Enter To Win

Stephanie wrote:

In case you missed them, I want to clue you in to a couple of contests running right now.

First up Wendy Johnson has a contest to name a mitten pattern. The mitten is the winter installment of our Four Seasons Mitten Club. Pop on over and check out the design. If you have an idea for a name, be sure to post it to Wendy's comments. If your suggestion is selected, you win a kit for the mittens. The deadline for entries is noon EST on Sunday, November 29.

Next is a contest being run by Susan Gibbs and Juniper Moon Farm. Susan offers a Shepherding Camp at her farm in Virginia. Shepherding Camp is an opportunity to hang out on the farm and see what shepherding life is like. Susan is giving away a Shepherding Camp Weekend for two. Go here to read all the details and enter to win. But hurry - Susan will be picking the winner this Thursday.

Time for a project update.

Waffle Rib Socks almost ready for the heel flap. Since this picture was taken the flap has been knit, the heel turned and stitches picked up.

From the dye pot.

Celestial in an array of seasonal colors.

Be sure to stay tuned as we'll be running a contest of our own in the near future.

Crazy For Cowls

Stephanie wrote:

The weather and season are an open invitation to knit as much as I possibly can. I'm happy to report that I've made significant progress on the Harmonia's Rings Cowl.

Using Cat Bordhi's Moebius Cast On this cowl is worked outward from the center. I completed the top half and am now working my way down to the bottom. This pattern is designed by Sivia Harding, and she includes instructions on Ravelry for making it a bit longer. In just a few rows I'll try it on and see if I want to make it longer. I've been feeling chilled the last couple of days (no, I haven't turned on the heat yet) so longer seems like a good option.

The top edge is finished off with the half beaded picot bind off. I love the sparkly accent of the beads against the Celestial Charcoal.

In other news . . . this can mean only one thing.

I must confess that I've already started not only another project but another cowl - this time using Celestial Rust.

This wee bit is the beginning of Soft Cables Moebius. Unlike Harmonia's Rings this cowl is knit flat. Note the contrasting yarn of the provisional cast on. The moebius twist is made when joining the two ends.

While doing a quick inspection of my pathetic yard and plants I spotted a few remaining blueberries on our bush.

Usually the squirrels raid this bush before we get to eat any berries. This time they left us a couple of crumbs.

And The Winner Is . . .

Stephanie wrote:

There's lots of activity here as Mona and I get ready to hit the road. This weekend is Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival, and Dye Dreams will be there. We had fun at this event last year and are looking forward to it again. The Festival has moved to a new location in Tunbridge, Vermont. If you're in the area, check it out.

In the midst of all the festival preparations I've managed to sneak in a little knitting time on Harmonia's Rings.

By the way the yarn is Celestial Dark Charcoal - 50% alpaca, 30% merino, 20% silk. Celestial is a worsted weight yarn, and this 3-way blend makes for knitting pleasure. It's great for next to skin wear - soft and cozy.

I'm blindly following the twists and turns of the cable and loving every minute of it.

It's fall in New England and time for apple picking. We had a gorgeous day to head out to the orchard.

This was the biggest apple we found. It makes the hand of an 11 year old boy look small.

Thanks to all who entered the blog contest from last week. Paula is the lucky winner and will get to select one skein of our sock yarn. This contest was fun, and I'll be running another one. Stay tuned for festival updates, contests and more.

What's In A Name?

Stephanie wrote:

Dyeing yarn is a process with several steps along the way.  Just when we think we're finished, we come to what may be the hardest part - naming the colorway.

We have a new colorway that we want to release to the world.  It's all set to go except for one minor detail - it needs a name. It's like going through pregnancy, labor and delivery.  You can't introduce your new baby to family and friends without a name. Well, I did that with one of my kids.  It was well over a week before she had a name.  So far she hasn't shown any ill effects from her days of namelessness.

But it's different with yarn - we really do need a name.  We have to label and identify it.  Some yarn companies take the easy route and assign numbers.  Mona and I discussed this in the beginning and decided to take the time to name all of our colorways.

I love playing with words, looking up various meanings and derivations, bouncing possible options off family members.  Mona and I solicit ideas and suggestions from anyone and everyone.  We've even been known to ask relative strangers for input.

Naming colors takes a certain creativity and investment of time.  We want to observe the yarn in different lighting situations. Trust me when I tell you the lighting conditions in the Baltimore Convention Center are not conducive to accurate name selection.  Indoors, outdoors.  Where's the Ott-Lite?

Some names are clever and creative.  Some names are descriptive and utilitarian.  Some names are whimsical and magical. And some names are just plain lame.  I admit that at one time we had a colorway named blue.  I blame sleep deprivation for that one.

Given our sometimes less-than-accurate name choices, it's reassuring when there's evidence to support spot-on name selection.

Celestial Iris.

The flower iris.  Again, courtesy of my neighbor's yard.  I think it's a match.

Time On My Mind

Stephanie wrote:

Lately my thoughts have been occupied with the concept of time - there's never enough, how to get more, how to manage it more efficiently.  Between the house, my family, the odd jobs I piece together and Dye Dreams some days all I do is chase my tail.  I stay up late to work only to turn around and get up early the next morning to do more of the same.

Not too long ago Martie from Taos Sunflower wrote about time.  Her advice is to use your time wisely. Simply your life and take time for the things most important to you.  Things like gardening, spending time with a friend, reading.  And yes, knitting, spinning, weaving or any of the fiber arts that interest you.

My frustration is that my time is not my own.  I wake up and have a plan for the day only to have it shattered into a million pieces.  Kids' schedules change at a moment's notice.  We have to make a trip to the emergency room. There isn't any food in the house, everyone is starving and I have to spend half the day going to the grocery store and stocking up.  Someone has a yarn emergency and I have to dash to the post office.

The only way to keep my sanity in the midst of all of this is to go with the flow.  Often it requires a lot of deep breathing.  I remind myself that time is fluid, and our schedule is not set in stone.

What does this have to do with knitting?  In thinking about time I realized that knitting gives me time to myself.  Of course it has many other benefits, but some days the most important thing I gain from knitting is time that I can call my own.  It may not last for more than a few rows, but it's enough to give me a break from the chaos around me.  Knitting a few rows can keep me centered and sane.

Think about it and use your time wisely.

News from the shop . . . our most popular pattern these days is the Portuguese Fisherwoman's Shawl.  Designed by Shelagh Smith the shawl is very clever and practical.  It knits up nicely in Dye Dreams Celestial.  Shelagh is the designer for the summer installment of our Four Seasons Sock Club so you'll be seeing more of her work in the coming months.

Because I had to rip out much of the progress I made on my vest - I can't seem to count past 10 these days - I leave you with this picture.

Lily of the valley, courtesy of my neighbor's yard.  How sweet it is!

Off The Needles

Stephanie wrote:

Finished projects of all shapes and sizes give such a feeling of accomplishment.  It's so easy and exciting to start new projects. Some of us start them with reckless abandon, without regard for the practical consideration of actual knitting time.  We delude ourselves into casting on for one more project.  After all, the 2 sweaters, 3 hats, 4 scarves and 2 pair of socks are "almost done".  A finished object is cause for celebration.  

This sweater was "almost done" in time for our trip to Connecticut - all except for a few ends.  It did make the trip with us, but the day was warm and I didn't take it out of the truck.

This is Twist & Shout from Knitty.  It's knit up in Dye Dreams Celestial, color Peacock.  You'll have to view that colorway in Luster Sox as we don't have the Celestial one on the website yet.

This was a fun pattern to knit.  It required some mental concentration, but it didn't give me a headache or make me cross-eyed. The pattern has bracelet length sleeves.  I lengthened the sleeves and now they are a bit too long.  I thought I had the measurements worked out, but I probably should have left them at the specified length.  What was I thinking?  I know my arms are on the short side.

This pattern calls for reinforcing the neckline with a crochet chain.  There are good instructions for this technique here so I won't bother to repeat the process.  Let me just say this is a very handy technique to have up your sleeve so pull out your crochet hook and give it a try.

I love working with this yarn - so soft and cozy.  The color variation moves nicely throughout the sweater.  And this pattern is an easy fit so I'm sure it will get lots of wear.

This sweater is still in need of a button, and I may have one that will work.  Last fall at Stitches East I bought a button from Bonnie Maresh.  Alas, I can't seem to find a website for her.  Keep your eyes open for her work at various shops and events - she has some fun buttons.  At Stitches East she was donating part of her proceeds to ovarian cancer research, a cause near and dear to my heart.

News from the shop . . . our spring sock club installment is shipping as we speak.  It's not too late to order.  We have a beautiful pattern designed by Sivia Harding.  Delicious yarn in an enchanting colorway and more.  Don't miss out.