Activity!

Have been working hard on many fronts–my “day job,” my personal knitting (I’m participating in the 2 KnitLit Chicks Poncho Comeback KAL; I’m making the Easy Folded Poncho pattern with the  that I bought a few weeks ago. Using luscious Juniper Moon Farm Herriott (100% alpaca). I’ve had several “false starts” until I think I arrived at the dimensions that will fit my small frame and the seed stitch edging that will keep me from going crazy with severely rolling edges.

Then, just got several new orders in my Etsy shop from a dear friend. I’m hoping this will be the start of a busy holiday season and maybe my “new direction” will be able to begin. Stay tuned.

Soft, Lacy Cowl

Yesterday I finished the Garland Cowl, which was the winner in a long inner decision-making process regarding what I should make with my one skein of the luscious and soft Tess Designer Yarn’s Cultivated Silk and Wool, in a beautiful blue-green. I had a moment of panic when the cowl, even when fully blocked, was about 31″ long — this after the pattern said it should be 60″ long! The good news is that after that good blocking, the cowl hanks about to my waist when not doubled around my neck, and I am able to double it if I wish. I think I’ll wear it to work tomorrow!

So Much to Be Thankful For

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with dear friends yesterday. We’ll be sorry to see them go when they move across country soon, but we know we will stay in touch.

Prior to the day(s) of cooking, preparation and finally eating, I had completed a knitting project for each of my children. Thankfully, both of them flew home without delay during a nasty Nor’easter and on the busiest travel week of the year. They modeled their knitwear yesterday before we sat down to eat and both seemed genuinely happy with their finished object.

 

I’m pleased with my daughter’s sweater, the Estelle Pullover–she tried it on Tuesday night and I made some notations about where it needed to be slightly bigger; I then blocked it and it fits PERFECTLY. My son’s scarf, the Textured Triple Stripe Scarf from 60 Quick Knits, is long, particularly since I knit it in bulky instead of worsted and didn’t do my calculations exactly right–but he likes the warmth of it looped around his neck and it looks great on him.

Wish I had them home longer, but in general, life is very good today!

I Gave In to Temptation

Walking down the street today, on my way to the train station to go into New York City for a lunch meeting….I passed Wool & Grace, a yarn store that I heard about from a friend but have not had the chance to visit since it’s been open about a year now. After a successful meeting, I rewarded myself with a visit to the shop, where I found lovely yarns and had a great discussion with shop owner Cathy. 

I wasn’t going to buy yarn, although I wanted to buy something. But when I saw the Easy Folded Poncho (by Churchmouse Yarn & Tea) on a mannequin, and I felt that Eileen Fisher vibe from both the style and color of this garment, I had to have it.

The yarn is Juniper Moon Farm Herriott, 100% baby alpaca, so it’s incredibly soft and will be very warm. Yet anothertem added to my bursting stash. But I felt so good when I walked out of the store!

Now more projects will have to take a back seat as I itch to cast this on…but first, my son’s scarf! 10 LONG rows to go!

Team Spirit!

I got the chance to go see my family’s beloved Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday! My husband, who is from Pittsburgh, usually takes our son to a game once a year, but since my son is now away at college, I got the nod! It suddenly dawned on me that with an Etsy shop full of school spirit-themed items, I was going to a Steelers game without anything knitted in Steelers Black and Gold!

I quickly remedied that by knitting a Steelers headband while my husband drove to Pittsburgh. It was warm and cozy and looked great at the stadium. And of course, it was good luck–the Steelers had a great come-from-behind win, 37-27! GO STEELERS!

Serious Knitting for A Cold Winter!

With both of my children at school in Michigan, I feel the need to keep them warm from afar. I am happy to report that I finished my daughter’s sweater, the fabulous Estelle Pullover by Linden Down. I am going to wait until she comes home for Thanksgiving to block it–she may want it a little longer and perhaps a little wider (not so form-fitting). I have been trying it on as I go (thank goodness for Try-It-On-Tubing!) and it fits me great–I will probably make another one for me. We are almost the same size, so I think with a little blocking it will be perfect on her too.

The Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted is Superwash, so it should have a lot of give/growth during blocking.

Next up, in between a few Etsy shop orders I’ve gotten, is a nice warm scarf for my son, who is experiencing the Michigan winter for the first time (and it came early this year!). I found a great pattern in Cathy Carron’s 60 Quick Knits, and I’m altering it to use bulky yarn, which I use almost exclusively for my shop items. We have a long car trip coming up this weekend, so I should be able to make good headway on that and have it ready for him for Thanksgiving too.

Nice to know that maternal instinct can be satisfied through knitting–I know they’ve always got a little bit of Mom’s love wrapped around them.

Favorite New Stretchy Bind-Off

I have been experimenting with various cast-ons and bind-offs since I’ve been doing so many accessories for my shop. Many of these items (headbands, some of my hats, fingerless mitts) need stretchy cast-ons and/or bind-offs. Since I’ve gotten the excellent book, Cast On, Bind Off, 54 Step by Step Methods, by Leslie Ann Bestor of WEBS, I’ve found a treasure trove of methods to try.

The winner today: The Lace Bind Off (aka Russian, Purl Two Together) which I used for my latest headband.

It doesn’t leave a gap between the last row of knitting and the bind-off, as some of these methods do. Instead, it leaves a nice, neat, but stretchy finished edge. It’s also quick and easy. I’ll continue to try and report on other techniques!

Getting Serious

Last weekend was the trunk show at my daughter’s sorority. While I only sold a few items in person, I did generate some interest in my Etsy site. I think if I had had more inventory there, I would have done better.

I’m determined to make my shop work! So today I took the plunge and signed up for some Google advertising as well as some promoted advertising on Etsy. We’ll see what happens and I’ll take it from there. Also posted the newest item that I sold at the trunk show, knit in a few days this week and sent off this morning.

I’m liking the colorful backgrounds. One of the things on my list is a photography class, perhaps this one offered on Craftsy.com.

I’m looking forward to documenting my journey as an independent crafter here on my blog–come along for the ride (and all suggestions welcome!

Getting Ready for the Trunk Show!

Next weekend I’ll be testing the waters for my online business, SchoolSpirit Knits on Etsy, at my daughter’s sorority trunk show at the University of Michigan. I worked on photographing some of my new knits today and posted them on a variety of social media. What do you think?

 

Science Proves What We Know: Knitting and Reading Are Good for Us!

I was thrilled to read the results of a study conducted by researchers at The New School for Social Research and published in the journal Science. As The New York Times reported,
“[the researchers found] that after reading literary fiction, as opposed to popular fiction or serious nonfiction, people performed better on tests measuring empathy, social perception and emotional intelligence — skills that come in especially handy when you are trying to read someone’s body language or gauge what they might be thinking.

The researchers say the reason is that literary fiction often leaves more to the imagination, encouraging readers to make inferences about characters and be sensitive to emotional nuance and complexity.”

I love knowing that there is a scientific reason to read wonderful literature.

Similarly, some studies have shown that knitting is an important stress reliever–and are formalizing it through programs such as Project KnitWell, an organization based in Washington, DC hospitals that brings knitting to those in stressful situations.

As knitting and reading are my two greatest passions, I think I can pursue both this weekend without guilt. After all, it’s good for me and those around me. I urge you to do the same!