Remember This?

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

- Jerry Herman

Note: this contest announcement originally ran last December, before 2010 got hijacked by the juggernaut that is Lord of the Rings. Today I am happy to announce that:

• it's on!
• the game is afoot
• go for it
• I'm sheepishly acknowledging my own procrastination (oops!)
• AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE PATTERN IS AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUAL PURCHASE OVER THERE>>>ON THE RIGHT>>> (also on Ravelry & thru Knitty Noddy, my partner for the Garden Variety Collection)
  

A couple changes worth noting:

1. deadline for entry is now December 25th (natch!)
2. Entry photos will be posted on the blog as they come in, with a separate page for all of them.
3. Winner will be decided by reader vote, instead of judging
4. Prize is a full set of Two Towers patterns, including the "In Dreams" mystery shawl KAL that will kick off the next leg of our journey in January.
5. You don't have to finish the scarf, just finish enough of one side that you can get a decent picture.

I think it will be lots of fun to see what everybody can do with this pattern. You can find the RAV KAL here.

How do YOU decorate for the holidays? Traditional? Avant Garde? (sp?) Red & Green bursting out everywhere? Tastefully understated?

Well, now's your chance to shine! One of my readers had a great idea!

I'm going to run a contest next December for the best "decorated" Spruce scarf.

I'm going to set up a KAL on Ravelry for the contest where we can all share ideas and links for beads & charms & such.

But you can't win if you don't play - Spruce is only available through December 25th


I love December - too much fun!

SPRUCE

Size:
16 in wide by 60 in long

Materials:
1300 yds. seasilk or other fingering weight yarn
1500 size 8 seed beads
110 star or other accent beads/charms
size 4 needles
crochet hook for beading

Gauge :
5 st = 1 inch (blocked)

Charted Design
Intermediate level

On your mark...Get set...GO!

what are you doing still here reading? I said GO! NOW! TIME'S A-WASTING...lol

OH YES! ONE OTHER THING : AM ALSO MAKING ENTIRE 2009 SERIES AVAILABLE FOR LAST TIME THRU END OF OCTOBER - STILL AVAILABLE INDIVIDUALLY AND ALSO UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH - ALL 5 PATTERNS (PAMPAS, DELPHIMIUM, ROSE, CHRYSANTHEMUM & SPRUCE) FOR $30 - SPECIAL DEAL AVAILABLE HERE ON THE BLOG OR THRU KNITTY NODDY

Philanthropy

"The word philanthropy has its roots in the Greek language meaning "love for mankind." It was never meant to apply only to donors of thousands or millions of dollars."

- Arthur C. Frantzreb

The knitting commmunity is answering Haiti's call for help in a big way. According to the Yarn Harlot, over $50,000 has been raised for Knitters without Borders. That is a lot of yarn, people.

I am proud to be a small part of that effort.

For every person who signs up for the Evenstar Mystery Shawl KAL, we are donating $1 to the effort - $309 so far.

I say we, because, though my debit card shows the charge, I consider it a mere funneling of $1 from every person who has been inspired by the message of fellowship and concern for others that lies at the heart of the LOTR saga.

You have given, not me. My personal donation is private, as it should be. The only reason I mention this effort here is to ask others to join with us and, together, make a difference in our world.

I encourage you to support this effort in any way you can. The need is great and time is short. Should you wish to donate directly to Knitters Without Borders, go here.

Great Britain has a wonderful philanthropic knitting project as I mentioned in December: P/HOP, which stands for pennies per hour of pleasure. They also raise money for Doctors Without Borders. Designers donate patterns and the patterns are used to solicit donations.

I have donated the entire series of 2008 Garden Variety Collection patterns, five in all. These patterns are retired, so no longer available anywhere else.

They have been very popular in the past & I am always fielding inquiries about their availability. My hope is that the patterns will live on in this way and continue to raise funds for a worthy cause.

The fine folks at P/HOP will be putting them up asap. In the meantime, there are many other fabulous patterns available there. I cannot think of a worthier way to knit intentionally in the coming weeks.

How fortunate we are to be worrying about things like what yarn to use, and when clues are coming out. Our homes are intact; our children safe; our needs, for the most part, well met.

Others are not nearly so lucky.

To quote Aragorn, "It is in Men that we must place our hope."

Thank you for your incredible generosity to myself, and much more importantly, the people of Haiti.

Going, Going, GONE!

"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."

- Abraham Lincoln

Only two days left to get Spruce , the free bonus pattern for the 2009 Garden Variety Collection. On Monday, January 3rd, this limited time offer expires.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

(sorry to have been absent this past week; have been on active grandparent duty. Boy am I whipped!)

tomorrow: Taliesin - delayed one day by aforementioned family obligation...

It's Not Over - Yet...

"It's not over till it's over"
-Yogi Berra

I hope all of you had a fabulous holiday and are now enjoying some much deserved downtime. I know I am!

This is going to be a very short post - I am taking the day to regroup & recharge before we head northward into the frozen wastelands of Michigan.


I just wanted to take the opportunity before the madness of a large family Christmas takes over again, to remind you that there is only one more week to get Spruce, the limited edition Christmas pattern for 2009.

This pattern is my gift, free of charge to any and all who purchase the entire 2009 Garden Variety Collection of beaded lace shawl. For those of you who may be new to this blog, the four previous releases in the series are:

PAMPAS

ROSE

DELPHINIUM

AND CHRYSANTHEMUM

$32 FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES THROUGH JANUARY 3RD ONLY.

2008 SERIES ALSO AVAILABLE (FOR THE LAST TIME)

I will be taking my laptop to Michigan with me and will be filling orders daily.

Thanks to all of you who have made the last month (and year) so special and memorable.

And now, for the last time...

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Thursday's winner is Crafty Cat & yesterday's winner is: Suz B Email me, girls...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

I hope some of you will continue to do so...

We Need a Little Christmas

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

- Jerry Herman

How do YOU decorate for the holidays? Traditional? Avant Garde? (sp?) Red & Green bursting out everywhere? Tastefully understated?

Well, now's your chance to shine! One of my readers had a great idea!

I'm going to run a contest next December for the best "decorated" Spruce scarf.

And the winner will get every single pattern - yes, that's right - every little pea picking idea that comes out of my head - that I publish in 2010 for a prize.

We'll need a couple judges also, so bear it in mind and let me know if lace just isn't your thing but you'd like to judge.

I'm going to set up a KAL on Ravelry for the contest where we can all share ideas and links for beads & charms & such.

But you can't win if you don't play - Spruce is only available through January 3rd (have extended deadline to allow for those of us who have no time to think, let alone, knit something for ourselves this busy holiday season - um - like - all of us?!?)

Pattern is FREE, exclusively to those who purchase the entire 2009 Garden Variety series: Pampas, Rose, Delphinium, & Chrysanthemum.

The button over there on the right sidebar puts the four already released patterns in your basket and Spruce in your email on Monday.

I love December - too much fun!

So-o-o-o-o-o...

MONDAY (MONDAY!) Spruce will go out in the email to all of your hot little hands!

I blocked her last night, will write her up tomorrow and give Evelyn at Knitty Noddy time to get her up on her website before sending her merrily on her way...

Wanna peek?

OF COURSE YOU DO!

SPRUCE

Size:
16 in wide by 60 in long

Materials:
1300 yds. seasilk or other fingering weight yarn
1500 size 8 seed beads
110 star or other accent beads/charms
size 4 needles
crochet hook for beading

Gauge :
5 st = 1 inch (blocked)

Charted Design
Intermediate level

So which of the pictures should I use for the ad & the pattern front?

I'm leaning towards one of the two above.

Let me know which one you like in your comments...

Pretty please with peppermint sprinkles and jingle-bells on top?

Here are a few more for your viewing pleasure this fine December day...

NO STASH SALE TOMORROW - BUSY WITH HOLIDAY JOY & SURPRISES!

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Lisa. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

O Tannenbaum!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They're green when summer days are bright;—
They're green when winter snow is white.
O, Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
How oft at Christmas tide the sight,
O green fir tree, gives us delight!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
Forever true your colour.
Your boughs so green in summertime
Stay bravely green in wintertime.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
Forever true your colour.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
You fill my heart with music.
Reminding me on Christmas Day
To think of you and then be gay.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
You fill my heart with music.

I don't want to gush, but could not BE happier with this design! It came together perfectly - first time - no frogging!

How many times does THAT happen?

hint- how often does hell freeze over?


Three tall trees stand in the forest, a little silver star hanging upon the end of each branch...


under the stars, which I randomly sprinkled across the sky with single silver beads

I even included the big dipper (over there in the upper left corner) and one big star dangle to represent the star of Bethlehem.


I love the line of beads & stars that make the ends of the scarf pop.

Face it. I love it all...

BUT!

HERE IS WHERE THE FUN REALLY STARTS!

I could change the name to Trim-a-tree.

Because you could go so many ways with this design.

You could get hang some of these multicolored silver lined beads on your trees. Don't they look like little ornaments?

Or if you want to be fancy-schmancy - some of these gold frames with Swarovski rivoli stones in them

I tried to steal pics but they won't let me - bah humbug!

Or you could hang some of these off the ends of the branches like icicles and put some of these snowflakes in the air.

You could hang candy canes on your tree.

Or you could get some of these and string them on a line of single crochet and drape like garlands on your trees.

Could a pattern BE any more fun???

You can make it your own personal statement of Christmas style.

Better than a sweater, any day of the week!

And remember...

this pattern is FREE, exclusively to those who purchase the entire 2009 Garden Variety series: Pampas, Rose, Delphinium, & Chrysanthemum. This is a limited edition pattern - available through the end of 2009 only.

The button over there on the right sidebar puts the four patterns in your basket and Spruce in your email this weekend.

Off to block - have I mentioned how much I LOVE MY JOB?!?!?!?!?!?

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: Annie. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Evergreen

Love soft as an easy chair
Love fresh as the morning air
One love that is shared by two
I have found with you

Like a rose under the April snow
I was always certain love would grow
Love ageless and evergreen
Seldom seen by two

You and I will make each night a first
Every day a beginning
Spirits rise and their dance is unrehearsed
They warm and excite us 'cause we have is the brightest love

Two lights that shine as one
Morning glory and the midnight sun
Time we've learned to sail above
Time won't change the meaning of
One love ageless and ever evergreen

- Paul Williams

What I enjoy most about designing is the joy of discovering something new - new yarn, new stitch, new design...

Just like love, creativity is "evergreen."

Sometimes it takes a lot of sweat and frogging and adjustments.

And sometimes I just fall into a design and it all comes together seamlessly.

That's what has happened with Spruce: the 2009 free Christmas pattern exclusive to the Garden Variety Collection subscribers.


Unfortunately, the pictures don't really do it justice. If I use the flash you lose the beads. If I turn the flash off, the pics are slightly out of focus. sigh...

See what I mean? This one is with the flash. Better focus but you really can't see the beads.

The color of the seasilk is Cedar. Mine is just plain old Cedar, but Evelyn at Knitty Noddy asked the geniuses at Handmaiden to throw a little extra blue into her pending order to get the color closer to a blue spruce.


The beading is silver and this one concentrates the beading on the ends. That way the knitting goes a lot quicker.


The beads really pop against the dark background.

The design highlights the star charms I found all sorts of places on line (I got mine at Artbeads)


The scarf has this really great line of stars along the bottom edge, then twisted rib sections flanking heavy seed beading in the rectangular section just above.

The main pattern then begins with this terrific lace pattern that looks just like little spruce trees.

And there is a little silver star hanging from the end of each branch.

Cool beans!

I LOVE my job!!!

Remember, this pattern is FREE, exclusively to those who purchase the entire 2009 series: Pampas, Rose, Delphinium, & Chrysanthemum. This is a limited edition pattern - available through the end of the year. The button over there on the right sidebar puts the four patterns in your basket and Spruce in your email next week.

And may your joy this holiday season be evergreen!

P.S. Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: high quality beads. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

Garden Variety SALE!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas 
Ev'rywhere you go; 
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again 
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow. 
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, 
Toys in ev'ry store, 
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be 
On your own front door."

-James Pierpont

Well, it's December and you know what THAT means...

Yup! It's time for a Garden Variety Collection Sale.

After all, we had Christmas in July. Don't ya think we should have Christmas in December?

I mean, it just seems natural, doesn't it?


So here's the deal:

Any time in December, you can still lock in our "Buy four, get one free" offer. You purchase the four existing patterns: Pampas, Rose, Delphinium, & Chrysanthemum, and I throw in the upcoming Spruce pattern (Dec. 25th release) as my Christmas gift to you. That's five, count em - five, patterns of beaded lacy goodness for the low price of $32. That's just over $6 a piece. Can't beat that!

And remember: These are limited editions. Spruce is only available through full season purchase.

But that's not all! Oh no!

Once again, we will be offering the 2008 series, for a limited time. This month only, you can purchase all five patterns of the 2008 Garden Variety Collection for the same low price - $32. this purchase includes Poinsettia, 2008's Christmas design, which is in limited release.



Patterns are available at this price only here on the blog and at Knitty Noddy. Just too complicated to try and offer through Ravelry...

Merry Christmas from Knitty Noddy and Sunflower Designs!

Chrysanthemum

"Drink dew from the magnolia in the morning and take autumn chrysanthemum's falling petals as food in the evening."

- Li Sao

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHAWL
the garden variety collection
$8
a beaded lace shawl
from the needles of Susan Pandorf


SIZE:
70 inches wide by 32 inches long

MATERIALS:
700 yds. Handmaiden Sea Silk or Mini Maiden in color: Origin
3000 size 8 Miyuke seed beads
#2422 silver lined topaz
34 accent beads (optional)
Size 5 (US) needles
Size 12 Crochet Hook, Large Eye Beading Needle, stitch markers


GAUGE:
one pattern repeat in wave pattern = 2.5 inches (blocked)

charted pattern; advanced intermediate level

Here is a link for the accent beads I used:

leaf beads

This full-sized shawl features a wavy pattern reminiscent of Chrysanthemum flowers

divided by panels of wine glass lace.

The open section in the middle mimics the rounded lines of the waves

and segues into a larger leafy pattern with ribbed points.

Mums are thought by the Chinese to grant longevity and strength. Don’t know about that, but I do agree with the Japanese who celebrate a festival of happiness to commemorate the flower.

May the pattern bring happiness to both the knitter in the making of it and the recipient in the wearing of it!

Pattern is available here on the blog, on Ravelry as a direct download, and at Knitty Noddy, where Evelyn gives you $1 off the pattern price with the purchase of the yarn to complete the project.

Thank you for your patience!

Off to email the pattern to all subscribers...

Done (but NOT Quickly!)

"Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished."

-Confucius

I cast off the final stitch of Chrysanthemum on Sunday afternoon. I am really happy with how she turned out.

Blocked her yesterday, and admired her today. It is so hard to tell what a triangular shawl is going to look like when you are in the midst of the center pattern repeats.

You can't really see in these pictures, but the beads glow and the entire piece is so rich and warm. Perfect for this time of year. I love the russet, bittersweet, and eggplant colors of the Origin Seasilk. I think this may be my favorite GVC pattern thus far.

I am off to attach the little leaf beads to the points and get better pictures. Then it is time to write 'er up and get 'er out into your hot little hands.


Shall we have a little chorus of "Can't - Stop - Thinkin' about tomorrow..."?

I hope you find her worth the wait.

P.S. Thank you for all your "get well" wishes last week. It was a mean bug. Took me down and out for four whole days. but all is well now.

Push

"It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

-Anais Nin

I used to push my life where I wanted it to go. I was a real driven type A personality. My family cowered when Susan got on a tear.

Now I have learned to ride my life, realizing that all will unfold as it is meant to, whether I push or not.

That being said, there are timers when you just have to push through.

The past few weeks have really tested my resolve that work would never come before family. I have been babysitting Conner on a weekly basis and have had many family and friend commitments.

My work has suffered.

That is why I took Saturday off from stash sale-ing. I needed the time to devote to actual knitting.

It doesn't help matters that I have been in a fever of design illumination. In the past three weeks I have gotten three lace shawls and two DK weight designs in the hopper. They are all charted out and four of them are on the needles - enough for me to order the necessary additional yardage to complete them. On the final design ( a red cable and lace triangular shawl for the holidays) I just bit the bullet and ordered blindly. Hope I got enough yarn.

I am always a bit concerned that unless I get a design down on paper I will forget what I intended.

So I chart and make notes for future construction. I swatch and then put it aside to pick up at a later date.

Sometimes the ideas don't pan out.

I want to do a matching cowl for the Innisfree gauntlets. I will include this with the mitt pattern as a set. Anyone who has already purchased the pattern will get the expanded version free of charge.

So I ordered more MadTosh in Norway Spruce, this time in the worsted weight merino. The yarn is great - very soft, but the color is too dark.

See what I mean? So I have ordered some of the plied worsted from Loopy Ewe, hoping that is a better match.


This year's free holiday pattern is almost ready to be written up. I can't wait to wear this neckwarmer myself. The Rowan Lima is a little tough to knit (splitty) but the light weight and softness level make it worthwhile. Wouldn't want to do an entire sweater in this yarn, though.

And this is the beginning border to Druid, a lace stole in Rowan Scottish Tweed 4-ply. The color is Celtic Mix and I fell in love with it. It is primarily green, but with an incredible depth of color, which includes peacock, earthy brown, and even red. The yarn is just gorgeous. Had to use it. I have Celtic Knot charms on order from Artbeads for the points.


But most of my time has been spent in completion of Chrysanthemum, the October (OY!) issue in the Garden Variety Collection. I completely underestimated how much time this one would take to complete, forgetting that each row is longer than the one before.

You would think I would know better, wouldn't you?


I have completed the main pattern and am almost through the transition to the edge pattern.

Friday - may it please God...

Pushing through...

PS. For all you Drizzle fans out there, I think I have a solution to the longstanding design difficulties that have beset this piece. I am redesigning as a beaded cowl, a la "Smoke Ring". Hope to knock it out after the holidays.

Speaking of which, the scarf vote was overwhelmingly in favor of Facets, so it moves up the pattern queue...thanks for voting.