Updates

Hi Knitters,

Here are some quick updates for you. I am plugging away on the sleeves for the Camp Hoodie Knitalong. I've made some fun and simple modifications to the original. I switched out the fair isle pattern, took out the waist shaping, took off the hood and now I am adding sleeves that are picked up and knit down in the round. I think it is so fun to explore how much you can change a simple pattern and make it your own through a few easy modifications. It's turning out pretty cute!

For more information on the knitalong (you can still join in anytime, we just got started and many haven't started yet) or to follow along please jump over to my other blog, Spud says! (click here).
I finished the Baktus shawl out of the Zauberball. Love it! Google away or look it up on Ravelry for the yarn and free pattern.
I've already worn it quite a bit.
I added a knit through the back loop on my yarn overs because I like the lacy edging and it was easier to keep track of what row I was on for the increases and decreases with the hole in the edge.
It's always a thrill to have a new knitted piece to wear.
I spun up this gigantic hank of Sunshine Yarns roving in the colorway called, Winter Song. It is the bounciest hank of yumminess ever. This hank is 8 oz. and really, it is big!
I am making everyone in my house hold my huge Winter Song hank of handspun. They all love it and rub it on their cheeks. My husband and TC both carried it like a baby in the crook of their arms at separate times. Gotta love those two.

You know for the spinning I am getting better at being more even at times but what I really love about my handpun yarn is the crazy stuff. The fluffy bits and pieces that aren't so uniform and the plying that is incredibly imperfect. If I wanted perfect yarn I would just buy it. This yarn has character and silliness and that's what I love the most about it. I hope I don't ever lose that in the spinning, like become too good at it so the yarn is perfect. That's how I feel about it now. I have always had a fondness for the imperfections of handmade things because they are deeply endearing.

Have a beautiful Sunday.

best, susie

It Never Gets Old

Hi Knitters,

You'd think this knitting thing would get old after awhile. It has been going on for decades. For some reason it doesn't wear out its welcome. I am continually fascinated. I made a quick hat out of my handspun yarn. I love it so much. The hardest part of using my amateurish handspun was that I couldn't quite figure out the gauge.
My highly rustic handspun varies from very thick to very thin and not on purpose. I started and ripped back three or four times with varying stitch counts and different size needles. I finally used a US size 10 and I probably could have ended up casting on maybe four more stitches or so to start. Still it turned out really cute and it will be worn by many.
I kind of love this spinning thing along with the knitting. It's plain old fun and it adds a new twist for me.
My knitting protegé Miss Molly (my son's girlfriend) has whipped up two pairs of mittens over the last couple of weeks. She used the aptly titled, Molly's Mittens, pattern. Of course she caught on to all things mitten like the speed of light. She made a red pair for her brother and this raspberry striped pair for her sister. I love how she is immediately knitting for her loved ones. She is really something.

I have this mitten pattern available for purchase and download on my Ravelry shop! Click here for more information.
Molly is already onto a scarf for her best friend. She is knitting a ribbed scarf out of this gorgeous yarn, Rowan Colourscape. I happened to have two hanks of this sitting in my studio just waiting to be used. This yarn has been taking up space for a long time. I think it is magnificent and I can't wait to see the finished scarf. I will probably have to get some more Colourscape to make some sort of scarf for myself after I see Molly's version.

I love to see a young talented person like Molly take off with knitting. Each project is a new adventure and learning something new is around every corner. Wait, that's how it is for this not so young knitter, too.

Like I said, it never gets old.

I have a new free pattern for an adorable hat on Spud says! Click here to see the pattern!

best, susie

p.s. I started a fun knitalong for the Camp Hoodie over on Spud says! Come join in the fun if you are able. Click here for the details.

p.p.s. I have two new instructional videos on fair isle knitting and a simple embroidery technique used on the Camp Hoodie. Click here for all of my videos on youtube.

One Down and Link Time

Hi Knitters,

This will be my last installment in my sock saga for awhile. I have to get on with my real knitting for a bit as there is so much to get done coming up here. My sock is inspired from these beautiful socks.

I love how this has turned out. The toe for the next sock will sport the two shades of green.

The toe I finished up early this morning.
The colors are the best. I used Spud & Chloë Fine in the following colorways going down the sock:

Shitake (main color)

Sassafras

Tutu

Goldfish

Bumble Bee

Cricket

Glow Worm

Anemone

Calypso

I've had quite a few people ask for the colors so there you go!

I can't wait to get the other one done so I have a new pair of handknit socks. My handknit sock drawer is getting thinner by the day. Especially since TC discovered handknit socks are perfect to wear inside her ice skates. Trouble.

Here are some fun links for you today to start the week:

Check out this fantastic way to cast on to start on dpns with a small number of stitches.

Did you see the Big Herringbone Cowl? Yummy!

Schact Sidekick footage - pretty exciting.

I ordered some of these fabrics...

Yarn Bowls beautifully done.

Debbie Stoller on CBS Sunday Morning

Stitched children's book illustrations - I love this.

I love Hannah Fettig so much! She's a knitting star. I'd love to knit everything she designs.

Amanda Soule's year of sweater knitting.

One of my sweet knitting buddies started her own blog - please give her some love!

Check out these gorgeous knitted pears from my S&C pattern. Yum again.

I've always wanted to make this hat but I never do!

I want to make this and this from the new knitty.

Oh, and I love this hat from knitty, too.

That's enough for now. I have caught the most miserable cold. I can't stand to be around myself for all of the hacking and blowing going on. I hope you are all faring much better than me this week.

best, susie

To Each Her Own

Hi Knitters,

Well, I ripped out the afterthought heel and that felt good. I quickly got my trusty heel flap and gusset in place. That feels even better.

I think it is funny and wonderful how people have such strong feelings about the type of sock they call their own. Is it top down, magic loop, toe up, double-pointed needles, long cuff, short cuff, heel flap, gusset, afterthought, short row or every innovative creation in between? The truth of the matter is that it can be any of those things and more. I am a huge fan of finding what's right and feels good for you! That's what works best then. 100%.

For me that means top-down, heel flap, gusset socks knit on 4 double-pointed needles. That's what makes me happy. The only way to discover your own favorite is to try other options. I love trying new things. That's what makes knitting endlessly fun and interesting.

Jasmin from the Knitmore Girls podcast wrote a comment asking if I used 50% or 60% of the stitches for the afterthought heel. I had forgotten that she had a discussion about using 60% on her podcast. I used 50% because my memory failed me on that point. I totally agree that 60% would have worked much better on my sock because the heel really was too shallow and that would have added some needed length. It's a good thought to remember if you are going to try the afterthought heel. I still believe that even if I had used 60% of the stitches I would not have kept it in. I, for whatever reason, find the heel flap and gusset more visually pleasing. I may just be more used to it. Who knows. I do think the afterthought heel would look good with striping sock yarn creating a bulls-eye for the heel. Maybe someday I'll come back and give it another try.

I am about halfway through the foot at this point. Hope you are having a good weekend. We are up to our eyeballs in swim meets. What's happening with you this weekend?

best, susie

p.s. I never, ever miss an episode of the Knitmore girls podcast. Jasmin does the podcast along with her mom, Gigi. They have a perfect rapport and conversational style. The two are sweet together in a warm mother-daughter way. I enjoy that. They are both super smart and voracious knitters, Gigi is a seamstress and quilter, Jasmin is an adept spinner and they love to eat at fun restaurants. I love hearing about their eating adventures. They also have interviewed some of the most interesting and clever knitters on earth. You should go and subscribe on itunes or hop on over to the Knitmore Girls podcast show notes to listen on your computer. They also have some terrific videos on youtube. The Knitmores also go to lots of the major knitting events and provide great insight into the goings on. I think you'd enjoy if you don't already! Oh, and click here to join or check out the huge following on their Ravelry group!

No Afterthoughts

Hi Knitters,

Well, I want to keep you posted on my heel study. Rather, on my failed heel study. I decided not to go any farther on the foot of my sock before I put the afterthought heel in just in case I didn't end up liking this style of heel. Boy, am I ever glad I did that because, honestly, I don't like this heel at all. It is too shallow and sort of unattractive and I can't imagine that it would fit well. I considered keeping it for about a minute or two and then I happily decided I would rip that afterthought heel right out. In its place I will put my good old-fashioned heel in and I will carry on with the rest of the sock as planned.

Thank goodness for stopping and trying new things out in the middle. Now I don't have to go back very far at all. I don't feel any disappointment in the afterthought heel only relief that I still love the heel flap - gusset style socks the best and that's always been what I use for my socks. I will continue on in this vein. Although it may not be exciting, the heel flap-gusset socks simply look good and fit great. What more do you need?

More to come very soon....

best, susie

A Heel is Held

Hi Knitters,

I have my afterthought heel placement all set. See the skinny orange line of stitches? That's where my heel will go after the rest of the sock is knit. Now I have 5 1/2 inches to work on the foot. I am subtracting 4 inches from the total length of my regular sock to start the toe, which is 9 1/2 inches. Then I will add the two-color toe at the end of the foot, pink on one sock, green on the other.

Click here to see my sock inspiration.

By the way, some have asked, I won't be writing up the pattern for these socks because my socks are directly inspired by someone else's socks. Although they aren't exactly the same, they are very similar and I wouldn't feel right about that. You can make your own socks by plugging in some colorful stripes into a basic rib sock pattern like this one. Voila! They are yours.
Next, I put my needles back in for the heel stitches and pull out the heel holding orange yarn. Work one more toe for the heel in the main color, Shitake. Done deal.

Do you think it will work? I am such a top-down-heel-flap-gusset kind of girl. I am a little worried. I'll keep you posted. I am loving those stripes though. Anyone who complains about weaving in a few (or a lot) of ends doesn't see the pure beauty in stripes. Those few moments of weaving in is worth every bit of time and more to me.

Stripes make me happy.

best, susie

Sock Love

Hi Knitters,

I have fallen in love with a pair of socks. Click here to see them. Aren't the originals glorious? I am making my own version and I can't wait to finish.

By the way, click here to see the rest of this wonderful knitter's flickr photos. She is amazingly inspiring. I love everything she makes.
I started thinking about the colors in Spud & Chloë Fine and how they would work in a slightly different version of these socks. I am pretty thrilled with how they are turning out. I must say that Fine is pretty fine. My sock is not exactly like the original but it has a similar feel to it with the striping.
I just started this morning and I am moving right along. I am working on US size 1 dpns. Usually I work on US 2's but it seems like my socks are always a little loose so I will try the smaller size needle to see if it helps. It should.

After the rib at the top of the cuff I am working one round knit and then the next round k3, p1 and then repeating. I am really excited to try an afterthought heel which I have never done before. I have been listening to the Knitmore Girls podcast and they keep talking about the afterthought heel. I have to give it a try, it sounds so easy. I hope I remember what they said on how to do this type of heel. I didn't write it down or anything but I will trust my memory. Fingers are crossed.

I'll keep you posted on my afterthoughts of the afterthought heel. I am definitely doing the toes in different colors like in the original pair. I am in desperate need of new knit socks. TC has been wearing all of my handknit socks this winter and she is not easy on things. We just cleaned out her drawer and I pulled out five pairs of handknit socks and one without its match (which I cannot find).

Packers are on, family is gathered, Kindle is charged and sock knitting is at the ready so I don't have to watch. What a Sunday.

best, susie

All in a Morning

Hi Knitters,

Oh, the hustle and bustle that goes on around here... I walked around my house and took photos this morning to share a brief glimpse into the goings on.

I received a big bundle of flowers this week as a kind thank you. I love having flowers around the house in the winter although it really doesn't happen all that often. This is why I love it all the more when it does happen.
That burst of color and the shades of green make me so happy.
I also enjoy arranging flowers and have no idea what I am doing but I pretend I do. I think this arrangement turned out pretty good. I like the leaves that are included.
TC's plugging away on this blanket she has been working on for a long, long while. You should hear her grumble about the final ball of yarn she needs to finish to make it the right size. It makes me laugh. Grumble, grumble. She is like an old, seasoned knitter.
My son's girlfriend brought over a huge bin of stamps last night and the kids old and young gathered around and stamped cards of all sorts. Seeing all of her stamps and ink pads makes me want to collect stamps. I love it when she gives me a hand-stamped card. I always save them or hang them up.
The imperfections are what make these cards so sweet.
TC's gearing up already for Valentine's Day. Seems too soon.
TC is determined to read all of the Babysitter's Club books and there are well over 100 of them. She is on the third one right now. She ordered a bunch more of used copies in the series at an incredibly low price. My son helped her search them out. I am not sure where they ordered but she is really excited about it.
TC also got a Crayola Crayon Maker for Christmas. She has been crayon making crazy ever since. This is a good and fun one from Crayola. My sister brought over a huge freezer bag filled with old broken crayons for her to make into new pointy crayons. She loves mixing up the colors. Mad scientist of color she is.

TC and Peachy are making banana chocolate chip pancakes for the crew this morning. They are a funny and sometimes bickering team. Bicker, bicker. This is what I say to them, "Quit your bickering." You can borrow that if you like.

Actually, this morning wasn't too bad. There isn't anyone else in the world you can bicker with like your sister. The next minute you are best friends again.

TC and I are reading this book together. We just sit and read a couple of chapters a day. We are almost done. There are a couple more books in this series and we will read those together, too. It is a super easy book and sometimes it is just nice to sit and read a simple book out loud together.

Oh, and in that old beat up bag of crayons TC unearthed a special glow in the dark crayon that truly works (we went in the bathroom and shut the door to try it out), an old harmonica that TC plays loudly and drives everyone nuts, and a mini-pack of cards. You just never know.
I've taken to putting a big bowl on the bench in the kitchen to store hats and mittens and gloves. It is so ridiculous but the kids come in and whip their knits down on this bench so there is no room to even sit down. I am often just trying to manage the mess it seems.
Peachy dropped her phone in the toilet last night. It ain't gonna work.
Oh, and here is that bin of stamping supplies. I love it. We are making more cards later today.
The sleeve I started on my Camp Hoodie is coming along slowly but nicely. I'll keep you posted on the progress.
This morning I was looking for a whole punch in a closet (don't ask) with TC by my side. She spotted a pack of brand new canvas bags in the closet that I had bought for a girl scout activity but never used. A short while later I walked in the living room and she had quietly created this piece of art. She's a maker. She told me this is her new knitting bag for her blanket.

Then she grumbled about how she is never going to finish.

What's going on in your house this morning?

best, susie

p.s. I got a new camera for Christmas that I am still trying to figure out. As I posted the photos for this entry I see that many of the more horizontal shots are cut off on the right side. I'll get it all figured out soon but if you want to see the whole photo just click on it and it will let you see the entire shot. Sorry about that.

All for Allegra

Hi Knitters,

Allegra Wermuth is becoming a force in the knitting world. She and Brandy Fortune (the photographer of these featured photos) are the co-founders of the always fabulous knitting for children and babies site, Petite Purls. The patterns and articles are all free! It's like Knitty for child and baby patterns. It's one of the best new sites to come on the internet in a long while.

Anyway, the reason for all of these accolades is that I am smitten with Allegra's new design, the Peek-a-Boo Hoodie. I asked Allegra if I could share it with you on here and she said sure.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Peek-a-Boo Hoodie! There are a lot more cute photos by Brandy to look at over on Ravelry.

Here is what Allegra says about this cute little jacket:

I wanted to design a sweet little swing coat with a hood that had an added element of surprise. I chose to add a surprise color to the inside front panel, sleeve cuffs and the hood, to give it a little pop! To me, the surprise color says “Peek-a-Boo”, just like the popular children’s game.

Tech Editing: Kristen TenDyke (click on her name to check out her amazing patterns and designs!)
Photography: Brandy Fortune (click on her name to visit Brandy's site, pixiepurls.com!)

The hood is worked in a double-knit technique which gives you a knit outside and inside at the same time. Pretty slick stuff!

Allegra has some other patterns of which I am a fan. The Boheme has been an incredibly popular baby cardigan pattern on Ravelry. The Boheme Mama is a garment I would like to knit for myself. I love this style. Both of these patterns have recently been updated which is always a good thing.

Anyhoo, Allegra is a good one to watch and follow. She has a lot up her knitting sleeve for the future. Be sure to check her out!
I want to invite you to participate in another knitalong I am hosting on my other blog, Spud says! We are knitting the Camp Hoodie together starting in a couple of weeks. The vest is knit in the wonderful Spud & Chloë Sweater, which has terrific color choices and potential combinations. The vest you see in these photos is an updated version without the hood and a different fair isle pattern on the body. I am now adding sleeves for another option I will share as well. You could do a one color vest without the fair isle section, too. It is a really fun and fast little knit.
Here is the link to Spud says! where I am previewing the knitalong!

Here is the link to the Ravelry project page for the Camp Hoodie!

The pattern for the Camp Hoodie is a printed pattern through Spud & Chloë that you can purchase at your local yarn shop that carries Spud & Chloë or an online shop like Loop, The Wool Cabin (calls only), Webs, Purl, Jimmy Beans Wool, Angelfire Studios, Jessica Knits... the list is endless. There is also a very helpful stockists page on our site. Click here for a list of stockists near you! Also, if your local yarn shop doesn't have this pattern on-hand they can easily order it for you, no problem at all. You will get it very quickly.

Merri, a designer/staff member at Spud & Chloë made a gorgeous Camp Hoodie for her 13 year-old daughter (she may be 12?) that has a zipper up the front. It is really cute and Merri has provided instructions for doing her version as well. There are lots of options and I can't wait to see what all of you will come up with, too.

I hope you will join in the fun. I will be posting pattern tips, instructional videos, photo updates, sleeve ideas and camaraderie along the way! We'll have a great time knitting together.

That's it for today. I've got to get back to my knitting.

best, susie

Come Skate Away

Hi Knitters,

The winner of Vogue Knitting Mittens and Gloves is JFibers and here is her comment:

JFibers said...

Love it!!! So many cool mitten patterns to chose from! Thanks for offering a fabulous giveaway!
greenlady on ravelry

December 30, 2010

I am waiting to hear from Jen to gather her mailing address. My email is on the sidebar. Thank you to everyone who entered! I'll have another giveaway very soon.

Winter break is over as the kids are back in school. It was all fast and furious. I feel like we used every moment of the last couple of weeks to the fullest. Loads of family, friends, eating, laughing and giving was had by all. I wouldn't wish it any other way.

One afternoon we headed out to a local outdoor skating rink complete with a warming house and bridges to skate under. The maintained rink is sort of a bay area connected to a small lake. The setting is very storybook-like. I used to skate here as a child so it brings back lots of memories. We had so much fun that afternoon. I wish I could skate on this natural rink everyday!
My sister knit this Go Team! hat for her son. It matches his winter jacket perfectly. She lined the inside of the hat with fleece. It fits great and he absolutely loves it.Now we are just hoping he can hang onto it. This one tends to misplace or forget his things on occasion (all over the city:).
Have a good, good Monday, Knitters.

best, susie