Sharing is caring...

I love when customers come in to share with me, their amazing projects. Today, Susan came by to show off her incredible blanket. Oh my word, the colors, the drape, the warmth. Can you imagine how warm your legs are under this blanket while you are knitting it? It's the projects that takes care of you while you are knitting it. It's the Berroco Interlaken blanket, but used a combination of Blue Sky's Silk Alpaca and Sport Weight Alpaca. The blanket is really stunning, and she has one more color row to go. Of course she picked up the yarn for the Juliet, so hopefully she won't get too sidetracked.

A little reminder/announcement for Carol Cypher's third visit to the shop. Carol will been coming in February to teach us the Nuno felting technique. When she pulled out her felted chiffon pieces at the last workshop, we were stunned. The workshop will be February 17th from 12-5. Her workshops fill really quick, so register a.s.a.p. Space is limited.... I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year!!!

new things and best wishes...

I've decided that after all of the holiday chaos, I am going to focus on knitting a few sweaters for myself. Not for the shop, but for myself. Erika came strolling in one day with her Rowan Hermia sweater. She used a beautiful bright blue Malabrigo worsted and it came out great. We were oohing and ahhing over it. So, I decided that I have to have it too. Yesterday, I balled some yummalicious Dream in Color- of course, a gorgeous brown called November Muse. I absolutely love the way it is knitting up so far, the colors are really pretty. Can we just talk about the fantabulous shipments that I have been getting from Fleece Artist. I would shoot the Thrum Kits, but they're mostly gone, and the "Lady Of the Lake" kits? They're almost gone too. The colors are exquisite, look at this Sea Baby kit. Is that sweet or what? I love this company, and I am really glad that I decided to introduce them to the shop. Last but not least, Merry Christmas - I hope your holidays are merry and bright! Scarlett has been writing to Santa every night, and has been on her best behavior. We will sprinkle some granola on the front lawn Christmas Eve for the reindeer to eat. Three is a really fun age for Christmas, the baking, the shopping, and decorating. It warms my heart.

Holiday cramming...

Is it me? Or is knitting for the holidays a bit reminiscent of the cramming we used to do for college? My hands hurt just thinking about the rest of the gifts that I have to be finished with by next week. That's what all nighters are for I suppose. All of this pressure makes me want to knit the Juliet from Zephyr, a little treat to myself. I can't wait to start it- oh wait here it is, I finished it last night, and I'm wearing it today!!! Cozy wozy out of Rowan's cocoon- only 4 balls. I love that, and the softness and drape- ooh la la. I highly suggest downloading this adorable pattern, unfortunately, I won't be able to stock it until after the holidays when it will be available for wholesale. Our friend, Ina, knit it with Blue Sky's worsted, 4 skeins- total lusciousness.

Now back to the gift making.... Most are finished, a couple haven't been started, but they'll be quickies. I might even break out the Singer and sew a few goodies for my mom. I have just received a shipment from Moving Mud, and waiting for a HUMUNGO shipment from Fleece Artist, so last minute gifts are in full supply over here. From the Fleece Artist knitting kits and Lantern Moon project bags, to Blue Sky's Hand Balm, it's all yummy.

Thank you Carol!!

Carol Cypher's hand felting workshop yesterday was once again, filled with the most amazing energy and packed with information for all of us psycho felters. The girls traveled from near and far to visit with Carol, we worked on bead implosion as well as felting around wire. Check out my MIL's wire bracelet and beaded ring to be.This isn't a very clear picture, and I'm hoping that some of the gals email me pictures of their beaded wonders. Carol is heavenly to spend the day with and learn from. It is safe to say that we all walked away feeling full of ideas for our next felting adventure.

more goodies...

Finally the Twinkle buttons have arrived. Love the Twinkle buttons! I have to say, the Twinkle buttons are pretty cool, but these are absolutely fabu. I love the flowers and I want to stash a few for myself before they disappear.Last night, my MIL (who is out for the holidays) and I were knitting up a storm. I fell in love with Dawn's hat last week, and decided it was a must have. It is featured on the cover of Knit Simple Fall 2007. Too cute- out of Blue Sky bulky. It claims to be a 2 hour hat, and it really is, if not less. It's so easy, I've already balled a skein of bulky in "Brown Bear" for my second hat.Is that a sad photo or what? Poor Betty looks so depressed. She should look happy, she has a groovy new hat on her head. Anyway, the hat is cool, I trimmed it with Colinette Point 5 just for fun.

So listen, if you were intending to come by this Saturday for open knitting and casual chit chat, DON'T!!! There are 18 students coming in for Carol Cypher's Hand felting workshop from 12-5. Come over on Sunday instead, we're open from 12-4. I'll be here knitting...

goodies...

Miss O was sporting her mom's adorable Santa hat on this Saturday. Christina started it last week, and it caught on like the flu. I think Carmen started casting on for it before she even knew what book it was from. It is from Handknit Holiday by Melanie Fallick. It calls for Blue Sky bulky for the bobbles and worsted for the body of the hat. I have to admit, I was a little jealous I didn't have one knit up for me and Scarlett. I guess I will add that to the list of things to knit.

Today, we got a delivery of some new bags from Offhand Designs, along with new circular needle cases. Baskets and Sox Stix from Lantern Moon are also back in stock- those baskets are always a favorite of mine.

So, after I posted my last blog entry, I realized that I forgot to post a picture of the worsted knee sock, duh... I finished half of the second sock on the way to toys for tots at St. Mary's children's hospital in Queens yesterday. The picture really doesn't do the sock justice, it is truly irresistible. Ted and I do the toys for tots run to this children's hospital every year. The children here are severely physically and mentally disabled, mostly from traumatic brain injuries. Out of the 400 beds in the hospital, we get to visit with only 10-12 kids... Pretty sad that the rest are bed ridden. Nonetheless, they are so happy to see us. We sit, play, and read with them. Bring them dvd's, toys and books. I sat and played with a young, beautiful girl named Carla, who is 11. She suffered 2 severe strokes all before she turned 10, and needs to relearn everything, that just isn't fair at all. Through the strife she experiences every single day, she manages to stay so cheerful and sweet. The good news- she is about to take her first steps any day now. If you are interested in making a donation to the children's hospital for the holidays, it would really make a difference.

In the midst of knitting for your friends and family for the holidays, perhaps consider knitting for the guys and girls over seas. Operation Homefront is a an organization that provides patterns for helmet covers to the soldiers that face cold weather conditions in Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. The cascade 220 will be 25% for those who are interested in knitting helmet liners for the guys and gals who right for us every day. You may not support the war, but we all need to support our troops. The link has the pattern and the address in which to send the liner. This is a great way to give thanks.

I wanted to share with you, some of the projects I have been working on, other than felting. Yes, I do get some knitting done these days, just as much as I should. My child hood friend just had a baby named Savannah Rose, so sweet- just 5 lbs. I finished the baby bolero from the One Skien book out of Art Yarns' supermerino. If I can only get to the post office to mail it out. I felt like it needed a little something on the front, so I crocheted a flower and wallah!! So cute...

I finished one of the Blue Sky Worsted Knee socks- buttah!! My mom is on the tiny side, so her socks are quite a bit shorter. They are so cozy, I put them on last night, and I have to make them for myself. The pattern calls for 3 skeins of solid and 1 for the alternate, however, I still have some left over from the 1st main color skein after 1 sock. I think 2 and 1 will do it. I am going to do my best to knit them for everyone this year. Yummalicious cozy house socks to curl up with when you're watching a movie!! Oh yeah, they're knit on a us 6!! I casted on for the second sock, so on the way to Toys for Tots in Queens tomorrow, I will try and knit..

Finally a blog entry...

I have been so engulfed with felting, beading, work stuff, and cooking for Thanksgiving, etc etc etc.... There aren't enough hours in the day, a feeling we all can share these days. I have a ton of knitting that I have to get done for the holidays- hum- stressed. Thank god, I finished a pair of these on Sunday. I can't say for who, in case she reads my blog, but they worked up pretty quickly and I know she'll wear them all the time- I wear mine. I knitted them out of Lorna's worsted in Aslan and plan on knitting her a suri cowl in Whipped Cream to match. That is the only gift that I've knit so far, is that pathetic or what? I'm knitting the Blue Sky worsted knee socks for my mother- YUM. Have you seen these? They are scrumptious (and did I mention, knit on a us 6 dpn?) That's what I'm talking about. As far as the other 20 gifts that I have to knit, who knows who is getting what. The one thing I do not do around the holidays is shop. We go to Fao Schwartz this Sunday, a sort of tradition in the making, buy her a few things and that is it! No other shopping for me. It's hand made and cooked from scratch for everyone else.

Otherwise, this week, I have been felting balls and making necklaces, thanks to Joanne. I absolutely love this ( I'm obsessed), I think about different color combos all day. I try to to felt the balls so that they look marbly and textured- it's so much fun. I string it with Swarovski crystals, and the reflections from the crystals are so grooooovy!!! This is the one I did last night, the picture doesn't do it justice, but that's okay... My goal is to felt another one tonight, maybe I'll get a second wind after the bugaboo goes to sleep and I eat a bunch of chocolate.... Chocolate and felted balls, what more does a girl need?

This was my morning commute? What is today's date? I don't think Scarlett's princess snow boots can wait until Christmas, she is going to need them today when she gets home to build a snowman with her dad. So bizarre...

I wish I could say that my felted beads are strung and looking fabulous as a necklace, but they aren't, I couldn't not kink the wire. It was totally frustrating, and now I am determined to make it right. However, after huffing and puffing, I set that project aside and decided to finish one of my chevron mitts thanks to KO .

I knit it with the koigu left overs from my chevron scarf. I love the warm colors, we all need a little warmth in the snowy tundra we're living in. I downloaded the Juliet pattern from Zephyr on Saturday. Unfortunately, the pattern will not be available for wholesale until after the holidays, so go ahead and download it, it's too cute. A few of the gals have knit it already with Blue Sky worsted, I'm not sure yet- still deciding. Maybe the worsted or the Rowan cocoon.... I was also looking at this pattern.. I love this!!! I'm a huge fan of the cap sleeve. All the better when you don't have to knit a sweater with long sleeves. All of these patterns are begging me to knit them, when what I really should be doing is knitting gifts - ugh!!

color everywhere!!

It's a cloudy crummy day outside. Inside, it's full of the most beautiful colors in the whole wide world. The Manos silk blend just arrived, the colors are deeply saturated into the silk, and the yarn itself is so soft. It's a dk weight, I think combined with a strand of Kidsilk haze would be amazing. We also got a shipment of Point Five- delish!! You can't go wrong with Colinette, their hand dyes are to die for, and soooooo soft. Tis the season for bulky hand dyes!!

Joanne came in yesterday with the most GGGGGGGGorgeous needle felted necklace ever!!. I love this necklace and I started my felted balls this morning with Robyn, and I know I will felting ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!! There has been very little sleep this week, and now I am overloaded with new yarn and felting needs. Such stress! I am going to finish with dinner tonight, give her bath, and brew the world's largest pot of coffee. I am up for the long haul tonight!!

So worth the wait!

Fleece Artist and Cocoon have finally arrived, and the yarn is absolutely gorgeous. The colors sent from Fleece artist are so beautiful, and the kits are a blast!! One of the gals already started casting on for the Thrum Mitts kit on Saturday. The best part of these mitts, is how the roving gets stuck on the inside of the mitt, and gathers together to create a thick wall of warmth against your hand. I love that!! A mitten that works for you. The Lady of the Lake and Gauntlet kits are divine, I can't wait to see the rest of the shipment, coming in a week or so.

Rowan's new Cocoon is heaven- so worth the wait and frustration. The loss of "Polar" is no long so sad, when you feel how wonderful this yarn is. It is knit on a 10.5 -11, and is absolute luxury. The mohair gives is shine and drape, and I can hardly wait to free up some needles to cast on. I am working on a cute little jacket out of Big Wool, hoping to finish it tonight so that I can wear it tomorrow. We'll see!! I love that the Cocoon only comes in beautiful earth tones, very excited!!!

Finally!

I have Scarlett and the "Sonny Bono Vest" together in one place. I can't believe I am referring to this vest as the Sonny Bono Vest, but the name kind of stuck, so there you have it. This is the Mac & Me pattern "Fur Trimmed Vest", which calls for Blue Sky Alpacas bulky hand dyes, however, I wouldn't feel right if I didn't use something other than what was recommended. I knit the 4T size, and used 2 balls of Rowan big wool, trimmed it with some big wool, and a whole lot of Ozark Hand Spun. Everybody needs a hippy vest!!

The felting get togethers have been great!! This week, a few of us worked on wet felted bracelets, here are the few that I have left. I sold 5 yesterday, eek!!! Now I have to get crackin'!!There are bunch of new yarns coming in this week, finally Rowan is sending me Cocoon in EVERY COLOR!!!!!!! The were under stocked apparently, and I didn't want to be lame and introduce it with only a couple of colors. I am so super excited to receive the new Manos. When I first ordered it, I was told after Thanksgiving, but I have a feeling, maybe Monday, we will be graced with the new Merino/Silk blend!! Yeah!!!!! Last, but not least, Fleece Artist, should be walking through the door any minute, it's like waiting for your prom date to show up, I am all antsy!! And what is all of this talk about possible snow this Friday night? I hope you will be completely engrossed in your knitting and keeping cozy and warm.

I was able to cast on for my chevron mitts last night, so exciting. I finished Scarlett's malabrigo scarf, and of course when I asked her put it on today so that I could photograph her wearing it- "me no want that". Well, how about modeling your new vest? "Me no want to". So being three entitles you to completely override anything and everything your mother says, with one 2 letter word- no. That's okay, the cuddling makes up for it. Malabrigo chunky worked up so nicely, it might be the softest yarn in the world, and when I showed it to her this morning, I know loved it (hopefully she'll wear it). Next to the start of my mitts, is one of the Knit Tubes from Namaste. They are the coolest. You can stash yarn and a project on one end, while the other end has needle slots and compartments for all of your supplies. I don't think I've seen anything like this before, and I think people are going to dig it. I love the fabric on the inside, as my MIL would say, "That's neat".I wanted to post this picture of one of my youngest students. She came in last night for class, with heart shaped pins that she made for all of us, that said I love Pottery. Too cute. Her pieces are really coming along, and she has totally grasped the concept of throwing. I am really proud of how hard she works, and how much effort she puts into each and every one of her pieces. We are smile when she comes through the door... Here's to you kiddo!

found it!!

Well, i found the camera- thank god. The good thing about that is that I get to blog, and take the pictures I need to, for my onine store (in the making). The bad thing about that, is that I will probably hold off on buying a new camera. That idea was starting to really set in with me, I like this camera A LOT!!! But Santa is coming soon, so maybe then. I scrolled through some of photos that were only the camera, pretty good I must say for a 3 years old. Notice she is taking pics of our dog at her eye level. Funny huh?
By the time I found the camera, it was too late to take a picture of Scarlett in her frizzy trimmed vest. I think it was referred to as "The Sonny Bono" vest yesterday in the shop. But one of the gals came by today, with her Gumby bag...
She used a combination of Manos and Malabrigo. It is so great, it's the perfect bag to throw your towels in and head to pool, or stash your yarn in to hide it from your husband. She had a shoe maker sew the handles on, which were once a belt, he did a really good job. However, she measured it against Ina's here at the shop, and decided she wanted to felt it a bit more. I kid you not, 15 minutes later, my phone rings, it had already been felted again and was totally perfecto.
Do I have to add this onto my list? I am trying to finish my bee stripe Lorna's socks- so cute so far...But now that my chevron scarf is finished and I wear it all the time, I want to cast on for these to match... Love those, and I need them badly for the morning commute...

happy halloween everyone!!

You may be wondering why I haven't posted what I have been working on this week, such as my daughter's diva vest (aka mac & me's fur trimmed vest), the progress I've made on my bee stripe sock, or the scarf set I started out of malabrigo chunky. Reason being, my camera has died, and our back up canon has been conveniently misplaced by our professional photographer child. UGH! Where is it?!?!?! Nonetheless, I have been knitting like crazy, and searching for my camera. I will be purchasing a new canon ASAP!!, and then back to blogging (with pictures) I go. In the meantime, Happy Halloween!!!

It's out!!

My very first pattern- yippie!! "La Dolce Vita" is in the house- there are a few copies left, but more are to come. These fingerless gloves are so soft and cozy, quick and easy to knit up, make the perfect holiday gift. They require one skein each of Tilli Tomas' aspen and flurries for the pair, you can't beat that. Aspen is truly delightful to knit with, and my thinking cap is on right now for my next pattern.. I have to say, I am pretty excited about having my own pattern out there, and who better to share that with, than Tilli Tomas!!!

Dream in Color came in yesterday- YUM!! These skeins, one is more beautiful than the next. I love this company, they are going to explode!! I first saw their sock yarn online, and then felt the "Classy" , with my rep, which is the worsted weight, and I loved it, had to have it right away. They shipped me 7 colors so far, and they are really pretty.... Their superwash fine merino is dyed in a "Veil" dying process, which embraces the relationship between lights and darks. Each skein is enriched with subtly and the fine merino make up leaves it super soft and full of sheen... The question I have, what am going to knit first, I have my eyes on "Cocoa Kiss"..

Ina came by this morning with some patterns to refresh my stock. Just as she left, I realized that she finished the "Julia Shrug" pattern. Yippie!! I LOVE this pattern. Who wouldn't want to knit this? It takes 2 skeins of the Blue Sky Suri, and is absolutely luscious to the max. As she was walking out, I said, oh now I have to knit that tonight, she threw me her sample and helped herself to 2 new skeins. What a trade- we love that!!!!! Who loves you Ina?

More fun stuff to arrive this morning, some Ozark Handspun... So now we can start using it with our chunky knits or felting projects for a little added fabulosity. Check out this skein, I think he used a bit of lurex, it has a touch of sparkle. I am thinking about the Concentric Vest in Interweave Knits. I would use big wool and glamify it with a trim in ozark. I may change my mind another 20 times today. That's one of my best qualities. As you can only imagine, it is very difficult to decide what to knit when you're sitting in a knitting store, surrounded by beautiful yarn all day. I could think of worse things though, so who's complaining.

Thank god that's over. Despite the absolute gorgeousness of the contrasting colors in this scarf, I felt like this took forever. I love the feel, the color, the whole thing. Will I start another right away? I want to say no way, but the truth is probably. It is the perfect scarf. I have had it on all day, it turned heads yesterday at the Rhineback sheep & wool festival. The most exciting thing to watch at the festival was for sure the ..............horses. This man standing (riding) on the most magnificent creatures I have ever seen in my entire life. To see these horses up close, was , there are no words. We walked to the car completely amazed by these beautiful Belgium Brabant horses. Their legs were like tree trunks. I have never seen anything like it, just phenomenal- and I grew up with 2 horses- regular size horses, these were massive.

The real reason I went to the show was to finally met Sarina, John, and baby Scout from Moving Mud. We have developed a special relationship over the course of the past 2 years, but had never met. Her booth was so busy, but when I walked up to her, we knew it. Big warm hugs all around, and it's a bummer we don't live closer. Her baby is a sweet little peanut, and John- exactly as I imagined, and it was as if we had all been friends for so long. Then I made my mission to find Carol Cypher, to score one more hug, which I did. Low and behold, she had an ENORMOUS shawl closure form Moving Mud in the side of her hair, she is a rip. I love her. We ate in town at Gigi's, which was great, and then sat in traffic for 4, I repeat 4 hours getting home. I am not a good passenger, if the ride takes more than 45 minutes tops. "Where are we" "Are we almost there"? Poor Ted.

Now that my Chevron Scarf is finished, I have to start knitting. Really knitting...

Lucy Cubed....

Ina Braun, the designer behind Tante Sophie Avait Un Chien, has done it again. Earlier this year, she brought to us, the fabulous Mimi and Buddy Shawl and the Mocha Scarf (just to name a few - all were major hits by the way). This fall, she has introduced the "Lucy Cubed" shrug or shawl, knit with Blue Sky Alpacas' Brushed Suri (a favorite in the shop). The single skein version produces a sweet little scarf, displayed in the shop right now in colorway "Sweet Potato Pie". The second version she offers in her pattern calls for 2 skeins of suri, which works out to be an absolutely gorgeous shawl. The best part? When you seam the sleeves, you are left with the yummiest, most amazing shrug. Having each of her pieces displayed in the shop is really terrific, Ina is so wonderful about bringing her samples in for us to see and feel- thank you Ina. When people first see the suri, they figure it is nothing more than a brushed mohair "that must be itchy!" however, much to their surprise, the brushed suri is as soft as a cloud, a slice of heaven that you can, when you're done wearing it as a shrug, wrap it around your neck as a double knit scarf (the brilliance)!! Ina's creative stitch work keeps this project fun to work on and looking beautiful!!! This is a must have fall accessory....

We're back...

We're back, and boy did she have a magical birthday celebration. As you can only imagine, we did not want to come home!! We laughed non stop for a week, and just couldn't get over how Scarlett was completely overwhelmed with all of her dreams coming true. To see her walking up to Cinderella, totally taken back, brought tears to my eyes. No literally, I was crying. It was the most magical moment of her life, no doubt. We didn't want it to end. Ted and I couldn't get over how much this kid loved the tea cup ride... I took her on every ride that she was tall enough to go on, and she loved every minute of it. On her birthday, she wore her Sleeping Beauty gown to breakfast to meet the princesses. She took our breathe away...So, I wish I could say it's good to be back, but truth be told, I rather be in "Fantasyland" than in cloudy damp New Jersey. I have to order some yarn, straighten up, knit and get back into the groove. No more Mickey and Minnie, no more roller coasters (for now).... the girls did an awesome job while I was away. Now I need to replenish what sold out, (Tilli Tomas) aspen and flurries were a hit this week). I didn't knit a single stitch while I was away. I guess that meant I was having too much fun!!

Perhaps when you are about to take a vacation after not going away for so long, you feel like there are so many things you have to "take care of". But really there's not!! I figured, while Scarlett is at school today, I would wrap things up, but I find myself sipping coffee, stretching my legs, and straightening up a skein or two- here and there (what a joke). I am making headway on the koigu chevron scarf, but then today, I got some Tilli Tomas- Flurries and Aspen, in beautiful fall colors. My "La Dolce Vita" glove photo shoot took place last week at Tilli Tomas, and I am more than pleased with the finished product. I wish I could post the photo, but no can do. Apparently, I will be receiving a copy of the chosen photo any day now. In the meantime, if you want to get a head start on the gloves, come by, and I will print the pattern for you. The pattern calls for one ball of aspen, and one skein of flurries... So soft and cozy. I already set aside for a pair in "Atmosphere", the gun metal grey- a must have!!

Last night, I baked cup cakes for Scarlett's birthday party in school, my poor dog sat and moaned as if he was literally starving to death. The moaning and groaning was seriously over the top. He put so much effort into this, trying so hard to manipulate me into giving him a lick of batter, or even a cup cake - sorry buddy!!So, we leave in 2 days, and as it turns out, the shop will not be closed at all!! We are more than excited to play in Disney for a week and forget about work for the first time in 4 years...

just in...

What does it say on the cover of that latest issue of Interweave Gifts? Embellish with Needle Felting!! Intro to Needle Felting will be on October 30th. For more information on the class, visit www.angelfirestudios.com.

Can you even stand these cards?There are a bunch of different cards, the pics didn't some out so great, but they are adorable. They are actually knitted onto the card. I got a big shipment of them today right after the girls left. This morning, we sat around the table and wet felted bracelets. It was fun. I think we'll continue doing it on Wednesday mornings...

Last night was a productive knitting night (shocker- I know), I finished Scarlett's bolero and it fits her great- she was so excited to try it on. I was able to knit the whole thing out of only 2 skeins of Malabrigo. It is adorable, and the first thing Scarlett said when she put it on was "Oh mom, it's soft".I was also able to get started on for my koigu scarf. I was a bit apprehensive about these two colors together, the one is sooo dark, but once I started, oh boy. I love it. Every row is like surprise, and that's what I love so much about Koigu, the color bursts are fabulous. I took this picture outside, so that the colors would really show. I can't even wait to wear it ...I wore this tee shirt that my mother in law sent to me last week, it just came yesterday from Nancy Dee. Btw, my MIL has been here for 2 days, ands is knitting a gorgeous scarf with kidsilk haze and Tilli Tomas, I don;t even think she has taken a pee break. I will take a picture of it tonight. I took a picture of myself to show you the shirt, but it kind of looks like I stuffed my bra. Dang...