A sweater to match

The weather has been strange here lately, as we've gone from many days with the temperature hovering around the zero mark, to now, when the temp has gone up about thirty degrees but it's just damp and foggy and curiously lacking rain.

These winter trees are what I notice most this time of year and how you can see every twisted, crooked, gnarled branch like a dark shadow against the grey sky.

Somehow this leads me to talk about the yarn that came for a new sweater a day or two ago. The sweater plan that floated around in my head for several days went from simple to simpler to simplest as I pared it down to probably the most basic thing I could possibly make. You see I used to have this great grey sweater that I wore completely out in about 12 years (well, maybe less than that but I kept it for 12, you know how it is). It was the perfect layer. I wore it camping, hiking, biking, to class, out, anywhere. It was wool and warm but thin enough to wear comfortably under a coat and I wore the heck out of it. Since I forced myself to part with it I haven't been able to come up with a replacement, well, until now I hope.

Yes, I'm stuck on the raglan sleeve, but I love their look and the simplicity of knitting from the top down. Not a cardigan this time, but a wide-ish sort of neck, long sleeves, some shaping at the sides, you know, basic. Throw it on over a long-sleeved t-shirt, with jeans and boots and I'm ready. And with all the color possibilities of this yarn, who knows, maybe I'll have one to match every kind of weather.

Where I'm at

This is what happens when I start thinking too long about the sweater I'm going to make for myself and I'm too tired to trek down to another yarn shop to look for the right yarn. Instead, I dip into those bins I was so proud to have organized to see if I have enough yarn to make myself something.

"Well, maybe I can make something short-sleeved," I think. "Or maybe, what would even be cuter is a little top-down raglan-sleeved cardigan for a 1 year old (of which I have none) to sell in the shop! Yeah, that's a great idea! Just think how cute and textured and all organic-y it'll be and everything...."

So that's where I'm at, a good third of my way through it and yes, it's just as cute as I thought it'd be and I can't wait to finish it. I'll get a chance to use my new size 8 dpns (for the sleeves) that Mary gave me for Christmas. Thanks, Mary!

Purple haze

This is a hodge-podge post at best so please bear with me, it's merely an attempt to share snippets of what my day is shaping up to look like. Isn't that yarn above great? I bought it for myself, no telling what it will become but my plan is to make an adapted version of the Simple Pleasures hat over at the purl bee. Only problem being I need to purchase some size 3 circulars. The weather isn't stopping me although it's a hazy, damp day which is conducive to staying in,

the real issue is that Allie still looks like this:

and I don't have the heart to drag her to the store to buy more needles. I really thought that she was in the clear and would be able to go to school today, but she had a relapse last night and is still nursing her poor little tummy. She's gone back to sleep now and I hope she stays that way so she can heal.

I was a woman on a mission yesterday, completing the post-Christmas pack up, then the clean up and finally the first attempts at better organization. I was preparing for everyone to return to school with a bit of sadness, perhaps busying myself so as not to dwell on it. We really had a nice break and the kids were truly entertaining. They got along, the whining and fighting was at a minimum and I had real heart pangs as I helped my older two on to the bus this morning. I miss them. As much as I've got going on and knowing full well that I can accomplish a great deal with them in school I still didn't want to see them go.

So I'm dealing with it and getting back to the yarn. I'm working on a nice wholesale order that should ship out in the next day or two, tying up other loose ends and trying to figure out what to do with this other new yarn.

I'm also still going round and round with my sweater ideas and now I'm wondering if I should just make myself a winter version of this one.

Somehow I managed to figure it out by myself, inspired by one in Sundance catalog last year and I think I even finished it while I had mono. There are modifications to be made of course, it can only be better the second time around, right? Wish me luck.

Daily travels

It was time to restock some O-wool balance which meant heading into the city today to the only relatively local store that currently carries it. Despite the drive it's always a trip I look forward to, but I'm not so sure the store owners would say the same thing. We never fail to wreck the zen-like knitting ambience to varying degrees, based on the number of children I have along with me, the time of day and present mood of each. Luckily, it was just Allie and I today, which meant only having to tell her to stop messing with the yarn winder twice and catching her twice trying to unpin the newly knitted pieces they had blocking in the back. "Look with your eyes, not your fingers" is my frequently repeated mantra.

Now that I know the students from the local art school decorate their front window and store each Christmas, I'll have to make it a point to get down there each year this time. It was prettier than my pictures can convey, but here goes anyway.



And, as always, there was a good bit of goofing around in the wavy mirror outside the funky toy store next door. That's how I identify the yarn store for the kids. It's the one with the funny mirror outside and the dog that doesn't want to be petted. It's not his fault, he has a sketchy past, but at least now he has a nice family and gets to hang out with yarn all day. Lucky dog.

Knitting with tree trunks

I'm a mid-range knitting needle kind of girl. You can usually find me using anything from size 4's to 8's, but sometimes I branch out. That super chunky yarn I bought the other day requires huge needles which I didn't even have so I had to buy some 17's at the same time. Talk about a different knitting experience, they're almost too big to hold! Don't get me wrong, it was fun to make the scarf above and yes, fairly quick. I'm so fond of it and it's so cozy that I want to keep it for myself, or gift it so I can see it often and remember how good it feels.

In other news, I bought my turkey today for Thanksgiving. Thrilling, I know, but I'm beginning to be impressed with how I'm changing my often last-minute ways. It has been a nail-biter in past years as to whether or not I'd actually have the thing thawed in time for the big day. Best part is it isn't frozen and it's already brined so Kevin and I don't have to wrangle it into a sheet rock bucket full of salty water and then in the already packed fridge the night before. Trader Joe's, you're the best.

I've even been buying Christmas presents here and there which hasn't gone unnoticed by Kevin. I got an "I'm proud of you" the other night for it. He's just glad he won't have to deal with my last minute stress next month. At least let's hope it goes that well!

Fun in a bag

If you'd told me 7 years ago that a bag full of scrumptious yarn would make me a little giddy, I'd probably have looked at you funny. But things change as they do and today I went looking for some of my old stand bys and came home with those and some new things to try. I can't wait to dive into the ones above. It's 100% virgin wool and some of the softest stuff ever. Huge and chunky, a quick knit, I might have to hide it in the freezer so I do the work I'm supposed to be doing first.

I also bought some Berroco "Peruvia", gorgeous Peruvian highland wool and some of their Pure Merino too which is so soft and springy. But instead of getting going on all of that I have to make 4 more hats and 3 pairs of booties today to ship out tomorrow morning. Think it's going to be a late night.

So I'm in front of the fire right now yarn in my lap, computer in front, with my toes on the slate hearth, trying to toast them. Anyone else out there with Raynaud's? The worst is when the tippy tops of my ears itch, burn, turn bright red and swell to three times their size and stick out from my head in the middle of winter. Long hair helps hide them and I suppose a knitted hat would help if I didn't look so goofy in hats. Yes, you heard me right, the person who makes hundreds of hats every year only wears them under the cover of darkness or when skiing. And now at the risk of providing TMI I'm off to do what I'm supposed to be doing.

color part 3: water

It's been so windy I've had trouble taking pictures outside, but today I managed to between gusts.

the yarn: Sublime (don't you just love the name?)
what it is: 100% extra fine merino dk weight
how it feels: like a spongy cloud of blankety warmth (weird way of putting it I know)


Some updates: the last market was cancelled due to weather, bummer! But I'll be headed to some of the holiday markets in Charlottesville, weather and Kevin's fishing schedule permitting. Once the market was over I looked at the calendar and he'd written, "Kevin fishing" on every Saturday between now and Dec. 31st. Guess he's planning on going.

Etsy has been keeping me busy and local orders, wholesale and a show coming up. I'm also going to be participating in a holiday market on Nov. 15th that the Goochland Farmers Market is sponsoring (my tried and true favorite). And there are plans in the back of my head to slowly integrate some new hat looks into the shop. Add all that to a sleepover birthday party full of 7 and 8 year olds, Halloween and the enormous bruise/black eye on Allie from a horsey ride on big brother gone bad and there's never a dull moment.

I leave you with a random quote for the day (I just can't pass this one up): "When I'm in heaven, will I see what my soul looks like?" --Allie, almost 5

Color: part 2

the yarn: Frog Tree Meriboo
stats: 70% merino wool, 30% bamboo, dk weight
feels: heavenly, soft, chunky but light not heavy
the pattern: easy, K on the right side and K2, P1 on the wrong side. choose your own dimensions.

The picture: still with the serious mouth and this time a bit of hair in face.

Color: part 1

I have to talk about yarn for a minute. I went to one of my favorite local yarn shops yesterday searching for some fun, good and colorful yarn for scarves for the shop. I only bought three colors/kinds, so as not to put too much pressure on myself to have them all done by the market on Saturday. Three is doable.

The first is this awesome green color, made with Classic Elite's "Wool Bam Boo". Heavenly yarn if you've not knitted with it before. It is so fun and springy (has good stitch memory as more formal knitters would say) that it evokes playfulness when you put it on. Not that you can tell that from the picture below that I'm calling "Serious mouth".

But really, have you ever tried to take fairly decent photos of your products one handed without a tripod? I'm getting better at it. Think it only took me 20 some tries this time.

The pattern can't be any more simple, but that's what I like if you haven't guessed it by now. There's such a tendency among knitters to believe that it isn't really time-worthy knitting if it isn't a complicated, nail-biting, coffee gulping, staying up all night and then take it to the knitting shop the next day to have them figure it out, knitting experience. I myself go for comfortable, every day wearable and finishable (I know that's not a word) without giving me any more gray hairs than I already have.

I'll show you the other two colors as they are finished. You're on the edge of your seat, I know.

Now what?

Finally the yarn came that I'd been waiting for. It took 8 days to get here which isn't that bad I guess except when you're really excited. And I got free shipping so I'm not too perturbed. There's a whole box of Cotton Fleece, but this is the stuff I've never seen before and what I couldn't wait to touch. It does not dissapoint, but I really want to plan something special because it's very special yarn, and 100% organic, no dyes, to go with the new stuff in the shop. My plan originally was to just make my same baby hats and booties with it and I may still do that, but I always think about new designs when the opportunity presents itself.

They look very cozy up there in the wicker rocker on the front porch, don't you think? Just waiting for some needles and company. A whopping 325 yds. per skein. Oh yeah.

I've been feeling lately like I'm walking around in a movie again, where my ears and eyes are open and I see and hear the most bizarre stuff that I never thought I'd see or hear. Everything is totally surreal and I wonder if it's really happening. I can't really go into much detail, but when this happens I seem to follow the same pattern. I try to listen without judgement (as much as I may want to judge--I really hope I'm not judging), stop short of giving unsolicited advice, and then set a course for self-examination and a reaffirmation of what's really important in my life. Hence the romantic dinner for two last night while the kids are at a little music camp up at church in the evenings this week. There's another nice one planned for this evening. The luxury of eating with Kevin at home with veritable peace and quiet is just what we need from time to time and seems like such an indulgence!

I've also been experiencing some of those coincidences that aren't really coincidences. Yesterday I was presented with a big-time opportunity, with big-time status and big-time shoppers. But right away I felt strange and apprehensive about the whole thing, never mind the fact that I'm not big time nor am I "in the big time". It just didn't seem to fit my personality, my direction or goals, or my ethics to put it bluntly, so I declined. I feel good about it. Then I remembered what I read yesterday morning at the breakfast table before the big opportunity showed itself.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. --Matthew 7:13-14

I really hope I'm going through that narrow gate.

the Cure

While I love the band and nothing will get me dancing around the kitchen faster than their song, "Just Like Heaven", that's not really what I'm talking about when I say "cure". What I mean is, when it's been a tough week, when Allie's on ear infection #2, when I'm feeling stressed, it sure is calming to walk into a beautiful, serene yarn shop with smiling, helpful (but not pushy) salespeople. I'm definitely not suggesting retail therapy to cure emotional ills, but it sure was fun to come home with a bag full of pretty yarn that I needed for the business anyway. The green and variegated yellow are Lamb's Pride worsted and the brown is O-wool balance which is an organic merino/cotton blend. I must say it was heavenly to knit with.


I'm thinking of carrying an all organic baby line in the shop. I frequently have people asking me if I carry organic options. So, I think I will. And that green? It's intended for a custom felted purse order for someone from the market. I love the color and just hope she does too. Speaking of the market, yes, I'll be there tomorrow!

Fiddling a bit and ending denial

So I've been fiddling with my new yarn today. These little goodies have been swimming around in my brain for quite some time. Generally my knitting (or crocheting in this case) begins with visualization of a shape. I see a shape or think of one and then start putting yarn where I see the figure. Booties--how hard can they be? I thought. Famous last words. No, these weren't a long struggle, but usually those words get me in trouble. Instead I experienced sweet victory.





You just gotta love Rowan handknit dk cotton. I'm working on a hat to match.


On another note, I finally broke down today and accepted powerlessness over my body. I debated over whether or not to ever mention any of this, but I decided honesty is best and if this blog is at all about me, then there are some secrets I can't keep. When ankle #2 started acting up along with the thumbs, hip, back elbows and wrists I finally conceeded that I might be experiencing a little flare up. Kevin says it's just the winter aches and he has them too (so much empathy I can't stand it). I won't ramble on, but if you know anyone with rubberbands for limbs and who can do crazy party tricks with their bodies (like some of the videos I see on tv via youtube) then you may want to investigate--it could be something more.


I took my MIL's advice and bought some over the counter ankle supports and have had them on all day. They help. Give that lady a PT degree.


As always, when I need a quick picker upper I head on over to the yarn harlot. She is a riot. Even for the non-knitters out there. Today's post is about publishing her (5) books. I think she's becoming my hero.

Ahhhhh.....

A brand new bag of yarn is such a beautiful thing to a knitter. The really good stuff is exciting to behold and the little yellow stickers (meaning-- sale) are just icing on the cake. I don't go on big yarn binges or have some enormous stash, so when I buy this much yarn at one time the novelty of it all makes me a little giddy. The yarn on top is going to be another sundance sweater for yours truly. The first one is highly wearable and functional, but I wanted one a little nicer to wear to shows as an example of my work. Another self-knitting project--what is going on?! But I feel like it's the simplest of business investments and a smart one as well.





Here's almost the full kitty, including some fabric scraps for appliques. I mostly repurpose old shirts and dresses, but sometimes just have to go for the storebought stuff. I've been looking for a really nice boy green. The pink stuff on the far right is a new find, 100% polyester fleece yarn. Go figure! It'd been even better if it was recycled. I'm thinking of some type of stroller blanket or little lovey. All I know is it is some of the softest, yummiest baby yarn ever and is even machine washable. A must for a blanket in my opinion.





The other reason for my sigh is the wonderful break in the weather. I love it when the kids come in from school, drop their backpacks and fly right back out the door and up a tree. My littlest was out there too, cooking (what else) with leaves, dirt, sand, you name it. Now she's sitting in front of me with a million questions about pictures of the inside of the human body she found. She's also giving me a tutorial on proper dental hygiene (we just went to the dentist Monday). You just never know--all in a days work as mommy. Guess I'd better go!