How does a shop owner make time to knit?

She gets sick! Or more precisely, she catches a contagious disease which absolutely prevents her - in the interest of the public good - from entering her shop. So, I have the flu to thank for my Hemlock Ring blanket! This is Jared Flood's knitted doily writ large (knit large?). I love it. I didn't have a cat-free zone large enough to block it, so up it went on the sun room wall. It has turned in to a great conversation piece, so there it stays! If you're interested in a challenging, but do-able beginning lace project this is a great one.

Blue scarf!

I'm on a roll! This beauty just came off the blocking pins. I used Cascade's new yarn, Epiphany - 60% Royal Alpaca, 20% Cashmere and 20% Silk. The pattern is "Annis" from Knitty.com. You can DO it, too!!!!

Plum scarf...

Neck still cold? Fondle two skeins of Jade Sapphire's 6 ply cashmere. Buy Pam Powers' pattern, "Ruffles and Ruches Scarf". Knit it, although we should invent a new word to describe the feeling of knitting with the most perfect yarn for the most perfect project. Any thoughts?

Red scarf...

Take three skeins of Cascade's Chunky Baby Alpaca, pull two ends from each strand, so SIX strands. Cast on 9 stitches. Now, do seed stitch until it's all gone and voila!

A new year begins...

Oh, but a blog is both a blessing and a bane. I don't always have newsworthy thoughts and I'm not one of those folks who thinks EVERY DAMN THING is newsworthy. I accept that most of life is made up of mundane little bits and pieces and it's okey doke. Remember, if everything is special, then nothing is special. By way of example, I will sum up my year according to the importance of the event.

1. We are happy and healthy.
2. Betsy and Jason got engaged!
3. The shop is doing great.

There! In a nutshell! I wish good things to you.

Hackers and other Hell Hounds...

My Gmail account was hacked yesterday. I can assure you I am not stranded in London bruised from a mugging or desperate for cash. I spent the entire day answering the phone and responding to frantic emails from people wondering if I was alright. I was searching for the bright side to all of this when my town manager found it. She was mighty impressed by how many people sprang to, ready to bail me out. I was, too. It speaks to the quality of the people with whom I hang out!

So, thank you for worrying about me and please, NEVER trust pleas for money over the internet.

Who is Joe Fisher?

So, there's this knitting farmer down in Winterport. He knits great stuff but is KNOWN around here for his, hmm, what should I call them? Dr. Who monsters? Sea critters? Garlic? All of the above? We honestly have no idea what that man will bring in next. He designed a gorgeous entrelac yoke sweater and brought it to us sloshing in a bucket. Needed help blocking. His teeny, little mom came in wearing the Christmas sweater he knit for himself (Joe is Bunyanesque).

Gauge?!! He signed up for Cheryl's Bohus hat class and then SUFFERED at my counter when I made him knit a swatch. Two rows is plenty! Joe learns, though. He's planning Meg Swansen's Christmas sweater this year and will be spinning and dyeing the yarn for it from his Icelandic sheep. And making a really big gauge swatch. In pattern. Right, Joe?

So, who is Joe Fisher?

One of the reasons I love my job.