Spud says (the blog)

February 10, 2010

TC’s Cozy Hat - Free Pattern!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I am back this morning with a new free pattern for you. My daughter, TC (The Collector), designed this hat from scratch and I knit it up for her. She picked every detail and color. TC simply loves her new hat and wears it night and day, indoors and outdoors. It is pretty cute to see someone enjoy a handknit like this.

Hopefully you will enjoy your version of TC’s Cozy Hat, too!

Here is some information you might like to know about this quick and simple earflap hat:

Finished measurement: 20-inch circumference

Note: TC’s head measures 21 ½-inches. The hat will fit would fit a 19-21 ½-inch head circumference. The hat has a snug fit.

Yarn: Spud & Chloë Outer (65% superwash wool, 35% organic cotton; 100 grams/60 yards), 1 skein each in Flannel #7201, Bayou #7207 and Soapstone #7200

Needles: US size 15 sixteen-inch circular and set of 4 double-pointed needles or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 2 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

The hat is knit and then the earflaps are picked up and knit down from the cast on edge.

The trim is braided separately and sewn on. The finished effect is wonderful.

Enjoy!

Here is the Ravelry page for TC’s Cozy Hat!

Click here to download the free pattern for TC’s Cozy Hat!

February 6, 2010

TC’s Cozy Hat - Pattern Preview!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

On my other blog I talk a lot about my youngest daughter. I affectionately call her, The Collector or TC for short. That nickname doesn’t take much explaining. This girl is a major collector of an assortment of treasures but the main things she likes to collect involve nature. She is always coming home with her pockets filled with leaves, sticks, stones and acorns. It is really funny.

Anyway, TC has been begging for a new hat made out of Outer. You should see her browsing around my studio picking out colors and talking about the hat she’d like to have. The hat she wanted had to have stripes, earflaps and long ties. She even gave the hat a name, TC’s Cozy Hat. That’s how she feels about it.

I present to you, TC’s Cozy Hat, designed, worn and loved by The Collector herself. Once I finished knitting the hat she threw it on her head and has worn it constantly ever since. She wears it indoors and out! It is a major hit.

I will get the free pattern written up and available to you next week! If you are planning ahead you’ll need 1 skein each of Bayou, Soapstone and Flannel or 3 colors in Outer that will work best for you.

Have a good weekend, Friends. I’ll be back soon.

February 4, 2010

Door Prize

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I want to let you know that there is an opportunity to win a fantastic door prize over at the new Ravelry group, Friends of Spud & Chloë. Here is a description of the prize:

“Spud & Chloë Lil Man Vest pattern and Outer yarn in Flannel in the S & C pattern box. Included is the Spud & Chloë Pencil Case with some little S & C goodies inside…a welcome to the forum gift for some lucky knitter!!!”

Sounds pretty good to me! All you have to do to win the prize is join the group. Easy peasy, right? Anyone who joins the group is automatically entered in the door prize giveaway. Entries will be taken until February 12th (Friday, 11:59 est) and Pixie Purls, the group moderator, will announce the winner on February 15th (Monday) on the forum. Be sure to check back on the group to see if you’ve won.

Click here to join the group, Friends of Spud & Chloë!

Have fun and be sure to join. We are just getting going over there.

February 1, 2010

Friends of Spud & Chloë on Ravelry

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I am popping in quickly to invite you all to join me on Ravelry in the brand new group, Friends of Spud & Chloë! Pixie Purls of Petite Purls recently started the group. If you are interested in finding like-minded Spud & Chloë knitters and crocheters please hop on over and click the “join now” button.  It will be a great place to make and hear announcements, share projects, share yarn ideas, talk about patterns, ask questions or just have fun together. I hope to see you there!

love (1)

Here is the link to the Friends of Spud & Chloë  group!

January 29, 2010

Spud & Chloë Pencil Bags Now Available!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I am thrilled to let you know that our fantastic little Spud & Chloë pencil bags are now available for purchase. You can get your bags online and in local yarn shops where Spud & Chloë products are sold. If the pencil bags aren’t  in your favorite Spud & Chloë shop yet be sure to ask. Any of our shops can get them in a hurry for you!

Here is the company description:

The adorable Spud & Chloë heavy-weight canvas pencil bags come equipped with heavy-duty metal zippers and are just the right size for toting all of your knitting necessities. Available now in Spud & Chloë retail shops and online shops.

See the stockists list on our site for more information about where to purchase the bags.

I have a couple of these little bags at my house and I just love them! You will, too.

January 27, 2010

Adding a Ruler

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

I noticed on Ravelry that a few people who knit up the Heart Tape Measure have said that it turned out bigger than they expected. I thought maybe it would help visualize it if I held up my version with a ruler. The finished Heart Tape Measure is about 3-inches wide not including the edging. It is about 3 1/2-inches including the edging slightly stretched.

The same measurements apply to the length.

I hope that helps a little. It is really important to get the correct gauge when knitting cozies because they need to fit. My gauge measures at 5.5 stitches per inch. If you find that your heart is a little big you could try going down a needle size.

Have fun!

Here is the link to the Ravelry page for the Heart Tape Measure!

Here is the free pattern link for the Heart Tape Measure!

January 24, 2010

The Wool Cabin in Glorious Salt Lake City

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Finally, I am getting the chance to share a gem of a knit shop called, The Wool Cabin! This great spacious yarn shop is located in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah. I have had the privilege of visiting The Wool Cabin on my last two book tours so I know personally what a special place this shop really is.

The shop is owned and run by two sisters, pictured above. On the left is Alison Barlow and on the right is Suzette Cannon. These two gorgeous, vibrant sisters are moms and even grandmas. Can you believe it? You can’t find a nicer pair anywhere and I mean that. Their shop was originally owned by their mother and after she passed away they carried on her dream by keeping The Wool Cabin going. It is a successfully active knit shop.

As soon as Spud & Chloë came on the market, Suzette and Alison jumped on board. They absolutely love the Spud & Chloë yarn and patterns. They carry the entire line of Spud & Chloë at The Wool Cabin.  It is the perfect yarn and pattern line for the family-oriented knitters that their shop caters to. The Wool Cabin knitters are eating Spud & Chloë up! They also carry the Blue Sky Alpacas line. There is hardly a week that goes by where someone doesn’t ask me where to get the Blue Sky Alpacas Knit Chicken pattern I designed about a year ago. I always direct these questions to contact The Wool Cabin. Suzette will send you the Knit Chicken pattern so fast you won’t believe it! She’ll send you the yarn, too.

The shop doesn’t have an online store but I think sometimes it is nicer to talk to someone on the phone to place your order. I know there are lots of people out there who don’t like to order anything online. Here is the place to go if you want to talk to someone personally when you place your order. I highly recommend The Wool Cabin for personal and speedy customer service. You will love the staff and service at this shop! Guaranteed!

You can look up the colors, yarns, patterns on the Spud & Chloë site and give them a call to place your order! The phone number for The Wool Cabin is:

801-466-1811

Call them!!!

There is also a website for the shop with updates on classes, new yarns and products and event schedules. Check out the site at www.thewoolcabin.com.

If you are in the area be sure to stop by the shop. You won’t be disappointed. Here is the address:

The Wool Cabin
is located at:
2020 East 3300 South
Suite 11
(at East Ivy Place)
Salt Lake City, UT
84109

They have samples knit up and they follow Spud says! very closely. I am sure they have more of the free pattern samples knit up. As soon as the patterns are released their needles are flying. When I was at the shop in November 2009 they were so anxious for the Modern Rib Hat free pattern that I hadn’t even posted yet. They were casting on before the pattern was even available. It’s ski country around their neck of the woods.

Suzette and Alison are fun and supportive and enthusiastic! Mainly, they are good, good people and you can trust them to no end.

Give them a call. Stop on by.

The Wool Cabin feels like home. That is the best way to describe it. The sisters have created a knitting community that is so fantastic and supportive. Plus, they are fun, funny and both of the sisters have a GREAT sense of humor. You don’t always find that. You just feel good when you walk in the door.

The shop is carrying the complete line including the brand new colorways for all three Spud & Chloë yarn lines. They also have the complete Spud & Chloë pattern line, the pattern boxes and the brand new Spud & Chloë pencil bags!!! These are now available for purchase by the way! They can get you anything Spud & Chloë that your heart desires.

Thank you, Wool Cabin, for the ongoing support. We are proud to have you carrying our line.

January 20, 2010

Heart Tape Measure - Free Pattern!

Hi Spud & Chloe Friends,

Tonight I am making the Heart Tape Measure pattern available. This is a quick little knit that you can whip up in time for Valentine’s Day or for any other day. The Heart Tape Measure is sweet enough to eat and will surely make measuring a little more fun.

Here is some information you might like to know:

Finished measurements: 3 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches including the edging

Yarn: Spud & Chloë Sweater (55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton; 100 grams/160 yards), 1 skein in Watermelon #7512 and a small amount of Ice Cream #7500

Needles: US size 6 or size to obtain gauge

Crochet hook: 4mm or size G

Gauge: 5 ½ stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Materials:

Scissors

Yarn needle

Embroidery needle (optional to pull pom-pom through the end of the tape measure)

Tape measure - standard size 2 inches across and ½ inch high

Small amount of fiberfill

Have fun with your Heart Tape Measures. Love lives on!

Click here for the Ravelry link for the Heart Tape Measure!

Click here to download the free pattern for the Heart Tape Measure!

January 19, 2010

Heart Tape Measure- Pattern Preview!

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Here is my first attempt at the Heart Tape Measure. I think it turned out pretty sweet.

I am going to knit up one more before I finalize the pattern.

I’ll have the pattern up and available very soon!

January 18, 2010

Where is that?

Hi Spud & Chloë Friends,

Do you have any of these around your house? I have a bunch of tape measures but of course can never find one when I need it. I have a fun knit involving a tape measure coming up. If you’d like to join me grab a standard tape measure, about 2-inches across and about 1/2-inch high.

See you as soon as I get the first one done!