Knit Purl Gurl: March 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

New Ways to View My Blog!!

Google has introduced new Dynamic View for Blogger Blogs! Mashable has a great article about the options today! Basically, if you have a newer browser, you can add /view after a Blogger Blog's address to see a pulldown menu in the upper right which will allow you to choose a view. VERY COOL! You can also add the view choice (such as Mosaic view) to see just that view of the blog by adding /view/mosaic after the blog address. Here's how Dynamic View enhances my blog:

www.knitpurlgurl.com/view/flipcard

www.knitpurlgurl.com/view/mosaic

www.knitpurlgurl.com/view/sidebar

www.knitpurlgurl.com/view/snapshot

www.knitpurlgurl.com/view/timeslide

I'm definitely going to try out these views while browsing Blogger Blogs. I also downloaded the Dynamic View extension for Google Chrome. Give it a whirl!

March Madness Giveaway: Vintage Dictionary Ribbon Necklace

Krafty Kash has generously agreed to sponsor the March Madness Giveaways with this vintage ribbon necklace made of an original clipping of a REAL dictionary! There are no copies! Look cute as a button at knitting/crochet group!

Sponsor: Krafty Kash
Prize: (1) Winner will take home this HAPPY Vintage Dictionary Ribbon Necklace
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: All entrants must include an email address. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes. Open to US residents only.

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Krafy Kash's Etsy Shop. Come back and leave me a comment to let me know which item in her shop you like the most!

OPTIONAL (Additional Entries): (You can complete any or all of these entries. EACH ENTRY MUST BE ADDED SEPARATELY. Please do not put all of your entries in one comment as the random number generator will not count them.)

Follow Krafty Kash on Twitter! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you do for an additional entry!
"Like" Krafty Kash's Facebook Fan Page. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you have for an additional entry!
Pop by Krafty Kash's Blog. Leave her a comment and tell her KnitPurlGurl sent ya! Come back and let me know you did for an additional entry!!
Add Krafty Kash's Etsy Shop to your favorites! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know you have for an additional entry!!
Visit Krafty Kash's Etsy Shop and add one of her items to your favorites. Come back and let me know you have for an additional entry!! (My personal fave is the KARRIE Flower Power Charm Bracelet named after moi!)
Follow me (KnitPurlGurl) on Twitter. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you're a Twitter follower for an additional entry!!
Follow the KnitPurlGurl Blog. Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a blog follower for an additional entry!
TWEET about it! Be sure to include a link to this giveaway in your tweet. Come back and leave a comment with a link to your tweet in the comment for an additional entry! You may tweet as often as you like and each tweet may be counted as a separate entry!
BLOG about it! Write a blog post with a link to this giveaway in your post. Come back and leave FIVE comments with a link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right - you get FIVE additional entries just for blogging!!

Krafty Kash has also decided to give my readers a 10% coupon for her Etsy Shop!!!! Coupon Code: KNITPURLGURL Remember, Mother's Day is coming up!!!

The March Madness Giveaways on KnitPurlGurl will be posted March 15 - April 11, 2011 and winners will be selected via random number generator and announced on April 12, 2011. You may enter any or all of the giveaways posted. So check back every day to see what we're giving away!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Lull

Although my blog has been a-buzz with activity because of the AWESOME March Madness Giveaways, I have been in a complete creative lull. I have not knit or crocheted in a week now! (No fever, I checked.) Have you ever been in a funk where you just don't feel up to concentrating on a project? Errrr... SO frustrating. I have literally 9 or 10 WIPs and a bunch of yarn I want to start projects with, but I'm just in a funk. Typically when I get into these funks, I pull out my Nook and read or listen to an audiobook. But I'm not feelin' the reading lately either.

So I'm asking my readers: What do you do to get out of a creative lull?

March Madness Giveaway: Saturday Cowl Prize Pack!

Sponsor: Hook a Frog Fiber & Fun
Prize: (1) Winner will take home a copy of the My Kind of Saturday Cowl Pattern and (1) hank of Kollage Riveting Yarn along with a set of beaded stitch markers and Hook a Frog's signature Frog Marker! :)
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: Every Entrant must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes. Hook a Frog has opened this giveaway to US & International entries!!!!

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Hook A Frog's site and take a look around. Come back and leave a comment to let me know which item in their shop you'd like to own!

Follow Hook a Frog on Twitter!! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you have for an additional entry!
Join the Fans of Hook-A-Frog Ravelry Group! Come back and let me know that you have for an additional entry!!
Follow Me (KnitPurlGurl) on Twitter! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you're a Twitter follower of mine for an additional entry!!
Follow my KnitPurlGurl Blog! Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a blog follower for an additional entry!
TWEET about the giveaway! Be sure to include a link to this giveaway in your tweet. Come back and leave me a comment with a link to your tweet for an additional entry! You may tweet as many times as you'd like and each tweet may be counted as a separate entry.
BLOG about it! Write a blog post including a link to this giveaway in your post! Come back and leave FIVE separate comments, with the link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right - you get FIVE additional entries just for blogging!!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

I'm Famous, Darlings..

Okay, I'm not. Dreams of signing knitting needles, crochet hooks, print copies of my blog, and babies' foreheads will have to wait. BUT I did give an interview to Affinity Yarns in the UK! :) They were so kind as to take notice of my little blog and ask me a couple of questions. If you'd like to read my Affinity Interview and check out their great online yarn shop at the same time, you can visit:

Monday, March 28, 2011

March Madness Giveaway: Become a Knitting Superstar Interactive eBook!

Sponsor: Liat Gat of KNITFreedom

Prize: (1) Winner will take home (1) copy of Become a Knitting Superstar! Interactive eBook by Liat Gat

Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011

Prerequisites: All entrants must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes.

This is a terrific prize for anyone who really wants to learn to knit, knit well, or learn a new knitting technique!! I've personally reviewed Liat's eBooks and am thrilled that she agreed to give one away here - it's like having her sit with you and personally teach you to knit! Here is a little information about what is included in Become a Knitting Superstar! :

A 157-page detailed video PDF document, with more than 100 high-resolution knitting videos incorporated directly into the lessons

A step-by-step lesson for each project, with videos for each technique and section

Seven basic sock patterns for different weights of yarn

Illustrated diagrams and handouts of the techniques that you can print out and take with you

An incredible resource that you can refer back to again and again

Viewable on a Mac or PC or iPad/iPhone/Android and online

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit KNITFreedom and browse the site. Come back and leave a comment to let me know which interactive eBook or video eBook you'd be most interested in owning!

"Like" KNITFreedom's Facebook Fan Page. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you have for an additional entry!
Follow Liat Gat/KNITFreedom on Twitter. Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you do for an additional entry!
Sign up for the FREE KNITFreedom Newsletter (in right side bar of KNITFreedom). Come back and leave a comment to let me know you have for an additional entry! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter and this giveaway with the same email address (so that it can be verified).
Join the KNITFreedom Ravelry Group! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know you have along with your Rav name for an additional entry!!
Subscribe to Liat Gat/KNITFreedom's YouTube Channel. Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you do for an additional entry!!
Leave a comment on a blog post on the KNITFreedom site - be sure to tell Liat that KnitPurlGurl sent ya! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you have for an additional entry!!
Follow me (KnitPurlGurl) on Twitter! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you're a Twitter follower for an additional entry!
Follow the KnitPurlGurl Blog. Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a blog follower for an additional entry!!!
TWEET about the giveaway! Tweet with a link to this giveaway in your tweet! Come back and leave me a link to the tweet for an additional entry! You may tweet about the giveaway as many times as you like and each tweet may be counted as an entry as long as you provide a link to each tweet in a separate comment. :)
BLOG about the giveaway! Write a blog post including a link to this giveaway. Come back and leave FIVE separate comments with the link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right! You get FIVE additional entries just for blogging!!!

I really hope you all will spread the word about this giveaway - because even if you've never picked up the needles, Liat's Become a Knitting Superstar will have you knitting in no time!!! And remember - this would make a terrific Easter, Mother's Day, birthday, or baby shower gift!!!

Friday, March 25, 2011

March Madness Giveaway: Homestead Wool & Gift Farm Batt!!

"Our sheep have SO much fun carding up our Crazy Quilt batts!! This batt is anyone's guess- lots of soft wool, alpaca fiber, bling and whatever the sheep decided to add in! You can't go wrong with the sheep at the carder! (batt includes 2 ounces)" - Sandy of Homestead Wool & Gift Farm

Sponsor: Homestead Wool & Gift Farm
Prize: (1) Winner will take home a Crazy Quilt Batt, 2 Oz.
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: All entrants must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for soliciation purposes. Open to US & International!!

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Homestead Wool & Gift Farm's site and take a peek around. Come back and leave a comment to let me know which yarn or fiber most piqued your interest.

Visit the Crazy Quilt Homestead Etsy Shop and "Favorite" their shop! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you added their shop as a favorite for an additional entry.
Visit the Crazy Quilt Homestead Etsy Shop and "Favorite" one of their dyed fibers or rovings. Come back and leave me a comment to let me know you "favorited" an item for an additional entry!
"Like" Homestead's Facebook Fanpage! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you "liked" their fanpage for an additional entry!
Visit Homestead's blog. Leave a comment on their blog and tell 'em KnitPurlGurl sent ya! Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you did for an additional entry!
Follow my KnitPurlGurl blog. Leave a comment to let me know that you are a blog follower for an additional entry!
Follow me (KnitPurlGurl) on Twitter! Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you are a Twitter follower for an additional entry!
TWEET about it! Be sure to include a link to this giveaway in your tweet! Come back and leave a comment with a link to your tweet in the comment for an additional entry! You may tweet about the giveaway as often as you like and each tweet may be counted as a separate entry as long as you comment separately for each tweet!
BLOG about it! Be sure to include a link to this giveaway in your blog post! Come back and leave 5 separate comments, with the link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right - you get FIVE additional entries just for blogging!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

March Madness Giveaway: Gigi Hill Bag!

Here's a giveaway for any gal! This cute Katharine bag would be a stylish little project bag to take to knit/crochet group or as an everyday bag!!

Sponsor: Jane Dunn, Independent Sales Representative for Gigi Hill Bags
Prize: (1) winner will take home (1) Gigi Hill Katharine Bag (Winner gets to choose the fabric!)
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: Entrants must must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes. Must be 18 yrs or older and a US citizen.

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Jane's Gigi Hill site. Take a look around. Come back and tell me which bag or fabric you love the most!

Follow Jane on Twitter!! Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you follow Jane for an additional entry!
"Like" Jane's Gigi Hill Facebook Fan Page! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you did for an additional entry!
Follow my KnitPurlGurl blog! Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a blog follower for an additional entry!
Follow KnitPurlGurl on Twitter. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you're a Twitter follower for an additional entry!
TWEET about it!! Be sure to put a link to this giveaway in your tweet. You may tweet as often as you like and each tweet may count as a separate entry as long as you leave a comment for each tweet and a link to each tweet!!
Blog about it! Be sure to include a link to this giveaway in your blog post! Come back and leave 5 separate comments with the link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right! You get FIVE additional entries just for BLOGGING!

Extending March Madness!!

Due to popular response and a lack of posting giveaways for 2 days (sick), I am EXTENDING the March Madness Giveaways!!! All giveaways will be open through 4/11/11 and winners will be announced on 4/12/11!! YAY! If you want a quick way to view all of the giveaways: at the very top right of my blog, there are 3 tabs. The LEFT most tab says Product Reviews & Giveaways. Click on that tab and it will only show my product reviews and giveaways!! :) Swish!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

eMag Review: Sockupied Spring 2011

Sockupied Vol 2

Alrighty knitters, remember back in August when I reviewed the Premier Issue of Sockupied?! - The interactive multi-media eMag for sock knitters? Well the Spring 2011 Edition is available NOW! And you're gonna love it!

Title: Sockupied Spring 2011 For Windows PC / For Macintosh
Publisher: Interweave Press
Format: eMag; Requires Adobe Air (FREE Software)
Approximate Retail Price: $14.97
Craft: Knitting (Sock)
Highlights in this Edition:

5 Sock Patterns
2 In-Depth Tutorials
3 Calculators
13 Videos

So here's the skinny. I'm a total gadget and tech junkie. And a knit-o-holic. So anything that combines both of my favorite things is a total thumbs up in my opinion. I just absolutely adore the way this eMag is set up. From beginning to end, it's just jam-packed with info and interesting surprises. So let me give you a written tour of sorts.

Sockupied starts immediately to engage the knitter in interactive media, right from the cover! When you roll over the article graphics with your mouse/pointer, a sneak peak of what's in the article will be uncovered. And when you come to the Contents Page, you'll notice immediately that if you hover over any of the article titles, they will highlight. This means you can click on the particular article you are interested in and it will automatically take you there. OR you can scroll through the eMag page by page by clicking on the arrow at the top. Bear with me here - these things make me giddy. I really liked the added interactive touch on the Editor's Page (which most people just skip past in a regular mag - I mean it's usually a bunch of names that the reader doesn't really care too much about.) which allows the reader to roll over an editor's name to see whom they knit socks for. I thought that was a really cool personal touch.

Okay, so I've gushed over the cover and fine print. Now onto the meat of the mag.. Sockupied continues with it's regular column, "Feet on the Street," which highlights 3 sock knitters' stories via video. Next it moves onto a 2 page feature highlighting the various circular needles that are beloved by sock knitters who like to knit on circs. Within this 2 page feature, there is a video of the editor, Anne Merrow, explaining and demonstrating knitting socks on 2 circular needles and on 1 circular needle, using Magic Loop. And of course, a sock magazine wouldn't be complete if it didn't highlight some terrific sock yarns. In the Spring 2011 Volume, Sockupied takes a peek at Silk Blend sock yarns. What I really liked about this article is that it shows the yarn worked up in a sock so you can see what the colorway looks like knitted. It also gives you the 411 on each yarn. If you roll over each sock, a picture of the yarn (unknit) will appear. (I'm crushing on the Spud & Chloe Fine pictured in the mag!)

The featured How-To article for this Volume is all about calculations - Included is a 5 page thorough article about calculating Short Row Heel, Toe Up Flap, and Toe Down Flap, with corresponding calculators for each. Eunny Jang demonstrates 4 different bind off methods for toe-up socks in the Sockupied Tech Article. And of course, there are 5 lovely sock patterns to whet your appetite!

Overall, I love this Volume of Sockupied. Obviously, the eMag format agrees with me. But I think by and large, the eMag format is fabulous for sock knitting. A lot of wanna-be sock knitters find knitting socks daunting or a bit of a challenge. And with this interactive mag, the knitter will be able to view patterns and see video demonstrations related to those patterns. It's a complete experience from cuff to toe or toe to cuff!

Sockupied Spring 2011 (Vol. 2) is available NOW! So pick yourself up a copy and knit some beautiful spring socks!! :)

Disclosure: Interweave Press provided KnitPurlGurl with a free review copy of Sockupied Spring 2011 eMag for Windows PC. KnitPurlGurl was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the above review are those of the blog author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Interweave Press.

Monday, March 21, 2011

March Madness Giveaway: Nelkin Designs Mystery KAL Prize Pack

This is such a fun giveaway for you knitters out there! You don't have to be Nancy Drew to enjoy this prize! :)

Sponsor: Nelkin Designs
Prize: (1) Winner will walk away with (1) skein of Schaefer Yarn Heather with Beads to match and a Subscription to the Nelkin Designs Mystery KAL!
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: All entrants must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes. Nelkin Designs has opened this contest up to EVERYONE. no matter which country you live in, age 18 & older!!

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Nelkin Designs and browse her patterns. Come back and leave me a comment telling me which pattern you most like.

Follow Laura Nelkin on Twitter. Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you do for an additional entry!
Join the Nelkins Designs Group on Ravelry. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you joined for an additional entry!
Visit the Nelkin Designs Blog and leave a comment - be sure to tell her KnitPurlGurl sent ya! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know you have for an additional entry!
Follow KnitPurlGurl on Twitter (that's me!)! Come back and leave a comment to let me know you're a Twitter follower for an additional entry!
Follow my KnitPurlGurl Blog. Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a blog follower for an additional entry!
TWEET about the giveaway! Be sure to put a link to this giveaway in your tweet. Come back and leave a link to your tweet in a comment for an additional entry! You may tweet as often as you like. And each tweet be may counted as a separate entry as long as each tweet is entered as a separate comment with a link to you tweet.
BLOG about it. Write a blog post about the giveaway. Be sure to include a link to this post in your blog post. Come back and leave (5) separate comments with the link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right - you get FIVE additional entries for BLOGGING!! :)

Friday, March 18, 2011

A Knitting Wrapsody By Kristin Omdahl

Knitting Wrapsody S11 BLAD Web

I'm SO excited to be a part of Kristin Omdahl's A Knitting Wrapsody Blog tour! When Interweave Press sent me Kristin's new book, I was ecstatic! I have been following Kristin's designs for awhile now and think she's a genius. And of course her new book, A Knitting Wrapsody, did not disappoint. Okay, let me give you the basic info first:

Title: A Knitting Wrapsody
Author: Kristin Omdahl
Publisher: Interweave Press
ISBN: 978-1-59668307-5
Approximate Retail Price: $24.95 USD
Craft: Knitting

And unto the good stuff.. I know a lot of you know Kristin from her previous crochet designs and her "Crochet Corner" feature on the hit needlework show, Knitting Daily TV. But as Kristin explains, she has been knitting as well as crocheting for a long time. But here's the genius of Kristin's new Knitting book - it marries Kristin's love of architectural and structural pieces, ordinarily seen in crochet, with the fluid movements of lace knitting. In this knitting book, I can feel Kristin's love of crochet in almost all of her pieces.
Kristin's designs take on a very geometric character. Not to say that all crochet is geometric - but crochet does offer motif work in a lot of patterns. And that's something we knitters really don't see a lot of. Breaking barriers and stereotypes about what knitting and crochet are, Kristin's pieces are artful, well designed, gorgeous, versatile, and functional. Okay knitsters, don't be frightened off. I know many a knitter who doesn't crochet. And when someone starts throwing around crochet terms or the word "motif" they shy away. (There's no crochet in this book.) Kristin anticipated any problems you may have with some of these unusual (but genius) techniques and created a DVD (included in the book!) to provide visual instruction on the techniques she inorporated in her designs. Alright, I know you want the 411 on the designs. In a word, AMAZING! But let me break it down:

Scarves: In this section, Kristin gives us 5 very distinct scarf patterns:

I Do (Diamond Lace Scarf; almost a stole worked in fingering wt yarn)
Nerina (a ruched and ruffled scarf worked in worsted wt yarn)
Lucky Clover (Reversible scarf with 4 petal cutouts worked in chunky/bulky wt yarn)
Melange (Crochet-Look Scarf worked in sportweight yarn)
Echo (Reversible, Drop Stitch Mobius worked in Chunky/Bulky wt yarn)

Wraps: As Kristin explains, wraps are a transition between shawls and sweaters. She artfully demonstrates this in 6 designs

Anouk (Leather Laced Raglan Cape worked in DK wt yarn)
Sand Dollar (Belted Lace Cape worked in DK wt yarn)
Infinity (Cardi Wrap with Sleeves worked in chunky/bulky wt yarn)
Tree of Life (Embroidered Ruana worked in worsted wt yarn)
Ring of Cables (Oval Shrug worked in worsted wt yarn)
Summit (American Yak Wrap worked in sportweight yarn)

Shawls: Kristin's first love in knitting and crochet design. Kristin pushes the limits of knitting to "incorporate some of the wonderful traits of crochet" in these 5 shawl patterns.

Lelani (Flower Motif Shawl worked in DK wt yarn)
Serpentine (Reversible Shawlette worked in sportweight yarn)
Tama (Bead-Trimmed Seashell Shawlette worked in sportweight yarn and Size 6 seed beads)
Warrior Wings (Cinched Edge Shawl worked in Dk wt yarn)
Tide Pool (Spiral Lace Shawl worked in laceweight yarn)

Skirts: In this section, Kristin appeals to our flirty, feminine sides with a pair of incredibly versatile skirts.

Flamenco (Ruffled Drawstring Skirt worked in sport weight yarn)
Arcelia (Gypsy Wrap Skirt worked in DK wt yarn)

I am in total knitting ~~lust~~ love with this book! Kristin has a few signature pieces in this book that I personally feel will be viewed as timeless art pieces - namely Infinity, Lelani, Tide Pool, and Tree of Life. Her book is just as fabulous as she is! It was such a delight to have the opportunity to review it. You can find A Kntting Wrapsody at fine online and local retailers nationwide!

You can interact with Kristin Omdahl via:

Next stop on Kristin's blog tour is Lorna's Laces!!! Be sure to pop on over there on Monday, March 21st!

Disclosure: Interweave Press provided KniPurlGurl with a free review copy of A Knitting Wrapsody. KnitPurlGurl was not compensated for this review. All opinions in the above review are those of the blog author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristin Omdahl and/or Interweave Press.

March Madness Giveaway: Kim Werker Prize Pack!

Okay, crocheters - I haven't forgotten about you! Amazing Crochet Designer, Kim Werker, is giving away some delish goodies!!

Sponsor: Kim Werker
Prize: (1) winner will take home a copy of both Crochet Me and Crochet Visual Quick Tips - BOTH SIGNED BY KIM WERKER!!! (She may even thow in a few surprises..)
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: All entrants must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes. Entrants must be an US or Canadian resident.

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Kim's webpage and tell me which book of hers you'd be most interested in owning!

Follow Kim on Twitter! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know you follow her for an additional entry!
"Like" Kim's Facebook Fan Page! Come back and let me know in a comment for an additional entry!!
Pop on over to Kim's webpage and leave her a comment! Tell her KnitPurlGurl sent ya! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know for an additional entry!
Follow my KnitPurlGurl Blog. Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a blog follower for an additional entry!!
Follow KnitPurlGurl on Twitter! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know you're a Twitter follower for an additional entry!
TWEET about the giveaway! Put a link to this post in your tweet. Come back and leave a link to your tweet in a comment for an additional givaway! You may tweet as often as you like! Each tweet may be counted as a separate entry. (Just leave a link to each tweet in separate comments.)
BLOG about the giveaway! Write a blog post with a link to this giveaway in your post. Come back and leave 5 separate comments, with the link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right - you get FIVE additional entries for blogging!!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

March Madness Giveaway: Lion Brand Yarns Cotton Bamboo

Oooo- here's a giveaway for knitters or crocheters! YARN! Who wouldn't love some yarn?!

Sponsor: Lion Brand Yarns
Prize: (1) winner will be sent 3 skeins of Lion Brand Yarns LB Collection Cotton Bamboo in the color of their choosing!! Each skein has 245 yds of yarn - that's 735 yds of yarnie goodness!!
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: All entrants must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for soliciation purposes. All entrants must be US or Canadian residents.

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Lion Brand Yarns LB Collection page. Come back and tell me which yarn in their LB Collection you'd love to try!

"Like" Lion Brand Yarns Facebook Fan Page. Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you "Like(d)" their FB Fan Page for an additional entry!
Follow Lion Brand Yarn on Twitter. Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you follow them on Twitter for an additional entry!
Visit Lion Brand Yarn's Blog. Leave a comment on their blog and let 'em know KnitPurlGurl sent ya! Come back and let me know in a comment for an additional entry!
Visit Lion Brand Yarns' Podcast page, YarnCraft. Leave a comment and let 'em know KnitPurlGurl sent ya! Come back and let me know for an additional entry!
Join the Lion Brand Yarn Studio group on Ravelry! Come back and let me know for an additional entry!
Follow the KnitPurlGurl blog! Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a blog follower for an additional entry!
Follow KnitPurlGurl on Twitter! Come back and let me know that you follow me on Twitter for an additional entry!
TWEET about it! Tweet about the giveaway with a link to this post in your tweet! Come back and leave a link to your tweet for an additional giveaway! You may tweet as often as you like! Each and every tweet may be counted as a separate entry. (Be sure to leave a separate comment for each tweet)
BLOG about it! Write a blog post with a link to this giveaway in your blog post. Come back and leave 5 comments, with a link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right - you'll get FIVE additional entries for blogging!

March Madness Giveaway: Fiber Dreams Pattern

And the March Madness Giveaways just keep comin'! Today's giveaway is winner's choice!! :)

Sponsor: Fiber Dreams
Prize: (1) winner will be chosen at random and will be able to chose one of Fiber Dreams' original knitting patterns as their prize!
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: All entrants must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for soliciation purposes.

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Visit Fiber Dreams' site and browse their original patterns. Come back and let me know which pattern you'd chose if you won!

"Like" Fiber Dreams on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you "like(d)" their Facebook Fan Page for an additional entry!
Follow Fiber Dreams on Twitter. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you follow Fiber Dreams for an additional entry!
Join the Fiber Dreams Ravelry Group! Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you joined the group for an additional entry!
Follow the KnitPurlGurl blog! Leave me a comment to let me know that you follow my blog for an additional entry!
Follow me on Twitter! Leave me a comment to let me know that you are a Twitter Follower for an additional entry!
TWEET about the giveaway! Be sure to tweet with a link to this post in your tweet! You may tweet as many times as you wish and each tweet may be counted as a SEPARATE entry as long as you provide the link to each tweet in each entry!
BLOG about it! Write a blog post with a link to this giveaway in the post! Come back and leave 5 comments with the link to your blog post in comment #1. That's right - you get FIVE additional entries for blogging!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Finished: Oma House Slippers

I finally crocheted a pair of Oma House Slippers! This pattern requires you crochet with two strands of worsted wt yarn held together. It is such a fun and simple pattern!! It's a seamless pattern that works up in only 8 rnds!! And because you are crocheting with two strands of worsted, the slippers are really nice and cushy!

I crocheted these puppies in Vanna's Choice Cranberry and Beige. I decided that acrylic was the right choice for this project - just like the textured ballet slippers I crocheted, because I plan to get a lot of use out of them! I need to pick up some puffy paint in a cream color to put on the bottoms of these and the textured ballet slippers so I won't go a-slippin' and a-slidin'!

I'm so inspired by National Crochet Month! I hope you are too!! Hook on!

March Madness Giveaway: XRX Knitting Books!

And the March Madness Giveaways continue!! This time, XRX, Inc. is going to giveaway a book prize package to (2) winners!!!! That's RIGHT - 2 lucky winners will receive a package containing all 3 books!

Sponsor: XRX, Inc.
Prize: (2) Winners will be chosen via Random Number Generator to win a package of each of the three books shown above! (Entree to Entrelac, Magnificent Mittens & Socks, and Think Outside the Sox)
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: 1.)All entrants must provide an email address. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes. 2.) Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older and an US or Canadian resident

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Pop on over to Knitting Universe and browse their site. Come back and leave a comment to let me know which publication or event they host that you're most interested in!

Visit the KniTalk Blogs and leave a comment! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you've visited the blog for an additional entry!
Follow Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc. on Twitter! Come back and leave a comment to let me know you follow him for an additional entry!
"Like" XRX Books on Facebook! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know that you "like(d)" their Facebook Fan Page for an additional entry!
Join the Stitches 2011 Ravelry Group! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know you joined for an additional entry!
Follow MY BLOG. Leave me a comment to let me know that you are a blog follower for an additional entry!
Follow me on Twitter! Come back and let me know that you are a Twitter Follower for an additional entry!
Tweet about the giveaway!!! You may tweet as often as you like and each tweet may be counted as a separate entry provided you comment separately with a link to each tweet.
BLOG about it! Write a blog post with a link to this giveaway in the post. Come back and leave me the link to your blog post for FIVE additional entries. Be sure to leave FIVE separate comments, with your blog link in comment #1. If you don't leave 5 separate comment, the random number generator won't count them all.

Good luck! To read more about the giveaways, click here. Tune in every day through April 11th to enter any or all of the March Madness Giveaways!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Finished: Textured Crochet Ballet Slippers

These worked up super fast and fit well! Love 'em! I think I'll start a pair of the Oma House Slippers next..

March Madness Giveaway: Fish Doll Crochet Pattern

March Madness has begun!!! Here is the FIRST of many giveaways I'll be hosting during March Madness!

Sponsor: Knot by Gran'ma
Prize: (1) Crochet Fish Doll Pattern (PDF) will be awarded to (1) winner via random number generator
Entry Deadline: 11:59p EST, April 11, 2011
Prerequisites: Entrants must provide an email address in order to be contacted regarding the prize. Email addresses will not be used for solicitation purposes.

Required Entry: (You MUST complete the required entry before the optional entries)

Pop on over to Knot By Gran'ma's Etsy Shop. Come back and leave a comment to let me know which pattern you like the most!

"Like" Knot By Gran'ma on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you've "Like(d)" her Facebook Fan Page for an additional entry
Follow Knot By Gran'ma on Twitter. Come back and leave a comment to let me know that you've followed Knot By Gran'ma on Twitter for an additional entry.
Visit Knot By Gran'ma's Blog and leave a comment. Come back and let me know where you left your comment for an additional entry.
Follow my blog! Let me know you're a follower for an additional entry!
Follow me on Twitter! Leave me a comment to let me know that you're a Twitter follower for an additional entry.
TWEET about the giveaway! You may tweet as many times as you like. Each tweet may be counted as an additional entry as long as you provide a link to each tweet.
BLOG about the giveaway. Be sure to link this post in your blog post! Come back and leave me a comment to let me know where you blogged (link) about the giveaway for FIVE ADDITIONAL entries! Make sure you make 5 comments - 1 for each entry (they have to be separate to be counted)

Good luck! Tune in EVERY day through April 11, 2011 to enter all of the giveaways! You may enter as many as you like!! :)

Monday, March 14, 2011

On the Hook: Textured Ballet Slippers

'Got the itch to crochet some more slippers. I started crocheting Oma House Slippers, which is an amazing and uber fast pattern!! But, my first slipper turned out very bulky and not very shapely. I realized that I had grabbed unmarked aran wt yarn and doubled the yarn instead of using worsted wt as indicated in the pattern. So although I frogged that slipper, I WILL make a pair of Oma House Slippers in the near future!

While I was trying to decide which worsted wt I wanted to use, I grabbed the aran wt yarn I had sitting there. It happened to be Vanna's Choice. And although I rarely use acrylic unless it's for an easy care project for the kidlets, this was actually a good choice for a slipper because I know my slippers will get lots of use and abuse. I started the Textured Ballet Style Slippers pattern, which uses fpdc to give some added texture and interest.

I made some mods to this pattern. I only did 3 alternating rnds of fpdc and sc instead of carrying it through the entire slipper. I was afraid that the fpdc might be uncomfortable on the bottom of my feet. Then I crocheted the rest of the slipper in sc and seamed the heel (right sides together) via sl st. I edged the slipper by crocheting 2 rnds of sc around the entire slipper with the slipper being inside out. Then I turned it right side out and completed a rnd of rsc as indicated in the pattern. Finally I added a ribbon to be sure with vigorous use, the slipper doesn't come off my foot.

I still need to crochet it's mate and then add puffy paint to the bottoms to prevent slipping.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Another One Bites the Dust

This is a blurry pic - but another shrunken tee ~~bites the dust~~ gets upcycled into a cute orange cowl. I've decided orange is the new pink. Pass it on! ;)

Yarn Review: Space Cadet Creations' Estelle

Name of Yarn: Estelle (Cold Flame colorway)
Yarn Company Brand Name: Space Cadet Creations
Website: Spacecadetcreations.com
Weight: Fingering
Yardage: 430 yds per 100g
Fiber: 80% Superwash Merino Wool/ 10% Cashmere/ 10% Nylon
Approximate Retail Price: $27/hank

Recently, I had the immense pleasure of visiting the Space Cadet Creations booth at Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival where I got to meet Stephanie IN PERSON! And let me tell you, she's a complete doll! I knew I was going to stop by and meet her as we'd been corresponding via email and Twitter for some time before that. Let me just say, that although I'd visited her (AWESOME) blog and seen her hand dyed yarns online, I was utterly blown away by her booth. In fact, her booth was the talk of the festival. Her keen sense of color pairings is matched only by her choice in fiber. Her booth was BUZZING. Every year there is a stand out booth which has hand dyed yarns with dramatic and rich color. And this year, it was Space Cadet Creations.

Stephanie gave me a hank of her Estelle yarn to take home and play with. (My knitting buds were a tad jealous.) Technically, this yarn is moderately soft with a slight halo and slight stretch, which it owes to the nylon in it. It's a smooth, variegated yarn with moderate to tight ply. This is one of those yarns that you definitely want to knit up into a cowl, socks, or yummy fingerless mitts. It begs to be worn against the skin. Creatively, I absolutely adore the color choices. The variegation is stunning and all of the colors in the yarn really complement one another and lend that certain "pop" to stitches. This would work up terrifically in a cable or intricate lace but can definitely stand on it's own in a simple stockinette or garter pattern to show off the gorgeous color!

If you haven't yet had the pleasure to knit or crochet with one of Space Cadet Creations' yarns, pop on over to her shop and pick up a hank or two. And while you're at it, read her blog - she's witty and creative and her blog posts never disappoint.

I'm positive there will be more Space Cadet Creations yarns in my future!

You can interact with Space Cadet Creations via:

Disclosure: Space Cadet Creations provided KnitPurlGurl with 1 hank of Estelle yarn free for review. KnitPurlGurl was not compensated for this blog post. All opinions in the above post are those of the blog author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Space Cadet Creations.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Upcycled T-Shirt Scarf

I've been talking a lot about March being National Crochet Month. But did you know that March is also National Craft Month? I decided to upcycle some of my cotton tees that shrunk when ~~hubby~~ someone put them in the dryer on HELL setting. I've made t-shirt scarves before in Olive and in Coral (as per the tutorial from Shwin & Shwin). This time I just cut my strips and bound them together in one spot with a knot (as per the tutorial from Method).

For a little Anthropologie-inspired embellishment, I applied a broach, which I think nicely contrasts with the shabby look of the scarf.

Tips & Ideas:

If you stretch each strip separately they will curl up more and the seams won't show as much than if you stretch them altogether.
Also, this was a woman's L tee that shrunk to about a woman's M. It made for a shorter scarf. If you want something that wraps and is loose, go to a thrift shop and buy up some used XXL tees. -Then you'll get a nice long, wrapable scarf!
For added interest, you could cut strips from different sized T-Shirts (1/3 from a children's tee, 1/3 from a woman's M tee, and 1/3 from a men's L tee). Then you'd get a tiered effect.
Michael's and several other craft retailers sell plain cotton tees for embroidery very inexpensively. So if you decided to do the tiered scarf idea, they would have all of the sizes in the same color.
Attach a broach, mix in a (metal) chain, or attach silk or homemade flowers for added interest.

Don't throw your t-shirts away! Cut them up and upcycle them!!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

On the Needles: Fit to be Tied

I'm knitting up Fit to be Tied by Kristi Schueler so that I can test out Cascade Yarn's Ultra Pima. OMG - I am LOVING this yarn. I can't wait to finish, block, and write my review. So far, knitting with it is a dream - soft and silky with amazing sheen and drape. I can't wait to see what a little blocking will do for it.

Fit to be Tied is a quick neckerchief lace project. It's an easily memorized 4 row repeat pattern that is GREAT for knitting while listening to an audiobook or watching tv. I wanted this a little larger than the original pattern - so I substituted DK wt yarn for fingering wt.

This is the 3rd hank of Cascade Yarns that I have in a purple-ish color. I'm totally crushin' on the lilac for Easter and Spring wear! This shawlette should turn out nice and lightweight (since it's cotton) and will look great for spring! Stay tuned for my completed review of Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima when I'm done blocking this beauty!

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