Good Morning Everyone!
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm freezing, I acutally had to go inside and get a sweatshirt. That's a bit dramatic, chicken skin isn't exactly freezing, but I wasn't getting any warmer ignoring the fact that my goosebumps were getting bigger the longer I sat. The sun hasn't made it's way around to my little corner of paradise that is my porch and there's just enough breeze in the shade to give me the chills. Am I complaining? Kind of sounds like it, but I do appreciate the fact that it's a lot easier to warm up than to cool off. Of course, I did just spend the last 90 minutes running around in the woods with Bernie working up a bit of a sweat, but I'm still surprised how cool it is, I hope it stays.
It is the END OF JULY!!! Can you believe it? I've already started my Christmas in July rant, so I'll just tell you now, in 5 months, it will be the day after Christmas. How do you like that? I'm only saying this because I'm too stupid to follow my own advice and I always think of all these wonderful Christmas gifts to knit on December 23rd. Thankfully, most of you are nothing like me and actually plan accordingly (Sandy & Carrie come to mind). With lots of encouragement from Carrie, I've got some great ideas for you to HELP get you started. Kits, kits, kits!! These make the perfect gift, whether given "as is" or knit up. I posted a video of the hat kits we put together, they are super cute! I'll give you a little preview of what's coming next, miniature sweater kits, OMG they are adorable. Each kit comes with yarn for 2 sweaters, hangers and the pattern for $6. I'll be posting the video later today, so check it out. I'm also working on sweater kits sized for kids-adults.
As always, my projects are an adventure. This adorable little sweater I'm knitting as a shop sample decided to flip me off and I accepted the challenge. I lost, of course, because I couldn't stand this one little stitch that ironically looked like it was under a magnifying glass. I tried "fixing" it and made it so much worse, there was no way I could ever be proud I'd knit it. I thought about saying Carrie had made it, but that's just mean, and she'd never leave it that way either. So what was supposed to be an easy adjustment, turned into me pulling the entire body out, ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE UNDERARMS. Did I mention that I'd already bound the stupid thing off and was working on the sleeves??? Thankfully I'm knitting the smallest size, 0-6 months, so it didn't take long to reknit, BUT...Long story short, it looks so much better and I'm really happy that I took the time to make it meet my high, stupid standards, one step below perfection lol. Because I love keeping you in suspense, you'll either have to come to Stitch and Bitch tomorrow night to see this cute little thing, wait for the video to come out, or stop by the shop. I love this design, it's sized 0-6 months through adult and would make a great first time sweater project. I'll be putting kits together to make it super duper easy to grab one and cast on, you're welcome!
The KAL gals met this past Saturday, it was a small, but lively group. I know many of you are traveling. I think the state of Vermont is currently in Maine or Europe according to Facebook, I can't wait to hear about your travels. I have Berroco's Sea Star afghan IN MY SHOP!!! IT IS GORGEOUS!!! We've been discussing our next KAL, we've talked about steeked Icelandic sweaters, but there's also been a lot of interest in doing this afghan. We could do one and then the other, either way, you must see this afghan! Berroco has generously loaned it to me until the end of August, THANK-YOU!!! So let me know what you'd like to do and it will happen. I really enjoy our knit alongs and look forward to working on the same project as a group. We've kind of veered off course the last couple of KALs, picking our favorite sweater by Jenn Steingass or Summer Sweater by Berroco. Whatever you decide, I'm in, we have plenty of time to get ourselves organized, we'll be casting on the project in September.
We will be meeting tomorrow evening from 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch, I hope you can join in the fun! Make it a great day and I'll see you soon!