A Work In Progress

The images above are what Torey and I have completed so far of the Amherst Sweater class sample. I show you our work in progress because I'd like to pose a question.

Have you ever started a project, gotten very near the end, and then suddenly realised you may not have enough yarn? Well, if you have, then you are not alone! It would seem that even owning your very own knit shop does not protect you from such a folly. Torey and I started the Amherst Sweater sample with such anticipation. I was going to knit up the back, while Tore was going to knit up the sleeves. We would somehow divide up the 2 front pieces, depending on who finished first. It was a good plan, a perfect plan even. In theory. It would seem that we may not have enough of the Rowan cotton tape in our chosen color to finish. AArrrgghhh! The frustration! Of course, we could have stopped and done a bit of math before beginning in the first place. And yes, we could have very well chosen to work our project in a yarn that we could re-order. But alas, sadly, we didn't. Instead, we are a cautionary tale. A warning, if you will, of the perils of skipping the absolute irrefutable MUST DO'S of any project that you care to actually succeed in finishing. *Note that last phrase....."that you care to actually succeed in finishing." I emphasize this because I don't always care to finish. (Wait...if you put your ear to the computer, you can probably hear Torey laughing at that last comment. ) See, I think the world of knit and crochet is divided up into 2 seperate catagories. The "product knitters" and the "process knitters". The "product knitters" are completely focused on the end result. They have a finish line in mind and they are going to cross it! However, the "process knitters" a.k.a. my people, are more interested in the journey. If they actually finish the piece, all the more reason to buy more yarn, and start something else. But, it's not really necessary to them. The "process knitters" will buy more yarn and start something new regardless. Of course, I am a "Professional Process Knitter". This means that I start 4 or 5 new things at a time. However, my beloved sister is the "Queen Product Knitter". Torey finishes what she starts. Always. It can be annoying. So, you can understand our canundrum. At this point, unless I find some random balls of cotton tape secretly stashed in my house somewhere, then Houston - we have a problem.

Wait, scratch that last sentence! Just as I was typing it, a little light bulb went off in my head. I could actually see the missing ball of yarn. I get up to look, and YES! It's there! Lying at the bottom of my underwear drawer, a brand new ball of Rowan cotton tape. Mind you, it's 11:40 at night, but I call Torey any way to let her know. For some reason, her intial response to the good news is, "What was it doing at the bottom of your underwear drawer?" I explained that it wasn't my every day underwear drawer. That it was the one where I keep the stuff hubby has given me, or that I recieved at my bridal shower 10 years ago. Now that I think of it, the bigger question isn't why was it in that drawer, but instead, did it have dust on it?! Whew, crisis averted. I love a happy ending, don't you? But let this be a lesson to you all. The moral of the story is to take your time and DO THE MATH, and also to remember that drawers of clothing you rarely use make for excellant yarn stashing.

By the way, this class is meeting tomorrow night, March 19th. I know of at least 2 people who are going to be just beginning the project, along with the folks that started last week. So, if you are ready to dive into your first sweater, or just want to join in on the fun - be sure to come by the shop. There is always room for one more. Also, for those of you who have made some progress so far, I would love to see it. E-mail me some pics to knitaffair@knitaffair.com . I want to document the "journey" for everyone else to enjoy online.

I also have some fun shots to show you from last weeks Saturday workshop. In this class we tried something new. We needle felted. Needle felting is a pretty unique method of adding some really fun embellishment to just about anything. If you haven't had a chance to swing by the shop lately, you really should stop in. We have a whole display of different needle felting kits to show you. The kits range from pretty little flowers to actually being able to put pictures of animals and shapes on things. You'll really have your friends and family wondering how you did it.

In this shot you can see Diane, along with Brooke and Jessica. Brooke is working on some very cute butterflys. We are going to be working with needle felting again on April 19th. Come see what all the fun is about.

Well, I need to be signing off. It's now after midnight and I am sure one, or both of the babies will rise up to rob me of my sleep at any moment. I am going to be in the shop on Thursday, and I would love some company. So, if you feel the flu coming on *wink, wink - call in "sick" and come join me for the day.

Meet you by the wool,

Rob

Wool on the go.....

Just a little message from the road. I have recently discovered that I can post to the blog from my cell phone! I LOVE technology! So, I thought I would pose a question. What's on your needles? I started a baby blanket using Lorna's Lace yarn and an entrelac stitch. I am now addicted to both the yarn and the pattern! This is a snap shot of row one. I like that the process is simple enough to memorize, but doesn't get boring over time. Also, how many projects do you have going at once? I am seriously knee deep in 4 things at once. I hope to finish before my procrastination kicks in and they sadly go live in a ziploc baggy, never to be heard from again.

Behold the Amherst Sweater

Hi all, this is Rob. I am blogging for Torey today. How has everyone been? I hope well. I have missed knitting with all of you! However, in addition to my son Jackson, my husband and I have just recently adopted a new baby girl. Her name is Charlotte Marie. She was born on January 10, 2008. She is a very sweet baby, and I am happy to report that she willingly wears whatever I knit for her! Of course, I am enjoying this fact now since I am completely aware that by the time she's a teenager anything I knit for her, she probably would not be caught dead in! However, I was able to be in the shop for a few days in February. Poor Diane was out sick, so I came to keep Torey company. Thankfully, Diane is back and better than ever!

While I was in the shop, Torey was nice enough to "let me" knit up part of the sample sweater for the "Amherst Sweater" class. If you have yet to tackle the challenge of knitting a whole sweater, then this is the project for you. Let me just say this, if I was able to manage knitting this sweater while taking care of an overly active 18 month old and a newborn, at the same time - then what are you waiting for? I knit the sample out of a Rowan yarn called "cotton tape". I chose a beautiful shade of aqua { our signature color :) } and now can't wait to see it completed. This yarn was a great choice, as it knits up on the lightweight side, but has a really interesting texture. The yarn appears like a ball of shoe string unknitted, but gives the simple garter stitch a little something extra in this pattern. Luckily, I just happened to knit the sample up in my size. Coincidence? Probably not.

By the way, if you refer to our latest newsletter for the dates and times of this sweater class, do not be dismayed. You have not missed your chance. Due to an unfortunate error on the part of our printer's, our newsletter was delivered late this time around. So, we actually didn't get started on this project until tonight, the 11th. With that being the case, there is still plenty of time to get started and catch up with everyone else. You can also choose this one for any of the "Pick a Project" nights. The next one scheduled is March 19th.

The other class affected by the newsletter debacle was the Felted Easter Basket project. This class was scheduled for the 8th of this month. We introduced this project a few years ago for the shops first Easter. I have made at least one of these each year since then. It seems it's always somebody's "first easter egg hunt" in my family! These little babies are perfect for that. They are soft and easy for small children to carry, yet due to the fact that they are felted, they can handle quite a few eggs. The addition of the novelty yarn makes this one unique egg carrier. You never have to worry about the kids forgetting which is theirs. I actually have one on the needles right now for Miss Charlotte. I know she's gonna be a little young to carry it, but Daddy is going to "help" her find her eggs this year.

By the way, who moved up Easter this year??!!! Why is it suddenly around the corner? I don't know about you, but I am feeling a little pressured. Of course, that could be because I knit just about as many Easter gifts, as I do for Christmas. In addition to the felted baskets, I now find myself planning out personalized crocheted easter eggs! Torey was telling me how Diane crocheted these adorable easter eggs. If you get a chance, stop into the shop and check them out. She personalized them each with a name. One for Tore, one for Gil, she even made one for Jack - Torey's soon to arrive new grandson. Well, of course my mind is racing. How cute would that be in everyone's basket? Your very own egg? Like your very own Christmas stocking! I am thinking of embroidering the year on each, and then making it a little Easter tradition. By the time the kids are grown, they will have all of the eggs of their childhood to display in a basket each year. Would I not just be the total supermom if I could manage it? I mean, what better way to remind them how much they were loved and adored as children? That I would have taken the time, each and every year, to painstakingly crochet them an egg!!???!! Yikes! I'd better go knit.

It was good to catch up with you all. Don't be stranger's. Drop me a comment or two. I am going to be checking back in with updates and pictures of the sweater. I am hoping I can convince those of you taking the class to e-mail me photos of you modeling your completed master piece. I want to post them on the website for everyone to appreciate.

If you get a chance, come see me in the shop this coming Thursday. I have a babysitter and I am going to spend the day knitting! I encourage you all to play hooky and come join me :)

Meet you by the wool,

Rob