Happy Holidays 2016

Hi, Knitters,

Have a wonderful holiday weekend with your loved ones. I'm so thankful for all of you and for the places where we can share our love of knitting and really, our love and appreciation for each other.

xo ~ susan

Sheep! Kit Giveaway + more!

Hi, Knitters,

Well, good morning to everyone. I hope you are all doing well. I am quickly popping in to say hello and to tell you about a few new things that have popped up. First, I am hosting a fun kit giveaway for my popular Sheep! pattern. I have knit these cute Sheep up in my own yarn over at Barrett Wool Co. and we made some fantastic kits. The kits literally sold out in a matter of a few hours but as we were packing them up to ship out we discovered one extra kit. So we decided to give it away to one lucky winner! And I have to say we have been blown away by the response to our kits. I kind of knew how much people like a kit before but now I really know how much people enjoy kits. It makes sense especially for projects that use small amounts of many colors. 

Be sure to read how to enter! Please do not leave a comment on this post to enter to win.

Click here to see how to enter and to find out more about the Sheep Kit Giveaway! The kit is worth $40 and it includes a digital copy of the pattern via a Ravelry code. 

Click here to go to Barrett Wool Co. on Instagram! (This is where you actually leave a comment to enter to win. Be sure to read the details on the Barrett Wool Co. Journal to make sure you are eligible.)

Click here to see the Sheep! pattern on Ravelry!

The Barrett Wool Co. version of the Sheep! are worked up in our Home Fingering Weight Yarn, which is a bit of a heavier fingering weight so the only thing I did differently is to use one size smaller needle since the original sheep were knit in a sport weight yarn. The finished sheep are remarkably similar in size and it worked out perfectly. 

The other quick thing I want to mention is that we have had such a successful launch for Barrett Wool Co. and some of the colors have sold out. It is very exciting thanks to all of you. We have a gigantic new order of yarn coming so we will be fully restocked in the near future. But I want to make sure you know that we have still have so many of the colors left in stock and in both the fingering weight and worsted weight. 

Thank you for such a fun end of the year for my family and me. It has been incredibly satisfying and just downright fun. 

photo from Quince & Co.

Next up, there is some exciting news from Quince & Co. They have brought back the very popular doll kits for the Mary, Millie & Morgan collection. These kits have been sold out for months and months so if you are at all interested be sure to pick one up quickly.

Click here to see the Mary, Millie & Morgan pattern on Ravelry!

Click here to see the Mary, Millie & Morgan Kit on Quince & Co.!

Photo from Quince & Co.

The Quince doll kit includes everything you need to make one doll and all of the clothes. You get the beautiful yarn, stuffing, the printed book, embroidery floss and you even get two tiny buttons for the cardigan. All of the supplies are wrapped up in a beautifully printed drawstring bag.

The kit makes knitting the doll a lovely experience.

I have a new pattern coming out after the holidays and it is this handsome hat being worn by my son, The Baker. He asked for a new lighter weight hat that he could wear indoors and outdoors. I always jump at the chance when one of my kids asks for something handknit. The hat is knit out of Barrett Wool Co. Home Fingering Weight Yarn in the Bluff colorway. It is such a fun and simple knit and it takes only one skein of our yarn. 

The hat is called, Baker's Hat. I have another one on the needles for my other son in the Pepin colorway which is a deep eggplant purple. I am making really good progress on that.

Most of the Home Fingering Weight Yarn colors are still in stock if you are interested in grabbing a skein in advance for the Baker's Hat. 

The pattern is already written and is with my tech editor right now. I'll let you know when it is ready. I have writtent the pattern in four sizes, baby through adult large (which is the size my son is wearing). This isn't just a hat for a man, it is simple and lovely and would look great on anyone.

I want to be sure to mention that we have added electronic Gift Cards to our shop so if you are looking for that last minute gift this is a great option. Click here to find out more about our Barrett Wool Co. Gift Cards!

Finally, I have to mention out of gratitude that on the home page of Ravelry Community Eye Candy: The Year in Projects, posted on Dec. 21, 2016, I noticed that my Smooth Operator Socks pattern was included as one of the top patterns for 2016. This pattern took off last July and has kind of had a life of its own. This was one of the most gratifying projects I have ever created and again, I want to thank you for the support. I love what I do get to do with knitting and knitting socks has been a big part of that through the years so this has been an extra fun experience.

Click here to find out more about the Smooth Operator Socks pattern! 

Good luck if you enter the Sheep! Kit Giveaway!

Much love to you all. I'll be back soon with more. Is it really December 23rd?

xo ~ susan

Free Shipping & a New Pattern ~ Hiking Hat!

Hi, Knitters,

Quick post today let you know about a couple of new things going on. I have a new hat pattern called, Hiking Hat. It is made with three contrasting colors of Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight. Three skeins of Home Worsted make three different versions of the hat in the adult-medium size in the pattern (there are six sizes in the pattern, baby through adult-large) I actually knit this same hat years ago and it has been in heavy rotation at our house ever since. It is a looser fitting, versatile hat that really could become a favorite go-to in your house, too. It is a simple and fun and fast knit. The pattern is available on Ravelry and on Barrett Wool Co. 

And at Barrett Wool Co. we are offering free shipping (U.S. shipping only) on any purchase of 3 or more skeins from today through Friday, December 16th, 2016! We are so in love with our products and the response to our new company has been incredible so far. We want to celebrate with you and thank you! No coupon code is necessary. 

Click here for more information or to purchase the pattern!

Click here for Home Worsted Weight yarn! 

Here is some more information about the hat and hat pattern if you are interested:

Hiking Hat

by Susan B. Anderson

Published in

Barrett Wool Co.

Craft

Knitting

Category

Hat → Beanie, Toque

Published

December 2016

Suggested yarn

Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight

Yarn weight

Worsted (9 wpi) ?

Gauge

4.5 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette stitch

Needle size

US 8 - 5.0 mm

Yardage

230 - 690 yards (210 - 631 m)

Sizes available

Baby (small child, large child, adult small, medium, large) Finished circumference measurements: 14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 23) inches or 36 (41, 46, 51, 53, 58) centimeters

• bottom-up
• in-the-round
• one-piece
• stripes-colorwork
• video-tutorial
• written-pattern

This pattern is available for $4.00 USD  buy it now

We are offering free shipping on orders of 3 or more skeins of yarn through Friday, December 16th!

Everyone needs that perfectly warm, oversized, loose-fitting hat for those winter hikes, walks, or even just for running to the car and back. Many years ago I knitted this same hat in a slightly looser gauge with three colors and a long ribbed brim to wear turned up or down or anywhere in between. I knit the adult-medium size and literally everyone in my family, from my husband on down to my youngest daughter, have worn this same size Hiking Hat. And it looks great on everyone!

Because of the looser gauge, the long brim and the structure of the hat it is incredibly versatile. On top of that, the hat is a simple joy to knit. Easy stitch patterns keep it interesting and working on the larger needle-size makes the Hiking Hat a super-quick knit.

Sizes: Baby (small child, large child, adult small, medium, large)

Finished circumference measurements: 14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 23) inches or 36 (41, 46, 51, 53, 58) centimeters

Sizing note: The hat is supposed to be oversized and looser fitting. This is taken care of in the design of the hat, so choose the size that is closest to the intended head-circumference in inches. If the head circumference falls in between sizes, round up to the next size.

Yarn: Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight (100% American Wool; 230 yards, 210 meters/100 grams), 1 skein each in three contrasting colors.
Note: 3 skeins will make three adult-medium size hats including the pom-poms.

Sample Hats used the following colors:
Version A
Color 1: Wishing Well
Color 2: Marmalade
Color 3: Bluff

Version B:
Color 1: Bluff
Color 2: Wishing Well
Color 3: Marmalade

Version C:
Ribbed Brim: Striped in Colors 1 and 3.
Color 1: Marmalade
Color 2: Bluff
Color 3: Wishing Well

Needles: US size 8 (5mm) sixteen-inch (40cm) circular needle and double-pointed needles in same size, set of 4.
Needle suggestion:
~ You may find the smallest size is easier to knit on double-pointed needles from the start.
~ Switch to double-pointed needles for all sizes as needed during the crown decrease.

Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 6 rows per inch (2.54cm) in stockinette stitch

Tools:
Yarn needle
Tape measure or ruler
Scissors
Stitch marker
Optional: pom-pom maker

Also, on our Barrett Wool Co. YouTube Channel I have posted a new video on how to make the wonderful color block pom-poms that are my favorite and that you see on the Hiking Hats. I hope you subscribe to the channel. I am posting tutorials and other things quite often so far. 

Click here to watch!

In the video I throw in a couple of good tips and tricks along the way.

Click here for the green Clover Pom-pom maker I used on the hat!

Anyway, I hope you are all doing well. The holidays are approaching quickly. I have squeezed in one hat and one sock so far for my Christmas knitting. I am hoping to at least get the second sock done in time. I'll share a photo if that happens. Wish me luck. I'd love to hear what you are working on these days.

I'll be back soon with more! Much love to you all.
xo ~ susan

Wrap-Me-Up Toys Pattern available and on discount now!

Hi, Knitters,

How are you doing this week? It is such a busy time of year but it still is one of my favorite seasons even with the extra hustle and bustle. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying yourselves with your knitting. I have a couple of new and fun things to share today.

First, we have just added Gift Cards for Barrett Wool Co. if any of you are interested. I had a lot of requests for that option so now it is available. And we just opened our BWC Mercantile last night. In addition to the Gift Cards we added our first set of blank notecards called, My Knitting Life. 

Last spring I met a young woman, Aleks Byrd, who was in one of my classes at the Fibre Space. She gave me a gift and I realized that she was a super talented illustrator. I hired Aleks to create a sketch of me and my knitting life and mind. This is the culmination and I love it. I think every knitter can relate to this illustration. So we had the illustration by Aleks printed on beautiful high quality notecards!

We are selling sets of 5 cards. We've sold quite a few sets already so move quick if you'd like a set or two for gifts or for yourselves. Click here to find out more about the My Knitting Life notecards!

Next, I'm so excited to announce that my newest toy mini-collection pattern is now available for purchase. The pattern is called, Wrap-Me-Up Toys! Four toys with simple seamless construction along with four blankies for wrapping up. Pretty perfect in every way. Knit in Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight.

I am running a discount for $2.00 off the set price of $6.00 from today, December 9th through midnight CST on Sunday, December 11th. Get the coupon code by clicking right here! 

Click here to see more about the Wrap-Me-Up Toys or to purchase right here!

Here is some information you might like to know:

Wrap-Me-Up Toys

by Susan B. Anderson

Published in

Barrett Wool Co.

Craft

Knitting

Category

Softies → Animal

Published

December 2016

Suggested yarn

Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight

Yarn weight

Worsted (9 wpi) ?

Gauge

6 stitches = 2.5 cm
in stockinette stitch

Needle size

US 5 - 3.75 mm

US 7 - 4.5 mm

Yardage

230 yards (210 m)

Sizes available

7 inches in length

• bottom-up
• in-the-round
• one-piece
• seamless
• worked-flat
• written-pattern

This pattern is available for $6.00 USD
 buy it now or  visit pattern website

Holiday discount for $2.00 off! To get the code click right here. or go to barrettwoolco.com Patterns. Coupon code is good starting Friday, December 9th through midnight CST on Sunday, December 11th, 2016. Enter the coupon code on Ravelry and Barrett Wool Co. at checkout.

Some things never change. Little kids always love to put their toys to bed. With this beloved activity in mind, I decided to revisit the original Wrap-Me-Up Puppy from my book, Itty-Bitty Toys. I often bring this toy with me when I teach and the students in my classes fall in love with the sleeping puppy wrapped up in a blanket. I have always wanted to rewrite this pattern in a seamless version and in a heavier weight yarn. Plus, I’ve always wanted to add some new friends to the mix. Now we have a Wrap-Me-Up Kitten, Lamb and Piglet to go along with the Puppy. The more friends to say “night-night” to, the merrier!

Finished Measurements:
Animals: 7-inches (17.5cm) long
Blankets: 7.5-inch (19 cm) squares

Yarn:
Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight (100% American Wool; 230 yards/210 meters, 100 grams), 1 skein each in Humble Gold, Priscilla, Bear, Ellie Gray, and Picket Fence.
Samples are in the following colors:
Pal the Puppy: Humble Gold
Priscilla the Piglet: Priscilla
Mitten the Kitten: Ellie Gray, Picket Fence, Priscilla
Sam the Lamb: Bear and Ellie Gray

Blanket sample colors are: Humble Gold, Priscilla, Ellie Gray, and Bear

Needles:
Animals: US size 5 or 3.75mm double-pointed needles, set of four needles or size to obtain gauge.
Blankets: US size 7 or 4.5mm, or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge:
Animals: 6 stitches and 7 rows per inch (2.54cm) in stockinette stitch
Blankets: Approximately 5 stitches and 8 rows per inch (2.54cm) in pattern stitch

Tools:
Stitch Markers
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Tape measure or ruler
Black embroidery floss or fingering weight yarn for face embroidery (the samples use Barrett Wool Co. Home Fingering Weight in Peppercorn).
Fiber-fill

For more information, see:https://www.barrettwoolco.com/products/wrap-me-up-to...

The first of the toys is Mitten the Kitten. 

The pattern includes instructions for four toys and four different blankets. All of the toys are knit in Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight yarn. Click here to see Home Worsted Weight! 

 Pal the Puppy

Priscilla the Pig

Sam the Lamb

I always think the back view of the handknit toys is even cuter than the front sometimes.

Anyway, I'll be back soon with more. Have a wonderful weekend, Knitters.
xo ~ susan

Snow Day

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Ours was filled with family time, fires in the fireplace, and good food. Before I start I want to give a quick reminder that today is the last day for my holiday pattern sale which is a discount of 20% off my entire Susan B. Anderson Ravelry Pattern Store (click here to see the pattern shop).

The discount code is: HOLIDAY2016

The sale includes all of the pattern and ebooks in my shop at the link above.

Now onto the topic of the day.

It finally snowed yesterday. It was exciting and extraordinarily beautiful outside. The snow came down most of the day. I couldn't wait to get out for a long hike with my husband and daughter and then later for a good run by myself. I stopped a lot to take photos during these two ventures out in the winter wonderland and I want to share them with you today. 

It was quiet and so was the color pallet. I soaked it all in.

 

I was struck by the birds flitting about so actively in the dried prairie grasses. I'm sure they were eating the seeds. Rarely do you see birds like this in December but they made the view incredibly pretty. You have to look kind of hard to see the birds but there were probably at least a dozen of them. 

The rest of the photos are from my snowy outings yesterday and I thought you might enjoy them. It was so quiet and gray outside that when you look around it makes you feel like you have a filter on your eyes. 

Have a great Monday and week ahead, friends. I'll be back soon with more. If you live in a snowy area, has it snowed yet? I look forward to this time of year and I hope you do, too.

One more question, how is your holiday knitting going? I am not able to devote a lot of time to gift knitting this year but I keep thinking about it so maybe I'll squeeze in a couple of gifts yet. 

I'd love to hear how you're doing out there. 

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

xo ~ susan

Holiday Love 2016 Sale!

Hi, Knitters,

I hope your December is off to a great start! We are doing well over here with lots and lots of knitting and pattern writing and packing orders and making plans. We are loving every minute of it. 

We went to a new tree farm this year and it was the most pleasant and fun experience I think we've ever had when picking out our tree. We were the only people there when we went, no battling crowds and parking at all. We picked out our trees pretty quickly. There was sprawling countryside and a pond and rolling hills. There was a campfire burning with hotdogs for roasting. My husband couldn't pass that up. 

But I think the best part was that there was wreath making at the end. There were big tables set up with clamps. The clamps were operated with a foot pedal and they closed the wire rings around the pine branches. We kind of paired up and went to town making wreaths. We just had so much fun. I think we made five wreaths with all sorts of varieties of pine branches. We were only charged an extra dollar for the wreaths. It was all-around fantastic!

I hung my wreaths right away and put a red bow on each. They look great and I love them even more because we made them together. Yesterday I finished decorating my house for the holidays which is always fun. 

Anyway, what are you up to this season? I'd love to hear about it. 

Lastly, I am having a store-wide pattern sale with the theme Holiday Love 2016, for my Susan B. Anderson patterns and ebooks, starting today and ending Monday, December 5th, 2016.

Click here to see my pattern shop on Ravelry! 

Everything in my shop is 20% off using the coupon code: HOLIDAY2016

Thank you for the support and love! I'll be back soon with more.

xo ~ susan