Good Morning Everyone!
I don't know about you, but I'm thrilled to have January behind me. The days are getting longer, and I'm optimistic that February won't bring as many below zero days. I guess we'll know tomorrow when Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual prognostication as to how many more weeks of winter we'll be enduring. I love winter, I love wearing my hand knit sweaters, I love that I have many months to wear my sweaters, but January was nothing short of a ball buster, man it was cold. Working summer sweaters into my queue reminds me that warmer days are coming and for those of us tucked up in the North, we just need to be patient.
I finished my Agate tank top with exactly 6' of yarn left over, yes, I measured it. I was in a bit of a panic watching that ball get smaller, praying to the yarn goddess not to leave me in a lurch. I'd already considered using the pink Meraki Andra sent me in my yarn tasting kit to finish the armholes, it didn't thrill me. I knew it wouldn't fool anyone into believing it was done intentionally, especially since most of you know how I feel about pink (on me). I'll be unrolling and blocking her just as soon as I'm finished writing my newsletter and posting pictures of how beautiful that lace work looks blocked. I have 2 more shop samples to knit, the Fleurine in Remix Light which will test my Intarsia skills (ugh) and then I have Chartreuse Green Pima Soft that I'm not sure what to do with.
Originally I was going to knit another Agate, but I've found a couple other patterns that would be perfect for the yarn. Berroco has a gorgeous FREE pattern called Beals it was designed for Liana. I'm in love with the back it has a split seam detail that is very flattering. I also found a stunning FREE pattern on Purl Soho's website called the Tulip Tank Top, OMG!!! It may require a little manipulation in gauge to use the yarn, but I think with how tightly I knit, I can make it work. I'm really excited to cast on another sweater and add it to the mix of my Avena, Sipila and Emsworth. While I have your attention, do yourself a favor, check out Jennifer Beale on Ravelry or Instragram, Kathleen, Wanda and I have purchased enough of her patterns to allow her to retire. Her Joe Batt's Arm design stopped me dead in my tracks...
A couple of reminders for you, please wear your mask while at the shop. At least while it's winter the mask helps keep our faces warm. Hopefully as the temperatures go up, if we are careful now, we won't have to be bothered with them when it finally gets warm. Secondly, please get into the habit of bringing your own bag. Thirdly, we will be meeting tomorrow evening from 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch, I hope you can join in the fun, Agate will be the guest of honor. And lastly, MAKE IT A GREAT DAY, ENJOY THE SUN, AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON!!!
Katy