pdf pattern sale changes

With everything we have to do before our new baby arrives, keeping up with email has gotten to be quite a chore. In order to give myself a bit of a break, I've decided to stop selling patterns on Etsy. However, my Etsy shop will stay open for selling toys, kits, and other odds and ends when I have time to make them. It's always been a bit of a pain selling PDF patterns on Etsy, since I have to list them individually, email them on time (hoping that the email address provided actually works!), and try to keep up with which ones are sold out.

Instead, we'll be switching pattern sales to Ravelry (my website already has a handy link to my shop there). You get to see a lot more info about the patterns, a download link is emailed to you as soon as you pay, and you never have to worry about a pattern being sold out. Besides all this, Ravelry is a great resource and community, and well worth exploring if you love to knit and crochet. Because I won't be able to offer the discount pattern bundles there, we're going to reduce the price of most patterns (excluding a few which are already cheaper there).

Unfortunately, we'll still have to sell our printed books through Lulu (the printer), since Ravelry only does PDF patterns. I know this might be a bit confusing, but the book pages on Ravelry do link to my Lulu shop, if you prefer a paper copy of the books.

I plan to get this done tomorrow (Feb. 23), although it will take me an hour or so to change all the pattern prices on Ravelry. Hopefully this change won't be too confusing for you, and will free up my time to answer your questions and contribute to Ravelry discussions.

pookies now available

Can you knit just one of these cute critters? 

The pattern is now available on Ravelry and Etsy (the difference in price is due to fees, but you don't need a Ravelry account to buy the pattern there, and you don't need to wait for me to email it!).*

Here are the main details. Pookies are bean-bag animal toys in 3 sizes (3", 3 1/2", 4"). To make a set of 3 toys (one of each size), you need 50 g each of 3 colours of worsted weight yarn. However, this is a great project for using left-over yarn. The toys are completely knit in the round, on 4 mm DPNs or circular needle (your choice). The ears and hood are knit separately, then attached to the toy. The pattern gives instructions for 5 ear styles: mouse/hamster, bunny, puppy, kitty, and bear. Other materials required are polyester stuffing, ¼ cup dried beans or plastic beads per toy, 3 pairs of 9 mm safety eyes, black yarn to embroider the face, tapestry needle, 2 stitch markers.

If you're a member of my Ravelry group, I would love some photos and feedback on the pattern, since these toys are very different from my other designs.

Happy knitting everyone, and I hope you all have a great day!

*I won't be listing the pattern on Lulu, because their fees are too high, and we're going to move away from selling anything but the books there.

a new design!

Goodness, I haven't been around much lately, have I? Well, I certainly haven't been slacking! There have been a few baby knits completed, 2 pairs of socks for Lev (never did get photos of those, and now they are much worn), a custom toy, and a new design!

The idea for the new design came to me from a bean-bag toy Lev was given for his birthday. I loved the size and shape of it, and was amazed by how much he enjoyed playing with it (aren't simple toys often the best?). I had fun over the holidays imagining how I could make my own version of a cute little bean-bag toy, and finally couldn't resist any longer. I know I had planned to spend this year updating old patterns (as well as, you know, having a new baby and all that entails!), but sometimes the urge to create will not be still.

I dug through my stash to come up with as many odds and ends of bright colours as I could find, and quickly knit up 5 of the little guys! Really, each one takes about 2-3 hours from start to finish. I decided on a knit-in-the-round design, as that was simplest, and I know many of you prefer knitting without seams (if you're still learning, this would be a great project for practice). I added stripes and a hood for extra cuteness, plus the opportunity to play with colour combinations.

I've written instructions for 3 sizes and 5 different ears/animals (4 are shown in the photo. The bear is not shown, as Lev claimed that one, and it's well-played with now). But it's super easy to customize the ears and face embroidery if you want something different - I bet a little person would be just as cute, with hair peaking out from under the hood!

I'm hoping to release the pattern very soon, but as always, it depends on when we can find time to get it all together (life with a toddler is never quiet). I hope you all like the new toy, and I really look forward to them popping up over on Ravelry!