Snowy Weather and the Shop

Today was a blustery day.  The skies couldn't decide whether to snow, rain or hail.  It was the perfect kind of day to settle into your favorite chair with squishy yarn and a warm drink.  We had a few people into the shop, but not many ventured out.  I sat at the work table with my sweater for quite a while and watched the trees across the street.  They are beginning to look like they are budding out, but still mostly grey and dead looking.  It was lonely and would have been improved by some chatty knitters.

The shop feels better on a sunny day.  People are just more cheery on a nice day.  I think I want spring to hurry up and get here.  I'm hoping for sun, warmth and the return of my friendly knitters.  If not... well then a vacation sounds good too.

Tools and goodies

My knitting bag is jam packed with the tools that I use playing with colored string.  I love to work with the good stuff.  It's not only the nice fibers, it's the gadgets that go along with creating wonderful socks, gifts and sweaters.   You can have a lot less frustration if you use the right stuff to create your works of art.

Things any yarn crafter would love to have: a good pair of scissors, a measuring tape, some nice lotion for hands that might snag the yarn, stitch markers in all shapes and sizes, and pins.  If you need a gift idea or just a little present for yourself, make your crafting easier with the right tools.

Cables anyone?

Cables are one of those things that appear scary and challenging but actually are easy to master and make your work so much more interesting.  If you've always wanted to learn, but don't have a class nearby, take a look on Youtube.  There are some nice tutorials there that can walk you through it.  For practice, a scarf is always a nice present for yourself or an early Christmas gift.  Try something new and keep life interesting.

Summer Projects????

Knitters knit all year long.   It's a hobby.  It's an addiction.  When the weather gets a little warmer, thoughts turn to projects that are easy to tote to activities (like kid's ballgames) and not so warm to handle.  Socks are an answer.  Sock yarn comes in all sorts of yummy colors and fibers.  Self striping yarns look like you went to a lot of work to create the patterns, but it's all in the yarn.  Try a sock for a change of pace.  If you haven't done anything in a sock project yet, Google "Silver's Sock Class".  It will walk you through the whole project with really clear instructions and great photos of every step.