Thursday, August 14, 2014

Worth it.


Hi, Knitters,
I have been working up a storm lately. And by working I mean knitting and writing. I finished the lovely shawl I talked about in my last podcast episode. I am pretty much crazy over it. It is long, long, long. Long enough to wrap around yourself in so many different ways. More to come on this one soon.

After I cast the one shawl off I immediately hand-wound a new skein of yarn and cast on the next shawl I am working on for a different little company. I already had a plan in my head but I have started and restarted this one many times at this point to get it exactly right. I like to design and create news things directly on the needles with only a sketchy loose plan in mind before I start. This means that I'll usually have to start several times before I figure things out to my liking.

The photos today are of this new shawl design in progress. The photos are in black and white because it is an exclusive colorway dyed up by a dreamy (and hard to get your hands on) independent yarn company. It is all very hush-hush and downright fun. I think most of you, or at least I hope, will be very excited when all is revealed. I suggested the color and it turned out better than I could have imagined.


So I sit and knit and write notes in pencil in my hand-bound notebook and sip ice water and snack now and again, and get up and stretch my hands, arms and legs. And then I repeat for hours on end. It takes stamina.

I get asked a lot how I find time to get things done. To finish the last shawl I awoke at 2am the other night and started the coffee pot and began working to get it done. I worked straight through the next day with only a few breaks. Sometimes I have to resort to this type of schedule with the way my life is right now. I only get little tiny bits of broken up time throughout the day to get my work done. At times you simply need a long chunk of time to accomplish something big.

It was worth it.


I am feeling quite confident this next shawl design is going to rock. It's really all about numbers when designing. Numbers mean everything. 

My love to you all. I hope your week is less work-filled than mine. I don't have much personal knitting to show due to the heavy workload but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love what I get to do. The other work I am doing at the same time as the shawl knitting is writing a new book. I have a gigantic deadline due to my publisher on August 21st. I am starting to see another 2am rising time or two on the near horizon.

On top of all of the work right now, it's such a busy and somewhat bittersweet season for families with kids, isn't it? Summer's over, the kids get a grade older, changes come, a few things remain the same, new locations are found, and adjustments are made over time. In the end everything works out as it should. 

And life goes on. We are lucky that way.

I'll be back soon with more....
xo ~ susan

15 comments:

grandmastatus said...

Wow. Your 2am rising is inspiring to me: I've been spending this morning contemplating my upcoming work/school/mommy schedule and realizing I'm going to need to wake up at 5.
No longer does that seem impossible! Lol

keatime said...

cannot wait to see the new shawl designs! Also, that yarn looks scrumptious.

Connie K. said...

I have a question Susan..I find if I sit and knit for a long time that when I go to bed, and try to sleep, my one leg bothers me. Do you exercise during the day..should I?

Micha said...

Your podcast episode out of the woods was amazing. I'm really looking forward to see the new designs and the colors, but nevertheless the black and white look great too.
Best wishes from Germany by Micha

Susan B. Anderson said...

Connie K.
I don't know what that is from.... hmmmmm.

I do exercise every single day. I run, hike, and bike a lot. I would recommend that to anyone, knitter or not.

I hope this gets better for you:)
susan

Anonymous said...

I started a new job on Monday. I'm trying to get on a regular sleep schedule, and it's not easy. (Or fun.) No more staying up until the wee hours with my knitting and Netflix for me. At least not for now.

Hallie said...

I cant wait to see the end product! Good luck with your deadlines and try to enjoy your work as much as you can!

Kristebee said...

You are amazing! Can't wait to see all your new designs! If you need any help, let me know! ;)

Hugs... Kriste

Creative Design said...

I love a big shawl as I am rather...."fluffy"! Your kids are growing up so fast. I remember opening my first Susan B book...Itty Bitty Hats. There you are, preggers, in a rocker, knitting away. I suppose you were getting up at 2 am then! Some things haven't changed!
Can't wait for all your new goodies!

Sheila
http://sheilazachariae.blogspot.com/2014/08/barefoot-sandals-knit-kit-and-charmed.html

Whatzitknitz said...

It sounds like you are back in college and having late nite cramming sessions ; ) well reverse cramming sessions cause you are sleeping and then getting up to do early morning knit cramming.

Judy said...

Love your black and white photos….and boy the intrigue grows with your new shawl designs!!! I can hardly wait! You have totally turned me on to shawls - I am now knitting my fourth one in just a couple of months! So, I can't wait to see your new designs and start knitting them!!!
I hope you survive your deadlines - you are so dear to ALL of us in the knitting world, so keep your cool! I know you will, but I worry about you! LOL

xxoo

Anonymous said...

And here I thought you were getting all artsy with your black and white photos, haha. Excited to see the finished product! Sarah

AnnM said...

Yay! Another new pattern by my favorite designer. Can't wait!

Sam I Am...... said...

I watched your podcast from the North woods and it was so enjoyable! I love listening/watching you as you are so upbeat and positive and of course I LOVE seeing what you are working on. What a great background for a podcast! I almost felt like I went on a little mini-vacation.
Good Golly Miss Molly (I couldn't resist)...I love her projects and isn't she lucky to have you as a mentor for knitting!
What a lovely family you have and it looked like a great place and a great vacation.
As for the numbers in knitting....I am a math person and it dawned on me a few months back that I do love the math part...the increases and decreases always make sense to me and I can tell if there's a mistake in the pattern. Also, I have gone to writing down the rows and pattern sequences as opposed to using a counter. It is part of why I love knitting...it appeals to my logical, number crunching, anal mind. LOL!
I can't wait to see your designs as I am knitting my first shawl and loving it. You always pick out such great yarns too. Love the socks...as always. I know what you mean about deadlines. I always met them regardless. Get some rest though!

Sam I Am...... said...

I laughed when you said you start over several times when you design...I do that when I'm following a pattern! LOL! It's like I need to get my engine warmed up or something and then I settle in and I'm fine.
I can't wait to see the shawl as I just finished my first; Kay's Tess of D'ubervilles and it was one of the most enjoyable knits I've done. It's a free pattern on Ravelry. I pretty much follow in your footsteps for patterns, yarns and anything you recommend. I want it all and I want to do it all but I can't keep up...yet. I'm getting speedier and with Christmas looming I may have to pull some "early risings" too. Of course, I can't wait to see your new pattern and your new book!