End of the Year Sale!

Treat yourself!!

A big thank you to the biggest year Knitted Wit has had yet!! Today through January 1st enjoy 25% off the shop, excluding kits & fun section. Use code inventory25 to save!! 

I'm so excited for what 2013 holds for all of us!! Happy New Year!

Happy Solstice!

I hope your winter is off to a cozy start! We had a great time getting a tree today! Still looking for the perfect gift? Check out the shop! Hat kits! Lego scarf kit! Join the CSY and get yarn for the next six months!! Winning! www.knittedwit.com

Happy Birthday SALE!!!

I'm so excited to celebrate my birthday with you!! I've had an amazing year, and I think 2013 is only going to be better! Celebrate with me and save 32% all day, Friday, in the shop. Use code BIRTHDAY when checking out. Not eligible: anything in the Kits & Fun section of the shop. I stocked lots of pretties in the shop, including new colors!
Shop early and often for best selection! http://www.knittedwit.com If you're in the Portland area, stop by Twisted tonight! I'm brining cupcakes to share and would love to see you. How fun to have my birthday party at the shop!!

Bazaar Bizarre!

Are you in the Bay Area? Stop by the Concourse and say hello!! I have so many gift ideas and kits for you to knit up.

I also sent out the December newsletter. Did you miss it? Here it is!!! http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ac1173fa6d8b0bf3f6877877d&id=7ddd4b1770&e=f9651a9a5a

Last Call!

All American closes today! Sign up for 4 shipments of American made yarn and four beautiful patterns! I hope you'll join us on this adventure!

Today is the last day to sign up for CSY and receive an extra skein. Sign ups are open through December 15, but the free extra skein ends today! I'm so excited about CSY: Fingering Edition. I'm especially excited to try out a few new to me yarns and see if they stick.

I had an extra logo sticker so I decided to put it on the garage door and claim the space! I can't wait to have a more productive work space. Join CSY and help make that happen. The shop takes gift cards so don't hesitate to ask Santa! ; )

CSY: Why it's important

I got back a few days ago from California, and what a great time I had! I had so much fun hanging out with dear friends, and relaxing. I hardly even knit! I let myself just do nothing and be in the moment. Pretty great to have no worries for a few days!

Being back home I'm wanting to make changes. I want life to run a little more smoothly, I want systems for everything! Having Knitted Wit in our house, working outside of the house a few nights a week, Eric working full time in the mornings, and now Eli in school, our life is filling up fast. There is nothing in our schedule to get rid of so we need to be smarter about how we use our time.

Making Knitted Wit more efficient is where we want to focus. Moving all the dye work into one space, the garage, and adding water and a sink is the best way to do this. That's where you come in! Buy a share of the Community Supported Yarn: Fingering Edition and help us be more efficient and productive! You'll get six skeins of yarn over six months, all fingering weight yarn.

How does this differ from a club? There really isn't a major difference. You buy a membership, I send you yarn, that's all the same. The difference to me is the relationship we're building together. You get to know what your money is building and how it's making a difference. You get to be a part of Knitted Wit being more productive and efficient! That means more yarn and fiber available for you! That means more time with my family for me! This all sounds like a winning plan! Sign up for a membership, give one as a gift to your knitting friends!

Make sure to sign up for the newsletter in the upper right hand corner, someone will win a set of stitch markers from Starlight Knitting! There will be a small shop update tomorrow around noon.  Shine, a merino/blend, will be going up. I have limited numbers so shop early!

Community Supported Yarn: Fingering Edition

Are you ready for CSY: FE?! Did you miss out on the last CSY and are ready to join? You are all in luck!! With the weather changing and a new dye style, I've realized that Knitted Wit needs to be indoors to keep up with production. Crazy that dyeing on the back patio in 45 degree weather isn't fun, right? That's where Community Supported Yarn: Fingering Edition comes in. Buy a share or as many as you want and help Knitted Wit grow. The CSY:FE will help fund adding a water source to the garage. Right before Eli was born we finished the garage, it has nicer windows than our house! All it needs is a water source to be a terrific dye house. I'm hoping once it's up and running I can offer classes  and open dye times.

There's a few changes with this CSY. Like the title says, Fingering Edition, your share will only be fingering weight yarn. There will be six different yarns over six shipments, with the first one shipping out January 15th, 2013. Each share is just $150, with a value of $165. Purchase your shares before November 15th and you'll receive a bonus skein making the total value $179! Shares are available November 1st -December 15th. Perfect for the gift giving season!

Want more details about the yarn? I'm most excited about a super wash Corriedale/nylon blend. I've been wanting a new sock yarn that's more hearty and this just might be the ticket! You'll also be the first to try the new Bling. That's right friends, I'm going to try a sparkle yarn again! Two favorites will be back in the mix. Binary and Cashy Lite are CSY favorites, and mine too. They'll be back for this round. Two other new yarns: Merino/Tussah Silk blend and a Blue Face Leicester yarn that reminds me of a jumper yarn. It is soft and takes color so richly. Wow, I can't wait to get started!

If you're ready to join, hop over to the shop and sign up! Thank you for your continued support, I wouldn't be where I am with out you!

It's been busy

We managed to squeeze a quick trip to the pumpkin patch, we were in and out in 13 minutes! We've been having so much rain, this was the driest day for us to get there. Note to self, go earlier in the fall, even if you're in full denial of fall!

They are getting so big!! Eli ate 3 bowls of cereal the other day!

I've been very busy dyeing. You can always tell when it gets so quiet around here! I dyed close to 70 pounds for Knitting Lab, are you coming? I'd love to see you! I'll have so much yarn and so many colors!!

3 drying racks crammed into the kitchen. We have the heat on, the oven open after cooking beets, a heater on and a fan blowing. Crossing fingers it's all dry in time!

You can't see in this picture, but it is pouring down rain. Dyeing on the back patio is loosing a little bit of it's appeal. Thankfully it is covered, but wow. I was a little damp after 10 hours of dyeing outside!

Yay pineapple express and the drenching!

And now we're squeezing in Halloween. I'm flying down to California Halloween day so I'm glad we got to have a little dress up fun today. Eli is going as Darth Vader, his favorite. Owen is a reluctant R2D2. Eric did a bang up job on the costume! 

I'll be back with a big announcement on November 1st. I'm hatching a plan to get out of the weather!

WIP Wednesday: I need a hat

The cold weather doesn't seem to be going anywhere, and I've realized I need a few things to stay warm. Mainly a hat. While I've been knitting away on Owen's sweater, I might have to put it down so I can have a hat to wear! And who doesn't need an excuse to troll Ravelry for the perfect pattern and cast on a new project?!

What's on your needles? What are you casting on?

Feature Friday: Fall Colors!

A quick post to let you know there's some new pretties in the shop! Some really fun fall colors on super wash merino fingering yarn and a few beautiful skeins of DK, Polwarth and silk. I'm taking the weekend off, the only yarn I'll be touching is my knitting. So crazy!! Orders place between today and Monday will ship Monday. Thank you so much! Oh! A quick reminder!! You can find Knitted Wit at Rhinebeck!!!! Can you believe it?! Find Morgaine at Carolina Homespun and tell her I sent you! And give Brooke a hug, I miss her. She's 3 hours ahead of me!

 Crunching Leaves

 Autumnal Prime

 Witches Brew

Feature Friday: Fiber!!

The shop is loaded with fiber!! 

I couldn't help myself, I started spinning Green Man, Shimmer Polwarth.

Happy weekend! I hope its full of spinning!

{Among Friends} All American

{Among Friends} All American is open!! We are so excited about this club. We'll be knitting with wool that has been grown and processed here in the US. There will be four shipments, with four patterns. Sincere Sheep, Curious Creek and Knitted Wit will be dyeing up all this beautiful yarn! The designers we're featuring are Julia Farwell Clay, Kira K Designs, Christina Wilkins, and Sivia Harding. Wow! Such an amazing line up!!

Because we are focusing on small mills, and specialty yarns we are limiting the amount of spaces in this club. Sign ups are open today through November 15th, or when we sell out. We hope you'll join us on this next adventure as we tour US mills!

I'm mixing things up and getting my spinning wheel out. I'm going to dye up some Polwarth/silk fiber, I'll show you on Friday! That's when all the pretty fiber will be in the shop!!

Feature Friday: Just Barely!

Yikes, it's late! I'm sneaking this post in before Saturday, but just barley. I don't have a specific pattern to feature today, so I thought I'd tell you about a few things keeping me busy!

• Mini samplers got dyed today and I just might do this monthly. There are so many colors I wanted to include but couldn't! What do you think? 
• I was assigned my booth number for the winter TNNA! Let the planning begin!!
• Best of the Northwest is going great! I think all the goodies are picked out, I can't wait to have my own box!
• I'm pretty sure Golden Delicious and Purple want to be made into a striped something. Maybe a juicy cowl. 
• I'm driving to California on Wednesday with the boys. Super excited for our road trip! Knitted Wit will be at Lambtown!!

Gotta get in two stitches before bed!

WIP Wednesday: Hiro Petite KAL

Have you started knitting your Hiro? I am smitten with this pattern! I started with the sleeves as my gauge swatch. I've decided to go with small needles and knit a giant size. I really prefer the fabric of the smaller needles

Giant project bag from A Needle Runs Through It. Convo her for your own sweater box bag!

The swatch on the left is the smaller needles. The one on the right is a little too loosey goosey. 

My wonderful Rockefeller is cruising along. I am on the i-cord bind off and loving it!

This fun little hat is headed to the purple hat campaign. Still plenty of time to knit one up!

I squeezed in a little update for the shop this afternoon, Shine, Cashy Lite, and Silky N Plied are available! I start dyeing up colors for the Mini Sampler, make sure you sign up quick, they'll be shipping Monday!

Tell Me Something Good Monday: OFFF

Wow, what a weekend!! Thank you to everybody that stopped by. I had such a great time connecting with you all and seeing all the lovely knits. I truly look forward to this weekend all year and I can't wait for 2013!!

I managed to cast on my Hiro Petite for the fall KAL on the drive out Saturday. I'm off to a pretty great start! I'm keeping this short so I can sneak a few rows in before bed. Happy knitting!

Feature Friday: Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival

I hope your weekend plans include a visit to Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival!! I am so excited for this weekend. 

Brooke, from Sincere Sheep is already here! Michelle Miller, from Fickle Knitter, gets here today! Our booth is going to be one fun party all weekend long.

I'll have new colors, new yarn and sale bins galore. We'll be out on the lawn facing the barn, I'll see you soon!

WIP Wednesday: Actual Projects!

On our work-cation to Seattle I got some knitting done. I finished up my Fauve Hat, super love it! I need to sew in the ends, but it's a cute little hat. I'll have kits at OFFF for you to pick your own colors!

Fauve Hat modeled by a monkey

My Rockefeller shawl is going so great! I have 4 rows of brown and then the bind off. Clue 3 is so close to being done!! After this clue 4 is just striped wings. Easy Peasy. I'm feeling pretty good about casting on for Petite Hiro on Saturday. Alright, back to knitting. I want to get through these 4 rows!!

Tell Me Something Good Monday: Our Dog

We had a beautiful weekend in Seattle and a great time with everyone at Fiber Gallery! Thank you so much to everybody that came out and visited!! There are some beautiful projects about to happen.

Sunday morning at Golden Gardens park. 

While we were in Seattle our dog Jake went up to Oma's house for the weekend. Jake is a german shepherd and a pretty serious one. He was a show dog as a puppy and won blue ribbons, but his trainer had an incident with him and returned him to Eric's aunt, the breeder. We got him at about 1 1/2 in 2005. So, we're driving home and Oma calls me to let me know how the weekend went. 

Oma and Jake got up to the mountain, they live near Welches on Mount Hood, and she showed Jake where the water was. She was about to play some fetch to wear him out before putting him in the pin and her girl shepherd gave a growl on the other side of the door. Oma has two girl dogs that tend to beat up on Jake now that he's a little older. We all know this and keep them separate. Well, the growl was enough to spook Jake. He bolted! Oma hopped in the trekker to go find him and checked in with the neighbor who saw him run by. All night they called for him but he didn't show up. 

The next day they get a call from the Clackamas County Animal Shelter, Jake had been found. An elderly couple that volunteers at the humane society decided it was the perfect day to go for a drive on Mt Hood. They found Jake one mile east of Sandy, 15 miles from Oma's house. He was on the south side of highway 26, so we think he didn't cross the highway. He was headed home!

We are so grateful that someone stopped and helped our dog and knew what to do! Jake is chipped and they were able to track him to us. Since we aren't able to get in touch with the couple, I thought I'd shout it from the blog to the universe, thank you. We are so happy our dog is safe at home! Yay technology and kind people!

Owen being silly at the restaurant! 

small disclaimer on this post, I've caught the crud from the kids. If this story isn't complete in some way I apologize! 

Future WIP Wednesday: Mini Skein Club

Welp, I thought of some more fun we could have! What do you think about a mini skein club?! I'm a little excited!! What's your favorite thing to knit with mini skeins? Are you making a Beekeeper's Quilt? I would love to make seat cushions! Or what about teeny tiny things? Lets get knitting!
Here's what you'll get when you sign up:

these are a sample of the colors, not what will be shipped

• 15 seasonal color mini skeins, most will be semi solid with a few variegated colors incorporating the semi solids. Think falling leaves, maybe some halloween fun!
• Each skein will be 45 yards, enough to knit 3 hexi puffs.  
• You can purchase as many memberships as you want, but the total is capped at 50. Mini skeins take a lot of time and work!
• Of course there will be some fun little ditties snuck in there 

a sample of the colors, not what will be shipped

I will be offering this again January 1st, taking a dive into winter colors. Returning members will have first dibs! Have questions? Let me know! Sign ups are open! 

As for my current WIP, I haven't made a dent on my mystery shawl. Ughs. But I am just about to cast off on  my Fauve hat! I just need some dpn to finish the top of the hat. Then I promise to get back to the shawl! I want to get a majority of clue 3 done before starting Petite Hiro for the KAL.

And if you're already dreaming of the weekend, don't forget you can see me and all the pretty yarn at Fiber Gallery! Saturday and Sunday we'll be surrounded by lovely yarn!

Tell Me Something Good (Tuesday): 9/11

There are many reasons I didn't get a post together for Monday, but mainly I wanted to talk about 9/11/2012. This year marks 11 years since the event. I've seen advertising for volunteering and making the day a day of service. I think this is a beautiful idea. What are you going to do? I've wanted to do different service days with the kids but not sure how to participate. I would love suggestions. Here is to a more peaceful world. Full of understanding and acceptance.

Feature Friday: Knitted Wit

I'm so sleepy and I want to knit! So I'm keeping it short and highlighting a few of my favorites in the shop. Happy Weekend!!!

These colors make my eyes so happy! If you're interested in full skeins or would like the color on a different yarn please let me know!

Straight up fall! I would love to knit up a striped blanket in these colors!

I'm knitting a cowl in this right now. I love it! The blue pops out and makes a great contrast!

Work in Progress Wednesday

Can I just say, September?! What?! This is just crazy! I did get through to clue 3, yay! I'm having a little trouble carving out time to keep working on it, but I'm going to keep on keeping on. I keep seeing ones finished and they're beautiful! (Rereading this I'm realizing you might not know what I'm talking about. I promise to put up a picture of my Rockafeller shawl next time!)

These guys have been keeping me busy of course. Eli starts preschool friday and I'm just a little excited. But I'm really sad my teenager baby sitter started school this week. This mama needs a break! It's crazy how a pile of dirt and a few cars can keep these kids busy! It did require a bath half way through the day though. Some how they both ended up pantsless. It wasn't pretty or clean.

Bing Cherry, Paprika, Yams, Toffee Crunch, Salted Caramel

I've also made some new pretties for the shop. I've wanted to expand the colors I offer to yarn shops, so I've started with fall pretties. I'm so in love! Hope over to the shop and pick up a sampler pack. 

I managed to loose one of my project bags yesterday so I lined up my next project. No, that's totally normal. Right? The picture is a bit weird, but I think the hat is going to be smashing. There will be loads of kits to make your own at OFFF! 

I might have also wound up yarn to make Owen's sweater. I'm a little excited to get started!! Thursday is the last day to get your sweater order in time to cast on for the fall equinox. If you have any questions about color or quantity let me know!

Tell Me Something Good Monday: Days For Girls

Days For Girls (DfG) was one of my inspirations for doing this type of blog post. They are an inspiring non profit making a difference in girl's daily lives. The idea is giving girls and women the independence to live their daily life with out it being interrupted by a menstrual cycle. I'll just say it, I never considered this. Girls and women living with out access to pads and tampons are stuck at home for a week. That means 12 weeks a year girls aren't in school. 12 weeks a year women aren't going to work and earning money. This is crazy!

Days For Girls steps in with sewn pads, bags and ziplock bags to change this. Such a simple idea, but it is making a big difference. Along with providing materials, DfG does training with men and women about how the body works, sexually transmitted disease prevention, and general community building. These freshly trained people then go back to their community and pass on the knowledge. Does it get any better?! Yes! With you!! Please visit their website and see where you fit in. Like to find bargains? Stock up on ziplock bags when they go on sale. They're the perfect mini washing machine. Have left over fabric? Get to sewing pads and other goodies to help.

Quick updates:

• The winner of Lee Meredith's new hat patter, Wobble Bass, is...Eileen Brokaw! She likes the Carbon and French Kiss together, totally agree! Eileen, tell me your Rav name and I'll send it over!
• Today is the l.a.s.t. day to join Community Supported Yarn. The first yarn is all ready to go in the dye pots on Tuesday! 500 glorious yards of merino/cashmere/nylon to start the party! 
• Thursday is the last day to get your order in for yarn for the Hiro sweater for the fall KAL. You can order after Thursday of course, but it might not be ready for cast on. 
• Have you seen the shop?! A few new pretties were added!!

Feature Friday: Wobble Bass Win a Copy!

Lee Meredith, of Leethal Knits, is a bit of a knit genius. She has wild concepts that knit up into beautiful, wearable garments. She asked me about an assortment of yarns, three different weights, six different colors and made this gorgeous hat.

Wobble Bass in Cedar and Brown Sugar, picture belongs to Lee Meredith 

She is also a generous knitter. She covers numerous techniques in her patterns with tutorials. She gives you the skills you need to tackle out of the box concepts with confidence. Wobble Bass will be the perfect quick knit for a fall hat. The pattern is written for all weights yarn and is easily adaptable.

All three color combos she used in the pattern are available in the shop, along with a few other ones. Etsy only lets me put up 5 pictures, so if you have two colors you'd like to see together just leave it in the notes. The etsy listings are for preorders, so please allow a few days for me to dye/dry/rewind and mail out.

 Cedar, Brown Sugar

 Prussian Blue, Yellow Brick Road

 Beaujolais, French Kiss

 Canopy, Thistle

 Peacock, Picante

 Prussian Blue, Moody Blues

 Prussian Blue, Picante

 Brown Sugar, Yellow Brick Road

 Canopy, French Kiss

 Thistle, French Kiss

 Peacock, French Kiss

 Carbon, French Kiss

 Carbon, Beaujolais

Carbon, Prussian Blue

Lee was very generous to give away a pattern to a reader. Leave a comment with your favorite color combination in the shop! Contest closes Sunday night, winner will be announced Monday!