Knitted Wit

Where have I been?!

2012-01-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

Well there was the normal holiday craziness. Topped off with the bronchoscopy I mentioned before. Then for the new year we all had the stomach virus from h-e-double-hockey-sticks. I think I've been apart of the land of the living for a week now. I feel like there's so much I wanted to share but now it's been so long, the holidays are over, I can't remember to take a picture...excuse excuse excuse!

So I'm taking the first step to say Hi and just check in. Also, there's a trunk show coming up. Saturday, January 21st in Forest Grove, Kathy's Knit Korner! I'll be there from 1-3, I hope if you live in the area you make it out!

I'm going to run away and knit! Time is a very precious commodity around here. But I am knitting on my Honey Pot Shawl. Have you started yours? I'm going to knock off the third repeat now!

Inventory Sale!

2011-12-28T21:40:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again! Only a few days left so let's celebrate with a quick sale in the shop. From now until January 2nd enter code inventory25 and you'll save 25%! Are you getting ready for Selfish Knitting Month? There's a few sweater quantities ready to ship in the shop. Let me know if you don't see what you want and I'll dye it up!

I'm so excited for 2012 and all the projects coming up! One of them is dyeing for WoolGirl's kit- Hansel and Gretel. I'm crazy about the color way! And I'm going to start dyeing fiber again, just a little excited about this. I'm going to try some of my old school techniques and some new school techniques. Yay for what 2012 is going to bring!

cute kids in cute hand knits!

What day is it?

2011-12-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the radio silence! Tis the season I think. I've finished up a few things, and started a few new ones. Have I taken pictures? Nope. But I'm blaming the time of year. In fact, I should get back to the warsh rag I'm making of a gift. But I also need to wind up my yarn for the KAL. That's just around the corner! Did you get your yarn yet? I think I'm going with Peacock. A little excited! Also, there's free shipping in the shop today! Just enough time to get some yarn and wrap it for under the tree. Enter SHIPNOW when you check out! Happy weekend!

Gentle Reminder!

2011-12-06T18:04:00.000-08:00

Did you read the newsletter? Well catch up!! There's some news you might want to read for tomorrow!

WIP Wednesday

2011-11-30T22:06:00.000-08:00

How are you? I've been having some crazy marathon dye days. But it can't be avoided when all the yarn arrives the same day! So with 75% of the dyeing done, I'm starting to breath a little easier. I have managed to squeeze in some knitting, mainly rows on my cardigan. Are you knitting along? Where are you on your sweater? I have about 3-4 inches left before I split for the front and back. It's been the perfect go to, don't have to think and I can just knit!

I'm about to reward myself with a new project...maybe. I have a new yarn and I'm dying to try it out!

Feather Weight is a beautiful fingering weight yarn. 250 yards~2oz, a rustic soft yarn from Wyoming. Similar in make to Cypress Hollow, but softer and a tighter ply. I'm in heaven people! I already have my pattern, Pei, and if I wasn't so tired I'd be casting on tonight! Have you seen the patterns in the Loft Collection? So many to knit! Feather Weight would be a great yarn for these patterns.

Last bit of news: the newsletter goes out tomorrow! It might be towards the end of the day, but it will be going out! The announcement for the new knit along that starts on Winter Solstice, a winner for the KAL (pattern and yarn, just have to sign up for newsletter to qualify), and a secret sale! So sign up to be in the know!

2011-11-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

Did you survive the weekend?! I think I'm finally not full...just in time for a 2nd thanksgiving tomorrow with more family! There are some new pretties in the shop. 50% Merino 50% Silk fingering weight, meet Silky Merino. 400 yards, 4 ounces it will make a beautiful shawl!

I think these two skeins are going to be Cladonia when they grow up. I'm a little excited!
This scraggily skein is going to be hit hat when it grows up. These are all mini skeins twisted into one. I love how all the colors look together, so I figure why not make a stripy hat! If you want a full skein of any of these colors, they're at Twisted this week for a trunk show. 100% Falkland sport weight yarn. I have to tell you, it's one of my favorites. The way it takes color is incredible! I'll be at Twisted this Saturday from 1-3, I hope you can stop by and say hello. I'd love to see what you're working on and you can see my sweater! I only have 4 inches left until I split for the front and back. Just a little excited!

Thankful for...

2011-11-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

A lot! I am thankful for time with family tomorrow. E is taking the day off, the first time in five years we'll hang out the whole day. The day is going to be filled with cooking, a little traveling, and lots of time with the Oma's.

I'm thankful I have yarn drying and waiting to go to Twisted, where it will be a part of the trunk show I'm doing! You can check it out November 28th-December 4th. A little meet and great with me on Saturday December 3rd from 1-3 too! After this trunk show I should have a trunk show here on the blog. There are so many beautiful samples thanks to my knitters!!

There is new yarn in the shop, Bulkan! Just in time for holiday knitting. Bulkan is aran weight, 80% Merino 10% Cashmere 10% nylon. 100% Soft!! The yarn is perfect for Irish Girlie Knits Comfort Food. The mitts are beautiful!

picture taken by Carrie at Interweave Knitting Lab

Speaking of the shop. For BlackFriday-CyberMonday free shipping! use the code SHIPNOW and your order will ship for free. Thank you all for keeping this little business chugging along!

Stash Local

2011-11-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

I had the best time on Sunday at Stash Local in Corvallis! Michele was great for the mini road trip, a perfect navigator. We're already planning the next road trip down. I would love to see more of Corallis, super charming.

Let's see some pictures!!

This is Sonia, and could she be any cuter?! Her store is a treasure. I loved all the fixtures and furniture, Sonia you have fantastic taste! While I was at the shop I kept wanting to cast on, so much inspiration. I did get a pattern for the next sweater. That's right, next sweater. And I got four sweet little buttons (that I forgot to snap a picture of). They kick started a huge chain of inspiration. Spring colors are started!! (and finding her shop on etsy? I want them all!!)

A lovely little trunk show for you! Michele and a friend discussing sons in college in the back ground. I loved watching people put together color combinations for This Little Ziggy. Kits are in the shop!

These three colors Silas, Abigail and Rig are going to be Earth & Sky Shawl, Stephen West's mystery KAL. I am so excited to see that knit up! I'll take a picture next time I see the knitter!

Michele and her beautiful spread of samples. She's been busy! We had a chance to plan a few pattern/yarn ideas for next year too! Stay tuned for that!

Tomorrow a super delayed shipment of yarn arrives so it's the focus until it's dyed and ready to deliver to shops. I'm going to try and squeeze a little update in of Bulkan. There's a new color that I'm crazy about!

WIP Wednesday

2011-11-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

Howdy! I feel like it's been forever! I think I'm learning that it takes a full week to recover from a show. Especially a show where I drive to california with two young boys and I'm away from home for a week! Yikes, what was I thinking?! So thankful the boys are great travelers! Speaking of, I made them new hats over the weekend. I got the yarn friday night at Twisted and I had to cast on right away. By monday morning I was attaching the ties and giving them a light steam block. Pretty cute right?

Of course you can't really see the hats in this picture, but the boys are pretty cute still.

I also finished the yellow brick road socks, but I need to redo the toes. I decreased too quick and they're actually too small for her wee feet. When I was taking pictures I couldn't locate the project bag, so you can use your imagination. Small socks, go.

The sweater is chugging along, but I don't believe it will be done by thanksgiving. Here's hoping for solstice! I've done the decreases and now I'm just knitting for 7 more inches. It's the perfect knit for picking up and putting down. I'm either knitting or purling. While the rows are long, I just push them back on the needles if I have to stop mid row.

I am starting to out grow the project bag a little, but it's so pretty I don't want to move up yet. I got this bag at Knitting Lab. There's not much in the shop now, but keep an eye on it. She makes quality bags.

I started another quick knit, Xeriscape. I'm a little obsessed! I've been wanting to have a garter project and this is perfect. Somebody tweeted that the red scarf project needed 1300 more scarves by December 15th and I knew which yarn immediately I wanted to use! Thanks to ravelry, I plugged in the yarn stats and came up with the great pattern. Check out red scarf project, it's a great program. Foster care kids have a major place in my heart. I bet you have the perfect shade of red for a scarf too!

And I have to say, this picture has been altered a bit. The yarn is more red in person, not so pink. It's crazy hard taking a picture in the (lack of) light!

Trunk Show coming up on Sunday. If you'll be in the Corvalis area, stop by Stash between 1-4 to party with me and Michele! Lots of samples, yarn and patterns!!

Knitting Lab Round Up

2011-11-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

I know it's WIP Wednesday, but there's too much fun to report on from Knitting Lab! I want to start off by saying that the boys were amazing. They were such troopers about all the hotels, eating at all hours of the day, and still great at making friends. We're already planning on making Stitches an even better trip!

So Knitting Lab. If you can go next year I totally recommend it. I'm already planning on being back in the market place. The hotel is beautiful, the teachers exceptional and the market place bountiful! I had such a great time with all the attendees. It was great to have students come in to the market place, being inspired from a class and pick yarn for their next creation.

I had a great time with Rachael on Thursday night. So fun to meet other readers and fans of hers! She was such a doll to hang out and knit and chat with me. I have a million questions I could ask about being a 911 dispatcher. Next time! Then I was double lucky to have Carrie, Irish Girlie Knits, hang out on Saturday afternoon. The market was hopping and she was so helpful to have in the booth! I super hope we can do it again at Stitches, pretty sure we'd be besties if I lived in SF!

I definitely have a few things on the To Knit List. One is another sweater. Crazy, I know! But my Larch Cardigan is cooking along nicely so I know I can do another one. There's a hat I want to make. I also feel the need to knit the boys hats and vests. But when? When shall I find the time to knit all these things?!

This is Comfort Food blocking in the bathroom at the hotel. Nothing like putting some thing off to the last minute! I have a few skeins in the shop, but more is in the mail to me now for dyeing!!

Knitting Lab

2011-10-31T04:48:00.000-07:00

Today we are packing the van up and getting ready to head south! I am so thrilled and honored to be a part of Interweave's first Knitting Lab! All the yarn's been dyed/rewound/labeled, just need to pack it up. I'm very pleased with the colors that are happening, I have my eyes on several skeins, we'll see if there's any left over for me!

I'm also crazy excited to be hosting Rachael Herron for a book signing Thursday night! We're kicking the event off with her at 5 pm when the market opens. Major thanks to her for coming and signing books. I'm even going to try and take a picture this time! I'll have all three books from the Cypress Hollow series for sale, and lots of Cypress Hollow Yarn. I'll be bringing my sweater along too, I'm so happy with the progress.

Then on Saturday I'm lucky enough to have Irish Girlie Knits stopping by for a meet up at 12! I'll have all her patterns in stock and lots of samples to try on. You can pick up your yarn and pattern for the IGK Knit A Long, Winter Wonder. I'm going to try to squeeze this KAL in, I have a sample for the booth but need my own! Such a great pattern and feels like a luscious silk hug!

If you're in the area of San Mateo I super hope you can make it to Knitting Lab! The market place is free and I'm bringing some beautiful treasures for your winter knitting!!

Add to your calendar: Trunk Show at Stash Local in Corvalis. Sunday, November 20th, come by from 12-4 and see all the samples and yarn. There will be some specials too! More details when I get back!

A Winner and New Perks

2011-10-25T19:14:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for the comments! Super fun to interview Rachael and here what you like about the books. With out further delay.....FishGirl182 is the winner! I'll be emailing you to see what book you need or yarn!

On to the new perks! There's some new happening around here and this is how to play: show off a finished knit using Knitted Wit yarn and get 15% off your next purchase! Bring it to a show, post it on ravelry (send me a link), send me a picture (infoATknitttedwitDOTcom I'd love to show it on the blog!). Easy peasy!

Next fun perk: join the email list for quarterly updates. In the newsletter you'll find out about happenings: shows, new colors, sales. With each newsletter will also come the knit a long project. Each newsletter I'll choose a winner from the email list to get the yarn and pattern! No matter when you join the email list you'll always be eligible! I'm big on the changing of seasons so each equinox/solstice we'll be casting on. Look for the newsletter at the beginning of those months--enough time to get the pattern and yarn to join the KAL. There's a new little sign up spot, on the top right column of the blog. Sign up and be entered to win the winter KAL!!

I am so excited about these perks! Let me know what you think and what you'd like to knit for future KALs! December is just around the corner (that's what it feels like!)!

Feature Friday

2011-10-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

Have I got some features for you today! If you are a fan of kits, watch out! I'm happy to say that I'm a dyer for the Crochet Rocks Socks Club! Sign up for six shipments over the next year and you'll get beautiful yarns, clever patterns and some extras! Including year long discounts to my shop! Thank you so much to Melanie, who is also dyeing for the club, for making this connection! I'm so excited about the theme and the luscious yarns I get to use. Sign up while there's still room!

I'm also dyeing for For Yarn's Sake sock club, being released in January I think. The color is amazing if I do say so myself and Sivia Harding is designing for the month!! Lots of love for Sivia! There's a rumor there might be beads!

There's a few more projects in the works, I'll keep you posted!

Because no post is complete with out a cute picture!

WIP Wednesday and an Interview!!

2011-10-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday everybody! I managed to snap a photo of my Larch Cardigan, I'm almost to the 4" mark where I start the decreases.

I had a great time at For Yarn's Sake with the trunk show. So fun to meet knitters and fans of Rachael's books! There are lots of knitters joining the KAL at FYS, never too late to join. I have an order arriving in a few days to dye up, so pick your person and place the order. I'm crazy about this yarn, really happy with how it's knitting up!

Have you had a chance to pick up Wishes & Stitches? A few people on Saturday had already finished it! I had the chance to ask Rachael a few questions about Wishes & Stitches and about future stories!

Thank you so much Rachael for stopping in and giving some background to your writing. When you wrote How to Knit a Love Song did you have the whole town planned out? Have new couples evolved as each book has been written?

Rachael Herron: Oh, yes, the town evolves as much as my own town does. People move in, and move out, and sometimes the people I write about whom I don't think will matter very much end up being so fascinating to me I can't leave them behind! (I'm thinking about writing about Betty next, a mathematician who makes a brief and ill-used appearance in How to Knit a Love Song. I just can't shake her!)

Lorajean: I totally remember Betty! She seems like she would have a great story! There was a brief mention of Lucy in the first book too. When I read How to Knit a Heart Back Home I was looking for a character I thought would be in book 3 but you tricked me on that! Each book has a knitting project, are these influenced by what you are into knitting at the time or mainly what the story dictates?

RH: They are totally dictated by the story. Luckily, I'm happy to design and knit just about anything, with the exception of lace. I love to knit it--I'm just not as confident about my design abilities for lace. I designed the first two sweaters for the first two books, but when the third bok called for a wedding shawl, I turned to Rosemary Hill of Romi Designs to design a simple, elegant shawl for the book, and I'm so glad she did. It's one of my favorite pieces.

Lj: I love all the knits so far, they're all very comforting. I know Miss Idaho makes an appearance in Wishes & Stitches, do people in your life turn into characters or just the critters?

RH: So far, I just steal the critters. My border collie Clara has a cameo in the first (and second) book, and Miss Idaho appears briefly in a doggie-CPR scene in Wishes & Stitches. I'd like to work my beloved cat Digit in at some point, but he's stubborn and fractious and hasn't wanted to be fictional yet.

Lj: I totally forgot about Clara! And I recall a bunch of readers being very concerned about her at the end of book one. You can read here about her outcome, thanks for filling in that gap! When you're stuck in a spot while writing, what's your go to for problem solving? Drink? Knit?

RH: What a good question. I try not to combine both, that's for sure! (Okay, not very often.) I love to knit in front of mindless television (my favorite shows are Project Runway and the Amazing Race), and for real relaxation, I love to spin (although I don't do enough of that lately).

Lj: I love all these things! But I can't watch Amazing Race with out spazzing out at the end. I feel like everything is timed, like brushing my teeth before I get in bed. My heart is racing a little faster just thinking about it!! I'd love to know a little more about Rig, major crush on that one! Did you have a special source for all the oil rig information?

RH: Rig, the male doctor in the book, made his appearance, and I didn't even know his name at first. He was Hank for a while, but that just didn't work--it wasn't him. I knew he was exceedingly manly but I didn't know how, until his name flashed into my mind, and I knew it was a nickname fro the oil rigs he used to helicopter in and out from. After that, it was just a question of researching in books and on the internet for oil rig info.

Lj:Have there been any story lines cut that you want to revisit? Maybe another little story like Janet and Tom's? (Can you tell I never want this to end?!)

RH: I'd love to write a little short story about Eliza and Joshua. Yep. That's percolating. I love the short stories because they're good for a drop-in, like a short visit with a friend. Yep, there will be more. Thank you for asking, and thank you for loving the books!

Lj: You are super welcome! I can't wait to read more about Eliza and Joshua. Their story has been so tender in all the books. I just about teared up thinking about it!

Please leave a comment about your favorite character from Rachael Herron's Cypress Hollow books, a random winner will be chosen. The prize? One of Rachael's books signed by the lady herself!! If you have all the books then you can pick your favorite character from the Cypress Hollow Yarn! Prizes will be mailed after Knitting Lab (when I'll see Rachael (!!) and she'll sign your book). Comments are open until October 25th. Make sure there's an email so I can get back to you! Again, thank you to Rachael for chatting me up about your books!

ETA! Rachael will be at my booth, #18, at Knitting Lab to sign books Thursday night only. Doors open at 5, be there or be with out a book signed by the lovely Rachael!

Feature Friday

2011-10-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Today's feature is the sale section in the shop! Who doesn't love a sale. I've added a few more skeins of the bulky

and worsted super wash merino. Perfect for a hat or cowl as the weather is turning chilly! Snap these skeins up for $12 while they're still available!

I've been cooking along on the socks, I'm knitting the gussets on each. I think I might just get then done in time for Risa's birthday! I'm also about to bind off on the baby sweater, then I think it's just a button band, easypeasy. I have totally neglected my Larch Cardigan, but that's okay. I have a plan for it tomorrow!

Tomorrow I'll be at For Yarn's Sake in Beaverton! from 11-4 you can stop by and see all the character colors for the Cypress Hollow Yarn. Pick out your yarn for the KAL. FYS is doing Larch Cardigan for their November/December KAL! I'll also have lots of pretty fall colored yarn, a few kits, and lots of luxury fibers! When we're not talking yarn I plan to crank along on my cardigan. I'm just at the beginning so easy to knit and purl while chattin' it up! If you are in the area I hope you can make it out! See you tomorrow!

WIP Wednesday

2011-10-12T10:44:00.001-07:00

Wow, never press enter after typing the title of the post. False start!

I actually took pictures to show off my WIP!! I can barely believe it myself! I managed to botch all pictures of my sweater start, but you can see it peaking behind the Yellow Brick Road socks.

I'm going to start on the heel flap tonight! I'm hoping to have both heel flaps done and maybe even start on turning the heel. The sweater is going along smoothly, I'm madly in love with the yarn, and really looking forward to having a sweater knit at a fine gauge. Both projects are reasonably portable and mindless, up until now with the socks.

As I was going through my knitting bag I found a little lingerer! I started this sweater when I was staying at Brooke's for LambTown.

I discontinued the yarn the original sample was in so started up with this one. It's Silky N Plied and a dream to work with. Worsted weight, 60% merino 40% silk. The pattern is Yoked by Hannah Fettig. I sell out of this pattern every show! The pattern is sized from baby (pictured below), all the way up to a 61" bust. The sweater will fit everybody!! And I think it's super flattering for all those sizes. Looks like I just have a few inches to finish this one up. Hmmm, a little tempting to put down the socks and finish this one up!

Feature Friday

2011-10-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

Let's look at the new Bulkan, shall we? Bulkan is an aran weight merino/cashmere/nylon yarn, 181 yards/100 grams. There are so many great one skein projects for this yarn. Lots of cowls that will knit in a jiff, perfect for holiday giving!

In fact, Irish Girlie Knits just released a pattern last night, Comfort Food, that is p-e-r-f-e-c-t! I can't wait to pick a color and get it knitted. The cables are super sexy. I kind of want to double the cowl so it can snug down on my shoulders.

Picture snagged from pattern, thank you Carrie!

The Stitches of My Life also has a great pattern for this yarn: Virginia. If you omit the last little repeat one skein is perfect. (tried to steal a picture and couldn't snag one. click on the link and enjoy!)

Hop over to the shop and check out the colors available. There's also some great deals in the sale section. Want to try knitting lace? Snap up a few skeins at $18 for 1,100 yards!! I kind of want to try using some on my cricket loom, I think it would have beautiful drape.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends up North!

WIP Wednesday

2011-10-05T20:40:00.001-07:00

I'm so sorry I missed last week! I hit the road Wednesday and thought I could squeeze in a blog post. Not so doable after 5 hours driving in the car with wee ones! LambTown was great, lots of fun. I'm so glad I went and I'm looking forward to next year.

While I was there I got to meet Rachael in person! So exciting!! She got the yarn to start her Larch Cardigan. She is knitting with Naomi, I'm knitting with Rig. The two lead characters in her new book! I've gotten as far as winding my yarn, casting on and I'm working on the first row. I think I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all the knitting in my future. But one stitch at a time and it will get done!! Where are you at on your sweater?

Naomi

Rig

Also, For Yarn's Sake in Beaverton is doing this sweater for the shop's knit a long in November/December. I think that gives me a little extra time to get the sweater done! Also, I'll be at For Yarn's Sake on October 15th for a trunk show and book release party for Wishes & Stitches! I'm so excited to hang out for the day with some of my favorite yarn in a great yarn shop! If you're in town I hope you can make it out to Beaverton.

Feature Friday

2011-09-23T22:31:00.001-07:00

Even though it's OFFF eve, I didn't want to skip my first Feature Friday! But I'm sort of sneaking it out of it. Go over and read Michele's post. Her new pattern is the cutest, then models aren't bad either!

If you're in the area, I hope you can stop by my booth at OFFF. I'm in the same spot-ish, find me behind Lisa Souza's big booth. I have a new set up and lots of pretty yarn. A huge sale is going on too! See you soon!

WIP Wednesday

2011-09-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's Wednesday already. I totally spaced on taking a picture of the socks, but here's the update: the candy sock is heal turned, gusset knitting. My goal is to finish the decreases tonight and work on the sock tomorrow. Will they be ready for OFFF? We'll see. They should be good to go for Lambtown at the least! Risa's socks are trucking along. I have two going. One's just finished the ribbed cuff, the other one is further along, but still on the leg. I'm worried that they're too lose so I'm going down a needle size mid calf-ish. I think they'll have a nice cozy fit.

Speaking of Risa, she is starting treatment this week. They'll reevaluate in a few months to see what the treatment is doing. We are being very intentional about holidays this year. I'm feeling a little lost as to what to do. I think I want to make something for Karin, E's mom. I'm going to ponder a little longer.

I've thought of another day to chat on the blog. What do you think about Feature Friday? I'm a little excited! Either a yarn, color way, project, the new happenings around Knitted Wit. I already have a list for this Feature Friday!

Yarn Spotlight

2011-09-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

The KAL start date is quickly approaching, how is it the middle of September already! On October first we'll be casting on for Larch Cardigan using Cypress Hollow Yarn. I wanted to tell you a little bit more about the yarn I use.

The sport weight, two ply, Rambouillet yarn comes from Wyoming. The mill that process the fiber, Mountain Meadows, works with farmers through out the state. Each cone that I get has a label telling me which farm it came from. I love tracing my yarn back to each farmer! A sustainable company, creating a sustainable market for wool.

Here's what Mountain Meadow's has to say about their growing climate: "Our fiber factory begins in Wyoming's rugged mountain climate. Because it is so fine, mountain merino yarn is silky soft to the touch, insulates well, and feels delightful next to your skin." I'm happy to say I agree! I've had sample knitters knitting like the wind and they are in love with this yarn.

I'm getting 30 pounds of yarn to skein up this weekend, just a little excited! I'll be dyeing up some for a trunk show, but also getting yarn ready for the Knit A Long. The big choice I have to make is color. Rachael is going with Naomi. Naomi is the lead in her newest book, Wishes & Stitches, coming out October 11th. I'm thinking Rig, the male lead in the new book. Oh, decisions! What color are you thinking about?

Naomi

Rig

Pick one for you!

There is still time to place your order for the KAL! Check sizes, pick color and get ready to cast on!

WIP Wednesday

2011-09-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

So I need to find another topic/day to write! Something besides just Wednesday to hold me accountable to writing here. Taking any and all suggestions!

WIP around here are the same old socks. I should take a little progress photo, how about for next week? I'm hoping to have the sample done by then! I have some very strict deadlines to hit so I need to get cracking.

But there are other WIP of course. I've been prepping for three shows, I'm winding yarn as I type! I snuck a few new skeins in to the shop, a little preview of the fall colors! I'm pretty sure these two colors need to be stripes in something!!

Go to the shop to see the seven colors available. The 8th is on the drying rack!

I'll be back tomorrow to do a little spotlight on the mill that makes the Rambouillet yarn that I'm using for the KAL.

WIP Wednesday

2011-09-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

Well I'm still working on the two socks you've seen so I'll tell you about what's keeping me busy. I've been working on fall orders for a few shops in the area and dyeing up yarn for a few shows coming up.

I'm adding a wholesale show next weekend too! I'm beyond excited and nervous. But really looking forward to meeting new shop owners. So this makes for three shows in three weekends. Just a little crazy!

This is my warning to let you know that I'll be taking the shop down a week from today so that I don't double sell anything while I'm at the first show. I can't guarantee I'll be able to get the shop up between them all but I'll do my best.

I super encourage you to shop now especially for the fall KAL. If you can't pay for it until later in the month that's fine, I just need a heads up so I can have it dyed up and ready to ship. Eeeps! I feel like I'm already running a little late!

Fall KAL

2011-09-02T14:34:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for your kind words. My mother in law is doing great with all the testing and uncertainty. It looks like breast and bone cancer, but we won't know more until biopsies are done next week. There's still a chance there's no cancer. I'm thankful that answers are almost here. On to the fall knit a long!

Can you believe it's September?! The weather is changing subtly, giving us a slight preview to the new season coming. All summer I've thought about knitting a sweater and it seems like the perfect season to do it! I picked a sweater, Larch Cardigan. I picked a yarn, Cypress Hollow. Now to pick a color!

The yarn will ship out September 23-26 with a cast on day of October 1st. I'm hoping to finish mine up by US Thanksgiving. I have holiday knitting to do after all! I would encourage you to order your yarn early so I can have it ready to ship on time. It also gives me an idea of how much to order from the mill.

There are four listings in the shop pertaining to what size you'll be knitting. When you check out let me know what color you'd like. If you have any questions about sizing, yarn or colors let me know. Also, if you purchase your pattern before September 5th, all money will be donated to Vermont Farmers that were affected by Irene. You can read more about it here. If you scroll down you can see the destruction left behind.

I hope you'll join me in knitting along this sweet cardigan. I could use the encouragement to keep going! And as a little more motivation lets have some prizes! I'm meeting Rachael at Lambtown (beyond thrilled!) and I'll have her sign a few of her books. If you finish your sweater by Turkey Day you'll be in the running to win an autographed copy of How To Knit A Love Song, How To Knit A Heart Back Home or Wishes and Stitches.

Now I really need to get down to picking a color!

WIP Wednesday

2011-08-31T14:07:00.001-07:00

I'm still working on my sock from last week, almost done with the leg section. If I had more focus I would probably be done already! But every few rows I have to pay attention to a cable and that can prove difficult with the current schedule!

So what to do? Cast on a new project! This one has a very easy start, nothing really requires my attention until the foot. The sock is Yellow Brick Road. I picked up the Yellow Brick Road kit from Jen's garage sale back in July. I picked up a bunch of fun Wizard of Oz treats! They're all going to my mother in law's partner. Her birthday is at the end of October and she is a major fan!! (thankfully she's not uber internet savvy so we can have a big chat about it!)

The yarn is 80% super wash and 20% cashmere, uber soft!! I'm getting really excited to start carrying an MCN that's 70/20/10. The fabric is just beautiful! I'm glad they are so soft, she is going to need a lot of soft lovey things soon. She was diagnosed with RA in late spring and now doctors are looking for cancer. She's been having a lot of tests done last week and this week with no answers yet. I can't tell you how devastated we are to hear the news. I'm trying to remember to wait to freak out until we actually know what's going on, but the fear of not knowing anything is crazy scary.

We've been spending a lot of time up at Oma's summer camp, trying to be a distraction and comfort. I'm so grateful we all live close and are able to help in this small way. I'm also grateful that my life right now allows me to be flexible. Most of my work can travel up there pretty easily.

Thank you for letting me share about this, it was nice to write and have a good cry about it all. I think I've lived a very sheltered life when it comes to disease. Cancer has not been a disease to effect people I know until recently. What a shitty disease.

I don't want to end this way, so I'll tell you about the cute bag my project is in. It's from Katie (also a cancer survivor, I felt it appropriate), I picked it up at Sock Summit! I love the fabric and when I came across some at Bolt I snapped up what they had left.

I'll be back in the tomorrow with details on the next KAL. Think cardigan, think Cypress Hollow Yarn.

WIP Wednesday

2011-08-24T16:21:00.000-07:00

And the winner is....Michele! Yay random number generator! I have three skeins of malabrigo for you! Thank you all for leaving comments. There are some beautiful WIP's out there! Here is mine blocking, super excited to be done and sending it to it's new home.

My current WIP is a sock. I'm knitting up a sample for a kit I'm doing!! I'm so excited about this. I love the yarn colors, the patterns and the bag of goodies that comes with it! There are two choices for the yarn. A variegated, which has a spiraling stripe or a semi solid. The semi solid is crazy amazing. I know Michele will want to knit something with the yarn!!

Kit details: one skein of 100% super wash Merino fingering weight, a sock pattern featuring a cable (candy related), a bag with lots of goodies all to do with candy, and candy of course!! Kit cost is $42, will be shipping in mid September. Let me know if you have any questions!

There will be another kit in a few weeks, a great back to school knit! Details soon.

I'm also getting ready for a fall Knit A Long. Are you ready to make a sweater? I am!! I'll be back soon with details.

Flash Sale!!

2011-08-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

Umpqua Valley

The shop is hopping with lots of pretty yarns and I want to par-tay! Friday only the shop is 25% off! Use the code FLASH25 to save. The discount is even good for the sale yarns and destash! After Friday all the sale yarns will go back to regular prices. Shop away!!

Hopefully there will be a finished blanket next time I stop in. Of course we're about to hit 90 degrees for the first time this weekend, so we'll see how far I get!

Work In Progress Wednesday

2011-08-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Yep! Just as the title suggests I'm gonna tell you about a couple of projects I'm working on. First up is Summer Wind. I love this pattern, it's a breeze! Ahahahaha, I couldn't resist! Carrie did a great job of writing a pattern that's perfect to work on with all the out door fun. And the finished knit is great too, I've seen a few in the wild. I'll have the pattern available at OFFF.

I'm using Bling in Cedar, there are a few skeins in the shop now, more to come in a few weeks. The handy little bag is from Katie. I love her bags! I snagged a few at Sock Summit and put them right to work. I just saw another one in the shop I super love!

My next project is near and dear to my heart. An amazing friend is battling cancer right now and I don't know what else to do but knit. I'm making this blanket, hoping it will be of comfort to her and her family. She has three beautiful children that love her to pieces. I'm close to the end, I have a repeat and a half to go before bind off. I'm hoping to be done by next Wednesday! I'm using malabrigo worsted, but I can't remember the color. The bag with the calacas on it is from Slipped Stitch Studios. Also, picked up at Sock Summit. I'm a huge fan of Laura and covet a lot from her shop!

The malabrigo was a prize I won from Melanie for donating to a fundraiser. The yarn is not working with my wool allergy so I'm going to have three skeins left over that need a new home. How about you leave me a comment telling me about your WIP's and you'll be entered in the drawing for three skeins!* I'll announce the winner next WIP Wednesday.

*Assuming I don't have to use anymore yarn to finish the blanket : )

New Yarn

2011-08-13T09:19:00.001-07:00

Wow. There are so many amazing yarns and fibers in the market place. I had a really hard time narrowing down the list. I've decided not to carry super wash merino worsted and bulky. I'm going with more luxe yarns in those weights. Let's just get to what I am carrying! I copy and pasted so the spacing might be a bit off but have a look:

Shimmer Lace: 80% Merino, 20% Tussah Silk. Dyed in semi solid colors. A perfect

amount of silk shimmer in the yarn for lace

projects. 4 ounces, 1100 yards. Retail $34

Bling: 63% Super Wash Merino, 20% Silk, 15% nylon, 2% Silver,

fingering weight. Dyed in semi solid colors. Great for socks, shawls,

mittens, color work, baby items. 100 grams, 420 yards.

Retail: $28

Cashy Wool: 70% Super Wash Merino, 20% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, fingering weight.

Dyed in semi solid colors. Delicious for shawls, mittens, garments, anything close to

your skin. 4 ounces, 400 yards. Retail: $32

Silky Merino: 50% Super Wash Merino, 50% Silk, fingering weight. Dyed in semi

solid colors. The drape, oh the drape! A wonderful yarn for shawls and highlighting

lace. 4 ounces, 400 yards. Retail: $32

Shine: 50% Super Wash Merino 50% Tencel, fingering weight. Dyed in semi solid

colors. Perfect for shawls or garments, a lovely drape! 4 ounces, 410 yards.Retail:$26

Fingering: 100% Super Wash Merino. Dyed both variegated and semi solid colors. Great for socks, shawls, mittens, color work, baby items. 100 grams, 400 yards.Retail: $24

Sport: 100% Super Wash Falkland, sport weight. Dyed only in semi solid

colors. 4 ounces, 310 yards. Retail: $20

DK: 85% Polwarth, 15% Silk, dk weight. Dyed in semi solid colors. A perfect drop of

silk to give the yarn shine and drape. 4 ounces, 330 yards. Retail: $26

Silky ‘N’ P lied: 60% Merino 40% Silk, worsted weight. Dyed in semi solid colors.

Luscious for garments, beautiful drape, perfect for one skein gifts. 4 ounces, 225 yards. Retail: $28

Bulkan: 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, aran weight. Dyed in semi solid

colors and variegated. The yarn is big and bouncy, a compromise of bulky

+aran=bulkan. Wonderful for a quick knitted gift. 4 ounces, 205 yards. Retail: $28

Spinning Fibers

Merino Knots: 100% Merino. Dyed in semi solid colors. One ounce of

merino fiber for needle felting, felting, spinning or to use for thrumming in

knitting. Retail $3.50

Merino Fiber: 100% Merino, 4 ounces. Dyed in variegated colors. Great

for spinning or felting projects. Retail: $16

Bluefaced Leicester Fiber: 100% Bluefaced Leicester (a specific sheep breed),

4 ounces. Dyed in variegated colors. Great for spinning or felting

projects. Retail: $16

Falkland Fiber: 100% Falkland (a specific sheep breed), 4 ounces. Dyed in Variegated

colors. Great for spinning. Retail: $16

Spinning Socks: 100% Colonial Super Wash Wool, 4 ounces. Dyed in

variegated colors. Great for spinning, won't felt as it is super wash. Retail: $16

Shine BFL: 75% Bluefaced Leicester, 25% Tussah Silk, 2 ounces. Dyed in variegated

colors. The silk adds a beautiful shine to a hard working fiber. Retail: $12

Silk Merino: 50% Merino/50% Silk, 2 ounces. Dyed in variegated colors.

Great for spinning. Retail: $18

Shine Fiber: 50% Merino 50% Tencel, 2 ounces. Dyed in variegated

colors. Great for spinning. Retail: $12

Shimmer Fiber: 80% Merino/ 20% Tussah Silk, 2 ounces. Dyed in

variegated colors. Great for spinning. Retail: $12

Silk Hankies: 100% silk, mawata, 1.5 ounces. Dyed in variegated colors. All the rage,

knit or spin! Great tutorials on line, would make an excellent class topic.

Retail: $18

And the fiber!! When it's possible I'm doing 4 ounce skeins instead of 100 grams. I'm also doing 4 ounces of fiber or 2 ounces instead of grams. More yarn and fiber for your buck! So that was super wordy, I hope you survived. Let me know if you have any questions about the new yarns. I'm going to start placing orders for it next week!

In getting ready for all the new pretty I'm having a sale in my etsy shop. There's a sale section and I've been adding lots of yarn to the shop in general. Thank you for your support!

A little summer fun- a toasted marshmallow at Oma's!

Starting to Catch Up

2011-08-09T20:38:00.001-07:00

I took a few days off and what a difference! The only down side is loosing momentum. But I made sure to do a giant chunk of work before the break, just trying to pick up the strings and go again.

Sock Summit. Wow! What an adventure that was. Brooke and her son stayed at my house, and it was awesome. It took me a couple of days to remember she wasn't here and I won't see her until October.

The show was great, and the customers were amazing! I had great feedback on my booth and design. I already have some changes planned for OFFF (take a peek at their new website!). I can't say enough about the customers. I had so many great conversations, so incredible to be around so many talented knitters!

I also did a little shopping and trading! I love all my new knitting totes, but need to put up a coat rack to keep track of them. I bought some patterns to, I can't wait to have some samples knit up for the booth.

If you follow me on Twitter you know I put a call out for sample knitters. I can pay in trade with yarn, leave a comment if you are interested in participating. I'm switching a lot of yarn bases around, I can't wait to have a show and tell with you! Did I show you the sneak peak of fall colors? Go here to have a lookie-lou. You can go here for all the Cascadia colors, they're a little poke at Portlandia!

Next post I want to tell you the deets about the new yarns!

S-A-L-E!!!

2011-08-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

I know I owe you a big, giant Sock Summit report, but this is just a drive by blogging. I spilled water on my laptop this morning possibly frying the whole thing. Major ugh! I'm taking it to the doctor tomorrow to learn the full damage. To help weather the expenses I'm having a quick sale in the shop!

A lot of the yarns on sale are discontinued. I'm adding a bunch of new yarns to the line, I'll share more about that next time! There are some sweet deals, silky n single, fingering, worsted and bulky. All marked down 25-33% off. Oh, and some spinning fiber!! So get over there before it's all gone and as soon as I'm right here in techno land I'll be back for a full posting. Thanks for your support!

Sock Summit Festivities

2011-07-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to par-tay?! I'm so excited about Sock Summit! I wanted to post some happenings in my booth, I hope you're able to stop by booth #725 and join the fun.

On Friday, from 12-1 Carrie, IrishGirlieKnits, will be signing patterns and having a good time. She'll have copies of her pattern Honey Badger, and I'll have loads of her patterns in stock. Not to mention the perfect yarn to cast on!

a not perfect picture, but this is Summer Winds in Peacock.

On Saturday, from 12-1, I'll be hosting Michele, PDXKnitterati! Michele created a beautiful pattern, Zen Rain, and I dyed up the yarn. Buy the yarn and pattern together and save. At 12:30 we'll have a photo op for all of you who have finished your Zen Rain. I hope you can stop by!

I am just so excited! This is probably the last post, I have some dresses to make, yarn to label, and house to clean. I'll see you at Sock Summit!

Cypress Hollow Yarn

2011-07-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

I know I've told you about this yarn before but I'm going to gush again. Yes, it might have something to do with rereading the first book. I might have lost count on how many times I've read it. I was telling a friend about my book crush and she asked me why I kept picking up the book. Here's what I think: my life is a little on the full side. I don't want to say stress because that sounds negative, but there's a little stress involved in the fullness!

Rachael's created a wonderful little town for me to escape too. And the people there love my passion (fiber arts) like I do! They get me. My little boys don't always get that I want to knit, understandably, but Cypress Hollow folks do.

So after I reread How To Knit A Love Song, I went out to do some prep for Sock Summit. I needed to get all my Cypress Hollow Yarn ready. It was awesome twisting up the skeins that go with all my favorite book people.

I am beyond excited to read the next book, out in October I think. I can't wait to meet new friends and see how they're all connected. I'll end the gush now! I'll be back in a day or two with a Sock Summit schedule, pencil me in!

Meet Up

2011-07-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Holy Guacamole! It's almost Sock Summit time!! There's about a week left before people start arriving and the booth gets set up. There's been lots going on behind the curtain! I can't even remember where we left off. Let's just start with a meet up at Sock Summit!

I'll be hosting Carrie, from IrishGirlieKnits, in my booth on Friday from 12-1! There will be some copies of Honey Badger available and most of her patterns for sale in my booth all weekend. If you haven't had a chance to meet Carrie stop by, she is nicer than nice! There's talk of m&m's, and you know how I like treats!

There's talk of a Zen Rain Shawl meet up on Saturday. If you're a fan, knit one, or want to hang out with Michele in my booth start chanting Zen Rain in the comments! I'm thinking Saturday from 12-1 if there's an interest.

Speaking of patterns, I'm going to have some fabulous ones available! PDXKnitterati, IrishGirlieKnits, The Stitches of My Life Designs, and Steppingstone Fiber Creations. Wow! So much inspiration!!

I'm also debuting my new color line, Cascadia. Cascadia has been dreamt up from travels around Oregon. I'm so excited to share them! I snapped a quick picture of three of them, but I'll list all the names just for fun. Portlandia, Put A Bird On It, Tree Hugger, Nehalem Bay, Rose City, Snapped Dragon, Umpqua Valley. You might recognize a few of the names, but I changed them up a little for Sock Summit. Also, these will all be on a new yarn. A three ply super wash merino, and boy howdy is it soft! Each skein is 100 grams, 490 yards. I'm casting on a sock for a sample and can't wait!

That's what I got for now, I have 9 more skeins to rewind and I'm done! I'm hoping I can squeeze in another post before Sock Summit with all the last minute details.

July

2011-07-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

I want to apologize now for being a little distant this month. My yarn arrives today (hopefully) or tomorrow to dye up for Sock Summit. That is in less than 20 days. YIKES!!! I'm not too freaked out about it but I know I'm going to be short on time with the boys home and trying to get new colors on new yarn.

Also not helping the distractions? Tour de Fleece. I've spun a lot since July 2nd! I have two cakes that need to be plied and I'm almost done with a giant 8 oz bump. I've realized in stash diving that my taste has changed since I've started spinning. I want to take pictures of the stash and put in up on Ravelry to trade/sell. The problem with stashing sometimes, outgrowing personal taste. Definitely makes me want to use up what I have now while I still like it!

Yet another distraction? Sewing!! My neighbor, the one who sewed that cute little bag for me, has been busy sewing and tricking me into joining her! I traced a pattern out last night and I'm hoping to cut it out today. I'm also going to get a couple of yards of fabric to make the boys a tent for the back yard. e will be in heaven!

I did get all my lace repeats done on Marrowstone. I need to pick up all my stitches and get to work. How are you doing on Marrowstone? What's keeping you busy/distracted this July?

ohoh!! One last thing. I dyed up July's shipment for the CSY/F. Still time to join for July/Aug/Sept. People, this month is beautiful!!!

Weekend Wrap Up

2011-06-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

The boys and I made it down to Eugene on Friday and had a great time. Well, e probably had a better time than o. o was stuck in the stroller most of the time, he'll have plenty of fun next year! e was great with all the critters and made a few friends with the ranchers. It was great to see him so confident with the animals and meeting new people.

On Sunday night we hustled out to the beach to go camping for a few nights. Sadly we only lasted one night with all the rain we had on Monday. There is only so much you can do in a tent with a 1 and 3 year old! I managed to knit only a little on my Marrowstone Shawl. I have 3.5 repeats done of the lace. I love how clever I feel knitting the pattern!

Future fleece inspector

It was nice coming home a little early and having E watch the boys while I got work done. I had a chance to look at the calendar and start planning the next few weeks prep for Sock Summit. Almost induced a panic attack! Time to schedule some baby sitters! And in that light I have to scoot to get a little knitting in for the day.

Is anybody doing Tour de Fleece? I would love to but I'm not totally sure when I'll find the time.

Marrowstone KAL

2011-06-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Have you started yours? (Marrowstone Shawl) Solstice (Tuesday) was the cast on day and I did. I cast on. I even did a few rows. But that's about it. I now have one lace repeat done for the edging, but I'm going to rip back half of it I think. I forgot to knit or purl in a row and the pattern is a little off. I'll try dropping the stitches first to see if I can fix it that way. We're headed to the beach at the end of the weekend so I'm going to blast through the lace edging. I really like design, I think the yarn is a great fit.

I'm also knitting Summer Winds from Carrie. Easy squeezy pattern, perfect for sitting around the fire with. Small confession, my first time knitting with Bling. L-o-v-e it! I can't wait to find another project for the beautiful yarn.

Anne at For Yarn's Sake in Beaverton asked me to come up with a Portland Timber's color. I love it! Even if you aren't a soccer fan I think this yarn is fabulous. Now to find a name...

She also needed a Mariner's color. Again, I l-o-v-e it. I think it's beautiful! I'm thinking of calling it Mojo. Do you remember the ad campaign the mariners did?

The little tiny baby skein in the picture below is MCN (merino/cashmere/nylon). People! I wish you could feel how deliciously soft this yarn is! I have a few skeins to dye up this next week, let me know if you have any requests!

We're going camping in a few days, when I get back I'll have a little wrap up of our quick trip to Black Sheep Gathering. The boys had a blast! (o is waking up so forgive any editing errors! Gotta run!)

Time Warp

2011-06-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the radio silence! I'm going to blame it on the boys and their busy body ways. o is walking in full force and climbing. He can climb up the chair and sit at the table. He can climb up the stairs to the slide at the park. He wants to go down the slide face first. Busy body only starts to cover it. He's also getting in six teeth. Thank you kids for taking the blame!

There's lots to cover and I think a list will help

The winner of yarn and pattern for the next knit a long is Leigh! Thanks for participating in the last knit a long.
Knit a long II starts next Tuesday on the Solstice. Marrowstone is a beautiful shawl and I think will be great in Shine. How about 25% off Shine with code KAL!
Thank you for helping with the Stash 4 Cash! There are still some treasures in the previous post. Let me know what you are interested in and I'll ship it out.
CSY/F went out today, it's a beauty! My sample knitter (neighbor!) is going to do a little baby sweater out of the scraps. I can't wait!
Octavia has been blocked! Thank you Michele!
I've been chaneling Gail and taking lots of pictures in the garden. What a gorgeous time of year.
Last weekend the boys and I went up to the Land where all the Oma's live. Ur Oma turned 89 and we helped her celebrate!

Not too shabby for 89 right?! She was marching around the yarn pulling the boys singing german songs.

e loves to sing happy birthday and blow out candles so he was a big help!

Stash 4 Cash: Joplin Fundraiser

2011-06-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

I've stashed dived and came up with some treasures! I was just going through the pictures and had some second guess on a few, but all the $$$ will go to Rebuild Joplin. There are a lot of ways to give, I'm choosing to donate all money that comes in from the sale of my stash to Bright Futures.

"Bright Futures funds will be used to eliminate barriers that stand in the way of a child’s education. Assistance such as tutoring, transportation, and providing for the basic needs of children will be the focus of this fund. You can learn more about Bright Futures atbrightfuturesjoplin.org."

Small disclaimer: I don't remember what I paid for everything. Let me know if my asking price is too expensive or too cheap--the money is going to help Joplin! So hopefully you'll think I should charge more ;)

Artyarns ultramerino4, 100% merino wool, 191 yards, 50 g. $8

Kids Seta, 70% mohair 30% silk, 230 yards, 25 grams. SOLD

Each cone consists of 1750 yards and is a full pound. Perfect for use in circular sock machines, intarsia patterns or multi-color work- great for socks, light weight sweaters, hats and fancy mittens, or how about that lacy scarf? Bartlettyarns Sport Weight is a 2 ply yarn, spun on the “woolen system” for a traditional home-spun appearance. Bartlettyarns Sport Weight is spun on the “woolen system” for a traditional home-spun appearance, consisting of two strands of the sport weight yarn. (borrowed straight from Bartlett Yarns) SOLD

Rainy Days & Wooly Dogs 100% merino, 4 ounces I think. SOLD

Rainy Days & Wooly Dogs 100% merino, 4 ounces I think. $10

Araucania, chunky wool. 100% wool, 131 yards, 100 grams 2 available $7 each

Lorna Laces, shepherd sport. 100% Superwash wool 200 yards, 70 grams SOLD

Malabrigo, lace weight. 100% baby merino wool, 470 yards 50 grams $5

dicentra 100% bfl, 4.9 oz, $12

(what's with the underling?!)

All yarn and fiber is stored in plastic bags and/or bins. Please email me or leave a comment on which one you'd like to purchase. As stash sells I'll edit the post. Depending on what you buy (skein v. cone and quantity) the shipping will vary. I'm pretty cheap when I mail though!

Thank you for helping me send money to people in need.

Are you having a sale on your blog? Let me know and I'll add the link.

Stash 4 Cash: Joplin Fundraiser

2011-06-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Howdy! On June 5th I'm going to post some of my personal stash for sale and all $$$ will go to help rebuild Joplin. I got the idea from a yarn shop in Austin Texas hosting a stash sale for their customers. Since I can't go there and participate, why not here on the blog!

A friend from college lives in Joplin. While they were very lucky to not loose anything structurally, they did loose a family member. It's incredible to read her status updates and what's happening there in the community. Stop back by the blog and get some yarn on the cheap and help rebuild Joplin!

Do you have a blog? Do you want to help give Stash 4 Cash? Play along this Sunday! Let me know and I'll share the link.

Another little special treat for you is free shipping in the etsy shop. I have a lot of beautiful fiber and yarn in there ready to ship, use the code SHIPNOW and you won't be paying for shipping! Good through Saturday night.

We're supposed to have beautiful weather here in Portland, I hope it's the same where you live! I'm off to find treasures in the stash to share with you! See you Sunday!

KAL Wrap Up

2011-05-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

So did you make it? Do you have anything left on the shawl to knit? I would love to see pictures! Leave a comment on where you're at, you don't have to be finished and you'll be entered to win a skein+pattern for the next KAL, Marrowstone! Winner will be picked June 5th, so comment now!

The next KAL is starting on the first day of summer. Hopefully the weather will realize it's summer too! Yarn for this KAL can be found here. What are you working on between the fun? I have a bunch of WIP that could use attention, but don't you know it I want to cast on something new! We'll see what comes of that!

I've started posting a few things in the Etsy shop. The listing process has greatly improved, and I want to compare it to the shop. Stop by and see if there's something you like! Planning to do a lot more tomorrow, fingers crossed.

How was your Memorial Day weekend? We had a great time at a bluegrass gathering a friend of mine hosts. Here's a few shots!

And tomorrow is this little guys birthday! This time a year ago my water broke!! I can't believe this little guy is one already. His latest trick is to stand on chairs and get into mischief. A trouble maker I tell you!

Mega List

2011-05-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know where to start I have so much fun to share! So we're making a list and checking it twice

1. I finished Octavia!!!! I botched the bind off on 10 stitches but I don't think anybody will notice even once it's blocked. I'm so proud of how the shawl turned out. I had to undo knitting a few times, but I finally got the lace section right. All user error, not designer error. Where are you on your shawl?

unblocked

2. I'm super happy to have this project wrapped up. I'm headed south to the beach and I'm going solo with two little boys. Lace knitting is not great with beach and boys!

3. Now I get to find something to bring for knitting! Not that I don't have 3 projects living in my car and one living in my bag. Here's a secret: I've never knit anything with Bling. Shocking, I know! So I'm thinking of trolling ravelry for a bit and seeing what strikes my fancy.

4. Michele just released this pattern that uses Bling. Beautiful! There's a few skeins in the shop that would be great for this shawl. Michele is also doing a knit a long, she has a coupon code for the pattern if you want to join!

5. I dropped off Cypress Hollow Yarn at Wool N Wares yesterday! The tags are one of my favorite parts, so sweet! On the back side of the heart is a quote from the character that goes with the color. When Rachael sent me a list of the quotes I was ready to start reading the books again! I won't even tell you how many times I've read them. I'm getting close to having the yarn ready to ship from the shop, warm those needles up!

6. I also dropped of some super wash worsted. I had to snap a few pictures, the yarn was so beautiful! I'm glad I can make more, I wanted to cast on some sweet little sweaters!

entangled

lush

desert spirit

7. My neighbor is a great little sewer and made this little gem the other day! The bag is lined and will have a draw string top. She would love any feed back you have or wishes/wants/desires for a knitting bag. I can't wait to put an order in for mine!

8. I've had a few inquiries into the Community Supported Yarn/Fiber and joining a little late. I'm going to open it back up in the shop and just prorate it. So the next shipment is June 15th, $80 (plus shipping) gets you yarn/fiber for the next 4 months.

9. New addition on the Facebook page, you can shop!! Look on the left hand side and in little words you'll see shop. Click there and you'll see all the beauties.

10. Are you still here? Wow, what a post! What are you doing for the holiday weekend? What are you knitting on? I'll see you next week!

And the Winner is...

2011-05-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

JoJo!! She won a skein of Bling and a copy of Knit Night. Here's what she had to say about her Knit Night: "I love my Knit Night! The White Marsh Knitting Gals meets at the Panera Bread on Tuesday nights in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD. We started out small…just three of us and now, having celebrated our 1st anniversary in November 2010, we are up to 12 ladies who meet with some regularity (28 members on our Ravelry group!)…

My favorite Knit Night memories usually have to do with our extra-curricular activities such as potlucks or a Knitting Noel (Christmas Party at my place where we did a Secret Santa). I love how we learn and grow together and share our passions. One member started spinning…brought her wheel into Panera and everything! The next thing you know, two more members get their own wheels….then two more…we have now have about 6 of our members who have spinning wheels now…and we are not ashamed to spin in Panera!
Topics of conversation may span across movies, books, tv shows to jobs, family, weightloss, sex… basically ANYTHING.
I love the women of my Knit Night group. If I happen to not make it one Tuesday…the rest of my week is usually off. They are special to me."

Cathy W is the winner of a copy of Knit Night with her comment: "Friends, food, wine & yarn - what more could I ask for? I love knit night!" I think that sums it up perfectly!

I dyed up some great Bling last week and I hope to get it in the shop tomorrow. I really hope you all buy it because I'm SO tempted to keep it all for myself. This batch of colors are beautiful, I hope I can capture it with a camera!

Octavia update: I have 13 rows left in the last lace section! my hands are a little beat up lately so it's getting a little painful to do more than a few rows now that they're so long. But I only have a few days left so I'm budgeting a couple of rows every day! Where are you at on your Octavia? Do you have any big plans for the upcoming holiday weekend?

Obligatory cute kid picture since I don't have any knitting ones!

Summer Knit A Long

2011-05-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

I've had such a great time doing the Octavia KAL that I've picked a pattern and yarn for the next! Marcy has designed a beautiful shawl, Marrowstone, that will be perfect for summer knitting and wearing. Check out her blog post for the inspiration of the shawl too.

I've listed Shine in the shop and will be doing more in the next week. Shine is 50% Merino 50% Tencel. The tencel adds a beautiful drape and shine to the yarn. The color is so beautiful and rich on the yarn too. If there is a certain color you are interested in and don't see let me know, I'll dye it up.

Cast on is June 21st and the deadline is pretty loose. I don't think it'll take you a whole season to knit it! Maybe by the time we get to casting on we'll have a goal of when to be done. I'm thinking I want to have mine ready for Sock Summit. That's just over a month from cast on and should be easy to do.

I'll be giving away a skein and Marcy is donating a copy of the pattern to a lucky winner for the next KAL. Details for that will happen soon. We have about 2 weeks left to finish up Octavia. I'm hoping to break into the fifth lace repeat tonight! Happy Knitting!!

PS a contest is happening Wednesday for a different pattern and skein of yarn!

PPS CSY/F shipped today!!!

Knit Night

2011-05-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Do you go to knit night? I go to one of the most amazing knit night groups. I love all the women that go. I feel like one of the luckiest knitters. When I bring the boys (happens more than I like) every one is very patient of the tiny fingers and busy bodies. The group is adventurous and willing to take on projects, they've knit three baby blankets for babies in our group!

I've learned so much from all the women. Parenting, being a good spouse, a friend, how to be generous, kind, so many things. All the women are very creative as well. I can't count the ideas and inspiration that have come from a night together.

Debbi has designed a new shawl dedicated to her knit night people. Knit Night is a beautiful shawl with lots of texture. She used Bling and it's a great combination if I do say so myself! We're having a little contest between us. Leave a comment on my blog or hers about your knit night. Share your favorite memories, stories, projects and we'll choose our favorite. First prize is a skein of Bling and a copy of Knit Night. Runner up receives a copy of Knit Night. Comments close Sunday at midnight pacific time, winners announce on Monday!

What a Week!

2011-05-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

But we've all survived...so far! e and o had a nasty little virus with an unpleasant name, and o is teething. I think 3-4 teeth, so there's been lots of snuggles. And not a lot of anything else it feels like. I did get some spinning done the other day. I'm working on a three ply, a very skinny three ply.

the color in this picture is pretty accurate

I've put it aside for a few days so I could catch up on my Octavia shawl. Brooke was teasing me that she was finished with the third repeat so I go cracking. Sadly I only caught up to the end of the third repeat! Where are you at on your shawl? I've decided that I need to be done with the next two repeats by May 20th. That gives me plenty of time I think to get the feather and fan border done before the 31st.

I've figured out what the next knit a long's going to be but I need to email the designer real fast. I'll post details next time. I hope your weekend is restful and relaxing!

Mini Update

2011-05-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

How was your weekend? We squeezed two birthday parties in one day and that felt like five weekends in one day. Then for Mother's Day we went to The Land where the Oma's live. A nice restful day. Monday was e's 3rd birthday and a great day. We did lots of fun things, maybe too many fun things. I got a call from e's school today that he was gray and had a fever. He came home and had a nice long nap then was sick all over me and o. Poor guy. Both boys aren't feeling great. Hopefully it won't last too long. Both neighbor families have had the pukes and it lasted a week in each house. Crossing our fingers it was just too much birthday partying. Enough sick talk!

So where are you in your shawl? I've finished one flower repeat. I need to get cracking, it's the 10th already! I'm being distracted by a spinning project and it's slowing the knitting down. I usually do a two ply that comes out around a worsted. This wool wanted to be a very skinny possible three ply. Yep, obsessed. I'm outta here and going to knit. Sorry for the fly by with no pictures! I'll be back soon with those.

Some Musings

2011-05-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures from winding the other day. I forgot I had these!

How are you doing on your Octavia? What? You haven't got the pattern yet?! Tomorrow is the last day to get it on sale here!! I'm sure most of you have already cast on...right? Well, I've cast on and I'm at the start of the lace. I'm really liking the bigger needles size.

With the help of Michele, we blocked the first Octavia. What a beauty!

I'm enjoying using a semi solid this time, the gentle color shift is gorgeous.

I can't stick around, I gotta get back to knitting, and maybe a little spinning. I've been doing a lot of spinning lately. Every night after the kids go to bed I try to spin 30-40 grams. Every 4-5 days I have a skein of yarn! I'll share some pictures soon. Enjoy the weekend and happy Mother's Day!

May Day or Cast On Day!

2011-05-01T21:33:00.001-07:00

Hello May! What a beautiful start to the month here in Portland! I slowly wound my yarn into a ball in the back yard.

Then put it into a cake in the front yard with the help of a dump truck and the boys. Now I've got my needles and pattern, ready to cast on! Are you knitting a long with me? What yarn are you using? I'm going with a light Sakura. Since I've done the pattern once I thought I'd share a few things I've learned. I'm going with a size larger needle this time. Although, I haven't started so I might change my mind once I get going. I used size 5 the first time and it was fine. But because of the color of Sakura and probably what I have in my head I want a looser fabric. I had a really hard time at the end with the feather and fan lace. I think it's because I wasn't taking the time to read the pattern. This time I'm going to put in some extra stitch markers to remind me when the repeats start. If you come across any questions let me know, Debbi is pretty great and I'm sure she'll have the answers!

So how about a game with the KAL? Let me know in the comments if you're knitting a long and if you finish by May 31st you'll qualify. For what you ask? I don't know! How about a skein of yarn and another fabulous pattern, get you started for the next project! Winner will be picked by June 5th. Warm up those needles and get to knitting!

Weekend Catch Up!

2011-04-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

Happy weekend! Boy am I excited for the break. Getting e out the door for school five days a week is work and a half! So lets catch up real fast and get back to crafting and relaxing ; )

*The sale ends tomorrow, save 15% on the shop with SUNDAY, the code at check out. Sale prices don't apply to CSY/F

*CSY/F closes tomorrow. Yarn is ordered for the first shipment, so excited!! I've started knitting with it and I love the fabric it creates. I realized I haven't spent much time talking about the CSF. Here's the low down. Luxury. 100 grams of Luxury every month. Merino/Silk, BFL/Silk, Silk Hankies, Merino/Bamboo/Silk, Merino/Silk/Angora. Did I mention silk?! WOW!!! Both CSY/F would make a great Mother's Day gift too!!

*The Sakura Knit A Long (KAL) start May 1st. To help celebrate Debbi is having a sale on Octavia! Pop over and get the pattern if you don't have it yet. Warm up those needles, we'll chat more on May 1st about all of it!

*I'm looking for some sample knitters. Comment if you are interested. I've tagged a bunch on Ravelry in my favorites with a tag sample. If any of those strike your fancy let me know. We can talk trade for yarn/fiber when you get in touch!

*I feel like there's something I'm missing...but I've been sitting here for 5 minutes and nothing's coming up. So, enjoy your crafting!

I'll see you here on Sunday for our cast on! I'm pretty sure there are going to be prizes involved some how in this KAL. Details on Sunday!!

Just remembered!! Do you make 3 plies when you're spinning? I've only done 2 ply. I'm wondering what a 3 ply will look like with all the different colored roving I have. Is it going to be too jumbled? I'd love your thoughts! Okay, have a great weekend!!

Cypress Hollow Yarn

2011-04-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to share this project with you!! Cypress Hollow Yarn is a line of yarn I dyed to go with characters in Rachael Herron's book series. Two books are out now, How to Knit a Love Song and How to Knit A Heart Back Home. The third, in a series of three, will be out in October. I'm a major fan of her writing and her stories. When ever I'm done reading a book (yes, I've read each a few times) I feel like I'm still in Cypress Hollow for a few days.

There are 13 characters, or colors available currently with more on the way with each book. I'm using a sport weight 2 ply yarn, 100% Rambouillet. Each skein is 100 grams, 350 yards. The yarn is delightful! I've trolled Ravelry for patterns, I can't wait to cast on a sweater or two. You can see other ones I picked by going to my favorites and looking for the tag CHY.

Eliza

The shop is loaded up and taking pre-orders. The yarn will ship in two to three weeks and your reward for waiting is free shipping! I can't tell you what an honor it is to do this project with Rachael. I'm so grateful she wrote these books and provided the inspiration!

From left to right: Cade, Abigail, Eliza, Lucy, Owen

Have you read her books? I would love your feedback on the characters and colors. If you haven't picked up one of her books, I highly recommend you do. I'm feeling a knit a long, read a long coming on!!

Sale!

2011-04-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is just around the corner so I thought there should be a sale in the shop! Save 15% now through April 30th with code word SUNDAY at check out. Sale not valid on CSY/F. Buy now and it'll get there in time for Mom or you! Being a Mom is not required for the sale ; )

There are lots of new beauties in the shop. Let's take a tour shall we?

We have some Shimmer, 80% Merino 20% Tussah. 50 grams, $12. Make sure to click on it and see all the options. Some of these I listed individually, others I listed under one name. Tricky, I know!
Beautiful singles, fingering weight. 100% Rambouillet 75ish grams, $18, 350 yards. This is one of the yarns featured in the CSY. I have a shawl ready to go in the denim blue. Can't wait to get crackin!
Ohhhh, so shiny! 50% Silk 50% Merino, 50 grams $18. There are 7 colors listed I think, something for everybody. This is one of my favorite fibers to dye and spin. Silk takes the color in such a rich way. The silk also translates well in to the yarn.
Mmmmmmerino, yum! So soft and fluffy. 100% Merino, 100 grams, $16 Lots of luscious colors to choose from.
Grab a skein of Fingering for the Knit A Long! 100% Super Wash Merino, 100 grams, 400 yards $24. I'll be adding more choices in the next few days and there are variegated options too!
Bling! What knitting project couldn't improve with a little sparkle? Merino/Silk/Nylon/Silver. A winning combination! 100 grams, 420 yards, $26

All prices listed were before taking 15% off, code word SUNDAY. Happy shopping!

A Little Shopping

2011-04-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival (have you put it on your calendar for next year?!) and I did a little shopping. I got a bag from Alpha B, I can't remember who she gets it from, but they'll both be at Sock Summit. And I just realized I don't have a picture, darn! But it's getting lots of use.

Next I got some fiber from Woolgatherings. I'm a huge fan and could have bought about 4 times as much! Feeling pretty good about only getting two braids.

I'm a major fan of her and the colors she uses. I could gush all day if you let me! And she is at Sock Summit. Watch out people! Next I stopped in at Brooke's booth, Sincere Sheep. Brooke does natural dyeing and has beautiful soft colors.

I went with a natural cormo silk blend. So beautiful and soft! It's like a cloud, which I think the picture captured. Brooke suggested I do a three ply, which I've never done. So I have three little 2 oz bundles and I can't wait to get started. If you get some we do a spin a long! I think I want to do a-long for everything!!

I'm trying to be responsible and clear off the bobbins. So far I've plied up one project and have another one that is in a cake and ready to go. THEN I'll get crackin on the cormo silk. Yum!

I might have done a little shopping on line before the show too. Black Trillium is beautiful! She'll be at Sock Summit in Twisted's booth. I'm hoping we'll have a meet up in May, our two little one's are about a week or so a part and both tanks! I see a photo op in o's future! Melanie, the genius behind Black Trillium is doing a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis. She has some great prizes, including Ladies That Lunch from moi! Every $5 gets you a ticket to win a prize. One prize is 5 skeins of Malabrigo! I'm in!!!

Maryland Sheep and Wool & Summer Camp & a Winner

2011-04-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that Knitted Wit will be at Maryland Sheep and Wool!! Well, my yarn and fiber will be. I super wish I was going with it! Cloverhill Yarn is hosting me and other indie dyers. Check out their blog to see who else they're hosting, I'm in some pretty good company! Booth #27 for those that are planning their shopping weekend.

Speaking of shows, did you see Sock Summit went live?! 60 teachers!! I'm still going through the vendor list and finding new people to get excited about! Sock Summit seems like the icing on the cake people, epic. I'll have to dream up something to debut at the show. I'm excited to see a map of the market place too. I'm secretly hoping to be by all my buddies!

Back to where Knitted Wit is popping up. The Handwork Studio is a genius idea of summer camps all over the US hosted at schools. There are so many different hand crafts that are covered, including sewing, needle felting, knitting and many more. I love the way the programs work. Who knows how The Knots will be used, but they'll have lots of colors to choose from! Sadly I don't have any currently in the shop, but I'll get on that ASAP!

On to the Winner! From the comments left on the Facebook page...Sandy, you are a winner!!!! I'll be popping the yarn and pattern in the mail to you tomorrow! Sakura fingering is officially sold out in the shop, but if there's an interest I'll dye some more up. Otherwise I'm listing more semi solids to choose from along with variegated. I'm super close to finishing my first Octavia, gotta get ready for the Knit A Long starting May 1!!

Small side note about Sakura, $185 has been donated to Mercy Corp so far! Thank you so much for getting money to Japan.

Community Supported Yarn/Fiber

2011-04-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

A little reminder, Community Supported Yarn/Fiber is about to start. Enrollment ends April 30th and I would love you to be apart of it! One of the yarns is available in the shop right now. The skeins are a little short on weight so they're on sale. I've worked out the yardage/weight issue for the CSY(details here about the CSY), don't you worry. I haven't decided on what color's going out, but I'm super happy with how the yarn takes color.

Have I told you about the other yarns? Let's review shall we? There's the singles, fingering from Wyoming. There's a fingering that's fair trade from Peru. Wool and bamboo and so soft! Bling, who doesn't need a little sparkle?! Then Silky N Single, so luscious and soft! Also a part of the CSY.

That only leaves one yarn left. And I need your help. I'm not sure what I should add. Any suggestions? Any yarn you are dying for me to carry? One option is a Merino/Cashmere/Nylon. I had a chance to see it all dyed up--yum! Beautiful and soft. What do you think?

Feel free to take a spin around the shop, there's lots of new things in there and more being added (no lies!!) And since I feel like the kids haven't been around here for a bit, here's e modeling some wool

The List

2011-04-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

There are so many things to cover that I'm just going to do a list! Ready, set, go!

* CGFF was fantastic! I can't wait for next year, I want the whole family to go! Hood River is beautiful and the hotel fantastic. I could go on forever. (I might have done a little shopping, I'll

post next time)

*I roomed with Brooke and we shared child care. Such a blast! I can't tell you how incredible it

is to talk shop with another mama. And because we were hanging out all weekend we eventually finished conversations! I can't wait for our next meet up!

*We have a little challenge going between us, listing product in the shop. As a WAHM (work at home mom), stocking the shop seems to fall to the bottom of the list. Funny, because I do want

to sell the yarn!

*And on that note: Lots of new treasures in the shop!

Get your sparkle on! Bling

Singles, fingering. Perfect little shawly.

Yum! And only $5, includes the pattern!!

*The knit a long is nearing. Check here (at the bottom of the post) to learn how to win Octavia and Sakura and join the knit a long. Tomorrow I'll be posting more semi solids to choose from if Sakura doesn't float your boat.

*Major details coming tomorrow about the CSY/CSF. Pretty excited about some new developments!

Knit A Long

2011-04-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

So a few posts ago I raved about Debbi's new pattern. And yep, I still love it! I thought a knit a long would be super fun but I've never been great on waiting. I cast on my first on in Baby Love.

Such a great knit. I am planning on making another one in S akura. But I didn't have any dyed up at the time I h-a-d to cast on. So. I just loaded up some more Sakura fingering in the shop. This batch is a little darker than the first, but so beautiful. I haven't updated the pictures in the listings. Let me know if you need a more detailed picture.

I think the pattern and the soft color are going to go great together. Plus $10 from every skein is going to Mercy Corp to help with their efforts in Japan.

I've never done a knit a long before, we'll just make the guidelines up as we need them how about. Let's plan to cast on May 1st, May Day. That seems fitting. Maybe the weather will be lovely too. I'll keep Sakura stocked up. You can purchase the pattern here or at my booth at Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival. Pretty excited about that!! I want to be done with mine by May 31st if not sooner, what about you?

It seems like there should be a contest in here some where. How about a I'll give away a skein of Sakura and a copy of the pattern. On April 20th I'll pick a winner, that way there's enough time to get it and join the knit a long. To enter become a fan on facebook and leave a comment if you will use variegated or semi solid on this project. If there needs to be any more guidelines for the knit a long let me know, we can add as we go!

Crafty Time

2011-04-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

When and where does the crafting happen? Well, being a mother of two busy boys it happens any minute I can grab and anywhere! I was knitting while waiting for dinner tonight, but that only lasted as long as o was happy in the high chair. Then when o was really done being in the restaurant we went and played in the car and I knit another row.

That lasted another row or two. I have to say I've gotten a lot of knitting done in the car. Both the boys love playing in there. e used to want to drive and turn everything. Now he'll do that for a bit but usually ends up reading or playing with toys in the back.

I like to think I knit at night after the boys go to sleep but that doesn't always get to happen. Usually too much to do on the internets! I'm also pretty worn out from the day so I don't want to do anything challenging. I don't want to have to rip it out the next day!

Another great place for me to knit is in the boys room while they're playing. I'm starting to sound like a half engaged parent! It's so convenient when the boys are entertaining them selves and I get to hang out and knit!

So this concludes the week of knit blogging. I loved taking a look at my knit life, but it kind of cut into my knit life! I'm off to work on my toe up sock I ripped. I think I'm up to 48 stitches! Getting closer to 60, then I start the pattern!

Speaking of patterns. Marcy used some fingering yarn from Knitted Wit to make her sock. Check out the KAL, it's a mystery sock!

2KCBWDAY7

Something To Aspire To

2011-04-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

Wow, this has been a tough blogging challenge! I feel like all the questions go so far beyond what they're asking. I think in the last year I've been able to get over my fear of knitting or thinking I couldn't knit xyz. I think this attitude will help when I do come up against a challenge.

As far as learning new things I would like to do color work. I've done a little before but got mixed up on the pattern. That's probably my biggest down fall when it comes to knitting. Distractions. They get me mixed up and off track from a pattern. Then I don't want to rip back and make corrections so a project just sits around doing nothing. When ever I have a major clean up I go through and start ripping. I've improved a little, ripping and then restarting the project. Knitting maturity. I'm getting some!

So this blogging for a week is fun and insightful, but a little time consuming. I'm cutting it short tonight and doing some knitting!

What do you want to learn? What's your favorite thing to teach other people?

2KCBWDAY6

Home Sweet Home

2011-04-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today's post was supposed to be a trying out a different way of blogging. Well I didn't have time to make a video or anything else really so we'll just move on to some big news!

Knitted Wit is moving home! I'm so excited to move the

dye operations back here and have everything in one place. I'll also be home with the boys! I'm a little nervous, but I'm very hopeful with the summer coming up that we'll get into a rhythm with the whole production. There's also a neighbor girl that wants to babysit, how perfect! I have really great neighbors too. Two families, both have kids that get along great with my boys. So, yeah, hopeful this is all coming together.

This change is also giving E a chance to find a job not in a kitchen. He's been cooking for 25 years, I think he deserves a break! I'm just going to gush, I'm really exc

ited to be home with all the boys making yarn. I can't wait to have my hands in all the colors at the same time.

you'll be seeing more of these pictures!

For the month of April I'm going to move in and get organized. I'm hoping to find a better way of listing products in the store. I have loads of yarn and fiber that need to get to you! Speaking of getting yarn and fiber to you, the Community Supported Yarn and Fiber is still open. You have until April 30th to purchase as many shares as your little heart desires!

I welcome all advise from any other parent that works from home with little ones under foot. Any system work for you? Do you prioritize in any specific ways? Any tasks that you assign your spouse? I'm a little nervous about having access to my business 24/7 and feeling pressure to work all the time. Speaking of, it's time for some knitting! Thanks for reading and sticking around!

2KCBWDAY5

Where Are They Now

2011-03-31T20:18:00.001-07:00

That's the topic today, where have all the knits gone. I'm not super inspired to talk about this. I'm always afraid that my knits aren't that great and don't get a lot of use. But I'm sure that's just an insecurity. I think I'm also a process knitter. I don't always care about the end product. I like the experience of the yarn and patterns and all the stories around the project. When I've woven in the ends I'm done. Maybe that'll change with maturity. Oh maturity!

Hmmmm, what else can we talk about? I'm kind of running on empty, we watched the neighbors little guy today. Three little boys under 3! It was all incredibly smooth, but still pretty tiring. I'm so glad the boys get along so well. I'm looking forward to the weather continually improving and more time outside!

So, do you have a hard time parting with knits? Is there anything you've made that you couldn't give away and did something else for them? I promise a much better blog tomorrow! An announcement is coming your way!

2KCBWDAY4

The Stash

2011-03-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

So today's episode is supposed to be about the stash and how it is kept. As a dyer, it's sort of hard to remain objective about what is 'my' stash and what is inventory. But I'll show you pictures of what's in the garage.

We got this pie case at a garage sale last year. E painted the inside door and the outside too. The little design is his little sign for princess, my nickname! Pretty lucky lady.

e modeling his safety glasses

Each shelf is a different weight. I have a couple of cones of sport weight that I got on sale when a shop was closing here in town. They sort of take up a lot of room! I should find a big project and put the yarn to work. For some reason I think it would be great for a crochet blankie.

Then there's all the yarn that had to be relocated after the critter lived in our garage for a bit. The two on the right have big on going projects. The bin on the left has all the WIP and FO's that need ends sewn in. I think. Yeah, too much stash I think.

Then there's the spinning stash. The bottom two buckets. I think that's all the spinning fiber. I might have a little at the studio. The top bucket is yarn that I know I'll never use and gets put out at the garage sale.

Every once in a while I go through the stash and pull out yarn that I know I'll never get to. But I would have to agree with Michele. I'm only buying/dyeing yarn as I need it now. My taste changes with time and experience. As I learn more techniques and how yarn can effect a project I'm realizing that I don't know if I'll use the yarn I have. But if the worst happens, I'll have plenty of wool to knit something to keep us warm.

Do you have a way of organizing your stash? Are you always adding? What's your favorite furniture to store your yarn/fiber in?

And it must be said, please excuse the mess in the garage! Yikes! But I wanted to share some pictures.

2KCBGDAY3

The things I've learned

2011-03-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

I'm not great about getting pictures to share! But I have learned a lot this last year in knit-land. It might have been about a year ago that I was at knit night and everybody was working on something. I had a token project but it was what I work on between real ones. I'd sort of lost my knitting mojo. Sally was knitting just to knit and she needed me to do a stitch for some reason. I was inspired! Knitting because it was fun.

I think I started a few things that week! I also ripped out a few projects that I knew I would never get to. I have followed this guideline for a year and it's very freeing. I've ripped out more and I've remained excited about what I'm knitting.

I've also been slowed down by what yarn to knit with. I feel like if I have time to knit I should with yarn I've dyed. Samples for the booth are always a good thing right? But it stops me from knitting. So I'm getting over it and enjoying knitting with what ever strikes my fancy. And I'm still getting some samples done!

Now for actual knitting knowledge. I've learned the basic construction of a shawl and I'm not nearly so scared of knitting them! I think not being pregnant and o getting older has helped my knitting skills. I started knitting Octavia (sorry I didn't wait for you) and I'm a lot more comfortable with the directions and construction. I sort of want to go back and rip out a few that I started and I didn't know what I was doing. We'll see. Maybe I can redeem them. Speaking of shawl, I'm off to knit!

2KCBWDAY2

A Tale of Two Yarns

2011-03-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

I know, not the most creative title. But here's the two yarns I'm talking about: Malabrigo Rasta and my own hand spun. e indulged the photoshoot, such a little cute boy! I had him wear a few of the latest pieces.

The cowl he has on is the malabrigo. I saw the color way and HAD to have it/knit with it. Like all the other malabrigo yarn it is ridiculously soft. What's strange about it is how big it is. I felt like I was knitting with rope. The softest round rope in the whole world. Maybe dense is the better word. You know yarn is usually squishy and you can squeeze flatish? Can't do that with Rasta. I don't know why, but I find this intriguing. I have one more skein of the same color. I'm not sure what I'm doing with it yet, but I'm thinking some crazy cute little baby something would be good. I'm waiting to hear what flavor the sister in-law is having. Too bad she's waiting to find out!

The other knits e is wearing are my hand spun. Funny, I didn't dye either of them. I don't usually spin what I dye up. I just dyed up a bunch of fibers for an order and a lot of them were v-e-r-y tempting. The bag e's holding is merino/silk from BMFA in bleeding heart. I spun it up a while go and plied it. The bag holds something very special to me and I had the hand spun lying around. A perfect fit.

I love this picture! I know I'm his mom, biased and all, but he's striking such a great little pose. The shawl I knit up from some batts, unfortunately the store is no longer in business. Major bummer.

So what is it about my hand spun? I think it's all the change. Thick/thin, change in color, change in over spun, to barely holding together. I don't usually spin for a specific project, I usually fall in love with the fiber or color and want to spend some time with it. I really like spinning for the problem solving that happens when I'm doing such basic mindless motions. I think I take that same state of mind and bring it to the knitting project.
I've started another shawl, same pattern using my hand spun. I think it's a great pattern for single ply. Maybe I'll have a stash of them to hand out!

What are two yarns for you that tell a story? I need to go see what the topic is for tomorrow!

2KCBW

Rip!

2011-03-26T23:17:00.000-07:00

I think I've been avoiding blogging and knitting because I knew I needed to rip out a project. I'm making a sock and it's too big. What's crazy? It's a sample. But I'm just not happy with how big it's coming out and the stitches look sloppy because they're loose. So any minute now I'll get the courage to pull out the needles and rip it out.

I should really just get over it. I wasn't that far along!

A few other items on the agenda: I've ordered some more fingering weight yarn to dye up Sakura. I also found the perfect shawl pattern! Well, I think it's perfect. As soon as I get more dyed up I'm casting on. Ooooh, what about a knit-a-long?! Any yarn looks great with the pattern so lets find a skein and cast on. More deets once I have the yarn dyed up. In other Sakura news, there's still some in the shop! Right now $85 has been set aside to donate to Mercy Corp to help Japan. Can't wait to crack $100!

Next on the agenda: There's some new designs up on the blog! If you read through a feed come on over to the live blog and see what I'm talking about. It's also on the back of the Twitter page and the Store! What do you think? I'm slowly making some changes around here with the help of Caffeinated Mama. There's lots going on behind the scenes, so keep an eye out!

Have you heard of this? I think I'm going to play along. See you Monday to talk about two yarns!

small disclaimer: I just realized I've been drinking caffeine all day. I'm a little bzzzt from all the soda!

Sakura is Live!

2011-03-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Wanted to pop in and let you know you can now purchase Sakura in different weight/fibers/yarns in the shop! Some spinning fiber is already sold out, I'll try to dye up some more soon. If you're on twitter, follow me! You'd know about the Sakura already!! Knitted Wit is also on facebook. Knitted Wit also has a group on Ravelry. SO many ways to know all the happenings of Knitted Wit.
So, if you can, pop in the shop and purchase some Sakura. $10 from every skein, and $5 from every fiber braid will be donated to Mercy Corp to assist Japan in recovering from the earthquake and tsunami. Thank you for helping.

Thanks to Michele for making the pictures shine!

A Little Help for Our Friends

2011-03-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

I've been rolling some ideas around in my head of how to help our friends in Japan. Such devastation from the earth quake and tsunami. I think it's been a little hard for me to want to process it being a parent to young children. When disaster strikes, it hits so close to home. I can't even fathom what families are going through. And if I'm completely honest, I don't want to. I want to bury my head in the sand. Growing up in Sitka Alaska we had tsunami drills and once had to put the plan in to action. Terrifying. Being in the second grade marching up to the high school, through a spooky grave yard no less, always wondering if a wave was going to sneak up. Thankfully I had siblings in the high school that found me and offered some reassurance. Yeah, head in sand please. (just watched the evening news while taking a nursing break. wow. The nuclear issues on top of natural disasters.)

But I'm inspired by some many people on the internets doing so many good things for our friends in Japan. I thought I would share a few links that I've come across from blog surfing or on twitter.

PDX Knitterati is donating full dollar amount of her pattern.

Oh, Fransson! is raffling of her Tokyo quilt for donations made.

Janel Laidmen has a new pattern out, sales being donate.

OlgaJazzy is donating 85% of her pattern sales. She's actually in Japan

Here's a post of a much larger list.

Feel free to add any you know of in the comments, I'm happy to add them here and go shopping at them.

I am compelled to offer something I can make, you can buy, and I can send that money to assist Japan. I read that pink represents happiness and then I read about cherry blossoms and how important the cherry blossom festival is culturally in Japan. (what did we do before wiki?) I'm hitting the studio on Friday to create Sakura (cherry blossom). I'm not sure what yarn base I'm dyeing on yet, but it'll have shades of pink with a little red dropped in. For some reason, I feel connected by reading about a tradition and symbolism and then making my interpretation with my hands. A therapeutic way for me to process such a loss. If you have any requests on what yarn or fiber you want to see this on let me know. I'll post pictures as soon as they come out of the steam pot.

Thanks for letting me process here. And thank you to Michele for helping me process last night, brought me to pink.

News!

2011-03-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share a sneak peak of one of the yarns included in the Community Supported Yarn/Fiber. This is just a sample skein I dyed up, not a full 100 grams. This wool is from

Rambouillet sheep in Wyoming. The mill I purchase it from tracks all the fiber back to the farm it came from. How perfect is that for a CSY/F?! This is a fingering weight single ply yarn. It's a little rustic, but is soft and I think would be beautiful knit up in a shawl.

Because none of the mill's wools are super wash the colors will be a little muted compared to what I normally dye. A nice gentle skein.

I'm planning on adding one other yarn from their line, a sport weight 2 ply yarn that I am smitten with! I dyed it up in the same color as the sample above and I'm working on a little swatch. I'm having a great time trying out different stitches and even some cables. This yarn is for a special line that I'll tell you all about next time! A little suspense!! I'm over the moon about this project and can't wait to get the yarn in my hot little hands to dye up.

As a little FYI Black Trillium is fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis. I had a roommate down the hall in college who has this disease. Not fun, in a million years. This is close to Melanie's family, a school friend of her son's has this disease. Can't imagine being a little person and fighting. For every $5 you donate you are entered in a drawing. She has some FABulous prizes, including a skein of Ladies That Lunch! Go check it out and donate what you can.

WIP Bin

2011-03-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

Well we discovered a nasty little critter has been shacking up in our garage. Not good. I've suspected for quite a while but finally did a thorough investigation today. G-R-O-S-S times a million. We still need to get rid of it, but for now most of the mess is cleaned up. I lost a bag of fiber from OFFF 2009, two small vintage cloth suitcases, and a few skeins of yarn. Considering the possibilities of what's in the garage? I got off pretty light.

While going through everything, I think I've discovered all my works in progress. Yikes! There might be one or two more hiding in the garage but I doubt it. I have a bin, a b-i-n full of WIPs. I have a few things that just need to be sewn up, one with just ends to weave in and a few baby sweaters that need arms. And those are just a few of them! I found a bunch of needles, all of my sewing up needles and lots of stitch markers. I've also found more stash by this reorganization. Not crazy about that part, but reality is good.

I don't even know how to set a plan for myself. It's a little daunting how much I need to do. Maybe I'll do a WIP Wednesday as a little motivation. Well, sitting here writing about it isn't going to get anything knit! Maybe in the day light I'll take some pictures of the monster pile. Let's end on a brighter note.

I also want to thank all those that have joined the CSY/F so far! I can't wait to start sending out the new yarns!

Fat Tuesday

2011-03-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to the Lent season this year. I've been trying all winter to be very present to the time of year and what the winter season brings. I can feel myself getting distracted with the slightly longer days and slightly warmer weather. For Lent I've decided to stay focused and not cast on any new projects.

These are the projects that are floating around the current WIP bag. The super bulky one will be done in a flash, which makes me want to cast on for something really fast! But there is a sock, a sweater, a baby sweater and a shawl to work on. I do have the 50G March project to get started on, but other than that I don't think I need to cast on for anything. I don't think I'm going to have anything specific about spinning. It's not something I get to do everyday like knitting.

I think I'm setting these limits because I want it to reflect in other areas of my life right now. I want to stay focused on some projects at home and at the dyeworks. I want to see them to completion and not get distracted by the new shiny novelty! Are you doing anything for Lent? Do you always finish up a project before starting a new one? Or do you set a limit on how many can be in the bag?

CSY/F Follow Up

2011-03-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

I wanted to go a little deeper in the details of the CSY/F. I've been getting some inquires so I want to cover the general questions, but if you think of more let me know!

What are the yarns? This is the most exciting part (to me)! There are going to be three fingering weight yarns and two worsted. The three fingering weights are all very different. A singl

e ply, great for a lace project. A sock yarn, and Bling, great for a little shawlette. There are two worsted weight yarns, one is a silk/wool blend, Silky and Single. A beautiful drape, single ply. The other worsted yarn is thick/thin single ply.

I love all these yarns, each unique. I'll be posting more information about each one as it's shipped out. Two of the yarns I already carry, but want to invest more in. Bling and Silky and Single are both gorgeous and need to be knitted! They both take color magically.

Speaking of color: I'm going to stick with mostly semi solid, or color on color. I think the only variegated yarn is going to be the sock yarn, a blend of wool and bamboo.

When does the CSY/F close? Well, I want to ship out the first batch May 15th. I think April 30th will be the last day to purchase a share. I'm flexible about payment though. If you need to take from now until then to purchase the full share let me know. We can work some magic.

I want to thank everybody that has tweeted or blogged about the CSY/F! This is my special project and I can't tell you how much it means to me that you want to share it! Incase this is your first time you're hearing about this check out the blog post or here for all the details!

e is helping me wind yarn for a recent order. He might need to talk to his union rep though, he didn't even get to stop work for his lunch! He's a big help turning the winder on and off. (please ignore the GIANT pile of clothes that need to get folded. It's constant around here.)

Community Support Yarn/Fiber

2011-02-28T22:58:00.000-08:00

The big reveal! First, check out THIS out! It has all the details on how you can join my Community Supported Yarn and Fiber. I feel a little silly not typing up anything here when all the info is in my pretty pdf that I spent a while making!

In case you didn't want to make the jump and ready my pretty info sheet, here are the details. I'm starting a Community Supported Yarn and Fiber to help Knitted Wit grow. Shares are $100 (shipping $15) for a harvest of 5 skeins of 100 grams each or 5 bumps of fiber of 100 grams each. I want to offer a lot of new fiber and yarn, there are so many options out there. By running a CSY/F, Knitted Wit is able to invest in new pretties to share with you. Think fair trade, sustainable, family owned farms, luxury. Maybe not all in one skein or bump! But the new line is going to be fantastic. There is no limit to how many shares you can buy, and they can be gifted!

The harvest begins to ship in May and will follow every month through September. Packages ship on the 15th. If you're local we can arrange a pick up! Discount codes will not be accepted. Questions? Let me know.

You might have noticed when clicking on Knitted Wit you are taken to a new shop. I'm slowly moving over to Storenvy, which is similar to Etsy. All transactions are run through paypal, it's very safe to shop! The main reason Knitted Wit is relocating is the bottom line. There are no listing fees and no fees for selling! I also like the set up. It will be easier for me to list products and keep it organized. Which brings me to the next item on the agenda. I'm going to list all the products I dye up. Often the items will be ready to ship. If it's not in stock I'll dye it up lickety split and get it in to the mail. I will notify you if there is any delay. All coupon codes that you have work on either etsy or storenvy.

As you can see Knitted Wit is putting on her big girl pants and getting to work! I hope you are able to join the CSY/F and the adventure.

A New Project

2011-02-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

I'm stopping by to let you know I'm revealing a big project on Tuesday, March 1st. I'm really excited about it and I can't wait to SHARE it. (That's a little clue!) I hope you stop back by. Until then, enjoy a little video of o having a giggle!

Hard Work

2011-02-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

There's been a lot of hard work going on around here! Today I went up to Oma's house to retrieve e and did some work. I split a bunch of wood for fires for Oma and Aur Oma (great grandma). Then broke up a bunch of sticks for kindling. Then headed to Aur Oma's to clean cobwebs off the wall. Nothing like stretching with an awkward stick way up in the air after wielding an axe at wood! My arms are tired! And I carry around heavy kids!! Sadly I didn't bring a camera and missed the snow falling while I chopped woods in the forest of Mount Hood. It really doesn't get more romantic than that.

More hard work: paper work. I've been filling out a lot of papers lately. Did I tell you I'm unemployed? (I think I should start reading my own blog! Or post more.) Yeah, a lot of paper work. Also along those lines is a reinvention of Knitted Wit I want a new online store that's easier for me to stock and for you to shop. I also want to add more yarns and products. I've been kicking around an idea but I don't have enough details worked out yet. I'll get back to you. If you took a survey a few weeks ago, a big thank you. It was really helpful and it's sorting out some questions.

I've also been finishing up a lot of works in progress (WIP). I feel like it's a good fit for everything else that is happening in my life. I finished up the February 50G club,
(yummy chocolates also went out with the yarn! Alma Chocolates are truly the best!)
a shawl,
(I think it's funny how the coffee cup kozy and the shawl are the same colors!)
and a bobbin from the wheel. I'm super close to finishing another bobbin, about 20 minutes tomorrow ought to do it. I need one more mitten and I'll have a set knit of the Red Light Green Light GO!

Two rows a way from casting off a hat from my hand spun. I've even made a little progress on a sweater for me. I had planned on starting a special spinning project

this weekend since I didn't go to Stitches West or Madrona. I was already to have a big pity party but I was kind of happy to be home and finishing up a lot of loose ends. Also, the kids are healthy (knock on wood). It's been a month I think of cooties. Knock on a tree please!

The kids are asleep so I'm itching to get back to WIP's! Scratch the asleep part. o can now fall out of bed.

Red Light, Green Light, GO!

2011-02-12T20:45:00.001-08:00

As soon as I pulled these skeins from the dye I knew what they needed to be! A stop light!! We read a lot of Dr Suess around here, including Go, Dog, Go! (I know it's written by PD Eastman, but it's along the same lines.) There's a stop light because a little birdie has to cross the road. e always wants to have a discussion about this event.

I had this idea kicking around in my head but knew I didn't have time to get it to paper. Thankfully I met Kate at TNNA and she designed it up lickety split! (Pattern here, Ravelry link) Now I'm proud to offer you the Red Light, Green Light, GO! Kit. Because Kate did a big range of sizes I split the kits into two different sizes. The small size kit ranges from premie to infant for $28, includes yarn and pattern. The large size kit ranges from toddler to child for $46, includes yarn and pattern. I haven't listed these in the shop yet, but let me know and I'll get one out to you pronto!

Another new little development is a special color...Portlandia. Have you seen the show? It's hilarious and true!
I give you Portlandia

This was a quick picture before the day light was gone (and on my phone). I'll get a more accurate one before listing it!

A quick note to those traveling to Stitches, my yarn will be in booth #1144, I hope you pay a visit! PicoAccuardi is hosting me, so generous. They are taking some real treasures with them, I had to sneak one skein into my bag before leaving the studio today! Thanks for visiting the blog, I'd love to hear what you think of the new pattern and colors!

Open Studio Saturday

2011-02-03T22:17:00.000-08:00

Did I tell you about this? Stop by the studio with some knitting or a spinning wheel and hang out for the day! Of course there will be yarn and fiber for sale too. Get stocked up for the super bowl, that's some good couch time! Our address is 14739 SE Arista Drive, Oak Grove. Let me know if you have any trouble finding us.

Thanks again for filling out the survey, it's been very helpful!

Survey Time!

2011-01-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

I have a survey I would love for you to take part in. It's only 10 questions long so it's pretty quick. I would like to get the feed back to help me make some decisions about Knitted Wit's future. And your reward for helping me out? 40% off your next order! Thank you for your time, click HERE to take it!

I can't wait to share with you some new things, the feed back I'm already getting is so helpful!

Busy as a Bee

2011-01-26T21:13:00.000-08:00

But who isn't right?! So I told you about some knits I'm working on. I managed to take pictures, shocking, I know! So there's the shawl. Really crummy picture, but you get the jist. All garter (with a couple of increases) all the time!

I'm knitting on short circs so I can't spread it out and see how big it is. I'm leaving the bright pink to orange. I think I told you that the batt is pretty amazing. I'm really bummed that the business is no longer on line. I've tried contacting the artist, I would love to own more! There might be a few for sale on ravelry, but I might beat you to them!

Another not amazing picture. The color isn't quite right, but you get the idea, it's beautiful!

I'm also test knitting a pattern for a designer that used my yarn!!! Super excited. I'm hoping to have kits ready at the beginning of February. Perfect for small people in your life. Speaking of February, if you are going to Stitches West you can find Knitted Wit at the PicoAccuardi Dyeworks booth! I wish I could make the journey, but can't be done this year with Owen. TNNA did us in for a little while :) Many thanks for PADyeworks getting my yarn into the world.

Which also reminds me! Did I tell you that Clever Knits in Vista California has Knots? They are carrying one ounce bumps of merino (knots), perfect for spinning, needle felting or knitting even!

These are the colors available this season.

Monarch Knitting and Quilts is also carrying Knitted Wit! Bling and Sock It To Me (50g of merino/nylon yarn) will be in their shop soon! Thanks for visiting this little corner of the world. Maybe we should have a little give away soon. I miss hearing from readers ; )

Keeping Busy

2011-01-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

I got two new projects up and running. Both are social for you to participate in! You can go here and join the Ravelry group. And you can go here and Like my facebook page. There's a secret part of me that feels vain for starting these, I'm also really excited to promote Knitted Wit in these spaces. You'll find out about sales, shows, new colors, new stores carrying Knitted Wit and more!

I'm also keeping busy on my needles. I started a sweater with some PicoAccuardi yarn. It's beautiful! I'll try to get some pictures in the day time real soon. My mindless knitting is this shawl. I'm using hand spun yarn so I bumped my needles size up to 11. I'm sure it will be monsterous, but it'll be cozy. I don't know if I'll be keeping it yet. I keep thinking about that while I'm knitting. Does somebody in my life need this? Or a charity maybe? I don't have a picture of the progress, but here is what the batt looked like before I spun it up (it's the top right one, blurry picture!)

Here is the yarn (strange shot, I know). I took the batt apart and separated the colors so it's spun from light to dark. I'm knitting dark to light, so the bright yellow/white will be on my shoulders. Pictures of in progress will happen in day light!

I hope you can join the groups and follow along in the adventure!

Start of the Year and TNNA

2011-01-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

So I'm blazing past the new year. I thought about doing a reflection post, but after the first I didn't really want to reflect on last year. It wasn't a great year for my family with the exception of o being born. And that didn't even go too smoothly! On to 2011, 01/11/11 to be exact!

Knitted Wit started the year off with a bang! Chrissy's pattern for Ladies That Lunch is fabulous, very fitting for us ladies to the town in. I've been stalking the Ravelry group to see some finished socks. I need to wind up my yarn and cast on!

Next for the start of the year was TNNA. What an amazing weekend. I got back late last night with o and promptly went to bed. o had different ideas, but we eventually got some sleep. We flew down with Debby and Stevanie and settled in Thursday. It was nice waking up there since we had so much to do Friday. Friday we set up the booth, sold knots at Sample It

and then attended the fashion show. Just before the fashion show Joel, from Lantern Moon asked if o would be okay with being in the fashion show. As long as he's fed that kid will go along with just about anything! So we got o all dressed up (and fed) and ready to make his entrance on the cat walk. o was the hit of the show!
(that's michele getting a better picture than me!) A major photo op! I only wished I would have put a sign on his butt to tell everyone where he would be and that I dyed yarn. Already o was getting some major love from everybody but after the fashion show people would holler his name across the hotel lobby! He was such a trooper and did great with all the attention.

Saturday the show opened and we were off and running. I can't believe all the people I met and saw walking the show, just amazing. Everybody was so friendly (I'm sure it had nothing to do with the cute baby attached to me!). I can't remember what night it was but we went to Lantern Moon's house (they stayed in house instead of a hotel, it was lovely!) for dinner. It was lovely to be with people that are like family to me in a relaxed setting. Sunday and Monday were more of the same, show all day long with a huge baby in a pack. o lasted the whole show with no melt downs, did a great job taking naps in his nest and was friendly to just about everybody.

We know o was charming enough on his own, but then Sarah went and made an amazing hat that worked perfectly with the booth! Many thanks to her beautiful work!

As far as business goes, you'll now find Knitted Wit in a few new shops in California! So excited to add a state to the roster. A sales rep will also be showing my line. Very excited about this! While I love showing what I do and talking about why I name colors the way I do, I can't get everywhere I want. I also connected with a few designers that will be using my yarn, very excited about this! I love collaborating with people. Creativity does not exist in a vacuum.

I'm also working on an idea for cross stitch project. If you know of anybody who designs sassy cross stitch pattern put them in touch with me.

I'm sure I've missed something from the trip, but that's what I can remember for now! I'll share more as it becomes public. I want to thank Debby and Stevanie for an amazing weekend and for helping with o. I wouldn't have been able to last the weekend with out them!

If you are posting a picture of o from TNNA, please let me know. I would love to give Sarah credit for the amazing hat and let people know what I do as well. Thank you.

Sale!

2010-12-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

It's the end of the year, lets clean out the shop! 25% off the whole shop including clubs. Inventory25 is the code, go wild!!! I'll be headed to TNNA in less than two weeks. So excited. I have a few new colors to dye up, I've been busy scribbling with color crayons getting it just right. I have a few tricks up my sleeves, and they are deep sleeves. So excited to share soon.

I knitted up a bunch of gifts and forgot to take pictures! D'oh! I'll find some of the boys enjoying the tree for next time. For now shop the shop and make it so I don't have any yarn to count!

2010-12-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

So I had a birthday and got a major new toy, an iphone! Really its for Knitted Wit but I do have a lot of fun using it! Wait, did I tell you about this already? Long story short, there are some really great apps for Knitted Wit. And I love taking pictures/videos of the kids. You might see a lot more of those around here!

We were folding laundry and o was pretty helpful. e was having a great time putting on a bunch of clothes!

So what have I been up to...getting ready for TNNA, tons of xmas knitting, growing boys, working at the j-o-b, and staying up way too late! Tis the season right? I have new colors coming for the spring to show at TNNA, lots of tropics! I did all the merino knots today and tried out a few new colors. The week after xmas I'm going to get into the nitty gritty of ten new color combos and 50G clubs. Pretty excited. I've been having fun with color crayons trying to work out the ideas.

Can I show you another picture of the family? It's been 30 seconds right?

E and e cooking. So sweet. E is way patient with e making a mess and helping. Not my best ability.

This next picture is one of my favorites!

This desk used to belong to my grandparents and some time around when I was 10 it showed up at our house. I've always wanted to have it but we don't have a lot of room in our house so I was thrilled when the dye works moved and there was a little home for it. I'm planning a few more touches for my corner, I'll make sure to post a picture when it's a little more together.

Last night we had an open house/holiday party, f-u-n! It's the perfect space for a party. Thank you to everybody who stopped by! Maybe we should do it again in March, a welcome to spring and all the new colors! But back to the current holiday for a minute. Do you have any family traditions you look forward to this time of year? My family has been thinking about this a lot and I would any ideas from you. What we've decided so far is new p.j.'s every year for the boys, along with a new book. I guess we haven't figured too much out yet! Thankfully they are still young. I feel like it's our last year to not be too serious about anything. e will be 3 1/2 next year and might know a little too much to not do anything!

Community Supported Knitting

2010-12-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

So a little announcement! I told you that Chrissy is working on a book about indie dyers and sock patterns to go with the yarn. She also invented Community Supported Knitting where we joined a club and get patterns and then the book at the end. Ingenious! Well, I am the dyer for January! I'm so excited! The yarn is up now in the Shop, if you are part of the club there is a special discount code--don't forget to use it!

So the color way is Ladies that Lunch. I'm sure I've talked about this color. I made it up for Debby's Pre-Sock Summit Lunch (which is going to happen again this year!!). I was the dessert course, which was Tiramisu. Yum. So there's chocolate (brown), different berries (reds/pinks) and cream (white). Yum. I am so excited to see what the sock looks like!

Speaking of seeing the socks (the pattern isn't released to the club until January 1st), Chrissy is going to bring a sneak peak to the Holiday party at the new studio! You're invited! Details are here. I hope you can make it if you're in portland. I know this won't be the last event at the new studio so I would love for you to get to know it!

What else is going on...oh yeah! Sock Summit. I got a booth. Now to start dyeing! I also have a booth at Yvonne's new show. She even has the floor map up. Man that lady is good! We're already working on the lay out for the space. While I'm planning for all of these shows I always have in the back of my mind what o will be up to by then. e will most likely go up to Oma's for the weekend or a few days of the event. At Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival o will most likely be crawling if not walking. It's crazy to think of that! Only 5 months way from a toddler. Ca-razy! Did I tell you that he has tooth number 7 and 8. Yeah. He just turned 6 months old! And he's close to 23 pounds. I have my own little butter ball!

Well I don't think I have any pictures to show you. But I do have a little video I put up of e. It's pretty cute. He is not a nose picker in daily life but for some reason when he saw himself in the camera he went for it. I hope you like it!

Saturday Sale!

2010-11-25T13:27:00.001-08:00

ETA a friend of mine (who's having a crazy sale!) wanted to give a membership, feel free to do the same! In the notes leave the address of where you want the gift to go. That goes for all items in the shop! Nothing like a wooly gift this winter.

So Etsy has coupon codes. I think that's a good excuse to have a sale! Enter SASSY in for your code and get 15% off on Saturday. Saturday is small business shopping day. And I think Knitted Wit qualifies as a small business!

In the shop you'll find some new yarns (did a mini photo shoot in the living room) and the 50G Club. A great way to get a club on the cheap! The club is priced at $42 and shipping is separate. I'm also doing a cheaper shipping option this time. Instead of $4.95 a month it's only $2.50 I think. So if you buy on Saturday it would be....42.08. Basically the shipping is free! I just realized I haven't showed you what Sept/Oct/Nov clubs looked like. I have pictures of what the yarn turned in to but I forgot to take pictures of the treats!

September, Caramel, I sent little salted chocolate caramels from Alma Chocolates here in town. The b-e-s-t chocolate you will ever eat!

November, Watermelon, I sent a tote bag that my husband air brushed and I dyed. You can't have enough bags right?

I'm having major issues with my camera/computer loosing photos so you'll have to go to the project page to see October's yarn. It's call Streaking, not the naked kind. What did I send... some little tags to label gifts and cute stitch markers from Lantern Moon.

I think I might start a fiber club too. Three months at a time with 4 oz of fiber, mainly featuring sheep with a few silks/tencel/bamboo thrown in. What do you think? I think I'll put that in the shop too. $50 for three months, plus shipping. The coupon will work on this too! So much fun to be had! ETA it's now in the shop!!

I wanted to share some pictures from the photo shoot. It might explain why I don't get a lot listed in the shop!

Everybody in position. e wanted to 'work' too

wow, what beautiful yarn!

just out of lenses view

I took this yarn out of the box and e was amazed, he had to kiss it he loved it so much. He did that when I was knitting the watermelon hat too. When I told him I was making it for a baby he came over and kissed the yarn. Even after I said it wasn't for baby o he still liked it! Such a sweetie.

So I know we're all shopping and getting ready for the holidays but I wanted to share a place to give to. Check out this blog post and see all of the amazing quilts that are being given away for only $10 a ticket! Amazing!

Happy shopping this weekend and take advantage of SASSY on Saturday!!

a shout out!

2010-11-10T20:58:00.000-08:00

So a dear friend of mine (and co-worker) wrote a little blog post about me. So sweet. I'm not crazy about the pictures but I wasn't in a super picture mode. Having two small monsters puts me at the bottom of the shower totem pole!

In other news, I'm thinking about opening a shop on Storenvy. I'm going to look into it a little more tonight. I still have everything up in the etsy shop so no worries.

Crackers! I just remembered that I was going to show you my holiday knitting. I'll try to snag some pictures tomorrow at the studio. Have I told you how much I love our new studio space. So sad to not have the Lantern Moon folks around. And e l-o-v-e-s FarmSchool. I don't think my child care situation could get any better!

another lesson

2010-11-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

So wow. I can't believe how many lessons I've gotta learn! Lately I've been overwhelmed by all the things I want to do but don't know how to squeeze in to the day. So surprise, nothing gets done! After the class I took with Lee I've been dying to make a pdf. But I can't figure out how to get it all done in one sitting. Guess what Lorajean? There's a feature called SAVE! So, baby steps here I come.

Speaking of lessons, I took another class today at Twisted. Photography with Vivian, it was pretty fabulous. I learned how to use my camera. It's pretty amazing what you can do when you know how to use a tool correctly.

see the difference! The top picture I prefer. I like the lighting better. So excited! I'm going to go back and re-shoot all my photos of yarn. And hopefully it'll be the last time! Nothing like learning lessons.

What lessons have you been learning? I know I'm not the only one being kicked in the pants by life!

Up next time: everything on the needles + 50G Club. I haven't shown you all the things I've been making with the club yarn. Speaking of, I need to finish knitting up this months project.

A Catch Up

2010-11-03T20:50:00.001-07:00

So it's been a little busy, surprising I know! So there was a sale at the studio, a birthday party, a potluck at the neighbors house, music class, meet up with a friend, farmer's market, trick or treating. And that was only Saturday and Sunday! I took a million pictures the last little while, but I think I'm going to send them directly to flickr and put a few here. I finally recovered all the pictures, they're on the desk top and laptop and external hard drive. Paranoid? Yes. But don't you know it I need to upgrade my flickr account, so they're not there yet.

I got some spinning done, I need to take the yarn off the bobbin and wash it. I used a bat I bought online a year ago. I spun it up to go from yellow to orange to hot pink to purple. Pretty amazing! I'm thinking a shawl in garter stitch. I didn't do the best job spinning, it started out pretty thin and ended a little thick! I'll secure some pictures tomorrow.

And the knitting, yikes I need pictures of the knitting! I'm working on holiday gifts, a few hats are in progress. I need to start another one and a cowl or two. I also need to cast on the knitting projects for the November 50G Club. This is the last installment for this session. But just you wait, there will be more! I feel like this a total drive by blogging but it's what I got.

Here's a picture from today. We went up to Oma's house to help with some house repairs. Or not, it won't load. Grrrr. Imagine lots of trees with beautiful sun light. I'll get them on flickr and share the link. I think I'll also come back more focused. One can have hope!

another reminder

2010-10-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

There's a sale tomorrow. I'm pretty excited I get to be there the whole day. I get to spin. I think the last time I did any spinning was at the farmer's market in August! I just figured out what I'm going to bring! I bought four bats last year right before we found out I was pregnant. I don't even think they made it on the blog. I am going to corner Debby and have a little tutorial on how to spin from a bat! I'm going to remember the camera tomorrow too. I'll bring pictures back and share.

I think I mentioned last night that I last all my pictures, well an internet search and $29 later, I have them all back! I'm hoping to spend the next few naps organizing the desktop computer/external hard drive/laptop. I'm moving files and tiding up Knitted Wit. Nothing like trying to be the most efficient me I can be! In honor of putting all the pictures on the laptop, here is an oldie but goodie. e last year at halloween.

I can't believe how much he's changed. He's been up at Oma's for the last few nights and when we talked tonight he asked if I was coming up. I think he's ready to come home! Of course as soon as he was off the phone he was on to the next fun thing--a bath!

I'm off to start another holiday present. I have two on the needles, but what's another one right?

The List

2010-10-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

1. Sale this saturday! At the Lantern Moon Warehouse/Dyeworks. Show up in a costume and get a special treat. This was originally just a fun sale but now that we're moving...it's a moving sale too! If you have some time to stick around bring your spinning wheel and stay awhile. I'm so excited to get some spinning done! With o not mobile I think he'll be pretty happy to sit and watch the wheel go around. Here's what Debby has to say about it from Ravelry "Saturday come join us for a Halloween party/sale at the warehouse! 10-3p “Trick or Treat” at 7911 NE 33rd Dr, 150 for all kinds of goodies! First 5 peeps get a goody bag! Wearing a costume gets you big girl candy:) This will be the last event at our Lantern Moon space. We are moving to the east side of town. We pick up keys to our new studio in Oak Grove on Monday! Excited to be near our knitting/spinning friends, but sad to be leaving our Lantern Moonies:(Come join the fun! There will be a small Lantern Moon sale too if you missed the first one this Fall."

2. I just took a class at Twisted from Lee and learned all about publishing patterns and writing them. I'm pretty excited! I learned how to use pages on my computer and I think I want to make family newsletters! It is so much fun! Now I just need to find a few extra hours in the day to do computer work. Which I'm hoping to do tomorrow morning before going to work.

3. I started a ravelry group but I want to get the art work up first. Then I'll post a little link and we can have a party there!

4. Did I tell you the laptop crashed? That's why it got quiet around here fast. I have a desktop but it's so much easier to sit on the couch and write a blog post. But we lost the last two months of photos, including all of my knitted wit pictures and and my friend's wedding. Devastating, but I'm going to try and find them on the camera.

5. Watching The Office and I could pee my pants. So funny!

6. I've started my holiday knitting. And I need to go knit.

7. If you have any questions about the sale let me know, I'd love for you stop by!

8. How cute is he?! I have no pictures on this computer so this is what you get!

another quick pass!

2010-10-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Ladies at Twisted for the love on the blog. Some of my favorite people!

So a little poll which you will all be rewarded for. I want to start a group on Ravelry for updates, contests (your reward!) and seeing all my yarn out in the world as FO. I'm thinking about calling it The Sass Class. Knitted Wit's tag line is Fine Treasures from a Sassy Girl. And if you know me, I'm a little sassy! I try to tone it down so not to offend but it doesn't always work. So what do you think of the name? And do any of you fabulous people know how to make the header for the group so it's not all stretched out funny? Thanks people for being a resource!

a quickie!

2010-10-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

It's late but I wanted to share a few things, we'll go with bullets

*the dyeworks is moving! more info later about this but what you need to know is we're (Pico Accaurdi Dyeworks and Me!) having a halloween sale that has morphed into a moving sale! Info here

*since we're moving to Oak Grove (milwaukie area, just south of portland) I needed to find child care for e. I'm going to visit tomorrow morning, pretty excited. It's a one acre farm with critters, and older kids that are home schooled. e will be worn out and have so much fun! Pics after the visit!!

*there are now 20 items in the shop, pretty happy about that! trying to add more every night. See anything you like?

*have you heard about this? I'm so excited to be a dyer with the other fabulous ladies! Wow. I'm pretty sure I'll be joining. I can't miss out on these yarns and patterns!

*I think that's it. o is teething and not sleeping. I really need to go to bed while he's out. good night!

And the winner is...

2010-10-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Two people! Sarah's idea: You could easily lay that prefelted roving out in thick layers to make cushions for the aristocrat - the colors would work with the interior. 10 lbs worth!! Jeez, you could make a wool coverlet and sleep in heaven on your camp outs!!! I would gladly help you felt it all. And Peaceful Knitter: I remember seeing a cute wreath last winter that was made out of felted balls of wool attached to a wreath form. I love these ideas and I'm excited to see how they work out. I'd love to send each of you a treat of yarn, 50g of superwash merino fingering yarn! Thank you to everybody that left comments with your ideas.

I also want to direct your attention to the shop. There are five new things to choose from! And I'm bringing home more to photograph tomorrow, watch out. The silly down side is I'm not knitting. But there's other minutes to find in the day. I've also updated my flickr page. I will be adding all my color ways as well. I have about 20 to add tonight. I'm hoping yarn shops (and you!) can look through all the pictures and place orders. Let me know if I'm missing anything.

Here's a picture of e while I was doing a little yarn photo shoot. He found a stash of velcro dots and put them all over. Silly boy!

What?!

2010-10-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

How did 2 weeks go by?! I tell you what. Every week I learn a new lesson about budgeting time. The first week of October was miserable. Second week has gone a lot smoother. What I've learned: lower my expectations, set limits on what I attempt to get done at the studio, follow my time line as much as possible not others. I won't elaborate but we're all learning here. Let's do a little family update. o is 4 1/2 months old. Two weeks ago he weighed 19 pounds at his check up. He could very well weigh 20 now. There is nothing small about that baby! He wants to play all the time and isn't too keen on being put down so I can get work done. He could also be teething, because two teeth isn't enough! e just got a hair cut tonight and is looking sharp. He continues to try my patience every day, which is his job. He loves to read and reads to his brother. He's also busy teaching o how to play with toys. o already likes to drive cars just like e. Pretty cute! E is still doing well. He is coming off the prednisone so we're all learning the boundaries of his healthy tummy. While the diseased part was taken out he still has Crohn's disease. It's hard to remember that after the last 6 weeks of him feeling so good and eating everything. In some ways a tummy ache feels devastating. I can't imagine the family going back to having a sick papa. But here is to continued healing and health!

Here's a little Knitted Wit update! I finished up a bunch of orders, look for new pretties at Twisted, Urban Fiber Arts, Wool N Wares, and Make 1 Yarns. They all have different and beautiful yarns (if I do say so myself!) On Thursday I had a free day to play in dye and I made up all oranges and a yellow or two with a green. I made a bunch of pretty yarns and a few fibers. They'll be hanging up tomorrow and hopefully photographed on Monday. Speaking of Monday...I'm hoping to photograph a bunch of yarn on Monday and then do a shop update. Now I know I've said this before, but I'm going to follow through. We have medical bills, enough said!

As a reward for reading this far how about a contest? A few weeks ago I managed to felt almost 10 pounds of fiber, including some silk/merino. I can't tell you how bummed I am, for more than one reason! So, if you can think of something for me to do with this roving, and I use your idea you win....some felted wool! Just kidding, how about some yarn! I have a few skeins from my 50G club that need homes. All you lurkers out there, give me an idea for the felted wool. Even if it's crazy! I'll be back Monday night with a winner and a shop update!

We went and visited Debby at her farm and e had a great time herding the goats!

Some where on this rack is October's yarn for the 50G club. If you haven't joined, there is still time! You'll get September's too!

Realistic Expectations

2010-09-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well people, I have two kids. This reality hits me in new ways everyday. Today e was watched by the amazing Sally, then papa took over. o stayed with me while I dyed yarn. What a trying day! But E saved the day by bringing the pack down. I won't forget that again! o took very long naps on my back (ouch!) and I dyed yarn. In between naps the lovely ladies of Pico Accuardi kept him company while they wrapped up a major project. Wowsers. So expectations. I went in thinking I could get a ton done today, which I did, but I think I planned a little too much. I think o will be staying home soon, especially if I can expand how many shops I'm selling at. Such a struggle to balance the family/business/j-o-b.

Now on to the big positives of the day! I just about finished up all the yarn that needs to go out. Just a few lace skeins for one store. I dyed up club yarn for this month and possibly next month (you can still join!). I started dyeing samples out of the new base yarn I'm going to use. Ummm oh and some yarn to post in the shop! So crazy! I'm pretty excited about some new pretties to put in the shop. Thanks for letting me reflect about the day. It was a pretty rough start so it's nice to look back and see the good stuff.

Here's a shot of dyeing/parenting

Here's a shot of the conference room

Here's e sleeping last night. He loves to snuggle (nuggle as he says) his baby. I love how the arm is all tucked in under his. You can see o's blanket from knit night and e's blanket from Oma. The quilt is from Helen's mom for the boys' babies. These boys are lucky!

OFFF, the second day

2010-09-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

The second day of OFFF was great, but a little soggy. I have to say that didn't even bring me down! I did want to go shopping a little more since it was a little slow. It was so great to meet readers of the blog (hello lurkers!) and hear about projects that people were working on with yarn and fiber that I dyed. OFFF was also fabulous for meeting up with other vendors new and old. I'm really excited for Yvonne's spring show, crossing my fingers I get in!

I just realized that I forgot to take pictures of what I bought at OFFF! D'oh! For next time I guess! I am going to cast on for a sweater, using the wool/silk yarn I'm dyeing up now. I bought a pattern from White Lies Design, Colette I think.

Goodness I'm a little spacey on the picture part. Here's one of o at OFFF being held by Stevanie. I'm sad e didn't make it down, the first one he's missed. But so grateful that Oma's took such good care of him for the whole weekend!

Pretty cute, huh? What are you casting on? Are you starting anything you got at OFFF?

OFFF

2010-09-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Have I told you how much I love this weekend? I do. And I still have one more day! So happy about the whole event and I just wanted to gush a little. It was great to meet so many people today that read here or Michele's blog and know my sweet kids and my husband. I'm excited for tomorrow, but a little sad that's its the last day! In the next year I would love to be doing this full time. And thanks to all of my customers who are helping to make that happen!

I hope I can take some pictures to bring back and share. If you're coming tomorrow please stop in and say hello!

Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival

2010-09-22T19:59:00.001-07:00

It's that time again! My favorite weekend of the year! Oregon Flock and Fiber starts on Saturday and goes through Sunday. I could seriously gush all day about this weekend. I always worry about building it up too much and will I be disappointed. But that hasn't happened yet and I don't really think it will ever happen! Okay, I'll stop and move on to what's going to be in my booth!

Just a taste of what I'm bringing! I have to twist all this up into skeins and label! Thank goodness the kids are asleep, I got work to do!

I'm bringing all the yarn and wool I have dyed up. A lot of it is going to be on sale. And I mean s-a-l-e! This is what I put in the ravelry group for OFFF:

a selection of the following yarns, some are chosen because they’re funky, or no longer carried or tired.
Shine (merino/tencel fingering) $15 (regularly 26)
Baaaboo (merino/bamboo/nylon fingering) $15 (26)
Sport Weight (falkland superwash) $10 (20)
Fingering Weight (merino superwash) $15 (24)
color coded (merino superwash/nylon) $5 (18)
These fibers are chosen because they’re tired.
BFL, Merino, Shetland, Corriedale, 4 oz braids $8 (14)
I also have a bunch of Merino Knots (1oz bits) that are a little to smooshed up $1 (regularly 3)

I’ll also have my 50G club available for pick up and sign up.

I was packing up all the yarn and fiber today...Wow! Almost everything I'm bringing is going to be marked down! So I hope you stop by and take some yarn and fiber home with you. I'm looking forward to going home with empty totes!

I know it's a little blurry but the boys are always on the move! They are also my excuse for not blogging! I can't believe how fast this month went. I went back to work and so did E. We also had a birthday party for E. It seems like there was a lot more going on. Oh, yeah. A lot of dyeing! Look for a lot of new yarn and colors in Twisted, Wool N Wares, Make 1, and Urban Fiber Arts! Wow that's some excitement. I'm hoping to get yarn to shops out side of Oregon in this next month.

So, if you're coming to OFFF this weekend please stop by and say Hello! I'll have o and I'm sure he'll give a grin if he's awake. e is going to Oma's house for the weekend, but will hopefully make an appearance. He's been every year so far!

A little help for a friend

2010-08-30T20:26:00.001-07:00

My dear friend had a house fire a little over a week ago. Her three kids lost everything. School is just around the corner. I can't even imagine the trauma let alone the stress of figuring all of it out! Stevanie, half of Pico Accuardi Dyeworks (who I share the dyeing space with) is incredibly generous in every way. If you would like to help out her family you can purchase a hat pattern here. All $$ goes to Stevanie's family, who are currently living in a hotel and might have to for the next three months! I just got the pattern and I think it will be perfect for handspun. I'm pretty excited about making a few. Thank you for helping a dear friend.

In other news, I'm just about done knitting up the yarn for the 50 G sock club. I love it! So pretty. If you haven't joined yet there is still time! I am so excited about this little project. I've already got the rest of the colors picked out in my head, they are beautiful!

In family news, E goes back to work on Thursday. I go to a wedding on Friday, return Sunday. I start work on Tuesday. With dyeing squeezed in here and there. Wow it's going to be busy around here! And o got his first tooth on Saturday. Can you believe it?! He'll be three months on Wednesday. e was 3 1/2 months old before his first tooth. A little advanced that o.

Hopefully I'll be back soon with loads of beautiful pictures from the wedding. SO excited for this mini vacation!

Want to be in my club?

2010-08-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

Remember being in the second grade and having clubs with your best friends? One of them I was in had little notes books and pencils. Pretty fancy! Well if you want to be in a club you can join mine! I'm not sure if we'll have note books and pencils, but we will have yarn! The club is going to be called 50 G's. As in 50 grams of fingering weight yarn. There will be either variegated or semi solid yarn each month with little treats too. I won't be including a pattern but every month there will be a list of project ideas. I hope you are a member on Ravelry because that will be the place for pattern inspiration! You are welcome to be a double member and get 100 G's if you do want to make a pair of socks.

Memberships last for 3 months and will be shipped around the middle of the month. The first one goes out in September, and I will have them available at OFFF if you want to join there. Membership is $56.85 for three months (includes domestic shipping, international, we'll have to talk). I will be shipping priority in the cute little VHS boxes, pretty excited about that! If you live local and want to arrange a pick up let me know, I'm pretty flexible. So what do you think? Let me know if I've missed a key detail, this is a first for me so there might be a speed bump or two! It was pointed out to me that my etsy shop looks a little sad, so hopefully this will cheer it up!

I already have September's dyed up. I'm going to start knitting tonight! I'm going to try and have a few things knit up for ideas, wish me luck. I'm also working on Cedar Leaf Shawlette in Silky and Single. It's one of my new yarns that will be photographed and available soon. (Having a two year old sure slows down the tasks around here.)

Speaking of family: a quick little update. E is doing great, gaining weight and eating. Perhaps eating too many things that aren't healthy. But after not eating anything unhealthy for years it's understandable that he went a little crazy. He's coming around to a healthy diet and treats in moderation. e is doing well at being a 2 year old. Translation? He's driving me crazy about 10 times a day! I'm hoping once E and I are back at work life will settle into a routine and it will get easier. Having two parents at home all the time isn't always easier. o is fabulous. Nothing like a 2 1/2 month old to make parenting easy. He goes to bed on his own, only wakes up about twice a night and takes at least one long nap during the day with a few shorter ones. I'm savoring this because I know it might change the minute I go back to work.

I'll leave you with a few pictures from the last week!

o, talking and giggling! He loves talking to people, he is so happy. And b-i-g. At his 2 month check up he was 15 pounds, my guess is he's close to 17 now. I'm growing a giant!

e wanted to eat his dinner down in the little ditch the other night, so I joined him. The seat is prime for watching the neighbors.

Farmer's Market

2010-08-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

A quick reminder! I'll be at the Montavilla Farmer's Market tomorrow!! I was just labeling some lace yarn, 65% wool/35% silk, and it was all in my lap. For a minute I thought about keeping it all to myself! I feel very lucky to have all this yarn and fiber in my life! Thanks for making it happen!