Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Hi Knitters!

Are these not the best little bugs ever? I know nothing about who made them but I know where I bought them. Madison is a relatively small city but, boy oh boy, do we ever have great locally owned shops with a big city feel. You can't find better local retail shops anywhere. These bugs, which are pot hangers, to hang from your pots, of course, were at a kind of new Madison gift boutique/floral shop called Gratitudes. Any time I am giving a non-knitted gift this is where I shop. The owner has a talented eye for the unusual and the unusually cute gifts. They have the best flower arrangements and plants, too. I love this shop. The bugs were only $2.99 a fruity-pop. I bought some up for Valentine gift add-ons. They look like summer and they make me smile.

Twinkle, twinkle little knits, how I wonder where you are (going to fit into my schedule). Twinkle's Big City Knits is absolutely fantastic. I could knit just about everything in here, okay not the full-length skirt, but most everything else. Wenlan Chia is a chunky, bulky knitwear designing genius, which is no small feat. It is difficult to make this gauge yarn look shapely and spirited in garments, and she does it with ease. Wenlan divides her book into sections titled downtown, resort, night on the town, shop the town, twinkle tips, twinkle techniques and the twinkle patterns. Wow, what a ride.

Living in a cold climate makes this book appealing for the warmth factor, but she includes many sleeveless vests, and tops that you could layer or wear alone in warmer temps. There are scarves and hats that are a definite must-knit! Wenlan is innovative in her design, the shapes are new and fresh, the details are divine. She uses her own yarn line throughout the book, which I haven't seen before, but she gives resources to find her yarns and instruction and suggestions on how to substitute different yarns. The Twinkle Handknit yarns are distributed by Classic Elite and I plan on trying some of them so I will let you know what I think! This small town girl will be making many big city knits. If you like chunky, bulky knits on big needles then this one is for you.
Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy days to share in my knitting adventures, I appreciate you all. I flat-out love knitters. As the mason-dixon ladies would say: Mwah!

And a couple of hugs, too.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

best, susie

Work, Work, and a Little Banff

Hi Knitters!

Here's one you'll want to make, and love to make. It's Banff by Jenna Wilson from the always wonderful knitty.com. I ran across this when looking through the archives and realized I had a boatload of the suggested yarn just sitting in my studio. It was leftover from my yarn shop that closed, as is much of the yarn I use for sweater projects. Odds and ends of this and that made it home with me to fill my studio. The yarn is Tahki Soho Bulky Tweed and it is delightful to knit with. This hearty tweed is filled with life and color and heft. Talk about a fast knit, this is it. Within a few short days I completed Banff. Don't just walk, run to your needles to make this sweater. I think this is my new favorite and I may have to make it again at some point.

Banff is cleverly designed and is all about proportion. The design is perfect for a petite person who wants to wear a bulky oversized sweater. If you look at the model on knitty you will see what I mean. The lengths of the sleeves and body are great although my favorite part is the cut of the sleeve. The ribbed cuff is slightly belled. I roll them up, just one fold when I need my hands for work. When I keep them down, I can't explain it, this sweater makes me feel so snuggly. The sleeves cover my hands to my knuckles, and usually I can't stand this, but this sweater makes you feel like grabbing a hot cocoa and a book and heading for the couch for a good long lounging session. I love it.

Here's what I am doing while wearing my Banff and it isn't lounging and it isn't snuggly. I am editing my proofs for book #2. It is so exciting to see what the pages are going to look like, it is a first glimpse at how things are going to come together. The same book designer and photographer are being used as on Itty-Bitty. I am pleased as punch! This book is the apple of my eye, a fantasy knitting book come true. I can't wait to share more. The book is set to be released in October 2007, which seems like a long time away, but there is much to be done before then.
My work table is a silly conglomeration of things I have collected. Some of these pieces are decoupaged on (mod podge of course!) and some I just slide under a plastic desk protector that is on top of the table. I save concert tickets, postcards, photos, subway passes, hotel keycards, cards, magazine pictures, etc., anything that strikes my fancy. Plain surfaces are hard to come by over here. I don't find it distracting but rather comforting instead.

As Simon Cowell likes to say, "Off you go!" That's exactly what I need to do! The editing is waiting.

best, susie

The Best Part

Hi Knitters!

The best part of finishing a new pair of socks is....

starting the next pair. The vintage socks from yarntini are spectacular, warm, and squishy. They make my feet feel loved. You know what I mean. I ordered these next two future pairs of socks from theloopyewe.com and I am excited to get going. The Posh yarn, which I casted on this morning, is 30% cashmere and 70% merino. I can't wait. The sKNITches yarn is beautiful and is called Breathmint. Minty fresh! I fell for the name.

I have a major thing for color names from crayons, to paint, and most of all to yarn. I can, at times, fall in love with a yarn simply due to its name. I know Rowan used to have Biggy Print in a colorway called Cookie. Cookie. How can I resist that? I also have s'mores sock yarn from Knitpicks. Rowan Handknit Cotton has double chocolate that's hard to resist as well. Why is it all about dessert with me? I have such a problem. I can even recite all of the paint colors on my walls by name. It's all strange but true.

Moving on, tomorrow the beautiful and talented Betz White will make her debut appearance on the Martha Stewart Show. Everyone be sure to tune in. She is a new friend of mine and I am excited for her. I also saw that she has her birdie pouches in the latest issue of Adorn magazine. Congratulations to Betz! She is taking off.

I have a quick, funny story before signing off. I was in JoAnn Crafts last weekend where I ran across Knit It! magazine. I walked by it several times as I was with my son and we were picking out fabric and notions for his home ec. class. Finally, while we were standing in line to check out I grabbed a copy and flipped open to a spread about....itty bitty hats! Really, I opened directly to that page. I nearly fell on the floor. I had to step out of the line for a second to catch my breath. It was just a weird experience. There are 3 patterns from the book in the magazine. Stars, pink pastel marley and the upside-down daisy patterns are featured with a brief description of each. It was a funny thing to happen, so unexpected.

The proofs for book #2 are arriving at my house on Saturday and I have about 10 days to edit. Wish me luck!

best, susie

tubey, or not to be

Hi Knitters!

Did any of you make Tubey from Knitty.com? I did. I was intrigued by the construction of the design. When you've been knitting as long as I have and you see new construction in sweater design, you simply have to make that sweater. I had tons of single skeins of Noro Cash Iroha sitting in my studio which was a perfect choice for this Tubey. I had fun knitting this little gem, no seams, fast, fast, fast in the round knitting. It is a cute sweater.

The problem is that it doesn't fit comfortably. It pinches under the arms! I took painstaking care to get the correct measurement before I started the project to determine what size to make. I actually had my mom measure me. I had to stretch my arms out in front or something like that and measure armpit to armpit. Sorry mom! I like the sweater so much, I dislike the fit even more. Also, it is not good for the old undergarments. It is cut too far open to the shoulders at the neckline. To solve that a top or cami underneath or even a crisp white blouse would cover that up. None of these fit comfortably with the pinchy armpits.

It is a sad tale I have to tell about my tubey delight. I think I will rip, rip, and more rip! I made it a year ago and have worn it once. It is time to go and that Cash Iroha is too fantastic to waste. I think I may make the Hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson instead. The colors are good and the stripes, the best. It should be redone in a more wearable form, no?

I'll leave you on a positive note! I looooove this Namaste bag I got a little while ago. It is fantastico! Chic, huge, pockety, black, shoulder totey, you name it, it's here. Get one for yourselves quick.

best, susie

p.s. If you are reading this from a warm spot, you wouldn't believe the weather here. It was something like 40 below yesterday, no school for the kids which is unheard of in Madison. We're a tough crowd when it comes weather. Our school district now closes when it hits 35 below. The last time the schools were closed for coldness was in 1994 when it was a 70 below wind chill. Brrrrrr, all the better for knitting...

Fun(ny) Stuff

Hi Knitters!

I was mentioning how I like to pull out older knitting books to look through on a regular basis. Yesterday I pulled out this special kids edition of Vogue Knitting. It was the fall/winter 1993 issue. If you can get your hands on this magazine, I say do it! The designers featured are Jil Eaton, Meg Swansen, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Gayle Bunn, Norah Gaughan, Lipp Holmfeld, and Nicky Epstein. The designs are fantastic, many of them are timeless classics.

One of the greatest features in this edition is two-page spread of little teddy bears in terrific knitted outfits. The outfits were designed by some of the greatest knitting designers ever. Added to the list above are Kaffe Fassett and now, who was that? Oh yeah, Jacqelyn Smith! Charlie's Angels' Jacquelyn Smith? Not so fast, I looked it up and she spells her name Jaclyn, but it's fun to imagine. Doesn't she have a popular clothing line at Walmart or something? Anyway, the bears in their outfits were auctioned off for The Children's Aid Society, a charity fund for kids. I love this idea. Also, they had a booklet with all 18 patterns for the bear clothes which you could purchase and the profits went to the charity. It's all adorable. Someone should do this again.

As I was leafing through the magazine, an ad caught my eye. Take a close look at that picture, come closer, closer......

That's right. You guessed it (drum roll). It's Lindsay Lohan! Yes, she's modeling ALPHABET FUN!! Lindsay is so cute in this picture, so innocent. Now, the ad is for iron-on transfers to add to this basic Vogue sweater pattern. You apply the transfer then duplicate stitch and embroider the letter and animal to the sweater front. They suggest these are for kids and adults alike! Sign me up, mom.
Now we jump to the fun stuff. I love Pier 1 Imports for pillows. They have great colorful pillows for low prices. It is inspiring to hang out by their pillow wall. I have to get over there to do just that. This set of 3 pillows came in a stack tied together with a ribbon. Isn't it delicious? I even got some orange cables in the mix.

Julia yarn by Kristin Nicholas is another fun thing. What glorious yarn in deep, rich colors. I definitely have to knit something with this treasure trove soon. I see Kristin has a new book coming out. I will buy it sight unseen. I am a big Kristin fan. She does it all, quietly and beautifully. I can't wait. I think the book is called Kristin Knits. Whatever it is I'm there with my check book.

I'm leaving you now with my thoughts lingering on Jaclyn (I always wanted her hair) knitting her bear outfit in full Charlie's Angels glory, sweet Lindsay modeling her C is for Cat sweater, iron-on transfers for your knitting and much, much more.

It's a fun world out there.

best, susie

I Think I'm In Love

Hi Knitters!

I started this sock yesterday and literally could not put it down. This is the first time I have knitted with yarntini (www.yarntini.net) self-striping sock yarn and I am in heaven. I can't wait to finish the second sock which I will cast on right after I post. I am using US size 2 dpns and a simple stockinette stitch, the gauge is 7 stitches per inch. The colorway is called Vintage.

I feel like Will Ferrill in Elf. I'm in love and I don't care who knows!

Happy weekend!

best, susie

Did You See That?

Hi Knitters!

Briefly, did you see Knitty Gritty today? Annie Modesitt was on, so exciting to see her in action, and she actually did a demo of the cable without a cable needle technique. You can tell she is a seasoned teacher. She did a great job. I actually watched the entire show today while I was on the elliptical. What a great way to pass some time while working out! I finished off the workout with a little Martha Stewart who had Jennifer Garner on as a guest. Is she cute or what?

Knitty Gritty + Martha + elliptical = one great workout!

On to The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I am loving this book. I would say I am about 2/3 the way through it. I have been reading it a little at a time, mainly in the early, early morning hours with a quick cup of coffee before my kids get up. Then I have to put it down to move on with the day. It is a very quick read, easy to jump into, easy to envision as it takes place in a New York yarn shop. The characters are comfortable and understandable. The main character, Georgia, owns a knit shop and is the mother to a 12 year old daughter. The absentee father of the daughter shows up out of the blue expecting to be included in the girl's life. This is the main story, but much of the time is spent getting to know several other members of the knitting group. Georgia also has a friend from high school who did her wrong show up suddenly. I highly recommend this book for a fun-filled story set in knitting shop.

The Knitting Circle is next in line in my novel stack. I will fill you in on this one as soon as I get going on it.
While on the elliptical I always look through knitting books. I especially like to pull out older books that I haven't visited for awhile. This is only a 2004 release, but I do pull out books from over ten years ago on a regular basis. Vogue Knitting Accessorize is an excellent book. There are so many patterns I am going to knit from this book. Do you see my post-its sticking out of the top? Here are a few I am planning on knitting in the near future: leaf scarf by Veronica Manno, muti-pink scarf by Jill Gutman Schoenfuss, seed stitch cap by Lipp Holmfeld, and the tea cozy hat by Gayle Bunn. I have yarn for all of these projects sitting in my stash right now! It has to be done. Check out this book, many of the patterns are timeless. Even though I don't like ponchos, these photos actually make me like them a little bit. What a great book!
I am almost done with these cute little ribbed socks. Only a bit of the foot and the toe left to go. I don't care what anyone says, I love my dpns. I have no problem with dpns and for beginners I think it is such an important skill to acquire. So many projects use dpns and if you don't learn how to use them, you limit yourself greatly in future project choice. This yarn is Lana Grossa Meilenweit. It has some cotton in it and they are wonderful light socks. I have another pair already finished and I wear them all the time. I have one more ball of this in fall colors, too. I ordered the three colors from Kpixie, one of my favorite online shops.
One last thing, these are the yarns I am using for a current book-related project. Can you guess the topic of the project?

best, susie

p.s. That is Kaffe Fassett fabric I bought years ago. When I redesigned my kitchen I knocked out the centers of my top cabinet doors to put glass in. In two of the cabinet doors, instead of glass I was going to put this fabric in the knocked out spaces. Instead I ended up using two stripey rugs I ordered from Pottery Barn. I cut the rugs to fit, used fray-check on the edges, and then I used a staple gun to the backside of the doors to attach the rugs. It turned out very cute. I never used Kaffe's fabric but I still think it is wonderful. Sorry I didn't iron for you!

Sharing the Knitted Love

Hi Knitters!

I knitted a quick hat and scarf set for my dear publicist, Danielle. She's gone and left me for a different job at Workman but I still love her anyway. She took good care of me and I want to share a little knitted love with her for her upcoming birthday.

I used 3 skeins of Manos in the Wildflower colorway #113 and size 11 needles for the scarf. I used Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee's One Row Scarf pattern, it's awesome and easy! I used my hat pattern in itty-bitty for the Simple Baby Cap 3, only I cast on 80 stitches to start with. This makes a 20 inch hat, which is perfect for an average size woman's head. I knitted to 7 inches before I started the decrease sequence. Oh yeah, I used size 9 sixteen inch circular and dpns for the hat and I used the one row scarf pattern modified for working in the round for about 4 rounds to start the hat off.

For the edge of the scarf I used 2 size 7 dpns to make 3 inch i-cords, 5 for each edge. Next I sewed the ends of the i-cord together to form little rings. I stitched these onto the ends to add a finishing touch. I am so over fringe lately, it just doesn't appeal to me right now. It may come back, who knows.
To add a bit of flare to the simple cap, I made 3 more rings and sewed them to the front side of the hat. This makes a swingy, warm set for a cute, young New York girl running to catch the train at the end of the day! I can just see it.
I had to include a shot of the beautiful amaryllis flowers that have taken bloom in my kitchen. There are 8 enormous candy cane blossoms that are enough to make your heart stop. It's the best in the dead of winter to have these flowers in my house.

Quickly I have to mention a blog that is driving me crazy with happiness. It is a very popular blog known as the blue blog and it is at www.alison.knitsmiths.us. Alison is a joyous mother of two boys who is expecting her first girl very soon. She is knitting itty bitty hats like mad and is loving every minute of it. So far she has knitted cherry-o!, upside down daisy, cotton stria stripes (check out the matching sock yarn) and best of all her knitting group knitted all of the roses for the rosebud wreath hat for her. She may have done more hats I am not sure. Her fun outlook on knitting and excitement for this new baby girl are so contagious.

Alison's knitting group, the knitsmiths, gave her the knittiest baby shower I have ever seen. They strung up a clothesline and filled it up by hanging knitted booties in all different styles and colors across the room. So cute! Anyway, Alison is a fantastic knitter, check out her finished projects and you will be impressed. Hats off to Alison who makes even me, the overworked mother of four, want to have another baby!

Last and probably least, I picked up this fun artist's model at barnes and noble. I keep thinking about dressing it up in knitted goods, at least a hat. I plan on using this for some sketching and painting! I'll keep you posted.

best, susie

I Don't Get It

Hi Knitters!

I don't get the knitted underwear thing...

I have an open mind and a sense of humor toward new ideas, new practicalities, new designs, but this thing with the naughty needles and so forth is funny to me. You know how Faith Hill said, "Whaaaaat?" into the camera at that awards show? That's how I feel about the knitted underwear and other weird knitted accessories that are in a couple of new books out there. Just plain old, really? Even books with patterns for knitted bikinis puzzle me. This is making me laugh.

I totally get the whole punk movement and knitting. Punk is a lifestyle of expression through clothing and style. Punk means to take something and make it your own, different from anyone else. Knitting is the perfect means to creating your own style however you see it. I get it.

I know that there is a following for knitted underwear or lingerie because these books are doing pretty well in the rankings. There is such a broad spectrum of knitters out there. It is pretty fascinating, really.

Go figure and to each his or her knitted own! There is room for everyone in my knitting world, so knit on.

Peace, Love and Knit (even underwear)!

best, susie

Knitty Gritty Inspiration

Hi Knitters!

I have been trying to catch Knitty Gritty on HGTV if I am thinking about it during the week and I am home. I think the set is great. One of the best decor ideas is that huge bowl of yarn balls on the coffee table in front of the knitsters. I have had my eye on that for awhile. I decided this morning to create my own bowl of yarn balls. I took some of my Manos and Blue Sky Alpaca bulky and wound it into large, squishy balls. I tossed them into my giant green bowl and I have a quick and awesome centerpiece! I will move the bowl from this table to put on my family room coffee table. Everything is oversized and overstuffed in that room, the bowl will fit right in. I think it looks like candy!

Well, that's my yarn related fun for the morning. I am off to relish in our new fluffy white snowfall! It's really only about 4 inches, but it is better than nothing.

best, susie

Summer in Winter

Hi Knitters!

Summer Tweed by Rowan is a favorite yarn of mine. I am currently knitting a simple stockinette, slightly set-in sleeves, oversized turtleneck sweater, for me, in this beautiful silk, cotton tweed. The color is a pale blush with flecks of blues and pinks. No matter how many sweaters in how many styles I have knitted over the years I always come back to the most simple silhouettes because these are the sweaters I tend to wear over and over. I whipped out the back over the last couple of days of very sporadic knitting. It is fun, mindless and fast on a size 8 needle. I am using my Addi Turbos because my Options are on other projects. I have a lot of projects going on right now and I'm having so much fun. It should be illegal.

This trio of snowmen are on my mantel right now. These are some of my favorite pieces of art in my house. I picked them up at a holiday art fair quite a few years ago. They were a bit pricey, but I had to have them. The artist's name is Gregg Trollop and his snowmen are exquisitely carved creations. They have such movement and personality. He told me about how he searched and searched for the perfect little twigs to create the arms for each character. They look like they are dancing. Of course I love the hats, too. I went back to the same art fair the next year to buy some more and he wasn't there. I am certainly glad I got these little treasures when I did. Every year they are a treat to set out. J'adore!

This morning we woke to a dusting of snow. It is just a tiny covering, but later today we are supposed to get another 3-6 inches. We are keeping our fingers crossed. The kids have off for MLK day on Monday, so the sledding hill may be calling our name! Yippee! Every year all of my kids and I make paper snowflakes to hang on our windows. I love these lacey creations. Beautiful.

Last week was a productive work week for me. I had a meeting about an interesting business venture which will hopefully work out. I can't discuss too much yet, but it looks exciting!

I got an excellent book direction idea from my publisher, who I just love by the way. She is smart, savvy, and fun all at the same time. My brain is racing with ideas for book #3. It is time to get cracking on that while my second book is in the editing phase. I have sketches, lists and ideas spread everywhere. Yesterday I picked up a brand-new sketch book to devote strictly to this new book concept. This is where I will start listing, consolidating ideas and sketching out the book. It will start taking shape. When I get a new sketch book I literally feel the excitement of the possibilites that wait for me on those blank pages.

I have stoked the fires with a few weeks of non-work related knitting and I am ready to get back to work again. I think it is funny how when I get a break in work-related knitting I immediately race to my needles for more knitting.

Passion is passion.

best, susie

Gauge is an Issue

Hi Knitters!

I was thrilled to be included in a two page Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article about knitting that came out in the Entree section of the Sunday edition. It is an excellent article that is about quick innovative projects that use up stash yarn in a hurry. The writer, who is a knitter originally from Canada, loved Itty-Bitty and selected the vertical stripes hat to knit up for the article. You can check out the article here at www.jsonline.com/entree and the writer's name is Mary-Liz Shaw.

She completed the hat and she did a nice job with it. The picture makes it look a little tubey, but with a head in there it will round out nicely. Other knitters she interviewed are Leigh Radford, Mel Clark, Jaime Guthals from Interweave, and Melanie Falick.

I love to see knitting get such great publicity. She selected a flower washcloth, a felted recycled sweater bag, a dog sweater, a knitted mouse, a tea cozy, a felted bag, and the baby hat to include in the article. All of these projects have a fun twist somehow worked in the pattern.

When I was being interviewed over the phone, we talked for quite awhile about many topics. One of the main topics we discussed is toy knitting. She was in the middle of knitting Tracy Chapman's mouse from Toys to Knit. This is a sweet book that I own and am familiar with.

I gave Mary-Liz a couple of tips for toy knitting, which she hadn't tried before, and I see that her mouse turned out really cute. While discussing toy knitting I said that knitting toys is a perfect small project. It packs a lot of learning into a small amount of knitting. Toys often have tons of shaping and usually there is some seaming required. I added that when knitting toys you don't have to worry about gauge as much because you are not making something to be worn. She wrote that I said, "I like knitting for babies. You don't need a large amount of yarn and gauge isn't an issue." That's not exactly what I said.

Let me just say, gauge is an issue for baby knitting! Any time you are knitting a garment to be worn by a baby or anyone, any size, you have to knit to gauge to get a good fit! it doesn't matter how large a hat, mitten, sweater or bootie is, it has to match the recommended gauge in order to get the look and fit you are hoping for.

The context for me saying gauge isn't an issue was taken out of toy knitting and placed into baby knitting in general. When knitting toys, it isn't going to be a big deal if you are slightly off gauge. However, I wouldn't recommend being off gauge for any project. You may be disappointed with the look of your finished product. When you are knitting an item that isn't going to be worn gauge isn't as important as when knitting a garment that needs to fit.

Still with that being said, it is a good article, and I am honored to have been included with these other fantastic knitters. These things happen. I have been quoted in other articles and I have had to laugh at times because your words can get switched around in a way that you wouldn't say them. This can be kind of funny. This time though, I thought some clarification was necessary.

In both of my books I address gauge constantly, so I would never dismiss this important element to successful baby knitting.

One more time: Gauge is an issue for baby knitting!!!

best, susie (gauge lover) anderson

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Hi Knitters!

I walked around my house this morning and took the following shots. Please ignore the dust where applicable.

Look closely for some of my current projects and a few of my favorite things.

best, susie

A Lady and Some Stupid Socks

Hi Knitters!

Happy 2007! Where is time going and how can I slow it down? Yikes. When I was young I would calculate how old I would be in the year 2000. When I looked ahead it seemed so far away and I would turn 36 years old in 2000. That sounded so old to me and now it seems so young looking back. New Year's has never been my favorite holiday, there is something kind of melancholy about the whole thing. I spent a quiet evening at home with my husband and kids. That's the best night to me anyway.

On to knitting, I have some projects going right now. I have a couple of original designs that I can't share yet, so I'll save those for a later date. I also have some projects that I can share. One of them is the beautiful entrelac shawl from Scarf Style by the talented Pam Allen. The shawl is called the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole by Kathleen Power Johnson. I am using up left over Noro Kureyon that I have gathered from various projects, and then I am filling in with some new skeins in 3 different colorways that will blend nicely together. I love the unblocked look of Kureyon, it is so alive. This is a great book and I have done many scarves from here already, and have been inspired be several others.

The entrelac is a fun way to knit if you don't mind turning back and forth across a row. It is mindless knitting once you have the pattern down. You can memorize it quickly. Did you see Eunny Jang's entrelac socks out of Trekking? These are at www.eunnyjang.com, click on October. Stunning! That I may try next. I need to start plowing through some of that sock yarn I am accumulating. The problem is that I really like fancy socks to knit, but I only wear the simple stockinette or rib socks. What to do...what to do... such a dilemma. I am kidding, it is silly. I may make a resolution to only knit stockinette stitch socks for 2007.

Do you make resolutions? I don't. I think having a goal is a good thing, but I do that anyway throughout the year. I have never given resolutions much thought at all. Maybe my lifelong resolution should just be to knit more in the new year than in the past year. Yeah, that should be achieveable. Ok, that's what it is every year from now on.

Have you seen Stupid Sock Creatures? My 15 year-old son got this book for Christmas and we spent new year's day making the larger creature together with my 13 year-old son. It was a joint effort from start to finish. What a fun way to pass the time while the football game was on tv. My younger son basically made the red creature on his own, I just helped with the mouth a bit. I love crafty boys. There is something so sweet about boys big and small making a craft project together.

This book is wonderful, I highly recommend it on many levels. The projects are great, but are meant as jumping off points which is my kind of instruction! The author, John Murphy, is super smart and talented. He puts his sketches and illustrations and doodles throughout the book. This is probably my favorite part of the book. I have wanted to do this kind of thing in my books, but it hasn't worked out yet. I still have hopes to publish my sketches, illustrations, watercolors and the like in a knitting book. I love that aspect of design and Stupid Sock Creatures is inspiring in this way. Socks off to John Murphy and Lark books!

The kids are still out of school this entire week and I love it.

I tried to do links in my text for this post, but obviously they didn't work. I'll get it next time or at least I will try again.

best, susie

One Podcast, One Skein

Hi Knitters!

Surely this can't be my front yarn (okay, I typed yarn instead of yard which is kind of perfect in a way) in Madison at the end of December. Sadly enough it's true. We love the winter, that's why we continue to live in this climate. When there is no snow it makes everything seem a little gray and sad. My children love bundling up for an afternoon of sledding at a huge hill just down the block. It hardly seems necessary for a cup of marshmallow-y hot chocolate when the temps are in the mid-40's every day. I feel it in my bones that soon we may get completely socked in by a blizzard. I hope for a snow day from school as much as the kids do. It feels like such a freebie, like a little cheat. Oh well, maybe soon.

Yesterday I took my run and listened to The Knitting Cook. This is a wonderful podcast from a young American mother, named Faith, living in Germany with her husband and two boys with another baby on the way. She knits and spins and can she cook! First she talks about her knitting and spinning adventures which are always fun to hear about. Next she tells a funny story about her adventures living in Germany. Her family is a recent transfer due to her husband's job. To finish things off she shares one of her favorite recipes while she actually makes the recipe in her kitchen as she talks. It is great to hear the spoons banging or things sizzling or how she fixes things if she makes a mistake as she goes. Faith has a great voice and right now she has holiday baking recipes on her site, www.theknittingcook.com, that I am definitely going to have to try. Baking is one of my favorite hobbies and these recipes are very appealing. This podcast should be on your subscription list for sure.

Now about those socks, Faith from The Knitting Cook is making a pair of Leigh Radford's Cable Footies from One Skein for her mother. As I was running I began thinking about the Cable Footies I made last year. I hadn't worn them for awhile so I rummaged around in my drawer and sure enough when I put them on this morning, my love for them returned quickly. What I remember most about these socks is that they are fast. I finished the pair in one or two days. But best of all, I learned a new technique while making these socks. I learned how to do cables without using a cable needle.

I learned this cable needle-free technique from Annie Modesitt's blog at www.anniemodesitt.com, where she had a step-by-step tutorial. When I just looked on her site for this tutorial I didn't see it but it is probably buried in there somewhere so just do a search for cable without a cable needle, and you will find her tutorial, which is excellent as always. This is a great technique and once you have it down your needles will fly even faster! Learn this technique, really.

My Cable Footies are made from the recommended yarn, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in black. This is fantastic yarn and there was quite a bit left over at the end of the project. One Skein is a beautiful book, beyond wonderful and one of my favorites. Leigh Radford was also interviewed by Jennifer at the Craftsanity podcast. This makes for an interesting and informative listen from one of the leading designers in knitting today. It's a very worthwhile hour indeed!

You won't regret getting this book, listening to this podcast, learning a new technique, and maybe even baking some cookies by Faith.

best, susie

p.s. Shobhana from Yarnplay emailed me and asked to put my version of the Sidetracked scarf photo on her Yarnplay blog. Her blog is www.mylifeinstitches.net and the Yarnplay blog is www.wild_deer.typepad.com/yarnplay. Both great fun to read and explore. Shobhana is really just herself in her blog, she's honest, not trying to impress and that ends up being so cool. She's refreshing and talented so head on over there, too.

psst!

Hi Knitters!

Did you see that amazon is selling Greetings From Knit Cafe for $4.99 a copy (normally $24.99)? This is a wonderful hardcover book with beautiful photography and some great projects! Sneak on over and get a copy quick before it's over.

best, susie

Happy Holidays

Hi Knitters!

The excitement is at an all-time high over here this morning. We are actually in the midst of doing a major clean up before the onslaught of new toys, clothes and gadgets hits our already crowded house. Everyone is pitching in, so that helps.

Have you checked out the crafting blog www.ihanna.nu/blog yet? Go on over there and see what she's all about. I need more time to explore this blog more thoroughly, but it is a popular one to say the least.

I'll post a better shots of the fun stuff I have made and collected over the years that fill up my studio. I can't seem to get the shots to be crystal clear, they are always a little shaky even when I rest my elbows on something for stability. Any suggestions out there? I am new at photography, but I am loving it and I want to get better. I have so much to share.

The buttons that are hot glued to my light switch in my studio were given to me in an ancient tin from a sweet friend of mine. They were her mother's buttons, some of them are extremely old, and when she passed away at age 90 a few years ago, my friend thought of me when she found the tin. When I showed her my light switch, she just loved it! I still want to do more with these, like use some mismatched buttons on a sweater for her granddaughter or make a felted scarf with the buttons applied somehow. I've got to work on that.

Guess who won the battle with the manuscript? That would be me! It is on its way to NYC right now. I feel really good about it.

Another friend of mine dropped off her annual Christmas amaryllis that we watch grow and blossom every winter. What a treat to get such a great gift. I have kept a stash of knitted ornaments, Christmas Peas and Santa Baby hats and oh, I did some needle felting on styrofoam balls that I hand out when anyone stops by. They have been a big hit.

Well, that's enough for now. Have a beautiful holiday and enjoy your loved ones!

best, susie

Cup o' Knitted Goodness

Hi Knitters!

This lovely little mug sits on a table in my studio and I just keep adding knitted stuff to it. It looked so sweet I thought I'd share it with you on this dreary winter morning.

I was in Stitcher's Crossing buying up some Manos last weekend, when the woman working there, who is on the board of the Madison Knitter's Guild, asked if I would teach a class on knitted embellishments for a March weekend knitting extravaganza. How fun will that be? I haven't taught for awhile and I miss it so this will be a good thing. I said yes right away.

Then the added plus came. Guess who is coming to Madison to speak at this event? The one and only Annie Modesitt! I love her! She is a knitting superstar. I am so excited about this. I am honored to have been included in the line up, and getting to see Annie is just a big bonus. Her blog is fantastic and just hearing about her schedule for travel and knitting deadlines makes me tired. She is something else. Check her out at www.anniemodesitt.com. She also has a great interview with Marie Irshad from awhile back on Knitcast, so take a listen to that if you need entertainment while wrapping those gifts.

I will fill you in on the details about this event as it gets closer. Annie's coming to town and I am so there.

My daughter woke up singing only 5 days to go! My manuscript is flying out Saturday morning to arrive in New York by Tuesday. The mad scramble is on and I am determined to win this battle.

Gotta run.

best, susie

Snowman Factory

Hi Knitters!
The snowman factory is closed and all of the workers are exhausted. A friend of mine first made a version of these snowmen many years ago. Here is a step-by-step recap of our snowman excitement.
Ingredients:
stick pretzels
peach rings
chocolate kisses
fruit by the foot
mini chocolate chips
marshmallows
white frosting
white rainbow rounds (melted to cover the marshmallows)
long sucker sticks
wax paper
The white rainbow rounds and the long sucker sticks I had to purchase at a baking/candy making specialty shop called The Vanilla Bean. Everything else I picked up at the grocery store.
Have the kids push three marsmallows onto the sucker sticks, and make sure they are close together. Melt the white rainbow rounds in a shallow dish in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Roll the marshmallows on the sticks in the melted white chocolate until completely covered, let the excess drip off. Place on wax paper. Before hardening quickly place the mini chocolate chips to make eyes and a mouth and buttons. Truly, the kids can do all of this on their own.
Using the frosting as glue, place a peach ring and kiss on the top for a hat. Gently push 2 pretzel sticks in for the arms. Cut the fruit by the foot in 8-inch lengths and then cut in half lengthwise to make the scarf skinnier. Wrap the scarf around the neck and squeeze together to hold in place.
I know the snowman is blurry, but so am I!
Snowman mission accomplished.
best, susie

8 Days

Hi Knitters!

My daughter is keeping a countdown to Christmas on a large chalkboard I have in my kitchen. Every morning she changes the number and announces to me how many days are left. I love her enthusiasm but it is making me panic a bit. I am not ready, yikes! I still have that manuscript haunting my every move. I am making good progress with just a few days to go on that. There are too many countdowns going on right now!

In knitting news, I have started some needle felting. It is pretty fun. I made some dots on this felted bag I had made awhile ago. It is an easy way to add some color and interest to your fabric. You'll be seeing more of this from me in the future. I see a lot of possibilities.

I heard from Robin Armstrong that the Knitting for Noggins charity hat drive has currently collected 24,000 hats! This is incredible. She also said they have collected donations from 22 states. I can't get over the success of this project. It's pretty darn impressive. I thought the original goal of 10,000 hats sounded like high number.

Well, off I go to make the cutest marshmallow snowmen with my girls for their classes at school tomorrow. I will share these little creations with you later. This is a project even little kids can really do with just a little adult help, it's the perfect recipe. The snowmen are a sweet tradition at our house every year. The kids love it and it's good winter fun!

best, susie