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 

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

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 

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

Isthmus Itty Bitty Article & Little Giraffe!

photo by Sharon Vanorny

Hi, Knitters,

I hope you are doing well. December is going by quickly and there is still no snow in Madison. The temperatures have been pretty mild for the most part. I always love it when there is snow on the ground for Christmas so hopefully this week we will get some. Fingers crossed.

I am fortunate enough to be featured on the cover (photo above) and inside the Madison weekly newspaper called the Isthmus this week. That has been a fun experience. And about that photo, I was actually sitting on that porch swing in a Madison neighborhood so that part is true. The little animals were also sitting on that porch swing with me, most of them are about 6-10 inches in height at best. So when I saw the photoshopped knit toys that were made huge it was a little startling. The photo has grown on me though, I love the playfulness and creativity the it evokes. It does catch your eye for sure and that is good for a cover photo.

Click here to read the article and see more photos online from the Isthmus newspaper! 

The article is well-written by Linda Falkenstein and it includes interviews with Evan Anderson, Jaala Spiro of Knit Circus, and Paula Emons-Fuessle of the Knitting Pipeline. 

I met with Linda to for the interview in person and she had a lot of good and different questions for me. She is about my age and is also a lifelong Madisonian so I think in some way that added to the interview in a good way. It was fun going down memory lane and also talking about all of the recent developments in my knitting life. 

photo by Sharon Vanorny

I love it that Evan was part of the article, too, and that they featured Barrett Wool Co. We are actually sitting at my sister's table here. 

Anyway, check out the Isthmus if you are interested. It is a true Madison staple. 

photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge for Making Magazine

Now for some knitting news. The Little Giraffe pattern is now available for individual download on Ravelry. The pattern was originally in Making Magazine No. 3 / Dots. 

To celebrate the pattern, I have set the price at a discounted $4.00, no code is needed, until December 22, 2017. Then the regular price will be $5.50. 

Click here to see the pattern for Little Giraffe on Ravelry! 

But even better, we brought the Little Giraffe Kits back to Barrett Wool Co. in some fantastic new color choices. The kits include everything you need to make the Little Giraffe except the stuffing. You get the yarn, pattern (if needed), safety eyes and black yarn to stitch the nose.  

The Little Giraffe Kit is so sweet. Click here to see more about the Kit on Barrett Wool Co.!

The kit above is in the Strawflower pink and Folkstone gray colors in Home Worsted Weight yarn.

photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge

The Little Giraffe measures in at about 10-inches in height. The toy is knit almost completely seamlessly. The feet, arms, and ears are knit first and then as you knit the body and head the appendages are knit right in as you go. There is no guesswork at all. The only seam is to stitch the head to the body. 

photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge

Anyway, it is an awfully cute toy and I love the size on this one (even though it isn't as life-size as in the first photo), it is kind of perfect for kids to snuggle and hold.

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

xo ~ susan