Getting crafty with JP in Santa Cruz

December 30th, 2011

While it may seem like between Donna’s interview and the latest issue of entangled magazine, we’ve been chomping at the bit to get out of town. But really, we know we’re blessed to call Santa Cruz home, especially as a crafty sort. There’s plenty to do here.

One of the cool things about working in a crafty industry is that sometimes work and play can cross over. Jordana and I had one of these days a while ago. We thought it would be fun to take you on a virtual tour of some of our favorite sites in Santa Cruz.

First Stop: Yarns By The Sea in Aptos

This is where I first learned about yarn bombing. Oh my gosh, I love knitters. And yarn shops. We said hello to the owner Chrissy, did some official JP business and then proceeded to ooh and ahhh over pretty things for awhile.

Next Stop: Bunny’s in Santa Cruz

This place is pretty legendary if you like to shop, are at all girlie and live near Santa Cruz. From cute jeans and shoes to a book on the nuances of the cycling community and glittery everything, I could buy up the store in a heartbeat.

Thankfully, I had plans for the money burning a hole in my pocket, and we were getting hungry. Isn’t it funny how shopping can work up such an appetite?

Lunch Stop: Cafe Limelight in Downtown Santa Cruz

One of Jordana’s favorites, this little gem makes the best paninis I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something since I don’t eat them with cheese anymore. The menu has so many awesome options as well as a dog menu! Pooches are welcome if you decide to sit on the patio, which we did since it was so sunny and lovely.

After lunch we decided we better get back on craft task. Jordana needed a clasp for the bracelet she made.

Next Stop: Monkey Girl Beads in Santa Cruz

Whether you’re into creating jewelry or not, this store is beautiful! Anyone who enjoys art will love visiting. And the shop itself is full of light and has so much nice space.

While I wandered around in absolute delight snapping photos, Jordana chatted with the women working. She needed a clasp, she said, and showed them her beaded cuff.

The two started suggesting different clasps and one of them said, “Did you knit this? How cool is that?”

After we got everything we came for, we decided we’d better head across the street. Jordana needed buttons for a baby dress she was knitting and I needed yarn for my afghan.

Next Stop: Hart’s Fabric in Santa Cruz

This place seems to have everything, like eco-friendly upholstery! I know this because a man my grandpa’s age wandered in while we were there and asked for some. What a cool shop! (Note: They have an online store as well.)

We left with our loot and decided to head back to our neck of the woods, the west side of Santa Cruz. And since we’re giving you a tour, why not take the scenic route?

Turns out the Cold Water Classic surf contest was going on, so we saw a lot more surfers than scenery, which isn’t really a bad thing. But enough with the distractions. Onward!

Next Stop: The Swift Stitch in Santa Cruz

As if we weren’t blessed enough here in this paradise, we have an LYS within walking distance from the warehouse. I’m pretty sure Jordana planned it that way.

This particular LYS is in a small space, but somehow they manage to pack tons of stuff in here without making it seem cluttered or uncomfortable. I got my first pair of circular needles on this particular trip.

In fact, it sort of has the opposite effect. I want to grab a cup of coffee, hunker down and spend the day knitting in this cozy little shop. And to get that cup of coffee you only have to head across the courtyard.

Last Stop: Kelly’s French Bakery in Santa Cruz

Lunch. Coffee. Dessert. There is always a reason to go to Kelly’s. And it’s also within walking distance. Joy!

Because we all know every crafty type needs a sugar rush now and then, there’s no reason to not include Kelly’s on our tour. That and it’s just fun to look at pretty food too.

Thanks for spending some time with us around Santa Cruz. Do you have a crafty place you’d love to show off? Feeling inspired? Do your own craft tour and we’ll post it on our blog. Email or leave your info in the comments and we’ll make it happen!

Tags: bunny's, cafe limelight, coldwater classic, crafts, hart's fabric, kelly's bakery, monkey girl beads, santa cruz, surf, the swift stitch, tour, yarns by the sea
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

A Simple Dress for a Big Smile

December 28th, 2011

Since the earthquake in Haiti, my friend and a team of talented ladies have organized HOPE Art. It’s a project that uses art as therapy for Haitian children in tent camps, schools, orphanages & hospitals. This January they will be making their third trip down to Haiti and they’ll be bringing something extra–homemade dresses.

pillow case dresses for haiti

This weekend I got together with my little sis and we whipped up a few pillowcase dresses for the project. These dresses are so simple! I used this pattern, but a search for pillowcase dresses will pull up several versions. I also used this chart to determine the length since I don’t have a little one to measure. This is a great project for kids to make. It’s a lot of straight line sewing. The most tricky part was sewing the bias tape on the armholes. You may need to assist with that part. I also love this pattern because it’s so versatile in sizing. Once it’s too small to be a dress, it can be worn as a tunic over some shorts or pants. So cute!

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Tags: charity, haiti, pillow case dresses, project hope art, sewing
Posted in Charity, Sewing | No Comments »

The Rio’s Knit ‘n’ Style

December 26th, 2011

Have you seen the latest Knit ‘n’ Style? It’s got a really cute sweater design in it called Getting Ready for Spring by Sandi Prosser. And what else is in there? The Rio in blue lapis!

The Rio does know how to pose for a fashion shoot. Thanks to Knit ‘n’ Style for the love: “fashion-forward” and “gorgeous” are very nice compliments indeed! Who knows? Maybe I’ll be toting around the yarn for the Getting Ready for Spring sweater in a Rio soon!

Tags: getting ready for spring, knit 'n' style, knitting bags, press, rio, Sandi Prosser
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Introducing the Crafter’s Tool Butler

December 20th, 2011

Congratulations to Angela who named our new tool case the Crafter’s Tool Butler.

Angela’s entry was marketable, communicates the function of the product and has that bit of sass we were looking for. Thank you Angela!

It was a tough decision with all your fabulous entries! Meg gave me a big smile with her entry, “I’d call it ‘The Fiance’ cuz I love it so much I’d marry it!” We’ll be sending her a Crafter’s Tool Butler too, or as I’m sure she’ll be calling it, The Fiance, for making me smile.

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Tags: butler's tool case, circular needle case, contests and giveaways, craft case, crochet hook case, knitting needle case, needle case
Posted in Contests and Giveaways, Crafter's Tool Butler | No Comments »

A New Year’s resolution to help you win

December 19th, 2011

It’s been a few months now since Jordana has taught me how to knit, and things are going really well. Thanks to all of you for the advice! My good friend Nicole in Minneapolis was thrilled to bits to get the second scarf I knit. It was far too warm for California!

I’ve moved on now to a giant scarf, Fran the Afghan. It’s been quite the adventure: ripping out everything four times, switching colors and learning how to increase and decrease stitches. I feel like I’m on top of the (knitting) world!

She isn’t quite finished yet, but I’m crossing my fingers I’ll finish her before January 2, because I’m going be knitting my very first sweater, Jordana’s Emmery, in honor of Peppermint Mocha Mama’s Motivational Monday Contest.

It’s a different sort of take on New Year’s Resolutions for January: try something (technique or craft) challenging and new to you.

Of course, I can’t win because the prize is Jordana’s newest product, the tool case. Interested? I thought so!

The contest starts January 2, so head over and read the details, ponder your project, and get your supplies. I’m excited to learn to knit one of Jordana’s designs, even if I can’t win!

So what technique or project are you thinking of trying this January?

Tags: contests and giveaways, knitting, knitting new years resolutions, needle case, peppermint mocha mama, prize, tool case
Posted in Contests and Giveaways, Crafter's Tool Butler | 3 Comments »

Getting the Perfect Fit

December 16th, 2011

There is so much that I love about Andrea‘s Cadence. First of all, that mustard yellow yarn (it’s Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Sunset)…gorgeous! Andrea is a gal who knows what colors and silhouettes look great on her. And, she takes the time to make sure her knitwear comes out right.

Whenever possible I design sweaters top down, the benefit being you can try the sweater on as you go and get a perfect fit. Really, there’s no excuse for a sweater you’ve made yourself not fitting right. It’s impossible for a designer to write a pattern for every body type and size. Think of a pattern as just a starting point, but certainly not a law that has to be followed to the stitch. It will take a little extra time and I guarantee some ripping, but when you cast off and put on a sweater that fits your body so perfectly, you’ll know it was worth it.

WHEN AND WHERE TO CHECK FIT

Using the measurements from the schematic, fit your sweater before you begin. You could even compare the schematic measurements to a sweater in your closet so you’ll know what the fit will be like.
Assuming you’re knitting top down, after a few inches, hold the sweater up to your back. Do the edges end at your shoulders or is it hanging off your shoulders? If it’s an oversized sweater, that’s okay, but a fitted sweater should not.
Before you join the front and back pieces, check the depth of the armhole. You’ll probably need to slide the stitches onto scrap yarn so you can properly fit the garment.
Are the girls getting properly covered? Try the sweater on a couple inches past the bust. Do you need to add short rows?
Before casting off check the length. Try the sweater on with the pants or skirt you intend to wear it with.
Check the sleeves. Are they way too wide or tight. Increase or decrease some stitches at the underarm as needed. Be sure to check the length too.

Andrea was great about following these test points. And, it was only her second sweater! After doing 4″ of the body she discovered she needed to add some short rows to the bust. For the sleeves she increased at the arm opening and then decreased before the elbow. You can read all her modifications on Ravelry.

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Tags: cadence, customer finished objects, fit, garment construction, jp patterns, sweater, tips, top down knit
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The Knitter’s Satchel: A Must-Have

December 14th, 2011

You know when you find something so adorable or awesome, you can’t believe you didn’t know it existed before? Like the first time you ever had a cheese danish? (Seriously, those things are ridiculous.)

Well that’s how I felt when I read this month’s issue of Stroller Magazine. And I’m not even a mom. There’s an inspiring article about a soap company making a difference for Southeast Asian rainforests and children in Haiti, some great gift ideas for kids for those of us who procrastinate when it comes to gifts, and a special section about knitting.

To be fair, I probably wouldn’t have found this magazine if I didn’t know it called The Knitter’s Satchel one of its favorite knitting must-haves of the holiday season. We’re stoked on that, to be sure!

But what a great find in Stroller Magazine. There’s some absolutely gorgeous fashion and home decorating ideas as well. The digital version is free, so there’s no excuse to check it out yourself. It’s guilt-free, unlike that cheese danish.

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Tags: gift ideas, holidays, knitting, moms, press, stroller magazine, the knitter's satchel
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Donna Druchunas: A knitter’s profile

December 8th, 2011

If there is something that’s been on our minds lately here, it’s been travel. Here to fan the wanderlust flames at Jordana Paige is knitter, designer, author, teacher and avid traveler Donna Druchunas. She sits down for a chat in our latest edition of Knitter Profiles.

Knitting in Rome

JP: What’s the best time for you to knit?

DD: I love knitting when I travel. It keeps me from getting nervous, frustrated, or just plain bored when in airports and planes or when on long car rides. I especially love buying one skein of a special yarn I find at a shop I visit and making a small project that I can finish
during my trip. In fact, I’m working on a booklet with a “knitter’s dozen” of patterns that I made during my year of travel in 2010. I went to Hawaii, Alaska, New York, Florida, Wisconsin, England, Scotland, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Geneva, and Lithuania. It was an amazing year.

JP: That sounds so awesome. We’ve just been talking about how well-traveled JP bags seem to be. What stamps are on your L.J. Kaelms’ passport?

DD: Alas, I didn’t have my bag on last year’s trip. But this year it’s already been to Oregon for Sock summit, and then to New York, New Jersey, Maine, Nova Scotia in Canada, Boston, and Vermont in October and we’re getting packed to go to California, Vancouver, and Denver this month. Now that I’ve had time to experience using my L.J. Kaelms bag, I can’t imagine ever traveling without it.

JP: How did you find out about JP?

DD: Jordana very generously sent me a bag for Sock Summit. I’d seen her bags before in yarn shops and had been drooling over them, but never had the gumption to actually order one!

JP: What was your reaction?

DD: Futterwackin! I was so thrilled.

JP: If you could eat or drink anything with no consequences, what would it be?

DD: Right now? A whole box of Scottish shortbread. Sometimes I want to devour a whole NY pizza or a 3-lb Maine Lobster drowned in melted butter. I love good food, especially when in the company of good friends.

JP: Where is one of your favorite places to travel?

DD: It’s so hard to pick. I’m hooked on Europe these days. I love going to Lithuania and I have wonderful friends in Switzerland and England. The hardest part of traveling is falling in love with places and people that you won’t be able to see again for a long time.

Donna at Woolfest in England

JP: How did you get into knitting and cruising?

DD: I don’t remember. Somehow I got in touch with Melissa at Craft Cruises and I was excited about doing an Alaska Cruise because I’m always looking for another excuse to visit Alaska again. The cruise let me visit places like Haines and Juneau that I hadn’t been able to get to on my previous research and teaching trips.

Now I do a cruise every year. This last one to Canada and New England was with an absolutely AMAZING group of women and would have been a wonderful experience even if we’d never gotten into port to explore. But, OMG, the yarns we found once we got off the boat. I’m back to familiar territory with another Alaska Cruise in May 2012.

JP: What project are you working on right now?

DD: Beaded fingerless gloves. I’ve adapted an Estonian lace/leaf pattern with beads. I’m making a second pair for myself now and then a pair for my niece for Christmas. I’ve also promised some Facebook followers that I’d get a pattern written soon, too.

JP: What’s the one knitting project you’ve always wanted to try but just haven’t gotten around to it, or you’re just a little intimidated by?

I bought an Intarsia sweater kit from LaLana wools years ago and I don’t know if I’ll ever actually make it. I don’t hate knitting Intarsia, but I don’t know when I will have time for such a large Intarsia project because even though the knitting itself is simple, it requires a lot of attention and is slow going. I’ve been daydreaming about making a mitered-square or lace shawl with the yarn instead…we’ll see.

JP: I love the portrait of you and your kitty on your website. Who drew that?

DD: That was Joyce M. Turley at Dixon Cover Design. She did most of the illustrations for my books Ethnic Knitting Discover and Ethnic Knitting Exploration and I’m hoping to work with her on a new pattern line that I’ll be developing in 2012.

JP: How many JP bags or patterns have you bought/knit over the years?

DD: Two now! I picked up a Bella bag, which is smaller than the L.J. Kaelms bag, at Interweave Knitting Lab so I can use it when I’m not on the road.

JP: Coffee or tea?

DD: Both. Mostly coffee. But I love Chai and my English friends have taught me to drink black tea with milk and sugar. It’s quite addicting!

Coffee time in Vilnius, Lithuania

JP: What was your favorite book to write?

I know it’s politically incorrect to say, but Arctic Lace. Because I loved the travel and research that went along with that book, and learning about a different culture. I’m working on a book about Lithuania right now that will be a lot like Arctic Lace, although (obviously) the details and knitting projects will be completely different.

Donna with her kitty, Uno.

JP: What are your cats’ names?

DD: Uno, DeeDee, and Buddy. They all came with their names from the shelter, and I didn’t see any reason to change them. Although I sometimes call them Monkey Boy, Tiny Girl, and Budski.

JP: What inspires you?

Everything, but especially travel and beautiful yarns. It is impossible for me to take a trip and visit new yarn shops without creating an entire pattern line in my head. The hard part is when it comes to making them real. There’s only so much time in the day (the year!) and I have to force myself to focus.

JP: How did you learn to knit?

DD: My grandmother taught me. I don’t even remember learning. It’s like I was born knowing how to knit.

JP: What was your first knitting project? How did it go?

DD: I don’t remember making anything except a swatch of honey comb cables when I was a girl. Obviously if I was knitting cables, I’d done other things before that. But I don’t recall any projects and whatever I made is now lost.

JP: If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

DD: Flying like Superman so I could visit any place on the planet in an instant!

JP: What’s one of the strangest things you’ve put in your JP bag?

DD: God knows. LOL. I carry it with me all the time when I’m on the road, so everything gets tossed in at one time or another. A chewed off fingernail? Leftover paella?

JP: What’s one of your favorite outdoor activities?

DD: Swimming in salt water. I miss living by the ocean so much, being land-locked in Colorado. I’m not a big fan of lakes with slimy, muddy bottoms.

JP: Do you prefer to knit alone or with friends? Why?

DD: Alone. Whenever I go to knit group I either a) mess up my knitting or b) put it down and just enjoy chatting with my friends.

JP: Thanks for all your time answering our questions! You’re an inspiration to the knitting traveler.

Thanks for inviting me. This was fun! I love talking about knitting and travel and my Jordana Paige bag has become the intersection of these two loves in my life. PLUS it has room for all of my writing materials, too. Amazing!

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You can find Donna on Facebook, Twitter, and Ravelry. If you’d like to be featured in our knitter’s profile, we’d love to hear from you! Email or leave your info in the comments and we’ll make it happen! Don’t worry, you don’t have to submit photos of yourself if you’re not into that (but we do want to see your knitting and your bags for sure!).

Tags: bella, craft cruises, dixon cover design, donna druchunas, knitter profile, l.j. kaelms, traveling
Posted in Bella, Knitter Profiles, LJ Kaelms | 4 Comments »

Have knitting, will travel

December 7th, 2011

Traveling is something we talk about often here at JP, whether it’s how perfect the Rio is as a carry on bag or what fun Chicago is or knitting cruises to Mexico.

But really, our bags have more stamps on their passports than we do! We just shipped a full selection to a LYS in Iceland and the L.J. Kaelms just made its way to New Zealand for a review from entangled.

Entangled has some great things to say about the L.J. Kaelms, in particular about the construction.

“I have to say I’m quite impressed with the quality of the materials used. The red faux leather of my L.J. Kaelms has a nice pebbled effect with a matte finish … The findings (zips, buckles, etc.) used are very solid and obviously good quality – these make or break a bag in my eyes.”

It’s great to hear feedback on things like that, because Jordana puts so much time and effort into designing these details; it’s good to know it gets noticed!

You can read the rest of the review and the magazine by subscribing here. It’s a great issue, with an article about high fashion hand knit design finding its way into patterns we can knit. There are also loads of pictures and stories from places like England, India and New York: more places for us (and our bags) to travel!

Tags: entangled, fashion, iceland, knitting bags, l.j. kaelms, new zealand, press, reviews, travel
Posted in LJ Kaelms, Press | 1 Comment »

Off the Cuff

December 5th, 2011

It’s Saturday afternoon, you’re laying out your outfit in your head for that night’s party and discover you don’t have an accessory to complete your look. Panic? No way! Get crafty and head down to your local bead store. I’ve got just the project for you.

Is this not the most fabulous beaded cuff!?! It’s knit! I picked up the supplies and pattern from Twisted Sistah Beads & Fibers at Stitches Midwest this year. The pattern is called Sweet Hexy Lady. There are so many wonderful things about this cuff:

1. It was really inexpensive to make.
Beads – $5.75
Thread – $4
Clasp – $24 (most pricey material, I went with sterling silver so you could probably find less expensive options)
Plus needles. (The pattern says to use size US 0000 but I didn’t want to wait for them to come in the mail. I used US 0 and they worked fine)
Seriously, only $33.75. You know if this bracelet was sitting in the jewelry case at Nordstrom it would be at least $250.

2. Fast to knit. Stringing all the beads onto the thread took awhile, but once that part was done the knitting went by so quickly. Probably 4 hours total. See, you’ll totally have it done it time for your party.

3. There are so many options for this bracelet. It’s double sided, so it’s actually two bracelets in one (kind of like the double function of Jordana Paige bags). If you really get into this, you could chart out a whole design of colors, patterns, bead sizes…stop me, I will go on forever with the myriad of options.

4. The texture is luxurious. Really. It reminds me of my Gran’s vintage chain purse (similar to this). As a kid I loved sitting in the back of her car as we drove home from church mushing the links around.

5. Easy. I don’t recommend this project for a new knitter. A new knitter would probably get frustrated with the little needles. But, if you can patiently wrap each stitch and not drop any stitches, it’s a very simple project.

6. Impressive. People are impressed with just a simple hand knit scarf. Tell them you knit a bracelet on needles the size of toothpicks. Yeah.

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