Up and Coming....

Hi, Knitters,
There is a lot of up and coming news to look forward to on my blog (check out my new banner - this is a completely natural shot, I didn't arrange the leaves at all), in the teaching/touring realm, with upcoming designs for my ravelry shop and with a new yarn company, with a new book and a pending book contract, and much more. There is a lot to be thankful for and excited about.  I really thought things might slow down a bit but it hasn't and may even be busier than ever. So today I just want to share a little bit of what's going on and a couple of other new things you might be interested in.

I am still doing some editing on my upcoming spring 2013 book. I can't believe it, but it's true. I honestly think this is my best book yet, everything about it excites me. Can't wait to share more details very soon... I have a phone call with my book publicist and editor scheduled for this Friday to start planning my upcoming book tour events for 2013. Let me know if you have any fantastic ideas or opportunities for our discussion.

Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago is literally right around the corner. I hope the attendance is beyond Vogue's expectations in Chicago because I want VKLive to come back to the Midwest again and again and again. I believe my classes are both sold out still but check if you are interested because you never know when someone needs to drop out at the last minute. Yesterday I finished the final little top-down baby cardigan for my class (photo above). Now I need to sit and write and edit patterns and polish up my handouts for the class. That's right, I am working right up to the last minute on this one as other deadlines have pushed things down to the wire. It is a new class for me so that makes it extra-fun and challenging.

I will be teaching this same class at some future venues so stay tuned for that. I just got a fun phone call yesterday about a potential Madison class in February 2013.

The tiny cherry buttons on the cardigan above are from a new favorite etsy shop, actually the same owner has two button shops. The buttons are all handmade and charming. I ordered a bunch and have more favorited on etsy for future baby projects. The button-maker extraordinaire corresponded with me to customize my order, which I didn't expect but enjoyed. Click here and here to see Ayarina's sweet button shops. One shop has fancier buttons and the other has simpler designs. You will love her work.

I keep hearing from people I have met before or who I know that are coming to both of my classes on Sunday, Oct. 28th in Chicago. That makes me smile and will make the classes even more fun. I always have some surprises up my sleeve for my classes so we'll see what I come up with this time. Can't wait!

I finished up the final String-a-long characters for my other VKLive class. We have frogs, monkeys and mice to choose from. If you are coming, bring colors in worsted weight yarn that will fit your animal of choice. Stripes and unusual colors are always welcome.

And just to throw in a little twist, I did this pint-size String-a-long Mouse in a sport weight (Quince & Co. Chickadee) on US size 3 needles. Instructions for this extra-tiny charmer with a loop on his tail for attaching to the bigger mice are included in the pattern.

All of the patterns for my VKLive classes will be available and published in the near future. I'll keep you posted.

Before I talk about what this handspun yarn has turned into, I want to mention two audio podcasts I have been enjoying. The first is 2 Knit Lit Chicks, a mother/daughter duo who knit like champs and read like crazy. First of all, I always love a mother/daughter chat. Tracie, the daughter, and Barb, the mother, have such a smart, sweet, and funny rapport. You can tell they get a kick out of each other and that is fun to hear. They knit and share about knitting but also I love their book choices and reviews. I long to have more time to read and this podcast lets me dream a little about the books I'd like to read. I highly recommend this podcast.

Click here for the 2 Knit Lit Chicks podcast site and blog!

Click here for the 2 Knit Lit Chicks Ravelry group! I'm a member.

Another brand new audio podcast that I love is TwinSet, recommended by Paula. This is an identical twin sister duo, Jan and Ellen. I have listened to the first two episodes and they are good! The banter is fun and funny. The content is smart, thoughtful, knitterly, organized and interesting. Both sisters are expert and experienced knitters and have diverse and interesting lives. All of this combined makes for a great show. One sister is in Minnesota and the other is in Pennsylvania. Anyway, they are off to a great start and I hope there will be lots more to come. Check this one out.

Click here for the TwinSet podcast site and blog!

Click here for the TwinSet Ravelry group! I'm a member.

Okay, on with the handspun in the photo above. I shared this Sunshine Yarns handspun a short while ago. I couldn't wait to knit it up into a shawl and here is a little preview:

I have the handspun version done and blocked. It is a beauty! My love for this shawl is over the top. The Quaker Ridge Shawlette is my first shawl design and this second shawl design has lots of new features, a garter tab start, new and simpler increases (I didn't realize how difficult the m1L/m1R increases are for some knitters), an airy stitch detail, and a swingy short ruffle with a delicate edging. It's so sweet looking now that it is dry and unpinned, better than I imagined. It is fun and easy to knit and in the end it is pretty adorable.

I am calling this one the Owen's Woods Shawlette. The pattern will be coming soon. It is a fingering weight shawlette. I am now knitting up another Owen's Woods Shawlette in some Brooklyn Tweed Loft (2 hanks, 550 yards, fingering weight) in the Long Johns colorway. I might add some beads to the bind off with this one. I'll keep you posted.

I am planning a mitten knitalong coming up in November. I have a new worsted weight mitten pattern coming out soon that will have several size options and a couple of variations. Mittens are winter knitting at its best.

Anyway, lots going on and lots to share coming in the near future. First things first though I have to get my classes all set and wrapped up because in less than two weeks I will be teaching at Vogue Knitting Live.

Let me know what your up and coming plans are for your knitting and otherwise. I'd love to hear about it.
best, susie
p.s. I am knitting these three shawls just for fun. Click here. Click here. Click here. Yarn and patterns for all three are in my hands now.