Sunday, October 05, 2008

Woolie Bliss

Hi Knitters,
I had a few more pictures to add but I can't seem to get them uploaded for some reason. Time to move on. I want to tell you about this fabulous new magazine. Debbie Bliss now has her own knitting magazine and it is being produced by the fantastic people at Soho Publishing as in Vogue Knitting and KnitSimple variety. The premiere issue is exquisite. Be sure to click on the link above to see the cover. Soho Publishing strikes again with top notch knitting material for us. Wow.

The magazine features 36 beautiful designs for the home, baby/child, women and many sweaters for men. I am not kidding, the patterns are all gorgeous, the photography is to die for and Debbie even offers a personal section called, "blissful life," where she talks about her favorite things. She shares a recipe, her favorite stitch (can you guess?), a favorite artist and other tidbits. It's fun to hear from Debbie, her taste is impeccable. The magazine is better than a book because of all of the personal touches, interviews and ads.
Here is one sweater I love. Just look at it. I think it is really pretty and different. Wouldn't you love to cuddle up in that on a cold day?
Debbie has a knack for taking the simple project, interjecting it with color and quality in construction. She takes simplicity to a level beyond. I admire Debbie for that. She offers some adorable kids projects in this issue.

I was thrilled to see a full page ad (one of the photos I couldn't get to load) for one of my favorite yarn shops in the country. They have just opened a new online shop and if it is anything like their shop, it will be a winner. The stock and service is like no other. I was there on a Saturday last fall and it was hopping with knitters, packed full. They are nice as pie. 

You have to take a look. This shop has a personal relationship with Debbie Bliss, she has visited them several times. They literally have everything in the Debbie Bliss line. If you are looking for something specific, this is the way to go. The inventory is enormous for any brand or line of yarn or accessories you can imagine, the shop is run by a mother/daughter team and the staff is the best. The Woolie Ewe is a good shop to support.

Here is one quick link for you  today. I keep dreaming about this one. Yup, gotta make that.

I am a year older today, another year has passed in my life. I feel good, happy, contented so I never give my age much thought. It's one of those things you can't do anything about so why bother worrying about it. The older you are, the more interesting you get in my book.

Happy Sunday, Knitters.
best, susie
p.s. You know, one of the projects in the magazine is a needle case, knitted and lined with fabric. I see them everywhere in books, over and over, and every time I wonder if people ever make needle cases. I never have. Do you have any interest in this project or have you ever made a needle case, knitted or sewn or felted? I'd love to hear, maybe I'm missing out.
p.p.s. Debbie's favorite stitch? Moss stitch. Clearly.

30 comments:

Dianne MacDonald said...

Happy, happy birthday! Fall birthdays are the best!

Alison said...

Happy Birthday Susie! I'm with you on the age thing. We can't do anything about it except to embrace our age and wisdom that we gain with each passing year. As to the needle case, yes I'm going to make one. It's been on my list for a while. I don't intend to use it for needles though, I see a slightly smaller one to carry in my purse or knitting bag as a catch all for knitting accessories and pens, pencils, etc. I have sewn bags like this for my daughters to use in their backpacks for school. They typically keep money and pencils and calculators in them.

barb :0) said...

Happy, Happy Birthday !!!!
My Birthday was Oct. 1, and i received the most wonderful knitting gifts !!!! I LOVE birthdays !!!!
I hope that yours is the best ever too :o)

Unknown said...

I bought the mag even after my spending ban because it was so beautiful and had a handful of projects that I'd actually love to make. Rare.
Love the scarf too. Beautiful.

JFibers said...

Happy Birthday! Mine was last week. I love having my birthday in the fall... great colors and cool weather.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Susie! Many happy returns. Ramona

Mona said...

Happy birthday, Susan! I bought the new Debbie Bliss magazine, and agree it's just gorgeous and inspiring. I want to make the big, cabley, slouchy beret for my daughter. Have a great day and thanks for all the great helpful posts! Mona

a Knitting Junkie! said...

First off....Happy Birthday!
Also, this is my first comment on your blog, though I love it, and have subscribed to the feed. I LOVE that scarf! I am soooo going to have to make that one.

I hope you have an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day!

Nikki said...

Happy Birthday! To the many more that lay ahead...

I am so excited about this magazine as well and after this post I will most likely go purchase a copy of it today.

I have not made a needle case yet but I am dying to get my hands on a bundle of Anna Maria Horner fabric and make myself a fold-up needle case with it! ;)

Anonymous said...

happy birthday!!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Susan! My birthday was yesterday, so we share October birthdays! Hope the coming year is a wonderful one for you.
Debbie

peaknits said...

I think I "really" need this magazine:) Where did you find your copy? Happy birthday! I am totally with you - age is just a number - and you my dear, just keep getting better:) I have sewn a needle case - I like the one in the magazine, I'm not sure if I would knit it - but I'd like one:)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

Knittin Kudzu said...

Happy, Happy Birthday from one October baby to another! I hope your day was filled with blessings!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!!

Larraine said...

Celebrate your day Susie!
Will look for the magazine. Thanks for the peek :)
I saw the Shifting Sands scarf done in a merlot colored yarn and it was exquisite!
My sister, the fabric queen, made a needle case for my birthday - maybe she thought I needed to consolidate all the size 2 dpns I had laying around?? Very handy to have and a needle case for circulars is on my Christmas wish list. She also made a bag with a fabric back and clear front for my knitting accessories.
Did you have cake and ice cream? :)

Unknown said...

Happy "'nother year!"

LaQuetha said...

Happy Birthday

Sue said...

Thanks for sharing some of the projects you love from the magazine. I do hope it comes to Australia so I can get a peek too. Have a wonderful Happy Birthday too!

knittingknirvana said...

Happy Birthday! Thank you for blessing my life and my baby's life with your talent.

SSK* said...

I'm a fall baby, too! Happy Birthday!

DD had a soccer tournament in Plano last month, and one of the reasons I wanted to go was to visit The Woolie Ewe. ::sigh:: It was better for the budget to let DH go. Next time it will be my turn!

Betz White said...

Happy happy Birthday, Susan! :)
Hope it was a great day.

I do have a needle case I bought but also have a pattern for one in my book. I think they are tricky to customize...you want it big enough to be practical, but if it's too big it's hard to tuck in your knitting bag...

Faith said...

Happy birthday!

My first project on my new sewing machine several years ago was a needle case (from Stitch and Bitch), and I love it. My needles still get scattered around, but they end up there eventually. And for Christmas my sister made me a smaller one for dpns.

A coworker made one that I adore and hope to get an original one at Christmas time from her -- one with two 'tiers' (for dpns and longer needles), with the sizes embroidered on the front pocket. Quite lovely.

Becky said...

Susie, Happy Birthday! I enjoy stopping in to your blog. Hope your day was grand!

The magazine looks wonderful. I have enough on my lists for now, but will keep it in mind.

Anonymous said...

I hope your b-day was excellent, Susie! Love your upbeat blog.

Hilary said...

Happy Birthday Susan! October is a great month to be born in. My oldest is an October baby, and my husband and I got married in October. Love it!

I use a couple of makeup brush bags for my needles - the kind with little pockets for each brush that come with the set if you buy a set, like from Mary Kay or something. I never thought of making my own... too many other things on the list to do first I guess.

Have a happy day,
Hilary

Heather L. said...

Happy Birthday!!! Thanks for your lovely blog, which I read faithfully. :)

At my sister's request, I started making needle cases out of felted sweaters. She wanted something to put her double points in so they would be organized. You can see an example at
www.theblackberrytree.etsy.com

Tracy Batchelder said...

Happy Birthday! I'll look for this magazine next time I'm out. I've never made may own needle case, though I have a couple of felted ones that I bought.

susieknits said...

Susan, Is Debbie Bliss a real-live person? All the ladies in my knitting club have a conspiracy theory that she's not real since her patterns don't seem like a knitter wrote them sometimes. :)

Susan B. Anderson said...

Susieknits,
Oh my goodness, that made me laugh.

Yes, she is an actual person and she writes and designs and hopefully knits along with a staff of people, I imagine. There isn't anyway that one person alone could produce the amount of patterns and knitted garments the Debbie Bliss line puts out.

She is real as real as can be. I know a lot of people who have met her in person. She has attended TNNA and made shop appearances. There is even a big picture of her in the magazine.

Now as to her patterns being difficult...I have made tons of her stuff throughout the years and have never had a single problem but I know others have. I don't know much about that issue.

That is so funny, conspiracy...love it.
susan