I was so excited to learn last week that Etsy finally added automatic digital delivery as an option for sellers. I've been waiting for this for years! As soon as I heard, I immediately went over to etsy, and revamped my defunct shop that I set up back in 2010.

I always loved the idea of selling on etsy, but before they added digital delivery, it just wasn't a practical option for selling my pattern pdf's. I tried it for a while, and eventually gave up because it was too much to keep track of the orders. I'm really excited about my new and improved Knit Darling Etsy store though, so I'm having a sale to kick things off!

The Sale:
I'd love for you all to come visit my new shop and help me promote it! To show my gratitude for all my wonderful fans, I'm offering my readers a discount.  For a limited time only, get any of my patterns sold on Etsy for 30% off with this coupon code: KNIT30

Feel free to tweet, post, or holler at you neighbor about it! Thanks so much for your help.

KnitDarling patterns finally on Etsy! RT to help me spread the word and get 30% off with coupon code: KNIT30 etsy.com/shop/KnitDarli…

— Alexis Winslow (@alexiswinslow) April 23, 2013

 

The simplest definition of "blocking" is the application of moisture to your hand knits to effect some kind of change. The process might also include heat, steaming, and stretching, but at the core, it's just wetting then drying. The most important thing to know is that blocking will often result in a change of gauge and a smoother fabric texture.

Below are 5 tips that might not be obvious if you're new to the block (pun absolutely intended)

1. Block your swatches the same way you block your finished thing. Write down the gauge measurements before and after to establish a working gauge. This lets you know if you're on track as you knit your garment. I also like to use small swatches to try out different blocking techniques. If you're knitting with a superwash yarn, and you intend to wash and dry your finished thing in a machine, no blocking is necessary, but you should absolutely wash and dry your swatch to determine the correct gauge for your pattern.

2. Wait until its totally, completely, bone dry. If you try on a garment before its dry, you might accidentally stretch it out or deform all the shaping you did in the blocking process. Blocking sort of locks the stitches into place, but not until all the moisture evaporates.

3. Use a fan. Some fibers are very absorbent, and can take forever to dry. It's absolutely legal to speed the process by placing the piece you're blocking in front of a fan.

4. Block to your own measurements. Your knits become very malleable when they are wet. Use this as an opportunity to further tailor your garment. Use pins to shape and stretch areas that could use a little more room.

5. Use different blocking methods for different purposes. I use wet blocking for most everything, but sometimes all you need is a little bit of steam from your iron to get your stitches to lay flat. It's also possible to combine the two methods if you really want to stretch out your stitches, like maybe for a lacy shawl. Applying a little extra steam to something that you are wet-blocking seams to lock the stitches into place better. It should be noted that applying steam or heat to your fabric will drastically reduce it's elasticity, and shouldn't be used on areas like ribbing. If you never intend to wash your finished thing, a light spritzing of water from a spray-bottle and a few pins might be just the ticket.

Do you have any little tricks you've picked up along the way? I'd love to hear them in the comments below.

This is part of my ongoing "5 tips" series. Future topics will be weaving-in ends, swatches, and substituting yarn. I would love to know if there is another topic you would like to see me write about.

3 lucky winners will get a free pattern
Tweet and tell me which Winsome Knits design is your favorite for your chance to win a free pattern! Be sure to mention @alexiswinslow & @Knitpicks and if you're feeling particularly nice, please include a link back to knitdarling.com.  I'll announce three winners on Friday, February 22nd. Every tweet counts, so tweet often!

**UPDATE: Congratulations to the winners: @pdrite, @RegencyKnitter, and @carriejayknit! Thanks to everyone for helping me get the word out. I really loved hearing which pieces were your favorites. Be sure to keep an eye out for future give-aways. I've got a few things up my sleeve, well actually more than a few, if you count those loose ends I never weaved in!

Winsome Knits, my newest pattern collection,  was just released on The Knit Picks website. This collection has been almost a year in the making, and I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.

an ebook format as well as in a full color beautifully printed soft cover book. Knit Picks is also offering digital versions of the individual patterns on their site.

I am really excited about all of the pieces in this collection. My goal was to make each design entertaining to knit. To achieve this, I incorporated motivating design elements like striping and unusual construction techniques. Also, some of the patterns are just plain quick and easy, and would make wonderful gifts.

Check out the rules for my Winsome Knits twitter contest for a chance to win a free pattern!

THE WINSOME KNITS COLLECTION

MOUNTAIN LAUREL EAR WARMER
This easy to knit ear warmer ties at the back, and features optional flower and leaf embellishments.



This design uses stripes to accentuate its unusual modular construction.


CARDIGAN
This cozy cardigan features a variety of interesting knit-purl textures and has a similar construction to turnstone.


CANOPUS MAGIC SCARF
This color blocked scarf transforms into a super cozy draped cowl or hood, and is right on trend.


ROSENDALE SLOUCHY HAT
This cute slouchy hat features a fun knit-purl stitch pattern that helps the hat slouch in an attractive way.


WESTFALIA TASSELED FRINGE SCARF
This surprisingly fun to knit lacy scarf would look great knitted in a variety of yarn weights.


I'd love to hear what everyone thinks about the collection! Please leave me a comment below. Also, I'm planning a contest with Winsome related prizes. So check back soon!

It's been pretty quiet around here at KnitDarling because I've been busy working away on some super awesome top-secret designs for my upcoming book. I'm so excited about each one, and it KILLS me that I can't share them with you.

With the "half deadline" for my book just around the corner, I have been knitting up a storm –like an F5 tornado type storm (you Okies know what I mean). I have to hand over 1/2 of my patterns along with the samples in less than a month. Since I also have a full time day job, I have had to adjust my schedule to fit in the mountain of extra work. I wake up early to knit with my morning coffee; my needles are in hand during my subway commute every day; I'm busy during my lunch break, and I'm usually stitching away until midnight or later every night. I'm not complaining; I'm just happy that I finally have an excuse for this behavior!

My darling husband has been very patient, but the other night after a marathon knitting session that went far past bed-time, I found this New Yorker cartoon placed on my pillow:

[caption id="attachment1755" align="alignnone" width="580" caption="(cartoon by Harry Bliss)"]<a href="http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/Enough-New-Yorker-Cartoon-Printsi9345721_.htm">[/caption]

Do you think he's trying to tell me something? I'm thinking a vacation might be in order.

When is your favorite time to sneak some knitting in? I love to get up early before my husband to watch the sun-rise with some coffee and a lap full of yarn.

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”.

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.

[caption id="attachment1713" align="alignnone" width="580" caption="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!"]<a href="http://www.knitdarling.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Newcowlmedium2-KD.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1713 " title="Newcowlmedium2-KD" src="https://knitdarling.s3.amazonaws.com/attachments/367/blog/Newcowl_medium2-KD.jpg" />[/caption]

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.

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.