It's All in the Details

The past couple days I've been pulling everything together for Knitting Weekend.  I loaded the truck yesterday and am driving down later this morning to set up my booth.  Last night just when I was getting ready to call it a day, I realized I'd forgotten one little thing - bags.  Shoppers need bags.  To be fair, many shoppers bring their own bags, but I have to be prepared for those who don't.

When it comes to bags, I keep it simple with kraft paper bags, but I do like to dress them up a bit.

I've decorated these utilitarian bags in different ways, but my current favorite is a little bit of curling ribbon.  Instead of knitting last night, I was cutting and curling.

Here's a little fun as we head into the weekend - Knit In Public Bingo. I'm always knitting in public.  It's a great conversation starter, but I have heard some wacky comments.  Now I know I'm not the only one.

Onions.  It's nearly impossible to make soup without onions.  The other day I decided to make soup, but I was out of onions.  I hate grocery shopping even if it's for just one item, but the soup needed onions, so I made the trip.  To my pleasant surprise I saw these lovelies - my color inspiration for the week.

A bright splash on a gray winter day.

New and Nameless

I've been busy dyeing . . . juggling yarn to fill orders and yarn for upcoming shows.  In the midst of everything, I was inspired to play around with some new colors.  It's just a few more pots, I told myself.

Here's a peek.

Unnamed colors in Edna.  I'm not usually a pink person, but I'm rather smitten with this combination.  I'm resisting the urge to look at patterns because that can be a bottomless hole.  At the top of today's list is pulling inventory for Knitting Weekend, and I intend to stick with the program.  This combination is going to simmer a little longer.

Mum's the Word

Right now the projects at the top of my list are secret, and I'm coming up on deadline.  Secret knitting, secret dyeing.  Those projects are off-limits for pictures, but I can show you this.

Honey Bunches.  It's winter, and I'm craving a fresh splash of color in my wardrobe.  This shawl is just the ticket.  I'm working on the last lace section . . . it won't be long now.

This coming weekend is Knitting Weekend at Slater Mill.  The weekend includes a market and classes with Thea Colman, Bristol Ivy, Ellen Mason, Gudrun Johnston, Amy Christoffers and Adrienne Martini.  It looks like there are still some openings.  If you're in the area, you might want to check it out.  

And now it's time for me to get back to work.  Shhhh . . . 

Something Finished for a Change

While it seems that all I've been doing is starting new knitting projects, believe it or not I have finished a couple things along the way.

Simple Skyp Socks.  This is a free pattern on Ravelry and is really quite entertaining.  I wanted something a little different than my standard ribbed socks, and this pattern has a nice twist.

I've been struggling with taking pictures in winter light, so I decided to try an outdoor shot too.  Timing is everything, and I got a bonus with this one - fresh, falling snow.

The yarn is Lillian, colorway IPA.  This color is actually a smidge more on the brown side, but you get the idea.  I have plenty of sock knitting in the immediate future, so it's good to get this pair off the needles and on my feet.

Blood oranges are in season, and I've been enjoying them while they're available.  Every year I marvel at their rich, intense color, so it's no surprise they are my color inspiration this week.

Red to orange and in-between. 

Listening and Reading

The internet can be a wonderful place, and most days it keeps me company as I go about my work.  This is what I've been listening to and reading lately.  

All in the Family . . . it's encouraging to note that a few of these stories are about family businesses.

~ Mulga Springs - the story of an Australian sheep farm run by women.  To keep the farm in the family, the women had to take over.

~ WEBS, a family business, turned 40.  Watch this anniversary video and learn about the history of America's Yarn Store. 

~ Brown Sheep Company is another family business, and you can read their story here.

~ The BBC has collected some of their knitting-related stories on one page.  Give a listen.

~ Finally, the Danes have a reality show about knitting.  Can you believe it?  I don't understand a word of Danish, but I'm mesmerized by this show.


If you're in the Boston area, here's a PSA.  This coming Friday Common Cod Fiber Guild is hosting Ignite Craft: Boston.  This event brings together a diverse group of crafters and is always well attended. The event is free, but you must reserve a ticket.  See the website for details.

Down to Business

After two weeks chopped up by holidays and vacations, I'm ready to get back to work.  It's Monday morning, and I'm going to hit the ground running.  There's been the sound of coughing and sniffling resonating throughout the house, and so far I've managed to avoid the bug.  This morning I woke up with a scratchy throat, but I'm not going to dwell on it.  I've prescribed plenty of tea, and I hope that's the end of it.

Here's a quick peek at some of my weekend knitting.

On Friday I got my Luna Viridis sorted out with the correct stitch count.  After knitting the stockinette triangle, I joined it to work in the round.  I've been working the lunar crescent pattern around and around, increasing along the way.  Right now this project looks like a hood, and I'm very curious to see how it fits.  All the more motivation to finish.

Thanks to everyone who entered the December giveaway.  The winner is klynnknits.  I've decided to keep the monthly giveaway going in 2015, so stay tuned.  Now I'm off to drink tea and get busy.

First One of the New Year

Make that first frogging of the new year.  No, I didn't waste any time. Sometimes forward progress can be so elusive.

Yesterday I was cruising along with my knitting.  In case you're wondering, this project is Luna Viridis.  This morning I picked it up . . . just a few rows, I told myself.  I had made it through a series of increases and moved on to the next section - the one where the pattern starts to take shape.  I realized the problem when I got to the next increase row and didn't have enough stitches to complete all the increases.  

The pattern said I should have had 129 stitches going into the increase row.  I counted my stitches twice and confirmed that I didn't have 129.  Then I went back and double checked the pattern to make sure all the previous increases added up to 129.  You never know. Sometimes there's a mistake in the pattern.  No such luck this time.  I should have had 129 stitches, and I didn't.  

Of course that left only one solution.

It's the second day of the new year, and already I'm ripping back.  It's like pulling off a band-aid.  If I do it quickly, it's not as painful.  I missed some increases along the way, and I'll rip back until I find them.

In the grand scheme of things, it's not too bad.  This is one problem I can quickly solve.  I'm sure this new year will throw a few more problems my way.  I hope I can solve them as easily.

Just a reminder that today is the last day for the December giveaway. Follow the link and enter for a chance to win.

This week's color inspiration comes from the Holiday Market event held at the Uniun - a funky space that was completely transformed by the festive decorations.

Colorful reflection.