This month's Q&A is with knitting writer Susan B Anderson, whose award-winning blog is full of inspiration. Find her work on Ravelry, follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook and enjoy her pictures on Instagram - but for now, just read on...
What’s the aim of your blog and why did you set it up?
I started my blog in 2006 after I returned home from my first book tour for Itty-Bitty Hats. I met a lot of knitters on the tour and they wanted to know if I had a blog or website to keep in touch. When I got home I thought it would be the perfect chance to start a blog and the aim was simply to keep in touch with knitters. It hasn't changed much throughout the years and I have met so many wonderful people online and in person through the blog.
What do you enjoy most about your blog?
I love to write letters and so right from the start I set up my blog posts like I was writing a letter to Knitters. What I love most when I sit down to write a blog post is that I can include anything I want in my letter to the Knitters. It's totally mine to pick and choose what I'd like to share. A lot of my other work is edited through a publisher or companies so when I get to my blog I feel total freedom to be myself. My blog feels like home to me and that's what I enjoy most.
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How much time do you spend running your blog, and what do you do to reach more people?
I write one to two blog posts a week. Each blog post can take up to a day to write, edit, photograph and then publish. It varies a little but in general it will take me most of a day to get a good blog post up on my blog. I don't do much to reach more people. I am active on other social media places like Instagram, Ravelry, Twitter and Facebook and I suppose that helps to reach more people.
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Is there anything coming up on your blog that you can share with us?
I have a new book being released in mid-December 2015 called, Susan B. Anderson's Kids' Knitting Workshop, so that will be fun to share on the blog. I have lots of new patterns in the works, a new online class coming up, lots of teaching venues and retreats on the horizon, and giveaways coming out of my ears! I always have so much planned for the blog I can barely keep up. It is just super fun all of the time.
Finally, do you have any links to Yorkshire, and what do you know about the region and its wool-related heritage?
I do have English heritage in my background but I don't know much specifically about it. I know that Yorkshire is beautiful English countryside and that it celebrates its woolly heritage. British breed wool is some of my favorite with which to knit. I love rustic woolly British yarns that have a life and vitality and history. That's the best. I also love that baa ram ewe supports their local wool industry worldwide and most importantly at home in Yorkshire. I would love to visit someday! That would be a dream come true.
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Remember back in August, when you decided you would knit all of your Christmas gifts, and you would have them done by the end of November? Yep, so do we. It seemed like such a good idea...
Unless you're one of those smug people who actually DID get on and knit all their gifts four months early, you might be starting to panic about now. Fear not! There's still plenty of time to knit great gifts for good friends - and if you really don't have time, they'll also double up as lovely projects to give to people for Christmas. Who wouldn't want the chance to create something from scratch and enjoy taking the time to do it?
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Our Dovestone DK collection includes some great patterns that would make easy, quick knits for your friends and family this Christmas. From the charming Fancy Hens to the stylish Ziggy mitts, there's something to suit everyone. Why not try our Fearne scarf and cowl pattern, the striking Dobcross cowl, or the handy Patina clutch that can take you from sales shopping trip to sparkly night out in one simple accessory? They all look fabulous in any of our 11 shades of Dovestone DK.
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There's something rather appealing about a knitted hat under the Christmas tree - especially when it's hand-made by someone you love. The Erica Knight Fur Brim Hat is a great quick knit for just about anyone, available in four striking colours.
We know how much our baa ram ewers love the fun Toft patterns we've been recommending for the last few months. So we're thrilled to say the latest in the Toft Bird Kits collection has just flown in to our shop: the cute, seasonal Robin. Suitable for beginners, he'll have everyone whipping out their crochet hooks just for a chance to have him in their own homes!
If you still can't decide what to knit, our special offers may just tempt you...
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Christmas treat #1: £5 off Osen and Little Fella!
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With Christmas around the corner, we're feeling festively generous - so we've got a special offer for baa ram ewers. When you buy both the Osen stocking kit and the Little Fella kit together online, we'll give you a £5 discount! Whether you knit them as a gift or for yourself, or you give the kit as a great crafty present for a friend, they're both perfect for the festive season. Just imagine Little Fella peeking out from an Osen stocking on Christmas morning! Both kits include all the Titus you need to make them up in gorgeous colours.
To qualify for the discount, simply add one Osen stocking kit to your basket (in Coal or Wesley Bob) along with one Little Fella kit. When you go through to the checkout, enter promotional code HOHOHO! and the discount will be applied automatically. Happy Christmas from us!
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Christmas treat #2:
Rowan Tweed discount!
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We love the new Rowan Tweed Collection book. It has 16 gorgeous designes for women by Marie Wallin, with beautiful colourwork and cosy styles perfect for chilly winter days.
If you're visiting our Leeds store, why not take advantage of our special offer? When you buy Rowan Fine Tweed for one of the garments in the Rowan Tweed Collection book by Rowan you can buy the book for just £4 (normally £8.50) while stocks last.
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