Mittens in June & more kits!

Three Color Bulky Twist Mitten Kit

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are all doing well. We have lots of action going on at our house this week and upcoming weekend. So much so that I haven't had a lot of time to knit. I have some new designs in the works though, so that is fun.

I want to let you all know that we have lots of some of our most popular kits in the shop over on Barrett Wool Co. right now. Just last night we posted more of our Three Color Bulky Twist Mitten Kits in the shop! This is one of our favorites.

Click here for more information or to purchase the Three Color Mitten Kit!

Three French Hens Kit

The Three French Hens Kit has also just been listed again! You can purchase the kit with or without the Taproot magazine where the pattern appears. The pattern is only available in the magazine right now. 

Click here for more information or to purchase the Three French Hens Kit!

Owen Hat Kit

Our super popular Owen Hat Kit comes with the yarn, the pattern, and a beautiful polka-dot handmade pom-pom to top off your hat. The pom-poms are made by yours truly! 

There are three different color choices for this hat kit.

Click here for more information or to purchase the Owen Hat Kit!

Two color version of the Owen Hat Kit in blue!

Two color version of the Owen Hat Kit in red!

Wildflowers Cap Kit

We have Mary Jane Mucklestone's gorgeous Wildflowers Cap Kit from Making Magazine No. 1 / Flora in stock, too! The kit can be purchased with or without the magazine, or with a Ravelry download code for the pattern or without any pattern included and just the yarn.

Click here for more information or to purchase the Wildflowers Cap Kit!

There are several color choices for this kit, as well. 

The Wildflowers Cap Kit with Hazelnut contrast color!

The Wildflowers Cap Kit with Peppercorn and Picket Fence!

The hat and photo of the hat above is by @kellythecarelesscat. 

Flower Fairy & Leaf Sprite Kit

Lastly, we have some of the Flower Fairy & Leaf Sprite Kits available! This might be my favorite kit. It's just so sweet.

Click here for more information or to purchase the Flower Fairy & Leaf Sprite Kit!

Flower Fairy & Leaf Sprite Kit

Enjoy your weekend ahead everyone! I'm planning on a fun giveaway next week here on the blog so be sure to check back if you are interested. The weather is beautiful here so I plan to get outside and I hope you can get some fresh air, too.

xo ~ susan

Flora

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

Hi, Knitters,

First things first, the winner of the Little Skein project bag is..... mwbbas (rav username)! Congratulations. I have contacted the winner and Anne Vally to get in touch via pm. I'm hosting another fantastic giveaway next week so stay tuned.

Second things second, I am teaching at the Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia, from May 19-21, 2016. I am teaching 5 workshops and there are still a few openings in a few classes, some are sold out. I would love to see you at the shop! I am teaching Build a Toy, Shawl Shapes, Egg to Owl, Seamless Dolls (Mary, Millie, & Morgan), and Fair Isle Fingerless Mitts. 

Click here to see all of the classes I am teaching and for more information!

Third things third, I am excited to announce that I will be teaching at Knit City in Vancouver, Oct. 1-2, 2016! The teacher line-up has just been announced, click here for more information in the Knit City Ravelry group. The teachers include Clara Parkes, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Andrea Rangel, Ysolda Teague, Lucy Neatby, Kate Atherley, me, and many more! The classes are being announced in May and the registration is in July. Click here for the knitsocial website for more information. 

Now for some Flora! Quite a long time ago Carrie Bostick Hoge contacted me about a new magazine idea she was working on. She asked if I would contribute projects to the first two issues. The theme of the first issue is Flora. Carrie basically left it open but wanted something with flowers from me for her magazine pages. Well, I couldn't say no to Carrie as I am an admirer of her beautiful work. I loved being involved in her premier Making issue.

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

Click here for the Flower Fairy & Leaf Sprite page on Ravelry!

Click here for Making Magazine! Carrie is offering a 20% discount for subscribers through May 10th. The first print issue is coming out in May and the second issue is coming out next fall 2016!

Click here to see all of the knit projects from Making Issue 1/Flora! The magazine includes handwork, embroidery, needle-felting, journaling, recipes, sewing, beautiful photography, inspiring text and more!

I came up with this sweet little set. I am so pleased with how it turned out. Here is the introduction I wrote about my inspiration and a little about the construction of the little flower & leaf set:

When I hear the word flora my mind goes straight to flowers and leaves and my youngest daughter, some of my most favorite things. When my daughter was a little girl she began her love affair with flowers and fairies. We collected fairies of all sorts, made handcrafted fairies, had fairy gardens in our yard and there were even fairy houses behind the couches and chairs in our living room. She and her neighbor friend had collected bark, moss, sticks and rocks to make elaborate and clever miniature fairy furniture. It was such a sweet and imaginative time and I loved every minute of it.

With the flora theme in mind I decided to pay homage to the Flower Fairies and Leaf Sprites that my daughter played with in her childhood. The knitted flower and leaf pockets or little beds, and the fairy and sprite are all worked entirely in one piece, no seaming to be found. The flower and leaf become the perfect places to tuck in the little knitted characters for sleep or for the perfect hiding places.

I hope this sweet pattern sparks the imagination of fairy-lovers everywhere!

This knitting pattern is from the first issue of the print publication Making.

The individual pattern will be available in my Ravelry pattern shop six months after the release of the magazine. 

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

The Flower Fairy & Leaf Sprite set is knit in Quince & Co. Chickadee which is a sport weight yarn. I knit on US size 4 double-pointed needles. Every piece is knit completely seamlessly and in the round. It is an enjoyable knit.

The pattern will be released as an individual download in my Ravelry pattern shop six months after the release of the magazine.

Here is some pattern information:

Finished measurements 

Flower: 41⁄2" [11.5 cm] wide and 6" [15 cm] tall Leaf: 31⁄4" [9 cm] wide and 4 1⁄2" [11.5 cm] tall, without stem
Sprite and Fairy: 3" [7.5 cm] tall

Yarn
Chickadee by Quince & Co. (100% American Wool; 50 grams / 181 yards [166 meters])
One skein in each:
Flower: Pomegranate (for center color) and Shell (for petals)

Fairy: Split Pea (for body and stem), Petal (for head), Frank’s Plum (for hat), and Egret (for wings) 
Leaf: Split Pea (for leaf) and Twig (for stem) Sprite: Aleutian (for body), Chanterelle (for head), Honey (for hat), and Egret (for wings)
OR
25 yards [23 meters] or less of each color in sport weight yarn
Needles
• One set double-pointed needles (dpns) in
US size 4 [3.5 mm]
Or size to obtain gauge
Notions
• Locking stitch markers • Tapestry needle
• Fiber ll
Gauge
24 sts and 40 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in stockinette stitch, after blocking. 

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

The little hats are removable. They look like little acorns.

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

 The Leaf Sprite is so sweet in the lovely Chickadee colors.

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

The Flower Fairy and Leaf Sprite both have little tiny wings on their backs.

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

I hope you'll take advantage of Carrie's 20% off for the first two print issues of Making that is good through May 10, 2016! Click here to find out more. I have seen the first issue and I promise that you won't be disappointed. I want to make everything in the issue! The sweaters and cardigans, hat, shawl, cowl, baby bonnet, the embroidery and sewing and recipes are all so well done. The entire issue is inspiring.

Carrie Bostick Hoge is a creative force in our industry with so many talents. Her photography style and design style is one of the best I have ever experienced. It draws you in and makes you want to stay.

Photo from Making by Carrie Bostick Hoge

The Branches and Buds Pullover by Carrie Bostick Hoge is jumping on my needles! I can't wait to get started on this gorgeous, clever design. Carrie knows how to make a simple design with just a bit of detail to make it stand out. The Branches and Buds Pullover is a perfect example of simplicity with a little twist. The pullover is worked in Quince & Co. Chickadee as well. Maybe use the Chickadee for the Flower Fairy & Leaf Sprite for the buds on this sweater ~ the perfect yarn combination. 

I'll be back soon with more! Have a great weekend, friends.

xo ~ susan

A Fairytale Winter Surprise!

Thank you to Miss Molly for modeling!

ETA on Feb. 24, 2016: The winner is AnIrishRose on Ravelry! Congratulations.
Hi Knitters,

Read to the end to find out what you could win!

The rights to the Fairytale Winter Hat have just reverted to me so I can put it up for purchase in my Ravelry Pattern Shop at this time. To celebrate I am offering the pattern at a super low price of $2.50 starting today and ending on Feb. 18th! After Feb. 18th the hat will be offered at the regular price of $4.00. No coupon code is necessary, the price is set at $2.50.

Click here for the Fairytale Winter Hat information or to purchase on Ravelry!

Here is some information you might like to know about the hat pattern:

Fairytale Winter

by Susan B. Anderson

Published in

Shop Susan B. Anderson

Craft

Knitting

Category

Hat → Beanie, Toque

Published

November 2015

Suggested yarn

Highland Handmades Green Ash Worsted

Yarn weight

Worsted / 10 ply (9 wpi) ?

Gauge

5 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette stitch

Needle size

US 6 - 4.0 mm

US 7 - 4.5 mm

Yardage

220 yards (201 m)

Sizes available

Rib section: 20-inch circumference to fit an average head size with a 20-23-inch circumference.

• bottom-up
• in-the-round
• one-piece
• seamless

This pattern is available for $2.50 USD
 buy it now or  visit pattern website

Grab that skein of worsted weight and dive into this fast and fun hat. The deep ribbed brim is simple and mindless. It could be made shorter if you are using a 100 gram skein.

The Fairytale Lace chart (adapted from a chart in Melissa Leapman’s Stitch Dictionary) is simple with yarn overs and simple increases and decreases. The chart includes written instructions.

The decrease section of the hat is fully-fashioned to continue in the modified pattern to the end. It's a super fun and fast knit!

Finished measurement:
Rib section: 20-inch circumference
To fit an average head size with a 20-23-inch circumference.

Yarn: Highland Handmades Green Ash Worsted (100% Superwash Merino; 220 yards/125 grams); 1 skein in the Kineo colorway.

Finished sample hat in worsted weight weighs in at 109 grams not including a pom-pom. 

Needles: 16-inch circular needles in US size 6/4mm and US 7/4.5mm, and a set of four US size 7/4.5mm double-pointed needles OR size to obtain gauge

Gauge:
5.5 stitches per inch on the smaller needle size in stockinette stitch
5 stitches per inch on the larger needle size in stockinette stitch

Materials:
Stitch markers
Yarn needle
Scissors
Ruler or tape measure
Optional: 2-inch pom-pom maker or a faux fur pom-pom. The white pom-pom is from Bernat and has a 10-inch circumference.

Abbreviations:
K knit
P purl
St(s) stitch(es)
Rnd(s) round(s)
SSK slip 2 stitches one at a time as if to knit, then knit the two slipped stitches together through the back loops.
K2tog knit two stitches together
P2tog purl two stitches together
YO bring the yarn to the front and over the right needle and to the back.
Tbl through the back loop 

  

The yarn is just beautiful. It is from Highland Handmades in the Green Ash Worsted in the Kineo colorway. I just fell in love with this yarn and color, it is so light and airy. Green Ash Worsted is 100% Superwash Merino wool.

Click here to find out more at the Highland Handmades shop!

 I loved knitting this hat so much! It was pure joy.

So I have this extra amazing skein of Highland Handmades Worsted in the Kineo colorway, the same as I used for the hat and a fantastic faux-fur pom-pom (I think the pom is from Lion Brand and it was used in a photo shoot for my last book so I don't have the packaging but it is brand-new!).

I am going to randomly select one lucky winner from the list of pattern purchasers. The winner will receive the beautiful skein of worsted weight yarn and the pom-pom as a prize. I will contact you via Ravelry pm if you win. 

If you purchase the pattern you will automatically be entered to win! Easy-peasy! 

The pattern is on sale now at the lowered price of $2.50, no coupon code is needed for your convenience.  The sale ends Feb. 18th, 2016. I will select the winner on Feb. 19, 2016.

Click here to find out more or to purchase Fairytale Winter Hat on Ravelry!

Thank you, as always, for the support if you purchase the pattern (or not!) and I'll be back soon with a winner and much more.
xo ~ susan

Knit Simple inside the Issue and at Home

 (photo provided by Knit Simple)

Hi, Knitters,
First, the photographs from the Knit Simple Holiday Issue 2012 that are shared in this post are by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com, Rose Callahan, Jack Deutsch and Marcus Tullis. The issue hits the stands on October 2nd, 2012.

I want to share the rest of my projects found in Knit Simple Holiday 2012 today. 

The first is the #19 Fairy Doll. The doll is knit in the round, completely seamless and from the top-down. The wings are knit separately and stitched on the doll's back.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Fairy Doll.

Here is more information for the fairy doll:
For sizes: 12" long

Yarn Information: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash

Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Quatro

Amounts: 1 ball each in #817 aran, #914A tahitian rose and #902 soft pink

1 ball in #1932 butterscotch

(photo provided by Knit Simple)

I was asked to take on the gift section for the cook/kitchen this year. I was assigned an owl tea cozy, an owl pocket apron, a market bag and a dishcloth. The yarn was sent to me and here is what I came up with for the kitchen section.

Above is the #41 Owl Tea Cozy. That happens to be my sister's orange teapot in the photo. She loaned me her teapot to use while I designed the cozy. It looked so cute with the finished cozy that I sent it along for Knit Simple to use for the photo shoot. This is a super easy and quick knit. It is worked in the round, separated to knit the openings on the sides for the handle and spout, joined again to work in the round, and finished with a three-needle bind off. Easy peasy!

Click here for the Ravelry project page fo the #41 Owl Tea Cozy!

Here is more information for the Owl Tea Cozy:

Owl Tea Cozy

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

For sizes: 16" circumference x 7 1/4"

Yarn Information: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Batik

Amounts: 1 skein #22 waffle cone

Before I send off any projects I try my best to take a series of photos of the project in progress and then again when it is finished. I love how the ear tassels look so perky in the photo above.

Also, here you can see the side slits for the spout and handle. I wanted it to stay in place so I made a loop and bobble to hold the cozy tightly around the teapot. It's really cute.

(photo provided by Knit Simple)

The editors also wanted an apron with an owl pocket. There was an owl theme going on for this kitchen set. This was a fun and fast knit as well and really it couldn't get much simpler. The apron is knit from the top-down and the ties are picked up and knit on. The owl pocket is made separately and stitch to the front of the apron. This project turned out great.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the #44 Owl Apron!

Here is more information about the apron:

Owl Apron

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

For sizes: One size

Yarn Information: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme

Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Batik

Amounts: 2 hanks in #602 orange creme

1 hank in #22 waffle cone

Here the apron is on TC. At first I knit the apron without the ruffle but the editors wanted a ruffle so I added it on later. You could knit it either way but the pattern in the magazine includes the ruffle.

It's an adorable set and would make quick knit gifts for the holiday season.

 I just love this photo of TC, "Could I get you some tea?"

(photo provided by Knit Simple)

I love this super stretchy, lightweight linen/cotton market bag. The stitch pattern is fun and easy, a rib and eyelet pattern that is easy to memorize. The bag is knit in one piece from the bottom up to the garter stitch top, which is then separated. It is a very simple and quick knit. 

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the #42 Market Bag!

I'd like one of these for myself. Here is some information about the #42 Market Bag:

Cook's Market Bag

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

For sizes: One size

Yarn Information: Classic Elite Yarns Cricket

Amounts: 4 balls in #3981 grass green

I adore the Classic Elite Cricket yarn. It is the perfect yarn for this project. What a fun knit.

(photo provided by Knit Simple)

I love a knit washcloth/dishcloth. I love to knit them and design them. When asked to do some kitchen dishcloths, I immediately wanted to stray away from the square shape you usually see. I thought something round and sweet would make for a fun gift knit. The yarn called Sprout from Classic Elite is just fantastic. It is a soft, thick cotton that works up like a snap. The cloth is worked from the center out on US size 9 needles.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the #43 Dishcloths!

I did three versions, all fun and simple and cute. Here is more information on the #43 Dishcloths:

Kitchen Dishcloths

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

For sizes: Set of 3, 9" across

Yarn Information: Classic Elite Yarns Sprout

Amounts: 1 hank each in #4320 spring breeze, #4381 mint, and #4346 glacier

Knit Simple is one of my favorite knitting magazines. There is a lightness and a sense of fun in every issue and the projects are so doable. Everyone can find something fun to knit in every issue. I am so excited to be a part of the holiday issue again this year. This is the third year in a row that I have had projects in the holiday issue and it is such an honor. Holiday gift issues are always the best. You get over 50 project patterns in this one issue.

Click here for the Knit Simple website!

The magazine hits newsstands October 2nd!

I hope you are all having a great week. It is flying by fast.
best, susie

Almost

Hi Knitters,
Well, this week has most certainly gotten away from me. I was planning a couple posts but the time flew by and I've had so much knitting to get done and then there's that fantastic Patchwork Sockalong that is going like gangbusters and needs tending to. I didn't get to the posts but I know you'll understand.

Click here to see some of the finished Patchwork Socks from the knitalong! It's pretty amazing.

I did get to taking a couple of quick photos of TC and her little buddy (our neighbor) who is like the little sister TC never had. Little Buddy is about 4 years younger than TC and they are friends to the end. In fact, the girls have a yodel they yell out the back door and if the yodel is returned by the neighbor friend they run into the other's yard. It is really funny and cute and it beats a cell phone by a mile in my opinion.

It seems like this is the time of year where the word almost is in almost every sentence. We're almost done with school, summer is almost here, finals are almost here, the weather is almost warm enough to swim, the sun sets at almost 9pm, the pool is almost open with regular hours, swim team is almost starting, graduation is almost a week away.... You get the picture.

And yes, I do have another son graduating from high school this year. It is a bittersweet time for us. I have to start imagining having two sons going off to college next fall and when I do I quickly push it to the back of my mind. Only two girls at home next year? I don't have to think about it quite yet. I still have a couple of months of contentment. I am a homebody and therefore I like it when all of my chicks are in the nest but I know it can't stay that way forever. Of course I want them to go on and have fabulous lives (but not too far away). I really am proud of all of them, my kids and my siblings' kids. They are a cool bunch to follow.

Little fairies were sprinkled about TC's fairy garden this afternoon. The girls worked on this for quite awhile after school. I'll take some photos soon to share the fairy garden in all its glory. It is quite sweet back there. TC has been planting flowers and ferns and ground cover. We have to re-do her bird bath fairy gardens soon. Click here to see her birdbath fairy gardens from last summer.

The day ended with fairy sprinkling in the garden and a popsicle in a sunny hammock. Honestly, the other thing you can't beat besides a backyard yodel is a pair of printed tights with a comfy dress.

It all sounds pretty good to me.

I'll be back soon with some fun knitting stuff, I promise!

Happy weekend, dear Knitters.
best, susie

Another Day in the Life

Hi Knitters,
Here is a quick 35 second video of one of the hikes TC and I have been taking lately. Click here if you are receiving this post in an email and can't see the video. I snapped the photos with my phone so they aren't the best.

After school we have been heading out into our nearby nature conservancy and other trails. Today my hands were filled with bark, moss and pinecones that she collected for some new fairy houses she is conjuring up. She has big plans for construction this spring and summer. I can't wait to see what she comes up with.

We clearly have spring fever.

Today is my mom's 80th birthday. I miss her.

best, susie
p.s. Do you see that finger sticking in the left side of the photo below? That was my grandma's signature move. Her finger was in nearly every shot. I love that.

Fairy Gardens & My TC

Hi Knitters,

The winner of Loop-d-Loop Lace is....

EllenLBishop (rav id)

Congratulations to Ellen and thank you all for entering. I'll have another giveaway very soon. I already have the next book picked out and it is a good one.

Now, many years ago TC became enchanted with fairies. I thought it might be a passing fancy but this interest has stood the test of time so far. She still reads her fairy books (and this one and especially this one), collects fairy items and as soon as spring hits she starts planning her fairy garden.

My sister and I went out for lunch a few weeks ago. After lunch we wandered into a lovely little florist/gift shop next to the restaurant. We couldn't believe the tiny fairy garden furniture we stumbled upon. A couple weeks later we met again for lunch and this time we bought a bunch of the items for TC's upcoming birthday.

My sister bought TC the arch which is probably the best piece of the bunch.
Next, Peachy and I went to a garden supply shop and bought stones for paths, moss and other ground coverings and two bird baths (these were only $10 each - a steal). All of these gifts were purchased with the intention that TC would go to town creating her own tiny fairy gardens.
TC has been diligently working on her fairy gardens over the last week or so. She has mapped out and carefully placed her new fairy items.
One of the bird baths is complete as of yesterday. If you look closely at the photo above you can see the gardening tools like a shovel and rake and a watering can on the moss by the tiny bird bath.
I think the patio furniture is my favorite.
TC's neighbor friend has been helping her out with the bird bath fairy project. They are so cute and busy working together in the back yard. I love it so much that I don't disturb them at all while they are working. I don't want to interrupt their creativity. Watching their passion and willingness to work for long stretches at a time gives me so much joy. It truly is the simple things in life that bring happiness (and a good project always helps).

TC and this sweet friend pooled their money together a couple of summers ago to purchase some fairy figurines to put in the larger fairy garden. They are using a few of these same figurines in the bird bath fairy gardens, too.
Here is the start of the second fairy garden. This time she chose to do a border around the outside with her ground coverings.
I also got a few really inexpensive solar lights (about 80 cents per light) to put in the garden for TC's birthday. They are really cool because they glow at night in her garden.
TC spends a lot of time watering and taking care of her fairy gardens and now our new vegetable garden as well. She can often be found in the vegetable garden staking the plants that are getting unruly and bent over weeding or watering. She is a caretaker.
It has been fun to see the love of nature and gardens grow in TC. I think this one will stick with her and become a lifelong passion. It is in her blood and comes from generations before her.
I couldn't resist the fairy house from the gift shop as well. It is a wonderful sight at night because the solar light right behind the house makes it glow. The other night we had a bonfire in our backyard and she pointed the glowing fairy house out to me.

We both smiled at the unintentional goodness.

Magical.

best, susie

p.s. TC likes to look at fairy garden images here.