random friday freebie.

Welcome to Friday!!  So...we promised you that we had more in store regarding Knit Picks' new release of the "Under 100 Crochet Collection", and today is the day we get to share that with you. Knit Picks has generously donated a printed copy of the publication to pass along to one of our wonderful and deserving readers!! So, we are offering it this week for random friday freebie!!  YAY...thanks so much Knit Picks!!

Not only are we giving away the book but we are throwing in 2 balls of Knit Picks Gloss DK, which is enough yarn to make your very own pair of fingerless mitts as seen on the cover! 

The draw will begin today and it will end Sunday, January 5th, 2014 at midnight (Pacific Standard Time). The winner will be randomly picked using random.org on Monday, January 6th, and will be contacted the same day via email. Be sure to check on Monday to see if you are the winner!!

To enter the draw:

Just comment to this post, even to say "Hi". Please make sure to leave us your email address in your comment so we can contact you if your name is drawn. If you prefer to keep your email private, just email us at knotsewcute@gmail.com.

To receive a second chance to win, simply tell your friends about our blog via facebook, twitter, personal blog, whatever and come back and share the link with us in another comment. Again, please leave us your email address. Maximum of 2 entries per person. All entries must be in by Sunday, January 5th, 2013 at midnight PST to be valid. The draw is open worldwide so we look forward to hearing from our international customers too!

kim and tara.

woohoo....tara made the cover!

 

Knit Picks put out a call for submissions last spring and Tara's "Lattice Work Fingerless Mitts" pattern was accepted, but we've been unable to share the excitement with you until today! The book called "Under 100 Crochet Collection" was just released today and what a surprise when we seen that Tara's pattern had made the cover!!! Woohoo and congrats....Tara! I am so super excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book features 10 must have crochet patterns, and the best part is that each project requires under 100 grams of yarn. Not only will you be able to blow through your stash but you will be able to complete each project in record time!

This collection can be purchased as an e-book, hard copy, or if you prefer each pattern in the collection can be purchased individually from knitpicks.com for $1.99!!  

Be sure to check back with us soon as we have more in store for you regarding this new release!

kim.

new crochet pattern - cabled hot water bottle cozy by kim miller.

 

 

Skill Level: Intermediate

Once considered old fashioned, hot water bottles have become a new trend, and stylish cozies for hot water bottles are popping up everywhere!

This knit-look cozy crochets up quickly, and the main body is a 4 row repeat that is easy to memorize. The cozy is designed to slip easily over your bottle and features a button-up closure on the back side.

This crochet pattern calls for 1¾ skeins of Cascade Yarns® 220 [100 g (3.53 oz)/201 meters (220 yds) per skein], which is a worsted weight (4). The pattern features the blue (Summer Sky - 7815) cozy and you should be comfortable with the following stitches and techniques: adjustable ring, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, front post double crochet, back post double crochet, front post treble crochet, half double crochet 2 together, front post double crochet 2 together, and front post double crochet 3 together.

The crochet instructions are written for one size only, but post stitches and cabling allow lots of room for stretch. The finished hot water bottle cozy measures approximately 19 cm (7.5”) wide and 35.5 cm (14”) at it's highest point.

Buy Now

 

 

 

(Purchase this pattern and receive 20% off by entering the coupon code "cabledcozy20" at the checkout!

Offer valid until Friday - January 3rd, 2014) 

 

 

 

kim.

 

another hint for our sneak peek.

Some would consider this cozy for your cozy to be old fashioned, but it has become a new trend and is popping up in stores everywhere...

 

 

This post is with regards to our previous sneak peek. Click here to learn how you could win a copy of our latest crochet design.

 

 

kim.

sneak peek.

Okay....it's more of a peek at the buttons that I just bought for my current crochet pattern in the works. Aren't they the most perfect buttons?

I just bought these adorable scrabble buttons from a wonderful local yarn store called Electric Tree Yarns, and the first person to guess what design I am currently working on will win a copy of the pattern when it is released. Just so you know...the buttons are your first hint ;-)

To enter a chance to win the mystery pattern:

Leave a comment as to your guess, along with your email address. The first person to guess correctly will be contacted as soon as possible via this post, and by email. The contest will remain open until either someone guesses correctly, or until the pattern is released. Which ever comes first. Once the mystery pattern has been published a PDF will be emailed to the winner.

Have a wonderful weekend, and if you have trouble guessing I will help you along the way with additional hints.

kim.

simple tip when adding a crochet border.

The procrastinating, perfectionist in me dreads the first round of a border on any project, but I especially don't like it for a large project like an afghan or a throw! I like to know exactly where each stitch should be placed, but when you are working along the side of a throw there are no stitches to work in. Usually, the pattern simply says something like this, "work 150 dc evenly down the side". Ugggg....I hate that part!!!

So, a simple trick that I started doing is to section the side off into quarters, and mark with a stitch marker, or like item. That way if I am working 150 stitches, then I know that when I reach the quarter mark I should be at about 37 stitches, and at the half way point I should be at 75 stitches.

So much easier then reaching the end of the side row and trying to either stretch out or cram the last few stitches in. It's a simple tip, but it is amazing how much more enjoyable it makes working along the edge.

kim.

new crochet pattern - night owl decorative throw by kim miller.

 

 

 

 

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cozy up in style with this beautiful cabled, owl throw! This crochet pattern is marked as an intermediate, but I've included lots of colour illustrations to help you to successfully complete you project.

The pattern calls for 11 balls of Knit Picks Brava worsted weight yarn [100 g (3.53 ounces)/200 meters (219 yards) per ball], but you may need more yarn if you crochet looser than the recommended gauge. Recommended gauge: 12 sc and 16 rows = 10 cm (4”) square with a 5.50 mm crochet hook. The pattern uses the following stitches: hdc, dc, fpdc, bpdc, fptr and picot. The buttons are sewn on after the crochet throw has been completed.

The finished throw measures approximately 89 cm (35”) wide by 122 cm (48”) long.

 

 

 

Buy Now

 

 

 

 

(Purchase this pattern and receive 20% off by entering the coupon code "nightowl20" at the checkout!

Offer valid until Wednesday - December 18th, 2013) 

 

 

 

 

kim.