9.24.2012

Knit Red

Recently, I was able to get my hands on a review copy of Knit Red, a new book from Sixth & Spring. It contains 30 patterns from well-known designers and the whole book is to raise awareness about hear disease in women.

The book not only contains patterns, but also tips and recipes for heart-healthy living.
The patterns in this book are absolutely stunning. Lots of lace and texture. Every knitter can find something they want to knit in this book!

I mean, seriously. That shawl is amazing.

Knit Red retails for $19.95 and a portion of the proceeds for to benefit The Heart Truth, which is a campaign to raise awareness about hear disease in women.

Everyone should go get this book. Now. It's amazing! Want to see the other patterns in this book? Check it out on Ravelry here.

Happy knitting!

9.17.2012

The Sock Knitter's Handbook

I have another book that I received from Martingale and Company to share with you. This week, it's The Sock Knitter's Handbook by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrot.

I cannot believe all the great information in this book. Lots of options for heels and toes and everything else you might want to change on a sock.
There are tons of clear pictures and instructions for multiple stitch counts for each technique. And, while there are no actual sock patterns in this book, you are left with a bunch of new ideas on how to alter your favorite sock patterns with new ribbing, heels, toes, etc.

Seriously, I think every sock knitter would benefit from this book. I highly recommend it.

Happy sock knitting!

9.11.2012

Get Published!

Like I said last week, while at Stitches Midwest last month I took a class called Get Published! with Shannon Okey. It focused a lot on the business end of designing. While the class wasn't learning a new knitting technique or how to actually design something, I think it was the single best class I have ever taken. That's saying a lot as I have taken some pretty spectacular knitting classes over the years. :)

Here is the description from the XRX website:

Have you always wanted to write a book? Now's your chance! Whether you want to submit your work to large publishers or do it yourself, Shannon Okey has the insider knowledge to help you succeed! Author of 12 major-publisher books and owner of Cooperative Press, which has been publishing craft-related titles since 2007 (including The Knitgrrl Guide To Professional Knitwear Design: How to Keep Your Knits About You), Okey reveals the processes behind:


–building a successful book proposal
–brainstorming a book: discovering what you have to offer the market
–publishing it yourself for greater profit and control
–finding a printer, an appropriate print solution or going digital and many other topics of interest to creative people of all kinds.

Extensive Q&A period during class to cover all your bases!

At first, I wasn't sure it was going to be the class for me. I have been very lucky lately and getting my patterns published in books and magazines (stay tuned for those!) as well as self-publishing on Ravelry. I even had successfully negotiated my own book deal. So, I was little nervous going into it and was thinking it might just be three hours of stuff I already figured out on my own or from reading Shannon's book.

Wrong.

I learned so much in that class, got so many new ideas and where to publish, how to publish and how to market myself better. I actually think having the experience I gained over the last year of so made it even better because I was familar with a lot of it, and could completely understand what Shannon was talking about. I got so many tips on how to make my design business even more successful. At the same time, I think the people in the class who where just thinking about designing and hadn't really done anything yet got a lot out of it too. It seemed like everyone, regardless, of their designing experience walked away happy with the class.

I don't know if Shannon will be teaching this class at more Stitches events, or at other events, but I really hope she does. And, if you are a designer who has been published, don't let the title of the class fool you. I think you will walk away feeling really good about having taken it and will go home with lots of new ideas and inspiration.

9.10.2012

Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks

It's time for another book review! This week, it's Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks by Barbara Sander.


As the title would suggest, it's a whole book of sock patterns using the Brioche stitch. Admittedly, I don't know anything about the Brioche stitch. Not to worry...there are some basic instructions for knitting the Brioche stitch in the round at the start of the book!

The book contains 14 patterns. It has patterns using multiple colors as well as different textures.

What I thought was very interesting is that you don't knit a traditional heel with these socks. I'm not sure that these would be the best fitting socks you've ever worn, but the technique is certainly intriguing.

Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks is published by Martingale & Company. To see all the patterns in the book, check it out on Ravelry.

Want my review copy? Just leave a comment on this post (leave an email address of Rav id, so I can find you should you win) between now and 9/13. I will pick a random winner!

Happy sock knitting!

9.07.2012

Say Moo.

Last month I took an amazing class at Stitches (which I plan on talking more about next week). It was Get Published! with Shannon Okey. She focused a lot on the business end of designing, and talked a lot about marketing yourself. I had mentioned how I am horrible at promoting myself when I am somewhere like Stitches or Sock Summit. Seriously, I am not really that good at talking to strangers.

I decided to take Shannon's advice and get some business cards or something so when I am wearing a shawl and someone asks about it, I can give them the information on where to find the patterns. Enter my new Moo Cards:
Pretty, right? I am so happy how they turned out. I left it pretty simple on the back, so I would have plenty of room to write down the name of whatever shawl pattern the person is asking about.
Hopefully I will get to use them a bunch!

Happy knitting. :)

9.06.2012

A Newsletter

So much posting going on here these days! Like I said, I have so much to share! Lots of exciting things coming up.

One thing I have been working really hard on is rebranding over the last month or two. I have bought a new domain name, have someone working on a new logo for me, and have started work on the new website.

Another thing I have started work on is a newsletter! It will come to you in email form. My plan is to send it out once a month (maybe twice a month if something really great is happening). It will include info about new patterns and probably a coupon code every now and then.

I haven't sent one out yet, but plan on starting it up at the end of the month or the start of October. So, if you can't get enough of me and want the latest on the design happenings of me you should sign up for the Jen Lucas Designs newsletter. You can do so by following this link here.

Happy knitting!

9.03.2012

A KAL with Kollage!

This month at Fuzzy Wuzzy, I am hosting a Kollage knitalong using one of the Feed Your Creativity Kits. It's Irishgirlieknits' Keegan Baby Hat and Socks!


The first week we will be working on the wee baby socks.

The second week we will continue work on the socks and work on the hat too!

Kits are $28.50 and each class is $10. We will be knitting along on 9/5 and 9/12 from 6-8pm.

The Keegan Baby Hat and Socks are a great pattern and with one skein of sock yarn, you can crank out two sets of the hat and socks. 

Want to join in the fun? Give Chris a call at the shop. 847.253.9276

Happy knitting!

Photos courtesy of Kollage Yarns.

9.01.2012

September Pattern Sale!

Well, it's September (hooray! I heart fall!) and I decided to have a little pattern sale. 30% off when you buy two or more of my individual patterns on Ravelry. No coupon code needed! Discount will automatically be applied at checkout!






Sale will be going on now through September 30th. Check out my patterns here.Enjoy!



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...