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Knitalongs: Give Aways & Progress

It is, perhaps, a bit confusing to be participating in one knitalong while planning another.  Confusing, but fun.  So, first things first.  The Sunday night yarn give away winner for the Adventurous April KAL on the Elliebelly Ravelry Group is Jamlknitter.  Lisa, message me on Ravelry and I'll get your yarn on the way to you in time for cast on!

If you aren't Lisa, don't worry.  There is still time to enter and win some Elliebelly yarn before the KAL starts on April 1, by leaving a comment to this post, before next Friday.

Yarnbath

In the meantime, any guesses about what color my yarn, in the dye bath above, is going to be?  This photo is a little bit reminiscent of the dress that took the internet by storm a couple of weeks ago.  What color do you all see?

Eyes

And, for the Malabrigo March KAL, my Monkey's eyes arrived today.  I've got three different options to choose from.  I'm almost done with the first leg, so perhaps we will be to the point where we can have an eye test soon.  The pattern calls for you to do the monkey's muzzle last — right now his face is just the big round blob you all saw last week.  But I'm glad to have the eyes ready.  I'm hoping to finish Monkey up next weekend.

 

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Adventurous April KAL & Yarn Giveaway

As may of you know, in April, we have a knitalong on the Elliebelly Ravelry Group.  Adventurous April is a chance to knit with old friends, make new ones, and end up with a fantastic finished knitted object, because with the support of this group, you can get all the help you need with your knitting.

We knit for the fun of it and have very few rules.  Our start date is April 1, but you can and are encouraged to gather your yarn and needles, review your pattern closely, and swatch before then.  You can knit with any yarn you like, and since Elliebelly is no longer sold, there will be a few giveaways to make sure those who would like to try it have that chance (see more below).  We have an Adventurous April Chat thread here if you have any questions about joining, the KAL, the patterns, or, if you just want to introduce yourself.

image from images4-d.ravelrycache.com

This year, the KAL has three categories.  First, there will be a group knitting Antarktis, Janina Kallio's clever one-skein shawl pattern, which works in any weight from fingering up to a light worsted (I'm thinking about you, Plucky Primo Worsted).  The sign up thread is here.

Next up is the stuffed animal/monster thread. We started out talking about my March Monkey, everyone shared their favorite toy pattern, and in the anarchy that always characterizes our KAL, we've decided to have a "knit the stuffed toy of your choice" group.  The sign up thread is here and it includes lots of ideas.  I'm thinking about the Wild Thing, but am equally tempted by C is for Cat.

Our last KAL sign up option is for people who want to try a new technique, but with a friendly, supportive group around them.  I have always sworn I would never attempt steeks, but with Adventurous April, you never know. Any technique of your choice is the order of business here — a new cast on, first attempts at lace, beading, magic loop — challenge yourself and have an adventure.  Sign ups are here.

image from images4.ravelrycache.com

To get you started with KAL yarn, we've got a little giveaway.  First up is yarn for Antarktis.  Sign up for the KAL, and then come post here in the replies.  We'll have one drawing Sunday night and then two more on Friday the 20th.  Winners will get their choice from among the new colorways I've been experimenting with — I can't wait to see some of them knit up! (And yes, the deep blue colorway, which is a new one, Homemade Dress, is dyed on the return of Elliebelly's Angel sock yarn if you're after some luxury.)  In addition to those pictured above, there is a glazed gray colorway called Crake, and an edgy gold called Oryx.  If you need a little encouragement to take the plunge and sign up, I hope this will do it.

Graygold

In addition to this giveaway, there will be at least one more with yarn for the stuffed animal category. Come along and adventure knit with us!

 

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Hanukkah, Knitting and Elliebelly Yarn

What would the first night of Hannukah be without gifts? Specifically, yarn. Because what else does a knitter want for the holidays?

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Every Tuesday on the Elliebelly knitting group on Ravelry, we post on our Take A Picture Tuesday thread and share what we're working on. All projects are welcome, no matter what yarn you're knitting with. Since the first night of Hanukkah this year coincides with our Take a Picture Tuesday thread, this week, I will do a few random drawings to send Yarny Hanukkah gifts to posters next Tuesday.

So come post your works in progress or even your works on hold. Post a picture of yarn you haven't cast on yet and what you're thinking about knitting with it. Or post your recent swatching.

The holidays give us a chance to be our best selves and knitting is definitely a part of that for me. Invite your friends to our party and post up all the Yarny goodness for inspiration, motivation and just plain fun. We can't have dreidles and latkes on line, but there will be yarn!

Hanukkah, Knitting and Elliebelly Yarn

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What is Your Favorite One Skein Pattern? (Blog Give Away)

Last week, I wrote about knitting small projects and enjoying the meditative value of simple knitting. So, now I'm curious: what is your favorite one skein knitting pattern?  If you tell me about your favorite pattern in the comments, you will be entered in a drawing to win yarn for your pattern choice!

Best

One skein patterns can be quick and satisfying. (Pictured above, Ellie, knitting a Cherry Branch Hat out of Elliebelly Basilisk).  Especially during the hottest part of summer, one skein knits are great projects.

In the comments below, tell me about your favorite one skein pattern.  It doesn't matter if it's written for Elliebelly yarn or not, because, patterns can be adapted to different yarns as long as the weight and drape is a good fit.  On July 1, we'll have a drawing to pick one lucky winner from the entrants.

Here are some of my other favorites one-skein projects from Ravelry knitters to get you started:

ShellBelle76 knit Malabrigo Hand Thingies in a skein of Elliebelly Coventry Cashmere.

Handthings

Angelicasays did a Rainbow Wave from Elliebelly Angel Sock.

Sedona_Wave

Squeakybeans knit some Toast armwarmers from a skein of Elliebelly Ellie-Blue Blue Faced Leicester.

Toast

What beautiful projects by a group of amazing knitters!  Post your comment below to enter the give away.  I'm looking forward to seeing what your favorite patterns are!

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Elliebelly Knit Along Announcement & Elliebelly Give Away (Merlin Merino)

We are closing in on the start of the first ever Elliebelly knit along, which will begin on Saturday, August 13.

If you haven't already, pick out a pattern!  This is a free style knit along — you knit the pattern of your choice using any Elliebelly yarn.  Along the way, we'll have fun, prizes, and knitting support.  I'm looking forward to featuring everyone's knitting on the blog so we can all see each other's works in progress.  What a great way to get some late-summer-anticipating-fall-knitting started!

Still wishing you had some Elliebelly in your stash?  Here's a bit to help out.  A quick giveaway to give faithful blog readers a quick chance.  This is two skeins of Elliebelly's Classic Merlin Merino in "Fire Dragon."  Merlin is a 3-ply merino and there are about 560 yards in the 8 ounces up for grabs here.  Post in the comments, telling me what you will use this yarn to knit in the knit along and I'll pick a winner Sunday night, so get your posts in quickly!

Pixie

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Blog Give Away: Some Yarn for the New Year

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If you need a little yarn inspiration to get the new year off to a good start, you've come to the right place!  Leave a comment below and I'll have the kids draw a random name on New Year's Day to send this yarn on to.  Make sure I've got an email contact for you, or come back to check and see if you've won!  (My apologies, but I can only ship to a U.S. address)

This is a very special yarn from Sheila at Wool 2 Dye 4, one of my favorite places to buy luxurious, but well priced, undyed yarn.  In addition to being incredibly nice, Sheila has the knack for sourcing some of the finest base yarns around, and she always seems to be first with new ideas.  This yarn, Sheila's Sparkle, is a blend of Superwash Merino with just enough nylon so your knitted item will hold its shape, and a little bit of Stellina for sparkle.  We aren't talking tinsel bright here — just enough sparkle to give your new pair of socks a little bit of whimsy.  It's perfection and as an added plus, the yarn was lots of fun to dye.  The give away skein is 438 yards of lovely sock weight yarn in Elliebelly's Pink Love colorway.

Thanks Sheila, for giving us another wonderful yarn to place with!  In addition to the give away skein, I dyed a skein for myself, to use for Ellie's Barn Raising Quilt. 

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