Ladybug's A-Coming

Hi Knitters,
I finished re-knitting this adorable ladybug hat and now I have made a few improvements on my original ladybug pattern. I tweaked it a bit to make it even better. That often happens when you come back to something you made a long time ago.

The hat is knitted in red only and the spots and antennae are added on after the fact. This is a super quick knit and an instant winner for any spring or summer baby near you!

My son assures me he can get this pattern up either later today or tomorrow. It will be available for purchase right here. I am excited to get this to you.

Next up, the bumble bee hat is coming. Can't you just see a pair of twins or two siblings in the bee and ladybug hats together?

Have a super Saturday knitters. Now off to touch up that pattern I go...

best, susie

I Knit Here...and here...and there

Hi Knitters,
I had a comment the other day where I was asked, along with everyone else who reads this, where I knit. Where do you knit? I really would love to know.

When I am at home and I need to be surrounded by all of my knitting stuff or I am concentrating on pattern writing, I knit in my studio. Don't think it is glamorous in my studio because it is nothing of the sort. It is a small room at the front of my house and honestly it is a disaster right now, serious disaster. I still love it because even amongst the clutteriest clutter imaginable I have done a lot of creating, writing, conjuring, contemplating, attempting and mostly knitting. I feel good in that room and somehow things seem to happen in there.

I have this big, comfy chair and I stick my cable needles, yarn needles and stitch markers right in the arm of the chair. I love that, so close and handy. Also, I stick my scissors and ruler in the crevice of the seat cushion. It's okay, that's my knitting chair. The little basket hanging by the window holds my stitch holders. I get good light from the window and my Ott light is always there for extra lighting if need be.


Right in front of my chair is this fun foot rest that never rests my feet but it sure holds my stuff well. I just took this picture without moving a thing. That is one busy foot rest, not very restful at all really. I love it in the studio, a tiny spot to call my own, to create and work. Now if only I could clean it out but I think there is something to the chaos in there that spurs me on somehow. Is that weird?


I knit mostly in my studio at home but really I knit all over the place.

This morning I sat in the living room and listened to my little sweetheart read chapter after chapter of this fantastic book while I knitted away the minutes. This knitting project is for the holiday issue of this magazine. I am pretty excited about it. The project is almost completed and then I just have to sit and type in the pattern. I am hoping to mail it off tomorrow.

Other times I sit in the family room and watch a movie and knit with the kids. Everyday I knit in the car when I am waiting for or picking up the kids from school and their activities or in waiting rooms for various appointments. I really have no shame when it comes to dragging my knitting around. I am respectful about not knitting if I think it will be distracting to others, though. Also, I won't pull it out if I don't feel like talking about what I am working on because inevitably someone will ask and that's okay. Outdoor knitting is always fun, too.

If you feel up to it, please share your favorite knitting spot, I'd love to know.

This morning I saw my daughter's feet and I had to take a shot. These little legs are getting ready for a day of sunshine and learning and some good old-fashioned fun. This girl has a good time. (The other night in the tub she had to scrub her knees really hard to get the dirt off.) This morning she told me she is going to write a story about a purple paper clip. That's too good. Don't you remember when the world was your oyster like that? I do.

A little leftover rose from Mother's Day is fading fast, still hanging on to its beauty.

Look what I snagged (and this) early, early this morning. Happy day.

Back to work for me. Now where am I going to knit today....

best, susie

A Hook and a Cook(ie)

Hi Knitters,
Granny Square Update: 57
I know that isn't impressive since my last count was 52 but I shared anyway. I have had to slow down a bit due to other more pressing projects at hand. I will carry on though.
I wanted to share a couple of books with you today and both are crochet books I have acquired recently. The first is Lacy Crochet, Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts. Talk about beautiful little projects. There are things like doilies, placemats, a coin purse, adornments, booties, flowers, etc. All tiny, sweet projects done with fine yarn and small hooks. Love it all.

Just look at these booties, adorable. I love the rustic, simple photography as well.

I don't usually like any kind of knit or crocheted jewelry but I do like these pieces. They are so refined and lovely. I would wear either proudly. Now if I could just figure out the instructions, that is my challenge. Anyway, I recommend this one.

Okay, here is my other new crochet book. I think I mentioned this one briefly before. Lucinda Guy, one of my favorites, has a new crochet for kids book out and it is a winner. There are clothes, toys, blankets, hats, shoes, a complete collection ready to make. Her style is flawless, classic but always with a twist of fun. She loves her appliques and embellishments as much as I do and she does it well. Her partner in life and art does all of these fantastical illustrations.

How wonderful is this blanket? It is called the Bon-Bon Blanket and is made by placing a series of smaller circles next to larger circles and then crocheting on an edging. Lucinda uses all Rowan yarns so all of you Rowan lovers, me included, can revel in this feature. All of Lucinda's books are a happy, upbeat source of kids designs of all sorts. Definitely check her books out if you are looking for some new ideas for kids 2-5 years old.

There is such a sense of humor throughout Lucinda's books, you'll fall in love I am sure.

I got this book for Mother's Day from the kids. I am a major cookie baker and I love trying different recipes but my kids' favorite? Chocolate chip cookies, the recipe right off the back of the chocolate chip package. Go figure. Maybe I'll win them over with a few choices from here.

These are banana chocolate chunk. Maybe that'll work.

You know, I am not adding links right now because there is something weird going on with my computer this morning. I have been thrown off-line about a dozen times while I have been writing this post, frustrating...I will add them later when I figure out what is going on here.

*the links have been added:)*

Hope you had a nice weekend, Knitters. It is a glorious Monday.

best, susie

M*O*M*

Hi Knitters,
Just a quick note tonight. My husband took my kids out to shop for me for mother's day tomorrow. Who knows what that will bring. It makes me laugh to think of my husband leading four kids around the mall looking for random gifts, too good. A shopper he isn't.

On mother's day I always feel like I should be doing something for my kids instead of the other way around. I am simply happy to have them in my life and that's all there is to it. I hope you all have a good mother's day.

Hats off to moms everywhere.
M*ore than enough love and laughter to share
O*verjoyed to be around family
M*ade the world a better place

Make the most of it, Knitters, it goes by fast.
best, susie

After My Heart

Hi Knitters,
I know right away when a book cover has a pair of red mary jane's (mine are Dansko) on it that my heart will skip a beat. Remember this one? This book has become my new love, I drag it everywhere I go just in case I can steal a quick minute to read. The cover has a glossy swirl texture over the top that I keep patting gently, kinda like a pet. The best thing about Apples for Jam, A Colorful Cookbook by Tessa Kiros is that it was a surprise that arrived at my door from one of the sweetest people ever. Who gets a gift from their book publicist's mother? That would be me. I know.

Jaime's (my book publicist who I grow to love more everyday) mom, Sue, thought I might enjoy this cookbook and so she just picked up and sent it to me. Not to get too gushy but I don't get many gifts like that, basically never, so when I do get a sweet out-of-the-blue type gift it means the world to me. The book is like no other cookbook I have ever seen. It is a piece of art, a joyous romp about life and eating and living and children and eating some more.

The chapters are organized by color: red, orange, yellow, pink, green, gold, white, brown, monochrome, stripes and multicolor. Is this right up my alley or what? The recipes are straight forward and relatively simple using easy ingredients, many that you might already have in your pantry or fridge. There are recipes for simple soups, lasagna, desserts galore, even a play-dough for the kids. I am definitely going to start cooking from here as soon as I get over the swooning. I am falling in love fast and hard. Tessa has two other cookbooks I may be bringing home soon. Thanks for this beautiful gift, Sue, and thanks Tessa, brilliant. I am enjoying it to no end.

This is another book that is after my heart. I have been knitting a bit on the Strata layered glove set. The yarn is heaven, Blue Sky Alpacas Brushed Suri in whipped cream (love that) and the Alpaca Silk in brick, sapphire and slate. What a pleasure to knit with. I am making all of the versions of these gloves, fingerless, full gloves, and the short-fingered type. Layers are good.

Okay, I have a few more things to share. Remember in the last post I mentioned Frederick, the children's book? Well, that same day I took my daughter to the doctor (turns out she's fine) and lo and behold when we got to the examination room I looked in the magazine rack and there was the book Frederick. I thought that was weird, I hadn't seen that actual book since I was a child. If that was a sign I clearly don't know what it meant...

I almost went back to my last post to throw this link in for you to look at because I forgot it. I couldn't stop thinking about it. It really made me laugh. Okay before you look let me tell you the only reason I even know what a palliate is. Think Project Runway + Santino Rice (season 2) + gold palliates + Iman red carpet challenge. I love stuff like this so much. Okay, now look. Isn't that excellent and I love that she had it on backwards. 1967 rules.

Here is another one for you to look at that is just plain gorgeous. There is nothing more to say on that. I dream of being there in person someday.

This is one more beautiful knit that I have to knit myself sometime soon. I dream of knitting this project.

I read this book to my daughters last night for a bedtime story. I keep begging them to let me read it again and again. They hesitantly agree. Is that wrong? It is my current favorite children's book. We spend a lot of time devoted to picture books and there are just a few that capture me like this. The pictures in here remind me of roving... Hey I just saw it's on bargain price right now on amazon, 50% off. I am telling you it is a wonderful book, flat out funny and creative.

Did I wear you out today, Knitters? I hope not.

best. susie

Comfort Yarn

Hi Knitters,
Look what I am knitting with right now. It's Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed and Organic Grown Cotton. It is so wonderful I can't describe it, perfect for knitted toys. I have already knitted a couple toys on US size 3 needles at 6 stitches per inch in stockinette. This yarn, in its delicious array of colors, feels like homey goodness to me. It is like comfort food only it's yarn. Calorie free, my friends, calorie free.

Hey, speaking of comfort yarn, take a look at this! (How's that for a smooth transition?) This is the new book from Kate Jacobs, you'll remember her last book. I have Comfort Food on pre-release preview from her publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, a member of Penguin Group. I guess they contacted me because I reviewed Kate's first book a long time ago and really liked it. This new book is about the life of a tv chef and I am sure she has another hit on her hands. Food and yarn have a lot in common. It is all about the passion.

Although I received this copy several weeks ago I am afraid I am being the slowest reader on earth. I am only about half-way through and so far it is so very good. I have no excuse other than I am just one tired knitter/reader who keeps falling asleep. Sometimes when I am in design mode I have a hard time concentrating on anything else.

Anyway, as soon as I finish I am going to do a full review and Kate's publicist has offered a blog interview with Kate. I thought that might be really fun. Friday Night Knitting Club has been bought for movie making by Julia Roberts and Kate has been calling in to knitting groups all across the country (world?) while promoting FNKC. I thought I would see if any of you want to chime in with a question for Kate. Please comment or email me if you have anything you want to ask her. I know I have lots I could talk about with her. Her ride has been exciting to say the least. Write me your questions if you'd like, I'd love it and I am sure she would, too.

My daughter brought this home from school the other day and it flooded me with memories. Remember Frederick? I owned this book as a child and I adore the artwork. I always remember the stones. I especially love the tail going off the edge of the page on my daughter's piece. Way to not be held in by borders.

best, susie

p.s. I am such a dork, I guess Comfort Food is being released today so I am not ahead of anyone on this but I am still going to do it. I am truly not cool enough to be ahead of the times on anything. That is so funny and perfect.

Sunday, Sunday

Hi Knitters,

It is finally a beautiful spring day here in Madison. It has been a long time coming. I stood at a soccer game yesterday in freezing rain wearing my winter coat and Welig gloves . The gloves were nice but not in May. We had hot cocoa afterwards to warm up. Today, however, is gorgeous, kind of cool and breezy but bright and shiny, too. We hiked through the Arboretum, which is a nature preserve next to Lake Wingra here in Madison. It was bursting with people just hungry for some good weather. It seemed like everyone was out walking, running, biking, picnicking, etc. It felt good.

We saw tons of blooming trees and my daughter couldn't help collecting some of the blossoms. Some blossoms she saved were already on the ground and some my husband would sneakily pull off for her. She was so excited about her flower collection. They are in a bowl with a bit of water and we will use it for our centerpiece at dinner tonight.

I love flowers in the spring. It has been a long, hard winter but I would miss the seasons so much if I lived in a different climate. We have such dramatic seasonal changes around here and it makes every season more beautiful and interesting each time it comes around again.

Notice the hat...

I found these shots on my camera when I was loading the photos from the hike.

You never know what you're going to find.

I didn't tally up the Twizzler vs. RedVine count but I think it came in pretty even. I have decided that when it comes right down to it I like RedVines the best. I realized this because that was the bag I opened first when I had the two bags together.

Happy Sunday, Knitters. I hope you enjoyed some spring weather, too.

best, susie

p.s. Someone wrote me a question in my comments and now I can't find it. The question was what to do if you are running out of yarn halfway through a hat and it is turning out huge. The answer is that your gauge is most likely significantly off and you will need to change to a smaller needle size and start again. Be sure to swatch or check your gauge early on for a small project. It makes all of the difference in the world. Good luck.

Twizzlers vs. RedVines

Hi Knitters,
Are you a Twizzler or a RedVine? Just checking. I got a two-for-one deal and I can't decide. Please chime in! This is important stuff.

More hats are flying off my needles for family members. I wish these new babies were being born in my family but we are all getting old around here. These two hats are for my sister-in-law's relatives having babies, lucky dogs. A boy and a girl are on the way.

The hats are made in Tahki Cotton Classic and the flower hat is a pattern that I will make available here in the near future. The blue stripey is just a variation on a variation from Itty-Bitty Hats. They were both a pleasure to knit. It never gets old.

Granny Square update: 52

I have been sewing the completed squares together with a simple whip stitch using the ends that I leave on at the end. At this point I would just about have a perfect baby blanket but I am determined to keep going to make a regular-sized blanket for big people. I have no deadlines so I can take my sweet time. Good times, the squares and me.

Are you tired of sweet peas yet? I'm not. I cranked these two teeny-tiny newborn sweet peas out for my sister's friend who is having twins, a girl and a boy. I can almost fit the two hats on my hand. I loved knitting up this pattern. What is it about sweet peas and babies going so well together? Love it and wish I could see the babies in the hats.

I got the sweetest (pea) email from Lucinda Guy the other day. She listened to the It's a Purl, Man podcast where I mentioned my love her designs and she wrote a note of thanks. I was touched. Lucinda has a new website, give it a look, it's cute.

Okay, one last non-knitting thing. I bought my daughter a new bandana the other day and it came with a tag that listed 50 craft uses for a bandana. My kids thought some of the uses were so funny and I thought you might enjoy them as well. I am not listing all 50, just a few favorites. Here it goes (with my comments in parentheses):

Hot pad (not smart and ouch!)

Measuring tool (but you'd have to measure it first to know)

Emergency diaper (what?) (yuck.) (for who?) (my kids' favorite use, of course)

Cover a cigar box for a purse (huh?)

Create a desk set (how?)

Guitar or purse strap (peace)

Make a girls skirt (with more than one, I hope)

Make a bikini (along the lines of the "skanky knitted bikini"-my favorite header ever from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee)

Wall hanging (?)

Curtain valance (no thanks)

Sew into a soft wallet (wow and peace, again)

Who knew, Knitters, who knew.

best, susie

Sweet Pea Hat Pattern

Hi Knitters,
The Sweet Pea hat pattern is available for purchase.

Pattern Information:
Sizes: 0-24 months (although the largest size will fit an older child)
Needles: US size 7 sixteen-inch circular needles and a set of 4 US size 7 dpns or the size to obtain gauge and a set of 2 US size 5 dpns for the pea pod.
Yarn: 2 skeins Tahki Cotton Classic to knit as for samples (or about 100 yards of worsted weight yarn and a much smaller amount of a contrasting color).
Click here to find out more or to purchase this pattern for $5.50.

best, susie

Sweet Pea's A-Coming

Hi Knitters,


I can't believe it's already Thursday. What is going on with the time flying by? I know I have been promising for about a month that I am going to make the Sweet Pea hat pattern available on my blog. I have actually pinned my son down for this weekend to make that happen. He does all of the configuring and pdf stuff for me. He has promised to help me so I will hold him to it. This pattern was available on my online shop that closed recently so now I am bringing it here. The other patterns that were on there I hope to make available soon as well. I am trying my hardest is all I can say. These things take time which, like I said, is flying by...

Nothing's better than a good sweet pea. If you are interested in this pattern be sure to check back.

The It's a Purl, Man live podcast I co-hosted with Guido Stein is now available for download or you can just listen right from his site. The link for that show is here. I think it turned out great. The topic is baby knitting which is always a happy, fun topic. Make sure to check out Guido's other shows, they are always a good listen.

Time for some odds and ends. These are the cutest booties ever, I have to purchase this pattern (or one of them) and give them a try. I love that the sock is knitted right in for a sweet layered look. Seriously, you have to look at this knitted baby gift, it is about the cutest pairing I have ever seen. Annie's Market is seriously cute as well, add it to your list! This girl is a real talent.

Here is one more thing I am going to be knitting real soon. Check this free pattern out. I used to love these little tennis socks with the pom on the back. I had them in every color. I am totally making some of these to sport around, pom and all.

This book looks cute. I have to check this out soon.

As I say to my kids on the way out the door, "Move it and shake it." Have a good day, Knitters.

best, susie

p.s. Granny square count: 45

Cleansing the Palate

Hi Knitters,
Believe it or not, I have actually been getting some work done for the book project I have under hand. I say this because I post about other side projects that I work on concurrently with my "work" knitting. The thing is that after I finish a project that I have designed and knitted I have to catch my breath for a moment. Take a quick breather, clear my mind, gear up for the next challenge.

I have started saying to myself after I finish a project and work on something mindless for a minute or two, "Now I need to cleanse my palate." My knitting palate that is. These granny squares have become my knitting palate cleanser, a bit like a light sorbet in between courses at a fancy restaurant. Do any of you do this (mindless knitting) in between tackling challenging projects?

On another note, I listened to this wonderful podcast today while I was running, by Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood and the authors of the new Knitalong book. I am going to review this book when I get a chance. You should take a listen. I just love Jennifer, she is a real talent.

Thanks to the knitters who joined in on the live podcast yesterday for It's a Purl Man. That was really fun and I loved the questions and comments and web cam stuff during the podcast. What a new experience that was. I was definitely on overload trying to keep up.

Okay, have a good Monday evening.

best, susie

Guido and Me

Hi Knitters,
This is late notice but if you are free tomorrow at 11:00 am eastern time, 10:00 am central, I am kind of co-hosting the It's a Purl Man podcast with Guido Stein. The link is here if you want to join in to make comments or ask questions. You can write in and listen as we are on the air. Now that I read his post I guess I am co-hosting, not kind of. I didn't want to be presumptuous.
The topic is one of my favorites which I bet you can guess. It is Guido's 50th podcast so I am extra honored to be a part of this event. I better get some good rest tonight to be sure I am on my toes for a live show.

I hope you can spend your Sunday morning with Guido and me. He is an interesting knitter who lives in the Boston area with his new wife. I listen to his every podcast with joy. In fact, his theme song, which he sings with his brother, is worth the listen in itself. It makes me laugh every single time. He is a smart, happy sort with a great attitude about knitting and knitters. I especially love his interviews because he is completely charming and so are his guests.

If you miss the live show Guido will be posting it later as a regular podcast so I will direct you to that with a link when it comes out. He has a great podcast which sticks to knitting and spinning as the topics. I always appreciate this.

I hope to hear from you! Keep your fingers crossed for me doing a live show.

Good night, Knitters.

best, susie

Minneola Cozy?

Hi Knitters,
My daughter discovered my pear apple cozy also fits a juicy minneola. She suggested that I let you all know this fact and so I am doing just that. Run and cozy your minneolas, quick!

On to a couple of other things. I am still crocheting away on my granny squares, and I am still loving it. They are just plain fun.

I checked out this blog this morning. Then I had to buy this pattern. I already started the scarf and I am actually figuring it out pretty easily, photos to come. I also printed out this great scarf pattern here. I love this with the cable with the dropped stitches. I plan on knitting this one soon.

The editor at Parents magazine I have been working with asked me to let you know about a contest they are having. They are looking for creative birth announcements and the link is here if you would like to enter. I know you are a creative bunch of baby lovers so get in touch with the magazine with your ideas!

I did find out that I will be at Joseph Beth Booksellers on May 17th for book signing activites and then I am going to be on a panel discussion at 3:00 that same day. I don't know who will be on the panel wtih me but I am sure it will be fun. I will let you know when I find out. The link about this event is here.

Okay, just a quick one today. It is beautiful here, finally!

best, susie