Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Mary, Millie & Morgan eBook & Quince Yarn Giveaway!



Edited to Add: Please visit my friend Dianne of Sheep Dreams giveaway for the cozy Knitted Slipper Book by Katie Startzman. Click here to check it out! Please give Dianne a hello from me if you enter.

Hi, Knitters,
Please read to the end for information on the generous giveaway from Quince & Co.! You won't want to miss it. Also, the winner of the Mollie Makes set of 5 craft books is knitclicketyclack (rav id). Congratulations to you!

About a month ago I had an adorable little pattern ebook published by Quince & Co.  The book couldn't be sweeter as it is a doll collection I've had knocking around in my head for many years. I've always wanted to design a series of knit dolls with clothes and accessories. I'm happy to say that this time has finally come!

Mary, Millie, and Morgan are three little knit folk dolls inspired by dolls in my imagination. I would have loved to own these exact dolls when I was a girl. I can imagine how I would have cherished and played with these well-crafted homemade dolls as a youngster. Even then I loved anything homemade. This project is one of my proudest knitting accomplishments. Each piece was carefully and lovingly designed over time and added to the collection.

Please be sure to look at the beautiful lookbook created and published by Quince & Co. This is a feast for your eyes, so simple, pure and lovingly made. My own sketches are included on the pages. Under the direction of the always lovely Pam Allen each page of the ebook is a winner including the text that winds its way through the pages.




The photography is by the talented Carrie Bostick Hoge, one of my favorite designers and photographers. Carrie helped to accomplish the purity and simplicity of the little pieces all while showing off the dolls' traditional beauty. I love everything about the group effort put forth on the Mary, Millie, & Morgan project.

The following photos share the different states of dress the clothes and accessories offer. Make multiples of the pieces and you have unlimited mixing and matching. I would suggest making more than one doll, too, because everyone needs a friend or maybe a sister. 

All of the clothing patterns are provided in the ebook along with the doll patterns.


The dolls are knit in one piece, seamlessly from the top-down. I love the construction so much that I am adding a brand-new Seamless Knit Doll Workshop to my upcoming class offerings. I am pretty excited about this and I think there will lots of interest in this topic from top to bottom.


The doll names, Mary, Millie and Morgan, are after my own family names that represent many generations. Perhaps you'd like to do the same and name your doll or dolls after members of your own family past and present. It gives such a feeling of ownership to make and name the dolls as a nod toward your own family history. 

The dolls, clothing and accessories are all knit in possibly the sweetest yarn I have ever come across, Quince & Co. Chickadee. It's a sport weight 100% American Wool yarn that is round, springy and frankly delightful. I have fallen deeply in love with Chickadee and I think you will, too. It's as close to perfection as any yarn will come in my opinion. 


With the beautiful and wide selection of colors Chickadee, you are able to create your very own version of the little folk dolls to represent your family if you'd like. There are many lovely skin tones and hair color choices, so many combinations are available. Personalizing the dolls will make them even more loved and they may even become family heirlooms to be passed on to future generations to come. This would be my dream come true for you as the knitter of these little darlings.


The dolls start out with knit-in outfits, or under-clothes so to speak. Even starting out with creating the basic doll is enough to get going because she is already dressed. You could change things and do solid tights and stripey undershirts, or maybe you'd like an unclothed doll to start the journey. That's all good. You get to knit your own story!




Here is some further information you might like to know about the ebook Mary, Millie, & Morgan:

Click here for the Ravelry page for the Mary, Millie, & Morgan ebook! The ebook is only available through Quince & Co. at this time. It is priced at $12.00 for the collection of patterns. 

In a couple of months I will be adding the ebook and also the doll and individual clothing and accessories patterns for purchase in my own Ravelry Pattern Shop. 

Finished measurements
9” 23 cm tall when standing, 6” 15 cm body circumference,
approx 3½” 9 cm arm length, and 4½” 11.5 cm leg length
Yarn
1 skein each in the following colorways:
Doll #1 (Millie ~ blonde with white skin):
Egret 101, Bird’s Egg 106, Frank’s Plum 114, Storm 104, Winesap 133, Glacier 105, Carrie’s Yellow 125
Doll #2 (Mary ~ brunette with peach skin):
Petal 111, Carrie’s Yellow 125, Kumlien’s Gull 152, Gingerbread 120, Crow 102, Lupine 116
Doll #3 (Morgan ~ black hair with brown skin):
Twig 119, Iceland 153, Peacock 109, Crow 102, Winesap 133
Note: Yardage includes yarn needed for outfits.
Needles
• One set of 4 double-pointed needles (dpns) in size US 3 3.25 mm
Or size to obtain gauge
Gauge
6½ sts = 1” 2.5 cm inch in stockinette stitch.







It's such a sweet collection of clothes. I am planning many more items for dress and play for the dolls and even boy dolls are coming in the future. Just think of all of the mixing and matching you could do with these adorable pieces.


This is my little suitcase, in the photo above, that I sent along to Quince with the dolls inside. It is lime green on the outside and orange on the inside. I have had my play suitcase for many, many years. It is really a cute way to keep your doll collection together. It even has a vintage feel and would be fun to decorate as well. The suitcase is a win in my opinion.


The following are some of my own home photos of the dolls in progress before I sent them off to Quince. The level of excitement on my part while I was knitting up the dolls was so high. What a happy project.



 




I have an exciting giveaway offer for you today. The extraordinary Pam Allen, the founder and creator of Quince & Co., has generously offered one of you the opportunity to win a copy of the ebook, Mary, Millie, & Morgan, AND 6 skeins of Chickadee in your colors of choice! That's right, it's an enormous prize. Thank you Quince & Co.! 

On a brief side note, Pam Allen is one of the loveliest, most talented, smart, sweet, generous and understanding people I have ever worked with. She doesn't rush things but instead lets them simmer until they are just right. I admire this quality so much. I would love to see everyone rally around her yarn company in force. What an inspiring role model Pam has become for me. We are lucky as knitters to have Pam so involved in the knitting industry. I am hoping to do many more projects with Quince & Company in the future.

Please leave one and only one comment on this blog post to enter win this deluxe doll giveaway! Please include your Ravelry ID or your email address. It takes awhile for your comment to post so please be patient if you don't see your comment right away and be confident it will appear within a short time. 

Coming in early spring I intend to host a knitalong for Mary, Millie, & Morgan so stay tuned if you are interested in joining me. If you'd like to start knitting your dolls now, no worries, I will still let you enter the knitalong with your dolls, whenever started, to win prizes. I won't stand in the way of doll-knitting, ever!

Good luck and let the comments begin!
best, susie

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day + a Mollie Makes Giveaway + more!

 

Edited to add: I want to send out a huge, enormous thank you for all of the pattern love for the Bunny Love, Bunny Love Modifications and for the Mini-Bunny Loves patterns. Oh my gosh, have these patterns ever been selling like crazy. I couldn't be more pleased to find out that you love knitting bunnies as much as I do. Hooray for knit bunnies and I wish you a sincere thank you for the support.

Hi, Knitters,
First from my house to yours, I want to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day. As a small token of appreciation for all of you faithful Susan B. Anderson blog readers, Sew Bendy Bags on Etsy is offering an exclusive sale to only you. Use the discount code 214LOVE at checkout.

Thank you to Melissa and Jenn for this discount that amounts to around $5.00 off or so on any purchase over the next week. That's a good deal for some of my favorite little project bags. You have heard me mention these bags more times than I could count and way before project bags were even popular. I use these sweet project bags more than any others. They are cute, simple, portable and well-made. I highly recommend them.

Click here for the Sew Bendy Etsy shop!  Please give the ladies my regards if you order!



Now onto a couple of fun crafty things around our house for the season. This year TC made this wonderful cupcake liner wreath, in the first photo, to hang in our front window. She saw this on display at the Wisconsin Craft Market and we immediately bought the supplies so she could make her own. We also picked up the pretty LOVE ribbon to hang it.

Click here for general instructions on how to make a cupcake liner wreath!

We have had the wreath hanging in the window but with the lighting this morning I took it down so you could see it better. TC really stuffed her wreath very full and I think it took a little over two packages of liners to cover the styrofoam form. She worked so hard on it and she is really proud of her work. I love it, too.


TC also made the beaded heart garlands we have hanging around in various windows. These were made with cut cardboard paper towel rolls, paint (the hearts are a metallic red), string and beads. She is a good one for making seasonal decorations. What would we do without her?

 

For more fun topics today I have something excellent for you. In my last video blog (click here to see it), I shared the Mollie Makes craft books I am crazy about. Whenever I review something that was sent to me I always send a courtesy email to the publicist or company to let them know I mentioned what they sent me. By the way, if you are reviewing something sent to you, you should do this, too, because they want to know.

Anyway, the publicist I contacted asked if I would like to host a giveaway for a set of all 5 of the Mollie Makes books!! Of course I jumped at the chance so one of you could be the lucky winner.

These books are published by Interweave/F+W Media and the jacket art photos below are all provided by Interweave. The photography and instructions inside the pages are colorful, clear and helpful. TC loves these craft books and looks through them all of the time as they sit on our coffee table.

The books are adorable and have a similar look and appeal as the Mollie Makes Magazine, a UK publication (pick this magazine up if you haven't yet). Click here for the Mollie Makes Magazine website! The books are like old-school craft books where there is a little bit of everything included, crochet, knitting, paper craft, sewing, felting and more. I love these traditional-style craft books of yore. They are just so much fun. The books are full of inspiration and doable craft projects for adults, teens and kids, there is something for everyone. And I'll tell you, I'd love to crochet a blanket just like the one on the cover of the crochet book. It is gorgeous.

So here is what one lucky winner will have sent to them, one copy of each of the following books:


Mollie Makes: Christmas
Interweave / F+W Media; 12.95


Mollie Makes: Crochet
Interweave / F+W Media; 12.95


Mollie Makes: Woodland Friends
Interweave / F+W Media; 12.95


Mollie Makes: Weddings
Interweave / F+W Media; 12.95


Mollie Makes: Feathered Friends
Interweave / F+W Media; 12.95

As you can see, the books retail at just below $13.00 so this is a huge prize. One winner will receive a copy of all 5 hardcover books. You will love these books. To enter to win, please leave one comment that includes your Ravelry ID or an email address (this is a must in order to win!). Be patient for your comment to appear and please don't enter more than once! I will randomly select a winner in a couple of days. The mailing address has to be U.S. only for this one.

I'll be back with a second big giveaway, way bigger in fact, in a couple of days! So keep a look-out for that.


Quickly, I have been working on a sock for my son. I was going to make him a simple stockinette pair of socks but then he threw out the idea of a chevron pattern and I thought that sounded kind of fun. I had picked up several balls of the Patons Kroy Socks sock yarn at the WI Craft Market so I thought I'd try a chevron stitch pattern with this stripey yarn.

You can try many different 2 round chevron stitch patterns to achieve this same look. I used a 12 stitch repeat for one round and then knit the second round. Look in your stitch dictionaries, or look at the free Jaywalker sock pattern (a hugely popular sock pattern by Grumperina) on Ravelry to get ideas. I am not writing up this pattern because all it is is sticking in a stitch pattern into a regular sock pattern. You can do that on your own and you can vary the stitch pattern for the number you like to cast on.

Here are a couple of online chevron stitch patterns for you to try:


I did go up to a 2.5 mm US size 1 needle and I cast on 72 stitches. I thought this would be big enough for my son but it's not going to fit him. It fits me and it fits snuggly so I will be keeping these or giving them to TC. In the photo above I am working on the heel flap. I have now finished the gusset and for this pair I will continue the chevron pattern on the top of the sock.

My son just loves the sock so far, so I will start another pair for him and pick up more of the yarn. For him I will cast on 84 stitches and go up to a US size 2 for the chevron pattern. I may or may not include the chevron stitch on the top of the foot. If I do the foot in stockinette only I might then decrease to 72 stitches at that point. Or I might only include one chevron over 12 stitches on the top of the foot. That might look cool.

I'll keep you posted.


I made these no-bake granola bars last weekend and they were a huge hit. I will be making them again.


Here's what it looks like around here, wintery and cold, but still as beautiful as ever. We have been snowshoeing and skating quite a bit despite the bitter cold temps. It is going to get up to 30 degrees in a few days. That sounds downright balmy to me. I'll take it.

By the way, I look things up all of the time, like phrases and words and word usage. Today for this post I looked up "in spite of" and "despite" and how they are used correctly. Here is what I found that I didn't know for certain:
For prepositional use, despite and in spite of are interchangeable. 

Despite is thought to be a gentler version because the word spite can be used as vengeful.

I love words and writing and maybe you do, too.

I'm sending love to you all today. Be well and I'll be back soon with more.

Let the comments begin. Good luck if you enter to win the set of 5 craft books.
best, susie


Monday, February 10, 2014

Bunny Love & Teaching Dates!



Hi, Knitters,
Well, there were a couple of problems with the last post. Here is what the last post said in a nutshell:

I am teaching and speaking in Minneapolis in less than a couple of weeks. 

My schedule in Minneapolis is as follows:
StevenBe 
Friday, Feb. 21, 2014
Morning and afternoon workshops and a Luncheon/Book Signing/Meet & Greet

Minnesota Knitters' Guild
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014
Teaching two workshops!

Minnesota Knitters' Guild Guest Speaker at the Annual Tea
Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, 2pm

In March I am teaching and speaking at Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle, March 14-16, 2014. If you are in the area or traveling from another place far away, I'd love to see you in class or attending my lecture.
Click here for more information and to register!  Even though the Fair Isle Hat class is sold out I may be able to add more spots in the class so please request if you are interested.

Here is my VK Live Seattle schedule:
03/14/2014
Sold Out2:00 pm - 5:00 pmFair Isle Hat [More Info]
Susan B. Anderson
03/15/2014
8:30 am - 11:30 amLittle Dragon Toy Knitting Workshop NEW [More Info]
Susan B. Anderson
2:00 pm - 5:00 pmSock Yarn Bunny [More Info]
Susan B. Anderson
5:30 pm - 6:30 pmLecture: Sheep, Monkeys, Bunnies! Toy Knitting for All NEW [More Info]
Susan B. Anderson
03/16/2014
8:30 am - 11:30 amEgg to Turtle Reversible Toy Workshop NEW [More Info]
Susan B. Anderson
2:00 pm - 5:00 pmBuild-a-Toy Workshop [More Info]
Susan B. Anderson
Last but not least, on April 4-6th, 2014, I am spending the weekend signing books and teaching at the lovely Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia! I'm so excited to be back again for a longer, more relaxing visit. 


Okay, so hopefully this will explain more clearly where I'll be over the few months. 

One last thing, from April 25-27, 2014, I am going to be teaching at the Dayton, Ohio Knitters Guild Retreat. 


After these busy few months ahead I am staying home! I am not going to be traveling for work again until the fall in September, 2014. Then I am very busy again for a couple of months but I'll tell you all about those dates when it gets closer. To give you a vague preview for the fall, I'll be in Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, and Chicago.

I hope to see you at any or all of the upcoming events where I'll be teaching and speaking. I really love meeting the fun knitters out there in different locations and teaching workshops is about my favorite thing to do when it comes to my knitting career as a whole. I love to teach. So I hope you'll join me.


Now on to other things!

A couple of days ago I published a pattern for download called, Bunny Love. Prior to this the pattern had been available only in kit form by Little Skein.

In addition to the original Bunny Love pattern, I've updated the bunny to include options for different arms and feet, and a more cheerful face. Also included is a fun little cardigan and some carrots for good measure. I think this bunny is incredibly sweet. 

If you already purchased the kit and would like only the additional modifications, I have made that available for you. Click here!


The yarn is Owl by Quince & Company in the Elf and Cerulean colorways. The buttons are by Sheppard Handmade on Etsy. 


Here is some information you might like to know:

Bunny Love measures 7 1/2 inches tall without the ears and about 12-inches tall including the ears.

·      The original striped bunny made with the Velveteen Striping DK Yarn from Gynx Yarns, has a cardigan knit in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in Tent #02.
·      The off-white bunny is knit in Quince & Co. Owl (50% American Wool, 50% American Alpaca), 120 yards/50 grams; 1 skein in Elf #303
·      The Quince & Co. Owl Bunny Love is knit on US size 4 double-pointed needles at 5 ½ stitches per inch in stockinette stitch.

·      The off-white bunny’s cardigan is knit in Quince & Co. Owl, 1 skein in Cerulean #315 on US size 7s (it took 12 grams to be exact).



 Enjoy the bunnies in the following photos!


The bunny buttons are really old and I don't know where to get them. 



 The tiny bunnies in front are the Mini-Bunny Loves pattern. These use 15 grams of sock yarn and are on sale right now for $1.00 off!
Use the discount code: MINI 
Good through Feb. 14, 2014!







I'm so proud of all of these little bunnies!



I have 2 BIG giveaways planned for later this week so check back for that. It will be good, I promise.

I hope everyone is well and that you are getting some knitting done during these cold, cold months. I know I am getting a lot of knitting in due to the weather.
best, susie