Back in February, in the Creative Knitting eLetter, I wrote about the importance of finding your gauge swatch. When it comes to designing, swatching is something that I revel in because I find it utterly fascinating that everything you need is contained within a 4 x 4 square. For many knitters however, they just don't see the fascination because they want to get busy knitting! That said, it's even more imperative to find gauge-- most especially with garments because who wants an armhole made to fit a gorilla? To better explain this, I like to use this analogy- without the creation of your gauge swatch, it's like taking a trip covering new territory without a map, or gas in your car.

Like I said, I love the swatching process, but the problem for many is that it's tedious and then you're left with leftover squares of fabric in boxes or baggies. So let's solve the problem, and put those swatches to good use! The options are endless for the kinds of creations you can make from simple squares. Here are a few examples: change purses, blankets and lap throws, totes, coasters, hand towels, rugs.

As you can see below, I've put my swatches to good use by making a variety of change purses, embellished with high-end buttons.

Color-coordinating the swatches for my lap blanket.

Squares joined using single crochet stitches.



Right side of work showing decorative stitching in single crochet.



As promised, here are some fun, not-so-serious behind-the-scenes shots taken during the making of the July issue of  Creative Knitting magazine.  When it comes to working on the magazine, the photo shoot is the most dynamic part of the process because it’s during this time that the magazine comes to life. I’m constantly inspired when I observe our photographers setting up the shots so carefully, making sure that the composition and lighting are just right. Matt Bowen, freelance photographer started working on Creative Knitting magazine a few months ago, and his eye for design and composition is impeccable. In the shot below, you may wonder why Matt is on floor. In his quirky way, he may tell you he’s multi-tasking by trying to fit in a little nap between shots, but in reality, he’s a true artist at work. The cool thing about the shot above is that Matt found a way to give the illusion that the glass behind the model appears like sheets of blue water, without a sign of an outside streetlight or a car in sight!

Matt Bowen, striving to get the best shot.



Amy, working wonders with hair and makeup


The day usually starts pretty early, considering that in a typical day we can successfully shoot about fifteen to twenty projects, so this means we’ve got to hustle to keep things moving. The day begins with our talented makeup artist, Amy Ish, who works wonders with hair and makeup. Then, our talented photo stylists, who I fondly refer to as “The Tammies,” Tammy Liechty and Tammy Steiner, handle the logistics of the day. They are the queens of multi-tasking, and they pull each shoot off without a hitch. Then of course we have our gifted photographers, Matt Owen, and add on “B” and you’ve got Matt Bowen. If it weren’t for these two guys, we wouldn’t have as much fun as we do, and I’d miss all the silly jokes and constant laughing that keeps us all motivated throughout the day.

Matt Owen photographs the beautiful Misti

Work it baby, work it!

The elegant Jessica poses so gracefully.



A girl's gotta take a break sometimes!



Just this morning, I received a delightful email alert from one of my favorite online mags, Knitchmagazine.com, and to my surprise the email contained a link to my exciting interview, which you can check out here. Thanks Knitch! I also realized that with the very first sentence is a link to this blog. Woo hoo. Pretty cool. But it was also a wake up call to get busy tapping that keyboard.

Yes, I'm guilty as charged for not posting over the last several weeks, but with a darn good reason.  January was a very busy month, and I'm still recouping from all of my travels. Promise, no traveling for awhile. As you already know, I headed to Long Beach to attend TNNA, back in the beginning of January. You can still read my eLetter about my exciting finds here. Then a short two weeks later, I headed to my beloved Big Apple for Vogue Knitting Live. It was a whirlwind weekend, but I connected with old friends, and made some new ones too.

Let me bring you up to speed since I last wrote. I'm now embarking on pulling together my debut issue as editor of Creative Knitting magazine. It's a really exciting time because I'm in the midst of working on the biggest part of the issue. So many exciting things go into this process, and it's tedious and time consuming work. What sparked my desire to sit down and write today was a much-needed break from proofreading and copy writing! Next week, I'll be heading out for the July photo shoot, which we'll be doing on-location. You'll be impressed by the breathtaking shots soon to come your way. I'll keep you posted, and maybe slip in a little "hint" about what you'll be seeing in a few months!

Until next time......

I just returned from an exciting time in Long Beach, Calif., this past weekend attending The National NeedleArts show.  It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with designers, yarn companies and other industry professionals all in one place. There's something so magical about being under one roof with a bunch of people that all share the same passion!

Long Beach marks the first time in several years that Creative Knitting magazine had booth presence. The goal was to increase brand awareness for both Creative Knitting and Crochet!, both published by DRG Publications, and to bring attention to our popular knit and crochet pattern books.

Me with Carol Alexander, editor or Crochet! and Crochet World meeting attendees

I'm constantly amazed by the new products featured at TNNA. This time around, I couldn't get enough of all the new finds that will be coming our way in the months ahead. Here's some eye-candy for your viewing pleasure!

New from Lantern Moon:
Here are some exciting new confections from Be Sweet. Bambino Taffy is a fun cotton and bamboo self-striping yarn. All you need is one skein for the Sweetie Pie hat pattern included on the label.
 Also from Be Sweet: Bubble Ball yarn, made with merino baby weight yarn, strung with 25 felted balls per skein. Perfect for embellishing scarves, accessories or garments.



And then there was an inspiring collection of knitting bags and notion keepers at Namaste. This spring, Namaste is partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, by donating 10% of each light pink product sold.

Let's not forget the people who make these shows so inspiring! It's not often that we get to see little ones on the show floor. Here's Owen, who really stole the show with his felted fedora. He was mesmerized by looking into the camera, as babies often are. But finally, I got a side shot of his memorable little hat. 
Last but not least, my eye caught this super-funky felted ring. I just couldn't resist asking for a shot of this striking little creation!

After my family and I enjoyed a non-traditional Christmas dinner of home made egg rolls, along side a nice bed of blanched broccoli on a bed of risotto, I sat chuckling as I read Barbara Walker's commentary on Elizabeth Zimmermann's instruction for a ribbed turtle neck: pick up a multiple of 4 stitches around the neck and work in knit-two purl-two ribbing until you're sick of it. That's pretty much how I feel right about now as I'm in the midst of creating a bottom-up pullover that I started back in October. It's actually a cowl neck, but the same principles apply.

I've been doing nothing but ripping back because I'm so darn indecisive. I've had the bodice ready on waste yarn for several weeks now, patiently waiting to join with my sleeves, that is, if I ever finish them. I started off with an all-rib sleeve, then embarked on a short row funky bell sleeve. I didn't quite like the look of them, so I proceeded to make a traditional bell sleeve. Then at about six inches up, I decided that a bell sleeve is not in, so guess what?  I went back to a ribbed sleeve.

Sure, it would be nice to wear this before the winter's over, but I'm really just enjoying the process. For the first time in years, it's nice to design something for myself, without a worry about this becoming a pattern in my collection. When I first set out to make this piece, I decided that I would allow it to evolve and change along the way if necessary. Sometimes, some interesting things can evolve on the needles, that you can't translate ahead of time on paper. I would often cross my fingers after sending out a new design to my sample maker, hoping that what I put down in technical terms would translate to what I had envisioned.

The boys out sledding

Oh no, it's Mr. Snowman!

On a different note, it really has been quite a memorable first Christmas here in Indiana. We had a little snowfall overnight, which officially makes this a "white" Christmas. We all went for some fun sled riding this afternoon and spent the rest of the day watching silly movies like Scrooged and A Christmas Story, eating apple pie and drinking cocoa.

Spending the day with my boys makes me feel truly blessed, and grateful for the many gifts I've been given. Life's too short, and as I get older I realize that more with each passing day. Sometimes work can just wait, and doing a little "nothing"can be one of the most productive and replenishing things we can do.

You may not think beans and and chocolate go together, but when you taste these brownies, you'll be convinced they're a match made in heaven!

If you won't take my word for it, try them for yourself.

Enjoy!

Preparation Time:  5 min Cooking Time:  30 min Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Ingredients

	3 item(s) egg
	16 oz canned black beans
	3 Tbsp vegetable oil
	4 Tbsp Hershey's Cocoa, Special Dark
	1/8 tsp table salt
	1 tsp vanilla extract
	3/4 cup(s) sugar
	1/2 cup(s) semisweet chocolate candy

Instructions

Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips together in a blender or food processor until pureed. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased 8x8 cake pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

The overwhelming urge to pour through old photos in order to clean up some disk space came over me at 4 A.M. this morning. While going through my files, I was surprised and inspired by what I uncovered. If it wasn't for my insomnia, I may have never given some of these photos a second thought.

Some time ago, (pre-life-of-a-full-time-editor) I used to document my works in progress, or projects that I'd like to revisit later. I would often take a photo of specific stitches, or balls of yarns, and in this case, 4" x 4" swatches, arranged by color for a future blanket I had in mind.

The Power of The Swatch
About 15 years ago, I first learned the importance of swatching is relation to knitwear design. Taking the time to swatch with several different kinds of yarns, stitch patterns and needle sizes is the imperative first step in determining a design. Everything you need to know about that yarn is "programed" on that perfect little square: stitch and row gauge, drape, texture. Deborah Newton, the "queen of the swatch" encourages this elementary process in her book: Designing Knitwear. I will always hold this book near and dear to my heart, because it gave me my first "Ah" moment about designing. Reading her book helped me to learn and apply new methods, and helped me gain a greater understanding about how to design knitwear.

I just so happens that Deborah has also authored a new book by Leisure Arts: Warm Weather Knits. As the title implies- this book is a compilation of knits to wear during the warm months of the year. Deborah reviews the types of yarns suitable for warmer climates, such as cotton, bamboo and other natural fibers. She also discusses how versatile warm weather knits can be no matter what time of the year. As a former Floridian, I can say safely suggest that light-weight knits can certainly come in handy during the cool Florida winter months!

Ethereal Dream

Ethereal Dream, a soft billowy scarflette, is a perfect project for the beginner. This piece is made in Kid Silk Haze by Rowan, and knits up beautifully on a size five needle.

With the holidays fast approaching, we're all short on time. Scarves make the ultimate gift, because they take little time, require little investment and offer stunning results.

Get out those favorite needles ready, grab yourself a copy here and get busy!
 

 I was there to talk to knitters about three new exciting DRG/House of White Birches books: Circular Knitting Redefined, The Perfect Finish and The Divine Drop Stitch.


I also had a chance to chat with designers and teachers that were in attendance. Here I am with Lily Chin, signing some of her new books, and teaching some of her wildly popular classes at the Festival.