Yarnology & Dropcloth Sampler Giveaway!

 
(Embroidery fiber from Dyed Fiber on Etsy)

Hi, Knitters,

Please read (or scroll) all the way through to the end today. I know it is long but there is good information and opportunity for you all the way through.

I am so excited to finally get up to Winona, Minnesota this Thursday, June 27th, 2013! I will be at Yarnology from 6-8pm. I will bring lots of samples from my new book, Topsy-Turvy Inside Out Knit Toys and a few (or a lot of) extras. Also, my Egg to Turtle free pattern card will be available for those attending the event. If you are in the area, please stop in. I'd love to see you at Yarnology!

Yarnology (click here for the website)

65 East Third St.

Winona, Minnesota

(507) 474-9444

email: info@yarnologymn.com

I had a great and brief time at TNNA last weekend. I was in Ohio less than 24 hours. I had two book signings on Sunday, one with Unicorn Books and another with R&M. Both signings went well. Thanks for stopping by! The other big thing was that the pattern for Little Dragon is now available for yarn shops to order from Unicorn. Little Dragon was featured on the cover of the Unicorn Fall 2013 catalog which was fun to see. 

Click here to see Little Dragon on Ravelry!

Click here for Unicorn Books!

While at TNNA I got to briefly see old friends, Suzette and Alison from The Wool Cabin, Brandy Fortune, Angela Tong, Craig from Loop, Kristin Nicholas (click here to see a photo of us together), and Leslie and Laura of The Knit Girllls. Plus, I met some new friends, the owners Lisa and Kris, from Cream City Yarn in Milwaukee.   

Now onto today's topic, embroidery! I love embroidery and have dabbled with it since I was a kid. We used to get those Holly Hobby kits, in fact, I still have one that hasn't been finished. It's probably 40 years old by now. I have done cross stitch and needlepoint, too. I enjoy hand-stitching so much but I haven't done much of it in recent years. That is until I found Rebecca Ringquist. Do you know her?

Here are Rebecca's links:

Rebecca Ringquist's website

Rebecca's Etsy Shop, Dropcloth Samplers

Rebecca Ringquist on Creativebug (I have taken 3 of Rebecca's online classes, Embroidery Sampler, Layered Floral Embroidery, and Embroidery Transfer Techniques - all of them fantastic!)

Run to all of these links! 

Not too long ago, before finding out about Rebecca, I had pulled out a piece of washed wool felt and some embroidery floss and just started stitching. I love busy, messy embroidery that appears without rhyme or reason. I started in with my stitches without any intention. I loved it but had to put it down because of work knitting.

Then I somehow ran across Rebecca's work and her Etsy shop and my urge to embroider took over. I quickly ordered the Dropcloth Sampler and waited impatiently for it to arrive. In the meantime I took Rebecca's wonderful Embroidery Sampler class in preparation. I learned so much, it's really incredible. I have stitched for years and years, however, this simple and fairly short class blew me away. I eagerly stitched along on my Dropcloth Sampler as I watched each stitch segment in the class again and again. I have watched each segment multiple times. The small tips and tricks you can learn from an expert are truly astounding. I am a changed embroiderer.

Rebecca is an amazing, charming, clear and relaxing teacher. I highly recommend her online courses. 

After I received my Dropcloth Sampler I couldn't put it down. I happily stitched all weekend. I ended up making my sampler into a sketchbook holder but it could also be a knitting needle holder. I love it so much and I can't remember having so much fun with another craft in a long, long time.

Here is what my finished sampler looks like:

 

The swirly blue chain stitch fabric is by Betz White!

Isn't it beautiful? I love the fabric and the linen backing. Rebecca is brilliant. I love that while practicing the stitches I could add in my own ideas and embellishments. Rebecca kept saying more is more and I completely agree when it comes to embroidery.

Giveaway Information:

Now for the best part! You can leave a comment on this post to enter to win your own unstitched Dropcloth Sampler from Rebecca's Etsy shop! In addition, Rebecca has generously offered to throw in her new Color Wheel Sampler (click here to see it!) for a second winner. I'm so excited for you. Please leave one comment on this post along with an email address or your rav id so I can get in touch.

After finishing my sampler sketchbook cozy I came back to my wool felt embroidery and made it into a needle holder. I put two pieces of washed wool felt together to create a needle book.

Now I load up my needles before I sit to stitch and I am ready to go!

Here is the back of the needle book. This needle book has been the greatest thing ever for my stitching. I love it!

I also stitched a linen bookmark that is going to be a gift. 

I backed it with some fabric and zig-zagged and sewed the edges to eliminate fraying. It turned out so good. I have ordered some more of Rebecca's Dropcloth designs to work on, too. 

It's so good to have a break from the knitting now and again. It is rejuvenating somehow.

Now enter away! You will have so much fun with Rebecca's work, I just know it.

Good luck.

best, susie

p.s. A photo p.s. is a first but here it is:

Please hop over and check out the beautiful ceramic work of Nancy Walker. I met her in Seattle at Vogue Knitting Live where her lovely daughter, Amanda, took one of my classes. I purchased one of Nancy's shawl pins with a rooster imprinted on the front and knit stitches imprinted on the back. It has become my favorite shawl pin and it is the only thing I bought at VKLive. These pins, called Talking Clay, are very unique. Click here for the brand new Talking Clay Etsy Shop! You will love the shawl pins and Nancy!

Little Dragon has Hatched!

Hi, Knitters,

Little Dragon, my newest pattern, is being released this weekend at TNNA in Columbus, Ohio! Yarn shops can order the printed pattern for their shops starting tomorrow through Unicorn Books. Please ask your local yarn shops about the pattern sold through Unicorn Books if they don't already have it available for you. 

I will be signing books at the Unicorn Booth #109 with knit Little Dragon at my side and of course the toys from Topsy-Turvy Inside Out at 11am on Sunday, June 23rd. I will also be at the R&M booth on Sunday, June 23rd, at 3pm with toys to enjoy in person. I hope to see you there!

In a few months the pattern will be available as a downloadable pdf through my Ravelry Pattern Shop. I'll keep you posted when the pattern becomes available through me.

I have just put up a pattern page for Little Dragon on Ravelry. The dragon is knit all in one-piece, seamlessly, from the bottom up. Little Dragon is knit in Opal Sock Yarn held double throughout on US size 5 dpns. I'm sure you all have some sock yarn you'd like to use up! I know I do. Little Dragon is about 6 1/4 inches tall.

This is one of the best toys I have ever designed. I just love this little guy. He is sort of sweet and innocent looking, demure, friendly and fun, definitely on the young side of life. I especially enjoy his big belly, you can see it from the side angle photos.

I have a partial book list of dragon stories for you today. There were many, many suggestions from my past post on Little Dragon. I love the idea of giving the knit Little Dragon along with a book to a child or young person or even an adult! Adults love the dragons, too.

Also, when looking through dragon books in the kid's section at Barnes & Noble, I couldn't help noticing all of the dragons in different colors in the various illustrations. There were red, green, yellow, orange, blue, and black dragons... something to keep in mind when knitting your own version. Maybe even a striped version? Yes to that!

A few book ideas:

How to Train Your Dragon

Puff the Magic Dragon (there is a new pop-up version!)

Waking Dragons

When a Dragon Moves In

Part-time Princess

Dragons Love Tacos

Dragon Rider

Dragon Keepers

The Knight and the Dragon

My Father's Dragon

A Practical Guide to Dragons

There's No Such Thing as a Dragon

There are so many more.....

Here are some links for you today:

Little Dragon project page on Ravelry!

Unicorn Books

Little Dragon preview video on YouTube! (See what Little Dragon looks like motion.)

Designing Little Dragon video on YouTube!

Now for some photos to enjoy! Here is Little Dragon from every possible angle......

Wish me luck on my travels this weekend (crossing all fingers for smooth sailing). I will be in and out of TNNA like a flash, less than 24 hours in Ohio for me. I am so glad to be going but also to be able to be home for lots of family events this weekend. It all worked out well.

I'll be back on the other side of the weekend with a full report!
best, susie

Siri - A Sweater Story in Photos

Hi, Knitters,

A few years ago while at the Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival I purchased the last 4 skeins of Dyeabolical Worsted Weight in the Thistle Gristle colorway. I love the yarn and the colorway and wanted to knit it up right away but with the limited yardage I debated and debated over what to knit with the yarn. Then a few months ago I was on Pinterest (click here to see my boards) and ran across the photo of a little cap sleeve turtleneck called Siri. I quickly clicked through to the links and purchased the pattern. I had just enough yardage to make the small size with the narrow body (vs. the A-line). I love a cap sleeve turtleneck for layering (over and/or under), it is stylish and practical.

So it began.....

Here are the links:

Dyeabolical Yarn and Fiber

Siri by Caroline Lang

Knit on US size 8 Signature Needles, 24-inch circular for the body and dpns for the rib on the cap sleeves, and Knit Picks 16-inch for the neck

I alternated skeins (switched skeins every couple of rounds) to prevent pooling with the variegated yarn. The sweater is worked mostly in the round starting with the generous ribbed turtleneck. It is a fast and simple knit. The pattern is thorough and well-written. The point of real interest comes into the German Short Rows used at the bottom of the sweater before the rib section. This is the first time I have used German Short Rows and they are a pretty slick option. I just searched on YouTube for a tutorial and went from there. The short rows create a sort of swoop of additional length for the back side of the sweater. It is a good and flattering design.

The following is the rest of the making of Siri in photos. Enjoy!

Above is my new cardigan project. I am knitting Carrie's Wrap from Sally Melville's newest book, Knitting Pattern Essentials, a fantastic book by the way. The cardigan is knit in pieces and seamed together. I am looking forward to the seaming as I haven't knit a pieced garment in quite awhile. I kind of miss it. I have finished the two back pieces (there is a center back seam), and I am almost done with both fronts. I am using Rowan Polar in a chocolate-y brown on a US 11. This yarn is about 10 years old so I am glad to put it to use.

I'll keep you posted. Are you working on any sweaters or cardigans this summer? I'd love to hear about it.
best, susie
p.s. I am teaching at Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago in November 2013. The classes are now up online. I am only teaching on the Sunday because of my kids' schedules so there are only a couple of my classes being offered. There are always loads of other classes being offered by the industry's best. Check it out if at all interested and I hope to see you there!

Two Little Plums

(photo provided by Two Little Plums)

Hi, Knitters,

There is something going on in Maine and I wish I was there.... 

Maine seems to have a growing group of fantastic knitwear designers amongst the wonderful homegrown yarn mills and yarn companies. One of these knitwear designers is Alicia Plummer. And yes, that is Alicia in the photo above, she is both talented and gorgeous.

Here is Alicia's designer description from Ravelry:

Designing for me is like writing a novel expressing everything I’m feeling and doing and thinking. Color, lines, fit, can tell a story, and I love seeing how others interpret and knit up my stories.

I’m messy, disorganized, and loving. I design because I wear my heart on my sleeve, and designing is a perfect outlet for self-expression. I’m heavily influenced by the rustic beauty of our old farmhouse and my small town here in rural Maine.

My aim is to design things that have the down home comfort of New England but are also everyday items that someone can grab and throw on and still look good.

I think this sums up Alicia's designs perfectly. Take a look at her design page on Ravelry and you, like me, will want to knit every single pattern up for yourself or someone you love. Alicia's brand name is, Two Little Plums, in honor of her two young daughters.

Here are some links to find Alicia in other places:

Click here to see Alicia's designer page with all 36 designs!

Click here to see Alicia's blog, Two Little Plums!

Click here to see Alicia's profile (aliciaplum - rav id) page on Ravelry!

Click here to see Alicia's thriving Ravelry forum group called Plum Dandi!

 (photo by Carrie Bostick-Hoge for Quince & Co.)

I am going to highlight just a few favorites of mine from Alicia's designs today. The Falmouth Scarf, above, was in the recently released and wildly popular, Scarves, Etc. 2013 by Quince & Co. I love that many of Alicia's accessory designs are unisex.

(photo by Carrie Bostick-Hoge for Quince & Co.)

To further enjoy Alicia's modeling for Scarves, Etc. 2013, here she is wearing the Netty Cowl. 

 (photo by Carrie Bostick-Hoge for Quince & Co.)

Alicia also graces the cover of Scarves, Etc. 2013 wearing Mainline. The beautiful, natural photography by Carrie Bostick-Hoge and Alicia's beautiful, natural good looks certainly contributed to the overwhelming success of the Scarves, Etc. ebook. My dream is to knit through the entire book.

(photo provided by Two Little Plums)

Who doesn't love a little top-down seamless top called Sebago Cove for their little plum? Simplicity is often found as a thing of beauty in Alicia's designs.

 (photo provided by Two Little Plums)

This is the first pattern I purchased from Alicia called Splitstone. It was funny because I had just purchased this pattern before I went to The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling and when I got there lynnzimm was sitting next to me knitting her own Splitstone in Madelinetosh Vintage in the Whiskey Barrel colorway. It was nothing short of gorgeous. Click here to see Lynn's version.

After I ordered the pattern, I received the sweetest email from Alicia. I was so touched that she gifted me several more of her lovely patterns. I asked Alicia if it was okay for me to do a spotlight blog post about her designs and she happily agreed.

(photo provided by Two Little Plums)

One of the patterns I was gifted was Woodstove, a cozy cardigan knit in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter. Alicia recently sent out an updated and improved version of Woodstove. I can't wait to dig into this cardigan and I'd really like to knit it in Shelter.

Alicia Plummer is one to watch as she has quickly gained recognition in the knitting world. She has an easy, wearable aesthetic. Most importantly, her patterns are doable, unique, and comfortable, a great combination. 

Plus, isn't she glowing on the inside and out?

Check out Alicia! She's a good one.

best, susie

Video Tutorials - Blocking a Shawl with Wires and Pins

(Part One)

Hi, Knitters,
Vogue Knitting Live in Chicago, November 1rst -3rd, 2013, now has classes up for registration. I am on the schedule for Sunday only!!! Click here to check out the classes for VK Live in Chicago!

I have just completed another sample for my next shawl design. I am working with a very unique yarn company called Infinite Twist and the shawl is going to initially be available in kit form only from Infinite Twist for a few months and then the shawl pattern will be released on my Ravelry Pattern Shop for download. I'll keep you posted as we get closer to the release date. And yes, Infinite Twist yarns are all handspun in case you are wondering. This yarn is 100% wool, worsted weight, in the Iris Garden colorway. What a treat.

In the meantime, I created four new video tutorials on how I block my shawl using straight blocking wires, flexible blocking wires and blocking pins. I block my shawls on blocking boards that are spread out on the living room floor. I have a big table I could use but I also have a big family that is always using this table. It is easier for me to just block on the floor and leave it put until the item is dry.

The shawl is such a beauty in the handspun yarn and what fun to knit. I'll tell you more details very soon.

I use Knitter's Block blocking boards and Inspiknitty flexible blocking wires.

The videos are filmed in four parts. Click here to watch the videos on my YouTube Channel!

Enjoy the rest of the videos below!

best, susie

(Part Two)

(Part Three)

(Part 4)

(p.s. I don't know why I said loose AND tight. I meant tight only. The ruffle is loose so that may be why I said loose. We'll never know.)

(p.p.s. I also don't know how I got that gigantic bruise on my left forearm. It looks terrible.)

Opal Little Dragon Preview Video!

Hi, Knitters,

I have completed the Opal Little Dragon design! I wanted to share the little guy with you from all angles so I filmed a short video to show him off. The pattern is debuting at TNNA at the Unicorn Books booth where I am also doing a book signing for Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys on Saturday, June 22nd. Please stop by for both the pattern and the signing or simply to say hello. I would love to see you!

If you can't see the video (email subscribers), please click right here to view it on YouTube.

Little Dragon is worked from the bottom-up in one piece, seamlessly! It's a very slick and simple pattern. The dragon is knit using a fingering or sock weight yarn held doubled throughout on US size 5 dpns. It used up about 40 grams of a sock yarn. There are new construction techniques included here and it is a fun and fast toy knit. I think you are going to love knitting up your own Little Dragon. 

Little Dragon will be available, at first, only through Unicorn Books (a craft book and supplies distributor) for yarn shops to purchase for their customers. I believe it will be in a printed pattern version only but they may be offering a downloadable version as well, I'm not sure. Please ask your yarn shops to order through Unicorn Books if you are interested in the pattern. 

Eventually the pattern rights will revert back to me and I will have the pattern available in my Ravelry Pattern Shop. This will happen at the first of the new year so don't worry if you can't get the pattern right away when it is released. 

This is the same thing I did with the Opal Sock Yarn Bunny and Hat. Unicorn Books released a printed pattern version for yarn shop owners to provide to their customers and then later the bunny became a downloadable pattern on Ravelry. I love to support local yarn shops and this is one way we can all help a little so please go through your local yarn shop if at all possible.

Little Dragon really is an expressive little toy, standing at 6 1/4 inches tall, with the movable head construction (a new technique I recently came up with). 

I'll post a Ravelry project page soon! Here is one more cute little photo below, I can't resist this little friend. I think this is one of the best toy designs I have ever done. There is a sweet personality that shines through with Little Dragon. I have started compiling a book list of children's literature and young adult literature with little and big dragon characters that could go along with this dragon for children. The possibilities seem quite endless.

If you have any dragon literature ideas for me, please post a comment and I will compile a list and share! Thank you.

On another subject, below is one more instructional video. I did this video for a Signature Needles guest blog post a few weeks ago.  I am showing how I cast on a small number of stitches onto 3 dpns, a technique I constantly use for my toy patterns.

Click here to see it on YouTube.

Have a great weekend! I'll be back soon with more....
best, susie
p.s. Malia (rhymeswithmaria on rav), has started a new vid-cast, Yarn Raising, that is mainly about spinning but has lots of knitting content as well, and I love it. Malia and I sat at the same table at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat and I so enjoyed her and her spinning that weekend. Please click here to watch her video podcast!