Beautiful mother and daughter!
This past Saturday, I rolled out of bed, had my two cups of coffee and went to the shop on my day off (I love that little shop!) I wanted to take the Knitting with Beads class and knew we had 2 openings. So I did and had a ball! Zana is one of the most creative ladies I know and she's an excellent instructor. Three other fun girls and I learned the beading technique and laughed at how long it took us to string our beads. Instead of choosing random beads, like Zana suggested, we each were thinking too long and hard about choosing just the right, minuscule bead. Enough!! Just pick the beads and go!! I like my golden bracelet but you should see the others: vivid deep blues and water color greens. Maybe we can get a picture of them, too. Anyway, this was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.
Now I gotta try Knitting with Beads and Wire. Kim and Laura have already done it. Overachievers.
Jo
After Kim knit the Ribby Shell (twice!) we promptly sold out of the pattern. Ooops! But don't worry, more have arrived. So now you can knit your own Ribby Shell. If you would like us to hold a copy of the pattern for you, give us a call at 768-5599!
Yes, I know I'm obsessed with summer shirts. Here's my next one (actually, this is my 2nd of this design). This is the Chic Knits Ribby Shell. Knit Picky is going to offer a class on this wonderful summer shirt. The options are unlimited. Whether you like solids or a little more color (mine is done in Tye-Dye, this one is a gift). The classes will be on Saturdays - possibly starting the last day of May, so keep your calender open!
OK, so sometime back in December I saw Shanna working on her Jaywalkers and I just HAD to do them, too. It is now April 10 and I have the first one done. I have gotten 1 or 2 things done in the meantime, but that's kinda bad - even for me. Hopefully, I get the 2nd done a lil quicker.
I was listening to a podcast by "Its a Purl Man" today and he was talking about Google Maps. How is this knitting related, you ask? Well, LYS are listed on Google Maps and its one of the main ways that new customers find yarn shops. So I immediately headed over to the site to make sure Knit Picky was listed and all the information was correct-- it was. But there are no reviews. So how are prospective customers supposed to know that we are a GOOD yarn shop, not just any ol' shop? If you have had a good experience at Knit Picky, I encourage you to go over to maps.google.com and search for Knit Picky Yarns (that should be enough for the program to find it). When it pops up you should see a link to "Write a Review". I think you need to have a google account to do this. That way, if knitters are visiting from out of town, recently moved to our area or just took up knitting, they will know that Knit Picky is THE place to come for yarn and knitting notions in our area! Thanks!!
Laura
It's Thursday morning and I'm thinking again, "What a fun group we have each Wednesday night at the shop". Our group is so unique, talented and diverse. It feels like best friends and family gathering together to share stories and laughter! And although we had a few low-volume moments last night, we often get loud with chatter in every corner of the room!
I am also lucky to have a terrific, yet smaller, group of ladies fill the yarn lounge on Thursday mornings. This quieter, coffee sipping group discusses new grandchildren, travels to far away places, children and jobs, and what's the best way to handle shoulder seams. And we laugh, too. That's a common denominator for both groups and it serves as our release. Release of worries, concerns, frustrations....things we all face in our busy lives.
I am blessed, that's for sure. And I always feel better after attending these two groups. Cheaper than therapy, right?! Thanks to each and every one of you who hop in your car and drive to your favorite knitting group. Knit Picky's success is a reflection of your passion!
Bear hugs to you!
Jo
Melody by Jojoland arrived as expected! Along with two beautiful shop samples: the Swirl Shawl (amazing!) and the Dragon Melody Shawl (exquisite!). I've enjoyed wearing these around the shop this week. Stop by and try them on yourself!!
The good news....the Dragon Melody Shawl may be made for less than $100 (yarn, pattern and needles)!
The Swirl Shawl is constructed in one piece (whew) so there's no sewing small swirls together.
Melody is a 100% superwash wool, variegated in a fingering weight. Perfect for shawls, scarves, wraps and yup...SOCKS! Balls are put up in 50gms, 220 yds and recommended needle size is US 1-3 giving you 7-8 sts per inch. Cost: $6.75 per ball.
Hope you love this yarn as much as I do!
But the star of the show has got to be Shire Silk. This 100% silk yarn has an incredible tweedy texture that you really need to see in person. So come on over, take a seat on the red couch, and check out all the new goodies!
Believe it or not, this actually turned out pretty!
Shanna's "Yarn Cinna-bon". No picture of mine...it was brown and green...looked kinda like the baggies you use after your dog walks!
It's intense....trying to determine your intensity!!
Amazing colorway! Love it.
We did have time to laugh and listed to stories.
Pleased as punch!
Me and E!
A yarn celebrity flies into NC today! We have a full workshop and are thrilled to have Erin Taylor Bell visit us. She is packing LOTS of new hand-dyed yarn and designer project bags especially for Knit Picky. These will be available for sale on TUESDAY, March 11th! (You know....the workshop/pajama girls get first dibs on the new goodies but don't worry....she's bringing plenty for all!)
See her WS post here...
www.mamaespot.com
Can you tell I'm ready for summer? I am loving the idea of all these tops that I'm going to have ready for the warm weather. Here's a picture of #2 -
I'm really happy with the way it came out. It is made from Tartelette from Knit One, Crochet Two. There is a book called Hot Knits which has the pattern I used AND I did follow the pattern to the letter this time...at least I'm pretty sure I did. I'm going to bring it into the shop until warm weather comes. I hope to see everyone this weekend. I'll be around Friday morning and Saturday I'll be dyeing during the day and in my PJ's that night!
I got out of the house and visited the shop today for the first time since surgery. As always, I found it cute, cozy and in good hands!! Kim, Laura and Ann Marie got my back! What a fun few hours at the shop.
So today...we received a box of books (with a second box on the way) and some nifty knitting gadgets. There are new books and some olden goldies. Here are pictures of a few..stop by the shop to see them all!
Jo
Yep, what I thought was eating too much fiber turned out to be acute appendicitis.
My squiggly went bad and had to be removed Thursday night around 10pm. With my troops by my side, I had surgery, went thru recovery and around midnight and was tucked into a private room. Too groggy to knit but too wired from anesthesia to sleep.... I pulled an all nighter with mom in room 2206! I think we got caught up on all of the big issues: politics, religion, health and fitness, drugs and how they do come in handy sometimes. Problems all solved. :)
I got home Friday afternoon and slept like a baby last night. Steve is a great snuggle buddy. The good news....my I.V. is out of my right arm and I can knit again! I am feeling much better and it only hurts when I sit, stand or laugh!!
The doc says I cannot drive for a week-not sure why-so the girls are pulling together at the shop and covering for me. I think I would feel better knitting on the red couch, with people around me, instead of staying home by myself, don't you think? That's what I'm gonna tell Steve next week.
So for now, I'm taking the pain meds as prescribed, resting, avoiding thinking about nausea because it seems like it might be a problem if I go there, and knitting when my I can. I hope to be in tip-top shape for Erin's visit (Mama E) and can't wait for the pajama party!
Oh....I asked Dr. Berger to do a little extra while he was there so here's a picture of my new belly-(Thelma, Louise...don't be jealous)
See ya'll soon!
Jo
Summer is almost upon us and I admit to LOVING shirts without sleeves. Tanks, halters, whatever keeps me cool. This tank is a perfect blend of halter and racerback. It was made from Lang Aura - one of the new ribbon yarns we've gotten in. I used the Coachella pattern from Knitty and it is knit in the round, so NO seaming! I'll put it on display in the shop until the my dreams of summer turn into a reality.
