Oh My Gosh! Where did the time go?

Wow! I can't believe we are heading towards the end of October already! Time flies, whether you are having fun or not.

I'm so excited. I've been published! Cheryl Potter of Cherry Tree Hill has accepted my Rings of Supersock pattern for her pattern line. They are even kitting it and have several orders for the kit, despite the fact that it hasn't even hit the website yet! How gratifying is that?

Our sale on selected Karabella yarns, on the remaining Gedifra and on Opal sock yarns is continuing through the end of October. Watch for something special to begin on November 1.

This is the Swirly Shawl pattern done in New Magic, which is one of the sale yarns. It is a perfect gift, quick to knit and you don't need to worry about size.

We are going to offer classes on other great gift ideas every Wednesday in November. Stay tuned.

We have decided that we are going to explore a different technique every couple of weeks. These next 2 weeks it will be mitered patterns.

This Saturday and Sunday, October 25 & 26, I will be offering workshops on Chris Bylsma's Dancing Crayons pattern. Below are the 3 versions I have knit.

As you can see, it is an extremely versital pattern and is a great way to use up left over novelties. The workshop Saturday will be 1-4PM and Sunday from Noon-3PM. Call the shop if you have any questions.

The following weekend, November 1 & 2, I will be offering workshops on my Mitered Shrug pattern.

This is a spring version I am working on now using mostly silk yarns.

This is my winter version, which many of you have seen.

And this is the finished garment.

These workshops will be offered at the same times. Hope to see you there! The next technique we will explore will be cables. We'll keep you posted on the specifics.

And, Phoebe, our newest family member seems to be fitting in quite well.
I would say that she is fairly relaxed and comfortable, wouldn't you? Oh, to have the life of a dog (at least, one of our dogs!).

Last Yarn tasting of the Year

Here is the sample plate for our last Yarn Tasting of the year. We are offering cottons, linens, silks, bamboo and polymides from Karabella, Plymouth. GGH/Muench, Skacel, Twisted Sisters, Kollage and Colinette. One is even an aroma therapy yarn!

Due to the popularity last time, we are also offering 2 different scarf patterns you can make with your "sample plate". They are both drop stitch designs, which show off the various textures and fibers, one with a cable, one with a simple rib.













We hope you can join us for this last tasting of the year on Saturday August 16!


And, of course, no post is complete without at least one mention of the four footed friends. This is Precious, shop-cat-in-training, helping to clean out a drawer. I wonder if she knows how ridiculous she looks? I wonder if she cares?

Indie Dyer Has Arrived

We have just received some brand new hand dyed sock yarn. It is Super Sock by Indie Dyer who is actually the daughter of Cheryl Potter of Cherry Tree Hill.

The colors are deep and rich, the yarn has a tight twist and a lovely sheen and it is an assortment, so there are no two colors the same. I envision a lovely shaded wrap or shrug besides socks. So much to do and so little time!

As some of you know, we lost one of our precious dogs to cancer several months ago. Wednesday Rick went to the animal shelter and brought back a new baby.

She is a pit bull mix, 5 months old and not a speck of white on her. She has the sweetest face and the brindle markings make her look like she is always smiling. She loves to jump in our laps (hopefully she won't get much bigger!) and is very klutzy. Any ideas for names?

Upcoming Workshops

As a result of our last yarn tasting, one of our fantabulous customers came up with the idea of using the yarns from the tasting to make a pair of socks, which we called Orphan Moya Socks, after the customer who's name is Moya. These have now morphed into Orphan Moya Fingerless Mitts, which are shown below along with the socks and the cards of yarns that are available as a kit. We also do the Mitts as a workshop, the next one coming up on July 9th.

Our dyeing workshops continue to be very popular and we are finding numerous projects to make with these yarns. This is Carrera, a 50/50 merino silk fingering weight that I dyed last weekend.
I have started Shetland Shorty from knitty.com with it. It is much brighter than the pattern is done in, but I am really liking it. And I can't begin to describe the sheen this yarn has. Lovely! Our dyeing workshops this month will be on July 13th and July 27th.

I really zoomed through my Intarsia Christmas Stocking. There is just something very satisfying about working with your own hand dyed.
Here it is complete except for the heel, which was done as an "after thought" heel.

And here it is finished. What do you think? It will be offered as a workshop again on July 26th but the pattern will be available on July 5th for purchase.

And, of course, no post is complete without mentioning the furry friends in our lives. On any given day that you drop in you might be treated to one of Bonnie's adorable MiKis, such as Antoinette. Isn't she precious in her stylish coat?
Or you might meet Precious, shop-cat-in-training. She is deaf but it doesn't keep her from "feeling" when someone comes in and going to meet them, if she is so inclined. Looks like she is getting the hang of it, doesn't it?

Hope to see ya'll soon!