closing out the year...

I am just amazed at how quickly this year has come to an end! It has been a relatively quiet year for me at Knitstyle as my "other" job drew most of my time, focus and energy (as it should). This left very little time for my crafty adventures and involvement with my Knitstyle shop. For me, the knitting, sewing and involvement with the Etsy community has been a positive outlet as there have been a few changes in my life over that the last few years. However, I hate having so many unfinished projects because it all just feels like clutter (physical and mental). There were a few times this past year that I sat down here to write a new blog post and just couldn't think of the words to write and I ended up closing the "new post" window with nothing written. Don't get me wrong, it was a good year with many wonderful things happening all around. One of my favorite new things from this year was participating in one of our local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) crop shares and found myself happily overwhelmed with all the great veggies, strawberries and flowers I picked up every week for 22 weeks! I was introduced to a variety of new vegetables I hadn't tried (or even heard of!) before and learned a few new recipes. I found myself in the kitchen quite often (instead of in front of the sewing machine) cooking up new dishes; quiches, sauces, a variety of soups, strawberry pie, many fresh salads, pesto, and simply steaming lots of vegetables. For me, I find comfort in the kitchen... I just don't like cleaning up the mess when it's all done! I am already thinking about next season!
So, with the closing of 2010 we welcome 2011... and a new niece arriving soon for me! This only means that I will be busy knitting and sewing new things for her and for my shop! I already have the fabric picked out, squares cut and ready to be sewn together and stuffed. So exciting!!!

Happy New Year and Best Wishes!

CYBER MONDAY SPECIAL

Visit Knitstyle by MMC today, 11/29/2010, and receive 25% off your entire purchase (prior to shipping). Discount with be refunded via paypal within 24 hrs of purchase.

Happy Shopping!!

New Items:

Hello!

While I was searching for some new fabric to use in my shop, these wonderful multi colored fabrics caught my eye! The Goldfish Cloth Play Blocks (Heather Ross fabric) have been a big hit in my Etsy shop. I only have a limited amount of fabric left and soon they will be all gone! The Automobile themed fabric is just as fun.

I thought Automobiles would be a great theme to go with and the colors were just so fabulous! Here's a set of 3 Small Cloth Play Blocks with the automobile theme from the Riley Blake collection. The colors: turquoise, orange, brown, red, green and yellow!


Next, I came across these stripes, stars and circles fabric by the same designer, Riley Blake. These looked fun, colorful, perfect for making my blocks and great for learning shapes. Here's a Medium Cloth Play Block I call ALL STAR!

Please check out my Etsy shop, Knitstyle, for more great Cloth Play Blocks!

Knitting Pattern

Hello!
The Lizard Ridge Knitting class went very well and after 2 classes I am able to continue working without needing help from the instructor! Hooray!! The last few months I haven't had the time to knit and was definitely having a hard time getting back into it so the class was refreshing and enjoyable as well as the wine and cheese! While sitting in the new yarn shop here on the Vineyard, surrounded by an assortment of beautiful and unique yarns, I really started to get inspired and bought yet another knitting magazine with some new patterns. I am hoping that by next fall I have a few more knit items to start listing in my Etsy shop ... we'll see! I also got inspired after talking with the instructor and hearing her abbreviated life story. While starting a family and in between jobs she started creating knitting patterns and selling them to big companies. So, I got thinking about this pattern I created when I started knitting and selling the baby SNUGGS (c) (hand knit suede like baby booties) ... It was my very own original design and pattern that I worked hard to get right and I had already started officially documenting the pattern but hadn't quite put the finishing touches on the document. So, over the last week (thanks to a nice rainy weekend) I really put myself to the challenge and finally finished the pattern! I had a friend do a quick review, updated the document and poof, a PDF was made! Listed the first copy in my Etsy shop (Knitstyle by MMC) the other night and the next morning I was so excited to learn that it SOLD!! So, to all the knitters reading this, please visit my patterns/kits section in my Knitstyle by MMC shop if you'd like to purchase your own copy of the SNUGGS(c) Pattern ... The pattern includes 2 full pages of instructions with lots of photos to help guide you through the steps.

Lizard Ridge Knitting Technique

I recently signed up for a knitting class to learn the "Lizard Ridge" knitting technique. It was a last minute decision to join the class and I am so happy that I did. I haven't had a lot of extra time to dedicate to knitting lately and it was so nice to pick up my knitting needles again and start knitting something. So, the idea of the class is to knit a bunch of Lizard Ridge Squares (about 12"x12" or so) and then stitch all the squares together to make a beautiful blanket. Here is one example of a finished blanket (not mine!) Click on photo and it will bring you to the lizard ridge knitting instructions.


Hmmmm ... after one class, I am only 1/2 way through my first square! I'm thinking that this is going to take me a very long time to make a blanket like that! Or I might just make a pillow using my first square and go from there! Here's what I have finished so far ...

Happy knitting!

Knitstyle by MMC on Facebook!

Knitstyle (by MMC) now has a Facebook Page! For all those who are on Facebook please check out Knitstyle by MMC on Facebook and become a fan- you'll automatically be entered into a monthly free giveaway of 1 Medium sized Cloth Play Block. All fans will automatically be entered each month and 1 winner will be selected at random on the 15th of each month. First drawing will be held on March 15th and one lucky winner will receive a MEDIUM sized AVIARY Cloth Play Block (made with Joel Dewberry Fabric in 100% cotton)... so hurry and become a fan today! Winners will be posted on Knitstyle by MMC's Facebook Page.

Knitstyle by MMC's Facebook Fan Page

My Etsy Finds ... Dahlias

I've been searching through Etsy lately trying to find some cool art work, mostly giclee prints, for my new house. One of my favorite flowers, is the Dahlia. Every year my dad plants several Dahlia bulbs in his garden and around the yard. From whites and light hues of pink and yellow to big and vibrant puples, oranges, red and pinks. He puts alot of care into them every year and during the fall when the flowers stop blooming, he digs them all up and stores them in the basement for the winter. Here are a few Dahlia prints I came across in my search on Etsy.


1. Prettypetalstudio
2. NatureMandalas
3. ModernArtEveryday (MAE)
4. Gauchogirl