Author: beverly

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Always Something There to Remind Me

I want to make this sweater. I want to make this sweater so much that I have the pattern sheet from when it was hanging in Michael’s (Two of them, actually.)

I also have it downloaded to my tablet – which just died so I don’t think it counts. And I have a link to it in the yarn review for a Red Heart Yarn – sorry Premier, I know you own the pattern but a knitter’s gotta do what she’s gotta do.I have the yarn picked out – the aforementioned Red Heart Yarn, in this case Super Saver Ombre. I can even do it in a couple of colors: Anthracite, Cocoa, Anemone or Purple.

So what’s the hold up? The way I select items to make. The sweater isn’t for me, though I would certainly wear it I would place it in the shop and I do want to get a little into clothing and not just accessories.But there is a system to how completely new items get added to the shop and a sweater is on the list but very far down the chain behind hats, scarves and even a market bag. 

I really can’t break the code I wrote. I need to have some order and structure or I would be all over the place. There’s always something there to remind me that I want to make this sweater. Right now, I have several skeins of Red Heart Ombre looking at me from across the room where I work. Each time I see them, I think of the sweater that I am not making. It hits me especially since I am working on a sweater for a friend. The skeins think this is a breach of the rules. They send me subtle messages I try to ignore.

I think the sweater would look awesome in the way the color grades in the ombre. I will get to it – start it and complete it. But for right now it reminds me that I have to do it. I want to be optimistic. It means there’s something to look forward to.

 

 

 

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I Don’t Get It

I Don’t Get It

Let me say there are knitters and crocheters of all kinds here in Knitsville and they can create anything from the most fabulous sweaters to knitted boobs for cancer patients. It’s all good work and there’s lots to admire.
But for the love of all that’s holy, what is this thing about socks?
I’ve knit one pair of socks because I heard knitting socks was so, so something and a knitter had to experience it to believe how magical it was.

I cast on, did all the work and when the sock was done, there was this sense of…what’s all the fuss about? From what I read from other knitters, it was like discovering fire. For me it was discovering I could knit – which I already knew I knew. I figured maybe the euphoria didn’t come because I only knit half a pair. Maybe it came with knitting the pair of socks. Knit the other one and when I was done, I was like ‘wow, did it twice and came away with the same feeling but only twice as much.

I don’t get it. Sock knitters seems to have a joy that escapes the rest of us and no other knitted thing brings that much acclaim from knitting brethren. People will ooh and ahh over an intricate sweater but let someone upload a photo of a striped sock and people think they invented color. I am always amazed.

The closest I think i am going to come to making another sock is knitting a Christmas stocking. That is on my futures knitting list. I will knit more than one but I won’t knit a pair of them. I already feel a little excited about that. But for some reason, knitting the regular sock holds no joy.

Ah well, we don’t judge in Knitsville. We accept, not merely tolerate, so if you don’t think sock knitting is the greatest thing since sliced bread – well, you can still enjoy toast.

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A New Collection

A New Collection

The last time we spoke, June 1st, I announced the 4,3,2,1 Collection was ready for pre-launch. I am excited to say that three weeks later, a new collection – the Deuces Wild Collection is almost ready for its pre-launch. 

I am working on the last pattern, that will actually be two patterns because I completed a pattern before the sample was done and then changed my mind and did a completely different scarf. But I don’t want it to go to waste, so it will be a two-fer.

As always,the Style Posse will get the first peek at the entire collection and will be able to shop it before it gets launched on designbcb.

As a reminder of that the Style Posse gets for signing up:
25% percent off
Sneak peeks at lines before they launch
Chance to purchase ready to ship before anybody else
Being first in line for back ordered items
A gift bag with each item purchase

Sign up here.

So, what’s in the new collection? Just like the 4,3,2,1 Collection, it is a combination of designbcb bestsellers and new items. It’s called Deuces Wild because while there are 3 new patterns (hat, cowl and scarf) and 1 new version of the Lacy Slouchy, there’s 2 Taffy Pull Scarves, 2 Cable Slouchy hats and 2 new basic beanies. These beanies are knit with men in mind but would look great on women as well.

The collection should be available for the sneak peek in the next week or two. The scarf has LOTS of sequins and that adds just a little time. Then it has to be photographed and readied for the launch. There’s a lot that goes on once the needles are put down.

Something else to look forward to: a slew of yarn reviews. With this collection I used A.C. Moore’s house yarn, Ice Yarns Tweed, I Love This Yarn Print, Ice Yarn Acrylic, Red Heart Unforgettable, Lion Brand Jeans and maybe one or two more. All will be reviewed shortly. There are some pretty nice yarns to work with.

Enjoy your summer!

Photo by Rijan Hamidovicfrom Pexels

 

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4,3,2,1 Collection

 

The 4,3,2,1 Collection is ready for Pre-Launch

I’ve been working on this new collection for a few weeks – the entire month of May – and it’s finished and ready to be previewed.

Members of the Style Posse mailing list or private Facebook page will get the first look at the collection and access to the private sale page.

There, they will be able to purchase any item from the collection, ready to ship and with the discount already applied.

Want to get in on it? https://beverlybochenek.com/mailing-list/ will take you to signup for the mailing list

bit.ly/styleposse to sign up for the Facebook group. You can join both – free and fun – for all.
Even though I can’t show you what’s in the collection, at least not here, I can say the collection got its name because there are 4 slouchy hats, 3 scarves, 2 patterns and 1 beret and it’s a combination of designbcb classics with new items.
While you’re looking over the 4,3,2,1 Collection, I’ve already started working on the next collection which will also consist of new products with new looks on designbcb’s most popular items.
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Loving Dakota Fanning

Loving Dakota Fanning 

or at least her gloves.

Way back in November, I received a message from someone wanting to know if I could make a pair of fingerless mitts like the one in the photo and how much it would cost.

I am here to admit that one of my flaws is haste. I shot back an answer with a price and what I received back was a note saying they wanted the gloves but her York mom said she had to save up for them. I have no idea what a York mom is. I don’t know it’s a typo of if she has two moms and the York one said she needed to save up. In any case, the order wasn’t going anywhere.

Until last night when I received a triumphant note saying the money was well and truly saved and she still wanted the gloves. She wanted them in purple, red and yellow just like the photo. 

In my haste, I gave out the price without considering this will require three balls of yarn and to make it easier to work, it could require some duplicate stitching. Definitely will be some color work – intarsia – so not so bad. There’s no way to do these in the round. Have to knit them flat and the do a seam. And I can’t tell if the gloves have a thumb. I think so.

They should cost twice as much as I am charging.

I am going to justify it by saying it’s for someone who obviously had to save instead of just being handed the funds. I like that on her part and her mom. And I am going to get a pattern out of it.

So, the graph paper is out and I am designing a pair of gloves for a young one who is loving Dakota Fanning, or at least her gloves.

 

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Spring Comes to Knitsville – It’s welcome

Spring Comes to Knitsville – It’s welcome

Spring is here. At least according to the calendar. It snuck in yesterday and it was a mild day. I think there might have been some rain. I was out doing grocery shopping while battling a bout of sciatica which has me moving and feeling way outside of my age.

Inside, I have two orders to complete. One is for a prayer shawl, like this one draped across the chair. The color is called herb garden and I am due to have it in the mail today, despite the discomfort. I enjoy knitting prayer shawls because they seem to have a purpose other than being a shawl. There are times I get the back story when someone orders a shawl. I don’t have the story of this one but it wasn’t rushed so I am feeling fairly tender thoughts when knitting it.

This is a simple knit, garter stitch all they – and using multicolored yarn lets the fiber to all the work. That helps in making this a calming knit but it’s also knowing most people order this shawl to get them closer to the spirit or to help ease someone else’s discomfort. That means something.

I didn’t do as many prayer shawls in 2018 as I did in 2017. Perhaps folks are feeling more hopeful. Maybe the prayer  shawls in 2017 did their work so there weren’t so many needed in 2018. They will return to the shop in 2019 and I am adding another prayer shawl to go with them. The shawl I talked about in the last post. It is being made with a different yarn that changes colors and it is a big, triangle shawl. The pattern will also be available.

Spring brings new promise. The flowers are already breaking through the ground and the days are longer and lighter and will get warm. Knitsville folk will put down their needles and hooks – periodically – to go play in the dirt and plant colors they can only dream to knit with.  Spring Come to Knitsville – it’s welcome. There are no bad days to knit; but we do like spring around here. We can knit outside.

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Rainy Days in Knitsville

Rainy Days in Knitsville

It’s raining today. It could be worse, it could be a few degrees cooler and we would be having snow. We’ve had enough snow. I’m not even complaining. Earlier this month, it was in the 40s and 50s and that definitely should not be happening in February in Chicago.

But a rainy day means no photography. We take our photographs outdoors here in Knitsville. Even in February. If it had been merely cold, I would have taken the WIP I have to show you and taken a photo outside. I could have shown you the shawl I’m working on – an original design.

I could have also showed you the poncho I am making for myself. First, I don’t make things for me. But this yarn – which happens to appear in the photograph – bottom left, is no longer made and the company is all out of it. There was nothing to do with the skeins I have and I purchased a pattern years ago for a granny square poncho. I am not, of course, following the pattern exactly but I am looking forward to wearing it.

I could show you the ten inch, wooden crochet hook that belonged to my mother-in-law probably made for her by her brother who was very good at that kind of woodwork.

I might have been tempted to show you my yarn haul. Back in November, I purchased yarn from JoAnn, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby and Herrschner’s. A fair amount went to orders – I was very busy during the holidays – but a better chunk is here for future use. I wasn’t supposed to get any more yarn until May but I also received gift cards from JoAnn for my birthday and I had another yarn haul a few weeks ago because I needed two balls for two orders I had and Cat and I went to the big JoAnn store with a huge yarn selection and they were having a sale and…well, I know almost exactly what the yarn I bought will be used for so it won’t just sit there and be pretty. Besides, I did mention gift cards didn’t I?

The good news is, the poncho is going to take a while to get done. I’m only working on it in the office. The pattern will also get done and the final object will have to be recorded and the yarn haul isn’t going anywhere any time soon, so it too, can have it’s photo taken at another time.

So, we have Rainy Days in Knitsville. But the rain will go leaving behind a freshened earth and some flowers that are beginning to poke their heads up above ground.  A worthwhile trade off.

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The Knitsville Yarn Barn

Visiting Knitsville – The Yarn Barn

There is a lovely place in Knitsville called The Yarn Barn. It is filled with fiber. Mostly acrylic but every once in a while there is a lovely wool blend, even some silk and camel’s hair. But mostly acrylic. It used to be quite organized but it no longer is. Marie Kondo would jump for joy at the sight of this room in our house.

I have more yarn than I can use in a year. I think I could go a couple or three years using one ball a day before I would run out. Even so, I still have to pull myself back from buying more.

I love the stuff. I like looking at and thinking of the possibilities. But even I know I have too much of a good thing. I have sold some of it and there is an idea running inside my head of doing a KonMari on the lot and bagging some of it up to sell at a craft show. I believe this is the year I will make that idea into a real thing. The craft show is already in the planning stages in my head.

Having this much fiber has also changed the way I will run my business. I am going to concentrate a great deal more on my Ready to Ship section so I will be buying only the fiber I need for those custom and made to order fibers. Right now, most of the shop is made to order and this year, I hope to make at least 25% of it Ready to Ship.

That satisfies on several levels: I won’t be buried in made to order orders and I will be able to use some of the yarn that has been looking at me from their cages. They will fulfill their destiny and become objects of art and usefulness. Isn’t that what we all want from life?

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MLK

The Courage to Dream for Myself

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day and I can remember when it wasn’t an observance or a holiday. History has done to King what is had done to most of history – it has turned him into a romantic notion. 

We think of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech as the ultimate King. He gave a rousing speech to an almost endless sea of people and the next day, racism died in America.

Except it didn’t. 

As much as I love the speech from the March on Washington, my favorite MLK speech isn’t a speech at all. It’s A Letter from Birmingham jail.

 

MLK – Martin Luther King, Jr being arrested 1958

Knitsville is snow covered and peaceful tonight but there is a single light in the town square as a reminder that a single light can cast away far shadows. I did not and do not have the courage at my age today that MLK had at 39. I don’t know that I will ever have that much courage. But as I enter this last phase of life, I find I have, at long last, The Courage to Dream for Myself. There are things I want and can now think about getting which is a step towards getting them.

That is a good thing. Knitsville is not more reality than dream but there’s more to go with it than where it is right now. I believe I will get us there.

I have no doubt MLK was not thinking about knitting when he wrote that letter but he was thinking about life and the right to create the life we wanted without being encumbered by other folk’s notion of who and what a black person could be. So he wasn’t thinking about knitting but he was thinking about me and I think about knitting and the spiritual blessing it is and the joy it brings to my life and it is part of that dream I have of what a perfect day in a perfect life would look like.

If you haven’t read past the typical observances of Dr. King, I encourage you to read about the last few years of his life when he was vilified by blacks and whites alike, Republicans and Democrats too. He had begun a new focus on poverty and war and he wasn’t appreciated because he didn’t ‘stay in his lane.’

I have a greater appreciation of what he did and how he did it. I may not be as brave but I am just a little braver than I was yesterday and not as brave as I will be tomorrow. I have dreams for myself and that includes making the entire world better.

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Knitsville – A Real Place in My Imagination

I love going to Knitsville. In my head, it’s a place that’s kinda like Stars Hollow but without all the Stars Hollowness. It’s quaint but still manages to have some hustle and bustle. Everyone knits or crochets and a few of us do both. We love to laugh and dance. There’s a church on the corner – the only one in the whole town. But it has two drug stores.

Knitsville is the place I go everyday to work, play, pray and join with the spirit. Knitting is a spiritual thing here. It comforts and soothes and it can also excite. It is a source of learning and a source of pride. Crochet also belongs here and most of the time when knitting is said; it means both. 

It would be hard to explain what knitting means to me as a way to keep my mental health at its peak. It is an important aspect of my life – more than I ever knew it would be. And at the end of it, there are pretty things.