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.