Spa, Knit & Spin 2015 - Market Place Tour

I spent way too much on this weekend, but once you see all the amazing things that the vendors had for sale, you will understand why.  The lovely face saying hi to Melody is Heather (boutrosbabe) Kinne, of the Fiberista Files fame and proprietor of Highland Handmades.  I was fortunate to purchase one of the spindles that her husband, Paul Kinne, produces and I love it!  

I will do one more post about the "Spa" showing what I purchased in a few days, I hope.  Until then, please enjoy a view of the market place via my phone camera.  

Let's all stay yarn crazy!

My Sweater Journey Progress

I am knitting the Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig in Elegant Yarns Athena lace weight yarn 202 Pink colorway.  I am using my Chai Goo 47" circs, U.S. size 5 - 3.75 mm.  

I started this cardigan on February 6th and very late last night, or more accurately very early this morning (2 am), I divided for the sleeves!!!  I never thought I would be knitting a sweater for my very ample self in lace weight yarn.  I loathe to admit this, but I am knitting the largest size.   I don't like close fitting sweaters. I want this to float away a bit.  

I am sorry that the picture isn't neat and tidy, but photography just isn't one of my favorite pastimes.  Enough blathering for now.  I need to keep knitting!

Stay yarn crazy!

On The Needles

I was awoken by sirens this morning.  Once I calmed down and realized that it was from the KoC (Kingdoms of Camelot) game that I play on Facebook, I nearly threw my laptop across the room.  Gaming addiction is a very sad thing.  

Once I lost about 250 thousand heavy cavalry in the game, I settled down to some serious knitting.  I had ground to make up after a big boo-boo yesterday.  Somehow, I knit my thumb gussets upside down...Silly ME!  When I realized it I had already been knitting for over an hour.  

I am thrilled with being able to knit the mittens 2-at-a-time on circular needles.  The pattern that I designed means that either mitt can be left or right, and will be double thickness.  If you are interested in making a pair of mittens you can purchase my pattern or other items through a link on my Facebook page.  I will post a picture of this pair of mittens once I finish them.  I hope that will be tomorrow, but who knows what kingdom I will have to defend tomorrow!!

Snow + Knitting = Tranquility

This was the scene at 9:00 am this morning and the snow has been accumulating ever since.  I love to watch the snow fall while I knit.  It is so peaceful and reminds me of how much comfort and warmth my handmade items bring to others.

Currently I am working on a new design. It is a cabled hat, that I will eventually post for sale in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry.

I would really like to be spinning on my Ashford Traditional spinning wheel while I watch the snowfall, but I "tweaked" my back yesterday, when I reached a little too far for a pair of scissors at my knitting group.  So, my heating pad is keeping me company while I knit.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S.A.   I am grateful for so many things:  my incredibly supportive family;  my significant other, Ray ♥;  and my greatly improved health.   I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day in your homes with people and fur-friends that you love.  Please leave me a message about what you are grateful for and about your holiday preparations.  Above all, stay safe!!!

Tuesday's Temptation

OMG, omg, omg....I love this shop.  La Tea Da Designs is simply amazing.  I could browse all day there and totally destroy my budget while I was at it.  She offers spinning fibers, spindle kits, yarns and handmade items too.

I am having a difficult time deciding what picture(s) to feature for the shop because everything is so amazing, so I am just going to let you know that you MUST go see for yourselves.  Hurry!

You Deserve A Happy Place!

Recently, a dear friend of mine told me she was having trouble getting motivated to work on her crafts because it took so long to set it all up and put it all away afterwards. She loves to do mosaics. I can only imagine that the set up process is much more involved for mosaics than any of my fiber related interests, but in the past I have said that it would be too much trouble to find my needles and the right yarn, only to knit for 15 minutes. So I do understand her quandary.

Around the same time, Sheri at The Loopy Ewe asked her blog readers to tell her about their knitting nooks. I had just rearranged and reorganized mine in an exhaustive effort (with the invaluable assistance of my beautiful sister) and proudly described my Knitting Nest, as I called it.

These two seemingly insignificant events got me to thinking. If our hobbies bring some measure of joy into our lives, don't we deserve a little dedicated happy place for them? I'm talking about a space that makes it convenient and easy to practice the creativity that our souls desire. If you knit and are one of those rare ducks who doesn't require a huge stash, then a comfy chair with a basket next to it may be all you need. The point is, it is there waiting for you to partake of the relaxation and creative outlet that will enrich your life. You deserve this place.

I live in a very small apartment. I have what I call my knitting nest. The center is my motorized lift chair, with a Seraphina Shawl draped over the back so I can pull it over me. The side pocket of the chair contains remotes and a pouch of knitting accessories (scissors, various kinds of stitch markers, a crochet hook, yarn needles, etc). The right side of the chair has 2 side-by-side book cases. One is filled with craft books, binders and magazines. The other bookcase is the nerve center of my world. The bottom shelf holds a multitude of cords and power strips. Next shelf up holds my laptop, camera, cellphone and all chargers. (A coaster is nestled in there for my tea cup.) The top 3 shelves hold yarn for my planned projects. The very top of the bookcase, displays my spindles and my button collection. Clamped to the bookcase is an Ott light. On the side of the bookcase, I have attached hooks to hold an assortment of project bags with WIPs for quick access. Next to that is the spinning wheel. On the left side of my lift chair is a project basket to work out of, my Namaste needle binder and my large, kidney-shaped lap desk leans there at the ready. I have to admit that there is a closet full of yarn and fiber storage too, but let’s not go there.

Please, take the time to set give yourself a space that is designed for the activity that you love. A place that facilitates your creative outlet. You are worth the effort. You Deserve A Happy Place!