Announcements!

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are doing well. All of a sudden it seems like a lot is going on but that's expected when knitting is your game and the high knitting season has arrived.

First, I want you to know that late yesterday we posted the long-awaited Branches & Buds Sweater Kits again on Barrett Wool Co. This is our most popular kit and we can't keep it in stock! They are already going super fast.

The pattern and design is by the incredibly talented Carrie Bostick Hoge of Maddermade and Making Magazine. It has been so much fun offering these kits with Carrie! The size range is really good and the Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarn literally makes the sweater come to life. I have been wearing mine non-stop, pretty much every day.

Click here to find out more or to purchase a Branches & Buds Sweater Kit! 

Here is a quick photo of the Branches & Buds Sweater Kit from Barrett Wool Co. I promise you will love it as much as I do. It's fun to knit and fun to wear.

The next announcement I have is a big and exciting one! I have a new book, both digital and printed, that has just been released through Quince & Co. I have worked on this project for quite a few years and to see it finalized in this fantastic book format is such a treat. The digital download ebook is available now. The printed book is up for pre-order right now over on Quince & Co. I think the printed book will be out on October 5th (which happens to be my birthday, what a gift!).

Quince & Co. is very much so the nicest company on earth. I LOVE working with them, they are smart, kind, knowledgeable, and everyone is incredibly talented and artistic. I can't say enough good things about this company. It is an honor and a privilege to get to work with Quince in any capacity. Thank you, Quince & Co., for bringing my work to life in such a charming and easy to read way. 

Here is a description of the book from Quince & Co.:

Susan B. Anderson’s book, Kindred Knits: Knitting For Little Ones Near And Far is more than just a pattern book—in addition to the sweet variety of cardigans and other accessories for babies, the book includes a thorough primer in the construction of a basic cardigan pattern, fully annotated and illustrated, plus a tutorial on using a child’s tee to measure, calculate and knit a custom cardigan pattern that is guaranteed to fit the recipient. A pattern for tiny sweater ornaments is also included! Every project is worked in worsted-weight wool Lark. This fun book is available in print+pdf and is a treasure to have on the knitter’s bookshelf.

Preorder now and download the ebook immediately! Print expected to ship October 5th.

Click here to find out more, see all of the projects, and to purchase!

Click here to see all of the patterns included and to favorite on Ravelry!

Just one more thing about the Kindred Knits book. The size range of the little sweaters and hat go from newborn to 24-months but the techniques and know-how to make a cardigan in any size using a tee-shirt for measurements is invaluable. You can be across the country from the intended baby or child and if you know the size they wear, you can knit a sweater for them that will fit. There are worksheets and guides that will help you knit an incredible cardigan in any size. And there are fully illustrated step-by-step tutorials included. It's a really good resource of information.

Also, my artwork is sprinkled throughout the book and that is super fun for me! I have a secret dream to be an illustrator so it is a thrill.

So again, click here to check out Kindred Knits: Knitting For Little Ones Near and Far!

Click here for Kindred Knits on Ravelry!

My last announcement is that I am teaching at Vogue Knitting Live in New York City in January 12-14, 2018! The classes have just gone up and I hope if you are able to attend, please consider taking one or all of my classes. I would just love to see any of you in person. This is one of my most favorite events of the year. You can't beat gathering with thousands of knitters in the best city in the world, NYC!

Click here to check out Vogue Knitting Live in NYC! 

Alright, my loves, I will be back soon with more. I love this little blog and I appreciate you checking in with me. Have a wonderful weekend.

xo ~ susan

Lille En

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are all doing well. I am on a teaching trip right now for the Webs Retreat in Massachusetts and it has been so much fun. It ends today and this morning I get the opportunity to hear Franklin Habit speak. I am looking forward to that!

I want to quickly tell you about some new patterns I've released as a set. The set is called Lille En, which means "little one" in Danish. I am so excited about this one. It is incredibly quick and easy to knit and would make a perfect baby gift. 

The Lille En Vest is knit from the bottom up and is done completely in garter stitch, the checkers are really fun to add in, and the buttonholes are knit in as you. The shoulders are seamed with a 3-needle bind off. Easy peasy! The pattern comes in four sizes, newborn to 24 months.

The Lille En Bonnet is knit from the brim to the back. The bonnet starts flat, working back and forth, then the decrease is worked in the round. The decreases are set to make the sweetest little peak at the top. The i-cord ties are picked up and knit on. The bonnet comes in four sizes, newborn to 24 months.

The Lille En Blanket is a FREE pattern on the Barrett Wool Co. Journal! It is a garter stitch blanket worked with two strands of worsted weight held together and it is so squishy and bouncy! It is a fast, fast blanket.

Click here for the free Lille En Blanket pattern on the BWC Journal!

Click here for the Lille En Set information on Barrett Wool Co.!

Click here for the Lille En Set information on Ravelry!

We are having a wonderful Lille En celebration on Barrett Wool Co. you may not want to miss. With the purchase of 4 skeins of any of our yarns (the set is knit in Home Worsted) and the pattern for the Lille En Set, we are offering FREE U.S. SHIPPING with the code: LILLE at checkout! This is starting today, Sept. 17th, and going through the end of the day on Tuesday, Sept. 18th, 2017. 

Click here to see the yarns on Barrett Wool Co.!

The blanket pattern is included in the pdf pattern for convenience. 

Have a wonderful Sunday and I'll be back to share more about my trip to the east coast very soon.

xo ~ susan

The Roger Cardigan!

Hi, Knitters,

I finished a new cardigan and I am so excited about it. The designer is NellKnits or Nell. The cardigan is named Roger after Mr. Rogers, which I love. Did you know that Fred Rogers' mother knit all of his cardigans that he would put on at the beginning of each of his PBS children's episodes? Quite a few years ago I visited the Smithsonian and had the chance to see one of Fred Rogers' cardigans in person (and Julia Child's kitchen!). It was a real highlight. 

The Roger cardigan is comfy and cozy and it makes you feel good which is why the name dedication to Mr. Rogers is really quite perfect. Nell has done a fantastic job with her design. 

Over at Barrett Wool Co. we have worked together with NellKnits to develop the new Roger Cardigan Kits. And they have just become available for purchase if you are interested. The cardigan is knit in our Home Worsted Weight yarn. 

Click here to find out more or to purchase a Roger Cardigan Kit! I also share details about the construction of the cardigan here. 

Click here to see NellKnits on Instagram.

Click here to see NellKnits blog.

Click here to NellKnits other designs on Ravelry.

I always enjoy a couple of in-progress shots. I really love that moment when you can try on a top-down cardigan to see how it is fitting. At this point in the process I was certain that Roger would become a new favorite for me. 

I love how Nell rounded out the top edge of the button bands. This is such a sweet detail. I also love the set-in pockets. Nell has instructions for both a fabric lined pocket and a knitted pocket lining. 

I think this photo shows how cozy and sweet this cardigan is, the wool looks so squishy. The slight A-line shape is created by going up a needle size on the lower part of the body.

We are working to get custom wood buttons made right now. These are not available yet but with the Roger Cardigan Kit we are including a 20% coupon to be used when we get the buttons in stock. The buttons on my cardigan are Yew wood and they are handmade from Wooly Moss Roots. 

I love the longer length of the cardigan and the drape of the textured fabric. The texture pattern is a simple broken rib. One row is knit only, and then the next row is k2, p2. The smooth stockinette stitch on the sleeves is really flattering. 

I made my pocket linings with stripes. The kit includes a few mini-skeins of Home Worsted Weight yarn with plenty to knit your pocket linings if you so choose. 

Photo from NellKnits

Nell knit her Roger cardigan in Home Worsted Weight in the Field colorway. I think this color is spectacular. Her cardigan has fabric lined pockets and she has a tutorial on how to do this right here!

Photo provided by NellKnits

The collar is picked up and and knit on. I love the details Nell included, how she lined up the rib and the short rows to raise the back of the neck. It is elegant and lovely. 

Anyway, I am excited about my new handmade wardrobe addition. I will be wearing Roger day and day out this coming fall and winter. It is my new favorite. I know you will love to knit and to wear the Roger cardigan. Congratulations to Nell for a beautiful design and pattern!

And as Mr. Rogers always sang, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. 

Click here to find out more about the Roger Cardigan Kit! There are lots of colors available. I think I'd like one in Bear next!

Have a super Sunday, friends. I hope you are all off to a good start in this fall season.

xo ~ susan

September Story

Hi, Knitters,

It has been such a full and busy summer and I know like everyone else I can't believe it is already September. I thought I would start today by sharing a quick family photo of our crew at my nephew's wedding a couple of weeks ago. This photo was taken right after the outdoor wedding ceremony in the same park. It was lovely and we had such a good trip. We made a week long vacation out of it and we loved the San Diego area so much. It is so beautiful and the landscape is interesting and varied. We enjoyed a few different beaches and the ocean and the hiking (we went to a state park but I can't remember the name of it). We stayed at a house in La Jolla. The neighborhood had winding hilly streets and houses that were unbelievable. It was all good!

I hope your August was a good one, too.  

A fun development has come about. Kelmscott Designs is a Canadian company that makes fun and little scissors. The owner, Paula, has designed and created a new pair of snips in my honor. She asked my permission and sent me design samples along the way. And just a few days ago we were sent a sampling of the finished version. 

The new scissors are called Susan Scissors and I just love them. I was already a big fan of the Kelmscott tiny scissors. I have a pair in pretty much every project bag I own and I love traveling with them because they are TSA approved. 

We are making a small preview selection of the Susan Scissors available in the Barrett Wool Co. Mercantile right now. They won't be available anywhere else for a couple of weeks!

Thank you to Kelmscott Designs for the Susan Scissors. What an honor.

Click here to find out more or to purchase a pair of Susan Scissors for your project bag!

Next up we have the Elida hat by Tanis Gray! This is the third hat in a small collection by Tanis for Barrett Wool Co. The Elida uses all four of the colors that were used in both the Vidar hat and the Erland hat. If you have one skein each of Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight in Marmalade, Snowy Pine, Field and Peppercorn, you have enough to make all three of these fantastic colorwork hats by Tanis Gray. 

So we decided to do a fun bundle deal over on Barrett Wool Co. 

If you purchase four skeins of Home Worsted Weight in any colors and add the three hat patterns (Vidar, Erland and Elida) to your cart you will get the three patterns for free by entering the code TANIS at checkout!

How fun is that? 

Click here for the Elida hat information on Barrett Wool Co.!

Click here for the Elida hat page on Ravelry!

Click here for Home Worsted Weight yarn!

Elida is so beautiful. The brim starts with a 1 by 1 corrugated rib that switches colors. Then the hat moves into a pretty motif repeat that changes background colors as you work up toward the top. 

The tops of Tanis' hats are always so beautiful and fun to knit! 

Now, I came out with a new toy kit for the Egg to Owl pattern. I didn't get a chance to mention it here and there are still some kits available in the shop. 

If you aren't familiar with this reversible toy pattern you start with an egg and you end up with an adorable owl. The photos below show you how it works. I'll meet you at the other end!

Click here to find out more about or to purchase the Egg to Owl Kits!

This is the perfect fall knitting project. They are cute and fun and nearly seamless.

Click here to see the Egg to Owl pattern on Ravelry!

I am excited to say that we have added a few new colors to our Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarn line and I am pretty excited about them. Pebble, Laurel and Fable are the names. Here is a little description:

Pebble is a dark and stormy charcoal gray, deep and rich.

Laurel is a glorious medium mossy green, lush and hopeful.
Fable is a happy and full shade of purple, strong and lovely.

These new colors are available in the BWC Mercantile right now until we get them added to the regular Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarn page on the website.

Click here to see the new colors and to find out more!

And I am working on a new red cardigan! I am almost done with the first sleeve. Details to come.

Have a good long weekend, Knitters.  

xo ~ susan