O-hi-o!

Cover for Itty-Bitty Toys (Note the similar expressions of the giraffe and the little boy, so sweet.)

Hi Knitters,

I hope you are all having a good first half of the week. It is flying by fast over here. I want to update you on my TNNA plans in hopes that some of you will be in Columbus and that I will get to see you there. My time there is going to be fast and furious, lots packed into a short amount of time.

Late on Saturday morning I am taping an interview for the PBS show Knit and Crochet Today. You should check out this site for tons of information and free patterns, it's a good one. The show that I am on won't be on the air until next fall. That will be cool and fun. 

The next thing I have on my plate for Saturday is a book signing at the R & M book distributors booth. The booth is #120 and my signing is from 1:00-2:00. I will be signing Itty-Bitty Hats and Itty-Bitty Nursery. I have blads to hand out for Itty-Bitty Toys which will be released this upcoming fall. Blads are like brochures with some sample photos and pages of new releases. Publishers use blads for publicity before the actual book is printed. Anyhoo, I have a big stack of Itty-Bitty Toys blads to pass out to people. They are really cute. So if you already have the other books you may be interested in seeing the preview of my new toy book!

R & M, booth #120, has a fun book signing line-up for the weekend. I'd like to get every book on that list (and I almost have). Be sure to stop by if you get a chance:

Saturday, June 13

11 A.M. Edie Eckman: How to Knit Socks
12 P.M. Rose Langlitz: Tasty Crochet
1 P.M. Susan B. Anderson: Itty Bitty Hats
2 P.M. Nicky Epstein: Knitting in Tuscany
3 P.M. Hansi Singh: Amigurumi Knits
4 P.M. Melanie Falick: Weekend Knitting

Sunday, June 14
11 A.M. Kristen Rengren: Vintage Baby Knits
1 P.M. Barb Beteggnies: Just for Baby
2 P.M. Debbie Bliss: Design It, Knit It

Monday, June 15
11 A.M. Iris Schreier: Reversible Knits

After my signing I hope to head over to the Blue Sky Alpacas and the Spud & Chloë booths. This group is in booths #323-327, 422-426. I have to check out the scene over there, it is going to be so exciting. Also, I want to walk around the floor for a bit and take in everything. See the sights so to speak. 

Then I am off for a fun dinner with some excellent fiber-y people, which will be fun and interesting. The next day I'm out the door heading for home. It is going to go so fast, I'm dizzy just thinking about it.

(Spud & Chloë Outer)

Okay, now on to a little more news. The Spud & Chloë site went live today. Check it out. Please check out the blog, too, and subscribe if you are so inclined. Tomorrow the first free pattern is going up on the blog, set for tomorrow morning to be more specific. It is a cute one so you may want to nab it. Originally there were going to be 3 free patterns up but now they are going to be released one at a time. I like that better anyway.

(Spud & Chloë Fine)

So you may want to check out all of the Spud & Chloë patterns and the yarns, too.  

(Spud & Chloë Sweater)

Can you guess which patterns I designed? I have 1 pattern for the Fine yarn, 2 patterns for the Sweater yarn and 1 pattern for the Outer yarn. I'd love to see if you can pick them out of the bunch.

Since I will be gone for a few days I won't be sending out pattern orders over the weekend. You can still place orders and I will get them out as soon as I get back! I will hurry, I promise.

Tomorrow is packing time. It has to happen. 

Wish me luck, Knitters. I'll try to get some good scoop for you to share next week:)

best, susie

Fini!

Hi Knitters,

I finished stitching, with a needle and thread, nine tiny crocheted flowers to the front neckline of my chartreuse cardigan. C'est fini! J'adore.

On to a small crafter's delight, The Collector is painting her gourd from the farmer's market into a colorful striped snake. She is using acrylic paints. I will seal it so we can put it out in the yard when she's done. I love how the stem looks like a hissing tongue. She is in heaven. Her friends think it looks like a potato in its natural state. I agree.

Oh, you have to try this. Go here. Answer a few multiple choice questions, quick clicks. Get results. I am a Shropshire, which means I've inherited grace, elegance and manners. Ooooh, I hope so and here is my button. I remember when Potter Craft had you find out what kind of yarn you were. I think I was mohair and I have no idea what that means. I'm hairy and I shed, maybe?

Clara's new book is a must have and I am dying to snag a signed copy at TNNA if she's signing. I'll stand in that line. The cover alone is a treat to look at. Fingers are crossed. 

Monday it is! Take off and run with it.

best, susie

Pea Pod Yarn Winner plus a little something

Hi Knitters,

Checking in quickly this morning to share some Pea Pod Washcloth news. The winner of the yarn giveaway is:

Terri Paulson-Sasaki!!! 

Congratulations and you get to select the colors of 2 skeins of the beautiful, lush Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille. The generous Susan Druding, the owner of Crystal Palace Yarns, always deserves a huge thank you for supporting my washcloth project with these fantastic yarn giveaways for you. Thank you.

Up next is a juicy summer-themed washcloth that I can't wait to knit up. It's been in my sketchbook for months now. Yum.

I had to go clothes shopping this week because, truth be told, I don't spend a lot of time or effort on my wardrobe. I know, shocking. I wanted to spruce up a little cardigan I bought to bring to TNNA next week. I know it will be warm in Ohio but sometimes air conditioning can make you feel chilled when inside, right?
This morning I whipped up a sprinkling of tiny crochet flowers using the new Spud & Chloë Fine yarn. It is fingering or sock weight yarn and the color selection drives me crazy it is so good. I made up a quick flower and used a size 1 crochet hook (I had to dig to find that one). The pattern will appear later as a free pattern on the Spud & Chloë blog so you can flower up your plain cardigans, too.

I made a flower for each colorway of Fine. It is so delicious. Just listen to the names of the colors: sassafras, tutu, calypso, anemone, cricket, dachshund, clementine, glow worm and popcorn. If those don't make you smile I don't know what will. I mean, dachshund, cricket, popcorn and tutu? Come on, those are about the best color names in the history of color names. I get a shiver.
My little flowers are currently pinned on my chartreuse cardigan waiting to stitched on with needle and thread. 

I would have brushed my hair and put on lipstick for you and maybe even cleaned the fingerprints off the mirror in the living room but I am in a rush right now. I am running out the door to buy some real-live flowers for my yard.  This is way past due and it is one of my favorite springtime rituals. Can't wait to get going.

Wish for the thunderstorms circling my area to stay at bay so I can plant. Please?

Love you, dear Knitters. I'll be back soon with some fun updates on my upcoming activities at TNNA! I really hope to see some of you there in person, I would love it.

best, susie

Noteworthy

Hi Knitters,

Last weekend we ran down to the Farmer's Market that circles around the square in downtown Madison. It is such a treat. It goes on every Saturday and it is a sight worth seeing if you are in the area. Our weekly market is one of the largest, if not the largest, in the country. You can get just about anything your heart desires as far as fresh produce and good eats goes but the market also includes jewelry, art work, t-shirts, baby goodies, etc.
Here is a shot looking down State Street. Now, I don't know if you can make it out but under one of those white tents there are some skirts hanging. This is the cutest little skirt sewer's booth. Her company's name is orangyporangy and she has a great site. I bought this one. As soon as I got a chance I snuck into a restroom in the Capitol building to throw on my new orangyporangy skirt. All of the skirts are well made. 

You can order online if you can't pop in to see her at the market on Saturdays. If you look at her site it looks like she does shows all over the country. On our way out I stopped by to show her my skirt after I put it on. She clapped and jumped up and down. Super cute. She does a lot of vintage polyester skirts that are a hoot. I love it.
It gets pretty crowded so it is better to come early but we had a soccer game to attend first.
What is it about radishes? Gorgeous.
Onions? Not bad either.
I enjoy seeing all of the flowers, rows and rows. But my real every single time treats are Kettle Corn, we always get a large bag and share it and cheese curds, the squeaky, salty kind, we share those, too. The kids like honey sticks and beef jerky.
I love my city. There is so much going on here all of the time. It is like a big city boiled down into a tiny package. I think it is a little like a secret but maybe not so much. Madison has been voted the #1 city in the country many times over for various reasons and in different publications. When this has happened, Madisonians shudder wishing our secret could stay a secret. Madison is growing and changing, as all cities do, but it will never lose its charm in my eyes.
This is the Gourd Man's cart. He is from Blue Mounds and he grows these gourds and leaves them out all winter. Then in the spring he takes them and scrapes off the skin and mold leaving them clean and with the hard smooth surface exposed. We bought two. The Collector picked out one that looks like a curly snake and she is painting it with acrylics right now. I'll share later. I picked out a gourd that looks like a giant pear. It is sitting in my living room. Good addition.
I always get tomatoes and lots of them. I can eat a tomato sliced up with salt and pepper for a meal and be very happy. Aren't they pretty?
There are loads of bakeries sprinkled throughout the market. This one had these cute frosted cow cookies. We didn't get any, just looked. Maybe next time.
And here is some old-school Madison joining in. It wouldn't feel like home without some bright tie-dye in the mix. We are the home of the tie-dye and the Birkenstock sandals, too.
Hey, I want to let you know what's going on. Next week my new blog over at Spud & Chloë (yes, I learned how to do the umlaut:) is going live. I haven't had too much knitting content on here because I have been working on stuff for the Spud & Chloë project. What I want to tell you is that next week there will be three new free Susan B. Anderson for Spud & Chloë patterns available when the blog launches. Be sure to head over there and sign up for the blog so you can be notified when it goes up. The patterns are super cute and fun and I will be adding to the free pattern batch every month. The patterns are all available in pdf format. It is all so well done.

Yesterday I got a sneak peek at the new site and blog which is all being cleverly designed by smart and clever web design people. The site is incredible and user friendly. Every detail is being scrutinized to make it the best it can possibly be. The blog design is amazing and cute and fun. I can't wait get things going over there. It is called, Spud Says... and I am listed as the curator. I love that so much, the curator. I had to look it up to be sure I am filling all curator duties.

Okay, knitting peeps, I will be back soon with more from the heart.

best, susie

p.s. look at these cuties, you may want to knit some.

Ysolda + Madison = Knitting Love

Hi Knitters,

Last Saturday I snuck into The Knitting Tree in Madison. It was the perfect spot and day to meet Ysolda Teague. She is on a whirlwind tour throughout the United States. She started on the east coast and has woven her way to Madison, now she is in Chicago, then Cleveland and then ending up at TNNA in Columbus. People keep inviting her to visit their shops and stay in their homes so she kind of floats along not knowing exactly where she will end up. I can't imagine having the freedom to do that, it seems really fun.

The photo above is of a reluctant Collector modeling Ishbel, Ysolda's new breakout pattern. She doesn't realize how incredible it is that she gets to try on the actual Ishbel knitted by Ysolda that has travelled across the globe to Madison. Ishbel is so beautiful, I think I have to make one for myself. All of her patterns can be found on her site, check it out here. Other patterns of Ysolda's are found on Knitty and Twist Collective (the new summer issue is up!!!). Her blog is one to watch as well.

Ysolda is graciously signing my copy of her self-published book, Whimsical Little Knits, which I reviewed here. (I was mistaken in that previous post, she lives in Scotland.) She is wearing her own knitted creation. Ysolda is the perfect model for her work, everything looks fantastic on her. It makes you want to knit your own!
Ysolda is a diversified designer which is admirable. Her knitted toys are some of the best I have ever seen. They have a sweet, quiet sensibility which I adore. Aren't they cute sitting all together?
Rose Red is a favorite pattern for many. It is lovely and sophisticated. What a complete treat to get to look at and touch and try on Ysolda's work in person. If she is coming to visit a shop near you be sure to make the effort to see her. You won't be sorry.
I always love a good knitted mouse and this one is no exception. You feel like handing over a morsel of cheese to be sniffed. This pint-sized mousie is straight out of a storybook.
The Knitting Tree sits right on Madison's Monroe Street and it is the friendliest, sweetest little yarn shop. Jackie took over ownership several years ago and she has done an excellent job. The shop is doing gang buster business which is so good to see. It is a top of the line knitting tradition here in town. Jackie is a good host to any gathering. Across the street is a coffee shop and down the street is Trader Joe's where she purchased little sweet treats and goodies to eat. She always has fresh flowers on the big farm table, too. I always notice the little touches like that. Perfection.

This pattern is available on Twist Collective, I think it was in the premiere issue from fall '08. Those are little birds.

This gorgeous sweater is called Snow White and the pattern is in Ysolda's shop. Wow, you can see the structure in the ribbed shaping. Fantastic piece of work.
Here is the lacy version of Ishbel, The Collector was wearing a heavier version, maybe fingering or dk weight? So lovely and airy.

Oh well, I was glad I popped in to see Ysolda, the day almost flew past me. It was well worth the effort and she is a true delight. I left with a sense of admiration of her and of her knitting. She is a brave traveller and knitter and one to be followed. Greater things are still on the way from Ysolda and she has already accomplished so much.

Good Tuesday to you all.

best, susie

p.s. Hey, the winners are up for the Spud & Chloë premiere/Blue Sky Alpacas design contest. Wow, did they get some strong entries. I am glad I didn't have to choose. Good fun and check it out.

Pea Pod Washcloth Pattern

Hi Knitters,

Here is the latest installment in my washcloth series. I am calling it the Pea Pod Washcloth, which will be easier for me to keep track of. I have too many patterns starting with "sweet." It is an adorable, sturdy, playful, squishy design. I am always up for a good pea pattern of any kind.

Here are the stats:

US size 6 needles and dpns

2 contrasting skeins of Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille or any worsted weight cotton like Sugar-n-Cream or Peaches-n-Creme.

Skills:

knit

kfb

ssk

k2tog

working in the round

single crochet for optional edging

Level of difficulty: simple and quick!

The Pea Pod washcloth is the perfect baby gift. Paired with the Sweet Pea hat it is the perfect little gift set.

Click here to purchase the pattern. 

You can always click on my pattern shop on the top of the sidebar to get to the shop at anytime.  The pattern cost is $3.50 and I will email you the pdf file. I personally email out the orders so please be patient, I try to get them out as quickly as possible.

Yarn Giveaway!! If you purchase the pattern from today through June 6th I will automatically enter your name in a giveaway for 2 skeins of Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille. It is such a beautiful yarn, you will love it for these little washcloth projects. For this one you get to choose what 2 colors you would like between the greens or the recommended Sweet Pea Hat colors. Good luck.

Thanks and have fun with your pea pods!

best, susie

Fruits & Peas

Hi Knitters,

I have been sewing away here and there over the last couple of weeks. You know me, I always like the little things. I made a pear pincushion on my machine. The pattern is here and I bought it over a year ago, it is by Heather Bailey. Her shop is so beautiful and vibrant. If you click on the pattern shop be sure to check out her ring stacker toy. It's fantastic. I have always wanted to knit one of those...
I felt pretty cool about this because it involved interfacing and all. Don't laugh. I used some wool felt from here to make the stem and leaf.
Next, I made Heather's strawberry pincushion from a kit I had bought from her shop. Now I didn't see the kits when I just looked. I bought one for my sister and one for me. My kit included the pink velvet and my sister's is red wool felt. There was a bit of embroidery for the seeds and the leaf topper. I hand stitched this project, no machine here.
Fresh fruit for my pins and needles. Yum!
Okay, this has pattern release has been delayed since I have been swamped as of late. Here is my latest washcloth pattern, the Sweet Pea Washcloth. I plan on having the pattern available sometime this weekend. Hold me to it.
I made this version in the Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille but any worsted weight cotton will work just fine.
I think a sweet pea washcloth with a sweet pea hat would make a fantastic gift for a baby. That's a lot of peas for the taking.
I was thinking it would be so cute to do matching hat and washcloth colors. Make pink or blue peas on the washcloth and use a lighter green for the pod. I haven't had time to knit one up like this but it would be a good combo.
These are the yarns in my head that would make a great boy or girl sweet pea washcloth to go with the hats. Anyhoo, if you are interested check back soon for the pattern. I will list the yarn I used and the colors in the photo above and the tools and skills needed to make it up. I am making myself get on the ball with writing up the pattern by posting about it again. It should work: )

I want to get this one done and available because my next washcloth pattern is going to be the best one yet. It's very summer-y!

Okay, Knitters, off we go into another weekend. Can you believe it?

best, susie

Handmade Goods

Hi Knitters,

I've got the goods to share today. Above is my newly finished embroidered pillow fresh off my sewing machine. I bought the kit from someone you know. Her shop is up top on the sidebar of her blog. If you look at the pillow you can most likely guess who designed it. It looks like something she would have on the couch in her farmhouse. This was a quick, fun and simple project. BTW, I got the last one of this particular kit but there are others.
Here are some more fresh goods to share. This is my swap hat that came in the mail last week. I love the subdued, heathery colors, the sweet embroidery and the swirly, curly squiggles on top. Speattle (ravelry name) is the maker of my gorgeous gift. She organized the entire swap and did a wonderful job.
Speattle also knitted me this potholder. I love it. No one ever knits for me so when I get a rare knitted gift I get pretty excited. I appreciate all of the effort. Thank you.
Last but certainly not least, my nephew celebrated his 6th birthday and we hosted a family party for him. He's so much fun and he keeps me entertained plus he's pretty cute. He's our youngest cousin and he's getting old. That really stinks. What can you do?

Oh no, that wasn't the last, last thing. I have to tell you that I adore this blog so much and I have never really expressed this adoration. This woman is wonderful and talented. I don't hop on her blog often but every time I do visit I stay for a long time. When my time is done I always leave feeling better for it. I don't have her book and she has a new book coming soon but I will be getting both. She has definitely got the goods.

Take care, Knitters. Wednesday has come and almost gone. Let's make the rest of this short week filled with your own handmade goods.

best, susie

p.s. Okay, I have one more thing I keep forgetting to share. Look at the second version of this hat, it's even cuter than the first which I shared awhile ago. Triple love it. Talk about a winner!

Aftermath

Hi Knitters,

Today I am swirling around in the aftermath of a busy, busy friend and family-filled weekend. The laundry is out of control, the kitchen is beyond repair, the house is in disarray from lots of family and friends passing through all weekend. This is all a minor precursor to what the summers are like around here. With the kids getting older there is just more of everything, in and out, friends, cars, bikes on the lawn, wet towels from swimming, work schedules, eating, eating and more eating... 

Even with the craziness, it just gets better and better every year with these kids. They are funnier, more independent, busier and more interesting as time goes by. It is more work now than when they were babies for sure. You think when your kids are babies that things will get easier but let me warn you, there is no reprieve. It is simply different and often more worry-filled. Things aren't so simple any longer. I am on my toes!

On to knitting business, all 3 of the winners of the Spud and Chloe yarn and Sweet Pea Hat pattern have contacted me. The yarn and patterns will go out in the mail this week. Congratulations again and thanks to everyone who participated.
I finished up my hat for the first Hat Swap in the Itty-Bitty Knits group on Ravelry. This one has already been sent off to Canada where my swap partner lives.
I threw in the rest of the yarn and a little ornament string of candy in the package. All of the yarn was brand-new and wound just for this project so she could get a couple more striped hats out of the lot. I hope she enjoys it. I received my hat from Washington late last week. It is a wonderful version of the Rainbow Marley hat, quite different looking. I love it and will take a photo to share when I get a chance. My swap partner also sent me a knitted potholder to boot. It's so sweet. What a fun experience this has been.

I have already signed up to participate in the next hat swap. The group is using the Ribbons hat from Itty-Bitty Hats as the next pattern (the pattern for the Rainbow Marley hat is in this book, too). I can't wait to see the variety of hats people come up with. Please join in if you are interested, it's easy and fun. Here is the link!
I have to share one of The Collector's recent art pieces that she made at school in art class. This is so cool. She took a brown paper grocery sack and wrinkled it up until the paper became soft. Next she ironed the paper flat. She used crayons to color the picture and pressed really hard with the crayons while coloring. The color is so vibrant. She outlined her drawing with a black marker. I love the leathery looking background against the bright red cardinal and leaves. This one's a keeper.
The Collector also had a square of fleece and had used part of it to sew a little purse. She kept asking if we could make a bunting out of the leftovers for one of her baby dolls. In fact, for a couple of days she kept holding up her baby to me while she whispered, "Bunting. Bunting. Bunting." It was pretty funny and she was relentless. Eventually, I found a minute to help her cause.

I have learned to use my sewing machine over the last couple of weeks thanks to my sister. I will share my sewing accomplishments so far later in the week. I pulled out my pins and scissors and used the baby to measure the fabric. I whipped up the easiest baby bunting ever within a matter of minutes.
The results? Baby in a Bunting. That's what we're calling this design.

Have a wonderful Tuesday. I have to get this week going right now. It has to happen but I am dragging.

best, susie