I finally finished all my Christmas shopping, so I’m going to reward myself with a long meandering blog post. If you (or someone you know, wink, wink) is still looking for a gift for the knitting inclined, you should check out my “Gift Guide for the Knitter In Your Life”.

The only thing I could add to that list are stitch markers as a stocking stuffer. My darling husband recently confessed to irreverently vacuuming up any stitch markers he sees while cleaning. I’m happy he cleans, but his disdain for stitch markers raises some questions. This explains why I go through a couple packs of stitch markers every year. Sheesh!

I’m always curious about new knitting products. What would you add to my list?

While Christmas shopping on Smith Street in Brooklyn over the weekend, the window display of La Casita Yarn Shop caught my eye. Check this out: a tiny knitted version of Smith Street.

Here’s a photo of the street from Google Maps. Their attention to detail is incredible!

The only thing that’s missing is Santa’s sleigh on one of those rooftops

La Casita always has interesting window displays, so I usually walk on their side of the street to see what’s new. I’m lucky to have such a gem of a yarn shop so close to home! The ladies who work there are super friendly, AND they serve wine and cookies.
Yarn + Wine = Awesome (the unofficial motto of my knitting club)

I can’t believe how much money we have raised for Hurricane Sandy relief in just one week. In this very short time, we have raised almost $800 with sales from my Caring Cowl knitting pattern! Though my fundraiser continues, I am donating this amount to the Red Cross now to help those in immediate need.

This fundraiser has far exceeded my expectations, and all due to my awesome fans here at KnitDarling.com. I never could have reached so many people without your help. Nice work guys; I really appreciate you!

There are many people still in need, so my fundraiser (as well as my giveaway) will continue until the end of the year. Check back for updates!

From now until the end of the year, I will donate all proceeds from my pattern, The Caring Cowl, to the Red Cross to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. In addition, if you help me spread the word, I will send you a free pattern of your choosing (any from my Rav Store). *details at the end.

The Caring Cowl is a super quick fun knit that is perfect for gifting. The pattern is easy enough for beginners, but still manages to be entertaining, not to mention ultra hip!

As you all know, I live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan. The last week has been surreal. Last Sunday (one week ago) we were gathering supplies, and hoping for the best. The weathermen stopped using the cute nickname “Frankenstorm” and starting calling Hurricane Sandy the “storm of the century”. I actually saw an Oklahoma “storm-chaser” on TV who traveled to NYC for what he thought would be a storm on the scale of Hurricane Katrina. People living in “Flood Zone A” areas were being asked to evacuate (just a few blocks away from our apartment). This was terrifying.

Honestly, my experience being in the hurricane was not that bad. Our lights flickered quite a bit, but I still managed to get a lot of knitting done. We lost television reception and internet, so we played board games and made up a new cocktail recipe. We stayed up late, and slept-in the next morning.

We faired pretty well in this neighborhood of Brooklyn, but it would be 3 more days before we made contact with my parents who live in lower Manhattan. I probably called them 100 times. I was sick with worry. Finally on Wednesday, they showed up on our doorstep, haggard and with all their luggage in tow. They had been in the dark for days, both literally and figuratively. We showed them all the devastating pictures coming in from Breezy Point and Atlantic City, and our hearts were broken, but at least we were together. They stayed with us until today, when their power was restored at their apartment.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words of support. Everything turned out okay for us, so it is now time to turn our compassion outward towards the folks who have really been affected.

** Please help me spread the word about my fundraiser! If you tweet, post on Facebook, or include a link to Caring Cowl or this post on your blog, I would love to send you a free pattern from my Ravelry Store. All you have to do is comment below with your pattern choice and include a link to your mention. Thanks again!

Interweave Knits just came out with a new ebook, and my Chivalry Mitts are on the cover! The ebook is a collection of 5 color-work patterns that would all make great gifts. It also includes an interesting article about color theory, where Beverly Roberts explains the concept of color blending, a technique that uses two different colors of yarn held together for interesting visual effects.

I love the patterns they selected, but found the article particularly inspiring. I come from a painting background (check out my paintings), and now work as a printed textile designer, so I think a lot about color. I haven’t tried the technique of blending two colors of yarn, but I’m eying my stash right now getting ideas!

In fact, my Chivalry Mitts design was inspired by the colors of yarn I had in my stash. One time, I went a little nuts and ordered like 10 different colors of Knit Picks Palette yarn. I was trying to choose yarn for my Broccus Gloves design, and just kept hitting the “add to cart” button. When the order came, I lined up all the balls on my coffee table to see what two colors would work best. I remember how bright and cheerful that Caribbean Blue looked next the Raspberry Heather. Though it wasn’t right for the design I was working on, I just knew I had to do something with that combo.

I was delighted to see that Interweave Knits chose my design for the cover of this ebook! This design was one of my first to be published. I submitted it in response to a call for entries for Knitscene Magazine. I remember being so nervous that my package wouldn’t make it to Colorado by the due date. The design is customizable and includes an alphabet for you to fill-in what ever initials or symbols you want on the thumb gussets. I was afraid that the magazine wouldn’t go for that kind of thing, but it was worth a try! I was over the moon when I found out it had been accepted to Interweave Knits Gifts Magazine!

The ebook is available for purchase on the Interweave Store. The Chivalry Mitts pattern is still also available for purchase individually here.

Aside from all my knitting shenanigans, I’ve been busy pouring my heart and soul into my own little start-up called CharitySub.org. We’ve grown steadily since our January launch, and are now giving away almost $2K every month, which feels awesome!

For those that don’t know, the whole idea is that if everyone in our group gives just $5 each, collectively we can make a big impact for a charity that could really use a little extra help. We start over every month with a new cause, and 3 great organizations.

It’s all possible through the power of “collective giving”, so the more members we get, the bigger our impact can be. This month, I’m making a big push to grow our membership base, and I’d like you all to sign up!

Check out this fun stop-motion video I made with my animator buddy, Jake Armstrong:

If you’re not sure that you can afford $60 a year, I understand, but before you decide let me sell you on it a little more:

1. It’s a little tiny, totally hassle-free and easy thing that makes you feel really good every month.
2. You can pick which charity gets 100% of your donation, or if you’re too busy, we will divide it up among the three.
3. You’ll get to learn about 12 important causes, and 36 awesome organizations every year, (and we won’t give out your email address to anyone)

PLUS, If you sign-up and comment on this post with your member number, I’ll send you a free pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store!

So go ahead and sign-up! It’s so easy to make a big difference. AND I would love you forever.

My very talented and adorable seamstress friend, Chris Bobin, just got back from a trip to England. While she was there she visited the Imperial War Museum and picked up these interesting post card versions of old wartime prints asking women to lend a hand.

Chris gave me the one on the left, and she kept the one on the right (appropriately).  Don’t you just love the little button feet and the thimble hat on that guy? And that tangle of yarn is a sight I’m pretty familiar with.

They are both a really interesting look into England’s dramatic WWII history. They are so lighthearted and whimsical. It’s hard to imagine how terrifying those times must have really been.