Kristin's Knit Crochet & More Week In Review 12/10/10

Hi everyone!

Did you read Clara Parkes Knitters Review this week of 8 extraordinary yarns for one-skein projects? Click on the link to read the article for yourself. The list has some decadent, luxurious treats to read about. What are your favorite luxurious yarns for one-skein projects? What are your favorite one-skein patterns? I recently made a Honeycomb Cowl from Crochet So Fine in one of my favorite luxury yarns: Superior by Filatura di Crosa. It is so pretty and looks and feels like a wisp of a cloud.

I think cowls and mobius are my favorite one skein projects because they are dual purpose: they keep you warm as outerwear, but can also be worn indoors, too - like the turtleneck of a sweater. If you go with a really unusual yarn (like the cloud-wisp-like Superior, or a sequined or beaded silk) and a bold signature color, it can actually replace a statement necklace with your outfit. I'm working on a mobius right now using Bijou Basin Ranch Bliss in color Blush, (which is one of my signature colors - hot pink!) The yarn is 50/50 blend of yak and cormo wool and handdyed by Lornas Laces.

I received web sized images of all the projects from A Knitting Wrapsody this week. As the release date approaches, I will share a photo here and tell a little back story for each of the 18 projects. This week, I want to share the cover project with you: Rings of Cables Shrug. I have been designing and creating in both knitting and crochet for years, but because this is my first KNIT book, I have actually been planning and experimenting with some of these techniques for a long time. My little black book is a moleskin journal where I keep ideas and sketches for future experiments and projects. Anyway, the Rings of Cables Shrug is named after the rings of cables on the back of the shrug. You can't tell from this picture, but I hope you will enjoy it when you see the other photos inside. With some carefully placed short rows, the rows of cabled become neverending rings of cables. The yarn is Malabrigo Worsted in the beautiful kettle dyed color way Paris Nights. It was hard to part with this shrug when I turned in the projects for photography. I would LOVE to wear this with my favorite pair of jeans and a cool belt. I guess I'll just have to make myself another one! :)

The release date for A Knitting Wrapsody Book & DVD is January 22, 2011. You can pre-order it at amazon.com or Interweavestore.com, but if you want a personalized, signed copy for yourself or the knitter in your life, you can pre-order from me HERE. I won't be shipping until the last week of January, but when I do it will be signed and personalized to whomever you choose.

ANOTHER SPECIAL SALE!

My sister's birthday is today and in celebration of her day, I am having another promotional sale. For every gift you purchase for yourself or your loved ones in my Holiday Sample Sale, I will be giving away a free pattern of your choice! It is very simple: order a sweater, scarf, shawl or bag HERE, and choose which free pattern you want me to send you from HERE. Thanks for celebrating with me!!

This week, I received notice that Crochet So Fine was positively reviewed by The Library Journal in their December 2010 Fiber Crafts Reviews. Click on the link to read the entire review. Congratulations to all the craft book authors included in this impressive list: including Donna Kooler, Rita Weiss, Jean Leinhauser, Shannon Okey and many more.

I'm also excited to announce that my new CrochetMe Workshop DVD: Crochet Corner, Basics & Beyond with Kristin Omdahl is available for pre-order. Release date will be January 15, 2011. Click on the link for more information. With this DVD, you can learn crochet from the VERY BEGINNING and throughout the 109 mintues of lessons you will learn all kinds of stitches, techniques, tips & tricks and much more. In the photo on the cover, I'm wearing my Aloha Orchid Scarf & Flower, that you can purchase as a PDF download pattern HERE.

I went camping last weekend with the Cub Scouts, as I previously mentioned. There wasn't much knitting or crochet going on this weekend - I DID bring yarn, hook and needles, but there was a lot of dust and dirt at this campsite and I didn't want to get my yarn dirty!

My goal in these camping trips is to always keep my dignity intact, especially when it comes to my Shark Hunter. I'm not exactly a tom boy type of girl, but I try to be tough and rugged for him. During the activities on Saturday, we went to an archery class. Normally the parents just observe, but I was invited to try my hand at archery. I am a very literal person (can you sense an excuse coming?) and I follow directions literally, too. I was told to line up my arrow on the guide of the bow, pull back and let go of the arrow. I did it over and over and over again, and the instructor said I was defying physics because it was impossible for the arrow to fall sideways on my face every time. Then, he realized I was only letting go of arrow and not the BOW, TOO! Duh!! I was so embarrassed. However, once I let go of both, I hit my target 9 out of my 10 attempts. I hope I redeemed myself in Shark Hunter's eyes! LOL
I did wear something you may recognize at the camp out. Remember the Broomstick Lace Hat from Crochet So Fine? The hat in this picture was the prototype version: the broomstick portion is mostly the same, but the brim is faux ribbed in alternating front post and back post double crochtes in the round, rather than the sideways post stitch cables in the book's version.

On the menu:

Beef Stroganoff, Baked Chicken, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, SLOW roasted picnic roast, homemade applesauce, apple salad, cucumber salad, and chocolate birthday cake for my sister!

Weekly Inspirations:
The future is always beginning now. ~ Mark Strand

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.~ Phyllis Diller

There is always room in your life for thinking bigger, pushing limits and imagining the impossible. ~ Tony Robbins

No one could say you deserve better because the best thing you deserve will always be your choice. -Unknown

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.~ Kahlil Gibran

"A Bend in the Road is Not the End of the Road... Unless you Fail to Make the Turn" ~unknown

Comments

[burberry scarf sale]

cucumber salad, and chocolate birthday cake for my sister!<a href="http://www.xclones.net/luxury-scarf-burberry-clone-cb330.html">burberry scarf sale</a>