Happy New Year.

We can say that for all of January, can't we?

I had planned a sentimental post for Christmas time relating to family & heirlooms and Santa.  A little belated, here is the highlight of what I wanted to share:

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I have a fabulous Santa stocking, which was knit in the year of my birth by my maternal grandmother, Grams.

I searched for the pattern I found it was a kit.  Here is the front of the package!

Hilarious.

My cousin Natalie, who was born the next year, also received a Santa stocking.  Hers had been set too close to a lightbulb and suffered a burn completely through in 2 places - It was delivered to me for care and repairs.

It was a challenge, which I enjoyed - but more than that it was a wonder that now, my needles were in that work that my grandmother had in her hands over half a century ago.  

Other work that has been in my hands includes this fun and fabulous rendition of the Old Shale stitch, in Kismet Fibers beautiful Gradient!

Shale Nouveau

Rather than the 'just one more row',  it was more,  'just to the next skein'!  It worked up quickly and was an excellent companion while I listened to the podcast, Woolful and watched both seasons of Orphan Black (again!) and while I was in groups and meetings and carpool lines...

It is now on the way to Vogue Knitting Live in NYC.  I wish I'd been able to deliver it...

Next up are some sweet little mitts knit from Nanos, dyed by Julie Asselin in the wonderful shade Birch.  

Regent

My resolutions for the year are minimal (as in make my life more so) and 

to teach out and about a bit more.  

I have a few things in the works and will keep you posted as dates are confirmed.  

As ever, all Happiness!

December.

Some Newly Published Work :

Fervent, in Swans Island Worsted, 2 skeins for the set, in Raspberry 

Raked, in the Fibre Company's Canopy Worsted, Wild Ginger

Raked in the works, here in Malbrigo Worsted, Bobby Blue

Stilla Lace Poncho, KidSilk Aura

Ricochet in (2 balls of) Kid Silk Haze and (1 skein of) Tosh Merino Light.

Knit by JustCallMeHal

And Some Works in Progress :

Noctua in Malabrigo Rios, Teal Something 

Noctua in Shepherds Wool Worsted, Spring Green

King Bee Farm Alpaca Blend 

Saki Sport

Just a quick post to mention that Saki Sport is now up on Ravelry.

I was able to knit 2 pair, a small + a medium from one skein of Traveller.

If you have purchased my other Saki patterns, the coupon code saki trio will reduce the new pattern 50%.

If this will be your first, saki love will reduce the price 33% through the end of November.

Perfect little Holiday Knits. 

NellKnitsNovember + Indie Design Gift-a-Long

This has already been a very busy month for NellKnits.

The New River Fiber Company has been promoting #NellKnitsNovember 

in their shop and on Instagram.

There are 2 brand new patterns for the event! 

Fervent 

shown in Swans Island Natural Worsted (Raspberry): 

and Raked 

shown in Fibre Company Canopy Worsted (Wild Ginger).  

These patterns will only be available exclusively at the shop, 

through the end of the month.

I'll be at the shop for a meet + greet, to offer advice and to teach 

my popular class

Tips + Tricks, this Saturday the 15th.  

The Indie Design Group on Ravelry has put together a fabulous event, and this year I am participating.

Thousands of patterns will be on sale for 25% off with the code 

giftalong2014 

during the GAL sale period - Thursday November 13th (8pm EST) through 

Friday November 21 (11:59pm EST).

Join in the GAL, which lasts until the end of the year - chat with designers and other crafters, play games, win prizes, and more importantly make some beautiful things!

I will be choosing something new to knit, too...  

Oh, a Give-Away!

Artyarns Beaded Pearl and Sequins

Today I'm offering a sweet giveaway, a copy of the new book, 

One + One: Wraps, Cowls & Capelets by Iris Schrier.

My pattern is the Beaded Eyelet Hug, knit with one skein each of 

Artyarns Beaded Pearl and Sequins and Artyarns Rhapsody Light.  

The book shows so many beautiful shapes. I'm a big fan of cowls, capelets and wraps that are joined and stay put!  

Just leave a comment here, on Ravelry, my Instagram, or my Facebook page to be eligible to win.  I'll also have a few free NellKnits patterns to share.  The drawing will take place on Friday evening.  Good luck and enter everywhere!

The New River Fiber Company and Mosaic Yarn are giving away a Cashmere Level pass to the first ever Sheep in the Shade event!! 

I will be teaching there, along with Angie + Stephanie of Kismet Fiber Works 

and Courtney + Kate of Kellbourne Woolens.  

This will be at beautiful Claytor Lake, just outside of Blacksburg, Virginia.  

The deadline for entry is quite soon, the contest is on Instagram via  any of these links.

Good luck and hope to see you there.

I am also working on a multi-size & multi-gauge Poncho, 

shown here in a discontinued silk & cotton that I over-dyed with Indigo.  

I have been surprised at how often I have popped this one on.

Yes, it's just a simple rectangle shape, 

but with the addition of a few short rows, the neck is less open, 

and there's a flattering fit across the shoulders.  

I'm currently working on a Shale Lace edged version in some lovely KidSilk Aura 

that was just lingering in my stash, 

and have almost readied the pattern for testing.  

Do join in the fun, 

there is a size for you, 

and with all the gauge variety, you may have just the yarn you need tucked away.  

Send me an email or message if you're interested.

Happy September!

One of the things that September means is that the time for gift-giving is just

Right Around the Corner.

Here are a few great small projects to share, perfect for working on right now.

Gyre, made for the New River Fiber Company, 

with The Fibre Company's Road to China Light

That Hat, a pixie-ish topper with an interesting twist on cabling, 

made with Kismet Fiber Works Abundant

Fusilli, 

made with delicious Kismet Fiber Works Sleek Fingering, 

a wonderful blend of Silk & Wool.  

This might be the go to pattern for several single skeins in the stash.  

This little wrap sits just right.

You can see these, me and everyone linked above at Sheep in the Shade, a fiber retreat on beautiful Claytor Lake, outside of Blacksburg, VA, the first weekend of October.  I am so excited to meet and learn about color with the Fibre Company gals, dye with Angie & Stephanie of Kismet - and meet, hang out (teach & share) with the attendees and new friends there.  I hope that you can join us.  

Stilla, my take on the poncho - soon to be available in many gauges.

Here is the prototype, knit with a long discontinued cotton & silk held double, then over-dyed in my backyard Indigo pot.

Spring Mist, from Swans Island, made with Swans Island Natural Colors Merino Silk Sport

Beaded Eyelet Hug

from One + One: Wraps, Cowls & Capelets: 29 Projects from Just 2 Skeins, by Iris Schrier

I will be talking about this soon, I expect the book to arrive this week, and will have a little giveaway, stay tuned!

“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” Terry Pratchett

Although the quote, from "A Hatful of Sky", was not written to describe knitting, 

I think it applies.

After all the miles of yarn that have run through my hands, I am still amazed at what a needle or 2, and a few fingertip tricks can conjure up.

Introducing Wheaten.

Knit here in a hand-dyed semi-solid fingering weight from Fleur de Fiber, a souvenir from last years Chicago adventure.  It drapes, hangs and wraps wonderfully, and can be worn in may ways.  Even in the heat of high summer, I can see it wrapped snugly as a scarf - but in the meantime it will keep the chill of sudden AC off my back.

Check out the test knit by Larcyarn made of Kismet Soul!  That color!!

For the 4th of July, I plan to celebrate with a vat of Indigo Dye.  The supplies arrived yesterday and today I mix it up.  If you live in the area, come over for a little dip.

Keep an eye on Instagram for some of our results.

Speaking of Instagram, I celebrated my 3rd anniversary of publishing patterns with a giveaway there.  New friends were made and a dozen patterns gifted.  

It has been 3 fantastic years, thank you all!

Also on Instagram (can you tell it's my new favorite?) there will be a KAL with Whitney of The New River Fiber Company in Blacksburg VA.  Details will be up soon!

High Summer.  

That means a ton of vegetables from our wonderful CSA.  

We made Pickled Beets yesterday, tweaking this recipe by swapping ACV for the Tarragon Vinegar and adding a few whole cloves.

     

Of course there have been Onion Tarts, and I'm dreaming up new things to make with with the abundance of squashes. 

 A very happy holiday weekend to us all.