A Little Love

Hi Knitters,

Here's a little love being sent to you.

best, susie

I Glove You

Hi Knitters,

And I should say hi to Crafters as well today. I received my March issue of Parents magazine yesterday. I am lucky enough to have a project in the issue. I took some stretchy dime store gloves from my house, the ones that no longer had a match. Cut the fingers off and made some simple finger puppets with crafty bits that most crafters have in their homes already.

I love the boys on the pages, it's good to see. Boys like crafts, too! There is a bunny, a pig and a red and blue bird shown but there are so many more you could make. It's a good craft even for little kids. Grab a little glue, some feathers, a few pipe cleaners and some google eyes and a couple gloves and you're off!
A lot more coming soon....

Have a good Wednesday, Knitters.

best, susie

p.s. The Shamrock Washcloth yarn giveaway contest is still going strong! Thank you!

Shamrock Washcloth Pattern

Hi Knitters,

The new Shamrock Washcloth is up and available for purchase. It is the perfect little St. Patrick's Day gift. The two in the photo above are knit in Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille. They are extra squishy and soft, perfect for a child or baby washcloth.

The Shamrock washcloth above is knit up in Sugar-n-Cream cotton. This one is sturdy enough for the kitchen.
Pattern information:

Finished size:

10 inches by 10 inches

Yarn:

Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille in Pistachio #1208 and Fern #4043 (the 1rst and 3rd photos) any shades of green will work great!

or 

Sugar-n-Cream Cotton in Hot Green #18712 and Key Lime Pie #19713 (the 2nd photo) any shades of green or variegated will work great!

Needles:

US size 6 for the Cotton Chenille

US size 7 for the Sugar-n-Cream

Gauge:

4 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Skills needed:

cast on

knit stitch

kfb

ssk

k2tog

pick up stitches along an edge (This is the only additional skill required above the skills needed to make the Sweetheart Washcloth and I will do a demonstration of this soon for anyone interested)

Crochet edging is optional and uses a chain, single crochet and slip stitch.

Level:

Easy if you know how to do the skills listed above! 

The construction is simple. You knit the stem and the center top leaf. Then you pick up stitches along the right and left sides of the stem to knit the other two leaves the same as the first. It's repetitive. That's it! You can do it!

If you would like to purchase the Shamrock Washcloth Pattern please click on the "Buy Now" button below. The cost is $3.50. Please allow a little time for me to email the pdf file of the pattern to you. I try to get to all orders as quickly as possible: )

If you like the Shamrock Washcloth pattern you may also like the Sweetheart Washcloth.

best, susie

Weaver Girl's Hat and a New Shamrock

Hi Knitters,

I asked The Collector if I could take a picture of her in a hat I just knitted. She said sure and then when she posed for the picture she grabbed her weaving project. She said she wanted to share her weaving with all of you: ) I thought that was sweet. She is taking an art class at the Madison Fine Arts Center on Monroe St. This is her latest project. Next week her teacher is showing her how to take it off of the cardboard and string it on a stick from a tree. I'll have to find a prominent place to hang it.

I think it is funny that her teacher sent her home with some fun fur to finish but instead she goes in my studio and picks my most expensive mohair and Colinette Point 5 to add to her weaving. Of course I can't say no.
Anyway, this super cool hat is made from a fantastic yarn called, Cilantro. Just happens to be the name of my favorite dressing from Trader Joe's. I will wear the hat while I eat my cilantro salad. The yarn is from Sunshine Yarns and it is dreamy. Dani sent me a few skeins out of the blue a couple weeks ago. I know, that's three gifts in the mail. I must have done something good lately: ) You know, if you are a Harry Potter fan you have to check out Dani's Harry Potter inspired yarns. I have some of her Harry Potter striping sock yarn and it is fantastic.

I modified the Felicity pattern again for this hat and I added a strand of Kidsilk Haze for a little mohair goodness. I love that I have knitted a big stack of hats this winter and last and my girls have such good choices to wear to school everyday. We all share and switch. It is fun. You should try it. I love seeing them walk off to school in their knits. 
Here is the Shamrock Washcloth knit in the Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille. This one is knit on size 6 needles. It is the same gauge at 4 stitches per inch but it came out a wee touch smaller than the Sugar-n-Cream shamrock. I think the chenille just knits up differently. I think for the Sugar-n-Cream I would use a 7 needle next time instead of the 8's. I will write all up in the pattern. 
My husband and I were laughing about the Irish Springs soap commercials from when we were kids. Remember that? The Irish Springs commercial when the man would cut the bar of soap with his jack knife so you could see that the green stripes went all of the way through the bar. Also, was the man showering outside by the springs? That is so funny to think about. We didn't think they made Irish Springs soap any longer but my son said he saw someone on swim team with it the other day. Who knew? Maybe a bar to go along with your Shamrock Washcloth?
Left is Sugar-n-Cream, right is Cotton Chenille. I have to say, if you can splurge a little, the cotton chenille feels so good and squishy, it may be worth the few extra dollars. You could get two out of two skeins. Now I just have to get my son to help me get the pattern up and available for you. I may have to tie him down. I am going to sit with him this time and figure out how to do this myself. That would be good, right?

Knitters, I have to get back to my pattern writing. This was a fun break.

best, susie

Thermis, Little Gifts and a Shamrock

Hi Knitters,

Checking in here. Well, here is my first Thermis. I thoroughly enjoyed this pattern. It is clearly written and I learned a couple new things. I did the Thermal or Waffle stitch for the first time. I like this stitch and will use it again. It would make a good scarf because it's reversible. I also did the sewn bind off for the first time. It is fine but I am not sure it is necessary. The regular old bind off would do fine, too, but it was fun to try something new. I would use the sewn bind off again. Supposedly it is stretchier than a regular bind off.
The buttons are a gift from a wonderful blog reader who sent The Collector the most fantastic little tin filled with fun little trinket buttons. How sweet is that? The buttons are from Anne in Minnesota. Thank you for the gift, The Collector is in love with the buttons. The buttons on my Thermis are vintage Jack and Jill. They are awesome. I snuck them out of the tin and it didn't go unnoticed. I got seriously quizzed about my actions. However, there are two more of the same remaining in the tin. The other thing is that she has systematically taken most of my button collection and added it to her button collection. I thought it was fair for me to use two for the neck warmer. She seemed to agree in the end. Two collectors in one family can be tricky.
Okay, let me tell you a few observations I have about Thermis. I knitted it out of the suggested yarn, Patons Classic Wool, bought at Joann's. It is a fine, sturdy wool. That's it. There is nothing really remarkable about it. It is okay. Another worsted would work just as fine and maybe a softer worsted would be good. I've seen some done in Malabrigo on ravelry which is really soft.

I used the suggested needle size of 6 and the gauge was fine but felt small to me. I am making a second Thermis in gray and this time I am using a size 7 needle. I felt like I kept wondering why the 6's the whole time. I could see no reason for it. The 7's feel more comfortable and the gauge will be fine. Either size is fine, whatever works best for you in the end.

Lastly, I found the thing to be a bit too long. On the second go I am shortening the rib section by maybe 5-7 rows, can't remember exactly. I could have shortened it more I think.

That's my take on it. I haven't worn it yet, I keep thinking I might give it to someone with a longer neck: ) I like it and would recommend the pattern.
Kristin Nicholas sent me an email awhile ago asking for my address. She told me she had a surprise to send me. I sent my address and I remember being curious about what in the world she would send. Then I forgot about it just like I forget most other things. A short while later I received a little package and note from Kristin. Inside was a stack of her beautiful postcards. I tossed them down on my luggage label table for the photo. See if you can pick out her cards. Some are of her fantastic Farm filled with sheep others are her colorful artwork and her beautiful yarn, Julia. BTW, Julia would make a squishy, lush Thermis, I may use that next.

I love them so much that I have the urge to save them forever. Luckily she sent me two copies of each so I have a spare. I can't recommend Kristin's blog and shop highly enough. Her life on the farm is fascinating, her textile designs are admirable and her photography is breathtaking.
I am egg and egg cup obsessed. I have a small collection of egg cups of my own so seeing the beautiful Julia yarn in the egg cups and the egg carton is just too much. Aren't they great?
Order a set for yourself here. Kristin's shop is impressive it includes her books, printed totes and mugs with her own artwork (I have ordered her totes and gave them for gifts), pdf stitchery patterns and the postcards. Great Valentine's gift ideas for anyone are in this shop.

Thank you, dear Kristin, you inspire me. You'll never know how your little act of kindness touched me.

Surprise! I am washcloth obsessed now. Irish knitters behold and those who long to be Irish as well, this is my new St. Patrick's Day Shamrock washcloth. I am part Irish so I always look forward to wearing the green on St. Patty's Day. The pattern for the Shamrock washcloth is coming soon. I have to find a moment when my son is available to help so probably in a day or two or three. He's a busy guy.

I did this washcloth or dishcloth in Lily's Sugar-n-Cream the shamrock in #18712 Hot Green (not a good name for a color in my opinion), and #19713 Key Lime Pie (food names are always good) for the edging. I knitted on size 8 needles at about 4 stitches per inch. Size H crochet hook for the edging. If you are planning on making one, get your supplies ready now.

It is 10 inches by 10 inches. I'll give more details when I post the pattern. I am making another Shamrock in the Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille in shades of solid green. I will share this one when I am done. I love the squishy chenille for a baby/child washcloth. You can't beat it. 

I am loving the cheap, quick little projects lately.  A good washcloth/dishcloth provides just that. It couldn't be more fun and satisfying.

Have a good Wednesday, Knitters.

best, susie

Crochet Girl

Hi Knitters,

Yesterday, The Collector asked if she could crochet some granny squares. Oh yeah. That would be great so she could help me finish my granny square blanket that's been languishing in a box. I'm always thinking about that blanket. It would be really fun if she could contribute some squares. I see she's got her "good morning hair" going in these shots. I love that scruffly morning hair.

This morning I said I would teach her granny squares but she had to learn a few basic crochet things first. She sat right beside my chair in my studio and I taught her to chain and single crochet. This was my view of her from my chair.
She picked some Manos Cotton Stria and a hook out of my box of hooks. It was slow going at first, a real struggle, but I reminded her that she just needed to practice. Pretty soon she started getting the hang of it, really in a matter of minutes.
Work, work, work.
Hmmm, hmmm.
Before I knew it she asked me to tie her self-crocheted necklace around her neck.

Gladly.

Masterpiece.

best, susie

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!!

Hi Knitters,

I stole that blog title straight from my friend, Stacey. I don't think she'll mind it was just too perfect. Without further delay here are the winners of the Knit Chickens pattern:

Jimberlys

Knittin Kudzu

Sarah Dedmon

Yay! These three winners need to email me by sometime on Sunday, Feb. 1rst. If I wake up on Monday and don't have a mailing address from you, I will pick a new winner and post it then. My email is on the sidebar and I just need a mailing address from each of you. Congratulations. Thank you for entering the contest. I wish I had a pattern for you all.

Attention Annette Wetzel! Your email address doesn't work. I need a new email address so I can send you your pattern order. I hope you read this: )
I finished these mittens awhile ago. The Collector loves them and is now wearing them everyday. They are felting up a storm but she doesn't mind and neither do I. The yarn is Manos Del Uruguay wool and I think I knitted on a US size 9 needle. I love the loop stitch and the half-linen stitch and will use them both again. This is a fun and quick pattern and I liked everything about it.
The pattern is in Knitting New Mittens & Gloves by Robin Melanson. The book is a treasury of fantastic and unique but yet practical mittens and gloves. I love this book and highly recommend it. Robin uses interesting techniques throughout the patterns and there is a wide variety offered. The techniques are clever and not difficult. If you are a mitten or glove lover like me, you should own this book. If I haven't convinced you yet, I have more to share from here later.
I know I keep sharing photos from readers lately and I hope you don't mind, but when photos like these show up in your inbox it is hard to resist. The above shot is from Melanie Bauer and I need say nothing more. But I will. Holy cuteness! She is wearing the Sweetheart Hat. I love the added pom-pom on top.
Jane Belling shared her Sweetheart Washcloths with me. They are so wonderful. She is knitting a bunch for a church fundraiser. Remember that any charity knitting with this pattern is okay by me, you don't need to ask permission for that. I love it. I think Jane used Sugar-n-Cream, at least that's what it looks like to me. Thanks for sharing, Jane, and good luck with your charity knitting.
Okay, just one more. Aren't these cute? Chris Fredericks sent me this photo of her Sweetheart Hats. She knitted them for her granddaughters who are 2 years old and 7 weeks old. How fun. I hope I get to see the girls in the hats. Good knitting, Chris.

Knitters, Friday is here so fast. Have a good and peaceful weekend. I hope you all get to knit this weekend, I know I will find the time. 

best, susie

Chicken Pattern Giveaway!!

Hi Knitters,

When I opened my mail today I got a sweet surprise. Sylvia at Blue Sky Alpacas sent me a little stack of the Knit Chickens pattern. I posted about the chickens, if you are interested, here. I was thinking this past month has been so much fun on the blog and ravelry and I am feeling the love!

Now I want to give some love back to you. I have 3 Knit Chicken patterns to give away! Leave me a comment to enter the contest. That means if you are an email subscriber, hop on over to my blog and leave a comment on the blog. Say hi, tell me about your chicken love, whatever you'd like, leave your name or something distinguishing on your comment.  
I am going to pick a winner pretty quick so enter quick! You can be from anywhere, I'll send it to you. I will pick 3 winners with a random number generator. I will post the winners on my next blog entry, who knows when but soon. 

Then those lucky chickens will need to email me (on my sidebar) to give me their mailing address. If you win, you will have 2 days after I post to email me. If 2 days pass and I haven't heard from you, I will then pick another winner.

Good luck, chicken lovers!  And we're off!
I made up these Sweet Pea Hats for another set of twins that needed a gift last week. It seems twins are everywhere these days. I guess it's the new trend: )
This is the third set of twins I have knitted Sweet Peas for since last fall. I have made 2 sets of sweet peas for boy/girl twins and one set of sweet peas of boy/boy twins over the last few months. 
These are teeny tiny hats. I can hold both of the hats on one hand. This set of twins was born 6 weeks early so teeny tiny is just right. I hope they do well, go home soon and that the hats will bring the parents a little joy during this difficult time.

On Ravelry some people have finished Sweetheart Hats and some have finished Sweetheart Washcloths. Take a look if you'd like.

Here are some patterns I am thinking about and you might like, too: 

mitts

owls

a cap

Have a good Monday, Knitters. One last note, if you click on the little arrows in the new Twitter box you can see previous entries if you are interested. Thanks to those who are following me on twitter. I am still trying to figure the whole thing out, it's pretty fun.

best, susie

Share, Share

Hi Knitters,

It's show and tell time. Sunny sent me her Sweetheart Washcloth on her newly finished mosaic bathroom. She is actually a mosaic genius among other things. She is doing her entire house in mosaic and it is so cool. Seriously, take a look here and scroll on down. This is one ambitious woman, she even runs a jackhammer. Sunny is from Japan but is living in California. I love it when she mentions my blog because then I get traffic from Japan. She has a big following from all over the world. It is super fun. I've even gotten orders from Japan for the washcloths. More to come from Sunny later.
Lissa from Green Bay sent me this photo of her sweethearts. Love the different colors. Thanks for sharing.
Cathy sent me these fantastic shots of her one-year-old twin grandchildren. She knitted the birthday cake hats from Itty-Bitty Hats. That's her beautiful daughter, too.
She has a boy and a girl! Aren't they cute?
Oh yeah! He's a keeper. I love those little baby teeth and those cheeks! Those are too good for words. I was touched at how proud Cathy is of these beautiful babies but also how proud she is of her birthday cake hats. That is sweet and it warms my heart.
One last thing from Sunny. She is a fantastic knitter and mosaic artist but she also does ceramics. She made this stunning ceramic hat stand where she changes out her Itty-Bitty Hats (she has knit quite a few for her daughter) to display in her home. She loves the hats too much to put them away she told me. That hat is the Rainbow Marley from the book. That hat stand is about the coolest thing ever. I love the petal base. I wish I could do ceramics. Maybe someday...

Okay, Knitters, I am just quickly touching base tonight. It has been a fun, busy day. My boys are at a swim meet returning soon and so my husband and I spent the day with our girls bumming around town. It's cold but there is still a lot you can do, you just have to bundle up!

Have a good night.

best, susie

The Queen of Chicken Strikes Again

Hi Knitters,

*added later* 

Suzette at The Wool Cabin will have the Knitted Chickens pattern in her shop next week. Email her at woolcabin@gmail.com and she will be happy to send you the pattern. Thanks, Suzette!

Last summer I was asked by Blue Sky Alpacas if I'd be interested in designing some Chubby Chickens for them. Ummm....yeah! I'm pretty much your go-to-girl when it comes to chubby chickens. I noticed the pattern is up (check out their picture) and available on the Blue Sky site and it is listed on ravelry now. They are calling the pattern Knit Chickens.
They are knit in the Blue Sky Dyed and Organic cotton, which is simply luscious. The Collector was pretty pleased with the chickens. She loved giving them a good squeeze.
The pattern offers three different sizes, 8, 10 and 12 inches long. They are knit on a US size 5 needle. The chickens are worked up in a slick way. You knit a bottom piece back and forth. Then you pick up stitches around the edge of the bottom piece with a circular needle. The rest of the chicken is knit in one piece. Of course you have to add the tail, crest, waddle and beak after the fact. It is a fun little project to knit. If you don't want to add the details, it is cute as a plain one-color chicken, too.
It's so nice to see the green grass. These photos were taken in last August. I miss you, warm summer grass.
This is the 10-inch long chicken with an applique flower.
This is the 12-inch long chicken with embroidered spider-web dots.

This stripey guy is 8 inches long. I love them all and you can mix and match the patterns with the size you'd like to knit. You can check with your local yarn shop to see if they are getting or already have the pattern or you can check the Blue Sky site to see where it is being sold. 

I hope they brought the chickens out to TNNA in San Diego for people to hold. Did anyone see the chickens there?
Sweetheart mania continues. I have been getting some photos of a few Sweetheart Hats and a bunch of Sweetheart Washcloths. I see people are posting on a Sweetheart Washcloth ravelry project page, too. Jody Meese was kind enough to send me a few photos of her completed sweethearts in some different yarns. The above version is knit in Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille in #200 Dotty Pink, it's very pretty. I hadn't seen the speckled version of the chenille.
The solid pink version is made out of Bernat Cottontots which is available at Joann's and Michael's. Jody says it is softer than the Sugar-n-Cream.
For these two Sugar-n-Cream Sweethearts Jody used Strawberry and White. She used a size 5 needle and a size G crochet hook. Great work, Jody, and thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks again for the support on the new patterns. I hope you are having fun. I'd love to see some Taiyo Reversible Scarves, too! I'll post some more pics later.

I have one last sweet Valentine project in mind and I'll see if I can find the time to whip it up and write it up for you. If not, I'll save it for next year, but by then I might forget:)

I am working on another yarn company project that I started today. It's kind of fun. I still have some manuscript stuff to finalize this week. The knitting story continues....

Okay, I'm off for now.

best, susie