Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I am excited to bring you Wendy’s directions to make a boat neck sweater. Wendy just got her Sweater in Chipmunk yesterday - click here to view a photo. She is going to make a boat neck version of the raglan pullover. She has provided her beginning instructions which are different than the crew neck beginning instructions.

The rest of the post is from Wendy taken from the Friends of Spud & Chloë forum, knitalong thread. By the way, the Easy Top-Down Raglan Knitalong is currently at #8 on the new and popular (most active recently published designs) patterns on Ravelry. You have to click on “more” to see all of the patterns on the list. That is great news!

Now to hear from Wendy….

Wendy: This is going to be a long post, but I want to tell you about the boat neck math. Beyond this first part, you will follow the rest of the KAL. It is only the first part that is different. You will cast on for the entire neckline and join in the round without any neck shaping.

I am just beginning to plot out my boat neck. I do not plan on having an off-the-shoulder-a-la Flashdance sweater, so I’m going to stick to about 20” around, which is 10” across the front/back. The yarn will stretch and I plan to knit the neckband in at the very beginning rather than adding it on at the end, so it will stretch more. If you are beginners, follow Susan’s advice and knit in the garter stitch edging last. That is a good way to go. Also know that I might cast on and re-knit it if this particular sweater doesn’t fit the way I want it to. The math that follows, however, should be easy to adjust if you have a different beginning neckline measurement.

Any rate, for those of you who are interested, this is my math. The separation of the sleeves from the body parts will be the same as the KAL:

My gauge is 5 sts per inch

I want a 20” starting circumference for the boat neck, meaning, I will cast on all sts and knit in the round from that point forward

So, 20” x 5 sts per inch = 100 sts

Separate Front / Back = 50 sts each

Acquire 1/3 or .3333’s worth sts from each body section for sleeves, so: 50 sts x .333 = 16.65 sts. Round DOWN to 16 sts (ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO ROUND DOWN FOR SLEEVES UNLESS YOU HAVE LARGE UPPER ARMS)

After I work the 1 - 2” of neckline trim, probably seed stitch or a seeded rib or something simple like that, I will work one last round and place my markers. From that point forward, I will follow all of the instructions for the KAL:

I have 100 sts. 50 for front/back each.

I will take away a total of 32 sts for the sleeves, or 16 sts for EACH sleeve.

Here is the math: 100 total body stitches / 2 = 50 sts for front/back

One body section equals 50 sts. So, I will take 1/3 or .333 from it for one sleeve: 50 x .333 = 16.65. I will round down to 16 sts for one sleeve.

So, 2 sleeves equal 32 sts (16 sts x 2 sleeves = 32 sts)

Therefore, 100 TOTAL stitches minus 32 stitches equals 68 sts for the back/front (100 - 32 = 68)

To delegate back/front: 68 body sts (back/front minus the two sleeves), 68 / 2 = 34

Before I begin working the raglan increases, I will place markers as follows: K34 (front) pm, k16 (sleeve), pm, k34 (back) pm, k16, pm for beg of round.

From that point forward, follow all directions, increasing on either side of markers….

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Wow! We are off to a good start!

Please be sure to go to the Friends of Spud & Chloë knitalong thread and the comments on the posts here if you have any questions because they may have already been answered. There has already been a lot of correspondence back and forth. Please check in on our Facebook page for sneak peeks and updates, too. Here are a few comments from Wendy Bernard that were posted to the Ravelry knitalong thread (click here to see this thread) to start.

From Wendy: My yarn won’t arrive until tomorrow and I will probably be casting on Wednesday (Aug. 25th) or so. My plan is to simply let you all know what I’m doing but I don’t think I will make a new “recipe.” Doing this alteration will require a little bit of a sense of adventure, and I know you have it!

If you want to gets started without me:

The first step to a boat neck is to simply measure around your neck/shoulders to decide how wide you want your boat neck to be (estimate on the lower side because it will stretch; you can also look at similar patterns in your books and magazines and see what the schematic tells you. Look at Ingenue in Custom Knits for an idea, if you have the book).

Then, based on that number of inches/stitches, use the current instructions to determine how to separate your stitches into sleeve/front/sleeve/back. Place markers, and join in round. Work either an inch or two of your desired edging (don’t have to add later if you don’t want to), then, after that is done, begin your raglan shaping, i,e. kfb on either side of markers. Try on as you go!

When your armhole depth is about what you want (works best if it is a bit shorter), count the number of stitches in one sleeve portion and decide if that circumference is about right. If so, move on. If not, let us know and we will tell you what to do. There are lots of ways to tweak this type of raglan.

From Wendy: If there is someone in the KAL who desires to do a cardigan, I’m sure they’d be happy to include their mods, though. (Wendy is referring to a question on the Ravelry thread about making a cardigan here.)

Also note, if you happen to have a copy of Custom Knits, there is a lot of information on working cardigans from the recipe.

Remember, the ONLY difference between working a cardigan and a pullover is that with a cardigan you don’t join in the round. You work flat, back and forth in one piece. A pullover is joined in the round and worked that way down to the hem.

From Susan: I am only providing the recipe for the pullover, crew-neck raglan this time around. I have so many first-time sweater knitters participating that I want to keep things as simple as possible. Please feel free to make any modifications on your own! It’s your sweater and I want you to love it.

Also, instead of asking ahead of time and individually for information that will be posted here in a day or so, please be patient. It is all coming in a timely fashion. I am trying my hardest to answer a large number of questions on Facebook, email and Ravelry and the blog comments here. Plus, I am knitting right along with you all and trying to get the blog posts up. It is all fun and fast and I love it but please be patient. I am only one man (so to speak). And a lucky man, at that, to have you all here.

Thanks for everyone joining in. I am so appreciative that Wendy has been jumping in to help with advice and to answer questions. What an opportunity for us all. Thank you, Wendy!!

So let’s get back to business.

Grilled cheese and a neckline! What a great combination. TC’s a good sport.

I ended up working to 3 inches (for Step 6) for TC’s raglan just as I did for the Grape Jelly raglan.

These photos aren’t the best but I want you to see how simple this measurement is. I wrapped my sweater, still on the needles, around TC’s neck and looked at where the first and last stitches would fall on her neckline. When I got to a point that looked good I stopped knitting. That’s it!

I had a couple of questions about the 2 to 3 inch length for Step 6. If you want a closer fitting crew-neck you would knit to maybe 2 inches (or whatever measurement is right at the bottom of your throat), if you want more of a slight scoop neck you would knit to maybe 3 inches (or whatever measurement you’d like). TC and I both don’t enjoy a closer fitting neckline and we will be layering our sweaters to keep warm in our Wisconsin winters. Our necklines are a little looser fitting.

Remember that we will be picking up around the neckline to add an edging so that will add another inch or so around your neck.

It’s up to you and your neckline preference!

Now that we have our neckline to the point where we want to join across the front here is what to do next.

The steps are from Wendy Bernard’s book Custom Knits on pp. 154-155. I highly recommend this book!

Step 7: Joining the neckline at the front.

Once you have reached the desired length for the scoop of the neckline you will be figuring out the number of stitches to cast on to join the fronts to begin working in the round.

For example:

Grape Jelly Raglan: measures 3-inches from the cast on edge

TC’s Raglan: measures 3-inches from the cast on edge

Count the number of stitches you have in the back section. Remember that on your needles you have the stitches in this order between the stitch markers: front section, sleeve top, back section, sleeve top, front section.

For example:

Grape Jelly Raglan: back section = 48 stitches

48 stitches = the number of Back stitches

TC’s Raglan: back section = 44 stitches

44 stitches = the number of Back stitches

Now count the number of stitches in each of the front sections. Add the 2 front section number of stitches together.

For example:

Grape Jelly Raglan: each front section = 18 stitches

18+18 = 36 stitches

36 stitches = total number of Front stitches

TC’s Raglan: each front section = 18 stitches

18+18 = 36 stitches

36 stitches = total number of Front stitches

Now subtract the total number of Front stitches from the number of Back stitches.  This is the number of stitches to cast on to join across the fronts.

Back stitches - total Front stitches = the number of stitches to cast on

For example:

Grape Jelly Raglan: 48 (back) - 36 (total front) = 12 stitches (number of stitches to cast on to join the fronts)

TC’s Raglan: 44 (back) - 36 (total front) = 8 stitches (number of stitches to cast on to join the fronts)

Note: Basically you want to cast on the number of stitches across the front so the number of Front stitches = the number of Back stitches.

Knit across the next right side row, continue with the increases on each side of the stitch markers, to the end of the row. Using the backwards loop cast on method, cast on the number of stitches to join the Fronts. Now join to work in the round by continuing to knit across the left front up to the first increase raglan line or one stitch before the next stitch marker. I placed a separate removable stitch marker on this stitch to indicate the first stitch of the round for the Grape Jelly Raglan.

Continue increasing 8 stitches (kfb in each stitch before and after each stitch marker on the raglan increase lines) on every other round until the raglan lines reach to about 1-inch below your underarm.

Important Note: The way to try on your sweater to take this measurement is to take a long cut piece of scrap yarn and place the end on a yarn needle. Pull the scrap yarn through all of the stitches and then remove the circular needles. The stitches will now be on the scrap yarn only. Now your sweater is flexible and you can try it on.

After you try it on, place the stitches back on your circular needles and pull out the scrap yarn. You want to replace your needles by starting at the removable stitch marker that marks the first stitch of the round. Then you will be all set to continue right on.

The measurement to 1-inch below your underarm will determine the length of your sleeve opening so this is an important measurement. I actually measured many of my other raglan sweaters and tried it on as I worked to determine how long I would make this measurement. I measured along the raglan line from the cast on edge to get my measurements.

For example:

Grape Jelly Raglan: I worked until the raglan increase line measured 9 1/2 inches from the cast on edge.

TC’s Raglan: I am approximating that I will work to about 8 1/2 inches, measuring along the raglan increase line from the cast on edge. I will be trying the sweater top on TC to double check this measurement as I work. This is only a guess at this point and I will keep you posted!

Okay! Carry on with Step 7. There are only 3 more steps to go but lots more knitting as we tackle the body and the sleeves.

By the way, I have been getting asked about the stripes. I am just randomly striping as I go with no plan in mind. I have used up about 5 tiny balls of leftover Sweater right now. I love that. The largest stripes so far have 4 rounds and the smallest, 1 round.

Here is a photo of the Grape Jelly Raglan at the Step 7 point. I had worked a couple of inches after joining to work in the round.

I’ll be back soon with more! Have fun.

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I am starting with a quick side note before I dig into today’s topic. Please pop over, if interested, to see a few video interviews I did on Yarn on the House. I talk a lot about Spud & Chloë and the best part is that there is a huge Spud & Chloë giveaway running through Sunday, Aug. 22! The prize is enormous!  Click here to watch and enter!

Okay, today’s the day! Do you see who that is up there in that tiny thumbnail? Our special guest contributor to the Easy Top-Down Raglan Knitalong is none other than the fabulous sweater designer/author Wendy Bernard! I am so excited to get to tell you this. I am sure you all know who Wendy Bernard is but just in case I will tell you a little about her. Wendy is an accomplished top-down sweater designer who has designed many of today’s most popular sweater patterns. If you look at the top 100 sweater patterns on Ravelry her designs pop up over and over again. In fact, right now she is filming a new DVD on top-down sweaters in Denver at the Interweave headquarters. I can’t wait for that one.

I feel so good about having her by our sides as we work. Wendy has written a completely awesome book which I am sure many of you are familiar with called Custom Knits. Now, let me tell you how this all came to be….

This summer I have knitted four (and a half) adult size sweaters for myself. All of them have been top-down and are varied slightly in styles and stitches. I have also been reading lots of patterns and formulas and recipes for top-down sweaters. I’ve had the book Custom Knits for a long time but haven’t had time to knit myself sweaters for literally years. I have had about 7 sweaters from this book ear-marked as must knit sweaters for some time now! I love everything about Custom Knits especially all of the technique and teaching aspects included in the book. Wendy is a great instructional writer as well as a talented designer.

I turned to the back-end material of the book to find formulas or as I like to call them recipes for a variety of top-down sweaters and cardigans and sleeve types. I kept thinking about how I wanted to do a knitalong on Spud says! so I had my eye out for a simple, no-nonsense recipe. On page 154 in Custom Knits I found the simplest 10 step formula for a top-down raglan sweater I have ever seen. I fell in love with the 10-steps to the perfectly and personally fitted sweater. I grabbed my tape measure, a ball of Grape Jelly and my size 7 circular needles and dug in. I had so much fun making my own sweater using Wendy’s formula.

Here’s where it gets good. I emailed Wendy to see if she minded if I used her basic formula for the top-down raglan as our general recipe for this knitalong. Not only did she say yes, she said she could help out as well. I couldn’t believe my good luck and your good luck. She really and truly is THE expert on this area of knitting in my opinion. She knows the pitfalls, the easy way out of trouble, how to solve fit issues, what looks best and where, techniques, tips and tricks, etc. The list goes on and on.

Wendy is currently working on her second book of top-down sweaters where she delves even deeper into the subject. I highly recommend Custom Knits (click here to see all of the projects in the book), Wendy’s first book, for anyone wanting to knit top-down sweaters.  You may want to get a copy of your own especially after we knit this sweater together. You will want to branch right out and try another sweater immediately.

Here is the link to Knit and Tonic, Wendy’s ultra-fantastic blog. It has been one of my favorites for years now.

Here is the link to Wendy’s book Custom Knits.

Here is the link to Wendy’s ravelry designer page.

Go and enjoy her talent, her humorous and fun blog and her spectacular photography! Wendy is a gem.

One last thing, I am joining right in the knitalong with you to knit another sweater. I am gathering my stray balls of Sweater to make The Collector a sweater of her own. She loves mine so much that she wants one for herself. I will take photos along the way including the measuring and figuring out as I create her own “custom knits” top-down raglan.

Isn’t this great? I have heard from so many people gathering their skeins of Sweater in almost every color available, Cider, Firecracker, Watermelon, Toast, Moonlight, Grass, Pollen, Firefly, Chipmunk…. Will there be a Turtle, an Ice Cream,  and a Rootbeer? We’ll have to wait and see! I know that a few stores are trying to get yarn for customers. I know a few stores that have been inundated with orders, too. We will move slowly at the beginning so everyone can get settled so don’t worry about it. The information will always be available and you can join in at any time, even after it is over!

This is all so exciting!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Finally! I finished the top-down raglan yesterday. Last week got so hectic that I didn’t quite get it done and I was so close. As I bound off the second sleeve, my daughter (The Collector or TC) was sitting right next to me. I wove in a few ends as she watched. As soon as I snipped off the final end she promptly snatched the sweater and threw it on. It looks so good on her even if it is a little big.

I told her now that she had it on she had to let me take a few photos. That’s the price you pay.

I can’t begin to describe the squish and warmth of the Grape Jelly Sweater yarn. I made my sweater roomy because I live in a cold climate and I will wear layers underneath. In the fall I will wear this to soccer games as a jacket. Can’t wait to throw it on and run out the door. Although it is so soft I wouldn’t need to wear layers at all.

TC has her own fairy garden in the back corner of our yard. She tends to it daily although some of her plant selection didn’t fare well in the shady spot. Live and learn.

Here’s the scoop. I am running a very casual knitalong so you can all make your own Easy Top-Down Raglan with me. You can join in at any time, no worries. When we finish as a group I will gather all of the information and put it up here on Spud says! as a free pattern so you can start any time even after we are done.

The difference for this knitalong is that we are using a formula or recipe to make our sweater. That means I will be giving you simple, easy to follow guidelines to make a sweater that will fit you! You will have to use your calculator and your tape measure along the way. I promise it is not difficult. One of the greatest benefits to making this type of sweater is that you can try it on as you go. Trying the sweater on tells you how long to make the body and sleeves, where to stop on your armhole increases and when to join the body, how long to make the neck scoop, etc.

I will be writing out exactly how I made my version of the sweater with all specifics on how I made it to fit me. If you are about my size you can make the same sweater I made but I want you to make a sweater that is perfect for your body.

I kept it simple and straightforward. I believe you can’t get any simpler than a stockinette stitch body and arms with a garter stitch edging on a top-down raglan.

Lookin’ good!

The Easy Top-Down Raglan Knitalong will officially start next week, Monday, August 23rd. This week I want you to gather your materials and to make a swatch to check your gauge. The wound skein above is the Grape Jelly that is the left over 6th skein that I just broke into. I didn’t use much of it.

Here is the yarn requirement for Spud & Chloë Sweater in skeins and bust measurement in inches.

Bust measurement in inches - number of skeins of S&C Sweater:
32 inches - 5 skeins
34 inches - 5 skeins
36 inches – 6 skeins (This is the sample size that fits me perfectly!)
38 inches – 6 skeins
40 inches – 6 skeins
42 inches – 6 skeins
44 inches – 7 skeins
46 inches – 8 skeins
48 inches – 8 skeins
50 inches – 8 skeins
52 inches – 8 skeins
54 inches – 9 skeins

There you have it! I worked up my sweater in US size 7 needles using 24-inch circulars and a set of 4 double-pointed needles. The gauge is at 5 stitches per inch. Please make a swatch to make sure you are getting the correct gauge.

Other things you’ll need:

Tape measure

Yarn needle

Scissors

That should do it! I’ll be back soon to announce who our special guest sweater expert is. I am so excited she is joining us for this project. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

The second sleeve is almost done! I should have the starting information for the top down raglan knitalong together by the end of the week. That means yarn amounts and other basic information you’ll need to work along. Plus you’ll want to swatch before starting to make sure you are getting the gauge for the project.

I also have some new toy ideas I’m working on. The materials above are for two new toys. My daughter and I were out at an adorable local toy shop last week and we saw the Hi-Bounce Pinky balls. She quickly informed me that these balls are the favorites of all the kids in her gym class. Apparently Pinkies are the best bouncy balls around. I bought a couple to have on hand to include in some new toys.

Now I can’t stop thinking about the Hi-Bounce Pinky balls. I know just the toys to make around these! You never know what will inspire you.

The colors may be a hint for the animals I am going to work up… or maybe not. Stay tuned. I am going to cheat a little and use some Blue Sky Worsted Cotton in Ink (black) for one of the toys. This character definitely needs a tiny touch of black.

So that’s Spud & Chloë Sweater in Watermelon and Popsicle and Ice Cream and then the Ink in the Blue Sky Worsted Cotton if you’re interested. You won’t need much of any of it. I am hoping to squeeze two toys out of one skein of each with Watermelon as the main color in both toys. The Hi-Bounce Pinky balls can be found right here!

Oh, and you have to check out this gorgeous hooded cardigan knitted up by Peggity on Ravelry. The charted designs are from from a vintage pattern and the yarn is Spud & Chloë Sweater. I love the result (plus I always love old stuff). Here is what Peggity writes on her project page:

This yarn is wonderful - so soft and squishy!! Charted designs are from 1977 Dover Needlework Series book “Charted Peasant Designs from Saxon Transylvania” which is an unabridged republication of “Folk Cross-Stitch Design” originally published in Germany in 1964.

Click here to see the sweater! Anyway, I thought you might enjoy seeing Peggity’s work! What a treat.

I’ll be back soon with more!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Mama’s got a brand new sleeve! Here is the full report. I am on the fifth skein of Spud & Chloë Sweater with quite a bit left on that skein. I have a start on the second sleeve. I knit the sleeve to 16 inches from the picked up stitches on the underarm before starting the garter stitch edging. I knit the sleeves on double-pointed needles, US size 7. I am knitting the entire sweater at 5 stitches per inch.

I did some decreases on the sleeves every couple of inches or so up to about 10 inches. Then I knit straight. I will get it all written out as a recipe and then we will be ready to fly! I am having this idea about the second version I will make as we do the knitalong together. I’m really thinking about doing some stripes. If you are doing your first sweater though you will want to stick to a solid. If I knit a second one I’ll have to change it up somehow, right?

It fits and feels like heaven. Now, to get back to that second sleeve….

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

There is a lot in the works around here. I am making nice progress on a very simple top-down raglan in our Grape Jelly Sweater yarn. I have used 2 skeins so far. It is progressing nicely. I keep trying it on and measuring as I go. I also keep measuring other finished sweaters that have a good fit so I can compare the measurements. This keeps me on the right track. So far, so good!

What I am thinking about doing with this sweater idea hosting a knitalong right here on Spud says! I won’t be sharing an exact pattern but instead it will be more like a good solid recipe with lots of instruction so you can make your own sweater to fit you! You can really do it! I even have a special guest lined up to help answer questions and give tips along the way with me. She is a super expert on the topic. It should be fun.

I won’t be starting this for at least a couple of weeks so I am just putting the idea out there to get your creative juices flowing! I think it will be a lot of fun. I don’t know yarn amounts yet so hang tight on that. You could definitely start picking out your favorite colorway in Sweater to get a jump.

How does that sound?

One last quick thing, if you are interested in getting a Spud & Chloë limited edition tote bag they are  now available here!

I’ll be back shortly with some tiny butterflies for you.

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I have randomly selected a winner and here is the comment that popped up:

Absolutely LOVE THIS YARN! Always enjoy the blog and new ideas. Congrats on one year mark, and many more to come. Visited a new yarn shop in Georgia a little while ago, and fell in love with her creativity not only in her displays, but she was just a lovely person in general, she asked me if there was anything she could add….naturally I told her about Spud & Chloe, I hope she did get in touch, and starts carrying it!

Would be thrilled to get the little shoulder bag for carrying projects to ballfield!!!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Warning: My daughter’s feet have grown! These socks are sized for women and yes, my daughter is still 10 years-old for another week. However, her feet are now a women’s size 7. Her height will catch up to her feet I am sure.

I am giving a quick peek at the sock pattern I have been working on. These are the bigger version of the Ribbed Socks for Kids pattern from last summer. I will have the bigger pattern available very soon. This ribbed sock pattern is a tried and true pattern for a cuff down, heel flap sock that I have used forever and a day when I knit socks. It is a standard sock pattern, very simple and straight forward. I have made fancy socks, stockinette socks, ankle socks, knee socks, striped and lace socks. This simple rib sock is by far my most favorite sock in the world. I have a drawer spilling over with this exact same ribbed sock. I love the way they work up and most importantly I love how they feel and wear on my feet.

I have a feeling you might like knitting and wearing these socks, too.

I like my sock cuffs to be about 6-inches long. I used two skeins of Fine but had lots left over so you could easily make the cuff quite a bit longer.  No problema.

If you haven’t knit with our gorgeous fingering weight yarn line yet you are missing out. It is wonderful to work with, squishy, has a slight sheen due to the silk, and they wear like nothing else. The stitch definition is divine and crisp. You will love knitting with Fine. I guarantee it.

The next pair I have on the needles right now is a stripey cuff ribbed sock. I am almost at the toe and then that toe will just fly off my needles. Oh, and those colors? The. Best. Can you imagine these worked up in the new Fine colors of Shitake and Red Hot? I can and I will!! I would like these with the red as the main color and with the shitake as the main color. I may have to make 2 pairs. I am liking those colors together so much. Maybe a striped hat, too!

By the way, my sheep sock blockers are from the Loopy Ewe. I have had them for at least a few years and I love them. I am extra excited to say that the Loopy Ewe now is selling Spud & Chloë yarns. That’s way cool.

I’ll be back with this standard rib sock pattern for women in a short while.

Hope you are well, friends.

p.s. The black mary jane shoes are Dansko and I have had them for at least 3 years now. I loved them so much I bought a pair in red, too. I don’t know if they still make this style:)

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Last but not least, I have the final three new patterns for this upcoming season to share with you. The first is the Flower Power Throw which is a true masterpiece. This gorgeous throw is worked up in Sweater and uses intarsia to create the modern flower motif. It sure would be fun to wrap yourself up in this cozy blanket. Remember that Sweater is machine washable so this blanket could be taken with you everywhere without a worry in the world.

If you are wondering how this fantastic little pullover got its name I’ll let you in on the secret.  We named this sweater for Olympic skiier Lindsey Vonn, who learned to ski on Buck Hill, right here in Spud & Chloë country. That’s Minnesota in case you didn’t know. You can look like an Olympic skier, too, as you soar down the slopes (or just sit by the fire) in this fitted Fair Isle pullover with turned hems for a clean, finished look.

I swear that I will never get enough of the Buck Hill color combination of Sweater yarn, Grass, Splash and Ice Cream. I am thinking I will probably make this one for myself at some point soon. It is sporty and chic. This is another one of Kim Hamlin’s beautiful designs. She is such a talent. I always get excited to see what she will come up with next.

Finally, here is a special treat for all of those Spud & Chloë crochet lovers out there! Stacey Trock designed the Pack O’ Puppies Mitts. Crochet one, two or an entire pack—any beginner can adopt these fun-time puppies as mittens or hand puppets. There are now 16 colors available in Sweater so the sky is the limit on color combinations for your puppies. This would also make a great Sweater leftover user-upper. Cute, cute!

As I’ve been saying, all of the new patterns and yarn colors (and don’t forget the old patterns and colors) will be available to order at TNNA for those attending. TNNA is this coming weekend. After that all items are always available in your local yarn shops and online shops. Be sure to check out our Stockists page on this site for shopping information.

I’ve got a few new free pattern projects cooking right now including a pair of simple socks. I’ll be back in a hurry with some new and fun projects for you. I won’t be attending TNNA this go-round because of my oldest son’s high school graduation so you won’t see me but be sure to stop by and say hello to the hard working staff behind Spud & Chloë and Blue Sky Alpacas at their booth.

I will miss seeing everyone and I will miss not seeing the booth design! Have fun and safe travels to all attending in Columbus.