Stitched by Hand

Hi Knitters,

I always laugh about the things I didn't think of before having four kids. Things like trying to keep groceries in the house, massive amounts of laundry, the number of forms you will be filling out (especially at the beginning of the school year) and the number of basic appointments you will be in charge of making, keeping track of and then taking the kids to. In the past few weeks I have had about a half-dozen doctor appointments and five dentist appointments.

All of this pain and suffering is far outweighed by everything positive having a larger family brings to our life. But still. I know this is magnified by the fact that I am not good at keeping a calendar. I'm just not. I try my best. I only messed up on one appointment this summer by showing up a little late and that's not too bad for me.

The point of this silly saga is that I started the hand-stitched head scarf kit from Purl to have a tiny project to tote along with me to some of these appointments last week. The instructions are in here: Alabama Stitch Book. I had so much fun with this little project that I am thinking about ordering this bag kit. I want it to have longer handles though. What do you think?
The knots are part of the design which I love. I always enjoy that handmade, not so perfect, element to anything I make or that someone else makes. The knots add such a richness and element of whimsy. After I stitched around the stenciled on pattern I had to start cutting away. This made me hesitate a little. Cutting is so permanent.
Guess what? I loved the cutting out part. I know it isn't perfect but who cares. I really got into it and discovered that this is one addicting project. I didn't want it to end and immediately started to think about what else I could make using the reverse applique technique.
I am sure you have already guessed who is now the owner of the head scarf. Um, yeah. I cut out the last applique and there she stood ready to put it on. Fantastic.

(We are making something for TC's fairy garden. We saved a stump from our tree removal last year. She is going to mosaic the top of the stump to make a little and colorful seat to place in her garden area. She sanded and primed the seat. Next she will place the tiles with mastic, then grout and seal. I'll keep you posted. TC is into it!)
TC absolutely LOVES the Alabama Stitch bandana. I mean truly loves.
Take it away little one. It's yours.

best, susie

Noteworthy News

Hi Knitters,

I have some things to share that are noteworthy!

First off, please jump over to Ve's blog and check out the video interview that I did through Skype. There is a major Spud & Chloë giveaway going on over there, too. Don't miss out.

Click here to see the interview and enter the giveaway! Just scroll down a little bit to see the videos and the giveaway information.

Be sure to check out the new fall issue of Knit Circus. The patterns are better than ever and there is a feature article on Amanda Soule of Soule Mama. It is a wonderful issue, can't say enough good things about it. Really, just look at that cover shot. It's adorable.

The creator of Knit Circus is a hardworking Madison mom who is lovely and fun. I admire Jaala so much for her dedication and I'd love to see her knitting venture do well. Mwah! to Jaala Spiro.

On another topic, I opened a Ravelry pattern shop to sell my online patterns. I am pretty excited about this. This is another easy way to purchase and store my online patterns! My original shop is staying open as well so you can still order over there.

Here is the link to my brand new Ravelry Pattern Store! I will get a link up on my sidebar for this shop and you don't have to be a member to order through Ravelry.

Here is the link to my original online pattern shop!

Thanks so much for all of the Summer Camp Cloths pattern purchases. I am overwhelmed by the love. Thank you.
What do I do when I am under a bit of stress? Start a new project of course! I've had this kit for awhile but only pulled it out yesterday.

Here is the link for the kit! You have to own the book for directions.

Here is the link for the book, Alabama Stitch Book!
I love to hand-stitch so this is the perfect little project for me. You stitch around all of the stenciled shapes using the running stitch and with a sturdy brown button/craft thread held doubled. The knots are on the right side and are a part of the design which makes it even easier. When your stitching is complete you take a sharp and pointy pair of embroidery scissors and cut the inside of the stencil away leaving a small border inside of the stitching. Simple as that. It is called reverse applique.
Isn't it wonderful? Purl has the yellow version in kit form as well but I like the contrast of the blue and white. TC already has dibs on this project. She loves a good head scarf. She keeps standing next to me to watch while I stitch. I'll give you a progress report on this one when I am done. It is going to be fast.

What I really want to stitch is the swing skirt! It gives me a chill every time I see it. Must. Make. I will order a custom kit at some point very soon. The entire Alabama Chanin site is wonderful and inspiring. Don't miss it.

Click here to see the skirt and kit!
Okay, one last thing. I am starting an Easy Top-Down Raglan Knitalong on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 on Spud says! I'd love for you to join in if you have any interest in knitting a sweater for yourself or for someone near and dear.

Click here to see the first informational post about materials for the knitalong!
That old TC grabbed my sweater fresh off the needles and threw it on. I am not making it up. I hadn't even blocked it yet and had barely snipped the last woven in end. It looks so good on her, although big, that I made her pose for a few photos. The sweater is sized for an adult. For the knitalong I am making another version in TC-size. I will measure as I go. She is an average 11-year-old size.

Here is the Ravelry project page link for the Easy Top-Down Raglan Knitalong.

There isn't an official sign-up or anything. It is all casual and fun. I have already heard from loads of knitters who are joining in to knit their first sweater with us. What an honor.

The biggest news is that I have a special guest expert lined up. It is the one and only top-down sweater queen, Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic and Custom Knits fame!!! I am so excited about this. In fact right now she is in Denver filming a top-down sweater instructional video for Interweave. How about that? She is going to help answer questions and give tips and tricks along the way.

best, susie

Summer Camp Cloth Series Pattern!

Hi Knitters,

I am so excited to offer the first installment of the Summer Camp Cloth Series as a pdf pattern available for purchase in my online pattern shop, Shop Susan B. Anderson.

The cloths are worked up in Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton. This is a beautiful, crisp cotton that will wear well with hard or light use. Skinny Cotton is 100% organically grown cotton which is always appealing. The set is squishy and gorgeous and a bit luxe.

The cloths are worked on US size 5 needles at 5 stitches per inch. Exact gauge is not hugely important for the cloths just be sure to measure the width of your cloth so you can make a square with the length if that is what you are intending to do.

The cloths measure to be squares between 7 1/4 to 8-inches. This is such a perfect size. The set or even one or two cloths make a wonderful homey but sophisticated handmade gift.
Click here to see photos of all 4 of the squares. The pattern includes photos of the right and wrong side of each of the cloths.
4 patterns in one! Hooray!

If you are interested in purchasing the Summer Camp Cloth Series please note that I personally send out all orders from my online pattern shop via email. All patterns are sent as downloadable pdf files. At times there is a slight delay because of this personal service but I always try to be as speedy as possible. Please be patient.

Click here to purchase the Summer Camp Cloth Series pattern for $5.00!

Here is a general link for my online pattern shop! My son made the shop for me so it is a little quirky but I love it because he created it. The View Cart is a little difficult to see but becomes highlighted when you click on it. The View Cart button is in the upper right hand corner.

Have fun with your cloths!

best, susie

p.s. I already have 3 orders and I haven't even finished posting this yet. You are the best! Thank you.

Summer Camp Cloth Series Preview

Hi Knitters,

I've just returned from my Northwoods excursion. We snuck away for a long weekend in northern Wisconsin which is always a treat. We stayed at this funny little "resort" that from the minute we arrived I felt as though I had stepped back in time. This spot was stuck, in a good way, somewhere in the 1950's or '60's or maybe even the '70's. It was a throw back to when all was good and simple and when a yearly visit to summer camp was a given. I really felt like I was returning to my childhood days at my grandparents' cabin in the quaint little location of Nisswa, Minnesota. It was all a little dated and rustic but always good old-fashioned fun.
Before we left I threw a bunch of hand-wound balls of Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton in my knitting bag with no real intentions. At one point the rest of the family took off from the boat house in a little fishing boat for the afternoon. Peachy and I took the joined wooden seats with the table in between. Peachy read her novel and I pulled out my Skinny Cotton and started to knit a square. That's right, a little square. Love on the lake over-took me.

Now, you know I like a good, solid knit washcloth or dishcloth. The Skinny Cotton is a treat and a half, to say the least. It is perfection for any kind of cloth and if you want stitch definition, Skinny is your girl. Well, I couldn't stop with the cloths and I couldn't stop thinking about being at summer camp.

Thus my new cloth series begins, entitled...

Summer Camp Cloth Series!
I have the first 4 cloths in the series finished! By the way, I call them cloths because they could be washcloths for you or a sweet baby or child, or dishcloths to use in your kitchen sink, or dusting cloths to gently dust your home furnishings. I use them for all of these things.

The acorn soap was freshly sliced off the block for me last week at The Soap Opera on State Street in downtown Madison. Peachy goes crazy in this shop smelling everything she can get her hands on. It is really funny. She dabbed different lotions in spots going all the way from her wrist to her shoulder. Then she would ask me to smell a certain little spot on her arm. Love her. You can order soap from them online or over the phone. It is a cool local shop.
As we hiked, boated, ran and biked I took note of all of the names of the places around our resort. Boy, are the names ever interesting in the Northwoods. All of the cloths in this series are named after some of my favorites spots at and near our family summer camp.

Here's to introducing:
Lake Minocqua...
Bearskin Trail...
Kawaga Trestle...
and lastly, Northwood Pines.

All of the cloths look fantastic from the front and back and could also be knit in different gauges and yarns. They all would make fantastic scarves by extending the length. That would be super easy and fun.

All 4 of these cloth designs are going to be bundled up and put into one handy pdf pattern for you to purchase in my online pattern shop, if interested, in the very near future. I'll let you know as soon as the pattern is available. I am hoping in a day or two.

Click here to see my online pattern shop! Please note that I am previewing the Summer Camp Cloth Series today and will have the pattern available very soon. I will have a second set available coming quickly after the first goes up for purchase.
Ahhhhh.....

best, susie

Hey, Neighbor

Hi Knitters,

We're back from a quick three day weekend getaway up north. I have some knitted surprises I whipped up while riding in the car and sitting by the lake. I'll share as soon as I get them written up.

Peachy's friend, and our neighbor, is quite the crafty artist. She is always making something or other. She crochets and knits and has many other crafty skills. I always enjoy seeing what she is up to. The other day she was over and she started asking me about what she would need to knit some socks. I hesitated for a minute and asked if she wanted some of my sock yarn and needles. Her face lit up and I knew the answer.

We went in my studio where I have more sock yarn than I'll ever knit. I picked up this wonderful self-striping Opal called, Feeling, Farbe #1701, Partie #2. I don't know what those numbers mean exactly but those are the numbers on the label if you are interested. One is the colorway number and the other is the dye lot.

I bought this skein when I was working on Itty-Bitty Toys for the sock yarn toy chapter. I love the colorway and now that I see it being worked up I love it even more. I might have to find another skein for myself. She worked and worked the night away. In fact, the girls were all sitting in a darkened room watching The Princess and the Frog. When I peeked in to make sure everyone was okay there she sat knitting in the dark on her sock. Pretty impressive. I was tickled.

The next day she came over and had about 4 or 5 inches completed on the cuff. She likes a long cuff so I don't know how long she'll go with it. The funny thing was that she showed me a Bunny hat she had knitted from Itty-Bitty Hats. It is adorable but I noticed that she was twisting her stitches somehow when I looked at her knitted fabric.

Do you see that? Since she learned how to crochet first she automatically held the yarn in her left hand. This is good because she taught herself how to knit continental style with no problem. Instead of having the yarn go under the needle and through the loop she was wrapping the yarn over the needle and then under the needle and then through the loop. This is like you would do with a crochet hook. I just helped her for a few seconds to correct her knit stitch and she took off! Her knitting is perfection now with a great and even gauge. It was fun to see.

I'm sure she'll be back soon with the finished cuff and wanting to learn how to do the heel. Her family was in Chicago this past weekend so I know she was in the car riding along. I'll keep you posted on her progress. She's a cute one.

She was also wearing this Starburst wrapper headband. She made a gum wrapper chain with Starburst wrappers and then glued them on a plastic headband with craft glue. I love it!!

I'll be back soon with some trip photos. In the meantime I just saw this gorgeous cardigan on Ravelry by Cecily Glowik MacDonald, it is called Candelia. Here is the link! I love this one so much. A cardigan made from sock yarn is the best.

best, susie

A Winner and More!

Hi Knitters,

Blogger won't let me upload photos this morning so I am just going to post words today. I have some really cute photos to share, too. Bummer. I will carry on and share those another time. I have a few fun links to start with and then I will share the winning comment.

Betz has a couple brand new bag patterns that are fantastic! I'd like to sew both Olive and Isabella.

I love this French Itty-Bitty Blog! She knits and sews so beautifully.

Alicia's been knitting up a storm right along with her always wonderful embroidery and sewing.

Both of these links I was directed to by Amanda Soule. She always has good and interesting finds on her blog.

Amy made a really sweet baby headband topped with a flower and it's a free pattern. Click here!

I love this shawl so much. I will be making this for sure!

Check out this free pattern for Falling Leaves Chunky Hat. Love it.

I have been thinking about fall a lot lately so those falling leaves look pretty good. I am definitely not wishing the summer away but I always look forward to the fall season.

Okay for the winner here is the randomly selected comment:

Leanne (Lunatic84) said...

I have a rule when it comes to buying pattern books. There must be at least 5 patterns in it that I WILL make (not want to, WILL!!. The only other book that I have caught my attention as much as the IBK books is this one!

Thanks for the great review!!
Leanne (Lunatic84 on Rav)

August 03, 2010

Congratulations to Leanne! You will love this book. I've already contacted Leanne and she has already sent me her address! She responded at the speed of light. I love that.

I'm going to be taking a little quiet time. Have a good weekend, Knitters.

best, susie

New England Knits Review and Giveaway

Hi Knitters,

Okay! I am so excited to offer a giveaway for this fantastic new and hot off the presses book! I have been waiting for months for the release of New England Knits, Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist. The authors are Melissa LaBarre and Cecily Glowik MacDonald. It is a beautiful book packed full of wearable and practical sweaters and accessories and they really do have a modern twist. The twist comes in modern construction, strategically placed stitch pattern work, cables and lace and fresh and functional design. I would love to wear and make pretty much everything in the book! That is a rare happening.

What I've done is recorded an audio review of the book. Click play on the audio (if you are receiving this post as an email you may have to actually go to my blog to listen) and listen along as I talk about the patterns in the book. I've included photos of all of the patterns right here so you can easily follow and scroll along while I chat. You can also see all of the patterns and detailed information right here on Ravelry. After looking at the patterns at the bottom of the post I have the information to enter the giveaway for a copy of New England Knits! You are going to want this book for your library! I absolutely love, love, love this book! Can't say enough good things about it.

Hampton Cardigan by Cecily
Chelsea Skirt by Cecily
Ashfield Cardigan by Melissa
Auburn Top by Cecily
Groveland Satchel by Cecily
Northampton Neckerchief by Cirilia Rose
Greylock Tunic by Melissa
Fairfield Sweater by Cecily
Whale Watch Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn
Brattleboro Hat by Melissa
Greenfield Cardigan by Melissa
Portland Mittens by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Melrose Peacoat by Cecily
Augusta Cardigan by Cecily
Mystic Pullover by Melissa
Montpelier Jacket by Cecily
Providence Hoodie by Melissa
Salem Hooded Jacket by Melissa
Derry Raglan and Cowl by Cecily
Old Port Pullover by Kristen Tendyke
Lewiston Striped Vest by Melissa
Middlefield Pullover by Melissa
Cranston Coat by Cecily
Montague Bulky Lace Vest by Melissa

Windsor Warmer by Cecily

Phew! That was a lot of work but so worth it! My book is already getting worn out because I can't keep my hands off it. By the way, here is the link for the Tea Leaves Cardigan I mentioned in the audio. Here is the link to Cecily's Goodale Cardi that I am making soon.

Okay, to enter to win a copy of New England Knits please leave a comment on this blog post. Leave only one comment per person please. Also include in your comment your email or ravelry id so I can quickly get in touch with you to get your mailing address. I will pass your address on to the kind people at Interweave who will then send you a copy. I will randomly select a winner in a few days or so.

Go for it!! You won't regret taking the time to enter to win this gorgeous, one of a kind book! If you don't win you will want to purchase New England Knits anyway.

That's my two cents on that.

best, susie

p.s. Something funny happened right after I recorded my thoughts on the patterns. I went out for my daily run/walk and was all excited to listen to a new episode of the Double Knit podcast. Well, they reviewed New England Knits, too, and they said some of the exact same things I did about the various projects. I thought that was perfect. You should listen to this podcast if you don't because these are two smart and fun knitters. I love them. Double Knit has become my new favorite podcast and I even re-listen to old episodes all of the time.