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Posted in knitting, Pumpkin-a-Long

The Great Pumpkin-a-Long!

Posted on by Carol

Hi everyone!!  I hope everyone is staying safe and well.  It’s getting dark quite early here now, and I’m very grateful that DH put up some lights outside and our lighted Christmas tree inside.  That will help me get through the first three weeks of December, when it’s dark when I leave for work, and dark when I get home.  Once we get past the Winter Solstice, I will take hope from the fact that the days are getting longer again.

The Third Annual Pumpkin-a-Long is now complete.  It was so wonderful to see the 21 pumpkins that folks knitted and sent photos to me via email or messenger or posted on Facebook or Instagram.  There were 3 It’s Fall, Y’all pumpkins, 4 Plaid Pumpkins, 1 Large Colorwork Pumpkin, 1 Colorwork Pumpkin, 2 Mini Colorwork Pumpkins, 2 Autumn Spice Pumpkins, and 8 Wee Pumpkins in our community pumpkin patch this year!  From all of the entries, Hubby and I randomly drew winners for these two prizes:

@ogrebite on Instagram won this sweet little hand-needle-felted pumpkin, made by local crafter Wee Woollies.

And Sarah from Instagram won the fabulous yarn prize:

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who participated, whether you made a pumpkin (or several), purchased a pattern, shared posts, made encouraging comments, or shared in the general atmosphere of Fall joy.  I also want to thank Wild Knits Salem for wholeheartedly jumping into the Pumpkin-a-Long spirit.  I think we might still have a wrap-up to do for any Wild Knits participants!

I hope the next few weeks into the Advent season are good ones for you.  Please stay safe and well.

xoxo

Carol

 

Posted in Fasten Off Yarn-a-Long, Knit-a-Long, knitting event

Fasten Off Yarn Along!!!

Posted on by Carol

Hey everyone!!  There’s something new and exciting, and YOU are invited: The Fasten Off Yarn Along (also known as the FO2020 or the YAL)!!!  It’s a big online event featuring the work of over 90 independent knitting and crochet designers – with discounts, a make-a-long, games, prizes, and lots of cheerleading.  It starts tomorrow (Wednesday, 11/25/2020) and ends at the end of the year.

Here’s what’s what [and official information can be found here (website) and here (the Discord server – it’s where all the chat, games and fun will happen)]:

A discount!!!  All of the designers will be offering a 25% discount on at least some of their designs starting tomorrow and going through December 5th using the coupon code FO2020 on their own websites or platforms like Payhip or Etsy.  All Knit Equals Joy patterns will be on sale with that code here on knitequalsjoy.com and on my Payhip store and my Etsy shop.  There will be searchable lists of designers and patterns once the discount period begins (Wednesday 11/25/20 at 9 pm ET) on the Fasten Off Yarn-a-Long 2020 website – but those lists will be hidden until the magic hour tomorrow evening!!!

Do you have to purchase a pattern to participate?  No!  In order to participate, all you need to do is make a design by one of the participating designers (me, hint, hint!).  Seriously, if you have already purchased, won, or received one of my patterns as a gift, I would love it if you made that during the YAL.  This would be a great time to make a Gnome Spa Cloth as a gift or another Wee Pumpkin for your pumpkin patch, or even to start an Ethereal Sweater.  It’s also a GREAT opportunity to discover some other wonderful designers.  I will be talking up some of my favorite designers, and I’m sure I’ll be picking up some new patterns with that discount!

Prizes!!  There will be pattern prizes from all of the designers; there will be yarny prizes as well.  To be eligible for the yarny prizes, you need to wait to cast on until 9 pm ET tomorrow night and you’ll need to finish by the end of the year.  I think the pattern prizes will be given for games, etc.

There’s even an available playlist!

You can copy and use this nifty graphic if you’d like:

More information can be found here: @FastenOffYAL | Linktree

Feel free to email me at knitequalsjoy@gmail with questions, too.

I hope to see you there!!

xoxo

Carol

P.S. The cover picture is 100 colors of Palette yarn I mentioned in the last blog post.  It’s already being very helpful for design purposes!

 

Posted in design, Knit-a-Long, Pumpkin-a-Long

Design Plans, Pumpkins, etc.

Posted on by Carol

Good Saturday morning to you.  Again it’s a gray Oregon morning – not at all surprising for this time of year.  Hubby is watching an episode of The Great Courses on Shakespeare.  He loves his subscription to The Great Courses Plus so he can learn about anything that catches his imagination, whenever he wants!

We’ve finished our coffee…and I don’t have a design on the needles right now, but I do have ideas flitting around my brain.

I’ve ordered the sampler set of all 150 colors of Knit Picks fingering weight yarn, Palette.   One Hundred and Fifty colors of fingering weight yarn!  Squee!!!  Quite truthfully, I’ve always had it in mind to redesign the Willamette Valley Tee (which is now out of print) as a round yoked sweater in multiple sizes.  It takes lots of colors, and I spent a lot of time and money trying to determine the right colors for the first pattern, so having these 150 colors to choose from should make that aspect of designing go more smoothly.

Willamette Valley Tee (out of print)

The one aspect of the design that I anticipate will be a challenge is how to make the single flower motif fit into a round yoke correctly, taking into account its size and the increases needed for the yoke to fit well.  I’m looking forward to having the time during my upcoming vacation to really sit down to crunch the numbers, make some drawings, and work on the charting.  Yay for vacation!!

Other good news is that I have used that single flower motif in an upcoming cowl pattern!  I’m very happy with the cowl – it’s a bright and colorful graphic design.  It’s planned to be released in Jan/Feb as part of a collection with several other designers.  We all had the same 6 stitch patterns from which to choose and then expand upon, so it will be fun to see how each person was inspired by something different and how our imaginations ran in different directions.  For now, I have to keep that design under wraps…

Thank you to everyone who has joined the pumpkin fun in our third annual Pumpkin-a-Long!  The PAL continues through Thanksgiving (November 25).  I know many of you are now thinking of Christmas gift knitting, but if you are wanting to add to your Thanksgiving/Fall décor before then, our pumpkin designs knit up pretty quickly.  To enter the PAL and be eligible for prizes, please email a picture of your finished pumpkin to knitequalsjoy@gmail.com or post it on Instagram with #pumpkinalong2020 and @knitequalsjoy.

Here are the PAL patterns:

And just for fun, Green Pumpkins…a montage.  Two minutes of green pumpkin zen:

I’ve had two of my patterns, Ethereal Sweater and Little Ethereal Sweater translated into Spanish.  The new upcoming cowl pattern will also be translated into Spanish.  I’m looking into having Willow Poncho translated into French.  If having any of my patterns translated would make a difference for you, please let me know.  Thank you!

I’ll leave you with a picture of the new sample of the Colorwork Pumpkin I finished right before Halloween.  It’s modified from the pattern in two ways:  I made the base of this one striped, by making alternating 2-row stripes, and I used duplicate stitching on the hourglass shape on the spiders.  These modifications were a big hit.

Thank you, everyone.  Until next time…

xoxo

Carol

Posted in Christmas, colorwork knitting, Knit-a-Long, knitting, Pumpkin-a-Long

Newsy News Post (as opposed to a newsy newsletter)

Posted on by Carol

It’s not a newsletter, exactly…I tried that earlier this year, and it just wasn’t a fit.  I really didn’t enjoy the newsletter format.  For me, it felt like putting together an advertisement. Well, yes, I want people to buy my patterns…but the blog’s purpose is broader than that.  The blog is a place where I can write about stuff that, hopefully, brings a little beauty, whimsy, and maybe useful information from my world to yours.  It’s where I can write about things that caught my eye, that bring me joy, or that I thought were interesting.

I’m a nerd (or is it geek?).  I posted a picture on my personal Facebook page about one of my patterns, and one of my high school friends commented with something to the effect of “you’re so talented.”  My response was that I have always loved beautiful things, crafting, writing, and math…and in my older years I’ve discovered that I like problem-solving, so it all came together in this fun pastime.  So, yeah, basically I’m a nerd.  🙂

Independent Knitting and Crochet Designers.

If you like supporting independent designers, Barbara Benson has created the Indie Pattern Portal.  The purpose of the portal is “…to help you find stores where you purchase patterns directly from the designer, no middle-man. Each designer may use a different service (Payhip, Shopify, etc …) but the stores are entirely under their control.”  It’s a great place to find professional designers.

It’s two months till Christmas today!  I get pretend-annoyed by folks who announce how many days remain until Christmas, but I don’t really mind.  I promise not to be one of them after today, however.

There are two Knit Equals Joy Christmas patterns, Whimsy Tree and Gnome Spa Cloth.  When you start thinking about Christmas, you might enjoy making them.

Whimsy Tree
Gnome Spa Cloth

Finally, pumpkins!  This year I added shaping to 2016’s Colorwork Pumpkin pattern, so I’ve been reknitting samples of that pattern.  It’s been really fun!

We have this volunteer pumpkin plant in our back yard, and it makes the perfect foil for knit pumpkins.

Colorwork Pumpkin

I made the pumpkin using Alexandra’s Crafts Dark Side of the Moon in Saffron Spice and Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Saffron.  They were lovely yarns to work with!

I made a short (30 second) video showing how I hold the yarn in two hands for colorwork.

Here’s another lovely pumpkin made this week by Ginny.  It’s the Wee Pumpkin.

Wee Pumpkin by Ginny

I’ll leave you with that lovely picture by Ginny.  It captures the warmth and beauty of Fall for me, and it makes my heart smile.

May the rest of your Fall days be warm with a touch of chill in the air.  May you enjoy the rich Fall colors and the taste of apple cider.  May you enjoy the warmth of friendship and family (even if virtually).  Catch you next time!

xoxo

Carol

Posted in KAL, Knit-a-Long, Pumpkin-a-Long, yarn

October, Pumpkins, a Wedding

Posted on by Carol

Hey everyone!  It’s a chilly October morning here, gray and drab, but cozy inside.  We’re drinking coffee and trying to decide what to do with the day.

The Pumpkin-a-Long (PAL) continues!  I’m giving away free patterns weekly – randomly chosen from those who either email a photo of their pumpkin progress to knitequalsjoy@gmail.com or post their pictures on Instagram with the tag #pumpkinalong2020.  At the end (Thanksgiving) there will be a random drawing for some Amanda Hope yarn, a felted pumpkin, and other prizes, drawn from the pool of finished pumpkin projects that were emailed or posted as above during the PAL.

If this appeals to you, please join us, and invite your friends!

I love this pumpkin that Carla made:

Pattern: Because Pumpkins

And this one by Ginny:

Pattern: Plaid Pumpkin, using instructions for the one-color pumpkin

I made my original “Because…Pumpkins” pumpkins using Amanda Hope Yarns.  I used their Aussie Extra Fine Fingering (100% Merino – yummmmm!) held together with their Superkid Mohair/Silk (also yummmmm!).  Working with the two of them held together is heavenly!  They create an amazingly soft and halo-y fabric.  If you look closely, you can see that the colors are slightly tonal.  Tonals are my very favorite – the color changes stitch-to-stitch invariably keep my interest, even when working miles of stockinette.

Check out their website: Amanda Hope Yarn and see Because Pumpkins featured in their opening slides (thank you, Wendy)!!!

If you follow on Facebook or Instagram, you know that our younger son got married last month.  It was a joyous – outside, small, and socially distanced – occasion, and we are thrilled for them and so happy to welcome our new daughter-in-law to the family.  It was truly a sweet ceremony and represented them so well.  My pictures here were taken by cell phone, so I apologize that they’re not very clear.

This year I have truly missed my trips to the Oregon Coast.  I’m hoping to take a few days there around Thanksgiving and to have some pictures to share with you here.

I hope that you and yours are safe and well.  I hope that you can enjoy some fall festivities, fall knitting, or some fun fall decorating.  Pumpkins are always good!  😉

All the best,

Carol

 

 

Posted in KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitters, knitting, Pumpkin-a-Long

More Pumpkin Fun

Posted on by Carol

Just for fun – and so that you can see the comparative sizes of the pumpkin patterns – I made this short little video:

 

Here are prizes for the Pumpkin-A-Long:

Prizes for completed pumpkins, to be chosen randomly after we finish the PAL on Thanksgiving, include a skein of fabulous Amanda Hope Yarn Aussie Extra Fine and an adorable felted pumpkin by Wee Woolies.  Throughout the PAL, pattern winners (your choice from amongst all of my patterns) will be chosen randomly from those who post on Instagram or submit via email (knitequalsjoy@gmail.com) progress pictures of their pumpkins, post in response to PAL questions, or even post their PAL badge.  Here is the PAL badge (feel free to copy it):

Questions about how to PAL?  Interested in the discount (through October 15, 2020)?  Read here:  Pumpkin-A-Long (PAL)

And if you’re looking for the PAL patterns, here they are:

Happy Fall, Y’all!!!

xoxo

Carol

Posted in KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitting pattern, knitting patterns, Pumpkin-a-Long

New Pumpkin Pattern, PAL, Discount

Posted on by Carol

I’m thrilled to announce that this year’s pumpkin pattern is now live!  It’s called It’s Fall, Y’all.  

It’s Fall, Y’all features chevrons – made simply, through the use of increases and decreases.  The fabric is created by holding a fingering weight yarn together with a mohair yarn, which produces a shimmery fabric with a soft halo.  You can make two shapes/sizes with this pattern, a short pumpkin and a tall one.

You can purchase the pattern here Buy Now or find it in the Pattern tab or Pumpkin-A-Long Patterns tab at the top of the webpage.

I’m so happy with the way this pattern turned out.  I hope you will enjoy it!

Speaking of pumpkins. come knit some pumpkins with us during the third annual Pumpkin-A-Long (PAL)!

  1.  The PAL goes through Thanksgiving.
  2.  All of the Knit Equals Joy pumpkin patterns are eligible.  Pumpkin-A-Long Patterns
  3.  Discount through October 15, 2020 using coupon code PALpumpkins here on the website or my Payhip store.
  4.  If on Instagram, use the tags #pumpkinalong2020 and #knitequalsjoy.
  5.  If you’re not on Instagram, email your finished pumpkin pictures to me at knitequalsjoy@gmail.com.
  6.  Prizes.
  7.  Post this picture to your Instagram feed if you would like to announce your pumpkin love!

If you are local, join the PAL at Wild Knits Salem!  In collaboration with Holly, we are offering a special discount on the patterns to the LYS patrons.  I’m so excited that this is happening locally this year!

If you are an LYS owner or indie dyer, contact me at knitequalsjoy@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining the PAL and/or offering the pattern to your customers.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Please share your pumpkins on IG, and tag me @knitequalsjoy so I can see your wonderful Autumnal creations.  The happiest of Falls to all of you.

xoxo

Carol

Posted in KAL, Knit-a-Long, knitters, knitting, knitting pattern, knitting patterns

Pumpkin-A-Long (PAL)

Posted on by Carol

This year’s Pumpkin-A-Long has begun!  It’s easy to play along, and I hope you will.

There are seven eligible patterns, see below.

The premise of the PAL is very easy: knit one of the Knit Equals Joy pumpkins, post a picture of your pumpkin on Instagram with the tags #pumpkinalong2020 and #knitequalsjoy.  Follow those tags to see everyone else’s pumpkin progress and anything related to Fall that we post (because we love Fall!!!).  If you’re not on Instagram, email your pumpkins to me at knitequalsjoy@gmail.com.

At the conclusion of the PAL (Thanksgiving), I’ll randomly choose from the finished pumpkins and will award prizes.  I have an adorable felted pumpkin (not made by me) and yarn, of course, to offer as prizes.

Use the coupon code PALpumpkins for 15% off any of these patterns through October 15, 2020.  Discount available only on patterns purchased through knitequalsjoy.com or my Payhip store.

Come join us and get in on some Autumn-knitting joy!!!

Pumpkin-A-Long Patterns – hover over photo for pattern name, click to read about the pattern or to purchase.

Enjoy!!!

Carol