Weekend Companion

The last couple days I've been focused on Fiber Frolic, but in the midst of labeling and packing I glanced at Ravelry once or twice.  You're right.  It was probably half a dozen times, but that's beside the point. I've been diligently working on lingering projects and am ready for something new.

The timing was perfect.  While I was packing, I pulled a few skeins, pondered color choices and finally settled on these two.

This yarn will be my companion over the weekend, and I can't wait to get started.  Now I wish I had someone to do the driving.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Stunning color combination.

Just a Reminder

It's another gray day with drizzle, and I had to give up on pictures.

Instead I leave you with this reminder for Fiber Frolic.

I'll be in Building 2.  Don't forget the used equipment area.  It's a great way to pick up something on your wish list or get rid of something you're no longer using.  

Hope to see some of you in Maine this weekend!

A Slow Go

We're in the midst of a holiday weekend, and I've convinced myself that means I have extra knitting time.  Instead of concentrating on one project, I've been bouncing back and forth between a couple.

Jelly Rolls update.

I decided to add the arch ribbing.  I think I'll really like it when it's done, but right now it's a bit of a slow go.  I do know that once I get to the other side of this ribbing, the sock will fly off the needles.

Back to the long weekend . . . 

Empty Needles

It's been a week where I lost two full days to appliance shenanigans, so it felt extremely gratifying to finish something.

Movie Night Socks.

In all fairness I only finished the heel turn, foot and toe on one sock, but at this point I'm thrilled with any form of productivity.  The yarn is Lucia in one of the Yarn Knot Socks colorways.  Sorry, I don't remember the name.  I added Gourd to the heels and toes for a splash of color.

Since I emptied one set of needles, I'm preparing to cast on something new.  Just working on the details . . . 

I captured this week's color inspiration on a trip to Maine earlier this spring.

I was fascinated with this art sculpture and the breathtaking view.

Pleasure Ground by Sumner Winebaum.

Missing Needles

I was cruising along on my Jelly Rolls, but I've hit a bit of a snag.  I need to switch needle sizes, and my 2.5mm needles have gone missing.  I looked high and low but can't find them anywhere.  This happens more often than I care to admit.  I need a better system of needle management.  

Until the needles surface or I buy another pair, I've put my Jelly Rolls aside.  Since I'm still feeling the sock itch, I grabbed a pair already in progress.  

Movie Night Sock.  I'm working on the second sock, and this one just needs a heel turn, foot and toe.  I'm so close to finishing this pair. There's really no excuse except I probably got distracted and turned my attention to another project.  It happens.

On the first sock I worked the heel differently from what I usually do. My notes are sketchy at best, and I'm trying to recreate what I did the first time around.  Once I get that sorted, this sock will fly, and I'll have a pair of empty needles.  

Without a Second Thought

After a busy weekend on the go, I would love a day to catch up on knitting.  It's Monday and I don't have a full day to myself, but I did take a few minutes to start something new.

Jelly Rolls.  Just the other day a friend and I were talking about this pattern.  Then this morning I was looking at a pile of yarn leftovers by my desk.  Before I knew what happened, I picked two colors and cast on.

I have plenty of leftovers to choose from, and it's always fun to play with color combinations.  This could be my new favorite thing.

Behind the Scenes

My original plan for today was a post that included project updates complete with pictures, but gray weather and bad lighting nixed that idea.  That thought will keep for another day.

Instead you get a glimpse behind the scenes.

I'm packing for tomorrow's trunk show at Twist Yarn Shoppe.  I haven't been to this shop before, and I'm looking forward to the visit.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

It's lilac season.

So It Goes

I'm having one of those days where forward progress is elusive.  I should have picked up on the warning signs earlier in the day.  I didn't have my first cup of coffee until mid-morning.  I'm not quite sure how I functioned for the first few hours.  

Then the dishwasher went down, and I was bailing water most of the morning.  I think if I can at least see the bottom of the machine I'll have a fighting chance of fixing it.  In the midst of the bailing, someone in the house grumbled that we're almost out of toilet paper.  I chose to ignore that noise.

And then the final straw.  When my daughter bumped me out of the laundry queue with not one but two loads of dirty clothes, I threw in the towel and decided to take a knitting break.

I have more pressing projects that I should be working on, but this is probably all I can handle at the moment.  Around and around with delicious fluffy yarn.  In case you're wondering, this is Ombre Cowl Hood.  I made one a while back as a booth sample.  This one is all mine.

A quick announcement for Boston-area knitters.

Inman Eats + Crafts is this Sunday.  As of this writing, the weather looks favorable for this outdoor event.  Stop by and check it out. There's fun for the whole family.

Now I'm off to bail more water.  Or make a toilet paper run.  I probably should do both.

A New Week

It was a fun weekend in New Hampshire.

There were so many interesting conversations with plenty of ideas and inspiration.  Many thanks to everyone who came by the booth!

Next stop in my travels is Twist Yarn Shoppe.  I'll be there this Saturday, 10:00 - 4:00.  I'm looking forward to the visit.

It's a new week, and I'm back at it.

I'm going to start by winding these two.

Somber

This weekend I'll be in New Hampshire, and I have one more sample for the road.

Somber.

This design has some interesting twists and turns to create a clever construction.  Add some stripes and there's plenty of variety to keep things interesting.

The shawl is quite substantial and can be wrapped around several times.  The yarn is Lillian in Biscuit and Persimmon.  I had a game of yarn chicken going the other day, and I lost.  I did add more yarn just so I could complete the pattern as written.  

If you want to get it out of two skeins, you could knock off a handful of rows at the end.  Since the shawl is so big, you won't be losing that much on size.  There are plenty of great color combinations.  All the more fun!

The other day I grabbed these flowers as a little pick-me-up.  This week's color inspiration . . . 

All red.

More Minis

Since our mini bundles have been so popular, we're offering a summertime special.

Mini Summer Bundles are limited edition bundles with a surprise assortment of colors.  They will be released in June, July and August. Follow the link for all the details.

In knitting news, I'm closing in on the Somber finish line.

There's a game of yarn chicken brewing, and I can't wait to see how it ends.

Bright Days

Something cheery on a Monday morning.

Bright Days.

This project knit up faster than I anticipated.  It starts with a section of stripes and ends with a lace panel.  Just enough variety to keep things interesting.

This shawl takes two colors, and there are so many fun options.

I used Lillian in Seafoam and Juniper.  I'll have this sample at New Hampshire Sheep and Wool this weekend.  Stop by and take a look.

Knitting Limbo

I'm in knitting limbo.  I finished one project and am waiting to start another.  

My Bright Days is off the needles.  All it needs is a quick bath and a good blocking.  That means I have permission to cast on a new project. Usually I cast on right away, but I've hit a bit of a snag in the planning.
I have to dye the yarn first.  

I'm not feeling very patient with the whole process, so while I wait for the dyeing and the drying, I picked up my only outstanding project.

Somber.  This is really an entertaining project and it has enough going on to keep my interest.  This shawl will have to keep me company while I wait.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

A bright spot in all the gray.

Random on Wednesday

Show prep is running in the background and I'm trying to keep to a schedule, but I've also been tending to a few loose ends.

Lillian Bundles are now on the website.  They'll work for the newly released Magical Thinking or any other project that takes three colors. There's also a Magical Thinking KAL starting up.  Follow the link for details.

Check the right sidebar for updated events.  New to the list . . . Twist Yarn Shoppe and Inman Eats and Crafts.  There are a couple other events still pending so stay tuned.

And there's been some knitting progress.

Bright Days.  I finished the striped section and started the lace.  This is one project that's ahead of schedule.