Full Moon

Tonight is a full moon will the knitting Goddess be with us? Yes, she is getting ready her self for the upcoming festivities. The Winter Solstice is fast approaching, her needles are clicking, her yarn balls are twirling around just like the winter winds. The moon light makes the knitting hours longer, more furious. What will she cast on tonight? Something to keep her warm until the spring I am sure. We will find out soon.


I wanted everyone to see what Melinda has been up to....

Here she has a pic of two recently finished scarfs! Please send in photos, descriptions and stories for posting.
I will be working with a friend tonight to complete a baby blanket for her nephew and I will take pictures for her an post them!

I have changed my mind about what color to make the thumbs on my mittens. I thought they would be the same color as the fingertips however that did not look good. They are now the same color as the fan below and the look is much better. I finished one mitten last night and I am beginning the thumb on the other after I am done here.

More Pictures

I thought you should see the difference between the colors. Of course the one on the right in the group shot is the one I am currently using.
The rainbow is color number S92, the green, black and rust is S245, the blue, gray and purple is S233 and the brown, sable and sand is S149.

Last knit night and morning of 2008

Cables will have their last knit night on Tuesday Dec 16th at 6:30pm and their last knit morning on Wed Dec 17th 10:00am.
Get help with the finishing your projects or get started on a last minute gift idea!

These are the mittens!!! These are a show stopper. I was unsure of the color that Anthony picked for his teacher but man are they great! I wanted to knit several pair for the holiday season in different colorways but they others may seem 'boring' after knitting these. Of course the person receiving them will have no idea but I will. Leave it to Noro to make another wonderful colorway!! This is Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn #S92.




I have 'opened' my shop on Etsy. Visit me at www.cablesyarn.etsy.com

Thanksgiving is over

Now the pounds add on to the hips! Check out the 19 pound turkey I made to take to my sister's house. How did I not get any left overs! We had two turkeys, I just don't understand.









The following pictures are of the Alpaca wrap for my sister. You remember the one on the incorrect needles. At least this is one UFO that is off the list forever!










I have moved on to the mittens. Noro Sock yarn in a fan pattern. Pictures will come soon these are too beautiful not to photograph.

I am working on opening an Etsy.com store. I am busy taking pictures. Look for kits and products soon at www.CablesYarn.Etsy.com. CablesYarn will also provide finished product for purchase. Remember that all of these items will be handmade, never worn (except to photograph), from a pet and smoke free house! Visit soon.

Alpaca Wrap

I worked on this wrap for several hours last night. I finished the suggested number of rows and I realized that there was a lot of yarn left on the ball. I stretched it and discovered that it is not wide enough. What could be the problem? Correct number of rows (minus the three garter row border), not wide enough, plenty of yarn???? Could the pattern be wrong? Needles? Never thought to check needles before beginning. Why should I? My sister gave me this project all in a nice Ziploc bag for me to complete for her (She did not like the fuzz produced from the 100% Alpaca). Now the hunt is on for a needle gauge. The pattern says US 8. They don't look like US 8. But it is 12 midnight, nothing looks quite right anyway. I have been working hard to complete this project. I want to pile my FO and start on new yarn, new designs. This yarn has been sitting for 13 months and two people, to turn into a wonderful, warm wrap. Now where is my new needle gauge?? I just got it at Stitched East. from www.debrasgarden.com. I look in my closet with all of my jewelry, no luck. I look on my bedside table, no luck. Go back to my closet and under a postcard my needle gauge. My eyes search for the little laser etched number 8. There it is. Before I even poke my needle thru I know that the needle in my hand is not an 8. I carefully insert my shinny silver Addi turbo needle perfectly in to the hole marked....6. A perfect fit! Since this is the first time I have used my Nautilus needle gauge, it was a beautiful moment to this functional tool turned art work return to a functional purpose. WHAT?!?! 6? Six? No this can't be. I look at the pattern instructions again and back to the needle. I just spent all weekend and the beginning of this week trying to finish a wrap---that I didn't even buy, and I will return to the owner---that the entire time I have been knitting on the wrong size needle. I will not frog this. Remain calm. Put the wrap down. Put the point protectors on the end, and go to bed. You will figure this out in the morning. Well I did figure it out, complete as many more rows as possible before running out of yarn, wash, block, wear (once), photograph and give it to its rightful owner.

Yarn, Yarn and more Yarn

I think I need medication. I can not help my addiction to yarn. I know that there are worse things to be addicted to but I know when I die my kids are going to know that Mom was crazy. I know that they will think it anyway but the yarn will be the proof, as will the books and the scrapbooking. I am just a crafty person, with OCD, with ADD.
I was hoping to take pictures today but the weather is overcast and the colors just don't work when there is no natural sunlight. I do not have a photography booth. (Note to self: don't buy one just to take pictures of yarn.)
This is the first year that I am knitting Christmas presents. I almost finished with my Grandma's wrap. Next I am going to start on a pair of mittens. I am also going to start on a lap blanket. I don't want to say who they are going to because in the world of knitting things don't always get done on time!

Back from Stitches East

Once again the hand knit world has proven amazing to me. I have learned new techniques, met individual I want to keep up with (and others I don't) and I found out that there are some that I knew but don't ever care to talk to again. All of this wealth of info at a knitting conference! I did not take pictures of fellow knitters like I thought I would. I just didn't think that would be fair. I am not Clinton or Stacy, so I kept my comments to myself or my sister. I will take pictures of my newest collection of yarn! Ohh the colors. Angora. Quivit. Wool. Silk. Roving.

I will not talk about the unpleasantries, just the good stuff. I don't think there were as many knitters this year as last. And I doubt that I will be going to Stitches East next year because it is in Hartford, Ct. And man that place sounds COLD! Maybe I should go just to experience the Northeast. However XRX book and Stitches presented Stitches South in Atlanta, Ga. Now that is more my speed! In April too!!!! I just have a lot of knitting to do to prove to Tony that all of my shopping was worth it!

I want to share my thoughts with USAirways. They charge you for luggage, so 3/4 of the people try to 'carry-on' all they they can so they will not be charged. At that point all of the overhead bins become full requiring passengers to stop and have their luggage turned in for gate check in. After a few minutes of this the jetway staff begin to worry that the flight will not depart on time and begin to get snippy with the customers waiting to board the plane. This entire delay is all based on the greediness of the airlines.
Let me talk about the airports and the TSA. A closed full bottle of water is not allowed to pass thru TSA security. You can purchase a bottle of water from the many newsstands on your way to you plane for $2.35 (Charlotte-Douglas International Airport). You can purchase one from your in-air infomerical hostess for $2.00. This same bottle of water could cost you less than $.50 if purchased at a discount store on sale, or even with a coupon. One of my two most recent infomercial hostess was just about one of the worst individuals in any customer service industry. Are they really that unhappy with their jobs that they procede to try to make everyone elses day miserable? I was sternly informed that my bag's strap needed to be removed from the aisle, granted I was trying to reach my wallet that was in my bag to pay for the $2.00 CranApple drink! After I heard her raise her voice to another passenger for not giving correct change, I thougt that getting the $2.00 from my wallet might warrant a 'thank you' but no such luck.
I am all for airport security, but how is it that you can't take fingernail clippers but a 14" set on knitting needles seems like a fine object to fly with. In a flight I took just over a year ago I got on the plane with a small scissors. Where is the consistancy need to truely make our sky safe? A lighter OK, nail clippers NOT? Is it just me or are some of the regulations stupid?
I just heard a commedian say something like this.....The Department of Homeland Security issues daily treat levels--- these are useless because most americans have no idea what they mean and what to do. And since 9-11 we have been at yellow or orange. Daily some terriorist wants to kill us so why even have green? We are always in some danger.
I have made this decision; if I can get somewhere in 6 hours by car than it is not worth airlines, airports or the TSA.

Back from Puerto Rico

I am back! Comming back after 6 days I could see the change in the colors of the leaves. Fall is truely here! I know that the nights got cold and it is showing in the trees. Bright orange is the color that is hitting my eye most right now. The Dogwoods have faded from bright to burnt red. there is one maple tucked in the trees in the lot beside me that is a beautiful lime-yellow, unharmed by the shock of the cold under the canopy of tall pines. Fall and Spring are the most exciting time for the eyes. The trees show colors hidden behind the lush green of the summer months. Within a week most of the color will be gone and with it the leaves. The dull brown of the leaves that are left and the greys of the trunks will be all that remains until spring. How wonderful spring will be! I can just see the bright greens beginning to dance in the spring wind. As you can see the colors of all seasons is represented in the building of Puerto Rico! Bright orange, lime green even the dull browns and greys of winter.

Not much exciting knitting happening in Puerto Rico but I did knit. I made two market bags, worked on Abuelita's wrap and I designed a new scarf. I hope to have the pattern written for the scarf by Thanksgiving. The design uses a tuck stitch....Oooooh. And muliple colors. Double Oooooh. Maybe I can take a picture for a sneak peak.

I leave for Stitches East on Thursday! I am sooo excited. I have a little homework to do but it should be easy. Homework should be done on a light wool, a yarn that has give and stitch defination will pop. Let's see... Yes, I have it Berocco's Ultra Alpaca. In the beautiful cream! Or maybe the light grey. Oh no a delima with homework colors. I have already begun packing! I can not wait to take pictures and show everyone what the 'big' deal with Stitches is. Thousands of knitters and crocheters. Proudly showing everyone what they have made is just amazing. Some people look amazing and what some wear just amaze me at why they even purchased the yarn in the first place much less wear it. I am going to try to take as many pictures as I can.

I know that I will freeze walking from the convention center and the hotel. Sweatpants, long sleeve t's and jackets are the way to go. I have even made a felt jacket and vest from recycled sweaters for the cold. I know that most people dress up alittle for the fashion show but I just don't know if I can do it.

I want to start on a larger, more complicated project but I don't want to drag it to Baltimore with me. So I will just finish my Abuelita's wrap. I just love working with the Cashmere-silk blend. I just don't know what she will think of the colors. Teals, blues and deep purple.

I want to thank those that have given me pictures for my post. Tommy, Pam, Melinda and Michelle. I will need more to add to the website.

This is Tommy's 'Jack'! What a BEAUTIFUL piece of art! Yes art. Completely designed my mind---meaning no pattern. What you might not notice is that Jack's head is suspended on a skinny little neck! Jack has an internal structure that keeps his head from flopping around!

This is Tommy's foot inside a sock. Once again in a design that he came up with him self. He used a square toe, and the magic loop, toe up method made popular by Cat Borhdi. He take on the heel in a different manner! I am not a sock person there for I can not describe what exactly he did because I don't understand it! Next time I speak to him I will make sure to take notes.

Ten Ten Zero Eight

Today's date looks funny written in words.

Cables Yarn will be open for knit night on Tue Oct 21st. Join me starting at 6:30pm at 2210 Perth Rd. We will be having a drawing for discounts on yarn and books.

I have heard from so many that they are in project rut and I would like for everyone to bring a finished object and ideas to share. If you can not bring project please email me pictures that you will allow me to post on my blog and website. I am going to create a customer FO (finished objects) page. Or bring your FO and I will take pictures! Please include any finished object from the past 12 months or so. If you can include what fibers and yardage that would be great!





I finished the baby blanket in record time! However I frogged it because the type of increase made it pucker. The pattern is Op Art from Knitty.com winter 2008 edition. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall08/PATTopart.html I am going to try it again using a different increase- a yarn over instead of kfb and pfb. Which by using the YO it is like the round or pinwheel baby blanket, http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm I have knit this several times before.



I also finished my Anthropology's First Frost Capelet. I make mine a touch longer and a few stitches bigger to wear over bulkier items. It is made from Venezia, Merino and Silk as I remember. It feels great and the red is just a perfect color to jazz up my mostly black closet! Thanks to Mary B. for allowing me to borrow size 11 doublel pointed needles! I hope to have a better picture soon. I will not post this on the website. I know there are other versions of this pattern but this is the one I used. Thanks PeonyKnits! http://peonyknits.blogspot.com/2005/11/anthropologie-inspired-capelet-fo-and.html

Teddy Bear Parade

I will be at the shop on Friday until 12:00 noon. I must leave early because the entire kindergarden is having a Teddy Bear Parade! I will have pictures of this posted as soon as I get home on Friday! We are going to make his float today and tomorrow. Ya never know what his design will be!
Chix with Stix visited the shop on Wed and everyone seemed to have a great time. It is nice to know a group of ladies that knit every week and have been doing it for years! They will be at the shop the second and fourth Wed of each month!
Knit On!

Welcome aboard...

this crazy train I call 'my life'. If all other aspect of life don't slow me down, the current economy will. Financial markets are crashing, yet I knit on. I still have the notion that knitting will cure the worlds ails....well at least mine. Knitting will live on. You don't need gas to spin cotton or wool. As a matter of fact you can grow cotton, pick it, spin it, and knit with it and not need gas or electricity. Of course those things make the others easier and cheaper but it can be done. Actually the same is true of wool. Grow it, cut it, card it, spin it and knit it... all with out gas or electricity. Who needs nylon or acrylic? (Yes, sock knitters I know that you love a touch of nylon or elastic.) These fibers can greatly add to the durability of other fibers as well as aesthetics.
Here is my tip of the day....
Buy that beautiful hand dyed cashmere skein and knit your friend a gift that will last a lifetime. Enjoy your time with one of the softest fibers around then enjoy giving it, knowing that your love and talent is keeping them warm at night or just plain fabulous looking!
Just keep knitting or crocheting. Keep the fingers flying.

Zoning Meeting

I do not understand why the Mooresville, NC zoning board did not approve the request from my neighbor. Every adjoining neighbor signed a letter of agreement to change but because it is not in the 'PLAN' they would only consider a conditional use zone if presented at a different time!!! http://www.m-w.com/ defines plan as 'an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective'. No where does it say that once a plan is established that no one can not change the 'plan'. This puts a kink in my plan. Nothing new, my plans always have kinks and actually my plans end up looking like a road map, some street connect yet others do not. And somehow it always ends with death and taxes!

I have another plan--Saturday I plan to take my boys to Rural Hill's Amazing Maize in Huntersville, NC. If that is my plan and I don't go then what happens? MAKE ANOTHER PLAN!! Mooresville zoning board please make notes. Plans can change!!! If your plan is a bad one (which it is) then change it. Be reasonable, be flexible. This is coming from some one that plans things weeks or months in advance. Yet, I change plans. Watch and learn zoning.

Venting is over.... thanks for listening.

Too late to knit. Sleep is more important tonight.

Bad Luck

At our last knit night the temperature in the house was well in the 80's! This, I found out today, was because the compressor on the A/C unit is kaput! I know I have just set regular hours but this Friday maybe difficult to do. I have yet to hear back from the A/C company about when they can get someone out to give me a quote. Of course the repairman could not give me a quote. I will need to get several quotes--I don't want to get ripped off, temperatures are expected to rise this week. I will leave a note on the door if I had to leave early. Everyone wish for mild weather next week.

I completed my Noro Taiyo vest this morning all I need are the perfect buttons! I would post a picture but with the overcast weather none of them has turned out good.

This gloomy weather is playing havoc on my moods. All I can do is yawn and want to crawl in bed until spring! I normally don't feel melancholy like this until January.

I have started a wrap for my grandmother. Lace weight silk and cashmere! What a soft hand! It is a little slippery even on bamboo needles. I hope she likes it. I guess that is a silly statment 'I hope she likes it', of course everytime you handmake or even give thought to a gift for someone you hope they like it. She is my grandmother, I love her, I want her to be proud of a gift I made! I want her to wear it and often. I would like her to wear it everyday.

Point of interest:
Downtown Mooresville is having a gallery crawl this friday night.
Huntersville's Amazing Maize is open at Rural Hill.

September

This is my Tempting made in Universal Yarn's Aspen #574. I love this project! Quick and easy, knit from the bottom up. I would like to do this pattern again only this time make the top shorter. With the rib, it is form fitting and flattering. I love the way the Aspen subtle color changes add texture. Just let the weather cool off and you will see me in this little number! I have made a wrap with the same grey yarn used in place of ribbon. What a pair!

I have failed to complete all of my UFO's. I am now on the hunt for US#11 dpn or 16" circular needles. I know this is an odd size so if you have a pair and are willing to let me borrow I would be able to finish my capelet. All I have to do is finish the sleeves! I had hope to completed them all by now and I be diving into my new yarns. I will continue to work on them.... I will do it.

School is in session and I am pleased to announce that I will be open Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00am until 2:00pm begining September 10th. I am also trying to change a monthy meeting from Thursday to Monday or Tuesday. If that works out I will be open on Thursdays too!!!

We are having Knit Night on Tuesday Sept 9th.

I will be open on Saturday for Knitting and Shopping! 10:00am until 1:00pm. Stop by and see the changes at Cables.

News.... I am attending a Mooresville Zoning meeting on Thurs Sept 11th regarding the a change at the property across the street! This is just one of at least two meetings. If they get the change they are requesting this should allow me to rezone my property allowing Cables Yarn to go in full operation!

Knit on

School in session soon

Well the boys will start school soon! Yea, this is of course a blessing and a curse. Blessings; time to knit, time with friends, uninterrupted showers, peaceful yard work. Curses; homework, PTO, afterschool events, general drama. Just as in Yoga---balance is the key. This also holds true for knitting. Too much color, pattern or embellishments and the beautiful item is a soup. Not enough design elements and boring. Balance. Too much yarn and your stash fills your two extra bedrooms. Not enough and you have nothing to knit with or inspire you. Balance.

I have been self assigned a project to knit something for a resin pumpkin for our Fall Festival! If you have any ideas that you would like to share I would love to hear from you. Just post a response to this blog or email me at mvcampagna@yahoo.com

UFOs

I have been feverishly working to complete myt UFOs because the new patterns this fall are amazing. I will be working with Geode and Jasper from Berroco, Peter Pan from Wendy, and of course my new favorite yarn Aspen from Universal Yarns. I want to have atleast one vest and one sweater completed by Stitches East. I have two baby items by September. This will allow me to really get to knitting an alpaca wrap the my sister decided that she hated working with! I have been looking at it for 6 months and just can't pick up a lace project now.
Don't forget the shop will be open Tue from 9am-2pm and Flying Finger knit night Tue at 6:30, Thurs 9am- 2pm. I have order some new yarns and I hope to have them in soon. I have also ordered books for the shop libary so come by and 'check them out'.

Stitches East registration open!

Yes, June has passed & like most people I know we have no idea where it went. I recieved in the mail on Friday the catalog of classes for Stitches East. Although registration began on the 23rd there were only two classes that I wanted to take were full. I registered and book hotel today! Boy am I ever excited about an event in November! This year Stitches is focusing on Socks! There are at least 6 classes dedicated to socks! Please check out the classes at http://www.knittinguniverse.com/ ! I am sure that you will find something to get excited about too. Make sure to attend the fashion show! That is the night at so many wear what they have made. Some good and some bad! I will be taking pictures this year!

Todays weather is perfect for knitting. I have yard work to do then the needles will be flying at 6:30 as I sit on my back deck enjoying the cooler weather and hopefully a nice breeze! I am trying to help a customer with a pattern and I am just having to work thru it myself to determine why it seems to be so difficult.

Flying Finger Knit and Crochet Club will be meeting July 8th 6:00 until 9:00!

Knitting in the Heat

The heat of summer has hit North Carolina! Today it is going to be in the mid to high 90's. I am glad summer is here it just seems to me comming quickly. I normally can't get in the pool until July but I did get in for a while yesterday.
I have completed my first Amigurumi style crochet creature. I need to get the photos to a CD since my all-in-one is fried! It is a horrible acrylic yarn that was given to me---I think that it could be used as a radiation blanket! The color is a deep red that seemed to want to be a jellyfish. I have not given him a name yet. Since he has one tenticle that is longer than the rest I think the name should focus around that. Suggestions are welcome.
Must get my son from the neighbors!
Knit on.

May 22nd

Cables is having a one day sale--- All yarn 40% off.
This offer is amazing because that makes prices below wholesale! This only happens once a year so come by between 9:00 and 12:00!

'Evening in Eden' in Universal's Eden Silk

This is the finished sample of 'Evening in Eden' using Universal Yarn Eden Silk. This is a lovely pattern. Wonderful for those begining lace. I enjoyed working this pattern. Lace is concentration. I enjoy watching TV or the kids play and knitting and lace is not the ideal knitting project for that. Not saying that all my projects are mindless, I just have craft ADD. Need to do more than one thing at a time. Need to do more than one project at a time.

I am still debating my next project. I think that I need a 'larger' project, however I know that with the summer starting in full swing that I should be knitting small. I have charity knitting to do and this truely is the best time for that. Hats for Headhuggers is what I will do. One of the ladies from Chix with Stix just delivered 10 hats and I need to match what she has done. She made 10 cute hats! Some solid colors and some mulit. I will take pics tomorrow and try to get them posted this week.


This is a close up of the 'Evening in Eden'. Whats not to love!







Happy late Mother's Day to all those knitting moms!

Puerto Rico

PR was wonderful. I can't imagine what it would be like to live there, great food, beautiful views, warm weather... and no knitting shops; at least none that I could find. I guess that I will stay in N.C. at least for now. Who knows where I will go when the kids go off to college. Getting my schedule for the shop has been even harder to do since this vacation. I will post pictures as soon as I get to Walgreens to pick up my CD's.
I like so many have had a knitting lull. I reslove to fix that! I finished a wrap on the way to PR and started a pair of socks and a clutch. I am ready to start a larger project now!

Wed April 23rd

I may have to change my schedule for Wed April 23rd. I will post information no later than Tue night.

"Knit on it"

This is a phrase that is repeated in the knitting mystery series by Maggie Sefton. For some people knitting allows the mind to work thru problems---much like I think meditation does for others. I must "knit on it" today. I must allow knitting to take away distractions and clear my thoughts. I end most of my email with the phrase 'knit on', this is a take from the saying 'rock on'. I mean 'knit on' in a rock and roll kind of way but today I will say Knit on it --- a Zen representation. I can imagine a Zen rock garden melting in to my knitting today. Deliberate, thoughtful and reflective.
Knit on it.

Daily Thought

Daily Thought: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKYS. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

Just a little something I got from an email.

Sad but true.

Painting vs.Knitting

My knitting goddess lost out to the overwhelming desire to get my living room painted. This desire was spurred by the fact that my Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece project was left in my wonderful husband's trunk! I had no desire to work on a lace shawl so I painted. I do feel a great sense of accomplishment. Tomorrow night I hope to get some knitting done.

Knitting in the Rain

I have found that knitting is perfect for these drizzly and just plain rainy days! Although what I have been knitting is not been a successful design, still I knit. It seems to be an antidote for just about anything that ails me lately. Although I am not scheduled at the shop today I think I need a dose of wool, or maybe a smidgen of silk, a quick stroke of cashmere will take these rainy blues away. I will switch to a project that sings spring ---Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece in Robin Egg blue sleeveless, boatneck shell. Finish that today and my knitting goddess inside will rise and rejoice!

Once again it is raining while I knit. It is so nice to look out in to my little cove and see water! The water is alittle brown today. Runoff from the park stirred up mud in the cove. Keep raining I ask. Rain all over the South. Lessen the grips of last years rainless summer on us. Fill up wells!
April showers bring May flowers---never before have I felt this saying to be true.

Knit on

Spring Break

Wow, I never knew a break from school would send my boys in to a frenzy of annoying of each other, ignoring to annoy, whining, and sassy talk. In the mist of all of this I have gotten little or no knitting done. I am feeling void. Yes not knitting or being at the shop for any legnth of time is working on my brain. I am going to try to relieve some of that today. Must knit.
I have posted the new schedule so take a look and stop by and see me!
Knit on.

Wednesday

I will be at the shop from 9:30-12:30 and 6:30 til 9:30. Join me! I love knitting in Mooresville and you make it fun!
I am working on April dates. Keep checking back for more details.

I Found it!

Yes, the camera. I found it. I was so close to buying another too. Wow what a relief. Now I will take pictures and post them. I have a busy weekend planned and not much of it involves knitting. This is sad, I know but I must paint my livingroom. I am hosting an evening with the ladies of my family. We sit around play game and laugh until someone has an accident and then we laught at her.
Knitting, knitting all day, knitting all night. Makes Mooresville a happier place!!!

More times and dates

I am now available to work on Thursdays until 3:00pm so the schedule has changed just a little. Dominic is now going to an afterschool spanish class! I love that my children have the chance to be bilingual. I learned spanish and promptly forgot 90% of what I was taught.

Thursday 13th 10:00am - 3:00pm
Thursday 20st 10:00am -noon ; 1:00 - 3:00pm. I have to go to my son's school he will be sitting at the 'Manners Table', this is a big honor for him.

I will let you know by email & the blog what the schedule will be for spring break.


I still have not found my camera. Blahhh. I will go buy a new one and then I will find mine stuffed in some unusal place by one of my 'spirited' children. I am going to try the use of more positive words. I am hearing my oldest talking a little too negative and I know that it is coming from me. I must be the worst blogger if I can't take pictures and upload them! (I do have another camera.) Must go take pictures tonight. Tony will think that I have lost my mind. Oh well.

Check back soon. Info about Cables March sale is coming soon.

March Schedule

I am looking foward to a little spring knitting. I think that I have chosen my spring project, Brown Sheep's cotton fleece in a light teal. I think this yarn is good for spring because of the small amount of wool content for warmth. I think that being a southerner you just have a love for cotton! I might have to change the color due to a capelet that I just compeleted. I don't know if the two designs will go well together.

March Schedule

March will not be a full schedule at Cables due to the Easter/Spring break.
4th Flying Fingers knit night 6:30 (open to public)

5th Flying Fingers knit morning 9:30 (open to public)

10th 9:30 - 1pm
13th 10:00 - 3:00
17th 9:30 - 12 noon
19th 9:30 - 12:30
20th 9:30 - 12 noon
31st 9:30 - 1:30


Please keep checking for added times and changes. Remember Cables will open by appointment.

IT IS DONE

Tony's sweater that is. It fits him alittle loose but it will be perfect on cold winter days with a shirt under. It is heavy. Since it is cotton it will not be smothering. I am working on the sleeves for a customer and they should be done this weekend. I have forgotten to mail my dad's slippers, they were burried under recycling in the back of the Tahoe! Wow, glad I didn't recycle them before they were felted much less even worn.
I ripped out my 'Wakiki T-strap' shirt that never got worn. Mainly because I made the front tooooo looong and the seams were HORRIBLE. My first attempt at seaming, who knew that you could not seam a knit shirt like a sewing? Maybe just me. I will never let my customers make that mistake. I will be sure to ask if they know about seaming.

Now to my next project---Hummm what will it be?

Knitting fool

Yes, that is what I have been. I only have to decrease for the sleeves for Tony's sweater, then of course I must seam it. On my finishing project I must knit the sleeves. Since it is a top down sweater that should be done with in a day or two! After that what do I do? I think I will work on a spring project. A tank.

What to do

Anthony has an ear infection! This is a first in our family so I had to write about it. Of course he showed no signs until he could not hear me well and with in two hours was screaming! Straight to urgent care... I think this has pushed me into finding a local doctor! Now on to knitting.

I had to order more yarn for Tony's sweater. No shock there. Now we must wait. I am working on a 'finish' order for a customer. I think that finishing might be a great idea for the shop. I just have no idea how much to charge. Of course by the hour sounds logical but we all know that no one can afford to knit what their time is worth. And I know exactly what my time is worth. I have figured it out. My time is worth $84.13 per hour. I don't know anyone who is willing to pay $84.13 for an hour of knitting. So here is a question what would you pay to have someone finish a project for you? Or would you? Do you have a UFO? One that stares at you late at night? Remember the yarn you had to have 2 years ago that the color is just not right now? Or maybe it is a novelty yarn that will make you look like a clown? The project that requires tooooo much thought or counting? Did you mess up and just can't pick it back up and fix it. Maybe you just have the toe to finish on a sock? Fingers on a glove?

I am almost finished with my Dad's second pair of slippers. Just got to make the second sole. I am off to finish that before the bus comes.

Feb Schedule

Ground Hog Day has come and gone and although it is not a widely celebrated day we have decided to take this holiday for a ride. Our first annual Ground hog Day sell is off to a late start but we are ‘salebrating’ in style. Because the Ground hog saw his shadow and has wished us 6 more weeks of cold weather all wool (50% or greater wool content) is reduced an additional 20%. Yes, knit yourself something special to wear for the next 6 weeks!

We are also having a Red, Pink and White sale in honor of Valentine’s Day. Any fiber in the lovely ‘red’ family is reduced 20% until Feb 14th. (The fiber must be 50% or greater in color of the red family)

Now, some of you are thinking…. “What if I buy Lambs Pride worsted in Sedona Red will I get 40% off????” I must say no because we already reduce our prices!! However if you choose a red wool I will give you 30% off!!!

Feb Schedule

Knit Night
Tue Feb 5th 6:30pm Tue March 4th 6:30

Knit Morning
Wed Feb 13th 9:30-12:30 Wed March 5th 9:30-12:30

February Hours
Feb 8th 9-2
5th 9-11:45
11th 9-1
13th 9:30 – 12:30 (knit morning)
14th 9-12
15th 9-2
19th 9-2
21st 9-12:30
22nd 9-2
25th 9-1
27th 9-12:30
28th 9-12:30
29th 9-2

Remember if you need other times Cables is open by appointment or chance! Call Maria 704-281-1389.

Rosalie Scarf Pictures

Here are some of the Simply Shetland Lambswool & Cashmere. What a beautiful collection!

This is the detail of the Rosalie scarf. I was unable to get a better picture without someone to model it. I will find a model soon. I am sure that it will be my boys. I have enjoyed making this scarf. I choose the color Cummin. This is not a color that I normally pick but it called to me. I think that I will try this lace pattern in something else because it was easy to remember and it makes the beautiful waves. I must research the pattern to see if it has a name.

New Scarfs?

Have you been blown away by a scarf pattern recently? Well I have. Just as I was inspired by Scarf Style and Loop-d-Loop, Knitting New Scarves by Lynne Barr Has inspired me to consider the 'lowly' scarf yet again. Yes, neckwear is again brought to a new level. Upon opening the book I wanted to go the shop and get yarns. Dropping current projects sounds great but that is not gonna happen. So instead I am going to modivate others to come back to the world of scarf making. Buy yarn knit quick projects, Repeat. Make those sweaters, jackets & blankets later.

Of the 27 designs I have chosen 12 to focus upon and complete. I have already chosen yarn to complete these designs. I am going to attempt to complete 4 scarves a month, if this were the only project that I had this would be easy. Here is the list..... Shag, Shawl Collar, Tri Corner, New Wave, Drifting Pleats, Fringe, Circles, Carumba, Flapper , Reverisable, Striped Wedges and Labyrinth. Now if I could only think hard enought to figure out the Tony's Sweater deliema. Would anyone like to join me in a knit along?

Photos I promise will come soon. Check back.

I am off to look at Tony's sweater. Ok maybe just looking at it will not make the sleeves right.
Knit on!

Winter Break

Well I am back from a visit to my Mothers house. I knit my dad a pair of felt clogs and of course they were too big. Knit and felt in three days! I could have done it in two days if I had not tried to knit late at night after driving for 4 1/2 hours in the rain-snow mix. I was just hoping to relax and enjoy the evening. I did relax and enjoy the evening I just relaxed so much that I messed up my count. Of course I didn't figure it out until one shoe was almost done. But I did figure out that it takes me about 4 hours per slipper to make. Not bad for a weekend project. I taught mom how to wash the shoes after I complete the second set and send them to her. I know that I promised to post pictures and I will do that soon. I have them I just have little patience to upload them.

I am having a problem with Tony's sweater. If I make the sleeves to the recommended length then Tony would have to look like a gorilla. I am knitting the sleeves cuff up and I need to cut out about 4 inches of total length. I am increasing every 4th row and the every 6th row I need to increase and then decrease for shaping to 99 stitches. Should I increase every other row the every 4th row until the correct number is achieved, then shape? Or should I rip out and start from the shoulder and knit to the cuff? I need advise.
I must get coffee to figure this out, but first I must take a shower and go buy coffee filters. And since the boys and I have been gone for three days they do not want to get in the car! Maybe I can find a Coke instead.

Rosalie Scarf Class

Well Saturday Cables will host the Rosalie Scarf Class using Simply Shetland Lambswool & Cashmere yarn. We will be having coffee and muffins too!!! Love me some muffins, they are cake in the morning.
I am about half way thru on the sleeves for Tony's sweater! I need to work on my Rosalie for Saturday. I think that I will be crazy knitting woman today. Not that I am complaining. Please call or email if you are interesed in Saturday's class. The Rosalie Scarf is actually more like a neck scarf. If is a great introduction to lace however there is no chart only written directions. I will post pictures later today or tonight of my progress.

Christmas with the boys

I thought this picture sums up my life as a mom of two boys with Campagna blood in their veins. No Tony nor I went to Clemson or actually even like Clemson. This was all started by their half brother. Christmas morning, thanks Santa for bringing the SpongeBob PJs! (The things I do for my boys.)

Christmas is done

Wow, I know that this year has flown by but I must admit I was glad to put away the Christmas tree!!

I was hoping to get a little more knitting done over the holiday break but not much was accomplished. Tony and I went to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl, Penn State played and won if you didn't know. I was unable to finish his sleeves because I left the pattern at home. I did get started on the Evening in Eden using Universal's Eden Silk. Once again I love the yarn. The pattern is not difficult, I am just not use to working on a lace pattern. I wish I was creative enought to write a lace pattern! I am doing a 3 set repeat, I am going to work until this ball of yarn is used up-finish the pattern then ,bind off and add the fringe. I think this will be a great sample for others to view. To complete a whole shawl for a sample seems crazy.

I spent 4 hours counting stock at the store. Not an enjoyable event however it is completely necessary. I would really like to spend 4 hours knitting. I have other things that need to get done, like taxes. I am committing to spending 2 hours on sundays to get it done. That is 26 hours, by April. I only have 10 months of expenses to document!!! Arrhhh. I can't spend anymore time on taxes or it will cut in to my knitting time.

I am not going to tell you any of the thoughts I have running thru my head about what the new year holds I just am going to keep it to myself. I know that for some people talking about their goals will help them achieve them I just don't think that works for me. I hate to disappoint.
Knit on.