60 Baby Knits and Soak Set for you!

Hi Knitters,
I have a quick show and tell to start today. Over the weekend I sat at a soccer tournament and finished up my Demeter's Shawl in Fleece Artist Nova Socks in the colorway Seashore. I've had this yarn for years so I don't know if it is still available. It is so soft and the colors really and truly remind me of the seashore. Light blues, greens and purple mix in with the softest shade of pink and a natural tone. The colors kept me interested along the way. I love it. Oh, and I didn't add any beads for the edging but instead did 6 rows of garter stitch before binding off. I used most of the 355 yards.

Click here for Laura Linneman's free pattern for Demeter's Shawl.
Miss Molly, my son's girlfriend and newish knitter extraordinaire, has finished another scarf. It was knit with 2 hanks of Rowan's Colourscape Chunky in the Ghost colorway. Molly worked a 1 by 1 rib on US size 11's. This is really a beautiful yarn with long and graduated color changes. She loved making it and it is a gift to boot.

Molly has made so much progress in the short time she has been knitting. She has made 6 or 7 hats, several scarves, several pairs of mittens and now I just helped her start her first pair of socks. She is determined to learn and with every project she ups her skills. I think she is hooked for life.

Okay, now for the giveaway!
The first item up for grabs today is the fantastic new book by Sixth & Spring titled, 60 Quick Baby Knits. The cover alone is the seller. That sweet little cardigan is one of my favorite projects from the book. All of the projects are made in Cascade 220 Superwash.

With 60 projects packed in these pages I can't possibly show them all to you so click here to see all of the projects on Ravelry. I have a few favorites I will share but there are blankets, booties, hats, pillows, sweaters, cardigans, leg warmers, mittens, etc.
Some of the projects are super simple and some are more complicated with cables and stitch patterns and lace. Above is a very basic cardigan that I love. You cannot go wrong with a project like this. Every baby needs an easy cardigan.
I love this pleated edging and simple moss stitch bow. Trés stylish!
Of course I fall for the sweet peas.... that is a ribbon trim going around the fronts and hood. I would leave this off and let the incredible knitting stand alone.
Booties are a baby staple...
... and now for my favorite project in the book. The Sheep Hat by Renee Lorion. The back side has a little brown tail and the legs so it is a back view of the sheep. This one is worth the entire book!

You will love this book. The styles will never be out, there are projects for boys and girls, all skill levels are included, the photography is clear and detail oriented, it's all here!

Now for an added bonus.
I am sending out a copy of the book to a lucky winner along with this Soak gift pack. Double score! I love and use soak on all of my knits. The scents are incredible and not overwhelming. The scent in the pack is Aquae, which happens to be my favorite, and there are little packs of other scents along with the Heel foot cream. We use the foot cream around here, too, in the Cucumber scent. I can't recommend Soak any higher. It is gentle and I feel so confident when I use it on my knits and handspun yarn. I also use the Phil Basin in the light blue colorway to wash my knits in. Really, if you don't win please seek out these products. You won't be disappointed.

Click here to see all of the Soak products and to get more information.

To win the combo-pack of one copy of 60 Baby Knits and the gift set of Soak products please leave a comment on this post. Please do not email me. Also, be sure to leave your Ravelry ID or your email so I can easily contact you for your mailing address.

Ready, set, go!
best, susie

Owl Babies Pattern!

Edited to Add on May 16th: The Knitting Pipeline Podcast is having an Owl Babies pattern giveaway! Be sure to listen to her owl-themed podcast, too, it's so good. Click here to enter! Only open until May 19th. She is also giving away a copy of my Hoot Hat pattern.
Hi Knitters,
I am so excited to add Owl Babies to my Ravelry Pattern Store. At this point I am only offering Owl Babies through my Ravelry Pattern Store because my Shop Susan B. Anderson pattern shop is full! You don't have to be a member of Ravelry to purchase patterns on Ravelry so that is no problem.

Click here to go to my Ravelry Pattern Store.

Click here to go to the pattern page for more information and the link to purchase the downloadable pdf pattern.
The Owl Babies stand at about 3 1/2 inches tall and about 2 1/2 inches wide. You start of the bottom and knit the entire owl in one piece including the wings. There are a few fun techniques thrown in that make for a quick twisty knit. The feet are knit up and stitched to the bottom. It is a fast and fun and interesting knit! I released the pattern and literally the next day a couple of finished Owl Babies were already posted on Ravelry. They look terrific!
The bright juicy colors are Spud & Chloë Sweater. This Owl Baby is made in the colorway Grass and the wings and feet are made in the colorway, Popsicle. My husband saw the green and started calling it Kiwi Owl. I thought that was cute for the green owl but the name needed to be a little more general.
I love the set together. You need more than one.
Aren't they funny all lined up?
Hoot!
I really love these little guys. They are just funny. It's a perfect stash buster project for left overs, Use up your worsted weight yarn knit at a tighter than usual gauge.

Click here for the pattern information or to purchase Owl Babies!

Here is the winning comment for the Harvesting Color book giveaway:
stephigordon said...
Thanks for the chance to win such a beautiful book! I would love to win! Stephanie. indigodogmt on Ravelry
May 14, 2011

Congrats to Stephanie and thanks to everyone for entering.
best, susie

One More Try - Harvesting Color Giveaway

Hi Knitters,

I am so disappointed right now in Blogger (the host site of this blog). After I posted an extensive review of Harvesting Color, Blogger went down. There were around 50 comments/entries to win a copy of the book.

I also had a review of two important events coming up within the next week or so.

This afternoon Blogger began working again. The entire post has vanished including all of the comments to win the book. So...... here I am again with no time to rewrite the entire post from yesterday.

Quickly then, tomorrow, May 14th, 2011, I am teaching a class at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison (it's on Mineral Point Rd.) from 1-3pm. I am not sure but there were a few remaining spots about a week ago.

Click here for more information from Stitcher's Crossing!

Or call Stitcher's Crossing to find out more at 608 232 1500!

After I teach on May 14th, 2011, I am having a drop-in book signing and trunk show for Spud & Chloë at the Farm from 3-4pm at Stitcher's Crossing!

Next on the schedule is for May 20-22nd, 2011, I am going to be at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival in Lexington. I am teaching a class on Saturday morning and I am having a book signing/trunk show on Saturday afternoon. I know that there were one or two spots left in my class as of late yesterday.

Click here to find out more about the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival!

I hope to see you in Madison or Kentucky in the coming days.

Now to the beautiful book giveaway for Harvesting Color. I am in love with this book and the author, Rebecca Burgess' story. She is amazing not only for this wonderful book of natural dying but also for a year-long project she took on to only wear clothes that were made locally from seed to fabric.

Click here to read Rebecca's blog! This blog is wonderful and interesting and it has gorgeous photography.

Click here to see Rebecca's book on amazon.

Below the following photograph is a well-written review from Amazon. I could not describe or say it better.

By

Birdsong L. Sundstrom "burrobird" (Sierra Nevadas, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Harvesting Color: How to Find Plants and Make Natural Dyes (Paperback)

Rebecca Burgess' new book is an outgrowth of over a decade's worth of teaching natural plant dyeing and advocating for a more environmentally-friendly manner of creating our clothing. She worked on the book at the same time that she was 'living' the Fibershed Project, with the goal of only wearing clothing made from products within a 150-mile radius of her Marin County, California home for one year. The book contains information about unique California native plants, such as toyon and coffeeberry, and the dye colors that they produce, but it is far more than simply a California guide. It covers dye plants with a long history, such as indigo, and new methods to obtain stunning colors from plants such as pokeberry.

Each featured plant is discussed and accompanied by a photo of the entire plant, often within its native habitat. Information about time to gather, how to cultivate, and parts of the plant to use for dyeing fibers are included, along with generous photos of yarns dyed in the colors obtained from each plant, and a map of the United States highlighting where the particular plant can be found growing in the wild.

Burgess brings her high standard of environmental consciousness into the book, stressing the importance of the choices we make in what we use as both consumers and artists. She discusses mordants (substances used to 'fix', or keep the dye in the fiber or fabric for the long term), and only advocates using materials that are non-toxic, both while in use in the dye process and when the wastes are disposed. She also addresses the benefits of working to source your raw materials close to home, and how involvement with natural dyes can help you help grow a strong local economy.

All technical material is easy to access by the DIYer, the home craftsperson or the professional artist. The book is organized around what is available each of the four seasons, and includes an appropriate project to use your hand-dyed yarns as well.

Paige Green's photography lifts this book into the realm of fine art, with massive amounts of beautiful pictures that highlight the plants, capture the colors dyed with them, and also portray the sense of harmony that Burgess advocates will come from being more connected to local production of our clothing. This book will appeal to many who are already working with fiber arts, and will also attract those who garden, and seek to live in a greener manner.
Isn't that a clear and informative review? Wow.

There are many knitting patterns in the book for a blanket, a hat, arm warmers, a scarf amongst others. They are sweet simple patterns that show off the handspun and plant-dyed yarns. There are clear recipes, geographical locations of the plants used (there are plants from all over included), fiber information, and so much more. There is also plant staining like with flowers and leaves on fabrics, more like imprints that I'd really like to try as well.

Rebecca is completely inspiring to me. I treasure this book and definitely will put it to use this summer. There is a certain little someone around here who is obsessed with plants, nature and gardening so I know she will help me with some dying projects.
Look at this photo... I want to dive into that spectacular natural wool and stay awhile.

Please leave one comment on this post (please do not email me) to win a copy of Harvesting Color. Please leave your Ravelry ID or your email so I can get in touch to gather your mailing address if you win. I will select a winner in a couple of days.

best, susie

Harvesting Color could be yours!

Hi Knitters,

I'm almost done with the Owl Babies pattern. I should have it up by early next week. This week has completely flown by, right? It's been a little blurry. Thank you for the sweet and wonderful response on the owl project. I appreciate it. Trisha Malcolm (Vice President and Editorial Director of Vogue Knitting) even posted my Owl Baby on her facebook page! That was fun to see. It's coming.....

Okay, a little more business this Saturday, May 14th, I am teaching a workshop (there are still a couple of openings!) from 1-3pm and having a drop-in meet and greet book signing from 3-4pm right after the class. All are being held at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison, WI. I have a big box of gifts from Blue Sky Alpacas/Spud & Chloë for the students! Plus I'll bring a few extra giveaway prizes as well.

Click here for the Stitcher's Crossing site.

Here is the phone number to sign up or for more information: 608-232-1500!

I am headed off to the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival, May 20-22nd, which is next week already. I think there are still a couple of openings in my class on Saturday, May 21 if you are around and interested. The class is a good size right now but I could take a couple more. I will have some Spud and Blue Sky Alpacas gifts for the students and a couple of fun giveaways during the class, too.

If you don't want to sit for a class I am having a casual meet and greet book signing on that same Saturday afternoon as well. I can't wait as this is my first Sheep & Wool festival of any sort!

Click here for the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival site!

Now onto the review and giveaway for the day. To be forthright, the book being reviewed today was sent to me by my publisher, Artisan Books. I get all kinds of books from my publisher and other publishers. I don't review them all. I only review the books I feel strongly about and can genuinely recommend. I have a big stack waiting to be reviewed because honestly, there are a lot of good books out there right now.

Harvesting Color is a beautiful new book by Rebecca Burgess. Rebecca is a fascinating person. This past year she has been on a journey of wearing and creating all of her clothing from seed to fabric using basically local resources only. I have been following this adventure with admiring eyes.

Click here to see Rebecca's site and to see her fantastic seed to cloth journey. The journey culminated in a fashion show that showed off and gave credit to the farmers, gardeners, weavers, knitters, dyers, seamstresses, etc. I am so impressed by this. Click here to see the fashion show. Honestly, I would love to make all of my clothing from scratch. I can't imagine how satisfying that would be.

Click here to see more information about the book, Harvesting Color!

Now a little more about the book. Rebecca has written a book about using plants to dye and stain yarn and fabrics. She gives geographical locations for harvesting the plants, how to harvest, information about wool and fiber, recipes for dying, and so much more.
The photography is beyond gorgeous. It takes you away. I was surprised to see how many of the plants are actually available in my area. I am planning on taking some Spud & Chloë Fine in Popcorn (a natural white) and trying out some of this dying for myself. This summer that will happen!
The in-depth instruction is so easy to follow and the results, as you can see, are wonderful shades of natural color with quite a wide range.
She also shows some spot dying techniques with flowers and leaves. I think TC would love to try her hand at this this summer.
There are wonderfully simple knitting patterns for things like a blanket, hat, scarf, hand warmers. The projects show off the natural yarns at their best. Every hank of yarn looks squishy and yummy and rustic in the book.

Spinners, you will LOVE this book! I want to spin some natural roving into yarn to then plant dye as well.
Each page is thoughtful to the fullest. I am looking more and more toward a natural lifestyle with my crafting and creating and this book makes me want to jump in fully today. I have such an admiration and respect for Rebecca's lifestyle and revolution.
Plus, Rebecca is really, really cute! She obviously loves what she is doing and believes in it with all of her heart. That quality is contagious.
Just look at the back cover of Harvesting Color. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than that as far as a fiber shot goes? I haven't. I want to jump in and stay.

You will love this book! It is a piece of art.

If you would like a copy of Harvesting Color please leave one comment on this blog post. Please include your Ravelry ID or an email address so I can gather your mailing address if you win. Please do not email me. I will pick a winner in a couple of days (I'll be back with my Owl Babies pattern by then, too).
I have a bunch of new books at my house lately. Here are a couple more from Artisan Books that you may be interested in that I highly recommend.

Guide to Girls' Hair is a fantastic book. TC has paper bookmarks all over this book. She is crazy about fixing and styling hair. When we first got the book, TC was waking up early to style her hair with the book as her guide for a good week. It was really funny.

The styles in here are do-able and cute and age appropriate for kids and teens. It is a fun, fun book! If you have a little girl to teenage girl or older you will love this book for hair ideas.

Click here to find out more about Guide to Girls' Hair!
A second book from Artisan that is completely charming and different is Snow Play. The whiteness and snowy scenes make you love winter and all it offers. There are so many fun snow-centric ideas offered in here, games, snow characters, fun things to do in and with the snow. The book is adorable and fun to look through. I just love everything about it. It's like a craft book for snow. My kids have looked through this a bunch of times and it is now on my living room coffee table as a staple. The cushiony cover has these clear droplets like snow that give it a playful feel right from the start.

A bunny snowman? You can't beat that.

Click here to find out more about Snow Play!

Don't forget to leave a comment to win Harvesting Color! I'll be back with a new pattern.

best, susie

Coming Soon....

Hi Knitters,

I have a new pattern coming soon... Owl Babies.

best, susie

Handspun Heaven

Hi Knitters,

I have a little handspun fun to share this morning. This is Maine Woods Yarn & Fiber, soft 100% wool blend roving, 4 oz. colorway Hyacinths. Click here to see the Maine Woods Yarn site. I received the roving as part of a swap on the Itty-Bitty Knits group on Ravelry. I love the colors in the yarn so much. This hank is juicy and bouncy and squeezable.
This is my first 3-ply yarn attempt. I am trying different techniques as I continue learning. For a 3-ply I broke the roving into three sections and spun each section into singles on a separate bobbin. Then I plied the three bobbins into the finished yarn.
I reached 194 yards of 3-ply in a dk weight. I had a tiny bit left over and made a 12-yard mini-hank of a 2-ply yarn. It is tiny and sweet.

I am surprised every time how twisted and curly (especially on the 3-ply) the yarn can be before washing and drying. Then everything seems to magically relax and drape evenly when it is completely dry. I was worried this one was way overspun but it really relaxed and worked out beautifully.

What should it become, a hat, mittens, a cowl, a toy? I have no plans as of yet.

You know, I like the 3-ply but I am more so loving the 2-ply yarn in the end. The 3-ply is a little denser as expected but what I really want is to make more socks with my handspun so that's my next goal. A 2-ply fingering weight is already being spun out of some Dyeabolical roving. Click here to check out this gorgeous etsy shop filled with yarns and roving!
The fingerless mitts are another handspun project. I used the Navajo plying technique which also makes a 3-ply yarn through chaining the yarn as you ply the singles together.

As for the pattern, I really just made these up as I worked so I don't have anything to share with you for the pattern.
You know I love the mismatched look every single time and the handspun plays into this so well. It has been so cold around here that these mitts have already gotten some wear-time this spring.

There is something so satisfying about spinning, plying, washing, knitting and then wearing something you made from scratch (well, almost from scratch). It is hard to put into words. I am glad I started spinning. When I can't knit and design a minute longer during the day (brain-exhaustion) or after I've completed something work-knitting related, spinning has turned into a treat or a reward for me.

Spinning is so light-hearted. I don't need to be perfect or even close to perfect at spinning. I don't know all of the ins and outs or technical terms or the proper techniques and that's what I love most about it. I don't even know about ratios or how thick the yarn will be in the end, nor do I worry about how the colors will mix at this point. I just spin. It is called freedom.

I think we are a match made in heaven.

best, susie

A Little Bit of This and That

Hi Knitters,

Business first today. I need to mention a few things going on. Here is a list:

1. Splendid Sticks blog is hosting a Spud & Chloë at the Farm giveaway and interview. Click here to check it out on Splendid Sticks.

2. I am interviewed on the Ready, Set, Knit! podcast today. You can listen anytime on itunes. You can also listen on your computer right here. (At the time I posted this the show was not posted on the site yet but it will be shortly.) The hosts of this podcast are the owners of Webs yarn shop and I shop with them all of the time. They are awesome. Click here for this fantastic online shop.

3. There is a winner for Rachael Herron's book, How to Knit a Heart Back Home. Congratulations to Cynthia and thanks for everyone for entering. Here is the winning comment:

Cynthiacc said...

I'm so glad she is writing more, I loved the first book.

ravelry cynthiacc

April 27, 2011

4. Come join me in 2 weeks!!!!

I am teaching a toy knitting workshop at Stitcher's Crossing in Madison on May 14th from 1-3pm. There are still spots available so if you are interested in joining me please give them a call to sign up or to find out more at 608-232-1500. There are going to be wonderful presents from Spud & Chloë for the students (you will not be disappointed:) and a few surprise giveaways at the class. I can't wait and I hope to see you there!

Also, on May 14th, after the workshop, I will be having a casual book signing and trunk show from 3-4pm so if you can't make the class but want to see the new book projects (and maybe some old book projects) please stop in to say hello.

I also just popped in at the shop to sign a stack of books for anyone interested in having a signed book. You can call or shop for signed copies of any of my books at Stitcher's anytime.

5. Starting on Monday, May 2nd, I am hosting a knitalong for Spud! If you are interested click here to find out more. It is a very casual knitalong and you can join in anytime so don't worry if you don't have your materials by Monday. I will be posting instructional videos and will be available to answer questions as we work together. We will have loads of fun while creating this chubby sheep together.

That's enough business for now. Phew!

Last night Peachy and I went to get a salad bar dinner at Whole Foods which is one of our favorite treats. I picked up a scone to have with my coffee this morning, orange and chocolate. Yum is all I can say.

Last night TC and I watched a Rugrats movie and I grabbed this old pair of Zauberball socks that I could never seem to quite finish. I finished and it only took two short years. I had 1 1/2 inches on the foot and a toe left to make the pair. I love this pair so much.

I now have three new pairs of handknit socks in my sock drawer. That feels pretty good.

I bought the yarn for these here. Call them up and they will send you a ball.
It was still dark this morning when I took these photos. After finishing the Zauberball socks I remembered this Watermelon Stripes sock I had started at least two years ago. I started working on this during the movie. I can't remember why I ever put this sock down. The yarn is incredibly soft and the colors are wonderful. The yarn is from Sunshine Yarns, one of my favorite indie dyers.
I am going to end today's post with a few more trip photos. I had a lot of people write to ask exactly where we stayed in Captiva Island. We rented a house that was on the beach and had this fantastic pool through Royal Shell. My husband really should have been a travel agent. He scouts out deals for plane tickets, houses, rental cars.... he is completely awesome and fun.
This house was nothing fancy and sat between some gigantic mansions (which we thought was funny). For us it was perfect. We didn't spend much time inside at all, it was comfortable and clean, and there was plenty of room for everyone. We ate several dinners out by the pool and the beach access was the best, about a 30 second walk down a path. Royal Shell is a home rental agency that I would highly recommend as their customer service is top-notch.
The Captiva Island beach is so private, non-commercialized and gorgeous. We couldn't get enough of it.
The shell and creature collecting was spectacular.
This is what the weather was like everyday.
It was thrilling to see green leaves and bushes and flowers. Spring can't come quick enough at home.
My son did a lot of fishing which was fun. He caught fish and would just throw them back out. The sunsets were so beautiful every night. We would run down to the beach and just watch the glory.
Two out in the ocean and two sleepy-heads.

Have a good weekend, Knitters! I'll be knitting away all weekend....

best, susie