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

Sweet Bee and Flower + Making No. 5 / Colors

photo credit: carrie bostick hoge

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Spring has finally sprung here in Wisconsin. It is supposed to be 60 degrees today. It seems hard to believe and it will be hard to not feel like grabbing my winter coat when I'm heading out the door. I am looking forward to some warmer temperatures as I'm sure many of you are, too. 

I have a new pattern out this weekend. It is called Sweet Bee and Flower and I'm really excited about it. It is in the new issue of Making Magazine No. 5 / Colors which is an incredible magazine filled with projects and inspiration. We have some fun things going on to celebrate the little bees and flowers over on Barrett Wool Co. 

The Sweet Bee and Flower kit is our first pre-order kit!  The kits will be sent out in about 4-6 weeks as we are waiting for our new shipment of yarn. If you order the Making Magazine No. 5 / Colors along with your kit, we will ship you the magazine right away and the kits will be shipped separately and for free as soon as they are ready.

Click here for the Sweet Bee and Flower Kit!

We will keep you updated on the kit pre-order status as we anxiously await our new batch of yarn! Thank you for your patience and we know it will be worth the wait.

Click here to find the Sweet Bee and Flower on Ravelry!

Also, you can order Making No. 5 / Colors by itself and we have Making Magazine Numbers 1-4 available in the Mercantile! These magazines are collector's items that you won't want to miss.

Click here for the Mercantile for the Making Magazines!

photo credit: carrie bostick hoge

Here you can see the full Sweet Bee and Flower project. There is a flower cozy to hold a little sweet bee. These are knit in Home Fingering Weight yarn on US size 2 and 3 needles. There is no seaming as everything is picked up and knit on which makes it a slick and fun project. 

I had to share the beautiful cover of the Making Magazine No. 5 / Colors. It's so spring-y and fresh!

One last thing, there is a discount going on for all of the scissors over on Barrett Wool Co. If you enter SCISSORS at checkout you get $1.00 of every pair of scissors purchased. The style in the photo is our newest pair called Vintage. I think these are my new favorites. 

Click here for the BWC Mercantile and all of our scissor selections!

Have a great week ahead, Knitters! Next week I am off to teach at Galiano Island for a knitting retreat. I can't wait for this one. It is run through Knit Social and they always do an excellent job.

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

Sleepy Kitten Set Kits + Sleeping Bags

Hi, Knitters,

How is everyone holding up? I hope your knitting has been successful and if you are knitting any seasonal gifts, I hope they are finished in time. I have one hat and one last mitten to finish up in the next day or so. Wish me luck.

I just wanted to let you know that we have re-released the Sleepy Kitten Set Kits over on Barrett Wool Co. We are pretty excited about it!

Click here to find out more information or to purchase the Sleepy Kitten Set Kit!

We are also offering Ready-Made Sleeping Bags in the same fabric as in the photos which is really fun and exciting. These little sleeping bags can be used for any small knit toys, not just the kittens.

Click here to find out more or to purchase the Sleeping Bags! 

Click here to see the Sleepy Kitten Set on Ravelry!

In the kit we've included enough yarn to make both of the kittens as seen in the photos and the separate nightie. The yarn is our Wisconsin Woolen Spun which is a real favorite around here. 

You can include the Making Magazine No. 4 / Lines with your kit or not if you already have it. The magazine can also be purchased separately in our Mercantile. For now, this is the only place the kitten pattern is available. In six months it will become available in my Ravelry pattern shop for individual purchase. 

Click here to see Making Magazine No. 4 / Lines!

Have a wonderful weekend ahead, Knitters. Thank you for the amazing fun and support, as always. I'm sending love and good wishes to you all. 

xo ~ susan

Anniversary Specials, New Colors & Sven!

Hi, Knitters,

Did you have a nice Thanksgiving for those who celebrate? We hosted at my house this year and it was a wonderful relaxing time with our loved ones. I really love the Thanksgiving holiday so much. I hope you're all having a nice weekend. It is unseasonably warm, too, very strange. I think it was 60 degrees yesterday in Madison. It doesn't seem quite right but we did enjoy it.

I can't believe a year has passed so quickly since we opened our family company. I don't know if I've ever worked harder or loved any job path more than the making of Barrett Wool Co. It has been wonderful and exhilarating, to say the least. So I want to thank you for participating, following, supporting or just watching the development of our little wool company. It has been a grand adventure and we appreciate you being a part of it. 

Some new things have arrived in our shop. We have just released 10 NEW colors in our Home line of yarns. The 10 colors range from soft neutrals to deeply saturated shades. I love them all and I think they round out our color range of 25 incredibly well. We have several new shades of gray, plus camel, teal and navy, the lightest shades of peach and pink, and my most favorite green ever! We have come up with fabulous color names, too.

Check out all of our new colors in Home Fingering and Worsted Weight by clicking here!

So in the spirit of appreciation and excitement we want to celebrate a bit by offering some fun deals for you over on Barrett Wool Co. I'm going to list them right here to keep it simple. The codes/specials are available now through Monday, November 27th, 2017. 

Click here for Barrett Wool Co.

1. For International sales of $54 or more we have a $3.00 discount shipping code to enter at checkout: INTERNATIONAL

2. For U.S. sales we have FREE shipping on all sales of $54 or more with this code at checkout: 

HAPPYANNIVERSARY

3. All Ravelry Barrett Wool Co. patterns are now 50% off with this code at checkout: 

HAPPYANNIVERSARY    Click here to check out the BWC Ravelry Pattern Shop!

4. We now have Carol Anderson's autographed Sven Scandinavian Pattern Booklets available for purchase in the pattern section of BWC! Click here to check out the booklets.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. I hope you find lots of time for your knitting. Are any of you getting your Christmas tree this weekend? We are heading out to the tree farm at some point to cut down our tree. It will be a long season of holiday cheer and decoration due to the early Thanksgiving holiday which is welcome around here.  

I'll be back soon with more.... 

xo ~ susan

Making Magazine No. 4 / Lines & Sleepy Kitten Set Kits

Hi, Knitters,

Yesterday Making Magazine No. 4 / Lines was released and we also released our kit to go along with the magazine, the Sleepy Kitten Set Kit! I am so excited about this project and kit and the magazine.

Over on Barrett Wool Co. have the magazine for sale individually as well as included with the kit, or you can purchase the kit without the magazine if you already have your copy. 

Click here for more information or to purchase Making No. 4 / Lines! You will love this magazine. We also have copies of Making No. 1, 2 and 3 available for purchase as well in the Mercantile.

Click here for the Sleepy Kitten Set Kit information or to purchase!

Click here for the Sleepy Kitten Set pattern information on Ravelry!

photo from makingzine.com

The Sleepy Kitten Set Kit includes enough of our Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarns to make both kittens, the knit-in stripey jammies and the separate nightie, and enough of the same striped fabric to make two sleeping bags (you have to stitch the sides of the fabric together to make the sleeping bags). You also get whisker thread and embroidery floss for the face. The kit comes packaged in a hand-stamped cotton project bag. The only thing you'll need is a little stuffing!

Click here to see our Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarns!

photo from makingzine.com

This is one of the most charming projects I have ever designed. I love the little beds!

photo from makingzine.com

These little kittens have a really fun construction. You knit the legs, arms, tail and ears first. Then when you knit the body and head the work the appendages right in as you go! The only seam is to attach the head to the body. It is slick and satisfying and the finished kittens are adorable.

The pattern will be available for individual purchase in 6 months over in my Ravelry pattern shop. For now, the pattern is only found in the Making Magazine No. 4 / Lines.

The kittens are knit in worsted weight yarn. The nightie is knit in fingering weight yarn.

Good night, sweet friends (the kittens, I mean). I love how little ones love to put things to bed over and over again. These two seem to fit the bill for hours of playing and cuddling.

Click here for the Sleepy Kitten Set Kits over on Barrett Wool Co.!

The kits are selling really fast, so if interested hop on over quick.

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

xo ~ susan

A Bear and A Bunny Suit ~ new pattern + The Knit Show

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are all doing well. The weather around here hasn't seemed very fall-like. It has been unseasonably warm but hopefully, it will start cooling down a bit coming up in the days. I love the fall just as so many others do. Plus, the fall season makes me fall more in love with my knitting every year for some reason. I keep saying it but it really is high knitting season right now. So much is happening that I am having a hard time keeping up.

Yesterday I released a "new" pattern. Let me explain. The original pattern for the bear in a bunny suit was published over a year ago in a book called Drop Dead Easy Knits. The copyright has now reverted to me and so I took it upon myself to update and modify the original pattern so it is even simpler in many respects and even cuter in all respects. I rewrote the pattern and moved and changed some things in the design so I renamed the pattern slightly. It is now called A Bear and A Bunny Suit. Doesn't that sound like a storybook title?

I also wanted to use my bouncy beautiful Home Worsted Weight wool from Barrett Wool Co. which wasn't released yet when the book came out. If you haven't tried our Home line of yarns you really should. It is a joy with which to knit. It feels so good running through your fingers and onto your needles. 

So the pattern is now called A Bear and a Bunny Suit and it is on sale right now through Wednesday, Oct. 11th, 2017. No code is needed. The pattern is priced at $3.50. On Oct. 12th the pattern will be priced at $5.00. The pattern is available on Ravelry and Barrett Wool Co.

Click here to find out more or to purchase the pattern on Ravelry! 

Click here to find out more or to purchase the pattern on Barrett Wool Co.!

We have kits over on Barrett Wool Co. for A Bear in A Bunny Suit but they are going so fast. We will definitely add more after we get the first batch done and out the door. Remember to sign up on the product page for an automatic email reminder when the item is back in stock. You'll literally be the first to know as soon as something is restocked.

Click here to check out the kits for A Bear in A Bunny Suit!

Here is some information you might like to know:

A Bear and A Bunny Suit

by Susan B. Anderson

Published in

Barrett Wool Co.

Craft

Knitting

Category

Softies → Animal

Published

October 2017

Suggested yarn

Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight

Yarn weight

Worsted (9 wpi) ?

Gauge

6 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette stitch

Needle size

US 5 - 3.75 mm

US 6 - 4.0 mm

Yardage

175 yards (160 m)

Sizes available

5.5 inches tall when sitting

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

This pattern is available for $3.50 USD  buy it now

New Release Pattern Discount! The pattern is on sale for $3.50 starting today, October, 7th, 2017 through Wednesday, Oct. 11th, 2017. No code is needed. After Oct. 11th the pattern will be priced at $5.00. Enjoy!

This new A Bear and A Bunny Suit pattern is a modified version of the original pattern that first appeared in the book Drop Dead Easy Knits in 2016. I’ve changed quite a few things in the written pattern and design for this new version so I decided to release it with a slightly modified name, too.

A Bear and A Bunny Suit is a charming pint-size toy with a knit-in bunny suit including an attached hood that pulls off and on. You will fall in love with this little bear. The design and pattern feature an almost completely seamless construction and lots of specific guidance throughout to make sure your Bear turns out just right.

There is a kit for the Bear and a Bunny Suit over on Barrett Wool Co. if interested!

Finished measurement 
Approximately 5 ½ inches (14 cm) tall when sitting

Yarn 
Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight, 100% American Wool, 100 grams, 230 yards (210 meters)

Home Worsted Weight colors and amounts for samples: 
Bear: 25 grams in the Bear colorway 
Bunny Suit: 50 grams in either the Priscilla or Wishing Well colorways

Needles 
Body, Head and Hood: US size 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles, set of four 
Arms, Legs and Bunny Ears: US size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles, set of four 
Or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge 
Smaller needles: 6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch 
Larger needles: 5.5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Materials 
Locking stitch markers 
Yarn needle 
Scrap yarn 
Fiberfill 
Small amount of black worsted weight yarn for the face embroidery 
Optional: Two 6mm safety eyes (safety eyes are considered a choking hazard for infants and young children) 
Note: If the toy is for an infant or young child use the black worsted weight yarn to embroider the eyes instead of the safety eyes.

Construction Notes 
The body is worked from the bottom up and in the round. The hood is then picked up at the neck using set-aside stitches and is worked flat. The hood stitches are placed on scrap yarn. The head is worked separately in the round and is then stitched to the top of the body (this is the only seam in the entire toy). The hood is then finished off. The bear ears, bunny ears, arms and legs are picked up and knit directly onto the toy.

The little brown bear could not be any sweeter. I love it when the hood is pulled down. 

We are offering the Bear kit in three different colors, Priscilla (pink), Wishing Well (blue) and Grassland (green). It would be cute in so many colors of Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted. 

Even sweeter from the back....

I always get a kick out of knitting a foot or a toe while the finished toy is hanging upside-down. It just looks so funny. The good thing with A Bear and A Bunny Suit is that when you are done knitting that last stitch on the foot, the bear is completely finished! It is a fantastic feeling.

And now for one more exciting development.

Back in July I flew down to Austin, Texas for about 24 hours. There I filmed a segment for The Knit Show with Vickie Howell. I've put the The Handmade Holiday Episode in the post here for you to watch. I come in at about the 4 minute mark. 

But, the entire first season has been released on YouTube. All ten episodes are now up and ready for your free viewing. The show is incredibly well done and I am proud to be a tiny part of the show.

Click here to see The Knit Show on YouTube! Subscribe if you like.

Click here to see The Knit Show's website!

Click here for the free Clover hat pattern I shared on the show!

So I had a birthday last week and on that day my new book with Quince & Co. called Kindred Knits was officially released, and The Knit Show was released as well. It was quite a day to remember.

Phew! What a week. Have a super Sunday, friends. I'll be back soon with more.

xo ~ susan

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