Mermaids ~ new pattern release!

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are doing well. We are having a rainshower-filled weekend, very off and on. We had dinner at Evan and Molly's house last night. Along with his brother and dad, he built a new deck on the side of his 100-year-old house and we tested it out with a cookout. They strung white lights and he found a small picnic table for free and he built two benches to go along with it. It is all kind of cozy and perfect. We enjoyed each other, as always, and shared a delicious meal and fun stories. The rain held off until right after dinner where we went inside to chat more and some watched the last inning of the Brewer's game. All in all, it was a successful summer night.

Well, I have a new pattern for you. I have been thinking about knitting a mermaid pattern for a long time, years in fact. I don't know why I didn't ever get around to it until now but I am glad I finally did. I really like the results!

There are Mermaids Kits available on Barrett Wool Co. with lots of options to make one or all three and there is a Mystery Item that can be added to your kit, as well. This item is a useful tool that goes along with the kit. I think you will love it. 

Click here to check out the Mermaids Kits on Barrett Wool Co.!

The Ravelry pattern for Mermaids is on discount right now through July 27th, 2018. The pattern price is set at $3.50, no code needed. After that it will be priced at $5.00. 

Click here for the Mermaids pattern on Ravelry!

The Mermaids are knit with our Home Fingering Weight yarn.

Here is the Mermaids pattern information that might be of interest:

Beaches, waves, warm sunshine and of course, Mermaids! In these warm beachy months of summer it seemed the right time to create an adorable trio of Mermaids. These little mermaid dolls are knit seamlessly from the bottom-up with the arms, fins, ears and crown being picked up and knit on. The instructions provide exact placement for all of the appendages and eyes and instructional photos are included to help along the way. There is a necklace of pearls (or maybe French knots!) embroidered on afterward and there is a video tutorial link for this technique included in the pattern.

Instructions include simple guidelines for making a Merman, if interested.

I hope you enjoy knitting these lovely little Mermaids. They make for a joyful set!

Finished measurements 
9-inches tall

Yarn 
Barrett Wool Co.’s Home Fingering Weight (100% American Wool; 370 yards 338m / 100 grams). Samples use the following colors:

Mermaid #1: 
Hair color: Wishing Well (blue)
Bikini, Fin and Crown: Priscilla 
Skin Color: Bear 
Tail Color: Wood Violet

Mermaid #2: 
Hair color: Priscilla (pink)
Bikini, Fin and Crown: Wood Violet 
Skin Color: James 
Tail Color: Wishing Well

Mermaid #3: 
Hair color: Wood Violet (purple)
Bikini, Fin and Crown: Wishing Well 
Skin Color: Tattersall 
Tail Color: Priscilla

Needles 
US size 3 (3.25mm) double-pointed needles

Materials 
6mm safety eyes (2) 
Dark pink embroidery floss for mouth 
Polyester fiberfill

Gauge 
7.5 sts per inch /9 rows per inch in stockinette stitch

My favorite part of seamless toy knitting is working that final stitch and having the toy be completed in that instant! That is a satisfying moment. 

The Mermaids Kit is really adorable! If you give the kit a try, I hope you really enjoy it. 

One last thing I want to mention is the necklace in the photo above. My longtime friend Sheri and her daughter Whitnie are making these necklaces called We Are One. Part of the profits is donated to Global Giving. You can get We Are One stamped in your language of choice. I have purchased several of these for family members and I have my own. I chose Spanish as the language, Somos Uno. I loved it because at that family dinner last night we were all wearing our We Are One necklaces and I felt the sentiment was true, near and far. 

Click here to find out more about We Are One necklaces!

Have a great week ahead. I appreciate you all so much, Knitters.

xo ~ susan

Episode 31 ~ Cabled Gigi & Yarn Giveaway!

Hi, Knitters,
I hope you are having a great long weekend here in America. We had a family cookout last night which was really fun. I love having all of my kids and their significant others around. There is always a lot of laughter and storytelling. And there is always a lot of good food! The hot weather continues with a projected high of 93 degrees today. It is tough to do much at the height of that heat. I'll get outside on the early side today.

I recorded a new podcast episode. If interested, please be sure to enter to win the yarn over on YouTube by simply leaving a comment that includes your Ravelry username.

Click here for Episode 31 and to leave a comment over on YouTube!

Click here for Episode 31 Shownotes and Links over on the BWC Journal!

In the podcast, I'm wearing a new pattern release called Cabled Gigi Pullover. It is a new favorite of mine. The pattern is by Devin Ventre. Click here for Devin's website, Knitty McPurly.

The Cabled Gigi Cardigan and ALL of the Barrett Wool Co. patterns are 50% off right now using the code SUMMER at checkout.

Click here for the Cabled Gigi Pullover!

Click here for all of the Barrett Wool Co. Patterns!

We have kits right now for the Cabled Gigi Pullover on Barrett Wool Co. The kit includes the pattern and yarn and also a custom made Diamond Willow button that is truly beautiful.

Click here for the Cabled Gigi Pullover Kits in 7 gorgeous color options!

Have a wonderful week ahead. I'm traveling to Vermont to teach at the Wing and a Prayer Farm this weekend. I can't wait for this small intimate retreat in a scenic setting. I have never been to Vermont so I am really looking forward to it!
xo ~ susan

Branches & Buds Sweater Kits + Galiano Island Retreat

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are all doing well. I have been traveling and teaching again, spring has finally hit big-time in Madison and we have restocked sweater kits over on Barrett Wool Co.! There's a lot going on.

First, our very popular Branches & Buds Sweater Kits were just restocked last night and they are selling quickly. However, we have a large number of kits so don't worry if you'd like to get one for yourself. There are plenty! The sweater is designed by Carrie Bostick Hoge and it is an iconic sweater in my opinion, both gorgeous and instantly recognizable. 

Click here to check out the Branches & Buds Sweater Kits!

The Branches & Buds Sweater Kit includes our Barrett Wool Co. Wisconsin Woolen Spun Sport Weight yarn. This yarn is local, light and airy and frankly, one of the most beautiful yarns I have ever used. I simply love everything about this sweater kit.

The pattern is well-written and simple enough for first-time colorwork but also perfect for experienced knitters. There is a wide size range and the sweater looks great on all sizes. I've seen it knit and worn in the smallest to the largest size and it is flattering and comfortable.

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

I want to share some quick photos from my latest traveling adventure. I went to the Galiano Island Retreat which is hosted by Knit Social. Galiano Island is one of the Gulf Islands off of Vancouver. This is one of the most beautiful locations I've ever seen. And I had a complete ball with the knitters and hosts. This was sincerely one of the best retreats I've ever attended.

Click here to find more about Galiano Island!

Click here to find out more about Knit Social!

The photo above from left to right: Jodi of Grocery Girls Podcast, Amanda of Knit Social, Fiona of Knit Social, me, and Tracie of the Grocery Girls Podcast. 

Click here for the Grocery Girls Podcast! One of my faves. I'm so glad I got to spend time with my buddies Jodi and Tracie.

We stayed at the Galiano Inn, where the food was so delicious and the rooms were beautiful. All of the rooms had an ocean view. The retreat took over the entire Inn but it is small. I think there were 26 attendees. 

I went on hikes and runs every day. The views were scenic and peaceful. Just out the door was a cute bakery and coffee shop and bookstore. There were restaurants and shops just minutes away by foot. It was charming and it made you never want to leave.

There was a small and gorgeous marketplace on Saturday. I'm here with Shannon Cook of Very Shannon. Click here for Shannon's fantastic website.

Jane Richmond was with her for their table. They have written many books together and I own them all! Click here for Jane's lovely website. 

These two are some of my favorite knitters, honestly. I have met them several times before but this was the first time I got to spend quality time with them. They are simply wonderful and fun and talented. True gems of the knitting world.

I am holding my baby sweater yarn from Gauge Dyeworks! I will be knitting a couple baby sweaters in the future with this genius yarn. Click here for Gauge Dyeworks! Much more to come on this!

My bag is from Mrs. Brown's Bags!

I cast on a new sock for the plane rides home. I am still glowing with the memory of this fantastic knitting adventure. I taught two Smooth Operator Sock workshops and the students were so fun and game to learn. The other instructor was the smart and endearing Andrea Rangel of AlterKnit fame. 

Click here for Andrea Rangel's website! Andrea is so much fun and she's interesting, friendly, and she has a great sense of humor. I enjoyed her so much.

Anyway, I'll have more to share soon. Have a beautiful weekend.

xo ~ susan

Hen of the Woods Mittens

Hi, Knitters,

How are you doing today? We have a fresh covering of snow and we're supposed to get several more inches of snow today. Not great for mid-April but I think it will melt away quickly. Spring will come, it is inevitable. With the snowy, cold weather here to stay for a little longer, I have released a new mitten pattern and kit. But actually, mitten-knitting is a great project year round. 

The new design is called Hen of the Woods mittens and the pair is made out of some beautiful worsted weight gray 100% American Wool we received on cones. It is limited-edition wool. I think you will love it. We have created lovely mitten kits over on Barrett Wool Co. if you are interested. These have been selling quickly already.

Click here for the Hen of the Woods Kits on Barrett Wool Co.!

The Hen mittens use the Waiting for Winter mitten pattern along with my new blog post instructions on Barrett Wool Co. Journal.

Click here for the Barrett Wool Co. Journal instructions and How-to Bobble video!

Hen of the Woods is actually a textured grayish mushroom that grows at the base of oak trees. I fell in love with the name of these mushrooms and thought it perfect for the name of the mittens. 

Click here for the Hen of the Woods pattern on Ravelry!

Click here for the Waiting for Winter Mittens & Fingerless Mitts on Ravelry!

Have a great Sunday, Knitters. I'll be back soon with more.

xo ~ susan

New Patterns!

photo credit :: evan anderson

Hi, Knitters,

Happy weekend to you all. I hope you are doing well. I have a new pattern release and a pattern that's coming up soon, plus a couple of kits! 

The pattern that is currently released is called Cozy Mouse and it is found in Taproot Magazine, Issue 26 :: Heal. Barrett Wool Co. has the magazines and adorable kits available right now. 

Click here to find out more or to shop Cozy Mouse Kits!

Click here to find out more about the Cozy Mouse Pattern on Ravelry!

Isn't this a beautiful cover? I love it. Click here to see more about Taproot Magazine!

photo credit :: carrie bostick hoge

The other pattern I have coming out is called Sweet Bee & Flower. This adorable knit toy is coming out in Making No. 5 / Color in a few short weeks. Barrett Wool Co. will have kits and the magazine available for purchase and I'll keep you posted when it all becomes available. 

Click here to find out more about Sweet Bee & Flower on Ravelry!

photo credit :: carrie bostick hoge

The Sweet Bee & Flower project is knit in Barrett Wool Co.'s Home Fingering Weight. 

photo credit :: carrie bostick hoge

So sweet and fun! This is a perfect companion toy for the Butterfly & Cocoon toy. 

photo credit :: evan anderson

Lastly, there are some Loopy Sweet Sheep Kits in Birch (white) available in the shop, too!

Click here to find out more or shop Loopy Sweet Sheep Kits!

Have a beautiful Sunday! I'll be back soon with more.

xo ~ susan

D is for Duckling & Door County!

Hi, Knitters,

Well, it's been a busy, busy stretch around here. I've been traveling, teaching and designing up a storm. It has all been a lot of fun but I am ready to have a month off from travel and just be home for a bit. One thing I quickly want to mention is that I'll be teaching in my beloved Door County, Wisconsin this coming fall and I think there are still some spots available. It is an Ann Budd Knit for Fun Retreat and Olga Beraya-Kefelian and Laura Nelkin are teaching along with me and Ann Budd will be there, too, of course. The dates are September 20-23, 2018.

For all of the details for the Door County Ann Budd Retreat click right here! I hope to see you there.

On Friday I released a new pattern called D is for Duckling. These are adorable palm-sized ducklings that are knit from the bottom-up and seamlessly. The pattern is on special discount through Tuesday, March 27th for $3.50 (no code needed) and will be $5.00 starting on March 28th, 2018.

Click here to find out more or to purchase the pattern for D is for Duckling on Ravelry!

We have put together a fantastic little kit using Home Fingering Weight yarn. You get everything you need to knit the three ducklings in the photos, the stuffing, and thread. The pattern can be included with your kit and you get a set of stitch markers and a hand-stamped project bag to boot. And it is easy on your pocketbook. Amazing all-around!

Click here to see the D is for Duckling Kit on Barrett Wool Co.!

Here is a photo of the D is for Duckling Kit!



These little guys are so much fun to knit and there are lots of photos to help included in the pattern.

There is a lot of our Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarn available in the shop right now. Since this yarn is milled at a small local mill it is difficult to keep it in stock as the demand is great. We are getting more next week, as well, so be sure to check back to see what's in stock then. 

Click here to see more or to purchase the Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarns! You will love this yarn for any of your projects. There is nothing else like it. 

Have a great Sunday and week ahead, Knitters. I'll be back soon with more.

xo ~ susan

Going West & Stitches

Hi, Knitters,

On my travels to Stitches West I knitted a new pair of socks. I brought along seven different colors of mini skeins in Home Fingering Weight yarn. I am calling this pair Going West Socks. If you haven't knit 100% wool socks I highly suggest you give these a try. The finished socks are so squishy, cozy and warm. They honestly feel so much better than superwash/nylon yarn. I don't want to take them off.

The socks use my Smooth Operator Socks pattern and I've written out the instructions for the stripes and a couple of other tips along the way. The stripes and colors make the socks incredibly addicting, you simply can't put them down. 

The Going West Socks are now a kit over on Barrett Wool Co.!

By the way, the clogs in the photo are from Dansko if interested.

Here's what you'll find in the Going West Socks Minis Kit:

The Kit Includes:

• Enough yarn to make one pair of Going West Socks (about 150 grams) in the following colors of our Home Fingering Weight: Huron, Tattersall, Bluff, Strawflower, Ellie Grey, Big Woods and Folkstone.
• An optional Ravelry download code for the Smooth Operator Socks pattern. This will be included on a paper card inside the kit.
• A printed page with specific Going West Socks instructions to be used along with the Smooth Operator Socks pattern.
• The kit will come packaged in a hand-stamped project bag.

Click here to find out more or to purchase the kit!

And we have Sheep Scissors restocked in the Barrett Wool Co. Mercantile!

Click here to find out more or to purchase.

Here we are before the big Stitches West event in Santa Clara, California began! We are poised and ready for the onslaught of attendees. I had so much fun the entire time and I met so many lovely knitters. It was really a positive experience in all. Our booth was packed full for the majority of the time and we were so busy. Miss Molly on the left and Evan is on the right. 

We shared our booth with Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting. That's her on the left. It worked out so smoothly. Thanks to Alana for a fantastic weekend!

I hope you are well, everyone. I'll be back soon with more.

xo ~ susan

Stitches West & Loopy Sweet Sheep Kits

Hi, Knitters,

I have a few fun things to share with you. First, I am going to be teaching four workshops at Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia, on Feb. 9-10, 2018. Click here to find out more!

And Barrett Wool Co. is hitting the road! We are heading out to Santa Clara, California, to vend at Stitches West on February 22-25, 2018. Not only will this be our first large event for vending but we are thrilled to be combining forces and sharing a booth with the one and only Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting. We are really looking forward to this upcoming event and we hope to see as many of there as possible. Please stop by our booth, #1336 and 1338, to say hello and to see our Barrett Wool Co. yarns in person.

Hope to see you there!

Click here to find out more about Stitches West! 

I launched a new kit yesterday over on Barrett Wool Co. Here is some information about the kit:

Click here for the Loopy Sweet Sheep Kit!

I've updated an "oldie but goodie" pattern called Sweet Sheep and added an adorable double-loop stitch to the body. I think the Loopy Sweet Sheep looks like it is sitting in a cloud of wooly loops! It's so much fun. The original Sweet Sheep version is just as cute in plain stockinette stitch if that's what you prefer. Using the Wisconsin Woolen Spun Worsted Weight is beyond perfect for this project. The finished Loopy Sweet Sheep is so squishy and adorable. Trust me, it so good you can't stop squeezing it! 

The Kit Includes:

• Enough yarn in our Wisconsin Woolen Spun worsted weight to make one Sweet Sheep. We have three colors for you to choose from: Birch, Quaker Gray and Stone.
• An additional printed page of instructions from Susan to go along with the original pdf pattern on how to add the double-loop stitch to your Sweet Sheep. 
• An optional printed Ravelry download code for the Sweet Sheep pattern, since some might already own the pattern.
• You will also be given access to an exclusive tutorial video by Susan on the Double-Loop Stitch used in the Loopy Sweet Sheep. The exclusive video link will be sent to kit purchasers in a separate email.
• A tin of 20 assorted color stitch markers.
• Black embroidery thread for the face.
• The kit comes packaged in a hand stamped cotton bag.

Loopy Sweet Sheep Kit in Birch

Loopy Sweet Sheep Kit in Quaker Gray

Loopy Sweet Sheep Kit in Stone

Also, there are still some of the Little Hearts Minis Kits available. I made this kit to go along with the free pattern Little Hearts (click here!).

Click here to find out more about the Little Hearts Minis Kits!

This kit is so much fun and perfect for Valentine's Day decorating and/or gifting. 

I've been doing lots of behind the scenes knitting on a couple of projects for publications that will be out in the near future. I can't wait to share more.

I hope to see you at one of my upcoming workshops or at Stitches West! Have a great Sunday, Knitters. I'll be back soon with much more....

xo ~ susan

NYC & Baa Kits

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are all doing well. I am in New York City right before on my last day of teaching for Vogue Knitting Live. This event is like nothing else. It is huge and lively and well-run. I have taught four classes so far and the students have been nothing short of wonderful. Shortly, I will be teaching my last two classes and I am really looking forward to it. If you ever get a chance to go to a Vogue Knitting Live event, do it!

I want to let you know that we have a new toy kit up in the shop over on Barrett Wool Co. for a sweet little lamb with some simple colorwork on the body. The pattern is called Baa. I have created 5 exclusive instructional video tutorials to go along with this pattern. The exclusive links to the videos are on the last page of the pattern! 

The Baa pattern is currently on discount at $3.50, no code necessary. On January 19, 2018, it will go back to the regular price of $5.00. 

The Baa Kit comes in three amazing color choices in Home Fingering Weight, all hand-selected by me. Just for fun we also added a mystery element to the kit and you can add this as an option with purchase. It is a tool and it is 100% adorable and very useful. 

Click here to see the Baa Kits on Barrett Wool Co.!

Click here to see the discounted pattern on Ravelry!

Baa measures in at 5.5-inches tall when seated. It is an adorably sweet little knit! Almost completely seamless. The limbs and ears are all picked up and knit on. The only seam is to attach the head to the body and I go over all of it in the 5 exclusive video tutorials included with the pattern. 

I'll leave you today with our photo from dinner last night in NYC. I am so fortunate to have a lot of family with me on this teaching trip. They are having the best time. My two sons and their significant others came along and my husband is there at the end of the table. I now have a niece and a nephew living in NYC and so we had a mini-family reunion. It was so much fun. We went to the restaurant Kubeh and I highly recommend it. The food was delicious. 

After dinner we went to a tiny and fantastic ice cream spot called Van Leuven's. This is a place not to miss! Salted caramel, honey comb, cookies and cream, black sesame... the flavors were so good. 

My favorite part of Van Leuven's was a little gratitude book left out to sign. My son, The Baker, scratched out what he was thankful for, "Friends, family, good food and visiting NYC." We all signed underneath in agreement. 

I'll be back soon with more! I hope you love your Baa Kits if you get one. Let me know.

xo ~ susan

Emmen

Hi, Knitters,

Meet my new hat pattern, Emmen! I knit a quick hat for my son right before Christmas and he absolutely loved the way it fit and looked. And I loved knitting it. I quickly knit up another one and this is the one in the photos here. 

So I thought the pattern might be something you'd be interested in, as well.

I have the pattern priced at an introductory special of $3.50, no code is necessary. This price will go through Jan. 12, 2018, and then the price will be set at $5.00.

The other thing is that the hat uses one skein of Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight. If you purchase any of our worsted weight yarn and write KIT in the order notes, we will throw in a FREE Emmen pattern Ravelry Download Code with your order! This offer goes through Jan. 12th, as well.

Click here for Barrett Wool Co.!

Click here for the Emmen pattern and more information on Ravelry!

Click here for Home Worsted Weight!

The model is a family friend, Mark, who is visiting from Emmen. Emmen is a city an hour or two outside of Amsterdam, thus the pattern name. A few days ago he had to go back to school in Emmen and we miss him around here already. Mark generously modeled for us and the hat looked so great on him and he really liked it so I ended up giving it to him in appreciation. He wore it non-stop for the rest of his visit which I took as a good sign. 

The top of the hat is so pretty. It continues on with strategically placed decreases in pattern. I love the simplicity, look and fit of the hat. It fits men nicely but it also fits me perfectly. I think I am going to knit one up for myself.

The Home Worsted Weight comes in lots of beautiful colors but the color in the photos is Scout, which is a rich shade of teal. 

Also, I just filmed and posted two tutorial videos for the Sven and Solveig dolls. I show how I did Sven's beard and Solveig's hair over on the Barrett Wool Co. Journal.

The pattern booklet for Carol Anderson's Sven & Solveig is available right here! The pattern is only available in this booklet. It is not available for download. 

Click here to see the videos and to find out more about my modifications to Carol Anderson's wonderful pattern Sven & Solveig!

I love these dolls so much. We have more kits on order for the dolls. I'm not exactly sure when they will be available but hopefully soon. If you would like to get an instant automatic email notice when they are listed all you have to enter your email on the product page. Then you be the first to know!

Click here for the product page for the Sven and Solveig Kit! 

Have a wonderful Sunday. We have a fresh dusting of snow on the ground and the temperature is supposed to be a little friendlier today. My fingers are crossed.

xo ~ susan

Pine Star Hat Kits by Mary Jane Mucklestone

All photos of the Pine Star Hat on the model are by Carrie Bostick Hoge

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are doing well. We've had a couple of celebration dinners this week, well, three to be exact, for my husband's birthday. That's a lot of birthday celebrating I'd say but it's been really fun and we've been having some delicious meals. Last night we had a family cookie exchange and that was wonderful. I made some old standards using my mom's recipes but the kids made some new cookie recipes. Anyway, I've eaten way too many cookies! 

Well, I just wanted to touch base today to let you know we have some fantastic new hat kits in the shop over on Barrett Wool Co. and this one is designed by one of my favorite knitters in the world, Mary Jane Mucklestone. She is the queen of colorwork and this new hat is knit in our beautiful, squishy Wisconsin Woolen Spun Worsted. 

Click here to see more about the Pine Star Kit! These kits are easy on the pocketbook, too!

The kits were released on Friday night and they have been flying out of the shop at a very fast pace. We had a lot of kits in stock but it looks like they may not last too long. 

I love how dainty the colorwork is in this design. There is a lot of white space and it looks so fresh. I also love the name Pine Star. It is all kind of perfect but that's Mary Jane for you. She is kind of perfect in every way just like her designs. 

We have two different colorways of the kit. The first two photos are hats worked up in the Oats and Hawthorn colors and there is a deeper contrast. The hat above is worked in the colors of Rain Shower and Coal. These colors have a softer more heathered look to them.

I cast on a Pine Star for myself and I am making the one above with the Rain Shower and Coal colors. I love the heathered yarn. Both kit colorways are beautiful.

Click here to see more information about the Pine Star Hat Kits!

I am crazy about the tiny pom-pom Mary Jane put on the top. It is so cute. 

This is the Oats and Hawthorn Pine Star kit version.

A Ravelry download code for the pattern is included in the kit.

This is the Rain Shower and Coal Pine Star kit version.

A Ravelry download code for the pattern is included in the kit.

Happy New Year to you all! I can't believe it's going to be 2018 tomorrow. Time is flying by at a faster pace than I ever imagined possible. I hope you are doing well and that your knitting is keeping you company and also keeping you warm during this bitter cold winter stretch.

I appreciate your support and friendship here on the blog, as always, and I am sending it right back to you. I'll see you next year right here on the blog.

xo ~ susan