Owl Babies Pattern!

Edited to Add on May 16th: The Knitting Pipeline Podcast is having an Owl Babies pattern giveaway! Be sure to listen to her owl-themed podcast, too, it's so good. Click here to enter! Only open until May 19th. She is also giving away a copy of my Hoot Hat pattern.
Hi Knitters,
I am so excited to add Owl Babies to my Ravelry Pattern Store. At this point I am only offering Owl Babies through my Ravelry Pattern Store because my Shop Susan B. Anderson pattern shop is full! You don't have to be a member of Ravelry to purchase patterns on Ravelry so that is no problem.

Click here to go to my Ravelry Pattern Store.

Click here to go to the pattern page for more information and the link to purchase the downloadable pdf pattern.
The Owl Babies stand at about 3 1/2 inches tall and about 2 1/2 inches wide. You start of the bottom and knit the entire owl in one piece including the wings. There are a few fun techniques thrown in that make for a quick twisty knit. The feet are knit up and stitched to the bottom. It is a fast and fun and interesting knit! I released the pattern and literally the next day a couple of finished Owl Babies were already posted on Ravelry. They look terrific!
The bright juicy colors are Spud & Chloë Sweater. This Owl Baby is made in the colorway Grass and the wings and feet are made in the colorway, Popsicle. My husband saw the green and started calling it Kiwi Owl. I thought that was cute for the green owl but the name needed to be a little more general.
I love the set together. You need more than one.
Aren't they funny all lined up?
Hoot!
I really love these little guys. They are just funny. It's a perfect stash buster project for left overs, Use up your worsted weight yarn knit at a tighter than usual gauge.

Click here for the pattern information or to purchase Owl Babies!

Here is the winning comment for the Harvesting Color book giveaway:
stephigordon said...
Thanks for the chance to win such a beautiful book! I would love to win! Stephanie. indigodogmt on Ravelry
May 14, 2011

Congrats to Stephanie and thanks to everyone for entering.
best, susie

One More Try - Harvesting Color Giveaway

Hi Knitters,

I am so disappointed right now in Blogger (the host site of this blog). After I posted an extensive review of Harvesting Color, Blogger went down. There were around 50 comments/entries to win a copy of the book.

I also had a review of two important events coming up within the next week or so.

This afternoon Blogger began working again. The entire post has vanished including all of the comments to win the book. So...... here I am again with no time to rewrite the entire post from yesterday.

Quickly then, tomorrow, May 14th, 2011, I am teaching a class at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison (it's on Mineral Point Rd.) from 1-3pm. I am not sure but there were a few remaining spots about a week ago.

Click here for more information from Stitcher's Crossing!

Or call Stitcher's Crossing to find out more at 608 232 1500!

After I teach on May 14th, 2011, I am having a drop-in book signing and trunk show for Spud & Chloë at the Farm from 3-4pm at Stitcher's Crossing!

Next on the schedule is for May 20-22nd, 2011, I am going to be at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival in Lexington. I am teaching a class on Saturday morning and I am having a book signing/trunk show on Saturday afternoon. I know that there were one or two spots left in my class as of late yesterday.

Click here to find out more about the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival!

I hope to see you in Madison or Kentucky in the coming days.

Now to the beautiful book giveaway for Harvesting Color. I am in love with this book and the author, Rebecca Burgess' story. She is amazing not only for this wonderful book of natural dying but also for a year-long project she took on to only wear clothes that were made locally from seed to fabric.

Click here to read Rebecca's blog! This blog is wonderful and interesting and it has gorgeous photography.

Click here to see Rebecca's book on amazon.

Below the following photograph is a well-written review from Amazon. I could not describe or say it better.

By

Birdsong L. Sundstrom "burrobird" (Sierra Nevadas, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Harvesting Color: How to Find Plants and Make Natural Dyes (Paperback)

Rebecca Burgess' new book is an outgrowth of over a decade's worth of teaching natural plant dyeing and advocating for a more environmentally-friendly manner of creating our clothing. She worked on the book at the same time that she was 'living' the Fibershed Project, with the goal of only wearing clothing made from products within a 150-mile radius of her Marin County, California home for one year. The book contains information about unique California native plants, such as toyon and coffeeberry, and the dye colors that they produce, but it is far more than simply a California guide. It covers dye plants with a long history, such as indigo, and new methods to obtain stunning colors from plants such as pokeberry.

Each featured plant is discussed and accompanied by a photo of the entire plant, often within its native habitat. Information about time to gather, how to cultivate, and parts of the plant to use for dyeing fibers are included, along with generous photos of yarns dyed in the colors obtained from each plant, and a map of the United States highlighting where the particular plant can be found growing in the wild.

Burgess brings her high standard of environmental consciousness into the book, stressing the importance of the choices we make in what we use as both consumers and artists. She discusses mordants (substances used to 'fix', or keep the dye in the fiber or fabric for the long term), and only advocates using materials that are non-toxic, both while in use in the dye process and when the wastes are disposed. She also addresses the benefits of working to source your raw materials close to home, and how involvement with natural dyes can help you help grow a strong local economy.

All technical material is easy to access by the DIYer, the home craftsperson or the professional artist. The book is organized around what is available each of the four seasons, and includes an appropriate project to use your hand-dyed yarns as well.

Paige Green's photography lifts this book into the realm of fine art, with massive amounts of beautiful pictures that highlight the plants, capture the colors dyed with them, and also portray the sense of harmony that Burgess advocates will come from being more connected to local production of our clothing. This book will appeal to many who are already working with fiber arts, and will also attract those who garden, and seek to live in a greener manner.
Isn't that a clear and informative review? Wow.

There are many knitting patterns in the book for a blanket, a hat, arm warmers, a scarf amongst others. They are sweet simple patterns that show off the handspun and plant-dyed yarns. There are clear recipes, geographical locations of the plants used (there are plants from all over included), fiber information, and so much more. There is also plant staining like with flowers and leaves on fabrics, more like imprints that I'd really like to try as well.

Rebecca is completely inspiring to me. I treasure this book and definitely will put it to use this summer. There is a certain little someone around here who is obsessed with plants, nature and gardening so I know she will help me with some dying projects.
Look at this photo... I want to dive into that spectacular natural wool and stay awhile.

Please leave one comment on this post (please do not email me) to win a copy of Harvesting Color. Please leave your Ravelry ID or your email so I can get in touch to gather your mailing address if you win. I will select a winner in a couple of days.

best, susie

Harvesting Color could be yours!

Hi Knitters,

I'm almost done with the Owl Babies pattern. I should have it up by early next week. This week has completely flown by, right? It's been a little blurry. Thank you for the sweet and wonderful response on the owl project. I appreciate it. Trisha Malcolm (Vice President and Editorial Director of Vogue Knitting) even posted my Owl Baby on her facebook page! That was fun to see. It's coming.....

Okay, a little more business this Saturday, May 14th, I am teaching a workshop (there are still a couple of openings!) from 1-3pm and having a drop-in meet and greet book signing from 3-4pm right after the class. All are being held at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison, WI. I have a big box of gifts from Blue Sky Alpacas/Spud & Chloë for the students! Plus I'll bring a few extra giveaway prizes as well.

Click here for the Stitcher's Crossing site.

Here is the phone number to sign up or for more information: 608-232-1500!

I am headed off to the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival, May 20-22nd, which is next week already. I think there are still a couple of openings in my class on Saturday, May 21 if you are around and interested. The class is a good size right now but I could take a couple more. I will have some Spud and Blue Sky Alpacas gifts for the students and a couple of fun giveaways during the class, too.

If you don't want to sit for a class I am having a casual meet and greet book signing on that same Saturday afternoon as well. I can't wait as this is my first Sheep & Wool festival of any sort!

Click here for the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival site!

Now onto the review and giveaway for the day. To be forthright, the book being reviewed today was sent to me by my publisher, Artisan Books. I get all kinds of books from my publisher and other publishers. I don't review them all. I only review the books I feel strongly about and can genuinely recommend. I have a big stack waiting to be reviewed because honestly, there are a lot of good books out there right now.

Harvesting Color is a beautiful new book by Rebecca Burgess. Rebecca is a fascinating person. This past year she has been on a journey of wearing and creating all of her clothing from seed to fabric using basically local resources only. I have been following this adventure with admiring eyes.

Click here to see Rebecca's site and to see her fantastic seed to cloth journey. The journey culminated in a fashion show that showed off and gave credit to the farmers, gardeners, weavers, knitters, dyers, seamstresses, etc. I am so impressed by this. Click here to see the fashion show. Honestly, I would love to make all of my clothing from scratch. I can't imagine how satisfying that would be.

Click here to see more information about the book, Harvesting Color!

Now a little more about the book. Rebecca has written a book about using plants to dye and stain yarn and fabrics. She gives geographical locations for harvesting the plants, how to harvest, information about wool and fiber, recipes for dying, and so much more.
The photography is beyond gorgeous. It takes you away. I was surprised to see how many of the plants are actually available in my area. I am planning on taking some Spud & Chloë Fine in Popcorn (a natural white) and trying out some of this dying for myself. This summer that will happen!
The in-depth instruction is so easy to follow and the results, as you can see, are wonderful shades of natural color with quite a wide range.
She also shows some spot dying techniques with flowers and leaves. I think TC would love to try her hand at this this summer.
There are wonderfully simple knitting patterns for things like a blanket, hat, scarf, hand warmers. The projects show off the natural yarns at their best. Every hank of yarn looks squishy and yummy and rustic in the book.

Spinners, you will LOVE this book! I want to spin some natural roving into yarn to then plant dye as well.
Each page is thoughtful to the fullest. I am looking more and more toward a natural lifestyle with my crafting and creating and this book makes me want to jump in fully today. I have such an admiration and respect for Rebecca's lifestyle and revolution.
Plus, Rebecca is really, really cute! She obviously loves what she is doing and believes in it with all of her heart. That quality is contagious.
Just look at the back cover of Harvesting Color. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than that as far as a fiber shot goes? I haven't. I want to jump in and stay.

You will love this book! It is a piece of art.

If you would like a copy of Harvesting Color please leave one comment on this blog post. Please include your Ravelry ID or an email address so I can gather your mailing address if you win. Please do not email me. I will pick a winner in a couple of days (I'll be back with my Owl Babies pattern by then, too).
I have a bunch of new books at my house lately. Here are a couple more from Artisan Books that you may be interested in that I highly recommend.

Guide to Girls' Hair is a fantastic book. TC has paper bookmarks all over this book. She is crazy about fixing and styling hair. When we first got the book, TC was waking up early to style her hair with the book as her guide for a good week. It was really funny.

The styles in here are do-able and cute and age appropriate for kids and teens. It is a fun, fun book! If you have a little girl to teenage girl or older you will love this book for hair ideas.

Click here to find out more about Guide to Girls' Hair!
A second book from Artisan that is completely charming and different is Snow Play. The whiteness and snowy scenes make you love winter and all it offers. There are so many fun snow-centric ideas offered in here, games, snow characters, fun things to do in and with the snow. The book is adorable and fun to look through. I just love everything about it. It's like a craft book for snow. My kids have looked through this a bunch of times and it is now on my living room coffee table as a staple. The cushiony cover has these clear droplets like snow that give it a playful feel right from the start.

A bunny snowman? You can't beat that.

Click here to find out more about Snow Play!

Don't forget to leave a comment to win Harvesting Color! I'll be back with a new pattern.

best, susie

Coming Soon....

Hi Knitters,

I have a new pattern coming soon... Owl Babies.

best, susie

Handspun Heaven

Hi Knitters,

I have a little handspun fun to share this morning. This is Maine Woods Yarn & Fiber, soft 100% wool blend roving, 4 oz. colorway Hyacinths. Click here to see the Maine Woods Yarn site. I received the roving as part of a swap on the Itty-Bitty Knits group on Ravelry. I love the colors in the yarn so much. This hank is juicy and bouncy and squeezable.
This is my first 3-ply yarn attempt. I am trying different techniques as I continue learning. For a 3-ply I broke the roving into three sections and spun each section into singles on a separate bobbin. Then I plied the three bobbins into the finished yarn.
I reached 194 yards of 3-ply in a dk weight. I had a tiny bit left over and made a 12-yard mini-hank of a 2-ply yarn. It is tiny and sweet.

I am surprised every time how twisted and curly (especially on the 3-ply) the yarn can be before washing and drying. Then everything seems to magically relax and drape evenly when it is completely dry. I was worried this one was way overspun but it really relaxed and worked out beautifully.

What should it become, a hat, mittens, a cowl, a toy? I have no plans as of yet.

You know, I like the 3-ply but I am more so loving the 2-ply yarn in the end. The 3-ply is a little denser as expected but what I really want is to make more socks with my handspun so that's my next goal. A 2-ply fingering weight is already being spun out of some Dyeabolical roving. Click here to check out this gorgeous etsy shop filled with yarns and roving!
The fingerless mitts are another handspun project. I used the Navajo plying technique which also makes a 3-ply yarn through chaining the yarn as you ply the singles together.

As for the pattern, I really just made these up as I worked so I don't have anything to share with you for the pattern.
You know I love the mismatched look every single time and the handspun plays into this so well. It has been so cold around here that these mitts have already gotten some wear-time this spring.

There is something so satisfying about spinning, plying, washing, knitting and then wearing something you made from scratch (well, almost from scratch). It is hard to put into words. I am glad I started spinning. When I can't knit and design a minute longer during the day (brain-exhaustion) or after I've completed something work-knitting related, spinning has turned into a treat or a reward for me.

Spinning is so light-hearted. I don't need to be perfect or even close to perfect at spinning. I don't know all of the ins and outs or technical terms or the proper techniques and that's what I love most about it. I don't even know about ratios or how thick the yarn will be in the end, nor do I worry about how the colors will mix at this point. I just spin. It is called freedom.

I think we are a match made in heaven.

best, susie

A Little Bit of This and That

Hi Knitters,

Business first today. I need to mention a few things going on. Here is a list:

1. Splendid Sticks blog is hosting a Spud & Chloë at the Farm giveaway and interview. Click here to check it out on Splendid Sticks.

2. I am interviewed on the Ready, Set, Knit! podcast today. You can listen anytime on itunes. You can also listen on your computer right here. (At the time I posted this the show was not posted on the site yet but it will be shortly.) The hosts of this podcast are the owners of Webs yarn shop and I shop with them all of the time. They are awesome. Click here for this fantastic online shop.

3. There is a winner for Rachael Herron's book, How to Knit a Heart Back Home. Congratulations to Cynthia and thanks for everyone for entering. Here is the winning comment:

Cynthiacc said...

I'm so glad she is writing more, I loved the first book.

ravelry cynthiacc

April 27, 2011

4. Come join me in 2 weeks!!!!

I am teaching a toy knitting workshop at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison on May 14th from 1-3pm. There are still spots available so if you are interested in joining me please give them a call to sign up or to find out more at 608-232-1500. There are going to be wonderful presents from Spud & Chloë for the students (you will not be disappointed:) and a few surprise giveaways at the class. I can't wait and I hope to see you there!

Also, on May 14th, after the workshop, I will be having a casual book signing and trunk show from 3-4pm so if you can't make the class but want to see the new book projects (and maybe some old book projects) please stop in to say hello.

I also just popped in at the shop to sign a stack of books for anyone interested in having a signed book. You can call or shop for signed copies of any of my books at Stitcher's anytime.

5. Starting on Monday, May 2nd, I am hosting a knitalong for Spud! If you are interested click here to find out more. It is a very casual knitalong and you can join in anytime so don't worry if you don't have your materials by Monday. I will be posting instructional videos and will be available to answer questions as we work together. We will have loads of fun while creating this chubby sheep together.

That's enough business for now. Phew!

Last night Peachy and I went to get a salad bar dinner at Whole Foods which is one of our favorite treats. I picked up a scone to have with my coffee this morning, orange and chocolate. Yum is all I can say.

Last night TC and I watched a Rugrats movie and I grabbed this old pair of Zauberball socks that I could never seem to quite finish. I finished and it only took two short years. I had 1 1/2 inches on the foot and a toe left to make the pair. I love this pair so much.

I now have three new pairs of handknit socks in my sock drawer. That feels pretty good.

I bought the yarn for these here. Call them up and they will send you a ball.
It was still dark this morning when I took these photos. After finishing the Zauberball socks I remembered this Watermelon Stripes sock I had started at least two years ago. I started working on this during the movie. I can't remember why I ever put this sock down. The yarn is incredibly soft and the colors are wonderful. The yarn is from Sunshine Yarns, one of my favorite indie dyers.
I am going to end today's post with a few more trip photos. I had a lot of people write to ask exactly where we stayed in Captiva Island. We rented a house that was on the beach and had this fantastic pool through Royal Shell. My husband really should have been a travel agent. He scouts out deals for plane tickets, houses, rental cars.... he is completely awesome and fun.
This house was nothing fancy and sat between some gigantic mansions (which we thought was funny). For us it was perfect. We didn't spend much time inside at all, it was comfortable and clean, and there was plenty of room for everyone. We ate several dinners out by the pool and the beach access was the best, about a 30 second walk down a path. Royal Shell is a home rental agency that I would highly recommend as their customer service is top-notch.
The Captiva Island beach is so private, non-commercialized and gorgeous. We couldn't get enough of it.
The shell and creature collecting was spectacular.
This is what the weather was like everyday.
It was thrilling to see green leaves and bushes and flowers. Spring can't come quick enough at home.
My son did a lot of fishing which was fun. He caught fish and would just throw them back out. The sunsets were so beautiful every night. We would run down to the beach and just watch the glory.
Two out in the ocean and two sleepy-heads.

Have a good weekend, Knitters! I'll be knitting away all weekend....

best, susie

How to Knit a Heart Back Home Giveaway

Edited to add on May 30th, 2011: The contest is now closed and no further entries are being accepted. Thanks to all who entered.

Hi Knitters,

Last spring break I read Rachael Herron's first knit-lit novel, How to Knit a Love Song. I loved it and asked Rachael if I could host a giveaway. What I didn't know at that time is that Rachael is writing a series of these books centered around the characters living in the beautiful, lush town of Cypress Hollow. When I caught wind that the second book was coming out I immediately contacted Rachael to see if I could host another giveaway for her.

To keep with my new spring break tradition I finished up Rachael's newly released second Cypress Hollow novel, How to Knit a Heart Back Home, and I wasn't disappointed. The story focuses on Lucy, a different lead character than the first novel. You could read these books separately and have a total understanding of the story but the characters do overlap between the books. I like this very much.

Lucy is a knitter and a bookshop owner. She is surrounded by knitters and the history of knitters. She rents out a tiny house that sits behind the bookshop to a man who happens to be an old high school crush. He has returned to Cypress Hollow to take care of his ailing and aging mother who is also a knitter. From here the story flies off the pages!

How to Knit a Heart Back Home has adventure, twists and turns, a little touch of mystery, and I love how knitting is naturally woven into the plot. This is also a romance novel and there are some steamy scenes so please be aware of that. This is a G-rated blog so I want to be sure to point out that this is a true romance novel and it is not rated G. I would give it an R rating.

How to Knit a Heart Back Home is a quick, fun and fast read. The pages flew by for me and I can't wait for the next installment. I am trying to guess which character will be the lead in the follow-up book. I hope there will be another one by next year for my spring break (that's a hint, Rachael!). I loved this book. I love the characters. I love the setting which is a quirky little town filled with quirky characters which makes for juicy stories and backgrounds.

One other point is that there is a really cute cardigan pattern at the end of the book. It is on my list to knit this summer. Lucy wears this sweater, which was her grandmother Ruby's, throughout the book which gives it an endearing quality. It is called, Ruby's Bookstore Sweater as Lucy's grandmother Ruby owned the bookstore before giving it over to Lucy. It looks like a fun and fairly quick knit. Click here to see the cardigan and Rachael wearing a version of the cardigan on Ravelry.

Rachael Herron (her fantastic blog is Yarnagogo) has generously offered to send a signed copy of her new book to the winner of the giveaway I am hosting today. If you would like to receive a copy of How to Knit a Heart Back Home please leave one comment on this post AND leave your email address or ravelry id. I will randomly select a winner in a couple of days.

Good luck if you enter!

best, susie

Occupied

Hi Knitters,

I am tucked back in my house after a week in Captiva Island, Florida. I am trying to get back into the rhythm of an ordinary day around here but it is never as easy as you think. I am playing catch up. It was a wonderful relaxing week and I am so grateful to have that uninterrupted time with my family.

I did get some knitting done while we were gone. TC did some knitting, too. Above is TC's Be Sweet Bambino Taffy hat. She is crazy about it and will donate it to her charity knitting group. She immediately started her next Be Sweet hat. It is fun to see her planning her travel knitting and throwing her knitting in the beach bag or in the car as we go.

One thing I love about my crew is their ability to lose themselves in books. As we sat on the beach together I looked at my three kids (my oldest couldn't come with us due to his college schedule - that was hard) each quietly absorbed in a book. For whatever reason it gave me a sense of accomplishment. To see your kids quietly content and engrossed in a book is strangely reassuring. Being able to dig in and read a good book is a lifelong pleasure that I am glad they all appreciate. My oldest is and always has been a huge fiction reader as well. He is never without a novel and always has a stack at the ready waiting to be read. I even had a chance to read a couple of books that had been sitting on my Kindle way too long. I loved every minute of it. I am hosting a giveaway for one of the books I finished later this week.

I also finished a pair of socks out of my handspun yarn. This is a first for me and it was quite exciting. I finally was able to spin enough yarn out of 4 ounces of fiber and at a fingering weight. These were a good time to knit.
I love my new socks for all of their rustic glory. They feel incredibly good on my feet.

When I left Madison last week it was freezing cold. I wore a pair of handknit socks in the car on the early morning two hour drive to the airport. I left the socks in the car and when we got back to the car a week later I could not have been happier to put those socks back on in the cold Chicago air. I had forgotten about them so it was a treat.
I also finished up a pair of Best Foot Forward socks in the Blueberry Cobbler colorway. I love this yarn which was designed by Kristin Nicholas. This will be a sturdy pair that will last for a good long time.
Lastly, I got a good start on a Blue Sky Alpacas pattern for a beautiful little cardigan by Cecily Glowik MacDonald aptly called, Cecily's Silk Cardigan. I am using this Blue Sky Alpacas yarn in the Amethyst colorway. I am using US size 4 needles and I took out the lace panel. It is dreamy all around.

I'll keep you posted on my progress but it may be slow. I am back to the real world with a whole bunch of projects with deadlines on my horizon.

It's good to be back. What sort of things are keeping you occupied? I'd love to hear.

best, susie

Beach Knitting

Hi Knitters,

Ahhhhh, beach knitting is good. My first pair of handspun socks are being worked while on vacation. The first sock is already complete and I am on the foot of the second. A new pair of handknit socks is looking promising at this point.
Meet my partner in crime. It's good to start them while they're young.

best, susie