One Step Ahead

Last week I was looking ahead at my calendar.  I've found it's always good to check in periodically to minimize any scheduling surprises. Just as I anticipated, there are more events right around the corner. Since I'm trying to stay one step ahead of the game with new samples, I took a little dyeing detour.

And this is where I landed . . . Merino and silk.  I just added cast on new project to my to-do list.  I wish all my detours had such a pleasnt outcome.  

Keeping It Slow

I've been knitting for a very long time.  I remember the days when the only place to buy yarn was at Ben Franklin or Woolworth's.  Fast forward over the decades and I'm still in awe at all of the yarn options available these days.  

This week my little mural tour continued, and I was reminded of the similarities between knitting and manual typewriters.

This mural tells the story of Cambridge Typewriter, dedicated to repairing and maintaining typewriters.  Follow the link for more details. While the red brick is my color inspiration for the week, the stories from the pages of the mural are equally inspiring.

From typewriters and turntables to sewing machines and knitting needles . . . keeping it slow.

Random on Wednesday

These days I'm bouncing back and forth between dyeing and knitting. Yes, I'm in the midst of more show prep.  Fiber Festival of New England is headed for me like a runaway train.  I'll probably never be totally caught up (whatever that means), but on some level everything is manageable, and I pull it all together at the end.

So today I'm a bit unfocused (see below for further explanation), but I have a few observations.

~ I've developed a really bad habit of staying up way too late.

~ I've justified this bad habit because I'm knitting and there's a show right around the corner and I need to get things done.

~ This bad habit has produced noticeable progress on my Black to the Fuchsia . . . two more gradient sections and then I'm done.

~ This bad habit has also produced a lot of ends to weave in.

~ Maybe I should start weaving them in now . . . before I have to stay up late just to weave them in.

Time for Essentials

There's nothing like a chill in the air to make me scurry.  I did a quick assessment of my cold weather essentials and realized there aren't enough hats or mittens - fingerless or full.  And I'm not the only one in the house who's experiencing a shortage.

Over the weekend I divided my knitting time between non-essential knitting (booth sample) and essential knitting.  This is my current essential project.

My son requested this hat a while ago, and we went back and forth on a couple options.  Over the weekend he tweaked the plan just a little bit more, so now it's all up to me.  And while he was at it, he casually mentioned a sweater project he's been plotting.  I think he made reference to my spare time.  Such a thing doesn't exist in my world, so it's time to get busy.

Knitting Is the Remedy

Apparently I have a mild case of the Rhinebeck Crud.  This is the annual malady that strikes the week after Rhinebeck, and usually I'm able to avoid it.  I rarely get sick and almost never admit it, but when I sleep a solid 11+ hours and am still dragging, something's up.  

I'm not flat out in bed.  I've been chipping away at my to-do list and tackling items that don't require sustained concentration.  And when I need a break, I've been knitting.  It's usually the remedy for whatever ails me.

Black to the Fuchsia.  After working on this project intermittently, I'm finally making progress, and the colors are shifting.  My main color has become the contrast color, and the contrast gradient bundle is taking center stage.  Since I've had to adjust my work schedule, it's encouraging to make up for it with knitting progress.

This week's color inspiration . . . a parting shot from Rhinebeck.

Until next year . . . 

It Hardly Feels Like Work

This year reentry after Rhinebeck has been extra tough.  I made it more challenging by scheduling meetings and appointments on Monday and Tuesday.  What was I thinking?  Not one of my better administrative decisions.  My inbox has been hit with a tornado of activity.  Thank you for all the questions and comments.  I'm working my way through each and every one of them.

So here it is Wednesday and I'm still dragging.  I'm not going to push myself, but I feel I should be productive on some level.  I did a quick tidy around the house with the help of my daughter, and both the dishwasher and the washing machine are running.  I've spent time researching a couple equipment upgrades, but I'm waiting for more information.

Now I can amuse myself with these.

Sorting through new yarn samples, considering possibilities . . . for today, this is productive.

More Than Just Yarn

The crazy, chaotic whirlwind of Rhinebeck weekend has come and gone, and today I'm still taking it all in.  The weekend was full of incredibly generous people who shared their time, ideas and inspiration.  

Rhinebeck weekend is more than just yarn.  From the steady stream of beautiful handknits on parade to late night chats with friends (oh, why did we stay up so late?), this annual tradition was fulfilling on so many levels.  The weather was gorgeous, and the food was delicious, but most important of all was the companionship.  

This morning as I was reflecting on the weekend, I realized a couple things.  I didn't buy any yarn.  Not one skein.  Instead I got a few things to share with the family.  They'll appreciate this more than yarn.

I channeled my inner German and balanced out the fudge with a healthy dose of sauerkraut, pickles and mustard.  

I didn't knit one stitch the entire weekend.  It was a weekend devoted to all that is fiber goodness, but I was too busy during the day and too tired in the evening to pick up my needles.

So before I get back to work today, I'm going to knit at least one round. Maybe two.

It was a fabulous Rhinebeck weekend, and I look forward to doing it again next year.

Behind the Scenes - Part 5

Before I hit the road to Rhinebeck* (and while I wait for my trusty assistant to get ready), I thought I would share one more new booth sample.

Invested Vest.

I love a good vest, and this one is cozy and comes with a pocket.  The yarn is Clara, colorway Acorn.

It's all in the details, and I'm thrilled with the buttons on this vest.

I found the perfect match from Katy at Katrinkles.  So many button options.  I'm tempted to just buy buttons and build a project from the buttons up.

This week's color inspiration . . . I caught glimpses on Instagram of this mural in production.  The other day I was in the neighborhood, so I stopped by to see it.  Nothing beats the real thing.  This is the work of Mexican artist Fernando Ayala.  Every time I look at it, I see something new.  The colors are refreshing, but what really holds my attention?

The eyes.

*If you're looking for me at Rhinebeck, you'll find me in Building C, Booth 42.

Behind the Scenes - Part 4

I've been a bit preoccupied with some stitching, so this Rhinebeck sneak peek will be short and sweet.

Stitchable sweater and mitten ornaments from the very talented Katy at Katrinkles.  Aren't they adorable?  All it takes is a little fingering weight yarn.  I found myself digging through bags for bits and pieces of leftover yarn and spent way too much time considering my color options.  Hours of entertainment.

I finished this sweater while running errands earlier in the day, and now I'm ready to stitch some mittens.  I'll have both the sweater and the mitten ornaments in my booth at Rhinebeck.

Behind the Scenes - Part 3

Welcome to a preview of new Rhinebeck samples.

On the Spice Market.

This pattern uses 6 contrast colors and 1 main color.

Endless color combinations.

The Joker and the Thief.

Another pattern that uses 6 contrast colors and 1 main color.

I've been big on bundles, so for Rhinebeck I created several color options for these patterns.

The tough part of picking and choosing colors is already done.  Each bundle will be packaged with a main color for a grab-and-go colorful kit. Use it for one of these patterns or another project you have in mind.

And if you can't make it to Rhinebeck, these kits will eventually be available on the website.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you north of the border.  Enjoy your celebration.

Behind the Scenes - Part 2

The Rhinebeck preparation tour continues with more gradients.  The other day I showed you mini gradient bundles.

Today it's the the big bundles.  Each bundle contains 5 colors in a gradient progression and totals 185 grams.  That's almost 2 full 
skeins . . . enough for all kinds of gradient mischief.

There's this.

Fiar.

Maybe this.

Inara Wrap.  This one takes 2 bundles.

Or possibly this.

Spectral.

If you spend a little time on Ravelry, I'm sure you can come up with many more gradient options.  I'll have gradient bundles in 12 different colors available at Rhinebeck.

I'm savoring the last tomatoes of the season, and they are this week's color inspiration.

Red with squiggly stripes.

Behind the Scenes - Part 1

The countdown to Rhinebeck is on in earnest, and the days are slipping away at an alarming rate.  I have to maximize every minute of every day.  I know many of you won't be attending, so over the next several days I'm going to share some of the things in production for Rhinebeck.

Minis and more minis.  And not just any minis.  These are mini gradient bundles.

These little bundles are part of this.

The Coastal Gradient Kit.

How many minis have I made?  So many that I've lost count.

Snapshots from Vermont

Oh, Vermont . . . you put on a fine fiber festival this weekend. 

Wonderful turnout, delicious food, perfect wool weather.  Here's a peek.

The artist who painted this food truck is from Montana.  Amazing. 

Tammy from Wing and A Prayer Farm had a beautiful selection of yarn and fiber from her farm.

It was great fun all around.  Thanks for a lovely weekend!