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!

What makes me happy? This, without question

Yup–that’s a photo of Sabrina (ThreadBear store manager), which must mean she’s back from the nearly-dead nether regions of the H1N1 flu. Poor thing–she had the worst case of it that knocked her down for over a week. Still not 100%, she comes in and works short days while she regains her strength (I say she should be recuperating at home, but she will NOT have it!). I’m just glad she’s back among us–we TOTALLY missed her!

Otherwise, things have been good. My move went well (chronicled elsewhere) and I’m getting settle in to my new home and my new life. I’m really enjoying the new digs as well as the process of transforming it into my personal sanctuary. It will be awesome to have a restful, home-y abode to return to after busy days at the shop. Plus I’ve set up one (with at least one more planned) knitting corner for myself. Not that I’ve had that much knitting time–I’m ***STILL*** working on Multnomah (the shoulder scarf/mini shawl depicted here previously) and that’s about it. No intervening projects. No further progress on my “grandmother pullover” (for myself). No progress (not even started) on the multi-fiber shawl in Habu yarns. NO KNITTING TIME! (sniff sniff…..but soon!).

But I do have more boxes unpacked! That’s important because my parents are coming in under a week for the Thanksgiving holiday (or at least at last report, which was last night). I look forward to seeing them, as it’s been a couple years and I want them to see my new place. That’s why the five boxes I managed to unpack today are important….with more to come!

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!

We started in around 9 a.m., and by the time we made it though the last line, it was just after 5 p.m.–with only a short break for some semblance of lunch (more bagels for him, my home-packed sandwich and banana for me) and a few pit stops. I have over 150 pictures from today’s meeting, some of which you’ll definitely see here and at “New Arrivals” soon! Then, to top off the great day, he takes a phone call in the afternoon from Norm, former sales rep and now sales manager for said company. I ADORE NORM! Again–smart, kind, wise, great at giving constructive feedback and advice, and more. Norm just happened to be in Michigan (he resides in Toronto) and offered to take Les and I to dinner….SCORE! Sushi it was, so SanSu was the destination for some amazing company and great food. If you’re reading this, THANK YOU BOTH for a great day, and for showing me some awesome new product.

I did dye some additional sock yarn yesterday, and here they are, rewound into hanks and ready for purchase

The one on top appears a little brownish on my monitor, but it’s really ROYAL purple. They’re $22.50 and 4-ounce hanks (or larger) with 490+ yards on them. One of a kind, so hop on it if you’re interested. More “grey goods” came in today, so I’ll be dyeing again VERY soon (maybe tomorrow, on my day off).

I did warn you yesterday that I’d show off my newest finished object

That’s the “On The Go Tee” from K1CToo, worked up in Ty-Dy in Pumpkin Patch. The pattern is a good one–three sleeve options (shell/no sleeves, short sleeves, and long sleeves) and is worked in the round up to the armholes. VERY quick and easy to knit, too! This size, the 40″ bust, took just barely into the fourth skein (literally…….like just to complete the neckline and seam), so it’s a great value, too ($14.20 a ball, $4 pattern). THANKS go out to Marcia for setting the sleeves for me (she’s AWESOME!).

I snagged a skein of sock yarn from Les today

It won’t be available until mid-July, but you’ll see details of what it is here tomorrow (Tuesday). PROMISE!

With that, I’m beat and going to crash for the night. Thanks to EVERYONE who’s written, commented, and called again since the big reveal in yesterday’s post. I appreciate all of the love and support flowing my way–trust me, it’s quite welcomed! And I’m doing alright—as a matter of fact, I’ve had a great outlook all day and two people commented/asked what was up, as I seemed to be extra cheerful today. WOW! Burden be gone, I suppose!

This stack of goodies

is coming to ThreadBear over the coming weeks, starting with later this week. It’s something we’ve not had for years (for a variety of reasons), but it’s something we’re excited about, wtihout question. This alone

is particularly happy-inducing for me. While the big, twisted multicolor stuff will be the first to arrive, I’m most excited about the lower picture. And I’m thrilled to know that we’ll have amazing things from them for the fall (yes, it’s months away), but for now, we did pick up a few things for right now as well as the spring/summer seasons. We ordered the five yarns in the above picture for delivery starting in just a couple weeks into January, but tester/model/scout skeins will be arriving shortly (possibly by Thursday or Friday). But starting this month, we’ll have this family of yarns available!

No, I’ve not revealed what these yarns are…..yet. Just know that we’re VERY excited to be able to bring them to you once again……and into the future! Any guesses? And there’s more surprises to come….beautiful surprises!

For those who are watching…..the progress continues on Kyler’s Kardigan (I’m well into the body and actually have started the knitted-in pockets). Pictures to follow, but there’s not been much free time to spend posting (see above), but I’m hoping to be able to post progress shots on Wednesday. Today…….was all about a day off (sorta….). And it was needed!

Speaking of home and Lansing, we had our first frost not quite two weeks ago, on Thursday, October 30th

Yeah, I know, not that impressive

but as someone who was born in November, in Chicago, in a blizzard year (1963), I’m pretty fond of cooler weather and snow. And remember, I also sell wool yarn! So I’m always happy to see the onset of seasonal weather–fall is my favorite season, followed closely by winter.

One of the great things about cooler weather is that it makes me nest a little bit (it REALLY makes Matt nest, big time), which means I cook more. Case in point

that’s the start of a chicken/artichoke/olive/pasta casserole

that comes from the same cookbook as the previously-shown chicken pot pie (”Best Loved Casseroles“) and also one of my favorite turkey tetrazzini recipes, too! And that dinner was NUMMY and provided nice leftovers for lunch later in the week.

But the next day, Matt’s mom showed up, as a Hallowe’en and birthday surprise for me. As reported in an entry below, we had a great Friday at the Riverwalk Theatre, a fun weekend at the shop, and then a great day off on Tuesday (she took me clothes shopping for my birthday gift–THANK YOU!), not to mention too much fun inbetween, all as a lead-up to her having to leave on Wednesday (the 5th). We tried to convince her to stay through the weekend, as there was snow in the forecast for Sunday, but she had to go home to Georgia. It was great having her here, and she’s “threatening” to come back after the first of the year, to see real snow. I sure hope she does!

The boys are enjoying what little sunshine we’ve seen of late. Tate seems to like to be the perfect gentleman

as he sits in the full sun with his legs crossed, looking out the sliding door. Busby, however, has a different agenda

He’s all curled up, away from distractions of squirrels and the cats from next door that prowl our back deck. What you may not be able to see in that picture is this

that he’s all curled up on Matt’s felted clogs (he’s using them as a pillow above, and actually laying with them UNDERNEATH him), basking in the scent of Daddy, no doubt. Ah, the joys of having a scent hound in the house.

Friday of last week meant the arrival of Arnhild Hillesland and her very able assistant, Denise Balvanz. These two amazing ladies are the brains and brawn behind Arnhild’s Knitting Studio, the US distributor for Rauma yarns, a delicious and traditional line of yarns from Norway. Arnhild was here to teach two classes (Cardigans the Nor-Way and Norwegian Hats) over the weekend, and Denise was backup, able assistant, and basically just fantastic to have around. We’ve met them both previously at trade shows, and they both take amazing care of us from a vendor standpoint, as we carry several Rauma yarns at ThreadBear as well as dozens of sheet patterns and pattern booklets to support the line. The classes were fantastic, but the company was superb. We were able to enjoy time away from the shop with the two of them, mainly over meals, and they are both delightful, knowledgeable, and just plain kind people. It also doesn’t hurt that I love their yarns and stranded knitting (colorwork) is one of my favorite types, along with cables/texture–and Rauma yarns and patterns are centered around these two main types of knitting. HOORAY for great poeple, great classes, and great yarns!

After leaving Lansing on Monday (yesterday), Arnhild was to travel to Chicago and catch a flight for Norway, where she’ll spend the holidays and return to her home in Iowa in early January. Given that she’s from Norway, we wanted to prepare her for the visit there, so I was able to conjure up some snow on Sunday

albiet just a little bit. This slow-shutter photo, taken from the front door of the shop across the parking lot

makes it appear as if we were having a blizzard, but it’s just time lapse, of sorts. I took a series of photos while waiting to be picked up to go to dinner, but we never really had much accumulation, despite it snowing lightly all day long. It was our first snow of the year, and it did stick to cars and grass, but not pavement. Saturday’s forecast includes snow, but I haven’t heard if we expect it to stick. We’ll see……..

Speaking of cold weather and snow, and adding in the fact that this IS a knitting-based blog, I suppose I had better show something woolen in content

in the form of Maggi’s Tweed Fleck Aran, a rich cobalt yarn from Maggie Knits. The shade is my favorite in the world–where blue meets purple (it’s a little overexposed in this photo)–and the yarn is a rustic single with amazing tweed flecks. That’s my swatch, but I have already started the project—I’m knitting my winter jacket. I started it last weekend and haven’t touched it in nearly a week, so there’s not a ton of progress to show yet. But I’m nearly finished with skein #2 and it’s coming along beautifully. I’m making a top-down cardigan/jacket that will have a zipper in the front—you’ll see it shortly, I promise!

And with that, I’m off for the evening. Enjoy your Wednesday, and maybe–just maybe–I’ll sneak out some time to post a little bit tomorrow!

But the surprises kept coming. One of our staffers, Susan Chmurynsky, is very active in local theater, from acting and costuming to directing, and she’s even won accolades and awards for her directing in recent years (yup, she’s damned good at it! and a VERY valuable part of our team at the shop). Well, her latest production, “Born Yesterday” runs through this weekend, and while we wanted to go see it (finally go see one of her plays), we just weren’t going to be able to make it, as the shop was to be busy on Sunday, Saturday night was movie night, and Friday evening we were short staffed. Turns out that was a ruse as well, as Sabrina and Kathy Mac (THANK YOU!) covered the shop for us and we were headed to go see live theater!

We had tickets for the 8 p.m. showing, so we ran out to dinner around 6 p.m. (Taste of Thai, a favorite of all three of us!) and then off to the show at the Riverwalk Theatre to see Born Yesterday (which was made into a movie in 1950, for which Judy Holliday won the best actress Oscar that same year!). It was an amazingly funny, VERY topical story and you should go see it NOW (tonight, Saturday, at 8 p.m., and again Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.). It’s a wonderful production that you’re sure to enjoy.

I’m not sure what else is in store for today, but I know that it will involve friends, fun at the shop, and a busy day! More sooN!

If you’re not familiar, Lynne has authored two books (Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook and Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters) and is an authority on color and spinning and dyeing and from what I can see from the weekend here, one helluva great teacher.

Yup, Matt’s in the class, as is our store manager Sabrina. Check out this group

Laurie, in the back row with the cap on, had never spun before class and did a great job with her first skein of beautiful, colorful, textured yarn (shame on me for not getting a photo of it…it was GREAT STUFF!).

I’m not much of a spinner–I’ve tried it (YEARS ago, like 6+ years ago) and it didn’t take. I never found my “zen place”, the yarn I made was over twisted in some places and not twisted in others, and the fiber broke more than it ended up on the bobbin, so I haven’t really wanted to sit in front of a spinning wheel any time since. I hide my frustration and inability to be able to do something with the statement “there’s so much millspun yarn out there that I don’t need to make my own”, but what I see this weekend, coming off the various wheels of the class participants, makes me very interested in spinning. There, I said it. And if Lynne sees it while she’s still here, she and Matt might tie me to a chair and put a wheel in front of me. And I might not mind it.

We’re also fortunate to have the wonderful Lea,

from waaaaaaaaaaaay down south in Indiana. We know her from awhile back, as she was a customer at ThreadBear v1.0, back in Bloomington, IN. Yup–she drove about 8 hours to get here this time around for the weekend of spinning with Lynne (I told you Lynne was awesome!). Check out her beautiful shawl, made with Lorna’s Laces Helen’s Lace and using the pattern on the label. Well done, you!

The Great and Talented Lynne took pity on me, the non spinner, this weekend and gifted me with two hanks of her amazing hand-dyed, hand-spun yarn.

Can you believe how fortunate I am? I have no idea what I’m going to make with it, but it’s just stunning……depth of color, yet very masculine. It’s been great having Lynne stay with us, as she’s a very creative force–so much so that it makes me want to explore some creative things, too. I mean, imagine seeing the scarf (see above) this yesterday morning, draped across the backside of the table. It’s a real beauty–there’s swirls of color, surrounded by points along the edge. It made me “see” this morning shot, a combination of dishes, sunlight, and handspun yarn knitted into a great design.

So I’ve been taken by color and texture and creativity this weekend, from a distance. And I’ve been getting a ton of knitting accomplished, too……….with companions!

Tate was there first this morning, and Busby had to join us, snuggling in pretty hard with Tater. It made for an adorable shot, which Matt captured for us.

I’m gonna go knit more on the baby cardi I started on Friday night, which is almost finished, out of Cascade 220 Superwash Paint. It’s turning out to be quite adorable!

fun person. That’s her reaction on Friday evening, just after arriving at ThreadBear and just after she left the part of the store we call Sockland. Speaking of Sockland and socks, over the weekend someone shared these beauties with me

Said feet belong to someone who took my sock yarn dyeing class last December (I typically teach how to do a standard multicolor hank, a specialized multicolor hank, and then a self-stripe–three in all). She came back for a knitting workshop over the weekend and had to show me the results of her dyeing, now knitted up into sock form. It was obvious she enjoyed the results, and I was like the proud Poppa. Very cool! I love it when people bring finished projects back for show-and-tell.

Leaving the house over the weekend, I captured a few pictures of things that bring me joy and make me smile. For example, our good friend Janeen planted some Cosmos near our front sidewalk this summer, and they’re still in full bloom

and individual flowers are just exquisite

I’m amazed at the beauty of individual blossoms on the plant right now, including the one above. The two-toned effect on the petals, the sharp contrast of the center versus the rest of the flower, etc. This plant is beside the sidewalk at the front of the house, so I see it when I leave every day and again when I return. And then there’s this shot from the same vantage point, looking out across the river that runs by our home

Morning fog, burning off with the first light of sun. I love the play of light and shadows and the wide range of greens in all of the different vegetation. It’s peaceful and it definitely reminds me of my childhood, as I grew up on water (a large lake in southern Missouri, on the MO/ARK border) and I like the idea of being near water. While the river doesn’t make much noise, even when it was at flood stage a couple weeks ago, there is a bit of a dam just north of the house and we can hear the water spilling over the top of it all the time, which makes a very soft, pleasant sound.

There was a little time for craftiness over the weekend…….behold the finished Woodland Shawl

from the current issue of Interweave Crochet. The body was done Friday, and I tackled the edging that evening and made a little progress. I got down one side, to the point, and didn’t like how it looked (too tight/bunchy), so I ripped it out completely and started again. After a couple adjustments, I made similar progress and had similar feelings about it, so out it came again (yes, I’m overly picky). So I went up a crochet hook size and finally found the perfect edging, which FLEW out of my hands at that point. I think it’s a genius stitch combination that’s the perfect edging for this project

that really “makes” the finished shawl. Plus I think the color we used for this example is perfect with the multi in the body. I’m thrilled with the project, without question, and look forward to it being on display at the shop later today.

And with that, I’m outta here for now………back soon, with a new project (or two, or three). I’ve been good about focusing on this one shawl, and that’s why it’s done less than a week after starting!