Class with Spud

Hi Knitters,

Into the weekend we go! I want to let you know that my class for Feb. 27th at Stitcher's Crossing is filling up very quickly. Thank you for the great response and for all of my knitting friends who are far away... thanks for letting me know you are out there. I would love to teach some online classes and since you've expressed so much interest you've spurred me on to find out more about it.

I've been hearing a lot about several well-known knitters out there holding online classes and I need to get up to speed on that. Somehow you pay a class fee and you are given a password so only the class members can see the instructional videos, have access to patterns and class information and handouts to print out. You can plan times to chat online for questions and support. Do you already know all about this? Let me know if you have any good information or tips for me to get started in this direction. It could be a really fun thing for the future.

Back to my in person class...

Find all of the information about the class by clicking right here.

The class is $30 which I forgot to state in the last post. There are only a few remaining spots open. I just got off the phone with the shop owner. I will definitely be bringing some Spud & Chloë goodies to share with the class.

I can't wait to meet everyone. Please note that I am not teaching basic skills for this class because it is going to be a pretty large group. You should have the basics down if you sign up (knitting in the round on dpns, casting on, kniting, purling, binding off). I am there to help and speed is not important at all so don't worry about anything. There is a supply list at the shop.

I am excited about the class because I haven't taught for quite awhile. Should be good fun just to hang out and knit together for a couple of hours on a sleepy February Sunday.

Moving on.... I received a first copy of Spud & Chloë at the Farm on my doorstep this week. It never gets old to see your book in book form for the first time. It is really a charming little book. I am going to talk way more about it in detail and officially preview the book on my Spud says! blog. Please be sure to check in over there or subscribe if you'd like. That way you won't miss anything.

Click here to see the book and pre-order if you'd like.

So today is just another teaser and mainly for the upcoming class!
I have to give you one tiny sneaky-peek. Spud is definitely the superstar of the book. There is no doubt about that. He is my favorite character in the bunch, although I love them all. I feel like he is the driving force.
Here is another photo of the mouse we are making in the class. You might be able to get more than one done in the class time. We'll have to see how much knitting we get done in between the chatting and sharing and looking through my book pages. Now I will even have the actual book to bring along which will really be a sneak peek.

The good thing is that when you get a hank of the Sweater yarn to knit several mice you'll still have plenty left over to use it for other projects. Don't worry about using it up. I overlap the colors throughout the book.
The farm mice are part of a little project pairing with the Barn Cat. This new cat of mine is a good one. The paws are the best. Notice that the mouse can sit up or go flat to the ground. I like that feature.
Whiskers, whiskers, whiskers.
Why are knitted toys so cute from the back?
Have a great weekend, Knitters. I'll see you next week right here.

best, susie

Come Knit With Me!

Hi Knitters,

I have a new book coming out soon called, Spud & Chloë at the Farm! I am really proud and excited about this one. I think it has some of the best toys I have ever designed. It is a knitting book with a fun cartoon story as an added bonus. The book contains 13 fun and fresh farm-y projects and it is a steal!

Click here to view and pre-order if you'd like!

The main reason I am bringing this up right now is that I am hosting a knitting circle with fun tips and tricks included while we knit a mouse or maybe even mice from my new book. The book doesn't even come out until April 21rst but I am bringing a preview pattern (for the mice) for you, a fun book preview brochure for you to take home (not usually available to the public), and the galleys from the book for you to check out! Plus, you can pre-order a signed book if you are in the class. I will sign it for you when the book comes into the shop and before you pick it up or have it sent.

This is an exclusive class offering! At this time I don't have any further plans to teach or host anything like this on my calendar. I would absolutely love it if you would join me! I may even try to bring some extra goodies to share from Spud & Chloë (I am pretty sure I can swing that:).

Here is my official invite to my knitting circle/class/workshop:

Where: Stitcher's Crossing

6122 Mineral Point Road

Madison, WI 53717

When: Sunday, February 27th, 2011

Time: 12-2:00pm

Phone: 608 232 1500

Email: info@stitcherscrossing.com

Click here for Stitcher's Crossing website.

Oh, and be sure to bring your Itty-Bitty books or purchase them at the shop if you'd like me to sign those as well.

Call or email or stop in the shop to sign up and save a spot and to get a supply list. I know some knitters are already signed up so call soon!! The class is only a couple weeks away so there isn't much time.

I hope to see you there. Stay tuned for lots more previews from Spud & Chloë at the Farm, too.

best, susie

Quick Hearts to Knit

Hi Knitters,

Over the years I have knit many different hearts in all shapes and sizes. I love Valentine's Day. It is simple, the colors are fresh and clean and sweet, and mostly it makes me feel like spring is just around the corner. I thought I should pull out some of the hearts I have knitted before Valentine's Day arrives. Here are a few fun and speedy heart-themed projects you may want to consider for this time of year.

Above is the Spud & Chloë Heart Tape Measure from last year. This whips up in no time at all. Click here for the free pattern!
Heart on a String is another free pattern I did for Spud & Chloë last year. I held two strands of Spud & Chloë Sweater together for the hat and a single strand for the string and heart. This project knits up quickly on big needles.

Click here for the pattern for Heart on a String!
The Sweetheart Hat is still one of my favorites. This has been one of the bestsellers from my online pattern shop over the last couple of years. Any worsted cotton or wool will do.

Click here for information on the Sweetheart Hat pattern in my online pattern shop!

Click here for information on the Sweetheart Hat pattern in my Ravelry pattern shop!

The Sweetheart Washcloth is another pattern that remains a big hit in my online pattern shops. It is so simple and fun. You can whip up a set of these in a heartbeat.

Click here for the pattern information for the Sweetheart Washcloth in my online shop!

Click here for the pattern information for the Sweetheart Washcloth in my Ravelry shop!

Remember that if you order a pattern from Shop Susan B. Anderson I personally send out the pdf patterns via email. This means it is not an automated response and there may be a slight delay. I try to be as speedy as possible so please be patient. The Ravelry pattern shop is an immediate and automated response. Either way to order is fine!

Happy heart knitting for one of my favorite times of the year!

Oh, and check out this wonderful heart garland by Betz White.

best, susie

Y.A.R.N.

Hi Knitters,

Y is for this yarn I love.
A is for the lovely Ana who sent me this green beauty from her shop! (click here)
R is for Ana's Ravelry page!

N is for my never-ending appreciation!

Thanks to Ana for sharing her cashmere/superwash merino/nylon Cashmere Sock Party yarn with me. It is a gorgeously generous skein with 438 yards of green squishy goodness. I wish you could all give it a squeeze. It's that good. I will knit it up very, very soon and share. Love the little bag Ana sent, too. She has other yarns available as well.

Check out Art-by-Ana and give her some love!
Here is a 94 yard hank of Sunshine Yarns Winter Song plied with Frabjous Fibers Cottage Garden roving. It looks like candy and I kind of love it. A lot. It will become a hat for sure. Maybe a crocheted hat even.
I have about 350 yards or so of the Cottage Garden (the two hanks on the bottom) spun up. I think I might knit the shawl called, Handspun Delight Shawlette by Susanne Visch, with it. What do you think? Click here to see the pattern!
I've been spending many hours at the orthodontist office lately and I knit up this scarf while I was sitting and waiting. I knit with the giant hank of Winter Song I spun. I had a lot of trouble with breaking while I was spinning this and I also had trouble getting anything even going at all but I love it anyway. These problems are totally due to my skill level, not the roving at all. Sunshine Yarns Roving is wonderful. I need to become way more wonderful at spinning to do it justice. I will keep on trying.
Anyway, the My So Called Scarf pattern was the perfect pattern for my lumpy bumpy yarn. The woven look of the fabric highlights the texture of the yarn in the best way. I love it and the colors are lovely. Click here for the free pattern for this scarf. You should make one of these, it is a fun stitch pattern.

Hey, we are having a winter blizzard warning tonight. I got to the grocery store this afternoon to make sure our bare cupboards were full before the snow hits. Hoping for a snow day for school and work tomorrow with the family. I love it when everything comes to a halt and we are all stuck together at home for a day. It's like a mini-vacation in the middle of the week.

I hope you are all warm and safe.

best, susie

Sunday Spin and Link

Hi Knitters,

I haven't had too much time to spin lately but here's a little bit of progress being made. The ribbed scarf is from some Frabjous Fibers roving I spun up recently. I used every last inch. It is bright and fun.
It is a good feeling to use up your every last bit of yarn. It makes you feel accomplished or maybe complete is the better word. I think this colorway is called Enchanted.
This is a bobbin full of Springtree Road in the Uala colorway spun up and waiting to be plied with some more Springtree Road in a different colorway.
I had enough of the Patina Frabjous Fibers yarn left to make another quick hat.
I fell in love with the purl side so I turned the hat inside out. The wrong side became the right side.
Again, I used every last inch of the yarn when I made the pom-pom for the top.
Fits like a charm.

Here are a few things I am thinking about today:

stitching these kitchen gnomes on these tea towels with this thread

knit lights

I am hearing a ton of buzz about this wool

I like the butterfly stitch on this free hat pattern

I'd like to try this roving from Maine

You have to look at the handspun yarns on this Ravelry thread from Sunshine Yarns

I'm crazy over these patterns from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas

Watch Spool on NBC Philadelphia

I love this post about trends in prints, is it owls, foxes, whales, elephants, hedgehogs?

See you soon. I have a couple of giveaways coming up very soon. Good stuff to share.

best, susie

Pantaleon

Hi Knitters,

I received a message on Ravelry this week that made me cry. Every once in awhile a story strikes a chord and this is one of those times. I asked permission to share Catalina's story about her gorgeous grandma and her adorable knit bear with you. I can feel the love between these two women just by looking at that photo. Okay, I am crying again.

Here is the message from Catalina (she is amazing):

Thank you

Sent at 3:22 PM January 26, 2011

Dear Susan,
I’ve been meaning to write this message since last summer, I wanted to thank you for your baby bear pattern.
Last year I used this pattern to make a bear for my grandma after she was diagnosed with cancer, I was lucky enough to be able to go see her and spend some time with her, she slept with that bear every night and took him everywhere until she passed away last June, so thank you! you helped me say good bye to someone very dear to me.

She named him Pantaleon

Then I went to Catalina's Pantaleon project page on Ravelry and read what she wrote there and it made me cry again:

Notes

This is the dearest project I’ve made, so much that I still carry the ball band in my purse.
I made it in April for my grandma, years ago she said she’d like a bear to keep her company at night since she missed my grandpa so much.
Long story short, my grandma was diagnosed with cancer and I rushed to Colombia to spend a couple of weeks with her, I knew I was saying good bye so I wanted to make something for her that she could keep when I returned to Michigan, so I went with this beautiful bear.
It was a great project, she named him Pantaleon and she slept with him and took him everywhere until she died in June last year, the pictures here are my last pictures with her.
I miss her very much.

It's me again and nothing more needs to be said.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear Knitters. What we do matters in the most humble way.

best, susie

Taken

Hi Knitters,

I was taken with this photo today. Wendy knit the Wrap Me Up Puppy (in Itty-Bitty Toys) up for her friend who is having her fourth boy. Before she gave it away her daughter snuck in a squeeze and a kiss. Isn't that the sweetest photo?

Here is what Wendy had to say about her knit puppy project:

Thank you so much!
It is hard for anyone not to love this sweet little puppy - thank you for such a great pattern!
I had been looking for the perfect item to make for a friend expecting her fourth son. I didn’t want to make a baby hat since my friend is a new knitter and has been delving into hat making. I was searching Ravelry for something inspiring and saw another friend who made the Wrap-Me-Up-Puppy a favorite. Once I saw it - I knew I had to make it! I already had your book because I had previously made the hippo and sisters, but forgot all about the darling puppies :)
Unfortunately for my daughter, the puppy is not hers. I had to take it away from her throughout the knitting process because I kept finding the nose wet from her kisses (ha!)
Now I can’t decide if I want to make her a puppy of her own or possibly the giraffe. Perhaps it will be both!
Thank you again, Susan, I so enjoy your books and reading your blogs!!

Click here for Wendy's project page on Ravelry!

Click here for the Wrap Me Up Puppy page on Ravelry!

Click here for Itty-Bitty Toys for the pattern!

Click here to see more about Wendy and her knitting!

There's just something about that blanket.

Thanks, Wendy, for sharing with me and letting me share your puppy and your adorable daughter on here.

best, susie

Updates

Hi Knitters,

Here are some quick updates for you. I am plugging away on the sleeves for the Camp Hoodie Knitalong. I've made some fun and simple modifications to the original. I switched out the fair isle pattern, took out the waist shaping, took off the hood and now I am adding sleeves that are picked up and knit down in the round. I think it is so fun to explore how much you can change a simple pattern and make it your own through a few easy modifications. It's turning out pretty cute!

For more information on the knitalong (you can still join in anytime, we just got started and many haven't started yet) or to follow along please jump over to my other blog, Spud says! (click here).
I finished the Baktus shawl out of the Zauberball. Love it! Google away or look it up on Ravelry for the yarn and free pattern.
I've already worn it quite a bit.
I added a knit through the back loop on my yarn overs because I like the lacy edging and it was easier to keep track of what row I was on for the increases and decreases with the hole in the edge.
It's always a thrill to have a new knitted piece to wear.
I spun up this gigantic hank of Sunshine Yarns roving in the colorway called, Winter Song. It is the bounciest hank of yumminess ever. This hank is 8 oz. and really, it is big!
I am making everyone in my house hold my huge Winter Song hank of handspun. They all love it and rub it on their cheeks. My husband and TC both carried it like a baby in the crook of their arms at separate times. Gotta love those two.

You know for the spinning I am getting better at being more even at times but what I really love about my handpun yarn is the crazy stuff. The fluffy bits and pieces that aren't so uniform and the plying that is incredibly imperfect. If I wanted perfect yarn I would just buy it. This yarn has character and silliness and that's what I love the most about it. I hope I don't ever lose that in the spinning, like become too good at it so the yarn is perfect. That's how I feel about it now. I have always had a fondness for the imperfections of handmade things because they are deeply endearing.

Have a beautiful Sunday.

best, susie

It Never Gets Old

Hi Knitters,

You'd think this knitting thing would get old after awhile. It has been going on for decades. For some reason it doesn't wear out its welcome. I am continually fascinated. I made a quick hat out of my handspun yarn. I love it so much. The hardest part of using my amateurish handspun was that I couldn't quite figure out the gauge.
My highly rustic handspun varies from very thick to very thin and not on purpose. I started and ripped back three or four times with varying stitch counts and different size needles. I finally used a US size 10 and I probably could have ended up casting on maybe four more stitches or so to start. Still it turned out really cute and it will be worn by many.
I kind of love this spinning thing along with the knitting. It's plain old fun and it adds a new twist for me.
My knitting protegé Miss Molly (my son's girlfriend) has whipped up two pairs of mittens over the last couple of weeks. She used the aptly titled, Molly's Mittens, pattern. Of course she caught on to all things mitten like the speed of light. She made a red pair for her brother and this raspberry striped pair for her sister. I love how she is immediately knitting for her loved ones. She is really something.

I have this mitten pattern available for purchase and download on my Ravelry shop! Click here for more information.
Molly is already onto a scarf for her best friend. She is knitting a ribbed scarf out of this gorgeous yarn, Rowan Colourscape. I happened to have two hanks of this sitting in my studio just waiting to be used. This yarn has been taking up space for a long time. I think it is magnificent and I can't wait to see the finished scarf. I will probably have to get some more Colourscape to make some sort of scarf for myself after I see Molly's version.

I love to see a young talented person like Molly take off with knitting. Each project is a new adventure and learning something new is around every corner. Wait, that's how it is for this not so young knitter, too.

Like I said, it never gets old.

I have a new free pattern for an adorable hat on Spud says! Click here to see the pattern!

best, susie

p.s. I started a fun knitalong for the Camp Hoodie over on Spud says! Come join in the fun if you are able. Click here for the details.

p.p.s. I have two new instructional videos on fair isle knitting and a simple embroidery technique used on the Camp Hoodie. Click here for all of my videos on youtube.

One Down and Link Time

Hi Knitters,

This will be my last installment in my sock saga for awhile. I have to get on with my real knitting for a bit as there is so much to get done coming up here. My sock is inspired from these beautiful socks.

I love how this has turned out. The toe for the next sock will sport the two shades of green.

The toe I finished up early this morning.
The colors are the best. I used Spud & Chloë Fine in the following colorways going down the sock:

Shitake (main color)

Sassafras

Tutu

Goldfish

Bumble Bee

Cricket

Glow Worm

Anemone

Calypso

I've had quite a few people ask for the colors so there you go!

I can't wait to get the other one done so I have a new pair of handknit socks. My handknit sock drawer is getting thinner by the day. Especially since TC discovered handknit socks are perfect to wear inside her ice skates. Trouble.

Here are some fun links for you today to start the week:

Check out this fantastic way to cast on to start on dpns with a small number of stitches.

Did you see the Big Herringbone Cowl? Yummy!

Schact Sidekick footage - pretty exciting.

I ordered some of these fabrics...

Yarn Bowls beautifully done.

Debbie Stoller on CBS Sunday Morning

Stitched children's book illustrations - I love this.

I love Hannah Fettig so much! She's a knitting star. I'd love to knit everything she designs.

Amanda Soule's year of sweater knitting.

One of my sweet knitting buddies started her own blog - please give her some love!

Check out these gorgeous knitted pears from my S&C pattern. Yum again.

I've always wanted to make this hat but I never do!

I want to make this and this from the new knitty.

Oh, and I love this hat from knitty, too.

That's enough for now. I have caught the most miserable cold. I can't stand to be around myself for all of the hacking and blowing going on. I hope you are all faring much better than me this week.

best, susie

To Each Her Own

Hi Knitters,

Well, I ripped out the afterthought heel and that felt good. I quickly got my trusty heel flap and gusset in place. That feels even better.

I think it is funny and wonderful how people have such strong feelings about the type of sock they call their own. Is it top down, magic loop, toe up, double-pointed needles, long cuff, short cuff, heel flap, gusset, afterthought, short row or every innovative creation in between? The truth of the matter is that it can be any of those things and more. I am a huge fan of finding what's right and feels good for you! That's what works best then. 100%.

For me that means top-down, heel flap, gusset socks knit on 4 double-pointed needles. That's what makes me happy. The only way to discover your own favorite is to try other options. I love trying new things. That's what makes knitting endlessly fun and interesting.

Jasmin from the Knitmore Girls podcast wrote a comment asking if I used 50% or 60% of the stitches for the afterthought heel. I had forgotten that she had a discussion about using 60% on her podcast. I used 50% because my memory failed me on that point. I totally agree that 60% would have worked much better on my sock because the heel really was too shallow and that would have added some needed length. It's a good thought to remember if you are going to try the afterthought heel. I still believe that even if I had used 60% of the stitches I would not have kept it in. I, for whatever reason, find the heel flap and gusset more visually pleasing. I may just be more used to it. Who knows. I do think the afterthought heel would look good with striping sock yarn creating a bulls-eye for the heel. Maybe someday I'll come back and give it another try.

I am about halfway through the foot at this point. Hope you are having a good weekend. We are up to our eyeballs in swim meets. What's happening with you this weekend?

best, susie

p.s. I never, ever miss an episode of the Knitmore girls podcast. Jasmin does the podcast along with her mom, Gigi. They have a perfect rapport and conversational style. The two are sweet together in a warm mother-daughter way. I enjoy that. They are both super smart and voracious knitters, Gigi is a seamstress and quilter, Jasmin is an adept spinner and they love to eat at fun restaurants. I love hearing about their eating adventures. They also have interviewed some of the most interesting and clever knitters on earth. You should go and subscribe on itunes or hop on over to the Knitmore Girls podcast show notes to listen on your computer. They also have some terrific videos on youtube. The Knitmores also go to lots of the major knitting events and provide great insight into the goings on. I think you'd enjoy if you don't already! Oh, and click here to join or check out the huge following on their Ravelry group!

No Afterthoughts

Hi Knitters,

Well, I want to keep you posted on my heel study. Rather, on my failed heel study. I decided not to go any farther on the foot of my sock before I put the afterthought heel in just in case I didn't end up liking this style of heel. Boy, am I ever glad I did that because, honestly, I don't like this heel at all. It is too shallow and sort of unattractive and I can't imagine that it would fit well. I considered keeping it for about a minute or two and then I happily decided I would rip that afterthought heel right out. In its place I will put my good old-fashioned heel in and I will carry on with the rest of the sock as planned.

Thank goodness for stopping and trying new things out in the middle. Now I don't have to go back very far at all. I don't feel any disappointment in the afterthought heel only relief that I still love the heel flap - gusset style socks the best and that's always been what I use for my socks. I will continue on in this vein. Although it may not be exciting, the heel flap-gusset socks simply look good and fit great. What more do you need?

More to come very soon....

best, susie

A Heel is Held

Hi Knitters,

I have my afterthought heel placement all set. See the skinny orange line of stitches? That's where my heel will go after the rest of the sock is knit. Now I have 5 1/2 inches to work on the foot. I am subtracting 4 inches from the total length of my regular sock to start the toe, which is 9 1/2 inches. Then I will add the two-color toe at the end of the foot, pink on one sock, green on the other.

Click here to see my sock inspiration.

By the way, some have asked, I won't be writing up the pattern for these socks because my socks are directly inspired by someone else's socks. Although they aren't exactly the same, they are very similar and I wouldn't feel right about that. You can make your own socks by plugging in some colorful stripes into a basic rib sock pattern like this one. Voila! They are yours.
Next, I put my needles back in for the heel stitches and pull out the heel holding orange yarn. Work one more toe for the heel in the main color, Shitake. Done deal.

Do you think it will work? I am such a top-down-heel-flap-gusset kind of girl. I am a little worried. I'll keep you posted. I am loving those stripes though. Anyone who complains about weaving in a few (or a lot) of ends doesn't see the pure beauty in stripes. Those few moments of weaving in is worth every bit of time and more to me.

Stripes make me happy.

best, susie