The flu has hit me, and hard. I’ve done pretty much nothing for the past 48 hours, except make myself some chicken soup, knit, and surf the net looking for ideas and inspiration for my December Daily. I literally gasped when I saw this:

on Etsy. Seriously, is it not the most adorable vintage christmas goodie you’ve ever seen?! You must go buy this pdf (super cheap, by the way!) from TayloredArts and plop one on every single gift you give out this season. Bonus points if it’s a knitted gift you’re giving.

And because I’m feeling a bit loopy from the flu drugs, I’m even going to give away one of these PDFs. Leave a comment telling me all about the knitted gifts you’re planning to give this season, and I’ll have the boys pick a name out of a (knitted) hat. I’ll buy a set for the winner and have it sent to your email so you can give some Christmas Cuteness!

The Giveaway will close Sunday, Nov.8th at midnight. For a second chance to win, join Little Turtle Knit’s facebook fan page.

Make Baby Stuff Says So!

I have been meaning to post this every day for the past week, and I keep getting distracted by the multitude of craft projects sitting on my desk, and really, every other available flat surface in my house. How ironic, no?

Make Baby Stuff is one of the coolest sites on the internets – there’s the amazingly fun cardboard house, adorable little baby clothes, and some wicked cool toys.

So, go read my little Crafty Mama interview, and then go poke around and find something cool to make for your baby.

Here in Pennsylvania, we’ve got the singular pleasure of being home to what might be the most famous rodent in the world. Punxsutawney Phil, prognosticator of all prognosticators, saw his shadow yesterday, folks. We know what that means, right?

6 more weeks of winter. 6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER, PEOPLE! How to take this news in stride? Throw yourself in front of oncoming traffic? Lock yourself in the closet and weep bitterly? NO! We’re knitters! Pull out the good wool, grab some patterns (20% off!) and k-n-i-t the winter away. It’s really the only civilized way to deal with defeat.

Perhaps you’d like to warm some feet for these remaining cold weeks? Lucky for you, we’ve just released the 2008 Sock Club patterns from the Vault. Not into sock knitting? (It’s okay, I forgive you) Maybe slippers are more your style? How about working up a new pair of mittens to replace those that got buried under the snow pile? Perhaps someone you love needs a new hat? Or, start thinking ahead to those warm spring days that are coming (they are, I promise!) and work up a sweet little dress?

I can’t make the snow melt, I can’t make the mercury rise. But I can help you survive the rest of the winter with some fabulous patterns made even better with a sale! Now through Sat, Feb 7th, our entire pattern collection is 20% off. Shop Now!

Now that the postal service has finally delivered all packages to their intended destinations, I think it’s safe to reveal June’s Club goodies without ruining anyone’s surprise. This month’s pattern is one I’m especially proud of, so I hope all the clubsters enjoy working on it.

Pemberley, as most of you probably know, is the English country estate of a certain Mr. Darcy. Didn’t we all have secret dreams of finding our own Mr. Darcy? My own dear hubby is quite a bit like ol’ Darcy – biting observation and quiet admiration and loyalty, minus the grand estate (darn it!)

These silk stockings are what I imagine Elizabeth Bennett might have worn as the Mistress of Pemberley. They are elegant, luxurious and out-of-the-ordinary without being over-the-top. A blend of merino with the silk lends a more practical warmth to these beauties, as well. Of course, if you’re a modern woman who isn’t living in a drafty estate house and don’t require the warmth of knee stockings, there’s the (quicker to knit!) crew length option.

June’s swag is further proof of my paper obsession lately. Adorable little notecards that I wholly encourage clubsters to use for some old fashioned letter-writing. There’s nothing like taking a moment, putting pen to paper, and writing a note of gratitude, love, sympathy or well-wishes to someone else. It’s like a little gift every time I get a handwritten note or card in the mail, and one that I love to give to others.

Can’t wait till all the July packages arrive so I can reveal this month’s rollickin’ pattern and yarn!

Now that all of May’s Sock Club goodies have arrived safely to their new homes, I can finally post about them! This was our first month with the new Sock Club, and I have to admit that I had way too much fun putting it all together – picking out the goodies, developing a new (exclusive) colorway, and finally getting the new (exclusive) sock pattern out in the world at large (where eyes other than my own or the tech editors can oogle it) It’s all such a labor of love, and so nice to get lovely comments back about the packages. Marion, a lovely customer-friend from near my hometown in NY, wrote me this week:

Gorgeous yarn, the colors are sensational. The pattern book is terrific, the stitch markers are beautiful and the journaling book sends the whole kit over the top for one fabulous sock knitting club. It is all so nice and I am so happy that I joined the club. You really outdid yourself! Thanks for recommending the May kit. I would be upset to have missed out on this sensational kit.

Wow! I don’t know that I deserve all that flattery, but it sure is nice for the ego She also sent along a yummy yarn-in-action shot of some of my 3 ply farm yarn that was a custom-dye. Check out this yarn goodness:

Don’t they look all squishy and comfy? I’m wishing I had made some of that yarn for myself and squirrelled it away – I’d totally be pulling it out right now and casting on. (That is, after I finish June’s sock sample, of course!)

But, wait! You’re just dying to see May’s sock, aren’t you? There was a bit of a theme this month - the yarn at the top of this post was May’s yarn – yummy, squishy sportweight superwash merino in “Japanese Garden.” It’s a harmonious blend of navy, grass green, lilac, lavender and winter white. Worked up in socks, it is lovely. Worked up in May’s sock club pattern “Everyday Zen” it is super, duper fantastic!

It’s a short row heel and toe sock, with the ribbing extending down the toe and heel for a truly excellent fit. The sort rows incorporate the ribbing, so that the transitions are pretty and flowing. Multiple sizes from infant to (big, big) man’s make it one that’s get used over and over. But, It’s exclusive to the club until Jan ‘09 – so if you aren’t in the Sock Club you’ll have to wait. Of course…if you do join the club, you can back-buy the pattern if you really have to have it. Just one more reason to join now…June’s club is an excellent luxury yarn, in a Jane Austen inspired pattern and more handmade club goodies! Last month’s extra bonus was a handmade, perfect-bound journal. This month’s….well, you’ll have to wait and see!

Sorry for the post and run, but wanted to let you know that we’re having a Two Day Sale at the shop! 25% off all patterns through Wed night, so go shop and stock up now: http://www.littleturtleknits.com.

And I’ve jsut stocked some fantastic new colorways at the Little Turtle Knits’ Hyena Cart, they’ll be going live Tuesday at Noon! There’s also a gorgeous baby kimono and one of our sweet Trelford Turtles, so be sure to check it out!

My husband thinks of this time of year as “Football Season”

My kids think of it as “Cookie Season”

My mom thinks of it as “Shopping Season”

But me, I like to think of it as the “Giving Season”

I know that you knitters, you’re good, kind, caring and generous folks. Stephanie over at Yarn Harlot has confidence that y’all are VERY generous people, and I think that together we can even exceed her ambitious expectations. So, I’m doing my part by offering a wee bit of an incentive, if you will. What could be better than a little pixie to help you make your donation?

(no, not the baby. you don’t get to keep him, he’s mine and I’m not giving him up!) But, you do get the hat. Well, the pattern for the hat, that is.

Now through January, I’m going to be donating all of the sales of the new Winter Pixie hat to Steph’s Doctors Without Borders campaign. So, buy a pattern, knit a cute hat, and feel good that you’re participating in the best season of all – the Giving Season.

so I’m just about finished with the sample (gotta love knitting samples that will fit my little guy) for the site. THese are SOOO stinkin’ cute!! I lvoe them. It’s TLC cotton plus yarn, which is quite inexpensive and I like the way it knits up a LOT.