Universal Links

I have the front and Back of Tony's sweater done and I am working on the neckline. Althought this is not the way the pattern suggests that the sweater be constructed, I got this suggestion from Judy Paschal at Stitches East. By completing the neckline first this will make the sleeve construction more fitted, by drawing in the neckline the sleeves are less likely to be too long. Since my model is so close I can abuse him by making him try it on along the way! I will try to get a picture of this process!
The more I work with the Universal's Link fiber the more I like it.
My next project is Fiber Trends Evening in Eden using Universal's Eden Silk. I know that I said that I was going to start on my Berocco's Portia in Peruvia but a lace shawl sounds less complicated for some reason. I will let you know how that goes.

Rosalie Scarf Class

On Saturday Jan. 12 at 10am we will be holding the Rosalie Scarf class from Simply Shetland 4 at Tomales Bay. This pattern is a classic design with clean lines and a small lace section for interest. This is a great scarf for begining lace. No chart is needed however a chart can be created from this easy to follow pattern. We have only one of each color of Lambswool and Cashmere! Depending on class size depends on if you get a choice of yarn or if we will hold a lottery! Remember Forrest Gump--box of Chocolates. Swapping is allowed but no putting back after you have bitten/knit.
Visit www.cablesyarn.com for more details.

Prep for another holiday

Yes, I am putting up christmas decoration. Knitting a little. This is the problem. I think that I would be better off not doing anything else. Well there is scrapbooking, and needlepoint. Maybe I should just limit my self to crafts. Not errands, dishes, laundry, yards...just crafts. Speaking of needlepoint I really need to work on a stocking for Anthony. That child is in need of some special items just for him.
They are almost done with my new patio it is great!! What a wonderful place to sit and knit. I will need to work on a lap blanket for the cold spring nights! A nice soft wool. Peruvia by Berocco? or even Ultra Alpaca? I could do Punte de Este? What wonderful possibilities!!!
My knitting group meets tonight. I need to stay focused and get my own project finished, Tony's sweater. Yes, that's it I will go and knit.
Knit on,
Maria

Another successful knit night

Although many regulars were missing from our group we had loads of fun. Tuesday nights are working great for so many of us and Wed. is another awesome group. Even some came to both events. I have had a hard time understanding what these knitters are going to want from my store. I think that most of these knitters are intersted in a place to socialize as well as buy fibers. I don' t see many of these women attending classes on a regular basis. Most of this months group are working on sweaters and detailed projects. I am looking foward to seeing this group change and expand. If you are interested in joining us next month we will meet Dec. 4th at 6:30pm & Dec. 6th at 9:30am. Email me with questions.
I am working on Tony's sweater right now, doing both the front and the back at the same time is nice. I opted not to work in the round and stay true to pattern, for the sake of the shop. Modifications are nice but they don't sell patterns or yarn these days. And for a sweater that will not be worn by my hubby for years to come I think that sticking with the pattern is wise.
Well I must run I need to get knitting before Private Practice begins and I get distracted.
Knit on

Pursonalities book

I must have let someone borrow my Pursonalities Book. If you have it please give me a call or email me! I need a pattern from it and I don't want to go buy another copy. I have an idea for a bag and I need to reference a pattern and check the authors notes.
I did felt a bag I made from Creative Knitting magazine and low and behold a problem. I think I can fix it on the next go around. I am considering contacting the designer and see if she came up with the same problem and they just covered it up in photography. Has anyone had a felt bag twist? It looks like it is knit on the bias. This problem is very frustrating----I can't even shape it out!.
I am considering a retail location for Cables and this is a big step if providing Mooresville with a yarn boutique. It is looking like the rezoning may cost some major cash. Why must they make this difficult. Let me know your thoughts.
Knit on.

Swatch

I am trying a new swatch technique that I learned at Stitches East. Don't just swatch in St st or pattern; border the entire swatch in garter st, the zap your piece in the microwave. Yes nuke-it. First you must dampen it but then nuke it. It is just like laundering it, or so Judy Paschal says. I think that with Tony's sweater I will try short row shaping for the neck just like Judy taught me in the 'necklines unbound' class. I might have to revert to the old fashioned bind off if it does not shape out right. I will keep you informed as to my sweater progress.
I am also working on a Pink Ribbon Fulled Tote. I am thinking that the tote size is too big, of course you will never know until it is washed. I think that a smaller size will make more sense if I kit it. I would also like to add a purse scarf to the kit.
Knit-on.

Stitches East

I have returned from Stitches East excited about the 2008 fall season. I can't seem to get my hands moving fast enought to finish some projects so that I may begin my next. A renewed since of urgency has hit again. I know this will dwindle as December arrives. I think that I will investigate leasing property for the store. Tony and I are in constant talks about the pros and cons of leasing. If you can join me for an inpromptu knit morning I will be at the store from 9:15 until 2:00. Let's sit and knit.

Yarn shipment

I have received two shipments of yarn one from Universal and one from Art Yarns!!!
I just don't know where to begin. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
I think after I get half way thru the Morehouse Farms Crinoid scarf I will begin Tony's sweater. I am making it from the new all natural line from Universal---Fibra natura's 100% organic cotton named Links. I don't even want to gauge my swatch until I get further along with my scarf or I will put it down.
Our schedule for meeting is Sept 12th 6:30, Sept 19th 9:30am, Oct 9th 6:30pm and Oct 10th 9:30am. If anyone wants to add an additional evening let me know. Email or call for directions.
Knit on,
Maria

Some thought before Mighigan

I am off this weekend to Michigan. Why you ask, I am going for a family reunion. I will be traveling without Tony. He has decided to stay and work. I made the suggestion that if he truely felt that he needed to stay then I would not be upset---I am not upset that he has opted to stay I am just surprised. And I am now surprised that he will not even be home the night before we leave. I am disappointed. But to relieve my stress I found a LYS online in Buffalo, MI. I hope to pawn off my kids to some member of my family so I can excape the knit. I hope to do alot of knitting to be quite honest. I just finished my Noro Wave scarf. I would have liked it longer but all the scarfs I make are long. I also worked on my rug alittle. I am going to meet a knitter tomorrow and I wish I could take the rug---it is just to bulky. I must go to bed or I will be one grumpy knitter in the morning.
Knit on.

Patience

I just felted my hubby's clogs. He loves them. Of course they are wet and need days to dry and I will then shave them. I am ready to start another pair. Who ever came up with the design at Fiber Trends is brilliant! This is where I have no patience, I have yet to finish my Christmas rug. Remember I was to finish that before starting anything else? I am forced to look and touch yarns for the store and yet I know that I have a UFO that needs attention. Berrocco is coming out with such great designs lately all I can think about doing is starting something else. Focus.
I have found out about a knitting circle that is not too far from my house and I will go there on Wed. Networking, networking, and excuse to knit.
I am having difficulty not buying everything I see. Plymouth yarns carry over 100 types of yarn in addition the variety of color within even on yarn is amazing.
Even while composing this entry I have looked at a pattern and decided that I could make me just one more great design.
Nighty Night.

KnitNite

We had our first KnitNite last week and decided to have our next meeting on August 15th at 6:30. I know that we will have a much bigger turn out because we only have a day's notice. Things are going well with picking out yarns. I have spoken with SouthWest Trading Co.'s rep and we are on board and I have picked some wonderful colors. I am planning on placing that order this week and I look foward to meeting with Universal Yarns next month. I hope I can get some yarns for the next KnitNite.
I have almost finished Tony's slippers and I want to get them done tonight----knit I must.

Rug Work

I have made it my goal while I am home this month I will work only on my christmas rug. I knew that this project would only take me a week or two but it has been 6 months. My mother cut two garabage bags of material & I have yet to tell her it is not done. I must complete it by the end of the month when she comes visit. I have two trips to take this month and I will work on other things then. But until then rug I must.

One step closer

We are one step closer to the opening of Cables. We are submitting a contract for a piece of property for the store. I know that there are many more hurdles to jump but this one confirms my commitment to opening this fall.
I fininshed the Baby Bolero and I am working on a "Panthers" scarf. The yarn and my needles are fighting so the needles must be replaced. I hate working with yarn that does not work well with others!! This project maybe drawn out. It is a simple scarf from the Knitters Dozen series. I could make a tank top just as quickly--- Remember it may be a ripping season.
The Baby Bolero is a wonderful quick knit. I loved working in the Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton and Silk.

Summer Starts

This summer season started off with a bang. We had friends over Sunday and Monday, great times had by all. I am looking foward to working on the store since I have had a two week break. Tony and I went to Costa Rica on the 17th and returned on the 21st. This last week has been crazy. And the boys are out of school. I am begining a new project from the One Skein book, Baby bolero made with Misti Alpaca Cotton and Silk. Wow what a great yarn!! I am looking foward to this quick project, since my last project didn't work out too well. I tried to work with a SWT Bamboo. Love the yarn and color but I have no idea what to knit with just one skein. I looked in the One Skein book and read patterns online and tried the basis one skein shawl pattern(This is how I came up with the Baby Bolero). It turned out too short. I have more of a collar not a shawl. Rip it, baby Rip it. Once I complete this Bolero I will have the guts to rip. I have other stuff to rip too. It maybe a ripping season.
I will post updates on the progress of the bolero.
I am still looking for help with the store. Anyone interested let me know.

Knitting LKN

Knitting LKN sounds like a good name for a knit club. I am wanting to start a knit club before the store opens. I know that summer is around the corner and many people don't want to knit but I need the support of other knitters. I seem to be getting bogged down with the details of opening a business and I need to be around knitters. I would be interested in hosting an informal class. Tue, Wed or Thurs nights will work best for me. I have been staring at yarn and patterns for two hours and have yet to knit. I need my creative mojo back. Knit with me.

On the move

I am busy working on the content for the upcoming website and I decided to blog. I thought that this would be a good outlet for my thoughts and maybe a way to get my new store seen on the web. We are Cables Yarn and Trim. Cables as in knitting cables. Cables will be a full service yarn boutique. All our employees will be trained to educate clients about our yarns, the classes we offer and any technique that they need to complete their project. Education---and fun will be our focus. My new quote "Teach some one to knit with quality yarn and they will never go to Wal-mart to buy cheap yarn."