Learn to Knit Kit Giveaway

Our Rafflecopter Give-aways are very popular, and this month we are offering a Learn-to-Knit Pom Pom Scarf Kit…the kit comes with the scarf already cast on – so by the time the new knitter has completed the scarf she will be able to easily work the knit-on cast-on, always the trickiest o learn. Leave a comment here or sign up for my MinnowNotes to enter. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Sheepie and a free pattern!

Spring is here, after a long winter of many snow storms. We are happy to see the snow drops coming up, and spring is the time for shearing the sheep. My darling Sheep pauper kit, Lambikins, is available at your local yarns shops, at many shops’ online stores, and through my distributor, www.classiceliteyarns.com, via shop-a-tron. You work a very easy to learn loop stitch that creates the sheep’s coat – great as a gift for young and old alike. Enjoy!

Every now and again we offer a free pattern to subscribers of my enewsletter, MinnowNotes. Sign up to receive this charmer and email jil@minnowknits.com to be sure you get the pattern!

Knit Simple

If you don’t already know about this charming knitting magazine, take a look. Published quarterly, it contains myriad patterns that are chic, charming and easy to knit. Perfect for beginning and intermediate knitters, many of the designs are fabulous for experts as well – who doesn’t enjoy a simple, stylish project once in a while?

I write a feature column in KnitSimple, called “Ask Jil”, where I answer questions from knitters around the country and in Canada. Send me your knitting questions – maybe we will publish it!

New Giveaway

Given the enormous popularity of our monthly giveaways, we are offering a new combination giveaway for the month of March: A Learn-to-Knit Pom Pom scarf kit and a copy of Jil Eaton’s Knitting School. The Pom Pom Scarf kit comes with the project already cast on, which makes for easy learning of the craft, and Knitting School is a complete hand-knitting compendium. To enter, post a comment or sign up for my MinnowNotes!

"Jil Eaton's sense of color and style shines through again in this unique collection of knitwear designs for the entire family. Using a variety of top quality yarns, including her own wonderfully soft wool, "MinnowMerino", Jil has designed projects for a learn-to-knit compendium with clear and precise How-To visuals, which makes this book a must-have for knitters of all skill levels. C'est magnifique!"

 -Carla Scott, Editor In Chief, Knit Simple

Coming Attractions

My latest pattern project, Elfin Stripes, is available soon…One row stripes make this sweater and hat a charmer, and it comes with a matching blanket. The yarn is Jil Eaton CottonTail, in 7548 Lagoon and 7501 Bright. CottonTail is machine washable and dryable, perfect for babies and toddlers.

All Dressed Up!

We find that my dress patterns are always best seller, and I have an e-book available on my shop on Ravelry…called All Dressed Up! Six patterns for dresses for parties or play for your chic little one…

Dog Jacket Give-Away

This month our give-away campaign is two dog jackets from my book PuppyKnits. Fringe Benefits is a hand-knit jacket with fringed turtleneck, and Pom Poms is a felted, hand-knit with color-blocking and cables, adorned with PomPoms. Enter a comment or sign up for my MinnowNotes to enter the drawing. Enjoy!

A Present for You

 It’s almost Christmas, and here is a present for you, my Bon Bons baby hat. Enjoy!

A hand-knit for your iPhone!

Here is a pattern for you, which in a few hours will cozy up your iphone in cabled comfort. It’s also perfect for that last minute gift. Enjoy!

iPhone Cabled Cover

Materials

• 1 skein Jil Eaton MinnowMerino in 4758 Rouge
• Needles, size #8 and #4 and #8 cable needle
• Tapestry needle
• Place Markers

Gauge

18 sts and 22 rows = 4” over stockinette stitch

• Cast on 26 sts.
• 1^st row: p
• 2^nd row: k3, p1, k6, p1, k to end of row.
• 3^rd row: p3, k1, p6, k1, p to end of row.
• 4^th row: cable row – k3, p1, CB6, p1, k to end of row.

(CB^, Cable back 6, place first 3 sts on cable needle and hold in back of work, k next 3 sts, the k the 3 on the cable needle) Work this row on the RD every 8 rows.

Work in patterns for 5”, ending on the RD. K next 3 rows and BO.

Sew seam. 

• With#4 needles pick up the 6 middle stitches on the back of your iPhone sweater – this will be easy if you insert your iPhone. Work in garter stitch for 1.5”.
• Next row BO the 2 middle sts for the button hole.
• Next row CO the 2 middle sts. K 2 rows and BO.

Voila! When we’re knitting all is right with the world!

Noel, Noel

My trademark QuickKnit Christmas Stockings are a snap to knit on large needles in a bulky gauge.  And at 14” in length and 12” in circumference they are big enough for all of Santa’s holiday goodies. The Noel Noel pattern is available on the web and at www.classiceliteyarns.com, via shop-a-tron. This is the perfect time to make these charming stockings just in time for Christmas. Jingle bells, and happy knitting!

Perfect Dog Jackets

I have a number of felted and hand-knit dog jackets available for puppies and small dogs. Email me at jil@minnowknits.com if you are interested. Prices are very reasonable, and the felted jackets are really great for keeping your pooch dry and comfortable…and are stylish and chic, to boot!

The Perfect Knitting Kit

I do a lot of teaching and always recommend The Perfect Knitting Kit to my student. Here's how to make yours!

The Perfect Knitting Kit starts with a small, clear zippered case, such as those you would find in the cosmetics department. It is absolutely perfect to hold all your knitting basics and because it is clear you can peek inside to find that elusive tool that has dropped to the bottom. Having a portable kit in this manner allows you to switch it out to work with whatever current project you are knitting. My personal kit case is from Agnes B, discovered on a trip to Paris; try to find a case that gives you pleasure, as it will become the backbone of your knitting life.

Here are my recommendations for the right items to include in your kit:

• A pair of small, very sharp scissors; make sure you dedicate them for yarn only!
• Yarn needles - I prefer the Japanese Chibi needles with bent tips that come in little plastic cases that are easy to spot in your kit, and are available everywhere now
• A retractable measuring tape; mine is in the shape of a sheep, and there are many other adorable variations now on the market.
• Yarn T-pins and yarn safety pins are essential for pinning and marking.
• Long and short stitch holders; the elegant coated metal English Aeros are always in my case. There are also plastic Japanese versions that open at either end which work very well
• Stitch markers; split-rings are good as they are easily moved or removed, much better than the closed rings.
• Cable needles; I recommend straight cable needles, including size 3, 6 and 10 US, in bamboo or wood.
• A small calculator – essential!
• Point protectors, both large and small; these clever items keep your work on the needles, and they protect your knitting from stray needles.      
• A needle size and gauge ruler, which you will use constantly. And for those of you with an iphone there is an APP for needle sizing!
• Two crochet hooks, 1 small, 1 large, perhaps a D and a K.
• The so-called “Dentist Tool”, with one crochet hook end and one smooth pointed end, an unusual and invaluable tool, and probably my favorite accessory! You can find this tool on the web at www.patternworks.com.
• A pen and small notebook, for notations, row counting and those quick to sprout design ideas. If you have an idea and don’t jot it down it can often disappear!

Park Avenue Kids

Cozy Cardi

The second of my new downloadable ebooks, Park Avenue Kids, is a collection of five occasion-ready garments for little girls and boys in merino wool, cotton and mohair. Party togs for stylish tots, in worsted weight.

Here is a wonderful review from Crochet Addict UK.



Hope you enjoy this collection!

BonBon Cape

Festive Vest

Jumping Jack

Party Frock

New Ebook: All Dressed Up

Party Frock

After doing a survey of knitters receiving my MinnowNotes newsletter we found that more than 50% of you were only interested in epatterns and ebooks. In response I've put together two ebooks available as downloadable pdfs on my website. The first, All Dressed Up is a collection of six dresses for little girls in Jil Eaton CottonTail yarn. Easy, comfortable silhouettes with design details that add a touch of sophistication. Classic designs with a modern flair, in worsted weight.

Here are the projects included in All Dressed Up. Enjoy!

Apron

Petite Chic

Swedish Day Dress

Sweet Pea

Swing Set

Jil Eaton Ravelry Group

We're pleased to announce the formation of Jil Eaton Ravelry Group where knitters can chat, share information, and post photographs of their Jil Eaton projects or project made with Jil Eaton MinnowMerino or Jil Eaton CottonTail.

I'm looking forward to seeing your projects and we're always interested in your feedback. Let us know what you think. Many thanks and happy knitting!

Knit Local: Celebrating America's Homegrown Yarns

Knit Local is an anthology created by Tanis Gray, published by Sixth and Spring Books, is a compendium of patterns knit exclusively in American yarn.  We have a fast growing list of companies that grow, spin, and dye their yarns in the U.S.  Knit Local makes it easy to support American business, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure the well being of animals.  There are over 30 designs for women, men, and the home from leading American designers, as well as a comprehensive list of fiber events and festivals across the country.

My Maritime Hat and Mitten Set was knit in Swans Island Yarns. You can find Knit Local anywhere knitting books are sold.

Tuesday Tip #36

Tip #36 Sew seams with the same tension as your gauge.

For a complete set of my tips and tricks, look for my latest book
Jil Eaton's Knitting School: A complete guide to becoming a confident knitter.

Tuesday Tip #34

Tip #34 Add a new ball of yarn at the edge of your knitting leaving a 6 inch tail from the old ball and another 6 inch tail for the new ball.

For a complete set of my tips and tricks, look for my latest book
Jil Eaton's Knitting School: A complete guide to becoming a confident knitter.

Tuesday Tip #33

Tip #33 Enlarge charts on copier for easier reading.

For a complete set of my tips and tricks, look for my latest book
Jil Eaton's Knitting School: A complete guide to becoming a confident knitter.

Room with a View

For many years my studio was in a downtown cooperative, but when my son moved out I moved to a beautiful room on our second floor. Light and airy, my studio has a fabulous window view. The commute is great and the rent's even better!

My most recent book Jil Eaton's Knitting School included almost 100 tips and tricks, my special techniques for knitters. Weekly, I'm going to offer tips and tricks on my Facebook and on my Twitter. Enjoy!