Come and Get It (a humongous giveaway!)

Hi Knitters,
I am doing a major clean out of my studio. I have too much stuff and not enough space. So here it goes, I am having a major, humongous, giant giveaway for some lucky reader. My house is pet-free and smoke-free for anyone concerned.

To start things off I am giving up my Mousie, Mousie which is a Lucinda Guy design that I knitted in Yarntini's Vintage colorway, which is hard to get. It is adorable in every way. I love this mouse but I have too many knitted toys right now. She needs a new home.
Next up I am throwing in three fabulous books. Why would I part with these favorites? I have double copies of all three. The Collection II, Simple and Elegant is one of my all-time favorite cookbooks, I use it to death. This copy has never been used because I received two copies for Christmas and I only use the other one. The recipes are written by Madison residents and they are all good and easy. You'll love it.

The Book of Yarn is another fantastic book by Clara Parkes. I had already bought a copy and then I met Clara at TNNA and she signed a book for me so of course I had to take it. This copy was gently read by me at home and I only dog-eared one page (I just checked). I love to dog-ear and I know I shouldn't do it. This book is a treasure-filled exploration of yarn and has 40 wonderful patterns to boot.

Easy Knits for Little Kids by Catherine Tough, who is a designer for Rowan, is a great little book with kid-friendly patterns. See those tiger booties on the cover? Those are folded square style booties like the page 81 booties (free pattern on my sidebar) in Itty-Bitty Hats. There are super cute patterns throughout the book. I have no idea why or how I got two copies of this one.
Okay, I am throwing in tons of yarn for the lucky winner. This bunch includes Knit Picks Memories in, right to left, Redwood Forest, Smores and Hawaii, two skeins of each and it is sock yarn. The sock yarn on the far left is called Simple Stripes by Knit Picks, two balls. All beautiful, all in pristine condition just waiting to be knit by you, hopefully.
I am including two Amy Butler pattern cards for sewing. Going down the right side is a sheep tape measure from Simply Knitting, a tin of hot cinnamon tea (never been opened) and some knitter's hand balm from the Potter Craft booth at TNNA (never been opened).
Here is a bit more yarn for you. Knit Picks sock yarn called Parade, and Knit Picks Simple Stripes, two skeins of each of those. The center yarn is Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn and it looks like berries. All never been used and in perfect condition.
Shi Bui yarn is really making a splash lately. I got this free ball of Shi Bui Sock at TNNA. It is a full ball and it is a glorious rainbow...and I'm throwing it in.
Here is something really great I want to give to you. I am sending off 16 balls of Classic Elite's Zelda in the banana colorway, which is muted and luscious. It is a soft, thick and thin yarn of 70% wool/30% linen, 75 yards per ball. It is knitted at 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 stitches per inch on US 7-9 needles. It is a sweater's worth of yarn for sure and it is in perfect condition.
I am including this Classic Elite pattern booklet for Zelda that contains patterns for all four of the sweaters on the cover. They are all classic styles and quite lovely. I was going to knit the bottom right hand sweater. It has a beautiful cable running up the front and an A-line shape. I just never have gotten around to it.
Last but not least, I am sending off this brand-new Jordana Paige messenger bag. It has never been used, not once. I bought it one to two years ago and it just isn't right for me. It is a great bag with tons of pockets inside designed for knitters, zipper enclosures and pattern a slot and much more. It holds a ton of stuff, it's like it expands as you fill it.
All of Jordana's bags are a treat with great attention to detail.
I am stuffing it full and sending it off to one lucky winner. If you don't want something I have included just pass it along to someone else or donate it to a local charity. I was going to donate a bunch of this stuff but then I thought I would share the love with you first, dear Knitters.

Okay, so here are the rules:
1. Make a comment to this post. I prefer comments instead of emails please, that got a little too crazy to keep track of last time. You can just say hi but be sure to leave your name or your blogger name or something identifying. Please don't leave anonymous comments and please don't comment more than once (I know sometimes that is an accident).

2. Due to the size and weight of the giveaway the shipping costs are going to be quite high. Therefore I am limiting the entries to mailing addresses in the United States and Canada. Sorry worldwide friends but I need groceries around here:)

3. Leave your comment by Tuesday, July 15th, 12:00am, midnight, to be eligible to win.

4. I will select a winner using a random number generator and will post the winning comment on Wednesday, July 16th. The winner will then need to contact me by the end of the week (Friday, July 18th) to send me their mailing address. If the winner hasn't contacted me by Friday, I will select a new winner.

I think that should do it.

Good luck, Knitters. I am so excited to see who wins this one.

If you don't win I have more and very different stuff to giveaway soon.
best, susie

By George...

...I think she's got it.
Hi Knitters,
That's right, I finished up the Anne scarf this morning. After muddling through a few false starts I was determined to figure this thing out for good. I have a real newsflash when I tell you that the pattern was right and I just needed to trust and follow blindly. It worked like a charm. Thank you for a beautiful pattern and chart, MK Carroll.
I used Blue Sky Alpaca dyed cotton in a pumpkin color and I think a size G crochet hook. The pattern and my inspiration are both found here. For more inspiring pictures look here. Phew, those are pretty in her own handspun and hand dyed yarns. I wish I had some of that.
Mine's pretty, too, but in a different way.
My version of Anne is a gift for a sweet friend of mine. I can't wait to give it to her. I am definitely making more of these.

Okay, the business of the giveaway I promised in the last post is this. I have so much stuff to give away that I am debating on how I should do it. Should I do some separate smaller giveaways or one big blow-out giveaway? I am leaning toward the one large giveaway. I just have to photograph the stuff and I hope to do that tomorrow and get that up for the weekend.

In the meantime I couldn't wait to share my scarf. I feel accomplished today with my crochet even though this was incredibly simple. Anyone could crochet this pattern. You should give it a try.

best, susie

Back to Yarn

Hi Knitters,
I want to share with you a piece from the past. Do any of you own Rowan Children? It came out in 1989 and I am pretty sure it went out of print shortly after. This was another one of those dream-inspiring books. There are only twelve designs but really it had potential for many more. The booklet provided basic shapes but then any variety of patterns or colorwork could be placed into the sweaters. A skirt and hat pattern are included but it is mainly sweater patterns.
I love all of the sweaters included, Annabel Fox did an extraordinary job. Early on I was incredibly drawn to color-work. I was mesmerized by intarsia and fair-isle. You can see my love because the pages are tattered and torn and the book creases are covered with pieces of scotch tape. Due to the lack of material available at that time I nearly wore out everything I owned. That was fun, now I have too much to look at. I miss that kind of focus and cherishing.

I knitted 2 sweaters from the book, one for my niece and one for my son. I will try to find a picture of the sweater I knitted for my son. There is a great dragon design by Annabel where the tail of the dragon weaves around the body of the sweater. I initially was going to make the dragon but instead I knitted a plain sweater and duplicate stitched little people holding hands all around the tummy. It was really cute. I know I have a picture of him wearing that one.
This is the sweater I knitted for my niece. It is called Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary. Great name, I love it.
Here is my version. She is working hard to hold the sweater up with her chin, little sweetheart. It is crazy to believe that she is 20 years-old now. I asked my sister if she still had the sweater but she is not sure what happened to Mary, Mary. I knitted it in Tahki Cotton Classic. I bought the yarn and the booklet at a local yarn shop called Yarn It All on University Ave. It closed long ago. I liked that store because they carried Rowan (which makes me wonder why the Cotton Classic). Yarn It All was like a treasure trove.

I love all of this knitting stuff from the past. It is good to remember and think about your past knitting. I enjoy hearing about your past knitting, too.
Okay, go ahead and laugh.
Granny update: 84
Last update: 81
You know I think it's funny to share my pathetic square progress. It's so lame.
This scarf is not lame. I have started it about 5 times now. It is simple but I can't get the motifs connected correctly. I seriously can't figure out my problem. Ugh. I wanted to be like her but it may not happen for me. It is a beautifully written pattern, believe me it's just me. Lame.
One more thing, I have another hat pattern that I will make available on the blog very soon. I just have to wrangle my son to sit down for a bit to help me and that is no easy task. This is one of my favorite boy hats ever. It was inspired by a trip to Boston where everything I saw seemed to have a little red wagon on it. Thus it is named, Little Red Wagon. I know, clever.

I originally made this design for Itty-Bitty Hats and it didn't get in the book. There were probably over 20 hats that didn't get in the book for one reason or another.
I dream of writing another Itty-Bitty Hats someday. I should probably save these patterns with that in mind but then they are just sitting around unused. I'd rather share some of them now.

I have a couple of fun links for you: here and here. Love them both.

Hey, by the way, I am having a giveaway for the next post. Be sure to check back to see if you are interested in entering.

Good Wednesday, Knitters. It is a beautiful one.
best, susie
p.s. I forgot something important. The Itty-Bitty Nursery Trunk Show is off to a new location:
Woolplay

Nadine

22 N. Haddon Ave

Haddonfield, NJ 08033

nadine@woolplay.com

856.428.0110

Arrive: July 10

Depart: July 22

Be sure to check it out if you are in the area:)

Twelve

Hi Knitters,
My daughter turned twelve this weekend. When she was born I already had two sons. I had my mind set that this baby would be another boy. I don't know why, it was just a feeling. I love having boys but I always wanted to have a daughter in the worst way. I love little girls.
She was born at around 8pm and we were simply shocked to have a girl. I was so excited about her, beyond words. When I called my mom (who was taking care of my sons) to tell her we had a girl I cried, hard. I could barely get the words out. I couldn't even sleep or close my eyes that night due to sheer happiness. I didn't want to take my eyes off her for a second. I will never forget that feeling, it was pure joy.

I still can't believe my good fortune.

Have a good Monday, Knitters.
best, susie

The Fairy Life

Hi Knitters,
Behind a large bleeding heart bush in our backyard are two brand-new fairy houses.
My fairy-loving daughter and I constructed an archway out of an old basket handle. We wound pieces from her collection of natural wonders around the arch. I wound some green cotton around the archway to hold the stems in place. This will be placed at the entry way to one of the fairy homes.
This house was made out of an old birdhouse I had sitting in my studio. We covered it with pieces of birch bark and leaves. The roof is covered with flowers and some hay-like stuff I had in my studio. Where I got that I'll never know.
The house is sitting upon a terracotta pot covered with leaves. While all of this was drying my daughter built another fairy house using other finds from her collection. We used glue and a staple gun to apply the pieces to the house.
This house is made from sticks tied together up top to form a tent-like structure. Included here are seashells, pine cones, rocks and feathers. Some sand from the sandbox forms the path to the door. There is a seashell bed with a cut piece of white fleece for the fairy pillow and blanket.
After the birdhouse dried it was placed on the other side of the bleeding heart.
Now we'll just have to wait and see....
...if any fairies claim these for their homes, fingers crossed.

I wish I was 9.
best, susie

A Good Book and Mish-Mash

Hi Knitters,
Let's start with a good book. Now, I have to admit that I am not a knitalong knitter. I am more of a knitalone knitter. I love being around knitters but somehow I have never been involved in group knitting much at all. Knitalong, by Larissa and Martin John Brown, is a book focused on the phenomenon of group knitting, the history and the current internet explosion which makes group knitting even easier.

The knitalong topic is not what interests me in the book. I bought the book for the super-cool projects. In fact, I haven't even read much of the text in the book. However, I have tagged 11 fantastic projects that I would love to knit. That's a lot for one book. If you are interested in reading about knitalongs and their history, this is the book for you. If you are interested in amazing, fun, challenging and original projects, this is the book for you. If you are interested in both of these topics, well, here you go, you've struck it rich. The photography for the most part is by Michael Crouse unless otherwise noted. It is creative and interesting and well done.

The thing I did do is to listen to a great interview of the authors on the podcast, Craftsanity. The interview is a wonderful listen and the authors' enthusiasm and love for their book is true and clear. They are completely endearing.
One project I want to knit is the Victorian Baby Bonnet. It is knitted out of Tahki Cotton Classic, 1 hank is all that is needed. It is a gorgeous little project. Doesn't that make you want to dive in?
The Felted Peace Crane has to be done. What a good stash buster.
The Meathead Hat is one project I had heard of before the book. The creativity knitters have shown with this simple hat is a drawing point for sure. I have to make a few of these at some point.
I have such a thing for pincushions, love them. This is the Recycled Sweater Pincushion. I need to make a few of these. I already have the sweaters felted.
Last but not least, the Barn-Raising Quilt is next in line for me after the granny square quilt is completed. I knew I was saving all of that sock yarn for something. The crazier the yarn, the better. What a perfect project. Can't wait.

Knitalong is a collection of patterns, ideas and information. I think it is a good investment and anyone who knits will get something valuable out it. I know I have.
Now for some mish. The Quadrilla marble set has come out again in force. Some new pieces and an extender set have been added to our basic set. You know, every grandma may want to get a Quadrilla set. I can't think of a better, more special toy set to have when kids are around. It can occupy kids in a healthy way for hours.
The Collector is at it again, actually she has never stopped. This is on our front step right now. Today we are starting to build a fairy house in our backyard so she has been collecting with that in mind. Hopefully the rain will hold off.
Now don't laugh.
Granny square update: 81
Last update: 78
I haven't had much time to work on my squares. When I get to 90 I will be half-way. That's not far off.

Here are some things I am thinking about:
Foam-erators
Podcast Love
The Best New Bags Ever (I've already ordered, will share more when I get them. Yes, I said them.)

Now for some mash. Yesterday I was on Ravelry and an advertisement for a knitting site popped up on the sidebar. I clicked on it and much to my dismay I landed on a site selling a couple of kits and patterns that are clearly my designs. Ugh. This kind of stuff is definitely the mash part of mish-mash.

Mish-mash on, Knitters.
best, susie

Start and Finish

Hi Knitters,
It's a Sunday for fresh starts and overdue finishes. I've decided what the Blue Sky Dyed Cotton is going to turn into. The picture holds a clue but I know what you may be thinking and it isn't a flower.
The project is going to be part of the beginner chapter in the toy book. So far I have a couple of good solid beginner projects completed but I need a couple more. One thing about an easy project with simple shapes is that it has to remain appealing for experienced knitters as well. Meaning it shouldn't end up looking like a beginner project in the end. You want something that you would want to give as a gift, something that makes you proud, something impressive, but it still has to be easy. For these reasons the beginner projects are the hardest to design of all. Advanced projects have no limitations, you can pull out all the punches at any time.
With gorgeous yarn in your hands half the battle is won. How can I go wrong with colors like that? Wish me luck. It's easy construction day, all day. I am thinking the knit stitch, double-pointed needles (an introduction for knitting in the round and casting on), learning how to make 1 (m1), knitting 2 stitches together (k2tog), and that's it. That doesn't sound scary, right?
Speaking of starting, my daughter started this scarf out of some left over Koigu Kersti. The start of the scarf is this funny loopy stitch (it's not showing up well) that I have used on a couple of toys for hair. She insisted on learning how to do the stitch. I taught her even though I didn't think she would get it down. I learned something here, never underestimate a beginner with want. She was looping left and right before I knew it.
On to some finishing that happened this morning, the same daughter (aka The Collector) grew this onion. She started growing it at school in a cup filled with sand. She brought it home and planted it in a pot in the yard. This morning she came in carrying her creation.
She loved the roots so much and of course thought they looked like hair. A face had to be added, no question. We both enjoyed the strong aroma of the onion. I love the smell of onions. I love eating them, too.
Another finished project is the Trekking XXL #134 peds. I finished up the toe early this morning. Luckily, it is a cool day here and I am actually enjoying wearing the wool socks in June no less. Go figure.
They look like popsicles or cotton candy or sherbet or summer....

The trunk show is off to a good start I hope. The first stop is here:

Sit n' Knit

Barbara Fabian

55 Wintonbury Mall

Bloomfield, CT 6002

barbara@sit-n-knit.com

860.232.9276

Arrive: June 26

Depart: July 8

The site for this shop is here. If you are in the area go check it out! Get in touch with Barbara if you have any questions. I didn't get time yesterday to get the entire list up on the sidebar but it is coming, I promise. Also, someone wrote in to ask if the trunk show is going to be in Madison and the answer is no. Who knows why.

Hey, if you want to see some cool crochet projects combining fabric and other things look here. Seriously, scroll down. She has a great free pattern, too. I love it and I want to make one for myself.

Take care on this last Sunday in June. Try to start or finish something today and let me know.

best, susie

Good Morning, Pickle

Hi Knitters,
I have finished up another project this morning for the book so now I take a deep breath and begin to think about the next one. There is always so much to consider. This collection has kind of emerged from groups or chapters. When I first wrote up the proposal there were chapters and then a list of projects for each chapter. Then when I get to actually making the projects there is always something new that occurs to me as I work. It changes.

What I love most about writing books is the freedom. I am let go to create and think and to see what happens. That breeds creativity where one thing leads to another. So this morning I pulled out the squishiest, most beautiful cotton I have ever encountered, Blue Sky Dyed Cotton. People who don't enjoy cotton may have not tried the Blue Sky Alpacas cotton lines. It is all dreamy and a half.

The color names are honeydew, lotus, poppy, orchid, caribbean, ladybug and best of all, pickle. Who doesn't love pickle? It will be a good morning. That's my pickle on the side (in the striped pajama pants).
So I am back on my computer all fixed and slick and fast. All of my photos from the past, are back at my fingertips and that feels good. I was most worried about the photos being gone forever, our life's documentation, but all is good. Now I need to get those saved properly.

On to some news, the Itty-Bitty Nursery Trunk Show is underway. As soon as I get a chance later today I am going to post the locations and dates on my sidebar. I'd love to hear from the shops as the trunk show progresses. Even better, I'd love to see some pictures along the way. Please send them and I will post them here for all to enjoy. Also, I would love to give a plug to the various shops hosting. I hope all goes smoothly. What a great idea by Jaime, she's such a smart pickle.

Okay, if you are knitting the ladybug hat or the bumble bee hat (see sidebar for patterns), you have to check this out and it is free. Wouldn't that make the best tiny gift to add to the hat? You could use your left overs. She is one good knitter just look at this and this.

Here is the cutest baby ever and I want to make these animal crackers. That has to be done.

You should read this blog if you are interested in southern farm life, animals, spinning, dying, knitting and cooking. This is a good and talented woman, I know first-hand.

Off into the weekend we go, it's going fast.
best, susie

Party Planner

Hi Knitters,
I have been the party planner these last few days. My daughter has officially turned 9 and she has officially had four parties to celebrate. I'm not bragging for her or anything, it is just the way it always turns out. We have different extended-family parties, our own quiet family party and then a friend party. Is that crazy? I am exhausted. Party planning is not my calling in any way, shape or form. Honestly, I am much more of a party avoider.

My friend Betz has a super tutorial for sponge balls. As soon as I saw these I knew they were happening at my house. The good thing about a summer birthday is that water is usually involved. The grand finale was a pool party for my daughter's friends, some neighbors and a couple of cousins. The sponge balls were the hit of the party. Thanks for sharing, Betz.
See, the sponge balls soak up the water which makes them great for throwing and splatting. My sister thought they looked like gobstoppers, Willy Wonka style. Some of the sponge balls were over-taken by a group of of older teens while we were at the pool. I thought that was pretty funny. They loved them as much as the little kids. That's the sign of a true hit.

The party bags were stuffed with treats and toys. I have learned over the years that what's in the bag is more important than the bag itself which usually gets tossed aside. We just used brown lunch bags that we already had and tied on some curly ribbon. When I was tying up and scrunching the bags I couldn't help but to think of a certain hat. Yep, it's right there on the cover, the pink paper bag. See that big container of gum? We've all been chewing so much Dubble Bubble around here that our jaws hurt. That's got to stop. It's not attractive.
This was party number two. We made vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. I made a second batch just the same for the pool party.
The first party involved a Dairy Queen cake entitled, Chocolate Extreme. The eating has to stop or more realistically, slow down. We had pizza, ate out at a local diner, had a party platter of subs, a breakfast feast including sweet rolls and eggs...and I loved it all. That's the problem.

Okay, now I get to catch my breath for about a week until my other daughter has her birthday. That will include a sleepover with a few twelve year olds, fireworks, a cookout or two and more and more eating. And I will love it all again.

The knitting work is still going on strong. I have a couple of new books to review. It's already Tuesday, Knitters, hope you are having a good week so far.
best, susie

Flower Pacifier Clip

Hi Knitters,
I have had a few questions about the double knitting technique used in Itty-Bitty Nursery to make various projects like the flower pacifier clip (free pattern!) also available on the sidebar, the on-the-go tote and the feet and hands for the garden mice. I love this technique because it allows you to knit two sides at once instead of knitting separate pieces and then seaming them together. You are actually knitting a tube with back and forth row knitting. This is an easy technique to add to your repertoire. You can do this one with ease.

This is a short three minute video because that's how simple it is to double-knit. I hope this helps a bit.

Hope you are having a nice Sunday, Knitters.
best, susie

One-Skein Bunnies

Hi Knitters,
I am so excited to see the Organic Bunnies I made for the new edition of 101 One-Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant, made the cover. The Storey Publishing fall catalog just came out and Jaime (my one-of-a-kind book publicist from Artisan) sent me a copy. What a great book list Storey has to offer. The bunnies are also on the table of contents page in the catalog, shown above. You can see them better in this larger photo.

This upcoming version of the 101 One-Skein Wonders books is featuring luxury yarns which includes organic yarns. I picked my favorite cotton, the Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton, in three of the naturally dyed shades. I think the colors are called sage, nut and natural. Of course it takes way less than one skein to complete a single bunny. The organic shades look so beautiful together that I just had to make three of them.

I loved these organic bunnies so much after I knitted them that I was really tempted to keep them for my own upcoming toy book. I am extra glad to see them again because I kept wondering if I should have hung on to the bunnies for myself. They found a good new home.

The other one skein books are wonderful. If you don't have them you really should check them out. I have both of them and I think they have a fantastic mix of projects to offer. I can't wait to see what the newest version holds. It is a beautiful cover and it is now available for pre-order on amazon with the release date set for October 2008.

Below is the cover as seen in the catalog. I love the feel of it, so creamy and natural looking, this is a good one. They even threw a cute baby on the cover, that never misses. I am anxiously awaiting the release of Judith's new book. I am sure yarn shop owners are racing to order this one for their stores, too.

Have a great Friday, Knitters. Yay for the weekend. This week really needs to end:)
best, susie