Back In My Comfort Zone...

Good Morning Everyone!

And what exactly is my comfort zone? Not size 11 needles, that's for sure, yet I found myself manhandling ginourmous knitting needles in tandem. I had TWO projects going on #11's, TWO! (Even more incredible is I had 2 sets of #11 needles). Of course the benefit of such large needles is the speed in which those stitches turn into a garment, it is rather gratifying. I did have a new hat in a matter of hours, the Wicker Brim Beanie is super cute and ready! It beautifully showcases just how lovely Amano Yana Journeys knits up, the colors are gorgeous! Then there's my latest sweater, TRIPLE TIME by Elizabeth Smith, she's chic, a classic beauty, she's BLACK! I've never knit a black sweater, EVER!! Admittedly, this was a fantastic sweater to cut my teeth on in terms of working with black.

I took every precaution prepping for this cast on, it is triple stranded mohair, it just screams a tad fussy, doesn't it? Well, I decided to save myself from those little mohair trolls that love to run rampant and cause hours of frustration. I wound the 3 skeins of Aerial together, it was quite a feat. Each skein was placed into large, SEPARATE, paper shopping bags. I then carefully fed each strand of mohair through the ballwinder's guide, and then VIOLA, the slow roll...When I removed it from the winder, I promptly placed it into an organza bag, phew, phase one is complete. Phase two, the extra layer of protection against the mohair trolls. I inadvertently discovered the benefit of stringing beads onto mohair when I knit my Clay Cardigan. This little epiphany proved quite useful, it helped maintain a uniform tension, and seriously cutdown on the possibility of tangling. It's worth mentioning, despite how sticky mohair is, there's little doubt in my mind that without those beads, the mohair would have developed teflon coating and slid all over itself.

So what is my comfort zone? 4,5,6 PLEASE!! I'd had #11's exclusively in my hands for only two weeks, when I picked up my Shifty 2.0 it took my hands a hot minute to readjust. It was nice to not be aware that I was holding knitting needles, all of a sudden they felt cradled. I like the feel of the smaller needle in my hand, it's more fluid and less mechanical. Instead of comfort zone, perhaps it has more to do with coordination. I really struggle with large needles, my hands did not enjoy the process of knitting Triple Time, but they certainly appreciated feeling the end result. It was definitely worth the effort, the sweater is featherweight with the perfect amount of fluffy. OOH a teachable moment, sometimes the struggle is real, and worth it, especially when it's MOHAIR!! I would knit the sweater again, no question...

We are just about 2 months away from Christmas, I know many of you have already started your holiday knitting. I think Sharon, is actually done, yay for you! If you're somewhere in between or have yet to start, Carrie and I have some ideas. The Novus Knit Pouch is the first Christmas KAL, we cast them on a few weeks ago during Stitch and Bitch. They are super cute, I have samples at the shop. The next Christmas KAL is Petit Knits Christmas Carmel Ornaments, November 12th $25 includes the materials, you will learn how to create jogless stripes. The last Christmas KAL is the Chit Chat hat December 3rd $35. Please let me know if you'd like to reserve a spot. You can still attend Stitch and Bitch and not do the KAL.

I finally have everything for the Advent Calendars, OMG they are super cute!! The price will be the same as last year, $150.00. They are limited in quantity, I will not be able to create more, once they are gone, they are gone until next year. I found some really cool gadgets and things that are not available in the shop. The list has been started, let me know if you would like to reserve some holiday fun.

We will be meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch, we'll be inside, I hope you can join the fun. Please remember to park facing down the hill to avoid a parking ticket. Make it a great day and I'll see you soon!

Katy