Trunk Show Alert

We made it to another weekend!  I'm checking in with a quick update.

Next Saturday I'll have a selection of yarn, kits and samples at Black Sheep Knitting.  Unless something else comes up, this is my last outing until the fall shows.  Stop by if you're in the area.  The hours are 1:00 - 5:00.

This week's color inspiration is one of my favorite pops of color.

Acid green.

Porch Knitting

We finally had a break in the heat wave.  My to-do list runs long, but that didn't stop me from spending a little time on the porch this morning.  Both coffee and knitting were included.

Benji insisted on being part of the photo shoot.  This is my Fruit Tingles Shawl (Ravelry link) . . . my mostly mindless project.  Relaxed garter sections interrupted with brief colorful stripes.  I only have to pay attention for the stripes.  It's the perfect project for quiet mornings on the porch.

Hot, Hot, Hot

It was a sweltering weekend here in New England, but the heat didn't keep me from working on knitting projects.

I picked my colors for the Sharon Air MKAL (Ravelry link).  Casapinka will launch the MKAL on August 12, but she's released a schematic so you can see how your colors play together.  We have kits available on the website, and there's still time to get your order before the first clue drops.

I also squeezed in a bit of knitting over the weekend.

Sitting in front of the fan helped.

The heat continues today.  I took a break from dyeing last week, but I couldn't take any more time off.  I have my fingers crossed the weather improves later in the week.

Choices

Not only do I like to have several knitting projects going at the same time, I need to have variety.  Knitting choices are important.  Something that's involved and challenging, something that's relaxing and mindless.  

Since I have a couple bigger projects already on the needles, I needed something that didn't require too much thinking.

The only decision I have to make is picking the next color.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Bright and cheerful.

Just Cast On

Last week I spent a couple days crunching numbers over a gauge swatch and the gauge listed in a pattern.  The two gauge numbers weren't aligned, and I was trying to figure out the best way to make my gauge fit the pattern.

After checking my numbers several times, I told myself to just cast on.

What's the worst that could happen?  I knit for several inches, decide it's not going to work and rip it all out. That's one of the great things about knitting.  You can always start over.

Monday Decisions

I'm sliding into the work week after a quiet weekend. There's a lot of knitting going on in the background but nothing I can share at the moment.  

Instead, here's some colorful cheer.

More sample decisions on the to-do list.

Now Boarding . . .

Good morning!  I'm popping in with a quick website update for the Sharon Air MKAL.

Casapinka will launch her annual summer knitting adventure on August 12, and we've put together some bundles.

See all the bundles on our website.  Or pick four skeins of Lillian and create your own bundle.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Still enjoying the hydrangeas.

PS - I'm experimenting with a different font size.  Feel free to share any feedback.

Out of Sorts

It's July, and my work calendar is wide open.  My last event was early in June, and I don't have anything scheduled until next month.  Stay tuned for details on my next outing.

In the meantime, I don't have a summer rhythm yet, and the days of the week blend into one another.  I've established new, small daily routines, but so far they haven't helped distinguish one day from the next.

I'm used to being on the go.  I have plenty of behind-the-scenes work to keep me busy, but I find the empty calendar a bit unnerving.  I'm trying not to dwell on it.

In knitting news, I have one project waiting for a bind off and another one waiting to be cast on.  But first I have to wind the yarn.

This project is lurking in the background, but that's about it.  I probably need to cast on more than one project.

Autonomy

I did a lot of knitting over the weekend, but in terms of productivity, it was a mixed bag.  On Sunday I ripped out a section I had knit on Saturday.  That section has now been re-knit, but there wasn't any forward progress on the project.

On the other hand, I did start and finish a small project.

Autonomy (Ravelry link).

Romi Hill (Ravelry link) designed this cowl and is donating a portion of the pattern sales to organizations that promote full reproductive healthcare.

The pattern is written for both DK and fingering weight yarn - preferably a green color.  I used Lillian in Leprechaun for this cowl.  The only modification I made was omitting the tassel.

This is a quick project.  Make one for yourself or as a gift.  Check the pattern page to see how much money has already been raised.

Small and Simple

This week I don't have the attention span for anything too complicated, so I've been sticking to small projects.

Mini skeins are an easy way to keep it simple.  And cheerful.  All of us could use a little more cheer these days.

I have my daughter to thank for this week's color inspiration.

Hydrangeas in full bloom.

Get In on the Club

I'm muddling along this week.  My biggest challenge seems to be figuring out what day of the week it is.  It's the price we pay for a long weekend, I guess.

I did work a little bit over the holiday weekend and launched the new season of Yarn Knot, our quarterly club.

You select the yarn bases, and we provide surprise colorways.  We'll also throw in a little something extra.  The club is a fun way to try a new yarn or stock up on a favorite.  You'll find all the details here.   Don't delay.  Space is limited.

Holiday Weekend

I'm trying to coast into the long holiday weekend, but it's a regular work day for me.  With any luck, I'll wrap things up by mid-afternoon.  I tried to keep the to-do list short, but there's always one more thing that has to be added.  After doing that a few times, the list isn't so short any more.

A fun thing on that list is picking a contrast color for a new project that's brewing.

I'm contemplating these three, but I only need one.  I'll ponder a little more while I make my way through the rest of the list.

Happy Canada Day to those of you north of the border.  If you're in the US, enjoy the Fourth of July holiday.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Refreshing green and white.