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Jumbo Petite Pencil

Posted on by Anna

This time of summer makes me a little nostalgic for the start of the school year. It was always such a thrilling mix of dread and excitement and new school supplies. With that in mind, I recently thought to see just how big I could get Petite Pencil (one of the mini designs from my 2010 book Knitting Mochimochi) to be using really thick yarn.

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Pretty big, right? Don’t ask why he’s trying to write on my laptop—I guess he’s not that sharp…

I used a combination of Hometown USA and Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarns by Lion Brand. After so much tiny knitting, it’s really fun to pick up some size 10-1/2 needles and make something hefty in an hour or so. The pattern is the same as the itty-bitty guy in the book, except I added a couple more rows to the yellow part of the pencil.

I just shipped off my Jumbo No. 2 along with a few other guys to Schmancy in Seattle, where they will be a window display for next month. I’ll share pics of that when I have them!

Tiny Cupcake

Posted on by Anna

Surely the cupcake trend isn’t quite over until we all have a chance to knit up a batch of miniature ones?

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I’m pleased to say that the pattern for Tiny Cupcakes is included in the just-released Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi!

In lieu of a caption contest this week, I’m going to point you all in the direction of the Bittersweet Blog, where Hannah, one of my trusted test knitters and creator of gourmet vegan desserts, is doing a giveaway of my new book! She also shares her beautiful photos of her versions of the foodie projects in Teeny-Tiny. Here’s her take on the cupcake:

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Adorable! (Hungry yet?)

You have until next Wednesday to leave a Tiny suggestion in the comments on Hannah’s blog post for a chance to win the book.

Book Signing September 8 at Lion Brand Yarn Studio

Posted on by Anna

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If you’re in the NYC area, I hope you’ll join me on Thursday, September 8th, at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio for an artist talk and book signing!

The book will of course be Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi (copies of my first book, Knitting Mochimochi, will also be available), and the artwork is my installation currently on exhibit, Mochimochimochimochimochi!

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Oh, and I’ll also bring my nifty book diorama that I showed here a while back…

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RSVP is required for this event, so sign up now at the LBYS website. Hope to see you there!

Soupy Dreams about Sheep

Posted on by Anna

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OK, so this photo involved a little posing, but Soupy really cuddled up to that skein of yarn and slept with it for a good hour or so!

This has been a really busy week, and so my sleepy cats are good reminders to take a break. Of course, it’s super-exciting to release a book, and it’s been so great to get happy responses from people on the blog, by email, and via other sites. You guys are the best!

Here’s a slightly less comfy-looking Soupy sleeping shot!

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Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi is Here!

Posted on by Anna

The big wait is finally over—Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi is here!

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I’m hoping for a tiny knitting revolution as knitters pause briefly from bigger projects to make some itty-bitty toys… and then get hooked on tiny knitting!

This book is extra-special to me because it all started right here on the Mochimochi Blog, when I began a challenge to design a new tiny toy every day for a month in 2009. That challenge has been ongoing on a weekly basis ever since then, and the enthusiasm, ideas, and funny captions that you readers have contributed made it possible to keep going and even to turn it into a book!

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Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi features more than 40 patterns from my tiny challenge, plus a few more than I haven’t shown on the blog yet. It also features the beautiful photography of Brandi Simons, who knows how to start a fire indoors and not burn up the Tiny Caveman who’s standing next to it!

Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi is available at Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at other bookstores all over the US. If you have a favorite local yarn store, they hopefully have it too! And there are now signed copies available in the Mochimochi Shop as well!

If you’re in the NYC area, I’ll be doing a book signing at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio on Thursday, September 8th. RSVP is required, so sign up at the LBYS website asap!

Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi Preview: Tiny Hot Dog

Posted on by Anna

Guess what’s coming out TOMORROW!

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For my last preview of Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi, I couldn’t resist going with Tiny Hot Dog. I love the simplicity of the project and how it’s such an icon. (And it’s one of my favorite photos in the book!)

But there was a little condiment controversy when I debuted the prototype here on the blog back in 2009…

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So cute! But you know, in Chicago it is considered a sin to put ketchup on a hot dog…

Being from Chicago, I prefer mustard.

I adore mustard, and ketchup is so-so.

Aww! He should have more condiments, instead of just one.

Those were a few of the comments that I got on my post. So I made sure to put mustard on the one that went into the book!

So, soon you’ll be able to knit your own Tiny Hot Dog, and you can put whatever condiments you like on it. I promise you’ll get no judgement from me.

I can’t believe Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi is finally coming out tomorrow! You can pre-order it from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And starting tomorrow, you’ll be able to find it in many local yarn stores, and signed copies will be available in the Mochimochi Shop.

Tiny Totem Pole

Posted on by Anna

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I couldn’t get a Tiny Totem Pole off my mind this week for some reason! You’ve got to feel a little sorry for the guy on the bottom….

No caption contest this weekend, but I would love to hear what you would put on your totem pole. Tell us in the comments!

Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi Preview: Tiny Monkeys

Posted on by Anna

How fun is Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi? More fun than this!

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Tiny Monkeys are one of seven Tiny Animal patterns in the book. I made these guys using a few different shades of Knit Picks Palette yarn. Would you believe that with just one skein, you can knit 40 Tiny Monkeys? It’s true! Perfect party favors for your next jungle-themed birthday celebration.

You can pre-order Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Then on August 16th, you’ll be able to find it in many local yarn stores, and signed copies will be available in the Mochimochi Shop!