Fruits Circa 1988

Hi Knitters,
Let me take you back for a moment, waaaay back, about 20 years ago to be exact. I was 23 years-old and in graduate school and I was already crazed by knitting. Now, let me set the scene for you. No one knitted at that time, no one. I was a lone fish swimming in uncharted waters with no help by my side. Dramatic, no?

I found this book at the new Borders bookstore here in town. It was a big deal. There were 3 knitting books available, one by Debbie Bliss, one by Kaffe Fassett and one by Susan Duckworth. I bought them all. Susan Duckworth's book sent me realing. I got shivers when I opened this book. I poured over the pages of spectacular knitting, detailed texture and colorwork and design. I couldn't believe my eyes. I finally landed on this pattern called, Fruits. Yes, Fruits. I had no business knitting this sweater, none at all. I did it anyway.

I took the book to a local yarn shop run by a couple of older ladies. I am sure they just shook their heads when I left. Those ladies intimidated me to no end, I never would have asked them for help. I have no idea what that yarn is for the main color but it is some kind of fine wool. The accent colors for the fruits and leaves were all carefully selected wool embroidery yarns. That was all they could do for me.

I knitted this on US size 2 and US size 3 needles. Yes, I just said 2's and 3's at a gauge of 8 stitches per inch. Can you even believe the nerve of that? Naivete is truly a gift at times. The 1 by 1 ribbing on the bottom is at least 10-inches long and extra snug to get that blouson effect just over the top of it. I bobbled, I moss stitched, I intarsia-ed, I basket weaved, I crocheted edging, I had bobbins swinging left and right. Phew, that's exhausting. This thing came with me everywhere I went. What a smart on-the-go knitting project for a young college-aged woman. I wonder what people thought of me. Goof.

Guess what? I got a little burned out. I ended up with a lonely bunch of grapes on the upper-center back and plain stockinette stitch sleeves. The fruits were supposed to be all over the sleeves and back, too. I think this took me a couple of years to really finish because I remember sneaking it out to knit on during lunch at my first teaching job which was in 1990. My husband was in law school and I would knit on this while he studied at night.

I can't believe I actually finished. I will never get rid of Fruits because it taught me so much about knitting. I am still surprised by my courage with my knitting early on. You couldn't pay me to knit something like this, I mean tedious like this, today. No way, no how, period. Never.

Do I resemble the glamorous English model just a little? Nah, not in my dreams. I must say for a girl who had no idea what she was doing and with poor materials my sweater looks pretty darn close. It is all pretty funny.

Here is the cover of Susan Duckworth's Knitting, so English and beautiful. The book is a feast of color and design and gloriousness. I will save it forever. Simply paging through here brings me back to a time where I was game to try anything and I realized that knitting made me catch my breath with excitement. It became my life's calling and it all began with another Susan by my side.

It's 20 years later, it is crazy hair day at school. I have a great tip for you crazy hair designers, like myself, braid pipe cleaners into your daughter's braids and you have an instant Pippi Longstocking look or maybe Medusa (perfect for Halloween). We did four braids and I used 2 pipe cleaners, brown to match, in each braid. 

My daughter had a poetry coffee house with her class this morning. We walked into a dimly lit stage area and were served coffee on the way to our seats. We were instructed to snap instead of clap, very hipster. The kids were told to wear black. They read their poetry with utter confidence and pride. I loved it all. What a teacher she has, simply outstanding. I am indebted forever to good teachers and she is one of them.
Have a good Friday, Knitters.
best, susie

Mercy, Mercy Me

Hi Knitters,
This is my new theme song. I just put it on my ipod today and I can't get enough. I will sing this while I am:
-working on my book
-trying to keep groceries in my house
-doing laundry
-slogging (slow+jog)
-attending end of the year events
-cleaning my house
The list goes on and on. You know I'll be begging for mercy when I start editing. I better start stocking up on candy, right Betz?

This is the best new song I have heard in a long time.
best, susie

This Becomes...

Hi Knitters,
Don't you love it when this becomes...

...these? I spotted this project here and have been bird crazed ever since.

The underside of the birds have a contrasting print which doesn't show in my photos. I am making a bunch more of these birds to use as little gifts or I think they would look great all thrown in a basket together.

The fabric I am using is from her and here. She did a more than fantastic interview awhile back that is worth a listen. There is a lot going on in her life. She's an admirable sort. I am using some of the Chocolate Lollipop collection in my upcoming book. It's adorable.

I love it when a ball of this....

becomes these. I am on my fourth cozy right now. I am giving them for teacher gifts.

It looks like Cider Moon doesn't have this colorway available any longer. It is called Bikini Bottom in reference, I am sure, to Sponge Bob Square Pants, a longtime favorite at my house. This is the first time I have knitted with this yarn and it is fantastic. It is so soft and fun to work with.

My older daughter taught me how to make these become....

...little boxes. Her teacher taught her class how to make the boxes out of greeting cards yesterday and we made a bunch last night. What a perfect way to recycle old cards. The kids love making the boxes.

My youngest daughter wrote a tiny thank you note to her teachers and tied it up with some Cotton Classic. She gave the boxes to her teachers today. I didn't even know she was doing this until the last minute before she left for school. I quickly took a picture before she left.

I have one last this becomes that for you. I love it when this (and I mean the eggs) becomes that. I have been dreaming of that egg and toast breakfast all week, right down to the steaming hot latte in the orange mug. I've got to go out for breakfast soon, it is my favorite meal of the day. Breakfast at a restaurant always seems like such a treat to me.

On another birdie like note, check out this site. I especially like this craft.
best, susie
p.s. I am totally making Kristin's egg recipe sometime soon. Yum.

Bumble Bee

Hi Knitters,
The Bumble Bee hat pattern is now available. Here are the details:
Size: Newborn (0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years)
Materials Needed:
Tahki Cotton Classic (100% mercerized cotton, 108 yards/50 grams) 1 skein each in Yellow #3533 and Black #3002 (any worsted weight yarn will work) 
16 inch circular needles, US size 7 or size to obtain gauge
Set of 4 double pointed needles (dpns), US size 7 or size to obtain gauge
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch

Today I thought it would be cute/kinda funny to add a stinger to the backside of the hat. Of course the stinger is optional. Don't forget about the Ladybug hat for the perfect pair of hats for siblings or twins.
The pattern is available for purchase by clicking on the buy now button at the bottom of the post. I will email you a pdf file of the pattern. The cost is $5.50.
Thanks!
best, susie

Self-Portrait

Hi Knitters,
You know how all of those savvy bloggers take self-portraits while they are wearing their fantastic knitted garments? A lot of times I really like those pictures in the bathroom mirror because I think they are so real-looking and kinda cute. Well, I have two funny stories to share about the haircut I got yesterday so I tried to take a quick picture of myself in the mirror so you could see what I was talking about. This technique is not as easy as you might think, notice the crossed-eyes above...

...the side-winder glance...

...or the "Oh, I hurt my back" pose I actually created myself. I went to this young woman to get my hair did (that's a joke). She couldn't have been any nicer, but when I told her I wanted some bangs cut it seemed like she didn't know quite what to do. I ended up with a wispy strand of hair that was cut to hang down over my right eye and end at my cheekbone. Um, that's just not going to work for me I actually need to use my right eye on occasion. I talked to her and asked if she would cut a little more and a little more but it just wasn't going to happen. I knew exactly what I had to do when I got home. I pulled out some sharp scissors and went to town on my bangs. I cut and cut and cut. I like my new haircut, if I do say so myself. So after 2 1/2 hours and over $100 (that price included a highlight) I had to cut my own hair to get it right. Crazy, right?

Okay, one more quick story about my hair. My daughter had a friend over after school today. When her mom picked her up I was chatting away with her and she loved my haircut, which was sweet. Then she said, "Wow, your haircut is very becoming, you look like you have a job or something." That is too funny, I can't stop laughing about that reaction. I told my husband and he said he wasn't sure if that was compliment or not. Maybe I looked unemployable before? I love her and she is really sweet and only meant the best but that was just too funny not to share. I went to a friend's retirement party last night and she didn't even recognize me when I walked into the party. I guess I better work on this a bit. You take a shower,  get a haircut you give yourself, put on a little make-up and it's a whole new world out there. Too good.

I finished the first trekking xxl #134 pedi sock and I love this colorway. How cute is that? It is fresh and light and breezy. I hope to cast on the second right away. I have had a heavy, heavy load of work knitting I have been tackling this week so I don't have a lot to share.

Melissa asked me to make sure I mentioned that SewBendy is actually run by her friend Jenn from Columbus along with herself. I am loving that little bag and I am thinking about ordering a couple more. There are some super cute new bags up, too.

Last of all, I hope to get my son to sit down with me to get the Bumble Bee hat up for purchase this weekend. Lofty, I know. Check back soon if you are interested.

I'll probably pop in this weekend sometime. Have a good one, dear Knitters.
best, susie

SewBendy and Morgan Mary

Hi Knitters,

I got this little bag in the mail today. Boy, did that arrive quickly, I just ordered it on Saturday. It is beautifully handmade by Melissa Kinney of SewBendy. She is in Austin. I fell in love with the Amy Butler fabric and the sweet small size of the bag. I've always got a thing for that bigger loop that fits through the small loop. It's clever every time. Zip on over and pick one up quick, there are only a few left.

I am aching to learn how to machine sew. I know very little about sewing on a machine but I have done a lot of hand-sewing. I enjoy sewing by hand tremendously but sometimes I think how much faster it would be to use a sewing machine. Seeing this bag has nearly pushed me over into signing up for a class and getting a sewing machine in my house. I think it must be done and soon. Forget all of that other stuff I should be doing, sometimes a girl's gotta sew!

The late afternoon sun was streaming through my studio window and it highlighted the new pedi sock I just started. It feels good to be back to stripes after my pooling woes. I will definitely add the pom-pom on this pair. The yarn is Trekking XXL #134 and it is the most delicious summery blend of colors, perfect for Memorial Day weekend.

The SewBendy bag is the perfect size for a small project like a sock (don't forget the cozy for your yarn). The pocket is a good thing, too. Thanks Melissa for this treat of a bag. I'll use it all summer I am sure.

We went to my sister's house on Memorial Day to celebrate my niece's high school graduation. To say time flies puts it mildly. What a glorious day for a party. This was my son's fourth sandwich, he had a total of five. That makes my stomach hurt. My sister rented a soft-serve ice cream machine along with a keg of ice cold rootbeer for top of the line rootbeer floats. This was by far the hit of the party for the kids and adults. I need to file this idea away for future use.

My sister lives in a hundred year old house on the lake here in Madison. It is the best house for a party I have ever seen. There is space to spread out, loads to do, places for the kids to hide, room to eat, everything you could ever want. The hostess is really what makes a party and my sister is definitely the hostess with the mostest in my book. She does an excellent job. Brava.

My daughters bounced the day away on the lakeside trampoline.

This is the view from the third floor balcony into her yard. Those are star balloons in the high school colors. I just about died when I saw those because my sister called me from her car and said she might pick up a few balloons for the party. When I saw the two-story high string of balloons I thought she had lost her mind but they were from the graduation ceremony. They were going to be thrown out so my sister snagged them for her party.

Congratulations to Morgan. I am proud to be her aunt. She is a fun, kind, giving, hard-working young woman with many talents. That is the best kind.

I hope you all had a good long weekend. Now it's back to business, the business of knitting.
best, susie

I Love...

Hi Knitters,
Things I love...

I love this cozy. The other day I was running (or slogging: slow + jog = slog) and listening to stash and burn, one of the podcasts I love. Jenny mentioned a small box to hold a ball of yarn, there must be a hole for the yarn to come out or something. This keeps the yarn clean and together in your bag. Then I started thinking about the pear apple (minneola) cozy and how perfect it would be to wrap around yarn in your bag. Sure enough it works like a charm. This may be my favorite use for this so far. Yep, yarn ball cozy. That's sknitches yarn.

Hey, this is the perfect teacher gift for this time of year. You may want to whip a few of these up, I am. I saw this and it actually brought a tear to my eye. I am sappy like that. I was so sad when my kids finished preschool.
I love that the pooling stopped when I alternated strands from the divided skein. Good save. Love the pedi socks, too. That's tofutsies yarn.

I love my new birkies. Yes, I can wear socks and sandals. I am from Madison, for goodness sakes, the place of origin for socks and sandals. Really. I do shave my legs though. I can't go quite that far.

I love my hello yarn. Oh, do I love...

I love the hello yarn goodies that came with my yarn. The little sheep button, the free sock pattern, the personalized card, the tags, I love it all.

I love water balloons in my backyard.

Good knitting.

Good long weekend.

best, susie

p.s. Really do listen to the Stash and Burn podcast. Jenny and Nicole are smart, cute, funny, interesting, true knitters and they stick to topic. I look forward to their podcast to no end. I always listen right away when a new one pops up.

p.p.s. I have played around with the thought of doing my own knitting podcast. I think I might love doing that. Maybe someday I could squeeze it in. Crazy.

Too Pool for School

Hi Knitters,
I wish I wasn't too pool for school but apparently I am. I lovelovelove variegated yarns in the skein. I dislikedislikedislike pooling (the puddling of the colors, in case you don't know) of any sort. It just bothers me and truly I can't live with it. When I look at projects that others have knitted with pooling, I feel like the end product has been ruined.

So here is my pooling history of late. On the left I knitted a glove out of this sock yarn and on the end of the cuff you can see that it started pooling. I quickly wound the skein into two balls and alternated, which solved the problem. Next, I started a sock, mostly to try out this yarn and because I am in love with this colorway called tuscan. Sure enough I immediately started having wretched pooling issues. I divided the skein again but this time the pooling didn't resolve itself. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I will be ripping this out. Yesterday, I cast on with this yarn to make a quick pair of pedi socks because I need to catch my breath for a second. Once again, the pooling has arisen. I didn't notice until I got to the foot because with anklets the pooling didn't show on the short cuff or the heel flap. I divided the skein again, however I am suddenly feeling like sticking to good old semi-solid, striping or straight out solid yarns. I am beaten down for the moment by the pooling. Wretched is right.

Granny square update: 76
Last update: 57

Okay, I did make some squares, along with my knitting that pools, for a little palette cleansing. I can't get enough. Let me tell you what I have in mind for this. I am determined to make 180 squares. There I said it, it is written in stone now. I think this would make a great big-sized blanket. It will take me a long time and I am okay with that.

I learned a couple of things while listening to the Ready, Set, Knit podcast yesterday. I learned that you should use a crochet hook 2 sizes smaller than you were working with when making a crocheted edging. This I didn't know, did you? I am going to do a double-crochet edging when I am done and for the corners I am planning to dc 3, chain 1, dc 3 in each corner. You know I am reporting this here so I can simply remember these tips somehow. If I scratched them down in one of my sketchbooks this information may be lost forever.


Is anyone joining me on this venture? I've heard from quite a few granny square fiends out there and some granny dreamers. The addiction will be tough to shake. I mean look at what a quick, sweet baby blanket that would be, too good.

Thanks for the super responses on the ladybug and sweet pea hat patterns. I love that people get as excited as I do about these little projects. Up next, the bumble bee hat. I just finished knitting up the sample. Aren't they sweet together?

My friend hasn't been feeling well for the past week or so. My whole family just loves this woman, she has touched our lives in so many ways. My daughter has been working away on these pretty tissue paper flowers for her. She is so proud of them that she wanted me to share them with you. I will drop them on her doorstep later today. I hope it will cheer her up.

On a different note, my sister bought this really different, and really cute scarf yarn on our trip to New York last fall. When we were on our spring break trip she pulled it out and we were trying to remember how to do the crazy technique for correctly knitting with it. The kind and lovely yarn shop owner had given us a brief demonstration on the unique technique used here. I kind of remembered but not exactly until, lo and behold, I ran across this tutorial for this same yarn. Yay! I love this blog, by the way, she is really a talented knitter.

I'm off to start on my next work project...

Move and shake it, Knitters.

best, susie

Ladybug Hat Pattern

Hi Knitters,
Here is the hat pattern for the Ladybug hat. I originally knitted and designed this hat for Itty-Bitty Hats and it was included in the book at one point. However, due to space and photography issues it was eventually taken out of the book. Now I am glad to have this pattern available for you here on my blog.

All of the patterns I offer for purchase through my blog are not included in my books and can't be purchased anywhere else. The patterns are exclusive to my blog, just in case you were wondering if they were in other places.

Here is a little information you might like to know before purchasing the pattern:
Sizes: 0-24 months (the largest size can fit an older size child, too)
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic (108 yards per skein), 1 skein each of Red #3488 and Black #3002 or you can substitute another worsted weight yarn
Needles: US size 7 sixteen-inch circular needles and a set of 4, US size 7 double-pointed needles or the size to obtain the correct gauge
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch
The hat is a quick and easy pattern with the dots and the antennae added on after the knitting of the hat is completed.

This is the perfect hat for a spring or summer baby or any time of year baby for that matter.

If you'd like to purchase the pattern click on the "buy now" button below. I will email you the pdf file of the pattern after getting notification of your purchase. The price is $5.50.

Hope you enjoy.

best, susie

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