SMP Craft

In honor of Passover, we’d like to share with you authors Todd Gray and Ellen Kassoff Gray’s Passover menu picks from their book The New Jewish Table (on sale now!). Click through the Issuu pages above to see their picks plus get their Quinoa Salad with Figs and Mint recipe. Mmmmm….delicious! I don’t know about you, but this year we’ll be combining cultures (much like Todd and Ellen have in this book) and I’ll celebrating an Easter-Passover Seder with friends and cooking straight from this book the Quinoa Salad recipe and the Kassoffs’ Sweet Noodle Kugel. What are you making for Passover?

Have you seen Scotland’s latest tourism campaign? It’s simply brilliant! I really can’t think of a better reason to visit Scotland than these two adorable Shetland ponies wearing Fair Isle sweaters! This is a cuteness-factor overload!

Button up, ponies! It’s chilly out there!

Alright, so it’s a bit of false advertising. I’ve been to Scotland and sadly not once in my travels did I spot a Fair Isle-sporting pony! Someone needs to fix that pronto! A few years ago there was a massive call online to knit sweaters for penguins who were affected by an oil spill in New Zealand (the sweaters prevented them from preening themselves and ingesting the oil). Why not start a campaign to knit sweaters for underdressed ponies!? I know, I know. Ponies don’t really need sweaters, but…but…I just really want to see more photos of cute squat animals wearing Fair Isle! Is that so wrong?

If you’d like to help me realize my dream of seeing more Fair Isle-wearing ponies, then have I got the book for you! The Very Easy Guide to Fair Isle Knitting is not only a great introduction to Fair Isle, there are over 60 gorgeous patterns (plus ideas for variations) and 11 easy-to-make projects in the book, all containing clear step-by-step instructions, color-knitting charts, and close-up photographs. You’ll learn everything from basic two-color seeding to all-over Fair Isle pattern knitting. Check out the sample pages below to get a peek at the pattern directory (some of which I think any pony would love to wear!) I even included a Fingerless Mitts project, which I think would be a cinch to adapt into some hoof warmers!

The Very Easy Guide to Fair Isle Knitting
Step-by-Step Techniques, Easy-to-Follow Stitch Patterns, and Projects to Get You Started
 by Lynne Watterson
$22.99/$26.50 Can.
144 pages, trade paperback

Loom Knitting for Babies & Toddlers (click on the cover to buy)
More Than 30 Easy No-Needle Designs
$24.99/$28.99 Can.
144 pages, trade paperback

Here’s the latest book from our loom knitting maven, Isela Phelps. This book is filled with delightful patterns for babies and toddlers that are fun, easy, and quick to make on a loom. The patterns featured in the book include a range of cute and colorful mittens, sweaters, hats, booties, socks, blankets, toys, and more, and all the projects are explained using the clear step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and photos that are a trademark of these beginner-friendly books. The best part is that all the projects can be made on any type of loom, including the newer ones that are  just coming on the market.

And speaking of looms, we’re giving away the Martha Stewart Crafts-Lion Brand Yarn Knit & Weave Loom Kit along with a copy of Loom Knitting for Babies & Toddlers to one lucky winner! This loom is awesome! Like its name says, you can easily knit and weave scarves, hats, blankets, and all of Isela’s wonderful designs! The kit comes with 18 loom pieces that you can arrange in over 30 different configurations, hundreds of small- and large-gauge pegs, plus all the tools you’ll need to create a beautiful range projects. Check out the video below to see all the things you can do with this bad boy!

If you’d like to enter to win this wonderful book and handy loom, then please leave a comment below (and while you’re at it, feel free to sign up for our newsletter at the top-right of this page). Please only one comment per person and, sorry, but this contest is for U.S. and Canadian citizens only. This giveaway will run from February 21 — March 7 and the winner will be chosen at random using random.org on Friday, March 8. Good luck!

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Winners!

Congratulations to Helen, the winner of our book and Knit & Weave loom kit giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered and for the overwhelming response! Check back again soon for more giveaways!

The Blaklukka sweater from Knitting with Icelandic Wool

Thanks to Kay Gardiner, over at Mason-Dixon Knitting for A.) having a very vivid imagination when it comes to what our lovely author Vedis Jonsdottir might look like. (Just for the record, here’s Vedis’s author photo—she’s even wearing an Icelandic sweater in it!) And B. for posting this super-fascinating blog post by Pam Peterson discussing the past and present of Icelandic sweaters! Icelanders really do wear lopi sweaters or lopapeysa—aka circular yoked sweaters featuring patterned borders like the one pictured above. Check out Pam’s blog post photos for proof. (The guy playing the accordion is my favorite!)

It turns out the history of lopapeysa does not go very far back. The rise of this iconic sweater began in the 1950s when the wife of the Icelandic Nobel-prize-winning author, Halldor Laxness, brought the pattern back from Greenland and replicated the design, which would go on to become a national symbol. Lopapeysa are traditionally knit using lopi yarn, which is 100% pure wool yarn that is lighter, warmer, and more water-resistant than yarns from elsewhere, as lopi comes from long-coated Icelandic sheep that have developed over time to ensure as much protection as possible from the harsh northern climate, giving the wool its special properties. Mmm…sounds so warm and fuzzy!

Just look at the fluffy coat on this guy!

If you want to learn more about Icelandic knitting, our book Knitting with Icelandic Wool has an excellent introduction discussing its origins as well as a history of the wool industry. It also includes over 65 gorgeous designs for a range of garments that are perfect for the whole family—from variations on the traditional lopi sweater to smaller projects like wooly hats, socks, and scarves.

Knitting with Icelandic Wool (click on cover to buy)
by Vedis Jonsdottir
$29.99 / $34.50 Can.
264 pages, paper over board

75 Floral Blocks to Knit (click on the cover to buy)
Beautiful Patterns to Mix & Match for Throws, Accessories, Baby Blankets & More
$21.99/$24.99 Can.
128 pages, trade paperback with French Flaps

Our latest book from Lesley Stanfield is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Featuring a wide array of gorgeous floral blocks—from traditional designs inspired by quilts from the 19th century, to blocks containing raised and textural effects, and colorful stockinette-stitch pictorial designs, there’s something on every page for you to incorporate into your next project. The “Mix and Match” suggestions sprinkled throughout the book are my favorite part: It takes all the guesswork out of the equation for how to pair the blocks. The only problem I’m having now is where to begin! I keep flipping through the book trying to figure out which block to knit first, but every time I get to the next page, I change my mind. See the sample pages below to see what I mean.

If you’d like to win your very own copy of 75 Floral Blocks to Knit along with two skeins of Lion Brand’s LB Collection Cotton Bamboo yarn, then leave a comment below. (Please only one comment per person.) This giveaway will run from February 1 — February 8. Two winners will be chosen at random using random.org on Friday, February 9. Good luck!

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Winners!

Congratulations to Ellen Schmidt and Dianne Killeen, the winners of our book and yarn giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered and for the overwhelming response! Check back again soon for more giveaways!

Do you love Cath Kidston as much as we do? We’re such big fans of her that we’ve published two of her books, Make! and Sew!, both of which showcase a fabulous collection of projects and Cath’s cheerful, vintage-inspired fabric prints.

Check out the video above to get a behind-the-scenes look at Cath’s upcoming Spring-Summer 2013 line. And, if the video inspires you to take matters in to your own hands, check out Cath’s books below to re-create some of the looks featured in the video on your own. Projects include a range of easy-to-sew totes and bags, embroidered and appliqued cardigans, tops, and dresses, and a range of colorful homewares like pillows and blankets.

Sew! (click on cover to buy)
Exclusive Cath Kidston Designs for over 40 Simple Sewing Projects
$24.99/$29.99 Can.
160 pages, trade paperback with French flaps

Make! (click on cover to buy)
Over 40 Fantastic Projects with 16 Exclusive Designs
$24.99/$31.99 Can.
176 pages, trade paperback with French flaps

Knitting with Icelandic Wool (click on cover to buy)
by Vedis Jonsdottir
$29.99 / $34.50 Can.
264 pages, paper over board

I don’t know about you, but when the temperature drops, all I want to do is wrap myself up in a cozy sweater and sit around and read or knit all day. At 264 pages and 70 patterns, Knitting with Icelandic Wool (out today!) is packed with inspiration for your next winter project. Complete step-by-step directions are paired with clear charts for color and lace knitting, so that these warm and wonderful creations knit up easily. There are sweaters aplenty featuring the traditional Icelandic yoke, plus patterns for dresses, cardigans, hats, socks, and scarves for men, women, and children. There’s even a sweater for your dog!

All the projects are made with Icelandic wool (aka Lopi), which is a 100% pure wool yarn that is lighter, warmer, and more water resistant than other yarns. How did the yarn get these special properties, you ask? Well, because the sheep native to Iceland have developed over time a coat that gives them as much protection as possible from the harsh northern climate. A brief history of the emergence of the Lopi sweater and the wool industry in Iceland is included in the book for you yarn enthusiasts that want to learn more about this area and fiber.

Check out some sample pages below and enjoy the free pattern for the Toppur hat featured in the book!

Happy New Year! There’s nothing like coming back to the office to be greeted by boxes full of our upcoming Winter 2013 books. Seeing all the bright colors and inspiring projects was a great way to kick off the new year! Don’t you just love getting your hands on a new book for the first time? I even have my own little ritual that I go through every time some new books come in. I know it sounds kind of silly, but if you love paper details as much as I do (and most crafters do), I’m sure you understand.

1. First, I get feel for the cover: running my fingers over any embossing or debossing, or feeling the linen texture on a spine. If there’s spot gloss, I always wave the book back and forth to catch a glimpse of the sheen of light reflecting off the cover.
2. I flip through every page of the book, taking in all the photos and “oohing” and “ahhing” as I go along.

It’s the perfect way to celebrate a job well done. Even though we’ve been working on a book for months (or sometimes even a year!) poring over the text, images, and overall design, the finished product never ceases to amaze me. “We did it!” is always the first thought that runs through my head.

I hope this sneak peek at our new books gets you as excited about them as we are. There are so many great knitting, crocheting, and cooking projects to take on, I don’t know where to begin! If you want more information for what we have in store for 2013, check out our new Craft Catalog below.

(click on cover to buy)

Here’s an incredibly helpful guest blog post from our bestselling author, Derrick Sutton. Derrick is the author of How to Sell Your Crafts Online: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Sales on Etsy and Beyond, so he knows a thing or two about having the widest possible reach for selling and promoting your work. In his post below, Derrick provides concise directions for how to find out whether images of your work have been pinned on Pinterest and how to encourage fans to pin your images. We hope that his advice helps spread your work far and wide!

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The rise of Pinterest, the social photo sharing site, has been phenomenal. At the time of writing this post, Pinterest has become the third most popular social network in the U.S. So having your crafts, art, and photography shared on Pinterest could be a fantastic way to gain further exposure and might even lead to viral sharing potential. But aside from creating your own Pinterest page and uploading your own well-photographed, sharable content, how do you know when other people are sharing your images beyond “repinning” your uploads?

Pinterest Search
The easiest way to find out whether your Etsy or online craft store items have been pinned on Pinterest is to type your business name into the Pinterest search box. For example, if I was looking for my book How to Sell your Crafts Online, I’d simply type that keyword phrase into the Pinterest search box, which can be found at the top left-hand corner of the page:

As you can see, the second image showing on the resulting page (at the time of writing) is my book cover:

Try this out with your own Etsy shop name to see whether your items have been pinned.

The Pinterest Search Source
If you own your own website and post images of your work, there’s another, less well-known way to discover if your images have been shared on Pinterest. To use this technique, you’ll need to use the following URL:

http://pinterest.com/source/URL

But before you copy and paste the address, you’ll need to edit the part at the end which reads “URL” and substitute it with your website address, minus the “http://” or “www.” For example if I was searching for images pinned from my publisher’s (Macmillan) website, I’d use the URL from the Macmillan website: http://us.macmillan.com/and amend the Pinterest source URL so it reads as:

http://pinterest.com/source/us.macmillan.com

And when you copy and paste the above into your browser, you’re taken to a page that shows images shared and pinned from Macmillan.com:

Try this with your own blog and website and see if you’re being pinned!

As a further tip, if you use WordPress for your blog or website, as mentioned in my book How To Sell Your Crafts Online, you can also encourage people to pin your images by using a Pinterest button plugin:

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/pinterest-pin-it-button/

Action Steps:

• Create a Pinterest account if you don’t already have one.
• Check that the images from your Etsy shop or website being pinned.
• If you use WordPress for your website or blog, you can add a plugin to encourage and prompt people to pin your content.

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For more easy-to-follow helpful advice for how to attract more customers, boost your Etsy sales, and expand your online presence, check out Derrick’s book How to Sell Your Crafts Online and website http://howtosellyourcraftsonline.com/.

Top Pops (click on cover to buy)
55 All-Natural Frozen Treats to Make at Home
by Emily Zaiden
$16.99/$18.99 Can.
112 pages, trade paperback with French flaps

I don’t know about you, but when the heat hits, I’m the type of person who’s running indoors to the nearest air conditioner, sipping on iced tea, and savoring some popsicles. With our new book Top Pops, I have been on a popsicle-making spree and keeping cool in process! They are the perfect treat to satisfy my sweet tooth and refresh me on a hot summer day.

On a particularly sweltering Saturday a few weeks ago, I cracked open the pages of Top Pops and took my first stab at popsicle making. Since it was so hot out, I knew that I wanted something fruity and refreshing. Since I love mangoes, when I saw the Mango Lime pops recipe, I just couldn’t resist. I called a friend, we bought the ingredients, and whipped up the popsicle “batter” in a matter of minutes, using my trusty friend: the immersion blender.

As I was blending the mangos, lime juice, zest, water, and sugar together, my friend was flipping through the pages of the book, and discovered the Mango Chili Margarita recipe in the Tipsy Pops section of the book. It was essentially the same exact recipe as the Mango Lime one, except tequila and a dash of chili powder are added for a kick! So we divided up the “batter” and made one batch of the Tipsy version.

Mango Chili Margarita pops in their molds

Hours later, we had ourselves a popsicle fiesta! The Mango Lime pops were deliciously refreshing, while the Margarita pops were just…wow! The tequila and chili powder gave the popsicles an earthy flavor that was deceptively subtle and sweet.

Enjoying my Mango Lime pop

Since my first foray in to pop-making, I’ve since tried the Apricot Honey Yogurt, which were super simple to make and had a nice tangy flavor from the yogurt, and the Avocado Vanilla pops, which are a unique, but deliciously creamy treat.

Apricot Honey Yogurt

Avocado Vanilla

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