Knitting Purls

Station KPFF is Up and Running

When it comes to computers, I am not a moron. Though, I must admit, I'd be hardpressed to prove that this morning. I have the Station KPFF blog self-hosted, which is fine. However, I can't upload the first episode of Night-Night, Knitters for some reason. And I even have that supposedly nifty podcasting plugin.

Anyway, the first episode of Night-Night, Knitters is available. It is a short story titled Something for Mama by Natalie R. Imboden, chockablock with knitting references. You can download it here and hopefully soon on iTunes. I hope you enjoy it.

Introducing a New Line

We are happy to announce that Knitting Purls is the exclusive source for patterns from Fiona McCree Designs. Our first is Whee!, a sock pattern. It's toe-up and stranded. It's a great pattern for those new to colorwork--as well as for colorwork veterans. It's only $3.00 and will be delivered via PDF.

We Have Winners--and KALs

The first Knitting Purls Design Contest is over, and we have winners! Though there were entry forms for every category sent to designers, the only category with actual entries was the Children's category. So, we're awarding two prizes in that category. The first-place winner is April Strong for her colorwork cap. (Just a reminder, all designs for children were entered in the Children's category.) The Grand Prize goes to Laura Wilson-Martos for her Tilted Toque! Congratulations to both of our winners! The pattern for Laura's toque will appear in the next issue of Knitting Purls.

People have already asked if there will be a second Knitting Purls Design Contest. Could be. We'll just have to wait and see.

The Winter Warmies KAL over in the Knitting Purls Ravelry group has been overwhelmingly successful. In fact, we're already planning new KALs. Signups are under way for the Toe-Up KAL; you have until February  15 to sign up for that one. On February 13, signups begin for the Spring Stash-Buster--Colorwork KAL. We'll also be having a Summer Hotties--Cables and Lace KAL. For information on all of the KALs, check out the Knitting Purls Ravelry group.

The Scoop on New KALs for Knitting Purls

When we first started talking about a KAL on the Ravelry group, I was concerned that no one would participate. OK, I guess I might have been wrong. So, here is information about the next 2 KALs. We’re not doing signups yet. I just want you to have the info in hand.

Spring Stashbusters
Theme: Colorwork
Signups: February 13-February 27
KAL Begins: March 1; ends May 22
We’re going to do colorwork: stranding, fair isle, intarsia, whatever. And the items can be wearables or home use items. Think about using lighter yarns, as this is intended for spring. BUT, 85% of the yarn or fiber MUST have come from your stash. So, if your stash is looking a little pale, you have time to stock up. But, the idea is to whittle down that in-house stash so you’ll have room for more.

Summer Hotties
Theme: Cables and Lace
Signups: May 15-May 30
KAL begins: June 1; ends August 22
I know some people don’t associate knitting with summer, but there are all kinds of things that can be made. Plus, we encourage you to use laceweight yarn as much as possible. To qualify as a Summer Hottie, the object (wearable or otherwise) must contain lace or cables–better yet, both! It would also be great if at least some of the items were “green,” environmentally speaking that is. Of course the color green is good too.

I am hopeful that we’ll have prizes, but info about that will come later. And, of course we’ll remind you as signup dates approach. Oh, and lest I forget, Bev will be the coordinator of these as well.

Episode 7 Is Ready for Your Listening Pleasure

Finally, Episode 7 is ready! Just click here.
My heartfelt thanks to  Cheryl Kemp who saved the podcast after technical difficulties made it seem as though I'd have to record it all over again. The sound quality is "off," but that is from my problem.

Inside this podcast:

Sticky Notes

• You can still contribute to Knit 1, Eat 2, a cookbook for us fiber fiends. It will be available in softcover, ebook, and hopefully Kindle formats.
• The first Knitting Purls Design Contest is complete. Winners will be announced soon.
• Check out the Knitting Purls etsy store. You'll find the first kits available in the Just Add Needles(TM) line.
• The first shipment of the Knitting Purls Indie Sock Yarn Club will go out Friday, Jan. 23. I thank everyone for their patience.

And in Other News:

• Here are some fiber festivals on the horizon:

March 14: Fiber Fest, Alliance, Ohio
April 4: Knitters Fantasy, Youngstown, Ohio
May 2-3: Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, West Friendship, Maryland
May 23-24: Great Lakes Fiber Show, Wooster, Ohio

• Find out how you can be a part of Station KPFF.
• Find out what all the hub-bub is about in the Winter Warmies KAL over on the Ravelry Knitting Purls Forum, and learn what's up next.
• Opening eyes about LYS accessibility issues.

And please, be sure to check out our sponsors:

Dizzy Blonde Studios
Cables and Lace
Tempted Yarns
Zarzuela's Fibers

Episode 6 is Ready!

Yes, you can listen to and download Episode 6 of the Knitting Purls podcast series. In this episode you'll find:

Sticky Notes

• Don't forget to sign up for the Knitting Purls Indie Sock Yarn Club. Signups close on December 31, and you don't want to be left out. Just purchase through the PayPal store on the left.
• You can still enter the Knitting Purls Design Contest. The entry deadline has been extended to December 15, 2008. Request an entry form from [email protected].
• We have decided to postpone the Knitting Purls Indie Fiber Club. We are hopeful that we can start it in September 2009.

Features

• Do you have a question about knitting or fiber? Send it to You Wanna Know, a new column in Knitting Purls. If we select your question to feature in an issue of the ezine, you'll receive a prize. Send your questions to [email protected]. We'll do our best to find an answer.
• In the current issue of Knitting Purls, we talk about ways to save money with our knitting. Here you'll learn how to cut your knitting to save money.
• Is there a recipe you'd like to share with the world? Send it to Knitting Purls for publication in our cookbook Knit 1, Eat 2. A portion of the profits will be donated to Feeding America, formerly known as America's Second Harvest.
• Help keep America warm by contributing a square (or more) to Knitting Purls' Warm Up America afghan.
• Do you crochet? Do you feel left out in the online world of ezines? Sign up now for our new, free ezine Hooks & String. It debuts in January 2009.

Thank you for supporting Knitting Purls and our podcast during 2008. I am planning some big things for 2009, and I hope to have your support. Knitting Purls wishes you all the best as the year comes to a close and another looms just ahead.
Ida

Please support our sponsors:

• Dizzy Blonde Studios
• Zarzuelas Fibers
• Tempted Handpainted Yarns & Fibers
• Flawful Fibers

The Knitting Purls Design Contest

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at designing a knitting pattern? Here's your chance: The Knitting Purls Design Contest.

Yes, we’re hoping to find new design talent in the knitting world. The Knitting Purls Design Contest is open to all designers who have never sold one of their original designs for publication. Selling through your own site is allowed, but the pattern(s) being entered in the competition cannot have been sold anywhere. And, of course there will be prizes.

The contest is for original winter cap or cowl designs. Entries can be in any of these categories:

Children’s (all designs for children should enter in this category)
Adult cap designs should be entered in one of these categories:

• cables
• colorwork
• other

Cowls

Prizes will be awarded in each category. From the category winners, a grand prize winner will be chosen.

Participants can enter in more than one design, but be sure to indicate which categories for each. THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE. Signups will run from October 20 through November 20. Just to be clear, this is the deadline for signups, not for design submissions. To receive an entry form, please contact [email protected].

All designs should be submitted online no later than January 10, 2009. One cap or cowl must be sent to me no later than January 17, 2009, with winners announced January 20. Only entries for which I have received a completed cap or cowl will be considered for prizes. All caps and cowls sent to me will be donated to charity.

So, get out your graph paper, software program, scrap paper, whatever you use to design. Let the originality begin!

Episode 5 is ready for listening

All right, it took awhile, but Episode 5 of the Knitting Purls podcast is available for your listening pleasure. As mentioned early in the podcast, there may be a but more ambient noise this time, and I beg your indulgence.

A First Taste of Winter
The beautiful fall colors are giving way to the not-so-attractive colors of November. But, I'm ready for the cold with fingerless mitts and Snugabooties.

Stickies

• Just a reminder that the deadline for the Knitting Purls Logo Contest is fast approaching--November 1. Be sure to send you entries to [email protected].
• Signups for the Knitting Purls Indie Sock Yarn Club are still open. Please check out the PayPal store on the blog to subscribe. Signups end December 31.
• Help animals in need by purchasing the first Patterns for Paws. Designed by Wendy Johnson, the profits will be divided between The Lily M. Foundation and Purebred Cat Breed Rescue. There will be more patterns to come. Please contact [email protected] if you'd like to donate a pattern.
• Additions have been made to the Charities page in the Knitting Purls Ravelry Group.

Knitting Purls is in Love
But it's probably not what you think. She's in love with something found in most home improvement stores.

Are You the Next Great Designer?
Could be, and you might get your start in the first Knitting Purls Design Contest. The contest is open to all amateur designers. The subject: winter caps. To get your entry form, e-mail [email protected]. Entries close November 20. More information can be found here on the blog, in the November ezine, and of course on the podcast.

Check Out What's Going on in the Knitting Purls Ravelry Group
You'll be inspired by our Winter Warmies KAL

We're Almost a Year Old
In January, Knitting Purls celebrates its first birthday! And just how are we going to celebrate? With a new ezine, Hooks & String. Finally, something especially for the crocheter. To subscribe, send an e-mail to [email protected].

Get a Sneak Peak at the November issue of Knitting Purls

Please check out our sponsors:
Welsh Millie's Whimsies
Weaving Rainbow
Barknknit
Flawful Fibers
Zarzuela's Fiber

Come visit our etsy store

I've opened a KnittingPurls store on etsy. There's only one item listed right now, but I hope to add to both this store and our PayPal store (see the widget in the blog margin). If you'd like to sell something through either or both of our stores, please contact [email protected].

Knitting Purls Podcast, Episode 4 Now Available

You can now listen to Episode 4 here or on iTunes.



Sticky Notes:
    Winter Warmies KAL signups now taking place in the Knitting Purls Ravelry forum
     Don't forget the Knitting Purls Logo Design contest, with prizes donated by Zarzuela's Fibers

News:
      Needles and Skeins knitting guild has ideas for charitable knitting
       Think handmade this holiday season. Check out buyhandmade.org
       The first Knitting Purls Indie Sock Yarn Club is up and running
       There are new knitting magazines on the market
       Announcing the Knitting Purls Design Contest
       The Knitting Purls Brain Trust

Our apologies for the binging and bonging during one of the articles. Users of Entourage may recognize the sounds.

Please check out our sponsors:
Welsh Millie's Whimsies
Weaving Rainbow
Barknknit
Flawful Fibers
Zarzuela's Fiber