Knitting Patterns Blog from SweaterBabe.com

Featured Yarn Company - Namaste Farms and a giveaway

Calling Namaste Farms a cool Yarn Company is accurate, but a complete understatement!

Not only do they produce one-of-a-kind yarns that I've never seen before, but the y hand create the yarns from the rare, award-winning sheep breeds they raise on the farm!

Natalie Redding is the fiber artist behind the Namaste Farms line of luxury fibers.  On her farm in Temucula, CA, she has: 

• Champion Wensleydale Longwools
• Gotlands and Bluefaced Leicesters
• Racka Sheep
• Old English Babydoll Southdowns
• Angora and Pygora goats

And that's only a partial list of the animals she raises at her farm!

As if running a farm with 85 to 100 animals isn't keeping her busy enough, Natalie hand spins and hand dyes all of the yarns with only a few others to help, so each hank is incredibly special and unique. (And if you are curious about the process of creating and handling fine fibers, spinning, etc., check out her YouTube videos!)

When she approached me to design something with her yarns, I just had to say yes!  Plus, she developed a special color, called "Babe" just for me!  "Babe" features a gorgeous blend of pinks and mango tones with hints of turquoise.  And it's the perfect backdrop for the Hello Kitty Charms that are part of the yarn (see the top hank below)!  I'm a sucker for Hello Kitty, so combining my love of yarn + knitting + Hello Kitty is like a dream come true!

"Babe" is also available as a color in her "Ohm Kid Mohair" yarn (see the bottom two hanks here, which I'll be giving away later in this post, BTW!)

To buy Namste Farms yarns, see the line exclusively at YarnMarket.com.

To learn more about this unique Yarn Company, visit their website at www.namastefarms.com, on YouTube (namastefarms), and on blogtalk radio at
blogtalk: Namaste Farms, where Natalie talks about farming, interviews designers, and much more!

And thank you, Natalie, for sponsoring my latest pattern, the #135 Babe Zip-Front Hello Kitty Cardigan (with matching Cowl!)   This top-down design features the Charmed-Hello Kitty yarn mentioned above that is completely one-of-a-kind! See it exclusively at YarnMarket.com.

The all-over cable design wth short-sleeves is in a coordinating color of Malabrigo Worsted.  The Charmed-Hello Kitty yarn worked perfectly with it as an accent on the knit-in pockets and along the bottom border.

See more photos and purchase info for the #135 Babe Zip-Front Hello Kitty Cardigan, now available in the Knitting Patterns shop!

AND lastly, I have 2 hanks of Namaste Farms Ohm Mohair yarn (sorry, NOT the one with the Hello Kitty charms!) in color "Babe" to give away!

To enter this contest:

1) Post a comment on this blog entry by 9pm PST, January 31, 2012 and tell us what you would do with a hank of this gorgeous yarn!  One comment per person, please.  And please also SHARE this post using the Twitter, Google+, and Facebook links below.

2) Post a comment on the Ravelry.com Forum post in the SweaterBabe.com Fans group announcing this giveaway by 9pm PST, January 31, 2012, telling us what you would do with a hank of this gorgeous yarn.  One comment per person, please.  Also, please "fave" this pattern on the SweaterBabe patterns page at Ravelry.com. 

After the end of the month, I'll choose 2 random commenters to each be sent a hank of the Namaste Yarns Ohm yarn in "Babe" color. 

Good luck to all! Sorry, but winning hanks can only be sent to U.S. and Canada addresses.

 

*** Winners Announcement ***

Congrats to go CoriInKansas on Ravelry, who commented on Ravelry January 24th and to Ann, who commented on the SweaterBabe.com Blog for this giveaway on January 24th.

You'll each be receiving one hank of the Ohm yarn in Babe (Each hank retails for $44.85!)  Woohoo!

Fun storage solutions!

Storing knitting stuff is always a challenge.  I've got my many WIPs (works in progress), a huge yarn stash, plenty of accessories and notions, and so much more stuff! 

Bags and Ikea sure do come in handy.  As do these great solutions from a company called Great Useful Stuff that really lives up to its company name!

Thanks to Sarah, from www.greatusefulstuff.com, for sending us these sweet Cupcake Storage Bags and Organizer Totes for review and to giveaway! 

Who doesn't smile when they think of cupcakes? No one I know!

When I first opened the Cupcake Storage Bag, I let out a delighted squeal when I found the smaller bag nested in the bigger one.  Too cute.  My DH had a good laugh at me over that!  YES - the bags nest and make a really cute set.

Each bag has a bottom compartment that zips and a top compartment that has the string pull.  When closed, the top looks like it's got a cherry on it!  The bottom is a nice, sturdy canvas material. The top is like a soft, brushed cotton material (the better to resemble icing, me thinks!). 

Each Cupcake Bag actually fits a decent amount of finished knit projects and/or yarn.  You can see the scale of them since my 2 1/2 year old decided she needed to be in the photo too!  A sweater's worth of yarn can definitely fit into a cupcake!

Sarah also sent a cute organizing tote - with more pockets than I've ever seen on a tote!  This purple tote has nice, deep, open pockets all around and a great big center pouch.  It's also made in a sturdy, high quality canvas with pretty contrast trim piping. It comes in a lot of other great color combos as well.  Love it!  It's the perfect size for a project.  You can keep all the accessories, like post it notes, pens, calculators, gauge ruler, stitch holders, etc. all handy and separate in the outer pockets.  The tote is great for any kind of crafting.

NOW, for the Giveaway Details!

I'll be giving away:
ONE Cupcake Storage Bag set and ONE Purple Organizing Tote.  Two lucky random winners will be chosen from among all giveaway entries.

To enter, please do ANY or ALL of the following:
1) Post your comment here on how you store your knitting and crochet stuff and what you think about the Cupcake Bags and Pocket Tote!  ONE comment on the blog per person, please.  Comments must be entered by 9pm PST, June 15th, 2011.

2) Post your comment on Ravelry.com in the SweaterBabe.com Fans Group discussion announcing this contest by 9pm PST, June 15th, 2011.  Here's the link: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/sweaterbabecom-fans/1665033/1-25.  One comment on Ravelry per person, please.

3) Make any pattern purchase at SweaterBabe.com from now until 9pm PST, June 15th, 2011.  Each purchase counts as an entry, so multiple purchases are ok!

Good luck to everyone and be sure to check out all the other "great stuff" at http://www.greatusefulstuff.com!

*** June 18th, 2011 Winner Announcement!  ***
And the randomly chosen winner are. . .
Mary (made a pattern purchase on 5/19/11) who wins the Cupcake Storage Bags and
Janie Holley (commented on the blog 5/18/11) who wins the Purple Kangaroo Tote.  Congrats!!!

Two upcoming patterns and ANOTHER Pattern Giveaway!

This super-cute pixie hat pattern is coming very soon!

See the lovely, unique lace stitch pattern?  This is one you'll have to pay attention to as you knit, but the resulting fabric is very pretty.

Plus, this hat looks super cute on (more photos coming when my 11-month old is up for it!) and knits up quick.  The smaller sizes only require 1 ball of Debbie Bliss' Cashmerino Aran yarn.

Also coming soon is another great cowl!  This one in a cloud-soft mohair and very current shade of purple.

Cowls are really popular this season and this one is so wonderful to wear and knit!  It's actually a long piece that is seamed to become a mobius strip.  Wear it double looped as shown in the first photo, or as a single twisted circular scarf.

It makes for a fabulous gift project.  Sample shown is knit in the soft super kid mohair from GGH.

Watch for BOTH of these patterns to be released next month!

 

*** Want to WIN fr*e copies of BOTH of these patterns when they are released in October? ***

Just enter a comment below by 9 pm, PST, October 18th.  One comment per person, please.  Three random commenters will be chosen to win a copy of BOTH patterns. 

Good luck!

[Hey - Knitting Club Members - no need to enter this giveaway!  You'll be receiving these as the free monthly downloads for October.  Want to become a Member so you will automatically get these two patterns first?  Join now for just $7.99/month!]

*** November 12 Update ***
And the winners are: Marilyn,Vicki Morgan-Bogart, and Linda Robinson!  Congratulations!  Each winner has been emailed these 2 pattern pdfs.  Enjoy!

Flutter-Sleeved Cardigan Pattern Preview!

 

Here is the Flutter-Sleeved Bloused Cardigan - coming soon to the pattern shop!

It's knit in Knit Picks Andean Silk (my current fave), so it has a beautiful drape and super-soft feel.

Lots of details make this one very unique with a nod to vintage style, but still very up-to-date and wearable!  Oh - and yes, it's also top-down (after the cabled, lace neckband it knit).

I'll announce the pattern soon through the SweaterBabe.com newsletters!

Here's another view:

Some upcoming patterns - a photo preview!

I've been busy knitting! Will soon need to chain myself to the computer to write up all of these patterns and more! Enjoy the preview photos. These patterns will be up in the weeks to come. . .

     

Top 5 Best Selling Knitting and Crochet Patterns

Curious what other knitters and crocheters are making?  Here are the current top selling knitting and crochet patterns on SweaterBabe:

TOP 5 Knitting Patterns:
1) #77 Vine Lace Top Down Cardigan

This is one of my personal FAVES.  I wear it all the time.  So cozy!  And I always seem to need pockets to carry tissues, keys, random toys, etc.!  This is a popular one on Ravelry too!  92 projects for you to peruse and faved 1339 times! (See the SweaterBabe.com's Designer page at: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/sweaterbabe)


2) #70 Lush and Lacy Cardigan
One of my more feminine designs!  Have seen many versions in different yarns that bring out the stitch definition.  Looks great on many different figures!  Also a winner on Ravelry!


3) #90 Chic Cables and Lace Cowl Neck Sweater

I get compliments from guys a lot on this one!  They often say, "I don't usually like cowl necks. . . but I like that design a lot."  Guess guys like to see our necks?


4) #73 Women's Top-Down Short- Sleeved Cardigan

A very versatile top-down design!  Do the sleeve length as you wish, as well as the body!  Knit in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky yarn, which comes in so many vibrant, fun, or classic colors.

5) #72 Child's Top-Down Short-Sleeved Cardigan

The kid's version of #4.  A really popular one as well.  One of my customers made 12 of these!!!

TOP 5 Crochet Patterns:
1) #76 Vintage Top-Down Crochet Cardigan

A top-down crochet cardigan!  Fairly quick to make with bulky yarn.  Gets lots of compliments for it's unique look. 

2) #80 Lacy Striped Crochet Scarf

I'm not a big fan of straight stripes (a little too J. Crew for me!), so the wavy striping created by this stitch pattern was so appealing to me. . .

3) #86 Fancy Crocheted Booties

Made these on a whim in anticipation of my 3rd child.  Organic cotton too!!

4) #50 Kimono Wrap Lace Top

This was a quick fix to glam up the summery dress I was wearing to a wedding.  I love the kimono sleeves.  You feel covered up, but the airiness is very sexy and pretty.

5) #22 Easy Crocheted Beanie

This was a design I did to encourage my crochet students to try out hats!  It's been a bestseller always.

The Amazing Crochet Coral Reef Exhibit!

WOW!  I finally had the chance to see this AMAZING crochet exibit here in Los Angeles (Santa Monica at the Bergamot Station) before it left for Chicago.  It's pretty stunning.

It's called the HYPERBOLIC CROCHET CORAL REEF by the INSTITUTE FOR FIGURING AND COMPANIONS.  Apparently, it took tens of thousands of hours for hundreds of crocheters to make the pieces in the exhibit.

If you haven't heard of this one yet, let me try to explain it (but really, let the photos below show you)!  It is a crocheted representation of the Great Barrier Reef, all done in crochet.  Imagine all sort of colors, yarns in all different textures and plies (as well as other "recycled" materials), different crochet hook sizes, and different stitches ALL made to resemble natural sea plants, formations, and creatures.

Take a look at the photos.  It was just very interesting and cool.  Check it out if the exibit comes to you!  It's rare to see crochet celebrated in this fashion!

Sorry for the LONG post - I edited the number of photos, but you can see that there was so much to look at.  Viva crochet!

 

 

 

Send us your finished project photos!

Our first customer survey told us clearly that many of you would love to see more photos of the SweaterBabe patterns on real bodies!  See our great gallery of photos here!

So would we!

You can help us by submitting your finished SweaterBabe project photos!  If your photo is chosen to be posted on the site, we'll thank you with a free pattern of your choosing.

Send photos of SweaterBabe.com patterns to gallery@sweaterbabe.com. 

Please send photos that:
-- are high resolution, i.e. please don't send ones that you have made smaller or compressed for the web.  The larger the better!  At least 500 pixels wide would be great!
-- show the finished project on a person!  Some exceptions are made on dress forms, but the BEST ones are on people, and preferably without the heads cut off ;-) 
-- are well-lit and in focus
-- show your hard work to its best advantage!
(PLEASE check out previous gallery photos to see what kinds of photos we are seeking. . . )

If your photo(s) are selected, you will need to give us permission to use your photo(s). 

We can't wait to see the lovely finished items!  Thanks so much for your submissions.

SweaterBabe Product Reviews! Submissions welcome.

Got a product that would be interesting to discerning female knitters and crocheters? Want the chance to expose your product to over 32,000 49,000 (updated 9/25/12) knitters and crocheters for FREE?

SweaterBabe invites you to send us samples of your product for review!  Knitting and crochet-related items like accessories, buttons, hand-crafted needles, yarns, books, bags, shawl pins, etc. will all be considered and welcome, as will cool, hip products that would be of interest to our crafting female audience (e.g. jewelry, home items, women's accessories, etc.!

Please email us at: reviews@sweaterbabe.com with the following information:
- Name of your product
- Brief description
- Your name and contact information
- Where your product is available (stores, online, etsy, etc.)

Items that are well-suited to our 32,000 49,000+ knitting and crochet community will be chosen for review (It's like free advertising for you - easily a $100++ value!).  We'll email you back and let you know where to send your samples.

For items chosen for review, we ask that you send us 1 sample for review, plus 1-3 extra samples we will use as giveaways (which will give you even more exposure to our knitting and crochet community!).

We'll do a thorough review of the product with photos on the blog, email the review to our list of over 32,000 49,000 women, then we'll run a fun contest (which often involves an additional mention in our email newsletters!).  Previous giveaway contests have easily received 180 - 300 400-600+ blog comment entries (these comments really demonstrate our readers interest in the product)! 

Please see past examples here.

We're excited to see your products soon! 

New Pattern Coming! The Cables and Flowers Asymmetrical Cardigan.

Here's the latest off my knitting needles... waiting to be written up!

It's a top-down cardigan with lots of pretty details. It has a gorgeous ribbed cable that curves down the front and finishes off the curved right front hem.

A shaped waist is accentuated with ribbing detail. The lower part of the cardigan is decorated with pretty flower and vine raised motifs.

An asymmetrical design, longer length, and wonderfully soft, drapey Andean Silk yarn from Knit Picks completes this unique design.


















And here is the pretty back view: