KP IDP: another design for your knitting pleasure ....

... and just in time for the warmer weather:

Victoria's Tee (XS - 5X):  Paired with a close-fitting undertop or all by itself, this year-round top is sure to please.  A flattering fit is obtained by the unique construction of this top: the body is knit sideways in a traditional Victorian-era lace-edging pattern and then the bodice is knit in the round, finishing off with the slight capping on the shoulder and a wide, squared-off neckline.  As fun to wear as it is beautiful to look at, this design is knit with an easy care cotton-blend yarn that looks and feels wonderful to wear.  

  

The design is $4.99 for download 

from Knit Picks' site (where you can order the yarn and the design at the same time!)

or

order from my Ravelry store (buy now).

NOTE:  This makes a nice round one-dozen designs for Knit Picks!

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs

bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Here's where I'll be in the next few weeks ...

... why don't you join me?

First, on April 9th, I'll be the main speaker at Dog House Yarns 1st Annual Knitter's Retreat out at Graves Mountain.  My morning talk will be on "The Ins and Outs of Using This for That" ... in other words I'll be talking about substituting yarns and how to avoid making expensive (both monetary and time) mistakes.  For all of you who want to sub non-wool for a wool pattern ... or don't have the $$$ to knit up a musk-ox sweater ... this is the talk for you!  We'll talk about fiber, blends, why designers use certain yarns, and generally have a wonderful time talking knitting all morning.  After an all-you-can-eat luncheon, I'll be leading two break-out sessions:  "short-rows" and "tips & tricks".

Then, on April 16th, I'll be heading down to Bedford, VA to participate in the Olde Liberty Fibre Faire, where all the proceeds go to Bedford Hospice House.  I'll be available at two times during the day (more specific details coming) to explain short-rows and discuss substituting yarns.  Stop on by and I'll be happy to talk about whatever problem, question, or issue you're having with your knitting.  One of the time-slots, I'll be with Jane in the Spring Gate Farm's booth -- she'll have my cashmere patterns for sale as well as her luscious Virginia-grown/raised cashmere fiber.  The other time, I'll be hosted by Leslie of Greenberry House ... she's got amazing stuff, too.  Note: there will be no food available on-site at the OLFF - the organizers, in their infinite wisdom, opted to avoid having food vendors.  Which means, BYOL and save the money for shopping (or there are tons of places right outside the location).

Don't you need a fiber fix?  Mark your calendars, grab your needles and knitting and be sure to stop by and say hi if you are able to attend either (or both) of these fiber-rich events!  Fiber -- more than a breakfast option!

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs

bhwh.mary@gmail.com

I'm back ...

... after my two-week, self-imposed internet hiatus (did you miss me?)....

I'm not sure about whether I'll get the miracle (I'm just going to leave it in God's hands), but I do know that I had a very productive two weeks -- lots of changes ahead, some book reviews to post and two new designs ready for your knitting pleasure:

"Victoria's Tee" is available for immediate download ($4.99) and is sized from XS-5X.    Knit in a fingering-weight, cotton-acrylic blend, this is a great year-round top -- looks wonderful over something or alone!

Malcolum's Cluthar (very rough Gaelic translation for Malcolm's Cozy) with cap and toy cube is available for immediate download (4.99).  The blanket is knit in worsted weight, organic cotton and the cap will fit a baby 0-6mo.  The cube is a large, 7-inch toy with bells buried deep inside for the baby's amusement.  A lovely set for a dear friend's first baby.

Oh, and for those of you in the area (or want to come visit):  I'll be the morning speaker (as well as doing a couple of afternoon sessions) at Dog House Yarns' knitting retreat on April 9th out at Graves Mountain.  Stop by and say hi if you're able to come out and join us!

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Prayer, fasting and abstinence for a special intention ...

will mean this blog will be on hiatus for the next 14 days.

We have seen a house that is available for sale ... an 1838 house that is in a perfect spot, cutting dh's commute 30 minutes EACH way, near all the friends we have down here, and more than 1.5 acres around the house (so LOTS of play area for the kids). I SOOO want to move to this house ...

BUT

we'd need a major miracle to have all things come together. In asking God's divine providence to "kick in", I am planning to fast (drinking only tea/water/coffee and not eating any sweets), to pray more (by going to daily Mass and carving an hour out of each day for prayer time), and to (and this is a BIGGIE for me) abstain from the Internet (by only checking email twice a day and not doing anything else online).

We are asking for a clear sign from God whether or not to pursue this house ...

So I will update you all on this intention on March 1st (which is also String Bean's 11th birthday). Will you please add your prayer to my self-imposed sacrifices while I'm away?

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

KP IDP: my tenth design just went up!

I now have a total of 10 designs available on Knit Picks' website, the latest being the Cabled Cottage Cozies.  Here are quick links to these designs (both available on the KP site and in my Ravelry store) for immediate download:

 Cabled Cottage Cozies (KP - $3.99) or Ravelry  $4.00

 Celtic Closure in sizes XS-4X (KP - $4.99) or Ravelry $5.00

 Completely Cozy & Reversible Scarf for Him - (KP - $2.99) or Ravelry $3.00

Elegant Eliza Ballerina Bunny - (KP - $2.99) or Ravelry  -$5.00 (the Ravelry design has Exquisite Edgar Bunny included)

Season-Spanning Cardi in sizes XS-1X - (KP $4.99) or Ravelry $5.00

Fun Felted Saddlebag with matching accessories case - (KP $2.99) or Ravelry  $3.00

Memories of Eire vest in sizes XS - 1X - (KP $4.99) or Ravelry  $5.00

 My Favorite Sweatshirt and Mitts in sizes XS-5X (KP - $4.99) or Ravelry  $5.00

 Patrick: An Irish Lad's Jacket in sizes 2T to 10 - (KP $4.99) or Ravelry   $5.00

 Rib Tickler Hoodie in sizes XS-1X - (KP $4.99) or Ravelry  $5.00

My Ravelry store has lots of other patterns for immediate download ....
check it out and let me know what you think!

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

More Easter knitting ... Eliza and Edgar Bunnies!

Here's a great addition to the Fabric Baskets I posted on Sunday ... Elegant Eliza and Exquisite Edgar! 

These knitted bunnies are 13" and 15" inches in height and are easy for little hands to hold.  Since they're made in one-piece with removable clothes, little ones can pull and play and chew and play and not tear these dolls.  Knit in worsted-weight, washable cotton (the samples shown were knit using KP's Comfy Worsted),  the dolls are easy-care, too!

Wouldn't your little ones love these in their Easter baskets?  For $5.00 you can download this lovely pattern for both bunnies ... just click the button! 

You can check out this and my other knitting designs on my Ravelry site ...

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve
By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Easter knitting .... a fun set of nested baskets

... that are "green", too!

 

 

I just finished writing the handcrafts column for the Spring issue 2001 of mater et magistra, an issue with lots of editorial space dedicated to celebrating Easter.  And what better way to celebrate than to make a set of nested basket knitted using a re-purposed sheet?

If you don't want to wait for the Spring issue (altho, if you are Catholic and have kids -- even if you DON'T homeschool them -- you probably WANT to subscribe) ... this pattern is available for immediate download from my Ravelry store
($4.00 for the pattern which includes tips on working with fabric "yarn" and other info).

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com