The leaves have been turning colour, my youngest is now in Kindergarten (her first full day is today.....insert me crying happy tears of mixed emotions), and I've finally gotten some time to sit down and get the sewing machine whirring! While I'm sad my last kiddo is in school full time I'm happy to see her grow and enjoy school and for me to have much more time to work normal people hours! Yay!
So in honour of my first day with both kids in school I thought what better way than to share some pics of some of my fave new Art Gallery Fabrics, review their brand spanking new app, and of course - giveaway a ton of fabric!!!! Yahoo!!! You know I love giving away fabric!
I've been busy knitting in the background but I've also been busy planning some sewing too! There are so many patterns out right now that I'm loving that it's time for another round of Patterns on my Cutting Table for you guys! I love seeing and hearing what you are all making and crushing on too so be sure to leave me a comment about which patterns you're swooning over this week!
I love color! Color can be such a fun & exciting way to show off & add your personality to your knitting! Pairing colors is such an adventure and I figured who better than to teach us for Summer Sweater Knit Along 2015 about color combinations, stripes & more than the lovely Julie Asselin herself! I swear when I think of Julie I see color! She's a bright, loving and energetic soul and I adore her!
One of the questions we get asked a lot by knitters is how do you knit from and read a chart. Knitting from charts can seem overwhelming at times but I promise it's a way that some knitters find faster and easier to work from. And when you are working with lace and cables for that special Summer Sweater Knit Along project a chart can be super helpful and necessary.
To help answer this question we have the awesome gals from Pom Pom Quarterly here today to share a fun tutorial on How to Read a Chart - The Basics! Pom Pom editor Lydia Gluck has even done up a fun FREE downloadable tutorial in their signature Pom Pom style! I love it!
This summer has been so much fun & so special - I've been so blown away from all the love you have all shown my BRADWAY Shawl pattern! I'm so happy that you have all been enjoying BRADWAY as much as I do! It's a relaxing & fun knit just filled with texture! I can't believe some of you are on your 2nd and 3rd shawls! Warms my heart!
I'm taking some time this upcoming week for our summer vacay so things will be quiet around here but I promise I'll be back soon. We're all super excited for our much needed "staycation". I plan on getting in some much needed family time, getting to see friends from out of town, reading (and more reading), and all the other awesome things that come along with summer vacation!
I'm so excited to have Alexa Ludeman from Tin Can Knits here today as our first guest post for the Summer Sweater Knit Along 2015! When it comes to sweater knitting Alexa and Emily are pros! They even have a wonderful free series walking you through some of their popular sweater patterns! So I thought who better to do a post on how to knit a sweater than Tin Can Knits themselves!
When it comes to knitters we love our notions, tools and accessories! One of my favourite places to indulge in new pretties is from Fringe Supply Co. - one of our Summer Sweater Knit Along sponsors this year!
I will openly admit I have a weakness for notebooks, journals and project bags. I can't get enough! Pair those with some fab stitch markers & holders, great scissors, and a new print for my office and you've got one happy knitter over here! The one place I love to indulge and treat myself is at Fringe Supply Co.
Remember how much we all loved coloring books as kids? I was known to spend hour after hour coloring my little heart out happily and quietly. And now as a mother myself, I happily watch my kiddos embrace their love for coloring. But what about us mom/dads who still love to color? I know I still color with my kiddos regularly but I have to admit, I'm getting pretty darn tired of coloring Barbie and My Little Pony. There are only so many times an adult can color a kids colouring book until we start to get fed up.
It's here!!! It's our Summer Sweater Knit Along Kick-Off Day!!! Get those needles ready! It's time to join in and get knitting a lovely garment during the summer months so you can wear it just in time for the fall/winter!
I'm beyond thrilled and excited to be giving a way a copy of my dear friend Anna Graham's new book "Handmade Style: 23 Must-Have Basics to Stitch, Use and Wear" today. Her blog Noodlehead, is and has been, one of my top five reads for as long as I've been reading blogs. Handmade Style is just as addicting and stays true to her wonderful aesthetic and style.
It's almost time for our favourite knit along of the year - the Summer Sweater Knit Along!!! Our SSKAL, as we call it, encourages knitters to keep on knitting garments (or try making their first one) throughout the summer months so they can sport their new handmade lovelies just in time for fall/winter!
Below are all the details you need to know to get ready for the launch of the Summer Sweater Knit Along next week! There's already a SSKAL pre-kal thread started in our Ravelry Group so feel free to chat patterns, swatches, yarns and more! I can't wait to see the amazingness you are all going to make this year!
I'm back from our road trip over to Washington and I'm super excited to show you the goodies I brought home with me! The shops we visited are all wonderful and special and I'm so happy to have been able to bring back with me some very yummy goodies!
I had such a wonderful time visiting these amazing shops! All the lovelies from this post were from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, Tolt Yarn and Wool Shop and Dry Goods Design. If you are in the Seattle, WA area I highly recommend visiting all 3 shops! Each is special and inspiring in it's own unique way!
Jane and I are still on our Summer Road Trip! Our next stop is the fabulous Tolt Yarn and Wool Shop! We are beyond excited! Tolt is also a shop that is not to be missed! I've even threatened to move in and live there...lol. We sure hope you'll all make the gorgeous drive out to Carnation, WA to visit us at Tolt! We'll be there on Sunday, July 12th, from 1pm - 3pm!
I'm on the road today with Jane travelling to the iconic and gorgeous Churchmouse Yarns & Teas Shop on pretty Bainbridge Island, WA! This is a shop that is definitely not to be missed! Drool worthy in fact! Bainbridge Island is a quick (and super affordable) relaxing ferry ride away from downtown Seattle (read the easy directions here)! So grab your knitting, relax and come on over to Churchmouse to hang with us on Saturday from 11am - 3pm!
Jane and I are heading on a bit of a road trip this weekend and we thought it only fitting to have a fun sale to celebrate! We're offering 20% off of all of the individual patterns and eBooks published by our company - Marian Rae Publications! That means SEASONLESS, JOURNEY & ISLAND are all on sale!
MAKING OURSELVES is our monthly series focused on finding and creating more time to nurture and prioritize ourselves, our passions, hobbies & health. You can read all the posts HERE.
This month I'm chatting about how a recent back injury led me on my journey to meditation and how I'm finding a new calm in both my personal and work life.
I love to knit & wear my handknits in the summer. So when the warm weather rolls around I'm all about still wearing my pretty shawls. Our newest pattern - BRADWAY, is all about summer. It's inspired by jean cut-offs, summer night strolls, camping, and lakeside relaxation with loved ones - BRADWAY is that warm, lazy feeling summer brings.
Textured twisted ribs & knit purl combos make for a modern rustic triangular shawl that’s a fun & relaxing knit. BRADWAY will be your shawl of choice for cool evenings around the campfire & lazy summer night strolls.
It's been a while since we had a fabric giveaway so in honor of my bday this past weekend (turned the good ol'38) I'm in the mood to giveaway some fabric! Who's in the mood to win a $75 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop? Yay!
