A Thing 4 String

Finally, A House Project

2011-02-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

We've lived here 5 years, stuffing more and more junk into the "attic". It's really 3 cute rooms that would be great for craft rooms, sitting rooms, kids rooms, etc. I have finally convinced Lamar that we need to convert them to (attractive +) usable space. According to him, it was just fine the way it was. I'm only home a short time each, month, so as soon as I got home, I was spring-loaded to get something started this month (and have a yard sale too), to get rid of some of the "storage" that had accumulated.

These pictures should convince you how creepy it is right now. The room with little windows faces south (the front of the house), the single window faces west, and the 2 windows face east.

still around, making stuff

2011-01-18T10:04:00.001-08:00

...so hard to remember to post here. I am still around, rushing, here, rushing there. And, most of all, MAKING STUFF. Some recent items (there was a PAIR OF slippers, but only remembered to photogragh one of them....and it was before I put on the sheepskin soles):\.....ENJOY! Off on another road trip tomorrow.

Knitting & Eating

2010-08-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

In New York, eating too much and having a nice but too hot time. Saw Karl today on Canal Street and had lunch in the village. Everyone is hot and sticky, but it is still great. I have been knitting lots lately, and have more pictures to share later. Here is one of Carole & Daddy. Glad to see him so happy. Too happy, maybe!

This is one of the many things I'm knitting: my first real lace shawl, believe it or not. (it's called Haruni, a free pattern from Ravelry) It's a gift for my friend Jane....a little crinkly now, blocking will change it alot, and I am just 1/4 through. I hope she'll wear it in Venice on our canal ride October 1st.

Here are a couple of pics of what it will look like finished:

Leaving Sunday to head south to Tampa to see my dear friends, Helga and Siggy.

Jenn and John

2010-07-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

New Stuff!

2010-06-28T05:02:00.001-07:00

Spent saturday up at Flomation...saw the neighborhood Peacock, picked 2 gallons of blueberries from ONE TREE (picture below). Tommy Turtle came out to say hi.

Whatcha makin??

2010-06-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

This 78" long serpent twists around and makes a cute shrug. It's made of Taria tweed a new yarn from Plymouth, made of Merino, Silk and Llama. Very nice to work with. I would like to have it finished by Thursday for the TNNA yarn show. Wish me luck. I figured up the remaining stitches and have to do 30 rows per day to get done. This includes a 2.5" wide border around the inner edge, which is being called the outer edge in the pattern. (??!!). I missed my 30 rows last night due to serious web surfing on Lonely Planet. Now I have to do 60 rows today. uhmm-hmmm.

Best Pic Ever

2010-06-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

I really must post this best pic ever of me (so far). I just got my hair cut short well above the shoulders (yikes!), so it will be awhile.

Barbara's Rainbow

2010-06-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

BARBARA'S RAINBOW OVER AEGIO

Well, there is no way to go back and figure out what I have done since we spoke last...I do have lots of stalled knitting projects (all summer tops I was trying to knock out before it got hot..too late!). My StepMOM, Barbara, passed away February 28th, and since then I have hardly been home. I went to Greece with my dad and my sister for a week in the middle of May. It was a wonderful trip, and I will never forget the hospitality and love of Barbara's 3 cousins, Nikko, Spiro and Spirios, and all their children, Maria, John, and Chris (plus Dimitria in spirit). Please let me someday visit the glorious seaside village of AEGIO (EYE-GHE-O), on the Corinthian Sea, again. This was the view from my bedroom Nikko and Chrissa's new home on the mountain. I think that is their lemon grove in the foreground. This photo was taken in the afternoon, when we returned from our trip to Ayia Varvara
View Larger Map, where we scattered her ashes in her grandfather's hometown cemetary.

How Do I Love Thee?

2010-02-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

New York, New York, How Do I Love Thee?

Pastries and "Cawfee" everywhere,

And The Village Voice is Free!

Poem for the day. "Nuff" said!

NY Times

2010-02-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

Working on a new pair of fingerless glove ("Humanity" from Ravelry.com), and went to dinner last night in Times Square. The whole city is being clobbered by snow now. I am trying to have a good time in spite of the sad reason for my visit. Barbara is extremely weak and we have changes every day. She is an amazing person and has no idea how many people will never ever forget her and the impact she has made on all our lives.

Quick Turn Around

2010-01-31T04:05:00.000-08:00

I'm back, but just for 2 days. Got home Friday night, and only have time to go see the gals at the Cottage, then one day--today-- for cleaning the car (!!!blah!!!!), repacking (!!!yuck!!) and back out again. Absence DOES make the heart grow fonder at home, and Lamar is helping me so much...maybe he likes me better GONE. Oh well.....I like him better suddenly, too!

My last road trip (S. Carolina coast) was a blast, in spite of the horrible cold I had the whole time....I always claim I "never" get sick, and I even said it to somebody the day I came down with it. I need to consider revising that particular boast of mine, cause it was a killer, still is, a little. My yarn mentor is fun, especially, cause I think she's new to the "girlfriends roadtrip!" thing. We actually have planned ANOTHER trip (guess I need more training!), but I am taking it as a compliment....we had a good time & some good food & great laughs, both hoarse from talking so much. Just too bad we had to do the whole trip in two cars. We both have to carry so many samples, it is ridiculous. Next trip, I am hoping to already have a van for this job. I have resisted the idea, not wanting to have higher gas expenses, but there is no way out of it. I guess I will have to become a soccer mom after all. I am imagining "Dream-Create-Inspire-Nurture" signs on the van, what do you think?

Tomorrow, I leave for a week in Atlanta, then from ATL, I go to NJ to stay with my folks for 2 weeks. Me & Barb should have a good-ole string time with lots of sewing, knitting, crocheting and QVC shopping thrown in. The 19th, I go back to Atlanta and back to work. With Feb a short month, I wonder if I will be home before Feb's over?

Another trip to the Carolina coast awaits in March, the North this time, and back up to NJ at the end of the month. I feel like I'm in the Amazing Race, "oh, the great wall of China!....Oh, the leaning tower of Pisa, oh....the Eiffel Tower!"...as they run, breathless, exhausted, not even able to stop & have a cafe-au-lait or a hot tea. I've been having fun, but sometimes I wonder, how did I get myself into this mess? Kind of like a tangled ball of yarn!

Brand-New Suitecase

2010-01-17T08:01:00.001-08:00

I just finally received the color rings for HPKY yarns, WOWEE! And don't they look cute in this "suitcase" I found upstairs in the attic?

Some things OTN (Off The Needles!)

2010-01-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

Finished a few things, like ONE sock, a nice vest made from Hand Painted Knitting Yarn's Giant Skein (10 oz - Madame Butterfly colorway). I added some ribbon from my stash for shine. Random knitting, and Jane Thornley's pattern. I love this thing!

These are some things I was meaning to post over the last few weeks, but there never seems to be time. I am emptying my camera today for a trip down to FL and SC. Maybe I will get a some good pictures for a change!

On the trip, I will work on my other purple cabled sock (Vilai, from Cookie A.'s Sock Innovation book, my favorite sock book, EVER..well, I guess it is just as great as Sensational Socks by Charlene Schurch). Plus, I need to start on a commission for 7 (count em!!) Christmas stockings modelled after the one in the picture on the left. Because it has such tiny stitches (21,000 stiches each, plus a sewn in lining), I asked if I can knit it on thicker yarn so it won't take so long to make SEVEN of them (maybe 10,000 stitches each, BTW). Anyway, as you can see, the thicker yarn swatch worked up pretty well, so I am off and running!

Don't Know Why I Love This!

2010-01-17T06:48:00.000-08:00

This is a stretch of road that was pure NOTHING in the old days, a long boring part of every road trip east. I meant to also get a shot of the dinosaur, which I'm sure everyone has already seen at one time or another. The dinosaur was the ONLY thing to see in the desert when I was a a kid (and I guess there are folks who didn't even have a dinosaur!). Now, the wind farms always intrigue me into taking meaningless pictures like this one. Thought I'd share. FYI: it was a still day and they weren't turning at all. Weird.

Reminded Me of Picot!

2010-01-17T06:45:00.000-08:00

This little dog, who I met on the street in Long Beach, CA, had the cutest little coat. Her daddy said, "my wife makes them from scraps!". I wanted to make one for Picot someday!

Here is Picot in her Christmas coat:
You can get the knitting chart (has lots more knitting motifs on it, too, from my ravelry patterns download page).

The Glamourous Flouncy Flouncy

2009-12-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not "me", but just finished this cute little shawlette for Rhonda. Beads and Sequins and lots of interesting little things. Pretty cute. Now on to the next project...

Stocking Factory

2009-11-30T03:41:00.000-08:00

The annual rush to finish reproduction Christmas Stockings is on. Let's hope Kate Gosselin or the Octomom don't get my phone number.

Finished Warmer set

2009-11-26T06:11:00.001-08:00

In case you want to see a picture of the finished Tudora & Fetching set. I think they look great together, don't you?

A Few F.O.s to report

2009-11-26T05:54:00.000-08:00

I am working on so many projects (and driving so much!), nothing gets finished very often. I did however, just finish off a special pair of booties for a dear friend getting a new grandbaby soon. I also am pretty far (all 3 are started, so I guess maybe 40% done) into the making of 3 reproduction Christmas stockings. Also finished the glove & neck warmer set for my stepmom. Off to see her again in a few days. Back to the knitting, then.

My new Roommates!

2009-11-16T18:16:00.000-08:00

Meet my new roommates! Rolling down the road, in a clown-car full of yarn. Looks like a crazy lady with lots and lots of glorious hand painted yarns. Someday I will tell the zany spacebag story, and those who know me well think I am totally normal, in spite of it all. Check out Jane Thornley's patterns if you want to see one of many reasons why I am so excited about these yarns, and I have lots of free patterns, too. They come in DK or Worsted Weights, 40 different colorways, Donegal Sock yarn, and Merino Tweed.

We are having a great Trunk Show at the yarn Cottage in Fairhope during Thanksgiving week. Don't miss out!

Back Home & Knitting Again

2009-11-02T16:03:00.001-08:00

I am home, and can finally work on some of my projects. I have lots of things in progress, and still starting new stuff. In my travels, I got the book, Sock Innovation by Cookie A. WOW! What a gorgeous book. I intend to make every pair of socks in it. I started with "Vilai" which is covered in beautiful trellis work and ribbed cables, using HPKY's Donegal sock, in the Don Giovanni colorway. These would make wonderful gloves as well. I can't stop, and there are so many other things I should be doing. Oh well. Can you see why I love them? Brain food.

Just Gimme the Yarn & Nobody Gets Hurt

2009-10-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

Carol, one of my customers today, just had to dig into her new yarn immediately! She was so distracted by winding it up, I felt ignored. "Oh well, have fun, bye!", I said as I headed out to my next stop. The Giant Skeins sure are wonderful stuff, and selling like hotcakes!

Knitting Bug Bites

2009-10-17T05:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you, mother nature! Cool weather is here, and I got the kniting bug. Making a set with this neck warmer, plus a pair of fingerless gloves. A gift for my stepmom, Barbara.

Message To My Fans

2009-10-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

After being accused of neglecting my followers (har har), I am updating my blog. I have been doing lots and lots of knitting (and tatting), and even produced a pumpkin the other day! I just am a little stalled on some projects ( some of you may remember a couple of things that have never showed up finished..I am so ashamed).

Here you will see a felted slipper in Galway that I think is almost ready for frogging, since I don't like the wide stripes. Anyway, I was planning to do a solid slipper with a needle-felted monogram...so how I ended up making stripes is a mystery.

Below is a raspberry colored (YAY!) SWTC Bamboo top, called the Lotus Blossom Tank from Interweave Knits. I made it before, and I'm makin it again, I love it so much! I am also doing a SWTC Lacey Shell ( my own pattern) in Turquoise Terra, which I absolutely love for the sheen, cottony-ness (but not heavy-ness) and the comfort for wearing in the tropics is great. There are some tatted baby-bootie-bottoms-below!

OK, It's Fall..Fabulous Fibers from Fedex

2009-09-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

Just got a huge Hand Painted Knitting Yarns shipment via FedEx. All Hand Painted (go figure!) Might I interest you in some 10 oz Giant Skeins? They are enough to make a great shawl or plenty to make one of the top down shrugs I recently made up (see below in purple for a pic). All of the sock and giant skeins have colorways named after operas: Norma, Rigoletto, Madame Butterfly, Loehengrin, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro! (I don't think there is one named Figaro!)

Who wants to knit some socks?

Right this minute, I wanna Tat! Gonna start a pair of booties if I have the right size thread. Wish me luck.

Stood Up & Stranded

2009-09-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

I guess if you are gonna get stood up, you need to be in good place. I am. Got provisions & knitting, too.

The Cake

2009-09-14T18:38:00.001-07:00

Might as well prove we made the cake! It looks a little different by now.

F.O.s today!

2009-09-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

More F.O.s today. A totebag, 2 hats, and that's about it for today! Posted my shrug pattern on ravelry, too! Also went running in the morning and baked a wonderful apple cake with Lamar helping...yes, you heard me right!

Shrug pattern posted

2009-09-14T14:00:00.001-07:00

The pattern is now posted on my ravelry patterns page. All sizes from X-Sm- to X-Lg. I think it came out great!

Finished the Shrug +++

2009-09-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Just finished the one-ball Giant Skein shrug. It measures 40" around and actually took LESS than one ball. I'm working on writing up the pattern right now (also working on a Michelob Ultra). Also finished a Trio knit tote. I have made these before, but this time, I am going to put a lining in it. Maybe later tonight. Also have a neat little mitered-square hat (my own design, since I couldn't find one that was just right) started in Hand Painted Knitting Yarn's Tweed Thick & Thin, as well as a RED felt hat in Cascade 220. I am not discussing all my other unfinished projects. I am sure they will all get done one day soon. I have about 3 or 4 more in my brain, just about to pop out and get onto the needles. Finish 2, start 4, right?

hello from Daytona beach!

2009-09-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

Even though it's nighttime, I can hear the roar of the Atlantic outside. Had a wonderful weekend in Parrish, near Sarasota. Spent the labor Day weekend with great friends, really, I want them for relatives. The husband is a retired chef (his first day of work was 4/4/44!), and this just thrilled me to no end. The wife gave me so much great advice, my brain is bulging, yes, more than usual. It didn't hurt a bit to hop in the pool for a few minutes here and there. It was my personal Sanitorium (or Sanitarium?). In any case, I am cured! I took this picture of a rainbow I spotted above the Disney exit. A metaphor for how I am feeling right now. Home soon, maybe!

Busy busy busy

2009-08-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

First I woke up at 2 AM this morning, and couldn't go back to sleep. Worked on my new website for a few hours, and later on went by the shop and finished off/started a bunch of things. Built a couple more shelving units for Rhonda, helped Nancy (a little!) with all the oodles of Cascade 220 we have to put up, did the I-Cord bind off on a nifty Trio totebag we are working on. (I had one before but it got lost somehow, and this is a new one, and will be lined this time!). Hung up the "Falling Leaves" scarf...about 1/3 done? That's it below in Blue Sky Alpaca's Melange. Also started a RED felted hat in Cascade 220, I intend to make several here shortly, before I start my felted clogs with the needle felted "H" Monogram. (or "S"!!) Best of all , I finally sewed the buttons on my Little Leafy Lace Vest (from www.sweaterbabe.com). Leaving for Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Savannah in the morning. I will come home when I am good & ready! I have several projects in my bag: some Tatted baby booties, a Hearts of Faith Scarf in South West Trading Co. "Tranquility", a Yin/Yang Shawl that requires all my powers of concentration, and thusly gets worked on rarely, a more than half-finished Amazing Hug shrug (Corn! yarn, stretchy! neat-o), and if that is not enough, a Lavender Lace & Cable top I started several months ago, and ditched to the bottom of the Namaste for my more pressing projects. Love to you all...I will be in touch. How much ya wanna bet I sleep good tonight?

What do you think of my vest? I love it. Now, let's get some more cooler weather, ok?

YES, I am home, but not for long!

2009-08-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm home....clearing the wreckage of days and days on the road, plus working at the yarn Cottage everyday. I am totally alarmed at how much weight I gained on the road. Hard to imagine why!

Something I've meant to do for a long time, and finally have done in the past couple of days, I started my own website. I think it's a cool way to make sure all my "info" is easily available to friends and customers. Yeah, I know, who cares? But maybe somebody does. I also have gobs of patterns I have written over the years, so that is a good place to post them.

I finished the Leafy Lace Vest and gonna post a pic as soon as I get some buttons for it. Everything else is still in progress as I seem to keep on starting things, not finishing much. Maybe a whole bunch will get finished at the same time someday soon. I was so proud of my sister to call & ask me to help her get started on some fingerless gloves. I started them up on a wonderful yarn, Venezia worsted, a a silk & merino blend (black, of course) (on a long circular...magic loop, which I knew she had tried once before), and mailed them off to her in Hollywood. She got them yesterday, and after a skype session with her friend Holly in England, she got going again. Talk about some international affairs!

Leaving again in a few days...this time to Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Savannah, and maybe more...here's my website....not finished yet...but a pretty good start.

not just driving!

2009-08-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

In case anyone thinks I am just DRIVING HUNDREDS OF MILES every day, I am also knitting. What do you think of my progress so far on this new vest? It is the Little Lace Vest from http://www.sweaterbabe.com

On the road again today to http://taming-the-ewe.blogspot.com, then back to GA to my cousin Tommy's place in Smyrna. Maybe I will remember to take some pictures.

30 years in 30 minutes

2009-08-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

Blake Gerard and I reconnected over coffee. It was great to see him and hear his 15 minute story of the last 30 years, and I told mine, too! Now we need to find Ruth Nebbia, and the circle will be complete. It is wonderful to reconnect, and the internet is a boon to all the almost-50 set (and over!). Reminiscing is hard to do when you don't have many brain cells left, and they are all dedicated to string! It helps to find some smart people who can remember more than you do!

New Pictures!

2009-08-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

Just trying out my new camera cable & thought I'd share: the finished "Hey Teach!" sweater, a great little baby hat Paula knitted in Amaizing, a 100% Corn yarn from South West Trading, my NEW straight hair!, Nancy's gorgeous lacey bamboo scarf, my logo "Inspiration Ring", and the progress on my latest obsession, the "Little Lacey Vest" from Sweaterbabe.com, made in Plymouth Tweed. I promise to post sooner next time!

xxoo to my Twin.

My New Orleans Hideaway

2009-08-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

I'm back! And it actually was a good trip after all. However, if you can imagine Lucille Ball lost in New Orleans, that would be me! I got lost a million times in 3 days. I gotta hand it to those folks. I thought I was kinda smart, but even the dumb ones in N.O., who can drive are smarter than me! I also spent many of my lost hours hunting for Zydeco music on the radio, and whenever I found it, I was transported to another dimension, so I really enjoyed every minute. The Marigny district ("Mare-in-ee"), where I stayed (in a wonderful apt on the right side of this duplex), is a great little place, just like Key West, I think. A funky, eclectic neighborhood, with groovy little shops, BIKE LANES and cool eateries. Bette Bornside's yarnshop is around the corner. Eat at Juan's Flying Burrito if you get to the Garden District.....strangely, it was across the street from a yarn shop I had visited the previous day, Garden District Needleworks. Another coincidence: a yarnshop employee told me, you need to go to Gallery 713 on Royal street, you have a twin. I went there, and met Heidi Young. It is true. We had lots of hugs & plenty of life-parallels, including looking very much alike. OK, I'm convinced about New Orleans' special powers. I'll be back soon.

On the Road & Missing the Shop

2009-07-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hi from (just started raining BIG TIME) New Orleans. Staying with my newfound nephew Corey and his partner Tim. They have been wonderful to me, and since I am just starting this new venture, and not sure it can stay in the black yet, this is the perfect option. I need more and more newfound relatives to develop, LOL. South Florida relatives, please write soon! Maybe if I can find some Cuban relatives, I will be treated to some good grub & coffee.

In the meantime, I sure do miss the cottage, and these pics of last Tuesday's Knit & Coffee make me homesick. Save a spot for me in the "living room", ok gals? Our Kid's Camps are now part of knitting history (I think about 20 kids learned to knit & crochet this summer), so Tuesday mornings should turn back to just the grownups starting next week.

Oh, as for projects, Eebie's "antique" sweater looks nearly done, and Charlene has gotten pretty far on her 3-Button wrap. Shannon has a baby sweater in Knit Col, and a grown-up sweater in Tonalita that I really should have gotten pictures of, and Sue is re-working the crochet edge on her baby sweater. You must see the vintage pink baby dress we have hanging up...maybe Christina made it? I finished the "hey teach" short-sleeved lace cardigan sweater in eggplant Cotton Fleece (I love that stuff), but the pic is in Rhonda's camera, and the cable is temporarily missing. My own camera cable is also missing (I think I threw it away with a burger king bag on my last trip!), so a new one is on the way, in case y'all are wondering why I haven't been posting. DUH! I have just realized I can take photos with my camera. I will catch on someday. In the meantime, I have 3 other things on the needles, an Amaizing Hug in Corn yarn, a Hearts of Faith Scarf in Tranquility, which is a wool & bamboo blend, plus the Mariposa shawl in Yin & Yang, and it will be a showstopper. If only I could drive & knit.

Oh, did you know, the shop is getting Rowan yarns and more from South West Trading soon? I even think there is a fashion show in the works. Rhonda and I have been planning some knit-a-longs too. Get your 2 cents in now if you have any ideas. By for now, and I guess I will be wearing my clear clogs to visit shops today. The groovy suede shoes I brought have to stay in the car. Pouring rain. Darn you rain prayers.

1st trip tomorrow.

2009-07-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

For those who know me, they will imagine I am all in a tizzy. Oh well, I am sure it will be fine. Today I started a bunch of new projects. A sparkly/non sparkly shawl called "Mariposa" in South West Trading Co. Yin & Yang......aaaaghh only 308 stitches across....it is a beautiful stitch, "Frost Flowers", which I've wanted to work for a looonnnngg time, now I have a good reason. Also started the "Hearts of Faith" scarf in Tranquility, PLUS, the somewhat kooky, yet really cool "Amaizing Hug" wrap in CORN "Amaizing" yarn. Yes, corn. No jokes, okay? I promise not to eat the shawl...but might have to scarf (knitting humor) a whole box of Wheat Thins next chance I get. Guess which is which, and you will get a prize. really.

I also finished the pieces for the "Hey Teach" in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. I sure did love that yarn. Now "just" have to sew it up & add the collar and button bands. Maybe next week. I will be on the road most of the rest of this week. It should be fun. Petal, MS, Meridian, Canton, MS, Lacombe, LA, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, LA. Lotsa good stuff. Then back at the Cottage for the Sock-A-Thon Saturday.

My HS English teacher, Frank McCourt just passed away. I wonder if when he said I should become a writer, he meant, "a string-blog writer"? I will miss him very much.

OK< this is awesome. & Red Hot.

2009-07-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

Look at this cool thing I am knitting for Rhonda. I just can't get over it (ok, I guess I am easily amused). (and, doncha' think those two gals look JUST LIKE Shannon and Julie? I do.)

THE BOMB. WORD.

2009-07-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Let's see what we did today. Mitzi tore out and re-worked the "peplum" of her Willow Vest, Kid's Camp started with 6 young (and beautiful & smart!) ladies learning their knitting basics, Shannon and Julie modeled new shawls, just perfect for the weather we're having. Jan came by and we looked at her gauge. She's a brand-new lace knitter, and totally addicted after one private lesson. I say the top one looks best, and is closest to the gauge needed for the vest she is making. Jan, that's the GREEN light. Cast on! Oh, yeah, what do you think of the Knit Col colorway in the upper left? I think those are the front and back of a baby sweater. IMHO, it is THE BOMB. WORD.

BIG NEWS!

2009-07-11T04:42:00.000-07:00

I just got a Fedex box from South West Trading yesterday. All the samples and books and yarns are here! I am so excited to get started with my new venture. The yarns are just wonderful, and every single one seems to have a special and unique natural twist to it. I will be the SouthEAST rep (LA-MS-AL-GA-FL) for South West Trading, www.soysilk.com ....just wait, more yarn companies and pattern companies later!

Flying Fur and Cozy Necks

2009-07-10T19:33:00.000-07:00

Lots of Fiber fun again today at the Cottage. The Chain Gang met again , and under the strict supervision of Julie, churned out a couple of lovely scarves. I think 3 or 4 were finished, but not everyone wanted to model. This crowd always makes me think of my fondest memories with my mother, learning to knit & crochet (we didn't do it well, but we had a lots of laughing fits, as I recall!). We received another blanket for the Baldwin County Care House, and I finished the yellow February Baby Sweater (no picture?), and also the dog sweater vest, which I put on, just to see if it was ok...it was ok! Woof! What fun (and flying fur!). It was a big day, and lots of old (ok, middle aged) friends stopped by. Hugs all around.

2009-07-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

February Baby in July

2009-07-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Today, I finished off the February Baby Sweater, and while I was working on the final rows, in walks this Mom & her little "February Baby". River was wearing a green one, but her Mom was smart...short sleeves, rather than the 4" called for in the pattern...oh, how I wish I had done that! She and her sweater were just beautiful.

We also loved the Adriafil Knit Col shrug that Nancy is working on!

Trying to Hear Which Yarn is Calling Out "Me SKIF"

2009-07-07T18:53:00.000-07:00

I think that front one on the left could be our store sample SKIF. Not sure yet.

Well, That's Just SKIFY!

2009-07-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

You won't believe these kooky patterns. All avante-garde and strange. I am planning on making one right away, probably in one of the yarns we just got from South West Trading...I think the drape of a soy or bamboo is going to look extra cool & groovy on my new SKIF. I believe in always making the THING YOU CAN'T BUY. I am pretty sure you can't buy a sweater like these, anywhere around here...but I could be wrong. Maybe you can, for about $500 or so. Oh, and the patterns come with your funky metal tags & buttons, too. It will feel pretty strange to knit all those funny hanging off pieces. Oh my...that is going to mess with my Libra soul for sure. Then I will have to try hard to keep a straight face while wearing it. Maybe I will wear my sunglasses all day, and a ponytail on one side of my head. At least just for the blog picture.

One Skein Wonders

2009-07-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

Look what Megrez Rudolf has been doing with her spare time! They are from a "One Skein" project book. Adorable!

Finishing Jobs Galore!

2009-07-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

This sweater is made from dog hair spun in to yarn. Really! Amazing...I am sewing it together and adding the neck & sleeve edgings. What a special way to remember Fido (or Fluffy?) My dog Purl could make enough for one of these in a week. Contact the shop if you want to know where to get your dog's hair spun into yarn.

Ok, this is the "after" of one of the sweaters below. The green one has gone back to the drawing board. The sleeves don't match the armholes....by a long shot. Shall we make a vest instead? Or maybe the sleeves can be knitted (& increased) some more, or the front & back can be unravelled and made shorter. This is the problem. The armholes should be 9" tall, but they are 12". That amounts to a 6" shortfall in the size of the sleeves. Measure twice, knit once.

More and More....

2009-07-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

I am not mentioning, "Rhonda has lost her marbles", but you might wanna come see what the UPS man has brought. Lots and Lots of Blue Sky Alpaca, the softest yarns you have ever seen, and very special for the most special knits ever. This is before the yarn got put out. I am sure it won't last.

Also got the new Clover circular for sock knitting. You can knit the whole sock on a teensy high quality circular (not 2 needles, not 4 needles, not 5 needles), small enough to knit adult socks. You only have to change to DPNs at the very end of the toe. Check em out.

Frances Grace Must Have Been Listening

2009-07-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Frances Grace came to her Mom's knitting lesson. She wasn't the least bit interested, and studied a game on her I-Phone during the whole lesson. That's cool, I thought, sometimes a person just is NOT into it. Later on, her Mom ran into a little trouble. "here, Mom, let me show you what to do...". That was Frances Grace.....I guess she was picking up knitting even though it did not seem like it! She is now hopelessly "into it", and here is her project, CHECK IT OUT!! AWESOME, RIGHT?

Hard Working Knit & Crochet Chain Gang

2009-07-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

Angela is almost done with her blanket for Baldwin County Carehouse, and we think it is pretty close to perfect, if not actually 100% perfect. Ileana, and I hope I spelled that right, is doing a great job on her first crochet work (oops...I think it is her 2nd class, so don't get mad I said "first"). I am totally amazed at how good these kids are. Rhonda is warning me, I may have to look for a new job once they get trained up on their knitting & crochet. I noticed they were studying how to use the ball winder awfully closeley. It is a shame, because the pay is so good. I got the February Baby sweater very close to done, (ok, I might be exaggerating a little, but there is no proof, because I neglected to take a picture. Maybe next time. I could get the "Hey Teach" sweater (eggplant Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece) into the lace part over the holiday weekend, and then it will be an occasion for an in-progress photo shoot. I also have 3 big finishing jobs to do for the shop. Maybe I will post photos of those, too! For some reason, I think some people are actually reading this mess! Thanks, everyone, you made my day.

Something Fun to Try

2009-07-01T05:48:00.001-07:00

Here is something fun I just came across:
Finger Knitting Video from YouTube

Now, what projects can you make from it?

FO's and WIPS

2009-06-30T16:46:00.000-07:00

Here is Eebie's Silky Merino shell. I love the way she added extra to the bottom border. She did it after the fact, for more length, but we think it is a great improvement to the basic top pattern. Way to go! Also she is working a "St. John's Wort" sweater in lavender, from Interweave, on "antique" yarn. I am thinking it will be awesome. I just love the big collar. Great work.

Later, we had a visit from my dear friend, Elisabet. She is making a fishies baby blanket, and it is ready for the sewing up. We tried out some different ways to attach the fishies. It won't be long til it's done. Berroco Comfort yarn, and it is very very soft & beautiful. Wish that new grandbaby would hurry up! The baby is about the size of a peanut right now.

Just Knitting Along...

2009-06-30T06:06:00.001-07:00

Not so much new lately, except for a very busy first Monday open at the Yarn Cottage. I worked on my two current projects, and of course started another. Here is the current status of the Lace & Cable top, which I have just picked up again after a (one month) haitus, and the half done February Baby Sweater in Swedish yarns Bomull Sport. I am doing the February Baby (from EZ's Knitter's Almanac) because of the popularity of the "February Lady" sweater, which we have hanging up at the shop in Cascade Greenland. It sure is a fun pattern to make, and pretty easy (see buttonholes problem below! LOL). I should be able to get the other sleeve done today & get into the body section, which is a breeze. Oh, I forgot the buttonholes (oops!) gonna put in a grosgrain band with snaps, I think. Good save, Rhonda! You gotta see the Great Adirondack rayon ribbon scarf she is making up. As for the lace & cable top (a download from Vogue Knitting) in purple, it is kinda strange....you work across the top from sleeve to sleeve (the cables run horizontally, and that opening is the neck, about halfway to the other side & getting back into one piece), then sew the underarms, then work down from there. I am doing it in a nice cotton/acrylic blend dk I have had in my stash for a long time. The other one I started isn't so interesting yet, but it's an eggplant colored "Hey Teach" sweater, which is lacey & has short sleeves. I think it should take 4 balls of Cotton Fleece, which is really nice to work with.

More about the Baby Surprise

2009-06-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

Even though I am finished knitting it, I've been having my coffee and reading this morning on the phenomenon that is the Baby Surprise. I find it incredible Ravely.com has over 8000 people worldwide who've knitted it and posted photos, plus there is an extensive WIKI page, with loads of technical information, not only for knitting, it, but for knitting it BETTER. Then I got sidelined by this: http://www.homeofthesampler.com/howtos/craftypod.html

I had seen some buttons like this, and filed it away under "someday I will try to do this". Now I won't have to get my head dented in from banging it against the wall...now I will have instructions! It seems like a good use for the gobs of embroidery thread and perle cotton I have from other (temporarily dropped) crafts! I might even have those little cabone rings, too.

Speaking of the Ravelry phenomenon patterns, I think I am going to knit another one: the "Hey Teach" sweater (originially from Knitty), which is lacey and short sleeved....two of my favorite features in a sweater. Do you think eggplant cotton fleece is a good choice? I am still uncertain what color to make, but I think the cotton fleece will be awesome. A friend named Erin I met in Nashville at the Haus of Yarn (!!) was making one and I can't get it out of my head. Also, if you are a ravelry member, you must see knit4smiles, one of the other fabulous knitters I met at Knit Nite. She was making a "Wild Thing", but without a pattern. Truly wonderful and adorable (and scary!) too. It is finished and posted on her projects page.

Big Day! #2

2009-06-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

...and....and..Nancy wore her new Ironstone yarns Sky sweater (yarn bought from yours truly at the YarnHaus!), another CareHouse blanket arrived, and best of all, just in time for Knit Nite, our sofas are here. Now we really mean it when we say, "Come Unwind With Us!".

Big Day! #1

2009-06-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

It was a huge day at the Cottage. I finished the Baby Surprise Jacket in KnitCol, Ann brought by her new Arcadia top in Pink, Christina started a pink baby sweater in Mandarin Petit, we got a bunch more bankets for Baldwin County Care House, Angela has an orange one in progress, and we double-dog dared her to go get us some dinner with her winter hat & green short-row scarf on (she did!), and....and....and.... (see next message!)

Bonnie's Socks & My Newest Baby Sweater

2009-06-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Well, the Baby Surprise is getting so close to done, I thought I'd start up the February Baby Sweater pattern from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac. It's working up so nice in the sport weight cotton I am using, Gjestal Bomull Sport (say that 3 times fast!). A lovely inexpensive high quality (Norwegian?) cotton).

Below are the socks Bonnie just made of Cascade Fixation (new colors just came in FYI). (Bonnie's are NOT matching, of course!). Good job. I told her about the Sock Symposium we are planning....learn lots of different sock techniques during a few hours on a Saturday. Two dates are planned one in July and one in August. Check the Yarn Cottage website for details, but give us a couple of days to get the newsletter ready for July.

Baby Surprise Edging

2009-06-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

This is how the sweater looks tonight. I plan on making little loops while binding off in I-cord. That way, I can avoid the whole "buttonhole" issue. I think it will be cute with 3 loops. FYI, if you want to see what an I-Cord bind off is all about, check out this You tube video. The pattern does not include an edging, and the sweater looks great without it, but I thought it might be a nice modification. What do you think?

Broke, Busted & Disgusted

2009-06-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

Back from my trip, and find out NOBODY even touched the Baby Surprise sweater. Another good reason to be disgusted to be back is the photos of the view out my Dad's apartment window. Also, naturally, I am broke, and also unpleasantly surprised to be back to regular life & got a few extra lbs around the middle. Now, there will be a big diet starting shortly, and maybe things will smooth out soon. Also, the sweater's got to get done. Maybe tomorrow. Then I can work on my new Lupine Lace socks in Malabrigo Sock Yarn(got those started on the trip after shopping at the Haus of Yarn in Nashville, and back to the Lace & Cable top, which (I thought) was off track, but after frogging a few rows, realized it is actually ok.....there are 53 stitches on each side, but somehow I thought it was supposed to be 51....until I looked at the pattern. On the Baby Surprise sweater, I'm thinking about doing an I-Cord bind off (maybe in a sold color??), which I see is quite popular in the NEARLY 9000 of them people have posted on ravelry.

Kay brought her FINISHED BERROCO COMFORT SHAWL by the store today and modelled for us, while vowing to work on something a little more interesting to knit next time. Or, at the very least, it could start at the wide part and narrow down to a point, right Kay?

Why 2 Cameras?

2009-06-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

Why did I bring two cameras on the trip? I am already 1200 miles from home, 5th day gone, been to the yarn convention, and staying at my sister's in Slippery Rock PA. No pictures yet, except one really wacky one that got deleted right away! Could be, I will get it together and snap one or two in NY. Maybe, maybe not.... (and yes, I miss Alabama, a little). Love to everyone, see you soon. Will see Karl on Wednesday. I just KNOW that Baby Surprise sweater is almost done. I have some big plans for some new Yarn Cottage classes.

My Baby Girl, Picot at the Beach

2009-06-10T20:24:00.001-07:00

This is what I did tonight with my friends, Patti, Deb, Susan and Nancy, at www.paintpartystudios.com

Try it sometime.....we all painted our own pets. Renee is the artist there and she is awesome and helps you out, and it is a blast. It was my third time there, I guess 3 times is a charm.

Baby Surprise Sure Looks Weird!

2009-06-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

The sweater looks weirder and weirder as I go along. We love how the yarn is doing the work. Love it! Rhonda and Nona have promised to finish it before I get back (not really...I just TOLD them to!! LOL). I think it might take only 3 balls, not the five I estimated based on the pattern. I'm about halfway through the 2nd ball of yarn.

Nancy To Complete 1st Care House Blanket

2009-06-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

Looks like Nancy is well on her way to finishing the first Baldwin Country Care House Blanket. Way to go, Nancy. Get with Rhonda at the shop if you want to make one too.....she is providing NEW yarn and patterns for anyone who wants to make them.

HOT PINK FELT

2009-06-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

This Hot Pink Felted Purse came out great, and only takes ONE handle. So, now Charleen is thinking about another one for the other handle she got off a thrift store purse. This is the one-ball pattern from our website free patterns page.

New Knitter Today!

2009-06-09T17:31:00.001-07:00

Here's our newest young knitter, Ava, with her first couple of rows! The beginning of something great, since she seems to be a natural!

Cute Surprise

2009-06-09T02:25:00.000-07:00

Since I gave away the only Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise sweater I ever knitted, I've wanted to make another. Here it is, started up and oh, so fun and quick to make...using Knit Col, a self striping light worsted from Adriafil, and available...you know where. This should be a size 1. It has a kind of socky look to the way it knits up, don't you think? This is garterstitch, so I think the stockinette would be a whole 'nother good lookin.

on the road Thursday

2009-06-09T01:46:00.000-07:00

Gone on the road Thursday to Columbus TNNA show, and then on to NY....I'll be back when my money runs out! could be soon with the current gas prices! If I see something cool, I will post on the road.

Could be Gladys Who Knitted This!

2009-06-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

OK, I guess I am counting on my fabulous memory too much. I could swear that Gladys brought this in to show us her beautiful work on this "Angel Wings" baby blanket pattern, and she had a hat to match, too...all for her church's new parents/grandparents. Now, since I didn't write it down, I am not too sure WHAT her name was! Maybe it is good enough that I posted a picture of her beautiful work! Nice yarn, too! (of course, it is from the Yarn Cottage of Fairhope, naturally!).

Lynn Not A Newbie

2009-06-05T04:24:00.000-07:00

OK! Lynn's not a newbie, anymore...here is her first FO:

On to her next project, a prayer shawl. Speaking of prayer shawls, did you know the shop is giving away top-name brand-new yarn for charity blankets? We want you to use the good stuff. Come see Rhonda.

www.theyarncottagefairhope.com

Good Back & Pits Too

2009-06-05T04:16:00.000-07:00

The back of Nona's sweater is just wonderful, especially after a couple of froggings here and there. Even the pits are fantastic! Now we will all have to make one. Rhonda's red one is already into the lace section (we will have to get her to model it soon), but mine is only in my mind (it is either blue or white, can't make it out at the end of that long line of projects waiting their turn(s)). This is the "February Lady" sweater from www.ravelry.com, and Nona is using 8 balls of Greenland from Cascade.

Olivia Models New Shrug

2009-06-05T04:10:00.000-07:00

Here is Olivia, modelling our newest Shrug, made with Malabrigo Chunky. It looks great on her! So easy & quick, with only 2 balls needed for the ladies small size, which this one is. We can modify the pattern for you to make any size you want. We used a Silver Floral & Ebony Stickpin instead of the dreaded buttonhole. There is a cool edging planned for later. Oh, and the pattern is from www.ravelry.com, it's the Reversible Winter Capelet, but we changed the edges to seed stitch. It is knitted raglan-style from the top down and is so easy and took about 2 evenings on size 11s.

Purple Lace & Cable Top

2009-06-01T16:31:00.001-07:00

Lace and Cable Top in Lavender
Originally uploaded by bikesun2001

No longer blue, I have restarted the top with a better quantity of yarn. Also, this yarn is more like the gauge called for in the pattern, so I don't have to modify the pattern....less stitches, too. Too bad for the beautiful shrug (from the cover of the latest Vogue Knitting) I had planned to make in lavender.

Also worked today on a pretty cool Anthropologie-inspired shrug in a brown-grey shade of Malabrigo Chunky. Used up a whole ball of it & gonna finish up tomorrow maybe. I'll wear it with a shawl pin closure.

Charlene on Track, Heidi Bumped Off Track

2009-05-31T06:46:00.000-07:00

Charlene's poncho is coming right along, working on that wonderful (blueberry?) shade of Malabrigo Chunky. She is making the "Everybody's Poncho" from our free patterns page. A gift for somebody special.

In my case, I have frogged the blue Lace & Cables top I was working on. With only 4 (large) balls of Super 10 Cotton, I realized, I couldn't finish without running short. They were from my old shop, so no hope of getting the same dyelot, 1 1/2 years later, even though the Yarn Cottage is now carrying Super 10 (a wonderful yarn to work with, IMHO, and there are approx 250 yds per ball). Starting over was the only option. I am now using a nice cotton/acrylic blend I got at Stitches, and I guess the only good thing is that I have the pattern memorized, finally.

As Sandy and I discussed at the shop yesterday, If you don't wanna rip, don't knit...right?

Lace & Cable Top/VK Summer 08

2009-05-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

....now, I can finally work on my Lace & cable top. Needs concentration, and going well, thank you! Maybe I can wear it somewhere special next month?

I would call it 15% finished. (or 14%).

Lace Success

2009-05-20T04:42:00.001-07:00

This first lace project is a huge success. Good job, and now she probably is a much braver knitter! We knew you would love it! Welcome to the lace knitter's club! And, no, that is not Rhonda in the background.

Yarn Harlot Book Signing

2009-05-20T04:36:00.000-07:00

Had a great time at Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's book signing for Free-Range Knitter last nite...she is awesome, and her reading was exceptionally meaningful to me, and I'm sure everyone felt the same. She's kinda hysterically funny, too! Here's my "Kinnear" shot, just for the record:

Favorite Color - "Multi"

2009-05-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

Julie has the same favorite color I do...Multi.

NORO Kimono jacket finally finished

2009-05-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Oh, my, this was a too-many-balls-of-yarn project. You will see lots of 1 or 2 ball projects in the near future. I did have the perfect buttons, though. Now I have to lose 20lbs to wear it, or better yet, find a skinny friend. I say "finally finished", but I guess I started it in early April , so I guess that's not the "forever" I thought it took....

Great Minds Think Alike

2009-05-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, I spotted a baby changing table at a thrift shop. Could be a cute way to display baby yarns, I thought in passing. Then, yesterday afternoon, Rhonda mentioned, "we should put all these new Swedish yarns baby yarns in a crib or something like that". Done deal. What do you think? Now we need a baby. We just received patterns and Mandarin Petit and Baby Bomull ("tree-wool", which is their word for Cotton). They are lovely and reasonable with lots and lots of yardage and make the finest baby (and other) knitting or crochet you can imagine. There is also a lovely organic cotton as well for the nature-moms and grannies. Thin cotton shows lacey stitch patterns in the best way possible. Lacey tops for summer....oh yeah.

Falling Shawl No More

2009-05-13T05:12:00.000-07:00

The only bad thing about a shawl is how they fall down all the time. We gotcha covered. Shawl Pins! These arrived ysterday, and more are on the way These are the stick variety & the ones coming are completely different! Be sure to get yours before it's gone! Oh, they are pinned onto Rhonda's new lace collar...done in cashmere (I think!). You almost can't see it due to the forest of pins.

Here, Fishy, Fishy!

2009-05-13T05:04:00.001-07:00

I told you they would be cute! Enjoy! My pattern is by Linda Taylor, from the book Knitter's Stash, and also is available from the Fiber Space shop in Colorado.

Just wait, it gets better!

2009-05-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Here are the 3 little fishies, before felting.....just wait, they are getting cuter & cuter!

Beverly's Beautiful Baby Sweater

2009-05-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

Check this out, made by Beverly. We all thought it was gorgeous! Keep em' coming, Beverly!

Angie and the Oregon Tote!

2009-05-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

Angie wasn't so sure her first project, The Oregon Tote, would work out. Looks like a success! Next thing you know she was in our beginner lace class. She may have a problem!

1st Fishy ready to swim in washer!

2009-05-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

here, fishy, fishy. aquarium comin' right up!

Mug Warmer (or mug diaper)!

2009-05-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, on to more projects!

one more new thing on the needles...

2009-05-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

These have been on my mind for awhile. We will have an aquarium in one of the front display windows. On the left is one that is not mine, I did not knit it, and I do not have permission to post the photo, and mine looks like the bottom photo (so far...)

...and then we were attacked by the UPS truck

2009-05-05T19:07:00.001-07:00

wow! look at this huge pile of stuff that came in today. OMG. When will we get time to put it all away, and enter it all in the computer? We JUST WANNA KNIT!

a Quick, but oh, so necessary project....

2009-05-05T19:04:00.001-07:00

this is something that's a must-have for our sultry summer.....especially for your HOT coffee. Quick knit and cute, but of course, perfectly silly. I will post again when it's done.

Here ya go, all done:

Crochet purse?

2009-05-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

While the "viral" shawl is drying, I've been trying to come up with a crochet purse pattern for Daria/Rayon Corde. I like the stitch and it will have a nice scallop on the front edge of the flap. Maybe only skipping 2 ch instead of 3 on the foundation chain would be better. Needs to be real airy to save on yarn. looks like it might take 3 Daria or 1 Rayon Corde, just like our Market Bag pattern.

I couldn't help it.

2009-05-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

I've had to swallow my pride and go ahead and start a Clapotis. I avoided it simply because it was so "viral". I guess I caught the bug, too. I also had to lay it down for some blocking....only 4 drops have been made, but the curliness was bugging me. I am eat up with the Clapotis bug. Can't do anything else....well, maybe for a little while until it dries out.

Another project!

2009-05-02T16:19:00.000-07:00

Couldn't help starting something else the moment the yoga bag was done. These are NORO Kureyon Socks, using the Winter Snowdrops Socks pattern by Sara Morris I found on http://www.ravelry.com/.

I am doing them cuff down on a long circular, my favorite method, and I might do the lace pattern in reverse, since it is charted for toe-up socks. I am still not sure.

Off to class!

2009-05-02T16:18:00.001-07:00

Took forever to finish, but well worth the wait! Hope you like it.

Ack! Not Perfect!

2009-05-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

In my haste to send out the Yarn Cottage May 1st newsletter this morning, I called Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's new book "Yarn Harlot Rides Again". That was dumb. It actually is called "Free-Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again". Ooops. I hope when she writes her next book, she uses my new title. Arggh. (On the other hand, aren't the NORO sock yarns pretty? I can't decide which sock pattern to do next...maybe daydreaming about what to knit next caused the title error).

Groovy Market Bag

2009-04-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

This is the market bag project. We just got in 2 new yarns to make it out of. Daria Multi from Knitting Fever, and Judi & Company's aptly-named, Groovy. More colors are on the way, and there is also a neat free purse pattern for Groovy. We saved on yarn by taking some handles off an old purse (mine was from Goodwill). Be thinking about some handles for YOURS! It is knitted in the round on BIG circular 24" needles. You can learn how to knit an easy lace pattern at the same time. And lots of holes means fast work. Go for it!

Crochet Hook Case done!

2009-04-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

My New felted Crochet hook case. Lamb's Pride Bulky for the case and Cascade 220 for the hook holders. Thanks, Paula for the idea. It's a great Berroco free pattern and oh, so quick. The beautiful handmade silver/enamelled button is from Gita Maria, YAY! Only my favorite hooks are allowed in there. The yucky ones are in a "store-boughten" one. Poor little babies.

Ready, Willing and Able!

2009-04-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here's me & Patti, ready to enter the Stitches East convention hall. What a wonderful time we had. Overwhelming, and can't wait to try out everything we found there....

Cute Cute Cute

2009-04-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

I just finished my Circular Tank, a Cabin Fever pattern, knit on SR Kertzer Super 10, which is just wonderful to work with and has a beautiful finish and I love it! The buttons are perfect, I got them at In The Marking, in Birmingham, which was awesome, a gorgeous store. I will have to lose 10+ lbs to wear it. It took less then 3 balls to make, but I wish I made it a little bigger. The pattern is knit in the round, has great armholes, finished as you knit, and real well written.