Botanical Knits || Review & Giveaway

I was so excited when the preview for Alana's new book Botanical Knits launched on Ravelry, the pieces from the book took over the top 20 chart in no time flat! So when Alana asked me to be a part of the blog tour I jumped at the chance to have a look inside this gorgeous collection of knits. 

True to Alana's aesthetic, the book is inspired by foliage, and I love this because it's something Alana does so very well. I also love the layout of the book, all of the little details and the gorgeous photography make this book a stunner. I absolutely adore all of the scalloped edges in the book, LOVE. Alana also shares her story of how her fascination with knitted leaves began, which I really enjoyed reading. 

Another thing I love about the book are the Ravelry buttons throughout. Each pattern has it's own direct link to it's Ravelry pattern page. It's so handy, because if you're like me, the first thing you do when considering a new project is jump over to Ravelry to check out project photos, substitutions, modifications, and all the rest of it! 

Here are a few of my personal favorites from the book...

Autumn's End

I adore the boat neck and how the all over leaf pattern looks delicate but very wearable. I especially love the Candied Yam colourway that Alana chose for the design, this garment would get a ton of use in my wardrobe. 

  Oak Trail

This might be one of my favorite pieces from the book. I love the style of this hat and the trailing oak leaf along the brim. The construction looks super fun and the shape is so flattering. 

...I also LOVE the coat the model is wearing!

Twigs and Willows

I also love Twigs and Willows. I think the yoke detail is so creative, I love how the little embossed leaves and branch flow effortlessly from shoulder to buttonband. I can imagine this took a considerable amount of planning and swatching to get it just so. The end result is gorgeous! And of course, this colourway is lovely, it's totally something I would chose. 

. . .

The book is now available for pre-order which includes a complimentary copy of the eBook as well as an exclusive bonus pattern when the book ships in mid-May!

I've thoroughly enjoyed my copy of the eBook, would you like to win a copy for yourself?

Leave a comment below telling me which of the designs from the book are your favorites, along with your contact info (email address or Ravelry ID), and I will announce the winner on Thursday, April 4th!

* * * This contest is now closed. Thank you to all who entered * * *

Off the Needles...

Knit Picks was blowing all of their sport weight self striping sock yarns out the door so I added two balls of Kingpin to my last order. I had never used the sport weight before so I began by swatching in the round, which resulted in a tiny little cuff. I put it on my wrist to see what it would look like around my leg and knew instantly that I needed to make mittens instead of socks! I love this colourway, it's so me, and I know these mittens will go with everything I own!

What are you working on?

...oh and p.s. ignore the bottom half of my Classic Raglan Pullover, that's a story for another day :)

Winner || Kelbourne Woolens: Volume 1

...and the winner of the signed copy of Kelbourne Woolens: Volume 1 is commenter number 9, Christina! 

Congratulations Christina and thank you to all who entered!

Kelbourne Woolens: Volume 1 { Blog Tour + Giveaway }

I am so excited to be the next stop on the blog tour for Kelbourne Woolens: Volume 1 - a collection of some of the best and most favorite designs from the Kelbourne Woolens archives. I absolutely adore the photography and styling of this book, it's such a treat to flip through. 

 Courtney and Kate took a really fun approach to the tour and have asked us to create an outfit around our favorite piece from the book using Polyvore. I found it challenging to choose just one item from the book - there were so many that I could imagine in my daily wardrobe. I decided to go with the Springtime in Philadelphia hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn - it's casual and fits my style well....

Springtime in Philadelphia by janerichmond featuring Ollie & Nic


This was my first time using Polyvore and I didn't really anticipate how engrossed I would get in the process! I had so much fun choosing my outfit and spent way too much time deciding which bag and shoes to wear... you can even add your favorite nail polish colours, it's endless amounts of fun!

Would you like to win your very own copy of the book? Simply leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy! I will announce the winner this Friday, good luck!!!

...jump on over to Stephannie Tallent's blog this Thursday to catch the next stop on the tour.

 * * * This contest is now closed. Congratulations Christina! * * * 

Off the Needles || Wellington

While on our ISLAND Book Tour I had the privilege of meeting Melissa Thomson, the talented indie dyer behind the Sweet Fiber Yarns line. Our first introduction was via email and Melissa invited me to design something special for her upcoming trip to Stitches West. After working with her yarns, it's no surprise they've become my new fave. 

Her range is incredible and offers something for everyone.  

Her subtle neutrals are perfection, they are evenly dyed and so knit worthy, these colourways make your stitches glow, they are glorious.

{ Silk Cashmere Lace in Paper Birch }

photo courtesy of sweet fiber yarns

Rich multifaceted colourways boast layer upon layer of colour. These might be my favorite, they're everything I love about Madtosh only local! Their depth and duality are irresistible.

{ Cashmerino Worsted in Tea Leaves }

photo courtesy of sweet fiber yarns

And lastly, outrageous colourways that combine loud vibrant colours that shock the senses in the very best way.

{ Cashmerino Sock in Sour Watermelon }

photo courtesy of sweet fiber yarns

photo courtesy of luvinthemommyhood

 ...this is the skein that Shannon picked up at 88 Stitches on our ISLAND book tour. Isn't it amazing!

Melissa sent me home with a pressie. I nearly fell over when I opened the bag, inside were these 4 skeins of Cashmerino Sock in Spanish Coin. Are they not the perfect Jane colour!

 Also in my goodie bag were Melissa's signature Yarn Candy stitch markers. These just happen to be my all time favorite stitch markers after receiving a RAINBOW set for Christmas from my Aunt Karen quite a few years back. I LOVE them and was elated to have more! 

 Not only did Melissa spoil us but her Mother Sue, owner of 88 Stitches made sure we didn't leave empty handed. I put my store credit towards this unbelievably luxurious skein of Sweet Fiber Yarns Heirloom in Ever Grey. It's 70% Silk, 30% Cashmere and 100% heavenly. It's destined to become something very special, even if it takes me years to figure out what that something is! ...I'm open to suggestions. 

And now, onto the original intent of this post (I realize I've gotten completely side tracked with yarn love).

My design for Sweet Fiber Yarns...

This is the Wellington hat. It will be available exclusively through Sweet Fiber Yarns at Stitches West, booths 1041 & 1043, this Thursday through Sunday (February 21st - 24th). The pattern will later be released for purchase online after April 1st. 

You can also pick up copies of ISLAND at the Sweet Fiber Booth at Stitches West! 

An open letter to my friends...

I've had the overwhelming urge to write a love letter to my friends and I thought what better day than Valentine's Day to do just that. 

A little over a year ago, after 10 years together, my husband and I separated. Please don't worry, both parties involved are much happier people because of it and I promise you this post is not meant to be depressing. 

I've spent the last year reconstructing what normal means for myself and my daughter, I've learned a lot and grown so much from it. Through these trials true friends have emerged and shown me that I'm not alone.

Ladies - you know who you are, I dedicate this post to you ♥

And to each and every one of you who takes time out of your day to read my blog - It might sound silly, but knowing you guys were out there reading and interacting with my posts was a reason to keep writing, and without that, I might have fallen into a serious funk. It's kept me going and given me a reason to contribute on a regular basis instead of falling silent.

So to all of my amazing friends here at home and virtual friends from far and wide, thank you for your love and support and...

Happy Valentine's Day!

♥   ♥   ♥

Betsy

Great news! The pattern for Betsy is now available! 

Thank you so much for the overwhelming response to this design on my Ravelry project page. After all of your lovely comments I knew I had to get this one to you while it was still toque season :)

RAVELRY | ETSY | WEBSITE