Hug Shot

My Hug Shot is off the needles.

For the last couple days, I was a monogamous knitter, and it turns out that's a really good way to finish a project.  I was also very motivated because this was a test run.

This shawl has interesting stitches and textures.  It's also a fun way to play with color combinations.  I used Lillian in Cool Waters and Sunflower.

Bundles in a variety of colors are listed on the website.  The Hug Shot pattern will be released on June 5, and each Bundle purchase will receive a free pattern code.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Hot, hot pink.

Bundle Update

My routine still includes a daily purpose, and today that was cleaning under the couch.  Why stop there, I asked myself, as I pulled off all the cushions.  I blame the dog for all the dirt and grit I discovered.  It was a job that was long overdue, and I'm glad it's finished.  I'm always hopeful when I clean the couch, but I'm a little disappointed that my efforts today produced one lone stitch marker and no stray change.

Earlier today I made a quick update to the website.

Photo courtesy of Casapinka

Hug Shot.

This shawl pattern will be released on June 5, and there are bundles listed on the website.  As a bonus, every bundle purchase will receive a pattern code for a free copy of Hug Shot.  See the website for details.

Rolling Along

My weekend knitting has shifted into the Monday holiday.

I'm rolling with it.  New pattern and kits coming soon.

For many, this is the holiday to kick off the summer season . . . fire up the grill, go to the beach, hang out with family and friends.  Take it easy out there and don't forget the rules.  Stay safe.

Potential and Possibility

The holiday weekend stretches in front of me . . . so much potential and possibility.  Our usual family gathering won't be happening this year, so I've turned my attention to other activities.  I'm trying to focus on what I can do instead of what I can't.

What I can do is empty a few needles.  I have at least two projects (maybe more) that are very close to being finished.

And then there are other projects already under construction.  This is my Breathe and Hope.  It's not in the almost finished pile, but with a little concentrated knitting time, I'm sure I can get it there.

Enjoy the long weekend and the unofficial start of summer.  Make the most of your knitting time.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Yellow cheer.

Take Five

There are a lot of ups and downs with pandemic confinement.  Some days I'll be productive and other days I won't.  I've learned to be OK with that. 

My strategy is to make the most of the days when I have a lot of energy.  This morning was one of those days, and I got the dye pots going bright and early.

After that I settled in with a little cleaning.  It turns out my daily purpose was tackling the front hall.  It had become a dumping ground for everything from empty boxes to running shoes.  I recycled and organized and did a little dance with the vacuum cleaner.  While I was in the area, I even mopped the stairs.  How long will it take for someone in this house to notice the clean stairs?

I've also become much better at taking breaks.  Why not?  I'm not going anywhere.

The weather was lovely, so I went outside with my coffee and knitting.
I planned to take only five minutes, but I'm sure I was out there a little longer.  That's OK too.

Conducting Research

Today turned into a planning day . . . inventory, numbers, potential new bases.  That wasn't on my to-do list this morning, but the harsh reality of fiber mill production in the midst of a pandemic hit home and led me down a path.  Decisions, number crunching, more decisions.

Since I was in planning mode, I decided to keep going and test a new base.  It's been sitting on the work table for a while . . . waiting patiently.

After my deep dive into the numbers, knitting a swatch was about all I could handle.  How's Monday treating you?

Chasing Dust

I've been spending way too much time in my office, and this week may have been the tipping point.  Over the course of this pandemic, I've become obsessed with the dust that collects in the nooks and crannies of my desk chair.  How can a chair get so dusty?  Now I have a weekly cleaning ritual that includes dusting my chair and sticking the vacuum cleaner hose in the hard-to-reach spots.

I'm also trying to sort out a messy cord situation around my computer, but so far that solution has eluded me.  Clearly I need to step away from the desk and get out of my office a little more.

On the knitting front, there are a couple new patterns that have my full attention, and I'm starting to make plans.

There's mohair involved.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Rich shades of orange.

All In

I've lost track of how long we've been under our stay-at-home order, but I'm still using my strategy of a daily purpose to get through most days.  Some days I have the purpose all planned and ready to go. Other days the purpose finds me.  This morning I woke up without a purpose in mind, but it didn't take long before one presented itself.

I've had a messy insurance situation on my hands.  I figured it would involve at least a couple phone calls and a lot of time, so I've been avoiding the situation like the plague.  I knew I had to get it sorted out for upcoming appointments, so this morning I sat down with phone numbers, coffee and my knitting.

My first call was a dead end because the office has very limited hours during the pandemic.  Not a good start but I forged ahead.  It took several more calls, a lot of waiting and a couple hours, but I was able to resolve the situation.  Daily purpose for the win.  As a bonus, I made some knitting progress.

Short rows and funky stripes . . . I'm all in with this project.

Comfort Knitting

This weekend was an experiment in vending at a virtual fiber festival.
It was fun.  Not as much fun as seeing everyone in person, of course, but it was encouraging to still exchange ideas about patterns and colors.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check it out.

The wind was ferocious over the weekend, and the weather was less than ideal for a fiber festival, especially for outside vendors.  I vend outside at New Hampshire.  From cold and snowy to sweltering and windy, I've experienced every kind of weather situation at this event.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't have mixed feelings about staying home this weekend.  I definitely missed the social connections, but I'm glad I didn't have to wrestle my E-Z Up to keep it from blowing away.

To add to the mix, this was the first time in a dozen years or so that I've been home for Mother's Day.  For me, it was disconcerting.  For my family, it was challenging to coordinate a surprise dinner with me underfoot.  We made some adjustments along the way and had a lovely day.

At the end of it all, I had just enough time for a new cast on.

Bonus shot of Benji in the background.  I don't have too many projects on the needles, so a new one is completely justified.  Plus I could use some comfort knitting right now.  Garter stitch fits the bill.

Editing and Knitting

It turns out that being involved in a virtual marketplace is time consuming.  As a result I haven't had much knitting time this week, and I'm starting to feel out of sorts.

Today I've been editing photos . . . and knitting a couple rows here and there.  Just enough to take the edge off.

Remember if you want to check out the virtual version of New Hampshire Sheep and Wool, follow the hashtag #virtualNHSW.  

The streets are eerily quiet these days.  This week's color 
inspiration . . .

Clouds like cotton balls.

A Virtual Marketplace

New Hampshire Sheep and Wool was on my schedule for this weekend, and I must say I'm feeling a little sad.  Don't get me 

wrong.  I'm totally on board with our stay-at-home order, but that doesn't mean I don't get a bit weepy from time to time.  It's Mother's Day Weekend, and New Hampshire is always such a festive, community event . . . even when the weather is crappy.

I try not to worry about situations that I don't control.  It's an important life lesson I learned a long time ago, and a pandemic is definitely one of those situations.  Be resilient.  Pick yourself up and figure out a way through it. 

In that spirit, some of the vendors from New Hampshire Sheep and Wool are offering a virtual marketplace this weekend with various specials and promotions.  Follow the tag #virtualNHSW to see what everyone has to offer.  I'll have posts on Instagram and an update on Facebook.  Check it out if you're missing your fiber community this weekend.

On the Island

An update from sleeve island.

I landed on the island with the intention of making it a short stay.  After all we're in the midst of a pandemic, and my regular routine has been turned upside down.  With plenty of free time on my hands, I planned to quickly take care of business and leave the island in record time.

That probably would have worked, but I stopped along the way to play a little game.

Love Note.  I'm holding one strand of Lillian with one strand of Shimmer, colorway Pond Scum.  This is my first sleeve . . . almost long enough but not quite where I want it.  I stopped and put the stitches on hold so I could work the second sleeve.  Note that this sleeve is still attached to the balls of yarn.

Here's the second sleeve worked to the same point as the first sleeve.

This is where the game begins.

The mohair skeins have more yardage, so I have plenty of that to finish the sleeves.  It's the Lillian that I'm playing with.  I'd like to finish both sleeves with this ball of yarn.

Both sleeves still need a couple more rounds followed by a little bit of ribbing.  And then there's the bind off.  The question is whether or not I'll settle for sleeves that are a smidge shorter than I had originally planned just so I can get both of them out of this ball.

I was knitting away last night.  I've been weighing the yarn as I go but haven't put this ball on the scale since then.  That information might be very helpful or add to my indecision.

So this morning I wound another skein.

Just in case.

If you're looking for daily purpose during this pandemic, have you taken a look at your coffee grinder?

Over the weekend, I disassembled our coffee grinder in a completely unplanned moment of frenzied cleaning activity.  I don't know what came over me, but in a matter of minutes I had the thing in pieces. After cleaning it thoroughly inside and out, I put everything back together.  Now it runs like a top and practically gleams.  

Keep your eyes open.  Just when you think you've exhausted your list of daily purpose activities, you're bound to find something else that needs attention.

Weekend Strategy

In case you lost track of time (and it's easy to do right now), the weekend is here.  I had a plan for my knitting this week, but at some point that fell by the wayside.  Funny thing.  Life still happens, and there are interruptions even in the midst of a pandemic.

After a quick assessment, I have a new knitting strategy for the weekend.

These two projects are almost finished.  With a little bit of focus, I can get these off the needles.  What are your knitting plans for the weekend?

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Delicate pink.