I 

Peggy talks with Martha Stewart about her latest book during a photo shoot.

 Rachel Gaffney of "Rachel Gaffney's Real Ireland" and Peggy Gaffney of Kanine Knits

I am just back from The Big Apple and a wonderful week of learning and socializing with Martha Stewart and eighty dynamic entrepreneurs who are part of Dreamers into Doers   If you want to see a video showing highlights of the event click the link.

The sessions were taught by dynamic experts in their fields, and I got a chance to talk to Martha and others about the new book, The Crafty Llama and Alpaca Knits. Above I'm wearing a sweater I did to show off the beauty of alpaca yarns in its natural colors. In spite of the cold icy rain that ruled the first day, the spirit of these ladies could not be dampened.

Now I'm back to create more books and designs plus some teaching products that will be coming out this year, but more on that later and on some speaking events that will be coming up this spring.

Wishing all the best of the Season to Everyone from Kanine Knits.

This has been a good year with the appearance of two new books, 

The Crafty Cat Knits with its dozen charted designs of different cats which 

can be found at http://craftycatknits.com

and with the newest book,

The Crafty Llama and Alpaca Knits which is a celebration of these

wonderful camelids and which contains twenty designs. This latest book can

be found at http://thecraftyllamaandalpacaknits.com.

Kanine Knits 

presents its latest book

The Crafty Llama and Alpaca Knits

The Crafty Llama and Alpaca Knits is a new knitting book coming out from publisher Kanine Knits at the end of December. The book, by author/designer Peggy Gaffney, was inspired when a group of llama and alpaca breeders approached her last fall at Stitches East.

She was there autographing books in her series of dog portrait knitting books. They wanted to know if she would be willing to create a book, in a style similar to her Crafty Dog Knits series, for those who breed, show and love llamas and alpacas. They pointed out that not only was it a wonderful topic but, "We've got yarn!!!"

            So, after many months of research and hobnobbing with these wonderful camelids, the book is being published. It is publisher Kanine Knits policy to give their fans a chance to order new releases at a discount prior to them coming off the press. They are the first ones to receive the book plus they save money. So The Crafty Llama and Alpaca Knits is now available to be ordered at a 20% discount till the end of December. 2010. After that it will be available at the regular price.

             

To find out more about this offer, to see inside the book and to learn more about Peggy Gaffney and her books published by Kanine Knits, visit the website http://thecraftyllamaandalpacaknits.com

           
 

 

Peggy is honored by Martha Stewart. Click the link to read the interview.

I am being honored by Martha Stewart. I have been chosen as Doer of the Week from among the more than 6,000 entrepreneurs who are part of the Dreamers Into Doers program sponsored by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. It is wonderful being part of this inspiring group of women from around the world who support each other as they grow their businesses and their lives. The friendships made among these women as they watch their dreams of grow, in their the role as business women and at the same time as women who are making the world a better place, are firm and will last a lifetime. 

Read About Peggy In the FIDO FRIENDLY BLOG.

 The Fido Friendly Magazine's Blog features Peggy Gaffney talking about her dogs, books and what's in the works. Check out the article by going to
http://blog.fidofriendly.com/hot-topic/how-do-you-keep-a-dog-in-stitches/

Coming Soon: The Crafty Cat Knits

The Crafty Cat Knits is a unique knitting book which has been created for those who knit and love cats. Within its 110 pages, there are 25 pattens for all types of knitting from sweaters and accessories to afghans pillows. These patterns come in many sizes for men, women and children. Special bonus – see below.

The Crafty Cat Knits contains charted intarsia designs for a dozen different breeds of cat as well as extra patterns for items that relate to their history. Special bonus – see below.

The Crafty Cat Knits has stories about each of the cat breeds which have charted designs talking about each cat’s history and what makes it unique. The book is illustrated with more than 50 photographs of these cats. Special bonus – see below.

The Crafty Cat Knits, published by Kanine Knits cost $35.00 and is due out the end of August. FOR THOSE WHO ORDER EARLY, THERE IS A SPECIAL BONUS.  THE BOOK WILL BE OFFERED AT A DISCOUNT OF 20%. A COPY OF THE CRAFTY CAT KNITS WILL BE RESERVED IN YOUR NAME TO BE SHIPPED TO YOU ON THE DAY OF PUBLICATION.
Order Your Copy Now!

 

The Cats Are Coming! The Cats Are Coming!

 

What do all of these cats have in common?  They have inspired knitting designs from Peggy Gaffney, this usually dog oriented designer. They will soon be appearing in their own knitting book. Watch for the announcement soon.

 

 

Watch for - 

The Crafty Cat Knits

Knitting Projects for Cat Lovers 

 

Martha Loves Kanine Knits

I was delighted when this tweet appeared on Twitter. It is so rewarding when someone whose work you really respect gives you praise. The event where the photo was taken was Stitchfest at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in NYC.

I was lucky enough last Thursday, to attend a unique book launch. Martha Stewart was bringing out her newest book, Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Craft. There were several hundred eager crafters getting their first look at the book, and the demonstrations of the crafts included, plus a chance to do some themselves. In areas around the room, which was huge, experts demonstrated several crafts and invited everyone to sit down and do it themselves. The feeling was festive, with both experts and attendees enjoying the event and talking to everyone was Martha Stewart along with all the members of MSLO who help with the wonderful work she does.

As a member of MSLO Dreamers into Doers, I had met some of those involved, but I was delighted to be introduced to some attendees including David Blumenthal and Karen Tanaka from Lion Brand Yarn, a wonderful company which has been around since 1878. Their yarns are found everywhere.

I got to chat with Martha and spent time with Hannah Milman, executive editorial dir. of Martha Stewart Living. As you might imagine, the crafts department is my favorite. The care and intense attention to detail given to every project in the magazine, books or show is amazing. I am in awe.


In the meantime I may take a few hours to play hooky and do some of the wonderful crafts in this book as I enjoy spring. The weather has finally warmed up and here it is a combination of sunshine and mud. In between washing dogs on rotation, the back can't take doing more than one at a time, I am pushing to get the designs finished for the next two books about cats and llamas & alpacas. They will be coming out soon.

Visit With Some More Remarkable Women
of the
Martha Stewart's Dreamers Into Doers

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Sisterhood of Dreamers

Have you ever found yourself in a place with people that your really like, doing something that you really love and having a wonderful time? Well, I have been lucky enough to go on an adventure with thirty-eight women from across the US who not only own their own businesses but who have a dream about how their business will grow and better yet, the good they can do along the way. Thanks to all the people at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, we were brought together to share our dreams, bring love and hope to the women of the Safe Horizons Shelter and with the help of everyone at MSLO, celebrate our road to success.

The adventure began with the idea that some of us would like to get together, attend Martha Stewart's show and share ideas with one another. Needless to say, when you put 39 dynamic women together the event grew. Soon it was a two day event including a cooking demonstration by our own Rachel Gaffney (related only by friendship) whose business, Rachel Gaffney's Real Ireland has her teaching the people of the US all about what real Irish cooking is all about. We learned many dishes, laughed till we cried and tasted the wonderful food which included an Irish cheese cake (heavy on the Bailey's), real Irish soda bread and her own Rachel Gaffney's Irish Butter Shortbreads. Of course there were others who contributed. Lisa Umansky of the Polkadot Pound Cake Company worked magic with her pumpkin bread special sandwiches though her specialty is banana bread. Adding zing to the menu was Kathy Hamrick's Appalachian Salsa from her Good Golly Ms. Molly's LLC.

We all gave gifts to the women of Safe Horizon's Shelter. For my part, I knit them each a scarf to keep them warm against the cold winds of the New York winter. Artist, Kim McCool of Spirit of the Heart Designs, created a beautiful painting that spoke of the love and hope we have for these women. Mary Richey of Wallberries created a rope of hope for their wall.

I will be talking more about these amazing women who were with me on this adventure in the Big Apple. They contributed so much, shared their talents and inspired all who met them.

Good Times With Friends

>

Monday evening I had fun visiting with author friends Debbie Macomber and Marie Bostwick. Debbie was on a book tour for her new book One Simple Act and we got to share what is going on with our lives and books. Both Debbie and Marie have books on the NYT bestseller list now.

I got to catch them up on what has been going on here. October was extremely busy here at Kanine Knits. It started with book signings at the Big E in Massachusetts. It was great meeting all the people who made a point to find all the authors in the Connecticut Authors & Publishers Assoc. booth in the Connecticut Building.

Next I was off to Torrington to be part of the WOW Forum celebrating the women of the world. It was a great chance to meet business women from all over Connecticut and connect as they discover the books and pattens. The speakers were excellent but it was the attendees that made the event more fun.

Then it was Stitches East in Hartford and three wonderful days meeting knitters from all over the east coast. Of course, not only did I meet all the dog lovers who enjoyed my books and

patterns but I also met with people who have cats who wanted to know when their book will be coming out. I am collecting photos from fanciers around the country that show off these cats and hopefully The Crafty Cats Knit will be out soon after Christmas

.

However, people who love cats weren’t the only ones looking for a book. When you raise llamas and alpacas, the beautiful soft yarn that comes from them gives knitters some wonderful colors. These colors need designs so, to gain inspiration, I went to photograph a herd of llamas last week and this week I’m off to do the same with alpacas. Then it will be constant designing.

I will also be bring out more dog breed patterns. I have created about 30 more but they all need the samples knit, so as each is finished, I will upload them to the Kanine Knits webpage

pattern list.

I am delighted that the newest book from Kanine Knits, The Crafty Poodle Knits has met with enthusiasm not only from visitors to Stitches East but from fanciers around the world.

Carol Burgers, Cape Town, South Africa commented

"This book is highly recommended ........ excellent, accurate and exciting poodle patterns for poodle lovers all over the world!!!! Thank you Peggy!!!!!!! :-)"

It's adorable! I love the pictures and designs. Thank you for a lovely book.
Jackie Castaldo, New York

Peggy
I am really enjoying your book. I do not have time to knit a sweater but am going to do pockets and appliqué then on a store bought one. I have shown poodles for 30 years. I think your poodles are the most accurate/realistic poodles that that I have ever seen .Thank you for doing them. Pat Aloe-Stauber

Stitches Is Coming, Stitches Is Coming

VISIT WITH ME AT
"STITCHES EAST"
in Hartford, CT
I'll be at my LYS's booth
The Yarn Garden LLC
booth #1014

Stitches East is only a little over a week away and I am really looking forward to it. I will be signing my books all three days in booth 1014 which belongs to my local yarn shop THE YARN GARDEN, LLC. in Meriden, Connecticut. I am looking forward to meeting all the dog lovers and talking about the books and patterns that I have as well as getting suggestions for what you want next.


I am working to add a bunch of new breeds to the collection of "Portraits of Dogs in Knitting" before Stitches. The designs are done but the samples have to be knit and photographed. So I am madly knitting.


Now that the Poodle book has joined the Samoyed, Lab, Golden, Berner, Newf and Corgi books, the next books that are being written are those for German Shepherds, Pugs, Shelties & Collies, Bichon and Boxers. The many designs for these are growing. However, I am taking a few weeks to get out and meet knitters before I disappear into my world of books again. If you have a favorite breed that you don't see on the Kanine Knits site, let me know.



So if you are going to be at Stitches East, come by the booth and say hello.

New Poodle Book to join
the Crafty Dog Knits series.

The Crafty Poodle Knits:

Knitting Projects for Dog Lovers
This is the latest book in
The Crafty Dog Knits
books series.

It is due out September 25, 2009.
20% OFF
SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION ORDER PRICE
ONLY UNTIL SEPT. 10, 2009
click here to order

What do you get with this special knitting book? You get stories about Poodles including all the wonderful activities, such as retrieving, herding, agility, flyball, and much more. You also get 25 charted pictorial knitting designs of these Poodles doing all their favorite activities and you are not done because you also get 25 Knitting Patterns which include sweaters, hats, mittens, scarves, afghans and more.

It's a Poodle Extravaganza!

I want to thank all the wonderful Poodle Fanciers who so generously shared photos of their dogs with me to add to the beauty of the book. These people who live all over the world have one thing in common and that is their love for Poodles.

A beautiful Afghan
will be auctioned off at the

Leo Fall Ball.

The Leonberger Club of Ontario will be holding their Leo Fall Ball. As part of this fundraiser they are auctioning off a very special afghan.

We are honored that the club has used the Kanine Knits' Leonberger Pattern from our "Portraits of Dogs in Knitting" series as the centerpiece for this absolutely beautiful piece of knitting.

The Leo Fall Ball Fundraiser will be held on September 26, 2009 from 10 am to 6 pm. at the Dogz Canine Sports Center, 3859 Carling Ave., Ottawa, Ontario CANADA. The afghan is part of a silent auction to help raise money for Leonberger Rescue Ontario. This is a great cause. I hope everyone in the area that can, will participate. For more information, click the link above.

July post is a little late

I spent most of July having, what my surgeon referred to, as my first vacation in twenty years. But I can't kick because, in spite of the fact that I am still walking around still like an old lady, I found that I don't have cancer and that's a great thing.

So, I am back at work finishing up the Poodle book which will go on pre-sale in a couple of weeks. I have had fun making friends with Poodle owners around the world. These are very smart and versatile dogs that inspire design. The fact that they come in three sizes and a variety of both color and coat cut, made it fun.

Last week, I received in the mail, a video of a lecture I gave to the Soundview Knitting Guild in Trumbull, Connecticut. I spoke to them last January about how Kanine Knits got started, how the books began, how to read the patterns and about intarsia knitting. This is a wonderful group that is very large and active.

Since the video was 37 minutes long, I chopped it up into bite sized You Tube segments and put it on my webpage. So if you want to learn more about working these designs, my approach to intarsia and some finishing techniques, just click here and go to the page.

I love speaking to groups (it's the teacher in me) and when I meet one that is so interested and enthusiastic, it is a real treat. I hope you enjoy the talk.

A Busy Week - Full of Books
"Autograph Anyone?"

The week has been filled with lots of exciting adventures as well as the day to day routines. To begin with, I approved the printing of The Crafty Welsh Corgi Knits - Pembroke and Cardigan. I had a lot of fun creating this book and it is dedicated to my late friend John Lang who was a longtime obedience club member and who had a amazing bond with his Pembroke Welsh Corgis over the years. John was always interested in forwarding the interest of the breed.

On Thursday, I stood in line with hundreds of others for the chance to meet Martha Stewart at the book signing for her new book Cupcakes at RJ Julia Bookstore. This is a wonderful shop in Madison, Connecticut. The line stretched the length of the block which gave me a chance to chat with those around me. I entertained my new friend, Joanne, by telling her all about Kanine Knits and the Crafty Dog Knits book series that I write. When I got to the front of the line, she took these photos. Martha autographed her book Cupcakes and then I showed her two of my Kanine Knits: Portraits of Dogs in Knitting patterns that showed her breeds. One pattern showed the Chow design I created that had been knit by Victoria Pettigrew of VIP Fibers using the hair spun from her own Paw Paw. She then checked out the Crafty Bernese Mt Dog Knits book of the series. She enjoyed it and was delighted with my concept of single breed knitting portrait books.

Saturday I was off to Greenwich Kennel Club to sign some autographs myself. It was fun sharing the tent with a bunch of very talented authors. I got to talk about my books and patterns, autograph and talk to exhibitors about future books. The Portuguese Water Dog group decided they definitely need a knitting book and some Poodle exhibitors said they would like to send me photos of their dogs for the book I'm working on now. It was a perfect day for showing with temperatures cool enough for the dogs and the sun out. This was a great place to show off my books as well as "talk the talk if not walk the walk" of showing that has been such a large part of my life for more than forty years.

Just to finish the weekend on a theme, I drove over to the Fabric Bug in Thomaston, CT to attend my friend Marie Bostwick's autograph session for her new novel The Thread of Truth. This is the second in her wonderful series that is based around a quilt shop in Connecticut so it was appropriate that she'd be signing books as quilters worked merrily away around her. The first book in the series, A Single Thread, introduced us to these strong interesting women and the challenges they face.

It was a wonderfully busy week with old friends and new. I look forward to what next week will hold.