Win a Copy of Custom Knits 2!

Hi Knitters,

I am a longtime fan of Wendy Bernard. Sometimes you find a designer that just clicks with your own thought process and Wendy is that person for me. I read her writing and patterns and I get her intentions so clearly. I have learned so much about sweater knitting from her, especially over the last year or two.

With that in mind, I want to share with you her second book, Custom Knits 2. It is an extension of her first book, Custom Knits, with even more technique and guidance packed in. Custom Knits 2 was released this past October and it is an excellent pattern book but even more so it is an excellent resource book for customizing your sweaters. The book is fun to look at but it is one that you need to actually sit down and read thoroughly. Custom Knits 2 has a ton of instructional tutorial-like information that benefits any sweater knitter from beginner to advanced.

Here are the various topics addressed in Custom Knits 2:

Preplanning for your sweater

Simple alterations and add-ons

Converting patterns to fit men, women and children

Tailored raglans

Substituting yarns, gauge and stitch patterns

Starting from scratch

Starting from Scratch is my favorite section in both of Wendy's books. This is where she provides a formula for making your own sweater from scratch. Her formulas really work as I have used them before and I will be using the one in this new book to make a top-down yoked cardigan very soon. I have big plans for this.

Anyway, please check out these links to get some great information about this book:

Click here for Wendy's guest blog post on the STC Craft blog - a great interview where Wendy answers all of your questions.

Click here to see all of the Custom Knits 2 patterns on Ravelry.

Click here for Wendy's fantastic blog, Knit and Tonic.

Click here to see Custom Knits 2 on Amazon.

Click here to see the Knit and Tonic Ravelry forum group where Wendy will soon host a knitalong for her new book. This group has over 2,000 members!

I simply love Wendy's easy, casual style, her clearly written patterns and formulas for sweater knitting and her blog. I think you will, too. I basically recommend everything to do with Wendy. She's a good one.

If you would like to win a copy of Wendy's new book, Custom Knits 2, please leave one comment on this blog post. Please leave your email address or your Ravelry ID in your comment so I can get in touch with you if you win. I will be back in a few days to select a winner.

Good luck if you enter.

best, susie

College Road Trip

Hi Knitters,

My senior son was invited to spend a weekend at Ohio State University in Columbus and so we packed up and took a college road trip. It was a most beautiful weekend weather wise, you could not have asked for more. We had campus tours, a football game, and time to enjoy that good old campus atmosphere that we are so used to in Madison.
One thing we learned about OSU is that it is big, bigger and the biggest in just about everything. The campus and facilities are all topnotch and a lot are brand new. You can see the stadium in this view from a library window.
This is the main campus area and it looks like many other Big Ten campuses but again, it is just huge. It truly is a lovely and nostalgic college. You can really tell that people love OSU when you are there and with good reason.
I was struck by this sculptural art piece outside one of the campus buildings, so simple but it could tell many a story.
That's my son in the shorts and blue t-shirt. He is with his group of swimming recruits for the weekend. He had a good time and was thoroughly impressed. I don't know what will end up happening for him and his college selection but what a great place to visit either way.

On the way to and from OSU we had many hours in the car which enabled me to sit and knit to my heart's content. I worked on all kinds of projects that have been languishing including that handspun Hitchhiker shawl (I don't have a photo of my progress). I completed a bunch more of the points but I have to say I get bored very quickly on that project. I can do it for a bit and then I have to move on to something else. I hope it doesn't turn into another Citron for me which is a year and a half in the making so far.

I knit up a quick pair of the Outsider Mitts, a free pattern I did for Spud & Chloë, in our high school colors. These are a gift for a swimmer on my daughter's team. I knit them in the super-bulky Outer yarn on US size 13 dpns and I am telling you if you want a fast and cute gift these are it! I could knit these a million times over because they turn out great and they are quick and fun.
I finished my Door County Cherry socks. I am in love. Madelinetosh Merino Light is the yarn and it is lover-ly! I have been shuffling about my house in these and they are exquisite.
My college sophomore son sadly told me the other day that he lost his Surefire Hat that I made him at least 5 years ago. I am not making it up when I tell you that he wore that hat everyday for most all of the day in our cold Wisconsin months and for years. My other son has two of these hats due to losing and finding one while I knitted him a spare. Both boys wear their Surefires constantly and it makes me incredibly happy.
Well, of course I told him I would whip him up another Surefire Hat in an instant. The originals are knit in Tahki Donegal Tweed but I recently had acquired some of Brooklyn's Tweed Shelter for a book project I am working on and I had some leftovers just waiting to be used up. The colors happened to be just perfect and remarkably similar to his old hat. I gave it to him last Saturday and he put it right on and wore it the rest of the weekend. Nothing is better than that.

I have talked about this pattern quite a bit but only because it is a hat that is so loved at my own house. If you are looking for a teenage boy or man hat with earflaps you should check this one out. The Shelter looks and worked fantastically well, too, if you are wanting to try out that new-ish yarn.

Click here to see the pattern for the Surefire Hat!

TC is knitting away on her Noro scarf. It is so pretty and rustic and halo-y. Good stuff and right up TC's alley.

She brought this to knitting club last weekend along with the start of a baby hat that you can see a bit of in the photo above. She comes and goes with her knitting but it never seems to leave her completely.

I started a Mini-Fairy-Along on Spud says! This week I am posting in progress shots on Spud says! and I started a thread on the Spud & Chloë Ravelry group for people to post photos and share their progress. I needed a new sample for an upcoming class. I am teaching a fairy knitting workshop this coming Saturday in Madison at the Knit Circus Mini-Retreat along with the fabu Amy Detjen. I signed up for Amy's colorwork class for the afternoon so I am really excited about that. It will be my first knitting class and I am starting with the best instructor in the biz. That's pretty sweet.

The fairy project is from the Knit Simple Holiday Issue 2011 and is called Flora & Fairies.

Click here for the Spud says! post on the Mini-Fairy-Along!

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Flora & Fairies!

Click here for the thread in the Friends of Spud & Chloë Ravelry group!

On Saturday I went for a run while TC was at her knitting group at a nearby church and when I came home she had set up shop in my tiny studio to stitch up a charity blanket. It made me really, really happy and I just had to share. Oh, and to be young and sit on the floor to stitch up a blanket... I can't do this any more due to various aches and pains but I enjoy her being able to do this.

Isn't it a great blanket? The church collects knit and crocheted squares and then pieces them together to make fantastic patchwork blankets to give to local charities. TC said that all of the squares are supposed to be the same size but they always end up all different sizes. I had to laugh at that because that's what always happens with knit and crochet patterns. Everyone works and measures differently, right?

My sweet and juicy Peachy finally got her Bella's Mitts! This project was over a year in the making. Patient Peachy never forgot though and has been asking about them. A long car ride to Ohio was exactly what I needed to get these done. She could not believe her eyes when I gave them to her. She is in love with her new mitts and just in time for the new Twilight movie, too. That new one is looking a little racy in the ads isn't it? Not so sure about that.

TC modeled the new mitts for me early yesterday. I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in the Pewter colorway. The yarn is a bulky weight, and I knit on size 9 dpns. I did quite a bit of modifying but you wouldn't need to as it is a great pattern. They are shorter in cuff length than the pattern calls for, too. We wear coats in these parts and to have a cuff going almost to your elbow with a bulky yarn isn't functional. Also, I ordered two hanks of this wool from Knit Picks and only used one hank so I may whip up a matching hat for Peachy in the future.

Click here for the free pattern for Bella's Mitts.

I hope you are well this week, dear Knitters. I am contemplating another fun giveaway this week but I'll see how things unfold around here. It has been the busiest fall on record for my little family and me. I am looking forward to less travel and fewer deadlines and more home time in the coming winter months and into the spring. I am snuggling in around here for sure! Light that fire and put the teapot on....

How about you?

best, susie

Wee Ones Seamless Knit Toys on Craftsy!

Hi Knitters,

In October I headed to Denver for several days of taping two online courses for Craftsy.com. I had such a great time while I was there. It was hard work filming the classes but very fun at the same time. Today I want to share one of the courses, Wee Ones - Seamless Knit Toys, with you and it is available and for 50% off for a short time!

Click here for a course preview and for the 50% off deal!

Now, for a little information about Wee Ones - Seamless Knit Toys. It is a three in one pattern for an elephant, hippo and bunny. The body is the same for each toy. The head for each animal starts out the same and then is shaped at the front to create the different features.
You start out by knitting the head of each animal. The ears are picked up and knit right on the head. After the head is complete you pick up stitches for the neck and knit down for the body as if you are making a top-down sweater. After creating a yoke, you leave the arm stitches on scrap yarn.
For the legs you use the afterthought technique that is often used for heels in socks, thumbs on mittens, or pockets on sweaters.
After you knit the last stitch, you are done with the toy! It is clever and fun and fast. There is literally no seaming at the end and not one separate part to stitch together. Using various techniques and tricks the Wee Ones come together so smoothly. I think you will really love this pattern.

After making the first Wee One you will see how easily and quickly be able to make more. These toys are the perfect gifts for any occasion!
The tails are picked up and knit on for the elephant and hippo and of course the bunny has a sweet little pom-pom attached to the back.

In the course I demonstrate face embroidery which is one of the most important pieces to a successful knit toy.

This photo became a little fuzzy when I re-sized it, but I want you to see the bonus pattern I included in the course. The pattern is for a fun little stripey top-down sweater that fits all three Wee Ones! I love this quick little add-on. I was thinking the sweater could be personalized with school/college colors, favorite colors or embroidered with an initial or two.

The Wee Ones are about 5 inches tall when seated. The toys are made in a worsted weight yarn and I used Spud & Chloë Sweater, of course. Each toy takes less than one hank of Sweater.

I linked this previously in the post but here it is again with more detail. I have a 50% off deal available for you right now! This deal will end soon. The course is normally $59.99 and right now you can purchase it for $29.99! You get all of the video lessons which you can watch any time at your own pace, it never expires.

The patterns for the Wee Ones and the top-down sweater are both included with the course. You also get a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the course. There is no risk whatsoever. Also, there are discussions, project photos, a forum to ask questions or to discuss. I am already jumping in to help with questions and discussions and it has been so fun to hear what people are thinking while knitting the Wee Ones.

Click here to see a course preview, lesson previews, and to get a 50% off price for the course!

Click here for the Ravelry project page for Wee Ones!

Right now the pattern is only available when you purchase the Craftsy course for Wee Ones.

If you haven't been to the Craftsy site before you really should pop over and see what all of the buzz is about. It is a fantastic resource for all kinds of crafting, not just knitting.

Let me know what you think. I am really proud of this pattern and design and how this Craftsy.com course turned out! I'll do a separate post later about the second course I did for Craftsy.

best, susie

Fading Fall

Hi Knitters,

I have notified the winner of Coastal Knits. Thank you to everyone who entered. I have more to give very soon so be sure to enter again.

A few weeks ago TC and I went for a hike in our nearby nature conservatory. It has been a gorgeous and warm fall here in Wisconsin and this day was no exception. Now it is getting a lot colder and darker and I know the fall season is fading fast. I want to share our beautiful Madison fall nature one last time.....
Golden hued paths....

... bursts of red....

.... flowers still in bloom....

....changing leaves....

... purples, greens, golds, reds, browns....

... fuzzy stems in the fading sunlight....

... tiny ponds flocked by wildflowers and long grasses...

... open fields surrounded by dense woods...

... my favorite red climbing vines....

....and long casting shadows. If you look way out on the horizon you can see the wonderful University of Wisconsin campus buildings peeking up from the landscape.

And it wouldn't feel right if I didn't include my Halloween crew in this post. A few cousins and my sister and sister-in-law came over to share pizza and trick or treating on Halloween night. TC is holding out her spooky Halloween fingernails (press ons!). She also had feather eyelashes and our neighbor did her ghoulish make-up. In addition to TC we had two un-costumed teenagers, a nerd, a snowboarder and a very scary werewolf. The night was a hit.

Bring on Thanksgiving!

best, susie

Coastal Knits Giveaway!

(Photo from Coastal Knits)

Hi Knitters,

When I heard that two of my favorite designers were collaborating on a book of knits I couldn't wait to see it. Both are wonderfully talented and with their combined designs they have created a book that is fresh, gorgeous and fun! I have talked about each of these women quite a bit before on my blog and I am sure you already are familiar with them anyway but Hannah Fettig and Alana Dakos are simply two smart, young, and hard working designers who deserve all of the accolades they receive.

Click here for Alana's website, Never Not Knitting!

Click here for Hannah's website, Knitbot!

The premise of their new collaborative book, Coastal Knits, is simple but yet clever. Hannah lives on the east coast and Alana lives on the west coast so they each took their respective shorelines as the inspiration for their designs. The book includes beautiful photography of each of the coasts and background information on their inspiration and the selected yarns. They also used yarns to create the samples from each of their coasts but they give many alternate yarn suggestions for each of the designs, which is incredibly thoughtful and helpful.

To hear a lot more detail listen to Alana's podcast, Never Not Knitting, where she and Hannah discuss every step of the process and the designs in detail and they answer questions from knitters. It's a great listen. Click here to listen!

There are 10 designs (click here to see all of the designs) that include a sweater, cardigans, a hat, fingerless mitts, a shawl, and a cowl. Each design is special and thoughtful. You will absolutely love Coastal knits. Some of the designs could be worked up in a matter of a few days and others are more involved. There is something for every woman in this book. The pattern collection is only available in book format.

Click here to go to the Coastal Knits website!

Let's look at a few of my favorite projects in the book. Above is the Rustling Leaves Beret by Alana. Alana is the queen of beautiful detail and that shows in this beret design. Her designs are incredible and thoughtful. Every inch of every design is tended to by Alana so all you have to do is knit and have fun. I love that about Alana. What a talent.

(photo from Coastal Knits)

Hannah designed the fingerless mitts, Branching Out. I am making these for sure! I already have the yarn set and ready to go. Hannah has a knack for taking a simple shape or garment and giving it a special twist, something only she could come up with. I love her modern, clean aesthetic so much.

(photo from Coastal Knits)

Hannah's Water's Edge Cardigan is so simple and sweet. I could see throwing this on over just about everything in my wardrobe. I love this one and it is knit in a worsted weight so it would be a quick knit. I am making this one very soon!
Alana's Gnarled Oak Cardigan is divine. The detail at the neckline is perfection. Oh, I really want to knit this one up right away! Love it. I would wear this one out. I clearly have to knit my own Gnarled Oak Cardigan this winter.
The Rocky Coast Cardigan is already one of the most popular patterns on Ravelry. I have to make this one, too. The front is worn open, the feel is relaxed and easy, the cable pattern is paired with a wide rib which I love. It really is perfection in every way.

(photo from Coastal Knits)

Alana's Wildflower Cardigan is knit in pieces and has subtle feminine details. I think this little cardigan would be a lovely addition to any wardrobe. I want a Wildflower Cardigan in my closet for sure.

I pretty much have my to-do list all set as I would love to have every single design in the book in my knit wardrobe this season. Everything in here is practical and stylish at the same time. Along with the variety of garments there are small knits in the book that would be the perfect gifts for the upcoming holidays, too. It's all here!

The best part of this post is that I get to give a copy of Coastal Knits away to one of you! If you don't win I strongly encourage you to get a copy of your own. I can't recommend this work of art pattern collection highly enough. These are two of the most outstanding new designers in the knitting industry and I guarantee you will love this book.

Please leave one comment on this post to enter to win a copy of Coastal Knits. Please include your email address or your Ravelry name or both so I can easily get in touch with you to gather your mailing address if you win! I'll be back soon to randomly select the winner.

What an honor for me to be included on the Coastal Knits blog tour! I actually asked to be included because I feel so much admiration and love for these two designers. They are taking the knitting world by storm on their own terms and I am enjoying following both of their prolific careers. The future is bright!

Good luck and let the comments begin!

best, susie

Come Knit with Amy and Me!

Hi Knitters,

I have an exciting new class lined up for a Knit Circus Mini-Retreat on November 19th in Madison. I am going to teach a class on toy knitting where we make my charming little fairy from the Knit Simple Holiday Issue 2011! With special permission from the good people at Knit Simple I am able to offer this one time class opportunity.

Way more exciting than my class is that the always fantastic and talented Amy Detjen is teaching a colorwork class following my class in the afternoon. I am definitely going to stay and learn from Amy. What a thrill. People travel from all over the country and I am sure beyond to take one of Amy's classes so don't miss this opportunity! She is one of the smartest, most knowledgable and funniest knitters around. I so admire her.

I hope to see you there!

Click here to find out more and to register for the Knit Circus Mini-Retreat!

Also, there are still spots available for the November 5th Knit Circus Retreat. There are spots open in a sock basics class, a mini-mitten class and a design your own cowl class!

Click here to find out more about this quickly approaching Knit Circus Retreat!

Oh, and I want to let you know that I just posted a new free hat pattern on my other blog, Spud says! It is called the Beluga and Firefly Hat in honor of the fantastic gray and yellow color combination. It is a simple and fun hat to work up with just enough of a textural stitch pattern to keep things interesting but nothing too difficult.

Click here to go to Spud says! to check out the free pattern!

Click here to go to the Ravelry project page for the Beluga and Firefly Hat!

Have fun and let me know if you are coming to my November 19th class and if you knit a Beluga and Firefly hat.

Don't miss my post scheduled for Monday where I am reviewing a beautiful new book by two of my favorite designers, Coastal Knits!

Happy weekend to you!

best, susie

Catching My Breath

Hi Knitters,

Sorry for the long delay in between posts. I am back from Denver where I was filming two online courses for Craftsy.com. It was a hectic and intense week. I'll post more on that later. It was one of the coolest and most fun weeks I have ever had career-wise! I am really excited about the whole thing. I loved every single thing about the Craftsy experience.

When I got home from Craftsy I decompressed with some spinning. I took a day to catch my breath which is something I rarely do.

I shared the photo above awhile back. It is some Phoenix Song (colorway) roving from Dani at Sunshine Yarns, one of my favorite indie dyers. The singles are now the gorgeous hank of yarn in the first photo.

By the way, Sunshine Yarns is having a huge update on this coming Tuesday, Oct. 25th if you are interested. I love her yarns and roving, it is all very inspiring.

The colors in Phoenix Song are so sweet and yummy. There is yellow, an array of pinks, orange, gray, white, gold.... I think the addition of gray is what made it so interesting to me.

I ended up with a squishy, plump 4 ounce hank of superwash wool. I finished the singles off with a 2-ply and came up with 252 yards. I think it is a sport weight. My plan right now is to make a pair of skating mittens for the upcoming winter. TC and I have some big ice skating plans for the outdoor ice rink season this year. I think a pretty pair of Phoenix Song handspun mittens will keep me happy while I skate. I am pretty sure they will end up on TC's mitts after they are done. That's okay, too.

I'll keep you posted as I go.

You know when you finish off one new hank of handspun you want to run back to your wheel and your roving stash to start something new. Usually I hunt for something kind of different than what I just finished. My hunt led me straight back to Kentucky and my fantastic Dyeabolical purchases. I got a 4 oz. braid of the roving above. I pre-drafted it into these enormous balls of soft roving all ready to spin onto my wheel.

When I was in the Dyeabolical booth, the mastermind behind this eye-catching fiber recommended that she wanted to spin the braid on the left with the pinks and purples and blues together with the first roving a I showed, on the right. Being the newish spinner that I am I took her idea and ran with it. I grabbed the two braids and fell in love with her idea.

Dyeabolical has an inspiring blog, too, that will make you want to snatch up all of her yarn. Click here to see her blog! And now I just see that there is a video blog/podcast! I will be checking all of that out. I actually have some Dyebolical yarn, too. I may have gone a little crazy with my purchases at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival last May. Everything has brought me so much joy that I don't regret a single dollar spent.

I have a bobbin full of the first roving and have started a second bobbin. I can't wait to get the second 4 ounce braid spun up so I can see how these will ply together. It's motivating to have something so yummy ahead of me. Spinning is über fun!!

Speaking of Kentucky.... I wound my gigantic hank of Sheep Dreams handspun. It is an alpaca/wool blend that was gifted to me by my Kentucky friend, Dianne of Sheep Dreams. I think the hank has around 580 yards which is plenty for a Hitchhiker Shawl by Martina Behm. It is a fun little knit that is incredibly easy and portable since you don't need to have the pattern with you. You can just count your garter stitch ridges and you'll know exactly what comes next.

I also plan on making Martina's Lintilla Shawl with my lone hank of deep purple Wollmeise. That's probably coming up next for me on the shawl front.

On my recent travels I have gotten some sock knitting done. Socks are the perfect plane knitting project. Just last week I finished up one Candy Corn sock from my favorite striping sock yarn, Vesper. You can find her site right here. I am knitting these socks on my only purchase from Vogue Knitting Live, a set of US size 1 Blackthorn Needles. Let me say, these needles are like nothing else. I love them. They are made from a carbon fiber and they are black and smooth and unusual. Be sure to check them out if you are interested.

I don't know if I'll finish the second Candy Corn sock before Halloween but either way I absolutely love the yarn. I highly recommend the Vesper Self-Striping Sock Yarn!

I'm almost done with my second Door County Cherry sock. Really I only have a few quick inches to go. I love them more than ever now that I can see wearing them soon and just in time as it is getting colder outside.

The yarn is madelinetosh merino light. Click here to see some color choices if you are interested. This yarn is a single ply and it may not wear so well for socks but I don't care. I will love them while I can! It is worth it to me to have such a gorgeous and soft pair of socks that remind me of our vacation in Door County. The. Best.

I bought my one hank of tosh merino light at Spin in Door County. To get some like mine you could call them up at 920-746-SPIN (7746) !

To finish off this long overdue post, TC has been working her magic with the Halloween crafts. The other day she asked me for a couple of paper grocery sacks. A short while later she had sculpted some exquisite Halloween trees to go with her fabric pumpkin collection. The trees are so sculptural and moody. I love them. TC hung two knit acorns of mine on the branches. You can see one acorn at the top of the tree above if you look hard enough.

Not too long after the tress she created some salt dough ghosts that were finished off in the microwave and then simply decorated with a black Sharpie. I am telling you that one of the best things about having a crafty-to-the-core child is that you get seasonal decorations without even asking. The other thing I am enjoying is her total independence in finding and selecting her crafts. I didn't help one bit with any of this. It is all self-driven! Yay to that!

TC's favorite crafting and inspirational sites is Family Fun (we get the magazine, too)! She found all of these Halloween projects on here.

Click here to go to the Family Fun site to see these and more Halloween crafts!

On another note, the winners for the Knit Circus pattern collection have all been notified by email. Jaala Spiro will be emailing the patterns to the winners. Thanks for entering and I'll have another giveaway very, very soon.

Have a great week, Knitters. I've missed you.

best, susie