Seattle in Photos

Hi, Knitters,

Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle was simply wonderful. What a great and interesting city full of talented and fun knitters.  This is one of the best events I have ever attended, I loved it. My classes were well-attended (some huge!) and Vogue, as always, does a top-notch job. 

Here is my trip in photos.

Enjoy!

And yes, that is chewed gum... and yes, you can smell the gum, too. Creepy and fascinating both.

Lunch at Farestart in Seattle - delicious. Pasta & Co. in Bellevue was another favorite lunch spot for sandwiches and soup.

My son came with me!

I love this tall tree-lined archway.

Now for some knitting and event photos!

When the people walking by the book signing table found out the toys could reverse they went crazy! They literally stopped in their tracks. It was really fun to see the reactions. 

Delores' (one of my students) beautiful daughter at my book signing. She loves the toys!

Dinner at the Crab Pot with some Itty-Bitty Knitters  (my ravelry group) and a former editor of mine. From left to right - Suzanne, Kriste, Veronika, Becky, Melissa and me.

My new book and toys!

Becky and Veronika from the Yarn on the House blog (me in the middle) in one of my classes!

Becky and Veronika proudly wearing their Ebb Cowls in my Fair-Isle Hat Workshop.

 Allegra from Petite Purls is working hard in class!

Thank you to the Seattle Knitters Guild for having me at their meeting and giving me rides, Vogue Knitting Live, Adirondack Yarns for hosting my book signing in the market - it was a great success, Veronika for the rides to and from the airport, and mostly to the spectacular, fun and vivacious knitters in attendance at the events. My classes were an absolute blast!

I hope I get invited back soon.

best, susie

Seattle Bound!

Hi, Knitters,

First, the winner of 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet and Felt by Kristin Nicholas is....  soyknits (rav id) or Stephanie! Congratulations! I've contacted Stephanie on Ravelry. Thank you to everyone for entering. I'll have another giveaway very soon.

Today is a big day. My new book, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys, has changed over from pre-order to add to cart today on Amazon. And yes, there is a pull-tab on the front cover (it's really good!).

Click here to see Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys on Amazon!

Click here to see the book trailer video for Topsy-Turvy Inside Out! It's an adorable video.

Next week after I return from Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle I'll do a blog post on the new book and get all of the projects up on Ravelry for you to check out. I'll keep you posted on that. You can see some of the projects in the video trailer linked above or on the Amazon book page.

One more thing I haven't had a chance to blog about yet is that I have three designs in the Spring 2013 issue of Knit Simple Magazine. I have a bunny hat, a girl's top, and a pair of stripey legwarmers. I will post more about this next week, as well.

I am excited for Seattle. The knitters out there have been very kind and welcoming. I have rides offered for everywhere I need to go, and a fun dinner planned with a bunch of Itty-Bitty Knitters at a fantastic local restaurant. I can't wait. 

Plus, I am speaking at the Seattle Knitters Guild meeting on Wednesday, April 3rd. Click here for information on the meeting. I am speaking at 7pm. My new book will be available at the meeting and I am there to sign the new book and any of my old books if you'd like.

I will have the Egg to Turtle bonus free pattern cards with me at the Guild meeting and also for my classes at VK Live! Unicorn Books (distributors of Opal Sock Yarn) has also sent some prizes for the Guild meeting attendees and also for my Opal Sock Yarn Bunny Class!

There is much fun and knitting in store.

Take care and I'll see you all on the flip side and some of you in Seattle!

best, susie

p.s. That's my husband and me biking on the beach in Hilton Head last week. We had a wonderful vacation filled with family, outdoor life and good eating. No worries, I'm not biking to Seattle.

50 Sunflowers by Kristin Nicholas - Giveaway!

Hi, Knitters,

I have a treat for you today. Kristin Nicholas has done it again with another fantastic book. This collection is creative, innovative and downright sunny. Kristin has created 50 sunflowers for you to create using different techniques through knitting, crocheting, and felting. Along with the sunflowers are leaves, a bumble bee and ladybug and an adorable robin. The entire book is whimsical and fun.

The layout of the pages is gorgeous and clear. I love these two page spreads showing all of the flowers in wonderfully clear detail.

The backgrounds are just as stunning. The variety of flower design in the book is staggering.

The book includes clear instruction on the basic techniques. It's very beginner friendly. Kristin tells you how to read the crochet charts and instructions. There is a color theory section, one of Kristin's specialties. Special techniques are made very clear and there is a section on both materials and embroidery, as well. Step-by-step tutorials are included in the beginning section. The written patterns for the flowers and such are next. The book ends with a nice variety of projects you can make with your beautiful handcrafted flowers. 

I love the idea of felted flower napkin rings either in the spring or summer or even to cheer up the winter doldrums at your dinner table. I love that each flower on the napkins is different. Gorgeous idea by Kristin, as always.

Kristin also includes projects that combine store-bought ideas along with your handmade flowers. Fun projects made with store-bought items include embellished lampshades, a child's cardigan, a decorated straw bag and more. There is much to choose from.

What an adorable gift this sunflower washcloth would make paired with a good-smelling bar of soap. Anyone would love to receive this for the kitchen or bath or even a baby gift.

Of course, with her Kristin style and artistic flair she has included the flowers in framed artwork to adorn your walls. This idea makes me so happy. Don't you just love the way those framed pictures look? I would love to hang these in my house.

Kristin is a longtime favorite of mine. I pretty much love anything and everything she does. She is a storyteller, an artist, a farmer, a devoted family woman, and mainly, a creative spirit. If you are not already following her blog, you should subscribe. Kristin also has an informative newsletter which I subscribe to as well. Her designs and books are all on my shelves. Her books are a constant source of inspiration and reference for me. I go to her books for not only patterns but color ideas, techniques (steeking and putting in zippers are my two favorites), project information, colorwork charts (Color by Kristin has a chart dictionary that I love and use often). 

Click here to purchase Kristin's available books, including 50 Sunflowers, directly from her online shop. I love that she sells her books directly  because that helps to support her farm. I encourage you to take this route. 

Click here for Kristin's wonderful farm-filled blog! It is a must-read! Her farm and sheep photography is amazing.

Click here to see Kristin's new book, 50 Sunflowers, on Ravelry!

Here is the book description from Ravelry:

In 50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet & Felt you’ll find:

• Over 25 crocheted sunflower designs, plus a monarch butterfly and ladybug. Crochet instructions are both written out and charted.
• Over 25 knitted sunflower designs, plus a robin, swallowtail butterfly, honey bee and a woolly bear caterpillar.
• 15 ideas with instructions for how to use the designs in your home, as part of your wardrobe, or anywhere in your life.

50 Sunflowers to Knit, Crochet and Feltbrings Kristin’s sunflower garden to life in knit and crochet stitches. Inspired by her summer garden, the book presents a joyful collection of small knit and crochet projects that are fun to create and will add to the joy of gift-giving. Kristin includes a how-to section that will make you feel more confident about working with color combinations.

To enter to win a copy of Kristin's 50 Sunflowers book, please leave one comment on this blog post. Leave your Ravelry ID or an email address so I can get in touch if you win to gather your mailing address. Please be patient for your comment to appear on the blog as I approve all comments to avoid spam. I will be back in a couple of days to choose a winner by random number generator. The book will be sent directly from the publisher. 

Good luck! You will love this book for years to come. It is a true flower adventure.

best, susie

Vacation Knitting

Hi, Knitters,
I am off enjoying a lovely vacation with my family and my sister and her family this week so I am only briefly checking in today.

At the same time I am enjoying my family I am enjoying a bit of fun vacation knitting as well. I will fill you in on all of the details when I get back. In the meantime the sock yarn is Opal Vincent Van Gogh in Schlafzimmer in Arles and the shawl is called Pop Spots. The shawl is knit in Madeline Tosh Sock Yarn in Tart and Madeline Tosh Feather in  Tidal Basin. The shawl is incredibly fun and the spots are super easy and addicting. I am making the large size which is huge! I'm so excited about that.

I have made a decision while on vacation this spring. It is quite serious. I am going to commit to always having a pair of plain stockinette socks (How I Make My Socks Pattern on rav) on the needles in Opal Sock Yarn at all times from now on. I adore Opal sock yarn to no end and the patterning and the finished socks are simply divine. So while I love the indie dyers and other companies and will continue to knit socks in these yarns, Opal is appealing to me on so many levels. It deserves constant attention and time on my needles. Maybe you'll join me.

That is my vacation update. I'll be back soon next week as I prepare to leave for Seattle.

I hope you are all well. Love and miss you knitters!
best, susie

New Openings in Seattle + 2 New Projects!

Hi, Knitters,

First, I want to remind anyone interested that I am speaking at the Seattle Knitters Guild on Wednesday, April 3rd. I am speaking at 7pm for an hour or so. Please come and join me if you are able! I would love to see you there. I will have my new book, Topsy Turvy Inside Out, my new free Egg to Turtle bonus pattern card for attendees and I will sign books - new and old - at the event! 

Yesterday I approved some new openings in my sold out classes at Vogue Knitting Live April 5-7th in Seattle. There are now more spots in the Sock Yarn Bunny and Build-a-Toy Workshops and there are still a few spots left in the String-a-Long Toys Workshop. The Fair Isle Hat class is already full to the highest limit I can take but check back because people's plans change and a spot may open up.

Click here to see more information about Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle!

The photo above is the mini-version of the Opal Sock Yarn Bunny. This version is for the students in the Sock Yarn Bunny class to work on during our 3 hour class time. There is so much technique crammed into this little bunny and with the smaller version we will get through more of the skills together. However, if someone wants to make the larger version of the bunny during class that pattern will be provided as well and all of the demonstrations and tips and discussion will work the same.

Here are the regular Opal Sock Yarn Bunny and the brand-new Mini Sock Yarn Bunny together for a size reference. The mini bunny takes only 15 grams of sock yarn. Leftovers beware!

The Sock Yarn Bunny is knit completely in one piece from head to toe. Once that last stitch is knit, you are completely done with the bunny. It is a fun-filled knit.

The pattern for the original, larger Opal Sock Yarn Bunny is available for purchase right here!

The Opal Sock Yarn Bunny and Bunny Hat set can both be made from less than 1 ball of sock yarn. Click here for the bunny and matching hat pattern set.

The Mini Sock Yarn Bunny pattern is not available for purchase yet but will be in the future. The yarn is Opal's Vincent Van Gogh in the Sunflowers colorway.

I have been working hard on the class samples for my new Build-a-Toy Workshop that premiers in Seattle at Vogue Knitting Live. I am teaching two sections of Build-a-Toy. It is going to be so much fun. I am demystifying toy knitting for the students in this class. I have laid out many, many different shapes and techniques for the students to put together to create an endless variety of knit toys. We will also be covering all sorts of tricks and tips for finishing your toys for the best possible results. 

Seriously, I think this should become another book for me. The students are getting so much information and so many patterns. I can't wait. I am having great fun pulling the parts of the class together. I am teaching the Build-a-Toy class in other places, too. One is the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling and the other is KnitEast next fall. Even if you aren't going to the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling this April, I will be at the Loopy Ewe Yarn Shop in Ft. Collins on Wednesday, April 17th for a book signing and meet and greet open for the public.

Above in the photo is a Bear in a hoodie union suit (is there such a thing?) done completely through color change. I love the way he turned out.

Of course I had to add the back flap!

This sweet, adorable bunny is also included in the class as an option. You can put together any variety of the pieces to end up with a bear, bunny, cat, owl, puppy, sheep, doll, giraffe, mouse, monkey, frog, etc.

I finished up this snowman this week as well from the Build-a-Toy options.

Three new toys together!

The toys in the class are anywhere from 3-6 inches tall. The snowman is a little taller with the hat. 

The patterns are only available for the class right now.

However, this adorable new Little Lamb pattern is available right now! This is the new cover model from a brand-new hot off the presses book, 60 Quick Baby Blankets. 

(60 Quick Baby Blankets, published by Sixth&Spring Books. Photos by Jack Deutsch copyright © 2013 by Sixth&Spring Books/Cascade Yarns. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) 

Here Little Lamb is looking all proud on the cover. I used a simple loop stitch for the woolly coat (different than the twisted loop stitch). This stitch is much easier to create. I was asked to create the lamb as a bonus project included in the book and for the cover.

Click here to see the Little Lamb information on Ravelry!

[Little Lamb designed by Susan B. Anderson from 60 Quick Baby Blankets, published by Sixth&Spring Books. Photos by Jack Deutsch copyright © 2013 by Sixth&Spring Books/Cascade Yarns. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) 

I have another project besides the Little Lamb included in the book and that would be a baby blanket. When the publisher called to ask if I would contribute a baby blanket I said sure. Then they said it needed to be an intarsia monster-themed blanket. And I still said sure. I was thinking it would be a fun challenge and it was.

[Monster Mash designed by Susan B. Anderson from 60 Quick Baby Blankets, published by Sixth&Spring Books. Photos by Jack Deutsch copyright © 2013 by Sixth&Spring Books/Cascade Yarns. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) 

I sketched and tried a variety of monster-ish things before settling on the blanket you see above. I love the finished baby blanket the publisher named Monster Mash. It is perfect for any monster-loving baby or child. The colors used can make the blanket boyish or more girlish. I picked out the more boy-themed colors because a lot of knitting designs (mine included) can lean toward girls more. 

Click here to see the Monster Mash blanket on Ravelry!

Now, for any of your intarsia fears.... throw them out of the window. This blanket is made in squares. Four of the squares are plain stockinette with a garter stitch border. The five monster squares are all made exactly the same. The intarsia is incredibly simple. I didn't use bobbins just long lengths of the yarn. The yarn is bulky weight, Cascade 128 (click here to see the amazing colors available in this superwash yarn). It knits up incredibly fast and squishy. This is great yarn.

I wanted the monsters to appear to be moving and jumping all over the squares. The added embroidery makes the monsters come to life, don't you think? It's a really fun and sweet knit. I made a garter stitch border in the round with mitered corners. It's a nice finishing touch. 

You could add a fabric backing on the blanket in flannel or something but I made sure to take a photo of the backside before I sent off the blanket for photography. I think the back of the blanket looks great! You don't need a backing at all.

60 Quick Baby Blankets is a fantastic collection of blankets with a huge variety in the mix, everything from cables to stitch patterns to stripes to baby buntings to gingham to plaid and more. Plus, you can get the book for only 10 bucks on amazon and it has 62 patterns. This is an example of why knitting books are still the best deal around for knitting patterns. Unbelievable deal! Even if you don't knit all of the projects it is packed full of stitch pattern ideas, charts, and inspiration that you could use on other projects.

Click here to see all of the projects in the book on Ravelry. 

I think this is a must-have for anyone interested in knitting special gifts for babies. 

That's it for today. I heard that my new book, Topsy-Turvy, Inside-Out Knit Toys is being released a little early! I am so excited for this book to come out, it's really a different twist on knit toys. I'll be back with more on the projects inside covers soon. If you'd like a fun sneak peek check out the book trailer video by clicking right here. 

best, susie

See Susan Knit

Hi, Knitters,

I am not sure if you will find this interesting or not but I frequently get asked about how I knit so fast. By fast I think people are mainly talking about how many items I finish. However, this does include technique questions, too. I also get many requests to take a video of myself knitting. So on this bright, very cold, sunny morning I set up my iPhone on a tiny tripod and filmed myself knitting in the round on double-pointed needles.

This is not an instructional video! I am just sitting and knitting.

If you are receiving this blog post as an email via subscription, click here to see the video!

In the short video I am working on a class sample for my new Build-a-Toy Workshop that is premiering at Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle. I believe both of the Build-a-Toy Workshops are sold out at this point but if you are interested keep checking back in case someone drops out. I have worked up about 22 different toy elements and I have about 5 or 6 toy designs made from these elements left to complete before class. I can do it! It's going to be an incredible class and really fun. There is so much technique involved in this workshop and that is what I love to teach and demonstrate for my students. The other toy workshop is String-a-Long Toys and it looks like there might be a couple of openings left in this class and we cover a lot of the same techniques if you are interested.

I am using Signature Needles, double-points, 6-inches in length in the stiletto point. I didn't talk or put any music on so you can hear the needles click and slide as I work.

This is my favorite way to sit as I knit. I like to cross my legs and hold the knitting relaxed and low on my lap and slightly off to the right.

A couple of things to point out and watch for are:

1. After I knit about half of the stitches on a dpn, I quickly place the point from the previous dpn in between my pointer finger and middle finger to get it out of the way. You can barely see my hands doing this but it really helps me go faster and knit smoother.

2. After I knit the first stitch on a new dpn I give it an extra tug to tighten up the yarn in between the needles so there won't be any laddering (stretched out columns) between the stitches at those changing points.

That's all today! Short and sweet. 

Happy Tuesday.

best, susie