Updated Kit Projects

The original proposal for the Gift Knit Kit Club 2nd Edition was:

July: Easy Lacey Ladies' Socks
August: Coveted Mittens (Ladies)
September: Warming William Hat (men's)
October: Nordic Socks (men's or women's)
November: Alpine Heirloom Mittens (men's or women's)
December: Alpine Heirloom Ski Cap (men's or women's) [Will coordinate with November project]
After feedback on Twitter, Facebook, this blog, and email, I've learned that some of our members would like more warm weather projects, while others are happy to hear we'll be doing more wintry projects.  I'm trying to give everyone most of what they want, and of course that's a challenge.

The schedule has been amended:

July: Easy Lacey Ladies' Socks
August:  Alpine Heirloom Mittens (men's or women's)
September:  Alpine Heirloom Ski Cap (men's or women's)
October:  Holiday Stocking
November:  Special Occasion Placemats/table runner
December:  Cables and Lace Toe-up Socks

This should allow for more flexibility, in that only two projects are distinctly cold weather oriented.  People in all climates need socks, and Holiday Stockings and table runners look similar everywhere you go.  Let me know what you think.  I'd like to open the club in the next week or so.  Thanks!

Gift Knits Club is Open!

It's here!   The Gift Knits Club is open for membership.  Knit the gifts you want to give (or keep - we won't tell!) at a manageable pace throughout the year.  Each pattern comes with the recommended yarn, so you'll never be searching for that last, elusive skein to finish a project.  Membership is limited, and will be closed without notice when the club maximum has been reached.

Features: 
New kit each month including original Liz Marino pattern and premium yarns to make the Gift Knit of the Month, shipped on or about the 15th of the month

Exclusive Liz Marino Club patterns will not be made available to non-club members until 3 months after Club release date

Kits will not be made available retroactively or to non-members

Jan = Straight needle gloves for her (s,m,l)
Feb = Snuggly Socks - adult (men, women)
Mar = Woven-look Purse
Apr = Eco-Friendly Washcloth Gift Pack
May = Holiday Knit-Ahead Hat
June = Yoga Stirrup Socks - one size

No substitutions are available.  Color and size is determined by Liz Marino.  Each month's kit is the only kit available for that month.  Kits are not available retroactively. 

Membership will not be automatically renewed for July-Dec.  Membership will be opened to current members in April and non-members in May based on availability.

Membership is open to North American mailing addresses only.  The price is $27 per month, for a total of $162 USD.  Payment must be received in full; no month to month memberships are available.

Thanks for joining this adventure!  I can hardly wait!

After joining, email me at esliney@yahoo.com with your:

Name
Shipping address

Do this even if they are the same as the ones on your PayPal ID, please, just to confirm!  I want to make sure I know how to reach you via email and USPS.  If this info is not emailed, your membership will be rejected and your payment will be returned.  Thanks!

Building the Gift Knits Club

I've been talking with yarn companies, fans, customers, and students, and the Gift Knits Club idea has really started to gel.  I'm looking at having subscriptions for either 6 or 12 months at a time.  The club member would pay up front, and kits would be mailed on the 15th of each month.  Any month's project that doesn't appeal to you can be substituted, but only for the mitten pattern and kit of my choice based on availability.  The calendar would look something like this (example only! Not real calendar!):

January: Easy Straight-needle Gloves for HER
February:  Easy Straight-needle Gloves for HIM
March: Sprightly Spring Socks
April: Woven-look Spring Handbag
May: Set of 4 spa washcloths in organic cotton
June: Lacy Ribbon Scarf

...and so on throughout the year.  No really long patterns, and no really high prices.  It depends on the deals I'm able to make with yarn manufacturers what the exact price will be.  I'm aiming for about $25 - $35 per month.  This appears to be on par with most other knitting project clubs, and considering the pattern design, yarn, coordination and shipping, seems to be a good bargain.  After much consideration, I've decided to work with multiple manufacturers to keep the patterns and variety really interesting.  (An all Cascade club might not be interesting to you if that's all your LYS carries!)

Skill level of the patterns will vary from easy to moderate.  Knitting in the round, simple cables, simple open work, and grafting will all be part of patterns at one time or another.  If these are newer skills for you, get help from your LYS, YouTube, or your knitting circle friends, and expand your skills! 

I cannot accommodate fiber allergies (there are too many possibilities), so if you have multiple fiber allergies, this might be a problem, or you may wish to give the kit as a gift on the months you are allergic to kit contents.

Each pattern will be a club exclusive for at least three months after it is released to the club.  At the end of the year, all 2012 patterns will be available as a collection in an e-book. 

We're down to crunch time, folks, so please, tell me everything on your minds!  I would love to make this club meet your needs as gifters, crafters, and knitters!  Thanks.