Here's what you do...

Edited to Add: This morning at 6am there are only 3 skeins of the Cotton Classic left (out of 96 skeins) in my Ebay listing! Wow! Thank you! We are listing lots of new yarns for sale today, Jan. 1st, 2014, so please check back for more GREAT yarn at discounted prices. Click here to keep checking!

Hi, Knitters,

Be sure to read to the end of the post to find out about today's fantastic giveaway!

Before I jump into today's giveaway, I want to quickly tell you that I have listed 96 skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic for sale on Ebay. I am selling the skeins at a very low price, $3.50 per skein. The going retail price is $6.50 per skein. This is beautiful, vibrantly colored cotton that can be used for child and baby knits (I used a lot of this yarn in Itty-Bitty Hats!). Also, it is great yarn for washcloths, crochet, garments, toys, hats, any charity knitting, etc. It's very versatile and machine wash and dry. 

The yarn is in brand-new condition, never used or opened, and every skein has the label.

Click here for my Ebay listing called, Yarn Sale!  Please use the Add to Cart feature to purchase multiple colors. $6.00 total shipping in the U.S. for any number of skeins. Contact me through Ebay for international shipping costs. 

Special offer: If you include a message with your purchase that says you learned about the Ebay Yarn Sale here on the blog or subscription email, I will throw a surprise in the package for you! It could be more yarn, a tape measure, a pattern..... you never know!

I will be adding much more yarn for sale at discounted prices so if you are interested in getting some yarn from my stash be sure to check back.

(photo provided by Mary Jane Mucklestone)

Now for more fun! I have wanted a reindeer hat since last winter when I spotted two young women at a local outdoor skating rink wearing the most charming reindeer hats I had ever seen. I even made up my own colorwork chart with a reindeer but I never got around to it. All of a sudden last week I saw the cutest hat pattern by one of my favorite designers, Mary Jane Mucklestone. The pattern is aptly called, Muckle Toque.  

And what a great photo from Mary Jane! Doesn't the photo make you want to knit one, too?

(photo provided by Mary Jane Mucklestone)

I knew right away what to do.

I bought the Muckle Toque pattern from Mary Jane and I pulled out her beautiful new book, 150 Scandinavian Motifs. I just adore this book and have owned it since it came out. It is like a treasure chest of colorwork stitch patterns. I have looked through this book so many times, more than I could count. I knew there were a few reindeer motifs I could insert right into Mary Jane's hat pattern. By combining the two I would have a complete Mary Jane masterpiece! My reindeer hat dreams were finally coming true.

Here are a few links for you:

Mary Jane Mucklestone's website! Please go visit Mary Jane's website. You will be blown away by her knitting and designing and photography. She is someone I really admire in the industry. What a talent!

The Muckle Toque pattern on Ravelry!

150 Scandinavian Motifs!

(Jacket Art from Interweave/F+W Media)

This amazing book is one that every knitter should have in their library. The stitch patterns are wonderful, diverse, interesting and downright beautiful. You should run out and get this book if you have any interest in colorwork knitting.

Now, after making a very slight stitch number variation so the motif would fit into the hat pattern, here is what I came up with.......

I used the reindeer motif #140 on page 128 in 150 Scandinavian Motifs. I knit the hat in some Cascade 220 Superwash I had in my stash. The hat pattern offers different sizes and has yarn suggestions. You can knit the hat in different weight yarns, too. Mary Jane tells you how to do it all in the pattern.

Thank you to my little TC for modeling today.

I love this new hat! Seriously, it is now my favorite hat for warmth and cuteness, of course.

I got some new snowshoes for Christmas and I have been hitting the great snowy outdoors with my reindeer Muckle Toque and my new snowshoes. I have been out a bunch of times already. I have to tell you, this hat just makes me feel good. My entire family likes my new hat, too.

I am making a second Muckle Toque in turquoise and white with a snowflake motif. I am well into the long 1x1 ribbed brim. I even love it a second time through. I will keep you posted on my progress. I have a feeling there will be many more. The hat is the perfect stash buster.

One new thing I learned in the pattern is how to make a spotted pom-pom. I love this idea and will use it again. I will add more spots on the next one now that I have it figured out. How cute is that?

So here's what you do......

First, get Mary Jane's new Muckle Toque pattern. Next, get Mary Jane's new colorwork motif book. Combine the two and come up with your very own spectacularly adorable winter hat! It's so cheerful, charming and fun. What great gift hats, too. 

Now here's the good part. One of you will win a copy of the book, 150 Scandinavian Motifs AND a copy of the Muckle Toque pattern! I am so excited to be able to offer this to you. Thank you to Interweave/F+W Media for the book and to Mary Jane for the pattern. 

Please leave a comment on this blog post to enter to win. Leave only one comment and be patient for your comment to appear. Please leave your Rav ID or your email address so I can contact you if you should win.

I'll be back in a few days to randomly select a winner!

If you are buying yarn from me on Ebay don't forget to leave me a note so you get your surprise!

Happy New Year to you all, dearest Knitters! May we all have the best upcoming year ever.

best, susie