Midweek Chaos

It's a few days before a festival, and the countdown is on.  Even thought the festival is virtual, things are just as crazy busy.

My cozy little office is being transformed into a "booth".  I'm still tweaking the lights and the layout.  Contrary to how it looks, I do have a plan.

Since everything is virtual, that means I also have to update the website.

I have a long list of pictures that need to be taken.  I knocked off quite a few today (the light outdoors was in my favor), but there are plenty more to do.  Prep for a virtual festival is definitely different than for an in-person event, but both generate a lot of crazy chaos.

Time for me to get back to work.  I need to play with these lights some more.

Virtual Monday

Fall festival season is upon us, and I had a festival update planned for today.  Usually I post earlier in the day, but this has been a Monday through and through.  I'm posting late in the day and a second virtual show went live this afternoon, so this post has turned into a virtual twofer.  Sometimes my jumbled schedule works out for the best.

After all these months, I still don't have a grasp of pandemic time, and it's hard to believe October is right around the corner.  Vermont Sheep and Wool is one of my favorites.  I'll really miss this festival and my trek to Vermont, but I'm thrilled there's a virtual gathering to take its place.

The fun happens this weekend.  Admission is free.  Our festival special is free shipping on all orders placed over the weekend.

I'll be "live" on both Saturday and Sunday.  I'm still working out the details and will post the schedule here and on social media.  

Next up is Rhinebeck.  The website went live with classes just this afternoon.  Vendor listings aren't up yet, but you can find vendor posts in the Facebook group.  We'll be vending, and we'll provide another update with more information.

I know virtual events can't replace the in-person experience.  It's just not the same.  The upside is that people who normally couldn't make the trip can now participate.  And you can take it all in from the comfort of your couch.  Now that's a silver lining twofer.

Stitch by Stich

Knitting season is upon us and by extension that includes dyeing.  Since I'm not traveling, I feel a little out of sync, but I've made some adjustments.  Full steam ahead with all the colors.

In the mix with everything else, I manage to knit here and there throughout the day.  Stitch by stitch it all adds up.  This was my Toetoe earlier in the week.

The body is finished, and now it's on to the sleeves.

This one is taking shape.  After a few more short rows, I'll start decreasing.  Then this sleeve will really pick up speed.  Plus I have short arms.  It's a good thing because I'm determined not to linger on sleeve island.

This week's color inspiration matches my sweater.

Sunflower power.

Admin Update

I had plans for a different post today, but it turns out administrative items are at the top of the list instead.

First of all, there is a pop-up shop happening on Saturday at Another Yarn.  I know there was a bit of confusion last week, but now it's a go.  If the weather cooperates, we'll have set-ups outside in the parking lot and inside the shop.  The hours are 11:00-3:00.  

We'll have plenty of yarn plus kits and bundles.  There will also be a full array of samples for ideas and inspiration.  As of right now, this is the last pop-up on the fall schedule.  I encourage you to take advantage if you're in the area.

We've been busy getting things ready for the fall shipment of Yarn Knot, and we have room for a few more people.

More yarn choices with different pricing options.  Sign up for all four quarters or just one.  Take a look and be sure to contact me if you have questions.

That wasn't too bad.  I'll have more knitting content later in the week.

Dissent

I'm not going to lie.  It was a tough weekend.  The death of Justice Ginsburg hit me hard.  I worked on the fringes of the legal system for many years and value the hard-fought battles of Justice Ginsburg.  My daughter is in her second year of law school, and I hope she doesn't have to fight those same battles.  It's been hard to secure forward progress when it comes to equality.  It's just as hard to maintain that progress.

On the recommendation of a dear friend, the Grab and Go for this week is the Dissent Cowl.  Follow the link for a few color suggestions.  The yarn for my own Dissent Cowl is wound and ready to go.

It's a new day.  The fight continues.

Short Supply

Knitting time has been in short supply this week, but I have ambitious plans for the weekend.  Even without the fall festivals, there's still plenty of dyeing to fill my days.

Coming soon.

These new bundles are ready to launch.  As soon as I get a chance to take individual pictures, they'll be on the website.

One scheduling note.  The other day I mentioned a pop-up shop at Another Yarn on September 26.  That event is being rescheduled. Stay tuned for an update.

Everywhere I go, there are masks for sale.  Don't forget yours.  This week's color inspiration . . . 

A colorful array.

Searching for Inspiration

I had a project I was lugging around.  I'd take it out every once in a while and look at it fondly.

What's not to love?  Garter stitch, stripes, two colors.  I would pull the project out of the bag and knit a row or two.  Then I would put it back in the bag and not think about it again for quite a while.

The other day I came to terms with the fact that right now the pattern doesn't inspire me.  That doesn't mean I won't make it some day, but for the moment it doesn't grab me.

It's OK to change course, and that's what I did.  It's back to the drawing board for these two.

I still love the color combination, and I wonder what they will become.  I'm excited to find out.  That's the inspiration I was looking for.

Grab and Go

The website has been updated with our new Grab and Go section.  Every Monday we'll highlight a different project along with yarn and color suggestions. 

Zoral is in the spotlight this week.

Garter stitch is one of my favorites.  Stripes and short rows make a winning combination.  This project is relaxing but not boring.  Even simple decisions can be challenging during a pandemic, so we've put together several color options.  If you don't see colors that strike your fancy, be brave and choose your own.

Be sure to check out Grab and Go for ideas and inspiration.  New projects will rotate through on a weekly basis.

Finally a quick plug for pop-up shops.  Cape Cod knitters, I'll be at Salt Yarn Studio on Friday afternoon.  We've just added a stop at Another Yarn on September 26.  Both of these events are outdoors.  Keep your distance.  Wear a mask.

Knitting and Planning

The body of my Toetoe is finished, and the last couple days I've been obsessed with bind offs.  I strayed from the pattern a bit and worked one bind off.  Late yesterday afternoon I decided I didn't like it, so last night I spent a few hours (yes, hours!) ripping it out and starting over.  I don't want to jinx anything, but I think I'm on the right track.  I need to bind off a few more inches and then I'll know for sure.

I'm still in deep with one project but that hasn't stopped me from contemplating new ones.

More mohair for comfort and cheer.

I'm determined to support our local farmers' markets but going every week is a test of my patience and stamina.  The lines are long and people don't follow the rules, but it's always worth the wait.  The other day I discovered cute little peppers . . . this week's color inspiration.

Shiny red.

emPower People

Crafts and activism have often been brought together for political action.  Remember 2016 and the PussyHat Project?  Fast forward four years and the need is greater than ever for political involvement, action and change.  

Combine your craft with political activism and take a look at emPower People 2020.  Grab your purple yarn and needles.

Make a bandana.  Make a statement.  Be engaged.  And be sure to vote.

September Reset

The world is still upside down, and every once in a while I need to pause and get my bearings.  Last week the lone 2020 event still on my calendar finally cancelled.  It wasn't unexpected.  In fact, I wondered why it took so long to throw in the towel on Fiber Festival of New England.  Rhinebeck, which is only two weeks before FFNE, cancelled quite a while ago. 

There's talk of a virtual FFNE, which would be wonderful, but the cancellation of the in-person event is actually a huge relief.  I'd been caught in a precarious limbo . . . trying to figure out how I would do a live event if they held it.  I have a big booth and could set up a one way path.  I could drive back and forth instead of staying over - although the thought of the extra driving time was exhausting.  I knew some vendors would probably cancel.  Would people even come out for the event.  The list goes on and on.

The cancellation brings some closure, and now I have a clear view of the remainder of 2020.  Except for a couple pop-ups in the area, I'm not going anywhere for the rest of the year - and probably beyond.  As an aside, if you're in the area, take a look at the right sidebar.  I have a couple pop-ups this week and next.

Now that I'm not plotting and planning for an event that might or might not happen, it's much easier to focus on other pieces of this business that's chugging along in the midst of a pandemic.  Samples still need to be finished, and that's where I've been putting my energy.

The bottom edge of my Toetoe needs another inch and a half plus I have a couple other projects that are all but finished.  Forward progress is a great motivator.

This fall will be completely different in so many ways, but I'm still embracing it.  Not even a pandemic can stop knitting season.

A Little Cheer

 The long holiday weekend is upon us, and I'll be pondering this pile.

Yes, more mohair shenanigans in the works.  I want something in the blue family, but I tossed a gray on the pile for good measure.  I can always use more gray.  It's been one of those weeks (years?), and I could use a little cheer.  Maybe bright blue will be the one.

For me, long weekends always imply more knitting time.  I'm not sure that I actually get more time with my needles, but it's something I aspire to.  Enjoy the holiday and stay safe.

I'm not a huge fan of watermelon, but this big bowl caught my eye.  This week's color inspiration . . .

Shades of pink and red.