Freebies!

 

Hi, Knitters,
I have had a bunch of new patterns released recently. First, let me say thank you for the huge support of the 50 Row Shawlette and the Mini-Stocking and Candy Cane patterns. These patterns have been flying out of my pattern shop and it has been very exciting. Both of these patterns are still on sale for $1.00 off through December 25th.

Click here to see the 50 Row Shawlette! The sale code is MERRY

Click here to see the Mini-Stocking and Candy Cane patterns! The sale code is IBKLOVE

Now I have had several free patterns just be released recently. The first is called the Woven Ladder Hat. This hat was made and submitted for the My Mountain hat design contest. The Woven Ladder Hat placed in the top 5 in the contest (thank you, again, for voting!). I won an iPad mini for this hat and I have loved it. The iPad mini will be joining me on my knitting travels, of which I have a lot coming up starting in January 2014.

The free pattern for the Woven Ladder Hat is now available for free download!

Click here for the free Woven Ladder Hat pattern!

This hat is a very fast knit on US size 11s and 13s. It takes two skeins of the Lova yarn, which can be purchased here.

(photo from My Mountain)

The next new and free pattern to be released is the reversible toy, Elephant and Mouse! Candi Jensen, the producer of Knit and Crochet Now!, a PBS show, asked me if I would design something for a segment of the new season of her acclaimed show. Of course I said yes! The pattern is for a tiny reversible toy, fitting in with my new book, Topsy-Turvy Inside Out Knit Toys. 

If you want to test the water for your own reversible toy, knitting this is a cute, simple version of an inside-out flip toy is the perfect way to start! The Elephant and Mouse toy is about 3-4 inches tall and you can see how it works in the following photos:

Click here for the free pattern and more information for the Elephant and Mouse pattern!

The Elephant and Mouse Toy is knit in Quince & Co. Lark.

The next free toy pattern release has been long awaited.......

The reversible Egg to Turtle pattern was something I designed to go along with the publication of my latest book, Topsy-Turvy Inside Out Knit Toys. I have used the pattern to teach workshops and to give as a thank you to people showing up for my book signings and events since the book came out. By the way, I am teaching the Egg to Turtle workshop, which includes tons of toy-knitting techniques and demonstrations and some surprises, at Vogue Knitting Live in NYC and Seattle coming up soon in 2014!

I was asked to film a segment for Knitting Daily TV, a PBS show, last fall where I demonstrated some of the techniques used in the Egg to Turtle reversible toy. Now the pattern for the toy used on the show has been released as a free download on the Knitting Daily website. The yarn used for the Egg to Turtle reversible toy is Quince & Co. Lark.

Click here for the Ravelry page for the Egg to Turtle reversible toy!

And that's all for now!

Enjoy.

best, susie

50 Row Shawlette ~ Pattern & Discount Code!

Hi, Knitters,

I have a new pattern for you today, the 50 Row Shawlette. I love this little shoulder warmer of a shawlette. It is very sweet, very fast, and very easy! Perfect knitting for this time of year if you ask me. I keep calling it a little flounce of a thing.

I have a special discount code available for $1.00 off through December 25th, 2013!

Discount code:  MERRY

Or click here to find out more!

This shawl is literally 50 rows and then you are done! 250 yards of a worsted weight is all you'll need. I used some handspun but there are lots of other worsted weight yarns you could use. 

Here are some suggestions from the Ravelry project page I made:

Any hearty solid, tonal, striped, gradient or variegated worsted weight will work fine: 

Quince & Co. Lark 
Madelinetosh Worsted 
Cascade 220 or Superwash 
Lorna’s Laces Worsted 
Brooklyn Tweed Shelter 
Noro Silk Garden or Kureyon

You can whip this shawlette up in no time at all, one or two evenings is all it takes!

Here is some information you might like to know:

Measurements: 38-inch wingspan, 10-inch depth ~ after blocking

Yarn: 250-300 yards of a worsted weight
Sample is knit in 250 yards of handspun made from Unwind Yarn Company Superwash BFL Roving, 4oz., in the TEALtember colorway

Needles: US size 10, 32-inch circular needles or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 3 ½ stitches per inch in stockinette stitch
Getting gauge is not imperative, however yardage will vary with a different gauge.

Notions:
Stitch markers
Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
k knit
p purl
sm stitch marker
pm place a stitch marker
yo bring the yarn over the needle
k2tog knit two stitches together
st(s) stitch(es)

Here is a little in progress shot! I loved knitting this fast and fun project and I am enjoying wearing it just as much. I am wearing the shawlette for my latest video if you want to see it on my shoulders. Click here to see the video.

Don't forget the discount code with purchase for $1.00 off expiring December 25th: MERRY

Click here to see the Ravelry project page!

Have a great weekend and get that shopping done! I'm saying this to myself mainly because I am not much of a shopper these days. I hope you are faring better.

best, susie

Mini-Stocking & Candy Cane Ornament Pattern ~ discounted!

Hi, Knitters,

The new ornament pattern is up and available to purchase in my Ravelry pattern shop. Remember that you don't have to be a Ravelry member to purchase patterns through the shop. 

Click here to see more information or to purchase the Mini-Stocking & Candy Cane Ornament Patterns!

There is currently a discount code (in honor of the Itty-Bitty Knits group) available for $1.00 off good through December 25th, 2013! The code is: IBKLOVE

The stockings are a fun way to use up leftover bits of sock yarn. 

Here is some information you might like to know:

Measurement: From toe to cuff about 4-inches

Yarn: Between 4 and 5 grams of fingering weight or sock yarn

*Four of the samples used 4 grams, and one sample used 5 grams.

Needles: US size 1 set of four double-pointed needles

*The pattern is written for dpns but is easily adaptable for Magic Loop or for knitting in the round on 2 circular needles.

Gauge: 8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

*Gauge is not imperative for this project but varying the gauge will change the size and the amount of yarn needed.

Materials:

Stitch marker

Yarn needle

Ruler or tape measure

Abbreviations:

k  knit

p  purl

ssk  slip 2 stitches separately as if to knit, then knit the 2 slipped stitches together through the back loops

k2tog  knit two stitches together

p2tog  purl two stitches together

sl1  slip one stitch purl-wise

dpn(s)  double-pointed needles

st(s)  stitch(es)

N(1, 2, or 3)  double-pointed needle 1, 2 or 3

rnd(s)  round(s)

turn  turn the around to work back in the opposite direction

I made a bunch of samples in my leftover sock yarns.

Each one is cuter than the last.

As an added bonus, I threw in the Candy Cane ornament pattern along with the Mini-Stocking pattern.

Here is some information you might like to know about the Candy Cane Ornament:

Yarn: Tiny amounts of red and white worsted weight yarn

Needles: US size 7 double-pointed needles or a circular needle for Magic Loop

Materials:

Yarn needle

Ruler or tape measure

White pipe cleaner or chenille stem 

So you get two quick and fun ornament patterns for the price of one!

Again, click here to see more information or to purchase the ornament patterns! Remember the discount code: IBKLOVE

best, susie
p.s. The pattern page is up for the 50 Row Shawlette, click here! The pattern is coming soon.

Catching Up (another kinda sorta video podcast episode)

Hi, Knitters,

I just filmed another very spur of the moment Catching Up episode. Lots of fun links for you in the video! For email subscribers you can see the video by clicking right here.

I talked about:

Unwind Yarn Company

Dyeabolical Yarns

Waiting for Winter Mittens

My new patterns ~ Mini-Stocking and Candy Cane Ornaments and the 50 Row Shawlette ~ links to come as soon as the patterns are published!

Sunshine Yarns Superwash Merino Fiber in Cornish Pixies colorway

Snawheid by Kate Davies

Solidago Socks by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Ella Marie Fiber in Tidal Pool (didn't see a link and the fiber was a gift)

Friends in Fiber Mulled Cider

Taproot magazine

Jamieson Spindrift

Knit Picks Palette

Corrections: The shawlette has increases not decreases. Peachy is a senior in high school, not college.

I'll be back soon with those fun and seasonal patterns!

best, susie

Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl ~ fini!

Hi, Knitters,

I want to give a quick reminder for those interested in attending Vogue Knitting Live in New York from January 17-19th, 2014. Several of my morning workshops have already sold out and the other workshops are filling up quickly (we just received an update on the class numbers). If you're thinking about taking a class I encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. I think right after the holidays everything will sell right out for NY. 

I just received word that the general registration for Vogue Knitting Live Seattle, March 14-16th, 2014, has opened up! I am extra excited for Seattle because I was asked to not only teach but to give a one-hour lecture on the Saturday of the event. You have to register for the lecture just like a class, I believe. Anyway, if you are going to VKLive in Seattle, or you are thinking about it, please consider taking a class with me! I'd love to see you there.

There are so many interesting classes and instructors... I would love to go as an attendee someday and take classes and lectures from all of these spectacular knitters. What a treat.

Click here to check out both NYC and Seattle Vogue Knitting Live!

I finished my Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl, a lovely design and pattern by Paula Emons-Fuessle. It was an incredibly fun knit. I loved using my leftover fingering weight yarn. I highly recommend this project. You could have a gathering of your knitter friends where everyone brings leftover fingering weight yarn and you create the Magic Cakes together. That's what Paula has done at the last two Knitting Pipeline Retreats and it was a huge hit with the retreat attendees. 

The pattern includes detailed instructions on how to make your own Magic Cake, so no worries there if you are wondering how to go about making one for your shawl.

Here are the links:

Paula Emons-Fuessle's Knitting Pipeline

Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl Pattern

Paula's podcast episode about the Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl

Chickadee yarn bowl

You should make one, really. This is a fun and very simple basic shawl. I love the long ends, perfect for tying in the front or back. And I always love a ruffle. I can't recommend this project enough.

Here is a quick pictorial story of my own Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl:

(pre-blocking - it already looks good!)

I used an entire skein of Quince & Co. Finch in Crow for the ruffle. This skein was not leftovers but I am so glad I finished off the shawl with the dark black. I love the black, dramatic ruffle. It sort of outlines the shawl and offsets the bright colors. 

 

 (post-blocking! gorgeous and drapey!)

I've already worn my Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl a ton. It is so light and colorful. I have been wearing it wrapped around my neck like in the photo above. It is so long and easy to wrap around like this. I think I will make another one soon, maybe more of a tonal story. Miss Molly wants to make one, too, and I have plenty of leftovers to share. That should make for some fun knitting over her college winter break.

Have a great weekend and I hope you get to spend some time knitting.

best, susie

Goings on about home...

Hi, Knitters,

Well, what a busy last few days. I can tell everyone is back to work today in the knitting world by the number of emails in my inbox. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It was bustling and fantastic around my house.

First things first, the winner of the Bunny Love Full Kit from Little Skein is..... siberiancat (rav id) or Penny! Congratulations to Penny. I have already contacted Penny on Ravelry.

Now for an unexpected surprise, Anne Vally of Little Skein contacted me yesterday to let me know that the kit has been a huge hit. Laura of Gynx Yarn is already back dyeing up more self-striping and semi-solid yarn so Anne can make more kits for her shop. To celebrate the popularity of the kit she asked if I would select 5 more winners to receive a set of the Wild Rabbits Stitch Markers from her shop! I couldn't say no to that so here are 5 more winners by Rav ID:

yarnstruck

javajennie

blanketlady

QuiteCool

pamelajd

I am passing on the winners to Anne to contact you directly through Ravelry so keep your eye out for a message! Anne will need your mailing addresses to send you your new stitch markers. Yay!

The pattern for the Bunny Love adorable seamless toy will be available for individual download in January 2014 on my Ravelry Pattern Shop. If you don't want the kit I recommend you order a skein of the beautiful Gynx yarn self-striping or semi-solid. It is such a treat and makes an adorable one-of-a-kind toy. I don't know how long supplies will last on the yarn. Thank you to Anne for everything!

Now on with the blog post for today.

On Friday I received a package from JoAnna of the Knit Spin Farm podcast. I wasn't sure what was inside but with all of the action going on in my house I set the unopened package in my studio so I could quietly open it later. Well, that night I couldn't sleep. I finally decided just to get up and start my day, no more wasting time just thinking about sleep. It was so early and dark. I got up and made a cup of coffee, walked into my studio and remembered the package from JoAnna. My house was so full, with all four kids home, and happy and quiet so I was already feeling content but when I opened the envelope to see the most gorgeous handmade spinning batt from JoAnna it took my breath away. 

I don't even have a photo of the batt for you because right then and there I decided to spin up this delicious little treat of blended fiber. I literally sat down in those wee hours of the morning in my quiet little house and spun up this batt filled with cormo, silk, silk noil, southdown and merino. JoAnna sent along a handwritten note explaining that she made the batt with my nature photos in her mind for inspiration. The batt is called Tree Lichen and it was incredibly light and sweet. The colors are so soothing, sort of comforting. 

The fiber ran through my fingers like butter. I felt like I was spinning air because it was so light and fluffy. It honestly was one of the most pleasant spinning experiences I have had. There was no tugging or drafting to be done. I love the silk noils, they are like little tidbits of texture. I didn't want to lose any of the yardage from JoAnna's batt so I quickly spun up some natural merino to ply with the Tree Lichen. In the end I got 222 yards of a dk to worsted weight. 

The result is a yarn that is like spun candy. It really is the sweetest hank of yarn ever. The skein you see above in the photo is so light and fluffy and bouncy. It is one of my favorites because not only was the fiber wonderful, I was feeling content and happy in my full post-holiday house while I was spinning, and it was a gift from a talented young woman. It's a win.

Fortunately for all of you spinners out there JoAnna is going to start selling her batts on her Etsy shop!

Here are all of the JoAnna related links for you:

Knit Spin Farm Podcast (I never miss an episode!)

Knit Spin Farm Etsy Shop  

Oh my gosh, she has project bags up (she doesn't post these very often)! I have one of her little bags and it is so wonderful. I have to get another. I am not sure when she is going to start selling her batts but you could favorite the shop and also you could contact JoAnna to find out more. I highly recommend her bags and the batts for spinning and her podcast.

I have the spinning bug as of late. I felt like I was spinning the skein you see above in the photo for forever. I did a traditional 3-ply with the intent to knit socks with the finished yarn. It took me so long, months I think. The end result is just gorgeous. The braid of fiber was from Into the Whirled, a very popular indie dyer. The color is pretty impressive. There are a couple of shades of vibrant purples, a buttery light yellow and a medium shade of brown. The colorway is called Chromatic Composition and it is 100% Polwarth. 

I purchased the braid at The Loopy Ewe. It was amazing to spin, so much fun. I ended up with 376 yards of a fingering weight which is plenty to do a pair of handspun socks. Plan complete!

The cowl in the photo above is another long on the needles project (not tooth but needles, but it was long on the tooth, too). I started the cowl way last spring for Peachy but when it got warm outside I set it down for the summer. Peachy has been on my case, as deserved, to finish it up now that it is cold again. I dragged it around with me over the holiday weekend and sure enough I finished. She loves it so much and has already worn it to school.

Here are the links for the cowl:

Gaptastic Cowl (free pattern on Ravelry!)

Quince & Co Puffin yarn (3 skeins to make the cowl ~ under $30! ~ the perfect gift) The cowl in the photo is in the Twig colorway.

US size 13 needles, 32-inch circs

I have to tell you that Miss Molly has made two of the Gaptastic Cowls using three skeins of Quince & Co Puffin. And now Peachy is knitting her own Gaptastic Cowl with three skeins of Puffin in Egret. The Egret is so creamy and light. She has already finished one skein and it is going to be beautiful. I love seeing her knit, it doesn't happen often.

The Quince & Co Puffin gets incredibly soft after a soak and a good blocking. 

This is the perfect quick gift for teens and college age girls if you are stumped. At just under $30 for the Quince Puffin it is a steal. On US 13s you can whip this up fairly quickly for a large cowl, that is if you don't put it down like I did.

Oh, and we got our Christmas tree at the tree farm. It is a winner of a tree. We decorated it while everyone was home on Saturday night. It was really fun. We listened to Christmas music and there was a lot of laughter and reminiscing going on. There is something really amazing about having older kids. Sometimes I just look at them and I can't believe what interesting young people they have become, all completely different but all so tied together. There is a lot of love between them and us.

It is good.

My son is wearing the Surefire Hat ~ because I know I'll get asked.

My oldest son turned 22 years old on Thanksgiving Day. The whole extended family was at our house for the holiday so we put some candles in a pumpkin pie and sang to him while my niece played the birthday song on my mom's piano. It was very sweet and he is loved. He loves the handknit socks I knit for him as a gift and he put them right on and wore them the rest of the day. They fit perfectly. I also knit him the Dustland Hat with Lorna's Laces Worsted. I gave it to him a little early and he has worn it constantly. A good match, the yarn, pattern and recipient.

Click here for sock details.

Click here to see a photo of my little guy and me 22 years ago.

Click here to see the sock on his foot!

Click here to see my son in his Dustland Hat!

This is what my path has been looking like as of late. Not much snow yet and a lot of gold in the prairie. It is pretty, good winter-y colors to feast my eyes on while I walk or run.

Okay, to finish out the day I have some fun new knitting podcasts for listening and watching to recommend! I am really enjoying all of these new podcasts so don't miss out ~ subscribe and add them to your iTunes!  

Here are the links:

Homespun

JuniperGraceTube

Prairie Girls Knit and Spin

In a Sknit

And one not so new podcast but one I forgot on my previous lists of podcasts: 

Singlehandedknits with the lovely Mel!

Have a great day! I hope my RSS feed works this time, fingers are crossed. I'll be back soon with more.

best, susie