busy, busy, busy 'round here

But I thought I might mention Three Things:

1. Some lovely cashmere-y sock yarn arrived this afternoon for our lucky, lucky Sock Club members to enjoy sometime this year (not next month, though! we have something equally special planned for November...)
2. Eyebobs are on the website, including three new styles. Check out the Eyebobs page for more details.
3. Our "Ten Reasons To Love October" Sale is still going strong. If you missed our newsletter last Friday, check it out before all the yarn is go-o-one!
   

Sweater weather is here!

Admittedly it's more Featherweight Cardigan weather than cabled raglan weather, but we'll take what we can get around here. In fact, we're sooo excited about the leaves turning and the temperature dropping, the latest Newsletter features a variety of ideal cool-weather garments. Also in this issue are several new books, patterns, and yarns. Check your inbox for more information! (or click here)

Let's see. Not in the Newsletter this week (because it just arrived yesterday!) is Leigh Radford's new book:


One More Skein, a collection of one- and two-skein projects. My favorite is the most stinking cute (to quote a coworker) thing ever - Sadie's Capelet:


It even has a hood (which you can't see in this photo, unfortunately). I wish I'd had this pattern when my niece was still baby-sized... It's just so adorable. And practical. No sleeves to try and get on a squirming baby. Very clever.

The book's not on the website (like I said, just came in yesterday!), but it will be very soon. If you desperately want a copy, drop by the store or contact us.

Next on the "Not On The Newsletter" List, the Danger Crafts trunkshow:

Yes, that IS a knitted robot. As well as a collection of knitted toys that range from silly to tongue-in-cheek to just plain cute. The patterns will be on the website in the next couple of days, so look for them!

Moving on to my favorite part of the store blog - a customer project. Walrus (a.k.a. Hannah) dropped by on her was to the Button Emporium to show us her Chemo Chapeau...

Made with Malabrigo Sock in "Stonechat". She needed a bow and button to complete the look...


Which we think is lovely (and a nice use of sock yarn in a non-foot-shaped way). It's also a chemo cap, which makes it double awesome. The fact that the pattern is by Portlander Marnie MacLean might just make it triple awesome, right?

In less interesting news (for me, anyway), I finished Tegan's bolero over the weekend and only have to sew on the buttons for it to be ready-to-wear:

(And a close-up, for those of you who are really bored.)

The pattern is Knitting Pure & Simple's Children's Bolero, the yarn is (well, was) ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted in "Peony". The buttons are from The Button Emporium and have, ha!, peonies on 'em.

And that is everything I have to blog about. Next time, we'll reveal the true nature of our blue mystery. If you can guess what it is before then, we might just have a prize for the winner... Until next Tuesday, enjoy the cool weather!

Did that just happen?

The last week has been more than a little crazy. If you follow us on twitter, you'll know that we were bombarded at both our booth and in the store during the Sock Summit. Moreover, the website transition could have gone a lot smoother (a fact that we lament this ourselves, quite a bit). But it's done and mostly working, so we're grateful for our small victories.

If you were left wondering where the heck the promised Newsletter was, over the past weekend, well that's a good question. In fact, due to some of the wrinkles in the transition, we couldn't get it out until Wednesday. In the future, however, it looks like sending our Newsletters will be easier than ever (I may have just cursed us, oh... dear). Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Also, while on the topic of Newsletters (and eCards), it seems that the color PDX (in happiest girl! Sock) sold out within a half hour of the latest mailing (check your inbox). But we do have the KnitPods (some) and a few other treats.

Now, moving on to blog-worthiness, we have some really sweet goodies this time. First, Farrah brought in her finished Hidcote Shawl last night and I even managed to corner her into modeling it:

The pattern? Miriam Felton's Hidcote Garden Shawl. Knit with Suri Blue in "Smoke", by FarrahW (on ravelry). Isn't it just gorgeous? And the yarn is magnificent (we have it on order!). Yum, yum. Go on, go to ravelry and fav it. (You know you want to!)

And while I had Farrah cornered, I made her model the Cherry Blossom Shawl she knit for us as a store sample:

The one you can see on Anne Hanson's blog (knitspot). Made with 3 skeins of ShibuiKnits Silk Cloud, this thing is just plain dangerous. The sheer number of people I've seen petting it does not bode well for it's safety! Of course, if you want to participate in the Cherry Blossom KAL, we've been helping people out with their questions and getting started.

While Farrah was been subjected to the Nikon, everyone at JoAnn's birthday party last night was shouting advice to her (how to stand, how to hold her arms, etc); so I returned the favor and took a couple of shots of the group:

Which they didn't much like, but fair's fair. Some of the quicker knitters managed to dash out of the frame before the shutter clicked (which is why you can see abandoned projects in chairs). I'll get them next time, mwahaha.

And, finally, just because, I managed to get a shot of the Birthday Girl:

Who tried (and almost succeeded) to hide behind her sock in progress. The sock, it should be mentioned, is being knit with our fantastically popular limited edition colorway "City of Roses" (which has sold out, sorry!). So pretty.

Let's see... Other news? We-ell, Franklin Habit of the Panopticon has agreed to visit the store and teach/ lecture in late September. Mark it in your calendars! We'll post registration information on the website/ blog/ calendar sometime in the next fortnight or so.

Also, the Fall 2008 issues of Marianne Isager and Amimono are back in stock. Grab 'em while you can!

And, last but not least, the Habu Trunkshow is up and will continue to be on display through the end of August. Drop by (or give us a call) to find out what unusual yarns and fibers we have in stock!

Can't blog.

Drowning it html.

Look in your inbox tomorrow for an awesome Newsletter using our brand-new, super-shiny template.

P.S. provided the html doesn't drive us all mad in the meantime.

P.P.S. I promise we'll do better than this next Thursday - lately the Newsletters have been more complicated than usual.

time to play

We're sending out a large newsletter tomorrow, so "distracted" doesn't begin to describe us downstairs folk.

But, for your amusement (and ours), please check out the poll on the right-hand sidebar and vote. I'm very curious to see which entry wins. Maybe we'll even have a finished version of That Gizmo by the end of the poll - anything's possible, right?

Other news? Not much, other than...


We just received a GIANT box of Malabrigo Sock yarn!!

Yummm. I'll admit it now, I just grabbed four skeins. Drop by this evening (Sip'n'Stitch tonight!) or tomorrow to snag some for yourself.

Now I've got to get back to the Newsletter.

Gratis Knits: Fall 2008

Presto Sock-O
By Noelle Miller

Sizes:
Woman’s M, 8” foot circumference (Man’s M, 9” foot circumference)

Yarn:
Koigu KPPPM – 1 (2) skein(s) each in P143D (MC) and 1170 (CC)

Needles:
Set of 5 2.00mm/ US 0 DPNs, or size to get gauge

Gauge:
8 sts = 1”

Notions:

• row counter
• stitch markers
• scissors
• darning needle

Notes:

• If substituting colors, select a semi-solid shade that is echoed as one of the colors in the multi skein. This will help to blend the stripes for the intended effect.
• Do not cut yarn when changing colors. Carry the unused color up the inside of the sock and catch it on the first stitch of the fourth round of the current color. Knit the first few stitches after the color changes very tightly to prevent holes, being careful not to pucker the work.

Abbreviations:

CO - cast on
CC - contrast color
k - knit
k2tog - knit 2 together
MC - main color
p - purl
p/u & k - pick up and knit
p2tog - purl 2 together
PM - place marker
Rnd - round(s)
sl - slip
SM - slip marker
ssk - slip, slip, knit
st(s) - stitch(es)

“K2, p2 rib”: (in the rnd)
Every rnd: *k2, p2* around.

Stockinette: (in the rnd)
Every rnd: k around.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cuff:
Using MC, CO 64 (72) sts. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist.
Work in “k2, p2 rib” for 10 (12) rnds.

Leg:
Attach CC and work in Stockinette with [2 rnds CC, 6 rnds MC] 5 (6) times for a total of 40 (48) rnds. Knit 32 (36) with CC.

Heel flap:
Worked over 32 (36) sts with CC as follows:
Row 1 (RS): sl 1, k0 (2), [k1, sl 1, k2 , p1] 6 times, end k1 (3).
Row 2 (WS): sl 1, p1 (3), k1, [p4, k1] 5 times, end p4 (6).
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 32 (36) rows.

Turn heel:
Row 1: with CC, sl 1, k17 (19), ssk, k1. Turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1. Turn.
Subsequent two rows: *Sl 1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1. Turn. Sl 1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.* Repeat between * until all sts have been worked: 18 (20) sts total.

Gussets:
With CC: p/u & k 18 (20) sts along first side of heel flap [16 (18) sl sts + 1 st on either side to prevent gaping], PM, k 32 (36) sts across top of foot, PM, p/u & k 18 (20) sts along other side of heel flap, k 9 (10) sts across bottom of heel. PM to indicate beginning of round.

Work set-up rnd: k 9 (10) remaining sts across bottom of heel, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, SM k across top of foot, SM, k1, ssk, k to end of rnd. Work remainder of foot in stripe pattern as follows (starting at the top):

1 row CC
5 rows MC
3 rows CC
5 rows MC
4 rows CC
4 rows MC
4 rows CC
4 rows MC
5 rows CC
3 rows MC
5 rows CC
3 rows MC
6 rows CC
2 rows MC
6 rows CC
2 rows MC
work remaining rows in CC

Continue gussets:
Rnd 1: k all sts.
Rnd 2: k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, SM, k across top of foot, SM, k1, ssk, k to end of rnd.
Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until 64 (72) sts remain.

Foot: continue in Stockinette until sock is 2” shorter than desired foot length, while continuing to follow the stripe pattern.

Toe:
Rnd 1: *k to 3 sts before marker, ssk, k2, k2tog, repeat once from *, k to end of round.
Rnd 2: k all sts.
Repeat rnds 1 and 2 until 20 (28) sts remain. Graft toe using Kitchener Stitch.

Finishing:
Cut yarn and weave in ends. Wear and be merry!

constructive chaos

Let's see, let's see, let's see. A lot has been happening today. We received a shipment of Judy's Colors stocking kits for all the enterprising knitters who want to knit something very special this Christmas. We also received another shipment of Malabrigo. This one included several colors of Gruesa and Chunky that were out of stock.

And, most especially (but not most recently), we received a huge box from Norway this week. Containing the Oleana Fall Line:

Which is, quite simply, awesome. I truly hate to sound like a blond Californian surfer-dude, but it is. And I am clearly not the only person to think so, because our selection has been steadily diminishing since it went on display.

And, while on the topic of displays, I've been cornered* into showing off my handspinning display:

There it is. Done.

... no?

Okay, it's my tiny collection of handspun yarn and handspun-handknit garments (that I could find, anyway), to encourage enrollment for our upcoming Introduction to Handspinning class. Honestly, I don't know what terrifies me more - having too many students or too few. At the moment, the class isn't empty, which gives me some comfort. And, conversely, increasing terror.

At least it's three weeks away, so I have less time to be neurotic about it, which is a small blessing, however fleeting.

That's everything blog-worthy for now - look for a latest Newsletter in your email tomorrow afternoon!

*Proving that I lack the initiative to pimp my own skills out... or something.

A Public Apology to Dory K.

I am so happy, happy, ridiculously happy!
Ecstatic.
One could even say I'm chirpy.
It doesn't matter that there is a crap load (industry technical term) of yarn in my in box to photograph and add to the website:













And more waiting in the wings:











Doesn't matter that the store windows need changing, the store displays aren't tidy, and my desk looks like this:












And the new project* I started? It looks like this:

Or that my day was replete with curtailing drama, answering pattern questions, and researching whether mercerized cotton is considered organic (turns out it's not and our new yarn is a truly organic yarn).

My delight is an overfilling fountain of three fold happy-making-ness:

A number 1: I'm off of my self imposed Ravelry ban.

I made the adult decision in late October to have no access with the site because my habit... eh, addiction... uhm, time spent on the site was taking over other things in my life. Important things. Not things like earning a living, laundry, or grocery shopping, but things like eating and bathing.
Here's a tip lads and lassies: If you choose Ravelry over bathing you need to set down the virtual crack pipe, so to speak and get yourself to a support group. Happily, I think they have one of those on Ravelry.

B number 2: The newsletter is out...
...and it's purdy. I wanted to add this photo but there wasn't any more room and the photo of Momoe (pronounced moh-moh-ā) holding a bowl won out.

My own personal level of hell, which I've always imagined was sandwiched somewhere around the chamber of pounding and the chamber of scales, was called (insert ominous music) the chamber of newsletters. When I took over this position from my predecessor, K-Dawg, I thought her drinking was a tad excessive. Now I know, it wasn't enough.
Not only did the newsletter arrive to close to six-thousand recipients in just two minutes (versus 3 or more days), our new newsletter service sent out the correct and current newsletter.
Gone is the email filled with angry "Unsubscribes", "Why'dya send me my newsletter so lates", and whatnot. I felt so bad for each unhappy customer every month because I could never anticipate where the roulette wheel of chaos would land.
Gone was that shrieking harpy (me) cursing a blue streak so scandalous dock workers and carny-folk would blush.
Gone are the tears: mine and my coworker's.
Gone was the heavy drinking, and today my liver isn't distended and hard like twice cooked chuck. Lemme tell you it's not good the store is close to Betty Ford's and Jake's which coincidently is affectionately called "Conference Room B".

Today I feel confident that I can truthfully apologize in this public forum to Dory (they know who they are) for receiving a newsletter each month that was unwanted. Our old tool just loved Dory. I'd remove the address yet the tool would send it off anyway. One would be so lucky to have a spouse as committed and in love as that tool was to Dory. But it was a love that was taboo.

C number 3: I've forgotten what it was.

Maybe my bliss was only two-fold and B number 2 was so awesome and almighty, it seemed like it was two things.
Yeah, I think that was it.

would blush. My co-workers are especially grateful because too often my wrath was misdirected to one of them.*P.S. Don't mention this little diversion to my Secret Gay Husband. He won't understand that at this time I just can't take another minute with his more than thrice-knitted socks, even if I've completed the heel turn. Again.