Vogue Knitting Live New York 2015
Chiagu will be at the Marketplace at Vogue Knitting Live! I am sharing Booth 118 with Marsha from One Geek to Craft Them All. Between us we will have patterns, yarn kits, project bags, stitch markers (really fun ones!). And we have fun neighbors: Bar-maids, Yarnbox, Dusty's Vintage Buttons, and some local knitting guilds including to the one I belong to, Brooklyn Knit & Crochet Guild. Stop by and say "Hi!".
Vogue Knitting Live Marketplace at the New York Marriott Marquis
Friday, January 16 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 17 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 18 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
2015 - Time for a change
January 2015 marks a change in ownership at Chiagu.
Ivete Tecedor, founder of Chiagu, is currently concentrating on her new business venture Gotham Quilts. Operating two online businesses is quite time consuming, so much so that Ivete chose to sell Chiagu to me.
Ivete and I have many things in common: we both are long time knitters, we worked in popular NYC yarn stores and have taught hundreds of people how to knit. We also have two hobbies in common since I am a quilting novice. (Imagine the yarn and fabric stash!)
How much will Chiagu change? Not much - in fact I really hope to build upon Ivete's work. Many of the current patterns are Ivete's original designs and they will stay with Chiagu. We're also keeping Ivete's blog entries which are all the entries prior to Dec 31, 2014. I first got to know Ivete through her blog and I'm glad to keep her lively and informative posts.
As for me, I'm working on new patterns for Chiagu. And I look forward to curating beautiful handpainted and hand-dyed yarn for the Mini Skein Club. The January package is almost ready for the trip to their new homes.
And today you get two blog posts because Chiagu will be part of a fun event in mid-January. Read on....
Moved my blog!
If you're reading this in an RSS reader, you may have seen a ton of old posts show up as "new" in your reader. I'm sorry about that, it's a side effect of having moved my blog from wordpress.com! It should only happen once and then you should be good to go with only new content in your reader.
2013 was a strange year for me. It feels like I've spent the last 6+ months frowning and worrying, and I'm honestly sick of it. I'm not sure how to change this but I know that recognizing the problem has got to be part of the solution. Right?
In terms of knitting and crafting in general, 2013 was one of my least productive years. I think I finished maybe 4 knitted items this year, and only maybe 2 quilts. My crafting and hobbies/interests always behave cyclically like this, so I'm not too worried about the downturn, but I'd love it if I started being on a high point again with the creating. I'm always happier when I've got projects I'm working on!
Speaking of which, in the last week or so I've done more knitting than I have in months. Both were "necessity" knits: a new hat for me and a new sweater for Arnold. Here are instgrams of each:
I'll try to write about each in the next few days. I know I've been a terrible blogger recently, but I do post on Facebook and Instagram a bunch. If you miss hearing from me, why not join me over there?
November's featured pattern
It's a new month, so time for a new pattern to go on sale!
This month, I'm featuring my Leila Shawl and Shawlette pattern:
This is one of my favorite designs ever and also one of the best sellers. I've knit at least 6 of these to give away as presents! You can see them all on Ravelry if you're curious.
You probably already know that I have think of diamonds and zig-zag patterns, so it's no surprise that the motif is featured in this pattern as well. I love the symmetry in the lines and the way the pattern grows as the shawl grows.
This pattern looks great in handpainted yarns like Koigu KPPPM and works with either highly-variegated or subtly-shaded colors. It would also look great in a glowy almost-solid like one of Madelinetosh's colors, or if you want to go for a more classic look, knit this in a solid in a luxurious neutral like beige or silver.
This pattern includes instructions to make both a full-size shawl and a shawlette. I love the heft of the full-size shawl in this pattern. It's really cozy to wear a shawl that covers your back fully. I have gotten a ton of wear out of the blue one you see above.
The shawlette is a quick knit that adds the perfect splash of flare to your outfit:
The shawlette knits up so quickly, it makes for a perfect holiday gift. I can't imagine any woman who couldn't use one of these in her wardrobe!
So what're you waiting for? Get your copy of the Leila pattern now! It's on sale for just $2.50 until the end of November 2013.
Rhinebeck recap, mostly via Instagram photos
I took the train+shuttle to Rhinebeck with my friend Nancy this year, and as soon as we got off the bus I snapped this picture of the gorgeousness as we walked in:
http://instagram.com/p/fsdNQ0iLNt/
The weather couldn't have been much better, it was crisp and chilly (yes! we got to wear sweaters!) but also bright and sunny. It was a joy to be outside.
For the next 6 hours, we wandered all over the grounds, stopping to buy supplies and food. Nancy did most of the fiber purchasing while I did most of the food purchases. I actually didn't buy anything knitting-related at all!
But I did buy food. A lot of it.
Stood in line for 30 minutes to buy apple cider donuts:
http://instagram.com/p/fsuxuViLDm/
Then just before leaving, bought an absurd helping of kettle corn:
http://instagram.com/p/fs-85IiLEt/
Which Nancy and I ate during the entire trip home. That was definitely the best kettle corn I've had in years.
All in all, the trip was wonderful. Nancy and I spent a while talking about what a Chiagu booth might look like if I were to do one at next year's Rhinebeck . . . and believe me, if I decide to go that way, I'll tell you all about it as we work on it!
--
PS - You should follow me on Instagram if you're on there =)
