SomerKnits

Do you own something from SomerKnits?  Or something I knit before deciding to "brand" myself?  Have you knit up one of the patterns I have written? If you can answer yes to any of the above, then this promotion is just for you! During the whole month of January, if you send me a picture of yourself and the knitted item in action, I will send you a 10% off coupon good towards any future purchase.  If you send me 3 or more* pictures then you will be entered in a drawing for an awesome surprise (to be announced later). *To count as 3 separate pictures they must all be different.  Different locations, different knitted items, different people, different in any way as long as they still feature the knitted item. **Sending in any pictures during this promotion constitutes your express permission to post them here on my blog or on my website for promotional purposes.** So start snapping!  I can't wait to see what you send in! Somerknits (at) aim dot com

The list of things that I want to do is so long that I know it is ridiculous, but in relation to my knitting, here are my very lofty goals. This January I want to add some things to my line of handknits with a focus on little luxuries.  I will be using fine yarns, pretty patterns, etc.  These things may take longer (and there by cost more) but in the end I think they will be so worth it. I also want to get some children's things back in inventory.  Children's things don't seem to hang around long, so my goal is to try and have at least a handful on hand at all times.  Little hats, bows, etc. In between all that I want to still take a moment or two to make things for myself, Ben, and friends. I started my luxurious knitting this week with a lovely cowl for a girl I have known practically my entire life.  It was nice to knit on something super soft (90% superfine merino, 10% cashmere) while I was laying around being sick.  I am shipping her cowl off t...

Just a few of the progress pictures I couldn't post because I was trying to keep the gifts a secret.  Warping the loom and starting Mimi's shawl  Taylor's Felted Slippers.  The 19 row felted slipper pattern knits up super easy and looks really cute.  Next time I might try a toe embellishment though. This grey cowl I improved.  And I had put on Rav that I would post the pattern after Christmas, but I am going to have to count and then post it.  I do know that I used Bamboo Ewe yarn, size 10.5 needles, started out in the round doing k2,p2 than after a certain amount increased around to make the pattern now k3,p3.  Then I threaded a contrasting yarn through the holes formed in the transition and used that to gather the cowl.  Its super soft and you can gather the folds pretty much any way you like.  Two different cabled headbands.  The black one above is solid and gathered at the join.  The one below is similar to one at Anthropologi...

Once the Christmas knitting was done, midday on Christmas itself, I grabbed some chunky yarn I've had hanging around for a while and the pattern I had picked out for it.  Geez, I must have decided what to use this yarn for when I bought it, back in like March or April.  The yarn is a super bulky hand dyed by Bridgette of Farm Girl Fiber.  I had 2 of the giant skeins, I can't remember at all what the yardage was supposed to be in each one.   It took a little more than one skein to make this Acorn Head.  It's a hooded cowl!!  And I love it.  It was so simple to make.  I went with seed stitch even though the pattern is written for garter stitch.  Seed stitch has such an elegance to it and the change was easy to make.   I have worn it every time I have left the house since I finished it.  Last night when I really wasn't feeling well I left it doubled around m neck the whole time I was at my parents' house.  It's so cozy!  And...

Finally, all of the rest of Christmas. After having our own little Christmas, we headed over to my parents house for most of the traditional Christmas day hoopla.    It started out with my sister giving the dogs their stockings.    They really love getting new toys.    In the middle of the big Christmas day breakfast, while the house was full of people, Samson decided that he needed to sit in the chaise lounge with my sister.  He is a big boy for a lap dog.  Rachel brought over this wonderful bread that she and her friend had made.  I don't think there is much left, it was really yummy.  We took a traditional Christmas morning picture with the Rhea family.  My how the group has grown!!  We have such a good time having so many wonderful friends and family over for Christmas breakfast.  My mother's cinnamon rolls are famous throughout the land.    For my dad's side of the family I had decided to do a knitted Chri...

Christmas Eve is always spent at Grandma's house.  Our family is growing and that makes it even more fun/chaotic.    Aunt Karen  Dad's new fishing hat  Grandma - she hadn't even opened the present yet, but she looks pretty happy about the bow, doesn't she?    The babies all got piles and piles of presents and there was much oohing and awing and picture taking.  I received 4 new knitting books (!!!!) and had a fantastic time with my big crazy family.  It was loud and it was chaotic but it was fun and I am glad we are all still able to get together on Christmas Eve.  As time goes on and our family grows even more, I know that it will get harder because everyone has a million obligations and people they want to see.  But for now its still great! The next morning we would normally be at my parents place bright and early but circumstances were that we got to sleep in a bit and have our own christmas at home first.  I don't like tha...

There is so much about Christmas I want to share, it may end up a number of lengthy posts. First there was all that prep leading up to it that I didn't get a chance to share.  First was prepping and wrapping angel gifts. I wanted them to be perfect and special.  I used the same paper but made the decorations on each box different.  I really hope she liked them all, Next was making and packaging the potato soup mix I gave to family and friends.  Yum.  Then I spent much time finishing some large hand made projects.  I wove this shawl for my Mimi on the loom I got for Christmas last year.  It's so soft.  I used many different colors of the same yarn for the weft because my Mimi is a very bright tending person so I thought the color would appeal to her.  Its nice and long so she can wrap it around her shoulders and still drape it across her lap.    Then I finished a scarf that I started for Ben last September.  See, he spotted t...

Some past pretties to gaze upon. 2003 2004 2004 2005 2006 2007