Monday, February 28, 2011

Over The Moon

What an eventful month February has been! I released three patterns, went to Stitches West, started making a business and marketing plan. I also turned a year older and this year my brother actually got me a birthday present before I got his (his birthday is two months after mine). Thanks dude! You got me exactly what I wanted. I suspect that the birthday wishlist post, several facebook messages with links attached, and nagging may have helped.

He got me two moonrover mystery batts. You can never go wrong with moonrover. Her work and color choices are always lovely. She has stores on etsy and bigcartel. There is also a moonrover group on ravelry.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

I Don't Own A Baby

I have gotten lots of lovely feedback regarding the animal hats. By far the most common response was, "Oh! That hat is so cute. Does it come in baby size?" Followed by me saying... "Ummm.... no." I had been resisting making a baby size for several reasons.
1. I don't have a baby (I almost said I don't own a baby... but that's not quite right) , so baby sizing is a bit mysterious to me.
2. I don't really have any friends that have a baby.

However, thanks to my parents who advised that I listen to my customer base, the answer will soon be, "Yes, it comes in baby size." All I need now is a baby. For pictures, not for me.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Stitches West 2011

This year was the third time I've been to Stitches West. Every year I learn something new, and this year was no exception. A group of us went in my animal hats. The amount of attention, advice, and general encouragement I received was so uplifting. I now know that I'm heading in the right direction.

I'd like to thank everyone who said "Cute Giraffe Hat" to me (or simply asked about the hats). I'll never get tired of that. I'd also like to thank everyone who came with me and wore or promoted my hats. You guys are the best. Truly.

I'd also like to mention that one of my suspicions were confirmed. If you are male and you go to any fiber event/ store/ convention, you will have all the ladies in the palm of your hand. Dad got a serious ego boost. Thanks to everyone that told him, "You are the best Dad ever." He offered to stay longer than he had planned, even though he was a grumpy sheep by the end.

And now the loot shots. Starting in the top left corner. The Lavender Merino and Teal BFL braids are from Twisted Sunshine (who were at the mill in in October). Below that are two batts and a yellow/blue BFL braid from Tanglebella, which were in the same booth as Twisted Sunshine. The ladies running that booth are an absolute delight.
Next are a pair of yellow braids and blue BFL braids from Anzula. Another booth full of lovely ladies.
The white fluff ball is a pound of BFL from Miss Babs. $20! I am a sucker for $20/pound deals. Below the pound ball is fiber from A Verb For Keeping Warm. The green is called Jade, pink is Beret and the blue is Kyoto. And down in the very bottom is yarn from the Sanguine Gryphon.

I might have bought them based on the name... proof that a good name sells. The green is "My Servant Eros" in Sappho 11 and the brown is "Painted Desert" in Traveller.

Just a few shots from Stitches. The entrance seems low key.

But once you get in.... let's just say it is worth writing a shopping list.

I wrote one and didn't follow it. But I was able to see and find everything that I wanted to.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Business Card Party

Tomorrow I'm going to Stitches West. So excited! It is exciting every year, but this year, I have business cards to hand out. Last year I was wearing giraffe hat 1.0 and got a lot of attention, but I had nothing to hand out. This year is much different. I spent all yesterday designing the cards. Today I got them printed and cut them all. Whew!

Stitches is the reason I've been publishing hat patterns left and right. A bunch of us will be there in the animal hats. On the back of each card is a list of supplies needed to make each hat. Clever, no? I've made some plain business cards as well.


On a side note, my Dad told me he was happy to see my education in action. My degree was in Design: Textiles and Graphic.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Giraffe Hat Pattern

The hat that started it all: the giraffe hat. The original giraffe hat was made in October of 2009 because I needed a Halloween costume. I had lost out on an ebay auction for a detective hat, so making a giraffe hat was the only logical solution. Soon after that I started developing other adult sized animal hats.

Writing the pattern took forever. I knit the hat in a beautiful yarn that ended up being discontinued, so I knit another. I now own three giraffe hats, but it was worth it. It is my favorite pattern by far.

If you are interested in purchasing the pattern, it is available on ravelry. Or if you are without a ravelry account, fear not. You can press the buy now button and get a copy. The price is $5.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Birthday Loot

My birthday went quite well. I went bowling with some friends. Mum made me a steak dinner. And I received a bunch of lovely birthday presents. A cute bag that contained purple and white handspun yarn, and two balls of Mini Mochi Yarn. The big surprise was that I also was given a 50mm f1.4 canon lens. Score!


Scooter was my first model. He says, "What are you doing?"

Monday, February 14, 2011

Fox Hat Pattern

Happy Valentines Day to everyone! (or Singles Awareness Day) Scooter is my valentine today. He's a pretty good one to have. Just give him a biscuit and he feels loved. I may have slipped him some stew as an extra treat though. He has repaid me by going off for a nap.

I have just finished up the fox hat. Extra thanks to Kenna for modeling for me.

If you are interested in purchasing the pattern, it is available on Ravelry. Or, if you do not have a ravelry account, you can buy it here. The price is $5.


I thought it would be fun to start mentioning what I was listening to or watching while making each hat. This hat was completed while listening to the album "Andorra" by Caribou.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Water Makes My Fur Feel Funny

It is suppose to rain on my birthday, so I went to the beach with my Mum and Scooter today. Scooter loves the beach.

He whines in the car when we arrive. And the minute we are on the sand, all he wants to do is run. Run, run, run.


He doesn't really like to get wet though. I think it is because the water makes his fur feel funny.

Thanks for the fun day little buddy.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Sheep Hat Pattern

The Sheep Hat is now available for purchase. It is a knit hat with crocheted ears.

You can find it on Ravelry. Or, if you are without a ravelry account, you can purchase the pattern here for $5. Just press the buy now button.

So what are you waiting for?

Monday, February 7, 2011

Pursuing My Fiber Passion

I have finally settled myself enough to start working on projects. Today was especially exciting because I finally made the decision to not actively look for a job for six months. Instead I'll be working on knitting patterns and promoting them. It is a leap of faith that something will come of it. But in the least, I will be pursuing my passion.
Of course, none of this would happen if I hadn't finally gotten my room in order. The very best part of my room is The Fiber Wall. It is filled with all my dyed fiber, handspun, and fiber books/magazines. (All the natural colored fiber is in my closet.)


Scooter use to live at the end of my bed, but after shifting some bookcases, he was relocated to under the table. He even has his own picture above his bed.


Although I think he prefers my bed. The picture above my bed is an oil painting I did at University. And yes, it is a Katamari painting. Nanananananana.


And finally, pattern writing headquarters. It is conveniently located right next to my bed, so I can work in pajamas if I so desire. Here's to a hopefully productive next six months. Any advice or well wishes would be fully appreciated.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Birthday Wishlist 2011

I've been spending time every day unpacking and purging all the things I seemed to have aquired while at university. I was thinking to myself, "I don't need anything for my birthday, I have enough". While that is very true, I'm still going to write up a birthday wishlist. Why? Because it is fun to dream a little.

A new lens for my camera. I know I just got the camera, and the kit lens is wonderful, but with the direction I'm going with my photography, I think the Canon 50mm f 1.4 lens could be a real asset.

I've been interested in Knitwear Design Workshop: The Comprehensive Guide to Handknits for awhile. I've been interested in knitwear design in general, and I think this book might move me along a bit.

And of course any batt by Moonrover. I love all her work. Spinning her fiber is always a lovely experience.
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