In the Shop - Conversation Heart Valentines

Oh, it's that time of year again. Valentine season. One of my very favorite holidays, for its tiny gifts full of sentiment. Again this year we've got sweet little Valentine pins perfect for all your friends. I've even toned down the sentiment this year, after all the agonizing my first grader did last year over who should receive the "xoxo". All of our messages can be given to anyone as a token of sweet, simple friendship. They come in sets of 5 pins attached to a simple card that reads "Happy Valentine's Day" on the front and "to" and "from" on the back. The card/pin colors are mixed to make each card as much fun (and as gender neutral) as possible. Our set of conversation hearts is perfect for flexible classroom giving, party favors, or place cards at a special dinner. 

Get your own in the SweetKM Etsy Shop.

 We'll be wearing all 5!

Autumn Shape Shifter Scarf

Oh hey, here I am. I've had one of those couple of weeks where you put your headphones on and look down at your sewing table, when you look up 3 weeks later you've got dishes in the sink, every toy in the house on the floor, and a family full of grumpy faces. They are grumpy (though I hope not too much), but I am feeling pretty accomplished. In fact, this may be my post productive month ever. I have sewn 8 things for the kids, one thing for me, knit 4-5 thing in addition to my normal shop routine. Only problem is, I can't talk about 90% of that stuff  until later, and the other 10% just can't seem to get out of the pile in the sewing room and in front of the camera.

So back to the matter at hand. This is a new color way for the Shape Shifter Scarf Pattern. I've been playing with colors for the last little while. This is a little peak at the big pile of autumn hues I have on the needles now. I'm hoping to get a few more scarves/cowls made for the shop before anyone sits down to Thanksgiving turkey, and maybe even make one for myself!

This Shape Shifter Scarf is available for purchase HERE.
You can purchase the Shape Shifter Knitting Pattern HERE.

Conversation Heart Class Valentine

Valentine's is one of my very favorite holidays. Coming up with a sweet little, heart shaped, tidbit is my favorite kind and size of project. But this year, I was coming up empty. Approximately, two days after giving myself permission to give store bought Valentines, after I had already started perusing the candy coated sadness in the big box Valentine aisle, the idea for Conversation Heart Valentine Badges struck me like a bolt from the blue. Simple, modern, without refined sugars or proprietary cartoon characters. Adorned with a heart and the most benign friendship sayings I could think of in my hurry to see results. Fitting for any little boy or girl, to give to any little boy or girl, loaded only with affectionate friendship appropriate for a 6 year old.

Of course, I've made enough to share. Get your's in the shop.

More easy kid's Valentine ideas:

Stuffed Heart Valentine Ornaments  *  Printable Treat Bag Labels  *  Kid's Artwork Valentine

Color Pop Hat and Mittens

Sometimes I buy a yarn because I love it, and I want to caress it, and gaze at it, and hold it close to my heart forever. This, is that kind of yarn. I have been hoarding this mottled ball of perfection for just the right moment. Its super soft and warm, and the single ply gives it a little halo of snuggly softness. But, its time to stop being stingy. Winter is well upon my corner of the world, and this yarn is perfect for a 14 degree wait for the school bus. 

Both hat and mittens have a rolled edge and a pop of color, the minimal shaping lets the color and texture of the yarn speak for itself. L will be wearing this set at the bus stop tomorrow morning. Get your HAT and MITTENS at SweetKM.

Simple styling, toasty wool, the next polar vortex doesn't stand a chance. 

More Pattern Options

Phew! Summer where have you gone? While the balmy weather lingers, I have been looking ahead to Christmas knitting. In response to customer requests I have reconfigured a few of our more popular patterns. 

So many knitters love the Simple Ribbed Bonnet, but aren't inclined to festoon it with holly. For those loyal knitters you can now purchase the Simple Ribbed Pixie Bonnet Pattern individually. Its our simplest bonnet pattern in its simplest form.

For those who are inclined to festoon their bonnets, we still offer the Holly Bobble Bonnet and Mittens Pattern. The pattern includes clear instructions for bobble construction and placement, and paper pattern pieces for the holly leaves. 

Our very favorite little Shawl Collar Baby Coat Pattern has been growing with my children. It is now available in sizes up to 4T.

Get those knitting needles ready, chilly weather will be upon us before you can say Shawl Collar Baby Coat!

Full Line of SweetKM Patterns.

Beachcomber Sweater

The Beachcomber Sweater is sized and ready for summer knitting and vacation wearing. With the end of school creeping up behind me, I managed to get the head spinning calculations out of the way before the official start of summer.

This dolman sleeve sweater wears like a t-shirt, and is constructed as one piece for easy finishing. Knit in bulky weight, Billow from Knit Picks, which I whole heartedly recommend that you try. The variation in strand width makes a subtle, casual, texture. The all cotton yarn is just as light as its name. The only problem: it is NEVER in stock! I am waiting patiently for more Comfey, which I am told will be restocked near the end of June. Until then, I have my eye on another Beachcomber Sweater in Clarity, or perhaps Cornmeal. I would be happy to hear of any bulky cotton yarns you love.

The Details:
US Size 11, 24" Circular Needles
14 Stitches and 19 Rows in 4"
Sizes 2T-10

BUY IT NOW!

Listed : Big Kid Pixie Bonnet

My pixie bonnet pattern has grown with my kids, and this is the logical next step. I replaced the chin strap with strings for little ones who want to dress them selves. This version has a double thickness of worsted weight yarn to keep tender ears extra warm on the recent 20 degree days. 

Finished versions, in colors perfect for a March Easter, are available in the shop.

Listed : Bless Your Heartwarmer

I should know better than to make promises just before the Holidays, but the Bless Your Heartwarmer knitting pattern is now listed for sale.

Hooray! Let's get knitting.

Listed : Indian Summer Scarf Pattern

Just in time for your homemade holiday, the Indian Summer Scarf is available for sale.

Buy it now on Ravelry or Etsy.

Supply List:

One Set Size 8 Straight Needles

One 50 Gram Ball, Worsted Weight Yarn

One 1/2" Button

One Tapestry Needle

6"x2" Scrap of Fabric

HAPPY HOLIDAY KNITTING!

Purple Heartwarmer

What can I say L is partial to purple. While I love more neutral knitting, she chose this heather purple, with tiny hints of pink and white, for the latest version of the Bless Your Heartwarmer. I'm not in love with this yarn's workability, but am reasonably happy with the finished result. I finished this one with a button loop at one of the ends and a vintage button at the other, anchored with a felt heart.

Yarn: Rowan Creative Focus in Lavender Heather
Pattern: My Own

Works as a mommy scarf, too.

Now that L has a heartwarmer she adores, we're listing the Bless Your Heartwarmer in the shop!

Listed : Simple Ribbed Mittens

New in the shop this week: Simple Ribbed Mittens in sizes Up to 12 Months, 12-24 Months & 3T/4T. After many special requests for mittens to match the Simple Ribbed Bonnets, its seems these little guys deserve their own listing.

New for November

At little sneak peek at what's new for November. I've been working on this thing for entirely too long, but finally found just the right vintage buttons. If I had made it bigger (or maybe faster) I would be keeping this one for L. This fits up to 12 months, but is modeled by a much bigger baby. The Shawl Collar Baby Coat sizing is incredibly versitile. Just one of the new additions I hope to have in the shop when it reopens at the end of the week.

Holly Bobble Hat and Mittens

Holiday bonnets are back for the season. It seems much too early to be thinking of Christmas, but I want everyone to get as much wear as possible out of these great sets. L's in on the needles as we speak. She only wore last year's set once, before someone bought it right off her little head.

Stay tuned for the Holly Bobble Hat and Mittens Pattern! There I said it, now I have to finish it, right?

Etsy Finds

Did you see the Etsy Finds email today? 

In Progress

Some new hat colors for the shop, or a new color and a remix of old colors. I am loving this grey. So soft and buttery, and perfectly subtle.

Etsy Finds

Did you see the Etsy Finds email newsletter today? I always get a little rush when I find myself in unexpected places.

Striped Hat & Mittens

My contribution to the Ginia18 & SweetKM trade. A worsted wool, striped hat and mittens.
This will definitely be in the shop, probably as the set.

Trade

How cute is this? This awesome crayon folio is from my friend Virginia Lindsay, also known as Ginia18 on Etsy. We set up a little trade and this is what I chose from her extensive selection of hand sewn accessories and patterns. I love it so much I'm going to be hesitant to let L use it. Luckily, she isn't quite old enough for crayons yet, so I have a little while to soak up its awesomeness before she messes it up. I'm such a sucker for this sort of thing, so neat, so organized. How could you not do something great with such well presented crayons? Virginia gave us one for J a few years ago, and he loves it. Great for long car trips or church.

I'll show my half of the trade tomorrow, in the meantime check out Virginia's blog.