Year: 2020

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Might Be Obsessed

I might be obsessed with a new thing. I, of course, have this huge yarn obsession.Resistance to the yarn is futile. But I have also have hooks and needles.

I have straight needles, circular needles, interchangeable and double pointed needles.Then there are acrylic, aluminum, nickle plated, bamboo and whatever Signature needles are made of. I have short crochet hooks, longer ones, bamboo, metal acrylic. Tunisian and afghan hooks, too.There’s even a pair of Knook needles.

I have a Inoxal that I love and wish I could find more to sibling the one that I have. But no such luck there. So, I am going to going to give it an adoptive sibling. My favorite crochet hook. The one Mr. Honey gave me that belonged to his mother.

I do love this hook. And it’s handmade. One of Mr. Honey’s uncles was a master woodworker – what I call a whittler. He made beautiful stuff and we think he made this crochet hook for his sister. It looks to be a 9mm or about a L or M hook. I’ve used it and it works very well. There’s some writing etched or burned onto the end of the hook and it looks like it says size and nothing after it. Making something like this would certainly have been in his uncle’s wheelhouse. The man was great with woodwork.

I might be obsessed enough to ask my friend,Glen, to make me some hooks. He already made me the cross and flame emblem of the United Methodist Church. I’m thinking a set of hooks might not be such a bad thing to have.

No idea how much they would cost and if I would use them. There’s no one in the next generation even interested in crochet. Still, it’s something to think about.

 

 

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The truth is, I haven’t knit all week. I’ve been working but that work hasn’t consisted of making loops for about five days. It’s the other parts of the business keeping me occupied and knitting hasn’t been on the schedule for the past three days – things aren’t looking that great for tomorrow, either.

I’ve been doing stuff of Pinterest.

I’ve been buying yarn:I’ve been listening to podcasts and reading about social media and all sorts of other things that will help me grow the business.

There’s church work – though we are still social distancing – we put up a Black Lives Matter sign on our lawn

 

 

 

 

 

 

and someone(s) decided to slash it A group of young boys saw it and taped it up. We got an offer to have it replaced for free but we decided to keep it up as a symbol that though someone was harmful; we were not destroyed.

So, this page intentionally left blank of knitting projects but it is not void of action and living life. There’s a great deal going on here. I do miss knitting though. I am happy to say that it should be back in the new week. 

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Trip Down Memory Lane

A trip down memory lane can lead to a renewed vision and spark creativity. I would argue this is a good thing for me as I decide what I am going to make after this round of items I have on my plate.

This bag sold in myshop. I remember making it. I finally got to use Lion Brand Thick and Quick. Cables were new and exciting. (They still are exciting) and the color was so rich. This did sell fairly quickly. It helped convince me I was in the right place.

Would I make this bag again? I certainly would and have plans to do so. But – there would be some changes. First, I would line it. I know how to line bags now. Second, I would make a version where it was a tote bag. That means I could lose the fancy handles. I could replace them with knit straps

Lastly, I would change up the pattern (of course). I followed it to the letter.  But that time is almost all gone. I have an idea of how i would change it up and it still includes cables.

BTW, I would still use the Thick and Quick because I have some in the stash somewhere and it’s fun to knit with. One trip down memory lane makes new, fresh memories. I’m looking forward to making this new one.

it will have to wait until August. Knitting is slow this month.The month is more than half gone and I haven’t made everything I am supposed to make. This thing called life is getting in the way. But we are at a real crossroad in this thing and we as a country, a world and a society have some decisions to make. I am involved in making those decisions for myself and my community. If I leave the knitting world behind to make that world better; that is time well spent.

 

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Hat Head

Alas, I don’t have a hat head. There are many who do and I admire them a great deal.

It’s kind of like the dentist’s kid who has bad teeth or the hairdresser’s kid whose head is always a mess. I make hats and design hats but I cannot wear one with any level of cuteness.

Find these and other beanies here in the shop.

Nature had no idea someone would invent a head covering. If she did, I am sure she would have made us all capable of wearing one and looking good in it. 

Some say everyone can wear a hat; it’s just the matter of finding the right one to fit your face. I’m never quite sure of the shape of my face. It seems round but then it seems roundly oval.

I took the time to look up a guide on how to select and wear a hat. It is geared for those over 40. Which I can no deny that I am having left my 40s behind at least a decade ago. 

I fear I will never have a hat head and I am fine with this, truly. It’s not even a thought except on cold winter days. I have a higher tolerance of cold than I do of heat and it will have to be almost single digits before I even think of pulling on a hat and then it’s not that I care about how I look. It’s a product of function. I would put a live sheep on my head if I thought it would keep me warm when it gets cold enough for me to think I should have one on.

The guide will come in handy if you’re wondering how to tote a togue. I am resigned to my fate and will get joy out of helping you look good.

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Never Too Much

There is never too much yarn. Even when I say there is. There really isn’t

This is part of my stash

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is too

stash 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

So is this:

stash 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep:

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s more at the house. You don’t see all that’s stuffed in the closet. I admire the way Ross and Crystal have their yarn rooms arranged. I just don’t want to do that because I don’t have the mindset to keep it that organized. I’m doing good to have the bins arranged the way I do in the studio. I’m gonna stay in my lane. There’s no need in trying to be something I ain’t and something I don’t want to be. It would be nice but it would not be me.

Even so, there’s never too much.

It’s time for me to buy yarn. I purchase yarn twice a year and I was hoping for Herrschners but the virus stalled their plans but a few friends and I are planning a road trip up there anyway. I am in search of a new basic yarn and it looks like I’ve selected this:

 

 

The road trip to Wisconsin is to pick this up. I may also pick up some other yarns while I’m there but that’s basically it. Maybe some Jeans yarn cuz that’s still my favorite yarn. I just made something from it that I will show to you.

I am also looking to replace the Sugarwheel and I still think that’s going to be with Cakes Blues from Ice Yarns.Ice Yarns may be replacing other Hobby Lobby yarns though the Premier site looks tasty.

Someone may have just  placed an order for some Universal yarn from that site. In the middle of writing this post. Not saying who. But if they did, they will be getting 10 skeins, 5 different colors and the price with shipping comes to $3.00 a ball for wool/acrylic blend pretty colors. Just sayin’. It could have happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My Dreams Continued – Part II

In My Knitted Dreams I showed pics of all these yarns I pulled and I was gonna make so much with them. I didn’t use them. To be sure, my dreams continued and I knit and crocheted a lot in the two weeks since I made that post. I just didn’t make what I thought I was going to make. 

Well, I did use two of the yarns and I made the faux cable hat with both of them but that’s as far as I got. I wasn’t ready to make the faux cable hat. It comes up soon and I was jumping the gun with the other projects as well.

Instead, I used these yarns Lion Brand Jeans, Lily Sugar N Cream and Village Yarn Craft Cotton. You can find them all at Herrschners. The Jeans and Sugar you can find at any of the craft stores that carry yarn.

I made friends with the cotton yarns. There will be gift sets of washcloths in the shop.

Eight things make up this collection: The Market Bag, The Claire Cowl, The Shale Cowl and Textured Washcloth Sets and the patterns for each of them. There still a little over a week to the month. I’m hoping to add at least one more item and pattern. The next item in line is a 2 toned, 2×2 ribbed beanie. No pom-pom, Suitable for men and women. My dreams continued and grew bigger!

There are a ton of finished objects to be photographed and placed in the next Lookbook. Also, working on Dando, the newsletter about gift giving. I did buy a little bit of yarn though there’s more to be purchased. Lots to look forward to showing you.

 

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The Cables I Subscribe To

These are the cables I subscribe to. I gave up cable television years ago because it was very expensive for very little in return. But these cables are very reliable and, technically, they aren’t cables. I did the pattern for my Faux Cable Beanie. These twists are fun to make and I love them in the different colors I’ve knit them in.

This is Yarn Bee Sugarwheel by Hobby Lobby. I lovethe color and I love the yarn but I will be using up what’s in my stock and not buying any more. I understand those who will still support the corporation, I just won’t be one of them. But I love this color. I think I am going to be using Ice Yarn Cake Blues as a substitute. I haven’t used them but I do like the Ice Yarns I do have so I’m having faith.

I did do them in two other colors, each one from Caron Big Cakes: Blueberry Torte and Cherry Compote. Look at that texture. They are loftier than a ‘real’ cable. This twist is made with just two stitches. They almost jump off the hat!

They also hold up to the color and enhances the changes. I don’t what Caron has in mind for new colors for Big Cakes and I hope they aren’t discontinuing them because not only are they a great bargain at $9.99 for 600 yards, but they are also vibrant and lush colors that are fun to make cables with – even the fauz kind.

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In My Knitted Dreams

It’s June and this is the month my knitted dreams go a little wild. I purchase yarn twice a year (except when I need it for a specific order.) My last yarn haul was December, and I was looking forward to Herrschners sale this year. I contacted them a few months ago and they said they hadn’t decided what to do with their sale and they just put some stuff on clearance on their site. I’ve been eyeing the Ice Yarns, Paintbox and other sites looking over the fibers I want to have in my stash. I know very well most of what I buy will linger with the masses in the stash – the skeins I pulled last night have been there for 3 – 10 years. Their patience is being rewarded by sitting on my table and possibly finding their way to my needles. 

The yarns I pulled? Cascade Eco. The yarn continues but the color does not. And it is rare for me to have 100% wool but I have it and I think I have it in a brown color, too.

I Love This Yarn Sugarwheel in Gelatto’s My Motto. Hobby Lobby as a company has not been a favorite lately but I have a ton of their yarn and it makes me happy so I am going to use it even though it is likely I won’t be shopping there again. I imagine the Ice Yarn Cake Blues will sub just fine. That’s also why there is no link to the yarn

Barcelona by Loops and Threads. Sold exclusively at Michaels. This is a very lush and soft acrylic yarn.

Caron Big Cakes in Blueberry Torte. This is one of my favorites because it’s beautiful, soft and I get a lot of bang for the buck.

Finally, another Loops and Threads. This is Impeccable. This is their basic worsted weight yarn. I like it in a pinch for wearables but I am not making a wearable with this one.

 

 

 

What am I making? I will tell you in My Knitted Dreams, part 2.

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Discovery Channel

It’s like the Discovery Channel – Knitsville Edition. Where the folks in Knitsville are putting away the winter clothing and pulling out the summer clothing only to discover some fall clothing no one remembered they had.

That is to say, I have found a number of hats and scarves hiding away in places and there will be some new additions to the shop when I can get around to it all. I’ve also cataloged the ready to ship items and they have new sku numbers and if they weren’t in the shop before they are now.

I am also working on some new stuff that is piled unto on one of the trunks. This  stocking cap is about to come off the needles.All that’s needed is a stretchy bind off and a pom-pom. It can be a little splitty but I can overlook it. There is a review of the yarn right here. 

The move in continues. I still have boxes in the room. Some I’ve opened by couldn’t completely empty until I find something else in another box.That is somehow a good thing. There will be more donations when they start up again. I am discovering yarn I forgot I had. It is kinda ironic I am looking forward to my biannual yarn buy. I know I am not likely to be using it soon no matter what I get so all I will be making is room.

I enjoy cooking in the kitchen. It will be better when the boxes are empty and off the counter. I’ve been ambitious in this new place. I did an eleven hour low and slow roast and I’ve baked some bread – really delicious. Gonna have some right after this. Loving two bathrooms and no stairs.

It’s amazing the things that thrill us. 

 

 

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The Grass is Greener

You know that saying the grass is greener on the other side? It’s true but we want to get on that other side anyway. I wanted to get to that other side in this moving thing and learn how to live in a condo.

That has happened.They moved us in two hours and we were living in a condo. It added one more thing to my list of things to do. I have to knit, run the business side of knitting, do church work, put together a new home and dismantle an old one. Did I mention there’s a pandemic?

I thought for certain I would be cooking that first night. Around four, I knew dinner from scratch wasn’t going to happen. I looked forward to doing it Tuesday and thought I had everything together only to learn I didn’t have a can opener, measuring cups or spoons. Maybe Wednesday.

Yes. We had our first home cooked meal that night. Cream of Chicken soup with wild rice and cornbread.

We’ve been coming here off and on since we bought the place and doing some stuff. The internet was running slowly after being fine the weeks before we moved in. It required a technician but it wouldn’t cost me anything. Things weren’t wired correctly. He fixed the problem and that was that.

I’ve hardly touched the knitting needles but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working. I have a bunch of finished objects and I am putting them in inventory and placing them in the shop.

I will get to knitting this week and that will make this all make sense. Can’t wait to get there.