BT to the MKG and more...

I threw this photo in as an afterthought as a friend just sent it to me. That's my son on the left during his cross country meet last weekend. It is such a great sport and fun to watch. He is the first of our kids to join cross country so it has been interesting and new. I thought you might enjoy seeing him run. I love high school sports. The kids are so inspiring.

Now to the real post as intended....
Hi Knitters,

I have a fun giveaway at the end the post so be sure to check it out.

Last Monday night I attended the Madison Knitters Guild. I am a new member just this fall. The guest speaker was Jared Flood. Some may know him better as Brooklyn Tweed. I met him briefly before the meeting started which was nice. I have been following his blog for years so it was wonderful to see him in person.

The Madison Knitters Guild is one of the largest in the country. There are about 550 member with over 300 attending every meeting. The current space is too small so it is usually standing room only. This meeting was no exception. I am sure Jared had to be surprised at the size of the crowd. It is a pretty amazing sight. He said he was forewarned by the Chicago Knitting Guild about the MKG. He also said to me that he had heard about the voracious Madison knitting scene. I love that.

The woman in the orange overalls (photo above) is Elizabeth Wellenstein. She brought her hot off the presses release of Around the World Knitted Socks which she translated from German to English for Interweave Press. It is a beautiful book of intricate and colorful socks. I looked kind of over her shoulder at her book as she sat behind me and leafed through the pages. Congratulations to Elizabeth for her accomplishment.
Jared started speaking and commented about the size of the group. It is a little overwhelming up on that stage but I have to say it is the warmest, funniest group around. It is a group that loves to laugh and have fun. Jared received a very warm welcome. There were many wearing his designs in the crowd.
He had slides that showcased his exquisite photography. He showed photos of his travels, buildings, locations and knitting. Do you recognize that hat in the photo? It's a pretty famous one. Click here to see.
Finally, he shared the back story of his brand new yarn line called Shelter. It is a heathery woolen spun yarn in beautiful autumnal shades. There are 17 colors available right now and he shared how the yarn is dyed before it is spun, not dipped after it is spun. Jared began working on his American made wool about a year ago so he is feeling quite proud of its recent release.
He has a pattern line to support his new yarn and he brought a few samples to share.
I love the mittens. Yes, those are good.
This scarf has interesting texture.
I especially love this shawl. Jared has a newly updated site where you can find out more about him and purchase his patterns and yarn. Click here to go to his site, Brooklyn Tweed.
Okay, this is a switch in topics and a fun one at that! The new issue of Knitcircus is up and it is a special gift issue which I always enjoy. The founder, Jaala Spiro, has offered a wonderful giveaway for me to host. I am running this giveaway in a slightly different way.

I will randomly select 2 winners in a few days.

1 winner will receive the Knitcircus Gifts issue pattern collection.

1 winner will receive a subscription to Knitcircus.

To celebrate the Itty-Bitty Knits group on Ravelry surpassing the 2,000 members mark I am hosting the giveaway over there. To enter you need to leave a happy comment on the forum thread AND you need to be a member of the Itty-Bitty Knits group! Please only enter once and do not leave a comment on this blog post or email me to enter.

Click here to enter by leaving a comment on the forum thread on Ravelry!

Good luck if you enter! It's a wonderful prize offering. Thanks to Jaala!

best, susie

Hedgehog to Squirrel Reversible

Hi Knitters,

I want to be sure to share my personal photos of another toy of mine in the Knit Simple Holiday 2010 issue. The photos in the magazine are wonderful but they don't really show how the squirrel reverses or flips into a hedgehog or the other way around.
The squirrel to hedgehog toy is made in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran on size 6 double-pointed needles at 5 stitches per inch. I love the bushy tail made from three pom-poms.
I made a couple sweet acorns to loop on the squirrel's arms, too.
I think it always helps to see all angles of a toy.
The toy is 5 1/2 inches tall and about 3 inches wide. It is a small one.
The best part is that the hedgehog is tucked right up inside the body of the squirrel. You just flip the squirrel inside out and you get....
a cute little hedgehog. I used this same idea for an entire chapter in Itty-Bitty Toys called, Reversibles. I made a bunch of reversible toys for that book that are really fun. By the way, Itty-Bitty Toys has just gone into its 3rd printing so that is exciting.
I was really pleased that the squirrel with the big tail actually fit inside the hedgehog! The bodies of the animals are very stretchy and accommodating.
There are purl ridges on the head and body that are then chained with a crochet hook for added texture but you wouldn't have to add that part. It is optional.
See, there's that squirrel in there waiting...
to be on the outside again. Kids, teens and adults alike love the reversible toys so it makes a fun gift for any age.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for Hedgehog to Squirrel!

Click here for the Ravelry page for the entire Knit Simple Holiday 2010!

Click here for the Knit Simple Holiday 2010 project preview!

That's all for this fine Monday morning. I am going to the Madison Knitters Guild tonight to see Jared Flood. He has a new yarn line that was just released called, Shelter. I am definitely going to have to get some of this yarn to play around with.

It should be a fun night! I'll tell you all about it and I'll try to remember my camera this time.

best, susie

Two New Patterns!

Hi Knitters,

I finally have my Summer Camp Cloth Series 2 up and available! I am pretty excited about this grouping. These beautifully crafted cloths make a lovely gift set for anyone in your life. The cloths are named after places in beautiful Northern Wisconsin.

Click here for the Summer Camp Cloth Series 2 pattern for purchase in my Ravelry Pattern Shop!

Click here for my online shop to purchase the Summer Camp Cloth Series 2 pattern! Remember if you order through my online shop I personally send out all pdf patterns via email with as an attachment. Please be patient as I try to get all orders sent as quickly as possible.
Here is some information you might like to know about this next installment of cloths:

Finished measurements:

All 4 of the cloths measure as squares between 7 ¼ and 8-inches

Needles: US size 5 or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch (exact gauge is not necessary, just measure to make a square)

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton (100% organically grown cotton; 65 grams/150 yards), 1 skein each in Glacier #301, Clay #31, Birch #30 and Sprout #303

Materials:

Yarn needle

Scissors

Tape Measure or ruler

Click here to see the information for the Summer Camp Cloth Series 1!

The second pattern is one that TC helped design. This sweet little baby hat is called the Chunky Mochi Baby Hat and it is a really quick knit for sizes 0-6 months. The hat only takes one skein of the Chunky Mochi (48 yards) and is knit up at 3.5 stitches per inch on size 9 needles. You can whip this up in no time at all and have an adorable baby gift at the ready.

Click here for the Ravelry link and to purchase the pattern in my pattern shop on Ravelry!

Click here to purchase the pattern in my online shop! The pattern is sent by me via email as an attached pdf.

Oh, and if you are interested here is the link for my Ravelry pattern shop in general.

Thanks! If you order I hope you enjoy these fun and new little knits.

best, susie

An Apple a Day

Hi Knitters,

An apple picking trip was taken a week or so ago. This is one of my favorite fall rituals. We will go back to get pumpkins soon. Here are some highlights.
The polka band was grand but the baby dancing on the side was the BEST. We watched that baby dance for a long time. It was awesome.
The colors and shapes are too good to be true.
TC pulled out her special apple cardigan. Love that.
Don't you love a big pile of sticks? I do. These sticks were bundled up with twine for fire wood at $5 a bunch.
I love the colors of Indian corn but I also love the handwritten cardboard sign.
Pumpkins with warts.... and a goat with a toupee made the day memorable.

There was a lot of apple tasting along the way. I mean a lot. My husband takes the lead in this activity. He always acts like he is checking for flavor and texture, like it is a science. Funny.

I love TC's bun so much:) It's so good.
It was a warm fall day and unfortunately Peachy had to miss this outing as she had a swim team activity the same day. We missed her but she will be there for pumpkin picking.
The trees were bursting.
I'd love to know her thoughts.
We filled two large bags with an assortment of types of apples. I have been making cinnamon baked applesauce and apple crisp ever since. Literally, almost every other day I have been peeling and baking apples in some manner or other. I have even been giving applesauce away.
Technique is everything.
Lovely.

best, susie

Hello Bunny

Hi Knitters,

I have some home photos of the new mini-collection I made for Knit Simple last spring and early summer. I happen to love seeing designers' home photos of projects because often they are shot from all angles and can also give you an idea about the size of a project. Here you can see that this little friend can sit in the palms of your hands.

With that being, I'd like to share some home photos and the basic information about my newest bunny design.
Pattern: Knit Simple Holiday 2010 (hitting the stands on Oct. 5, 2010)

Yarn: Spud & Chloë Sweater in Toast, Watermelon and Ice Cream (only tiny bits of Watermelon and Ice Cream are needed and 1 skein of Toast)

The project is worked in the round on double-pointed needles. The only sewing together is to attach the head, ears and feet to the body using some basic whipstitch. This is a simple and quick toy to whip up in no time at all.

Ravelry project page link for Bunny is here.

Knit Simple Holiday 2010 Ravelry link is here.

In the background you can see that TC brought down some woodland wall stickers on a large sheet to help inspire me as I made the toys for Knit Simple. I love that.
The bunny is sitting on my partially finished Tea Leaves Cardigan from last spring. It is fun to look back at that. It's strange how long ago the making of that sweater seems.
I love the curve of the ears and how the ears are kind of folded back. It is sweet.
This is a helpful angle so you can see how I positioned the legs.
The tail is always the finishing touch when making a toy, especially a bunny's tail.

Have a good Monday everyone!

best, susie

Around the House

Hi Knitters,

Lately I have been feeling the crunch of time in a big way. You would not believe the number of posts I want to get up on this blog and simply haven't had the time to get done. I have stacks of books and patterns to giveaway, great photos of family adventures and knitting adventures, patterns to get up in my little online pattern shop... the list goes on and on. With that being said I just have to remind myself that all I can do is the best I can do. I'll keep plugging along. Thank you for the constant support and kind emails and comments and photos of your projects and babies wearing your knits. You, the readers and knitters, make all of the hard work worthwhile.

I want to take a quick side journey today to share some of the crafting and knitting that has been going on around my house lately. In the photo above you can see TC's new creative endeavor, the French Horn. She has been "playing" for hours everyday this week. The problem is that she doesn't really know how to play yet. It has been a little LOUD and also a little funny and sweet.

She is wearing the Easy Top-Down Raglan sweater I just completed for a ginormous knitalong on my other blog, Spud says! Please click here for all of the information on this stripey hooded version and a plain adult size version as well.
Our sweet neighbor and knitting enthusiast has completed her first pair of knee socks! She is amazing. At the same time she has knitted a couple of pairs of baby socks, the free pattern is right here, and a couple of hats. Both of the girls finished stitching together their charity blanket (I'll post a finished photo soon). These girls are both amazing crafters but just look at those socks! She did an incredible job. I love how she slaps them right on, too. She wore the one finished sock by itself for weeks, even to school.
TC worked for a long time creating these little critters with a kit she got for her birthday. She twirled long paper strips around with a little tool and glued them together to make these tiny friends. The kit is put out by Klutz and is called, Twirled Paper. TC recommends this one and I love all of the Klutz kits. They are top-notch and include quality materials.
TC is really on a roll. She started home economics at school and got to sew a laundry bag for her first project. We picked out the cutest fabric ever over at Stitchers Crossing. It is a cotton print but the base fabric looks like a natural muslin-type fabric. It is a completely awesome print. It has a hand-printed look to it. If you want a yard or two just give them a call at 800-232-1500 and they will promptly send it to you. I would love a skirt or a bag out of this fabric! I may have to drop by and pick up a little more of it.888
TC is so proud.
Here is a fun back shot of her newly custom designed raglan hoodie sweater. I love the hood.

Here is the Ravelry page for the Easy Top-Down Raglan.
She loves the new French Horn, even as a hat! Goofy girl.

Can you believe it is Friday again? I can't. Have a great and joy-filled fall weekend, Knitters.

best, susie

p.s. Yesterday I was contacted by HK Anderson, the pretzel company, because a long time ago I mentioned how their peanut butter filled pretzels are a favorite around here. Now they want to send me a big sample pack of all of their different pretzels. Of course I said sure! Isn't that funny?

p.p.s. This week I submitted 4 different craft projects on request to Parents magazine, I'll keep you posted. Oh, and I have worked out the details for my next book. That's book #5. I am a tired girl today.