Friday, September 09, 2011

Fall Flavored Handspun

Hi Knitters,
I am leaving you this week with a new hank of fall flavored handspun finished a few days ago. I tell you this fall-like weather is a dream for drying handspun outside. No humidity and a light crisp breeze makes for some fast drying time.
This alpaca/fine wool blend is a gift from my Kentucky fiber friend, Dianne of Sheep Dreams. She lives on Tanglewood Farm in Versailles, Kentucky and she is a fiber talent to be reckoned with. Dianne sent me a few 4 oz. bags of this beautiful roving with shades of green and rusty reds. It is the perfect fall spinning. I still have one bag left. I used the first 4 oz. bag up right after I started spinning and I spun that into a beginner's thick and thin yarn, which I love.
My second attempt to spin this fiber was fairly successful. I got a whopping 582 yards out of a tiny bit over 4 ounces of roving. I actually weighed the finished hank when I was done spinning because I couldn't believe the amount of yardage I had in the end. It's all true!
The singles spun so quickly and finely. I did a simple 2-ply and I think with the alpaca/wool blend and the yardage this will have to be a shawl of some sort. It is a fingering weight yarn. My other thought is to spin up the other 4 oz. bag and see what my total yards would be with both bags.
With the unspun roving included I might even have enough for some kind of fingering weight cardigan (like this one that takes 800-1000 yards) when I am done. That could be fun.

I am leaving you today with links to my knitting podcast playlist read directly off my iPod and in alphabetical order (I LOVE them all and have recently added some new ones to the list):

All of these podcasts are available through iTunes. I want to send out a huge thank you to all of the dedicated podcasters for their time and hard work. They keep me company on a daily basis while I work, knit and exercise. I am so happy every time I see a new episode pop up and if there isn't a new episode to listen to I often listen to old episodes over and over.

Have a great weekend, Knitters. See you bright and early next week. I did a fantastic nature hike with TC that I will share next week.
best, susie
p.s. I am starting a caridgan knitalong later this month. Click here for the details. Next week, I am adding more larger cardigan sizes than are available in the original pattern if you are interested.
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Thursday, September 08, 2011

TC's Little Pumpkins

Hi Knitters,
The winners of Bambeanies are:
heartrock
Barbara L. (knityid on rav)
Angela (baking27 on rav)

All of the winners have been contacted. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone for entering.

Fall is definitely in the air around here. The season is changing, the air is crisp and fall activities and school are in full swing. The other day right before school started TC was looking for something to do. She jumped online and started checking out the fall crafts on the Family Fun website. She found and picked out this quick fabric pumpkin craft and got to work. On the site this craft project is called, Squash Softies.


I love the photo above of TC. She likes to chat while she crafts.

So far TC has made eight little stuffed pumpkins. She found some orange fleece and white fur to start. Doesn't everyone have these materials hanging around the house? Later we went to JoAnn's and she picked out three different Halloween-themed printed fabrics to use as well. I think I spent $7.00 for the fabrics. Everything else we already had.
You cut a circle out of the fabric, fleece or fur.
TC used various plates and bowls to trace around with a marker on the fabric. Then she threaded dental floss on a needle and did a running stitch about a 1/2 inch inside the edge of the circle.
TC gathered up her pumpkin slightly to create a bowl.
More gathering and scooting the fabric around was needed as she pulled up.
Then she stuffed and stuffed and shaped the pumpkin.
In between the cutting, stitching and gathering, TC ran outside to collect sticks in our yard. She is very particular about her pumpkin stems. Before knotting off and cutting the floss, she stuck in the stem.
I had to help her with the final knot to make sure the fabric was tight and secure around the stick. This is a little tricky but using the floss really helps with this part.

A couple of things to note if you try this with your kids, the cotton print fabric is a lot easier to work with over the fleece or fur because it isn't so bulky. We also used hot glue to secure the stick to the fabric after the pumpkin was finished. Everyone picks up the pumpkins by the stem and if it isn't glued in it falls right out. You could use fabric glue here as well.

One more thing, we started using poly-pellets to give some weight to the bottom of the pumpkins so they sit better. If your pumpkins aren't for small children you might like to add the poly-pellets to your pumpkins.
Here is TC's little pumpkin collection for home so far. The print fabric pumpkins are gone already. She has given away several pumpkins to my sister and to my husband's friend and co-worker. She is a giver of pumpkins. TC will make more of the printed pumpkins and I'll share them when she gets to it.
Aren't they sweet? Fall is here!

I think I heard a rumor that pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks. I may have to venture out to see if this is true today.
best, susie
p.s. Have you been on Pinterest yet? I am having so much fun over there. Click here to see my boards so far. I hope you'll join in and join me if you find it interesting. I have found so many inspiring ideas since I joined and I think you might, too.
p.p.s. Way cool to see Stephanie Pearl-McPhee knit one of my Itty-Bitty Hats. Click here to see!
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Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Woolly Wormhead's Bambeanies Giveaway!

Edited to add on Sept. 8th: The giveaway is now closed and no further entries are being taken. Thank you everyone for entering! I'll have another giveaway very soon.

Hi Knitters,
I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. The last couple of days have been cool, crisp, sunny and gorgeous in the Mad-city, my favorite weather ever.

This morning I have a treat and a half for you. Woolly Wormhead has a new hat book out and she has generously offered to 3 of you a chance to win a copy. Two copies will be in pdf form and will be delivered to you via email and one copy will be in printed book form like the copy I am sharing with you today.

The book is called Woolly Wormhead's Bambeanies and inside there are 20 fantastical and clever hat designs for you to knit. The size range is from a 16 inch head circumference to a 20 inch head circumference. 16-inches would fit toddlers and just as a reference, I usually make my own hats to measure right around 20 inches. This is a great span of sizes for you to choose from.


The book includes schematics for each hat, a wonderful sizing chart for hats (a perfect reference to have on-hand), 20 patterns for boys and girls, an illustrated instructional and technique section, an abbreviation glossary, multiple photos of each pattern, a wide range of easy to find yarns.

It is a very appealing collection overall. There isn't one hat that I wouldn't knit and love.

There are hats that use garter stitch and short row shaping, hats that use stockinette stitch and many textured hats as well. A couple of the hats sport buttons which I love.

There are hats that twist and turn the direction of your knitting without sacrificing fit.

I love the simple designs the most. The photos are clear and sweet and detail oriented.
How wonderful is this simple but glorious handknit hat? I absolutely adore it.

I think Woolly Wormhead has a wonderful design energy and zest for hats. She is a girl after my own heart. I got to meet her very briefly at TNNA this summer and it was a thrill for me. I am a longtime fan of hers.

If you are interested in winning a copy of the book please leave a comment on this blog post. Please leave your email or ravelry id/name in the post so I can easily get in touch if you win. I will contact you to gather your mailing address if you win the printed copy. If you would like either version, pdf only or print only please specify.

I will be back in a short day or two to randomly select 3 winners for Woolly Wormhead's Bambeanies.

This book is a great addition to anyone's knitting library. I promise that you will love it! If you don't win you should consider getting a copy for yourself.

Good luck and let the comments begin.
best, susie
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Thursday, September 01, 2011

VK Live! and New Patterns


Hi Knitters,
First, I talked to Beth Ritter at Vogue today and my classes are filling up for Vogue Knitting Live in Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 23rd and Saturday, Sept. 24th. There are still some spots left in my classes and many other people's classes so please sign up if you are considering any of the classes being offered at the event.

I am getting really excited to head west for this big knitting event. I am also attending the Gala Dinner on Saturday night, Sept. 24th. I have already heard from some of the knitters sitting at my table for the night. Thank you. I am glad I won't be sitting by myself.


Now to change the subject, it seems I've got patterns coming out of my ears these last few weeks. I'm going to share a quick run-down of some of the recent releases.

The cute puppy set above is available in the brand new Interweave Gifts Issue 2011, available on news stands on September 6th. The set was named by Interweave as McHenry and the McHenry Hat. I have no idea why but it's cute. I was also honored to be interviewed for the Gifts issue and the interview appears inside the magazine. I haven't actually seen the magazine yet so I can't wait to get my hands on it.




The hat is really fun to knit. As you work on the hat, the ear placement is marked with a piece of scrap yarn as you knit and then the ear stitches are picked up and knit right onto the hat. There are no separate parts and no seaming or stitching, only smooth sailing.
McHenry is a sweet little fellow sure to withstand lots of carrying about and snuggling. I think the puppy is about 5 to 6 inches tall if I remember correctly.
I knit this sample in Blue Sky Skinny Cotton which is a dk weight. It is a wonderful yarn to knit toys with. I originally made McHenry in Spud & Chloë Sweater, which is a worsted weight. Interweave already had a project in Sweater so I had to switch. You could knit McHenry in Sweater, too, if you prefer and it would work out just fine. The Sweater colors Toast and Rootbeer would be perfect matches.
The red collar and the spot are optional, of course, but I think they add a little more fun and character to the project.
Another project that was just released is the Very Berry Hat I knit up for the Spud & Chloë On the Run pattern card series.



I used Spud & Chloë Sweater in the Barn and Grass colorways. The hat features four sizes, a simple fair isle pattern to make the seeds and the green top, and a cool little squiggle at the top. I love this hat as it could be made in so many different colors and it could be for a boy or girl.

The pattern is in printed form only (a pattern card) and is available only in local and online yarn shops. It is not available as a download.

Click here or here for two shops that have this pattern available right now.

There are many, many more shops that have the pattern. If the shop carries Spud & Chloë and/or Blue Sky Alpacas they can get this pattern for you and fast!

I also had a FREE pattern just released for Blue Sky Alpacas in their new Techno yarn. This yarn is dreamy and different. This is the perfect pattern to try out a hank or three! The set is called the Zig Zag Mittens and Hat and the pattern is written in an adult size.


If you don't already get the Blue Sky Alpacas Bluesletter you should hop on over here and subscribe.

My friend and co-worker and favorite yarn supplier, Merri, writes this letter and she does a wonderful job.


The Zig Zag Mittens have a long ribbed cuff that can be worn down or folded up. This adds a bit of versatility when you want to tuck the mittens inside the cuffs of your coat. I love being able to do this for warmth in the winter.
The original Zig Zag Hat I made was in dark gray, light gray and natural colors of Techno. I really like the contrast of the zig zag lines in these colors, too.
It is one of those hats that can be worn many different ways by adjusting the folding of the brim. I love it when a hat has versatility.
Although the pattern is written for an adult it fits my 11 year old daughter perfectly. Kids would fit in this hat as well as adults.
Here the brim is folded in half.
Now TC is wearing the Zig Zag hat as a full slouchy style hat with the brim not folded. This is my favorite way to style the hat.
I have a lot more patterns coming out over the next month or two that I am anxious to show you. I'll share them as they are released.

This has been such a hectic week or two around here with the hustle and bustle of school sports starting, college moving, parent meetings, sports events, form filling out, check writing, general sign-ups and school registrations and doctor appointments... it is a gigantic whirlwind. I am just trying to keep my act together. (To be honest, I did miss an orthodontist appointment today while I was at another doctor appointment with my son - go figure.)

I am sure you are all just as busy with your upcoming school year and fall activities. It's fun, isn't it? I love this time of year for so many reasons.
best, susie
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Friday, August 26, 2011

Lace Designers x 2

Hi Knitters,
First things first, emxlenie (rav id) won the Super End of Summer Giveaway. Congratulations to Emilene and thank you to everyone who entered. There are more giveaways coming up so stay tuned to enter again.

Second on my list is to tell you about my friend, Laura Nelkin's, Craftsy Online Class. I get to offer you a 50% off deal for her Mastering Lace Shawls online class! I am really excited about this. Laura is the queen of lace. She is a prolific lace designer, her shawls are gorgeous and her beaded knitting is extraordinary. Check out how she added lace to this baby project.

Here is the trailer for her class:





I thought Laura's lace class was the perfect tie-in to another up and coming designer, Christina Wall, because she loves to knit and design with lace, too.

That brings me to the third thing on my list, the opportunity to share a fun designer with you. Her name is Christina Wall and I have met her a couple of times at TNNA. Her sister is the felt flower designer from the giveaway. When I met Christina in June she was wearing an adorable cardigan (shown above) and shawl knit in Spud & Chloë yarns and she really caught my eye. Plus, both of the sisters were excited and sweet and just plain cute and fun together. I loved that about them. They both had such enthusiasm for knitting and for Spud & Chloë. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of Christina's patterns today.


Click here to find out about Christina's Ginger Leaves Shawlette! This pattern is quite popular on Ravelry.
Here is a back view of the Ginger Leaves Shawlette. Isn't it elegant and sweet?
I love Christina's lace work. Click here to see the Woodland Spring Shawlette on Ravelry! This appears to be Christina's most popular design with being in almost 500 queues, over 1,000 favorites and over 60 finished projects. Christina is really taking off as a designer which is so fun to see.Here is the lucky thing for you. Christina is hosting a giveaway for the Adrift Shawlette (shown above) which takes 2 hanks of Spud & Chloë Fine which is 456 yards of fingering weight yarn. I think the Adrift Shawlette would be gorgeous in one color, too. I love it. All you need to do is pop over to her blog and leave a comment. She also is offering a 15% off coupon for ALL of her patterns. She has cardigans, cowls, scarves and more shawls.

Click here to go to Christina's blog to enter to win the pattern for the Adrift Shawlette. Let's show Christina some love! I'm going to enter right now.


So two lace designers for the price of one blog post today. Lace knitting is hotter than ever. I have another book giveaway for Wendy Johnson's new lace book coming up for you, too. Lace is everywhere.

Off to the weekend. I hope you all get to spend some time knitting and enjoying your loved ones over the next couple of days. I know I will.
best, susie
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Super End of Summer Giveaway

Edited to Add on Aug. 26th, 2011: The giveaway is now closed and no further entries are being taken. Thanks to all who entered.

Hi Knitters,
I've gathered some wonderful goodies for you today for my Super End of Summer Giveaway. To start, there is a new book out by the wonderful Larissa Brown. Larissa is also the author of a favorite book of mine called, Knitalong. Her new book is, My Grandmother's Knitting.

It is more than a knitting pattern book because Larissa persuaded (happily I'm sure) some of the top knitwear designers around to share their family histories involving knitting. My Grandmother's Knitting is exactly the kind of book I adore. I want to hear the story of how Wendy Bernard learned to knit from her Grandma Shorty and how Meg Swansen was so strongly influenced by her smart and clever mother, Elizabeth Zimmermann. The book is simply a satisfying treat.
The book is divided into two sections. The first section is Family Stories. Here is a list of all of the knitters' stories included: Wendy Bernard, Pam Allen, Meg Swansen, Ysolda Teague, Jessica Marshall Forbes, Kay Gardiner, Joan McGowan-Michael, Kristin Spurkland, Teva Durham, Jared Flood, Norah Gaughan, Anne Hanson, Leigh Radford, Chrissy Gardiner, Adrian Bizilia, Kirsten Kapur and Emily Johnson.

What an impressive group of knitters and authors and designers and storytellers.

Each family story is better than the next. The stories shed light on the generational aspect and personal history that everyone's knitting contains. Today's influential designers share their talents with us because of their grandmother's or mother's or father's or some other beloved relative's knitting.

I love family stories in general and when they involve knitting it is all the better to me.

In the second section of the book, each of the knitters listed above, and a few more, then offer a pattern inspired in some way from their family story. It could be a project directly from their knitting loved one or something inspired by, modernized and updated. The patterns include everything from scarves, gloves, a cardigan, a colorwork sweater, a cowl, a shrug, a cape, a pillow, hats, socks, a shawlette, mitts, slippers, a dishcloth and blankets. The variety is wonderful. All levels of knitting skills are included.


Here are a few patterns I love. The Storm Cloud Shawlette, by Hanna Breetz, is a simple and sweet little knit.
The always popular Ysolda Teague offers up these gorgeous little Fiddlers' Mitts.
I just love this simple scarf that is a striped tube by Rodger P. Murray. I want to make one of these this winter.
These mittens are knit starting at the top of the thumb and then the top of the mitten and all worked on double-pointed needles. I can't wait to try these out.

Well, it is a lovely book that I think many of you would enjoy and use. I am happy to be able to offer you a chance to win a copy of My Grandmother's Knitting today but there is still more....
I also want to offer you a chance to win a beautiful repurposed felt flower pin. This one is mine and was given to me at TNNA from Heather R. LeFebevre. I think it is so well-made and sweet. I love the name, Reincarnations, very clever.

Heather has generously offered to give a flower of choice from her Etsy shop to the winner of this giveaway. You get to pick your favorite which is such a treat.



But wait, there's still more...

I've decided to throw my latest and only handspun yarn of this summer into the gift pot! I recently finished spinning this Cloudlover Polwarth hand painted roving called Wild Bunch. It turned out great. The finished yarn has lavender, purple, bright green, blue and even a dab of pink in spots. It is gorgeous.

Click here to see the Cloudlover shop! I'd like to have one of everything, please.

Back to my handspun yarn, the larger hank is a 2-ply, about a sport/dk weight, 264 yards which is plenty for a cowl, mitts, or a hat or two.

The tiny hank is a Navajo plied sampler that is about 28 yards.
The Wild Bunch yarn was soaked in the Amy Butler Soak Wash. I can't stop squishing it and smelling it because it is just so darn yummy. There are some thick and thin spots, it's far from perfect, but I think this yarn could make a very cute project for one of you and you'll know that I spun from my heart when you cross those imperfections.

Okay, leave one comment, and one only, on this blog post to enter to win a copy of My Grandmother's Knitting, a terrific felt flower from Heather's shop and a hank of my handspun yarn. If you enter please leave me an email address or Ravelry id/name where I can reach you if you win. I will then contact you to get your mailing address. I will pick a winner via a random number generator in a few short days.

Good luck with the Super End of Summer Giveaway!

Let the comments begin.
best, susie
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