Click here for the Opal Sock Yarn Bunny!
Click here for the Opal Sock Yarn Bunny Hat!
Hi Knitters,
Phew! What a week or two it has been and it continues right on with TC's birthday tomorrow. There are many celebrations to be had around here lately. It's all good fun but also very time consuming so that explains my temporary absence on here. It's good to be back.
Remember the sneak peek I gave for a project I have been working on with Unicorn Books? Well, here it is! I have created the top-down seamless Opal Sock Yarn Bunny exclusively for Unicorn Books, the distributors of Opal Sock yarn, one of my favorites.
In case you didn't catch that, this toy is worked from the top-down and is completely seamless. When you take that last knit stitch on that last toe, you are done! I also made this version with safety eyes but the eyes could also be embroidered. All that's left after the knitting is done, is to take three simple straight stitches with embroidery floss to make the nose, and of course, you can always add a pom-pom tail on the back.
The bunny is incredibly sweet to hold and sits at about 6 1/2 inches tall. There is something about that Vincent Van Gogh sock yarn that is vintage-looking, sort of worn and comfy, all in the best way possible. I can't get enough. I jumped at the chance to design something with the Opal sock yarn when I was asked several months ago.
Here is the back view. How incredibly sweet is this scene? He looks like he is waiting and watching for something right out that window.
I think this bunny should be the main character in a story......
Now here is the exciting news. This pattern (and my photography!) made the cover of the Unicorn Books Fall 2012 catalog. I am so happy about this fact. In case you are wondering that is my mother's original Winnie the Pooh book with a print date of 1928. It is a treasure of mine. This old, tattered book fit perfectly with this sweet old-fashioned bunny. I couldn't resist.
Here is how you get the pattern....
This information is in the catalog and you can see the phone number right on the bottom of page 11 if you need to call (800 289 9276). Those are TC's hands in the photos, she's a patient model for me and I appreciate that.
If you are attending TNNA at the end of this week, please stop by the Unicorn Books booth #109 to check out the original sample. For yarn shop buyers, if you order 1 bag of Opal's Vincent Van Gogh sock yarn you get 5 free patterns for the top-down seamless Opal Sock Yarn Bunny!
The pattern is also available for wholesale order through Unicorn Books for yarn shops! Yarn shops can order the pattern and if you are a yarn shop customer please request the pattern through your shop if you are interested. This is the only way to get the pattern at this time.
I think Unicorn is also running a special on my Itty-Bitty Book series, too. Be sure to check that out as well.
I also made a matching Opal Sock Yarn Bunny Hat with the leftover sock yarn after the bunny was complete. With one ball of Opal sock yarn you have the yarn to knit the perfect gift set.
The construction of the hat is different than the bunny hat in Itty-Bitty Hats and it whips up very quickly. Again, this hat is just like the bunny in that it is completely seamless.
Aren't they great together? That is a surefire hit for any baby shower around! You will be the most popular knitter in town if you show up with this gift for a baby or child or the toy for an adult or teen for that matter.
I don't see the matching hat in the catalog and I am not sure if they are releasing the hat pattern at TNNA or not but the pattern and hat are with Unicorn so ask about it if you stop by the booth or get in touch with them otherwise. The patterns should both be available for purchase.
I am proud of these little knits and I had fun designing them. It has brought me a lot of joy so I hope you enjoy them, too. Unicorn has already asked me to do more designs for them for their Opal yarns in the future so I'll keep you posted on any upcoming patterns.
Click here for the link to Unicorn Books!
Now for more gigantic news keep reading......
Vogue Knitting Live class registration is now up! The VK Live event this fall is being held in Chicago from Oct. 26-28th. I am so excited to be offering two new classes on Sunday, Oct. 28th. I am only going to be there on Sunday due to family obligations on the other days.
I am teaching a brand new and exclusive VK Live design for the String-Along-Frogs! These are small toys that can be whipped up in a jiffy on worsted weight yarn. The frogs are completely seamless and so much fun to knit. You can make them as separate toys or with the ability to hook together. It's up to you.
I am also making String-Along-Monkeys and Bunnies for the in-class pattern that is provided. I will preview those versions right here in a short while. You will get the pattern as part of the class and for now that is the only place to find the pattern. It is an exclusive design for Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago!
The String-Along-Frogs are knit in the wonderful Quince & Co. Lark in several of their green colorways.
The second class I am teaching is for a baby top-down seamless cardigan (photos coming soon!). This is another exclusive design for VK Live in Chicago. I am offering the pattern and technique information/demonstrations in the class for a worsted weight, seamless, top-down baby cardigan. There will also be an option for a matching hat and/or a hoodie version of the cardigan. I am really, really excited to be teaching this brand new class topic for me. All information for the materials are on the VK Live website.
I truly love to teach and I am so thrilled to be included in this elite group of knitting instructors. It is such an honor. You have to go look at the line up, it is incredible.
Please join me, or any of the instructors, if at all possible in Chicago. Come on Midwesterners, let's come out in droves for this fun event! The better the attendance is, the better the chances that we will get to have another VK Live in our part of the country and that is a huge big deal! Plus, it is simply a cool, fun, educational, inspirational event which benefits everyone.
Click here to register for classes!
Hope to see you in Chicago in October 2012!
Take care, Knitters.
best, susie