Yarn Tasting & Peace Making

Here is a sneak preview of some of the yarns we will be "sampling" at our third tasting on Sunday, August 26. I have to note that there seems to be a lot of silk and silk blends this year which is wonderful because they take the color so well and add a lovely sheen.
As I say, we have had shipments this week from Cascade, EuroYarns and Needful so there will be a surprise or 2 thrown in. I'm really looking forward to it and hope you are also.

I snapped this picture last night while totally in shock. The white cat is Precious, our deaf kitty who is usually on the low end of the pecking-order-totem-pole. And the little black & white is our newest, Joey, who is about 4 months old and as ornery as they come (you better believe there is a vet visit in the very near future for him!). To find them curled up together basking in the last of the day's sunshine was very amazing. Just goes to show, you never know what someone can be capable of if given the chance.

Course, it lasted about 30 minutes and then they were at it again. But I guess there is always hope.

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Swap Questionnaire

Yep, another swap. I can't help it, I'm addicted. Actually, my keeper seems to be having some sway over me as I have limited it to one new one per month. Isn't that reserved of me? Since I love to felt, this should be a fun one!

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Swap Questionnaire
How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom? For 45 years. For 3 months, a lady next door got me started and otherwise, I am self-taught.
What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?
It was a Kitty Pi Bed. It seemed sort of magical the way that felting your knitting changed it.
What are your favorite colors? Any you hate? Green and purple are my favs. I really like all colors but dislike neutrals & blacks.
What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!) I like med-large shoulder bags with embellishments. Noni (large market bag) or Nicky Epstein (fuchsia bag) are good examples. I also recently acquired a laptop (Like I know how to use it!) so could use a bag for that.
What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting? I currently have an old, rather shabby huge project bag that everything is dumped into. I need to get organized!!
What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? I really like to wear my knitting so, since I am of a certain size, and because it doesn’t get horribly cold here in Bakersfield, I really like to make wraps, shawls and shrugs.
What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum) Wood and bamboo straights are my favorites (luv Lantern Moons) but I really like my Denise kit and have found I enjoy Lace Addis when I do need to use circulars.
What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make? I haven’t done any shadow knitting yet and hope to try that this winter.
What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with? Malabrigo is one I haven’t tried yet. Chasing Rainbows and Alchemy are a couple of hand painted companies I want to try.
What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden? I’ve tried spinning-takes away too much time from knitting. I do like to dye, I bead and I work with polymer clay. I used to sew and quilt.
Besides yarn, do you collect anything? Craft books & magazines of all sorts. I have quilting, cross stitch, needlepoint and the above mentioned crafts. Oddly, I find I don’t have any of EZ’s books which I would like to have.
What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to? No allergies. I prefer white chocolate to milk but love peanut butter cups. I also like dark chocolate with fruity tastes (raspberry, etc...) I guess I’m currently in a sweet mode.
Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!) No 2 legged ones. I have 1 horse, 3 real dogs, and 6 cats, 2 of which think they are dogs. Actually, the horse thinks she is a dog also, but that is another story!
What kind of project best personifies you and why? I love combined colors and textures so Prism patterns & yarns are one of my favorites. I have made a number of Chris Bylsma’s Crayon Box/Dancing Crayon patterns with numerous textures. Straight st st on smooth yarn is just not my thing. Anyone remember Fantacia yarns (Barry Klein’s mother’s company, I believe, before they started Trendsetter)? That was my absolute all time most exciting knitting- it really got me motivated.
What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer! I wish we had more of the seasons here but I just love the cooling off that Autumn brings. That tang in the air in the mornings that promises the holiday season is coming.
Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.
I would support/start an animal rescue program. It would include free neutering/spaying/vet services for anyone who needed it.
In conjunction with the above, I would start a pet therapy project. I believe that the unconditional love offered by animals can cure a number of traumas and reach people when other methods fail. It seems like a win/win situation.
I would start an artists co-op. I like to try to support individual artists and would like to be able to do it on a large scale, in a number of mediums.

Let's get swapping!

Christmas in August

This is a picture of what the shop looked like on Friday when everyone had dropped off their Summertime Dishcloth Swap packages. You guys really got into this! There was an amazing amount of creativity and generosity displayed. You guys make me very proud to know you.
Doesn't it look like Christmas?


And everyone had a great time opening their goodies. It was very exciting. Have you been in to pick up your package yet?

We had such an enthusiastic

response that we will

probably start another

swap in a few weeks, this one

with an Autumn theme.

Any suggestions?

Our happenings at the shop this weekend include the Crayon Box Jacket workshop on Saturday which was very popular last year. The brown/black version is last year's version and has gotten a lot of wear.

This lovely lavender/berry/green/teal version is the one I'm working on for this year. This one is mostly silks with a few novelties. We will do several follow up sessions to be able to assist with any problems anyone might have. Remember, the pattern produces a Chanel-type cardigan but I have adapted mine to a shrug.

And Sunday is our Autumn yarn tasting. We have 10 yarns lined up- a few novelties, a few non-wools, some silks and some silk-wool blends. 3 are hand dyeds, a few are variegated the rest are solids. The needle/ hook sizes will run from 6/G to 13/N. I think we will have something for everyone. Look forward to seeing you there.

Swap Swag

I have been befuddled and deranged (anyone know what I mean?) by things mechanical and technical. Slowly, I've been regaining some control over the machines and want to take this opportunity to thank all of my upstream swap partners.
Lapghan By December Swap #1


Lapghan By December Swap #2

Yarn Junkies #5-Pink

Dog Days of Summer Swap

And my ever helpful swap wrapping assistant checking to make sure that the container is the right size for my outgoing amigurumi (whom, by the way, was dubbed Dimetri, but I can't show him until I know he has been received).

I want to thank everyone who has sent such awesome, thoughtful packages and I hope to be able to stay in touch with all of you! Keep swapping!