Inside the Yellow House

National Sweater Day!

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-02-06T10:30:00.000-05:00

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

2012-02-03T07:30:00.002-05:00

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 . . .

2012-01-31T23:22:00.000-05:00

--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

2012-01-16T12:06:00.000-05:00

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.

Found on Etsy Finds!

2012-01-04T13:31:00.001-05:00

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

Year In Etsy 2011

2011-12-31T06:16:00.000-05:00

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

In December I . . .

2011-12-30T12:02:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog, my hope was that it would have two primary functions. First, it would be a way for me to share my sweater designs and ideas (as well as special offers and other happenings) with all of you. Second, it would be a way for you to get to know me personally—to learn more about the person behind the sweaters.

But as I’ve gotten busier with sweater orders (and life has gotten in the way), I think I’ve lost some of the second piece. The focus has become much more about the sweaters and less about me. That’s obviously GREAT from a business perspective, but I don’t want to lose sight of why I created the blog.

So, I’ve decided to introduce a new feature called “This Month, I . . . .” This new feature will highlight a handful of the things I was up to—big and small—that month. I hope to publish it toward the end of every month. Tomorrow is already slated for the annual Year In Etsy, so I’m going to kick things off today.

And so, without further ado:

In December, I . . .

--Went to see the Miniature Railroad and Village at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. Even though the exhibit is now available year round, checking out this amazing miniature replica of Western Pennsylvania (circa the last turn of the century) is still one of my favorite holiday traditions.

--Ran in the Run with Santa 5K in Rockville. There was one heck of a hill toward the end!

--Went to the What’s Cooking Uncle Sam exhibit at the National Archives and learned all about “vitamin donuts.” The exhibit was a super interesting look at the government’s effect on what Amercians eat. Right after, we had a delicious lunch at America Eats Tavern, a coordinating pop-up restaurant that specializes in “American” food. Mmm . . . hush puppies and mac & cheese and pecan pie.

--Played elf as I delivered more than 500 cookies to my family and friends, another of my annual holiday traditions. This year, the favorites seem to have been the gingerbread men, the key lime shortbreads, the carrot cake whoopie pies, and the rocky road bars.

--Tried the Pioneer Woman’s recipe for crash hot potatoes and fell in love. (I’m not a huge rosemary fan, so I used thyme instead.)

Tangerine Tango for 2012

2011-12-28T22:02:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited about Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year. It's Tangerine Tango. Pantone describes it as "a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way."

One needs to take only a quick look at the Yellow House Knits collection to know that I love orange. It shows up in at least half a dozen different sweaters. It's such a great color for little kids--so vibrant and happy, great for boys and girls alike. So I was delighted to see that orange is finally getting some recognition.

In honor of Tangerine Tango as Color of the Year, I'm offering 10 percent off of any custom sweater that includes tangerine as one of the colors. The offer is good for all of 2012. To take advantage of this deal, email yellowhouseknits[at]gmail.com and mention this offer. I'm excited to create some gorgeous sweaters in tangerine!

Warm Wishes from Yellow House Knits

2011-12-25T00:02:00.000-05:00

Beach Drive Beauties

2011-12-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

I got an early Christmas present this morning! The talented Stephanie Piscitelli of Bellini Portraits, from my old stomping grounds of Boston, sent me these stunning pictures of the Beach Drive sweater. Merry Christmas to me! Just spectacular! Thanks Stephanie!

Sisters!

2011-12-20T09:40:00.001-05:00

I just had to post this picture of Miss L and Miss H in their coordinating sweaters. (Miss H is only about a month old--so tiny!) Such holiday cheer! Wonder what Santa will be bringing them--I can tell they've both been very good!

Color Inspiration: Animal Wrappers

2011-12-14T16:24:00.000-05:00

Here's proof that color inspiration can come from anywhere. This is wrapping paper that I spotted at PaperSource. I love how the little bit of taupe keeps it from looking too much like Romper Room. If I were turning these colors into a sweater, I might even throw some white into the mix. So playful and vibrant!

The Knit Menagerie

2011-12-13T11:29:00.000-05:00

Further to a previous post about how kids don't really want clothes for Christmas--but recognizing how cool and beautiful knitting is, I thought I'd feature a few Etsy sellers whose items feature the best of both worlds. These talented folks create beautiful, hand-knit toys for kids. This post focuses on knit creatures. Look for a subsequent post to feature other types of toys.

While these fellows are clearly heirlooms in their own right, they are probably even more precious once they've been loved (and loved and loved) by their little caretakers.

Clockwise from top left, with links to the item on Etsy:

Turquoise Elephant by Precious Knits
White Rabbit by Yarn Miracle
Maroon Teddy Bear by My Loose Threads
Yellow Chicks by Beaded Wire

It's a Happy Day

2011-12-05T15:54:00.001-05:00

(Anyone else sing a song at camp when you were little called "It's a Happy Day"?)

Maybe it's the infectious smiles on the little models, maybe it's what was obviously a beautiful day, maybe it's that huge yellow flower, or maybe it's the cheerful colors of the sweater, but these pictures of the Klingle Road sweater from photographer Stacey Clack just make me happy!

Thanks Stacey for the gorgeous sweaters! If you live in Western Michigan or thereabouts, you owe it to yourself to check out her beautiful work.

Back to the Future

2011-11-22T11:13:00.001-05:00

Let's face it: Kids look adorable in baby sweaters, but getting a pile of clothes on Christmas morning is not what every kid wants. If you're looking for the perfect gift for the special little one in your life, look no further than your own childhood. Babble has a list of the top 35 vintage toys (and tells you where to get them). These are all toys that were sold in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s and are still on the market now (although sometimes in a slightly different form--my beloved Strawberry Shortcake is much sexier than I remember her).

I had so much fun looking at Babble's selection. I remembered every single one--and think I actually had most of them. Lite Brite? Check. Cabbage Patch Kid? Her name was "Kerrie Merrie." Care Bear? Several. Pogo Ball? Loved it! Snoopy Sno Cone Machine? Perfect for hot summers.

November Special Offer

2011-11-20T19:51:00.001-05:00

In honor of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday--and to help you get ready for the holidays, save 20% on gift certificates this weekend. Gift certificates are available in the Etsy shop in $50, $75, and $100 denominations, but shoot me an email (yellowhouseknits(at)gmail.com) if you want a different amount.

Use coupon code NOVEMBER11 at checkout to save 20% on gift certificates. The code is valid Friday, November 25 through Monday, November 28 only and is valid on gift certificates only.

FAQ on 10% Photo Offer

2011-11-11T10:48:00.001-05:00

I get a fair number of questions about the 10% Photo Offer (that’s where you can save 10% on a future order if you send a picture of a little one in a YHK sweater), so I thought I would put together a little FAQ. If you have other questions, feel free to email me at yellowhouseknits[at]gmail.com.

Q: Do I have to have purchased the sweater? Does it have to be my child?
A: Nope. The only requirement is that it be a picture of a child wearing a YHK sweater. You don’t have to own the sweater, and it doesn’t have to be your kid.

Q: Does it need to be a professional picture?
A: Definitely not. Snapshots are great.

Q: How many pictures can I send?
A: Well, you can send me as many pictures as you like—more is always better! But you’ll get a discount for each unique sweater/child combination you send. So if you photograph the same sweater on your kid and the kid next door, you’ll get two discounts of 10% off (see below on combining them). If you have three sweaters and photograph all three on the same child, you’ll get three discounts. But if you send four pictures of the same kid wearing the same sweater, I’ll love you for sending so many pictures, but that’s still only one discount.

Q: How do I redeem the offer?
A: When you send the picture, I’ll send you a discount code, which you enter when you check out on Etsy. Super easy.

Q: Can the discounts be combined? Can they be transferred?
A: The discounts can be used separately or stacked. So if you get three discounts, you can combine them for 30% off a single sweater. Or you can save 10% now and save the others for later. Or you can use one yourself and give the other two to friends. (That would make you a very nice friend.)

Q: Can the discounts be used with other offers?
A: In general yes, they can be used with other offers, like the Semi-Annual Sale and the monthly special offers. But read the offers carefully—occasionally I may say that the offer can’t be used with other offers, which includes the 10% Photo Offer.

Q: What will you do with the picture?
A: I’ll post it on the Inside the Yellow House blog and on Facebook so the rest of the world can see how cute it is. But I won’t use it in any other marketing materials without your permission. And I don’t have to use your name or your child’s name if you don’t want me to.

One for ME and One for My Baby (Sister or Brother)

2011-11-07T17:06:00.000-05:00

I finished up these sibling sweaters last week and think they turned out adorably (although the color in the pictures below isn't quite right--those red buttons look downright orange). The sweaters are a gift for a little girl and her little brother or sister, who is due to arrive any day now.

Since we didn't know the gender of the new baby, we opted to make both sweaters gender-neutral. I love that they coordinate without being too matchy-matchy.

Because the new baby is a November baby, and sweater season is already here, the sweater had to be really, really tiny. I had such fun making a miniature little sweater (and it knit up so fast!).

Fingers crossed that Mom and Dad send pictures!

Happy 15th Anniversary Mr. Bullet!

2011-11-01T09:50:00.001-04:00

Today is my 15th anniversary with my beloved Mr. Bullet (my best friend and trusted knitting assistant (of sorts)). I can't believe it's been 15 years since he first came home with me from a shelter in Elgin, Illinois. I was a senior in college back then (and I drove across Chicago to adopt him because the local shelters wouldn't adopt to students). So much has changed in those 15 years. He's been such a steady rock for me in those years.

The picture below reminds me of one of my favorite times with Bullet. (Do you see him about half a block ahead of me?) It was during the Snowpocalypse last year. We were shut in the house for days but managed to sneak out of a few hours for a walk through the streets (literally) of Capitol Hill. He had such fun romping in the snow, and the whole world felt so peaceful.

This Little Piggy

2011-10-27T23:15:00.002-04:00

Sent this custom sweater off to California this morning. The client's daughter is going to wear the sweater for Halloween as part of a Piglet costume. Then, after Halloween, she can keep wearing the sweater. I think that's such a creative idea.

You may recognize the sweater as a variation on the Somerset Place sweater. I think it turned out really well. I especially think the bright pink and brown combination is really fresh and vibrant. I like it so much that I'm thinking about adding a sweater in a similar color combination to the regular line. What do you think?

Woodley Road on Etsy Kids

2011-10-25T11:43:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to see the Woodley Road sweater on the Etsy Kids page today. What a fun collection of fall items for kids!

YHK Sighting!

2011-10-19T19:35:00.003-04:00

Trish must have heard my pleas for your pictures of your little ones in Yellow House Knits sweaters because she posted these pictures of her son in his custom sweater. Isn't he so handsome?! And he already knows his way around a tractor!

Guessing Game

2011-10-13T21:01:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to resist the urge to post a picture of every Etsy treasury that features a Yellow House Knits sweater (gorgeous though they all are!). But this one posted by La Bella Joya was just too clever to pass up.

This collection of a collection of seemingly unrelated items does have a theme. Can you guess what it is? I had to think about it for a while, but I finally got it--only to discover that someone else already had the same idea. If you think you know (or you're stumped), click on the treasury to see what we guessed.

Peppermint Twists

2011-10-11T14:07:00.001-04:00

I picked up these red and white buttons when I was stocking up on some other buttons. I saw them peeking out of their box at me, and I couldn't resist them. I love how bold and graphic they are--a little bit of 70s mod on today's baby. And the holes are on the back, so the design of the button isn't interupted by the yarn used to secure the button to the sweater.

These would obviously look great on a red and white sweater. But they'd also look terrific on a solid red sweater or as an accent to a sweater in a totally different color. I'm thinking purple or turquoise. The buttons are about an inch in diameter.

I have FIVE of these buttons only. All five could go on a single cardigan, or fewer buttons could be used on several sweaters (at the shoulders, on a pocket in front, etc.). But I don't know if I'll be able to get more. So speak up now if these buttons are speaking to you!

Color Inspiration: Fall Wedding

2011-10-10T09:58:00.000-04:00

This picture is from a 2000 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, and--like all things Martha--the colors are amazing. White pumpkins are my favorite, but I love them paired with the orange and yellows in the flowers. Gorgeous. And perfect for a snuggly fall sweater--maybe to wear on a hayride or to eat caramel apples!

Semi-Annual Sale Starts Today!

2011-10-09T00:15:00.000-04:00

The Yellow House Knits Semi-Annual Sale is on! The sale will run until October 23. All sweaters are 40% off (see the fine print below). Use coupon code OCTOBER11 at checkout to take advantage of the discount.

Don't forget the additional special offer for bloggers: and Facebook-ers. Blog or post on Facebook about the sale before October 16 and receive free shipping on your sale items (in addition to the 40% off) or save 15% on a future order. Postings must include at least one picture of a Yellow House Knits sweater. Email yellowhouseknits(at)gmail.com to let me know where to find your posting, and I will send information about redeeming these offers.

THE FINE PRINT: Sale applies to in-stock, knit-to-order, and custom sweaters up to size 2 only. Prices shown apply to the styles and sizes listed; changes may result in additional charges. Please see the shop policies on the Yellow House Knits Etsy site for the current turnaround time on knit-to-order sweaters, including holiday deadlines and shipping dates.

Swing Higher!

2011-10-07T15:44:00.000-04:00

These photographs of the Potomac Avenue sweater from Amy Tripple in Chicago literally took my breath away. I think this one is my favorite:

It looks like such an idyllic moment. Beautiful day. Beautiful scenery. Beautiful child. (Beautiful sweater.) And there's something about being on a swing that just speaks to me.

As much as I love that one, all of Amy's pictures are fabulous. Check out these as well. Thanks to Amy for the amazing pictures!

Fa La La La La La La La La

2011-10-02T18:44:00.000-04:00

Well, the halls may not be decked just yet, and there are no boughs of holly to be seen anywhere in D.C. But it's officially the holiday season at Yellow House Knits.

If you are thinking about a Yellow House Knits sweater for a little one in your life this holiday season, I encourage you to order sooner rather than later. The absolute last day to order sweaters will be November 15 (November 1 for international orders, including Canada). HOWEVER, I will close the holiday queue early if it fills up. So please don't wait until November 14!

All U.S. holiday orders will ship FedEx Ground by December 18. International orders will be sent U.S. First class mail and will ship by December 4. If you want expedited delivery, delivery tracking, or Priority Mail, let me know and I'll send you a quote for the additional charges.

Of course, in-stock sweaters and gift certificates may be ordered until the bitter end.

As always, email me (yellowhouseknits[at]gmail.com) with questions. Happy Holidays!

So Many Sweaters!

2011-09-29T10:08:00.002-04:00

I just got an extra large monitor, which I have positioned vertically. It's perfect for browsing Etsy! I love seeing so many products (esepcially sweaters!) at once.

Park Road Cardigan

2011-09-26T15:01:00.001-04:00

I just put this variation of the Park Road sweater in the mail. Katya loved the colors of the Park Road sweater, but she wanted a cardigan rather than a V-neck pullover. So we changed the neckline and added some buttons--and look how great it turned out! The pop of turquoise in the buttons is an especially fun touch.

I think this sweater is a great example of how existing sweater designs can be tweaked to fit your needs. You're limited only by your imagination!

Semi-Annual Sale Dates

2011-09-25T19:53:00.003-04:00

Hard to believe that the Semi-Annual Sale is almost upon us again. The Yellow House Knits Semi-Annual Sale will run from October 9 to October 23. The Semi-Annual Sale is your chance to get gorgeous handknit baby sweaters at a significantly reduced cost. Order a few for holiday gifts!

All sweaters will be 40% OFF. Please be aware that the queue fills up very quickly during the sale, so the wait for knit-to-order sweaters may be longer for sweaters ordered during the sale. If timing is an issue--especially with the holidays coming up--plan to order early during the sale. The turnaround time will be regularly updated on the Etsy site.

As usual, there will also be an additional special offer for bloggers and Facebookers: Blog about the sale (or post on Facebook) between October 9 and October 16 and receive free shipping on your sale items (in addition to the 40% off) or save 15% on a future order. Blog postings must include at least one picture of a Yellow House Knits sweater. Email yellowhouseknits(at)gmail.com to let me know where to find your posting, and I will email information about redeeming these offers. So schedule your blog postings now!

Quincy Street Cuties

2011-09-23T17:02:00.000-04:00

(I couldn't bring myself to title this post "Quincy Street QTs!)

Either way: Cute! Cute! Cute! These pictures of the Quincy Street sweater, from photographer Jennifer Tibbetts are so darn cute! Love those crossed feet on the little boy, and the rosy cheeks on the little girl! And doesn't that chair look so fabulous with the sweater! Perfect, as usual!

The pictures just went up on Etsy--be sure to check them out! Thanks to Jennifer for another set of amazing pictures!

September Special Offer

2011-09-19T14:49:00.001-04:00

Today and tomorrow only! Save 25% off any sweater ordered through the Etsy site. (Custom orders are not included.) All sweater orders must be received by midnight EDT on Tuesday, September 20. Enter code SEPT11 at checkout to redeem.

Have fun!

Macomb Street Revisited

2011-09-18T22:45:00.002-04:00

The buttons on the original Macomb Street sweater aren't available anymore, so I had to swap in some different ones for a two-sweater order I just finished up. I love the spherical shape and the slight funky texture. Actually, I think may even like these new ones better than the originals--good thing I stocked up!

A Dog and His Hydrant

2011-09-17T23:17:00.002-04:00

These dalmatian/hydrant buttons crack me up every time I look at them. I think they'll be such a fun addition to a little sweater. They would work well in pairs--maybe one at each shoulder or on two pockets in front. Or, how about a cardigan with a series of dogs and one hydrant in the middle? Charming!

They'd look great with red, obviously. But for those of you who can tolerate color only in small doses, these would also be perfect on a charcoal gray sweater.

Email yellowhouseknits@gmail.com if you'd like to talk about a custom sweater with these clever buttons.

Fall is in the Air

2011-09-16T17:54:00.000-04:00

I'm delinquent in not posting these fantastic pictures of the Woodley Road sweater from photographer Rachel Mazzaferro sooner, but today seems like the perfect day to do it because it's the first day that it feels like fall outside. (I actually saw someone wearing gloves this morning, which seemed like a bit of overkill to me!) And, this sweater just screams "fall" to me. I can almost see the leaves turning colors and floating to the ground against a bright blue sky, with the smell of camp fires and apple cider in the air.

I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. Well, whatever the season, these little cuties are just adorable! Thanks to Rachel for the amazing pictures!

Ontario Place Beauty

2011-09-06T22:12:00.000-04:00

Photographer Alexi Killmer sent me these beautiful pictures of Amelia in the Ontario Place sweater. Isn't she beautiful!?!

Color Inspiration: Arietta

2011-08-23T17:56:00.001-04:00

I love the strong colors and quilt-like look of this oil painting by Yoko. There are a lot of colors in the painting, and I played around with a bunch of different combinations, before settling on this one. I think it's so fun and fresh. Great colors for a girl without being over-the-top girly.

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

2011-08-22T10:46:00.001-04:00

I almost broke up with Target this weekend. We’ve been teetering on the brink for a while now. When I first started shopping at Target, I was in love with the innovative products, the clean stores, the wide aisles lined with neatly arranged merchandise, and—perhaps most of all—the smiling, happy people sales associates, who were eager to walk to the other side of the store to show me where to find the obscure brand of whatever I happened to be looking for.

But lately, the fairy tale has been much darker. Particularly in the D.C. area, the stores are always a mess, the lines are long, and the people who work there are apathetic at best and more often outright surly. Yesterday, as I tried to maneuver a cart with a broken wheel through a store that looked like a tornado had just blown thrown, I was ready to throw in the towel for good. “If I can’t get it online,” I thought to myself, “it’s not worth having.”

Then . . . I wheeled the cart around the corner and came face to face with the vintage-esque Mountain Dew T shirt I’ve been looking for forever. (Yes, I admit to having an unhealthy relationship with Mountain Dew.) As I snatched up the T shirt, I was suddenly back in love with Target. And as I waited patiently, ninth in line to check out, I admired my new find, and all of the crowds and noise and confusion faded into the background.

It wasn’t until much later that I paused to ask myself: “Am I really that fickle?” Guess so! Should I be ashamed of myself?

Junior Junior Varsity

2011-08-21T20:59:00.000-04:00

Just finished up this custom order for Trish's son. I love the way it looks a little like a varsity sweater with the stripes on the sleeves. I continued the sports theme with the baseball buttons at the shoulders, and I'm just so pleased with how it turned out.

(Speaking of varsity, I can't help but notice that the colors call to mind the blue and maize of my alma mater, the University of Michigan. Go Blue!)

The Bus Stops Here

2011-08-11T11:36:00.001-04:00

I love the old-timeiness of these bus scrolls from Transit Design and think they would be such a clever way to memoralize one's past "bus stops," so to speak.

Here's where I've stopped:

Sewickley

Evanston

Pittsburgh

Cambridge

Ann Arbor

Memphis

Washington, DC

It's been quite a trip. What would your scroll say?

Feral Houses

2011-08-07T15:30:00.000-04:00

Almost a year ago I blogged about the 100 Abandoned Houses project. James Griffioen's Feral Houses express a similar sentiment, only perhaps even more starkly. These houses aren't just abandoned--they're wild, they've reverted to nature. There's no domesticated bliss here anymore.

If only the walls of these houses could talk. I'd love to hear about the people who lived there--about the good times and about what caused the residents to walk away from their houses without handing them off to another set of caretakers. And about what's happened since then--as the ivy started to creep around the window frames and the saplings squeezed between the floorboards. I think there would be many stories to be told.

Featured on Cuteable!

2011-08-04T08:58:00.000-04:00

I'm excited that the Chesapeake Street sweater is featured today as a "cute find" on Cuteable. Go check it out--and be prepared for a ton of cuteness. The blog is aptly named! I read it regularly and I'm aways excited to see what new things Lynsey and Matt will find.

Fall Fashion Colors

2011-08-03T20:01:00.001-04:00

It hurts my ears to hear the words "back to school" because they signal the end of summer. But alas, it's getting to be time to face the fact that summer won't be here forever. So, for those of you who are already planning for the fall and the colder (sweater!) weather, here are Pantone's fall colors. (In the interest of full disclosure, these were announced during Fashion Week back in February, but I couldn't bring myself to focus on them until now.)

What do you think? I love that there are some pretty summery colors mixed in with the more somber neutrals. Actually, the more I look at them, the more I really like them.

This is a good time to remind you of the offer of 10% off for sweaters using honeysuckle. See here for details.

Fiber Art

2011-08-02T18:54:00.000-04:00

I'm always intrigued when artists take tried-and-true techniques and put their own twist on them. I recently purchased a bracelet that was "knit" using metal wire. I thought it was so cool that I went looking for other examples of knitted and crocheted jewelry. Here are some of the awesome things I found. This is not your grandmother's knitting!

Fun earrings from JewelryByAmyT

Love this necklace from Inbar Shahak Textile Jewelry

Gorgeous bracelet from Lapis Beach

Tell her you love her with a crocheted "diamond" solitaire ring from Wrapped by Design

EtsyBABY Customer Appreciation Sale

2011-07-29T16:37:00.000-04:00

The July and August special offers will coincide with EtsyBABY's summer customer appreciate sale. Check out the EtsyBABY Facebook site to see all of the good deals and offers. Yellow House Knits is offering 20% off your entire purchase. Use the code SUMMER2011. The offer ends August 5, 2011.

A Collection for Everyone

2011-07-28T14:37:00.002-04:00

On January 1, 2010, Lisa Congdon started a year-long project to post a photograph every day of one of her own collections (real or imagined). She posted them on a blog, appropriately titled A Collection A Day, 2010, which was apparently phenomenally popular at the time, though I confess that I didn't hear about it until after the fact, which was my loss because I would have loved to check in everyday to see the latest collection. The 365 photographs are now a book--sort of a collection of collections. Find out more here.

Owney Forever

2011-07-27T10:38:00.002-04:00

I'm charmed by the story of Owney, the mascot of the postal system in the 19th century. As the story goes, Owney was a mutt who found a home of sorts in the post office in Albany, New York, in 1888. He soon began to travel with mail bags on mail wagons and trains, making his way across the state and even to Asia and Europe.

Mail clerks on the trains considered Owney a good luck charm because no train Owney rode was ever in a crash. The clerks marked has travels by placing medals on his collar, one for each stop. Eventually, the tags got too heavy, so Owney got his own harness for all of the tags, which jingled when he walked. When Owney died in 1897, mail clerks raised money to have his body preserved (which I find a little less charming!), and he's been on display at the Smithsonian ever since.

Owney is now featured on a Forever stamp, which is scheduled to be released today. I think the stamp is so sweet, I might just send myself a letter!

Tracking Guinness

2011-07-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

I admit to being a bit obsessed with the animal tracker on the National Aquarium's website. Consider the story of Guinness, a young gray seal who was found stranded on a North Carolina beach in March. He was taken to the National Aquarium in Baltimore and found to have a broken jaw and to be underweight and severely dehydrated.

Guinness was nursed back to health at the aquarium, where he gained 110 pounds. He was released back to the Atlantic on June 24. But before they let Guinness go, they affixed a satellite transmitter to his back. The transmitter will eventually fall off when he molts, but in the meantime we can track Guinness's movements online on the aquarium's website. As of the last update, he was swimming around near Maine, which means he has traveled nearly 600 miles. I find that to be truly astonishing. Happy travels Guinness! Be safe out there!

Color Inspiration: Pool Party

2011-07-22T15:50:00.008-04:00

I find inspiration for the colors in my sweaters in so many places. Whenever something strikes me visually, I find myelf trying to find a sweater in it. I'm in love with color, so I thought I would start a new series based on my thought process.

This pool party by A Blissful Nest looks like it was just gorgeous. And the colors are so peaceful and dreamy and summery. Oh the possibilities . . .

The Ideal Bookshelf

2011-07-21T14:27:00.000-04:00

I think these paintings by Jane Mount are fascinating. Kind of like portraits of people's souls. Jane paints people's ideal bookshelves---their favorite books, books that inspired them, that changed their lives, books that made them think.

I've been trying hard to think of what would be on my ideal bookshelf. It's actually a really hard exercise. There are so many books that have meant a lot to me over the years. To boil it down to just a handful is no small task. Here are some I couldn't leave off the list:

--Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

--Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

--The Secret in the Old Attic by Carolyn Keene

--Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams

--East of Eden by John Steinbeck

--The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

--The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

--"B" is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood

--Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

What would be on your list?

Find the whole collection and ordering information on The Ideal Bookshelf website.

Seeing Triplets

2011-07-11T00:43:00.002-04:00

This weekend, I finished up these little sweaters for triplet boys who just turned 1. They were such fun to make, and I'm really pleased with how they turned out. What a special, thoughtful gift. I know the boys will look just darling in them!

These sweaters are a good example of how to tweak an existing Yellow House Knits design to make a custom design. Clients who want a custom sweater are often unsure about how or where to start, and they don't trust their style instincts. Beginning with an existing design and changing it up can be a good way to put your own stamp on a sweater. If you look closely, you might see that these sweaters started from the Harrison Street sweater. We changed the colors, added the coordinating sleeves, swapped out the buttons, and . . . presto chango . . . three darling custom sweaters perfect for triplets!

The Gift of YHK

2011-07-08T14:13:00.000-04:00

Can't decide between a pink or a yellow sweater? A cardigan or a pullover? Size 12 or 24 months? Give the gift of a Yellow House Knits gift certificate instead, and let the recipient (or the recipient's mom or dad) make all of the hard choices.

We can send the gift certificate to you to wrap up and present in person or to the recipient directly. Gift certificates are available in any amount, can be applied toward any Yellow House Knits sweater, including custom orders, and can be combined with other discounts and offers. Email yellowhouseknits@gmail.com with questions about gift certificates or to redeem the gift certificate.

Etsy Front Page Challenge

2011-07-03T23:18:00.000-04:00

Yellow House Knits has been on Etsy for almost two years now and has never been on the front page. Not once. Rather than letting myself be bitter about it, I'm issuing a challenge.

As you may know, the items on the front page are chosen from Etsy treasuries, which are collections of items chosen by Etsy members. The items often have a theme or unifying thread--color, use, texture, etc. I've posted treasuries featuring Yellow House Knits sweaters in the past (click on the "Treasury Department" tag below to see lots of examples).

So here's the challenge: Create a treasury (or, better yet, multiple treasuries) featuring a Yellow House Knits sweater. If you're new to Etsy or to treasury making, you can find some tips here. If your treasury makes it to the front page with the YHK item included, you win a $65 gift certificate to Yellow House Knits, which you can redeem for a free sweater. Just send me an email (yellowhouseknits@gmail.com) claiming your prize. It's that easy. Good luck!

Heaven in Two Bites

2011-07-02T23:24:00.000-04:00

Two years ago, NPR rather boldly declared that macarons were the next cupcakes. Since then, I haven't seen any signs that America's love affair with cupcakes is waning. That's a-ok with me because I love a good cupcake--particularly when the ratio of frosting to cake is sky high. That said, I was happy to hear about the arrival of macarons on the desert scene, though I didn't have a whole lot of options to develop a love affair with these little confections.

That all changed when The Sweet Lobby arrived on Capitol Hill. Tucked into a tiny space between Dunkin' Donuts and my go-to place for Thai take-out, The Sweet Lobby offers the most divine macarons. They are the perfect combination of crunchy, chewy, creamy, and gooey--and, in the case of the hazelnut-praline salted caramel macarons, salty and sweet. In a word, they are "amazing" (though it would be more accurate to take two words and call them "absolutely amazing"). I have a hard time trying to decide between all of the flavors (raspberry, chocolate, pistachio, lemon--I'll take one of each please!) and the rainbow of colors. They come beautifully package in a pretty little box so I've been justifying my repeat purchases as gifts to myself. Since The Sweet Lobby opened, I've been OBSESSED with this place and these little bites of heaven. If you're in the neighborhood, go now! And get a box for me!

(Photos courtesy of The Sweet Lobby.)

Color Me Beautiful

2011-07-01T14:51:00.000-04:00

When I was a kid, I loved coloring. My art skills were questionable, but I still loved the freedom to create and I loved the vibrant colors in my Crayola box. I remember marveling over all of those perfect crayons, in a rainbow of 64 colors, all lined up in a new box, and I confess that using the first crayon of the box for the first time required a bit of willpower to destroy that beautiful perfection. But after that, it was a colorful world.

Apparently other (bona fide) artists are also fascinated with crayons. These carved crayons are the work of Pete Goldlust. I'm not sure how well they'd hold up during the creative process, but they sure are amazing to look at.

And check out this crayon sculpture by Herb Williams, which is one of a whole 3D series in which he uses only crayons. (There's even one of a Crayola box!) Apparently he has an account with Crayola, who sends him cases of 3000 crayons in a single color.

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again"

2011-06-28T09:43:00.001-04:00

Last night I went to a screening of the classic movie "Rebecca" at the National Theater as part of the "Dial H for Hitchcock" summer movie series. "Rebecca" is one of my all-time favorite books, and I love the movie as well (the creepy Mrs. Danvers always gets under my skin!). I hadn't seen the movie in a while, so it was fun to see it again and to watch the reactions of people seeing it for the first time.

But truth be told, I was pretty disappointed in the overall experience. I love seeing old movies in grand old theaters (many of which (not the National) were actually originally movie houses). But instead, the movie was shown in a long skinny gallery on a tiny screen. I could barely see the screen, and the plastic patio chair I was sitting on wasn't terribly comfortable. Plus, the guy sitting next to me was eating McDonald's and kept trying to talk to me during the first half of the movie.

I hate to complain so much--I was just so bummed by the way things turned out. They annouced before the movie started that they simply don't have the funds to show the movies in the main theater, much as they'd like to. And I totally get that--I just wish it had been advertised as such so I'd known in advance what I was getting into before I left work early to be there. And I wish they'd charge some nominal amount and turn these showings into a fundraiser so that at some point in the future they can show movies on the big screen.

All that said, I'll try to go to another showing this summer. I hate, hate, hate when people complain but don't do anything to resolve a bad situation. If the theater has strong support for the "Dial H for Hitchcock" series, maybe it will think more seriously about trying to raise the funds to move the movies to the mainstage. Only next time, I'll get there earlier for a better seat. Anyone in D.C. want to join me for "Dial M for Murder" in August?

Yarn Explosion!

2011-06-25T23:20:00.000-04:00

Have you heard of yarn bombing? It's a kind of "street art," like graffiti, only with yarn rather than spray paint. Essentially, it involves creating legwarmers or sweaters for street signs, parking meters, and mailboxes. Even bridges and buses have been bombed. The New York Times described yarn bombing "tak[ing] that most matronly craft (knitting) and that most maternal of gestures (wrapping something cold in a warm blanket) and transfer[ing] it to the concrete and steel wilds of the urban streetscape."

All yarn bombing I've seen in person has been small scale--I've never seen anything quite as extravagant as in the pictures below in person, but I think the concept is really cool.

(All pictures courtesy of Yarn Bombing.)

Knot Good Enough to Eat

2011-06-16T14:40:00.000-04:00

By now, you might have figured out that I have a strange fascination with food art (especially dessert art). Artist Ed Bing Lee's food items are made by knotting (not knitting!) linen, cotten, and rafia to create these amazingly realistic guilty pleasures. You children of the 70s may know the technique as macramé, but these pieces are a long way from the wall coverings and plant hangers I associate with the bell bottom set. Key lime pie is one of my all-time favorite desserts, but that strawberry ice cream cone is making me want to go visit my good friends Ben and Jerry.

June Special Offer

2011-06-13T13:39:00.001-04:00

There is (almost!) nothing cuter than a newborn baby wrapped up in a teeny-tiny handknit baby sweater! This month's special offer is 30% off all sweaters in size 0-3 months. The offer is good through Friday, June 17.

If you know someone expecting a baby in the fall, be sure to get your order in early so you're ready to go when sweater season and baby arrive!

Email yellowhouseknits@gmail to take advantage of this offer!

The Rare Forward

2011-06-10T13:55:00.000-04:00

My mom and her friends love to forward emails to one another. Monkey rescues tiger cub from near drowning. Leather shoes cause foot cancer. If you get a call from a number with 123 area code, your phone bill will be $2 million. Nothing is sacred. Even worse, she's quick to forward them on to her kids, even though we have begged and pleaded with her not to clutter up our in-boxes.

Most of her forwards quickly make their way to the electronic circular file, since I'm pretty sure that Nieman Marcus doesn't sell its cookie recipe, but every once in a while one catches my eye. This one--just a picture with the caption "Ever woken up in someone else's bed?"--made me laugh out loud. And, based on the day I'm having, I needed a big laugh. So thanks Mom!

(If it's a Photoshopped image, like these often are, I don't want to know.)

License Plate Game

2011-06-06T07:05:00.002-04:00

Washington, D.C., is a great place to play the license plate game because (perhaps more than any other place in the United States), people come here from all over the country--with their cars.

As I was driving around this weekend, I was thinking about which license plates are my favorite. While I love the cheeky, in-your-face plates on my own car decrying the lack of representation for the District, my favorites are still the classic Rhode Island plates, with the simple ocean swirl, and the Stars Fell on Alabama plates, though I confess that it took me the longest time to figure out the reference (hearing the song for the first time was a real Aha! moment). The latter plates have since been replaced by Sweet Home Alabama plates, so the state is obviously sticking with the musical theme. Rounding out my top four are the Colorado mountain plates in green and white, which seem to symbolize Colorado so well.

Given how much thought I've put into this issue, it should be no surprise that I find the website 15q.net, which has an index of U.S. license plates dating to 1969, to be fascinating. Not only does it highlight the transformation license plates have undergone, from simple one- or two-color tags to much more elaborate plates that tell a story or make a statement (also a result of the shift from embossed to flat plates). It's also chock full of interesting trivia. For example, in 1971, New Hampshire ditched its previous wording "Scenic" in favor of the now infamous slogan "Live Free or Die."

(license plate pictures courtesy of David Nicholson)

Words to Live By

2011-06-05T02:27:00.000-04:00

I find these posters from ColorBee featuring song lyrics to be so charming. I love the bright colors and graphic design. And ColorBee and I must have similar taste in music because these are some of my favorite songs. She's picked some of the best lines from some really great songs. (James Taylor in particular is one of my all-time favorites!)

Browsing through ColorBee's Etsy shop got me to thinking about other songs with lyrics that have stuck with me (not that I think ColorBee is looking for suggestions). Here are a couple that I thought of. Do you recognize the songs/artists?

--And the good-bye makes the journey harder still
--Things are gonna work out fine if you only will
--Sing with me, if it's just for today
--Time it was and what a time it was
--Let the river run
--Here's an optimistic thought
--The first days are the hardest days
--This world keeps spinning faster
--Those were halycon days
--Loved by many, hated by none
--I met you on somebody's island
--It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshine-y day
--Teach your children well

Great Minds Think Alike

2011-06-03T19:34:00.000-04:00

There's a great deli in the Atlas District (they've since expanded to a couple of other locations in the D.C. area), called Taylor Gourmet. Actually, it's better than a deli because they have risotto balls, fried ravioli, and mozzarella sticks. (How can you go wrong?!?) But what I really love about this place is the sandwich names. Lombard Avenue. JFK Boulevard. Wharton Street. Sound like any other little business you know?

All of the names at Taylor Gourmet refer to Philadelphia streets (and other landmarks), where both of the owners are from. Yellow House Knits pays obviously pays homage to the streets I drive everyday here in the District, but I still think it's fun that we both took the same approach.

And, if I do say so myself, we both offer great products!

Salty Dog T Shirt Obsession

2011-05-31T10:57:00.002-04:00

I know they're something of a cliche, but I'm kind of obsessed with these Salty Dog Cafe T shirts from (big surprise) the Salty Dog Cafe on Hilton Head. They're available in a rainbow of colors, and I've been collecting them over the years. On my most recent trip, I added teal and light pink to my collection.

I also learned that the Salty Dog has a monthly contest where the winner gets eight (8!!) shirts in his or her choice of colors. Needless to say, I've now made it my mission to win. I've even marked it on my calendar so I remember to enter each month. I already have my eight colors picked out (pink, athletic orange, Carolina blue, lime, purple, yellow, red, and royal (if I can't have the American dog shirt instead)).

So, Salty Dog people, start looking for my entries. Sooner or later, you'll be sending those eight shirts to Washington, D.C. Game on!

And the Winner Is . . .

2011-05-30T14:47:00.000-04:00

Callie from North Carolina! Callie's favorite sweater was the Madison Street sweater, pictured here. Callie, look for a separate email from me with details about your prize.

To everyone else, thanks so much for entering--I wish I had prizes for everyone. If you're still interested in a YHK sweater, please email me for a coupon code to take 25% off any order placed before the end of June.

Thanks for helping me celebrate the second anniversary of Yellow House Knits!

A Different View of Hilton Head

2011-05-30T01:48:00.001-04:00

Spent a lovely week on Hilton Head Island last week with my family. Usually when I post about my trips to Hilton Head, I include a picture of one of the island's gorgeous beaches. This time, I thought I would highlight something a little different: the amazing trees that cover the island. Most of the trees are Lives Oaks, which some have characterized as the signature tree of the low country, and many are dripping with Spanish moss.

The particular trees in these pictures are located in one of my favorite spots on Sea Pines, in a quiet clearing just off of the bike path connecting Harbor Town and Baynard Ruins. It's one of my favorite spots to sit and read or just be. The canopy of trees provides welcome shade from the South Carolina sun, and the birds chirping overhead create lovely background music.

Don't get me wrong: I go to Hilton Head primarily for the great beaches, but the spectacular foliage--and these particular trees--are an added bonus.

Blast from the Past

2011-05-19T14:48:00.002-04:00

This great print, available from The Photo Zoo takes me straight back to high school when mix tapes were a great gift idea--cheap and personal.

My friends and I all made mixes for each other. I loved getting them and was always devastated when the tape eventually wore out or broke. We decorated the inside of the cassette cases with pictures, magazine cutouts, and funny captions to make our own albums of sorts.

I remember mix tapes that reflected our collective high school angst. There was lots of U2 ("How long, how long must we sing this song?"), Billy Joel ("I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints"), Pat Bentar ("Whatever we deny or embrace, for worse or for better"), REO Speedwagon ("Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore"), Tears for Fears ("Everybody wants to rule the world").

But there was a lot of fun stuff too: Wham ("Wake me up before you go-go. Take me dancing tonight."), Culture Club ("Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams"), The Bangles ("Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh, walk like an Egyptian").

Playlists on iTunes are great, but they just don't have that same personality, do they?

Old But Still Noteworthy

2011-05-18T20:54:00.000-04:00

A friend sent me the link to the Letters of Note blog earlier this afternoon, and I keep finding excuses to go back and read more of it. It's a fascinating archive of correspondence--mostly historical, some from well-known figures, others from every day folk--complete with scans and transcripts of the letters, postcards, telegrams, faxes, and memos. With more than 500 entries, there's a lot of emgrossing stuff there.

There's a letter from Alan Shepard to his parents, telling them about his new house, Ann's wedding, and, oh yeah, that he is being considered for the new "Man in Space" program. There's a letter from a slave named Vilet Lester, describing how she has been sold from one plantation owner to another. A letter from the product marketing manager for Campbell's Soup to Andy Warhol, expressing appreciation for Warhol's paintings and telling him to expect a shipment of a few cases of tomato soup. A sweet and gracious letter from David Bowie responding to his "very first American fan letter." Six different letters to FDR complaining about his decision to move Thanksgiving up a week (one asking if he could also change Sunday to Wednesday).

Go. Now. (But not if you have work to do!)

Golf Tees and Fried Pickles

2011-05-17T20:48:00.002-04:00

I mentioned in yesterday's homage to Fletch that one of my dear friends and I spent a girls' weekend in West Virginia last weekend. We had So Much Fun. We went to the Greenbrier, which in White Sulfur Springs--just past the Virginia line. If you've never been, it's a real experience. Truth be told, it's more than a little bit too much Dorothy Draper for me, but the spa is amazing, the grounds are beautiful, the service is impeccable.

While I was out running on Saturday morning, I came across this cool sculpture by the golf course that is (I think) new since our last trip a couple of years ago. I took a picture of it because I was really struck by how UN-Greenbrier it is. It's funky and asymmetrical (though the mismash of patterns is right on--if you've been there, you know what I mean!). It turns out it's serious art, created by Dan Meyer, who is a well-known scultor. Shows what I know!

Said friend and I are a perfect match in that we love going to little towns and checking out the local color there. (Lest you be confused, the Greenbrier is NOT West Virginia "local color"). Key to this mission is eating in local restaurants, particularly casual, family places. We went to the Mason Jar Restaurant in downtown White Sulphur Springs (such as it is) and Oh-My-God, the fried pickles were sensational. The best I've ever had (and I used to live in Memphis, so I've had a lot). Dill pickle spears (not chips) with more than a hint of spice in the batter. They were served with creamy ranch dressing and a bottle of hot sauce. What a fantastic combination! No joke, we talked about them all weekend. Ironically, they didn't begin to compare to the fried pickles at the fancy Greenbrier.

Seriously, I want to go back to West Virginia just for the deep fried pickles.

A Tribute to Fletch

2011-05-16T19:39:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, my friend and I were on a little road trip in West Virginia, and I made a reference to our car hitting a water buffalo. When she looked me blankly, I realized that she had never seen the movie Fletch. I was astounded! My brother and I have watched Fletch together dozens and dozens of times, and we regularly work Fletch quotes into casual conversation (and crack ourselves up in the process)--much to the ~~delight~~ irritation of everyone around us. Of course, I raced back home and watched the movie all over again, chuckling like it was all new to me.

The best part of Fletch is, of course, the wisecracking of the title character. So in his honor, here are some of my favorite quotes (leaving out those that aren't suitable for prime time): [I'm cracking myself up just typing this . . . ]

"Yeah, Utah. It's wedged in between Wyoming and Nevada. You've seen pictures of it, right?"

"Mr. Stanwyk's parents Marvin and Velma of Provo, were unable to attend the wedding. Those are three names I enjoy; Marvin, Velma, and Provo."

"If you shoot me, you're liable to lose a lot of those humanitarian awards."

"I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pull rank on you. I didn't want to have to do this. I'm with the Mattress Police. There are no tags on these mattresses."

"I would have been here sooner, but a manure-spreader jacknifed on the Santa Ana. You should see my shoes."

"I'll have a Bloody Mary and a steak sandwich and... a steak sandwich, please."

Second Anniversary Giveaway!

2011-05-15T14:20:00.006-04:00

Memorial Day weekend marks the second anniversary of Yellow House Knits. What a fun, crazy ride it's been over the past two years! To celebrate, I'm giving away a free baby sweater!! The contest begins today and ends at midnight EDT on May 29. The winner will be announced on May 30.

Here's how to play:

Mandatory entry: Visit http://www.yellowhouseknits.com/ or http://www.yellowhouseknits.etsy.com/ to view the current collection of sweaters. Leave a comment below with your favorite sweater.

Additional entries (please leave a comment below for EACH additional entry):
--Follow the Inside the Yellow House Knits blog (three entries).
--Like Yellow House Knits on Facebook--http://www.facebook.com/YellowHouseKnits (three entries).
--Blog/post on Facebook/Tweet about this giveaway (one entry per post/Tweet, add an extra if you post a picture of a YHK sweater). Please leave the URL of your post in your comment).
--Add one or both Yellow House buttons to your blog (one entry per button). Please leave the URL of your blog in your comment.

THE FINE PRINT: Winner will be randomly selected from all entries. Prize will be awarded in the form of a $60 gift certificate to Yellow House Knits, which may be applied toward any Yellow House Knits sweater, including custom orders, plus free shipping within the United States. Please be aware that any deviations from the current collection, including larger sizes, may result in a higher price. Any amounts above $60 are the responsibility of the winner and are payable on redemption of the gift certificate. Any amounts not used may be held for a subsequent purchase and are not redeemable for cash. All other Yellow House Knits policies apply, including but not limited to policies regarding shipping, turnaround times, custom orders, and returns. Email yellowhouseknits@gmail.com with other questions.

Have fun! Enter early and often!

If the Sweater Fits

2011-05-03T16:04:00.000-04:00

What size should I order? This is one of the most frequent questions I get, particularly with respect to presents for spring and summer baby showers. The warmer months are not typically thought of as "sweater season" so it's probably not a great idea to order a newborn sweater for a warm weather shower gift (at least not if you want the baby to actually wear the sweater!). But people often want the baby to be able to use their gift as soon as possible so deciding what size to get can be tricky.

A good approach is to think ahead to December, January, and February and determine how old the baby will be then. So, for a May shower, the baby is likely due in June or July, which means that he or she will be about six months in the winter. Ordering a six- to 12-month size will allow baby to wear the sweater as early as October or November (though it may be a bit big) and through those last cool days the following March and April.

Of course I'm always happy to help with any sizing questions.

Saving the Underdog

2011-04-27T15:28:00.000-04:00

I was at Barnes & Noble this morning buying a last-minute card for my assistant (thanks for everything Pam!) when I discovered the most wonderful line of cards: Hooray for the Underdog. The cards "celebrate the power and spirit of rescued animals everywhere." It's no secret that I have a soft spot for rescue dogs and cats (and other animals), so these cards grabbed my attention. They feature rescue pets in various poses, some whimsical, some serious, all adorable. On the back is the animal's name, story, and "special power." Here's Jillian, a stray, who was rescued from a city shelter only hours before her scheduled demise. Her special power is making her humans feel like they’re the ones who were saved. That may actually be the special power of most rescued animals. I love cards with a cause, and this is one of the best!

Do I Know That Face?

2011-04-26T11:52:00.001-04:00

I obviously think little kids should wear handknit sweaters all the time. But I do recognize that sweaters can be impractical, especially in the summer. For those rare occasions when kids aren't wearing their Yellow House Knits sweaters, I think these T shirts from Tees 4 Squirts are such fun! They're available with the faces of a range of historical, literary, and pop culture icons.

For those of you who need a little help, the Ts below feature (clockwise from top left): Albert Einstein, John Lennon, Abraham Lincoln, and Harry Potter.

I'm hoping they'll add some women to the line. What about Marilyn Monroe, Betsy Ross, or Hillary Clinton?

Take a Back Road

2011-04-25T18:58:00.000-04:00

Have you heard Rodney Atkins's new song, "Take a Back Road"? This song really speaks to me. I'm notorious for always wanting to take a back road, to see what's around the next bend or down that street, to get lost on purpose (how else do you find the really interesting stuff?). I love driving around on a nice day, windows down, music turned up, Mr. Bullet in the back seat, just seeing what there is to see. Who needs the highways when there's so much to see on the back roads?

And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home

Put a little gravel in my travel

Unwind, unravel all night long

Makes me wanna grab my honey

Tear down some two-lane country

Who knows

Get lost and get right with my soul

Makes me wanna take

Makes me wanna take a back road.

Those Blue Eyes

2011-04-19T14:49:00.000-04:00

Look at this little guy in the Ontario Place sweater! Love him!

For expecting moms who don't know the sex of their baby, this aqua/turquoise/teal color is a great option! It looks terrific on boys and girls (especially those with blue eyes), and it's a nice change from the standard unisex yellows and greens.

Thanks to Trish McCoy for the great photo!

Inside the Yellow House in the Washington Post Express!

2011-04-14T16:34:00.000-04:00

So I'm on the Metro this morning on my way to work, merrily making my way through the Express. (For those of you not from D.C., the Express is a free newspaper published by the Washington Post that distills the day's news down to the highest highlights.) Anyway, I'm flipping through the paper and I pause on the "Blog Log," which is where they post quotes they've pulled from bloggers about (mostly) what's going on in the pop culture world.

I notice that there's something about the Post's Peeps diorama contest. I read that the blogger doesn't "know how people come up with this stuff, but [she's] so glad they do." "Wow," I think to myself, "that sounds eerily similar to what I wrote yesterday." Then I do a double-take and am stunned to see that it IS what I wrote yesterday.

That's right, the Post apparently enjoyed my coverage of the contest. I was so surprised that I started laughing out loud on the Metro.

The real irony here is that I rarely pick up the Express when I take the Metro because I get the Post at home. And this morning, I was this close [fingers held together] to taking a cab to work because I was running late. If I'd done either this morning, I would have missed it. Looks like the stars aligned!

I'm definitely keeping a copy for my scrapbook!

Peeps Show!

2011-04-13T13:21:00.001-04:00

Hooray! It's one of my favorite days of the year. The winners of the Washington Post annual peeps diorama contest were announced today! As usual, they are all creative and amazing. Here's the winner, depicting the rescue of the mine workers in Chile. What you can't see is the lower half, which shows a couple of Peep workers still stuck underground. I don't know how people come up with this stuff, but I'm so glad they do.

Check out all of the winners and runners up here, including my favorite--Peeps going through airport security. It's a true Peeps Show!

Have I mentioned that I also love, love, love Peeps? All that sugary goodness! (Anyone else think they're better when they're slightly stale, so they're chewier?)

Semi-Annual SALE Today!

2011-04-10T00:15:00.017-04:00

The Yellow House Knits Semi-Annual Sale begins today! The sale will run until April 24. ALL sweaters are 40% OFF (see the fine print below). Use coupon code APRIL11 at checkout to take advantage of the discount.

Don't forget the additional special offer for bloggers: and Facebook-ers. Blog or post on Facebook about the sale before April 17 and receive free shipping on your sale items (in addition to the 40% off) or save 15% on a future order. Postings must include at least one picture of a Yellow House Knits sweater. Email yellowhouseknits(at)gmail.com to let me know where to find your posting, and I will send information about redeeming these offers.

A New Website

2011-04-06T19:10:00.000-04:00

Yellow House Knits has a new, revamped website! It's been underway for some time now, and I'm excited that it went live today! It features new navigation and professional pictures of all of the sweaters. Please go take a look: http://www.yellowhouseknits.com/.

New Sweater!

2011-04-05T18:44:00.000-04:00

Check out the NEW Van Ness Street sweater, which is available on the Yellow House Knits Etsy shop now. I'm really trying to make more sweaters that are targeted at boys, because I know lots of moms say there's not enough cute stuff for boys. The baseball button on this pocket puts it in the boys camp, but I could easily swap the baseball for a more neutral (or even girly) button if the sweater is intended for a girl or for an expecting mom who doesn't know the sex.

Ten Months Down . . .Two To Go!

2011-04-04T18:33:00.000-04:00

I'm really delinquent in posting my March update. I didn't make huge progress in March, but I did manage to check a big one off. I'm excited for April. Planning to make BIG progress!

35 Before 36 Update

~~1. Read 12 books.~~
~~2. Go to New York City for a Broadway weekend.~~
3. Start saving regularly—even if modestly—for the addition to my house.  Still doing well!
4. Clean out my closet and give a lot to Goodwill. I have a big pile of stuff ready to go--just need to get it out the door.
5. Finish my state streets project. More good progress.
6. Donate to: ~~Washington Humane Society,~~ ~~Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia~~, and my various alma maters: ~~Northwestern University~~, Carnegie Mellon University, ~~the University of Michigan Law School~~, the University of Michigan School of Public Health. I'm going to knock one off in each of the next two months.
7. Go to the U.S. Botanic Garden.
8. Get a massage and/or a facial each month.  10/12 complete.
9. Purge and replenish my underwear drawer.
~~10. See 12 movies in the theater.~~
~~11. Spend a weekend the Omni Bedford Springs (my favorite).~~
12. Keep an inventory of food in the freezer.  Falling down on this one some. I need to work harder to get a system in place.
~~13. Run three half marathons.~~ Yay! Ran the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas at the end of March. This is a BIG one for me!
~~14. Try yoga again.~~
15. Start to research the history of my house.
~~16. Reorganize my pantry.~~
17. Buy a nice piece of jewelry (pearls?).
18. Try 12 new (to me), local restaurants. 9/12 complete.
19. Improve my bread-baking skills.
20. Take Bullet on a weekend trip. Planned. Stay tuned for more details . . .
~~21. Get a new camera.~~
22. Take more pictures. Doing well!
23. Pay off my car. Looking good! I'm excited to have this one off my plate!

24. Master real push-ups.
25. Make at least two meals per month to freeze for later. Doing well again!
26. Organize my knitting and needlepoint supplies.
27. Send more postcards when I travel with notes telling people I’m thinking of them.
28. Make a star tree-topper for my Christmas tree. Canvas is purchased--need to start needlepointing. If only I weren't so busy knitting (kidding!).
~~29. Have a party.~~

~~30. Go to the renovated National Museum of American History.~~
~~31. Go to the beach.~~
32. Buy fresh flowers more often. This should be easier as spring comes around!
33. Paint my old patio furniture (or have it painted). I'm making some inquiries on this one, but it seems that finding the right shade of pink is harder than I thought.

34. Take a crafting class.

35. Walk home from work at least once a week, weather permitting. Same as #32

March Special Offer

2011-03-29T06:10:00.005-04:00

Free shipping on all orders received before the end of the month. Mention coupon code ITHY-MAR11 in your convo or email to take advantage of this offer. Orders/emails must be received by 11:59 EDT on March 31. Be sure to check my Etsy shop policies for the current turnaround time on knit-to-order sweaters. Free shipping applies regardless of when the sweater actually ships.

Have fun!

Back from Dallas . . .

2011-03-28T14:49:00.000-04:00

. . . and had a great time! The weather on Saturday was gorgeous. High 80s, and sunny. The hotel had a gorgeous roof top pool, so I hung out there all afternoon soaking in the sun.

Then came Sunday, which was everything Saturday was not, at least as far as the weather goes. It was cold (at times really cold), cloudy, and even drizzling on and off. But the race was still tons of fun. The course was beautiful, and it was a fun way to see Dallas. I was really sorry about running another half marathon so soon after New Orleans, but I think I did ok. Somewhere around mile 8, I started to hurt a lot, but it actually passed, and I finished really strong. So I was really pleased overall. I'd definitely do this one again!

BTW, I stayed at the Joule in Dallas. If you're ever in town and looking for a place to stay, it's one of my favorites. Very boutique-y, which really appeals to me. Plus there's that gorgeous pool. Check out this AMAZING shot of it here.

Mad About Madison Street

2011-03-23T18:16:00.001-04:00

I'm so delinquent in posting this gorgeous picture of the Madison Street sweater from South Carolina photographer Trish McCoy. Isn't the little girl just lovely? She kind of looks like she's been dropped into a Monet painting. I love the effect, especially with the Uggs!

A Very Special Request

2011-03-21T16:30:00.000-04:00

I've received a special request from a fellow member of Team EtsyBaby that I'm hoping all of you wonderful followers can help with. Elaine of GrannysKnits, who also makes adorable handknit sweaters (check them out here), has been raising her grandson Jordan since his mother died unexpectedly in an accident when Jordan was only 2. Jordan, who is autistic and suffers from bipolar disorder and OCD, turns 13 next week.

Jordan really loves to receive mail--especially postcards from other parts of the country--so Elaine is trying to recruit a bunch of people to send Jordan a postcard wishing him a happy birthday. If you're able to pop a postcard from your city, town, or state in the mail in the next few days, that would be wonderful. Email me at yellowhouseknits[at]gmail.com for Jordan's mailing address. It would be wonderful if he got a whole pile of birthday postcards!

Thanks in advance for being willing to help! Please be sure to read Elaine's whole story in this article in the Storque. What an inspiration!

Rock 'n' Roll Dallas

2011-03-19T16:33:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm officially running the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Dallas one week from tomorrow. I had been holding off registering because I wasn't sure I'd be ready to run another half so soon after New Orleans last month. But if I don't do this one, I won't make my goal of three half marathons before my birthday in June, so Dallas it is! I'm excited, but also wondering if I'm doing a really dumb thing. Guess we'll know soon enough.

It's going to be a really quick trip in and out of Dallas, which is a bummer. One thing I like about these destination races is the excuse to spend a weekend in another city, but I just couldn't make it work this time.

I have had a secret goal for a while of running one half marathon a month for a year. This experience might be a good way to find out just how crazy that idea is. Stay tuned for more.

Warm and Yummy

2011-03-14T11:14:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to see that the Somerset Place sweater was featured in last Thursday's issue of Fresh Baked, the newsletter published by the Australian blog KID Indepdendent. The newsletter "features cool indie and handmade gear for kids, along with fun competitions and a few of our favourite new products." If you're not familiar with the KID Independent blog, do take a good look--even if you don't live in Australia. The editors have a real knack for picking out charming and unqiue products for babies, kids, and moms.

Announcing Semi-Annual Sale Dates

2011-03-12T17:02:00.000-05:00

The Yellow House Knits Semi-Annual Sale will run from April 10 to April 24. The Semi-Annual Sale is your chance to get gorgeous handknit baby sweaters at a significantly reduced cost. Order a few for holiday gifts!

As usual, there will also be an additional special offer for bloggers and Facebookers: Blog about the sale (or post on Facebook) between April 10 and April 17 and receive free shipping on your sale items (in addition to the 40% off) or save 15% on a future order. Blog postings must include at least one picture of a Yellow House Knits sweater. Email yellowhouseknits(at)gmail.com to let me know where to find your posting, and I will email information about redeeming these offers. So schedule your blog postings now!

Modern Easter Eggs

2011-03-09T11:12:00.000-05:00

When I was little, my great uncle used to make Ukranian Easter eggs, also known as pysanky. It was an art that he had learned from his grandmother, who came to this country from the part of Austria-Hungary that is now the Ukraine. I remember being amazed at the beautiful, intricate eggs he created and at the vibrancy of the colors and patterns.

Pysanky is a process similar to batik. The egg is progressively covered in wax to mask certain areas and the unmasked parts are dyed. Each progressive dying creates a darker color on the unmasked areas. Once the dying is complete, the layers of wax are melted away, revealing all of the colors protected underneath.

My uncle gave many of those eggs to my grandparents as gifts over the years. My grandmother, while a wonderful woman in so many ways, was entirely unsentimental and didn't save any of the eggs. But I remember seeing them looking much like these (and I even remember her having a similar tablecloth!).

So when I stumbled on the Pysanky Panky shop on Etsy, I was instantly transported back to my grandparents' living room at Easter. Nicole makes lots of traditional and more modern eggs, but I particularly love these graphic, individually colored eggs. I think they would look fantastic on a white, Easter "tree." It would also be great to get a whole set in a single color (the lime green really speaks to me).

For anyone creative, Pysanky Panky also sells a kit that you can use to try your own hand at egg decorating.

Snuggles and Cuddles

2011-03-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

When I look at this great picture from photographer Trish McCoy, the first word that always comes to mind is "cuddly." Don't you just want to grab this little guy and hug and snuggle him? He's just perfect!

Thanks to Trish for another great, great shot!

Ask and You Shall Receive

2011-03-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

Earlier today, I put a notice on the Yellow House Knits Facebook page reminding everyone that I offer 10% off a future order if you send me a picture of someone you know in a Yellow House Knits sweater.

Just hours later, look what I got! Here's Javi in the Kennedy Street sweater. Javi's mother received the sweater as a shower present in the fall, and Javi is finally big enough to fit into it. Good thing too, since spring isn't so far away. He is just the cutest. Look at him mugging for the camera in that first picture!

March Already?

2011-03-01T18:56:00.000-05:00

Where did February go? Here's my latest update. I'm not as far along as I'd hoped, but I'm still generally happy with my progress.

35 Before 36 Update

~~1. Read 12 books.~~  Finished while I was in Mexico. See my previous post for the report.
~~2. Go to New York City for a Broadway weekend.~~
3. Start saving regularly—even if modestly—for the addition to my house.  Making good--if modest--progress.
4. Clean out my closet and give a lot to Goodwill. I have a big pile of stuff ready to go--just need to get it out the door.
5. Finish my state streets project. More good progress.
6. Donate to: ~~Washington Humane Society,~~ ~~Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia~~, and my various alma maters: ~~Northwestern University~~, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Michigan Law School, the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
7. Go to the U.S. Botanic Garden.
8. Get a massage and/or a facial each month.  9/12 complete.
9. Purge and replenish my underwear drawer.
~~10. See 12 movies in the theater.~~  Saw in February: "The Black Swan"
~~11. Spend a weekend the Omni Bedford Springs (my favorite).~~
12. Keep an inventory of food in the freezer.  Falling down on this one some. I need to work harder to get a system in place.
13. Run three half marathons. 2/3 complete. Ran Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras in February; I think I'm going to run Dallas later this month (what am I thinking???)
~~14. Try yoga again.~~
15. Start to research the history of my house.
~~16. Reorganize my pantry.~~
17. Buy a nice piece of jewelry (pearls?).
18. Try 12 new (to me), local restaurants. 9/12 complete.
19. Improve my bread-baking skills.
20. Take Bullet on a weekend trip.
~~21. Get a new camera.~~
22. Take more pictures. Doing well!
23. Pay off my car. Looking good! I'm excited to have this one off my plate!

24. Master real push-ups.
25. Make at least two meals per month to freeze for later. Doing well again!
26. Organize my knitting and needlepoint supplies.
27. Send more postcards when I travel with notes telling people I’m thinking of them. I didn't send any from Mexico, but I thought about it. Does that count for or against me??
28. Make a star tree-topper for my Christmas tree. Canvas is purchased--need to start needlepointing.
~~29. Have a party.~~

34. Take a crafting class.

35. Walk home from work at least once a week, weather permitting. Same as #32

Mexico Beach Reading Round Up

2011-02-28T21:12:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd report back on my beach reading last week in Mexico. Here's what kept me busy during those long, hot days on the beach:

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson: The third book in the Lisbeth Salander trilogy. Like the other two, I really enjoyed this one and was entirely engrossed at the end. Also like the other two, however, it took me about 200 pages to get into the book and I thought the cast of characters was too big to keep track of. I know it sounds like a lukewarm review, but I really did enjoy it and was curious to see how all of the various story lines would come together.

A Soft Place to Land by Susan Rebecca White: The story of two sisters who are torn apart when their parents die suddenly in a plane crash. I really enjoyed this one but thought the ending was a little abrupt. Since finishing the book, I've thought a lot about the relationship between the personalities of the two sisters and their living arrangements, and how those two factors affected the course of their lives. I don't usually analyze books so carefully, so I think that's a testament to how provactive this one was.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick: The tale of a lonely man who places an ad for a reliable wife. The women he gets is not what he expected, but neither is he what she expected. I thought it was a good beach read but nothing more.

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline: What would you do if you realized the child you thought you legally adopted actually belongs to someone else? Another really thought-provoking book. I thought the ending was clever, though perhaps a bit too neat.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese: I'm not quite finished with this one, but I got far enough to call it a beach read. It's the story of twin brothers born to a nun and a surgeon in Ethiopia and their coming of age. I can't tell you how many good things I've heard about this book (and how many people stopped me on the beach to tell me how much they loved it), but I confess that I'm not loving it myself. I think the story is interesting, but I find the pace somewhat slow. Now that I'm back, we'll see if I actually finish it. I'm so disappointed, because I want to enjoy it as much as everyone else, but to each her own, I guess!

Water Street Cutie

2011-02-25T11:01:00.003-05:00

One more set of pictures from Toki Lee. This little guy is just the cutest--I can already tell he's going to be a real flirt in the not-too-distant future!

Thanks again to Toki for sharing her amazing talents with Yellow House Knits!

Worth A Visit?

2011-02-24T23:00:00.001-05:00

On the flight down here, I read an interesting article in AirTran's magazine about developing new tourism slogans. The article was making the point that these slogans are really important but surprisingly tricky to come up with.

The article got me thinking about city and state slogans that work and those that don't. Arguably the most successful are: "I [heart] New York," "Virginia is for lovers," and "What Happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." But what about the others? It seems like they fall into a couple of basic buckets.

Some simply describe the locale: "Wild and Wonderful" (West Virginia), "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places" (South Carolina), "Pure Michigan," "It's Like a Whole Other Country" (Texas).

Others invite viewers to visit: "Your Florida Side is Calling," "Explore Minnestota."

Still others hint at what will happen if you visit: "Life Changing" (Iowa), "Unbridled Spirit" (Kentucky)

Others, frankly, don't make a lot of sense: "Kansas: As Big As You Think," "Live Like You Mean it" (Wisconsin).

I, personally, really like Mississippi's new slogan: "Find Your True South," though I wonder if people will pick up on the play on "true North."

Which tourism slogans work for you, and which ones not so much?

February Special Offer

2011-02-23T10:21:00.015-05:00

For every $25 you purchase in Yellow House Knits gift certificates, add an extra $5. Use the gift certificates yourself, or give them as gifts.

Email me directly (yellowhouseknits@gmail.com) or convo me through Etsy to purchase gift certificates. Mention coupon code ITHY-FEB11 in your convo or email to take advantage of this offer. Orders/emails must be received by midnight EST February 25.

Have fun!

Tripple the Fun

2011-02-22T10:05:00.020-05:00

Oh, goodness, when I got these adorable pictures from Chicago photographer Amy Tripple, I agonized over which ones to post here and on the Etsy site. They're all so fantastic that I just couldn't decide. I finally settled on a slightly different set here and there so I could show more of them off!

You can see more of Amy's shots of the Park Road sweater on the Yellow House Knits Etsy site or just click on the collage above.

Also, be sure to take a stroll past Amy's website. Not only can you see more of her gorgeous photography, but her blog has tons of great information about photography and what to do with all those pictures you take (particularly for those of you who have taken her Sweet Shots classes, which I would LOVE to take if I were local). There's also news of a great contest she's running now. Check it out here.