Knitting Your Memories...

Good Morning Everyone!

I wouldn't be a Vermonter without making a comment about the weather, hate it... It's fine weather for August, even September on a whim, but 80+ degrees in October, I HAVE NO USE FOR THIS. Oddly, I do have the appropriate sweater(s) for every season and range of temperatures. I was looking forward to wearing ONE of my latest creations to VT Sheep & Wool, namely our most recent KAL, the Florence. Instead, I was forced to wear my absolutely stunning Stromboli, it got noticed, you'd literally have to be blind to miss me. The best part, I saw Emily, the very talented knitter who graciously took over this project for me. I may as well have been wearing a tiara, I feel so pretty wearing it. I'm not one for sparkly yarn, it screams gawdy to me, Juniper Moon Farms Marilyn is clearly an exception to my rule. Couldn't we all use a little sparkle just about now?

I had one goal in mind for Sheep and Wool, find the 4th color for my already in progress Shifty 2.0. This sweater has been one of the most interesting journeys and made me realize the story a sweater can tell. I started collecting the yarn a few years ago, the palette has morphed and changed, A LOT. I was sitting on my porch Sunday, admiring the beautiful green yarn I found at Green Mountain Spinnery as my 4th color. I began reminiscing about the adventures I'd been on to find each of the colors I was using. The main color, was a birthday gift from Kathleen, I remember exactly how excited I was when I opened her gift (it has cashmere). The navy blue was found at Fiber Space in Alexandria, VA while Addie and I were touring schools in Washington D.C. The gold was recently acquired at Harrisville Designs during a road trip with Kathleen. I ended up frogging the entire section I'd knit with another color in order to replace it with the gold. I was still not loving how this sweater was looking until I added the green, it was pure MAGIC! I had originally bought a skein of Spincycle which I also tinked out, this was supposed to be color #4. I was very tempted to pull the entire thing out, it just wasn't coming together the way I wanted. I am so happy I waited until I'd found the "right" green before frogging the whole thing, it was close. Needless to say, I am absolutely in love with colors of this sweater, it screams FALL!!! If all goes to plan, I'll have it finished in time for Fall, oh wait, it's here, I almost forgot...

With the holidays creeping up on us, Carrie and I decided to help you along with some of your gift making. During Stitch and Bitch tomorrow night, we will be casting on the Novus Knit Pouch, it is the first of the holiday KALs. You can still attend even if you do not want to make the bag, not a problem at all. I will be emailing the pattern so you can see what you need to bring. The yarn, purl strings and clasp are included, just bring your needles and stitch markers and of course a big smile, we love fun. Carrie has already finished the second sample for the next Christmas KAL, it's stupid cute of course. It's a Christmas candy tree ornament, this little project will teach you the secret to creating jogless stripes, pretty cool. That KAL is scheduled for November 12th, the cost will be $25. We haven't picked the project for the 3rd KAL, December 3rd, or maybe we have and I just don't remember, lol...Stay tuned for the details.

I am still collecting the components for this year's Advent Calendar, I'm close to figuring out how much they will be. I can tell you, they are really super cute (maybe there will be one leftover for me) I feel like I get better each time I do one. I appreciate your patience and I really appreciate those that have signed up already, thank-you. These are a lot of work, but it's something I enjoy doing. I love finding unique gadgets and notions, the project is absolutely amazing and the yarn, OOH LA LA!! So let me know if you'd like to sign up, the quantities are limited.

We will be meeting for Stitch and Bitch tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30. We have officially moved inside, it's getting dark well before we're ready to go home. Remember to please park facing downhill to avoid getting a ticket. Make it a great day and I hope to see you soon!

Katy