The Wool Cabin

Hi Knitters,
What a glorious few days I have had in Salt Lake City. Every yarn shop I visit has a story behind it and this store has the most heartwarming history I have ever experienced. I loved every minute of Salt Lake and the longer I was there the more I grew to appreciate the rich history this group of women share. I felt like I was stepping into a close-knit family, literally.

I started my trip with a trip to the local news station for a morning show called Studio 5. It is a great show that included a cooking segment, ski-buying how-to, and a scrap booking segment to name a few. It was the perfect setting for my knitting stuff. The only snag came when the host announced my appearance at the "Wood Cabin" not The Wool Cabin. I couldn't believe it when wood came out of her mouth. Oh well, what are you going to do?
Salt Lake is a beautiful city, really spectacular. The skies were crystal clear, the air was crisp and clean, it was simply refreshing. I took an afternoon walk on Friday and ran across this statue. This may be the best statue I have ever seen. The motion it portrays is fantastic. Yup, this is my favorite statue, it's final. There was a man with a boy on his shoulders nearby but this one was better. Also, this statue perfectly sums up the women I was with. These people are all about kids, babies and family and knitting, knitting, knitting. I could so relate, these are my peeps!

I am jumping out of sequence a bit but hang with me. At the end of my visit, one of the shop owners, Alison, slipped this beautiful book in front of me and quietly said, "Here is my book." I had no idea she had a book and the fact that she so humbly shared this gift with me I'll never forget. I love that, that's the kind of humility that sticks with you about someone. It is the best quality.

About this book, Fashionable Projects for the New Knitter, it is a fantastic collection of every basic pattern you could ever need. Alison's intent was to provide stepping stones for the new knitter by sequentially adding on new skills with each project as you work through the book. The thing with specifically saying this book is only for the beginner is tricky to me. When I look at the patterns in here, I see so many that I want to knit straight from the pattern. I know that even advanced knitters like to have basic patterns handy so really it isn't just for the beginner. It is for anyone who knits. The patterns cover basic hats, scarves, sweaters, pillows and bags. The collection is complete, beautifully photographed and the instructions are clear as a bell. Alison, you did a beautiful job with this and thank you for sharing. Check out this book, it is a gem.

The story behind this book is what really touches me. The book was started by Alison's mother. Alison, after much persuading, finished the project on her mother's behalf. Let me explain. The Wool Cabin is a yarn shop filled with history. It is currently owned by two sisters, Alison Barlow and Suzette Canon. I was delighted to find this out as I had only corresponded with Suzette.

Originally, the shop was owned by their mother who passed away four years ago. Her presence in the shop is still shining on due to the love of her daughters. There is a beautiful picture of their mother on the wall where she is smiling while knitting on someone else's sweater. When I asked Alison if that was her mother, her eyes welled up with tears and so did mine. This shop makes you never want to leave. There is a feeling of joy, remembrance and love here that is hard to describe. Suzette and Alison should be proud of the work they are doing and I can see how their customers love and cherish them. They treat everyone who comes in the door with respect and genuine interest. This same feeling comes through in Alison's book that she finished for her mother. Sterling publishers had contacted Alison's mother about doing this book, after she passed away, Alison finished the book for her. It makes me want to cry. What a tribute.

The Deseret News came in and did an extensive interview and photo shoot. I swear they took so many pictures of me that my mouth started quivering when I was trying to hold my smile. Those should be good, right? That should come out in the newspaper in a few weeks. Suzette and Alison took me out for a quick dinner and a couple of their knitting group friends met up with us. These ladies plus a few more make up their knitting group and they had just returned from a "knitting" trip to Las Vegas. They had some good stories I'll tell you! What a funny group. I have to give a special shout out to Kristi (sitting with a pink shirt and glasses): Hey Kristi, I loved meeting you. You are too cute!

The group above was the class I taught on Friday night. It was a lovely group of hard working knitters of every level. I had to laugh because they were a fun, laughing, talkative group but as soon as everyone was casting on it became dead silent. I could hear the clock ticking. Then they would all start talking away and helping each other out and so on. It was really fun and we ran right out of time. I had so much more I wanted to do with them. They were an enthusiastic group. Hopefully there will be a next time and we can pick up where we left off!

My driver took me by this landmark. If you have children around my kids' age you will recognize this building. It is the actual high school used for the Disney movie "High School Musical." I had to throw this in, my kids were impressed by this!

This is an example of how kind and warm this shop is. That is Suzette on the left and Julie on the right and they are untangling an enormous skein of recycled silk that a sad customer brought in. They spent hours happily untangling this mess for the woman. I couldn't believe they did that!

Here is quick shot of Alison (left), me and Suzette just before I left the shop. You couldn't meet two nicer shop owners anywhere on the planet. Because they are sisters and the legacy they have carried on, you feel such a sense of love and happiness when you step in the door. Can you believe these women are grandmothers? Well, Alison's daughter is due in March. Alison has 6 kids and Suzette has 4, all boys. See, I fit right in here, they all just talk about family, kids, babies and knitting all of the time. It was a dream come true.

Display!

Display!

The Wool Cabin is so quaint. They have beautiful space and natural light provided by these big windows. The walls are lined with yarn and they have center displays scattered around. Everything is so easy to find and the way things are displayed is so appealing. They have put careful thought into the design of the shop and it shows.

The seasonal decorating was fun and tasteful. I loved it because they were already playing Christmas music in the shop. I loved The Wool Cabin and Salt Lake City. I would go back anytime! I signed lots of books, met tons of fantastic knitters and I had a joyful trip. It couldn't have been any nicer.

I finished these for my little sweetheart on the plane rides to and from. I used a different colorway of the Kaffe Fassett Regia. Using only one ball I made these for my 8-year-old daughter. She is so excited about them.

I can't believe the stripes almost match and I didn't even try. I used US size 2 dpns and cast on 48 stitches. These went so fast, they just flew off the needles.

It is good to be home. I will be off again in a couple of short days so today I will rest up and enjoy my family!

Thanks again Suzette and Alison. I will never forget the trip to SLC!

best, susie

Look What Else It Does

Hi Knitters,
Here is the part where I pretend to be really smart so play along with me. I was looking at my pear cozy last night and all of a sudden I realized that it would fit an apple just as well.

Well, yes it most certainly does! Two cozies in one.

This makes me incredibly happy. See it doesn't take much. I am a low maintenance kind of girl.

I have had many requests for this pattern already so here it goes in a very sketchy kind of way (meaning I wrote this in 5 minutes):

Pearapple Cozy:

US size 5 dpns (4 needles)

Small amount of dk/sport weight yarn
Stitch marker

Scissors

Ruler

Yarn needle

Gauge: 6 stitches per inch

Here we go:

Cast on 9 stitches (3 stitches per needle on 3 dpns). Join to work in the round and place stitch marker on the first stitch of the round.

rnd 1: knit

rnd 2: kfb in each stitch (18 stitches)

rnds 3 and 4: knit

rnd 5: (k2, kfb) repeat across rnd (24 stitches)

rnd 6: knit

rnd 7: (k1, kfb) repeat across rnd (36 stitches)

rnds 8 and 9: knit

rnd 10: (k1, kfb) repeat across rnd (54 stitches)

rnd 11: (kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb) repeat this on each needle (60 stitches total, 20 stitches per needle)

Place your stitch marker on the first stitch of rnd 11. Knit for 2-inches above this marker.

Decrease rnds:

rnd 1: (k3, k2tog) repeat across rnd (48 stitches remain)

rnds 2 and 3: knit

rnd 4: (k2, k2tog) repeat across rnd (36 stitches remain)

Switch to k1, p1 rib and continue in rib for 1 inch.

Next rnd: (p2tog, purl to last 2 stitches, p2tog) repeat this on each needle (30 stitches total, 10 stitches per needle remain)

Picot bind-off:

Work loosely. *k1, place back on left needle, cast on 2 stitches on the left needle, bind off 4 stitches* repeat between * * until one stitch remains. Cut yarn, pull through the last stitch. Weave in end to the inside.

Place apple or pear inside. Give to loved one immediately!

Go crazy knitters! I want to see evidence that this pattern was put to use!

Talk about a good-looking group of kids! There are 3 of my kids in this group and the rest are cousins. See if you can pick mine out. This picture makes me laugh.

I am off in a couple of hours for Salt Lake City. See how I take care of you writing this pattern before I leave? Okay, I am totally procrastinating on packing, you got me. But I really do love my readers.

Enjoy the day.

best, susie

p.s. My son is a zebra in case you couldn't figure that out. I don't know why you couldn't, it is so life-like. And the answer is no, he didn't wear anything else for his costume.

p.p.s. Let me know if you find any mistakes. I literally wrote this from memory, which is never good, in a matter of minutes.

Salt and Pears

Hi Knitters,
Oooooh, what could be better than a beautiful green pear in the fall? A pear covered in a sweet knitted cozy, of course!

I bought the most spectacular big pears at the market a couple of days ago and while we were waiting for them to ripen up I started thinking of a pear fruit cozy. This is not my original idea to cover fresh fruit in knitting but I just think it is so cute. The thing I didn't like about the cozies I had previously seen for apples and pears is that they all had a button and loop. I thought to myself, I don't even like to button things for clothing that much, why bother with a button on this fun item. I know, once again, it's a little strange, but that's really how it goes in my head.
I started thinking about socks and how stretchy socks need to be to fit over your heel and ankle and then still fit snuggly around your leg. Why certainly there is a correlation here with the large bottom portion of the pear and the smaller top. A little ribbing should do the trick!

This way you don't need all of that fidgeting around with a button loop and sewing. This design keeps the fruit snug and protected and best of all it slides on and off easily with little effort. I think I've got it, the perfect pear cozy.

The other great thing is that it is a cute and quick way to use up that leftover sock yarn sitting in my studio. This is a definite gift item to add to my list of quick knits. The bottom is even cute. The yarn is Sereknity sport weight in the watermelon colorway. I knitted on US size 5 dpns. I added the picot edge as I did the bind off to add a frilly touch. Quick, funny and cute all in one project to go!

Happy Halloween to everyone. My sister and brother and kids will be over at my house tonight for an early pizza dinner and trick or treating adventures, can't wait. I hope you all have a fun and safe night if you partake.

I want to be sure to let you know where I'll be over the next couple of days. So here is the update:

Salt Lake City, Utah here I come, catch me if you can!

Friday, November 2nd:

11:00am live tv on Studio 5 HD

4:00pm interview and photoshoot

Deseret News

7-8:30pm Itty-Bitty Workshop

The Wool Cabin

2020 E. 3300 S.

SLC

Contact: Suzette Cannon 801-910-2703 for information

Saturday, Nov. 3rd:

11:00am-1:00pm

The Wool Cabin

book signing and trunk show

Contact: Suzette Cannon (see above) for information

I am so excited to see everyone at the Wool Cabin. Please pop by if you are in the area, I'd love to meet you. Thank you Suzette for arranging this wonderful trip with my publisher.

Natalie of smallandcheery, from Salt Lake, if you are reading this, I would love to do an interview with you. I couldn't find your blog and your email didn't come through on the comment from yesterday. Please get in touch with me today at my email which is on my profile page or leave another comment with your email and I won't post it. I didn't want you to think I wasn't interested so you got your own paragraph here!

Happy Halloween.

best, susie

Repeat Knitting

Hi Knitters,
I think I have briefly referred to my ability to love something so much that I have no problem repeating whatever that may be. For example, I know I have previously talked about my reading habits growing up. I would get a book and read it over and over and over. A couple of my favorites to re-read included Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nimh, Mandy and there was some book about a raccoon/pet that I read many times, can't remember the title. There were many more books that fell into this category. I know, a little strange, right?

The same thing goes for shoes that I really enjoy. I will go and get several pairs of the same style in different colors. This has happened mainly with Dansko clogs but others, too. I am thinking I do this with pants and jeans on occasion. I have no shame about it.

As far as knitting goes the same thing holds true. If I love a pattern I have that same shameless ability to knit that same thing again and again and I still get a lot of joy out of the experience.

Here is one example of that. See that blue sweater above?
Well, here it is again. Same pattern, same yarn, different colorway. This is one of my favorite sweaters ever. The photo directly above is the first sweater I knitted from this pattern. The yarn is Colinette Point Five in the Toscana colorway.

The second version, in blue, I knitted about a year or two after the first. The yarn is again Colinette Point Five. I am not sure what that colorway is but it is beautiful and rich. This sweater has everything I value most in a good sweater. I love the big chunky yarn with the thick and thin texture. Ribbed sweaters are also a favorite feature. I added the turtleneck collar, the original pattern has a crew neck. I love a good turtleneck sweater. I usually wear these as fall outerwear or in the winter under a ski vest. These are two perfect sweaters in my eyes.

The pattern is in the Fall 2001 Interweave Knits issue. I keep all of my IK issues in magazine storage containers, not organized in order, that would be too easy. They are just jumbled all together. I can't even count the number of times I have gone back to old issues over the years. This magazine is truly genius. Most of the patterns will never go out of style. I have page after page marked in every issue.

When I pulled this 2001 issue out I glanced through it again and I think there are at least 5 other patterns I would knit in a second. There are fantastic designs by Ann Budd who has a bobble scarf that I am for sure doing at some point, Mari Lynn Patrick, Nancy Bush, and one of the most beautiful child sweaters, called Caramel Denim, by the talented Fiona Ellis. Just the name of that one draws you in. There are sock patterns by Melanie Falick, Ann Budd, Debbie New and Adina Klein. Talk about heavy hitters! It is a great issue.

You can see all of my tabs sticking out of the top. I love seeing the chicken scratches and notes I leave on the patterns in books and magazines. When I read them again it takes me right back to when I was knitting the pattern.

The pattern is called Toscana after the colorway I am guessing, but inspired by the beautiful Tuscan landscape, the designer states. The designer's name is very fitting, Colinette Sansbury, what other yarn could she use? The sweater only takes a couple of days to knit, so fast and easy. I made mine in the smallest size which is a 38.5-inch bust. It took 7 skeins of Point Five on US size 17 needles.

Toscana is one of the best patterns ever. I would knit it again anytime, anywhere. It is so wearable. Have no shame in repeat knitting, I sure don't. Stand proud while you're wearing the same sweater several days a week!

best, susie

p.s. Just curious, does anyone else do this kind of thing?

4 Days, 4 Kids, 4 Pumpkins

Hi Knitters,
My kids were off of school last Thursday and Friday which meant we had a long weekend together. My husband was out of town on business for a couple of those days. There was not much time for blogging, knitting or anything else concerning work for me these last few days.

We finally picked up some pumpkins at the market and carved them last evening. You know even though I miss having a baby or real little one around some things get a whole lot easier when everyone is a bit older. Pumpkin carving is definitely one of those things. The kids basically do the entire project on their own except my husband cut the lids out for the girls. The boys are completely on their own. We even got a grim reaper and a witch's brew scene this year. The pumpkin thing never gets old with me.
Yup, you guessed it, the one with the large knife is the grim reaper creator. Just look at that joy from the girls. So simple yet so fun!

We always collect the seeds in a big bowl and then bake them up with lots of extra salt. Pumpkin seeds are the best right out of the oven, still warm, after that they lose their appeal to me.

Those safe pumpkin carving tools are a great invention. It gives the kids so much freedom in their carving and relieves worry for parents. That is a good thing all around.

I did squeak in the start of my second yarntini pumpkin spice sock. I am telling you this start up is a bear but so well worth it. You have to plan a bit of time to cast on 187 stitches and then the first row requires a lot of counting stitches as you go. I love these socks and the pattern is so easy to memorize once you get going. Out of the 12 row repeat only 3 rows require an ssk, k2tog and a few yo's, and those 3 rows are all the same. The other rows in the 12 are knit or purl. It is super easy and quick. If you are looking for something a little different but yet easy this pattern is for you!

One more quick note, I picked up this Offhand Designs bag at Lakeside Fibers last weekend and boy do I love it! It is sturdy and soft and colorful. The top snaps open and stays that way and there are great pockets inside and out. The feet on the bottom of the bag are wonderful for keeping it clean because I am forever tossing my bags on the floor. The colorway I chose is very fall and winter, but they had more than several other designs at Lakeside if you are looking for something like this for you or as a gift.

Oh and check out this pattern. I am printing this one out right now! I will be making these next with more of my yarntini stash. Those stripes are wonderful.

Have a good Monday, knitters.

best, susie

Bravo Kaffe!

Hi Knitters,
Just a quick note today about these excellent socks I just finished. They are the Regia Kaffe Fassett socks I started a couple of weeks ago. I did a simple short ribbed sock.

I used a knit 3, purl 1 rib on size 2 dpns. This really is my favorite simple sock. The rib makes the sock hug your feet in just the right way. I made the cuff short, only 3 inches before starting the heel flap. These were an incredibly quick knit.

I love the yarn and the colors Kaffe selected. You know I love the mismatched stripes, that only makes me happier.

Bravo Kaffe!

best, susie

A Lamb, Some Acorns and a Pumpkin Patch

Hi Knitters,
Well, I whipped up this little guy last night with my needles and then sewed him up this morning. It is the toy lamb from the spectacular Debbie Bliss's Essential Baby book. It is an adorable design.The toy lamb is about 4 inches high and maybe 5-6 inches long, just the perfect size for little fingers. The yarn is Debbie's, of course, Astrkhan in ecru and Cathay in black, one of each. The Astrakhan provides the perfect woolly texture for the lamb's body with no extra effort. I used US size 5 needles.

Here is the lamb in pieces. You knit the head and the top of the body and legs in one piece, twisting the yarns as you change colors and casting on and off at the ends of the rows. The markers are placed as guides for the finishing at the end. Then there is a gusset for the underside of the body and legs. The ears are knit separately and stitched on at the end.

I hate to say this, I really do, but to be honest I didn't enjoy knitting or finishing this toy lamb. Although I truly love the finished toy lamb, the switching colors, the number of ends to deal with and the finishing at the end were simply not that fun to do.

As I become more deeply invested in knitted toy design I am becoming pickier about patterns and techniques. I just don't think it has to be that painful along the way. It was a tricky sew up and I just kept thinking of ways that this could have been so much easier. The body and head could have easily been knitted in one piece in the round, stuffed as you go along. The legs could have been knitted in the round and the one end used for sewing the leg to the body. Snip, snap, quick! No pain whatsoever! Now the thing is that many knitters don't like knitting in the round and using double-pointed needles. For them this pattern is perfect, to each her own. I just happen to prefer less seaming and quicker knitting.

I love the Astrakhan for the body and I am going to come up with my own sheep pattern very soon! I'll put my knitting where my mouth is and see if I can make it work. Debbie is forever my idol and I love, love, love her designs but as I get older in my knitting and designing I can see ways to make things meet my own preferences. That's the fun of it, I guess.

I made a few more of these Betz White acorns, can't get enough already. We even found some double headers to stuff with felt. I have been giving these away to my daughter's teachers, principal and librarian at her school. We wrap them up in cellophane bags and tie on some ribbon. It is too cute.

Here is my not so little gang at the Epplegarten. We did our annual pumpkin/apple picking last Sunday but we were met with a dismal selection of pumpkins to choose from. I don't know if it was the summer drought or the early fall floods that did the crop in but something went wrong. We could not find one decent pumpkin to bring home. Just look at the crop behind them, it's sad. Now we will have to go to the local market and buy some for our yard.

That's not quite as fun as picking it fresh but the apples, especially the honey crisps, were in great shape at the orchard. We picked an enormous bag of apples to bring home. I've already baked up a huge apple crisp and I'm planning on some homemade cinnamon apple sauce later this afternoon.

Have a good Tuesday!

best, susie

p.s. See my son in the white shirt? He put my nephew who is 10 and not shown in a wagon and and pushed him as fast as he could running down a hill at the orchard. There were a lot of people around, too. There were no injuries but my sister and I acted like we didn't even know them. Is that bad? We had a good laugh about that.

Beautiful Lakeside Fibers

Hi Knitters,
It is so funny when someone else has your camera and takes lots of pictures. In this case it was my daughter, she's eleven. She tagged along with me to the most beautiful knit shop anywhere in the world, Lakeside Fibers. I can't believe this shop is in my own city, Madison. We are so lucky. Anyway, my daughter entertained herself during the signing by taking lots of goofy pictures and some good ones, too. Unfortunately, I am in a lot of the shots due to my daughter's photography and a few people I simply made take a picture with me. Sorry about that but I want a picture of you!
This is the lovely Molly who helped organize the event today. Molly is a phd student at the UW in something like textile design. Get this, her masters thesis was the Elizabeth Zimmerman exhibit that was here in Madison last year. She received tons of press about this event and it was mentioned in some of the major knitting magazines. She does a great job and she's just fun to talk to and be around. She even took my daughter to the Nutsy Mutts and Crazy Cats shop next door while I shopped a bit. You gotta love that!

Miranda, the shop manager, also needs a big thank you for having me. Miranda runs the shop so well. It is a thriving place.
My beloved peaknit, Stacey, made the effort to come and see me. I really had to force her to be in this picture with me but it was worth it. The thing is that Stacey learned to knit at my old shop and she took classes with me when I used to teach there. Now she is a big-time knitting blogger with people just waiting to see what she is going to knit next. Her knitting commentary and project selections are some of the best out there in blogland.

When my first book came out last year I didn't even have a blog. After Stacey came to my event at Lakeside Fibers last year I found her blog and it inspired me to start my own. She is the reason I even started this whole blogging thing and I love doing it. She inspires knitters with her writing, insight, humor, keen eye and especially her honesty. She is a smart cookie!
This is Natalie and she wanted one (or two) of everything.
This is Natalie's mom, Stacy. She learned to knit with me at Alphabet Soup, too. She and the other Stacey remembered each other from the old shop. We used to have so much fun over there, I am not kidding. There were quite a few visitors today from my old shop which I love to see. It's too bad when some things have to end, I miss that place, too. It was good to see friends I hadn't seen in quite awhile.
I thought these pictures were so funny. I had no idea my daughter was doing this right next to me at the table. There were about a dozen shots like this. I love it. Kids are so funny without even trying.
What a goofball and nice lips!
My dear friend Yuly came to visit. She will kill me for putting this up here but I had to. She is a beautiful knitter and designer and she is even working on her French baking skills.
She brought me the lightest, flakiest, buttery cranberry scones ever. Oh my goodness, Yuly, they were wonderful. That's right my family and I ate them right up when I got home and they are gone. Yummy treats don't last long around here!
I had such a wonderful afternoon around here. I signed lots and lots of books, saw old and new friends, chatted up the knitting world and mainly hung out. I think we stayed about 4 hours! It was relaxing, comfortable and fun. The staff at Lakeside is friendly, down to earth, laid back, helpful, fun and smart. You couldn't find a better knitting shop anywhere. There is a quiet but inviting elegance here that is truly unique and very indicative of Madison.
The cafe in the back of the store is gorgeous. Look at the view from the back windows, it is breathtaking. There is a large deck off the back of the shop and cafe. It was packed with knitters and people the whole time I was there. There is a large crowd that just hangs out here having coffee and eating and meeting friends and knitting. It is that kind of place.
And the yarn! On top of the food, coffee and bakery, there is so much yarn and it is displayed in the best of ways. The selection is top-notch. Lakeside is current with yarn trends and the amount of stock is staggering. This is the Cascade wall. That is all Cascade 220! There are knitted samples and swatches everywhere you turn. This is only one wall of yarn. There are several more rooms of yarn before this.
If you are in town make your way over to this shop. Their site has been recently remodeled and I think very soon it will be open for shopping! This will be a great resource and as soon as it is ready to open I will link again to remind people.

This was good fun. Thanks for a good day in Madison, Lakeside Fibers.
best, susie