handmade by stefanie

Foliage Hat: I have the worst poker face. One week down, three to go! Malabrigo Stockpile is off to a great start - I've already completed two projects and cast on for two more!  My non-stockpile projects aren't feeling terribly neglected, either (well, I still need to start the sleeves for Tyler's sweater, but I'm pretty sure that will happen sometime this week, if not this weekend).   Here's the lowdown: 1.  Foliage Hat - Malabrigo Worsted in Vaa (to replace the one I lost a few years ago) Finished! 2.  Madison Hand Warmers - Malabrigo Worsted in Vaa (to match hat) Finished! 3.  Metheglin Cowl - Malabrigo Rios in Solis and whatever odds and sods I have sitting around in Worsted , Twist or Rios ! Madison Mitts at twilight. 4.  Robin's Egg Blue Hat - Malabrigo Chunky in Charrua (my favorite color!) In Progress 5.  Travel Shawl - Malabrigo Sock in Aguas In Progress 6.  Button Bunnies - a ginormous version in Malabr...

*cough*yarncon*cough* The day I've had circled on my calendar is almost here - YarnCon is this Saturday! I've got three new patterns releasing in conjunction with the blessed event - and while I don't want to spoil the surprise just yet, I can show you a few sneak peeks (be sure to check back this Friday, when all will be revealed!): I grabbed coffee with my pal Sam from The Wool Dispensary last week, and received my Kickstarter rewards - an awesome limited-edition poster print and official Wool Dispensary project bag! If you missed out on funding their launch via Kickstarter (and reaping such rewards as have been bestowed on yours truly), I'm told they'll have project bags and posters for sale at YarnCon ($3.50 and $10, respectively).  So wait - what's that on the needles?  Just a little colorwork sock featuring the leftover skein of Useful Stimulant in Circus Popcorn, that's what!  The main color is some Fortissima Socka I got in a swap (whi...

Mystery Toy! I have two more patterns slated to be self-released this year - Pattern A is a super-cute toy pattern that will be coming out next week just in time for Yarn Con , and Pattern B is a sport-weight sock that will be out by December (year end at the latest!).  I'd like to offer one of these patterns for FREE to anyone who purchases 2 (or more) patterns from my Ravelry shop between now and the end of September.  Here's the deal: 1.  Purchase any 2 patterns from my Ravelry shop.   2.  Forward your invoice to the e-mail address provided on said invoice with a note telling me which pattern you'd prefer - "new toy" or "new sock" should sufffice! 3.  When the pattern you requested comes out, I will send you a link for your free download!  It's as simple as that!   Where is all this coming from, other than the goodness of my heart, you ask?   You can thank our sad, dead car.  We've been unable to drive it for...

R.I.P., donut It's been a while since I've posted any WIPs (or FO's, for that matter!)  I assure you, I have been knitting - there is no need to fear for my well-being.  I just happen to be knitting a lot of top-secret projects at the moment. For example, I'm working on my first xmas project - yes, yes, I start my holiday knitting in June.  It's true!  I'm also finishing up a new summery sock pattern to be released later this month - I keep meaning to post teaser photos here, but so many other blogworthy items keep giving them the bump (you can, however, view a teaser photo in my Ravelry group! ). I've made a little progress on Tyler's sweater, but I can't say that it would be a terribly interesting photo to post - it's a big, black, stockinette-stitch, v-neck sweater.  'Nuff said.  above:  monster parts.  below:  ostrich butt! I have, however, been knitting a LOT of toys - it is the Summer of Toys, after all!  So what have...

oh gauge swatch....you'll be a project someday. ...glorious fiber!  I know there are many yarny events to look forward to in Chicago over the next several months, but I am most eagerly anticipating Yarn Con on September 24th - which just happens to be when my friends will be launching their brand-new yarn company, The Wool Dispensary .  I know I blogged about their beautiful yarns a while back (see:  Oh! The Squishing! from April 11 of this year )... well, just wait til you see what they have in store for the fall.  I assure you, it will knock you hand-knit socks off. But! They can't get to Yarn Con without your help (there's always a 'but,' isn't there?!).  They're raising money the internet-savvy way, via a kickstarter.org fundraiser project .  You can pledge now (and get dibs on some truly great prizes - I myself couldn't resist the limited-edition silk-screened poster print!), but you won't be charged unless they reach their fundraising g...

extreme close-up? i've been on pins and needles the past couple days, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the sanguine gryphon's fall collection!  my contribution is the first to come out of the (non-self-published designs) i've been working on all year, and i couldn't be more excited. on wednesday, the new fall colors were announced .  some photos of my project from the shoot arrived in my in-box at the beginning of the week, and it appears as though the collection will be debuting somewhere in the neighborhood of the 22nd.  meanwhile, there is much speculation surrounding this teaser photo gryphon posted in the ravelry forum - is the project behind her back, or on the box in the background? it's like a mind puzzle, an awesome mind puzzle!