Peggy Gaffney Speaks about Facebook in Mystic.

Come hear me speak in Eastern Connecticut. Just grab a bite at Mystic Pizza and then wander over to the firehouse to hear me speak about marketing using Facebook and its 700 million members. The details are in the article below.

SECAPA to host author Peggy Gaffney - THE MYSTIC RIVER PRESS: News

CHRISTMAS IN JULY
at
Kanine Knits

            While I am madly working on a proposal for my newest book that will include both cats and dogs and lots of them, I decided that I would give all my loyal knitter fans a thank you gift for the encouragement you’ve given me in creating the books and patterns down through the years.
            So, I decided to have my first CHRISTMAS IN JULY sale at my website http://www.kanineknits.com. As a thank you, all of you will get 15% off any book or pattern you order for the rest of July. This is a great way to save money (something we all need to do) and to get a head start on your Christmas knitting. It may be hot out, but the colder weather will soon be upon us and you will be ready.
            To get this discount, just go to the shopping area and choose the books or patterns you want. When you get to the checkout, it will ask you to fill in the coupon code. The code for this sale is XMASJULY. Just type that in and the cart should automatically take the discount off as you check out.
            Don’t delay, since the offer is only good till the end of the month.
            I will have new patterns and books coming out, but till then, enjoy shopping and get knitting all those lovely thing for the dog, cat, llama and alpaca lovers in our lives.

Peggy

Have You Ever Been Kissed By An Alpaca?

Here I am arriving at the MAPACA Jubilee and being given the perfect welcome. The show begins tomorrow and I'll tell you, put 1,000 alpaca together in one place and you have a snuggle-fest. They are sooooooo cute. Tomorrow morning beginning at 9:00 am I will be teaching knitting and autographing my book The Crafty Llama and Alpaca Knits. I hope everyone in the Harrisburg area comes by to visit these wonderful animals and, of course, stop by and say hello to me.

I'm Off To Play With Alpacas

Tomorrow I start my journey to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to speak, teach, and autograph my books at the MAPACA Jubilee. This is the shows 15th year and it will be a ton of fun.

The Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association includes farms up and down the east coast. The very early ancestor of the Camelids, which includes llamas, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos as well as the camel and dromedary developed in the Great Plains of America but then some traveled across the land bridge to Asia and Africa and some wandered south through Central America to settle in the mountainous regions of South America.

However, they began returning to North America beginning with the efforts of famous newspaper mogul William Randolf Hurst who brought some in to his California estate. In recent years, the popularity of these wonderful animals grew from the level of novelty to wonderful provider of fleece that could be knit into luxury clothing. There is a movement on among the thousands of alpaca farms across North America to get serious about marketing the more than 20,000 pounds of fleece as a group to encourage Americans knitters as well as the garment industry in the US to Buy American. 

The yarn is a "green" product in that it doesn't require a great deal of energy to get it. The animals are shorn every spring to protect them from the heat of summer and will grow a new full coat by the next spring. Since they come in over 20 natural colors, dying is not necessary to knit a wonderfully colorful garment. There is very little oil in the fleece so it doesn't have to be treated by harsh chemicals. But the biggest benefit for knitters (where my interest lies) is that the hairs in the fleece are so fine that the resulting yarn is incredibly soft. 

And so, I shall wend my way south tomorrow to spend a long weekend reveling in fleece, yarn and the excitement of this wonderful show.  I hope to see you all there.

Those of you who are on Linkedin, might want to visit the Kanine Knits new business page and build a connection so that we can work together to create pet portraits you'll love. The more ways that I can learn which dogs you want designed and how you like the Kanine Knits designs that you are working on the better. Spring is here and so take your knitting outside and knit in the sunshine!!!

Join the Discussion!

Maybe my blog readers could help me decide which breed I should do for my next book. This is the first time I've come to the end of a book and not had another one in the works (except for the children's book I'm writing) and I can't seem to decide which should be next. If you click the link you will go to my Kanine Knits Books and Patterns Facebook discussion page http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=17590&post=114773&uid=187193941325#post114773

Then you can give me your opinion of what book or books you'd like to see coming out soon. Let me know what you think!

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day With My Irish Pal

This day always makes me wish I could spend more time with my dear friend Rachel Gaffney (no relation). She hails from Cork and has brought Ireland to the US with her wonderful business Rachel Gaffney's Real Ireland. Now, for all you who crave beautiful hand crafted items, and you probably wouldn't be here if you didn't, I should tell you that this year Rachel is working to bring gorgeous crafts and jewelry "from the ol' sod" and make it available here in the US. I hope you will click this link http://www.tiny9.com/u/@Rachel_Gaffney as Rachel celebrates 2011 as the year of the Craft.

Irish Wolfhound

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In honor of the day, I thought that it would be appropriate to visit the Irish members of the design collection here at Kanine Knits. These wonderful dogs have been a vital part of Ireland's history down through the years, vital to the hunt and serving as wonderful companions. 

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Setter

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

 

Real Men Knit Trailer

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

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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