Black Dog

As I’ve mentioned here and in our weekly newsletter for the shop, my paternal grandfather used to say “what you do on New Year’s Day, you do all year long”. If that’s the case, 2009 is going to be a FANTASTIC year!

It started out quietly, as I fell asleep on the couch sometime after 10 p.m. on the 31st and woke up around 12:10 a.m. to a beeping sound in the kitchen, only to find Matt wrapping up the prep work on the chow we were to bring in for January 1st at the shop. His Southern roots come shining through and we bring in blackeyed peas (symbolizing money/prosperity), greens (money), and cornbread (to put previous items on top of, of course). It’s a tradition we started years ago and always a good time. So the quiet start turned into a nice sleep afterwards, and then getting up and getting in to the shop for the fun that awaited there.

A day of laughter, friends, good food, and knitting/crocheting/spinning–who could ask for more? Oh, and puppy dogs, as the boys have both been very lovey of late, particularly Busby (he’s a major cuddler, and he’s really taken a shine to me in the past month…..). Best of all, I made great prograss on my Ocean Waves Shawl

and I think it’s coming out just strikingly beautiful. As you can see, it takes a villiage to faux-block the knitting to accentuate the pattern, which is quite beautiful

Again, I’m using Colinette Jitterbug (three hanks) in the Kingfisher colourway (one of my top five colors from them) and a very well-written, well-thought out pattern (of course, we have them for purchase!).

In the spirit of “what you do….”, I started a new project yesterday

……any guesses? yup, that’s the yoke for a February Lady, the brainchild of an amazing semi-local (Flint) designer with a fun blog and a new pattern that’s about to go live. If February Lady is any indication, this mitten design will be a must-have addition to your pattern library. BUY IT FROM HER SOON! (and check out her other freebies, too!).

Some specs on my version–I’m making a medium (41″ finished bust) in Schaefer Yarns Miss Priss in the Georgia O’Keefe colourway. Yes, it’s probably the most subdued thing I’ve ever knitted, but I think it’s growing on me (I’m more of a crow, drawn to bright color…some would say garish!). I’ll use four hanks of Priss, a lovely hand-dyed 100% merino that’s uber squishy (you can almost feel the curls…YUM) and only $21 for a four-ounce hank (280 yards). Not only is this a workhorse yarn for garments and accessories, but it felts up into beautiful fabric, too! What you see above is what I accomplished late last night, and I’m nearly finished with the yoke and about to do the increases just prior to starting the gull-wing lace pattern for the body.

This pattern is based on one of my favorite baby gifts ever, Elizabeth Zimmermann’s “Baby Sweater on Two Needles” from Knitter’s Almanac, one book that should be in EVERY knitter’s library (and it’s under $10 and we have several at the shop). You’ll also find the Pi Shawl, Aran Mittens, and so much more in that same book. I’ve made and gifted this baby sweater repeatedly over the years, to colleagues and friends alike, and it’s always well received.

Parting photo for you………..our amazing display of buttons

after over 510 tubes were added from a recent delivery. Need the perfect button? We might just have it on hand!

Gotta run……..time to go work (HOORAY!) and have some fun at ThreadBear. Come by and join us!

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