More Coffee PLEASE!!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

I don't usually start with a negative thought, but I need to get it out of the way. I HATE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!!! It just completely screws with me, by the time I'm fully adjusted to it, we're falling back again. Mind you, it's great to be on the other side of Winter with Spring bursting through at the end of that long, dark, cold, tunnel, but that one little hour just does a number on me. I can't fall asleep at night, I seem to wake up at my usual time, which according to the new time is an hour earlier, I'm EXHAUSTED and we're only a few days into this. I read an interesting "thought" which totally supports my cynicism regarding this Spring ritual, it goes something like this, "Only the white man would believe that cutting off the top of a blanket and sewing it to the bottom would produce a longer blanket." Mic drop....

So with my extra hour of daylight I've been knitting like a crazy woman, then again, I always knit like a crazy woman so nothing has changed. I'm cruising along as fast as I can on my Birkin and working in my Julie Twist when I have my wits about me. Of course there is always an ulterior motive behind my knitting and it's the permission to cast on my next project(s) which are always in queue. Permission is clearly subjective and defined only by me, it's great to be in charge. Are you wondering what's got me itching to cast on those next projects?? DRUM ROLL....Berroco's Zinnia AND at least 5 pairs of the socks in Happily Knitting Socks, I'll never be bored and my house will always be dusty.

I had a great time on Sunday afternoon participating in a Fiberside Chat featuring Dennis and Wim of Happily Knitting Socks. Their energy was simply infectious and this old dog learned a few new tricks, which really is a big deal. I've been knitting socks for 30 years, their knitting experience combined doesn't touch that, which doesn't mean I'm better, just more experienced. The one thing I took away from that fun filled hour was, take the time to get out of your comfort zone and learn something new. Wim demonstrated his method of Fair Isle knitting using two colors and two hands to carry the floats. I realize that this isn't anything new, but I'm rather hard headed and sometimes think it's easier to do things the hard way. I can continental knit, I hate it, it slows me down and changes my gauge. Watching Wim demonstrate just how fluid combining "throwing" and "continental" can be, gave me a boost of confidence. I never understood how to carry the floats continentally, game changer and worth making the effort. I do anticipate an inordinate amount of swearing in the near future. That said, I am stocked with many gorgeous colors of Lang's Jawoll sock yarn and even have a couple extra copies of Happily Knitting Socks available if you didn't already preorder. It is a beautifully written book, the designs are whimsical and I'm completely inspired! I would love to make this our next Knit Along, but as always, I'm open to suggestion.

Many of you have already been in to see the new Spring and Summer yarns, they are stunning!!! I'm most surprised by Zinnia, and I admit, is one of the reasons I can't knit fast enough. The pattern support is PHENOMENAL!! OMG there are at least 3 patterns that I'm just dying to knit, I've already reordered twice and have more pattern booklets on the way. I want the Pim, Carden, and Phillipa now. The Summer Sesame is just beautiful, several of you have probably cast on your Etta t-shirts already. I'm super excited that so many of you have joined the ranks of summer garment knitting. It's been a challenge for me in the past getting folks on board, but I feel that with the diversity summer yarns have taken on it's really a no brainer. Knitting with these lovely cotton and linen blends IS NOT like knitting with Sugar and Cream dishcloth yarn, I PROMISE!! I've walked the plank and survived. I have some lovely summer sweaters that I absolutely loved knitting and love even more wearing. Stop on by to see for yourself!

We will be meeting tomorrow evening from 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch via Zoom. It won't be too long before we can gather outside again, YAY!! Let me know if you'd like me to send you the link to join in the fun. Make it a great day and I hope to see you soon!

Katy