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Lovely Fiber Enthusiasts,
We've reached the summer. The pots are boiling, the elves are melting, and we're already looking forward to the far-away day when we can don our lovely knitted garments once again. Some of us are channeling our wishful thinking into thick long sleeves in anticipation for cooler times - personally, I'm working on a light lacy sleeveless cardigan because I am impatient.
This month, I'll show off my completed First Ever Sock and debut my next venture into unfamiliar territory. We also have a surprise from the Oracle regarding some as-yet-unreleased Fall colourways. Our Elf of the Month, Thom, has written what can only be described as the most impressive acrostic-slash-haiku Ever Of All Time. For now, I give you the backstory to our Summer 2011 English Garden-themed pattern collection.
Dreaming of Sunglasses and Mojitos,
Cacie the Chief http://www.sanguinegryphon.com |
Summer in an English Garden, as retold by Jamie the Choreographer
The Summer 2011 design collection was unceremoniously unveiled with the click of little green buttons, but we'd like to take the time to share some insight into the real magic behind our patterns.  
The English Garden theme of elegance and grace was inspired by Elf Noelle. A call for submissions was sent to designers hither and yon, and (as always) we were amazed by the volume of incredible design ideas we received. Next, Sarah, Gryphon and I had the challenging task of making our selections. Designers, armed with knitting needles and pens, knit  the sample garments and wrote their patterns. During our 12 week design season, after editing, layout, styling, and photography, our patterns are completed. Recently, for more continuity with our Seasonal Colourway creations, we have chosen to release pattern collections semiannually as Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer lines. The final presentation of the English Garden patterns reflects our love of literary wit and whimsy, combining the charm of Lewis Carroll and classic nursery rhymes. I hope you enjoy our collection! Cheers, Jamie the Choreographer
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My Love Affair with Eidos
 I finished my very first sock! The pattern (Heliotrope) was a delight to knit, and I really enjoyed working with Eidos. I'm told socks come in pairs, so I suppose I'll need to knit the second one at some point in the near future - apparently Second Sock Syndrome is a real thing, and it can happen to anyone!
After venturing into the Land of Eidos Knitting, I decided I needed to try a completely different sort of project to try this time around. What's completely un-sock-like? Something big, something airy and lacy, something nice and lightweight for the summertime...
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Her Wit Flowed Long by Caroline Levander
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Ta-da! "Her Wit Flowed Long," from our Winter 2010 Literature-themed patterns. The pattern was designed in Skinny Bugga, but seeing how any fingering weight yarn will work, I went with the shinier, springier feel of Eidos. It also has the advantage of being a little bit less expensive, and the pattern doesn't require very much yardage, so this is an excellent project for a tight budget.
Now, I know you must be thinking: that's an unfamiliar colourway. Let me give you the skinny...
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To Tide Us Over...
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Baltimore's Offering:
a study in blood red and smoke grey
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On the heels of our Summer pattern release, we have found that the shift into semi-annual colourway releases has left a hole in our collective heart that a new set of patterns alone cannot quite fill.
Essentially, we want new colors, and we want them now.
In order to sate our ever-growing appetite, we have selected two colourways - one from each studio - to debut in late July as a Fall Colourway preview. For our devoted newsletter subscribers, we have decided to sneak a couple of photos of Baltimore's offering, which will be called "Cockchafer" in Bugga! and Skinny Bugga! It was designed by me, Cacie the Chief, and was meant to represent the red of drying blood and the grey of curling smoke. Can you tell that our Fall collection will have a macabre influence?
Scroll down to the Prophesies and Proclamations from the Oracle for more details on this limited release, and keep an eye out on Facebook and Twitter for reminders.
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Prophecies and Proclamations from the Oracle
 The update on Tuesday, July 26th at 9:30 AM EDT will bring about the limited release of two colourways from the Sanguine Gryphon's upcoming Fall/Winter 2011 Release. Each colourway will be available in 150 underweight skeins each of Traveller and Skinny Bugga: these skeins will be 3.5 oz each (slightly less than the 4 oz standard). We will also have 40 underweight skeins of Codex in each colorway at 3.0 oz each.
...and so it was written.
The first colourway, Cockchafer, has been revealed in this very newsletter. Watch for the other colourway to appear on Twitter, Facebook, and in the discussion boards on Ravelry. ...as according to our destiny.
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Elf Bio of the Month: Thom
Note from The Chief: In an outstanding turn of events, Thom submitted not only the second-finest acrostic I have ever seen, but one that is laid out in haiku. Please enjoy this magnificent insight into one of Baltimore's most recent editions to the Elf Enclave.
"Thom," they whisper.. "Thom" Handsome as the day is long Outright enigma Model-like good looks Brightly shining like the sun Wrapped in mystery Intense, dangerous Nice enough to meet your mom Troubled by his past Elegance defined Raging river of passion So very humble
Thom B. "Bildungsroman" Winters hails originally from sunny, sultry South Carolina, and now lives in Baltimore with his girlfriend who is both almost a doctor and almost his fiance. For fun, he draws a picture every day and posts it to http://thomwinters.com. People who have seen these drawings claim that they miraculous curative properties. These claims have not been verified.
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