quiet usually means busy

While it's been rather quiet here on my blog, I've been quite busy with my knitting needles. Two very exciting opportunities came my way about a month ago, and I said yes to both of them! This means I'm having loads of fun, working much harder than I'm used to, and making very cute things I can't share with you yet.

Over the past few weeks I've been too caught up to have much chance to write to you, but hopefully I will have a little more time next month. However, since I can't share my current knitting, maybe you'd like to hear about some of the other things I do? I sew as much as I can find time for, usually clothes for myself and other family members, sometimes little things to brighten up my home. I also adore gardening, and my gardens are coming along nicely this year. I also enjoy cooking, and I've shared some recipes in the past. Maybe I will post a few of the dishes my family likes best right now. I hope you'll enjoy reading about all of these things.

Sadly, I've had to put on hold the pattern I'd planned for early summer release, but there are some other things for you to look forward to. I plan to update one of my most-loved patterns for a September release, and that I can definitely share with you. I've also been thinking about reorganizing and expanding the clothing bundles I sell. Would many of you be interested in that?

Until then, I hope you continue to stop by, and I'll talk to you soon!

(P.S. The photos are from a recent trip to Vermont, for my birthday)

tiger lily

Quite unexpectedly, I received a book in the mail last week - Stitch n' Bitch: Superstar Knitting by Debbie Stoller. Inside this book is a secret I've been keeping for about 3 years, and much of that time, I wasn't sure if I would ever get to share it with you. You see, at the very end, on page 344, you will find a pattern by me. Crazy, eh?

You will notice that this is my original Tiger pattern. I was actually asked to submit this pattern for the book (even more crazy). Afterwards, I decided to change the one I sell, so it wouldn't compete with Debbie Stoller's book. I really love the new design, and asked if they would rather have that one, but I guess they decided to stick with the original. It's in good company, for sure, as the whole book is one beautiful pattern after another (I may need another break from knitting toys, after I have a good look at everything in there).

I'm not sure if this is going to change things for me. It still feels a bit unreal, as I did the work so long ago, and the book was released just last week. I suppose I will have to wait and see how many people make it to the very last pattern, and come looking to see what else I've done.

do you watch pbs?

You might want to check out the show Knit and Crochet Today on January 21 (you'll have to check your local station to see what time the show airs, if your station carries the show, that is). That episode is called Adorable Toys (click on Season 2, then Show 212), and my Fuzzy Lamb pattern is one of their features! This is one of the big secret projects I worked on last year, and had to wait so long to tell you! But the preview and pattern are up on their site, so I guess it's okay to finally spill the beans! (I borrowed their photo, since I didn't take one of the finished toy) (also, the pattern is slightly different from the original one and the version on Ravelry, but not too much so)

It was quite a surprise when they contacted me last spring, and the project was a lot of work in a short time, but I was so happy to be picked that I couldn't have been more pleased! It took me a whole weekend of knitting (about 10 hours each day, or more) to knit all the step-outs of the pieces to be used on the show, not including the finished toy. Of course, the whole time I was thinking, "I'm so glad I don't design sweaters!" I couldn't imagine knitting all the steps for a big project in the amount of time available. Candi, the lady who worked with me on the project, was so amazingly helpful with my million questions about everything. I must have seemed pretty naive when they first contacted me, but it all seems to have worked out in the end.

Sadly, I don't have cable (or even a TV) so I won't be able to watch the show. Maybe some of you will be able to let me know how it goes?

zipped lips

How do you like this growing batch of cuties? With these big orders of toys, I've been knitting up 2-3 over several days, then assembling them at the same time. It's so fun to have a bunch of new cuteness to cuddle at the end of the day. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment. The fuzzy yarn I used for Hannah the bunny is suri dream. I'm in love with this yarn! You need to knit it on 3.75mm needles so the stuffing doesn't show, but it's soft, silky, and fuzzy, and you can get 2 toys from one 50g ball. The colours are quite lovely too.

I have a big secret project coming up, and I'm a bit scared about the amount of work it's going to involve in such a short time. (I'm sorry I can't give you more details right now, but rest assured I will let you know what it's all about when I'm allowed) I keep telling myself that I made it through university just fine, and I work better under pressure. However, I do tend to get super grumpy, even while I feel good for working so hard. I'm complicated, I guess. What it means, though, is I might not have time to make the Fuzzy Knits kits for my Etsy shop. I might list a couple of the books, and maybe have a couple kits with just yarn, but I don't see myself having time to sew the bags.

I made some excellent soup and bread this weekend, so I will try to post about that when I get a photo, if we don't eat it all before then. It's Hungarian bean soup. Would you like me to post the recipe too?