Winter Wonderland

Hi, Knitters,
This morning we woke to a true winter wonderland. Overnight, a crystal frost formed covering every limb and tiny branch on all of the trees. The sun was shining and the snow was blindingly bright. The best part of it was that the gentle wind was blowing the snow off the trees in our front yard and it seriously looked like a real-life snow globe out there. My husband and I just sat and watched out the front window for few minutes. It was fantastic and dreamy.

I snapped the pine tree above on my run later in the morning. The pines are so beautiful right now as they are coated with heavy snow and it is simply breathtaking. On the down side of this picturesque snowfall there are broken tree branches littering yards and entire trees uprooted from the weight of the heavy snow. In our neighborhood I've seen a couple of huge pine trees that uprooted and tipped right over. That is sad. The snowstorm was the second biggest 1-day snowfall total (around 18-inches) in Madison's history.

I can't get over the beauty of it all even with the tree issues.

One good thing with the cold temperatures and snow is that the outdoor skating season has arrived. Last year we didn't get to skate at all due to the warm temperatures and that was disappointing. Madison has many gorgeous maintained outdoor skating venues. We have a few favorites. Today we hit Tenney Park with its brand new warming house. This is actually a frozen lake area, well maybe it's more of a lagoon. There are bridges and windy areas to explore.

Here is my husband skating away. He is surprisingly good considering he hasn't skated all that much in his lifetime. He is just coordinated that way. He just had a birthday, too. We have lots of birthdays at this time of year in my family, the celebrations don't end on Christmas. My dad's birthday was right on Christmas but I don't ever remember a big to-do about it. We usually gave him a card and said happy birthday but then went on with Christmas. He never seemed to care much about it or was used to it anyway. My niece was born on the 26th of December and my husband on the 29th. My sister's anniversary is on the 27th and my parents' anniversary was on the 18th. It has always been a big month for lots of reasons.

TC has gotten to be a good little skater. She can jump and spin and do foot work. Those lessons have really paid off for her. My son bought her those pants for Christmas. They are her new favorite. They are like a waffle shirt fabric with snowflakes. She is so cute.

I love looking at everyone's knitwear at the rink, hats, scarves, cowls, mittens, sweaters. It is a feast for the knitter's eyes. I even got a couple of inspirations for a new hat pattern.

Here is my son and his girlfriend, Miss Molly. She has been knitting up a storm lately. She is almost finished with some new socks for her sister and she knit a bunch of my tree ornaments and tiny sweater ornaments for the season. She is enjoying the time off from college at semester break.

Tenny Park is such a great place to skate. It is lined by adorable old houses, some quite colorful. I love to skate here.

Now for a bit of knitting, I picked up a mere 384 stitches for the button bands on my Belfast Hoodie. I have worked 3 long rows in rib and now I am on the buttonhole row. I think I am going to add a fourth button, it is written for three. Then I have two pockets to work and it is finito! I'm so close.... it's exciting.

I got my son a new bread baking cookbook for Christmas. Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day was recommended to me by a neighbor who is an expert bread maker so I took his advice. My son has been making bread ever since. It smells like heaven in our house, and tastes like it, too. I gave my sister, who is an excellent cook and baker, this same book. I think she will enjoy it.

It has been so busy in our house but we even snuck in a Badger basketball game yesterday to boot. We were gifted 6 tickets to the game so we couldn't resist gathering everyone up to head to the game. We had fun even though it wasn't an exciting game. I think the Badgers won by 30 points or something like that.

Well, happy new year to you all! I will be back with a review and giveaway on January 2nd, 2013. And then I'm considering doing a year in review-type post later in the week (we'll see if I can get that together or not) and then the Waiting for Winter Mitt-along ends on January 5th. Prize drawings for that will come shortly after. There are over 120 finished pairs of mittens and mitts already posted for the knitalong. I can't believe that number considering we did the knitalong right over the holiday season.

There is much to look forward to in the upcoming year and I thank you, as always, for sharing your time and knitting with me on this blog year after year. It is such a place of comfort for me and that's mainly because of all of you! I love it here.

Take care, dear Knitters.

best, susie

A Smattering of Purples

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season so far. The week is going so fast and my house is a busy place which we always love. I have a couple of quick things to share today. Quite a long time ago, I think when I first started spinning, I ordered this beautiful purple superwash wool roving from Sunshine Yarns. I know that TC was playing around with spinning at that time and I am pretty sure she used a small amount of the 4 ounces to practice her spinning. So I started out with a little less than the usual 4 ounces.

Anyway, I was taken with this beautiful mix of purples when I was looking for the next thing to spin. I just had to get it going right away. I divided the roving into three equal parts to make a 3-ply yarn.  I love the end result.

In the end I got about 180 yards of a dk to worsted weight 3-ply yarn. It is really a beautiful mix of color. I have no idea what I will make with it but there isn't much yardage so it will most likely become a hat of some sort.

Sunshine Yarns is a great place to pick up some roving if you are in need. Dani, the dyer, is an amazing talent with color.  I've spun and knit her fiber for years and it is always a pleasure. 

This yarn is like a whipped up treat. I can't wait to get to knitting with some more of my handspun yarns in the winter months ahead of us. It is starting to stack up on me. 

Here it is in the bright sunlight and a little instagram filter help. It sure is a stunning hank of yarn.

Another favorite purple yarn of mine is from Quince & Co. and it is called Frank's Plum. It is a vibrant and intense shade of purple. I am knitting Hannah Fettig's 70 yard Mitts with some leftover Lark I had in my stash. This pattern is found in the Knitbot Essentials collection (a great pattern book!). The first mitt turned out really tiny, a little too small for me. I had my niece try it on and it fit perfectly. I will finish knitting the second mitt and give the pair to her. I will go up a needle size and make another pair for me. They are really cute and it is a very fun and fast pattern.

Next up, I have a big box of Frank's Plum in Puffin waiting to become Ambrosia by Gudrun Johnston...... 

The last thing I am making great progress on is the Belfast Hoodie by Carrie Bostick Hoge. The fit is turning out perfectly. It is a bottom up raglan/yoke cardigan. I enjoy different styles of construction when I am knitting up sweaters. It keeps things interesting. I am now well into the hood. Left to do are the button bands and the pockets. It is a cute one for sure. I can't wait to soak, block and start wearing it! The yarn is Quince & Co. Lark in the Pomegranate colorway, which is kind of a muted rosy-raspberry color. It is kind of hard to describe which is usually the best kind of color.

Well, I'll keep you posted on my progress. I already have some new pink roving on my wheel. It is gorgeous and bright and fun. I also have many more cardigans lined up and ready to roll this winter. I am hoping to get a couple more finished before the cold weather leaves.

Coming up, I have a couple of fun giveaways to share over the next weeks. I think you will really love them. 

I'll be back soon with more. Take care and keep warm.

best, susie

p.s. Thank you for all of the warm holiday emails. I really appreciate it.

Happy Holidays

Hi, Knitters,
I'm wishing you all a very happy holiday season. We are looking forward to a few quiet, cozy, family-filled days ahead. There is nothing better in life than that.

Have a beautiful holiday week!

best, susie
p.s. The gathering of sheep in the first photo above was knit by knitnspin (rav id) using my new Wee Sheep pattern. Isn't she a wonderful sheep knitter? I thought Karen's photo of her seven Wee Sheep was so knitterly and festive that I asked and received permission to share it with you. Thank you, Karen.

p.p.s. I was contacted by Sarah and the following is her email to me and her email address to contact her for more information if you are interested in making snowflakes for the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Sarah was asking about the 3D snowflakes that TC has made this season (click here for a tutorial on 3D snowflakes), but you could make and send any sort of snowflakes for the kids.  Thank you, Sarah, for offering to collect and deliver snowflakes for the children.
Here is the email:

Hi Susan, I am a resident of Connecticut and a long-time lover of your blog.  As I'm sure you know, our state suffered a great tragedy last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I saw your picture of TC's lovely snowflake on your recent post and was reminded that there is a snowflake drive occuring state-wide.  The idea is to hang paper snowflakes from all of the hallway ceilings in the students' temporary new school so that they are greeted with a winter wonderland when they return to school in January. I was curious if TC received instructions for her snowflake that you could pass along, because I would love to make some for the kids!  If any kind readers of your blog are interested in making and sending paper snowflakes of any kind, I would be happy to collect them as well. Take care and Merry Christmas to you and your family, Sarah Robbiati email address: sarah98998@yahoo.com

Winter Greetings & a tiny pattern for you

Hi, Knitters,

Finally! Madison is finally looking like it's supposed to in December. We are all socked in today with a massive blizzard. Schools were even canceled yesterday, a true rarity in these parts. I love it all. The photo above is my view from the front door.....

.... and this is my view from the back. We are expecting 18 inches or so today. I have one son home from college (thankfully) and the other still suffering through the weather and finals at the UW, so he is close by at least. I can't wait to have everyone home under one roof for the holidays.

We have a couple of different advent calendars going. This is one that my sister gave me a few years ago. I put chocolates in each mitten and hat but I have noticed that many of the days to come have already had their candy stolen early.... that's being kind of naughty (or funny).

TC takes my bag of fiberfill and makes the snow around our little collection of lighted houses. These three are from the Christmas Story. I am hoping to get to add another one this year.

Now to show you my very meager knitting offerings for the season. I got it in my head to knit travel mug cozies for a few family and friend gifts this year. This is what I came up with.

First, I whipped up the Leaf Cuddler. The Leaf Cuddler is part of a huge collection of Cup Cuddler patterns. Click here to check it out. It's a cute idea. I enjoyed making the Leaf Cuddler very much. It's a good little pattern. I used Quince & Co. Lark in Snap Pea and Parsley.

On all of the mug cozies I cut either a heart or a square out of white wool felt and stitched the name or initials of the receiver in black thread. I like the personal touch.

Next, I whipped up 5 more mug cozies using a bulky weight yarn, four in Noro Kochoran and one in some kind of Knit Picks Bulky in gray. If you are interested here is what I did (no pdf, just right here on the blog!):

Bulky Travel Mug Cozy (click here for the Ravelry Project Page)

Fits an 8-10 inch cup circumference (it fits all sizes of Starbucks paper coffee cups and the reusable travel mugs)

Small amount of bulky weight yarn

Noro Kochoran (I think this is discontinued?)

Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky

Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky

Quince & Co. Osprey

Gauge: 14 sts to 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Needles: US Size 9 dpns (or you can do magic loop or two circular needles) or size to obtain gauge

Cast on 28 sts loosely. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch. 

Rnd 1: (k2, p2) repeat to the end of the round

Repeat Round 1 until the cozy measures 3 inches from the cast on edge.

Bind off using a needle a couple sizes larger or I used Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (click here for a tutorial). 

That's all she wrote unless you want to add a personal touch with a piece of felt and a sewing thread and needle. I think the little namesakes add so much.

I started these cozies two days ago and now I have six adorned travel mugs for gifts. 

Above is a manly version.

The heart and the stitching makes it sing.

I stopped by Starbucks and got several grande sized paper travel cups. I put a gift card inside and put the cozy on the outside for a super cute and quick gift.

I couldn't resist turning one of the Leaf Cuddlers into a personalized bookmark. Again, this one is made in Quince & Co. Lark, alternating Snap Pea and Parsely. I just didn't stitch the ends together and blocked it flat.

Alright, I hope you are all warm and safe and cozy. I am enjoying the free day at home. TC's been out in the snow for hours and hours already. Hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream will be due soon. Tonight my kids are signed up for a gingerbread house-making workshop with their cousins at a local bakery by my sister's house but I don't think that is going to happen due to the storm. I would have liked that gingerbread house though.... we'll see what the driving conditions are in several hours.

Have a great weekend. Oh, and one last thing, thank you for the enthusiastic response to my new book and book trailer announcement. I appreciate you very much.

best, susie
p.s. My son came home from college and he was all excited about this documentary he watched. We watched it all together this morning on streaming Netflix. The movie is called Jiro Dreams of Sushi, rated PG, 82 minutes, subtitles. It's a wonderful, interesting film.

Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys!

Hi, Knitters,

The day has finally come where I can share my next book with you! I have never been more excited and proud of a collection of knit toys than the one in Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys. Included in the book are twelve magical two-in-one reversible toys for you to knit. You may remember the Reversibles chapter in Itty-Bitty Toys? This book is a full-blown extension of that chapter. Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out is an entire book of toys that turn upside-down, reverse, flip inside-out and change into something else. The toys included in Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out are clever, memorable, cute, and most of all, plain old fun!

The cover kicks off the book in the perfect way. There is a pull-tab up on the top of the front cover. The text underneath the tab directs you to "pull and smile" and hopefully you will. I sure did! When you pull on the tab you get to see the striped bunny turn into a sweet lamb right before your eyes! It is such an energetic and fun cover and it only scratches the surface of the magical projects you'll find on the pages inside. Adults will love this pull-tab as much as the kids. 

The other great thing about Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out is that it is packed-full with tutorials. The book has step-by-step photographed tutorials where I get to take you through the techniques you need to create your own beautifully-crafted handknit toys. The photographs are of my own hands actually doing the techniques for you. It is like I am sitting right next to you at the kitchen table. My hope is that these tutorials will be incredibly helpful for all toy knitters from beginner to experienced. 

Without further ado, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys is now up and available for pre-order. To find out more or to pre-order click here and click here. The book will be on the bookshelves of your favorite stores, including yarn shops, in March 2013. I will be previewing the book in much more detail closer to the publication date. I have lots of fun plans in the works, including travel and appearances, so stay tuned!

Now, with great pride and pleasure, I present to you the video book trailer for Topsy-Turvy Inside Out Knit Toys. For email subscribers, if you can't see the video on this post, click here to see the book trailer directly on YouTube.

Isn't that video the best? The toys jump off the screen and come to life. I love it. I hope you are as excited about this new book as I am. 

Please let me know what you think! I'd love to hear from you.

best, susie

Random Catching Up

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

Hi, Knitters,

Today's post is just a big hodge-podge of happenings all lumped together. I hope you are all doing well during this busy time of year.

The photos above are of my newest cardigan project. It is the Belfast Hoodie cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hoge. It's a great pattern. The yarn is Quince & Co. Lark in the pomegranate colorway. Oh, is it ever squishy and awesome. I can't wait to be done and wearing this one. I am finished with the body and I have a good start on the first sleeve. It is a bottom-up seamless design which I enjoy knitting.

I have about four more cardigans lined up and waiting after this one..... what are my odds of getting those done this winter? Probably not good but it is always fun to dream big about your knitting.

I hadn't posted a photo of the fingerless version of my mitten pattern called, Waiting for Winter Mittens and Fingerless Mitts. This is one of the pairs I've completed. I held two strands of Noro sock yarn together to get a worsted weight yarn. I love the tweedy look of the fabric.

Did you know that 2 strands of sock or fingering weight yarn held together usually make a perfect worsted weight yarn? Look to your sock yarn for these mittens and mitts! It works great.

These mitts are mismatched and I love that, always. I think I have enough of the doubled sock yarn to make a third mitt. Then I can really mix and match or even lose one without worry.

The Waiting for Winter Mitt-along is chugging along on Ravelry. I think there are already around 50 completed pairs with many more on the way. The variety of mitts being posted is so interesting and exciting. There is even a pair of Nemo mitts you just have to see (click here to see the Nemo and Dory mittens). These were knit by Debbie4 on Ravelry.

You can join in the knitalong anytime up until January 5th if you are interested. Everyone is welcome.

TC came home all excited about a new 3-D snowflake she learned how to make at school yesterday. She whipped this one out in a flash while teaching me at the same time. She wants to make different sized snowflakes in Christmas paper (with glitter, of course!) this weekend. I'll keep you posted on that.

Board games around the fire are all the rage at the Anderson home right now. We've been playing tons of Monopoly and Life and even some matching games. I have a small collection of matching games that are really unique and some are quite challenging. 

The game playing has been really fun. What board games does your family play? I'd love to hear about it.

On tap I have Password and of course, Scrabble. Yahtzee is always a staple. We even love a game of good old Candyland and Chutes and Ladders at times. 

My sweet firstborn turned 21 years old recently. We had a couple of simple family gatherings to celebrate his birthday. He is a gentle, quiet and understated soul who never likes to be the center of attention. We love and appreciate him so much. Isn't he sweet looking? 

We hiked out a long, long ways at a local tree farm to get our Christmas tree this year. The selection was either picked over or just very slim this year. The lack of snow has been strange, too. We prevailed and got a big and fun tree. I am thrilled with it. It was hard to be missing one of our sons (he is away at college this year) for the annual tree cutting. He is always so involved with our family activities that we really notice that he is gone. It is what it is and it makes us appreciate our kids at home even more if that's possible.

The tree is fantastic and looks so good all decorated and lit up. It has some crazy branches that stick out randomly here and there. I love it.

When I posted about my Agnes steeking adventure. I forgot to add my favorite photo of the new cardigan version. I have since added it to the original post about the steeking but I wanted to share it again today so you could get a good view. All of the information is right here.

My son who just had a birthday had an interesting fall here on campus at the UW-Madison. He actually got to see the President twice. This is a photo of the last time he saw him as he was campaigning last fall. He shared this photo with me and I couldn't believe how close he was to President Obama. He waited from the early morning and stood all day on Bascom Hill until the President arrived to speak.

I thought that was all really cool stuff.

Here is the other photo I failed to post where it should have been posted. This is the double-marl singles on the bobbin from the Dyeabolical roving I posted about a couple of days ago. I had a photo of a bobbin in the post but I am not sure it was the correct one. This is the correct one. Click here to see the post on this beautiful handspun yarn.

The photo above is at my dear sister's house. The photos around her dining room table are always so golden and glow-y looking due to her lighting and wallpaper and of course, the company. Here is my son with his cute girlfriend celebrating his birthday with a leftover Thanksgiving pie with candles.

I'd love to hear about your busy activities this time of year. I just packed up and shipped off three new adorable projects for the Knit Simple Spring Issue 2013. I've also just taken on two new projects for a couple of different companies which will be really fun and interesting. Lots going on as usual around here.

I'll be back on Monday with an exciting bit of news to share. Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday.
best, susie

Spin Spin

Hi, Knitters,
Last fall after one of my hikes I came home and saw this beautiful fall-inspired Shetland roving from Dyeabolical. I had to start spinning it right away. Being short for time I wanted to spin a heavier weight yarn which is much quicker from start to finish. I went for my trusted double-marl technique which for me usually produces a thicker yarn.

The 4 ounces of Shetland wool roving spun up so fast. I split it in half and did a simple 2-ply. The colors are beautifully blended with the double marl technique. See how the singles look like plied yarn (photo above) using this technique? Taking two strands of the roving to create the singles distributes the colors so well throughout the yarn.

I got 110 yards of a bulky weight yarn. It is rustic and wonderful. The colors are just gorgeous. Shetland isn't the softest of wools but it is one of my favorites. I Navajo plied the singles left on one of the bobbins and got another 20 yards or so.

I love the way the teal blue pops out of the purples, browns and oranges. What a dreamy combination. It is such a great use of color by Dyeabolical.

What do you think... a hat or fingerless mitts or something else?

I have this skein sitting next to me as I work on, well, work. It makes me happy.

Now I have moved onto this.....

...a fantastic 4 oz. roving by Sunshine Yarns in a stunning array of purple that is irresistible.  I am spinning this one much, much thinner to make a 3-ply. I have the roving divided into three even parts for this plan. This roving is smooth and silky to spin. This super fluffy roving is a nice switch from the rougher Shetland. It's good to change it up.

Oh, dear spinning... how did I live without you for so long?

I have my eye on this wheel now. It's just a dream.

best, susie

Bare Naked Knitspot 2013

Note: All photos in this post are from Anne Hanson's Bare Naked Knitspot 2012

Hi, Knitters,
Last week I received an email asking me to review a yarn club. At first I was hesitant because honestly I am not a yarn club joiner. I have never been involved in a single yarn or pattern club of any sort but as I read on through the information I realized that this was something completely unique.

The first thing that caught my eye was the designer, Anne Hanson. I have never met Anne nor have I knit one of her designs but, and it is a big but, I am a huge admirer of her work, a fan from afar. She has an easy elegance in her thoughtful and purposeful designs that is truly a rarity. I am very familiar with her work and I have been for a long time now. I believe that you simply can't go wrong when knitting one of her many projects. Anne is very respected in the industry.

After reviewing the many links and reading the information about this club, Bare Naked Knitspot, I came to a conclusion. If I were to invest in a single yarn or pattern club of any sort, Bare Naked Knitspot 2013 would be the one for me. I would drink in the natural yarn, soak up the chapters packed with lovely photography and information about the yarn, and then I would sit and knit the beyond beautiful designs that have been carefully constructed and written by the extreme talent of Anne Hanson. It all really sounds like heaven. Simply thinking about the experience of it all makes me feel quietly excited. I feel like the intent of the club is to change the way you think as a knitter of natural yarns.

With that being said, I would like to share with you the nuts and bolts of Bare Naked Knitspot 2013. See what you think and if you end up joining, you may have just received the knitter's gift of a lifetime.

One note, the photos are from last year's Bare Naked Knitspot 2012 because the monthly club is a surprise. I am sharing so you can get a feel for the club experience from last year.

The photo above is a project and yarn from last year's club called Sky Ladder. Read all about this project and the club experience by clicking right here. Warning.... this post is beautiful and you may want to join the club immediately after reading it!

To understand what the club entails here is what you need to know directly from Anne:

signups are open until the club sells out and it starts shipping in february 2013.

the club is a six month membership of fibers in their natural, undyed state where members learn about and appreciate the unique characteristics of each. yarns will be a surprise each month but will include a range of animal and/or vegetable fibers (sheep, goat, camelids, yak, silk, and cotton are some possibilities) in shades from cream to khaki to gray to chocolate—”sheepy” yarns if you will. some will be soft, some will be lustrous, some will have stout, sturdy character that softens over time with long use (like vintage blue jeans). yarn weights will vary; projects will focus on accessories, scarves, and shawls (possibly including a sock or baby item) that feature lace and openwork stitch patterns. plus, a few goodies find their way into some of the monthly packages. knitting patterns, designer notes, and beautiful photography will continue to be delivered monthly in chapter format, each one spotlighting the producer of the month with a lesson about the type of yarn and fiber included, along with the project pattern. the full set plus cover file may be compiled into a full book at the end.

Bare Naked Knitspot was a huge success in 2012, its premier year. it was evident from the membership emails and the feedback we received in our swingin' ravelry clubhouse that the club needed to be continued. though many members rejoin the clubs, so many knitters are not aware of knitspot's unique offering.

Click here for Anne's blog. I love and read her blog all of the time, it is a good one to follow.
Click here for Anne's designer page on Ravelry.
Click here to see all of the BNK 2012 projects. I would love to knit them all.
Click here for the Bare Naked Knitspot forum group on Ravelry.

The main thing about BNK 2013 is that it is a completely unique club, rich with information. It is a full-on learning experience. This seems so different than other clubs. I honestly haven't seen anything like it offered anywhere else.

I think this shawl is incredible. Click here to see more about it.

All of the information to sign up and prices and options are found by clicking right here. There are many options to choose from that could fit your budget. Joining the BNK 2013 really would be a wonderful gift for any knitter in your life, including yourself.

The patterns in the club focus on accessories which is always a good thing. The patterns seem doable, clean-lined and practical but yet interesting and truly lovely. The designs are made to show off the natural beauty of the natural yarns in the club. These are the exact things I want to knit day in and day out!

The yarn selection is again, thoughtful and purposeful. With Anne you know you are getting a well-thought out collection that you can depend on. Each original design is made specifically for the selected yarn. This entire club is a huge undertaking for Anne. It must be an extraordinary amount of work. I admire that so much.

Click here for a blog post from Mr. Knitspot talking about the club from his perspective.

Anyway, since many of you may not have known about this unique and fascinating club I thought it would be valuable to share today. If you end up joining in, please let me know. I would love to hear about it.

I hope you are all doing well. We finally got some snow around here. That feels good and right for December.

I'll be back very soon with lots more! Have a wonderful start to the week.
best, susie