I did get that swatch done last week, as planned, and started the project. It’s a fun cardigan/vest project that is worked sideways

using Cascade Superwash 220 Quatro, in “Brown Bear”. It doesn’t look like much in the photo above, but it’s quite lovely fabric. I should have the body knitting completed today/tonight, so I’ll need two small shoulder seams done (yes, I’m that lame–I need someone else to do them) and then I can put on bands and the sleeve cap. Finished soon!

That means………..I can start TWO new projects!

I’ve been project shopping, over the past week or so…..looking for something wonderful to make with that delish tweed I showed last time around. I may have a winner in this

design from ChicKnits. Swatching will tell me more about combining the yarn and this pattern….we’ll see how it goes.

Also on deck is this design

from Dolce Handknits. I’ve got a nice shade of Cascade Soft Spun lined up for it, and again–swatching will be important. But I think the combo is a slam dunk.

Both are headed with me to the big twice-annual yarn shop trade show called TNNA. This version (in the summer, for the fall/winter seasons) is held in Columbus, OH, a city that I’ve grown to love over the past six/seven times I’ve attended. It’s a nice-sized city with great amenities and the show itself is always a good one, filled with interesting products, fun people, and amazing industry friends. It will be a great weekend and even better to get away for a little bit. It’s been awhile since I got out of Lansing…..a year, to be exact (TNNA last year). Best of all, there’s some other fun things on my agenda, above/beyond the show….should be fun!

It’s been an odd day, starting out by being awakened around 3:30 in the morning to the sound of my (much-hated) upstairs neighbors, moving out (their door is just outside my bedroom windows, which I have open at night for the fresh air). I think, with the last few carloads this afternoon, that they’re gone for good. Or at least I hope so. I finally got up for good around 7 a.m., and then lounged in the living room for hours upon hours, working on the back of a sweater a little bit and also just sitting there. I spent too much time “navel gazing”, tried to do some simple meditation (to calm down my brain, which was in hyperdrive mode most of the day) to no avail, and finally ran through the shower and got cleaned up and presentable. Off to the gym for a little bit (a shortened, but good workout), and some serious time in the whirlpool (hot tub) and then some swimming in the pool. I spoke with my Dad in-between destinations (he’s been in the hospital for over a week now–LONG story…see my Facebook page for details), and he’s doing much better today. Then it was errand time–groceries to be gotten (mostly fresh produce, but somehow I ended up with over $70 in stuff in my cart)–and a quick pop by the store (it was closed, but I wanted to drop off a couple things I had picked up) before driving home. I made an amazing dinner (a fun chicken thing I do that doctors up a simple boxed rice thing, some amazing haricots verts, and a tall glass of freshly-brewed sweet tea), relaxed a little bit, and here I am now. About the time I got to the gym, my day started to “feel” better…and I was able to do some calming/relaxing in the wet area at the gym, and tonight, I’m jovial and content as can be. Seriously!

So, I’ve been AWOL over a month again, but it’s not for lack of WANTING to be here. It’s for lack of TIME (or me dedicating time) to be here. The gym continues to be an important part of my week, and each visit takes about two full hours out of my day (but adds countless hours to my life, I’m sure). I’ve also been posting to the ThreadBear Facebook page every single morning (join it by finding it and clicking on the LIKE button). But I admit to neglecting you, dear knitting blog–and I’m sorry! Let’s see if I can make up for it with a picture-laden post!

On to the projects! First, there was major progress leading into May with the V-Neck Shell being made with Maggi’s Linen

as it (and two other variations–scoop neck and boat neck) were the Project of the Month at ThreadBear. Confession time? It sits, about 85% completed, in a zipper bag beside my couch, hiding under the end table. It was put aside in favor of a couple other project that I felt came before it…..and it NEEDS to be finished ASAP.

One of those projects was a top-down cardigan that would serve a dual purpose–it would be a fresh model using K1CToo Ty-Dy (one of my favorite cotton yarns) as well as be a model for an upcoming class taught by Sue Hall on summer cardigans. It started out humbly

but grew rapidly

until in under a week the entire body was completed

and just a few days later it was completed, blocked, and on display at the shop

workin’ hard for Sue’s class and for pattern/yarn sales. It’s a great project and looks fab in the yarn I used, but any worsted-weight you choose will turn out great (and it’s an easy one, cuz there’s no seaming when you’re done with the knitting).

Then I turned my attention to some new sock yarn that came in–Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Ysolda Red

that begged to go home with me and be turned into a sock

that’s coming along nicely, but is on ice for the moment. So many distractions!

The first was this

which I first released as that close-up photo last week, while working on it. Enter the Three-Way Rib Wrap

a multi-stranded project worked on big needles that is serving as our June 2010 Project Of The Month at the shop. It debuted today (June 1st) and I think it’s a great project that should garner some attention.

So now that it is completed and on display, I had a little bit of un-dedicated knitting time over the past two days. I cleaned out my knitting bag over the weekend (tragic, I say–it was JAMMED full and had some silly stuff in it) and resurrected a project that’s been rumbling around in the bottom of my bag for WELL OVER a year now. Re-enter Cassidy

a beautiful cabled hoodie sweater based on a pattern from ChicKnits (we carry her line at the shop, of course), being worked up in Cascade 220 in a beautiful heathered shade that’s almost blue and almost white. I’m telling you, there’s nothing better in my knitting world than a simple wool yarn (Cascade 220 fits the bill) and a great cabled pattern (Cassidy fits that bill). Check it out, in close up

I love how the cables POP, how the yarn is heathered, and how the overall fabric looks. It’s been a BLAST working on this again over the past 48 hours, and it’s more than DOUBLED in length in that time (well over 8″ of new fabric since Sunday evening) and I’m up past the armhole cut-in. The cable design is easily memorized and they work up quickly (the little three-stitch wonders I’m doing with out a cable needle).

But I have been distracted……..

by some BEAUTIFUL sock yarn that was left for me by a yarn rep (I’ve ordered this stuff, to be delivered later this summer). I have to have a model sock made up before it arrives, right? I did that knitting last night, when I didn’t want to have to think at all while going around and around and around. But I’m also hearing the siren song of some beautiful tweed yarn

that comes from MaggiKnits. I want to make something with this yarn, but the right design hasn’t presented itself just yet. So I will swatch with these two balls and see if that helps me decide.

Midnight approaches, and I have some swatching to do for YET ANOTHER project that I want to get started in the next couple days. I’m sure I’ll share it here, as it progresses. In the mean time, be well, be happy, and be knitting (or crocheting, or spinning, or weaving…..JUST BE CREATIVE!)

That’s my version of the “Spring Baby Cardigan” by Kristen TenDyke (patterns available at the shop, of course). I made our model out of Classic Elite Classic Silk (the yarn used in the design), as it falls in the perfect gauge of five sts/inch. Sized from newborn to three years, it’s a versatile design that’s easy construction (the body is made in one piece; the sleeves attached; the bands worked up in just a couple rows) and goes fast. That little bit of lace at the bottom (just 12 rows) makes for a nice detail, too.

There’s been more progress on “I Put A Hex On You”

in the amount of it having DOUBLED in size at the end of this week (previous photo was 8 units; this one is 15, and one more was added today). It’s addictive, and I need to put it down, as I have a self-imposed deadline on another project

in the form of a v-neck shell made of Maggi’s Linen, a great blend of cotton and linen in a slightly slubby/thick-n-thin yarn that I just adore. It’s perfect for summer (or year-around) wear, so I’ve been cranking on it this week and am about half way up the body (it’s knitted in the round up to the armholes). The piece is three times the size you see in that photo, as of this afternoon. It may grow more tonight, too, depending on what I choose to do this evening.

I’m torn–I want to stick my toes in the social pool and possibly go out tonight. There are a few choices (there’s events at both a bar in the Detroit area and one near Grand Rapids, and there’s also a place to go here that’s kinda quiet/small), but I’m not sure I’m quite “ready” to go out and be sociable. Time will tell, no?

As introduced here in my last post, I have started a new larger project that I’ve called “I Put A Hex On You” (you have to name projects on Ravelry, and this one is appropriate…..). A certain someone sent me a link to a pattern she found that inspired her. Unfortunately, “certain someone” doesn’t know how to crochet–yet. She’s signed up for my class that starts on Saturday, May 1st @ 1 p.m. (and meets again on the 8th), so she will learn, soon enough. In the mean time, her inspiration has caused an epidemic in these parts…seriously! I know of at least five people that have either purchased yarn for or started one of these projects.

The very next day, I came to the shop with the intention of starting one out of Cascade Sierra, a lovely blend of pima cotton and merino wool, and wanted the help of Helen to figure out colors. It will serve as a shop model, so I wanted bright, cheery colors (plus it’s spring–bring on the color!), and we made a nice assortment of about a dozen hanks of Sierra. Then Helen went back to the Superwash 220, and she went bezerk

and found these twelve shades. I got going immediately

and whipped out two motifs on Thursday evening. It grew some more on Friday

and even more by Sunday afternoon

I haven’t worked on it since (my crochet hook went AWOL on Monday and I’m not 100% sure what size it was….I think I have a replacement here at the house, however). But trust me, it’s one of those projects that I can’t stop working on, much like eating potato chips or knitting entrelac! OOOH OOOH!! Just one more! just one more!!!

It will also be the topic for a crochet-along, starting at the shop sometime after the first of May. The FREE GROUP will meet monthly, most likely on Sunday afternoons. Details to follow, or keep tabs on developments via our Ravelry group.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed checking out the blog for the woman who wrote the tutorial on the hexagons. She appears to be a very prolific (and colourful) crocheter, and I really enjoyed her works. There’s not much in the way of crocheted things at ThreadBear, and I’ve always wanted to change that (I did learn to crochet first, and later added knitting; crochet around 4 or 5, knitting about a year later). Each yields a totally different product, but each has its place and is appropriate for different things.

I’ve been dyeing quite a bit of yarn of late, most of it chronicled over here. I really enjoy the creative outlet and the process, but more than that, I love the feedback/reactions to the hanks when folks see them and just HAVE to have one (or more) of my skeins. THANK YOU for the hearty reception!

I have been knitting……there has been a shawl

a baby cardigan

socks for Bill (he chose the yarn when he was here visiting me the first week of March; a second skein of sock yarn awaits at home, along with a pattern for a cardigan that will look amazing on him, given his build….boyfriend sweater curse be damned!)

and an Omega Wrap

all worked on and/or completed in recent weeks. Omega and the shawl are done, but Bill’s socks languish in my bag (there’s always something that MUST be done, versus me wanting those to be done), and the Spring Baby Cardigan just got knocked out on Sunday (thanks to Marcia for setting the sleeves and finishing the shoulders). I blocked it that evening and it’s drying at the shop right now, hopefully done by tomorrow for the newsletter.

So I’ve gotten stuff done, but not as much as in previous months. I enjoy the time I spend at the gym and the results are definitely motivating. Something had to be done about my weight and my lifestyle, and I took the first steps (literally) last fall with walking and eating right, and now this next chapter makes sense. I want to be around for a long time, and this is definitely going to help!

I’m completely entranced by this

and yes, it’s CROCHETED! I’ve been knitting, too, and I’m cutting this short tonight to get back to a baby sweater that I **WILL** finish this evening so I can block it tomorrow at the shop.

And to answer Lindy’s question–Roxy is Sabrina’s little mini chihuahua, and she’s adorable. You can typically find her at the shop on Tuesdays, as that’s Sam’s short day at the shop and Roxy comes along for the ride. I have photos (older ones) that I should share….next time!

Be well, and thanks for not giving up on me! More regular posting will be a priority from here forward, as I’ve finally settled into a routine after adding in more days at the shop as well as working out 5-6 times a week (again, go see more, if so inclined, over at my personal blog)

Friday, Helen dropped by to meet a friend of hers who plans to take the STASH BASH workshop next month. She started working out a color story for Joan

and winnowed it down to some amazing yarns with great color play and fun texture. Joan will have a blast working with what Helen assembled, for certain. Then I had her work on the bag of potential yarns for the version I’m working on as a model for the workshop.

As I don’t wear too many shoulder wraps, I asked my awesome store manager Sabrina to bring in an assemblage of her own red yarn stash and I would knit it up for her myself. Helen weeded and feeded (not a word!) the pile and we came up with a GREAT combination of shades, colors, and textures (including some of Sam’s own handspun!) that I’m working with. Check out this bag of fun

that’s working up into a BEAUTIFUL Omega Wrap that will soon reside in the shop (and eventually around Sam’s shoulders)

I couldn’t be more pleased with the finished product (it’s about half completed as of this writing). It’s got lovely colors and textures that are mixing very well and the project has been a breeze to knit. It’s also been very alluring, as now Helen is working on her own (first of many, she says), and Betsy found a bag of goodies of her own on Sunday (based on a single skein of STUNNING sock yarn and moving forward from there–and all she had to purchase were two SMALL skeins of yarn, as the rest came out of my own stash and the store’s stash/leftovers plus something of hers that Helen tossed in for good measure). That’s the beauty of this project–the largest one requires a total of 560 yards of yarn, but you need small amounts of each, so leftovers and single skeins and clearance yarns are PERFECT for use in this one!

I also managed to do a little swatching over the weekend……using the yarn for the first pair of socks that I will be making for Bill (if you don’t know who he is and are curious, that’s all chronicled over here)

out of Prism Saki in the colourway “Smoke”. STUNNING fabric, as it’s predominantly black with small shots of a rich blue and a deep purple. All I’ve done since the swatching is to tear it out–they are not even cast on yet (I haven’t even figured out the cast on number….BAD ROB!). I’ll be sure to catch you up on them soon, but first I will finish Sam’s Omega Wrap. Hopefully in the next couple days.

I had an amazing day off today (Tuesday) which I recapped over at my personal blog for those interested in reading over there. I am blessed with an amazing life, wonderful and supportive friends, and my own good health (despite abusing my body for the past 15+ years). Thanks for reading and thanks for being there for me! Y’all mean the world to me….near and far, fiber-heads and not.

Sunday morning was spent catching up with me, as I popped on “CBS Sunday Morning” and started knitting on a great hat design found in the Winter ‘09 issue of Knitty.com called ’shroom. Using super-bulky yarn and bigger needles, I knew it would work up quickly. Ribbed band–about 60 minutes. Hat crown–maybe 2-3 hours (with fooling around at the shop). Finished in no time

and made with a single hank of Cascade Magnum (just $18, as the pattern is a freebie!). Great fun…great hat!

One thing I also did on Sunday morning was to clean out and organize my knitting bag (aka my purse). I was shocked that all of this

was in my knitting bag. Sadly, it all went right back in there, organized and semi-sorted. That’s a lot of crap! But I never know what I’ll want to knit on (despite there being three different sock projects–maybe that’s excessive!), so I carry all of it with me everywhere.

Today was a productive day at ThreadBear, as it was slow due to the inclement weather. We finally wrapped up this project,

which was to re-hank the last of the yarns that I dyed on Thursday of last week. They’re all named and ready for sale at the shop and will be on display here on Tuesday (2/23) as soon as I get back from my morning walk. I was flattered to find out how many sold over the weekend, which means I’m hitting the right color combos for folks (I feel like I’m doing a good bit of really BRIGHT stuff of late–echoing my HAPPY mood of late). So, if you’re interested in seeing how they came out and what’s left, do drop by on Tuesday, in the shop or online.

That’s about it for today……more soon. I’m going to get back to work on my new project!

And low and behold, this year I took on some gift knitting. Yeah, I’m a bright one…..

My good friends Joe and Gordy (saviours in my personal life….trust me on that one) asked about a scarf for Joe’s brother’s girlfriend, and I thought maybe we could get him connected with someone to make it for him. They came by the shop last Saturday (the 12th) and found a skein of hand-dyed foofie yarn (Great Adirondack POOF or FLUFF, I forget which) that was perfect. I cast on and whipped up a scarf in no time

Even Marcia helped with a few rows, cuz she loves “the boys” as well (and knows how important they’ve been in my transition this fall). So, gift knitting #1 out of the way. (UPDATE–I just heard that they exchanged gifts and “brother’s girlfriend” LOVED LOVED the scarf….awesome!)

Enter #2–a special project for a special person that I decided I just MUST MUST MUST finish in time for holiday gifting. Progress as of Tuesday evening

That’s something I started in November 2008, worked up about 12″, and promptly put back in a bag and buried it under crap in my office. I found it about two weeks ago, decided the intended recipient MUST have it for this Christmas, and got busy ASAP on it, almost non-stop. And here it is, as of Thursday about 10 p.m.

That’s nearly EIGHT FEET of finished fabric! There’s drama, however……..I had darned in all of the ends and was inspecting things, making sure it looked right, so I could wrap it up and mail it off on Friday morning (so it would arrive Monday or Tuesday at the home of the intended recipient). I found a loop on the back side that I thought was a poorly-hidden end, so I started tugging on it. The yarn is a woven merino ribbon and quite lovely. I pulled and pulled and pulled before I realized that the fabric was “condensing” and that it wasn’t an end, but a loose stitch that I was yanking on. I gave it one more tug and SNAP–the yarn broke and the entire “condensed” section unraveled for about 6″ of horizontal space, clear over to and including the edge.

I said a couple fairly nasty words. And I called Marcia for help.

She and I talked of putting it back on the needles, and possibly grafting the pieces back together. I did investigate that and thought it might work, briefly. But closer inspection revealed major damage (edge raveling, lace pattern kaput, etc.).

I said a few more nasty words.

And began to unpick the bind off edge, as the damage was about two feet down from the finish.

I unraveled yards and yards (and hours and hours) of knitting into two piles–one larger one and one smaller one. And I got the project back on the needles, figured out where I was in the repeat, and commenced forward progress. I wouldn’t go to sleep until the larger pile was gone, so I turned in at 2 a.m. that morning. And got up at 8 a.m. to finish, which I did at about 11 a.m. Yes, I power knitted about 1/4 of the project in the span of about five hours. I was booking on the project. It got wrapped and posted and should arrive tomorrow (Monday) or Tuesday. But there’s other drama, too.

Saturday of last week I went home from the shop and put my knitting bag in the back seat, but when I got home to work on the stole, I pulled out the piece and found a stub where about 2/3 of a skein of yarn should be. I chalked it up to having fallen out of my bag and figured it was strewn down Waverly Road (northbound) and gone. Imagine my surprise when I pulled into my usual parking spot and there was the skein of yarn, iced over and unharmed, in the parking lot (we had sleet and freezing rain that night). The project, while imbued with love, healing thoughts, and good vibes for the intended wearer/recipient, was not without its own issues. But it’s done, it will suit her perfectly (she loves wraps and loves neutral colors) and I hope it’s received with the love and well wishes that it was sent with.

Speaking of silly things we do in a holiday gift-knitting rush, one of my staffers at the shop was making a beautiful family heirloom stocking for a new grand-nephew……finished the personalizing, held it up, and showed me this………

The child’s name is FORREST. I asked her to run spell check.

She said a naughty word or two.

It turned out fine, two hours later (she’s not a fan of duplicate stitch)

and it will be well loved by the family for years and years.

Remind me again why we knit for the holidays, especially when they’re under a week away???

And remind me why I’m about to log off and cast on for a gift for my mother yet tonight? And why I’d like to knock out a pair of socks for a special someone after that? And also remind me why none of you, my gentle readers, have called the folks from the looney ward on me?

Probably because I dye pretty yarn

and you know that it takes a mental case to make pretty artsy-fartsy things. Yeah, that’s it……off to go cast on (we don’t need no stinking gauge swatches!)

But before they left, we did do a little furniture shopping, and it arrived on Wednesday of last week. It’s all in place, the tables are assembled, and the living room looks (and is) comfy and cozy. See

And you get to see into my dining area (just behind the love seat–you can see fresh flowers on the table) and into my kitchen (off to the left). To the right of the dining room is my bedroom, with on-suite full bath (and huge windows!) and to the left of that mirror on the wall is the hall closet, another full bath in the hallway, and the second bedroom (where I sit right now, working on the computer). Here’s the other perspective

standing in the dining area and looking towards the sliding glass doors to the patio out front. Honestly, I don’t think I could be any happier with my physical living situation. It’s clean, bright, comfortable, cozy, homey, and MINE. I enjoy coming home now (versus avoiding heading to the house in years past) and revel in the opportunity to enjoy a nice meal at my clutter-free dining room table, relax in my living room with either tv or music playing, and sink into my ultra-comfy bed at the end of a long day. Sure, this would all be great to share with someone special, but that’s VERY premature right now. I’m enjoying having the place to myself, honestly, and any discussion of a significant other is WAY off base. I need to re-discover myself first, and then work on making myself a better person once again.

So, I did promise some knitting! Emma, a LONG TIME reader and LONG TIME mail-order customer from “over the pond” asked about knitting content over on my “personal blog“. That space is more for me the person, versus me the knitter/shopkeep, so the knitting will be over here (for those that want to see it) and the personal stuff will be over there (for those that don’t want it mixed in over here). If you wanna keep tabs on me, the human, that’s over here. On to the fiber….

We’re hosting a great big trunk show of Black Forest Naturwolle at the shop this month, including over 1,000 hanks of the yarn, around 30 model garments, and other tomfoolery. This past Saturday was the kick-off, including an in-store appearance by the local sales rep and tons of German food (including Christmas stollen, purchased at an amazing bakery in Rochester). Sharon (the rep) had a quick, one-skein scarf on that day that she had devised, and I thought it was not just attractive, but also a great way to get to use a single skein of this amazing hand-spun yarn.

I snatched a pretty skein Saturday evening and wound it into a pull-skein and took it home with me that night. I didn’t get started on it until Sunday morning, but it worked up quickly and was finished later in the afternoon

I’ve taken Sharon’s notes and turned them into a pattern that we’re offering FREE with the purchase of a hank of the Naturwolle to make it. Pair it with your favorite shawl/scarf pin or brooch for a great little accent that also keeps you warm! My chosen colourway is Wilde Rose, but there’s dozens upon dozens of other choices, too! And given the speed with which they work up, they’ll make GREAT holiday gifts (or something nice for yourself……be greedy, too!).

I’m nearly finished with “Tie One On” (no pictures, sorry), as I bound off the body portion last night while watching tv and just have the two ties to work up. It should be finished this week some time, and I’m very pleased with how it’s coming together, also. Another great project coming to a close, so I’m on the hunt for what’s next (I think it’s a shawl out of Urban Silk by Skacel, but I’m not sure–I’m also shopping for a sweater pattern, as I’m itching to make a garment after several accessories in a row). Stay tuned!

There’s a sock on the needles right now, but it’s just a couple rows past the cuff and not that interesting yet. I did finish some other footwear recently

and

Those are “Guest Socks” made with Jarbo Raggi, an aran-weight yarn that’s a superwash merino blend that comes in a wide array of choices–rag wool/marled, patterns, printed, solids, and more (the child version is made with one of their two holiday-themed designs). The pattern is fantastic and works up quickly and they’re uber-useful (like I want a pair to wear around MY home–ASAP!). The child and small adult sizes take just one skein (so under $9 to make) and the large adult is two (with plenty left over) and still just over $15 to make. The tradition in Norway (and much of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe) is to have a basket of these by the front door for visitors to use (thus the garter stitch on the heels for expandability for various foot sizes). GENIUS! I need a basket full of them!

And we’ll close with a quick and hearty THANK YOU to a certain reader out there who strikes again….

Behold the new neckwarmer/scarf that I am the proud owner of–it’s not only seasonal, but topical, too! And yes, this is from the same creative and fun mind that whipped up the cowboy and fireman pillow cases that I enjoy every now and then. Thank you, Bonney–you make me laugh aloud yet again, and I smile every time I see it in my bedroom, draped over the chair. I may just have to wear it someday soon (she suggests it is to keep me warm on my walks along the river…..hehehe). I am truly blessed with some of the most amazing friends out there. THANK YOU!!!

Speaking of change, it’s time for a change of projects in these parts. That would mean that Multnomah is completed!

Never mind that it took me over three weeks to finish it–that in NO WAY speaks to the difficulty of the project (it’s actually very easy to knit and a well-written design). Molly blocked it for me (THANKS, Molly!) and Betsy wore it all night long on Wednesday while she worked. It’s larger than a scarf and smaller than a shawl, but it’s the perfect over-the-shoulder, on-top-of-the-coat sort of project (I see many women wearing them this way–very stylish!).

With that one completed, I did cast on and start Tie One On earlier this week. There’s only about three inches of fabric so far, and I’ll share that shortly. I was briefly (one evening last week) distracted by the Magnum One-Skein, One-Evening Scarf

that–yes–is made with a single skein of Cascade Magnum, some US 19 needles, and a free pattern from us when you purchase the yarn. I’ve already seen at least three others start and finish this scarf in a SHORT time (one woman knitted one over the course of the evening at the shop last Saturday). So it’s not a great excuse (just an evening of distraction), but I’ll take it!

I was tempted to pick up my Lady Eleanor Stole, recently discovered on the archaeological dig that we call “unpacking the spare bedroom” this past Tuesday.

as I’m teaching a class on it in a couple days. While it was tempting, I put it on the back burner for now–but I know where it is. And yes, that’s the original yarn (La Lana Forever Random) that I’m using. And yes–we have a couple kits at the shop for sale, in the original color (seen above). They’re a little pricey ($300, I think) but for a hand-dyed, hand-spun yarn and an amazing finished result, who can argue???

I did grab a skein of Jarbo Raggi on the way out of the store last night. We had a HUGE shipment arrive on Wednesday, along with a cute pattern for “Guest Socks“. I cast on this morning and I’m already finished with the back portion and about to work on the foot part (instep to toe). I predict an evening finish later today, as it’s a quick knit.

Beyond that, it’s a quiet day around the house with my parents, who came in on Tuesday for a visit for the holiday. It’s been great to have them here this week and I’m thrilled they made the trek from Southwest Missouri to be with me. Dinner tonight should be great, with turkey and all the trimmings and family specialties. What a perfect way to break in my new home!