I'm here to report that Debbie Stoller's book signing at Powell's City of Books in downtown Portland, Oregon last weekend was a great success! There were 50-60 attendees and lots of them purchased the book and had it signed. Knitting needles clicked in the awe-struck audience as Debbie spoke about her knitting inspiration, knitting tips (stitch positions involving audience participation was priceless) and background about her new book, Stitch 'n Bitch Superstar Knitting which was officially released 11/01/10.
Debbie had brought a trunk show of some of the book's projects, including my design, "Baby Corn", and "The Life Aquatic" pattern designed by Serena Murphy, also from the Portland area. We were introduced to the audience, too. The project models featured in the book were passed around and it was interesting to see the models in person. I cringed when "Baby Corn" was passed to me, dreading how the model I knit might be faring through all the modelling, handling, etc. There were a few loose ends and pulled stitches, which I remedied as best I could.
It was fun to meet Debbie's mom, Mrs. Stoller (I'm sorry I didn't catch her last name). She was along for the ride on Debbie's book tour on the train. She told me she would rather fly than ride a roller coaster after having been traumatized on a roller coaster years ago. Debbie prefers riding the train on her book tours and still had Seattle, WA and several cities in California to hit before having to fly home to Brooklyn for the holidays.
I went to the signing with a couple of friends and was pleasantly surprised when my day job bosses and their families attended to show their support of my first published pattern (and hopefully not the last). The kids, Jocie and Luke, were wearing sweaters I had knitted both of them so it was really special. I've put their pictures on the left. I even got to sign some books myself and got Debbie's signature on my book copies.
I was wearing a black wool/angora version of "Coco" from the book I whipped out for the occasion. I wasn't feeling the sequins in the original "Coco" so used a selection of random buttons along the bottom and sleeve edges. I was sorry several times as it was overly warm and the angora kept going up my nose!
The next day, Debbie was featured on local TV on "AM Northwest" and showed the projects we had seen at the book signing. Several of my friends saw "Baby Corn" and my name mentioned as the designer and contacted me afterward. What a fun experience and Debbie is an excellent, clever speaker. I would highly recommend making the effort to see her if she comes to your town!
My take on knitting and some free knitting patterns too
Friday, November 12, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Boogie Shooz #1 Released To the Public
I FINALLY finished the Boogie Shooz #1 pattern and posted it on http://www.ravelry.com/ late last night. It took w-a-y longer than I had expected, as I decided to do two other versions simultaneously (#2 & #3 natch), while I was finishing up several projects and whipping out "Coco" from Superstar Knitting in record time to wear today. Oh, and I wrote the pattern and am half-finished with "Sleet", my latest new scarf pattern which will be offered for free download on this blog (hopefully this coming week, if I can finish the prototype to photograph). It is my favorite scarf pattern yet. And there's the interruption of having to stop my knitting and go to work outside Knitworld 35 hours a week...
Boogie Shooz resemble quirky baby booties as you can see from the photos to the left and come in 3 sizes for grown a** women. They are pretty quick and easy for some instant gratification. I definitely let my freak flag fly on this one - why the heck not?? This is my first foray into selling patterns on Ravelry. I've been giving away "Big Honkin' Bag" and the "Elusive Blue Rose Hat" for almost a year now and they've had a good response, as well as the two scarf pattern downloads on this blog linked to Ravelry. This may prove if the hundreds of patterns were downloaded because they were awesome or because they were .... free.
I chose Debbie Stoller's Stitch Nation Full 'o Sheep to knit them in as it comes in an array of bright, interesting colors and is my current fave yarn. Debbie's book signing is at Powell's City of Books in downtown Portland today and I will be in attendance. I 'm taking all 3 prototype pairs of Boogie Shooz for Debbie to see knit from her yarn and my next design sketches for "Sayde Sunshine", a bizarro doll also out of Stitch Nation yarn.
If you're interested, each Boogie Shooz pattern download can be purchased for a mere $4 on Ravelry. I will do my best to get #2 and #3 on there this coming week. I would love your opinion on these so feel free to post your comments. I will also be posting the rules of the drawing for 3 copies of Superstar Knitting (one signed by Debbie) soon.
Boogie Shooz resemble quirky baby booties as you can see from the photos to the left and come in 3 sizes for grown a** women. They are pretty quick and easy for some instant gratification. I definitely let my freak flag fly on this one - why the heck not?? This is my first foray into selling patterns on Ravelry. I've been giving away "Big Honkin' Bag" and the "Elusive Blue Rose Hat" for almost a year now and they've had a good response, as well as the two scarf pattern downloads on this blog linked to Ravelry. This may prove if the hundreds of patterns were downloaded because they were awesome or because they were .... free.
I chose Debbie Stoller's Stitch Nation Full 'o Sheep to knit them in as it comes in an array of bright, interesting colors and is my current fave yarn. Debbie's book signing is at Powell's City of Books in downtown Portland today and I will be in attendance. I 'm taking all 3 prototype pairs of Boogie Shooz for Debbie to see knit from her yarn and my next design sketches for "Sayde Sunshine", a bizarro doll also out of Stitch Nation yarn.
If you're interested, each Boogie Shooz pattern download can be purchased for a mere $4 on Ravelry. I will do my best to get #2 and #3 on there this coming week. I would love your opinion on these so feel free to post your comments. I will also be posting the rules of the drawing for 3 copies of Superstar Knitting (one signed by Debbie) soon.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Book Review: Design It, Knit It, Babies by Debbie Bliss
After buying and enjoying Design It, Knit It published in 2009 by Debbie Bliss, I was excited to check out her "sequel" for babies which came out Summer 2010. My interest was definitely piqued in the first volume by several inexplicable photos of darling baby garments not included in that book, which proved to be teasers of patterns in this book. Clever marketing idea, along with several other novelties which are included in this book.
PROS: I like knitting books that feature a spiral wire binding like this one - it easily lays flat and is infinitely more useable than a regular binding when referring to pattern instructions. The pattern instructions are clearly-written and easy to follow with plenty of diagrams and photographs to illustrate each.
The eighteen projects included in the 158-page book range from easy (tiny unisex Garter-Stitch Cardigan with minimal shaping) to more complicated, but still not overly difficult (boy's Shawl-Collar Jacket with clever northwoods styling). My favorite pattern is the precious Hooded Cardigan which is charming in its simplicity or as a blank slate for design customization. I can see using this pattern again and again.
There are also several baby afghans, accessories like a fair isle beret, several dresses, cardigans for boys and girls, and imaginative pullovers. I'm intrigued by the colorful little girl's Chevron Cardigan as it is similar to a design idea that had been floating around in my head and appeals to my affection for ripple stitch patterns.
The photography is soft and beautiful, a hallmark of Debbie Bliss books and showcases the pretty babies and muted colors of the Debbie Bliss yarns utilized in the designs. Really makes you want to grab some needles and whip out a baby project on the spur of the moment, even if there isn't a baby to knit for right this minute. Even though it may be purely staged, I enjoyed the glimpses of Debbie's design studio (and Debbie herself with a tape measure around her neck) sprinkled throughout the book.
CONS: If you are into designing patterns for babies (like Debbie Bliss clearly is), there is some helpful creativity advice, but little about the actual mechanics of calculations and the like, as she mentions herself in the book's introduction. This is purely soft core knit design information.
When I buy a knitting book, I calculate the value of the book by dividing the cost by the number of usable patterns in the book. Only 18 patterns in this book is a little on the skimpy side (although I found few page fillers) and the value of "design inspiration" is subjective. I admire Debbie Bliss and what her talent has accomplished in the knitting world, but I either want my knitting books to be either a knitting pattern book or a design inspiration book. Or, contain enough of each
in a hybrid to make me feel like the book was a good investment of my knitting dollars.
The jury is still out on whether the 15 pages of "Design Workbook", composed of grids and sweater outlines to embellish with one's own ideas was all that necessary. I don't like writing or drawing in my books, so that was not something I would ever use. Including a tear-out tool in the back for measuring knitting needle, gauge and knitting abbreviations is an interesting idea. The flimsy laminated page clearly won't take the place of any of these more permanent tools you currently own.
Overall, I give Design It, Knit It, Babies by Debbie Bliss a 3 1/2 * rating (based on a 5 * system).
PROS: I like knitting books that feature a spiral wire binding like this one - it easily lays flat and is infinitely more useable than a regular binding when referring to pattern instructions. The pattern instructions are clearly-written and easy to follow with plenty of diagrams and photographs to illustrate each.
The eighteen projects included in the 158-page book range from easy (tiny unisex Garter-Stitch Cardigan with minimal shaping) to more complicated, but still not overly difficult (boy's Shawl-Collar Jacket with clever northwoods styling). My favorite pattern is the precious Hooded Cardigan which is charming in its simplicity or as a blank slate for design customization. I can see using this pattern again and again.
There are also several baby afghans, accessories like a fair isle beret, several dresses, cardigans for boys and girls, and imaginative pullovers. I'm intrigued by the colorful little girl's Chevron Cardigan as it is similar to a design idea that had been floating around in my head and appeals to my affection for ripple stitch patterns.
The photography is soft and beautiful, a hallmark of Debbie Bliss books and showcases the pretty babies and muted colors of the Debbie Bliss yarns utilized in the designs. Really makes you want to grab some needles and whip out a baby project on the spur of the moment, even if there isn't a baby to knit for right this minute. Even though it may be purely staged, I enjoyed the glimpses of Debbie's design studio (and Debbie herself with a tape measure around her neck) sprinkled throughout the book.
CONS: If you are into designing patterns for babies (like Debbie Bliss clearly is), there is some helpful creativity advice, but little about the actual mechanics of calculations and the like, as she mentions herself in the book's introduction. This is purely soft core knit design information.
When I buy a knitting book, I calculate the value of the book by dividing the cost by the number of usable patterns in the book. Only 18 patterns in this book is a little on the skimpy side (although I found few page fillers) and the value of "design inspiration" is subjective. I admire Debbie Bliss and what her talent has accomplished in the knitting world, but I either want my knitting books to be either a knitting pattern book or a design inspiration book. Or, contain enough of each
in a hybrid to make me feel like the book was a good investment of my knitting dollars.The jury is still out on whether the 15 pages of "Design Workbook", composed of grids and sweater outlines to embellish with one's own ideas was all that necessary. I don't like writing or drawing in my books, so that was not something I would ever use. Including a tear-out tool in the back for measuring knitting needle, gauge and knitting abbreviations is an interesting idea. The flimsy laminated page clearly won't take the place of any of these more permanent tools you currently own.
Overall, I give Design It, Knit It, Babies by Debbie Bliss a 3 1/2 * rating (based on a 5 * system).
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Why I'm Obsessed With Knitting
I've been thinking about my knitting addiction this week. It is my only obsession that I don't feel somewhat apologetic for. I will admit I am ashamed of my sugar cravings (damn those gummy worms, chocolate parfait Nips and pumpkin spice Hershey kisses) and blatant caffeine addiction (hello Starbucks and my daily mega coffee consumption). I feel bad about my periodic cheeseburger attacks and frequent BBQ Pringles weaknesses.
I would even admit a little guilt about my love of Reality TV, Mad Men, Soup, Project Runway and TMZ... I watch way more tv than anyone I know, but justify that since I currently live alone, don't necessarily have to eat on a schedule and am knitting almost every minute I'm not asleep or at work. I won't even go into my reading, computer and secret obsessions with Jon Bon Jovi and John Corbett...
Here's my list of why I justify any and all aspects of my knitting fixation:
1) It has probably kept me from weighing 300 pounds. I'm not a small person or particularly fit, but I'm weird about making sure my hands are super-clean when I knit, so simultaneously eating ice cream, cookies or chocolate just won't work. These are two completely separate activities in my world. I've also been known to skip a meal or two on the weekend when caught up in a knitting project (who has time to stop and rustle up something?)
2) I truly feel like I am hypnotizing myself when I get into the rhythm of knitting. The repetition opens up my right brain (as I mentioned in a previous post), I feel my blood pressure dropping and I slip into another place, like a trance. I can't get that feeling from anything else I do and I'm definitely hooked on the feeling.
3) All my tv/movie watching is justifiable when I'm knitting something useful, creative and sometimes lucrative. I have never been able to sit and stare at a screen without doing something simultaneously that accomplishes a goal. Thanks to knitting, I am never bored, ever...
4) I have found a creative outlet that meshes with my talent and background. I was working on quilts during my high school classesl, sewed many of my clothes from a young age and earned money in college doing alterations and custom sewing. I always loved creating things, good design and fashion. Designing my own knitting patterns and customizing someone's pattern is right up my alley. Continually expanding my knitting skills and knowledge is challenging and addictive in its own way.
5) I've never been a collecter of things people usually collect, like thimbles, cats, shoes. But I am a huge collecter of yarn and it makes me very happy. My obese yarn stash is so large that it has its own rooms in both my residences. Collecting yarn gives me something to search out anywhere I travel, from the handspun Amish Corriedale yarn to hand-dyed Blue Moon sock yarn in the "Siren Song" colorway from the Flock & Fiber Festival in Canby, OR. I'm always on the search online and offline for good deals on beautiful fibers. And knitting with my finds reminds me of when and where I found them, like a good souvenir should.
6) The first place I go when I get online (after checking my email and this blog) is Ravelry.com. I love that knitting community more than I can express and would've never been a part of it if I wasn't a knitter. The comments, shared obsession and information from that website are an integral part of my life.
7) The pure pleasure and satisfaction I gain from knitting something awesome for a friend or family member that is loved and appreciated. How better to show people you care about their importance to you? The finished project is proof enough of that, but also the hours and hours of knitting time I spent thinking good things about them while working on the project certainly counts for something, like the Prayer Shawl phenomenon. That positive energy is worked into everything I knit.
8) I always have something portable to keep me occupied in any situation with my knitting projects. Doesn't matter if I'm facing a long plane flight, long phone call or traffic jam. I have a small project tucked in my purse (usually a sock) for any emergency. Time flies when you're absorbed in a fun knit.
I could add dozens more reasons, but I would like to hear other peoples' opinions. Why are you obsessed with knitting and how has it added to your quality of life?
I would even admit a little guilt about my love of Reality TV, Mad Men, Soup, Project Runway and TMZ... I watch way more tv than anyone I know, but justify that since I currently live alone, don't necessarily have to eat on a schedule and am knitting almost every minute I'm not asleep or at work. I won't even go into my reading, computer and secret obsessions with Jon Bon Jovi and John Corbett...
Here's my list of why I justify any and all aspects of my knitting fixation:
1) It has probably kept me from weighing 300 pounds. I'm not a small person or particularly fit, but I'm weird about making sure my hands are super-clean when I knit, so simultaneously eating ice cream, cookies or chocolate just won't work. These are two completely separate activities in my world. I've also been known to skip a meal or two on the weekend when caught up in a knitting project (who has time to stop and rustle up something?)
2) I truly feel like I am hypnotizing myself when I get into the rhythm of knitting. The repetition opens up my right brain (as I mentioned in a previous post), I feel my blood pressure dropping and I slip into another place, like a trance. I can't get that feeling from anything else I do and I'm definitely hooked on the feeling.
3) All my tv/movie watching is justifiable when I'm knitting something useful, creative and sometimes lucrative. I have never been able to sit and stare at a screen without doing something simultaneously that accomplishes a goal. Thanks to knitting, I am never bored, ever...
4) I have found a creative outlet that meshes with my talent and background. I was working on quilts during my high school classesl, sewed many of my clothes from a young age and earned money in college doing alterations and custom sewing. I always loved creating things, good design and fashion. Designing my own knitting patterns and customizing someone's pattern is right up my alley. Continually expanding my knitting skills and knowledge is challenging and addictive in its own way.
5) I've never been a collecter of things people usually collect, like thimbles, cats, shoes. But I am a huge collecter of yarn and it makes me very happy. My obese yarn stash is so large that it has its own rooms in both my residences. Collecting yarn gives me something to search out anywhere I travel, from the handspun Amish Corriedale yarn to hand-dyed Blue Moon sock yarn in the "Siren Song" colorway from the Flock & Fiber Festival in Canby, OR. I'm always on the search online and offline for good deals on beautiful fibers. And knitting with my finds reminds me of when and where I found them, like a good souvenir should.
6) The first place I go when I get online (after checking my email and this blog) is Ravelry.com. I love that knitting community more than I can express and would've never been a part of it if I wasn't a knitter. The comments, shared obsession and information from that website are an integral part of my life.
7) The pure pleasure and satisfaction I gain from knitting something awesome for a friend or family member that is loved and appreciated. How better to show people you care about their importance to you? The finished project is proof enough of that, but also the hours and hours of knitting time I spent thinking good things about them while working on the project certainly counts for something, like the Prayer Shawl phenomenon. That positive energy is worked into everything I knit.
8) I always have something portable to keep me occupied in any situation with my knitting projects. Doesn't matter if I'm facing a long plane flight, long phone call or traffic jam. I have a small project tucked in my purse (usually a sock) for any emergency. Time flies when you're absorbed in a fun knit.
I could add dozens more reasons, but I would like to hear other peoples' opinions. Why are you obsessed with knitting and how has it added to your quality of life?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting Is In the House
I am so excited to report my copy of the newly-hatched Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting has arrived! I am having a blast seeing my pattern, "Baby Corn", and my name and bio in print and enjoying the other forty pattern contributions, as well. My pattern not only has a 4-page spread with two photographs, but made the back cover (see photos on the left).
Debbie Stoller's writing is awesome, as always, and the first half of the 356-page book is devoted to her humorous spin on advanced knitting instructions. There are some great diagrams and insight into doing everything from knitting with beads and deciphering a lace knitting chart to designing your own sweater creations. She has really outdone herself on this one. I think it is the best Stitch 'N Bitch book yet.
As mentioned before, I will be attending Debbie's book signing at Powell's City of Books in downtown Portland on November 7th at 4:00 pm. I am 2/3 finished knitting the "Coco" cardigan from Superstar Knitting in black angora/merino and will hopefully be wearing it for the event.
I will also be having a giveaway here for 3 copies of the new book. If you want your copy RIGHT NOW, click on the Amazon link and get it for a great price and quick. Stay tuned for more info!
Debbie Stoller's writing is awesome, as always, and the first half of the 356-page book is devoted to her humorous spin on advanced knitting instructions. There are some great diagrams and insight into doing everything from knitting with beads and deciphering a lace knitting chart to designing your own sweater creations. She has really outdone herself on this one. I think it is the best Stitch 'N Bitch book yet.
As mentioned before, I will be attending Debbie's book signing at Powell's City of Books in downtown Portland on November 7th at 4:00 pm. I am 2/3 finished knitting the "Coco" cardigan from Superstar Knitting in black angora/merino and will hopefully be wearing it for the event.
I will also be having a giveaway here for 3 copies of the new book. If you want your copy RIGHT NOW, click on the Amazon link and get it for a great price and quick. Stay tuned for more info!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
My Current Knitting Projects
In between working full time and day-to-day domestic survival tasks, I do find plenty of time to knit. I manage to squeeze in 3-4 hours a day most days. It helps preserve my sanity, lowers my blood pressure and opens up my right brain very effectively. I keep Sharpie and paper handy always when I pick up my knitting. It feels like a door opens on my creativity about 15 minutes in to knitting, especially really repetitive knitting like stockinette or garter.
Several days ago I had one of the best "creative spillages" I've ever had. I had put in a stressful 9 hour day at work and finally sat down to work on a simple boy's pullover worked in stockinette with sock yarn (on size 3 needles). I had been working only a few minutes and was alternating between the knitting and watching my favorite Thursday night TV shows when the ideas started flowing. Out poured great solutions for the my new slipper design pattern, color combinations that had never crossed my mind, embellishments for future designs and new pattern designs. I was writing and sketching so fast that I almost couldn't keep up. It was great - probably the high point of my week. Hope it happens again soon!
Does this happen to anyone else? I would love to hear about other knitter's experiences with the whole right-brain phenomenon. It fascinates me to no end. Feel free to post your creativity stories below in the comments section.
Meanwhile, I'm back to finishing the second slipper of my newest design. I posted a picture of the first one to the left, along with several other recent projects both finished and in progress. I particularly like the pink cabled cardigan. It is for my 3 year old friend, Jocelyn, to keep her warm this fall and winter. She will wear nothing but pink, so this awesomely pink creation should tickle her fancy. It was kind of tedious with all the cabling and double-stranded yarn, but I love the way it turned out and can't wait to see it on Jocie.
Several days ago I had one of the best "creative spillages" I've ever had. I had put in a stressful 9 hour day at work and finally sat down to work on a simple boy's pullover worked in stockinette with sock yarn (on size 3 needles). I had been working only a few minutes and was alternating between the knitting and watching my favorite Thursday night TV shows when the ideas started flowing. Out poured great solutions for the my new slipper design pattern, color combinations that had never crossed my mind, embellishments for future designs and new pattern designs. I was writing and sketching so fast that I almost couldn't keep up. It was great - probably the high point of my week. Hope it happens again soon!
Does this happen to anyone else? I would love to hear about other knitter's experiences with the whole right-brain phenomenon. It fascinates me to no end. Feel free to post your creativity stories below in the comments section.
Meanwhile, I'm back to finishing the second slipper of my newest design. I posted a picture of the first one to the left, along with several other recent projects both finished and in progress. I particularly like the pink cabled cardigan. It is for my 3 year old friend, Jocelyn, to keep her warm this fall and winter. She will wear nothing but pink, so this awesomely pink creation should tickle her fancy. It was kind of tedious with all the cabling and double-stranded yarn, but I love the way it turned out and can't wait to see it on Jocie.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Debbie Stoller's Book Tour
I was contacted by Debbie Stoller's publicist at Workman Publishing about her upcoming book tour to promote Superstar Knitting this fall/winter, since my "Baby Corn" dress design/pattern is included in the book. The tour starts November 1st, 2010, the same day the book is released. Debbie says she got a first copy this week and I'm expecting my copy soon. From what I have seen, it is definitely one to add to your knitting library.
I am helping to let people know where to find Debbie as she goes across the country on her tour. If you are in the areas she will be visiting, be sure to grab a copy of the new book, meet her and have her sign your book. I was fortunate enough to have gone on the first "Stitch 'N Beach" cruise in 2008 with Debbie and Shannon Okey, super talented knitters and really fun women!
Here's Debbie's tour schedule:
http://www.workman.com/authors/event_search.pl?author=9367&rm=search_results
I will be at the Powell's event in Portland, OR on Sunday, November 7th at 4:00 pm.
According to the publicist, Debbie will also be at The Yarn Garden at 1413 SE Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, November 6th at 6:00 pm. I plan to be at this event as well.
http://www.yarngarden.net
I am helping to let people know where to find Debbie as she goes across the country on her tour. If you are in the areas she will be visiting, be sure to grab a copy of the new book, meet her and have her sign your book. I was fortunate enough to have gone on the first "Stitch 'N Beach" cruise in 2008 with Debbie and Shannon Okey, super talented knitters and really fun women!
Here's Debbie's tour schedule:
http://www.workman.com/authors/event_search.pl?author=9367&rm=search_results
I will be at the Powell's event in Portland, OR on Sunday, November 7th at 4:00 pm.
According to the publicist, Debbie will also be at The Yarn Garden at 1413 SE Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, November 6th at 6:00 pm. I plan to be at this event as well.
http://www.yarngarden.net
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