Mini-Stocking & Candy Cane Ornament Pattern ~ discounted!

Hi, Knitters,

The new ornament pattern is up and available to purchase in my Ravelry pattern shop. Remember that you don't have to be a Ravelry member to purchase patterns through the shop. 

Click here to see more information or to purchase the Mini-Stocking & Candy Cane Ornament Patterns!

There is currently a discount code (in honor of the Itty-Bitty Knits group) available for $1.00 off good through December 25th, 2013! The code is: IBKLOVE

The stockings are a fun way to use up leftover bits of sock yarn. 

Here is some information you might like to know:

Measurement: From toe to cuff about 4-inches

Yarn: Between 4 and 5 grams of fingering weight or sock yarn

*Four of the samples used 4 grams, and one sample used 5 grams.

Needles: US size 1 set of four double-pointed needles

*The pattern is written for dpns but is easily adaptable for Magic Loop or for knitting in the round on 2 circular needles.

Gauge: 8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

*Gauge is not imperative for this project but varying the gauge will change the size and the amount of yarn needed.

Materials:

Stitch marker

Yarn needle

Ruler or tape measure

Abbreviations:

k  knit

p  purl

ssk  slip 2 stitches separately as if to knit, then knit the 2 slipped stitches together through the back loops

k2tog  knit two stitches together

p2tog  purl two stitches together

sl1  slip one stitch purl-wise

dpn(s)  double-pointed needles

st(s)  stitch(es)

N(1, 2, or 3)  double-pointed needle 1, 2 or 3

rnd(s)  round(s)

turn  turn the around to work back in the opposite direction

I made a bunch of samples in my leftover sock yarns.

Each one is cuter than the last.

As an added bonus, I threw in the Candy Cane ornament pattern along with the Mini-Stocking pattern.

Here is some information you might like to know about the Candy Cane Ornament:

Yarn: Tiny amounts of red and white worsted weight yarn

Needles: US size 7 double-pointed needles or a circular needle for Magic Loop

Materials:

Yarn needle

Ruler or tape measure

White pipe cleaner or chenille stem 

So you get two quick and fun ornament patterns for the price of one!

Again, click here to see more information or to purchase the ornament patterns! Remember the discount code: IBKLOVE

best, susie
p.s. The pattern page is up for the 50 Row Shawlette, click here! The pattern is coming soon.

Catching Up (another kinda sorta video podcast episode)

Hi, Knitters,

I just filmed another very spur of the moment Catching Up episode. Lots of fun links for you in the video! For email subscribers you can see the video by clicking right here.

I talked about:

Unwind Yarn Company

Dyeabolical Yarns

Waiting for Winter Mittens

My new patterns ~ Mini-Stocking and Candy Cane Ornaments and the 50 Row Shawlette ~ links to come as soon as the patterns are published!

Sunshine Yarns Superwash Merino Fiber in Cornish Pixies colorway

Snawheid by Kate Davies

Solidago Socks by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Ella Marie Fiber in Tidal Pool (didn't see a link and the fiber was a gift)

Friends in Fiber Mulled Cider

Taproot magazine

Jamieson Spindrift

Knit Picks Palette

Corrections: The shawlette has increases not decreases. Peachy is a senior in high school, not college.

I'll be back soon with those fun and seasonal patterns!

best, susie

Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl ~ fini!

Hi, Knitters,

I want to give a quick reminder for those interested in attending Vogue Knitting Live in New York from January 17-19th, 2014. Several of my morning workshops have already sold out and the other workshops are filling up quickly (we just received an update on the class numbers). If you're thinking about taking a class I encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. I think right after the holidays everything will sell right out for NY. 

I just received word that the general registration for Vogue Knitting Live Seattle, March 14-16th, 2014, has opened up! I am extra excited for Seattle because I was asked to not only teach but to give a one-hour lecture on the Saturday of the event. You have to register for the lecture just like a class, I believe. Anyway, if you are going to VKLive in Seattle, or you are thinking about it, please consider taking a class with me! I'd love to see you there.

There are so many interesting classes and instructors... I would love to go as an attendee someday and take classes and lectures from all of these spectacular knitters. What a treat.

Click here to check out both NYC and Seattle Vogue Knitting Live!

I finished my Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl, a lovely design and pattern by Paula Emons-Fuessle. It was an incredibly fun knit. I loved using my leftover fingering weight yarn. I highly recommend this project. You could have a gathering of your knitter friends where everyone brings leftover fingering weight yarn and you create the Magic Cakes together. That's what Paula has done at the last two Knitting Pipeline Retreats and it was a huge hit with the retreat attendees. 

The pattern includes detailed instructions on how to make your own Magic Cake, so no worries there if you are wondering how to go about making one for your shawl.

Here are the links:

Paula Emons-Fuessle's Knitting Pipeline

Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl Pattern

Paula's podcast episode about the Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl

Chickadee yarn bowl

You should make one, really. This is a fun and very simple basic shawl. I love the long ends, perfect for tying in the front or back. And I always love a ruffle. I can't recommend this project enough.

Here is a quick pictorial story of my own Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl:

(pre-blocking - it already looks good!)

I used an entire skein of Quince & Co. Finch in Crow for the ruffle. This skein was not leftovers but I am so glad I finished off the shawl with the dark black. I love the black, dramatic ruffle. It sort of outlines the shawl and offsets the bright colors. 

 

 (post-blocking! gorgeous and drapey!)

I've already worn my Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl a ton. It is so light and colorful. I have been wearing it wrapped around my neck like in the photo above. It is so long and easy to wrap around like this. I think I will make another one soon, maybe more of a tonal story. Miss Molly wants to make one, too, and I have plenty of leftovers to share. That should make for some fun knitting over her college winter break.

Have a great weekend and I hope you get to spend some time knitting.

best, susie

Goings on about home...

Hi, Knitters,

Well, what a busy last few days. I can tell everyone is back to work today in the knitting world by the number of emails in my inbox. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It was bustling and fantastic around my house.

First things first, the winner of the Bunny Love Full Kit from Little Skein is..... siberiancat (rav id) or Penny! Congratulations to Penny. I have already contacted Penny on Ravelry.

Now for an unexpected surprise, Anne Vally of Little Skein contacted me yesterday to let me know that the kit has been a huge hit. Laura of Gynx Yarn is already back dyeing up more self-striping and semi-solid yarn so Anne can make more kits for her shop. To celebrate the popularity of the kit she asked if I would select 5 more winners to receive a set of the Wild Rabbits Stitch Markers from her shop! I couldn't say no to that so here are 5 more winners by Rav ID:

yarnstruck

javajennie

blanketlady

QuiteCool

pamelajd

I am passing on the winners to Anne to contact you directly through Ravelry so keep your eye out for a message! Anne will need your mailing addresses to send you your new stitch markers. Yay!

The pattern for the Bunny Love adorable seamless toy will be available for individual download in January 2014 on my Ravelry Pattern Shop. If you don't want the kit I recommend you order a skein of the beautiful Gynx yarn self-striping or semi-solid. It is such a treat and makes an adorable one-of-a-kind toy. I don't know how long supplies will last on the yarn. Thank you to Anne for everything!

Now on with the blog post for today.

On Friday I received a package from JoAnna of the Knit Spin Farm podcast. I wasn't sure what was inside but with all of the action going on in my house I set the unopened package in my studio so I could quietly open it later. Well, that night I couldn't sleep. I finally decided just to get up and start my day, no more wasting time just thinking about sleep. It was so early and dark. I got up and made a cup of coffee, walked into my studio and remembered the package from JoAnna. My house was so full, with all four kids home, and happy and quiet so I was already feeling content but when I opened the envelope to see the most gorgeous handmade spinning batt from JoAnna it took my breath away. 

I don't even have a photo of the batt for you because right then and there I decided to spin up this delicious little treat of blended fiber. I literally sat down in those wee hours of the morning in my quiet little house and spun up this batt filled with cormo, silk, silk noil, southdown and merino. JoAnna sent along a handwritten note explaining that she made the batt with my nature photos in her mind for inspiration. The batt is called Tree Lichen and it was incredibly light and sweet. The colors are so soothing, sort of comforting. 

The fiber ran through my fingers like butter. I felt like I was spinning air because it was so light and fluffy. It honestly was one of the most pleasant spinning experiences I have had. There was no tugging or drafting to be done. I love the silk noils, they are like little tidbits of texture. I didn't want to lose any of the yardage from JoAnna's batt so I quickly spun up some natural merino to ply with the Tree Lichen. In the end I got 222 yards of a dk to worsted weight. 

The result is a yarn that is like spun candy. It really is the sweetest hank of yarn ever. The skein you see above in the photo is so light and fluffy and bouncy. It is one of my favorites because not only was the fiber wonderful, I was feeling content and happy in my full post-holiday house while I was spinning, and it was a gift from a talented young woman. It's a win.

Fortunately for all of you spinners out there JoAnna is going to start selling her batts on her Etsy shop!

Here are all of the JoAnna related links for you:

Knit Spin Farm Podcast (I never miss an episode!)

Knit Spin Farm Etsy Shop  

Oh my gosh, she has project bags up (she doesn't post these very often)! I have one of her little bags and it is so wonderful. I have to get another. I am not sure when she is going to start selling her batts but you could favorite the shop and also you could contact JoAnna to find out more. I highly recommend her bags and the batts for spinning and her podcast.

I have the spinning bug as of late. I felt like I was spinning the skein you see above in the photo for forever. I did a traditional 3-ply with the intent to knit socks with the finished yarn. It took me so long, months I think. The end result is just gorgeous. The braid of fiber was from Into the Whirled, a very popular indie dyer. The color is pretty impressive. There are a couple of shades of vibrant purples, a buttery light yellow and a medium shade of brown. The colorway is called Chromatic Composition and it is 100% Polwarth. 

I purchased the braid at The Loopy Ewe. It was amazing to spin, so much fun. I ended up with 376 yards of a fingering weight which is plenty to do a pair of handspun socks. Plan complete!

The cowl in the photo above is another long on the needles project (not tooth but needles, but it was long on the tooth, too). I started the cowl way last spring for Peachy but when it got warm outside I set it down for the summer. Peachy has been on my case, as deserved, to finish it up now that it is cold again. I dragged it around with me over the holiday weekend and sure enough I finished. She loves it so much and has already worn it to school.

Here are the links for the cowl:

Gaptastic Cowl (free pattern on Ravelry!)

Quince & Co Puffin yarn (3 skeins to make the cowl ~ under $30! ~ the perfect gift) The cowl in the photo is in the Twig colorway.

US size 13 needles, 32-inch circs

I have to tell you that Miss Molly has made two of the Gaptastic Cowls using three skeins of Quince & Co Puffin. And now Peachy is knitting her own Gaptastic Cowl with three skeins of Puffin in Egret. The Egret is so creamy and light. She has already finished one skein and it is going to be beautiful. I love seeing her knit, it doesn't happen often.

The Quince & Co Puffin gets incredibly soft after a soak and a good blocking. 

This is the perfect quick gift for teens and college age girls if you are stumped. At just under $30 for the Quince Puffin it is a steal. On US 13s you can whip this up fairly quickly for a large cowl, that is if you don't put it down like I did.

Oh, and we got our Christmas tree at the tree farm. It is a winner of a tree. We decorated it while everyone was home on Saturday night. It was really fun. We listened to Christmas music and there was a lot of laughter and reminiscing going on. There is something really amazing about having older kids. Sometimes I just look at them and I can't believe what interesting young people they have become, all completely different but all so tied together. There is a lot of love between them and us.

It is good.

My son is wearing the Surefire Hat ~ because I know I'll get asked.

My oldest son turned 22 years old on Thanksgiving Day. The whole extended family was at our house for the holiday so we put some candles in a pumpkin pie and sang to him while my niece played the birthday song on my mom's piano. It was very sweet and he is loved. He loves the handknit socks I knit for him as a gift and he put them right on and wore them the rest of the day. They fit perfectly. I also knit him the Dustland Hat with Lorna's Laces Worsted. I gave it to him a little early and he has worn it constantly. A good match, the yarn, pattern and recipient.

Click here for sock details.

Click here to see a photo of my little guy and me 22 years ago.

Click here to see the sock on his foot!

Click here to see my son in his Dustland Hat!

This is what my path has been looking like as of late. Not much snow yet and a lot of gold in the prairie. It is pretty, good winter-y colors to feast my eyes on while I walk or run.

Okay, to finish out the day I have some fun new knitting podcasts for listening and watching to recommend! I am really enjoying all of these new podcasts so don't miss out ~ subscribe and add them to your iTunes!  

Here are the links:

Homespun

JuniperGraceTube

Prairie Girls Knit and Spin

In a Sknit

And one not so new podcast but one I forgot on my previous lists of podcasts: 

Singlehandedknits with the lovely Mel!

Have a great day! I hope my RSS feed works this time, fingers are crossed. I'll be back soon with more.

best, susie

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi, Knitters,

If you are celebrating Thanksgiving today I wish you a very happy holiday! I know I am thankful for all of you. Enjoy the day and maybe even sneak in a little knitting if possible.

I noticed that the email subscribers did not receive the last post and it was an important one. I have a new pattern available in kit form from Little Skein. I am hosting a wonderful full kit giveaway on the last post. Due to this technical glitch I am leaving the giveaway open for a few extra days. I don't want you to miss this opportunity if you depend on the email subscription to read the blog.

Click here to see or find out how to order the beautiful kit and to enter the giveaway! Don't miss the chance to win the kit which is worth over $100!

Yesterday I whipped up a new shawl design. It takes about 250 yards of a worsted weight. I used my handspun from fiber from Unwind Yarn Company, and a US size 10 needles.

The name of the new design is the 50 Row Shawlette. It literally is knit in 50 rows on big needles. You are left with a flouncy, sweet little should wrap. I just love it and it is the perfect gift for our upcoming holiday season. I tried it on with a shawl pin when it was still a bit damp. I can't wait to wear it. It's so charming.

I'll let you know when the pattern is ready.

Here is my start on the shawlette just one day ago. I had so much fun knitting the 50 Row Shawlette and I jotted down the pattern as I worked. I will write up the pattern this weekend and get it available next week if you are interested.

By the way, I did a little interview for a yarn shop. Click here if you are interested.

I pre-drafted some Sunshine Yarns merino fiber in the Cornish Pixie colorway. I will spin this on my new Artisan Wheel. I am plying the Into the Whirled on my Ladybug. Finally! That spin has been going on for months now.

I have a blue theme going on it seems.

This was the sky today as I ran. 

Oh, yes, I am thankful.

best, susie

Velveteen Rabbit Inspired Kit Giveaway!

Hi, Knitters,

The winners of Green Gables Knits are Auntea, MamaMustKnit, DeeS, greenwgirl, and yarnbasket (all Rav IDs)! Congratulations to the winners. I have messaged the winners and given them Joanna Johnson's contact. Winners please email Joanna and provide her with your mailing address so she is able to send out the books directly. 

I can't believe it but I am actually doing two giveaways in a row. I think that is a first. Today I have an incredible kit giveaway for you. My blog giveaway will be your ONLY chance to win the FULL kit version of Bunny Love worth over $100! 

Awhile back Anne Vally of Little Skein contacted me to design a Velveteen Rabbit-inspired bunny to be included in her Little Skein's Read Together series. The last kit was the Extra Yarn featuring Laura Linneman's beautiful sock design. 

Anyway, I jumped at the chance. I am so inspired by children's literature and the Velveteen Rabbit is one of my all-time favorites. The book conjures up many sweet childhood memories for me as it does for so many people. Anne Vally has pulled together and created a beautiful kit experience for you to go along with the book.

The kit goes live today for purchase at 10am EASTERN time!

I received a kit on last Saturday and opened it for the first time on the video above. The video is 8 minutes long and if you can't see it on the email version of the blog post click here to view the opening directly on YouTube!

The individual pattern will be available in January 2014 on my Ravelry Pattern shop! I know I will be asked this so I want to be sure to mention this information.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for Bunny Love!

The bunny is called, Bunny Love, and was sweetly named by Anne. It is knit completely seamlessly from the bottom up. In the DK weight yarn it goes very quickly and is quite a simple knit. I loved every minute of designing this dear little project. Anne Vally's Little Skein is truly one of my favorite Etsy shops. I have talked about her talent on the blog quite a bit before. She is out of San Francisco.

Here are the important links:

Bunny Love Ravelry page for you to favorite and queue!

Little Skein Etsy shop for you to order your kit!

Little Skein blog with more photos and information!

Even more photos from Little Skein!

Gynx Yarns! on Etsy!

Gynx Yarns video podcast, The Dyer's Notebook!

In the photo above you can see how I tried to capture the feel of the slightly sad windblown bunny. I love how the ears can be put to the side to look like the book cover illustration. The toy, along with the beautiful stripey Gynx Yarn, is so old-fashioned and innocent looking. Gynx yarns are just stunning and fun to work with. You should give them a try!

The ears can be flopped to the sides as well.

Here is a back view! Of course every bunny needs a pom-pom tail. The written pattern includes tutorial photos on how and where to pick up the stitches for the little arms and legs. The pattern was tech-edited by the one and only Amy Detjen and Anne Vally test knit her own bunny using the pattern. The pattern is in great shape!

(photo from Little Skein)

I feel so fortunate to be able to offer you the chance to win the full kit today on the blog! My blog is the only one featuring a giveaway for the full kit!! Thank you to Anne. 

Here is the description of the full kit from Little Skein:

Bunny Love will be released on November 25, 2013 as part of a holiday kit for knitters created by Little Skein in the Big Wool.

The pattern will be available for individual purchase in Susan B. Anderson’s Ravelry Pattern Shop after January 25, 2014.

Bunny Love is an adorable, vintage-inspired knitted rabbit that reimagines Margery William’s beloved children’s holiday classic, The Velveteen Rabbit. The pattern is the centerpiece of the “Velveteen” kit for knitters, which is available only at the littleskein Etsy shop (littleskein.etsy.com) throughout the holiday season and New Year, and includes:
• The Bunny Love pattern in PDF format
• 1 skein of Gynx Yarns self-striping DK in antique colors of satin pink, french vanilla and soft, velveteen brown, a three-striping color exclusive to this kit
• A drawstring or zipper project bag (knitters’ choice), sized to fit your rabbit-in-progress in an original holiday fabric designed and handcrafted by littleskein
• Unique stitch markers, cotton thread for whiskers on a vintage spool, and more

Read on to see how you can enter to win a full kit for yourself!

(photo by Little Skein)

The Petite Bunny Love Kit is an option for purchase shown above in the photo.

From Anne:

Bunny Love is also available in a “petite kit” with a beautiful pink tonal yarn also created by Gynx Yarns for this kit.

Here are some photos of Anne's version of the Bunny Love design (she is an expert toy-knitter!):

(photo from Little Skein)

(photo from Little Skein)

(photo from Little Skein)

(photo from Little Skein)

The kit is going live this morning at 10am EASTERN Time! You can order the kit and items in all sorts of ways, lots of options to fit in your budget.

Here is the description from the Little Skein website with information on how to buy the kit, future publicity and more:

HOW TO BUY

The kit will be available beginning Monday, November 25 (at 10:00 a.m. EASTERN Time) at littleskein.etsy.com. 

The full kit is priced at $100 (with a drawstring bag) or $120 (with a zipper bag).  I will also be debuting a suite of Velveteen "companion" items for knitters with budgets of all sizes. A petite kit, including tonal yarn, will be available for $50, several of the kit components will be available for individual sale, and there will be a limited supply of self-striping Velveteen sock yarn for knitters who want to expand their suite of Velveteen items.

Available for individual sale will be:

•  Petite kits | pattern, tonal yarn from Gynx Yarns, stitch markers, and whisker thread | $50
•  Velveteen stitch markers, in littleskein's signature cabochon style | $14
•  Drawstring project bag, sized for single skein projects in the exclusive Velveteen fabric and handcrafted by littleskein | $30
•  Zipper project bag, sized for 2-skein projects in the exclusive Velveteen fabric and handcrafted by littleskein | $45
•  Self-striping BFL sock yarn created by Gynx Yarns in the Velveteen striping colorway | $34
•  Hardback copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit," by Margery Williams, with original text and illustrations | $14

AVAILABILITY

A limited number of ready-to-ship kits will be immediately available on November 25, and when those have sold, pre-orders will be available throughout the holiday season and New Year. 

Pre-orders will ship on a first-ordered basis, and as quickly as my sewing queue allows. I expect that my queue for these custom kits will fill up quickly, so if it is not possible to ship your order by Christmas, you can request a special (free) gift package, which includes a custom-printed postcard, personal note with details about when the kit will ship, all wrapped in a beautiful pillow box, perfect for putting under the tree or in a stocking.

BLOG & PODCAST TOUR

Velveteen will be featured, beginning November 25, on these wonderful blogs and podcasts. Look for a review or a video preview of the kit:

Susan B. Anderson blog
Knitting Pipeline audio podcast
Must Stash video podcast
Stockinette Zombies video podcast
The Dyer's Notebook video podcast

To win the FULL KIT version (worth $100 to $120!!) of Bunny Love please leave only one comment on this blog post. Please leave your email address or Ravelry ID so I can contact you and Anne can gather your mailing address to send you your kit directly. Please do not comment more than once, there is a delay in the actual posting of your comment. In a couple of days I will be randomly selecting one winner for the full kit! 

Good luck and let the comments begin!

best, susie