Happy New Year. I hope this year brings you lots of time to knit and enjoy life. I'm looking forward to sharing with you ideas and inspiration for a new year of great knitting.

Mardi Gras comes early this year. And New Orleans is in the throes of gearing up for the Superbowl at the same time. Whew! Lots going on in the city here. At the same time, my fingers are working hard on sample models for new designs that will premiere at the TNNA yarn industry show next month. Can't wait to show and tell you about them soon.

When I am focusing on what's next, it's easy to lose sight of what's hot right now amongst the over 200 patterns in the HeartStrings line. So, in case you might have missed one of these before, check out the Top 10 to Begin 2013.
Warm wishes,

p.s. When it's chilly, there's nothing better than a warm, hand-knitted blanket or afghan like the Warm Hearts Comfortghan pictured above. You can even stay warm while you knit one — it's a built-in coverup as the size grows and grows! See patterns for afghans and blankets in Warm-Up Knitting below.

Top 10 to Begin 2013
Taken from the 'demand rating' reported by Shopatron, this is the top 10 list as 2012 ended and 2013 begins. I hope you enjoy the top favorites your fellow knitting friends are interested in. Are your favorites included? Click the pictures to find out more information and download a free cover sheet for the patterns.

Bitty Beady Christmas Tree

Playing in the Leaves

Flared Lace Smoke Ring

Thinking of You

V-Start Neck Kerchief

Colorful Splendor

Lacyflakes

Beaded Stress Ball

Filigree Lace

Flames of Fall

Would love to hear what you think as that helps me focus new designs for the types of patterns you really like.

Share your ideas at the HeartStringsFiberArts Facebook page or the Ravelry HeartStrings group. Looking forward to hearing from you. What you say and share counts!

BOBBOL 2013

Bits of Beads/Bits of Lace (BOBBOL) continues the popular Bits of Lace 2012 Series with the addition of bit-size projects for building skills in beading.

If you have been avoiding learning to knit with beads or to knit lace because you think it is too hard, I am going to tempt you with a little project each month that involves just a few stitches. Even if you already know how, I think you will find the projects fun (and who knows, you might even pick up a tip or trick along the way).

Some monthly bit-sized projects in 2013 will be lace and some not. Some will be beads and some not. There will be something for everyone.

To start off the BOBBOL 2013 series (and for you to make in time for Valentine's Day in mind), January's bit-size project is Beading Hearts Friendship Bracelet. The pattern is available free during January 2013 to members of KnitHeartStrings.

Not a member yet? Register now. It's a great deal with free membership for friends and fans of HeartStrings!

Note: If you were already registered for Bits of Lace 2012 and have kept your membership at the KnitHeartStrings site active, you do not need to register again. Just login at KnitHeartStrings and continue to enjoy BOBBOL 2013 with a free project pattern each month, along with bit-sized tutorials, tips and techniques posted throughout the month.

Sue writes: "Thank you, Jackie. I'm very excited about the BOBBOL series. I have dabbled in beading[barely] but it's something I've always wanted to do, have admired but found somewhat daunting. Small projects with your expert advice and tips will be a wonderful way to venture further into the water ..."

Warm-Up Knitting: Afghans and Blankets

HeartStrings patterns for afghans and blankets span the range of easy to challenging. So there is something for everyone to knit.

Warm Hearts

Filigree Lace-edged

Elegantly Simple

Lacie Blankie

When it's chilly, there's nothing better than a warm, hand-knitted blanket or afghan. You can even even stay warm while you knit one — it's a built-in coverup. So let's get knitting!

p.s. The Elegantly Simple Baby Blanket is donationware and a charity knitting pattern. You can download for free; donations are appreciated but not required.

Toys of the Trade

Have a pretty wooden or metal knitting needle that is lying around? Put it to good use and show it off at the same time as a shawl pin. The example shown here is a brass double point needle size US 3 on the Half-note Symphony Shawl ...

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Nifty Nuggets

A Peek Behind the Scenes
Beaded Garter Stitch is simply garter stitch with beads. But beyond this simplistic explanation, learn what makes this technique intriguing. Then practice with the free pattern offered to KnitHeartStrings members this month. Read on ...

Circular Needle for Flat Knitting
When there will be lots of stitches, I like to work with a circular needle even if just working back and forth such as for knitting a blanket. Read on ...

Fiber Corner
Wool damage – bad me! Learn what NOT to do so you don't have this type of disappointment. Read on ...