Thursday, March 10, 2011

Spud & Chloë at the Farm is here!


(photo by Liz Banfield)

Hi Knitters,
Yesterday my new book became available! That's an exciting day. Your local yarns shops, book shops and the bigger chain book stores and online booksellers have books either available or on the way right now. Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered and thanks to those who are picking up a copy now that it is available.



Click here to see the Mother Hen and Chicks project in the photo.

(photo by Liz Banfield)

The Mother Hen and Chicks project is one of my favorites in the book. The mama hen lifts up and nests the little chicks right underneath her feathers. Her body is like a hat, it is hollow inside. The eggshells are removable, too. This little chicken set has a lot of interactive options which I love. I love a toy that does something.

I have a lot of people who want to knit the entire Spud & Chloë at the Farm set. I think a knit-a-long for the book is in store. I'll keep you posted if you'd like to join in.

Here is the Spud & Chloë yarn requirement to make every project (there are 13!) in the book:
Color # Hanks

Sweater:
Toast 3
Firecracker 3
Splash 2
Ice Cream 7
Root Beer 3
Watermelon 1
Firefly 2
Pollen 2

The following 3 colors are for the buckets and only a small amount is needed:
Grass 1
Popsicle 1
Moonlight 1

Fine (piglets):
Tutu 1
Sassafras 1

Outer (hay bales):
Cornsilk 2


Okay, back to some TC crafting news. TC is bringing back the old gum wrapper chains! She is using printed paper cut in strips instead of gum wrappers. I used to love this craft in the old days when gum came in sticks with the paper wrapper over the foil wrapper. Now it is hard to find gum packaged like this. My favorites were Double Mint, Juicy Fruit and the best ever, Fruit Stripe Gum (was there a zebra involved in this brand?). Do you remember buying gum just to get the wrappers? I do.

TC has made lots of bracelets like this. Our crafty neighbor makes these chains out of Starburst wrappers. I think I shared a headband she made with her Starburst chains.

Click here to see a video on how to make a wrapper chain.
TC also has been covering these boxes with decorative paper and flowers. The box we purchased at Joann's. Inside the box 6 tiny cylinders nested. TC covered those, too.
I think the flowers and paper are from an American Girl paper set. The box is going to be used for a gift and the cylinders are housing some of my notions like yarn needles and stitch holders.
What a cheerful little project. I don't even know how she did it because I didn't watch her as she worked. It sure is neat and tidy though. I know I saw some glue and scissors were involved.
Here is another friendship bracelet TC made for a friend. She chose rainbow colors for this one.

I finished those Spud & Chloë stripey socks I started awhile ago. I will post more about them on the Spud says! blog but I wanted to share them with you, too. I am not writing up a pattern for these because they were inspired by a pair of socks knit by someone else.

Anyway, I love the end result and so does TC. I started knitting more socks because TC has been raiding my handknit sock collection this past winter but now she has her eye on these, too. It may be a lost cause.

By the way, someone's legs are quickly getting longer....

I love the heel gusset and the mismatched toes. What a great pair of socks and what fabulous yarn (Spud & Chloë Fine).

I've been doing a tiny bit of spinning but not much. I really need more hours in the day, don't you? I think that is every knitter's wish.
best, susie

26 comments:

Kerry said...

Oooh I wonder how quickly it'll get across the pond to the UK! Soon I hope! Lovely post, thanks.

Suze said...

Last week I called Stitchers Crossing to request 2 copies of the book, signed by you of course :) and they said it probably wouldn't be available until April! Does this mean they were overestimating how long it would take?

Kelly said...

Congrats on the new book coming out, Susan! I can't wait to get it. I think the Mama Hen and Chickens are adorable and so clever. Love TC's decorative boxes, too!

Susan B. Anderson said...

Hi Suze,
Yes, it was released early and shops will have their copies any day now!

Thanks for the support.
susan

Stefanie said...

I just love those socks!
I love hearing and reading about TC's craftiness. I would covet that box and its cylinders also! My Coconut loves paper just like TC.
I just ordered Spud & Chloe at the Farm! Woo hoo!

Armida said...

Congrats on the book release!! I'm so excited for mine to arrive :) Thank you for the list of yarn requirements, what a great idea!! And by the way: the striped socks turned out great - I think my favourite part is the toes!

Ana said...

Yes, I remember the gum wrapper chains! The longer the chain, the more popular at recess on the black-top! They made me think of Sugar Daddy Pops! My brother and I chewed on those when we were little. Anybody remember Sugar Daddies?
Thank you for the the bit of nostalgia....
Ana

Tiphanie said...

Woohoo, I'm so excited to be getting my book soon! I pre-ordered, but mine is not scheduled to ship until later this month. I have a feeling I'll have to save up to buy the yarn for all of the projects in this book. My kids keep oohing and aahhing over all of preview pictures you're posting.

I love TC's projects. She's a wonderful crafter. I never knew how to do the gum wrapper chain, so thanks for posting the tutorial. My favorite gums were Juicy Fruit and Fruit Striped gum, too! (And yes, there was a colorful zebra on the packaging).

Unknown said...

I love seeing the crafts that your TC is into, I miss that some much know that my kids are out of the nest.
What a lovely time in your life.
Best,
Gerda

Renee Anne said...

I'm pretty sure I'm jealous of your spinning prowess...my spinning still looks all uneven and lumpy and bumpy and evil (but it'll be fun later, right?).

Hrm. Oh well. I just need more hours in the day so I can knit and spin while Little Man sleeps.

YarnOnTheHouse said...

The mother hen project is just the cutest! I love how interactive it is. I definitely need a copy of this book!! I love all your daughter's crafty projects and I totally remember buying gum for its wrappers!

Shelle Schiffer said...

Yeah! I just looked at my traking for shipment and it's waiting at my frint door! Yeah! Good reading tonight!!!

Unknown said...

The socks are very lovely!

Lynn said...

I pre-ordered the book on Amazon.com a month ago, and they have it listed as "in stock," but the estimated ship date on my order is still April 7-9th. I hope that the "pre-order price guarantee" applies because my invoice has a higher price than the current selling price, but I don't know if the price drop occurred on the release date or after that. Do you have any knowledge about when Amazon plans to ship its pre-ordered copies?

TC's crafts are amazing! They make me smile. I'm looking for rainbow-themed items for my charitable project; if TC ever wants to make some rainbow bracelets for that purpose, please let me know! (flowerdancer on Ravelry)

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

I know what book I'll be buying next!

Lynn said...

This is a follow-up to my last comment, for the benefit of others who pre-ordered Susan's book from Amazon. I contacted Amazon customer service via their online form. Their response said that they have (for my order, not in general) "rectified the error," upgraded the shipping to 2-day delivery for free, and adjusted the price per the pre-order price guarantee. They gave no explanation for why pre-orders are not being shipped in a timely manner compared to orders placed today, but the customer service I received was excellent, so I encourage you to contact that department if you're in the same situation. I should receive the book by the middle of next week now. So excited!

Barb said...

That Mother Hen & her chicks is just to adorable. Of course, I looked at all the other animals from the farm (& Spud & Chloe) and, seriously, could there be anything cuter than all of these??? You are just too clever.

Now is it any wonder where TC gets her craftiness?

Thanks for sharing your creative genius!!!

katie said...

Just got my copy of Spud and Chloe at the Farm and I absolutely adore it! The mister is even encouraging my to make all the toys for our as-yet-to-be-conceived kids :)

Sara said...

What a fantastic post! So much going on and so much inspiration...
Thank you.
Sara

Kristin Nicholas said...

Hi Susan: Congrats - I can't wait to see the new book! Good weekend,
Kristin

Ellen Bishop said...

I just received Spud & Chloe at the Farm and sooo excited!!! I love all the patterns! I'm going to start making things for my one year old grandson and include the book with the gift...my daughter is starting to knit so it will be like two gifts in one! Thanks...Susan, you are so creative!!! Ellen

Marie said...

I too can't wait for the books to come into Stitcher's Crossing! I think I want to knit the whole set as a present for my sister, but I have a little problem - I can't knit with Spud and Chloe yarn because I'm intolerant to wool. Usually I just make substitutions on my own, but since this set has so many coordinating parts I thought I would write and see if you have a recommendation for a line of yarn that has similar colors and loft properties for us non-woolies to use.

Thanks for your help! I just love your books and patterns!

Susan B. Anderson said...

Marie - Blue Sky Worsted Cotton is perfect as a non-wool option for almost all of the projects in the book. The piglets need a fingering weight so I can't think of a non -wool substitute off the bat for that one. I'll keep thinking though.
susan

Marie said...

Thanks! I'll track it down and get started! The chicks are so cute and probably where I will start.

Susan said...

Just finished the reversible bunny and duck. SOOOO cute I made a hat using the same colors. It's going to Hawaii. I would love Hannah's book and I love knitting all the animals. Missed seeing you at VoGUE KNITTING LIVE.

Susan said...

I forgot to give you my email. sabandel@msn.com. I'm a Susan too!!!