Susan B. Anderson

Siri - A Sweater Story in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:58:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

A few years ago while at the Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival I purchased the last 4 skeins of Dyeabolical Worsted Weight in the Thistle Gristle colorway. I love the yarn and the colorway and wanted to knit it up right away but with the limited yardage I debated and debated over what to knit with the yarn. Then a few months ago I was on Pinterest (click here to see my boards) and ran across the photo of a little cap sleeve turtleneck called Siri. I quickly clicked through to the links and purchased the pattern. I had just enough yardage to make the small size with the narrow body (vs. the A-line). I love a cap sleeve turtleneck for layering (over and/or under), it is stylish and practical.

So it began.....

Here are the links:

Dyeabolical Yarn and Fiber

Siri by Caroline Lang

Knit on US size 8 Signature Needles, 24-inch circular for the body and dpns for the rib on the cap sleeves, and Knit Picks 16-inch for the neck

I alternated skeins (switched skeins every couple of rounds) to prevent pooling with the variegated yarn. The sweater is worked mostly in the round starting with the generous ribbed turtleneck. It is a fast and simple knit. The pattern is thorough and well-written. The point of real interest comes into the German Short Rows used at the bottom of the sweater before the rib section. This is the first time I have used German Short Rows and they are a pretty slick option. I just searched on YouTube for a tutorial and went from there. The short rows create a sort of swoop of additional length for the back side of the sweater. It is a good and flattering design.

The following is the rest of the making of Siri in photos. Enjoy!

Above is my new cardigan project. I am knitting Carrie's Wrap from Sally Melville's newest book, Knitting Pattern Essentials, a fantastic book by the way. The cardigan is knit in pieces and seamed together. I am looking forward to the seaming as I haven't knit a pieced garment in quite awhile. I kind of miss it. I have finished the two back pieces (there is a center back seam), and I am almost done with both fronts. I am using Rowan Polar in a chocolate-y brown on a US 11. This yarn is about 10 years old so I am glad to put it to use.

I'll keep you posted. Are you working on any sweaters or cardigans this summer? I'd love to hear about it.
best, susie
p.s. I am teaching at Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago in November 2013. The classes are now up online. I am only teaching on the Sunday because of my kids' schedules so there are only a couple of my classes being offered. There are always loads of other classes being offered by the industry's best. Check it out if at all interested and I hope to see you there!

Two Little Plums

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:03:00 +0000

(photo provided by Two Little Plums)

Hi, Knitters,

There is something going on in Maine and I wish I was there....

Maine seems to have a growing group of fantastic knitwear designers amongst the wonderful homegrown yarn mills and yarn companies. One of these knitwear designers is Alicia Plummer. And yes, that is Alicia in the photo above, she is both talented and gorgeous.

Here is Alicia's designer description from Ravelry:

Designing for me is like writing a novel expressing everything I’m feeling and doing and thinking. Color, lines, fit, can tell a story, and I love seeing how others interpret and knit up my stories.

I’m messy, disorganized, and loving. I design because I wear my heart on my sleeve, and designing is a perfect outlet for self-expression. I’m heavily influenced by the rustic beauty of our old farmhouse and my small town here in rural Maine.

My aim is to design things that have the down home comfort of New England but are also everyday items that someone can grab and throw on and still look good.

I think this sums up Alicia's designs perfectly. Take a look at her design page on Ravelry and you, like me, will want to knit every single pattern up for yourself or someone you love. Alicia's brand name is, Two Little Plums, in honor of her two young daughters.

Here are some links to find Alicia in other places:

Click here to see Alicia's designer page with all 36 designs!

Click here to see Alicia's blog, Two Little Plums!

Click here to see Alicia's profile (aliciaplum - rav id) page on Ravelry!

Click here to see Alicia's thriving Ravelry forum group called Plum Dandi!

(photo by Carrie Bostick-Hoge for Quince & Co.)

I am going to highlight just a few favorites of mine from Alicia's designs today. The Falmouth Scarf, above, was in the recently released and wildly popular, Scarves, Etc. 2013 by Quince & Co. I love that many of Alicia's accessory designs are unisex.

(photo by Carrie Bostick-Hoge for Quince & Co.)

To further enjoy Alicia's modeling for Scarves, Etc. 2013, here she is wearing the Netty Cowl.

(photo by Carrie Bostick-Hoge for Quince & Co.)

Alicia also graces the cover of Scarves, Etc. 2013 wearing Mainline. The beautiful, natural photography by Carrie Bostick-Hoge and Alicia's beautiful, natural good looks certainly contributed to the overwhelming success of the Scarves, Etc. ebook. My dream is to knit through the entire book.

(photo provided by Two Little Plums)

Who doesn't love a little top-down seamless top called Sebago Cove for their little plum? Simplicity is often found as a thing of beauty in Alicia's designs.

(photo provided by Two Little Plums)

This is the first pattern I purchased from Alicia called Splitstone. It was funny because I had just purchased this pattern before I went to The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling and when I got there lynnzimm was sitting next to me knitting her own Splitstone in Madelinetosh Vintage in the Whiskey Barrel colorway. It was nothing short of gorgeous. Click here to see Lynn's version.

After I ordered the pattern, I received the sweetest email from Alicia. I was so touched that she gifted me several more of her lovely patterns. I asked Alicia if it was okay for me to do a spotlight blog post about her designs and she happily agreed.

(photo provided by Two Little Plums)

One of the patterns I was gifted was Woodstove, a cozy cardigan knit in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter. Alicia recently sent out an updated and improved version of Woodstove. I can't wait to dig into this cardigan and I'd really like to knit it in Shelter.

Alicia Plummer is one to watch as she has quickly gained recognition in the knitting world. She has an easy, wearable aesthetic. Most importantly, her patterns are doable, unique, and comfortable, a great combination.

Plus, isn't she glowing on the inside and out?

Check out Alicia! She's a good one.

best, susie

Video Tutorials - Blocking a Shawl with Wires and Pins

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:19:00 +0000

(Part One)

Hi, Knitters,
Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago, November 1rst -3rd, 2013, now has classes up for registration. I am on the schedule for Sunday only!!! Click here to check out the classes for VK Live in Chicago!

I have just completed another sample for my next shawl design. I am working with a very unique yarn company called Infinite Twist and the shawl is going to initially be available in kit form only from Infinite Twist for a few months and then the shawl pattern will be released on my Ravelry Pattern Shop for download. I'll keep you posted as we get closer to the release date. And yes, Infinite Twist yarns are all handspun in case you are wondering. This yarn is 100% wool, worsted weight, in the Iris Garden colorway. What a treat.

In the meantime, I created four new video tutorials on how I block my shawl using straight blocking wires, flexible blocking wires and blocking pins. I block my shawls on blocking boards that are spread out on the living room floor. I have a big table I could use but I also have a big family that is always using this table. It is easier for me to just block on the floor and leave it put until the item is dry.

The shawl is such a beauty in the handspun yarn and what fun to knit. I'll tell you more details very soon.

I use Knitter's Block blocking boards and Inspiknitty flexible blocking wires.

The videos are filmed in four parts. Click here to watch the videos on my YouTube Channel!

Enjoy the rest of the videos below!

best, susie

(Part Two)

(Part Three)

(Part 4)

(p.s. I don't know why I said loose AND tight. I meant tight only. The ruffle is loose so that may be why I said loose. We'll never know.)

(p.p.s. I also don't know how I got that gigantic bruise on my left forearm. It looks terrible.)

Opal Little Dragon Preview Video!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 13:32:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

I have completed the Opal Little Dragon design! I wanted to share the little guy with you from all angles so I filmed a short video to show him off. The pattern is debuting at TNNA at the Unicorn Books booth where I am also doing a book signing for Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys on Saturday, June 22nd. Please stop by for both the pattern and the signing or simply to say hello. I would love to see you!

If you can't see the video (email subscribers), please click right here to view it on YouTube.

Little Dragon is worked from the bottom-up in one piece, seamlessly! It's a very slick and simple pattern. The dragon is knit using a fingering or sock weight yarn held doubled throughout on US size 5 dpns. It used up about 40 grams of a sock yarn. There are new construction techniques included here and it is a fun and fast toy knit. I think you are going to love knitting up your own Little Dragon.

Little Dragon will be available, at first, only through Unicorn Books (a craft book and supplies distributor) for yarn shops to purchase for their customers. I believe it will be in a printed pattern version only but they may be offering a downloadable version as well, I'm not sure. Please ask your yarn shops to order through Unicorn Books if you are interested in the pattern.

Eventually the pattern rights will revert back to me and I will have the pattern available in my Ravelry Pattern Shop. This will happen at the first of the new year so don't worry if you can't get the pattern right away when it is released.

This is the same thing I did with the Opal Sock Yarn Bunny and Hat. Unicorn Books released a printed pattern version for yarn shop owners to provide to their customers and then later the bunny became a downloadable pattern on Ravelry. I love to support local yarn shops and this is one way we can all help a little so please go through your local yarn shop if at all possible.

Little Dragon really is an expressive little toy, standing at 6 1/4 inches tall, with the movable head construction (a new technique I recently came up with).

I'll post a Ravelry project page soon! Here is one more cute little photo below, I can't resist this little friend. I think this is one of the best toy designs I have ever done. There is a sweet personality that shines through with Little Dragon. I have started compiling a book list of children's literature and young adult literature with little and big dragon characters that could go along with this dragon for children. The possibilities seem quite endless.

If you have any dragon literature ideas for me, please post a comment and I will compile a list and share! Thank you.

On another subject, below is one more instructional video. I did this video for a Signature Needles guest blog post a few weeks ago. I am showing how I cast on a small number of stitches onto 3 dpns, a technique I constantly use for my toy patterns.

Click here to see it on YouTube.

Have a great weekend! I'll be back soon with more....
best, susie
p.s. Malia (rhymeswithmaria on rav), has started a new vid-cast, Yarn Raising, that is mainly about spinning but has lots of knitting content as well, and I love it. Malia and I sat at the same table at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat and I so enjoyed her and her spinning that weekend. Please click here to watch her video podcast!

New Noro Sheep Pattern!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:42:00 +0000

(Noro Magazine Spring/Summer 2013, photo by Jack Deutsch)

Hi, Knitters,

I have a new toy design in the new issue of Noro Magazine! I happily agreed to knit a toy for the issue because I love knit toys in the beautiful Noro yarns. Remember this one? I asked if I could knit a sheep and they quickly agreed.

The gigantic cone of yarn I received is definitely a luxury blend for Noro. It is fingering weight, Shiraito, 45% angora, 45% cashmere, 10% wool. Wow, what a treat this yarn was to work with. I can't get over how well it matched the project. You could, of course, use any fingering weight yarn including the Noro fingering weight sock yarns. The sheep is the perfect project for leftovers, too.

The sheep is knit completely in one-piece and seamlessly! You start at the bottom of the body and work your way up to the top of the sheep's head. The ears and legs are picked up and knit on. I loved this pattern and head construction so much that I actually knit two samples for the magazine (they only asked for one). The yarn made it fun, as well as the construction, because I had no idea what colors would turn up in the yarn. That is part of the fun of Noro.

I had so much fun figuring out how to knit this cute little guy. I was quite pleased with how the sheep worked out. He is about 4 1/2 inches tall and about 5 inches long.

Click here for the Noro Magazine website!

This issue is currently on newsstands.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the #31 Sheep!

The smocking stitch pattern is a great texture for the sheep's wooly body and it's fun to do.

The #31 Sheep is knit on US size 3 dpns.

With just a bit of stuffing and black embroidery floss you are all set to go!

Erin Slonaker (I love her blog, Pepperknit), the editor in chief of Yarn Market News, emailed to let me know she was in love with this pattern and was knitting her second sheep when she emailed. That made me feel good!

Here are lots of my home photos for you. Enjoy!

The pattern, of course, is only available in the Noro Magazine (on stands now!).

Aren't they cute? I just love them and may have to make a few for myself and for gifts.

Let me know if you make a #31 Sheep!

best, susie

New Signature Convertible Needles

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:59:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

First, I selected three winners for the Little Skein in the Big Wool Etsy Shop! Congratulations goes to whitsknits, Sewbaker, and jplantgirl (all rav ids)! I have contacted the winners through Ravelry and also contacted Ann Vally of Little Skein. Ann will be contacting the winners to provide the final details. Thanks to all who entered and a huge thank you to all who visited Little Skein over the weekend. Ann is just thrilled with the response and told me her shop has had thousands of visitors (all of you!) over the weekend and she came home from camping to find tons of new orders waiting for her. She is just thrilled! Thank you!

Ann and I are cooking up a fun project together for the next holiday season so stay tuned.....

Now onto to today's business at hand. A little while ago Signature Needle Arts contacted me to write a guest blog post for them and to see if I would be interested in trying out a new product they were developing. I immediately said yes to both. I have never been given any products or needles from Signature, I found the needles through hearing others rave about them and I have purchased all of the sets I own. I simply love both the circular needles and the double-pointed needles.

I was so excited to see Signature's new needle concept, that I later found out are called Convertible Needles. The Convertibles are different than the interchangeable sets that we are all familiar with. The Convertible needle tips and cords are sold separately. Here is the difference, each size of the needle tips, called stalks, comes with size specific cords, called ferrules. I like this idea a lot. I have, for example, two US size 8 Signature circular needles (24-inch and 32-inch), two US size 7 Signature circular needles, (24-inch and 32-inch). Now I can just purchase one set of stalks and multiple cords to switch out the lengths when needed. I don't need multiple sets of circulars in the same needle size. This makes sense to me.

The cost of a set of stalks is $22 and each cord is $20 so to get a working pair of Convertibles is $42. This is the same price as purchasing a pair of the original fixed circular needles. It is less expensive when purchasing multiple lengths of circulars because after purchasing the stalks, each additional cord is $20.

If you only want one length of circular needles the new Convertibles work just like the fixed circular needles. You could purchase only one size and length and use it as a fixed circular. I am knitting the shawl pictured above, on the US size 7 Convertible 40-inch needles that were given to me to test out for Signature. I am knitting the shawl out of a hearty worsted weight yarn and as the shawl grows it is becoming quite heavy. I have not had a single issue with the join. It is very smooth, just like the fixed circulars, and it has not budged or moved at all since I screwed the stalks and the ferrules together. It is just like working on a fixed circular needle.

In my opinion, the Convertibles are wonderful. This past weekend I purchased three more Convertible needles (US 6, 4, 3 and 32-inch cords) to continue to fill out my Signature circular needle collection. I can't wait to get them. The stalks and ferrules both have lifetime guarantees so if something breaks or doesn't work correctly Signature will replace them for you.

As for storage, I keep all of my fixed circular Signature needles in their original packaging, a zip-lock type bag with a cardboard information piece inside. I keep them on a book shelf like you would books. I use these needles so much that I don't even like to put them in a case of any sort. They fly off my shelves! I will store the new Convertibles on my bookshelf the same way with the multiple cords for each needle size in the original packaging along with the stalks of the same size. This will work out well and pretty much the same as before.

(photo from Signature Needle Arts)

The great thing about the joins is that there is no tool to use when connecting the pieces. The stalks and ferrules simply screw together and it is recommended not to over-tighten them. It could not be any simpler. This is the easiest join I have ever used and it has stayed put while I knit. The join is as smooth as can be. Signature is working on stoppers to put on the cords to hold the stitches in place when the needles are removed. I will look forward to these as I think stoppers will be useful with this concept.

I had a completely open mind while testing this new concept out for Signature Needle Arts. I didn't have to write a review, good or bad, or at all. The one set of Convertible US 7 circular 40-inch needles is the only thing I have ever been given from Signature and we have no ongoing deal or conditions of any sort.

If you are interested at all in trying out this new concept, I suggest you do! The Signature needles are a well-designed highly engineered product that I will continue to use in my knitting life. I think they make my knitting faster and more enjoyable. Using Signature needles is like a treat.

Click here for more details on the new Convertibles straight from the Signature Needle Arts website!

best, susie
p.s. In case anyone is wondering, the shawl design I am working on is a really cool and unique project. I am working with an unusual yarn company for an early fall pattern/kit release. It is something different that I am trying out and I am hoping you might be as excited about it as I am when it is released!
p.p.s. Also, the Opal Dragon is done (knit on US size 5 Signatures dpns:). I am still working on the written pattern. It is being released at TNNA through Unicorn Books and will be sold through yarn shops in print copy initially. Eventually I will be selling the pattern for download in my Ravelry Pattern Shop.
Here is a further sneak peak below:

Little Skein in the Big Wool ~ Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Fri, 31 May 2013 01:48:00 +0000

(photo provided by Little Skein)

Hi, Knitters,

First off, thank you so much for the fantastic response to the handspun yarn sale, it was sold out in a matter of hours (minutes for most of it), and to the Gratitude pattern sale. I appreciate you all and thanks for making last week so much fun.

Today I want to share a fun Etsy shop with you, Little Skein in the Big Wool. The name of the shop is what first got me interested. It's a great shop name. Ann Vally, the artist behind the shop, creates fairytale-themed stitch marker sets, gift cards for handknits, zipper pulls, and project bags. I have four sets of stitch markers from Little Skein and they are my favorites. I have never had a single stitch marker where the bead pops off (which I have had happen with other stitch markers in this style) and I love the special stitch marker with the charm in each set. It's all so sweet and well done.

All of the stitch marker sets come in tiny glass jars or vials with a cork at the top. I keep my sets right in the adorable glass vials. I love them and I think you will, too. The presentation is charming and the stitch markers feel so good on the needles in between your beautiful knit stitches.

Click here for the Little Skein Etsy Shop!

(photo provided by Little Skein)

Here is the description from the shop:

{ THEMED, ARTISAN KNITTING ACCESSORIES } Here at littleskein, you'll find artisan-quality project bags and stitch markers, handcrafted by a knitter for knitters. I design most items around a theme, usually inspired by children's literature and fairy tales. My items feature adorable and thoughtful details like extra top-stitching, a special zipper pull, or unique charm. I use materials sourced from around the globe -- particularly Japanese fabrics and European charms and findings.

(photo provided by Little Skein)

Aren't they wonderful? They are worth a try! My newest set is Snoopy-themed. When I saw Snoopy pop up in the shop I had to get it.

(photo provided by Little Skein)

The addition of little bunny-themed handknit gift cards and envelopes is another sweet item in the shop. I have a set of these, too, and each card is like a little piece of art. Sweet is the best word to describe everything in Little Skein in the Big Wool.

Ann Vally has generously given me the opportunity to share some of her delightful items with you! Thank you, Ann.

I will randomly pick 3 winners. Two winners will each win a set of stitch markers of your choice from the available sets in the shop. One winner will win a set of the lovable bunny gift cards. Please leave one comment on this blog post. Please leave a Ravelry id or email so I can contact you if your comment wins.

Good luck! Be sure to check out this fun shop on Etsy! Click here for Little Skein!
best, susie

The Great Gratitude Handspun Yarn Sale & Pattern Discount

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:35:00 +0000

(Sweetheart)

Edited to Add on May 24th, 2013: The handspun is completely sold out! Thank you for the enthusiastic and quick response!!

Hi, Knitters,

I have a couple of firsts to offer you today. I want to send out to all of you a tremendous thank you. In the next few months I will be celebrating 7 years of blogging and book writing. So much has happened in these past few years that I want to stop for a second to appreciate all of you for coming along. My sincerest thank you.

I am starting The Great Gratitude Sale by offering a 20% discount off of all of my patterns starting today, Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 and ending next week, May 30th, 2013. The sale is being run through my Ravelry Pattern Shop and the discount code is THANKYOU (type it in just like this, all caps, no space). You enter the code at checkout. Here is what it says on Ravelry on how to use this code: Your customers can use their coupon codes by using the "use a coupon code" links that appear during purchase.

This is my first pattern discount sale. Enjoy!

Click here to go to my Ravelry shop!

The second of firsts is that due to a great response to the idea of selling my handspun hanks of yarn (thank you for all of the emails and comments)....

I am going to sell some of my handspun yarns right here on the blog!

I love to spin and I love the finished yarns produced but I simply don't have time to knit it all up. So it sits and sits and sits. I need to make some room on my studio shelves so I am offering up some luscious skeins of handspun yarn for purchase today. I have knit lots and lots of projects with my handspun including socks, shawls, hats, mittens, scarves, and toys. I enjoyed every minute of it and I hope you will enjoy it, too.

Let me start by saying that I am not a professional spinner. The fact is that I have been spinning for a little over 2 years at this point. If you have been reading my blog over the past couple of years you will have seen the progression and joy in my spinning. The yarns are beautiful and completely knit-worthy but I still have a long way to go!

The yarns I am selling today are beautiful and fun. Are they perfect? No. Please keep this in mind when purchasing. The yarn is what it is. I am not trying to make the skeins out to be any more or better than they really are. There will be some thick and thin areas, some lumps and bumps, and other imperfections in between the perfectly spun bits, all of which occur naturally in handspun yarns.

Every skein is imperfectly perfect.

I have a smoke and pet free home.

I'm happy to sign any of the tags if you'd like on request!

With that disclaimer being said here are the purchasing rules (PLEASE READ!!!):

1. You must have a Paypal account to purchase. I will invoice you via Paypal. Once the payment has cleared and I receive the payment, the sale will be considered complete.

2. There are no returns once the sale is complete. Please make sure you really want and understand the conditions and descriptions of the sale of these handspun yarns. I will not sugar-coat the descriptions, they are completely accurate to the best of my knowledge. All sales are final.

3. U.S. mailing addresses only, please. (We'll see how it goes this time and maybe next time I will open it up to international shipping.)

4. Sales will be determined on a first come, first serve basis. Once the yarn is posted and live on this post, you will need to email me to purchase and to give me your Paypal email address so I can invoice you for the yarn.

To purchase the yarn you must email me with the name of the skein you wish to purchase in the subject line of the email:

Email address: 4busykids@chorus.net

5. One person can purchase more than one skein. There is no limit on the number of skeins purchased per person.

6. I will mail the skeins via USPS as soon as possible (not more than a week after purchase) and I will send you an email once your package has been shipped. I will most likely wait until I have a few purchases to ship at a time.

7. The yardage of each skein has been hand-counted by me so there may be a small margin of error.

8. The weight of the yarn (fingering, sport, dk, worsted, bulky, etc.) is an estimation by me. I can't be exact on the weight and gauge of the yarn. You will need to try out different size needles and swatch to see what gauge you will get with each skein.

9. Pricing! I have researched other handspun yarns being sold online to compare the prices of similar skeins to the skeins I am selling today. I think the pricing is fair. Considered in the final price is the cost and weight of the roving used, the amount of time spent spinning, plying, skeining, and preparing the yarn, and finally, the finished yardage and quality obtained.

10. Flat fee shipping will be added onto the price listed for the skein. Shipping will be an additional $6.00 (this fee includes multiple skeins shipping to one address).

11. As the skeins are sold I will update the blog post with a SOLD in bold under the specific yarn.

Okay, enough of that! Let's get on with The Great Gratitude Handspun Yarn Sale!

(Sweetheart)

Sold

The first skein up for grabs is called Sweetheart. Sweetheart is a big, gigantic, squishy hank of mixed shades of barber pole pink and natural plies!

The Facts about Sweetheart:

Roving used:

4 oz. of Dyeabolical Yarns Corriedale wool roving in the Sweetheart colorway

and

2 oz. of natural wool purchased by me at the Madison Farmers Market

How it's spun:

2 separate single plies of the Sweetheart roving were spun first and then were plied with a single ply of the natural Wisconsin wool to create a round 3-ply yarn.

Yardage and Weight:

424 yards of a heavy-fingering weight traditional 3-ply yarn

Care: Handwash with wool wash, dry flat.

Suggested projects:

Shawl

Socks

Hat and mitten set

Price: $55.00 + $6.00 shipping = $61.00 total

(Green River)

Sold

The next skein up for purchase is called, Green River. Green River is a gorgeous mix of greens and shades of teal. It is a soothing and beautiful skein of wool.

The Facts about Green River:

Roving used:

4 oz. of Cloudlover Polwarth Handpainted Top

How it's spun:

2 singles were spun and then plied together to make a 2-ply yarn.

Yardage and Weight:

294 yards of a sport to dk weight traditional 2-ply yarn

Care: Handwash with a wool wash, dry flat

Suggested Projects:

Shawlette

Hat

Mittens

Cowl

Price: $45.00 + $6.00 shipping = $51.00 total

(Coral Reef)

SOLD

This big, playful, squishy, uber-soft, skein is called Coral Reef. The colors in this skein have a summer day at the beach feel with a mix of coral, ocean blue, light green, tan and natural. The skein of yarn weighs in at 7 3/4 oz.

The Facts about Coral Reef:

Roving used:
The roving was 2 different 4 oz. braids of Polwarth from Springtree Road

How it's spun:
Each 4 oz. braid was spun separately into singles and then plied together to make a traditional 2-ply yarn. Since there were two different colorways plied together the yarn has wonderful barber poling throughout.

Yardage and weight:
268 yards of a thick and thin worsted weight yarn

Care: Handwash with wool wash, dry flat

Suggested projects:
Hat
Mittens
Scarf
Cowl

Price: $50.00 + $6.00 shipping = $56.00 total

(Little Plums)

SOLD

This skein is called Little Plums. The wonderful barber poled skein combines many shades of purple from plum to violet to lavender. The colors are rich and beautiful.

The Facts about Little Plums:

Roving used:

4 oz. of Sunshine Yarns 100% Superwash Wool

How it's spun:

The braid was divided into 2 oz. sections. Each 2 oz. section was spun into singles and then plied together to make a traditional 2-ply yarn.

*Note: There are 3 ends in this skein so I am assuming it is not in one piece.

Yardage and weight:

178 yards of a dk weight yarn

Care: Handwash in wool wash, dry flat

Suggested projects:

Hat

Fingerless mitts

Toy

Price:

$35.00 + $6.00 shipping = $41.00 total

(Grellow with a Splash of Mint)

SOLD

This skein is called, Grellow with a Splash of Mint. Grellow is gray plus yellow. I recently spun this gradient skein and I couldn't get over how much I loved the movement from fresh mint to soft gold to heathery gray. The yarn is smooth, beautiful and calm.

The Facts about Grellow with a Splash of Mint:

Roving used:
4 oz. of Dyeabolical Yarns 60% merino wool/40% bamboo viscose

How it's spun:
The roving was spun into one long singles and then Navajo-plied or chain plied to make a 3-ply yarn.

Yardage and weight: 256 yards of a heavy fingering/sport weight yarn

Care: Handwash with wool wash, dry flat

Suggested projects:
Shawlette
Cowl
Hat
Fingerless mitts

Price: $42.00 + $6.00 shipping = $48.00 total

(Whipped Mocha)

SOLD

This hefty skein of Whipped Mocha has a sheen to it that is spectacular. The yarn has Tencel which is the reason for the shiny look. The name of the skein, Whipped Mocha, is spot on. The soft shades of brown with a gentle hint of gold every once in a while is so squishy and inviting.

The Facts about Whipped Mocha:

Roving Used:

Two 4 oz. braids of Sunshine Yarns, 50% Superwash Merino/50% Tencel roving

How it's spun:

Each 4 oz. braid was spun separately into hefty singles and then plied together to create a traditional 2-ply yarn

Yardage and weight: 98 yards of a thick and thin, super bulky weight yarn

Suggested projects:

Mittens

Hat (I was planning on making The Vermonter Hat with this skein. It would be perfect! Click here for the free pattern!)

Cowl

Price: $38.00 + $6.00 shipping = $44.00 total

(Leafy Greens)

SOLD

This skein is called, Leafy Greens. The photos are not doing this skein justice. It is much richer and more varied in shades of green than appears. There are many greens mixed into the yarn from light spring green to olive to dark shades. It is a very sweet little skein of yarn, one of my earliest spins if I remember correctly. That's why there are some thick and thin spots throughout.

The Facts about Leafy Greens:

Roving Used: 4 oz. braid of 100% superwash wool from Springtree Road

How it's spun:
The braid was split in half into 2 oz. sections. Each section was spun into singles and then plied together to create a traditional 2-ply yarn.

Yardage and weight: 156 yards of a thick and thin dk weight yarn

Care: Handwash with a wool wash, dry flat

Suggested Projects:
Hat
Mittens
Fingerless Mitts
Toy

Price: $25.00 + $6.00 shipping = $31.00 total

(Rusted Root)

SOLD

This skein, which I've named Rusted Root, is perhaps my favorite colorway out of this entire lot of yarns. It is stunning with browns, olives, rust, teal and green. I LOVE this yarn so much. It is not a super soft wool, it is rustic and hearty. It is gorgeous!

The Facts about Rusted Root:

Roving used: 4 oz. of Dyeabolical Yarns 100% Shetland Wool

How it's spun:

The 4 oz. roving was divided into halves, each 2 oz. Each half was spun into singles and then plied together to make a traditional 2-ply yarn.

Yardage and weight: 110 yards of a heavy worsted/aran weight yarn

Care: Handwash with a wool wash, dry flat

Suggested Projects:

Fingerless mitts

Hat

Toy

Price: $32.00 + $6.00 shipping = $38.00 total

That's that! I may not ever do this again, we'll see how it goes. It is my first time doing this so please be patient with me.

Good luck if you are ordering!

best, susie

Adding Patch Pockets to a Finished Cardigan

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:29:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

Edited to add: I have a guest blog post on the Signature Needle Arts blog with another video tutorial.

Click here to see the post and video!

A couple of weeks ago I washed two cardigans. I soaked them one at a time in the Phil Basin filled with lukewarm water with Soak Wash in the Celebration scent. Each cardigan sat for 20 minutes or so after which I gently squeezed out the excess water and then rolled in a clean towel to get more water out. I gently spread the cardigans out on blocking boards and turned a fan on them to speed the drying. When the cardigans were still damp I placed each separately and at different times in a mesh laundry bag and tossed in the dryer on the delicate cycle. Using the dryer while the garment is still damp helps the superwash wool bounce back into shape. Superwash wool gets very stretchy when wet, frighteningly stretchy, and that's why I use the dryer at the end. You can wash superwash wool in the washing machine (thus the name superwash) but I prefer to wash by hand.

Both of the cardigans are knit in Madelinetosh DK. Here is the information for both cardigans.

The dark blue cardigan:

Yarn: Tosh DK in the Thunderstorm colorway purchased at Nina's in Chicago

Pattern: Calligraphy Cardigan by Hannah Fettig (great pattern - highly recommend!)

Buttons: Purchased at The Sow's Ear in Verona, WI

The green cardigan:

Yarn: Tosh DK in the Burnished colorway, purchased at Nina's in Chicago

Pattern: Tea Leaves Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre (great pattern - highly recommend!)

Buttons: Purchased at Purl Soho

The funny thing about both of the Tosh DK colorways, Burnished and Thunderstorm, is that they look very different in various lighting and photos. I think that is both interesting and kind of fun.

After the washing and drying of the cardigans I decided it was time to add the pockets to the Calligraphy Cardigan, something I had been planning on doing for a long time. I had plenty of leftover yarn. I couldn't remember the size of the needle I had knit the Calligraphy on but it was probably the recommended US size 6 now that I look back at the pattern. I just guessed and pulled out my US size 7 Signature Needles and thought it seemed close enough. It worked fine but I would recommend using the same size used for the body of the cardigan. (Don't do what I did!)

First things first, figure out where you want your pockets located. I tried on the cardigan to see where my hands would naturally expect a pocket to be on the fronts and kind of eyeballed where that would be in reference to the button bands and bottom ribbing. It's all very scientific and make sure you point to the spot you want your pocket to be placed. It will bring good luck.

I put the pockets 10 rows up from the bottom ribbing and 10 stitches in from the button band ribbing. This seemed to be about the perfect placement. I also decided on the width of the pocket which turned out to be about 5.5 inches.

With the circular Signature Needles (you could also use two dpns to work back and forth), I picked up the right leg of each of 30 consecutive stitches. I did this working from the right to the left and then pulled the circular needle back to the other side to begin the work.

I held the yarn at the point of the needle and began with a knit row on the picked up stitches. I left a long enough end to use later for stitching up the side of the pocket. For this basic patch pocket, work back and forth in stockinette stitch (you could slip the first stitch of each row, but I didn't) until the pocket measures about 4 1/4- inches above the pick up row. Then continue in a K2, P2 rib (I worked a K2 on each end) for another inch making the pocket measure 5 1/4-inches in total from the pick up row. Bind off in the rib pattern. Leave a long enough end to place on a yarn needle to whipstitch the side of the pocket to the cardigan front. Stitch up the other side of the pocket in the same manner. Weave in the ends to the inside seam of the pocket and trim.

I love the new pockets! They look super clean and perfectly placed. The new pockets were meant to be.

Here are a few finished pocket photos for you to enjoy!

The process for adding afterthought patch pockets is simple and quick. I hope this helps a little if you are thinking of doing the same. I am very pleased with the final results and the cardigan is even better if that is possible. Who doesn't love a good pocket or two?

I added this post to the tutorial list on the sidebar of the blog, under Tutorials, if you want to refer to this information later.

Take care, Knitters. I can't believe it is already Wednesday....

best, susie

Three More for the Drawer!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:18:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

Oh, how I love the sock knitting. Over the last couple of weeks I have finished up several new pairs of socks. I finished the first sock for the pair in the photo above months and months ago. I don't remember why I set it aside. I love the yarn. I love the pattern. I will use both again.

Yarn: Kristin Nicholas' Regia Garden Effects in the Holiday colorway (The colors are gorgeous!)

Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A (free pattern)

Needles: Knit Picks 6-inch nickel plated dpns, US size 1 (I use these needles a lot and really enjoy them. I have a lot of sets of these. Only $6.99 for a set of 5! Can't be beat.)

The pattern is easy and fun. I used the free version from Knitty.com. I did 6 lace repeats for the leg and 6 lace repeats for the foot. I used my regular old heel flap and gusset which I think was different than the one used in the pattern.

I did keep the twisted rib on the cuff, which I like. The yarn is so colorful and fun and just perfect for this twisty-turn-y pattern. Kristin is a color genius!

They fit like a glove..... or like a sock should! They are snug and squishy.

Next up I finished the Simple Skyp Socks in the Cakewalk Yarns. The colors are lovely and fresh and springtime perfect. As I have been traveling lately, I have worked on these socks quite a bit. I had a bunch of people mention that the socks looked so skinny as I worked on them, so skinny that they didn't think they wouldn't fit my leg and foot. The fit is excellent. When you are working in rib on socks, that's how it is. I would stretch out the sock to show how it would actually fit. I used to do a ton of 3 by 1 ribbed socks so I was used the skinny appearance as you knit.

Yarn: Cakewalk Yarns on Etsy in the Hero Squad colorway. Hero Squad and Cherry Blossom are my favorite Cakewalk Yarns colorways so far.

Pattern: Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku (free pattern)

Needles: Knit Picks nickel plated 6-inch dpns

The way this clever and simple pattern works is instantly memorized as you work the two row repeat. It was perfect for the speckled yarn and for travel. I highly recommend both!

I now have a shawl and two pairs of socks in Cakewalk Yarns and I have several skeins still on my shelf. I can't get enough.

The sock blockers with the carved out sheep are from The Loopy Ewe. I've had them for years and love them. I also have the red plastic sock blockers from The Loopy Ewe, as well.

I finally finished up the Opal Vincent Van Gogh socks. These are wonderful socks with loads of color and pattern. Opal sock yarn is always so good. I am looking over my stash and trying to decide which to knit next. It's a hard choice (not really as they are all good). I am staying committed to always having a pair of Opal socks on my needles. I have many balls to knit through so this shouldn't be too hard.

Yarn: Opal Vincent Van Gogh in the Red Vineyard colorway

Pattern: How I make my socks by me! (free pattern)

Needles: Knit Picks 6-inch nickel plated US size 1 dpns

That's three more pairs of socks to add to the pull out sock drawers. I am pretty excited about that.

I am finishing up today with a list of links to knitterly things I love just for the fun of it.

2 Knit Lit Chicks audio podcast (Love the mother daughter banter and humor and books and knitting!)

Snappy Stitches video podcast (She is a great knitter and sticks to topic in short episodes.)

Little Skein in the Big Wool (Much more on this shop later!)

Twinset audio podcast (I love the sisterly humor and banter so much! This is turning into an easy favorite with the smart knit talk, farm talk, and they both spin to boot.)

Betz White's Egg to Turtle!

Oh, I just remembered I was going to talk about adding pockets to a sweater or cardigan after it is finished. I have to do that next. If I don't and you are interested please remind me. My house is full of four kids and very, very busy once again so ideas may get lost in the shuffle.

Have a great start to your week. I am going to try to knit and spin outside a bit yet today. It's so beautiful out there.

best, susie

Yarrrrrrn and a few rrrramblings....

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:47:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

First things first, the winner of a copy of Simon Leach's Pottery Handbook is boilerup (rav id)! Congratulations. Thanks for entering. I wasn't sure what kind of interest there would be for a pottery book on this knitting-based blog but it was surprisingly good. I'll have another giveaway very soon.

Before I get into the yarn-talk, I want to tell you that Leslie of the Knit Girllls podcast recommended a show on their last episode. The show is called The Great British Sewing Bee (click here to see it) and it is shown on YouTube. There are only four episodes. I watched it this week as I worked on my knitting. It is one of the best shows ever. The show is cute, clean, well-done, moves at an enjoyable pace, fun in topic and personalities, all-around entertaining and clever. The contestants are likable, pleasant and well-mannered (which most reality shows are greatly lacking) and there isn't a bleeping noise or a curse word in it. It's so refreshing! I really do get tired of the poor behavior and constant and unnecessary profanity in movies and television and books. This show is a competition for home sewers and it is simply wonderful. I wish there were more shows like this one available. Plus, I actually learned some things about sewing along the way. I love The Great British Sewing Bee and you might, too. I literally stopped watching television about seven months ago because there is such garbage on all of the time. This is exactly the type of programming I wish we would see more of in the future.

One more announcement-type thing, I won't be at Yarnology in Winona, Minnesota on May 30th as planned. I have had a family situation come up that I can't miss so I will be rescheduling with Yarnology. The date is being worked out and I will keep you posted on this. My apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.

Now onto the yarn. We, as knitters, are all such yarn lovers. Even if we don't ever get to knitting with our collection of varied yarns, it is fun to admire and enjoy it as is. Today I am sharing a few different yarns, some handspun and some that I am getting ready to knit.

Above, is a lovely skein of Madelinetosh Merino Light in the Manor colorway (purchased here). This is a lovely light fingering weight single-ply yarn.

Here is the unwound hank of Madelinetosh Merino Light. I am going to be starting a new shawl design in Manor.

As an aside, I know I have said this a few times before but I am gathering a pretty enormous stockpile of patterns that I need to release in one form or another. These include baby hats, adult hats, shawls, toys, baby sweaters/cardigans, blankets. My hope is that this summer I can find the time to get this all whipped into shape and start releasing them in some form on my own (single patterns and ebooks) and with a few companies as already planned as the months ahead progress. I have just found myself with a lack of time over the past year. My sketchbooks are bursting right now. It is kind of a good feeling.

About 18-months ago I said I was going to slow down.... whatever happened to that plan I don't know. Although I do know that when fun knitting opportunities present themselves it is difficult to pass them up and I am forever grateful.

While at the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling I picked up a gigantic hank of the elusive Wollmeise Lace-Garn (purchased here) to make Nuvem. Sheri, the owner of The Loopy Ewe, was knitting on a Nuvem and I fell in love with it. You start with a large number of cast-on stitches onto two circular needles and using Judy's Magic Cast-On. I used this tutorial to get me through this task. I really do not enjoy working in the round on two circular needles so as soon as I was able I put all of the stitches on a single pair of Signature Needle Arts US size 5s.

Nuvem will be a long-term project without a doubt. I have been leaving it in different spots in my house and I pick it up and work a round or two at a time. The yarn and pattern are both a lot of fun.

I am finishing the second Monkey Sock (the first sock has been finished for months now), in Kristin Nicholas' Regia Garden Effects in the Holiday colorway (click here to see all of the colorways). This is the perfect pairing of yarn and pattern. I would love to make all of the Garden Effects colorways in this sock pattern. For the Monkey Sock pattern, I used the free Knitty.com version. I am just using my standard heel flap and gusset and toe instead of the one in the pattern. It is a fun and fast pattern.

My friend, Jaala Spiro, sent me another Sparkle Yarn Club package in the mail the other day. It came with this adorable skein of sparkling fingering weight yarn and a lace mitts pattern. It is the sweetest colorway I have ever seen. Click here to see more of Jaala's KnitCircus Yarns.

I finished up spinning this beautiful merino/bamboo blend roving from Dyeabolical Yarns. I just love it so much. I Navajo-plied it to keep the gradient colors in line.

Here I have the yarn strung on my Schact Niddy Noddy. In the end I got 256 yards of a heavy-fingering weight yarn. It is really lovely.

I don't know what I will make with this skein yet. I think it would make a lovely cowl or small shawlette of some sort. The colorway goes from mint green to gold to heather gray. It is a wonderful combination of colors. Rachel of Dyeabolical Yarns is amazingly talented. Please go check out her website, DyeabolicalYarns.com.

Here is a group photo of some of my handspun yarn. You know I am toying with the idea of selling some of my hanks of handspun. I love spinning and making the yarn but with my work knitting schedule, I don't have the time to knit with it too much. I love making and crafting and I don't have many strong sentimental feelings about my finished products. I think this is mainly because I am used to sending off much of my finished work to publishers and companies. It doesn't bother me to let things go.

Let me know if any of you would be interested in me selling some of my handspun yarns. Either email me or leave a comment if you are interested. My email is at the top of the sidebar on my blog if you'd like to just send me a note (click here for my blog if you are reading this on email subscription). If I end up selling, I would let you know the price of the roving so you could get an idea of my initial cost for the fiber, an additional cost for my spinning work, and I would include the shipping cost in the price. I have a smoke, perfume and pet free home so allergies are not a concern.

It's just a thought at this point. Let me know what you think!

I love this photo of the handspun hanks in my arms.

Now on the wheel is a Loop Bullseye Bump. It is shades of green with the lightest bit of sparkle. What a pleasure this is to spin. I am making the singles thick and will Navajo-ply in the end. We'll see what happens. I can't tell you how much I love these bumps of fiber. Click here for the Etsy shop.

Here we are again with more Dyeabolical Yarns. I purchased 4 skeins of this worsted weight yarn in the Thistle Gristle colorway at the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Festival a couple of years ago.

It is the most luscious black and gray and purple mix of colors. I fall more in love with it every time I look. I am making this little sweater with it. I think it will be a cute one. I will be trying German short rows for the first time. It seems pretty easy. I looked it up on YouTube.

I wound it up into yarn cakes. I am using the label around the yarn cake held with a rubberband technique I saw at The Loopy Ewe. At least I think this is where I saw this being done. You can see the label around the Madtosh yarn in the back, too. I like this way of neatly keeping the label with the yarn after it is wound. That is some pretty yarn!

I was out and about with TC the other day and we popped into Barnes & Noble and I thought I would walk by the knitting book section to see if Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out was on the shelf yet. As I walked toward the knitting book section I was pleasantly surprised to see that my book was front and center on the display shelf. I promise that I didn't set my book out in front like this, it really happened this way. That was a fun experience.

Topsy-Turvy already has 31 finished projects posted in Ravelry. That's the advantage of small projects. Click here to see all of the projects in the book on Ravelry!

I'll be back soon with more on fixing a split stitch and adding pockets to a finished sweater. Take care you fun knitters.
best, susie

For the Love of Pottery

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:11:00 +0000

(cover photo provided by Stewart Tabori & Chang)

Hi, Knitters,

I am taking a turn off the knitting path today to share another handcraft with you. I don't know about you but I am a huge fan of hand-thrown pottery. In fact, I will admit to being slightly obsessed with it and collecting pottery as much as I am able. I have dreamed of taking pottery classes to learn how to use a wheel for forever and I think soon I will be doing that. Part of my renewed urge to sign up for a pottery course is this new book I received from STC, Simon Leach's Pottery Handbook. This beautifully-crafted spiral bound hardcover book is completely inspiring. The book has some of the most gorgeous photography I've seen and this is partly due to knitter/designer/yarn creator Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed fame. The other photographer and author is Bruce Dehnert.

The book comes with two DVDs that share videos from Simon Leach's 895 YouTube pottery videos. I can't wait to dig into these DVDs. This is the perfect topic to include DVDs because these are not techniques you see in the everyday world.

Click here for Simon Leach's Pottery Handbook on Amazon!

Click here for Simon Leach's YouTube Channel!

Click here for Simon Leach's website!

(photos provided by Stewart Tabori & Chang)

The handbook was created as a companion piece to Simon's fantastic and expansive YouTube Channel. The book and the DVDs make for a comprehensive guide for new and seasoned ceramic artists alike. The book alone is a wonderful exploration of pottery how-to. I just love everything about it. The book includes: set-up, tools, clay tips, techniques like throwing, trimming, adding pieces, decorating and glazing and even how to set up and build your own kiln (can you imagine how cool that would be?).

I want to do it all! Projects included in the book are cylinders (tankard, tea bowl, pitcher and bottle), dishes and bowls, a teapot, and a variety of lids.

Simon Leach lives in Williamsburg, PA and teaches workshops throughout the country. Bruce Dehnert, co-author, lives in New Jersey and is the head of ceramics at Peters Valley Craft Center.

I am excited to be able to offer you a chance to win a copy of Simon Leach's Pottery Handbook! If you'd like to win a copy of this gorgeous and inspiring book, please leave one comment on this blog post. Please include your email or rav id so I can get in touch if you win!

Now for a little show and tell of some of my favorite pottery pieces:

This Little Bird Yarn Bowl by Aaron A. Harrison is one of my most favorite pieces. It was a gift from Deb (lovetocraft rav id) for one of our Itty-Bitty Knits swaps.

Click here for aaharrison.com!

This beautiful matching Little Bird Mug comes from the same artist, Aaron A. Harrison. It's so beautiful I haven't used it yet but have left it sitting in my studio to admire. I'm going to start using it for tomorrow morning's coffee.

Here are a few more pottery items in my collection.

Click here for Jennie the Potter (the sheep mug and bicycle buttons)!

Click here for the White Barn Farm polka dot mug (I have their t-shirt, too)!

Click here for Julie Knowles Pottery (flower yarn bowl)!

I have a small collection of a local artist's pottery. Her name is Beth Rasmussen and she is such a talent. I have been collectting her bowls, platters, cups and even ceramic snowmen for over 20 years now. She is clever, subtle and so aware of the smallest details. She doesn't have a website but her information is on the Madison Potters Guild website. Click here to read more about her!

Look what's inside this cup!

I love this whimsical ceramic caterpillar found inside the cup above! Beth is so cute. The other thing I love about Beth Rasmussen is that her equally talented son teaches ceramics at our high school. My son took his classes and fell in love with the pottery wheel and the art. He learned so much from his high school ceramics teacher who became his favorite teacher of all time.

I have my son's pottery pieces all over my house now and I keep many of his bowls in my studio to set my working yarn in as I knit. I would just love to make my own bowls, platters, buttons and mugs.... a girl can dream.

I will keep you posted if I find a good studio to take some workshops. I have some in mind. I will definitely be using Simon Leach's book and videos to guide me as I go!

Remember to leave a comment if you are interested in winning a copy of Simon Leach's Pottery Handbook. Good luck if you enter to win! I'll be back in a couple short days to choose a winner via random number generator.

Have a great start to your week.
best, susie

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Sun, 12 May 2013 13:04:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,
Happy Mother's Day to all of you. I hope you are able to enjoy your families and friends today as we celebrate all of the mothers who have made a difference in our lives.

I thought I would share (with permission, of course) this beautiful photo sent to me by Jami Brynildson, the owner of yarn shop The Knitting Bee in Portland, Oregon. Aren't these the cutest cupcake-y triplets you've ever seen? Here is Jami's note:

"I made these hats for my daughter Elizabeth's friend's babies. Info: Cupcake Hats (pattern in Itty-Bitty Nursery). Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. This really is the cutest thing ever. The positions of their tiny fingers get me ... and of course the hats!!!"

Thank you for sharing, Jami, and what wonderful babies and cupcake hats. I am sure they will be able to wear the hats for a long time and will get many compliments along the way.

Great knitting!

Have a wonderful Sunday.

best, susie

Ebb Cowl & Quince & Co. Scarves 2013 KAL Prize Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:19:00 +0000

(photo from Quince & Co.)

Hi, Knitters,

Well, the end of the double knitalongs have come to an end. One of the knitalongs was for my Ebb Cowl, published in the Quince & Co. Scarves 2013 eBook, and the second knitalong was for completing any of the scarves in the Quince & Co. Scarves 2013 eBook. Both knitalong threads in the Itty-Bitty Knits group were thriving, successful and fun.

Thank you to everyone who participated and posted their beautiful finished objects in the threads. Click here to see the finished Ebb Cowls from the KAL. I also need to thank the generous donations for the prizes for drawings for both knitalong threads. Thank you to all who have donated. I appreciate you so much.

I have yarn from some of my old favorites, a new dyer to me, and Diane, of the Knitabulls Podcast (another favorite), has generously donated an eBook on Ravelry as a prize for the Quince & Co. Scarves thread! Thank you, Diane!

The winner of the eBook donated by Diane is..... KiwiKnitter63 (rav id)!! Congratulations to you!

Click here for the Knitabulls Podcast website!

Diane is also hosting a Susan B. Anderson Toy Knitalong in her Ravelry group for the month of May. You can join in this knitalong at any time and you can make any of my toy patterns from books or downloads. Diane is making the Seamless Petticoat Dolls in Quince & Co. Lark from Topsy-Turvy Inside Out Knit Toys as her project. I have been popping into the KAL thread on her group of the same name. Thanks for hosting, Diane, and I can't wait to see the newly knit toys popping up over there!

I have already drawn the winners of the prizes using a random number generator and the entries on the finished object threads. The winners have all been sent a private message through Ravelry at this point.

Below are the other items people have won! Please hop over to the various sites and check out all these generous folks have to offer.

(photo from Blueberry Pie Studio)

I am happy to offer two fun skeins of sock yarn called, Box of Crayons, from a new-to-me dyer, Cat, of Blueberry Pie Studio out of Toronto, Canada. Cat sent me a skein of Box of Crayons to review and it is truly lovely! Thank you, and I can't wait to knit it up into some fun socks.

Click here for the Blueberry Pie Studio Etsy shop!

Here is the prize description of the prize skein from the shop:

Self-striping! This is a self-striping, hand-dyed yarn. Stripes change colour through strawberry, tangerine, mango, lime, cotton candy blue, and blackberry purple. When knitting socks, each stripe is approximately 5 rows wide.

This yarn is dyed to order. Please allow 1 - 3 weeks for me to dye the yarn for you.

80% superwash merino wool
20% nylon
420 yards/115 grams
sock weight

The first winner of this colorful skein of yarn is...... 9Grands4Grma (rav id)!! Congratulations to you!

The second winner of this colorful skein of yarn is...... veronika (rav id)! Congratulations to you! Veronika is of Yarn on the House fame!

(photo from Cakewalk Yarns)

Cakewalk Yarns is one of my all-time favorites!!! Click here for the Etsy Shop!

Here is the description of this gorgeous hank of sock yarn directly from Rose of Cakewalk Yarns:

Fingering weight (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon - 460 yds/100g) in the colorway Brooklyn. The yarn is kettle dyed a tonal khaki & then I painted on flecks of colors that remind me of Etsy - orange (of course) turquoise, forest green & grape.

The winner is..... lexikate81 (rav id)!!!!! Congratulations!

(photo from Knitcircus)

Jaala Spiro of Knitcircus has become just a beautifully talented independent dyer and designer. It has been fun to see her find her passion with such gusto. I love everything Jaala does and I especially love the sock set gradient yarn she has donated as a prize.

Click here for the Knitcircus Etsy shop!

Jaala's description is below:

This is a Knitcircus yarns Matching Socks Set, in the color Turquoise Pool. It’s two small skeins dyed to match so that every stitch of the socks will be the same. They knit up into gradient socks like the yellow sock in the picture, and can be worked from the inside or outside of the ball, knitter’s choice.

The winner is of the Matching Sock Set yarn is...... EllenLBishop (rav id)!! Congratulations!

(photo from Sun Valley Fibers)

Jeanette is a local favorite of mine with her Sun Valley Fibers. I stopped by her booth at the Madison Knit In a couple of months ago and was blown away by her walls of colorful and squishy yarns. It was a sight to behold.

Click here to see the Sun Valley Yarns and Fibers!

Here is the description of the Sun Valley Fibers fingering weight prize skein straight from Jeanette:

Colorway: Forest

Merino/Cashmere/Silk -- 75/15/10

Fingering weight and is a 400 yard skein.

The winner is...... woundtight (rav id)!!! Congratulations!

Thanks for everything everybody!

I'll be back soon with more and I hope you are all having a great week.

best, susie

Up Next: Yarnology!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:47:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

I am happy to say that I will be home for a few weeks now. I am hoping to catch up on a lot of knitting work that I am woefully behind on and mainly I will be enjoying my family and home.

Up next, I will be in the lovely state of Minnesota! I am not completely sure what all I am doing there yet, but one thing I do know is that I will be at Yarnology in Winona (click here for the website). Here is the blurb from their website:

Susan B. Anderson is coming to Yarnology!

Thursday, May 30th

6-8pm

A doghouse that flips inside-out to reveal a dog, a chrysalis that opens into a monarch butterfly, a blanket rolled up to keep three little piglets warm – all these and more can be found in Susan B. Anderson’s fifth book,Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys. In this enchanting new collection, Anderson turns the spotlight on “reversibles”: knitted projects that are two toys in one.

Join us at Yarnology to meet Susan of the new Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys book and have your book signed. Reserve a copy of the book by calling the shop at 507.474.9444 ($17.95) by May 18th.

Need any of Susan's other books:

Please let us know so that we have them in stock to have Susan sign them while she's here!

Yarnology

65 East Third St.
Winona, Minnesota

(507) 474-9444

I hope to see you there if you are in the area!

I had a wonderful trip to Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia last weekend where I taught a quick Egg to Turtle reversible toy workshop. I will post some photos from the shop very soon, my sister-in-law is sending me some photos (if you have any photos of the event could you please send them to me?). Unfortunately, I arrived late to my workshop due to an awful travel day that started very early and was filled with long delays. I was actually in the air for less than 2 hours but it took an entire day to get to the shop. Frustrating.....

My friend, the talented knitter/designer/former Vogue editor Tanis Gray, picked me up at the airport along with her adorable two year old son. I loved meeting him. I met Tanis many years ago while she was at Vogue Knitting and we have stayed in touch ever since. I appreciated the ride so much. I was going to model a hat for her before the workshop but it didn't work out with the time.

Anyway, I had a full and fun group of knitters patiently awaiting my arrival at the shop. The class was fun and a bit rushed because of the time crunch. Most stayed a little late with me but understandably, some had to leave. The group was gracious and fun. Thank you for your kindness and my apologies for the delay, once again.

After the workshop I hung out in the shop for awhile and signed lots of books. Jan Derevjanik, the book designer for Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys, came with her husband and cute-as-a-button infant son. It was great to see them as well. Jan has designed my books for Artisan Books since the very beginning. I love working with her. I also met the Plucky Knitter Team, sisters no less... more on that to come.

My brother and his wife and one of their sons came to pick me up from the shop. That was wonderful. We stopped for a quick bite to eat on the way home. I can't remember the name of the restaurant set in the charming streets of Alexandria, but it was delicious. I was starving. I stayed at my brother's house for the night and we stayed up super late chatting. He drove me to the airport very early on Saturday morning and I made it home midday.

I was just in time to help Peachy get ready for Prom! We hosted a fun potluck dinner for the group and had the parents over to take photos, too. What a fun group!

Toes in!

Here is the glamorous Peachy! TC curled her hair and I did her make-up. She looked so beautiful in her flow-y raspberry colored dress. It made me proud. My sister helped me shop for her dress. It all worked out perfectly! Peachy had a great time at prom.

Now for some knitting!

I finished one handspun sock! This was wild and crazy roving (Moonshine Fiber Co. - no longer available) to spin and it's making a really fun sock. I love it.

The Dyeabolical bamboo/merino blend gradient roving is spinning up beautifully smooth. I finished up the minty green and have begun the gold. It is super pretty.

I have been loving my Opal Vincent Van Gogh socks that I finished recently. They have already been washed a bunch of times and they seem to get better with each washing. I am almost finished with my next pair in The Red Vineyard colorway.

Last but not least, I have worked on my Pop Spots Shawl off and on over the past couple of weeks. I pretty much love it. I am making the large size which will end with 667 stitches across and then I will begin the lace edging. Right now I have close to 400 stitches on the needles so I have a ways to go. I am making mine in Madtosh Sock in Tart and Madtosh Feather in Tidal Basin. It is really pretty, teal and rich red, and it is an easy, easy pattern that looks much harder than it is. That's the best.

I'll be back soon with more on the knitting front. Have a great start to your week.

best, susie

Spinning Tale

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:36:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

It's been a long time since I have finished a spinning project. Months after starting the Dyeabolical Corriedale Wool roving in the Sweetheart colorway, I have finally finished the yarn. I am pleased with the outcome to say the least.

Click here for the Dyeabolical website (yarn, fiber and soap!).

I weighed and divided the Sweetheart roving in half, a little over 2 ounces in each section. I pre-drafted it and wound the soft fiber into these fluffy roving balls. They looked so pretty.

Last summer I picked up some natural wool roving at the farmers market. I bought two wound balls of roving, each 3 oz. and $6.75 apiece. The label doesn't say what type of wool this is, whatever the breed it smelled very sheep-y or farm-like. While spinning I felt like I was at the farm. It was very natural and unprocessed compared to the slick hand dyed rovings I am used to spinning. I don't mind picking out twigs at all, in fact, I find it kind of fun. I love everything about this local wool and I appreciate it being local. It felt good.

The farm doesn't have a website but here is some of the information on the label:

Wisconsin Highland Farms, LTD.

Ann & Steve Herr- Owners (I bought the roving from Ann at the market.)

Broadhead, WI

email: ann.herr@hotmail.com

I enjoyed spinning this Wisconsin wool roving more than I imagined I would. It was easy and fun and it really turned out beautiful and even.

My plan all along was to spin three singles, two in the Sweetheart and one in the natural local wool, and then to ply them all together to get a round, bouncy 3-ply yarn.

That's exactly what I did! I put the three loaded bobbins on my Schact Lazy Kate and plying away I went.

Plying is the most exciting part of spinning to me. I love to ply. I like a nicely twisted yarn, nothing too loosely plied. I new this 3-ply would turn out beautifully because the colors were gorgeous and adding the ply of natural wool worked out so well.

I was able to get 424 yards of a heavy fingering weight yarn!

It's perfection in my eyes.

The barber-poling throughout is so pretty and effective.

I wish you could feel how soft and squishy and bouncy this huge hank of handspun is in your hands. It smells so good now. I soaked the yarn in Soak Wash in the Aquae scent. I am not sure what to make with it yet. Maybe a shawl of some sort. Yes, a shawl would be lovely. For now I will be admiring it in yarn form. Due to the long duration of this spinning project it feels like an accomplishment of sorts.

(photo from Unwind Yarn Company)

Next, I wanted a quick, quick, quick spin. I remembered that I had ordered some rolags from Unwind Yarn Company on etsy. I was ready for something new.

Click here for Unwind Yarn Company!

I was anxious to try spinning from the rolags as I hadn't done that before. These are hand-carded blended tubes of fiber. You spin from the end of the rolag. The blend of fibers was interesting. Here is the description of this particular set from the shop:

1.6oz/44g (6 rolags/punis)

Contains: merino, moorit shetland, alpaca, recycled sari silk, firestar

I used a larger whorl setting to spin these because I really wanted it to go quickly and with such a small amount to start with I knew I wouldn't yield much yardage. I spun 2 singles, didn't let them rest for more than a minute, and then plied them together. In total it took me less than an hour to complete this yarn.

I got a bulky, rustic yarn that I love. I think I have about 50 yards. This was quite fun and satisfying especially after having one project on the wheel for months.

Next up, I pulled out this interesting gradient blend. It's 50% merino, 50% bamboo. It goes from a fresh minty green to a gray to a gold. When I ordered this roving from Dyeabolical, I didn't see that it was half bamboo. If I had noticed the high bamboo content I probably would not have ordered it. I have nothing against bamboo but I am more of a wool-type spinner.

One time I spun with a tencel and wool blend and I did not enjoy it at all. In fact, to me, the tencel was awful to work with. I think this is the reason I now stick to wool for my spinning of choice. However, that being said, I am glad I accidentally got the bamboo/wool blend because it is always good to try new things.

This roving definitely needed pre-drafting. I worked hard to get the minty green section into these light and fluffy roving balls. The bamboo is really soft which is nice.

Here is the start. It is spinning up very smoothly. I think I will spin all of the 4 oz. roving on one bobbin and then I will Navajo ply it. We'll see what happens and how long this one will take. That's what I like about the spinning, I have no deadlines and it is pure leisure for me. It's good to have something like that around.

Have a great weekend! I am leaving for Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA tomorrow, May 3rd. I will be having a reversible toy workshop from 5-7pm and a book signing/meet and greet from 7-9pm. I hope to see you there if you are in the area. I hear wonderful things about Fibre Space so I can't wait to see it for myself! Call the shop for more information.

Fibre Space

102 N. Fayette Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 664-0344

Click here for the link to Fibre Space!

best, susie

The Knitting Pipeline Retreat in Review

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:08:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

The winners for the Knit Red and Sew Red books have been randomly selected and contacted through Ravelry! The winner of Sew Red is pawsandknit (rav id) and the winner of Knit Red is gussek (rav id). Thanks to all for entering and I'll have another giveaway very soon.

For today you can find all related links at the end of the post.

Last weekend I attended The Knitting Pipeline Retreat in Washington, Illinois. I was a guest of Paula Emons-Fuessle, the host of both the retreat and the podcast of the same name, Knitting Pipeline. Not only did I get to attend the event but Paula invited me to stay overnight in her beautiful home. Paula's house is open and welcoming. Her husband, Bob, is friendly and helpful. I enjoyed being in her home so much. I even got to sit for a bit in her famous knitting spot which is a room off her kitchen that overlooks a creek and woods. Paula sits in here to write the Nature Notes section of her podcast and I can see why she does it from here. The huge windows and breathtaking view would inspire any nature lover. Her bird feeders were buzzing with action in the morning. That was fun to see.

Paula's a keen knitter so it was a joy to see her knitting sprinkled throughout the house. I found the stack of knits above on a bench by the stairs. This stack includes a cloche found in Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos (a gift for her daughter-in-law) and a bunch of shawlettes. Paula's house is filled with furniture built and crafted by her dad, including a gorgeous rustic wooden mantle. I loved seeing the personal and meaningful items in her house.

Here is the view that has inspired many a Nature Note topic. The creek is visible from the window.

Paula asked her husband to take a few photos of us before we left for the retreat on Saturday morning. It was quite comical. Apparently, when taking family photos Bob has the reputation for snapping photos at the wrong time, either too soon or more often too late. By the time he takes the photo people are telling him to hurry up and then the photo isn't the best. The same thing happened here as you can see above. I wasn't quite ready. I loved the banter between Paula and Bob and Paula's directives. It was cute. I guess Bob is available to hire for weddings or other events if anyone is looking for a photographer who takes interesting photos.

Here we are! It was incredibly nice to meet Paula in person. (You can see the mantle above.) We have corresponded off and on for awhile now. A funny note, I often have the experience of people meeting me for the first time and they are surprised how small I am. For some reason people think I am a lot taller than I am. I hear this all of the time. In fact, the first four people I met at the retreat were taken aback by how tiny I am in person. I always think this is funny. For the record, I am definitely petite.

Well, just look at who is my exact same size? Miss Paula and I look eye-to-eye. Paula threw on her Quaker Ridge Shawlette, which is my design, and I have to say that I love her rustic, tweedy version of this shawl. I would like one like that. She is also wearing her newly knit favorite cardigan, Acer by Amy Christophers.

I asked her if I could try on her Acer because I have this pattern waiting to be knit up at home and I wanted to check out the sizing. She tried on my Calligraphy Cardigan by Hannah Fettig. It looks great on Paula. We switched and wore each other's cardigans for awhile on Saturday.

I am also wearing my My Hope Shawlette by Laura Linneman knit up in Cakewalk Yarns. I think I was asked about 30 times about the shawlette I was wearing. It is wonderful yarn and a fun pattern.

Paula looks stunning in her Quaker Ridge Shawlette! This is my favorite photo of the event. Paula is beautiful. I love how Paula created such an easy atmosphere for the retreat. Everyone had free time to do what they liked which was mainly meet new people, chat and knit. There were break-out classes like continental knitting (taught by the lovely Brigitte of Klose Knit), darning socks (taught by Paula), beaded bracelet making (by Ewe-nique Yarns), a lecture about sheep, felted ball making (by Knit4together - a yarn shop), and a master shawl knitter's display and chat (by Cindy, TalesofYarn on rav). There was even belly dancing (really!). I didn't belly dance in case you were wondering but I did watch a bit of a performance. The belly dancer is Liby from the Multicraftual podcast. She's cute.

Malia, who sat at my table, is a fantastic spinner. She had a drop spindle going but then on Saturday I noticed she pulled out this interesting thing. It is called a Charkha and this is a pretty slick way to spin on the go. You can see she has one bobbin filled and resting and is working on a second. It was fun to see her get this going and she was creating the cutest tiny skeins of plied yarn. You can kind of see the skeins on the right side of the photo. I was intrigued.

Malia is spinning long draw from a rolag from Unwind Yarn. That's my buddy Kathy (kally on rav) on the right from the Itty-Bitty Knits group. I loved spending time with her.

Amy Beth from The Fat Squirrel Speaks podcast was there and I loved meeting her and getting to talk to her a little bit. I love her video podcast. She is smart AND funny, a great combination. She is genuine to the core. Everyone under the sun is talking about and participating in her upcoming Orange Knitalong. Amy Beth is wearing the Watercourse Cardigan and it looked great on her.

Paula is still wearing my Calligraphy in this photo, too. She buttoned it up in this shot.

I signed a lot of books and I had the trunk show for my newest book, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys on display for the weekend. The knitters enjoyed reversing the toys to see what was on the other side. That is always fun to watch!

The highlight of the retreat was easily getting to see Paula and her bandmates, Heather and Bob, playing the bagpipes for the group. They played a few songs as the retreat was winding down.

There was something so moving about it. I got a little teary-eyed while watching and listening. It was beautiful.

Paula is talented at so many different and interesting things and I think that is what adds to her appeal. She has a huge and enamored following. People adore her and hang on her every word. It was universal at the retreat.

Here is the beaded bracelet I knit on Saturday. It was a kit from Ewe-nique Yarns, a local yarn shop vending at the event.

I got to meet Rose (on the right) from Cakewalk Yarns! She is that talented dyer I have been talking about non-stop for over a year now. She is wonderful and fun and cheerful. I got a few more skeins of her yarn at the retreat. More socks and shawls to come in Cakewalk. I'll photograph my new Cakewalk Yarns and share soon.

I was thrilled to see my buddy Ruth again, along with her local to me sister, Sylvia. I have met Ruth a few times now and I was happy to get to spend more time chatting with her. Usually I have seen her in a class or something so I don't get as much down time with her. She is fun and delightful, as always. Ruth knit the Milk Cow (my design) that Rose is holding. I helped her stitch the head onto the body correctly and securely. Ruth loved that.

Amy Beth vended her hot, hot, hot wares. She has started a Fat Squirrel line of hand sewn project bags and dyed yarns and she created a mob scene when the vending opened up. I got one of those beautiful bags and a couple skeins of her yarn. I'll photograph and share more on that later.

I also purchased an adorable smaller snap-open project bag (I'll show a photo later) and some tags from Jennie (javajennie on rav). Jennie lives close to me and she let me tag along in her car for the 3 hour drive to Washington, Illinois for the retreat. Jennie was a vendor at the retreat, as well. Her shop is called, {kitchen counter crafter}, which is adorable. Thanks again for the ride!

Also at the table to my right was the lovely (and tall) Jo Anna Spring of the Knit Spin Farm video podcast. I loved meeting her so much as I watch and enjoy every episode of her podcast. She had a brand new family of sheep waiting for her when she got home. I saw a couple of photos and she was excited about it. Jo Anna gave me a sweet little hand-crafted cardinal stitch marker which I will photograph and share later. It is so cute.

All in all, for my first ever retreat and/or event where I wasn't working the whole time, I had the best time ever. Paula was a welcoming and organized host. She created an excellent and relaxing atmosphere along with her friends and helpers, Bronwyn and Sarah. Both Bronwyn and Sarah were fun to meet in person as well. They frequent Paula's podcast which are some of my favorite episodes.

Paula's audio podcast, The Knitting Pipeline, is my favorite listen as I run and walk everyday. I constantly go back and listen to old episodes. I have probably listened to every episode more than once and some more times than that and there are well over 100 episodes. If you are not listening to this podcast, you really should. You can listen right on your computer from her website by simply clicking play or you can find it on iTunes.

Thank you, Paula, for a memorable knitting experience. I will never forget my weekend in Washington, Illinois with you!

Link time:
The Knitting Pipeline Podcast
Quaker Ridge Shawlette
Acer Cardigan
Calligraphy Cardigan
Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys
Unwind Yarn Company
Java Jennie's {kitchen counter crafter} shop
Knit Spin Farm Podcast
The Fat Squirrel Podcast (shop link is on the website)
Cakewalk Yarns
My Hope Shawlette
Paula's Botanical Knits Cloche (in the first photo)
Multicraftual Podcast
Milk Cow pattern

Alright! I think that should do it. I'll be back soon with more. I am going to be in Alexandria, Virginia on Friday, May 3rd at the Fibre Space yarn shop!! I am having a workshop and meet and greet/book signing there on Friday night from 5-9pm. I hope to see you there if you are in the area.
best, susie
p.s. One more important thing, there is a blanket drive going on in my ravelry group (click here) in honor of the Boston Marathon runners/families affected by the bombing. Here is the information if you are interested in donating:
The Boston Children’s Hospital baby blanket project was conceived in response to the horrific bomb explosion at the 2013 Boston Marathon that claimed several lives, including that of an 8 year old boy, Martin Richard. Small baby blankets (and hats, too) are being collected in his memory and given to the patients of the ICU units of BCH. Please contact pamelajd (rav id) if you’d like to contribute a hat or a blanket.

Two Books with Heart ~ A Double Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:37:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

I am excited to bring you a double opportunity to win a copy of either Knit Red or Sew Red. Both books are published by Sixth & Spring and in conjunction with the fabulous Jimmy Beans Wool. I have shopped at Jimmy Beans Wool for years and years and I love that this company has a heart for charity as well as for their customers. Both of these red-themed fiber books are part of the Stitch Red Campaign which you can read about in this blurb straight from the website:

As a part of the Stitch Red campaign, a portion of the profits from this book will be donated to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health in support of The Heart Truth® to help raise awareness of heart disease in women. We hope you'll join us in the fight against heart disease and in knitting red!

(photo from Knit Red)

The publisher, Sixth & Spring, and the author, Laura Zander (the heart and soul of Jimmy Beans Wool), have pulled together some of the top names in both the sewing and knitting industries for the books. Needless to say, there are wonderful designs in both books and many I would like to make myself.

Click here for Jimmy Beans Wool and to see the Knit Red projects and designers.

Click here to see all of the 31 Knit Red projects on Ravelry.

Click here to see all of the sewing projects in Sew red.

Click here to purchase the Sew Red book.

Click here to purchase the Knit Red book.

The books are beautifully done. The patterns and projects in both books have a huge range from clothing, accessories, home goods and more. The photography is perfection and has the sewer and knitter in mind at all times. It is very clear.

There are two specific projects that I am going to knit from Knit Red. The photo above is a cardigan style that I just adore. It is simple and practical and pretty. I am going to knit this hoodie in a beautiful red Valley Yarns worsted weight wool that I have in my stash. The cardigan is called the A-Line Hoodie and it's designed by Diane Soucy. Click here for the Ravelry page for the A-Line Hoodie.

(photo from Knit Red)

The Cowl Neck Vest is another project from Knit Red that I am going to knit for sure. I think it is so cute. I have some Dream in Color worsted weight (in a variegated green) in my stash that will be perfect for this one. I love the designer, Cecily Glowik-MacDonald. She never misses. Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Cowl Neck Vest. Plus I always love pockets, don't you?

Anyway, both books are winners not only because they do some good by donating part of the profits to a women's heart health organization but also because they are so well-done and beautifully crafted. Plus both books have versatile and varied designs by top designers in their fields. It's a win-win for all.

Congratulations! I am impressed.

To enter to win a copy of either Knit Red or Sew Red please leave a comment on this blog post. Please leave only one comment, specify which book you are interested in or if you are interested in both of the books. Also, please leave your email or rav id so I can get in touch to get your mailing address if you should win.

I will be back in a couple of days to randomly select two winners, one for Knit Red and one for Sew Red!

Good luck and let the comments begin!

best, susie

Hatching a Dragon

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:50:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

I am hatching a dragon. That's right, he is hatching right off my needles and before my eyes. I made a video the other day of how I start thinking about shapes and features of my knit toy designs as I am working.

If you are unable to watch the video, click here to see it directly on YouTube!

Click here for my entire YouTube Channel! I have 49 videos posted and close to 1.3 million viewings.

I have mentioned on Facebook and Twitter that I am working on designing a dragon for Unicorn Books, the distributor of Opal Sock Yarn in the U.S. I have gotten a very enthusiastic response so far. I've concluded that people like dragons. Opal has come out with a new solid series for their fantastic sock yarn. The colors are wonderful and inspiring.

I designed the Opal Sock Yarn Bunny and Hat for Unicorn last year.

Click here to see the Opal Sock Yarn and Hat Bunny on my Ravelry Pattern Shop! (Each pattern can be bought separately or together.)

Unicorn Books (the country's biggest craft book distributor) will be selling the pattern in hard copy and download to yarn shops starting this June of 2013 at TNNA. Eventually, I will be able to sell the pattern in my own Ravelry Pattern Shop as a download.

I love this little friendly dragon. I feel like he is a youngster, possibly recently hatched from his dragon egg. He has a sleepy, just woke up look about him.

In fact, I am thinking about making an egg for him to hatch out of, not as a reversible but as a separate piece. Yes to that?

I've worked so hard on his wings. After much study of dragon images and debate I decided that the wings should match the body color. Since he is a young or baby dragon, I imagined his wings just unfolding for the first time. They are kind of sweet looking.

I still have his tail to knit on. I have left a good open tail space to work with below his spine.

The face isn't complete yet either and arms and legs are still to come. Maybe a tiny flame from his mouth? Not sure. I'm having a great time designing this friendly dragon.

Here are a couple of things to note if you want to start thinking about making this dragon for yourself:

- The dragon is knit completely in one-piece from the bottom up. There is no seaming or stitching on of parts. When you are done knitting, the toy is done!

- The Opal Sock Yarn is the Grasgrun colorway and is held doubled throughout the project. It goes quite fast held double.

- I am knitting on US size 5 dpns.

- The dragon is about 6-inches tall.

More to come very soon on the dragon front as I complete him......

One announcement I need to make is that I will not be attending the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. The coordinator contacted my publicist to say that the author book signings have been canceled. I am sad not to attend but hopefully another year! I think I am signing book plates for the festival to use when selling my books so you can still get a signed book.

On the good news front, I WILL still be teaching a workshop and having a book signing/meet and greet at the fabulous Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday, May 3rd. The workshop is from 5-7pm and the meet and greet/book signing is from 7-9pm!!

Here is the information for Fibre Space (fibrespace.com):

102 N. Fayette Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 664-0344

Enjoy your day and I hope you enjoyed this tiny look behind-the-scenes of my toy designing.

best, susie

p.s. The Ebb Cowl Knitalong is ending in one week!! There are 86 projects posted already, 344 queues, and over 1,000 favorites for the Ebb Cowl. Thank you everyone! Finish up and post your cowl if you haven't yet.

Giveaway for Topsy-Turvy Book and The Loopy Ewe!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:48:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

I am off in Colorado teaching at the wonderful Loopy Ewe Spring Fling this week. In the meantime, my friend, Kristin Nicholas, has posted a review and giveaway for my new book Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys! I want to make sure you don't miss the chance to enter as her giveaway is only open through tomorrow, Sunday, April 21st, 2013. Thank you, Kristin!

Click here to see the review and enter to win a copy of Topsy-Turvy!

Above in the photo is the book signing table at The Loopy Ewe yarn shop in Ft. Collins from Thursday morning. The turn out was great. I taught a class on Wednesday night at the shop, too. It was a great, fun group of knitters who had traveled through an enormous blizzard to get to the class. We had a super time together and hopefully they learned a few things at the class. I taught my new Fair-Isle Hat Class.

Here is the toy display from Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out at the shop. The Loopy Ewe is a beautiful shop bursting with detail and TONS of standard and unusual yarns. It is a fantastic shop with kind and helpful workers. The owner, Sheri, is amazingly good at what she does. I'm thoroughly impressed.

This is only one aisle at the shop!

This is the beautiful Skein Yarn. This is a yarn that is hard to find.

Here is a wall of MadelineTosh worsted weight yarn. It is too much!

The book has been selling well all week and the response has been wonderful.

I had some of my Itty-Bitty Knitter friends from Ravelry come to see me. Kendra flew in from Massachussetts (in the middle) and Pam lives locally. We are heading out for dinner tonight. I can't wait!

Claudia, the dyer and creator of the incredibly hard to get Wollmeise, is Sheri's friend. Claudia is here from Germany and let me tell you, she is a delight. She personally selected this colorway called, Barist'O, for me in her Lacegarn. What a dream come true. I am so excited about this yarn. I am making Nuvem with it. The Loopy Ewe gets a shipment of Wollmeise and it is gone within minutes so it is a treat to have this in my hands.

This is the lovely and generous Sheryl from The Loopy Ewe. She patiently waited for me all day on Wednesday at the Denver airport because my flight was delayed about 6 or 7 hours. Thank you for everything, Sheryl! I have really enjoyed spending time with her this weekend.

This was the kick-off! There are well over 100 knitters attending the retreat and they are an enthusiastic bunch to say the least. My classes have been so much fun so far. I am teaching two more today, my other new class, Build-a-Toy. This is such a fun class to teach.

I'll be back soon! Please pop over to Kristin's blog before midnight tomorrow to leave a comment to win a copy of Topsy-Turvy!

I highly recommend shopping for your yarn and knitting needs at The Loopy Ewe. Their online shopping business is incredibly successful but the shop is just as good if not better in person. I have shopped here online for years now but after being in the shop and meeting the staff and Sheri, the owner, I am so impressed. Their customer service and organization and dedication is like nothing else. This is a hard working group of knitters.

best, susie

New Designs in Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

Last fall of 2012, I got a design request from Knit Simple Magazine. I can rarely say no to this magazine and the lovely people who work there because all of it is so good. I love Knit Simple Magazine for its accessibility and for the doable, clean, simple designs offered season after season. This magazine is one that is loved by yarn shops because it flies off the shelf as soon as it gets to the door. At least that's what I've heard from yarn shop owners on my travels.

So when asked by Knit Simple, I say yes. They usually have something specific in mind for me. This time it was a girl's top of some sort, a child's bunny hat and some girl-size leg warmers. That sounded like a fun challenge. All three were due in mid-December if I remember correctly.

Here is what happens from there. I send sketches to the good editors at Soho Publishing and wait to hear back. After the sketches are approved the yarn editor tells you what yarn company and specific yarn you need to choose from for the designs. After I select the colors and they are approved I get a big box of yarn in the mail and it is time to get to work. This all goes pretty quickly.

Below are the photos of the sketches I sent off to the editors. I love what I get to design. It's pure fun for me.

With everything in order, I first got busy designing a girl-size top. I had looked up standard measurements for a 4-6 year old girl thinking that if it was a little big on the 4 year-old it could be worn more as a tunic and then more as a top as the child gets older. I love how this sweet little top turned out. The small details make it.

Here is the finished Tank Top on my child-size dress form. I made it for a young girl maybe around 5 years-old. It can be worn with or without a t-shirt underneath. I think it turned out great.

You start from the bottom and knit in one-piece until you get to the armhole, separate for the front and the back working one side at a time and then finish with a 3-needle bind off at the shoulders. It's so simple and fun to knit. I added a smattering of sweet lazy-daisy flowers on the bottom front.

The tank top is to be loose-fitting at the bottom and sort of an empire line with the garter stitch dividing the bottom from the top.

I love how the garter detail adds to the design.

(Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2013, photo by Jack Deutsch)

The model is adorable as is the skirt but I do think the top is too small for this girl. As I look at the sizes for the Tank Top in the magazine it looks like they added more sizes which is great! I knit it in a size 4-5T and this girl, gorgeous and cute, looks a bit older than that. I think they removed the flower embroidery, too.

All is good and I think it is a really cute, sweet photo. I just want you to know the details if you decide to knit this cute, simple Tank Top for a little girl in your life. It is a very fun and fast knit.

Here is the pattern information:

#23 Tank Top

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

For sizes: Child 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

Yarn Information: Schachenmayr Select/Westminster Fibers Violena

Amounts: 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) balls in #01605 lilac

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the #23 Tank Top!

Now I have designed a few bunny hats in my day and doing one more is all good by me! A simple, fun bunny hat is never a miss in my book. Kids like animal hats and they always look cute in them, adults like to look at kids in bunny hats, photographs are made better when wearing bunny hats.... you can't go wrong.

This hat is knit in cotton but would work great in wool or a wool blend as well. The ears are knit separately in pieces, thus the pink inner ear, and are then stitched onto the hat. I made the ears extra-long and floppy this time just for fun.

I added a simple embroidered face which really adds to the cuteness factor.

The hat is 20-inches in circumference but could easily be made smaller to fit a baby.

(Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2013, photo by Jack Deutsch)

Here is the pattern information from the magazine:

#22 Bunny Hat

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

For sizes: Toddler, Child

Yarn Information: Coats & Clark Creme de la Creme

Amounts: 1 skein each in #105 Ivory and #710 Pale Pink, small amount in #12 Black

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the #22 Bunny Hat!

Cute photo, cute girl (love her hair) and a cute stuffed bunny to boot! I love how this project turned out.

Next up, I made a simple pair of ribbed leg warmers in a child-size. These could fit a young child, around 3 or 4 all the way up to an older child. The rib really makes them stretchy and flexible as far as sizing goes.

I love the simplicity of this design and stripes are always a good thing.

(Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2013, photo by Jack Deutsch)

I think they look great as styled in the photo and would also be cute over tights and under boots or worn to dance class. They could be knit up in school or team colors, too, and would be a great gift knit!

Here is the pattern information from the magazine:
#25 Leg Warmers

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

For Sizes: Child

Yarn Information: Berroco Comfort

Amounts: 1 skein each in #9780 Dried Plum, #9730 Teaberry, #9702 Pearl, #9729 Smokestack

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the #25 Leg Warmers!

Click here to see all of the projects in Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2013!

Click here for more information about Knit Simple Magazine!

After I finished these projects, I got a request to knit up a toy for the Noro Magazine published by the same Soho Publishing team. I jumped at the chance and will share that project as soon as I get word from them that it is out.

Click here for the Noro Magazine website to find out more! Warning: you will want to get this magazine after looking at the website. It is beautiful and who doesn't love Noro? It says the new magazine with my toy will be out June 5th, 2013, something to look forward to.

I think it is wonderful that Soho Publishing offers such a wide variety of knitting magazines. We, as knitters, should continue to support and love our knitting magazines because they offer so much in the form of patterns, reviews, introducing new products and yarns, designer features, and even for hosting events like Vogue Knitting Live. This is all the same company and it all goes hand in hand.

I'll be back with my own new book debut! I apologize for the delay on this, I've been a little busy.... it's coming. Thank you, ahead of time, for the support of my new book. I am getting the nicest comments and emails and messages from people all over the world about it. That's so encouraging.

One last reminder, I'll be in Colorado on Wednesday, April 17th, to teach an evening workshop at The Loopy Ewe in Ft. Collins, Thursday April 18th I'll be at The Loopy Ewe all morning for a book signing and meet and greet, and then on to teaching at the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling retreat.

I have to say the owner, Sheri Berger, is one amazing organizer. She takes care of everything and I mean everything. I am so impressed. Sheri is on the ball like nobody's business. It's no wonder she is so successful and that there is a waiting list for her annual retreat. It makes you feel good to work for someone like that. Thank you, Sheri, for your hard work on behalf of the knitting community.

Here is the contact info for the shop:

Click here for The Loopy Ewe website! I've shopped here for years and years. The customer service and selection is incredible.

Email: support@theloopyewe.com

The Loopy Ewe

2720 Council Tree Ave, Ste 255
Fort Collins, Colorado, 80525

Toll-free – (888) 527-9181
Local – (970) 568-5290

I hope to see some of you there. I'll share it all when I get back.

Happy Sunday, Knitters!

best, susie

Sockless in Seattle & The Loopy Ewe Yarn Shop Events!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:28:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

I just had to with the title of the post. While in Seattle everyone kept asking me to show them which handknit socks I was wearing and most of the time I wasn't wearing socks so I was Sockless in Seattle. However, I did knit socks in Seattle and while traveling to and from Seattle.

I finished another sock (above) in the Opal Vincent Van Gogh series. This one is called, In Variation nach. The thing I love most about the Opal patterned sock yarn is that I don't know how it will look while I am knitting it up. There is a photo on the label of a finished sock but I try not to even look at it before I start knitting so I have that element of surprise. I do look a lot at the Van Gogh painting on the label to see how the colors were incorporated into the sock yarn. It really is quite genius.

Click here to purchase Opal Van Gogh sock yarn online at Websters!

Then while I am knitting the Opal Sock Yarn and I get into the rhythm of the pattern I always pick a favorite stripe to work toward and it pushes me to keep knitting on. In the In Variation nach colorway, my favorite stripe is that small shot of pink.

I love this one!

I finished the Cakewalk Yarn first sock. The pattern is the Simple Skyp free pattern on Ravelry. Skyp refers to slip, knit, yarn over, pass the slipped stitch over. It is quite a simple and fun pattern. I think the yarn colorway is called Hero Squad and I have had it for a long time now. It is really beautiful with the flecks of color. Rose, the dyer, is a real talent. Paula of the Knitting Pipeline suggested combining this pattern and the Cakewalk Yarn and she is right. It's the perfect match.

Click here for the yarn shop! At the time I am writing this she does have 4 skeins of the Cherry Blossom sock yarn.....

Click here for the free Skyp socks pattern!

I turned the heel on my handspun sock! It's really pretty.

I got my next package from the Knitcircus Sparkle Yarn Club and it included yarn, a shawl pattern and a beautiful wire yarn ball necklace made by Amy Detjen. I wore it all day. Thank you Amy and Jaala!

Apparently Amy Detjen does make and sell these necklaces if you are interested. You can contact her on Facebook or Twitter!

I have the second socks started for both the Opal and the Cakewalk Yarn socks. I have a lot of work knitting coming up so they may have to wait a bit. On the other hand, socks are my favorite travel project and I have a lot of that coming up as well.

Next week I am off to beautiful Colorado. On Wednesday evening, April 17th I am teaching my Fair Isle Hat class at the lovely Loopy Ewe. Click here for the address and phone number for the Loopy Ewe. I have no idea if the class is full or not.

On Thursday, April 18th, I will be at the Loopy Ewe shop all morning for a book signing and meet and greet that is open to the public/stoppers-by/anyone in the area. My new book, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys, will be available for purchase at the shop and I will be signing new and old books alike. I will have the trunk show of toys from the new book with me as well.

Then starting April 18-20 I will be teaching four more workshops including the Fair Isle Hat class and my new Build-a-Toy class, at the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling retreat. I believe this event is full at this time.

I hope to see many of you there if you are able! I'll try to remember to wear my handknit socks so I don't disappoint.
best, susie
p.s.
I put this link on my Facebook, too, but it is so funny and worth mentioning here. Check out the tumbler page entitled, Reasons My Son is Crying (click here). Anyone who has ever taken care of young children will have a laugh and will easily relate.

Seattle in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:54:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle was simply wonderful. What a great and interesting city full of talented and fun knitters. This is one of the best events I have ever attended, I loved it. My classes were well-attended (some huge!) and Vogue, as always, does a top-notch job.

Here is my trip in photos.

Enjoy!

And yes, that is chewed gum... and yes, you can smell the gum, too. Creepy and fascinating both.

Lunch at Farestart in Seattle - delicious. Pasta & Co. in Bellevue was another favorite lunch spot for sandwiches and soup.

My son came with me!

I love this tall tree-lined archway.

Now for some knitting and event photos!

When the people walking by the book signing table found out the toys could reverse they went crazy! They literally stopped in their tracks. It was really fun to see the reactions.

Delores' (one of my students) beautiful daughter at my book signing. She loves the toys!

Dinner at the Crab Pot with some Itty-Bitty Knitters (my ravelry group) and a former editor of mine. From left to right - Suzanne, Kriste, Veronika, Becky, Melissa and me.

My new book and toys!

Becky and Veronika from the Yarn on the House blog (me in the middle) in one of my classes!

Becky and Veronika proudly wearing their Ebb Cowls in my Fair-Isle Hat Workshop.

Allegra from Petite Purls is working hard in class!

Thank you to the Seattle Knitters Guild for having me at their meeting and giving me rides, Vogue Knitting Live, Adirondack Yarns for hosting my book signing in the market - it was a great success, Veronika for the rides to and from the airport, and mostly to the spectacular, fun and vivacious knitters in attendance at the events. My classes were an absolute blast!

I hope I get invited back soon.

best, susie

Seattle Bound!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:25:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

First, the winner of 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet and Felt by Kristin Nicholas is.... soyknits (rav id) or Stephanie! Congratulations! I've contacted Stephanie on Ravelry. Thank you to everyone for entering. I'll have another giveaway very soon.

Today is a big day. My new book, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys, has changed over from pre-order to add to cart today on Amazon. And yes, there is a pull-tab on the front cover (it's really good!).

Click here to see Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys on Amazon!

Click here to see the book trailer video for Topsy-Turvy Inside Out! It's an adorable video.

Next week after I return from Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle I'll do a blog post on the new book and get all of the projects up on Ravelry for you to check out. I'll keep you posted on that. You can see some of the projects in the video trailer linked above or on the Amazon book page.

One more thing I haven't had a chance to blog about yet is that I have three designs in the Spring 2013 issue of Knit Simple Magazine. I have a bunny hat, a girl's top, and a pair of stripey legwarmers. I will post more about this next week, as well.

I am excited for Seattle. The knitters out there have been very kind and welcoming. I have rides offered for everywhere I need to go, and a fun dinner planned with a bunch of Itty-Bitty Knitters at a fantastic local restaurant. I can't wait.

Plus, I am speaking at the Seattle Knitters Guild meeting on Wednesday, April 3rd. Click here for information on the meeting. I am speaking at 7pm. My new book will be available at the meeting and I am there to sign the new book and any of my old books if you'd like.

I will have the Egg to Turtle bonus free pattern cards with me at the Guild meeting and also for my classes at VK Live! Unicorn Books (distributors of Opal Sock Yarn) has also sent some prizes for the Guild meeting attendees and also for my Opal Sock Yarn Bunny Class!

There is much fun and knitting in store.

Take care and I'll see you all on the flip side and some of you in Seattle!

best, susie

p.s. That's my husband and me biking on the beach in Hilton Head last week. We had a wonderful vacation filled with family, outdoor life and good eating. No worries, I'm not biking to Seattle.

50 Sunflowers by Kristin Nicholas - Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan B. Anderson) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:30:00 +0000

Hi, Knitters,

I have a treat for you today. Kristin Nicholas has done it again with another fantastic book. This collection is creative, innovative and downright sunny. Kristin has created 50 sunflowers for you to create using different techniques through knitting, crocheting, and felting. Along with the sunflowers are leaves, a bumble bee and ladybug and an adorable robin. The entire book is whimsical and fun.

The layout of the pages is gorgeous and clear. I love these two page spreads showing all of the flowers in wonderfully clear detail.

The backgrounds are just as stunning. The variety of flower design in the book is staggering.

The book includes clear instruction on the basic techniques. It's very beginner friendly. Kristin tells you how to read the crochet charts and instructions. There is a color theory section, one of Kristin's specialties. Special techniques are made very clear and there is a section on both materials and embroidery, as well. Step-by-step tutorials are included in the beginning section. The written patterns for the flowers and such are next. The book ends with a nice variety of projects you can make with your beautiful handcrafted flowers.

I love the idea of felted flower napkin rings either in the spring or summer or even to cheer up the winter doldrums at your dinner table. I love that each flower on the napkins is different. Gorgeous idea by Kristin, as always.

Kristin also includes projects that combine store-bought ideas along with your handmade flowers. Fun projects made with store-bought items include embellished lampshades, a child's cardigan, a decorated straw bag and more. There is much to choose from.

What an adorable gift this sunflower washcloth would make paired with a good-smelling bar of soap. Anyone would love to receive this for the kitchen or bath or even a baby gift.

Of course, with her Kristin style and artistic flair she has included the flowers in framed artwork to adorn your walls. This idea makes me so happy. Don't you just love the way those framed pictures look? I would love to hang these in my house.

Kristin is a longtime favorite of mine. I pretty much love anything and everything she does. She is a storyteller, an artist, a farmer, a devoted family woman, and mainly, a creative spirit. If you are not already following her blog, you should subscribe. Kristin also has an informative newsletter which I subscribe to as well. Her designs and books are all on my shelves. Her books are a constant source of inspiration and reference for me. I go to her books for not only patterns but color ideas, techniques (steeking and putting in zippers are my two favorites), project information, colorwork charts (Color by Kristin has a chart dictionary that I love and use often).

Click here to purchase Kristin's available books, including 50 Sunflowers, directly from her online shop. I love that she sells her books directly because that helps to support her farm. I encourage you to take this route.

Click here for Kristin's wonderful farm-filled blog! It is a must-read! Her farm and sheep photography is amazing.

Click here to see Kristin's new book, 50 Sunflowers, on Ravelry!

Here is the book description from Ravelry:

In 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt you’ll find:

Over 25 crocheted sunflower designs, plus a monarch butterfly and ladybug. Crochet instructions are both written out and charted.
Over 25 knitted sunflower designs, plus a robin, swallowtail butterfly, honey bee and a woolly bear caterpillar.
15 ideas with instructions for how to use the designs in your home, as part of your wardrobe, or anywhere in your life.

50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet and Feltbrings Kristin’s sunflower garden to life in knit and crochet stitches. Inspired by her summer garden, the book presents a joyful collection of small knit and crochet projects that are fun to create and will add to the joy of gift-giving. Kristin includes a how-to section that will make you feel more confident about working with color combinations.

To enter to win a copy of Kristin's 50 Sunflowers book, please leave one comment on this blog post. Leave your Ravelry ID or an email address so I can get in touch if you win to gather your mailing address. Please be patient for your comment to appear on the blog as I approve all comments to avoid spam. I will be back in a couple of days to choose a winner by random number generator. The book will be sent directly from the publisher.

Good luck! You will love this book for years to come. It is a true flower adventure.

best, susie