November Newsletter Part 4: Teaching Sock Knitting

"Thank you!" I've received so many lovely emails and calls about November's Newsletter series and I'm inspired by and appreciate every kind word. This week we'll discuss hand knit Socks & Slippers. I realize your new knitter may not be ready for socks by week 4 but its not about them mastering knitting 100%, its about the time you spend with your loved one sharing your love of fiber arts and your love for them. Creating something with your hands while creating memories, you'll both look back on and reminisce..."Remember that Thanksgiving when Mom, Grandma (you insert the name) taught us to knit" That's what this series is about.

Through the Loops Jagged

Cuff Down
If you prefer knitting socks from the cuff down you're in for a treat with one of these new patterns. Through The Loops colorful striped Jagged are worked from the cuff down and have a short row heel.

Goddess Knits' new designs include the beaded Midnight Sky, lacy Velvet Brocade & Daisy Chain, cabled Abhainn & Anjou and the lacy & cabled Poison Ivy.

Goddess Knits Midnight Sky

Goddess Knits Velvet Brocade

Goddess Knits Daisy Chain

Goddess Knits Abhainn

Goddess Knits Anjou

Goddess Knits Poison Ivy

And Lisa Ellis Designs' Cable Cuff Sock will show off all your handiwork on the cuff.

Lisa Ellis Designs Cable Cuff Sock

Yarns On Stage
And make one of these new Cuff Down socks completely unique by knitting it in one of the exclusive Yarns on Stage colorways! Yarns On Stage is a celebration of beautiful fingering weight fiber and the artists who make its colors sing. 9 of today’s hottest hand-dyers have lovingly dyed their most popular sock yarns in unique, limited edition colorways and created a special pattern to showcase their color. Knit your next sock or lace project in a yarn from Alpaca with a Twist, Claudia Hand Painted, Dream In Color, Great Adirondack, Pico Accuardi, Prism Yarns, Shibui Knits, Conjoined Creations or Twisted Sisters!

Purchase all 9 of these exclusive yarns and you'll receive 10 FREE Patterns, a great holiday gift for yourself or a fellow knitter.

Conjoined Creations Flat Feet Sunny Orange

Claudia Hand Painted Fingering Zebra

Alpaca with a Twist Socrates Fruit Smoothie

Great Adirondack Silky Sock Parakeet

Hand Knit Slippers
Nothing says I love you more than a pair of warm and cozy slippers. Whether you use one of these basic patterns to teach a new knitter, felting hides any mistakes, or you knit a pair for every family member, they'll think of how much they love you every time they wear them.

Melynda Bernardi of French Press was inspired by dressy ballet flats to design her French Press Felted Slippers. Constructed more like a shoe than a sock, these quick to knit felted slippers will keep you warm AND comfortable! The pattern is written with a lot of details, pictures & instructions for felting and available as a Pattern only or a Kit.

French Press Slippers

Kitman Figueroa Comfy Slippers

Snuggle up on a cold day wearing Kitman Figueroa's Comfy Slippers. This hand knit pair of slippers are done mainly in stockinette stitch, are fast and easy and the pattern includes many different sizes. The pattern is versatile and can be knit in a worsted, heavy worsted or even a yarn held double.

Josefina Knits Peter Pan's Slippers

And Josefina Knits' cute elfin Peter Pan's Slippers are a fun pair of slippers that can be easily crocheted in few hours. This versatile pattern can be done in any gauge, with any hook and in any size from newborns, toddlers, teens, adults and even for dolls.

Ilga Leja Midnight Sun

Leg Warmers
They're back, just like sweaters & cowls are big hits this season the extra layering accessory Leg Warmers have made a come back! Ilga Leja's Midnight Sun leg warmers are part of her Far North Collection and play with the colors of the sun against a neutral sky. Some of the colors are fanciful; some are true. This stash-busting project requires a substantial quantity only for the background. Even that can change along the length of each leg warmer.

Gift With Purchase
My last Gift with Purchase was a huge hit, a Free Skein of yarn when you spent $50 or more. This time I'm giving you a Free Pattern when you spend $25 or more. No shipping required and the pattern will be selected for you.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for visiting and sharing my news. Remember I'm always here to help with any of your fiber arts needs, I can be reached at sandrasingh@sandrasingh.com, or toll free 877/519-1693 or on Ravelry. Speaking of Ravelry please stop by and join my group, Sandrasingh.com, I started a thread asking you to share your story about teaching a loved one or friend to knit and I'd love to hear about your experience.

Two New Hat Patterns!

Earlier this week I emailed the "Newsletter Part 3: Teach a Non-Knitter to Knit a Hat," and since than I've added two new hat patterns to my website!

The first one is from a new designer, Kitman Figueroa, her lacy Tulip Grace Hat. Tulip Grace is a quick knit done in a pretty, elegant stitch in the round. With only 58 rounds to complete you'll have it done and ready for blocking in no time!

Kitman Figueroa's Tulip Grace Hat

Its knit with only one skein of Berroco's worsted weight yarn Ultra Alpaca and available as a pattern only and a Kit.


And the second one will delight you just as much, Never Not Kniting's Autumn Vines Beret. A cabled leafy design like a tangled vine climbs up the sides of this sweet cap making it an interesting and fun stitch pattern to work up.

Never Not Knitting's Autumn Vines

Thank you for sharing my last minute news and I look forward to next week, we'll be discussing Socks & Slippers!

November Newsletter Part 3: Teach a Non-Knitter to Knit a Hat

For the past two weeks we've discussed creating your own family tradition this holiday season and teaching a loved one to knit. The response has been great! Last week we covered cowls & scarves and now your budding knitter has mastered casting on, knitting, purling and casting off its time for them to learn simple increases and decrease and hats are small portable projects that are perfect for teaching these skills, plus they're quick knits with satisfying results. And of course you'll want to create one of these new styles for yourself and even as a gift.

In This Issue: The Slouch / The Hats of Woolly Wormhead / Fitted Hats /

The Slouch
Hat wearers around the world are coveting the darling Slouch! And for good reason, besides being adorable and flattering its comfortable, keeps you toasty warm and doesn't contribute to dreaded hat hair! Knit one of these new patterns in a yarn and color that flatters your skin tone and updates your winter coat.

Through the Loops Sofie's Slouch

Sofie's Mittens

Kirsten Kapur of Through The Loops has just introduced this new design for Fall/Winter 2010-11, the Sofie's Slouch and Mittens set. This slouchy hat is mainly knit in stockinette with added columns of cables to keep things interesting and the mittens echo this design.

Sivu Simola Ebba

While Suvi Simola's slouchy hat Ebba features lace and is worked in a light DK or sport weight yarn.

Ysolda Icing Swirl

If you need a really quick knit try one of these hats knit in a bulky yarn such as Cascade Eco+. Ysolda's Icing Swirl is a cute slouchy beret that features just enough lace detailing to keep things interesting, but not requiring too much attention.

Josefina Knits' Happy Days

And Gabriela Ordenes', of Josefina Knits, Happy Days is a cabled slouch that you'll enjoy knitting as much as wearing (or giving away).

The Hats of Woolly Wormhead
A discussion about hats must include the patterns of knitwear designer Woolly Wormhead, hats are her specialty. She gives you a modern take on the slouch and also on many other styles. Her expert patterns often include different sizes and the instructions are both written and charted. Enjoy one of her new slouch designs.

Woolly Wormhead Limerick

Woolly Wormhead Weekender

Weekender has a bias body and generous shape, its worked from the bottom up in the round. Waffle Slouch has a lovely deep brim and a textured lacey body which creates a modern and comfortable fit. It can be worn in a number of ways for a variety of looks. Limerick likes to bend the rules, instead of the usual multiples for a beret its worked with the number five. 5 lines spiral around the body which is knit on the bias to emphasize the shape and create its unique structure. Full of character, Limerick is sure to charm.

For a slighter slouch knit lacey Ivydene, worked in the round this wonderful lace beret is based in garter stitch and its an ideal pattern for using those special skeins of yarn! And the Staggered beanie is ideal for beginner knitters, or those wishing to try knitting in the round for the first time. Worked bottom up, it makes the most of wide ribs to create a strong architectural pattern around the brim.

Woolly Wormhead Fisherman

nd these 4 berets were designed to showcase the beautiful hand painted colors of Dream In Color's 100% merino wool yarn Smooshy. Each beret is knit with only 1 skein and Smooshy is On Sale. Plus the exclusive Yarns On Stage color Bubble Haze is available. Pinwheel is worked top down in a pinwheel type pattern that is easy to memorize. Its a pleasant and straightforward knit and with careful weaving in of the ends its also fully reversible. A classic style the Fisherman cap is knit in the Fisherman Rib stitch. Symetrie is knit in the round from the bottom up in a simple chevron based pattern to create multiple lines of symmetry and reflection. And Radial is also worked in the round from the bottom up and decorated with gentle lines travelling from the brim to the crown, like radials of a circle.

Woolly Wormhead Father and Son Beanies

Woolly Wormhead Tricable

Woolly has a hat design that will look great on every member of your family! Propello is a gentle beret with flattering shaping and texture. Based on the Propeller beret from Wee Woolly Toppers, this adult version comes in 3 sizes. The Father & Son Beanies include 3 fun styles of beanies for all ages. And the cute Tricable hat comes in baby, children and adult sizes.

To see all of Woolly Wormhead's hat patterns visit my website: Berets & Rastas and Caps & Chullos.

Lisa Ellis Designs Northwest Button Band Hat

If you need a more fitted style such as a watch cap or ski hat try one of these new designs by Lisa Ellis Designs or Anne Hanson of Knitspot. Lisa Ellis Designs' Northwest Button Band Hat is a one skein hat that knits up in hours. This simple yet versatile hat is perfect for even a beginner knitter. Lisa also has two other new hat patterns this season, the Jogless Striped and Winter Trio. To see all of Lisa's hat designs visit my website, Hats, Scarves and Gloves.

Knitspot High Peaks Hat & Mittens Set

Anne's High Peaks Hat & Mittens set includes three sizes and has a cozy texture that provides warmth and interest. The knit/purl pattern works up quickly in worsted weight yarn such as Malabrigo Merino Worsted.

And to see all my Hat Patterns by all of my Designers visit: Hats.

I imagine you'll want to cast on one of these lovely new hat projects so I'll bring this newsletter to a close. Thank you for visiting and sharing my news. Remember I'm always happy to help with any of your fiber arts needs, I can be reached at sandrasingh@sandrasingh.com, or toll free 877/519-1693 or on Ravelry. Speaking of Ravelry please stop by and join my group, Sandrasingh.com, I started a thread asking you to share your story about teaching a loved one or friend to knit and I'd love to hear about your experience!

Stay tuned...

My third installment of my November Newsletter series, Teach a Loved One to Knit, is about to be published. In this edition I'm discussing using a hat pattern to teach increases and decreases.

If you're not signed up for my Newsletter please do so on my Home Page!

Since I began writing this series I was wondering if its inspired anyone to teach some one to knit, so in my Ravelry group, Sandrasingh.com I started a thread asking, "Have you taught some one to Knit?" I'd love to hear about your all your experiences teaching a newbie to knit!

November Newsletter Part 2: Teach a Tween, Teen or Adult to Knit

This holiday season as you gather with family and friends start your own family tradition, share your love for fiber arts and teach a non-knitter to knit. Last week I wrote about project ideas for teaching children and in this newsletter you'll find patterns & yarns to inspire tweens, teens and adults. And, these yarns & patterns also make great gifts!

In This Issue: Scarf and Cowl Designs

New Scarf and Cowl Designs
Everyone wants instant satisfaction, and when its cold outside a tween, teen or adult would love to learn how to knit a scarf or cowl so they can immediately wear it and show off their handiwork.

Schaefers 5 Fabulous Scarves

An easy scarf pattern is an excellent first knit and teaches essential skills that can be quickly built upon. These four scarf patterns by The Schaefer Yarn Company work perfectly and make ideal gifts for coworkers, neighbors, school teachers or postal carriers and each pattern includes instructions for more than one style. Five Fabulous Scarves includes five different designs that are knit in either bulky Elaine or Esperanza, the Scarf Three-Ways includes feather and fan, herringbone and open wave designs all knit in one skein of Helene and the Jiffy One Skein & Scarf Duo patterns both include instructions for two different textured scarves knit with one skein of either bulky Kathleen or Sandra, both of these yarns are on sale.

My two other Schaefer Specials are, buy any In Stock Schaefer yarn and you'll receive a free copy of Hunter Hammersen's new Bines sock pattern and purchase any 5 Schaefer patterns and you'll get a 6th one (of your choosing) Free.

Ysolda Peaks Island Hood

For a slightly different style knit Ysolda's Peaks Island Hood, this hooded scarf is designed to look equally good with the hood up or down. The ends feature a simple shell pattern that’s echoed in the hood shaping and it can be worked in either direction and its knit in one piece.

Knitspot Butternt

A lacy scarf would make the sophisticated woman on your gift knitting list very happy, try Anne Hanson's new Butternut or Potager. Sheer Butternut features a texture of staggered almond shapes that form a ribbed fabric which is attractive on both the front and the back sides. With crisp outlines and lace knitting on RS rows only, this motif is easily memorized and very intuitive to work. Available as a Kit too with either Margaret Stove Artisan Lace or The Alpaca Yarn Company's Suri Elegance.

Knitspot Potager

Potager is a pretty rectangle in sizes scarf, petite and tall, worked in a vertical composition of delicate pea vines dotted with nupps or substitute beads. Its worked from hem to center back in two pieces, then grafted afterward. Despite Potager's intricate appearance, it travels well and knits up quickly to make a special accessory.

Ilga Leja Bermuda

For your friend who loves bright colors, combine the magic of short rows with the changing colors of a gently self-striping yarn to create Ilga Leja's Bermuda scarf. Teach a loved one to crochet with Knosewcute's stylish Easy Striped Scarf! And for the young man in the family who wants to learn to crochet Knotsewcute's Felted Men's Scarf is perfect because the felting will hide any newbie mistakes.

Berroco Flitwick

Cowls are everywhere this season and also make great teaching tools, learning to knit in the round opens up more pattern possibilities to a new knitter. Flitwick from Berroco's booklet #301 Campus makes an ideal lesson, the pattern is easy enough to knit up in a few hours. Or with a little more guidance try one of these new designs.

Ilga Leja Tundra

Ilga Leja's Tundra both warms and adorns the shoulders, neck, and head. Worked from the bottom up, it can be adjusted in length as a simple rolled neck cowl or knit the neck and head portion to an extreme length for a richly folded cowl.

Knitspot Hoarfrost

And Anne Hanson offers you these beautiful neckwarmers, and as usual her patterns include different sizes. Hoarfrost carries you through seasonal transitions by providing a chill-chasing layer without bulk. Knit in a crystalline cable-and-lace motif and finished with a knit-on border of lace snowflakes.

Knitspot Leafprints

The cuddly neckwarmer and mitt set Leafprints has softly sculpted overlapping leaf motifs that help create warm depth.

Knitspot Bittersweet Vines

Vining lace patterns circle the Bittersweet Vines neckwarmer and mitts which are knit with a soft worsted-weight yarn such as Cascade Yarns Lana D'Oro, 220 Wool or 220 Superwash. The neckwarmer features a buttoned closure and the mitts have a sculpted thumb gusset for a beautiful fit.

Knitspot Cite'

Cite' is a soft neckwarmer that provides a chill-chasing layer as pretty as it is warm. Knit in a “scaffolding” motif with a little openwork and some twist-stitch accents, its finished with a knit-on border of lace points.

Knitspot Poinsettia

And pretty Poinsettia is knit top-down in the round from a luxury blend yarn or soft wool. The piece has a narrow scalloped top edge to frame the jawline, then flows down the neck in a pattern of petals, ending in a flared collar of leaf lace that sits neatly on the shoulders.

Knitspot Spiralucious

And Anne's Spiralucious is a spiraling neckwarmer that will provide a pretty and cozy extra layer at the throat and its finished with a knitted-on border of turning leaves. Anne's projects knit up quickly on circular needles, travel well and make much appreciated gifts.

And I'm very excited to introduce a new knitwear designer, Gabriela Ordenes of Josefina Knits!

Josefina Knits Flowers & Leaves

Josefina Knits' 33 Leaves

Josefina Knits' Esperanza

Gabriela hails from Chile and I'm delighted to be able to bring you her fashionable line all the way from South America. Gabriela's 3 new new buttoned cowl patterns are adorned with bold cable and leaf motifs and give you many styling options, introducing Flowers and Leaves, Esperanza and 33 Leaves. All three knit up quickly in your favorite worsted weight yarn, Sandrasingh.com 1 Ply Merino Worsted or Malabrigo Merino Worsted are perfect.

For more Cowl & Neckwarmer and Scarf patterns visit my website.

I know this is a busy time of year for you and you want to cast on a new project to get some precious knitting time in. Thank you for sharing my news and remember I'm always happy to help with any of your fiber arts needs, special ordering a yarn or pattern from a line I carry or helping you locate an out of stock yarn to finish a WIP. I can be reached at sandrasingh@sandrasingh.com, toll free 877/519-1693 or on Ravelry, I look forward to hearing from you.

November Newsletter Part 1: Teach a Child to Knit

This holiday season as you gather with family and friends start your own family tradition, teach a child to knit. These two new puppet Kits from the Fiber Craft Studio have the essentials you need to make the lesson fun and memorable.

Sheep Marionette

Hedgehog Hand Puppet

The instructions for the Lamb Marionette and Hedgehog Hand Puppet are easy and have enough basic stitches to let a little one experience knitting. Help them with the shaping and their finished puppet will bring your child hours of fun and they'll get to say they made it themselves.

Both kits include the instructions and enough hand dyed, soft organic wool yarn to complete and decorate your puppet.

Thank you for shopping with Sandrasingh.com!