shop update

I added a few more braids of the Corriedale lambswool from the Great Lakes Fiber Show. There are six total, which is all I have! Also, don’t forget to check out the Sale section. As items get close to their expiration date, I discount them a few dollars.

who needs mitts in july?

No one, I suppose, but this is probably the best time to be making them. Last summer I decided I’d make for-sale items all through the year and not be scrambling in November. And guess what? It was a good idea. But did I do that again this year? Not really.

Over the past few weeks I have not been able to decide what to knit. I look through my books and my print-outs and my Ravelry queue, but nothing seems interesting. That’s when I figured it would be smart of me to knit for my December sale. Brilliant!

My goals for this year’s sale include:
Fingerless mitts
Full mittens (new)
Tea cozies with pots (new)
Tea cozies without pots (new)

I will not be making any new neckwarmers. Those don’t sell very well. Part of the problem is that people don’t like wool (especially on the neck). Part of the problem is that I have a skinny neck and not everyone else does, so what fits me doesn’t fit them and I’m miserable at making multiple sizes. If I do the tea cozies, it’s like making neckwarmers except the teapots don’t complain!

Nearly complete fingerless mitt. Knit from handdyed recycled sweater wool

Two brown teapots who need sweaters.

kitty

oh, that silky wool

The Frock Camisole has been finished for some time. I think the straps are already stretching. Every time I knit something body-sized it always irritates me. Whatever it is, it just doesn’t fit right, it sags, it’s lumpy, it’s bulky. Whatever. Blech.

I had quite a bit of Silky Wool left over and since I really enjoyed the light green, I decided to knit a bit of lace with it. Specifically the Eloping Garter by Abigail van Roode (rav link/also on Knitty.com). I couldn’t imagine myself wearing one of those ghastly fluffballs that are worn by most brides. Besides, I’m a knitter!

It’s being worked on in relative secrecy. Rich is aware, but hasn’t seen it. I know he doesn’t read my blog, so I’m not overly concerned. Should I make two? One to keep and one for him to toss? If someone takes it home will that appreciate all the work I’ve put into it? A quandry.

big fat buttons!

Monday morning. I get to work unusually early. Approaching my desk,  I see a large bag sitting precariously on the corner with a box sticking out the top. What is this? What kooky task have they conjured up for me today? Warily I peer into the bag, but I am pleasantly surprised at the contents.

BUTTONS!
LOTS OF BUTTONS!

Then I recalled a conversation with a coworker on Friday. “My aunt had a button collection. I can’t imagine anyone would buy it at the garage sale. You can have them if you want.”

I spent the afternoon sorting them. It is not what I would call a unique collection considering there are large quantities of a single type. But if ever I decide to knit a floor length cardigan with buttons 1/4 inch apart, I’ll be set.

preview!

While at the Great Lakes Fiber Show this year I purchased two pounds of Corriedale lambswool and I’ve been dyeing it. Actually I might have dyed all of it. Some I’m keeping and some I’m selling. So here is a little preview of what will be added to the shop next Wednesday.

And we’ve been getting some things accomplished as far as the wedding planning is concerned. The location is settled, and that is the Buhl Mansion in Sharon, PA. We also have a theme of sorts… primarily it will be a 1960s cocktail party with a circles and squares decor developing. Color scheme of blue, turquoise, lime green. Invitations have been chosen. The dress has been tried on and determined precisely correct. At Michael’s we found a kit of paper flower pom poms, brought to you by Martha Stewart. I bought the blue kit with additional packets of green tissue paper. They’re fun, easy, and big!! Those will be hanging from the ceiling in some configuration. Things are coming together! I almost can’t believe it! Weee!

sigh of relief!

It’s nice to be back on my regular schedule! If anything it has made me realize how wonderful it is to have my afternoons free. I should definitely take advantage of the time, not waste it! For whatever reason, I have not done anything in the past few weeks – no knitting, no spinning, no dyeing, no nothing. The Frock Camisole is so close to being finished it’s pitiful. And I’ve got lots of wool to photograph. Those are on my list of things to do today. I’ll be back with pictures!

an update after so long

This past week has been a little wonky. Starting on Thursday I’ve been working fulltime, which I don’t think I’ve ever done before (8:30-5:30). I can’t figure out how to get anything done. The post office is closed when I get home, so mailing packages has been difficult. I don’t know how anyone does it. Normal people work real jobs every day. I can’t seem to manage.

I did finally update the Etsy shop today. Those new wool locks were added. Arugula, Firecracker, and Dainty (the last two were shared a few days ago). So, check it out!

almost, but not quite

I’m almost done with the Frock Camisole. And I think it’s going to be really BIG. The straps aren’t finished yet, so they’re looking a little wonky. But I do like the colors.

the dress

As requested by Valerie, I’ll do some sharing in regards to the hitching. Since the man and the dress are the only two things settled at this point, I’ll show the dress. I found it on Vintageous, a website with a great selection of clothes and accessories. She had just added it on Thursday and when I saw it, I knew I couldn’t wait around to think about it. It’s a late 1950s, early 1960s dress (http://vintageous.com/v5623.htm).

Looking for the right garment for this occasion did not concern me. When I was in high school, I loved searching out dresses for dances and accessorizing them. At no other moment in my life was I even remotely stylish, but I could manage a semi-formal event. The boy and the dress had never been a problem. Apparently that remains true for this also. My co-workers weren’t overly excited about it, but they’re all 50+ and likely rather traditional. Plus I don’t care what they think.