Things I am thinking about (a lot)

Hi Knitters,
I pre-ordered a copy of Knit One Knit All, Elizabeth Zimmermann's Garter Stitch Designs, the day after Meg Swansen came to speak at the Madison Knitters Guild. I could not wait to get my hands on this book. I received my book a couple of weeks ago. I got to see many of the projects from Knit One Knit All at the guild meeting. It was all fun and inspiring but when Meg tried on the Hand to Hand Cardigan in a gorgeous shade of purple I knew right away I had to make that same cardigan. It is more like a jacket with a beautiful cable going up the sleeves.

I am going to post more about this exciting new book at a later date to share more details on the innovative projects and constructions inside. I have been carrying it around with me to sneak a quick read or glance at the projects. I am savoring the pages of projects, the little hand written pattern notes, the photographs and the watercolors all from Elizabeth.

Click here to find out more and/or to order your own copy of Knit One Knit All.

I promise you will love it.
(Photo by sundayknitter - rav id)
I am thinking about this gorgeous shawl, To Eyre... by Carol Sunday, that I saw Dianne knitting at the Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival. I bought a huge hank (560 yards in one hank) of Yowza from Miss Babs to make this garter stitch shawl. Yes, I am thinking about this one a lot.

I am thinking about how many people asked me about my new pink sandals from a couple of posts ago. What kind of sandals are they? Click here to find out.

I am thinking about our new garden project and TC's fairy garden. I am cooking up something fun for her fairy garden for her upcoming birthday. Something along these lines... click here. A friendly fairy loving knitter sent me this link.

I think about Stefanie and her uplifting spirit and her beautiful knitting. She interviewed me for her lovely blog. It is a short and sweet little interview. If you are interested click here.
I'm not really thinking about this project any longer except that it just was released for the new Spud & Chloë pattern line. That makes me think about it again I guess.
I recently worked up this fun scarf and hat set out of Fine. This is one project that I really wanted to keep for myself. I had so much fun knitting both the scarf and hat and the end product turned out so good. It works up surprisingly fast. The colors are fresh and clean and the hat and scarf are lightweight but yet substantial. If I had this set to keep it would be my favorite that I have knit and designed. Really.
The pattern is in print form only at this time. I was surprised at the name, Susie's Hat Set. That's very sweet of them to name the set after me. It can be purchased at any local or online shops that carry Spud & Chloë.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for Susie's Hat Set.

(image from the Daily Mail)
I am thinking about... rather, I am obsessed with this shawl being worn by Kate Middleton. I love this shawl and I really can't get enough of it. I finally had to take some action after listening to The Knitting Pipeline podcast about this shawl. I couldn't believe my good fortune to turn on my ipod while out running and have Paula spend time with me talking about all sorts of different patterns people are making to copy Kate's shawl.

(Side Note: By the way, Kate Middleton resembles my former publicist, Jaime Caldwell. I have been thinking about Jaime a lot lately and I know some of you knitters have met her before. Don't you agree about the resemblance?

Click here to see Jaime (scroll down a bit for a photo of her) and definitely read about her exciting baby news and baby cake. I love Jaime's food-centered blog and her take on things in general.)
(image from the Daily Mail)
Anyway, right when I got home from my run I quickly jumped online to check out The Knitting Pipeline site to check out all of the links for Kate's shawl. I love how Paula did all of the work for me and put it in one spot. Thanks, Paula, you read my mind and many others' minds, too.

Click here to go to Paula's site for The Knitting Pipeline.

I joined the Kate's Shawl and All group on Ravelry, too.
(photo by wovenhand - rav id)
This is the shawl I have decided to start with. It is called, CopyKat Shawl by Rose Beck. I love Rose Beck's designs and I bought her shawl pattern book recently called the Be Mine Collection of Shawlettes.

Click here to see more about the CopyKat Shawl pattern.
(photo by wovenhand - rav id)
Yes, this is the one for me. I love everything about this shawl. I am making it in Madelinetosh Pashmina. Click here to see where I ordered my Pashmina in the Forestry colorway. I am itching to cast on but I won't be able to until after tnna this weekend.
(photo by Carol Sunday)
Here is another shawl I may make in another yarn and color at some point. This one is by Carol Sunday and it called, Cambridge.

Click here to read more information about the Cambridge shawl pattern and available kit.

(photo by madelinetosh)
And then when I couldn't think about Kate's shawl any longer, Madelinetosh came out with another version for me to think about called, Catherine's Shawl. I love this one, too.

Click here to find out more about Catherine's Shawl.

You really can't go wrong with any of these. Let me know if you are knitting some version or other of Kate Middleton's shawl. I'd love to hear about it.
(photo by Carol Sunday)
While looking at Cambridge I ran across another shawl I had to stop and think about. This one is called, Whose Shawl Do You Think This Is? I don't know about the name of this shawl but I am sure it is a good story. I think I might order a kit for this one at some point soon.

Click here to see more information about the pattern and kits available for this shawl.

I am thinking about the Wynonna colorway. Isn't it gorgeous?
Awhile ago I got a skein of Wollmeise. I have been thinking about and hearing about the wonders of this yarn for years and have never tried it before. I finally pursued getting a skein and found a great colorway called, Petite Poison in Twin. I got a pretty fair price on Ebay, although it was still a little pricey. I am thinking about starting the Lintilla shawl by Martina Behm very soon. Again with the ruffles. Martina has some great video tutorials for techiques and her other shawl patterns are gorgeous.

Click here to see more about the Lintilla Shawl.

Okay, I'm out of here. I will be in Columbus for Tnna this coming weekend. If you are attending, please stop by and see me at the Unicorn booth #121-129/220-228 on Saturday, June 11 at 1:30 to 2:15 for a book signing. Also stop by on Sunday, June 12th at the R&M West Coast Enterprises booth #155/157 from 10:30 to 11:00am. I'd love to see and meet any of you in person.

On top of the two signings I will be in and out of the Spud & Chloë/Blue Sky Alpacas booth. I am bringing the entire trunk show for Spud & Chloë at the Farm, too. It is a good set to see in person.

It will all be good fun! What are you all thinking about these days?
best, susie
p.s. Tracey McCarthy is knitting baby hats in honor of her friend's baby who passed away after 95 days of life. Tracey is looking for sock yarn leftovers and for preemie hats to donate to the NICU that helped her friend's family. If you can help her knit 95 preemie hats or donate yarn, please contact Tracey directly to find out more at: traceymccarthy@gmail.com