We’re getting there…

Where to start? Since my last post I have made some small progress on my cowl/infinity scarf design, but not as much as I would have liked there to be.

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It’s about 4” wide at this point and I didn’t have any definite width in mind before I started. I just figured I would knit it until it seemed like a good size, but probably at least 6-7” and possibly more.

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My poor Boneyard Shawl hasn’t seen any action since I started the above cowl, but it did get to pose in one of our lovely new Yarn Bowls soon to be available on our brand new website. :-) We are tentatively planning for a Feb. 9 launch and I am so excited about it! 

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We are holding off several new products and some other cool stuff for a grand opening. Here’s some sneak previews of just a small sampling of the new Shawl pin Rings we are making.

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Y’all they are truly amazing if I do say so myself, and I think I am entitled since I am not even bragging on myself here. My talented daughter Meredith who also makes the Shawl Pins, Nostepinnes, and Darning Eggs, is the genius behind these as well. If you have been to our booth at festivals, you have probably seen or met her. She is always with me.

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Remember her?

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Here’s some more to whet your appetite, LOL!

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See? Fabulous, no?

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Anyway I will give you all more details once we are sure it’s a go. We have had quite a few glitches lately but it’s all coming together and I am optimistic that all will be ready in time. Oh, you can also sign up for my Newsletter if you would like to get updates in email. It’s up near the top in the sidebar right under my Find me on Ravelry button. :-)

I haven’t given any reading updates lately. Let’s see, in December and the first half of January I was reading The Brothers Karamazov. My reaction to it was sort of underwhelming. I expected to be more impressed honestly. It is such a highly regarded work that I was left wondering what I was missing. I was not alone however in the Goodreads group I was reading it with. Many were left with the same feeling of “what is all the fuss about”? Have any of you read it? Can you educate me on what I missed? I would truly like to know what it is that made you love the book. I mean don’t get me wrong, I am glad I read it and there were some parts I found very interesting and thought provoking, like the part’s where Ivan is telling the story of The Inquisitor and his conversation with The Devil, but overall I was glad to be done and don’t see myself re-reading it.

I possibly impatient with it towards the end because I was badly wanting to start my re-read of The Hobbit and then The Lord of the Rings books. I just adore these and am immensely enjoying the new unabridged Audible versions along with my Nook copies. I like to immersion read sometimes and I am savoring every minute of these books. I read The Hobbit in 5 days and started The Fellowship this weekend. My only hang up so far was that when I started up The Fellowship, to my horror I realized that they didn’t start with The Prologue: Concerning Hobbits. To me an unabridged version should have included that. It is not optional to me. So I just read that part and started the audiobook when I reached the first chapter. I am currently at the point where Sam, Frodo and Pippin have reached Crickhollow and Merry and Fatty Bolger are preparing their second supper, LOL! I just love these opening chapters where the adventure is just beginning. It’s kind of like that time in a knitting project where it’s all shiny and new and full of promise.

Okay well that’s it for now I suppose. Keep you fingers crossed for the website launch!

What’s on my needles?

I don’t tend to be one of those knitters with dozens of projects on the go. It overwhelms me and makes me feel unproductive if I have too many things going at once because the progress on each is so minimal. My knitting time is pretty limited and it seems that my time is better used when I am focused on only a few things at once. Now, does that mean that many more worthy projects aren’t always calling to me and tempting me to just throw caution to the wind and cast them on? um..that would be a big fat NO. It’s the same with books. There are always so many things in my reading and knitting queues that I would have to live to about 200 to hope to get to them all. Sigh.

So, what IS on my needles? Glad you asked. I am working on a Bel Air and a Sprossling, primarily. The baby needs a couple new wool soakers too so I have a bigger one going. My favorite pattern for these is Butt Knits Soaker (Ravelry link) or Non-Ravelry link here. These fit great, work well, and are fun to knit with their interesting seamless construction. My go to yarn for soakers is believe it of not, Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool. It’s economical and is available in many more natural colors now. Anyway, you’re probably more interested in the sweater knitting right? Okay.

First, have you ever knit one of Anne Hanson’s designs? Well if you haven’t you don’t know what you are missing. She is my favorite knitwear designer, and I promise you that it’s not because she has designed with my yarns. I was follower and fan long before that. So the Bel Air (Ravelry project page) is getting the most action right now since I only have one sleeve and the collar to go. Love it so far.

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I’m not quite as far long on the Sprossling but just look at the sexy shaping on this sweater! I have the back finished and as soon as the Bel Air is done it will be front and center for getting done.

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Okay, I have spent all day working on this blog and I have GOT to get some real world stuff done today too.