On the mend...

I came down with a bear of a cold. The worst cold I've had in years that resulted in me taking a sick day and closing the shop for the first time in the nearly 4 years we've been in business. But... I'm on the mend and slowly getting back up to speed.

In the week before my cold attacked me, I had some super fun stuff on the horizon with the new class schedule and a new toy that I had just picked up. The response to the classes was overwhelming and it was so exciting to have classes fill in just the first couple days they were posted! I have wait-lists for several of the classes and now that I'm feeling better, I'm looking at dates for additional sessions. Super. Exciting.

As for the new toy I mentioned in my last post... well, we packed this happy guy in the car and went on a short trip to a sewing machine dealer...

IMG_20140303_154753 Where, I got this:

IMG_20140317_175907And this is as far as it's made it. Kind of sad, but there just hasn't been time to unpack it and play with the being sick in bed and all. So, it's patiently waiting in the box and I'm hoping time will cooperate in the next couple weeks. My first project will be the Patricia Cowl by Shannon Cook - I saw her pattern and tutorial over a year ago and I've had it on my mind since then for a perfect first project! I'll keep you posted!

I've spent a good portion of the last week napping, but between naps, I've been OD'ing on Desperate Housewives and working on these:

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Jane Richmond's Linden Mittens in Crazy Zauberball for Jane's Linden KAL, but I decided to get even crazier and do this:

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I split the ball in half and I'm working 5-round stripes from each and the end result is fabulous:

IMG_20140315_200951I have the first one done now and I'm getting ready to cast on the second mitten. The thing I love - and hate - about Crazy Zauberball, is the striping is totally random. I like things to match, so this yarn really pushes me to just let go and let it be what it will be. I know I'll have mismatched mittens with mismatched thumbs, but I'm trying to not care and just go with it because there's no way I can even try to make them match. I'm walking on the wild side. lol!

I'm also still hard at work on this for the Journey-along:

IMG_20140215_200848I'm about 1/3 of the way done and now that I'm feeling better, I expect to make some good headway on this project so I can get it out on display at the shop. I love the regular rhythm of Onward, it's a very relaxing knit.

As usual, I've been up to a few other things, but I'll save those for next time.

Until then... Cheers!!!

Off the Needles | Journey-along

Today I want to share a couple Journey-along FO's with you...

First up is my Swift and a very rare selfie. I seriously love this hat - both the knitting and the wearing! This is the second one I've knit since the first is a shop sample and I just had to make another for myself!

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Pattern: Swift by Shannon Cook

Yarn: Sport Weight by Blue Sky Alpacas (color 510 Black)

Raveled: Swift in Black

Another project I want to share with you is this fabulous pair of socks from Journey that were knit by the talented Sandy for the Journey-along:

Aren't they great?! I love the color combo!

Pattern: Climb by Jane Richmond

Yarn: Sock by Shibui Knits (color Jackie) and toe in Fine by Spud & Chloe (color Shitake)

Raveled: Climb Socks

It's been a lot of fun seeing the Journey projects online and in the shop, and the enthusiasm for immediately casting on new projects has been contagious! I'm currently down to one Journey WIP, so I'm trying to decide on the next project to cast on. Probably one of the sweaters, but we'll see....

February was a whirlwind with class prep for Firefly Fibers and now that March is here and the spring classes are posted, I have a little breathing room. Hubby is home today, so this afternoon we're headed out to pick up a toy for me (I'll share the details on that soon). I better gather up the car knitting so we can be on our way!

Cheers!