Resilience

Time has a way of becoming meaningless during a pandemic.  Add a holiday week into the mix and the days simply melt into each other.  My daughter was convinced today was Saturday.  I was pretty sure it wasn't, but I had to think long and hard to figure out our true place on the calendar.

As knitters, we've been coping with this pandemic one stitch at a time.  There's a distant light on the horizon, but we still have a long way to go.  The calendar will be changing, but the pandemic rages on.  Don't give up . . . keep knitting, keep stitching, keep making.  Resilience will carry the day.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Brighter days ahead.

Finding the Rhythm

I hope everyone had a good holiday and has recovered from the festivities.  It's challenging to be productive on the Monday after a super long weekend.  I thought I would ease into the day, so I started with some knitting.  After an hour or so, I discovered my stitch count was off and had to rip out everything I had just knit.

It's all been reknit now, and as long as I keep counting my stitches, I'll be OK.

It can take a while to find the rhythm of a new project, but I think I have the hang of it.  This is the beginning of my Christmas In The City Wrap.

Here's the full color lineup.

I needed a new shawl project.  Early in the pandemic, I made Namibia by the same designer and really enjoyed it.  I think this design will be equally entertaining.  Anything new on your needles post-holiday?

A Time to Make Do

It's crunch time.  This year the scope of our holiday preparations is different, but that doesn't mean there isn't last-minute scurrying.  A week ago I thought I had it all under control.  This week, not so much.

I had a cookie baking marathon over the weekend and crossed that off my list only to get a request for one more kind of cookie.  Now baking cookies is back on the list.  I positioned the vacuum cleaner in such a way to encourage others in the household to take it for a spin.  That strategy hasn't been successful.  I'll either have to give a direct order or do it myself.

This year the holiday menu is long, but the guest list is short.  There will be plenty of food to deliver and share.  

I know many others are facing similar pandemic restrictions.  I'm reminded of the matter-of-fact way my grandmother would talk about shortages during the war.  She would make do with what she had and carry on.  So it is today.  We have to make do with the current restrictions and carry on.

After all the hustle and bustle, there will be plenty of time for knitting.  Every year I look forward to some relaxing downtime.  Maybe even a little peace and quiet.

There are a couple projects that are almost finished and some new ones waiting in the wings.  I've just joined my Blurry Cowl and am ready for the stripes.  I know many knitters cast on something new during the holidays.  What's on your list?

If you're celebrating this week, take a moment to pause and reflect.  In the midst of all this crazy chaos, there's still so much to be grateful for.  Enjoy the holiday!

Since it's a short blogging week, here is this week's color inspiration.

A wall of holiday cheer.

Winter Solstice Giveaway

Happy Winter Solstice!

I've been toying with the idea of a holiday giveaway, and today seemed like a good day to get things rolling.

I'm giving away one of the winter club installments.  The winner can select either the fingering or DK weight option.

To enter, hop over to the Instagram post and leave a comment with your current favorite project.  The comments will be open through December 24.  Looking for pattern ideas?  Be sure to browse the comments.  There are a lot of good suggestions.

Take Two

It's been quite a week.  A topsy-turvy week.  My schedule is in a bit of a free fall, and every day I rearrange priorities and shift deadlines.

The holiday baking isn't finished.  To be honest, it isn't even started unless you count buying all the ingredients.  I've delegated some of the baking to a couple of my kids, and I'm hopeful that piles of cookies will appear.  I want to pop a few cards in the mail, there's decorating that needs attention and I should take the vacuum cleaner for a whirl around the living room.  So it goes.  It seems that holidays in a pandemic are just as chaotic as in normal times.

As for knitting, the other day I decided a do-over was in store for my Blurry Cowl.  I was pondering it while waiting for the furnace to be fixed.  I was so cold my options for productive activity were limited.  I wasn't that far along with the project, so it was easy to justify starting over.

I swapped the placement of the two colors, and I must say I like this better.  It's easier to see the texture in this section.  Weekend plans include plenty of knitting (after baking, cards, decorating and cleaning), and this project will probably see plenty of action.

I'm a big fan of winter.  We had a decent snowstorm the other day, and now the world is covered in white.  This week's color inspiration . . .

Peace and quiet in the Back Bay.

Waiting for Heat

I started out with the best of intentions for a productive day but was quickly derailed when I went downstairs and noticed a chill in the air.  The temperature was just above 50 degrees.  I made a couple phone calls and a cup of coffee.  While I waited, I quickly constructed an alternate plan for the day.

Before long, the furnace guy was here assessing the situation . . . up and down, back and forth between the cellar and the thermostat.  He determined he needed a new part and off he went.  While this was unfolding, I scratched baking off the list for today.  It's too hard to bake cookies with a parade of extra people marching through the kitchen.

I found myself hanging out in the dining room so I could monitor the commotion without being in the way.  Since baking was out of the question, I turned my attention to knitting.

That led me to this sock.  This is one of last year's sock club installments.  The first sock is finished, and I've been meaning to make the second one.  Now that winter is upon us, a new pair of socks would come in handy.  

At the end of the day, I don't have fresh cookies, but I do have a second sock in progress.  And more important, the heat is back on.

Sweater Hiatus

I've been focused on sweater knitting, but I had to take a brief hiatus.  It's not by choice.  One sweater is almost done.  I can see the finish line, but my stitch count is off and I had to give it a little rest.  Ripping out mohair isn't a pretty sight, and I can only take it in small doses.  On the other end of sweater production, I'm ready to start a new one but there's some waiting involved.  I dyed the yarn over the weekend, and it's still drying.

It's a good thing I had started this project, because now it can fill the gap.  This is Blurry Cowl.  It takes two colors, and today I'm thinking of swapping the colors.  That means I'd have to rip this out, but I'm OK with that.  Either way it's an entertaining project.

Hot Water and Socks

My family is in the midst of birthday season.  Our birthdays are clustered together, and the fun starts in December.  This year we won't be celebrating in the usual way, but we're still trying to mark the occasions within pandemic restrictions.  Babies are born, birthdays are celebrated, weddings take place . . . all in the midst of a pandemic.  

My daughter Estrella has the first December birthday, and at the beginning of the week, we had a celebration plan in place.  By this afternoon, we had to revisit those plans.  Making plans and then revising plans is part of life in a pandemic.  We'll repeat the whole process in a week or so with another birthday celebration.

After everything was settled, I made a grocery store run for birthday party essentials.  I came home to discover we don't have hot water.  That doesn't bode well, but I shrugged it off.  It's 2020 after all.  This year has been an exercise in rolling with the punches.

Now for some knitting content.  Signups are open for Yarn Knot Socks, our sock club.

Each installment includes a skein of sock yarn plus a coordinating mini.  The club has three installments, and the first one ships next month.  Sign up for one, two or all three.  Details on the website.

With that, I'm off.  I've avoided the hot water situation long enough, and I'd better investigate.  Cheers to the weekend!

This week's color inspiration . . .

A collection of neutrals.

Hat Season

It's that time of year when I'm always wearing a hat . . . walking the dog, running to the post office.  My office can be cool and drafty so some days I even wear one while I'm working at my desk.

My pandemic coping strategy includes looking for cheer, and I decided a couple new hats would lift my spirits.  Last month I made the Star Top Beanie, and I love it.  A soft, cozy mohair hat cheers me up, so earlier in the week I cast on another one.

This time I'm using Dark Chocolate.  It's the perfect project for meetings or those times when I just need to knit a few simple rounds.  Fuzzy Hat Kits are available on the website and include a coordinated pom pom.  Treat yourself or make one for a gift.  It's hat season.

Toetoe

This sweater has been off the needles for a while . . . patiently waiting for buttons.

Toetoe.

I love everything about this sweater.  It was an engaging knit with just enough action to keep me entertained.  

There are twisted stitches and a simple cable pattern running down the front.  I used a tubular bind off on all the edges.  The sweater would have been ready for action a while ago, but I took my time with the button decision.  I had a lot of fun considering different options.

The yarn is Marybelle DK in Sunflower.  This non-superwash base knits up beautifully and blocks like a dream.  It's a hearty wool that's not too scratchy.  I'm smitten and getting ready to cast on another sweater with this base.

In normal times, this sweater would have been a sample.  Since shows aren't happening any time soon, it's all mine and I'm thrilled that it's a good fit.  I still might use it for a sample some day, but for now I'm going to enjoy wearing it.

A Rescue Operation

Yesterday we rearranged the kitchen and scrubbed almost everything from top to bottom.  It was a long day of cleaning and organizing.  Today I still had that cleaning mojo, so I unleashed it on several languishing knitting projects.

I liberated a few pairs of knitting needles and extricated severals balls of yarn for projects to be determined at a later date.  These were the last projects still held captive by my own indecision, and I've declared the whole rescue operation a complete success.  As a bonus, I now have empty bags ready and waiting for new projects.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Festive.

Measuring Time

The pandemic time warp is back in full force.  Some days I wake up and think long and hard to figure out what day of the week it is.

I'm measuring pandemic time by the repetition of certain household chores.  I went on an uncharacteristic cleaning spree in the spring.  Now the pandemic has gone on so long it's time to repeat some of those keep-yourself-busy tasks.

I see nooks and crannies where dust has settled and cobwebs have formed.  That means I need to make another round with the swiffer.  I've tidied a couple closets for the second time.  I've cleaned under the couch again.  Yesterday I was assessing the dirt and dust situation behind the fridge.

We usually decorate the house just in time for the winter solstice.  This year my household is desperate for cheer, and the kids are plotting the logistics of a tree, lights and general merriment.  The halls will probably be decked by the end of the week.  

Decorating late in December was always my mother's ritual - and mine too.  She's probably shaking her head and watching in amazement while her grandchildren mess with the tradition.  I threw up my hands several months ago.  The year 2020 was not destined for traditions or rituals or family gatherings that we've come to love and cherish.  All we can do is make the best of the situation and carry on.  Look for cheer wherever you can find it.

While all of this has been running in the background, I've been quietly knitting.  It has a certain calming effect.

The body of my Calliope is finished, and I've moved on to the sleeves.  Forward progress always brings me cheer.

Clearing the Table

It's the Monday after a long holiday weekend.  I'm getting my bearings and assessing the damage.  Orders to ship, yarn to dye, emails to reply to . . . and knitting.

It was a productive knitting weekend, but this was the lineup on my table this morning.  One sweater waiting for a bind off, one sweater waiting for buttons and a new project waiting for attention.  Too many projects waiting.  

I know I got a lot of knitting done over the holiday, but I bounced back and forth between projects and didn't finish anything.  I need to clear the table, so I'm not going to look at another project until these are taken care of.

At That Point

It happens.  I'm cruising along on a project when everything comes to a screeching halt until I make a decision.  Sleeve length, body length, buttonhole placement . . . just a few of the decisions that can interrupt work flow.

I'm at that point.

This is the body of my Calliope, and I'm at the suggested length.  I know I want to make it a little longer than the pattern specifies, so I'm going to knit a few more rounds.  Then I'm going to measure it against the length of a sweater I like.  Once I've made my decision, I'll be back to effortless knitting.

A quick reminder that tomorrow I'll be live via Zoom, 11:00 - 1:00.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83336745616

Fiber Stash Dyeworks and Three Bags Full will also be there.  Stop by and check it out.

If you celebrated yesterday, I hope you had a good holiday.  Enjoy the long weekend. 

This week's color inspiration . . .

A red and orange combo.

Before the Pie . . .

It's pie baking day, but I'm taking a little break from kitchen duty to catch up with a few things at my desk.  I've updated the website with a couple items.

Fuzzy Hat Kits.  Upgrade your favorite hat pattern and add mohair.

The kit includes 1 skein of Lucia DK, 1 skein of Shimmer and 1 faux fur pom pom with ties.  I gave it a test run with the Star Top Beanie.  Kobuk would also work.  Use one of these patterns or substitute a different one that calls for similar yarn.  Fuzzy Hat Kits come in a variety of colors.

Snuggle Bundles for The Snuggle is Real have also been listed.  This cozy cowl features two layers.  The outer layer uses slip stitches for the colorwork.  The contrasting lining is made with an angora blend for extra warmth and softness.  Available in several colors.

Just a reminder there is free shipping this weekend.  It starts on Friday and runs through Monday.

I also want to give a shoutout to Vermont Sheep and Wool.

They've put together an afternoon of fun on Black Friday.  Stay home instead of going to the mall.  All the details are on their Facebook page.  Check it out.

I'm off to throw a few pies in the oven.  If you're celebrating tomorrow, keep it simple and stay safe.

A Fiber Gathering

Happy Monday!  It's gray, wet and dark here.  It looks like early evening, but it's only 9:00 am.  It would be a great day to curl up with my knitting, but there's work that needs attention.  Plus there's that holiday later in the week.

Here's something to brighten things up.

There's another virtual fiber gathering this weekend.  Normally Saturday would be Small Business Saturday, but we decided to make a weekend out of it.  This is a good opportunity to support some of the small fiber businesses.

On Saturday I'll be live via Zoom with Fiber Stash Dyeworks and Three Bags Full.

Hours:  11:00 - 1:00

Meeting ID:  833 3674 5616

I'm offering free shipping all weekend.  There are giveaways and promotions from other vendors.  Hop over to the Facebook group for more information.

The Thanksgiving holiday is extra challenging this year, and I know many are stressed over plans and preparations.  Be kind to yourself.  We've made some adjustments to our plans this year, but I'm still cooking.  With that, I'm off to brave the rain and make my final run to the grocery store.

Pattern Hunting

Ravelry is a great resource, and I use it on an almost daily basis.  This morning when I needed a new hat pattern, I automatically popped over to Ravelry and started looking.  I filtered my search with the characteristics I was looking for  - DK weight yarn, knitting, adult, mosaic colorwork.

One pattern caught my eye right away.  It was near the top of the page, and I didn't bother to look any further.

The funny thing is, I had already put it in my favorites a while ago.  It's good to know I still like it, but it was a reminder that I've already done a lot of the homework and have lists of patterns just waiting.  Next time I'm pattern hunting, I'll take a look at the ones I've already tagged. 

I found this week's color inspiration in a parking lot.

Bright orange peeking through the fence.

Amsterdam Avenue Cowl

The other day I made a quick update to the website. 

Amsterdam Avenue Cowl.

Bundles in several color combinations are now available on the website.

This cowl is a relaxing project with simple stripes and DK weight yarn.  It would make a nice gift or add one to your own cowl collection.

I have a few samples and kits that were exclusive to fiber events.  I'll be posting more in the coming weeks so say tuned.

Late-Night Knitting

Oh, the perils of late-night knitting.

This is how my project looked on Sunday after a late night with the needles.  I was in the home stretch of my raglan increases when I stopped to check my stitch count.  I had a sneaking suspicion I was off and sure enough I was.  Usually I can blame the beer, but I wasn't even drinking.

There was only one solution.  

I ripped and reknit.  Then I finished the raglan increases and separated.  Now it's a straight shot to the bottom ribbing.  Plain stockinette . . . perfect for sipping a beer.

Friday Reflections

Happy Friday!  It's been another trying week as the grim reality of the pandemic forces all of us to take stock and make adjustments.  Normally I would happily be anticipating the holiday season, but this year the holidays have lost their sparkle.  

We were warned this is where we were headed, and I made up my mind I wouldn't be discouraged.  Instead I've come up with a couple alternate plans for celebrating.  It won't be quite the same, but they all involve plenty of baking and cooking.  Some things don't change even in a pandemic. 

The world is a dark place right now, but I still make it a habit to look for the bright spots.  Often they're hard to find, but I did come across one today.  While I was out and about running errands, I had a brief conversation with a woman.  She asked about my business.  Knitters and yarn . . . I gave her a quick overview.   Then she mentioned she had learned to knit during the pandemic.  She taught herself with YouTube and made a baby blanket.  She also tried crochet but found that to be a little more challenging.  Too many loops, she said.  

She asked what I thought she should try next.  I suggested a hat or a cowl, and we discussed circular needles.  At the end she commented that using her hands was very calming during the pandemic.  Indeed.  I don't know how non-knitters have been coping.  This unexpected knitting chatter made my day.  It was the bright spot I needed.

I dyed this yarn earlier in the week and am looking forward to giving it a test run over the weekend.

Find something to look forward to.  It will help you get through the days.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Glistening leaves.

Just Another Hat

When I finished a hat last week, I knew it wouldn't be long before I cast on another one.  Hats rank right up there with socks.  So practical and the perfect grab and go project.

I started this one the other day.  As a bonus, this persimmon color is the perfect match for the foliage right now.  The pattern didn't call for mohair, but I added it anyway.  Soft, cozy and fuzzy . . . another bonus.

More Mohair

I'm determined to have a productive week, so I started the day with the dye pots.  That took some effort on my part.  I have a new project on the needles, and I could easily have gotten lost in the steady rhythm of this ribbing.

I'm still sorting out the buttons for my Toetoe, so I cast on a new sweater over the weekend.  This is Calliope, and it's been waiting in the wings for a while.  Obviously I still haven't had my fill of the cozy, fuzzy comfort of mohair.

The Way Forward

Like many people, I'm stuck in election limbo, and I'm muddling along in a fog.  It probably didn't help that I checked numbers once or twice in the middle of the night.  Today is a new day, and I'm going about my business.  No, it won't be business as usual, but it will be a step in the right direction.  Waiting is hard, but sometimes it's the only way forward.

While I've been waiting, I did a quick website update.

Hat Kits are now available.

Each kit contains one skein of Lucia DK plus a faux fur pom pom with ties.  This sample is Rocky Ridge Hat, but you can use the kit for any hat pattern that calls for DK weight yarn.

There are over twenty combinations to choose from.  Take a look.  Hat season is here.

Just a reminder that New England Fiber Vendors are hosting a virtual event this weekend.  Look for me on Saturday.  I'll be live via Zoom with Ball and Skein, Fiber Stash Dyeworks and Three Bags Full.

Hours:  11:00 - 1:00

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82050854704                                                                                                                 

Three Bags Full and I are offering a giveaway.  Stop by and enter for a chance to win.

I'm offering free shipping all weekend.  No code needed.  See the Facebook page for a complete list of participating vendors and weekend activities.

This week's color inspiration . . .

A bright banner.

While We Wait . . .

How's it going?  I hope everyone is hanging in there.  I knew we would have to wait for election results but that doesn't make it any easier.  

I can't concentrate on anything too complicated, but I have enough bandwidth to work on a simple knitting project.  I've been alternating between that and playing with buttons.

I need a few buttons for my Toetoe, so yesterday I rummaged through my button box.  It turns out I don't have many options that are both the right size and the right color.  I've settled on one that will work, but I'm not smitten with it.  That's OK.  Online button shopping is a great way to pass the time while waiting for election results.

Virtual FFNE

I've been working virtual versions of all the fall festivals, and there's another one on tap this coming weekend.

Virtual Fiber Festival of New England will be running on Saturday and Sunday.

I'll be live via Zoom on Saturday, 11:00 - 1:00.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82050854704

Ball and Skein, Fiber Stash Dyeworks and Three Bags Full will be joining me.  I'll be offering free shipping all weekend.  No code needed.

Check the Facebook page to see the full schedule of events plus other vendor specials and promotions.

Note that this event is being hosted by a group of vendors, not the organizers of FFNE.

Soundtrack Update

I played hooky this morning.  We had our first snow of the season, and I couldn't resist the urge to get out and enjoy the fresh white flakes.  Our dog Benji had fun too.

The other day I did a quick update to the website.

Soundtrack Cowl.

Slip stitches create a relaxing colorwork pattern.  High contrast colors highlight the design.

Bundles for this project have been a show exclusive.  Since there aren't any events on the horizon, I listed the bundles on the website.

This cowl uses worsted weight yarn, so it's a fairly quick project.  Make one for yourself or a knitworthy friend.

If you're looking for some entertainment this Saturday, Vermont Sheep and Wool is hosting a Contest Day.

Trivia, prizes and more.  You'll find all the details on their Facebook page.

This week's color inspiration is almost like a pumpkin.

Red kuri squash.

No Apology

I'm lining up new projects with reckless abandon, and I'm not going to apologize.

I'm fortifying myself for the long winter ahead.  I finally settled on my color combination for Architecture Shawl.  Several options were in contention, but IPA is the winner.

The next week or so will probably be pretty challenging too.  Keep knitting and don't forget to vote.

The Homestretch

Every once in a while, I surprise myself with how much knitting progress I make.  In spite of a busy weekend with very little planned knitting time, I made my way off sleeve island and am in the homestretch of my Toetoe.  In case you're wondering, I'm using Marybelle DK in Sunflower.

Stitch by stitch it all adds up.  This has been a fun project, and it's coming together nicely, but I'm already looking ahead.

There are several new projects waiting in the wings.  Isn't that always the case?

To reduce the waiting time, I nudged this one into the on-deck circle.  It won't be long now.