December - 2007

December 19, 2007

I've been lax about updating this page lately - I'm sorry!  With class schedules, vet appointments, people out sick and on vacation, and meetings with sales reps - don't even talk to me about holiday spirit!  I know it's here somewhere but I don't have time to look for it! Anyway, I haven't had time and don't expect to have time to do much in the way of writing until after the New Year.

I do want to let you know:

WE"LL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 24 - 26

AND DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 1.

I want to wish everyone happy holidays and tell you how sincerely I appreciate your patronage, support, and friendship.  It means everything to me, and I wish I could thank every one of you personally.  I think back over this past year and all the projects we've worked on together, all the things we've learned together, all the yarn we've ooh'd and ahh'd over together, and all the connections we've made and the threads that wind us together through our mutual enthusiasm for knitting, crocheting, and yarn. It's truly my joy to see you and the projects you make, and to be able to share them with others on this page.  I feel privileged every time someone walks through the door with a new project in mind, or with a question on their current work, or to show off something successfully completed.  I look forward to sharing many, many more projects with you.  Talk to you in the New Year.

See you soon.

Trish

December 5, 2007

Snowing, snowing - what a pretty evening, and the best part of it is that it will go away over the next few days.  I do really love feeling cozy inside with an afghan on my lap and a nice knitting project in my hands.  I'm not working on anything ambitious or even particularly interesting right now - so thank goodness other people are or that would be the end of this post!

First I have to brag on my sister Janet for a minute.  I told you she's a crocheter and she sent me pictures of a couple scarves she's been working on.  The first is in Silk Dream in a shell stitch (and a shell pink) for her daughter Sarah:

And the other is in both Ritratto and I think 2 colors of Multicolor in silt stitch:

Aren't they pretty, and I'm glad she's having fun playing with colors and textures.  (For those who want to know, she used a K hook for both scarves.)

Talking about colors and textures, look at Becky's newest baby, who stopped by on her way to the vet.  (With Becky, of course - birds are very smart but have yet to learn to drive.)  This is Lola:

She's very gorgeous, and the camera simply can't catch the iridescence of her plumage.

Diane Monderiwicz (I'm sure I misspelled her last name, but it's better than hearing me pronounce it) came in with her beautiful cowl in luscious Posh.  The stitch patterns were a challenge, but she did a great job and is planning on a couple more:

             A little cashmere really spruces up a sweatshirt!

And Donna Hain finished her jacket in Malizioso and came in to show us on the same day I decided to wear

our shop model to warm up a bit:

  We had to do our rendition of "Sisters" - aren't you glad you missed it?

And Sue Lynch brought in a beautiful beaded scarf she made from Matchmaker 4-Ply.  The beads give the scarf drape and weight and make it really luxurious.

Now I have some glorious yarn to show you.  The first is in the shop now - it's Cherry Tree Hill's hand-dyed Orenburg laceweight yarn - mohair and silk.  It's hairy, shiny and absolutely unique, and one of these colors is going into my stash until I have the perfect project.  (I can't jump into lace projects - really have to wait until the right idea comes along.)

And this wonderful stuff is NOT in the shop yet - they say about 2 weeks (hmmph, we'll see) until it shows up in this neck of the woods.  Yes, it's Noro's new sock yarn - and of course, I bought every color.

Socks, yes, of course, but how about a top-down tee blending two colors, or a sideways shawl, or a baby sweater or ... well, the colors are wonderful and the possibilities are endless. There are more and more very beautiful fingering weight yarns out there and it's a very pleasant weight to knit.  I'll be exploring that more over the next few months.

And next week I should have more classes for you to look over, too.  We'll have a beginner session, of course, but also a beautiful diagonal-knit vest (one of my favorite designs ever), the beginning of a series on afghan blocks, and I hope, the "My First" series.  I send an e-mail when the schedule goes up.

Ack, I know you're sick of me by now - good-bye!

Trish