the opening; pick up and k 2 sts in space between below and above. K 5 sts from above opening; pick up and k 2 sts in space between this needle and lower needle. 15 sts.
K one row.
Next row: K6, K2tog, K to end of round. 14 sts.
Work K1, P1 ribbing for three rounds.
Bind off in patt.

Finishing
Weave in all ends. Enjoy!

Abbreviations
Sl1kw: Slip one stitch knit-wise
PSSO: Pass slipped stitch over
YO: Yarn over
K2Tog: Knit two stitches together

Pattern copyright 2012 Natalie Gonzalez. Please do not make these to sell, unless for charity.

We have some winners!

Wow, I can't believe how many entries there were for the skein giveaway! That is a record for me, thanks everyone for checking my Blog out!
Yeah yeah, you're all just waiting for the winners, I know...Well, firstly, here's the soap winner:

Using the random number generator from the super cool awesome folks at random.org, I have the winner! It's comment number 10, which is...

Well thank YOU, mamagiff, for entering! I am messaging you on Ravelry as I type (yes I am that talented, and have four hands) to find out where to ship your booty!
Now for the giveaway I think you've all been waiting for...Do I hear a drum roll? No? Just choose a winner already? Yes!
The mini skein giveaway winner is...

Which is:

Yay congrats you winners! I will be messaging you for addresses.
(TA Noonan please e-mail me within 48 hours of this post at natalie@nantucketknitter.com with your mailing address!)
Now, this giveaway was successful. Like, way beyond what I thought it would be. I sold enough patterns through the exposure to the site to pay for shipping both giveaways, which makes it all worthwhile for me.
For now, it's going to be a monthly thing - at least, I am going to have a Christmas themed giveaway next month. It may have to be moved to bi-monthly, depending on how it goes, but I for one am keeping my finger's crossed that it can be every month!
Now, I am excited for next month's giveaway. Not sure quite when it's going to start yet, but it'll probably be around the 15th of November and run 'til the 30th.
Want a hint about what it's going to include? Yes? Well, how about some Bonbons? And not just any Bonbons, but sparkly ones! Thus far, I know that next month will include two packs of Bonbons mini skeins, one is celebrate and one in sparkle!
Which other colorways caught your eye? Let me know in the comments!
Oh, another thing. Next month's giveaway may just be hosted on my other Blog, Smiles are Contagious, as it's going to include some things maybe not directly related to knitting, and I try to keep things on here just for knitting. But, again, we'll see!
Oh, almost forgot. I've also got something in next month's giveaway for any small knitters in your life. 'Cause I am all about starting them onto this particular addiction as early as possible!

If I do not hear from the winner(s) within 48 hours of this post I will pick an alternate winner(s).

Hey everyone, remember to check out my other Blog this Friday for my very first Linky Blog Party:

Wee Fairy Folk Tutorial

Some wee fairy folk, out of some objects from around the house and some stuff we found on our walks. Perfect for a stormy day indoor activity!

(I am so sorry for the quality of this and some of the next few images. The lighting is not the best right now and apparently I can't camera.) First, bend a pipe cleaner into the rough shape of a body - two arms, two legs and a neck. Forget the head - who needs a head?!

Then you make a skirt. Cut however many pieces into whatever size circle you want, with small holes in the center of each one.

Then stick the legs through and push it up to the waist!

The shirt is a rectangle with a hole in the center. Stick the neck through the hole and tie around the waist with a bit of string.

This is what it will look like!

Then take a break to enjoy the four year old's acorn art!

Then take a bead, attach some fun wool hair with a wee acorn for a hat and glue it on the neck. Make it a mate to play with and let them romp in an indoor fairy garden!
There you have it - an indoor hurricane activity sure to last for longer than a handful of puzzles! Enjoy!

Friday Finishes - A New Linky Party

I miss having a linky party on Fridays so much, I decided to to start my own Friday linky. Plus, having a reason to have a finish every week isn't a bad thing either.
Please join me this Friday, and hopefully many thereafter, in this party! You can post any finish, from knitting, sewing, crocheting, cooking, even reading that book book you never finished! Hey, even cleaning your house. Anything you finished over the week, link here on Fridays!
I am going to be hosting the party on my other Blog, Smiles are Contagious, as this one I try to keep just for knitting, and I will probably want to link to other projects as well. But I will probably link up from this one with knitting projects.
When you join, just link back to my blog in your post with my Friday Finishes button, or a link, whatever, and try to leave comments on anyone else who enter - I hope others enter! *Finger's Crossed.*

Mini Skein Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed! Finding out the winners now, check back soon!

Hey all you Bee Keeper Quilter's out there! And I won't forget you Mini Mania Scarfer's. Not to mention anyone making ornaments or toys...
Anyone want to win 15 mini skeins?!

I was going through my stash and realized I have way too much yarn, and lots of it is the half skein variety. And I know all of us Bee Keeper's are always looking for new and awesome (awesome!) yarn to add to their quilts. So I thought - why not give some of it away?
I am giving away the 13 pictured plus two surprise solid minis.
Pictures left to right
First row:1-6 are Storied Yarns, 7 is one I dyed.
Second Row: 1-3 are sparkly mini skeins from Knit Picks, 4-5 are random sock yarns, self striping, and 6 is a Madeline Tosh sock yarn.
Same old rules. You can enter lots of times.
- Just leave a comment.
- Share this post then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Follow this blog then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Like me on Facebook, then leave a comment saying you've done so. The link to FB is above in the links section.
That's four chances!
I will leave this contest open for a while, I want any Bee Keeper or scarf maker to have a chance to see this and enter if they so desire.
So, how about Halloweenish?! The contest will close October 30, 'round about noon time est.
If you're leaving a comment as anonymous or are a no-reply blogger, either leave your e-mail (or some other way of contacting you, such are your Ravelry name) in the comment or be sure to check back here on Nov 1st to see if you've won!

New Pattern and a Giveaway!

This contest it closed. Please check back on the 31st to see if you've won! (I am having one entry for both contest winners.)
(Giveaway info towards the bottom)
I just posted a brand new pattern to Ravelry. A trio of awesome soap holders!
I have been knitting away at Christmas stuff, and I have been trying to make a soap caddy type thing for a Winter Swap I am doing. I have all of this wonderful organic homemade soap and nothing to package it in! After going through many patterns I didn't quite like I decided to make my own.
Click here to get knitting!

There is an owl, a woven stitch, and a funky textured one.
These caddies are awesome! They knit up in a flash and are great for newbies to working in the round. Knit out of ‘washcloth yarn’, they can be hung in your shower and double as washcloths. Leave the soap inside for a louffa type thing!

Now for that giveaway! In honor of my new pattern, I am giving away a woven stitch soap holder along with a bar of wonderful Drift Away Soap. Also, you will receive a paper copy of the pattern.
The soap is amazing! A natural scent called Nantucket Gardens (a loverly lavender scent with seasalts and seaweed), by DriftAway Soaps. It is 4.4 oz.
Same old rules. You can enter lots of times.
- Just leave a comment.
- Share this post then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Follow this blog then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Like me on Facebook, then leave a comment saying you've done so. The link to FB is above in the links section.
That's four chances!
I will leave this contest open til...let's say Saturday the 27th around noon time est.
- Buy a soap holder here: my etsy store
- DriftAway Soaps: www.driftawaysoap.com
- Soap ingredients: Organic extra virgin olive oil, water, organic coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, lye (none remains after saponification), organic avocado oil, organic hempseed oil, essential oils of clarysage, cedarwood, bergamot, and lavender; powdered seaweed, sea salt

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I am.

Rosa

Meet Rosa, my very first attempt at a non-animal doll.

I have to say straight away that the image quality is very poor and the picture just plain stinks. I am stuck using a phone as my camera at the moment. I just couldn't wait to show her off though!
I love her green eyes paired with her tan skin! Her hair is quite a beautiful pink, which does not look at all right in the photo. My daughter chose all her colors and wanted to name her 'Mine'...so much for my ideas of selling her at a fair in November.
She is made with Knitpicks Sport, I forget which but it has cotton in it and some wood fibers I believe, and is super strong, machine washable, and surprising soft. Perfect for a doll.
I need to make something to support her neck. Next time the head will be smaller or I will use shorter hair...but I do love the huge head! I need to make her something with a sturdy neck to hold up her...neck, haha. Oh dear.
Well, adios everyone!

Hi Again!

Hi again everyone! Sorry for the long absence! Just rearranging some stuff around here, hope to be back to regularly posting again soon.

Five Gifts for Under $15

At a loss as to what you should get the knitter in your life for a birthday or other occasion? Fret not! Here’s a list of five great and quirky gifts for under $15, which work for any gift giving occasion.

Sock Monkey Tape Measure

Who doesn’t love sock monkeys? This super cute sock monkey tape measure is sure to be a hit with any crafter in your life, not just knitters! Sock Monkey Tape Measure, Lantern Moon, lanternmoon.com, $11.05. Check out their chocolates!

Patterns
You can never go wrong with patterns. Plus, most are under $6.00, so they won’t break the bank, and most now require no shipping! Just download right to your computer, instant gratification. Two of my favorite pattern designers are:
Fuzzy Mitten, www.fuzzymitten.com
Danger Crafts: www.dangercrafts.com

Gryffindor Stitch Markers
I love The Sexy Knitter! This cute set of five sequined stitch holders come in the Gryffindor House colors, and packaged in the cutest container. Perfect little something! Gryffindor Stitch Markers, The Sexy Knitter, thesexyknitter.etsy.com, $7.50. Also, be sure to check out her Golden Snitch stitch markers and the Knitter’s Tin. I use a Knitter’s Tin myself!

Frogged/Ripped Shots
Sometimes, a knitter just needs a libation. After a frustrating session of ripping out our hard work, what better way to take said libations than with these Frogged/Ripped shot glasses? For the knitter who doesn't drink, these are a super cute way to store smaller notions. Frogged/Ripped Shots, Ravelry, ravelry.com/stores, $3.50

Handmade Sushi Knitting Needles
I love love love these knitting needles, and a knitter can never have too many needles. (Hint, hint.) You can be guaranteed your friend won’t receive another pair like it. Sushi Handmade Birch Knitting Needles, kikuhandmade, kikuhandmade.etsy.com, $14.00

I've Been Published

My pattern for Eyelet Fingerless Mitts has been published! And not in one, but two other Blogs! (i didn't realize I had been published in Totally Tutorials until this morning, when I was looking at my stats.)
Nantucket Chronicle has asked me to do a column (for lack of a better word) with patterns, tips and tricks. I already have two more planned in my head. Check the article out
Totally Tutorials also published my pattern, yay!
I am so happy to be have my name out there in the Blogging world more. I am loving these opportunities.
(Oh and new learning opportunities - I discovered I've been spelling 'eyelet' wrong for ages now. I thought it was 'eyelit.' Happy Knitting All!

Hexiflats

I have picked the Bee Keeper's Quilt back up! I have decided it's going to be hexiflats though, instead of puffs. I just like them better.

I have done eight total, I am planning on one a day until I am finished - around about five hundred!

*sigh*

Pre-fair sale

Just a quick post to announce my little sale. I am selling a limited amount of bobby pins with roses for $3.50 instead of $5.00, with free shipping in the US and reduced worldwide shipping. They will only be up until Sunday!

https://www.wepay.com/stores/nantucketknitter < - - Check out the sale!

Infinity Scarf

I have finished the infinity scarf!


I am so excited to have something else to sell at the fair this summer. It's hard to tell from the photos but it's a lovely seafoam blue. The yarn is part silk, so it really has a sheen. Perfect for a seaside town!

Hexipuffs

I have now completed ten total hexipuffs. Two in Madeline Tosh, three in knitpicks palettes, one in knitpicks handpainted something, one in Storied Yarns, one in my own hand dyed, and two random sock yarns from my stash.

Bee Keeper's Quilt - it begins

This will be the first post of many about this quilt. I just recently started the "Bee Keeper's Quilt" by the wonderful Tiny Owl Knits.
I have made five hexipuffs. Of about 400. This may take a while.
Being ravelled here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/NataliesKnits/the-beekeepers-quilt
Thus far I have used:
- Two Knit Picks Palette
- One Knit Picks hand dyed
- One Storied Yarns hand dyed
- One of my own hand dyed.

This shall be interesting, it's nice to finally have a one a day, something non-demanding I can work on at the end of the day.

The winner!

Using the good old random number generator from our friends at random.org, I've selected a winner. It is comment number two, Lisa Cox! I can't do screen shots on my mobile so I can't show the generator, sorry! Lisa, I will be messaging you!

Coffee Cozy - free pattern

I had been looking for a coffee cup cozy pattern for fingering sock weight yarn for long while, and couldn’t find one. So, easiest solution – make one up! This cozy should fit small through large size cups.

Ravelled here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/coffee-cozy-4
PDF here - http://nantucketknitter.com/cozy.pdf

YARN: Fingering weight sock yarn. The most important thing is it should be machine washable. I used yarn from the wonderful Storied Yarns – http://storiedyarns.etsy.com .
NEEDLES: US size four DPNs or circular long enough for magic loop.
GAUGE: 1” = 7 sts
NOTIONS: Tapestry needle to weave in ends.

INSTRUCTIONS:
- Cast on 62 sts, and join to begin knitting in the round, being careful not to twist.
- Work in K1, P1 ribbing for five rows.
- Knit five rounds.
- Next round: K1, K2tog, K to last three sts, SSK, K1.
- Next: K all sts
- Repeat these two rounds three times more. 8 sts decreased, 54 sts remain.
- Knit five rounds.
- Work in K1, P1 ribbing for five rounds.
- Bind off all stitches.
FINISHING: Weave in all ends.

Pattern and images copyright Natalie Gonzalez, 2012. Please do not reproduce and redistribute pattern. Please do not make these items to sell unless for charity. www.nantucketknitter.com

Infinity Scarf

Just thought I'd share what I'm loving to work on the most right now:

A beautiful Infinity Scarf, which I plan on selling at a table I am renting at a fair this summer.

The yarn is from Knit Picks, and it's a wonderful silk merino blend. I love the name of the color - Sea Spray.
Being Raveled Here.
To read more of my favorite things this week, hop on over to my personal Blog, Smiles are Contagious.

PS - Remember to enter my giveaway!

2 x 2 mitts

I have really been wanting to knit some of the yarn I have dyed, but couldn't think of anything I really wanted to create. Then these popped into my head. They're fairly simple, and can be made simpler by using a regular bind off, rather than the picot edge I used on these.
They are so quick, they knit up in less than a weekend.
(FYI - I plan on getting pictures with both of the mitts being worn in one picture in a few days. Right now it is just me and my camera phone, so I could only take one hand at a time!)

YARN: Fingering Sock Yarn, I used a 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon blend that I dyed myself.
NEEDLES: US size one DPNs or circular for magic loop.
NOTIONS: Needle to weave in ends
GAUGE: Doesn't really matter

Before we start I want to warn you that these are going to look super small as you knit them. However, the 2x2 rib is really stretchy, so don't worry, these will fit any average sized wrist!

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cast on 40 stitches. Divide between four DPNs if using. Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work in 2x2 rib(K2, P2) for 5 1/2 inches, or desired length.
Thumb: Work in patt for five stitches, bind off six stitches, work in patt to end of round. Next round: Work in patt for five stitches, cast on six stitches, work in patt to end of round.
Work in patt for another 2 1/2 inches, or desired lenght.

Bind off stitches using picot edge bind off.

Finishing: Weave in ends.

PICOT EDGE BIND OFF:
*Cast on two stitches. Bind off four stitches. Return stitch on right needle to left needle; repeat from* to end of round.

Don't forget my yarn dying kit giveaway

Pattern © 2011 Natalie Gonzalez. Please e-mail me at natalie.knit@gmail.com if you wish to make these to sell. Do not reproduce and redistribute pattern. Any questions or comments? Feel free to e-mail me!
If my fingers appear dirty in these pictures, it's because, well, they are. They're stained with soot. Long story.