(photo by  PiPiBird)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I love seeing new patterns using Spud & Chloë yarns, especially when I just happen upon them spontaneously. Today I want to share two new patterns I spotted recently. First is the Shellseeker pattern by Heidi Kirrmaier. Heidi is a fantastic designer and a good one to watch. I heard about the Shellseeker on a podcast (can’t remember which one) while I was out running the other day. I don’t think they said that the pattern called for Spud & Chloë on the podcast so when I looked it up when I got home I was excited to see that the Shellseeker is made using Sweater.

Click here to see the Ravelry page for the Shellseeker.

(photo by  PiPiBird)

Here is what I love about this pattern. I love the stripes and thinking about all of the striping options you could come up with in Spud & Chloë Sweater. The colors in our Sweater line include so many compatible and contrasting options, the sky is the limit. I love the interesting and flattering increases along the front and that the back flap is a tiny bit longer than the front. Most of all I love the giant pocket in the front. My hands would always be in that pocket if I had this sweater.

(photo by  PiPiBird)

The design is knit in one piece from the top-down and has sizing options for a 30 to 50 inch bust. That’s a generous sizing range. Don’t forget that this would be the perfect older child or teen sweater and it would be a quick knit, too. Those are all good things.

If you click on the Ravelry project page you will see a special discount code you can use at Knit Culture to save 10%! Don’t miss out on this special deal. Knit Culture is selling kits of Spud & Chloë Sweater for you to make this gorgeous and comfy sweater. Knit Culture has put together lots of color combinations to help you easily envision and choose your stripe colors in Sweater. The Shellseeker would also look fantastic in a solid if you aren’t into the stripes so much.

You can purchase the pattern individually on the Shellseeker Ravelry project page if you aren’t interested in the kit.

Click here for Knit Culture!

Click here for the Ravelry project page for Shellseeker (in case you missed it earlier).

(photo by Interweave)

And just look at these wonderful colorwork socks by Katya Frankel. They are called the Elusive Bias Socks. The socks use Spud & Chloë Fine in the Green Bean and Shitake colorways. What a great color combination. That Shitake colorway has been one of my favorites since the first time I saw it. The pattern for the Elusive Bias Socks can be found in the new Interweave Accessories issue (click here). For more photos of these stunning socks click here.

Well, there you have it. That Spud is a busy guy.

Happy December to you. I’ll be back soon with more…

(photo from Knit and Tonic)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Wendy Bernard has completely reworked her Girlfriend’s Swing Coat pattern to fit girl sizes 2-14 and to use Spud & Chloë Sweater. It is in the photo above in the colorway called Waterslide. I love this cardigan as it has Wendy’s flare and style and it’s for kids!

Click here to see the details and to purchase the pattern.

(photo from Custom Knits 2)

Wendy Bernard has done it again with this gorgeous jacket knit in Spud & Chloë Outer in the Flannel colorway. The pattern is in her new book, Custom Knits 2. What a versatile and timeless garment. I love this one, too. I can’t even imagine how quickly this jacket would work up, in a flash, no doubt!

To get Wendy’s book, Custom Knits 2, first check with your local yarn shops. Most yarn shops will be carrying this book or could order it for you.

(photo from Knit Circus)

Now for a wow moment, just look at this double-knit cardigan. The Wild Cherry Cardigan is worked up in Spud & Chloë Fine and it is completely reversible. How fun is that? The pattern is found in the new issue of the Winter Knit Circus 2011. It’s an online magazine.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Wild Cherry Cardigan!

Click here for Knit Circus!

Take care and I’ll be back soon with the rest of the Mini-Fairy Along.

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I have become enamored with a variety of colors paired up with Spud & Chloë Sweater in the Beluga colorway. Every color in Sweater looks so beautiful when combined with this heather gray worsted yarn. I have finally landed on a gray and yellow color combination that I am really crazy about.

In fact, I have two wound cakes that are sitting stacked on each other in the Beluga #7521 and the Firefly #7505 colorways. I keep looking at them and wondering what to make. Should the hanks become a hat, mitts, a scarf, a shawl, a cardigan, a cowl? Maybe all of the above?

The next free pattern on the blog will be something in grellow!

It is so good. I am casting on today….

What Spud & Chloë creations are you making right now? I’d love to hear about your projects and your color combination loves of the moment.

(photo courtesy of Petite Purls)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

All 20 winners for the Knit Simple Holiday Issue 2011 and the three winners that also each won a hank of Spud & Chloë Fine have been notified. Thank you to everyone for entering! What an exciting and great response.

Now that fall is really here there are lots of new patterns using Spud & Chloë and Blue Sky Alpacas popping up everywhere you turn. I want to share a few of these new designs with you today. So let’s get started!

Above is a sweet little pullover in Spud & Chloë Sweater in the new issue of Petite Purls. The sweater is called, Thorgal, and is designed by Corrine Fourcade. This is a free pattern. Click here to see more information.

(photo courtesy of Petite Purls)

I love this photo of the sweater as it really shows the pretty colorwork details.

(photo courtesy of Petite Purls)

Robyn Chachula strikes again with her fantastic crochet skills. The Bartlett Car Coat is made in Spud & Chloë Fine. The pattern is free and is found in Petite Purls. Click here for more information about the pattern.

(photo courtesy of Petite Purls)

I love a baby boy in a knit vest! The Emmett vest is designed by Kimberly Voisin and is made in Spud & Chloë Sweater. This is a free pattern in Petite Purls.  Click here to find out more about the pattern.

(photo courtesy of Petite Purls)

The color choices are endless for this sweet vest. Another winner for Petite Purls!

(photo courtesy of Petite Purls)

I have to include a few of the new patterns using Blue Sky Alpacas yarn in this post as well. They are too wonderful to not include.

Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight yarn is used in the adorable Tummy Warmer pattern by, Angela Tong. This is a free pattern for Petite Purls. This design is a winner all around. I can easily see what a quick and beautiful baby gift this one would be. Click here to find out more about the pattern.

(photo courtesy of Interweave Knits)

I have to include this cover design for the new Interweave Knits Fall 2011. I love this huge cable coat in Blue Sky Bulky. I would love to wrap up in one of these this fall and winter, wouldn’t you? Click here to find out about the Cardiff Coat by Jennifer Wood.

(photo courtesy of Interweave Knits)

I love the simple cables and how they pop in this gorgeous bulky yarn. Wow! Great work by Jennifer Wood.

And last up today, I have a new Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino design in the just released book, Weekend Hats by, Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre. It is called the Ruche Beret and it takes only one hank of the Suri Merino yarn. The Suri Merino is the yummiest, dreamiest and most romantic yarn to knit with. I fell in love with it while making this hat. Click here to find out more about this pattern. This hat could easily be whipped up in a weekend just like the name of the book implies.

The Polly Pullover/Cardigan Knitalong is in full swing. This is a great pattern by Merri Fromm and I am offering modifications to add sleeves and to make it a cardigan. Click here to follow the Ravelry thread. This garment knits up so quickly that many are already planning their second version which is so good to hear. I want one in every color! At the right top of the sidebar here on the blog there is a new Knitalong category where you can click to see all of my blog posts for the current knitalong.

Okay, knit away into the fall! I’ll be back soon with more…..

(All photos in this post are by Paul Amato for Knit Simple Holiday 2011)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I am so excited to tell you about my latest project for one of my favorite knitting magazines, Knit Simple! I have written for years about my youngest daughter, TC, and her love of fairies.  I thought as she got older her interest in all things fairy would fade but it hasn’t gone away at all. I love that. I finally had the chance to make a fairy set with TC’s fairy love in mind. This project is dedicated to TC and all of the fairy lovers out there!

Now for that cover, if you look to the left of the lovely Vickie Howell you will see an adorable girl holding one of the fairies in my Fairyland Fantasy that is inside the magazine.

Along with two different fairies (one is more detailed than the other) I made a fun flower purse or flower home for a fairy. The flower opens up and lays flat and then the petals close up around the fairy as you pull the string…. watch!

1….

2….

3!

It’s so simple and fun. The flower is made from 2 strands of Fine held together while knitting which makes it go faster and on size 5 needles. The entire project is made in Spud & Chloë Fine in the following colors: #7804 cricket, #7800 popcorn, #7808 sassfras, #7807 tutu, #7811 bumble bee, #7820 wildberries, #7801 glow worm, #7817 goldfish.

In the magazine there is an entire tutorial section for the fairy hair with clear and helpful photographs. The entire project is beautifully photographed and there are many more photos inside the magazine than I am sharing here.

This fairy is a little less elaborate but every bit as sweet. I love the fairy set Knit Simple created for the fairies. It turned out incredibly well.

It’s rewarding and fun to see a project you made finally out and available.  I hope you enjoy knitting the fairies and flower as much as I did. It’s so much fun!

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Flora and Fairies!

Now for the good part! We are hosting a HUGE giveaway right here on the blog. Here is the information:

20 winners will get a free copy of the magazine, Knit Simple Holiday 2011!!!

The first 3 winners will also receive one hank each of the Spud & Chloë Fine to make the fairies along with a copy of the magazine!!!

To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post. Leave your email or Ravelry ID so we can get in touch to gather your mailing address if you win. Please only enter one time.

I will be back in a few days to randomly select the 20 winners. Good luck and let the comments begin!

(photo by Littlefellers on Ravelry or Carol Feller)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Every once in awhile I like to take a stroll through Ravelry to find new projects using Spud & Chloë yarns. I am always amazed at what I run across. Here are a few of my new Spud & Chloë finds.

Above, the always wonderful Carol Feller designed this adorable cardigan in Spud & Chloë Sweater. The name of the project is Spud Murphy.

Click here to find out more about the pattern for Spud Murphy and the available sizes.

(photo by Interweave)

Check out this crocheted hat by Linda Permann. It is in the fall 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet and is called the Atomic Hat. The hat uses Spud & Chloë Fine. I love how the stitch detail really pops out with this yarn and stitch pattern.

Click here to find out about the pattern for the Atomic Hat!

(photo by Annika Barranti)

I love this sweet cardigan by Annika Barranti. It is called Emmett and is made in Spud & Chloë Sweater. The pattern comes in sizes from newborn to 10 years old. That is quite a range.

Click here to find out more about the pattern for Emmett!

(photo by Jyme Parish or ooohlala on rav)

Last but not least, here is a free pattern for a blanket knit in Spud & Chloë Outer. The blanket is designed by Jyme Parish and it is called Spud’s Stroller Blanket. This simple garter stitch blanket with beautifully coordinated stripes is a winner in my eyes. Jyme even had enough left over for a sweet little matching hat.

Click here to find out about the free pattern for Spud’s Stroller Blanket!

Well, there’s a little something for everyone! Have a great September weekend.

I’ll be back soon with more….

(photo courtesy of Brandy Fortune)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

My house is quiet for the first time in months. Fall is here even with our 90 degree temperatures and humidity.

To kick off this fine fall day I want to share some new patterns floating around. First off, who doesn’t love a gorgeous brown-eyed baby wearing a handknit bib? I do. This sweet garter stitch bib is knit in Spud & Chloë Sweater and features a pacifier clip as well. A two for one is always a good thing.

Petite Purls has a Back to Basics series of free patterns that are all made out of Spud & Chloë yarn. You should definitely jump over and check out these simple but beautiful patterns.

(photo courtesy of Brandy Fortune)

Click here to visit Petite Purls Back to Basics!

In case you missed it, Blue Sky Alpacas released four new free patterns in the last Bluesletter. I love the patterns by Colleen Powley, Kim Hamlin and Bobbi Intveld. If you don’t subscribe to the Bluesletter click here and sign up. I don’t want you to miss out on all of the fun going on over at Blue Sky Alpacas. They always have the best of everything in fiber and patterns.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Zig Zag Mittens and Hat.

Click here to see all of the free downloadable patterns from Blue Sky Alpacas.

As with Spud & Chloë, Blue Sky Alpacas has recently added the downloadable pdf pattern option from their site for all of the Blue Sky Alpacas patterns. Of course, the printed pattern line won’t change a bit and all patterns are still available in local and online yarn shops, too.

Click here to see all of the Blue Sky Alpacas patterns.

I love home photos of designs so here are mine. My TC is wearing the first version I knit of the Zig Zag Hat. I used Techno in 1970 – Fame (natural), 1974 – Smoke (dark gray) and 1975 – Club Gray (medium gray). I love the contrast of the natural with the shades of gray.

The Zig Zag Hat can be styled different ways by adjusting the brim. Directly above the hat is super slouchy with the brim worn down. The first photo shows the hat with the brim folded in half for a more traditional shape.

I notice a lot of people wearing hats with the brim turned up more in the front like this.

I wish you could feel Techno in person if you haven’t. It is squishy and light and airy but yet substantial and warm. Techno is really something new and revolutionary in the yarn industry.

Click here to see all of our beautiful colors in Techno.

Interweave Knits, Gifts Issue 2011 is hitting the stands on September 6th, 2011. I have an interview in the magazine where I talk about Spud & Chloë so be sure to check that out. I also have two new projects featured in the magazine for this gift knitting season. The first project is McHenry, an adorable knit dog, and the second project is the matching McHenry Hat.

Click here for information on Interweave Knits, Gifts Issue 2011.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for McHenry.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the matching McHenry Hat.

I knit McHenry in Blue Sky Skinny Cotton. I love this yarn for knit toys. I originally knit the puppy in Spud & Chloë Sweater and you could do that, too. The finished dog would be a bit bigger with the worsted weight yarn. Either way, he is a cute and lovable guy.

I added a red collar and a spot on the backside for good measure but both are optional.

McHenry is about 6 inches tall when seated, maybe a little shorter.

The McHenry Hat is knit in one piece. The ear placement is marked and saved with scrap yarn as you knit the hat. The stitches are then picked up and the ears are knit right on the hat. There is no seaming at all and it is a super easy technique. It is sized for a toddler/small child.

Have fun with these new patterns, some free and some from Interweave Knits.

Hooray to the fall knitting season! There is much more to come soon.

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I was so impressed when I saw that Pam finished a gorgeous version of our Flower Power Throw out of Spud & Chloë Sweater. She did a fantastic job. I thought you would enjoy seeing her masterpiece so I made a slideshow with Pam’s permission to use her photos. She backed the throw with a color block quilt using Anna Maria Horner’s Folksy Flannel (she is one of my favorite fabric designers). The back is a masterpiece on its own. These fabrics are the perfect match and I am sure the flannel is super soft. What a great pairing.

Congratulations, Pam!

Click here to see Pam’s project page for the Flower Power Throw.

Click here to see more about the pattern for the Flower Power Throw.

Click here to see more about the Sweater yarn used for the Flower Power Throw.

Pam purchased the Sweater yarn for her throw right here!

Coming up… Chloë’s Cardigan.