In honor of the Hope U Yarn Bombing coming up I am offering three ways to get yourself a free Fickle Knitter Design knitting pattern from my designs at shop.fickleknitter.com! Once you email me proof that you’ve done any one of these three things I will send you an individual coupon code good for $8 off that may be used at shop.fickleknitter.com. This offer runs through April 9th, 2013. I am offering up to one coupon per person but you are welcome to do all three items on my list as it truly is going to a great cause!

What can you do to get a free fickle knitter design pattern?
1. Make a purchase from http://www.etsy.com/shop/hopeuniversity and email me at fickleknitter@gmail.com with your receipt.

2. Donate much needed knitting supplies to Hope U. Then email me at fickleknitter@gmail.com with a photo of the supplies you are sending plus the mailing envelope to Hope U including postage.

Hope U Needed Supplies List

• Acrylic Yarn
• Feltable Wool
• Felting Yarn
• Knitting Needles

3. Donate a piece of your own knitting for the April 20th Yarn Bombing. Here are the requirements: Create a piece of fiber art that measures at least 12” square or larger in one or more shade/s of green; Optional: create a piece of fiber art of your choice that addresses the theme, “Color Me Green”. We are thinking of things that come from nature, such as flowers, insects, clouds, and so on. The deadline for this is March 29th, however my feeling is if you can get your knitting to Hope U by April 5th it can probably be included.

Hope U Mailing Address
800 S. Lemon Street
Anaheim CA 92805

What’s so special about Hope U? It is an amazing program for adults with Intellectual Disability. I visited the program personally during a Knit Along for the upcoming Yarn Bombing and I was so very deeply touched by all the art and beauty that I could barely keep myself together! Even watching the youtube video and hearing the Hi Hopes makes me tear up.

As many of you know, I adopted my intellectually disabled nephew in 2011 after the devastating loss of both of his parents. To see firsthand, people like him contributing such beautiful art into the world had such a profound effect on me. As a parent of an intellectually disabled child you are constantly filled with worry, what will happen when they age out of public school? What will they do as an adult? What support structure will they have when I’m gone?

To witness the art firsthand and listen to the music of the Hi Hopes and see every one contributing to the Yarn Bombing just struck me to the core that although my son is severely affected by his disabilities that this is something he could do one day too.

I was really moved by my visit to Hope U. I talked one on one with the artists, was amazed at the turn out (over 55 students all ranging from low functioning to high functioning), and very very humbled by the art itself. I hope that you will donate to Hope U. Seeing people struggle every day to complete the tasks that most of us take for granted makes you see the world in a different light, and with this program the world is truly a better and more beautiful place.

Click here to see the Hope U Yarn Bombing Facebook Page. The Yarnbombing installation will be live at the Main Place Mall on April 20th, 2013. There will be a documentary made of the project and I will post an update. Thank you.

I am SO excited to share that I will be appearing with the amazing Yarnover Truck on the Wednesday Morning News on KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles on March 27th, 2013.

I’ll be be supporting Barbra and Maridee during their interview and trying on all the mustaches. Make sure you set your DVR to record!

This is the sixth installment in my interview series with Small Knitting Businesses across the country. My aim is to share what these businesses experience during the current economic climate, the sacrifices made, the joys and the tears that accompany the life of the small business owner. I hope that the series of interviews I’ve conducted helps to humanize what Business Owners and Entrepreneurs go through on a day to day basis.

Working with other women owned micro businesses really makes me appreciate what purpose we serve in our place in the knitting community. Sincere Sheep’s Brooke Sinnes’ passion and work directly impacts the Farmers she works with to provide income. She grows some of her dyes in her own garden, while working to bring to market the Sincere Sheep brand and being the primary caregiver for her young son, Joaquin. She manages to juggle all of the realities of being a business owner and a Wife and a Mom while creating simply beautiful yarn. Brooke specializes in American breeds dyed with natural dyes. I hope you enjoy learning about Brooke’s work as much as I have.

Tell me about your yarn!

I focus on breed specific wool and wool blend yarns. I’m constantly trying to source American made yarns that are made from American wool. I also have custom yarns and rovings made from wool from specific farms which is listed on the yarn labels.

I pay more than the market price for the wool because it provides income for the farmers, pure and simple.

Wool prices have improved in the 10 years I’ve been in the business but when I first started they were getting so little for their wool that they just composted it because they couldn’t even make back the cost of shipping it to the wool auction.

Why do you specialize in Natural Dyeing Techniques?

I use natural dyes because I love the color palette and the connection it gives to history and other cultures.

When the Europeans discovered Central and South America and started pillaging it for the natural resources cochineal was the second largest export behind silver.

Brazil is named after the Brazilwood Tree and not the other way around because of it’s importance as a dye stuff.  Belize features a Logwood tree on it’s seal and flag because of it’s importance as a dye stuff. Most of the best quality natural dyes come from the countries near the equator.

Tell us a little bit about how you manage your work life and family life?

Owning your own business is a lot of work. Success and failure rests on your own shoulders. Being a mom on top of that is a constant juggling act. I can’t do all of the things I’d like to do with Sincere Sheep because I am the primary care giver to my son, Joaquin. At the same time Sincere Sheep has given me the flexibility to spend more time with him.

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Brooke and I have combined forces to bring you the March KAL kit, which highlights some of my favorite products. Each kit comes with two Fickle Knitter Patterns written especially for Sincere Sheep yarn, 2 sterling silver stitch markers, an american made BPA free “Keep Calm and Carry Yarn” travel coffee mug, a circular or straight knitting needle case by Tilli Tomas, and a KNIT window decal. There are only a few spots left in the March KAL, so get yours before they’re gone!

To purchase a limited edition March KAL kit featuring Brooke’s amazing yarn click here.

Interested in buying Michelle’s knitting patterns? Visit her online shop, ravelry shop, or etsy shop to buy one now. Each pattern purchased helps keep the lights on and gives Michelle time and resources to write more about knitting.

I am so thrilled to be a part of the Yarnover Truck Launch Party as a guest artist! The party is happening today, March 23, 2013.

The owners, Barbra Pushies and Maridee Nelson have worked diligently since last summer to get the mobile yarn truck up and running and today is the first day of their new adventure! The excitement over the truck has generated some truly amazing press and more will be coming soon. To start please check out the coverage in the LA Times and the NBC Los Angeles site.

• The Saturday edition of the LA Times has an article here about Yarnover Truck and I am absolutely thrilled to share that I got a mention!
• NBC Los Angeles featured an article of the Yarnover Truck here.

You can Visit the new Yarnover Truck website here to stay up to date with what’s happening with Yarnover Truck and if they’ll be visiting your area soon.

Also, the talented Stephannie Tallent created these incredible fingerless mitts exclusively for Yarnover Truck.

And Mira Cole, of Baah Yarn! created this stunning color especially for Barbra and Maridee.

Finally, I used Mira’s stunning exclusive color to create the Little Debbie one skein shawl pattern, which makes its debut at the Launch Party today. And for all those who scored a ticket to the launch, I look forward to seeing you there!

I am so impressed with the concept behind the Jimmy Beans Beans for Brains Scholarship. I personally had my own set of struggles financially while working my way through college on my own. Although I had a good portion of my college tuition covered by grants and scholarships, I still had to work as many as three jobs at once to be able to pay my rent and at a low point took a job at McDonalds to ensure one square meal a day while studying physics full time. My experiences truly made me appreciate my education and I especially value and admire everyone involved in this scholarship process because it’s making a deserving college student’s life significantly better through giving.

I believe this scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for knitters and crafters and it can make such a huge difference in the life of a student. More info about the scholarship is below!

The Beans for Brains Scholarship Program is back for Year 4. This year, five students will each receive $3,200 to help fund college or graduate school in the 2013-14 academic year. Students who are both academic and crafty, that is! The application process is started with creating a project by knitting, crocheting, or sewing, plus writing a short essay and filling out the form. Applications are due by March 31, 2013.

Click Here for more info on the Beans for Brains Scholarship program! Good luck, crafters!

The Beans for Brains Scholarship Program was begun by Jimmy Beans Wool with a variety of co-sponsors from the fiber industry. The Reno-based retailer of yarn and fabric saw a need to give back and invest in new generations of crafting.

On Holiday by Michelle Miller has eleven lovely designs that uses 1000 yards of yarn or less! Michelle is known for creating beautiful patterns that use only one skein of luxury yarn and continues with that theme in On Holiday and combines her talents with five other designers to bring you the types of projects you’ll want to knit on your summer holiday or for the holidays! These patterns were hand picked from the best of the Holiday Yarn Club over the years and combined into one book in time for your own holiday knitting.

There is something for every knitter in this collection. The book contains directions for mittens, socks, shawls, wraps, and a cowl. All patterns have thoroughly tested written instructions and charts where applicable.

Buy Now for only $27 USD
Click to buy On Holiday–The SIGNED Print Version and eBook
Your purchase includes an instant download of the eBook, shipping, and a signed copy of On Holiday. Orders ship March 25th, 2013!

Buy Now for only $25 USD
Click to buy On Holiday–The Print Version and eBook
Your purchase includes an instant download of the eBook, shipping, and a print copy of On Holiday. Orders ship March 25th, 2013!

Buy Now for only $22 USD
Click to On Holiday–The Digital Version
Only want the PDF version? Your purchase includes an instant download of the eBook delivered immediately to your inbox. Also available for sale on ravelry and etsy.

                             March KAL Kit by Fickle Knitter

The March KAL Kit of 2013 includes Sincere Sheep‘s Luminous Yarn, Two Fickle Knitter Design knitting patterns created especially for this yarn, a Keep Calm and Carry Yarn BPA Free travel coffee mug by Slipped Stitch Studios, a lovely Tilli Tomas knitting needle case (circular or straight), 2 sterling silver stitch markers with Alexandrite discs from Knitifacts, and a KNIT car window decal from A Needle Runs Through it.

I have limited kits available this go round, so when they are sold out, that’s it! There are only 9 straight needle cases available and due to the individual nature of the cases although there are multiple color choices, I will choose your color when packing your order. These kits will be available for sale through March 27th, 2013 or until they sell out. Kits will ship April 17th, 2013 and the Ravelry KAL will begin April 25th.

Click Here to Buy the March KAL Kit

Sincere Sheep Luminous Yarn
85% Polwarth Wool and 15% Silk make up this exceptionally squishy hand dyed yarn by Brooke Sinnes of Sincere Sheep. Brooke specializes in natural dyeing and uses yarn made in the good old US of A. You get the best of both worlds with this delicous Polwarth-Silk blend and it is a delight to knit.

Your Color Choices Are:
Winter’s Night (Grey)
St. Barts (Aqua)
Aegean (Green)
Deepest Desire (Purple)
Kung Hey Fat Choi (Red)
Vitamin C (Orange)

The Patterns
Damson Plum and a second surprise pattern (coming soon!) will be included in the March KAL Kit. You may knit either (or both) in our Fickle Knitter Design KAL on ravelry to be eligible for the KAL prize. The KAL will run April 24th-May 15th 2013. Both patterns were written specifically for use with the Luminous yarn.

The Travel Mug
Slipped Stitch Studios did a limited edition run of the Keep Calm and Carry Yarn travel mugs. These are BPA free, made in the US, and can be used by either right handed or left handed knitters. Drink your tea or coffee in style with these cute little mugs!

The Needle Cases
These needle cases are made especially for Tilli Tomas and are lovely for storing your favorite knitting needles. The circular case can accomodate up to 14 needles, and the straight case can accomodate up to 16 straight needles (assuming 2 sets per division). These cases are well made of sturdy fabric and interfacing and sewn well. Due to the exclusive nature of these needle cases I will be choosing your colors!

The Stitch Markers
Knitifacts continues to create amazing things for the Fickle Knitter Design KAL Kits. These two purple-alexandrite sterling silver stitch markers coordinate perfectly with the green disc stitch markers from a few KAL Kits ago. The markers are hand made in the US by Laura of Knitifacts and are sure to delight.

The Window Decal
These adorable KNIT window decals are made in the US by A Needle Runs Through It. Show off your knitting pride to the world with these decals!

US Kits ship for $4 and International Kits ship for $9. Kits will ship on April 17th, 2013.

(Not shown in photos: The surprise second Knitting Pattern included in the kit. Additional Photos coming soon!).

Unicorn and Wolf

Unicorn and Turkey

Unicorn and Turkey Pose-Off

Unicorn and Bear

Unicorn and Pirate with Unicorn wearing Meta Unicorn T Shirt

Galloping Unicorn and Devo

Half Unicorn

Unicorn Snout

Unicorn and Cleo

Post Stitches West Recovery

Unicorn Harlem Shake

This is the first video in my How to Design on a Budget Series. Today you’ll learn how to make a chart using excel and Aire River Knitting Font, which is free.
I use a Mac, so some of the design specifications (such as column width) are different from those found on a PC. For more PC excel knit charting information please read my article from Summer 2009 of Knitty.com called “How to Create Lace Motifs.”

The chart I created in the demo is a chart knit in the round with the even rows not displayed. As shown, the chart has one extra increase in Row 9. Can you see where it is?

These are the last of the Tilli Tomas Starry Night KAL Kits. I’m down to just about the last set of each color. The KAL for the Tilli Tomas kits can be found here on ravelry.

These are the remaining Ohm Kits in stock after Stitches West. Each kit is one of a kind and once they’re gone, that’s it!

These are the remaining Baah Kits in stock after Stitches West. As with the Ohm Kits, what I have on the site is all that’s left!

And finally, the March KAL Kit debuted today! These ship April 17th. I have limited kits available this time, so when all the spots for the KAL kit are full that’s it!

And here’s a sneak peek of the other goodies that come with the March Kit. More soon!