Knit Collage Scarf Pattern

Hi Knitters,

Popping in here today to share the scarf I finished up this morning. A couple of weeks ago I shared some fascinating yarn I purchased from Purlsoho called, Knit Collage in the Mermaid Cafe colorway. I saw this yarn at ImagiKnit, too, if you are interested. The yarn has silly bits and pieces spun into the yarn. It is so much fun to knit up. I found things like crocheted flowers, strings of sequins, sequin flowers, lace, ribbon and tiny yellow flowers.

Well, yesterday I decided to whip up a scarf from the Knit Collage yarn. I knit my way through a soccer game and finished it up early this morning. It worked up in a flash. I love the finished scarf so I want to share the pattern with you!
Knit Collage Scarf

Finished measurements: 48 inches by 5 inches

US size 15 needles

3 skeins of Knit Collage (35 yards per skein)

Scarf:

Cast on 12 stitches.

Row 1: knit

Row 2: purl

Row 3: knit

Row 4: purl

Row 5: purl

Row 6: knit

Row 7: purl

Row 8: knit

Repeat rows 1-8 until you use up your yarn, leaving enough to bind off the last row. Try to end with a row 4 or a row 8 (but it's okay if you don't). Bind off.

That's it! Super fast, super easy!
I didn't block my scarf at all. I love it just as it is. If you get to make one for yourself, have fun!

You can still enter the How to Knit a Love Song giveaway for just a tiny bit longer. Click here to enter if you missed it.

I purchased this scarf pattern the other day to use a ball of Bugga I have. I love this stitch pattern.

I'll be back with a book winner in the next post!

best, susie

How to Knit a Love Song Giveaway!

The giveaway is now closed, April 13th, 2010!!! Thanks to everyone who entered.

Hi Knitters,

On my vacation I read a couple of novels. The first one I read is called, How to Knit a Love Song, by Rachael Herron. You may have heard of Rachael before in the knitting world because she writes the popular knitting blog called, Yarnagogo. She is a genuine knitter and you can tell that through her book. The knitting and knitter's lifestyle is craftily woven throughout the book without being clumsy or forced.

The fictional story is set on a California sheep ranch. Cade, the resident rancher, is taking care of the land and sheep for his great aunt who has moved off to a retirement community. He wants to someday own the land himself and continue to run the ranch. Eliza Carpenter, the great aunt, just happens to be a beloved knitting guru (think Elizabeth Zimmerman and you'll have a clear picture). While Eliza is at the retirement home she meets the young and beautiful Abigail through knitting. Eliza becomes Abigail's knitting mentor. Abigail's knitting career takes off due to Eliza's guidance. They are fast friends. Abigail becomes a knitting book author and gives all of the credit to Eliza.

When Eliza passes away she leaves a small cottage and the surrounding land to Abigail. The small cottage and land happen to be a part of the bigger sheep ranch that Cade inherits at Eliza's passing. Abigail is saddened by the loss of her friend and mentor but is happy to leave a tumultuous life behind and move to the cottage to write and knit in peace. She knows nothing much about Cade and vice versa.

When Abigail shows up to claim her cottage and land, Cade is nothing short of angry about his new land co-owner. Then all chaos breaks loose!

The book has twists and turns and although you might be able to figure out who will be standing at the end it is still fun getting there. There is adventure, romance, story-telling, knitting and good old-fashioned fun in these pages.

Let me warn you though, it is a romance novel. There are definitely steamy scenes sprinkled throughout the book. This book is R rated for sure. It is not for kids in any way, shape or form. My blog is usually G rated and squeaky clean so that is why I want to put out this warning!

I really enjoyed reading How to Knit a Love Song. I especially love it because it is written by a blogger and a knitter who I have known (in the blogging sense) for years. It has touched me to hear and see how excited and proud Rachael is of her book.

Congratulations to Rachael. I loved your book and recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance novel and knitting. You don't even have to be a knitter to enjoy it. It is a light, fun and fast read. It was hard to put down once I started.

I emailed Rachael to ask if I could hold a giveaway for a copy of How to Knit a Love Song on my blog. I actually asked for her publicist's email but Rachael offered to sponsor the giveaway herself! Since she is sending out the book to the winner she offered to sign the book as well! How cool is that?

Leave a comment on this post to win a signed copy of How to Knit a Love Song! Please only enter once, leave an identifying something on the comment (name, link, ravelry id, email)! This makes it easier for me to contact the winner to get a mailing address. I will pick a winner in a few days or so. I will then post the winning comment so be sure to check back.

Enter quick! You will love it!

Good luck!

best, susie

p.s. There is a sweater pattern included at the end. Abigail knits a sweater throughout the story and then you get the pattern for the same sweater!

p.p.s. Rachael has done 2 podcast interviews that I have listened to: Knitcast and The Knitmore Girls. They are both wonderful interviews!

Can you ImagiKnit?

Hi Knitters,

While I was in San Francisco I had a quick moment to visit the wonderful yarn shop, ImaginKnit. I had popped on their site to find the address and to make note of anything unusual about the shop before my stop but I really had no idea what to expect. ImagiKnit is on a corner and the street going up the side of the shop is incredibly steep. See how it looks pretty unassuming from the outside?

I was happy to be greeted with Blue Sky Alpacas Pretty Cheep Bags hanging across the front window. Those bags are the best for storing little projects and whatnot.
I found the Spud & Chloë right away. That's the Sweater yarn above. However....
um, yeah. Have you ever seen so much yarn in your life? I mean talk about inventory. ImagiKnit has it ALL. First off, the store is really like two stores. It is huge and spacious. Secondly, every inch is covered with gorgeous yarn and I think it is organized by fiber? or was it yarn weight? I know they had a sock yarn area and a bulky weight area. Anyway, there was lots of staff on-hand to help and they were super nice and friendly. I asked if they minded if I took some photographs before I started snapping away.
They had Blue Sky Alpacas, Spud & Chloë, Madeline Tosh, Yarn Collage (remember from a couple posts ago?), Manos, Malabrigo, Classic Elite, Debbie Bliss, Noro.... the list goes on forever and a day. Click here to see their extensive yarn selection. It is fantastic.
There is comfortable seating all over the place, couches, chairs, tables. There is a homey feel, very comfortable. I was very much struck by the number of knitted samples that were placed all over the shop. They had knitted hats, tables (literally) of sweaters, scarves, blankets, afghans, etc.
TC liked this wall of fun. On the floor behind her is one of those cool cashmere scarf kits. I should have bought one. Darn it. I have looked at those many times and then I never get one in the end. The kit contains enough cashmere yarn for a good sized scarf and 7 different pattern options. I have never knitted with straight cashmere and I only own one cashmere sweater. This is something I really want to try. I would get the pink scarf kit if I had the chance again. Oh well, things come and go. They have men's and women's versions available. Maybe I'd get black instead of pink.
This is the room when you walk in the front doors. See the cement floor? Love that.
Oh, I found the Spud & Chloë Outer, too. Love that Outer so much. In fact, I can't get enough of it. This is the top seller of the Spud & Chloë line and I understand why.
This is the second room of ImagiKnit. It is just as good as the first. This is the room with the tables with samples stacked up very high. I was really impressed. They had a lot of baby items displayed, too. See how they have two mannequins set up with men's knitwear? Pretty unusual.
Now you can see the walls in the second room. There were also lots of accessories and needles and bags to choose from. The options are endless in ImagiKnit. The staff was really friendly and welcoming. I enjoyed meeting them.
They even carry the Spud & Chloë pencil bags right along with the Blue Sky Pretty Cheep Bags. Both are terrific to store little things.
The second column of shelves from the right houses my favorite cotton, Blue Sky Worsted Cotton! They have the new Multi along with the organic and dyed cottons. What a vast selection they offer.
Do you see the wall of button tubes on the left? TC and I spent a long time looking at the button selection. Incredible. Oh, and who is that big guy sitting at the table reading a pattern? Someone better call security! Just kidding, that's my husband who is a man with a whole lot of patience, bless his heart.
Okay, so this last photo is something kind of cool and different ImagiKnit offers. Malabrigo sends sample or trial new colors of their yarns to this shop. Sometimes the colors become regular colors and sometimes they don't! Katelyn told me that they get sent bags of Unknown colors that can't be found anywhere else. That's what the unk on the label above means.

Great shop, great area, great city! Can't go wrong. I bought a skein of Madeline Tosh sock yarn in a lovely mix of greens and TC got a ball of pink fluffy stuff, super bulky weight (not sure of the brand).

Oh, and they had lots and lots of my books (Itty-Bitty Toys and Hats) and I signed them all! If you want an autographed copy you should give them a call or stop by to grab one. I met Jonah at the register when I was buying my yarn and he was really nice to meet. I think he is the manager.

You should definitely check out ImagiKnit if you are in the area.

3897 18th St. (at Sanchez)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-6642
Monday-Saturday 11-6:30, Sunday 11-4

This week is flying by, right?

Talk to you soon.

best, susie

p.s. I bought this pattern for a scarf. You might like it, too.

1477 McAllister St.

Edited to add the link for renting information: Click here to find out how!

Hi Knitters,

I have to share with you the amazing flat we lived in for a few days while we were in San Francisco. We all absolutely adored this fresh and homey spot. As we pulled up the owner's mother was outside sweeping the steep steps leading up to the humongous red door of our flat. She was French and lovely and welcoming. The houses were all connected in a row, sharing walls. It was picturesque and colorful. We couldn't wait to get inside.

Above you'll see my girls sitting at the table. We spent a lot of the time we were in the house at this table. TC is working on a latch hook square that is a swirled rainbow of sorts, you can see my knitting bag filled with yarn from Knitty City on the table and my other daughter (and all of us) spent loads of time reading on this trip. I love the fact that we are all such lovers of books. It was so quiet and fun at that table.
The ceilings were about 12 feet high which was wonderful for my 6'5" husband. That must feel so good to him, I can't imagine. The walls were painted a soothing green and soft shades of white. We were struck by the incredibly long narrow hallway sprinkled with so many doorways. At the back end of the hall was the kitchen and dining table, a nook-like area.
At the front end of the hall was a sitting room that was warm, gorgeous and comfy. The decor was sparse but clever and sort of just right. Thoughtful you might say.
The high ceilings were adorned with chandeliers, some with missing lightbulbs, but all with incredible moldings. The detail took my breath away. There were enormous pocket doors and secret passages that connected all of the rooms. The doors never seemed to close all of the way or just right but that added to the fun.
There were large windows and nooks everywhere. You can see the cables that run over all of the streets for the cable cars. I think after awhile you wouldn't see the cables but I noticed them every time I was walking or driving around the city. It is like living under a web of wires.
Books were stacked horizontally on most of the shelves. It was interesting. The floors in the rooms had old worn hardwood that I loved.
The flight of stair coming from the front door had this railing along the top. The hallway went in both directions from the top. My kids talked about counting all of the stairs but I never heard a number. It wasn't even the number of stairs so much as how incredibly steep they seemed.
This was looking down and out the front door. You always seemed to be going up or down in this city.
The kitchen was modern and clean and roomy. I especially loved the faucet. It was a statement. The double doors just beyond the sink held a full-size washer and dryer. Every inch of the flat was used in the most economic way possible.We had a tiny balcony off the dining area which I loved. Everything is so tight and compact but people get very creative with small spaces in true city living. I love the blue laced spiral staircase next door and their courtyard with toys strewn about. My kids were intrigued at the thought of having the little tiled space as your backyard. We saw kids playing catch on the sidewalks by our house. People adapt and make due wherever they live and that's what makes the world go round. I love that.
Looking down on the other side of the balcony was a postage-sized zen garden. It oozed a meditation-like feeling. It was beautiful. I am obsessed with the cracked cement and the green cushiony covering on the ground. Look at the vibrant green next to the gray. The leafy vines and ornaments added to the peaceful feel of this tiny space.
Every space had something interesting to look at or to think about. These beautiful natural rocks sat on the window ledge in the bathroom. I loved this thoughtful touch. I wonder where the rocks were from. Since I was a child I have been enamored by rocks. Love the rocks for some unknown reason. Look at those rustic colors all in a row. Perfection.
The doors above were the bathroom double doors from inside of the bathroom. They really didn't close right and they certainly didn't lock. It was kind of funny. My older daughter didn't like that fact at all. However, the shower swept you away. It was like standing in a sweet, warm rainfall. It made you feel so good.
Here is our gigantic front door. Love the deep shade of red. Love doors in general. They hold all of the stories inside.
The freshly swept steps going down from the front door were the best. The kids bounded up and down taking several steps at a time. Look at the checkered cement sidewalk. Delicious. Cement.
There were flowers everywhere. We were only a block or two from Alamo Square. There was a huge tree blocking the view of our house from the street so I couldn't get a great direct shot. There was a tiny garage and steep short driveway.
These houses were right next door and our house looked similar to these. I don't know the exact age of our house but I love all of the Victorian painting and colors in the neighborhood.

San Francisco is colorful in its buildings and in its people. There is fantastic eye candy everywhere you turn. I could hardly soak it all in. I was in love with all of it.
Perspective is everything. We all loved our flat in San Francisco so much. I would go back anytime and I hope it happens someday soon. We were on the run the entire time just trying to see and experience everything the city had to offer. I would love to have a longer time to stay in San Francisco in the future.

By the way, there were people on the streets wearing incredible knitwear at every turn. Long looping scarves worn loose or wrapped several times and scrunchy hats both knit and crochet were all the rage. More to come on the knitting scene later....

More to share soon!

Have a super Tuesday, Knitters.

best, susie

Lombard St.

Hi Knitters,

My son filmed a video of us in the Anderson family van going down Lombard St. in San Francisco. If you don't know, this is the curviest road in the United States but I think there may be one even curvier that I heard about later. It is a very short street, about one block, filled with sharp hairpin turns. My husband took an illegal left to go onto the street so we entered amidst honking and dirty looks. He didn't care one bit. He was funny maneuvering around the city like an old pro, he is very confident in his driving which can be pretty humorous actually. The kids get the biggest kick out of him.

I took the audio out of the video because the kids didn't know I was going to post this so that's why it is quiet. They were being pretty silly.

I have some great trip photos that I'll share later. We stayed at a couple of fantastic spots that are worth a peek.

I'll be back really soon.

I started a fun baby blanket project on Spud says! while I was gone. If you are interested click here. The project is in the last three posts on that blog.

best, susie

Time

Hi Knitters,

I'm enjoying some serious family time this week with the kids all being off from school. All together, all the time. I'll fill you in on our adventures later....

In the meantime, I have some fun links for you.

Click here for some fun eggy-goodness, you might even recognize one of the projects.

Click here for an excellent project idea for sock yarn.

Love this napkin ring idea.

Click here to see an incredibly sweet knitted baby dress.

I am making this quilt from Spool as soon as I get the kit!

Click here to see the project I have started for the Spud & Chloë blog!

There's nothing better than taking a little time to slow down a bit.

I'll be back in no time at all:)

best, susie

There's a Collage in my Yarn

Hi Knitters,

I have to share this little bundle of joy that arrived on my doorstep yesterday. I am so excited about it. It is handspun yarn with a flurry of fun bits and pieces thrown in. It is art yarn or collage yarn. Whatever the title, it is pure fun yarn. If I were a spinner this is the kind of stuff I would love to create. Maybe someday....
The yarn is embedded with tiny crocheted flowers, lace bits, ribbons, sequins, colored strands, and who knows what else. I will be knitting a scarf with the three skeins. Not sure exactly how yet. The label recommends US size 10 for 2.5 stitches per inch but I think I will use a US size 13 or 15.

Click here to see the Knit Collage website. It is inspiring.

The thing you can't see is how soft these little bundles are. Each skein is like a fluffy cloud. Can you see all of that stuff in there? Oh, it is wonderful.

The yarn is called, Knit Collage. It is handspun in Hong Kong. This particular colorway is called, Mermaid Cafe (love that). The yarn is 75% wool and 25% mohair.
I ordered my Knit Collage from Purl Soho. Oh my goodness, it looks like they have almost sold out. There were a lot more colors when I ordered. Hot stuff, I guess. The Purl Bee has a beautiful child's hat pattern for 1 skein of Knit Collage. That pattern is free and it is really sweet.

I was excited to see that Purl Soho included a gorgeous map by Lena Corwin to help people locate their brand new store. The map is like a piece of art in itself. Awesome. It is opening in April and I can't wait to visit someday soon. It is a bigger space and will include their fabric and yarn in one spot. I love to see an independent store moving up and getting bigger. That is excellent!

On a few different notes, here is a fun tutorial for imprinting eggs using an old silk tie. I'd love to try this technique any time of year. I am going to do this one for certain.

I have some silk Tilli Tomas Disco Lights sitting around and I am going to make this scarf with it. I have been waiting for something just right to pop up and I think this is it.

I am so happy to have cast on for the tea leaves cardigan with the Madeline Tosh DK yarn I purchased at Nina's in Chicago. It is gorgeous and fun. I am using a colorway called Burnished (which I didn't see on the tosh dk yarn page) and I am in love with the flecks of blue, brown and greens. It is rich. Love the ruching technique at the neckline of the cardigan, too. What a fun technique. It feels good to knit something different.

I love these wire bins. I want some of those to store yarn. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Did you all see my new free pattern on Spud says!? You still have time to knit a few of this tiny reversible toy in time for Easter or just for some fun spring knitting. Click here to get the free downloadable pattern. Click here for the Ravelry page for the Duck to Bunny project page.

Okay, have a fun weekend with your friends and family. I will be back sometime soon.

best, susie

Fries with your Shake?

Hi Knitters,

Whoa, was this a busy week for you, too? We had a band concert, a science fair (which we forgot about until 2 hours before it was due), doctor appointments, breakfast plans, work travels (my husband), piano and dance classes, sports practices, lunch engagements, English paper editing, poem writing, magazine project planning, a talent show and a giant book manuscript deadline... you name it, we had it. Phew.

Sometimes I don't know how we make it but we always do. I used my favorite line, "move it and shake it," on the way out the door a lot this week. I know we are not any busier than any other family with a bunch of young and active kids. That's just the way it is and honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Maybe we can all take a collective deep breath today.

I took this photo from the back row of TC's talent show yesterday. She is on the right with her buddy, on the left. They danced to a medley of songs. The crowd clapped along. What I loved most about their routine is that it wasn't slick choreographed dancing. It was more like two little untrained girls up in their bedroom making up a dance together. Do you know what I mean? There was no shaking of the hips or winking at the crowd. At one point they held hands and skipped around in a circle like ring around the rosie. It was the best. Pure fun and innocence. There actually wasn't any shake to have fries with, which is a good thing.

TC and I bought the hats and clown socks at a local costume store a couple of days ago. Someone actually asked me if I made their costumes. Funny.

Okay, sweet knitters, on to the weekend. I actually have started a few new and fun project this week just to keep my sanity in check. I am serious about that. Also, I watched New Moon over 3 nights with my Peachy. That's how long it took us to squeeze in the movie in between activities. She is so funny. I had fun watching with her. What a good egg.

I did a fun 45 minute podcast interview last week with Marly of Yarn Thing fame. Click here to take a listen on your computer! Yarn Thing is also on itunes if you like to listen that way.

I think this mamacita needs a vacation:)

best, susie

A Mother's Admiration

Hi Knitters,

While I was gone in New York I called home off and on to check in with everyone. One time The Collector got on the phone and announced that she had made a moose and she couldn't wait to show it to me when I got home. This same moose conversation went on a couple of different times over the days while I was gone. I didn't quite understand what she had made over the phone because my husband said she had just sat down with some kitchen aluminum foil and masking tape to make this moose. It didn't sound all that promising.

However, when I got home TC greeted me at the door with her sculpted moose. I was stunned. It is an incredibly elegant and beautiful sculpture of a moose. At that time it was sculpted foil covered in masking tape. I couldn't believe the long legs that stood in such a lovely stance, the balance of the piece (it stands so easily), the sweet tilt of the head and the amazing antlers she had created while sitting at the kitchen table.
TC may be a sculptor? I had no idea she could do this. My husband told me she got it in her head to make a moose. He had no idea why. She then pulled up a photo of a real moose on the computer and would occasionally walk over to reference the photo as she worked. I guess she worked for a long time, very quietly by herself. When she finished her sculpture my husband couldn't believe her moose. He just shakes his head in disbelief.
Since my initial viewing of the moose TC has put a layer of newspaper and Mod Podge over the top to create a hard shell. She wants to paint it this weekend. I can't get a great photo to capture the feeling of the sculpture accurately. It is really cool. Maybe I am crazy but I see something more to that moose than just the foil and tape and newspaper.Here are a few other pieces of TC's artwork as of late. This brother and sister pair is her art teacher's favorite drawing that TC has made at school. I like it, too. It's so graphic and look at the careful strokes of crayon she used to fill in the grass and sky. I love crayon artwork.
She made this silly ladybug by combining some other pictures she had seen. She pronounces the name like Betty, not sure what the interesting spelling is all about. I like this one a lot. She has super-clean lines. The heels are too good.
This is a woven piece TC created at school. They splatter painted two different pages, cut them into strips and wove the strips together. I really love this one.
She dropped this in my lap yesterday after school. This may be my favorite. She doesn't see at all what I see. I think that pig is amazing and artistic. I asked her about it and she said, "Yeah, I ripped up some paper and made a pig." That's it. I see the curly tail made out of teeny tiny pieces carefully placed, the tip and angle of the ears layered on the perfectly shaped head and round ripped piece at the end of the snout. I love the simple pencil letters spelling Pig at the top.

I know I may be seeing her work through rose-colored glasses but I admire her abandon. I love her ability to make things out of nothing and to sit for hours on end completely absorbed in her making. The world vanishes around her. I love her nonchalant attitude about her work. I love her sweet excitement when her ideas work out. I see her natural finesse and her ability to make it all look so easy.

This little girl is a maker down to her soul. I can't wait to see what she does with her natural talent. I am a bystander.

I hope she never loses sight of what she has inside. I admire her so much.

best, susie