No Limits

My days have a different rhythm right now . . . an ebb and flow that's artificial yet reassuring at the same time.  I'm sure many of you can relate.  

The other day my daughter commented that it would be easier to deal with pandemic restrictions if we knew when businesses could open again.  "When will Charlie (our governor) announce a date?" she asked.  I had to agree with her, but unfortunately it's not that easy. 

Dealing with uncertainty from day to day is stressful and exhausting, but that's where we're at.  Casting on new projects is one way to cope. There are no limits.  During challenging times, cast on with reckless abandon.

Meditate.  Once you get this cowl up and running, it's very meditative. The pattern is free right now.  Hurry to snag your copy.  The offer expires at the end of the month.

Fingers Crossed

While I continue to chip away at the list of household chores, I've also been knitting.

The Early Blossoms.  This project has been humming in the background for a while.  I'm trying to get the contrast sections out of one mini skein.  I'm closing in on the final section of stripes and the last insert, so I'll know soon enough.  I have my fingers crossed.

A quick reminder that tomorrow is the Knitting Hangout, 2:00 - 4:00 Eastern.  Come and go as you please.  If you'd like to join us send an email:  info@dirtywaterdyeworks.com.  I'll forward the link.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Always remember there are brighter days ahead.

New Routines

In these pandemic times, I often lose track of the days.  I wake up and have to think long and hard to recall where we are on the calendar. When the ebb and flow of our daily routines are gone and when the activities that distinguish one day from the next no longer exist, the days become a blur and blend into one another.

It's very unsettling when work and family life are upended.  After spending a few days without focus and purpose, I'm desperately attempting to establish new routines.  Each day I pick one neglected household project.  Yesterday it was a closet.  Today it's a kitchen shelf.  

I'm not going to set myself up with a full day of household chores because I know it won't end well.  I'll burn out, and then I'll struggle to do anything around the house.  For me, slow and steady wins the race when it comes to tackling household jobs.

Then the rest of my day falls into place around work.  There's not much dyeing going on these days, but there's still planning and paperwork. New opportunities and fresh ideas take time.

And there's knitting.

I have a couple new patterns to cast on, but I'm also spending time with one or two projects that have been lingering.  How are you coping?

Knitting Hangout

Isolation at home can be challenging.  As knitters we always have plenty of projects to work on, and time with the family is priceless. What's missing is time with our fiber friends.  I'm usually out and about at fiber events on a regular basis and am really missing contact with other knitters.

In an effort to stay connected with fiber friends, I'm hosting Knitting Hangout this Saturday, March 28, 2:00 - 4:00 Eastern.  Come and go as you please.

There's no set agenda.  We'll be talking about yarn, colors, patterns, techniques.  Feel free to share questions, ideas, suggestions.

Send an email:  info@dirtywaterdyeworks.com.  I'll forward the link to join the hangout.

Shiftalong

I like to stick to my blogging schedule, but I decided to go with a Saturday post this time around.  It's been a crazy week (how many more times will I say that!?!), and I've been scrambling to pick up the pieces.  I'm sure many of you are in the same boat.

In the midst of all this chaos, it felt very satisfying to finish at least one project.

Shiftalong.

This pattern features slip stitches with contrasting colors to highlight the texture.  The design has a nice relaxing rhythm, and it's always good to have a hat on the go.

This hat is definitely on the slouchy side.  For those who like something a little more close fitting, the pattern can easily be adjusted.

I used a Half Pint Bundle in Juniper.  These fingering weight bundles have just been listed on the website.  They're perfect for socks or any project that calls for half skeins.

I grabbed these flowers on a mad shopping dash . . . my best impulse buy of the week.  This week's color inspiration . . .

Yellow cheer.

Shifting Gears

Life is very unpredictable right now, but I can always count on my knitting.

Since I won't be on the road for a while, I'm turning my attention to new kits and creative ideas.  This hat has a nice rhythm.  Good for these troubling times.  Stay tuned for more details.

Hitting Pause

Ever so slowly the rhythms of daily life are being altered.  Over the weekend I had to email the students in my weekly knitting class.  It was time to hit the pause button.  The space we use is closed for the foreseeable future.  No class as we weather the storm.  I knew it would come to this, but that doesn't make it any easier.  

In times of crisis we rely on community support to get us through.  That community could be a church or a garden group or a book club.  I've taught many knitting classes over the years, but the dynamics of this group are extra special.  Just when we need that weekly connection the most, it's not there.  No, class hasn't been cancelled.  It's on pause. We'll have class again when the storm passes, and we'll have a deeper appreciation for the sense of community we get from knitting together.

A quick update.  Since our busy spring schedule has been turned upside down and there won't be as many opportunities to shop in person, we're offering the following Stay Strong Discount.

10% off orders over $50
15% off orders over $100
20% off orders over $150

Note that this offer does not include gift certificates and Yarn Knot subscriptions.  See website for additional details.

Finally, we've updated the website with a couple items.

Undertone Bundles are now available in several colors.

Flecks have also been added to the website.  Colorful bits add fun and texture to your project.

Keep knitting and stay strong!

Rolling with the Punches

Flexibility is the key to surviving so many things in life.  These days it's an even more valuable life skill.

The Knit North Yarn Crawl scheduled for next week has been moved to June.  Next week the shops will be holding a mini crawl instead - Yarn Love Weekend 2020.  I'll still be at A Garden for Knitters on Thursday and Friday.  If you're able to get out and about, stop by.

I'll have kits, bundles and new samples on hand.  These times are incredibly challenging for small businesses, and we appreciate the support.

If you can't get out, I'll be running some promotions online.  More on that next week.

Talk about timing.  Today the Boston Marathon was rescheduled, and this is my color inspiration for the week.

Brighter days ahead at the finish line.

Keeping Busy

I woke up to a new day, but the outlook hasn't improved.  It's like a twisted version of Groundhog Day. 

There's no sense in dwelling on it.  My response to the continued uncertainty is to keep busy and keep moving forward.

That includes a lot of knitting and dyeing.  Maybe I'll add baking to the list and try a couple new recipes.  How are you coping?

Coping with Chaos

These are trying times on many different levels.  When the news is changing at such a frantic pace, it's hard to see even the glimmer of a silver lining.  It's a struggle to be hopeful and optimistic.  It's a challenge to remain calm and centered.

In response to the chaos, Clara Parkes has launched The Daily Respite.  She calls it, "a shared experiment in self-soothing."  I enjoy having some good news in my inbox for a change, and you might too. Check it out.

Today I'm reminded of an Elizabeth Zimmermann quote.  "Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises."  That's just what I intend to do.

Dotted Rays

The mohair monster is finished.

Dotted Rays.

Garter stitch and simple short rows create a squishy fabric with interesting texture.

This is a substantial wrap, but because of the short row wedges, the rows never feel endlessly long.

This pattern is written for different weights of yarn, but I was inspired by the Espace Tricot version.  I made the small size and used Lillian Singles held with Shimmer - both in the Sea colorway.  I used two skeins of each yarn and bumped up my needle size to US 8.

I hit a little snag on the bind off and ran out of yarn with twenty-four stitches left.  I had some leftover yarn that was close in color and used that to bind off the remaining stitches.  You have to look closely to notice the difference.  The pattern is flexible enough that I could have bound off sooner and avoided the game of yarn chicken.

This project is surprisingly portable, mindless and relaxing.  I highly recommend it.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Early evening light.

Thrilled

With one project fresh off the needles, I'm itching to cast on something new.  To be honest, I'll probably cast on more than one, but I'm still in the midst of some color decisions.

This one is ready to go today.

Starting a new project is always so exciting.  I'm thrilled.

Ideas and Colors

I'm settling in after a weekend full of ideas and inspiration.  There are some valuable perks that come with being out and about for events. Believe me, it's not all fun and games, but I won't go into that now.
One of the most helpful perks is seeing so many gorgeous knits in person.  It's wonderful to look at pattern ideas on Ravelry, but seeing them knit up can be a game changer.  

I came home from Farm Fiber Day with a list of ideas, and today I'm playing around with colors.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth yesterday.  It was great fun all around.  Now back to playing . . .