What to Knit - Holiday 2011 vol 1 - toys

Over a glass of red wine, some pretzels, and some red pepper hummus, I started scanning the 'net for the perfect holiday gifts for family, friends, and readers.  (I recommend this combo to those looking for a new snacking fave, but I digress.) 

For those who like their gifts well known and identifiable, consider the following: 

Looks like Grommit from the Wallace and Grommit movies.  He's the only knitting dog I know of...  Click here

Or for Dilbert fans, Catbert?  Dogbert?

How many on your gift list are obsessed with Angry Birds?  Try this.



Then again, there are the animal lovers in the group.  Some of my favorites include:  Hedgehog


Pigeon


Polar Bear 






Or for the electronics-obsessed?  Laptop


Surveillance Camera

Dessert fans? Whoopee Pie

Doughnuts                                                        Cupcakes

Or sports fans?    Baseball          Football         Soccer

Internet Knitting Info - Where to Look

A while back I wrote a post called "Pattern Hunger" listing where I like to prowl for new patterns when the seasons change.  I listed some of my favorite Internet outlets, and the response was huge.  Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge fan of the LYS, and try to do most of my shopping there.  If I stop, I'm afraid my only local options will become Michael's, and JoAnn Fabrics.  At the LYS I have a community, experts, lessons, and more variety that I can possibly ever knit my way through.  But I can't prowl patterns as quickly as I can on line, and so I prowl on the Internet. 

The Internet can also be lifesaver for techniques and general information.  I assume by now everyone knows I'm a huge fan of Ravelry, so I'll leave that one alone.  Nearly every major manufacturer has a website full of info, patterns, a newsletter, an advice blog, or all of the above.  (Classic Elite, Cascade, Mountain Colors, Holiday Yarns, Kraemer, Berroco, Rowan, are all faves) - if you've heard of them, they have an Internet presence.  The sites usually have a variety of free and paid patterns, an opportunity to sign up for the newsletter (more patterns and info), detailed information about every yarn in the line, and tales of knitting seen through the eyes of the manufacturer and distributor.  This quick reading is great if you don't have a knitting community nearby, or it's 11:20 pm and if you call your friends to talk about yarn, they may stop being your friends. 

I'm also a huge fan of YouTube for knitting lessons.  I know, I never would have thought of it either, but my intrepid assistant, Colleen, filled me in years ago.  (Thanks as always, Coll!) I still peak at videos of techniques I haven't used in a while, whether it's making bobbles, Kitchener stitch, or (gasp!) brioche.  (No, I haven't finished it.  You want to make something of it?)  I also love to see the excerpts of knitting art installations, knits and knitting featured in movies, and interviews with famous designers.

There are also several good online magazines out there for knitting info.  Knitter's Review is authored by knitting expert and book author Clara Parkes, and she reviews everything to do with knitting.  With 11 years of archives, you'll likely find a review of anything you need.

Knitty is an online only magazine, with an entire community associated with it.  Beautiful patterns (free), great articles, and a helpful community are just a click away.

Twist Collective has articles about knitting history, current knitting issues, an advice column, and of course, patterns.  (These patterns are not free - you click on the title and the pricing info comes up in a separate window.)

The Daily Knitter has daily free patterns (yep, daily), articles, help articles, help videos, and a very thorough list of LYS throughout the country.  If you're travelling, it's a great resource to make sure you can get a knitting fix where ever you go!

The Busy Season

It's happened again.  The LYS has its most tempting fibers in the most dreamy colors, and as the leaves turn colors we start lining up the 87 patterns we plan to have finished by the first of the year.

The only problem with that, of course, is that there aren't even 87 days left until the first of the year!  That complicates fulfilling this fantasy, unless we're making tiny projects out of big, bulky yarns.  So, what to do?

Well, as tempting as it is to caffeinate within an inch of my life and knit straight through, my family and dog expect me to spend time with them, my boss thinks I should go to work, and frankly, I'm a total psycho on no sleep.  Instead, it's time for a plan. 

Short of some of those very helpful fairies who help finish my work while I sleep, I need to accept that I'm not gong to finish everything I want to.  Here's what I do:  First, I try to get real about the number of projects.  It makes sense to adjust the priorities and shorten the list. (This is tough when everyone you know asks for knitted stuff for the holidays, but there really is only so much you can do.)  Than I plan my workflow: gifts first, alternating less technical patterns with complex ones.  I check the patterns against stash yarn, and see if I can save myself some shopping time.

Next, I make a queue, alternating big projects with little ones.  When I can't stand one more stitch on the blanket or sweater, it's great to pull out baby booties or a pair of mittens. (There's faster gratification on little projects.) Once I feel good about finishing my (much shorter) gift list, I'll let myself cast on a project for myself.  Then, a few rows on the project for me is a reward for meeting a knitting goal on some other project.

I won't finish everything.  I know me:  I'll keep adding things to my list until New Year's Eve.  But that's part of the fun, really.  I'd hate to wake up one morning and not have twenty things I'd love to knit that day.  I'll get my gifts finished, though.  That's a start.

Free Mitten - Birdhouse and Vines

Birdhouse and Vines Mitten Pattern. 

Sorry for the funky pic. The PDF is much clearer!  I'm experiencing technical difficulties!  Sorry!

First Free Pattern of the Season

The first free pattern of the season is coming!  It will be published here on Saturday the 15th of October.  Yep, two days from now.  I'm so excited!  Are you?

Rapid Fire Design



Last season's "Girlfriend Socks"

I've been working like a fiend on designs these last few days.  Usually a deadline imposed by a yarn manufacturer is at least a few weeks out, sometimes even a couple of months out.  This week I recieved yarn on Thursday, and delivered a completed pattern and completed sample on Tuesday.  And then, because I'm crazy, I accepted more yarn, and promised two more patterns for Thursday.  I finished one pattern and sample, and one pattern, but didn't finish the second sample.  I realized that even staying up most of the night won't do it, so I had to ask for more time.

Three patterns in 6 days is pretty fast, and yet I'm feeling a little down.  I set a goal for myself, and I missed it.  (Kind of like the 10 pounds I was going to lose two years ago...)  The good news is I really like these designs!  My eldest child insists that she's at her most creative when she's under serious time constraints.  I've always had my doubts.  There is something to it, though.  Designing on adrenaline is a unique experience.  It's not going to become a habit (if I can help it) but it's good to know I can handle it.  I'm sorry I can't share the designs here, but the yarn manufacturer (Holiday Yarns) will have them available soon enough. 

Which brings us to the "Super Secret Sock Design Project".  Socks are there own universe, far different from my usual mittens, blankets and children's clothes.  They're also addictive, as any sock knitter will tell you.  There's very little as lovely as slipping on a pair of hand knitted socks that fit you perfectly.  It's a cool opportunity to make sock pattens to share! The yarns are inspiring, and I can't wait to see where this project takes me. 

Freebie Books!

If you love knitting patterns I've designed, or even if you’ve just knit one, now it can win you a prize!

Each month, beginning November 15th, we will give away a knitting book to one knitter of Liz patterns. These books are “store copies” used as reference books at the LYS, still in excellent condition, and now ready to find a new home with you.

To enter, place a photo of your completed Liz Marino Designs project on the Ravelry "Knitting with Karma" giveaway fan page! It’s that easy! All winners will be chosen at random. Prizes will be shipped to the winner within one week of drawing.

The book for the first drawing is Socks a la Carte by Ruffino, Cade, and the SWTC Staff. I love this book, and have used it many times for knitting socks, slipper socks, and holiday stockings! It’s a must for anyone who loves to knit socks. Enter today!

"Nashua Handknits", We Barely Knew Ye

The whole Nashua Handknits line has been discontinued by Westminster Fibers/Coats and Clark.  I know, it rots, but this isn't that unusual in yarn land.  It's a fickle market.  As much as I will miss the line in general, I will miss one yarn in particular. 

It is a sad thing to report that Julia (25% Mohair, 25% Alpaca, and 50% Wool) is nearly history.  A lovely soft yarn in delightful brights with excellent warmth and good halo, it was a unique combination that made it a perfect fit for any "won't fade into the background" project.  The color saturation is delicious, which isn't easy to achieve in an Alpaca/Wool blend.  Designed by Kristen Nichols of Color by Kristin and Kristin Knits, it was lively and joyful without being gaudy and over-the-top.

This tends to happen to all of us: our favorite lipstick shade gets disco-ed, our favorite restaurant closes, our favorite band breaks up - but somehow in knitting it's different.  All those creative possibilities lost - all the unfinished projects and designs - there quickly becomes a community of orphaned artistic projects.  We will move on like we always do, but with a wistful backwards glance at another one of the good ones who went too soon. 

If you're not quite ready to say goodbye, WEBS seems to have a pretty good cache in a variety of colors.  It's on sale for $3.99 per ball here.  Grab what you need, and maybe a little extra, because sadly, this is your last chance.  Rats!

I Am Yarn's Bitch

I'm not a fast knitter.  I think if I were better at Continental method I might be able to lay on some serious speed.  And these days, I really need it.

In the last few weeks I've been very fortunate to have received yarn sponsorships for a number of projects, leaving me with a knitwear designer's version of a ton of homework!  Believe me, it's a good problem to have.  With the craziness of my life, the holidays coming, and a job, knitting is a creative outlet, peaceful, and a point of pride.  Yet, let's face it.  It's also pressure and deadlines.  Yarn has made me her bitch.

Mountain Colors Crazyfoot in Juniper

I hate that to protect publishing and ownership agreements I can't show you finished projects, but I can at least show you the yarn!  In order (I think) -

Mountain Colors:  I've made one of two mittens I designed for them.  The yarn is Crazyfoot, and I particularly love the green.  "Juniper" is the colorway.  I'm seriously thinking this could be a Knitty submission.

Holiday Yarns:  A pair of "Man" mittens for the upcoming season.  The pattern is largely written, but is likely to change as I knit it up.  Ideas always hit me mid-project.  This DK weight yarn has lovely shproing to it.  It's got a nice loft, a high twist, and I love the Cafe Au Lait colorway.  It looks like a variety of kinds of mocha desserts to me!

DirtyWater Dyeworks: Socks or mittens in a semi-baroque pattern.  This pattern is fighting me a bit, but I will prevail in the end. These two colors together feel very French Provincial to me.  The yarn is Julia, 50/50 merino and tencel, and seductively soft for its strength.

A Christmas Stocking for a "shall remain nameless" company.  The group of colors feels very Normann Rockwell, doesn't it?  I'd like to do something that looks vintage without being campy.  Editing well will be key.


An outstanding design for Buffalo Gold, colors yet to be determined.  I love this pattern. I know I'm not supposed to pick favorites, but sometimes it can't be helped.  I can't wait to see the color choices they make!

Plus, because I'm silly, I grabbed some yarn at a festival so I can knit up my next free mitten pattern.  It's from Into the Whirled. 

An embarrassment of riches.  Or a guillotine over my head, depending on whether there's a deadline looming.  I think I need to go have some chocolate.  To bring balance to the universe.  You know.

Spud and Chloe - Knit Simple Giveaway

Spud and Chloe and Knit Simple have combined to make a terrific giveaway of yarn, patterns, and a copy of the Holiday 2011 edition of the magazine.  Too cool!  Get your free stuff!  Click here.