Today's the Day- "Comfort & Joy" Available for Order!

It's been a long time coming (err... at least it seems that way for me!), but I'm happy to announce that "Comfort & Joy: 7 Original Stocking Designs to Warm Your Holiday Season" is up in my shop, available to order, and shipping immediately.  

As a special early bird offer, if you order a print copy of the book, I will email you the eBook so you can peruse while you wait!  

If you've already got your hands on a copy- and you're planning some stockings , I'd love to see what you're working on.  Use hashtags #knitcomfort and #frenchpressknits on social media to share!

You can also find the whole eBook up on Ravelry, So hop on over and find your favorite.

In the coming weeks I will be sharing more of the collection and my process of design.  Can;t wait to share more!

 

Grown by Tot Toppers Giveaway

When shopping for my children, I love seeing clothes for them that are clearly inspired by adult clothing.  Suspenders for Sam, tailored dresses for Elise, little ankle boots for Clara; these have become some of my favorite things to dress my kids in.  Sometimes, the roles are reversed :-)

This past weekend I packed up my woolens and headed out with knitter friends on a pilgrimage to Rhinebeck, NY for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival.  Friend Annie Rowden and I both went the same direction with our Rhinebeck sweaters- grown up versions of our favorite children's sweaters.

Bracken by Annie Claire, Merriment by Melynda Bernardi

Bracken by Annie Claire, Merriment by Melynda Bernardi

And wouldn't you know, we're not even the first ones to embrace this concept.  Designer Kate Oates has built an entire collection around this idea; and better yet, is releasing book of 10 adult garments inspired by her well- loved children's patterns.

You may be familiar with Kate Oates by her handle "Tot Toppers".  Kate is a pillar in the world of children's knits, and I'm so happy to see her sharing her talent and aesthetic more and more with us big people, too!

Grown is currently available as an e-book, or as a special pre-order bundle which includes the Grown e-book and your choice of a single Tot Toppers original children's pattern (deliverable upon purchase), along with the print version of Grown and a custom Retromantic Fripperies wooden treat (shipping in January). 

3Collection.jpg

I should probably just let the knits do the talking, right?!...

Want a chance to win and e-book copy of this gorgeous, new collection?  Just hop on over to Ravelry,  pick your favorite knit from the book and give it a "like" or add it to your queue.  Then, leave a comment below, making sure you include a way for me to contact you if you are the winner.  

Giveaway ends Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST, winner will be announced Monday.  Have fun showing this amazing designer some love! 

Christmas in July

This year has been a long and trying one.  I quit my job in October and took on role of full time stay-at-home mother of three little ones.  Joe started and completed his first year teaching and it was a doozy (I hear the first year's the hardest, right?!)!  Now that July has come in to our lives, life is simpler.  Joe is home and we are enjoying family time, and during the days, I am free to work... on knitting!

Yarn has been arriving...
And I have been winding:

And it's time to (finally) sit down and work on my stocking pattern collection!





My goal is to have a collection of 5-10 stocking patterns released by mid October (Rhinebeck, anyone?!), available in digital download and hard copy.  I'm busy getting quotes from printers while charting and knitting and writing and all the other good things that life is allowing me these days


.  Follow me over on Instagram for the most up to date posts, or with the hashtag "#fpkchristmasinjuly"


Favorite Summer Tee

It started slow...

And at first, I wasn't really sure how I felt about working with Linen yarn.  But, slowly the project began to take form...

Until I had a substantial piece and could really start to understand the beauty of linen fabric.

And then came time for sleeves:

Which admittedly took longer than they should have.
But then, sweet completion!
And this fit!

Raveled: here

This summer my linen tee has been getting much wear.  It's true what they say about linen- softer with each wash/wear.  It's beauty truly lies in its drape and feel, which only grows softer and comfier with each wear.

Here's the inspiration tee with the handknit tee- math is a beautiful thing, my friends!

And for those wondering: yes- I will be writing up a pattern, but not immediately. It will be something I work on this winter for release early spring. There are some other projects taking my time these days- more on that soon... 😉