Tech Time

This turned out to be a week full of technical issues.  From the website to promo materials, I've been glued to my computer for hours on end. The shopping cart is working again, and everything has been submitted to the printer.  I have my fingers crossed that nothing else goes awry.

Being chained to my desk has cut into my knitting time.  To add to my frustration, I realized that when I had a few minutes here and there, I didn't have a small project by my side.  There's nothing worse than being on hold for tech support with bad music playing in the background.  I usually take the edge off by knitting a few rounds, but none of my current projects are easy to pick up and put down.

I don't want to get caught on another tech call without appropriate knitting, so last night I wound this up for a small project.

More Pond Scum on the needles.

The pandemic rages on, and every week I look for a little nugget of normal.  This week it was blueberry picking.  Picking is by reservation only now, and I had been trying for over a week to get a slot.  I had almost given up when a slot popped up the other day.

The logistics in the field are very different now, and it's far from the normal we've enjoyed for many years at the farm.  I'm grateful they've been able to adapt and are still up and running.  A glimmer of hope.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Bucket of blues.

Sweaters and Summer

The summer heat is still here, and it's getting mighty old.  I'm not willing to admit defeat, but I have made several adjustments.  First, dyeing only happens in the early morning.  No all-day dye sessions right now. Second, a sweater project can't have my undivided knitting attention at the moment.

As an example, here's a quick Toetoe update.  In case you're wondering, toetoe is a New Zealand grass, and it's pronounced toy-toy. Pretty cool, huh.

My strategy is to knit a few rows every day and then move on to something that doesn't take up quite as much lap space.  I had to come up with a compromise, and so far this seems to be working.
I would like to focus more on this sweater, but the heat makes me crabby and my family already tolerates a lot of salty comments.

I know I don't have enough inches yet, but I'm going to give it a quick measure anyway.  It's encouraging to have my forward progress confirmed.

Coloring for Fun

We're in an oppressive heat wave, and my days have been starting early.  Dyeing is a hot job, and it generates a lot of excess heat.  To accommodate the brutal weather, I'm operating with a modified dye schedule.  This keeps production moving along at a limited capacity.  

Since I tend to the dye pots first thing in the morning, I can spend the afternoon with this.

I've settled on my bundle for The Sharon Show MKAL which starts on August 7.  Before things get rolling, there's a little pre-clue in the form of a worksheet.  Using the worksheet, I can experiment with different options for color placement.

It turns out coloring can be a fun exercise.  There's no right and wrong, and there's no pressure to stay inside the lines.  I think I enjoy it more as an adult than I did as a kid.

Off and On

Slow and steady wins the race.  I've felt my knitting production has been plodding along the last few days, and then all of a sudden I have something ready to come off the needles.  Stitch by stitch by 
stitch . . . they all add up.

I have so many projects in the "must knit now" queue, and they're all jostling for top position.  This one wiggled its way to the head of the line.

The farmers' market is in full swing, and the selection changes on a weekly basis.  I'm going with the flow and enjoying whatever is available.  This week's color inspiration . . . 

Berry mix.

The Sharon Show

It's almost time for The Sharon Show.

Photo courtesy of Casapinka

We've been busy gearing up for the annual summer MKAL (mystery knit along) hosted by Casapinka.

~  Kickoff on August 7
~  Four colors of fingering weight yarn
~  Six clues released over six weeks
~  Two versions:  beginner and advanced beginner shawl knitters

If you're feeling overwhelmed by picking four colors, we've put together some bundles.

You can also pick your own colors.  Check the Lillian page for options. If you have questions about colors or color combinations, drop us an email.  Picking colors is half the fun.

Always a Hat

Happy Monday!  I finished a project the other day and was quick to cast on another one to take its place.  I like to always have a hat on the go.  Since I didn't have one on the needles, that's what I cast on.

To add to the excitement, I'm using mohair in July in the midst of a heat advisory.  It's hazy, hot and humid, but I'm up for the challenge.

Two Tuesdays

We are creatures of habit.  Or at least I am.  I changed a couple items on my weekly Wednesday schedule and lost my moorings.  All day long I was under the impression it was Tuesday.  It wasn't until late in the day that I realized it was actually Wednesday, and I hadn't posted to the blog.

In my defense, I have been busy.  This has been my view the last couple days.

This might look like a complete jumble, but there are new kits in the works.  Stay tuned.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Butterfly magic.

Monday Challenges

I should have known today was going to be a problem when the dog started barking at 5:00 in the morning.  I had to get up and see what all the fuss was about.  Nothing, apparently.  I eventually fell back to sleep only to have the phone ring.  It turns out my morning has been rearranged a couple times already.  Take a deep breath and keep moving.

Over the weekend I puttered around dyeing colors to match a new bundle in the works.  Good lighting makes all the difference, and this morning one of them looked different in the light of day.  Just dye another sample, my daughter advised.  So I did.

I do have real progress to show with one project.

The fronts of my Toetoe have been joined to the back.  Now it's easy back and forth.  I just have to make sure I follow the correct chart for each side.  With everything else that's going on, that seems manageable.

I'm off to tackle the afternoon.  With a little more coffee, I'm up for the challenge.

Today's Normal

I'm hitting the road in a little bit and heading to the Cape for a low key outdoor event.  It's been over four months since my last fiber event, and I've missed seeing knitters in person.  No, this isn't a return to normal - most of my fall events have already been cancelled.  This is normal for today - an opportunity to take advantage of the weather and outdoor space.

Here's a glimpse at what I've been working on this week.  

Bundles, bundles and more bundles.  These are for the Undertone Kit. Coming this fall . . . new bundles, different kits.  Stay tuned.

This week's color inspiration.

Delicate white.

An Anchor

Since March, there have been many changes in our day-to-day activities, and life is still a long way from normal.  I am dyeing yarn on a regular basis now, and my dyeing schedule has once again become an anchor for my daily routine.  I'm sure there will be many more changes to come, but it's encouraging to know that we've been able to adapt and cope with the pandemic situation as it unfolds.

The heat of summer is bearing down on us.  I'm less inclined to work on my sweater when it's hot and sticky, so I'm back to my Criterion Cowl.

I like a little variety, so I always have more than one project on the needles.  This is an entertaining project, and I'm enjoying the way these colors play together.  Keep cool, keep knitting.

Monday Report

I'm starting the week with a schedule update.  Yes, I have a live event on my calendar.  If the weather cooperates, this Friday I'll be down the Cape at Salt Yarn Studio.  I'll be outside on the lawn in the afternoon.
If you plan to stop by, be sure to contact the shop for information on guidelines etc.  

I had a productive weekend in more ways than one.

Yesterday I had hoped to get the left front to the same point as the right front, but it was late last night and mistakes were happening.  Rather than plow ahead into more mishaps, I put it down.  Once the left front is past the armhole, I'll join the whole shebang and work the body in one piece.

It was a good weekend all around.

Weekend Celebration

It's another holiday in the midst of the pandemic, and I'm still learning how to navigate our traditional gatherings.  I took a pass for Easter and Memorial Day, but the reality is, this virus isn't going anywhere soon.  

Rather than let our celebrations fall by the wayside, I'm going to up my holiday game a little bit this weekend.  There won't be our usual trek to the Charles to see the fireworks, but I'll cook some summertime favorites and bake a pie or two.

Make the most of the holiday and enjoy your weekend.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Strawberry goodness.

Twists and Turns

I'm always amazed by designers who come up with a fresh take on garment construction.  I enjoy a pattern that includes interesting twists and turns, and I'm in the middle of one right now.

This is Toetoe.  I rarely use the same color as the sample, but if you follow the link you'll see I'm a total copycat this time around.

I've knit the back through the armholes, and now I'm going to reverse direction and knit the fronts.  And it's in one piece.  It's all very clever, and I'm thrilled.  

I got this far last night, and the first thing I thought of this morning was starting the next section.  Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.