Snow Baby Leg Warmers!

My dear knitting friends!   Happy Autumn!

Me and my boys!!!  (Tim, 22 and Benji, 12)

Holy crap, it's been over a year since I wrote to you last.   How is that possible?? (so many hugs)

But, first, how are you?  How has your year been so far?  What project are you knitting on right now?  What have you finished since I talked to you last?

I'm thrilled to say that I'm finally starting to knit for my own enjoyment...and not for "work" or because I have to "finish this for so-and-so".  Does anyone else ever feel this way?  Maybe this may lead to "starteritis" or even buying some new yarn (eek!), but...hell...it's WORTH it to be happy with needles and lovely yarn in your hands knitting something you absolutely love, right?? :D

And speaking of knitting something you absolutely love...

I'm even more thrilled (and honored!) to announce that I have a design in the brand new book, "One Skein Wonders for Babies" by the amazing editor, Judith Durant.  Woo-hoo!

The cutest knitting patterns ever!

My design is the Snow Baby Leg Warmers (page 189)...and I have to say...they are one of my most favorite new patterns.  The leg warmers are super quick to knit, very cute, practical AND, for a limited time, I'm offering any one Sleepy Eyes Knits pattern on Ravelry (including books!) for FREE when you purchase the Snow Baby Leg Warmers & Hat pattern!  Yay!  (It's also a sweet and thoughtful gift to knit for a baby shower and/or new baby.)  

For the free pattern coupon code, check out my Sleepy Eyes Knits Facebook page!

©Geneve Hoffman Photography

This book is SO cute, you'll want to hug it for hours...all of the adorable and super sweet photos of knitted clothes and accessories will make your heart melt...ahhhhh!!!!  :D

I've loved all of the One Skein Wonder books and this one is no different...maybe even my favorite.

Here are my 10 favorite patterns:

1.  Full of Love Sleep Sack (page 261)
2.  Fat Kitty (page 248)
3.  Tuck Me In (page 202)
4.  The Perfect Baby Bib (page 199)
5.  Poseidon Mitts (page 182)
6.  Little Ballerina Slippers (page 179)
7.  Easy Baby Bootees (page 175)
8.  Faux Seams Toque (page 145)
9.  Playtime Sweater (page 75)
10.  Trellis Lace Sweater and Hat (page 33)

The layout is clear, easy to read and the font (both size and type, which I think is important when reading a pattern) is perfect.   I wish I had all the time in the world to knit everything in this book.  My suggestion is:  pick 3 things (mine included...lol) and knit like the wind!  Keep these sweet items in a special place until you have the opportunity to gift them (because you know you will!).  Then, wrap the items in lovely tissue paper, tie with raffia and add a hand written card.   All set!

Did I also mention that I'm giving away free stuff??? (I bet THAT got your attention!)

(Huge thanks to Jessica/Zarzuela & friend for the gift goodies!)

Here's how to win this awesome gift stash:

1.  Read this blog post.
2.  Comment on this blog post (or Facebook contest post) with an answer to this question:
"Do you wear the things you knit?"
3.  Like my Sleepy Eyes Knits Facebook page.
4.  Like the contest post.
5.  (optional) Grab the coupon code to get your FREE Sleepy Eyes Knits pattern on Ravelry (when you purchase the Snow Baby Legwarmers & Hat pattern).

(Contest ends and winner chosen on November 1st, 2015)

Well, what are you waiting for?  Go now! lol

So many hugs and wishes of knitting joy :D

Love, Gina

Contest Winner!!

I'm VERY happy to announce the winner of the Design Naming Contest.....

Norma H of Columbus, Ohio!!!!
(NHoran on Ravelry)

Out of the 30+ truly fantastic suggestions that I received (via Sleepy Eyes Knits on Facebook, on the blog, and on my SleepyHeads Ravelry group), 3/4 of my favorites were suggested by Norma.

I've decided to go with....

"Tilia" (for lime tree)

It's a lovely, simple name and just has the little bit of extra sparkle that I wanted to describe the shawl's character.

Norma will be receiving a gift package of yarn and goodies, will receive a free copy of this lace pattern (or any pattern of her choice) and also be named on the pattern in the description.

Congratulations, Norma!!!!

I also want to thank EVERYONE who gave suggestions for this contest - I really loved reading all of the shawl name ideas! Thank you SO much!!!

(Please stay tuned for next month's contest as well!)

Before I go, I wanted to leave you with a couple of pictures of the new shawl design, "Tilia", blocking. I still have some writing, editing, and photography to do on the pattern, so keep a look out for a new post when the pattern is finished and available for purchase.



and



What do you think???? :D

Lace Shawl Design-Naming Contest!!!

Hey knitters!

I’m in the process of designing my very first triangular lace shawl and I need some pattern name suggestions.

In order to make this a fun process, I thought I’d have a contest.

RULES:

1. From now until July 31st, 2011 comment on this post with suggestions of names for my new lace shawl.

2. Suggestions should somehow relate to the shawl in some way (note “images” below) and I’d prefer if the name wasn’t already being used in Ravelry as a pattern, particularly a lace pattern.

3. The winner will not only be named awesome and amazing (on here, my blog and facebook), but also will receive a FREE copy of the lace pattern (or pattern of his/her choice in my pattern store). There is also free yarn involved (that part is a surprise).

4. In the first week of August, the winner will be announced, as well as the unveiling of the new pattern (pics included)…available for purchase on my Raverly pattern store as well as here on my blog.

The above picture is the yarn I'm using for this design: Mad Color "Classica" in the Margharitaville colorway.

Can’t wait to read your suggestions!!!

Hugs,
Gina :D

Here are key images to work with:

margharitas
limes
lemons
waves
fans
ripples
cool, frosty drinks
summertime
cotton sundress
sunshine
salt

Good luck!!!

SleepyHeads Group on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/sleepyheads/1752283/1-25

WINNERS of Lisha Lace Scarf Contest!!!!!

Oh, I feel like a bum! I'm so sorry that I didn't post the winners on Saturday, like I promised. I thought I would have internet access in RI when I went away, but there was none! Ahhh! So, now that I'm home, I'm FINALLY posting the winners!

I'll try to be brief (with pictures) and will write more later on....but for now.....

Here are the WINNERS!!!



THIRD Place winner of a skein of Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in color 3110 and other goodies goes to...

Anne of Annie Rose Designs!!!



SECOND Place winner of a skein of Malabrigo Silky Merino in color Velvet Grapes 204 and other goodies goes to.....

Deborah of Iron Horse Farm!!!

And, last, but certainly not least....

The FIRST prize winner is Ayana/Sophistaknit!!!

I thought I was going to faint when the random number generator picked her number...you know why??

She had sent me a PM on Ravelry a day or so before the end of the contest and wrote, "Just thought I would let you know that I puchased the Lisha scarf pattern a few moments ago. I look forward to knitting it up on all that yummy cashmere yarn very soon…lol. Talk to you soon! -Ayana"

And, for all of her postive thinking, she DID win the Sereknity 100% Cashmere in the Beach Glass colorway! I'm so happy for her!!



I want to thank all 23 people who bought the Lisha Lace Scarf pattern with all of my heart and, if you like the pattern, I hope you will consider passing on the word about my patterns. Thanks so much and congratulations to all of the winners!

Lace'm Up, Cowboy!

Okay, so that's not REALLY a well-known expression, but who cares! I've got lace updates!!

So, you see above how it's going...at the moment, I am 2 repeats short of the halfway mark. I can't believe I've made this far!!! (remind me to put in a lifeline, PLEASE!.

Details...if I forgot to add them last time.

Yarn- Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb (used doubled)
Colorway-Black
Needle Size-US 7, 32" circular needle from Knit Picks.
Pattern-Large Rectangle with Center Diamonds from Victorian Lace Today.

This is marked as an EASY lace 10 row pattern and it is. Very quick to memorize and every other row is just purling. It seems easy, but looks much fancier than I thought it would. I wouldn't take it to knitting group, but it's easy to work on if you have some time to yourself. It takes me 30 minutes to knit the 10 rows and I knit fast...just an idea of the time it takes, if you were wondering.

Here is the project 1/4 finished:



And then also spread out....how do people block only partial lace for pictures? I tried to do it, but it never worked. Hints?



I'm very happy so far and I'm even thinking of trying to make another lace stole after this is done. This year has been a lot of lace knitting for me! (socks, 2 headbands, tablerunner, this stole and something-that-shall-not-be-named.) May I dare and go so far as to design my own lace stole??? Not sure yet.....we'll have to wait and see....

As for the Headband Contest, which ended last night, I have some good news....everyone who sent me pics of themselves in their headband will receive gifts!!! I will be sending these gifts to you this coming week....so congratulations!!!!

I want to thank wholeheartedly everyone who bought the pattern and completed it during the contest time. Also for anyone who tried to knit it and get it done in time. I can only hope that you enjoyed knitting the headbands and will continue to wear them. I bet they look great on you! Please keep sending me pictures for the gallery, too.

Special thanks to:

Cayli
Jackie
Sonya
Lora
Daisy

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend....I know I will....going to Spunky Eclectic's new shop tomorrow!!! Woo-hoo!!! Amy, here we come.......!

Radiance Lace Headband Contest UPDATE...and, "Where the HELL is the top of my head?"

After many frustrating (but hilarious) tries of taking a pic of the top of my head, I finally got my arm caught on something and the camera shot a picture that was just right. Figures. Have you ever tried to take a pic of the top of your head? It's more difficult than you think. Your head is not actually where your arm thinks it is. And since there isn't anyone home but me and Ben (who can't really use the camera yet), we are left with strange pictures. VERY STRANGE

Anyway, here is the accidentally good picture of me wearing the "Jacqueline" headband I knit for myself in cotton...going up a needle size (to accommodate for the worsted weight) and casting on fewer stitches. I must say that I really liked using the Peaches and Cream 100% worsted cotton, but the only problem was that the knot I used to tie it on my head was just WAY too bulky. Should probably stick to the fingering weight.



And another pic, where (once again), the top of my head is curiously absent. Oh, well.



I wanted to remind all of you super-duper-headband-knitters that you have less than 2 weeks to send me pics of you wearing your headband. I'm adding two more books to the Winning Stash..."For the Love of Knitting" by someone (great coffee table book with fantastic pictures) and "America Knits" (ditto) by Melanie Falick.

More giveaways: AMAZING Lorna's Laces yarn in Sherbet colorway and a skein of something luxurious and yummy....will update with pic later on....just to tease you.

Plus, remember the other FANTASTIC STASH STUFF from this post....yarn, books and soaps...woo-hoo!

**Please visit the updated GALLERY at the right. One of the next FIVE people who send me pics will be chosen to win a cool Knit and Plenty Kit!**

Remember that the deadline is May 31!

KNITTING UPDATE

I've been knitting a little on my Wavy scarf, but keep getting confused with what row I'm on...not good.

Sad that I have little excitement for spinning and knitting. Thought I'd take everyone's advice and start a new pair of socks, but was looking at all the wips I have and couldn't do it. MUST FINISH SOMETHING!!!

It's pretty much for certain that I'm dumping the Myrtle Lace Shawl pattern in favor of a less horrific and stressful one. Not that the lace pattern isn't beautiful, but it's so frustrating! My brain needs something easy.


SPINNING UPDATE

Nothin' doing. damn Even have all that lovely new fiber...

LIFE UPDATE

Feeling a bit depressed because of the constant damp and rain. Trying not to buy something to cheer myself up...saw some perfume that I really liked...but no. NO. I won't do it.

Maybe I'll go get a Ben Hug. That always makes me feel happy. Have a great weekend, everyone!!

P.S. Been working on the podcast...slowly coming along...should I stop doing them, you think?

Headband Contest Stuff! (also, an Alien Invasion)

Radiance Lace Headband CONTEST

What do you need to do?? Well, read on....

1. Buy my pattern (on right or at One Planet Yarn and Fiber...they also offer kits!)...many cyberhugs will be sent your way.

2. Buy the Yarn Botanika 100% superwash merino/tencel yarn here for the headband and size 4 needles. (This yarn comes in fingering weight or dk)

3. Knit up the headband (either the Jacqueline or Amanda) and take a picture of it...if you want to take one of yourself wearing it, that would be even better!

4. Send me the picture(s) via email, your name, blog (if you have one) and yarn info.


What will you win? Well, read on more...


*Everyone who sends me a pic will be put into a drawing to win something great!*


1. Ericka has donated two of her luscious handmade Down to Hearth soaps.....Soft Rose and Lavender Eucalyptus.



(sorry, that third soap is my Lilac one!)

2. Two books: Special Knits by Debbie Bliss and Luxury Knits by Amanda Griffiths



3. YARN:

-2 skeins of pale purple Online Punta
-2 skeins of Lane Cervinia sock yarn (greens, turquoises, purples)
-1 skein of Berroco Air
-1 skein of Berroco Boho

(and more to come!)



First Prize: First choice of 4 skeins of yarn, 1 book and soap.

Second Prize: Second choice of 2 skeins of yarn, book and soap.

Third Prize: Rest of the yarn (will be at least 1 ball or more)

I will mention your name and blog address on the following podcast as well.

DATES:

From now until May 31st. June 1st, I will pick the winners. Good luck!

Oh, and you wanna see the newest yarn I dyed up? It's in my Etsy Shop right now!

It's called "Alien Invasion":

What do you think??



[oh, by the way, the podcast is a WEE bit late coming out this time. I'm trying to add in my newest sponsor and organize all of the discount codes some will be offering. Thanks for being patient!]