Friday, January 29, 2010

Brrrrr.

Hi Knitters,
I want to share one more of my new patterns that was recently released. It is the pattern for the Spud & Chloë pattern line called, Three Brrr Bears! Isn't that a cute name? I didn't come up with it but I am glad someone did. These are some fun polar bears to knit. I know this for sure since I knitted all three in the photo above.

Last summer I worked on the set of polar bears during the worst part of my home renovation. I remember it well. When I finished the largest bear I had it sitting in my studio. The main contractor came in my studio to discuss some house-related question and he asked, "Awww, are you making a bear?" I simply agreed. He had no idea what I was doing. I didn't even want to get into explaining it. I think he thought I sat around and knitted bears for fun all day.
Anyway, this pattern is so cool, literally. I had this idea to knit the same pattern with the three Spud & Chloë yarn lines, Outer in Soapstone (super bulky weight), Sweater in Ice Cream (worsted weight) and Fine in Popcorn (sock or fingering weight). Love those yarn color names. By simply changing the weight of the yarn and the needle size you get a different size bear in the end. I adjusted some of the lengths of limbs and the body for the different weights of yarn but that's it. The stitch counts and pattern is exactly the same for all three. It is so fun.
I started with the Outer bear. He is huge! This is the biggest bear or any sort of animal I have ever designed and knitted. It was a challenge to design a toy this size.
The Outer Brrr Bear sits on your lap like a big baby. The enormous paws and legs are knit in one piece. I am really pleased with the way they turned out.

There is a little polar bear tail and a big slouchy back to pat.
The Collector was taken. She had a hard time giving this one up.
Here he sits waiting to be stitched together. Here is the Brrr Bear whipped up in Sweater, the worsted weight yarn. This is still a good and hefty size toy that sits in and fills up your lap nicely.
Here is the littlest Brrr Bear worked up in the sock weight yarn, Fine. He is very sweet. I have never seen another toy pattern where you simply knit in different weights of yarn to get three different sizes. It is a trick I love to do with toy knitting. You could do this with Itty-Bitty Toys, too. The only catch is that you may have to do some length adjustment occasionally. Trust your eye if you do it.

Anyway, if you want to check out the Three Brrr Bears you can look to a bunch of places. Have fun!



You can purchase the pattern here online among many other online shops and here on the phone (801 466 1811)and here on the phone (608 232 1500). Anywhere you purchase the pattern you can also purchase the yarn so be sure to ask or look!

Quick change of note, I have been receiving some of the nicest, sweetest emails and gifts in the mail from people lately. I always try my hardest to respond but I want to tell you here as well (Linda, Michelle, Kathy, Amy, Judy, Kay (2), Renee (2), Sooz, and Gabi to name a few) how much I appreciate your effort to contact me to say kind and encouraging things, to send fun photos of your knitting accomplishments and to send me links of fun stuff. I love all of it.

A person doesn't get wealthy in my line of work but I am certainly rich with dear people like you by my side.

Thank you.
best, susie

19 comments:

barb said...

Susan,

How will I ever get through the "itty bittys" when you keep designing these fantastic Spud & Chloe patterns? What will I do?
I bought "itty bitty toys" yesterday. I am in heaven. I am going to make the pig first. Darling.

Keep the fantastic patterns coming. I will be busy till I die. That is a good thing.

Anonymous said...

These are the most charming bears!

Joanne said...

Sooo cute! Love these!

Joanne said...

I'll be linking to these tomorrow at Ready, Set, Craft!

Jaime said...

The Collector is just gorgeous - just like her mom! I love this bear!!
xo, Jaime

mk said...

so cute! and clever! do you know the date you're coming to chicago?! i hope i didn't miss it?!

shinergirltx said...

The Collector is beautiful and makes the post! My list is growing daily with things to tackle next and these bears were just added. I have got to finish sweaters for my two pups since it is cold again in Dallas.

Keep up the FANTASTIC work, you are my hero.

Unknown said...

Seriously adorable!

Unknown said...

There're so many things I want to knit! I can never catch up...

Bridget said...

I love those bears! I may have to try them under the guise of knitting for nieces and nephews. (As if they will ever see them ...)

Kristin Nicholas said...

Awesome job Susan - so cute. Isn't it hard to keep such cuteness under wraps and a secret???? You are a star.

Ann said...

This has to be the sweetest bear ever and I will be posting this blog to my sister immediately. She has just finished knitting a sheep in a similar idea and she will just adore this pattern.
Thanks for sharing.

doctorknitter said...

OK I absolutely LOVE this polar bear...AND I love working with Outer. Didn't think it could be possible with all that good stuff going on, but those girls are giving the bears a run for their money in the cute department...

LeslieA said...

Beautiful bear - you are so talented!

Sara in WI said...

Ok....enough already...I can't keep up with you! You're just too cute (and so is TC in her fancy pink skirt.)

kendra said...

fantastic design idea! i hate gauging! this is right up my alley! and sooooooo cute! <3

casapinka said...

Hand knit bears and pink tutus and little girls - what a lovely trio!

Lizabeth said...

Just picked this up in Tulsa at Loops, with yarn and needles, to knit up for a little girl just diagnosed with a brain tumor (she's only four!). I'm hoping to crochet a gray brain cancer ribbon on his chest when I'm done. What would you think about matching his nose with gray color instead? Or, would you leave it black? Just wondering what your thoughts were! Thx for the great pattern. I miss you doing things for Spud & Chloe but I love your personal blog now, too. The Spud & Chloe stuff isn't as good without you!

Susan B. Anderson said...

Hi Lizabeth,
Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it.

I would probably leave the bear's nose black but you could try it either way and see what's looks best to you!

Susan