Wrap and Roll

Hi Knitters,

I had to share my binding roll with you. I save up long strips that I have cut off of other pieces. If I want the binding to be the same I cut a fat quarter into 2 1/4 inch strips. I sew the pieces together and iron the fold.
I love the look of the roll of binding, especially on the raw edged and thready side. It feels so good to use up scraps along the way. I am trying to finish up my placemat project this week and I promise will photograph the steps for you. I've gotten a ton of requests for a tutorial.

Here is a preview of my next project for Spud says! It is a cozy wrap made out of Spud & Chloë Outer. It keeps my shoulders so warm. There are lots of ways to wear this one. The buttons are optional. I bought my handcrafted cut branch buttons from this etsy shop called, Wooden Treausres, if you are interested. I have another set waiting for a sweater I have planned. They are gorgeous wooden buttons.

Click here to see the story behind the Cedar Wrap!

The pattern is coming soon and I'll keep you posted as to when it becomes available.
TC finished her baby hat and bootie set. She is incredibly proud which is fun to see.

The bootie pattern is free right here.

The hat is from Itty-Bitty Hats.
She has been enjoying her creations and places them in different spots for people to view and comment on. It is pretty sweet.

I have to tell you about this series I recently watched and enjoyed while I've been knitting and sewing. I found out about it from Jessica while listening to the Doubleknit podcast (one of my favorites). It is a British television series called, Doc Martin. It is available on Watch Instantly on Netflix, which is how I watched the series. Doc Martin is about a socially inept London surgeon who transfers his practice to the tiny village of Port Wenn to become the villagers' general practitioner. He is a curmudgeonly and rude genius to say the least and the characters in the village are as quirky as it gets. I loved it. Doc Martin, however, is not for children as it contains some adult content, nothing too racy but definitely a few adult topics are thrown in here and there.

I love the Doubleknit podcast so much because they talk mainly about knitting but then they talk books and movies and tv as well. I like the added entertainment reviews. I think I have mentioned this podcast before but it is worth another mention.

Take care, Knitters.

best, susie

Old Friends

Hi Knitters,
TC has been knitting up a storm again. It comes and goes for her but when she is on with the knitting she is a whirlwind. She became obsessed with knitting booties so I suggested this old free pattern of mine called, Pg. 81 Booties. If you have Itty-Bitty Hats go to page 81 to see where it all started. She is so excited about her finished booties. I helped her with the finishing but she did all of the knitting.

Click here to read the story of the Pg. 81 Booties and see how to make them.

Click here to go to the Ravelry project page for the Pg. 81 Booties.

The free pattern pdf is on my blog sidebar under Free Patterns.

TC is incredibly proud of her booties and she made a hat to match. All that is left is a few rosebuds for the top of the hat. She literally hovers about me while she is knitting. It is cute. She is using the no longer being manufactured Manos Cotton Stria. I am glad to have a big basket of this yarn in my possession. It is gorgeous and will dwindle eventually because TC loves it.
All week I have been knitting up a storm right along with TC but I also worked in a few more placemats. You know, I just can't get used to writing place mat in two words. I am going back to the regular old placemat. What do you think? Anyhoo, either way, my goal is to eventually get a dozen placemats for my family's daily use. Everyone loves them so much. It is making me really, really happy. I have to remember to photograph the steps for you. I think I will put that up next on here.

It's the little things in life that count. Simple pleasures are the best.

I purchased that fun pincushion from Anthology on State Street in Madison. This is one of our favorite local shops to get lost in.
Here are two more that I am hoping to finish up today. I am doing mitered corners on the binding. Sometimes they work out so beautifully and sometimes I struggle. I can't quite figure out why. This is such a good learning process for me. Practice, practice, practice. I am getting really fast and confident on threading my machine, filling bobbins and problem solving. I've got the bobbin tension figured out, too. You learn by doing. It's true.

As far as other new things, I am going for my first spinning lesson next week! I am pretty excited about this. I will keep you posted on how I do. I also have my skirt sewing class coming up. I'll have lots of new things to share over the next couple of weeks.

I'll leave you with a few fun links today:
A gorgeous new sweater pattern.
A free pattern for a swirly cowl.
A cool and easy sewn scarf pattern.
A knitted Kindle cover (I need to make this asap!)
I am considering purchasing one of these hooked rug kits. I love the look of them.
Gudrun Johnston's incredible new pattern book is up for pre-order. I love these patterns.
I am ordering this pattern book by Mandy Powers!

Check out the patterns for Mandy's book in this review. You'll love the patterns.
This Etsy shop is making me swoon.

Okay, friends, I have to get on with my day.
best, susie

Place Mat Mania

Hi Knitters,

My family is one for place mats. They love to have place mats on the kitchen table for every meal. Unfortunately, I have only two sets of not very appealing place mats for them to use. Plus, they are constantly in the wash as place mats tend to be.

By the way, did you think "place mat" was one word or two? I thought it was one but wasn't sure so I started looking around. In ads for Macy's and other places it is one word, placemat. Interestingly enough, in the dictionary it is two words so that is what I will use:

place matnouna mat serving as table linen for an individual place setting

I have been wanting to sew my own set of place mats forever. After finishing my large quilt and refreshing my quilting memory I got the inspiration to come up with my own version of a quilted place mat. I didn't use a pattern for this at all in case anyone is wanting to ask for the pattern.

I have finished four so far. Ideally I need at least ten or twelve for my family and guests. We could never really have enough with some always being in the laundry so I will keep plugging away.
I have collected some fat quarter fabric bundles over the past few years and they are making some pretty charming place mats if I do say so myself.
Each mat is reversible and has different quilting lines that are completely random and not measured or marked. I just go at it.
I spent a little time making a huge roll of binding by cutting strips of various fabric pieces and scraps and sewing them together to have on hand. The mismatched fabric makes for a fun edging. I love that.
The whole process is free and easy. I am using one of my store-bought place mats as a size guide. I just lay it on top of the fabric and cut away. There is basically no measuring whatsoever involved. I love the unplanned project so much.
Here are two more waiting to have the binding hand-stitched and then they will be ready for use.

I think I will put up a tutorial for this project at some point soon. It is fun and quick and I am hoping to get some made for holiday gifts for this Christmas season. You might want to do this, too.
On the knitting front, I am working away on this baby blanket in Outer in the Cedar colorway. It is turning out really great.
Also, I just posted a new free pattern on Spud says! for this cute hat called, Go Team! I sized it for young children through adult sized heads! This is another perfect gift idea and let me tell you the teens LOVE this style hat. You won't go wrong gifting this one.

Click here for information about the Go Team! hat.

Take care, Knitters. It is a busy, busy week ahead. Off we go!

best, susie

I know it's over but....

Hi Knitters,

I just had to share my goofy Halloween crew with you. Looking at that bunch of silliness makes me laugh. I especially like my nephew in the front. He's in the ghost busters costume with a white top-hat. Why not?

You know, I can't remember if I have told you the story of one Halloween many, many years ago. It was scarring. It was the year my mom bought my costume at our neighborhood elementary school resale. I am pretty sure it was maybe a dime or a quarter for the costume, possibly a nickel or even a penny.

I have been made fun of by my siblings (in a loving way) over the years due to wearing this costume in the late 1960's. It was a horrible hard plastic mask and some sort of cheap fabric/paper dress. You'll never guess who my mom dressed her preschool aged daughter up as that one Halloween.....

Lucille Ball.

It was perhaps the worst costume in costume history. It was basically unidentifiable. I don't think I even knew who Lucille Ball was at that age. My mom used to laugh about that costume, too, she knew it wasn't right. I will see if I can find the photo of my three older siblings and Lucille Ball sitting on the couch before trick or treating. I will share the photo someday if I ever am able to find it. It's a good one.

Have a good weekend everyone!

best, susie

There is a First for Everything

Hi Knitters,

I don't know if I can describe this well enough but I will try. It was so funny. I was sitting looking out my front window after school and my girls were in the room with me. All of a sudden my daughter starts laughing really hard. "Mom, look!" All I can see is my son backing into the driveway with the back end of the car open and two more boys inside hanging on to some huge piece of furniture of some sort. I kept trying to figure out what it was....

Of course! It was a really old dust-covered organ that they had found on the side of the road. Why wouldn't you stop and load that gem into your car? I remember lots of people had these upright organs in their homes when I was growing up but the kids had never seen one of these before. It looked so archaic. Do you remember these like I do? I am sure they were thought to be a real luxury at the time. I had friends with these exact organs in their houses. We always had the regular old piano at our house.

The boys set it up on our driveway and my son dug up a really long outdoor extension cord. I was bracing myself for the loud organ playing that would take place in my driveway. You're not going to believe it but it didn't work. Go figure. I told him I didn't want the organ inside of our house. We really and truly don't have room. My son said not to worry they would put it out on the curb if they couldn't get it working which I wasn't thrilled about either.

They fiddled around with it for awhile to no avail. Then they got all excited thinking they were going to sell the organ. They were laughing really loud and running around the house. They got online and saw that similar (however working) organs were being sold for a couple hundred dollars on ebay. They even found a minister who collects organs and restores them. However, I told my son again I didn't want it left in our garage or in our house. I tried to consider it staying but I just couldn't do it. They loaded the organ back up in the van and took it to one of the friend's houses. Sorry to the other sweet mom who now has an organ at her house but I am glad it's not sitting in my garage right now. I think my son emailed the minister so we'll wait and see what happens.

This was a first and hopefully a last.

There is never a dull moment around here. Honestly. I would enjoy a few dull moments. To the mothers of young preschool-aged children, you think it's busy and crazy now but just hang onto your hats.

Okay, all of that was going on when I started writing on the real topic for today's post. It was so silly I had to take the detour to, "The Great Organ Adventure." I am so excited and proud about this: I finished my first ever large-sized quilt!

Do any of you remember when I first posted about this quilt I started making? I just found when, July, 15th, 2009. Click here to see the first post on this quilt! Our house had just begun a massive renovation where almost every inch was gutted and every inch was dust covered. I decided at that time to put it away to finish after the remodel. You know how that goes. You forget.

The other day last week I was cleaning out my studio and I ran across the finished quilt top and the backing fabric and batting I had picked up at Stitcher's Crossing way back when. I had since taken a really great quilting class at Stitcher's so I kind of remembered how to finish a quilt. We had made a small quilt in the class. That was a year ago. Click here to see my fall-inspired quilt.

The fabrics for the quilt top were all bundles I had purchased online at Spool in Philadelphia. I had quite a collection of summery-themed bundles. Spool puts together fantastically coordinated fat quarter bundles. Click here to see what they have pulled together right now!
For the backing I used two colorways sewn together of this Amy Butler fabric. Since I didn't use a pattern for my quilt but instead stitched up random columns of squares and rectangles both skinny and fat my quilt ended up not being a standard size. It is a great and generous size though.
It is so summery and juicy. The colors are refreshing and light. I love it so much.
I masking-taped the backing down on my floor and did the basting that way. It wasn't too bad. I made sure not to scratch the wood floor with the pins. The quilting lines I stitched on my old 1970's sewing machine which took a lot of maneuvering. It was quite an accomplishment for me. I only broke two needles. I did random lines, no measuring and no marking or planning. The quilt lines are quite fun and not so straight at all. I actually like that the lines are not straight and even. It's more charming, natural and playful to me. I really prefer that kind of quilting without the precision cutting and stitching.

For the binding I used the extra fabric from the backing after I trimmed it off. I loved seeing it come together. It was very exciting. The binding looks so good. Again, there is nothing perfect about this quirky quilt.
I enjoyed the hand-stitching of the binding to the backing. I feel much more in my element when hand-stitching. I am not much of a machine girl. The kids are excited about the new couch quilt. I am actually surprised by the amount of attention the new quilt has received. I barely get a nod from anyone about my knitting projects around here. My son (the organ collector) and his group of about six friends, who were over for lunch one day, have even admired and commented on the quilt several times. That made me laugh. They all stood around the quilt in my living room to take it in and compliment.

It will be heavily used no doubt.
Now I am back to reality with the writing and knitting. It was a fun short-lived break with the quilting. I signed up for a Barcelona skirt (Amy Butler pattern) class at Stitcher's Crossing in a few weeks. My sister is joining me for the class. I have had this pattern for a long while and have never made the skirt. When I saw that Stitcher's is offering a class for this pattern I jumped right in! I will share what I learn and hopefully I will end up with a cute new skirt.

It's Wednesday already? Really?
best, susie
p.s. By the way I watched the Fiddler on the Roof with Peachy this past weekend. I forgot how much I loved this movie. My family went to see it in the theater in 1971 when the movie was first released and I loved it then even though I was little. We had the album of the music and we listened to it all of the time. I remembered all of the words to the songs. It was really fun. The movie is rated G! Hooray for the long-lost art of the G-rated movie. I miss that and it can be done well.

The Pumpkin Patch

Hi Knitters,

It's a beautiful Halloween weekend around here. A couple of weeks ago we went to pick pumpkins at our favorite pumpkin farm.
We gathered up the troops and headed out to the field. My brother's family and my sister and a couple of her kids came along.
The kids like to scatter about to find the best pumpkin of their liking.
There were lots of good pumpkins to choose from this year.
It is so scenic. I like to soak it in.
Here is our pumpkin picking crew for this year. I can't complain.
There was a banjo and bass group playing away.
One of these warty fellows came home with my sister and one with my brother.
Cousins are the best.
My husband is such a kind and willing workhorse. With his size and strength he makes things so easy for us.
I don't know why but I love the cardboard signs. They make me smile.
A little caramel apple surprise on the way out can make a guy smile, too. We had everyone over yesterday for a little carving party. The pumpkins turned out great. I roasted the pumpkin seeds, too. I had the seeds all separated and cleaned in a large mixing bowl. I tossed them with a little olive oil and salt. I then spread them out on a jelly roll pan and salted them once more. I baked them at 350 degrees for about an hour and I stirred them at least once, maybe twice while they were baking. The pumpkin seeds were gobbled up in a snap!

Oh, and while I am talking about baking here is the apple crisp recipe I mentioned in the last post on applesauce:

Anderson Apple Crisp

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

Fill a 13 by 9 inch pan with peeled and sliced apples (like for the applesauce)

You can add as many apples as you like or you can make a 9 by 9 inch pan for a smaller amount.

Topping:

I double the topping for the 13 by 9 inch pan, make as written for the 8 by 8 inch pan.

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup butter

Add all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until crumbly and combined. Sprinkle over the top of the apples.

Bake for about an hour or until golden brown and bubbling.

Enjoy with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Yesterday on the newsletter email from the Loopy Ewe there were two fantastic fall recipes I'd really like to try:

Maple Pumpkin Spice Lattes in a crock pot!

Fancy Caramel Apples!

The caramel apples look like a super fun kid project or girl scout troop project. I will do these caramel apples at some point for sure and hopefully soon.

One more quick thing, here is my latest free pattern on Spud says!

Click here for the hat pattern!

Click here for the mitts pattern!

Happy Halloween.

best, susie

No Recipe Applesauce

Hi Knitters,

First of all I have randomly selected a winner for the Never Not Knitting printed pattern set. Congrats to Jan! Here is the winning comment:

Jan said...

I listen to Never Not Knitting podcasts regularly and just drool over her completed projects, patterns and designs on Ravelry. I have never won a giveaway but maybe my luck would change on this one!


October 23, 2010

On with the baking and baking and baking that has been going on around here these days. Along with my usual weekly cookie baking I have been apple baking up a storm. It all started with the two enormous bags of apples we picked at the farm. I didn't know if I would ever be able to use all of the apples we had picked that day. I easily have used them up and then some!

On a related note, TC had fallen in love with the apple peeler at our neighbor's house. I had always wanted one of these so she gave me the nudge to see if I could find an apple peeler online. I looked it up and sure enough you can get one for twenty bucks right here:

Click here to see the Back to Basics Apple & Potato Peeler!

That's what we did.
It is easy to use. This particular peeler has a suction clamp to hold it down. Sometimes it takes a few times of moving the suction lever to get it to adhere but eventually it works.
Not only does it peel the apple is also cored and thinly sliced into a long continuous ring. Notice the French horn player in the background. That photo was not planned, she really was just standing there next to me playing while I peeled apples. She is getting very proficient at her scales and Hot Cross Buns! Here's to progress.
The kids love the apple rings. It's fun to use and fun to eat the apples after.
I don't ever remember baking as many apple dishes as I have this fall. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have made around 10 pans of applesauce this fall. I have given applesauce away and my son brings friends over and serves huge bowls to everyone. I have had to buy more bags of apples to keep up.

I used to make applesauce on the stove in a big pot and I used a recipe from my sister. However, last year I thought I would try baking the applesauce instead. I love this method so much more than the stove top method.

Here is what I do. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Fill up a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with sliced apples. If you are using an apple peeler like mine I break up the rings before putting them in the pan.
Here is TC showing you the rings.

Next, after my pan is filled with apple slices I add enough water so I can just start to see the water mixed in with the apples at the bottom of the pan. I'd say maybe add water to about half of the height of the sliced apples in the pan. There's no measuring here!!
Next, I generously sprinkle sugar over the top of the apples. You can skip this if you don't want to add sugar or you can modify the amount to get sweeter or barely sweetened applesauce.
Lastly, I give the pan a generous sprinkling of cinnamon. You can leave the cinnamon out if you prefer. I happen to love cinnamon and it makes your house smell even better when baking.
I leave it in the oven for a long time, at least an hour and usually more like 90 minutes. I give it a good stir every 15 to 20 minutes. It is ready when the apples have softened and the applesauce is bubbling around the edges. We like the applesauce to be chunky but you could keep baking and stirring until it gets pretty smooth.

Let me know if you try it! I also have a super easy and old family recipe (with actual measurements) for apple crisp that I have been whipping up in between the baked applesauce. Let me know if you are interested in me sharing that recipe, too.

There is a really wonderful giveaway going on right now on Spud says! (my other blog) if you are interested. I don't want you to miss out! Please, if you enter, make sure you leave a comment on the Friends of Spud & Chloë forum thread and not on the Spud says! blog post.

best, susie

Never Not Knitting Pattern Giveaway!

Important Note: This giveaway is now closed, Oct. 27, 2010! No more entries are being taken.

Hi Knitters,

I have a HUGE giveaway offer for you today. Alana Dakos of the Never Not Knitting blog and podcast (I subscribe through itunes) fame sent me a complete package of her brand new printed pattern line to share with all of you. I couldn't be more excited to bring you a chance to win a complete set of 13 beautifully crafted printed patterns today!

For a complete rundown of Alana's patterns please click here to see her Ravelry page where you can find all of the information you may need. If you do look on her Ravelry project page you will see that all of her patterns are extremely popular. She is an excellent pattern writer and the best part is that these patterns have been out online for awhile. This means they have literally been knit up hundreds and hundreds of times already. You can be sure that the patterns are top-notch and written clearly.

The patterns include socks, shawls, a cowl, children's sweaters and dresses, a woman's tee and a hat. The size ranges are plentiful. There is something here that every knitter could use and would want to knit. I personally would love to knit every single one of these gorgeous patterns! I am sincerely going to sneak in knitting at least one or two of these very soon.

Now, if you are wondering where to purchase these printed patterns please click here to see all of Alana's current stockists. The printed patterns are being sold through local yarn shops at this time.

If you are a yarn shop owner and want to carry Alana's printed pattern line in your shop (which I highly suggest you do), please click here to find out about her wholesale information.

If you would like to purchase any of these pattern online in pdf format, please click here for Alana's Ravelry pattern store!

I have to say that in this day of pdf (hot off my junky home printer) patterns, it is just darn nice to have a beautiful sturdy set of ready to use patterns. I miss that very much. The patterns feel like keepsakes, heirlooms, something to have and to cherish and to use again and again. I really mean that. These are special and you can literally see the love and painstaking effort that went into each and every one of the patterns.

Here are the 13 impressive patterns that are included in today's giveaway. Hang onto your hat. The following patterns will take your breath away:

The Cosette Wrap
The Cedar Leaf Shawlette
The Shawl Collared Cowl
The Spring Garden Tee (for women)
Amelie Socks
Haltermelon
Watermelon
Playful Stripes
Chloë
Spring Garden Tee (for kids)
Very Cherry dress
Sheepish

The Molly Beret for kids and adults

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to win the set of 13 gorgeous, beautiful, clever and smart patterns. I really think this is one of the best giveaways I have ever had the chance to host. Alana is a true design talent. She is detail oriented to a fault. I love her blog and her podcast, I never miss an episode. She is just plain cute and fun.

To enter to win the full set of 13 patterns please leave one and only one comment on this post. Please do not email me to enter. Please leave your email address or ravelry name so I can easily get in touch with you to get your mailing address.

In a few days or so I will randomly select one winner from the comment pool. After gathering your mailing address, I will give it to Alana so she can send you the set of patterns.

That's right! I am keeping my pattern set forever and ever! It's that good.

Best of luck to you all. Let the comments begin. I think this is going to be a good one!

best, susie