Christmas In The City

 Off the needles and blocked.

Christmas In The City Wrap.

I'm delighted with this shawl.  The colors, the combinations, the stripes, the texture, the lace.  I love the way it all came together.

I used a Lillian Bundle in the colorway Old Brown Dog.

The website has been updated with a variety of bundle color combinations.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Fresh, clean snowy paw prints.

Wednesday Update

Virtual SPA is happening this weekend starting on Friday.  Here's how I'm participating.

* Saturday Zoom with Three Bags Full, 11:00 - 1:00 Eastern

I'll be available to chat about yarn, colors and samples.  Stop by with questions or just to stay hi.

Special Guest.  Designer Elizabeth Smith will join us at 11:30 to talk about her design work.

Meeting ID:  893 7061 9391

Passcode:  888984

* Free shipping all weekend.  No code needed.

* Giveaways.  These will be happening over on Instagram.  Follow along on Instagram for details.  If Instagram doesn't work for you, check the Ravelry group.  I'll post more information there later in the week.

Follow the hashtag #NETASPA2021 for additional information.  To see what other vendors are offering, join the Google Group for New England Textile Arts Network.

Today I'm busy finishing a couple projects.

While I'm weaving in ends, I'm gearing up for the next project.

Maine Woods Hat

On Friday I was on a hat brim hump, but I got over that and kept right on going. 

Maine Woods Hat.  Stranded colorwork often falls into the just one more round category.  I hit the colorwork section and didn't stop until the hat was off the needles.

This design offers three sizes and includes instructions for both a folded brim and a regular brim.  I used a tubular cast on and followed the pattern as written.

The yarn is the Norma Bundle in the Vermont colorway.  There are several color combinations available on the website.

Event update.  The virtual version of SPA is happening this weekend.  I'll have more details later in the week.

The Way It Works

Color update.  I'm still trying to sort out my color choices from earlier this week.  I added to the confusion by dyeing a couple more colors to throw into the mix.  I'll ponder my options for another day or two.

I always need a hat on the go.  Since I had finished all my hats under construction, I cast on a new one.

This is Maine Woods Hat.  I decided to make the longer folded brim, but I'm stuck.  It's the same feeling I have when my truck is stuck in the snow.  I give it some gas, but I don't go anywhere.

With this hat, I keep knitting and knitting, but the brim doesn't get any longer.  I know this is a common predicament for knitters.  I'm sure that at some point I'll measure the brim, and it'll be too long.  That's just the way it works.

I enjoy winter and make a point to get out and about.  This week's color inspiration came from one of my winter walks.

Icy winter gray.

On the Table

I always have new projects in the works, and right now I'm focused on one that has a fast approaching deadline.

Picking colors is always fun, so to get things started I pulled a few skeins.  There are usually twists and turns along the way, and I'll probably end up with something that's not even on the table yet.  It's all part of the process.

Desk Companion

Welcome to a new week.  We're easing into this one with another Monday holiday.  Since so many days are a blur in the pandemic, I'm not sure we appreciate these "off" days as much as we used to.  One thing that won't change for me this week?  I'll still be confused about which day of the week it is.

I recently finished the mindless project I worked on during Zoom calls, and I needed a replacement.  It didn't have to be completely      mindless - just something easy to pick up and put down.

Snowdrop.  This is my current Zoom project.  Around and around with a simple pattern repeat every other round.  This cowl keeps me focused and is my current companion when I'm at my desk.  Do you have a favorite project for Zoom calls?

Coming up for Air

I'm coming up for air after a couple days of steady computer work.  All those hours at my desk really cut into my knitting time.

After I wrapped up everything last night, I had just enough energy to knit a few rows.  I finished this eyelet section on my Christmas In The City Wrap.  This design has so much variety it's hard to get bored.  The weekend is here, and I'm ready to make up for lost knitting time.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Snow-covered boats.

Little Distractions

I have a big computer project on the agenda, so of course I started the day with a couple little distractions.  I did a quick tidy in the kitchen, took out the trash and threw a load of dirty clothes in the washing machine.  After the domestic chores were under control, I turned my attention to a new project.

To be fair, this project is at the top of my list.  All I had to do was pick the colors.

Now that I've chosen the colors and wound the yarn, I can focus on the computer.  I've made a deal with myself.  I can't cast on until I finish my computer work.

Ribbed Watch Cap

I had a relaxing, productive knitting weekend.  Other than shoveling snow (we got a fresh white blanket), I didn't have any demands on my time.  I had a couple stitch count issues with one project and a row count problem with another one, but I got everything sorted and made forward progress.

I also finished a hat.

Ribbed Watch Cap & Beanie.

This design features 1 x 1 ribbing in fingering weight yarn on smallish needles.  Yes, it's a lot of ribbing, but I think it's worth it.  I made the pattern as specified with the deep cuff, but you could easily adjust it for a shorter version.

The yarn is Lillian in Wheat.

I love the overall classic look, and the crown decreases came together nicely.  I'm thrilled with the way the hat turned out.  This one is for my son, but I would definitely make it again.

Bits and Pieces

I've been chained to my desk most of the week trying to get my inbox under control.  I catch up on email for a brief moment only to discover a new batch that needs attention.  It's a viscous cycle.

Here's a quick update.  In between emails, I added a few colors to the Lucia DK lineup and listed them on the website.

Seafoam, Topaz and Juniper are now available.  I hadn't thought of these three colors as a project combo, but now the wheels are turning.  I'll have to let that idea marinate.

In the works . . . Virtual SPA.  The in-person gathering in Freeport has been cancelled this year, but plans are underway for a virtual event.  The dates are February 26 - 28, and I'll be participating.  Stay tuned for details.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Bright, red berries.

Desk Project

I have a few projects on the needles right now, and a couple of them are close to being finished.  Instead of working on one that's almost done, I'm focused on one that has a ways to go.

This is my Albini.  When I'm working at my desk, a sweater isn't usually my first choice, but I'm cruising on the body.  It's all stockinette - easy back and forth.  At some point this project will probably become too cumbersome and I'll have to swap it out for something else, but right now I'm going to keep adding rows.

And yes, browsing on Ravelry is considered work.

Knitting Weather

A major winter storm is rolling into New England.  After making my post office run first thing this morning, I'm hunkering down.

I've met my dyeing quota for the day, and the pile of paperwork can wait - again.  This is prime knitting weather, and I intend to make the most of it.

I started this sweater over the weekend.  Today it's the designated nor'easter project complete with snowflake stitch markers.  What are you knitting during the storm?