Friday Catch Up
It’s been a harried week around these parts, between our store manager enjoying her vacation this week to a wide range of activities at the shop to me dyeing a BIG pile of yarn Tuesday evening to preparations for our weekend of fun and workshops with Janet Szabo and more. I couldn’t be happier to be this busy, and I think I thrive on a little bit of chaos (I know I do my best work under the gun/under deadline). But the schedule has cut into my knitting time this week.
While I didn’t knit for a full 48 hours in the middle of the week (that’s rare–I typically take time every morning to knit a little bit, even 30 minutes, and again right before bed while browsing the web a little bit, it just didn’t happen this Tuesday/Wednesday), I have made a little bit of progress on the Moderne Log Cabin Baby Blanket project
Not only have I included all four colors into the project, I’m now finished with color A with the addition of the two thin strips on the far edges (far left and upper edges). I blame Anyssa for my addiction to this project, but I can also trace some interest in making one to The Yarn Harlot, as she’s knitting one as well (tho I think she’s working on a full-sized version, versus my smaller baby version). No matter, I’m glad to be making it, as it’s simple, meditative knitting that’s been perfect for the fragmented time I’ve had of late.
Last week was all about sock knitting for me, as I finished three different single socks (models for the shop, so they’ll be loners permanently). One was started for awhile now (and shown here)
in the form of the Best Foot Forward yarn by Nashua, developed by Kristin Nicholas. Great yarn for certain, and it should be in the US after the middle of July. At just $15 a skein, it’s a great value for a beautiful finished sock. This one’s gonna be VERY popular! Next on the finished sock list would be made with Aslan Trends Santa Fe
a great sock yarn with a nice twist, made with 85% superwash merino and 15% nylon, kettle dyed, and 50g skeins (retailing for about $6 each). Check out the color options here. Again, it’s going to take some patience, as it won’t be in the US until after the Independence Day holiday next weekend (it’s due in port/customs around the 6th).
In more pleasant news, there’s a third completed model sock that’s made with yarn you can actually find at the shop TODAY (Friday, the 26th)
in the form of Alchemy Yarns new sock-weight yarn called Juniper. At 232 yards per 50g skein, this 100% superfine merino is superwash that’s then lovingly hand-dyed by the good folks at Alchemy (Gina’s color sense is amazing). I don’t remember what we ordered, but there’s around 20 shades landing this afternoon. YUM! Can’t wait for more….but I have to, for about four more hours (UPS typically lands around 2 p.m.).
And yes, you see the Juniper sock resting on part of the 36 new hanks of Rob’s Hand Dyed and Black Dog sock yarns that will be revealed in a couple days (a dozen have sold so far, most while still damp and unwound, in person over the past two days). All are out for sale at the shop right now, so if you’re local (or local-ish), come on by and browse!
On the topic of finished projects (especially those that have languished for over a year), I did FINALLY pick up and knit the neckline and sleeve edgings over the weekend. Matt blocked it for me
Made with Blue Sky Dyed Cotton and their pattern called “Fitted Tank”. It takes just three or four hanks of their great yarn, so it’s a reasonably-priced garment that’s a quick knit (US 9 needles and 450-600 yards of ultra-soft cotton). Thanks goes out to Betsy for serving as my model.
With all of this off my needles, it’s time to swatch for something else…….mwahahahaha. This is in sight
and I’m about 90% sure what pattern I’ll be using. Swatching commenses this evening………and casting on shortly after that!