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August 12, 2011

Chloë’s Cardigan & a Winner!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

We have a winner for the Friends of Spud & Chloë Group giveaway for the Little Stripey Hands pattern and 3 hanks of Spud & Chloë Fine in your choice of colors. The winer is….

193 posts

posted 3 days ago (Tuesday, August 9)

16

adorable! Love S&C!!

Congratulations to WatercolorPonies who popped up on my random number generator at number 16 in the comments! Thanks to everyone who entered and be sure to check back for more fun giveaways coming up this fall.

Okay, the sweet little cardigan for Chloë is going to be the next free pattern right here on Spud says! This is the official preview. I’ll have it up and ready to go for you to add to Chloë’s wardrobe by next week.

Have a great weekend and I’ll be back soon with more….

Posted in General, Things We Love | 9 Comments »

August 9, 2011

3,000 Friends Giveaway!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,
We are having a celebration because our Friends of Spud & Chloë group on Ravelry is flourishing. We now have over 3,000 members and it is a very active and fun group. We appreciate all of the support and activity in our group on Ravelry so we have pulled together a fun little present for one of our lucky group members.
The winner of this giveaway will receive the Little Stripey Hands pattern and 3 hanks of Fine in the colors of your choice!!
Leave one comment only on this thread. You have to be a member of the group in order to win. I will be back in a few short days to randomly select a winning comment on the thread. I will message the winner on Ravelry to gather the mailing address and the colors of Fine you would like to have sent to you.
Please note that you have to be a member of the group to win AND that you have to leave a comment on the Ravelry thread in order to be entered.
I’ll be back soon with a winner. Good luck if you enter.

Posted in General, Things We Love | 30 Comments »

August 6, 2011

Very Berry Hat – On the Run Pattern

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

When I saw these two shades of Spud & Chloë Sweater together a few months ago I could not get the image of a sweet little strawberry out of my head. I thought it would be fun to combine the colorways Barn and Grass to create a delicious little bite of a hat.

I know that berry hats have been done forever but this one has an easy fair isle twist to include the seeds as you knit and a fun little green topper that is also worked right in as you go. The squiggle on top is made in a fun way as well. This hat works up in no time at all and you will be the hit of any baby shower or birthday party when you show up with this yummy treat of a hat as your gift.

The Very Berry Hat pattern is a new addition to our On the Run pattern line. These patterns come on handy little cards that easily slide right into your bag. They are available at local yarn shops and online yarn shops that carry Spud & Chloë. If the Very Berry Hat pattern or any of the On the Run patterns are not in the shop they can quickly and easily get them for you so be sure to ask.

Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Very Berry Hat!

Posted in General, Things We Love | 8 Comments »

July 27, 2011

Border Time

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Today I happily sit and knit the border on the yummy Outer baby blanket I am whipping up. As I was sitting in my living room knitting I stopped for a minute to look at the beautiful pile of Outer in my lap. I happened to have my camera right next me so I took a photo for you of my view. Lovely, isn’t it?

This blanket is really taking shape nicely if I do say so myself. When I make a blanket that needs a border there is always a lot to take into consideration. I thought about a crochet border, a border in one shot with mitered corners, an attached I-cord border and some different color options for the border.

I wound up deciding to use the colorway called Hedge for the border. Here is what I am doing, I simply start on one side with the live stitches, complete a garter stitch border with 3 rows, do a Russian bind off (see the link below), turn and continue on to the next side where I pick up stitches. I am repeating this until each side is complete. It is done without cutting the yarn which is always good.  Also, it gives a clean but substantial border for the blanket.

I love to try new things with each project I do. For this project I tried several new stitch patterns, a crochet provisional cast on and the Russian bind off.

Click here to see my new video tutorial for the provisional cast on I used for this project! If you receive the email version of this post, I realize that for some reason the video tutorials don’t come through with the email. That is why I am providing the link again here.

For the Russian bind off I checked out this video tutorial:

Click here to Paula of The Knitting Pipeline’s video tutorial for the Russian bind off (I only do the bind off knitwise for this blanket.)

One last important thing, I am teaching a Spud & Chloë class on Sept. 16th, 2011 at The Creative Collection in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am very excited about this as it is going to be a fantastic event. September 16th is Vogue Knitting Day at the event and there are all sorts of wonderful classes and teachers with the focus on knitting. It is a knitting star-studded event (that’s kind of funny).

I am offering two separate Toy Knitting Workshops. I will post about this again with more detail soon. For now though here is the link to sign up before the classes fill:

Click here to check to find out the details and to register for my class!

I’ll be back soon with more blanket news…

Posted in General, Things We Love | 12 Comments »

July 15, 2011

Spud & Chloë at the Farm Available on iBooks!

Hi Spud & Chloë at the Farm,

This is a week of announcements for Spud & Chloë. The first was about our new downloadable pattern store and now I have another bit of news. A few weeks ago our sweet little book, Spud & Chloë at the Farm, became available as an electronic book. It is available through iBooks (Apple’s book store through iTunes). Now you can download our book right onto your iPad, iTouch or iPhone and take it with you on your travels around the neighborhood or all over the world. A cool thing about this electronic version is that throughout the book there is “light animation” which means ears twitch, eyes blink and noses wiggle right on my knitted samples in the photographs in the book. It is really fun and sweet to see the knit characters move and come to life a little bit.

Our book trailer with the Spud & Chloë song is also included in the iBook. If you haven’t seen the Spud & Chloë book trailer click here to watch it!

If you get the book, and you get a chance, please let me know what you think. This is my first book to go digital and I’d love to hear some feedback. It is one of the first knitting books on iBooks and it is being featured right now in the New & Noteworthy books in the Crafting and Hobbies section on iTunes. It is all very exciting.

By the way, Spud & Chloë at the Farm (the regular book version) has already gone into its second printing only a couple months after the release. Thank you so much for the support.

Now onto some knitting news. I am obsessed with our squishy Spud & Chloë Outer at the moment. I have been trying out new stitch patterns, revisiting old stitch patterns…..

… and laying out all sorts of color combinations! The colors really get me excited about this new project. I am feeling the muted color palette at the moment. The colors matched up above in the photo reminds me of the fall season in the best way possible. I may tweak it slightly before all is said and done. What about a shot of Rocket or Giggle thrown in? Hmmm, I’m still thinking.

I am piecing together a new patchwork baby blanket with a few different twists from the Dream Catcher Baby Blanket. First off, there are only 9 squares for this blanket. It works up incredibly fast. Secondly, I am using a crochet provisional cast on (a new tutorial maybe?) and leaving the stitches live at the top of the squares. I am going to provide some different options for finishing or seaming the blanket together with the live stitches at both ends of the squares. The live stitches at both ends will also make picking up for the edging a little easier on two sides of the blanket.

I will keep you posted on my new Outer baby blanket. I need to think of a good name for it as well. Eventually it will be a new free pattern right here on Spud says!

Off into the weekend we go and I’ll be back very soon with more.

Posted in Things We Love | 15 Comments »

July 7, 2011

Spud & Ysolda

(photo from Little Red in the City)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Spud has a new friend and her name is Ysolda. Ysolda is without a doubt one of the most popular knitwear designers today. She has designs in the top Ravelry patterns in just about every category and usually she claims the number one spot on the list. Her design range is incredible. Thousands and thousands of completed projects of Ysolda’s designs have been posted on Ravelry as well. I love and admire her fearless approach to knitting and her never-ending devotion to be all inclusive with her designing when it comes to sizing and her garments.

Ysolda has definitely hit the design world in a unique way. She has basically done all of her publishing independently. Her newest book has just been released. I pre-ordered it the minute I heard about it because I want to support her in every way possible. I believe she is adding so much good energy to the knitting world and that is worth every penny to me. Her new book is called, Little Red in the City. You can order the book in print form which gives you access to the entire book in pdf form or you can only order the downloadable version which is fantastic.

Click here to find out more and to see all of the projects in Little Red in the City.

Little Red in the City is 264 pages long, is self-published, and about half of the book is devoted to an inside look and instruction on sweater design and how to best get your garment to fit your body. There are only seven patterns in the book but they are amazing sweaters and cardigans in a wide range of sizes. The size range is from a bust size of 30 to 60 inches which is just plain incredible. The photographs show the sweaters on tiny Ysolda in the smaller size range and also the same sweaters on the gorgeous Amanda in the upper size range. It is a great concept and I applaud Ysolda for taking on this tricky design task.

To hear a wonderful interview of Ysolda explaining her thoughts and inspiration for this book concept click here.

Anyway, much to my surprise when I received my copy in the mail Ysolda selected Spud & Chloë Sweater to create one of the seven patterns in her book! What an honor. Skelf is a reverse stockinette pullover sweater with sleeve, neckline and waist stitch details. It is a beautiful sweater and I just have to share it with you.

(photo from Little Red in the City)

Skelf is a seamless pullover that is worked from the bottom up. The reverse stockinette makes the details really pop and Sweater has the perfect stitch definition to make this happen in a spectacular way. The sweater is worked inside out for the most part because most prefer the knit stitch to the purl stitch. By working inside out you get to knit instead of purl which is a good thing. Ysolda used the colorways of Moonlight and Pollen in Spud & Chloë Sweater to make the samples.

Click here to read more about Skelf.

As you can see in the photo above, Ysolda’s sketches and handwritten comments and instructions are sprinkled throughout the book. This gives the book a home-y feeling which is fun and different.

(photo by bleideag)

The stitch details are referred to as a cabled tree motif growing out of the ribbing at the bottom and a vine detail that wraps around the deep scoop neck. The scoop neck also has a decorative button detail and who doesn’t love a button here and there? I think it is all exquisite.

The photos of the sample are from bleideag on Ravelry and you can read about her sweater here. She knit this sample for the book.

(photo by bleideag)

I appreciate anything with vines and leaves for some reason. Skelf is a fresh take on both of these motifs.

(photo by bleideag)

Ysolda includes charts, which are big and easy to read, and line by line written instruction. Her pattern writing is very thorough. The cable tree motif is so crisp in the Spud & Chloë Sweater. What a perfect use of this yarn.

(photo from Little Red in the City)

Here is Amanda in her version of Skelf. The way Ysolda has set up her book is innovative. I haven’t seen this concept before and I think it will be well appreciated by knitters everywhere.

Check out Little Red in the City online or in the print version in local knit shops everywhere! It is worth your time.

Well, as I like to end most posts, I’ll be back soon with more…..

Posted in Things We Love | 5 Comments »

June 20, 2011

Spud on the Road

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Spud has been one busy guy over the last couple of weeks. We headed to TNNA, The National Needlearts Association, in Columbus, Ohio from June 10-13th. If you don’t know TNNA is a huge convention for the fiber industry that is held twice a year. There you will find yarn companies, publishers, magazines, designers, authors, knitting product companies (bags, needles, wheels, etc.) and much more. This is basically the place shop owners go to select products for their shops but so much more goes on as well. There are dinners and meetings and mingling… and there is tons of inspiration.

This year Spud & Chloë at the Farm attended, too, and had a great seat right on the corner of our booth. It was fun to see people stop and visit the farm and see the entire set all together in one spot.

The Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud & Chloë booth is always a treat. I always feel like it is an oasis in there. It is especially fun to see all of the knit and crochet samples from the pattern collections in person. The Seeing Stars Blanket (draped on the left in the photo) is getting a lot of attention and for good reason. It is stunning.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by the booth and for placing orders for your shops. We had a wonderful time at TNNA this year. It is always good to touch base with old and new friends of Blue Sky and Spud & Chloë. Also, thanks for making the effort to attend my book signings for our Spud & Chloë at the Farm book. That was great fun to get to meet so many shop owners from all over the country. Putting a face with the shops is the best.

Just a few short days later, Spud and I were heading for a quick trip to Chicago. Our first stop was for a live TV segment on WGN’s Midday Fix. Here you can see me filming a teaser for the upcoming segment. If you look at the TV monitor, I love how Spud is peeking up in the lower right corner of the screen. That’s too good.

Here I am live on the air during the four minute segment. If you missed the show you can now watch it online.

Click here to watch Spud & Chloë at the Farm and me on WGN!

To finish off the last couple of busy weeks we headed to Nina: a well-knit shop for a meet and greet book signing event.

Click here to visit Nina’s website!

I love this shop and wish it was in my neighborhood. Nina, the owner, is on the right and her fantastic staff is to the left in the photo. It’s my second tour visit to Nina’s and I had a terrific time. The staff and Nina are so much fun. The shop is gorgeous and sleek and modern. It is organized so beautifully. I love the  way everything is accessible and clean. It is a shop that is well-curated to bring you the best of the best available in a wonderfully simple and clear way. I love that about Nina’s. You never feel overwhelmed. It is kind of calming in the shop.

The signing event was very well attended. A fantastic group of knitters showed up and supported the shop. I signed a ton of books. I signed some extra books that are now at the shop so if you’d like a signed book give them a call: 773.486.8996. They will happily send a copy right out to you.

Nina stocks all of the Spud & Chloë yarn and patterns and the Blue Sky Alpacas yarn and patterns as well. We are lucky enough to be her best-selling yarn company. I’m sorry not to have more photos of the actual event but it was busy and when I finally looked at my watch the time was almost up! That’s a good thing.

Now I am home for awhile and I need to settle in and get back to my knitting and pattern writing! I’ll be back soon with much more…

Posted in Featured Shops, General, Things We Love | 4 Comments »

June 6, 2011

7 Fresh New Patterns for Spud

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Before I jump right into our newest patterns for the printed pattern line, I want to briefly share some exciting announcements. We have a busy, busy week ahead of us here in Spud & Chloë land. We are packing our bags (and farm animals) and heading off to Columbus, Ohio at the end of this week for TNNA (The National Needlearts Association). As with every summer, Blue Sky Alpacas and Spud & Chloë will have a big beautiful booth so if you are attending please be sure to stop by and say hello. The entire trunk show from Spud & Chloë at the Farm will be in the booth and of course, all of the new and spectacular knit pieces from the new pattern lines will be there as well. It is going to be an exciting and refreshing booth to visit.

Also, I am having two book signings for our book, Spud & Chloë at the Farm. I hope to see you at one (or both!) of these events. Here is the information and locations for those:

Saturday, June 11th: BOOK SIGNING for Spud & Chloë at the Farm with Susan:

1:30 PM – 2:15/2:30 PM

UNICORN

Booths: 121-129/220-228

Sunday, June 12th: BOOK SIGNING for Spud & Chloë at the Farm with Susan:

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM


R&M WEST COAST ENTERPRISES

Booths: 155/157

Okay, now for more good stuff! Twice a year we release new printed patterns and new colors for Spud & Chloë. Therefore, twice a year I am beside myself over both the colors and designs. This season does not disappoint. We have gathered some of the most talented designers out there to bring you fun new projects to inspire and to keep your hands busy for many months ahead. The patterns are available in your local yarn shops and your favorite online shops that carry Spud & Chloë. Please see our Stockists page (click on the stockists link in the upper right hand corner) to find out where you can purchase our patterns, yarn and products.

For the photo above (It’s a snowman made with real March snow in MInnesota, note the yarn-y eyes and mouth.):

LITTLE STRIPEY HANDS
Designed by Colleen Powley

Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9812

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Advanced Beginner

MATERIALS
• Fair Isle Gloves: Spud & Chloë Fine (65 grams/248 yds): 1 hank each A, B and C.
• Striped Mittens: Spud & Chloë Fine (65 grams/248 yds): 1 hank each A, B and C
• Size 1 (2.25 mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Stitch marker

SIZES
• Fair Isle Gloves: 6 mos (2 years)
• Striped Mittens: 6 mos (1-2 years, 3 years)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Fair Isle Gloves:
• Hand Circumference: 5¼ (6)”
• Hand length: 3 (4)” from base of thumb to top of middle finger
Striped Mittens:
• Hand Circumference: 4¼ (4¾, 5¼)”
• Hand length: 2¾ (3¼, 4½)” from base of thumb to top of middle finger

GAUGE
• In Fair Isle Stockinette Stitch, 38 sts and 44 rnds = 4″
• In Stockinette Stitch, 34 sts and 48 rnds = 4″

DESCRIPTION
• Gloves or mittens, babies or toddlers, striped or stranded, warm up all the little fingers in your family with this one handy pattern!

CABLE CABLE CABLE SOCKS!
Designed by Colleen Powley

Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9813

DESCRIPTION
Intertwining panels of Stockinette and seed stitch, cables, and twisted stitches all team up for a fun knit that’s sure to keep you on your toes!

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Intermediate

MATERIALS
• Spud & Chloë Fine (65g/248yds): 2 hanks per pair
• Size 1 (2.25 mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Size 2 (2.75 mm) double pointed needles, or 1 size larger

than smaller needles.
• 1 stitch marker
• Cable needle

SIZES
• Women’s Medium

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Foot length from back of heel: Approximately 9″
• Foot Circumference: 8″
• Leg Length from cuff to base of heel: Approximately 17″

GAUGE
• In Stockinette stitch, 32 sts and 40 rnds = 4″ using smaller needles

SEEING STARS BLANKET
Designed by Lindsay Ingram

Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9518

DESCRIPTION
• With instructions for three sizes, this snuggly stunner features a total of 16 shades of Sweater! The crocheted hexagons are joined as you go, and every motif has its own unique color combination.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Advanced Beginner

MATERIALS
• Spud & Chloë Sweater (100 g/160 yds)  2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (A), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (B), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (C), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (D), 2 (3, 4, 4) hanks (E), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (F), 2 (4, 4, 4) hanks (G), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (H), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (I), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (J), 2 (3, 4, 4) hanks (K), 2 (3, 4, 5) hanks (L), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (M), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (N), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (O), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (P), 2 (3, 3, 4) hanks (Q)
• Crochet Hook; Size G (4.0 mm)

SIZES
• Lap (Twin, Full, Queen)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Width: 55 (70, 75, 85)”
• Length: 56½ (90½, 90½, 90½)”

GARTH’S VEST
Designed by Kim Hamlin

Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9814

DESCRIPTION
• A vest any guy could love, this simple layer features a modern fit, clean lines, and argyle-inspired Intarsia detail.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Intermediate

MATERIALS
• Spud & Chloë Fine (65g/248yds): 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) hanks A; 1 hank each B and C
• Size 3 (3.25 mm) 32″ circular ndl, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 3 (3.25 mm) 16″ circular ndl, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 1 (2.5 mm) 32″ circular ndl, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers

SIZES
• Men’s S (M, L, 1X, 2X)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Finished Chest: 38 (42,44, 48, 52)”
• To fit Chest: 36 (40, 42, 46, 50)”

GAUGE
• In Stockinette stitch with smaller needles, 28 sts and 40 rnds = 4″

HEARTGYLE VEST
Designed by Kim Hamlin

Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9214

DESCRIPTION
• The classic vest gets a super sweet update in this fantastic stranded color work project.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Advanced Beginner

MATERIALS
• Spud & Chloë Outer (100g/60 yds): 4 (4, 6, 7, 8, 9) hanks A; 1 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) hanks B; 1 hank C
• Size 11 (8mm) 32″ circular ndl, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 11 (8mm) 16″ circular ndl or one set size 11 (8mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

SIZES
• Women’s Sizes: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Finished Chest: 26½ (32¾, 39¼, 45½, 52, 58½)”

GAUGE
• In Stockinette stitch: 10 sts & 14 rnds = 4″

SCHOOL COLORS HOODIE
Designed by Brandy Fortune

Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9519

DESCRIPTION
• You’ve got spirit; yes you do! Show it off in this top down raglan cardigan, with instructions for both the color-block and striped versions.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Intermediate

MATERIALS
• Color Block Version: Spud & Chloë Sweater (100g/160yds): 2 (3, 3, 4, 5, 5) hanks MC; 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) hanks CC
• Striped Version: Spud & Chloë Sweater (100g/160yds): 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 7) hanks MC; 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4) hanks CC
• Size 7 (4.5mm) 32″ long or longer circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 7 (4.5mm) set of double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Size F (3.75mm) crochet hook, or 1 size smaller than needle size
• Tapestry needle
• 16 (18, 20, 22, 22, 24)” separating zipper
• Sewing needle and thread to match zipper

SIZES
• Girl’s L/Women’s XXS (Girl’s XL/Women’s XS, S, M, L, XL)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Chest: 25¾ (28¼, 31¾, 35½, 39¾, 44¼)”, including zipper
• Length: 18¼ (19¾, 21¾, 22¾, 24½, 25)”

GAUGE
• In Stockinette stitch, 18 sts and 25 rows = 4″

SUSIE’S HAT SET
Designed by Susan B. Anderson

Published in Spud & Chloë Leaflet no 9811

DESCRIPTION
• Jazz up a basic slouchy hat and scarf set with an easy Fair Isle pattern in the Spud & Chloë Fine! The scarf is knit in the round for a simple grab and go accessory with no wrong side.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL
• Intermediate

MATERIALS
• Spud & Chloë Fine (65 grams/248 yards): 3 hanks A; 1 hank each B, C, D and E
• Size 2 (2.75 mm) 16″ circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 2 and 3 (2.75 and 3.25 mm) set of 4 double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers

SIZES
• Beret: To fit an average size older child’s or woman’s head ranging from 18 to 22 inches.
• Scarf: One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
• Beret circumference at brim: 19¾”
• Scarf width: 5½”
• Scarf length: 72″

GAUGE
• In Stockinette Stitch with larger needles, 28 sts and 36 rnds = 4″
• In Fair Isle Stockinette Stitch with smaller needles, 32 sts and 38 rnds = 4″

There you have it! And because I know someone will ask, here is a quote from Merri, at Blue Sky, about the bowling alley setting for the photos if you are interested:

“All photos (except the snowman) were shot at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. It’s this fabulous bowling alley—you walk in and feel like its 1950. But, don’t let the atmosphere fool because they have wonderful food—bakery made right on sight—we all ate way too much. You can still bowl there—and they have live theater sometimes.”

I can’t wait to cast on and I hope you’ll join me. Let me know which is your new favorite if you get a chance.

Posted in Things We Love, Uncategorized | 22 Comments »

May 7, 2011

Lolly Pod

(photo provided by Laura Nelkin)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I have to share this adorable baby knit with you today. Laura Nelkin has designed this tiny set using Spud & Chloë yarns. The baby is Luke and he is two weeks old in the photo.

Click here to find out more details and how to get the pattern for Lolly Pod!

Posted in General, Things We Love | 3 Comments »

May 1, 2011

Dreamy

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I have a few news items to take care of first today. The book/workshop/blog tour is continuing for Spud & Chloë at the Farm. I was interviewed on the Splendid Sticks blog and she is hosting a giveaway for the book.

Click here to visit the Splendid Sticks blog.

I also was lucky enough to chat with Kathy Elkins on the Ready, Set, Knit! podcast. We talked all things Spud & Chloë. The podcast is available on itunes or you can click here to listen on your computer. I love this podcast and listen to every episode.

On Saturday, May 14th, 2011 (that’s in two weeks!) I am teaching a toy making workshop at Stitcher’s Crossing in Madison, Wisconsin from 1-3pm. Together we are making a mouse from Spud & Chloë at the Farm. I’ll be doing lots of demonstrations for face embroidery, whipstitching parts together, stuffing knit toys and more. There will be some fun gifts from Spud and a giveaway or two at the class. I can’t wait and I hope to see you there.

After the class on May 14th, I will have a drop-in book signing and trunk show, I will bring the entire set from Spud & Chloë at the Farm, from 3-4pm at Stitcher’s Crossing. This is a casual gathering and everyone is welcome!

Stitcher’s Crossing has all of the yarn available to make the entire farm set from the new book and they also have kits for individual projects or the whole set ready to go.  The shop also has signed copies of any of my books available at all times (I pop in the shop all of the time).

For workshop and book signing information please call 608 232 1500 or click here to visit the Stitcher’s Crossing website.

One last newsy-type item is the Spud Knitalong that I am hosting! It officially starts tomorrow, May 2nd, 2011. I am so excited about the great response to the knitalong of my friend, Spud. It appears a lot of people want to make Spud! You can join in anytime so don’t worry if you can’t start right away tomorrow, you are always welcome. See you right here tomorrow if you are joining in.

Now to talk about the fantastic Dream Catcher Blanket in the photos. Last winter I had a huge surprise show up at my door and it was delivered by my sister. On Ravelry I am lucky to be a part of a group called Itty-Bitty Knits where there is a big group of generous knitters who actively gather together to spread goodness and to offer support on a daily basis. The group does monthly charity knitting that sponsors different organizations all over the country and beyond. The group also loves Spud & Chloë which I appreciate.

The moderator of the group is Suzanne and she secretly came up with the idea to have willing members of the Itty-Bitty Knits group knit squares using Spud & Chloë Sweater and the Dream Catcher Baby Blanket square patterns. It was an enormous undertaking and actually it became quite a journey for Suzanne. In order to keep the whole thing a surprise Suzanne got my sister involved and kept a secret thread going on the group for months. Suzanne had met my sister at my book signing event at the Knitty City in New York City last year. I love that my sister was part of the whole thing.

Click here to watch Suzanne’s video podcast, Knitting Knirvana, where she tells the story of the making of the blanket which she calls Operation Surprise Susan (that makes me laugh). By the way, Suzanne has a video podcast that is wonderful and she just had a baby girl a few days ago. She is a good one.

I was completely touched by the generosity of the group and the enormity of the task of the knitting and stitching together of this blanket. Don’t let the photos fool you on the size of the blanket. It fits a king-size bed with 108 squares, 9 across and 12 wide. The squares came from literally all over the country and even from other countries near and far (even as far as China!). It blew me away to receive such a gift. I was floating for days or weeks or actually I am still floating when I think about it.

The gigantic Dream Catcher Blanket lives on the couches in my house. The colors are gorgeous and the layout of the squares is breathtaking. Everyday my kids are bundled up underneath it either reading or watching a movie or taking a nap. It makes me so genuinely happy to see them enjoying the blanket. The blanket is soft and warm and it feels like getting a big hug when it is wrapped around you.

I shared this story on my other blog but I had to share it on Spud says! as well. If you want to make someone feel loved I suggest knitting them a blanket. It works.

If you’d like to see me open the surprise box with the blanket on video click right here.

As usual I have lots of Spud & Chloë and Blue Sky Alpacas knitting on my needles. The two cakes of Sweater in Barn and Grass are being whipped up into a little surprise at the moment. Any guesses what this will become?

Have a great day and tomorrow we begin the Spud Knitalong!

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