classes next weekend

it has been unseasonably warm in sonoma county lately. this makes me a bit sad. i have all these wonderful knit things and i can't wear them. i just made a new hat and am teaching a class on how to make it this weekend. and now that it has been raining i've been indoors knitting rather then outside in my garden. if you need a cute new hat come and join me next weekend http://castawayyarn.com/next_months_classes.php?month=2#Cocoon%20Hat%3Cbr%3E
if hats aren't your cup of tea i'm also teaching these very cute inside out mitts. they were featured on purlbee. they are super fun and a good skill builder.
http://castawayyarn.com/next_months_classes.php?month=2#Inside%20Out%20Gloves%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E
i have a drawer full of mitts and hats in assorted patterns and colours. they make for good presents and spontaneous gift giving. everyone loves to have cozy heads and hats.

In my backyard.

Since the beginning of December i have been thinking about and working on knitting patterns for a couple of yarn companies that are almost in my back yard. Nature's Palette and Alchemy yarns of transformation. Both companies use natural dyes and offer really special yarns and patterns. if you like to knit and want to treat yourself seek out them out.
My favorite Nature's Palette is the Thick 'n' Thin merino. it's chunky and has great texture on top of being sooooooo soft. it comes in really nice colours. i wish i had a picture of all of them to show. Darlene Hayes is the owner and inventor of this wonderful company. She also has patterns available called Hand Jive. if you like to knit socks she has a great fingering weight yarn with a bunch of really interesting patterns. you can also find out more in the book called " the natural Knitter" i am lucky enough to have a couple patterns published by her company. this makes me so happy to be part of something so special.
My Favorite Alchemy yarn is lux. it's silk and merino and out of control. It's lofty and has this brilliant lustre and comes in so many colours it makes my head spin. I've used Alchemy yarns for years. they are my favorite for doing shibori felting. Gina DeWilde is the creative mastermind behind Alchemy. She has several books out. Most recently is one on shibori knitting. If you love colour and are looking for something interesting and new, check it out.
i have two new patterns that i'm working on so i need to get back to work.

happy lunch=bentokozy

i found the cutest bento box sets at the new Japanese market by the train station in Port Washington on Long Island. We were visiting my husbands family for the holidays. i like to stop at the Asian markets to find new candy for my sister. she loves it as much as i do.
After picking out all sorts of bits to wrap and give as surprise presents. i found these lovely bento box sets with matching utensils. they were so awesome. the wrapper said "natural lunch makes you happy". i wonder what an un natural lunch makes you?
any way i decided that they needed something knitted to ensure they would stay tucked together after being placed in a bag. i really wish i was a t home. i could have made linen napkins with embroidered bits on them. i also would have had my mini pon pom makers. i've learned my lesson. i'll never leave the house with out them again.
i had left over yarn from the slippers i finished on the airplane so i cast on thirteen stitches and started to knit. i crocheted some buttons and voilia bento box kozies. happy lunch.

holiday stuff

t'is the season. i'm still knitting presents and trying to figure out what the new year has in store for me. i'm in New York for a bit and then we head down to North Carolina.
I've been making notes and sketches everyday. i can't wait to get back to the studio.
some things that i will have are new dolls, knitting patterns, a magical collaboration with Gabby Lala, lots of mischief with meredith, jen and whitni.
i'm going to be teaching again. so if you want to learn how to make a very cute hat, chunky ribbed slippers or a cozy scarf with a hood go check out knitterly.net and castawayyarn.com. i'll be teaching in petaluma and santa rosa. i'll get more information later.
i need to get back to knitting. enjoy.

look how lovely

gnomes, gnomes everywhere.

it's been awhile. i've been sewing. A lot. i've also been knitting. a few of my patterns are being published. i'm very excited. the company is handjive. it's all natural dyed super yummy yarn. i'll have to do a minnie photo shoot preveiw next week. the patterns will be available in jan 2009.
otherwise i made some lovely new owls out of the most deliciouse brown wool. right now i'm sewing another batch of gnomes. my very good friend meredith gave me the best plaid wool ever. it makes me die every time i look at it. i have to take new pictures. friday is pictures and post on your blog day for me. saturday is craftaluma holiday spectacular. i'll be selling owls, gnomes, hair pins. i hope to see you there. i'll get all the specifics posted.
meredith and i did a tree sweater forest installation in court house square in santa rosa, ca. it's so pretty. please go and see it before it gets stolen. we've had six small ones stolen from court house square a while back. it made us sad. and our favorite sweater got stolen by the game store. well it's not going to stop us. however my knitting machine is refusing to cooperate. there won't be any new sweaters until the new year. but the installation will move around at least once more. alright i have gnomes to sew.