Our Orchard Covered in Thanksgiving Snow
Good Evening Knitting and Stitching Friends -
I am sitting here this evening thinking back on the Thanksgiving Holiday we in the USA celebrated on Thursday. It was a wonderful day and I feel so fortunate to have a supportive and loving family in my life. I hope that you too were able to celebrate with friends and family.
Here on the East Coast of the US, we had an early snowstorm which made celebrating the holiday difficult for many. You can see the snow on the trees in the orchard on the header photo above. We were lucky and did not lose power for too long a period of time so I was able to get the turkeys cooked. Thousands of our neighbors were not as fortunate - we just got lucky that day. My family got here with no problems and we had a splendid day. Mom, who just turned 80, came a couple days ahead of time to help with the preparations and to spend time with Julia, Mark and I. She is a remarkable woman and I feel so blessed to have had her as a role model and mother. I only hope I do as good a job as she has done with her family.
It was a lovely holiday which we stretched out into two days. Several years ago, we all decided to spend the day after Thanksgiving making instead of shopping (like the media thinks all Americans should do). On CraftFriday this year, we made garlands out of glittered pine cones and holiday wreaths. This day is our chance to catch up with the extended family and share stories and laughter.
My niece Olivia brought the sweater she has been working on for two years so that I could help her finish it up. It is her first sweater! It had some sleeve length issues so we cut and grafted the different pieces together. In the photo below you can see Olivia (on right) and Celia (on left) in their first sweaters! Olivia's is from a design in my book Color By Kristin and Celia's is one of my designs that was featured in Vogue Knitting a few winters ago. They both used my Color By Kristin Yarn (on sale at Webs for $5.49/skein). I am so proud of them both. Leave it to these two to attempt all over Fair Isle colorwork for their first projects! Both their Moms knit so they had some guidance but they knit and made these all themselves!
You can purchase signed copies of Color By Kristin on my website here. It is jam-packed with 26 different designs, most featuring Fair Isle patterning. It came out in 2009 but is still selling well. This book is the knitting book I am most proud of. The projects are timeless. Check out a few other photos from this book in one of the columns at the end of this newsletter.
If you are looking for a Christmas Stocking Pattern to whip up before the holidays, don't forget my two Collections shown below. $12.00 and they contain either 5 or 6 designs in many sizes.
Shown on Left: Kristin's Colorful Christmas Stocking PDF on my website here or on Ravelry here. $12.00 instant download
Shown on RIght: Kristin's Creative Christmas StockingPDF on my website here or on Ravelry here.
Above is another knitting pattern which is perfect for holiday gifting - my Heart to Heart Mittens. Two designs are included for $6.00 - one a more difficult many heart design reminiscent of Scandinavian designs (on right) and the other a single heart design sized for toddlers to adults. You can purchase this PDF instant download on my website here or on Ravelry here.
Do you have a 4 footed friend who needs a new sweater? Check out my Dog In Sheep's Clothing Garter Stitch Dog (or Lamb) Sweater which is sized in 8 different sizes. There are instructions for customizing it too if your dog is a funny shape. This pattern is available on my website here or on Ravelry here for $6.00
That's it for this evening. I hope you and yours had a relaxing and happy creative weekend. I want to thank you all for your continuing support of my work and creative life. Without you all, I would not be able to continue creating.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Kristin Nicholas
p.s. Check out the Craftsy Embroidery Classes that are now on sale. See below and use my special link to receive the discount.
I know it seems like it isn't quite time yet but it isn't too early to be thinking about holiday cards. I have 3 sheep related holiday cards in my webshop. You can purchase them as sets of 5 for $15.00 or as sets of 10 for $25.00.
If you would like them assorted, just leave a note in the order with how many of each.
Color by Kristin was published in 2009 and is jam-packed with many gorgeous knitwear designs. Below are a few of my favorite designs from the book which includes 26 different projects. The book is available signed on my website for $24.95 hardcover. Check it out here.
My Craftsy embroidery class and all of the other Craftsy classes are now on sale for "Black Friday Weekend." Use the following link to receive your discount.
http://www.craftsy.com/ext/KristinNicholas_holiday
