Well, it is that time of the year again. I am off to TNNA (The National Needlearts Association) Convention in Columbus the first weekend in June. I am so blessed to be able to attend! The conference is for only open to yarn shop owners and designers. I am able to attend because of my two designs for Plymouth Yarn Company that were published in Creative Knitting a while back giving me the necessary designer status.

This year I am going with a purpose: to gather together everything necessary to introduce my new line of easy to make, super fun purse kits that will be called ARM CANDY: limited edition work of art purse kits that can be knit, crocheted or a combination of both. There will only be 5-10 kits in each color way. I am hoping to make Signature Scarf Kits to match, if I can. And also to include a no-knit Love Me Knot Scarf Pattern with each purse kit that can be made from left over yarns after completing your ARM CANDY PURSE.

ARM CANDY PURSES will be various sizes: these two sizes (bigger ones to follow) will have a detachable handle allowing the purse to be a clutch, a hand bag or a shoulder bag! My daughter is working on some optional beaded handles as well allowing you to have basically four purses in one. Take the handle off or add the beaded handle to dress it up for a night on the town or add the more durable handle for everyday use. Slip off this handle anytime to turn it into a clutch in just a few seconds!

Each kit will be named after the part of the world from which I get its inspiration. The first four will be called: Serengeti, Fall in New England, Caribbean and Museum of Modern Art. The three larger purses shown measure 9" by 6" by 3 1/2" plus the handle. The smaller one measures 7 1/2" by 5" by 3" plus the handle.

OK, so here they are:



Each kit will contain about 30 different yarns, the purse form, purse handle, hand made dichoric glass button, magnetic fastener, lining material, extremely detailed pattern with lots of photos, special needle for sewing up the purse form, Love Me Knot Scarf Pattern and so much more: kit could contain ribbons, beads, dyed silk cocoon pods as well as other fun embellishments. Each color way kit will be unique in its use of special adornments to go with the theme of the color.

I would love to hear from you as to which color you would like to see introduced first. Detailed photos below for each color to help in your decision. Please email me with your vote, whichever color gets the most votes will be the first kit available. I do need to knit up one more color way to take detailed step by step photos for the final pattern.

I know these may look intimidating, but I assure they are NOT! You know me. I like to make these look impossible so you get all those rave reviews, but my engineering brain likes to simplify everything. These kits truly look incredible but they are so easy and so fun, you will have a hard time accepting all the compliments! Each purse takes about 2-3 nights to whip it up. Each will be totally unique but the resulting colors will look like the purses shown no matter how you knit or crochet your very own ARM CANDY.

So, cast your vote now. In order, Serengeti, Fall in New England, Caribbean and Museum of Modern Art.









I hope you are as excited about these new kits as I am. I have been working on them for quite some time and have become very addicted in the process. Now it is time to see if your fav is the same as mine! But then candy is candy and an assortment is always the best! Why have just one?

Hope to hear from you soon and I will do my best to get the kits up on the web site after my return from TNNA.

Happy Knitting Always,
God Bless,
Kristine
Yarn Stashio