suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #19 | shopping for yarn

Shopping for yarn is fun, there is no doubt about it! But it is SO much easier if you have a plan!
In this episode of the podcast

I'm joined by my friend Jane who shares her best tips for how to get the best out of your yarn shopping experience. We give special mention to events such as markets and fairs where the choice is almost overwhelming. And no the solution is NOT to buy it all!

Please note that we experienced some technical difficulties during the recording which resulted in some fuzz throughout the episode. Apologies for this, but please do listen on as Jane has some great information and tips to share.

suzy xoxo

PS: You can listen in iTunes or directly from the player above.

Check out this episode!

suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #18 | olgajazzy

Olga is one of today's leading knitwear designs. Her designs are featured by many great companies including Quince & Co and Brooklyn Tweed.

Olga has a unique eye with a love of texture and minimalism. Her designs will present most knitters with a new & interesting technical challenge as well as a wonderful completed garment.

I was delighted to have Olga join me on the podcast and thrilled to hear all about her career, including her many travels and how it has influenced her designs.

Enjoy!
suzy xoxo

suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #17 | are we there yet?

It's that time of the year again, where we all buckle up and head off for a short break over Easter. If you are anything like me you will want to get the most out of all that time sitting down in the car or plane by bringing along a project, or two...or three.

In today's episode of the podcast, my friend Jane gives her best tips for knitting on the road, including the all important question - how many projects should I bring?

Listen directly by pressing play above or download in iTunes HERE.

Enjoy!
suzy xoxo

suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #16 | knitwear designer Thayer Parker

Refreshing her knitting skills via youtube, today's podcast guest has made a massive jump into the world of knitwear design.

Thayer Parker, also known on Ravelry as ilikecake has had patterns published in KnitScene, Knit Now and the Twist Collective...and she's located right here with me in Canberra!

Thayer was gracious enough on the podcast to talk us through her design process and give her best tips getting your designs published.

Enjoy!
suzy xoxo

PS: also available in iTunes HERE 


Check out this episode!

suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #15 | organising your stash

Confession time...who knows exactly where every skein of yarn in their stash is? Can you put your hand on the perfect yarn for your new project at a moment's notice? Catergories for wool, alpaca and silk? Thought so…

Well today's guest has come up with a simple and effective solution for organising your stash.
This podcast includes specific tips for inspiring you to get your stash organised....a perfect rainy day project.

As well as being as organiser extraordinaire, Shelly from spincushions is a crochet girl at heart. although she has recently turned her hand to knitting.

You can listen directly from the mp3 file below or subscribe to my podcast in iTunes HERE.

I hope you enjoy this episode of today's podcast.
suzy xoxo

Check out this episode!

suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #14 | KAFFE FASSETT

Kaffe Fassett is a master of many crafts. He is an artist, a designer and a source of inspiration to people all over the world.  Kaffe embraces colour like no other. He believes colour can change the way we see the world.

I had the privelege and pleasure of chatting with Kaffe about his work and his wonderful career.
I hope that you enjoy the podcast.

suzy xoxo

PS: You can subscribe to the podcast in iTunes HERE or click play on the window below.

Have yarn will Travel - 3 tips for knitting on the go!

Over this holiday period, a lot of us will be travelling with our knitting and crochet projects. To help keep the stress to a minimum, here are three top tips to help you work on those projects during your travelling time AND while you are relaxing at your destination.

seven | quince & co sparrow

seven more patterns inspired by Quince & Co Sparrow

1. Irokata Tee by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (knit)
2. Jane's Tunic by Leigh Radford (knit)
3. Camelia Tee by Anna Nilsson (knit)
4. Medano Beach by Heidi Kirrmaier (knit)
5. Clarice by Kim Guzman (crochet)
6. Marseille by Marie Wallin (crochet)
7. Storm Cloud Shawlette by Hanna Breetz (knit)




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seven | quick Christmas gifts to make

 

seven

seven quick Christmas gifts to make:

1. Hampstead Wreath by Wendy Baker and Belinda Boaden (knit)
2. Counterpane Accessories Pouch by Carrie Brenner (knit)
3. Sunflowers Satchel by Asami Kawa (crochet)
4. Foliage by Emilee Mooney (knit)
5. Lesezeichen Blatterreihe (Row of Leaves) bookmark by Gisela Bayer
    (knit with simple crochet edge)
6. Dear Liza by Annie Watts (knit)
7. Bead Necklace by Joanne Loh (crochet)

magazine review | pompom quarterly winter 2013 edition

It's back!

Hot off the press, the latest edition of pompom quarterly | winter 2013.

This magazine never fails to deliver, let me tell you. This edition contains 10 modern and edgy patterns, including a beautiful colour work hat worked using MadTosh merino light, a crochet cardigan, THE most stunning shawl…and so much more.

Plus there is a recipe for Mushroom & Ale Pie, which fits perfectly with the article about 'pub knitting'.

pompom quarterly is published only four times a year and issues sell out super-fast.

--> Click HERE to grab your copy.

5 ways to keep your knitting COOL this summer!

Do you knit all year long?

Yep thought so…me too!!!

It is a truth universally acknowledged, for us seriously addicted knitters, that it is never too hot to knit.

So how can you indulge in your craft so that it doesn't leave you even more hot and sweaty in our Australian summer?

Here are 5 ways for keeping your knitting COOL this summer...

1. Choose small and /or lightweight projects
    Summer is a great time to knit socks or lace - no heavy projects to sit in your lap

2. Choose "summer" yarns
    Cotton and linen are great choices for summer knitting, both for projects you can wear (summer tops      for example) and are also cooler in your hands. And sand washes out of cotton so much easier than it does out of mohair!

3. Consider modular projects
    Such as blankets made of squares - so you can make a bunch of smaller parts during summer, and  then join them all up just in time to have a new blanket for autumn or winter.

4. Keep your hands cool 
     If you suffer from sweaty hands, wash your hands in cold water regularly. Another trick is to dust your hands with talcum powder.

5. If you haven't already, try crochet! 
    From someone who is "multi-stitchual", I find crochet lends itself to summer crafting moreso than knitting - it will open up your options for modular and small projects especially. There is nothing like crocheting a Christmas snowflake to make you think it is cooler, even if you aren't!

Have you ever wondered why LINEN is so tough?

BE LINEN MOVIE IN ENGLISH from Linen and hemp community on Vimeo.

Strong, durable and very, very tough. Linen is one of the world's most ancient fibres.

Watch this video to understand why linen has stood the test of time.

seven | debbie bliss cotton dk

seven

seven patterns inspired by Debbie Bliss Cotton DK

1. Lindis by Amanda Scheuzger (knit)
2. Petrie by Beautia Dew (knit)
3. Twirly Girly Skirt by Elena Nodel (knit)
4. Float Vest by Robyn Chacula (crochet)

Ad because it's never too early to do some Christmas gift crafting
5. Stegs by Jennifer Thurston (knit)
6. Fiesta Tea Set by Annie Modesitt (knit)
7. Starfish Washcloth by Deja Jetmir (crochet)

suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #13 | knitting with linen

Click below to listen directly or download and subscribe in iTunes by clicking here.

I am talking about your summer knitting projects in this week's podcast, specifically knitting with linen and cotton. My friend Jane, is chatting with me about how to best work with these great fibres, what patterns you should select and technical information such as needle selection and how to block your project.

Check out this episode!

seven | quince & co sparrow

seven

seven patterns inspired by Quince & Co Sparrow

1. Strathcona by Jane Richmond (knit)
2. Hélène by Veronik Avery (knit)
3. Queen Anne's Shawl by Rebecca Velasquez (crochet)
4. Lineal Cardigan by HannahFettig (knit)
5. Swallowtail Cowl by Pam Allen (knit)
6. Brise Cardigan by Hannah Fettig (knit)
7. Outing Shawl by Pierrot (crochet)

HELP...I need your feedback!

Please help me redesign my website...I need your feedback!

I am always looking at ways of improving your shopping experience, and making sure that my website is exactly what my customers want is part of that.

Please take the time to complete this survey. You will receive a $10 voucher for your efforts.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS SURVEY

Responses close 31 October 2013.

Thanks in anticipation,
suzy xoxo

PS: All responses are confidential, so feel free to be as honest as you can be.

suzy hausfrau podcast | episode #12 | yardage design

Click here to play

Talking textile design with Yardage Design in episode 12 of the podcast. Nicole from Yardage Design was my co-collaborator in design and screen printer of the suzy hausfrau tote bags and tea towels. Nicole shares her thoughts on inspiration, design and creativity.
Stay tuned for details at the end of the podcast about a special suzy hausfrau giveaway.
Links can be found at www.suzyhausfrau.com.au/pages/podcast12

Check out this episode!

Yardage design on the suzy hausfrau podcast this week!

Remember the suzy tea towels, and the awesome suzy tote bags? Well the also equally awesome textile designer, Nicole from Yardage design, who designed & printed them is this week's guest on the podcast! (try saying that after a few glasses) Out on Wednesday night this week...

seven | quince and co finch

seven

seven patterns inspired by Quince & Co Finch

1. Arcadian Shawl by Kristen Hanley Cardozo (knit)

2. Honey by Amy Miller (knit)

3. Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick (crochet)

4. Calanthe by Susanna IC (knit)

5. Fulmar by Veera Valimaki (knit)

6. Window to my soul by Joji Locatelli (knit)

7. Bear's Rainbow Blanket by Purl Soho (crochet)

Grazing on the greenest pastures of home

Early last Saturday morning I joined the team at Mix 106.3 for the launch of the Canberra Local Supports Scarf journey. Twenty bedazzled merinos were let loose to graze on the greenest of Canberra pastures.

From Glenroy Station, north of Bredbo, these sheep will be shorn in about 12 months time, and the wool will be scoured, spun and dyed. The result gorgeous local merino yarn.

Then the suzy hausfrau community comes in. You see it's my job to rally an army of local knitters to create the local supporters scarves in the ACT's beloved Raiders and Brumbies colours. The once in a lifetime scarves will then be given to Mix 106.3 charities to be auctioned off at fundraising events.

I think it's pretty amazing to be involved in the journey of these scarves, right from the very beginning, don't you?

You may recall that I was a guest of Cam & Ben on Mix 106.3 back in June, and managed to teach the odd knit and purl stitch to the guys. Well, Cam was keen to show me that he still had the knitting skills, and I spotted his case complete with cast on project in the stadium.  Keep practising Cam, you may even be good enough to help with a scarf next year!

Happy knitting folks,

suzy xoxo