Tropical Inspiration

I'm late in posting pictures of my trip to Puerto Rico, but I've been knitting furiously lately. It's hard to imagine that a tropical paradise could be such a great inspiration for wool sweaters, but it really was. The resort where I stayed was an old coconut plantation at the base of the El Yunque rainforest. The folliage was just magnificent--lush greenery and bursts of color at every turn. I've been thinking about how to incorporate these colors into a Puerto Rico-inspired sweater.  Can't wait to show you what I come up with!

In February, I . . .

--Ran the Rock 'N' Roll St. Pete Half Marathon in St. Petersburg, Florida.  It was my 11th half marathon, but it may have been the longest 13.1 miles of my life.  It was really not my day.  But it was easily the most beautiful half marathon course I've ever run.

--Started a new sweater design.  This one is a cardigan for girls in tropical colors--two shades of pink, orange, and lime green.  I'm really excited about it--can't wait to reveal it in the next few weeks. 

--Tried the Barefoot Contessa's recipe for roasted tomato soup.  It pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese or patty melt sandwich.  Love it on a cold winter night (not that we've had many of them), and it freezes beautifully. 

--Watched the entire second season of Friday Night Lights.  I'm now making my way through the third season, though I'm a little frustrated by the gap between the two seasons.  There are quite a few story lines that don't quite match up without some explanation.  (How did Tami Taylor get to be the principal??)  But I just love the show--wish I had seen it the first time around. 

--Flew south to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (I'm actually there now) for a lovely week-long vacation.  The resort is just gorgeous (see below), with so many fantastic colors for inspiration.  I'll post some more pictures when I'm back in DC. 

February Special Offer

Last month was for the boys.  This month, it's the girls turn.  Between now and Sunday, save 25% on your order of a girl's sweater. Links to the sweaters for little girls in the current collection are below. Use code FEB12 at checkout. All orders must be received by 11:59 EST on Sunday, February 26. Email yellowhouseknits[at] gmail.com with questions.

Allison Street
Aspen Street
Jocelyn Street
Kalorama Road
Linnean Street
Madison Street
Park Road
Primrose Street
Spring Road

National Sweater Day!

Today is National Sweater Day in Canada!  The World Wild Life Fund Canada is asking folks to put on their favorite sweater and turn down the heat a few degrees to help WWF.  If every Canadian lowered the heat a few degrees this winter, it'd be like taking 300,000 vehicles off the road!  Imagine what we could do in the United States if we cozied up a bit. 

So wear a sweater today and make the world a cooler place for your grandchildren! 

And how do we get a National Sweater Day south of Canada?

Kind Words

The best part of the sweater business is seeing pictures of kids wearing my sweaters (which provides a good opportunity for me to remind everyone about the 10% off photo offer--details here).  The second best part is getting calls and emails from clients about their sweaters.  I'm literally moved to tears when I read these kind words.  Here's a sample of some of the best comments I've received:

The sweater arrived!!! It's absolutely beautiful!! . . . Thank you again, for being a part of this amazing time of our lives—and for giving us this beautiful childhood heirloom. What a joy!

The sweater is beautiful! We love it. My husband thinks [my son] looks like a beautiful bohemian poet ready to wander the streets of Paris :)

Got my package today and opened it and wow! What beautiful work you did! The colors are even more vibrant in person. I can't believe how gorgeous this sweater is! Thank you so very much! Sizing looks fantastic too! Thank you again for getting to me in time for the holidays.

Just received the sweaters! They are absolutely, positively MAGNIFICENT! . . . You did an absolutely beautiful and amazing job. Thank you so very much.

 I just received the sweater. I just had to call and tell you how absolutely fabulously adorable it is. I’m so happy with it. I was so disappointed with the last piece I had ordered from another vendor. Your work is just beautiful. I really appreciate all of the efforts you made to get this to me quickly so I could get it to my great niece. I look forward to doing business with you again in the future.

I ordered a sweater for my youngest granddaughter and she just loves it and now her sister who is 3 wants one too!

Love Story

Jennifer's treasury may be one of my favorites of all time.  Love the story in pictures--especially the sweet ending.  You can find it live here.

 

In January, I . . .

--Didn't blog very much.  At all.  Wow, how awful.  In my defense, I was super busy with work--both knitting (catching up on a bunch of holiday orders that didn't make the holiday cut-off) and my "day job."
--Didn't do much else.  See bullet #1.
--Ran the New Year's Day 5K in Reston.  This race is always a fun way to ring in a new year.
--Celebrated a friend's birthday at The Melting Pot.  Now, I'm not typically a huge fan of "big-box restaurants (which may be a reflection of the fact that I sell hand knit sweaters), but I make an exception for fondue, which is so good.
--Saw The Descendants (finally) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  Both were great!
--Read the new Sue Grafton and Michael Connolly books and loved them both.
--Drew up some sketches for new sweater designs.  I'm really excited about them.  If I could just find the time to knit some new sweaters--not that I'm complaining about all those orders!!

(I have lots planned for February.  I promise that installment will be better!)

January Special Offer

It's time for the boys to get a little love!  This week only, save 25% on your order of a boy's sweater.  Links to the boys' sweaters in the current collection are below. Use code JAN12 at checkout.  All order must be received by 11:59 EST on Friday, January 20.  Email yellowhouseknits[at] gmail.com with questions.

Van Ness Street

Harrison Street

Garfield Street

Water Street

Found on Etsy Finds!

I was super-excited to see the Canal Road sweater in the Etsy Finds email this morning!



Year In Etsy 2011

I can't believe it's already time for the Second Annual Year In Etsy.  As you can see, this year I did my part to support Etsy artists.  I was delighted with each and every purchase.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: I believe in small businesses.  Please help these and other similar endeavors continue to offer unique, handmade, high-quality items.

Happy 2012!

Row 1:
Zebra makeup bags from Lucy Blaire hand*made
Bronze earrings from Kim Pipes Designs
Bundle hoop earrings from Kathi Roussel Jewelry
Overalls with daisies and sunflowers from Overall Baby

Row 2:
Blizzard pearl necklace from Simple Elements Design
Twirl skirt and top from Laken and Lila
Cuff bracelet from Lapis Beach
Lemon wreath from Two Inspire You

Row 3:
Kitty crayons from Kitty Baby Love
Purple and yellow necklace from Informal Elegance
Pearl hoop earrings from Linda Trent Jewelry
Geometry bracelet from Simple Elements Design

Row 4:
Quartz and pearl earrings from Simple Elements Design
Felt alphabet letters from MiChiMa L.A.N.D.
Purple earrings from Informal Elegance
Personalized big sis T shirt from Smitten and Company

Row 5:
Honey quartz earringsfrom Linda Trent Jewelry
Black jumper with ruffles from Simplicity Couture
Silver raindrop earrings from Linda Trent Jewelry
Ruffled leggings from Simplicity Couture

Row 6:
Personalized dinner plates from Simply Stella Studio
Pinafore dress from Noah and Lilah
Map necklace from Sherry Truit Studios
Personalized ladybug towel from Rub A Dub Buddies

Row 7:
Personalized frog towel from Rub A Dub Buddies
Personalized piggy bank from Faith-N-Bugs Boutique
Personalized bowls from Simply Stella Studio
Leather necklace from Vintage Rhino