susie johns at the circus

Knitted Chocolates

The patterns for my hand-knitted chocolates are available on the UK Hand Knitting website (click on link below):

http://www.ukhandknitting.com/Images/Free%20Patterns/chocolates pattern

The UK Hand Knitting Association will be inviting people to visit their stand at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace this autumn (11th - 14th October), to create items for a Knitted Sweetie Shop.

Knitted Beanies

I received my advance copies of 'Knitted Beanies' in the post today. It is always exciting to see the results of months of work – knitting, writing patterns, checking proofs and layouts – finally in print. I'm pleased with this book because the hats are quick to make and the patterns are pretty straightforward, so they are suitable for knitters of moderate ability. I have to say though, that most of the hats in the book were intended for adults but the publishers have photographed a lot of them on children. This means that, though they look very cute, they appear to be somewhat oversized on the models in the book. But believe me, they will fit grown-ups, and they would be great as Christmas presents. So what are you waiting for? The book will be in the shops from 30th July...

Just click on the link in the right-hand column...

Knitted Budgies

Being a cat owner, it wouldn't be practical to keep budgies – but these knitted ones are a good substitute. I created them while I was knitting lots of little animals for a new book, Knitted Pets. These two didn't make it into the book, so for now they are perched in my living room. Much quieter than the real thing!

Hats to Knit

 

Knitting a hat for someone is a great way to show you care. I enjoyed coming up with twenty hat designs for a book to be published in September and my daughter Edith and her boyfriend Bill were a big help, trying the hats on to see if they worked. In the picture, she's wearing the 'Blossom' beanie.

Hats are quick to make and most designs use only a single ball of yarn.

For more details about the book, follow this link:

http://www.searchpress.com/info.asp?EAN=9781844487073&page=search

Knitted Fruit and Vegetables

All the patterns from my Knitted Fruit book and my Knitted Vegetables book have been combined in one lovely book, imaginatively titled Knitted Fruit and Vegetables. Of all the projects I have done over the past few years, knitted food is probably my favourite. Knitting small items like pears doesn't take long but it's very enjoyable and gratifying. My favourite items are the artichoke, the parsnips, radishes (especially the leaves), rhubarb, Sharon fruit and pomegranate. I also like the cauliflower florets – and I would have made broccoli if I could have found some green bouclé yarn.

Knitted Finger Puppets

An advanced copy of my new book – Knitted Finger Puppets – arrived in the post this morning. I really enjoyed creating these little characters and it's lovely, after so many months of work, to see them in print. The book will be published in March.

Customising Clothes

When I started my 'No New Clothes' resolution at the beginning of this year, part of my resolve was to make the most of the clothes I already own. That means throwing out items that really don't suit me or fit me any more, and altering or customising items that still have a bit of potential.
So far I have only one project on the go: a rainbow striped cardigan that I knitted last year. I'm making it a bit longer, altering the fit so that it's a bit more shapely, and changing the button bands. When it's finished,
I hope to get a lot more wear out of it.

Knit an Egg Cosy for Easter

I will be at Liberty's, Regent Street, on Saturday 16th April from 12-3pm, demonstrating how to make knitted egg cosies. Come along and learn how to make an egg cosy in time for Easter.  

Liberty's haberdashery department is located on the 3rd floor of the store and it's really fantastic. I'll be in the Rowan yarns section, so do come along and say 'hello'.

If you fancy having a go at knitting your own egg cosy, you don't need to bring anything with you, as there will be enough yarn and needles to go round.

link to Liberty's website for more info...

Knitting Night

I've decided to start up a Knitting Group... It will meet every Wednesday evening at The Pelton Arms (23-25 Pelton Rd, Greenwich, London SE10 9PQ), which is a lovely pub with friendly staff and comfy sofas. The Group will have no formal membership, the idea being that anyone can turn up with knitting needles – or crochet hooks – and yarn, and we can swap ideas, exchange patterns, have a chat and a drink or a cup of coffee while we knit. The Group is open to all knitters, regardless of their skill or competence and it is hoped that novice knitters will come along and learn from those with more experience. Anyone who is interested in joining the Group can just turn up at The Pelton any time after 7.30pm on a Wednesday, or email me first, if you prefer, using the link in the left-hand column on this page and I will be happy to answer any queries or give more details...

Knitting in the 1970s

Looking through some old sketch books and albums I came across a batch of photos of knitwear I designed and made when I was at college. Everything was so big and colourful then! My daughters liked the designs and want me to recreate them to wear now. Perhaps I will.