Another Day in the Life

Hi Knitters,
Here is a quick 35 second video of one of the hikes TC and I have been taking lately. Click here if you are receiving this post in an email and can't see the video. I snapped the photos with my phone so they aren't the best.

After school we have been heading out into our nearby nature conservancy and other trails. Today my hands were filled with bark, moss and pinecones that she collected for some new fairy houses she is conjuring up. She has big plans for construction this spring and summer. I can't wait to see what she comes up with.

We clearly have spring fever.

Today is my mom's 80th birthday. I miss her.

best, susie
p.s. Do you see that finger sticking in the left side of the photo below? That was my grandma's signature move. Her finger was in nearly every shot. I love that.

Weaving by Angela

Hi Knitters,
Many years ago I started following a blog by a young woman who lives in New York City. She caught my eye as one to follow due to her energetic and talented crafting. She excels at many crafts, sewing, knitting, crochet, weaving, quilting and baking and cooking! She is also the mother of an adorable little girl. Yes, Angela's been busy crafting for years but just recently she has broken into the knitting design world and has quickly taken it by storm. You may recognize her blog, Oiyi's Crafts, but did you see her first cover on Knit Simple?

Angela has been featured in various magazines and books and now she has her own online class from Craftsy.com on Rigid Heddle Weaving. I have always wanted to learn to weave on a loom and now I have my chance. I hear that Craftsy.com is even selling the Cricket Looms and that is where I am getting mine! I can't wait to dive into Angela's weaving class. I love that Craftsy, they are doing so much for the crafting community.

I got the chance to meet Angela in person last June at TNNA and it was such a treat for me. She is as sweet and sunny and fun as you might imagine. Angela is really on the move as she is quickly rising to the top of the designer community because she works very, very hard at her crafts and teaching. I am just thrilled to see such a charming, smart and talented young designer take off!

Click here for her profile page on Ravelry!

Click here for Angela's designs on Ravelry!

Click here for Angela's fantastic blog!

Here is a blurb about the class from Angela from the Craftsy site:


A Note from Angela Tong, Instructor of Rigid Heddle Weaving

Weaving is more than fun. It's creative, relaxing, and rewarding. When you weave, you bring together different yarns and fabrics and unify them in a single, unique project. Weaving is versatile: Make clothes, accessories and home decor in fibers from plain to fancy. Even if you've never touched a loom before, I can teach you to make wonderful projects. My class will introduce you to two different looms, and guide you through preparation, the weaving process, and a range of finishing techniques. Enroll in this class, and we'll have fun and weave beautiful things!

What You Will Learn in Rigid Heddle Weaving

• How to set up, use, and maintain 10- and 24-inch looms
• How to create a warp
• How to calculate correct yardage
• How to use different fibers and colors in one project
• How to weave two towels at a time on a single warp
• How to produce plaid projects
• How to finish projects with trims and fringes

Projects You Will Make in Rigid Heddle Weaving

• A fresh, funky "stashbuster" scarf
• A set of plaid cotton tea towels
• Apply the techniques to make table runners, wraps, washcloths, and more

It's me again! Doesn't that sound fun? Plus, you can do it all right at home!  If you click right here you can get Angela's online course for 50% off!! It's usually $59.99 but for now it is $29.99! Craftsy runs sales off and on at different times for all of their courses so keep your eye out if you're interested.

Remember that you can watch the course at your own leisure and time frame. Once you purchase the online course it is always there for you. 

I hope I see you over on Craftsy! I have two online courses on Craftsy, too, The Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe and the Wee Ones Seamless Knit Toys classes. It is a fun site in general. They have pdf patterns for sale now, too. I have only uploaded two patterns for sale so far but I will get them all on my Craftsy pattern shop eventually.


By the way, I have to thank you for voting (if you did and still are) on the Favorite Knitting Blog/Website nomination on About.com. I really appreciate it!


I'll be back soon with lots more knitting stuff and patterns and books and projects and yarn...... I have so much to post about this week that I doubt I'll get it all in.


best, susie

Big and Little Acts of Kindness

 (Photo from last Sunday in Madison, a beautiful snowy spring day.)

Hi Knitters,
Well, I just had the nicest surprise! My buddy on Ravelry, Becky (gathersnomoss), let me know that my little blog has been nominated for a Favorite Knitting Blogger/Website Readers' Choice Award and it is because of you, the readers, taking the time to nominate me. I had no idea. I am so touched and honored. The write up on the site is incredibly kind and sweet. I am appreciative and a little overwhelmed at this unexpected happening. Thank you!

Click here to see the nomination for Favorite Knitting Blogger/Website Readers' Choice Awards on About.com! 

The competition is stiff to say the least. Now, I am nominated with Ravelry (the entire site, not the blog), Knitty (also the entire site, not the blog), The Yarn Harlot, and Yarnista. I think that is a hoot! It's like the little engine that could.

You can vote once a day through March 21st for your favorite. It doesn't have to be for me, I just appreciate the fact that I am nominated. So thank you to anyone who voted for the wonderful and kind nomination.

I've mentioned that I have been showered with unexpected kindness lately. There is something in the air I guess as I don't really have any other explanation for it. For example, a few years ago a woman contacted me on Ravelry. Her son was in a very serious and precarious health situation. She was having some very dark days. She was writing to tell me how while she was in the hospital waiting with her son she would read my blog and knit. The time spent on my blog was somehow comforting to her. She was thanking me for the distraction from her worries. 

I wrote her back and asked if I could send her a little something in the mail. Honestly, I can't even remember exactly what I sent her but I am sure it was some yarn and a pattern or some other fun knitting related items. She wrote me back a while later to tell me that her son pulled through and was doing well. I was so relieved.

Ever since that time, every once in a while I get a little package in the mail from this kind woman, Gabi. It is always unexpected. She makes the most beautiful handmade greeting cards and notecards. She has sent me stacks of them along with other things. I have been so lucky to be on the receiving end of her talents. I love how she handwrites a letter to me each time. The other day a package was delivered with this adorable hand-stitched beaded doughnut. It is just so sweet. I love the tag, too. She included a three page handwritten letter, like from an old long lost friend. I just love it. The letter is the sweetest little thing ever. 

Gabi's quiet, humble kindness reminds me of all of the good in people. She never asks for anything in return at all, nothing. Pure goodness.

It's these little things that mean so much, like getting a photo of a newborn baby in a handknit hat, or of the generous charity hat and toy knitting that constantly goes on all over the world, or of an elderly beloved grandma hugging a handmade knit toy, or a grandpa who is in a nursing home getting a knit lap blanket made from a baby blanket pattern, or the big group of Itty-Bitty Knitters (my forum group on Ravelry) gathering from all over the globe, literally, at Rhinebeck this fall to meet each other in person for the first time, or receiving a gigantic handknit patchwork blanket from this same group who I love so dearly....

These are the kinds of big and little things I will always remember about the past 6 years here on this blog. 

Knitters, you have changed my life for the better.

Thank you.

best, susie

Spin It Good

Hi Knitters (and Spinners),
I have been spinning a bit here and there. Last week I pulled out a Loop Bullseye Bump that I purchased a few months ago. I have been anxious to try this one out as it is kind of unique. The bumps are one of a kind and self-striping.

The fun thing is that it is a center pull bump with a generous weight of 5.4 oz. The colorway is named a very fitting, Mediterranean Sun. I adore spinning this one as it doesn't need any pre-drafting and it is just nice to have it come to you and be ready to spin right off the bat (or batt). It is spinning up very fine.

I'll keep you posted as I finish this. I have a new thing I am trying for the plying so it should be interesting. My first bobbin of singles is full and so I had to start a second bobbin but pull from the outside of the bump to keep the striping in order when I ply. That made me stop and think for a minute to work that out.

Click here for the Loop etsy shop!

Here is another fun spin that I finished up. One of my favorite indie dyers, Rachel, of Dyeabolical Yarns, put up these sparkle batts and I just had to try one out. I haven't spun from a batt or with sparkle fiber before so this was a new experience. The batt contains 4 oz. of bfl wool, merino wool, tussah silk and firestar (the sparkly stuff) all blended together.

I just pulled the batts apart into strips and started spinning, no pre-drafting. I used the larger whorl on my Ladybug to get a heavier weight yarn. I envisioned something kind of rustic and textured and that's what I got.

This is the first half spun up waiting to by plied.

And here is the final product! I did a simple 2-ply. Isn't it gorgeous? It really turned into a bouncy, squishy worsted weight yarn. After I gave it a long bath in Soak and let it dry for a couple of days it plumped up so much. It is almost like a different yarn after the wash. It smells sooooo good, too, Sola Soak Wash.

The colors are fun and interesting. I especially like the peeks of orange and the lime green, spectacular! I got 186 yards of worsted weight out of the 4 oz. I spun this up so fast and furiously. I just love the end result. It's funny because you really can't see the sparkle in the photos at all, it is subtle in person as well but if the light hits it just right you can definitely see the firestar throughout the yarn.

I caked it right up and cast on a project. That project is already done and I am writing up the pattern. I also cast on another version worked up in Malabrigo worsted so there is a comparable easy to find yarn to make the pattern. As soon as that sample is done I will get the pattern up and available for you!

At the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival last May of 2011 I purchased some braids of roving from the Dyeabolical booth. It was so great to get to see everything in person. Rachel, the owner and dyer, suggested combining these two different colorways and I thought that sounded pretty interesting. The best part of spinning for me is trying all kinds of new things and techniques.

Above are the two 4 oz. braids I spun as singles and then plied together to make a gigantic 2-ply hank of yarn. Both braids were 100% superwash merino wool top.

I pre-drafted to make these gigantic wound balls to spin from.  They are so fluffy and weightless to hold  when wound up like this.

Here are the more purple/blue/magenta singles on the bobbin.

 Here are the more tan/green/blue singles on the bobbin....

Well, here is what I ended up with! It's a gigantic, fun, amazing hank of 1,056 yards of fingering weight handspun! TC made the tag for me which I love.

This was an epic spin for me because of the huge yardage. I am going to make La La's Thin Ice Shawl with this. I've purchased the pattern and have it printed out and ready to go. The pattern calls for around 800 yards of a fingering weight so either I will make it bigger to use up the yardage, but it is already a super big shawl, or I will make a hat with the leftover.  We'll see. I will cast on as soon as I finish up a couple of shawls I am currently working on.

I love the end result. It is pretty crazy. I think the main color turned out to be blue which I didn't really get from the braids. It's sometimes surprising what the end yarn looks like compared to the roving at the start.

 

Here are my two spun babies together. You can see how gigantic the fingering weight 8 oz.  hank turned out when next to the 4 oz. worsted weight. Whoa.

Click here for the Dyeabolical Yarns and Spinning Fibers website!

Is anyone spinning anything out there? I'd love to hear about it!

Guess what? I'm almost done editing my manuscript for the first run. Whoot! I am on the last pattern this morning. I still have so much work to do on this book that I can't even think about it. So. Much. Left. To. Do.

Book making is an incredibly slow and long process so patience is a good thing.

Happy Tuesday, Knitters and Spinners!
best, susie

Try It On As You Go

Hi Knitters,
I want to share a quick progress shot on my latest cardigan project. Hannah Fettig's Calligraphy Cardigan is moving along. I am knitting with Tosh DK in the Thunderstorm colorway on US size 6 Signature Needles, 24-inch circulars.

I separated the sleeves and placed the stitches on waste yarn. Now I am cruising on down for the body. This could not be a simpler, more straightforward cardigan pattern and who doesn't love a good stockinette stitch cardigan with some heavy-duty ribbed edgings? I know I do!

So as you can see I think it is going to fit really well. All is good. One of the best features of a top-down garment is that you are able to try it on as you go to see if it fits or if the length is good before binding off. Recently, I heard about a new and inexpensive tool to help make the trying on as you go a little easier.

Usually, I work on a 24-inch circular needle so when I try things on I have to place all of the stitches on a piece of scrap yarn so it will fit around my body. After I try the garment on I have to put all of the stitches back on the needles to start working again. This can be a tedious process.

I was listening to a couple of knitting podcasts and I heard them talking about Try-It-On Tubing which enables you to leave the stitches on the needles while you try on your in progress knits. I thought this would be a good thing and I was right! The tubing comes in the little bags you see above with directions inside.

Click here to see more information or to purchase Try-It-On Tubing!

I know the focus is off for the above photo but you can see that what you do is place the end of the plastic tubing firmly onto the tips of your needles. Then you slide the stitches off the knitting needle and onto the tubing so you can try on your garment without removing the stitches from your needles. No more scrap yarn on a yarn needle is necessary!

After you try the garment on you simply slide the stitches from the tubing back onto the needles, remove the tubing from the tips of the needles and you are ready to start knitting again. It really is a time saver. Genius.

I purchased both of the sizes of tubing to fit the larger and smaller needles and I think I ordered 2 yards of each. It is only a few dollars for each and I have used the tubing quite a bit already.

Anyway, I love when someone thinks of something so simple and clever and it solves a problem or makes something easier. That is good stuff.

Try-It-On Tubing is a worthy and inexpensive investment if you are knitting sweaters and cardigans that you want to try on as you go.

On another note, I want to thank you for the Wee Ones pattern love! The individual pattern for the Wee Ones knit toys has been flying out of my pattern shop. That is so fun and gratifying to see so thanks for the support. I really appreciate it.

Also, I just want to remind people that you don't have to be a member of Ravelry to purchase patterns through any Ravelry pattern shop. The pattern shops work for non-members. I know I have been contacted by a few blog readers who aren't on Ravelry and they are wondering about purchasing patterns. It's just a good thing to remember.

Happy Monday!!! I hope it's going to be a good week ahead for all of us.
best, susie
p.s. If you are an email subscriber and didn't get the embedded knitting video last week on the email click here for the direct youtube link.

Individual Wee Ones Pattern Now Available!

Hi Knitters,
I am excited that the pattern rights to the Wee Ones Seamless Knit Toys has reverted back to me so I can sell the individual pattern in my Ravelry shop now! The pattern for Wee Ones was a special project I designed for Craftsy.com for an online class through their fantastic website. The class is still available and it is a really fun way to take a knitting class at your own convenience and right at home.

I am so proud of these adorable little characters. These toys are completely seamless so that when you are done with the knitting, you are basically done with the toy. One of the main concerns people have about knitting toys is that they can be fiddly and they can have tiny parts to stitch together. I came up with a solution for these concerns by creating the Wee Ones pattern!

The pattern includes the seamless top-down pattern for an elephant....

a bunny....

and a hippo!

There is fun technique involved along the way, too. You get to start at the head, pick up and knit the body on and when you finish the toes you are done! You just need to add a tail and make a few stitches for the face! It is a really fun and quick process. You will be hooked!

The toys use worsted weight yarn on US size 6 needles at a gauge of 5.5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch. These toys are the perfect project to use up leftover yarn from other projects or that single skein you have sitting in your stash.

The pattern includes the instructions for all three animals in detail and progress photographs. TC absolutely loves these little animals. They are a really great size. The elephant is about 8 inches when seated to the top of the ears.

While I was in Denver filming the online classes for Craftsy.com I whipped up a cute top-down sweater that fits the toys. The sweater pattern is included along with the toy pattern. It is cute and fun and again, it is the perfect stash-busting project!

So you get three animals and a cute sweater that fits the characters, all in this one pattern! The pattern is available in my Ravelry pattern shop for $7.00.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for Wee Ones Seamless Knit Toys for more information or if you'd like to favorite it for later.

Or click on the button below to purchase the pattern through Ravelry:



If you are interested in the online class, the pattern is included so you don't need to purchase it separately. You can watch a preview of the class by clicking here.

Take care, Knitters. I'll be back soon with some progress shots on my current projects.
best, susie

Fresh and Fun

Hi Knitters,

I am in the midst of editing the pages of my book this week. The deadlines are still lingering about for me. Photography has been taking place over the last week, so that is exciting but there is still so much to be done. This morning, while shuffling book pages back and forth, I did squeeze in some yarn winding while taking a short break. 

I started the Piper's Journey Shawl, by Paula Emons-Fuessle of the Knitting Pipeline. It is a hard one to put down partly due to the squishy Quince & Co. Chickadee dk weight yarn and partly due to the quick, simple and clear pattern. Working with the Iceland heathery gray, 100% wool is a treat. There is such bounce to the garter stitch fabric. It appears that this will be a fairly quick and addictive knit. I'll keep you posted.

I am trying out some new needles, US size 6, 4mm, that were gifted to me. I'll tell you more about that later with a complete review.

I love seeing that raglan increase line develop as you work from the neckline down on a top-down cardigan. I keep picking this up for a couple of quick rows and putting it back down to do my other work. As the rows get longer and longer it isn't such a fast moment to complete two rows. Once I get past the armholes I suspect it will move very quickly. What an easy, easy cardigan pattern. This would be a perfect first cardigan pattern for a new sweater knitter. Ribbing and stockinette and you are done!

Click here for more information about the Calligraphy Cardigan, by Hannah Fettig.

The yarn is Tosh DK in Thunderstorm.

A new handcrafted item recently added to the wicker table, next to my comfy studio chair, is the mosaic coaster my son made for me. I just love it so much. Every time I set my hot coffee mug or my big glass of ice water down on it I stop to admire it for a moment.

Can you see what it is? It is a piece of buttered toast made from cuts of glass. I love how he made the pat of butter melt out, too. I make this particular son toast every single morning, sometimes four slices at a time, so it is a fitting gift between us. I am a sucker for anything my kids make. Can't get enough.

In staying with the fresh and fun theme, I was sent an enormous stuffed to the brim box of some of the yummiest, squishiest yarn around in a fantastic assortment of weights and colors! I can't believe my good fortune lately. It was just sent for fun. I now have a huge project planned using this yarn because it is so compelling. I will hopefully get a chance soon to start sharing progress on this one! It is just so tempting right now, I seriously may have to move it out of my eyesight until I get these pages edited.

You should have seen TC and me opening the box of yarn. We were ridiculous with the squeals and ooohing and aaahing. It was pretty funny and I am glad to have a partner in yarn crime around here. I'll tell you more about this later. 

So now it is back to work for me.... I am leaving you today with an incredibly cute and funny and knitterly video put out by Webs (one of my favorite yarn shops). I am sure many of you have seen it already but it is worth putting up to be certain you don't miss it. One of the main points of appeal is the star of the video. I think her name is Emma and she is simply adorable, likable and funny. The whole thing is spot on. Well done to Webs!

If you are interested in all of the knits Emma is wearing in the video, click here for the blog post with all of the project information. 

I keep this blog G-rated so I hope you don't mind the curse word (sort of) in the title. There isn't any cursing of any sort in the actual video, it is completely family friendly.

Enjoy!

best, susie

Day Trip

Hi Knitters,

I was on the road yesterday. We left early and we got back home late. 

Amongst other things, I knit 7-inches of a two-by-two rib collar and an inch or so of the shoulders. This is the start of Hannah Fettig's Calligraphy Cardigan. I am excited to get started on this project. I bought the Madelinetosh dk in the Thunderstorm colorway almost a year ago. Can you believe that color? I love the black and blue together. It is gorgeous. 

I am using my Signature Needles in US size 6, 4mm, 24-inch circulars. The needles and yarn are so good together. What a pleasure. I think this cardigan will quickly become a favorite. Have any of you made this cardigan? I'd love to hear about it. 

I received my order of Quince & Co's Chickadee a few days ago. It is three hanks in the Iceland colorway, a lovely heather gray. Quince & Co makes such affordable wool yarns. At under $7 a hank for 181 yards each, this is a steal compared to other yarns. I love that. I am making the Piper's Journey shawl as soon as I get a chance. I can't wait.

This is Paula's first design and it was so fun to see it shoot to the top of the hot patterns on Ravelry when it was released. I really enjoyed witnessing that as Paula, of the Knitting Pipeline, is one of my favorites. Click here for her blog and podcast information. 

She is hosting a knitalong for the Piper's Journey on her Ravelry group if you are interested. Click here for the Knitting Pipeline Ravelry group.

Well, here's my boy soon to be in college. This one wants to go away and I'm not surprised by this as he has an adventurous soul. He keeps telling me about all of the crazy things he wants to do like deep water diving to the bottom of the ocean without any equipment (did you know people do this?) and running in a 100 mile marathon. This makes the trip to Minneapolis seem pretty mild. 

We were at the University of Minnesota campus yesterday. We'll see what happens. I'm just trying to keep everyone safe at this point.

Did you start any new projects this weekend, Knitters?

Take care everyone.

best, susie

In the Wild

Hi Knitters,
I have to share the photos my son's girlfriend, Miss Molly, sent to show me her finished Another Flower Headband in action. It's fun to see one of your designs in the wild! My son took these photos of her with his phone.

She was so cute when I put this pattern up for purchase. She immediately wanted to make one for herself. Her brother and my other son are on the same high school swim team so I met her at a swim meet with the pattern, yarn and needles for the headband. That's still the left over yarn from my Owls cardigan. 

She started knitting right away at the meet. By the end of the week she had finished the entire thing. I helped her stitch the flower on the side and gave it a good wash and blocking. Since she's down on campus walking around for much of the day I stitched in a stretchy store-bought headband on the inside to keep her ears extra warm.

Miss Molly has told me that she has gotten lots and lots of compliments on her new handknit headband. I love it that she loves it so much and that she made it! She is a determined young knitter and when she wants to make something, she just does it. That's such a good personality trait to have.

Plus, isn't she just cute? I love the old campus buildings in the background, too.

Click here for more information on the Another Flower Headband pattern.

The winner of Tanis Gray's Capitol Knits is ashestoashes (rav id) or Jennifer! Congratulations to Jennifer! Thank you to everyone who entered. I'll do another review and giveaway very soon.

I'm working on a new design to help use up your left over sock yarn (of which I have tons)! It's pretty darn cute. More on that one later.
best, susie

Capitol Knits ~ Review and Giveaway!

Edited to add on Feb. 23rd: The giveaway is closed and entries are no longer being taken! Thanks to everyone who entered.

Hi Knitters,
I am happy to be able to share a book review and giveaway opportunity with you today. I was surprised recently to see a project or two by Tanis Gray pop onto the Top 20 patterns on Ravelry. I knew she had just published Knit Local through Sixth & Spring but I didn't know she had another self-published book in the works, Capitol Knits. I quickly starting looking around for more information.

The book is all Tanis and all Washington, D.C., which is a great combination.
Click here for Tanis' website! Be sure to click on "Covers" on the top menu bar to see all of Tanis' covers from books and magazines, very impressive! I bet you'll recognize a few.
Click here to see all of the projects in Capitol Knits!
Click here to see Tanis' book on Amazon!

The book is thoughtful and informative not only about how to knit the projects but with facts about D.C.'s urban forest, various locations and history, and about taking inspiration from the environment and history around you. Capitol Knits is a salute to Washington, D.C. in a sweet and honorable way. All in all, I find this a charming and enticing small publication.

Tanis Gray  has been a long-time favorite of mine in the knitting world. She has worked in various careers but I first came to know her as an editor for Vogue Knitting and their other magazine publications. She is a smart, clever and super talented designer. She produces knit garments and accessories at lightning quick speed. Her patterns are always interesting, tasteful, and fun.

Here are some of my favorites from Capitol Knits, including the cover shot above which is the Capitol Shawl. There are 12 projects in the book including mitts, hats, a scarf, shawls, and cardigans.

The Union Station Infinity Cowl is a gorgeous understated colorwork project made in Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter. I love this project and the yarn, a winning combination.

I have the yarn set to go to whip up this Library of Congress Hat that is made in Madelinetosh Chunky. I love the twists and turns in this one, such movement. This will be a fast and fun knit.

I love this cable and lace cardigan called, The Lincoln Cardigan. The sample is made in Red Barn Yarn Plied Worsted. This would be a well-loved garment in my wardrobe. I see making one of these in my future.

I love a good scarf and this is a good one. I love the colors, the stripes in different directions and the lace border that pulls it all together. The Constitution Hall Scarf is made in Viola Silky DK.

I think this little shawlette, The National Gallery Shawl, is incredibly sweet. There are two versions shown in the book. The shawl above is made in Knit Collage Stargazer Silk & Sequins (see the sparkle?) and the other is made in KFI Lustrous Extrafine Merino DK.

One thing you can be certain of is that as a former yarn editor for Vogue, Tanis has selected the best yarns to suit each of her designs. This woman has had an incredible access to every yarn available under the sun for years. She knows her stuff. I love to see which yarns she has paired with the projects.

I am so excited to offer you a chance to win a signed copy of Capitol Knits! Please leave one comment on this blog post. Please include your email or your Ravelry ID so I can easily get in touch if you win. I will then collect your mailing address to pass on to Tanis so she can send you your book!

I pulled out this 2007 photo of the first time I met Tanis when I was on a book tour for Itty-Bitty Nursery. This photo was taken (by Jaime Harder Caldwell, my former publicist) at the Vogue offices in NYC (from left to right, Faith Hale, Tanis Gray and yours truly). We are holding the knit tea set from my book. They were both so fun and down to earth. I felt an instant connection with Tanis from that point on. She is an honest, funny, no-nonsense kind of person plus she is a genius knitter. I like all of that about her. We have stayed in touch through different venues ever since.

If you like this book and you don't win I recommend picking up your own copy. I want to make every project in this book and that doesn't happen often.

Tanis recently had a book signing/trunk show at Fibre Space in VA. Click here to see their review of Capitol Knits!
Also, check out this class Tanis is teaching (she's a fantastic instructor) at Fibre Space this Sunday:

Sunday, February 26, 3 to 6 p.m.

If you’re looking to take your Fair Isle knitting to the next level, this is the class for you! Whether you want to combination knit, learn to color knit with both yarns in one hand Continental or English style, or knit without tangling your yarn, all levels are welcome. We’ll also design our own mittens and begin using techniques we learn in class as well as cover the history of Fair Isle knitting.  Many people dislike Fair Isle because they don’t know the tricks…you’ll be addicted after taking this class.

Take care and good luck! Let the comments begin!

best, susie