Apron: Kitchen Couture Apron by Jordana Paige
Sweater: Target
Jeans: Express

Today has been nothing but a day of cooking. This is my sister and brother-in-law’s first year to host (such grownups!). My sister asked that I come before Thursday to help her out. My parents and grandparents will of course be bringing dishes, but I had no idea we’d be responsible for so much. There’s so much pressure!!

I’m responsible for appetizers. Every year I make little turkey-shaped crackers. I also made some brie and cranberry tartlets and will be chopping up a veggie platter in the morning. Today we got Tom the Turkey prepped, made the apple pie, prepped the pumpkin pie, made the stock and got everything ready for tomorrow. With all this cooking, the only logical knitwear for the day was to wear my Kitchen Couture Apron. If you click on the link above, you’ll get a pdf version of the pattern.

Two years ago I was a guest on Knitty Gritty. The episode aired a couple times on HGTV and now it’s going be on DIY Network.

If you don’t get HGTV, but do get DIY, then it’ll be new to you. It’s episode 703, Kitchen Couture. The website says January 7th on one page and January 8th on another.

I think January 8th is the correct date. It airs at 5am so set your DVR.

Here’s the pattern. Have fun!

My Knitty Gritty episode is re-airing this Friday, January 25th at 7:00am on HGTV. So if you missed it last April, set your recorder. You can read about the filming of the show here. Here’s the link the apron pattern and a link to Starsky, the pattern we discuss at the end of the show. Also on the set was Spring Fling (the purple sweater on the left side of the demo table) and the orange asymetrical tank behind the Knitsters was published in Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2004, pattern #4.

I love how one opportunity can turn into another. After my Knitty Gritty episode aired, Betsey of Basket’s of Yarn invited me to teach at her annual winter retreat. I’ve taught locally before, but never flown across the country to teach. I am super excited. So excited I just used super!

The retreat is March 6-10 in Boone, NC. It’s 4 days long, but you can choose if you’d like to stay 2, 3 or 4 nights. There will be several classes, but I’ll be teaching the following:

Strawberry Apron from Knitty Gritty: Knit the apron Jordana designed for DIY’s show Knitty Gritty. Learn cable cast on, daisy motif, duplicate stitching and double knitting.

Sweater Design from the Top Down: Design your own basic sweater with set in sleeves from the top down. Skills discussed include short rows, provisional cast on, working without seams, ease, necklines, and stitch pattern selection.

Getting Your Product to Market: A discussion on how Jordana built her business, the challenges she faced and inspiration for you to pursue your goals.

For more information and a complete class list visit Baskets of Yarn.

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I know everyone loves winning stuff…especially a JP knitting bag! KnittyBitty in Germany is holding a design contest. The grand prize is Bella. If like me you can’t understand a word that is on that page, scroll down for the English details. Good luck designers!

All winners have now responded, so I can announce who they are:

Donna Silverberg
Kate Lew
Bobie Mowery
Suzanne Nielsen
Nikki Arstark

For those of you searching, the pattern for the apron from Knitty Gritty is here. The white sweater that was shown at the end of the show is Starsky from Knitty.com. It’s also available in kid sizes. A couple of my other designs were on the set as well Spring Fling (the purple sweater on the left side of the demo table) and the orange asymetrical tank behind the Knitsters was published in Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2004, pattern #4. And of course, all the bags on the set are available at JordanaPaige.com. The grape satchel is currently out of stock, but it can be pre-ordered.