Score!

Ever since I first stroked Rosanne’s Panda Silk, I’ve had my eyes open for some of my own.  After swearing loudly enough for the dude sitting two doors down to hear me when I found The Needle Lady closed yesterday, I headed to It’s A Stitch, *KNOWING* the store that closes at 4pm on Saturdays would be closed for the holiday too.  Ha!  Wrong!  My skepticism was trumped by a 25% off all yarn. 

This Pearl Blue Panda Silk came home with me.  I’m thinking it will be a scarf, probably for the to be gifted pile, but I’m open to suggestions.  It’s very soft and silky (duh?), but it really is bamboo and wool with a dash (5%) of silk.  I’m still looking forward to the soy version, due out in a month or so.  I love knitting with wool and alpaca, but I’m also very fond of soy and bamboo.  Heck, here lately, you can add cotton to the mix too.  I’m just all about soft, squooshy yarns, it seems.

My other big find was my $10 handbag.  No, really, and from Kroger’s (grocery store) nonetheless.  I had pulled up to use a self-checkout lane, and the employee supervising said stations noted my fabric bag and asked if I’d seen their cart of similar bags, 1/2 off.  I said no, and tried to present my best, “Really, not interested!” aura, but I’m glad I failed.  It wasn’t the Vera Bradley knock-offs I’ve seen at other grocery stores.  I’m not at all sure what made him think the two types were similar, aside from the fact that those in the cart weren’t leather or vinyl, but fabric…

It’s the perfect size, style, shape, colors… everything.  I hope it doesn’t run in the rain or fall apart before the summer’s over.  I even love the little bow!  I’ve always been mad for little bows.  The colors washed out in the close-up; they’re close to true in the first photo.  The contrast stitching is done in that pale pink.  Truly, I would have paid LOTS more for this bag.  It’s as though someone designed it with me in mind.

Inside, there are three little pockets.  The standard, flat zippered pocket built into the side, and two cell phone sized pockets.  The one on the left was too narrow for my phone, but the second pocket holds my phone just fine.  Everyone keep their fingers crossed that this bargain holds up until I get tired of it, please?

I’m sure you’re quite tired of reading about my little bargain bag, but I really am blown away at how well-designed it is.  It even has the little “feet” I like on bags! 

That’s the last of the bag blabberings.  Thanks for bearing with me.  You know how picky I am if you’ve been reading about my knitting bag search, so this really is a find.  Along the same lines, Vera Bradley has announced the next four colors to be retired, and they’re 25% offright now.  I might order a baby bag, just to try it.   I’d like to wait for a bigger discount, but that also means I’d risk the colors I like (Mesa Red and most especially, Botanica) not being available in the pieces I want. 

The mystery lace is complete for a few weeks.  Clue #2 is done.  It’s rather easy, as lace goes, and I’m just crazy for the yarn, both the color and the feel. 

It’s not a great photo, but at 9pm, you take what you can get. 

Whew!  I need some iced green tea now, after all of that.  Shall I pour for you too?

Half-way

Pardon the morning sun dancing across the lace, and the “Sissy was here” wet ear marks on the right, but that’s all of clue #1 in our Guild’s mystery KAL.  That means I’m half-way through for the clues I have on hand.  I’ll start on clue #2, probably after I post this.  I frogged what you’d seen before and started over on #7s Friday night.  Interestingly enough, it flowed, mistake-free.  I don’t know whether the slightly larger needle allowed me to see the stitches better or what, but it seems my shawl is happiest on #7s.

I’ve done a few rows on Stardust, and otherwise, the weekend has not been following my plan.  I tried to go to the Needle Lady  yesterday.  I even waited until the farmers market should have been over.  (The market takes up one entire, precious parking lot.)  For whatever reason, there was not a parking place to be had downtown, so I scrapped that and proceeded to the grocery store for more frustration.  Then, I headed home with most of what I went to buy, and made macaroni salad and brownies for the Knight’s duty crew at the firehouse.  At first, it appeared it would be dinner for three, but then my Favorite College Kid showed up (the Knight mentioned the brownies to him), followed by some dear friends from out of town.  What a great surprise!  I happily forgot all about my plans to knit the night away at home, and hung out at the station, catching up and laughing, and eating. 

I did pick up the supplies to begin training Sissy to the invisible fence, so that adventure will start in a while.  As I type, Mugsy is exercising her on the front porch in a rousing game of chase.

Friday afternoon marked the arrival of one of my recent Etsy purchases.  The gals of Chestnut Bay Fibers have a new fan!   Each hank arrived individually bagged, closed with cute little horse head stickers.  Very few of you know that horses used to be a big part of my life (prior to the back surgery), so this was a great added touch for me.  (Details.  I love those little custom details that make me feel valued as a customer!)  The yarn is so soft, and so beautiful, so it was with a heavy heart that I bagged it back up and set it aside for a day to be determined by my ever-growing queue.  So much yarn, so little time to knit. 

I know.  Some of you already think I have a lot more time to knit that you do.  And that’s true enough I suppose, but knitting really is my zen.  It centers me, but I also say only half in jest that knitting is part of my Alzheimer’s prevention program.  You see, it’s on both sides of my family, although all cases were in great aunts, so there’s hope…  They seem rather certain that continued learning of new things/skills help fight off the brain disease, so I figure as long as I keep learning new stitches, learning about new fibers, etc., knitting really is good for me!

Someone had said she wanted to see the package I sent my Coffee Swap pal.  Holly has received her care package and has blogged all about it, so you can see that HERE. 

Now, back to knitting.  And training Sissy.  Have a great Memorial Day for those in the USA.

 

Spinning for Knowledge

Just for the record, I’m only taking the spinning class in pursuit of fiber knowledge.  (Shut up, Jessi.)  I know many of you happy spinners started out in a similar fashion, but I figure if I keep reciting my intentions, it will ward off the accidental wheel purchase  keep me focused   give you more reason to laugh when I confess to my wheel purchase   and perhaps save me from the lure of the wheel.

Rosanne and I had the first of a two-session class on beginning spinning today with Barbara of Stony Mountain Fibers.  There are no “action” shots for you, because we were the only students, so there was only hands-on instruction, which left no time to snap photos.  Barbara began with the fleece and immediately had us pulling and squinting as we learned the basic terms and what to look for in a quality fleece.  We carded and made our own rolags, and then we spent a brief moment with the drop spindle, but I never did make anything that resembled yarn with that before we moved to the wheels.  (Mary, I do remember your advice, but I think that when I can’t remember which way to spin the spindle, it matters not…)

Thanks again Margaret, for your advice on a wheel for me and my back.  Barbara quickly suggested a double treadle, and since none caught my eye, she set me up with (I believe) a Kromski of some sort, which I found hard to start.  I rather randomly selected a Fricke next, and we were happy together.  (Photo from the Fricke website.)  Rosanne started on the Majacraft that caught her eye, but eventually moved to the “twin” to the Fricke I was using.  *IF* I ever decide to buy a wheel, it would be this modest fellow, and due to the fact that they’re downsizing and have eliminated several of their vendors including Barbara… never mind.  I have no intentions of buying a wheel.  Remember?

Barbara sent us off with homework too.  We are to wash and card some more wool this week.  I should have done it tonight while the Knight is away, but instead, I’m washing jeans so I am presentable when we head to the farm tomorrow for Easter dinner.   Really, the fleece was rather clean (and not from one of Barbara’s sheep, if you care), but it was raining when I took this photo, so I rather randomly shoved the camera in the bag and snapped.  Just take my word for it.

Of course, I couldn’t walk out of a yarn shop empty-handed.  So, despite having yarn in my stash for our guild’s upcoming KAL, I purchased some of the bamboo Barbara hadn’t even had a chance to put out yet.  I have no earthly idea how one says “Xie” but it feels like YUM.  It’s a dark sage green, since we get the last clue in the fall and the plan is for us to wear the shawls to our December meeting, or something of the sort.  I have no idea why the Knight’s cotton candy is in the photo, and the needle case was a gift from Rosanne, but I thought that it would help you see something close to a true color on the bamboo.  The awesome case should solve my needle storage problems - all of them.

I must confess that I’ve never been happier with something a friend “handed down” to me.  Rosanne found the case ill-suited to her needs, but that’s what is fun about fiber toys - there’s always something else to try!

This is the crochet case Rosanne found for me.  It’s delightful, and given that I can’t see me ever needing the full assortment of hooks she carries, this is a perfect starter kit that should see me well into my crocheting future.  It’s so small and light that it will travel well too.  I’m slowly learning that I have hook preferences too; Boye.  The head and throat are just a tich smaller, rounder, or something that makes them easier/faster to use than the Susan Bates metals.

I still need to tell you about Sock Wizard, but this post is probably long enough for now. 

To those celebrating Easter, I wish you a joyful day filled with all that makes it special for you. 

Eatin’ Crow

Anne gets a front-row seat, as does Caroline from Carodan Farm, and KSee and Robin can beam on like proud mamas.   But that’s just a teaser; that will make more sense after I tell you about my change of plans yesterday.

The baby shower got bumped, not because I dislike the guest of honor, but because I had a chance to meet another blogger and some of her friends, and go to Stony Mountain Fibers, the LYS owned by a friend of my inlaws.  You see, Firefly (aka: Rosanne) called Friday night to say that Robin was coming to town, and was there any way I could be tempted to change my plans?  You betcha’.  (I already had a dinner date with mom to be and two other ladies this coming Tuesday.) 

I caught up with Robin and Mary  for lunch and a quick trip in a local artists’ boutique.  (Robin chronicles the trip nicely, including a funny shot of a pup in a pink sweater and matching sunglasses.)  Then, we headed to Stony Mountain Fibers, where Margaret, another Charlottesville gal, joined us.  I’d read her blog before too, and I’d seen her name along with a local knit night I keep meaning to attend.  They - everyone except Rosanne and me - tested out the spinning wheels, and I now at least have an understanding of the spinning lingo.  It’s a fascinating process, and I might take a class for curiosity’s sake, but I still maintain that I love to knit too much to get into spinning.  Besides, can you see me spinning with Sissy around!?

So, while others spun, I shopped. 

Robin found the FiberTrends sock pattern, and luckily, there was more than one copy.  I am determined to do two socks at a time, so I’m going to try Magic Loop again.  (I did my very first pair of socks ever via Magic Loop, and didn’t enjoy it.  However, desperate times call for desperate measures.)  That’s a 40″ #1 Addi over on the left, and then assorted yarns that wanted to come home with me.  There were several colorways of Tofutsies I don’t have, but I left them for another day.

So, despite being full from breakfast, I’m eating crow.  As I predicted, the Magic Loop version of two socks at the same time makes more sense to me than my beloved 2 circs method.  I’ve frogged this version in favor of the Cascade Sierra Quattro I purchased last weekend, and yes, those are pedicure socks.  I have two pairs I need to gift sooner rather than later.  My technique isn’t pretty, but it’s working, and that’s all that matters.  I’m hoping that by the end of the socks, I’ll have a system that works, and after another pair of socks, I’ll have to decide whether to invest in more 40″ wee sock needles or to take my new skill and try again to transpose it to the two circs method.  Stay tuned…

Was it *MY* birthday?!

I had a great day yesterday with one of my dearest friends in the whole world.  Firefly  and I have been friends for forever and a day, as the saying goes.  Yesterday, we spent the day stomping around one of the two spots in the world I consider a hometown - Warrenton.  (The other spot is obviously home now…)  The yarn crawl was bookended by two great meals with her OH, starting with lunch at the comfy chic It’s About Thyme, and ending with supper at the very down-home Pig ‘n Steak.  (Sign of the times that each has a website, eh?)

We’ll get to the yarn crawl, but go grab a cuppa’ (I’m having chai this morning, with blueberry bread) and a snack, and tuck in for a long post.

Before we look at what moved south to my house, let’s check out what was waiting for me at home.  (Not the Knight; he was also out with friends when I returned, and y’all see enough of Mugsy and Sissy…)

The incredible yarn at the top is “Tulips” by NH Knitting Mama.   I got to help name it!  It reminds me of tulips, and I’m looking forward to seeing mine in another month or so.   The Knight actually planted some that should be the very blue of the yarn, and we debated over a funky purple that would be close to the kinda’ grey in the yarn too.  I’ll have to take photos when they bloom and we’ll compare notes.  Someone remind me, okay? 

So while I’m on the subject, pop over and check out her CONTEST, tell her I sent you, or head straight to her SHOP for some of her to DYE for yarn yourself.  Really folks, it’s incredibly soft, and the colors are soooo vivid… You really do need to see for yourself!

The rest of the photo is my Knitpicks order.  I couldn’t wait for Alison’s book to arrive!  As I predicted, I’m struggling to race through the rest of the Omega Wrap so I can get started on the Bigfoot shawl in there with my Fred yarn.  There are so many great shawls and scarves in there, and I truly adore the history of the inspiration for each one included within.  Each of you NEEDS this book.  Every pattern is rated from beginner to experienced, and the instructions are provided in “words” and charts, whichever you prefer.  Go on, order it, and while you’re waiting for it to arrive, check out the free patterns on her website, which also include the snippets of history behind their designs.

And yes, the cable is to replace the one Sissy ate.  She’s doing much better these days, and has trained me to put my knitting up when I leave the room.  I just wish Knitpicks would sell the silly little ”key” tool thingamabob by itself. 

Still with me?  Good.  Here we go…

First stop in quaint, downtown The Plains (and yes folks, *THE* is part of the name, thanks much), is Hunt Country Yarns.  Friendly and helpful, even with a full shop, they carry some truly primo yarns, which I enjoyed petting and left there.  I nearly bought so many things, but knowing Firefly’s favorite shop was yet to come, I paced myself.

That’s Cascade Sierra Quattro, probably for MJ’s pediwicks, but really, to “test drive” for my Clapotis.  I’ve decided that 800+ yards of cotton just SCREAMS “slog along” to me and would doom the project.  There’s also a sweet little Addi crochet hook, because Addi rocks, right?  I also finally settled on the I wonder what Sissy is doing now I miss her Panda Wool, which I’d not seen before.  (Socks for me, in case you were wondering.)

Then, ventured to My Favorite Yarn Shop, tucked away on a Warrenton side street I hadn’t been on in over 20 years.  It’s not to be missed.  Firefly was sorry I’d missed the owners, but the daughter of one owner holding down the fort was sweet and friendly.  They have the complete line of Bryspuns, which I’ve only seen in such quantities at Knitting Addiction, and just a great variety of yarns of all sorts.  If you’re on Rt 29 anywhere near Warrenton, swing in. 

After fondling just about every yarn in the place, I finally settled on what would come home with me.  It was also here, after carrying around some Ty-Dy for the majority of my visit, that I decided I needed to trust my gut and admit that I didn’t want to knit 800 yards of cotton, much less a dropped stitch pattern.  With that decision behind me, I went a little crazy.

Note the notions.  I’d just finished telling Firefly on the way to The Plains that I try to pick up my notions at Ben Franklin’s or JoAnn’s, because they’re cheaper.  Sigh.  Couldn’t help it.  Y’all know I needed “crochet” stitch markers, and those little rubber disks are my favorites, and I didn’t have the pink and blue set.  I also didn’t have any #10 straights, so now I have ‘em in my favorite straight brand.  That’s Morning Moon wool in the happy, spring colors, and I love the colors so much I very nearly bought two more skeins for the Clapotis, but reminded myself it’s supposed to be my spring/summer wrap…  I couldn’t leave Ocean Breezes there once I had it in my hands, and it was only with some fiscal restraint that Victorian Lace Today stayed behind.  (The patterns within are rather advanced.  I’d need a few more basic lace items under my belt first!)  However, the Ella Rae Palermo was irresistible, so home it came.  I also couldn’t resist more Wick for more pediwicks, and that was all the yarn library enhancements I made. 

Thank you for sticking with me through the whole post.  As a reward, I’ll whisper that yesterday was indeed Firefly’s birthday.  She doesn’t like to make a big deal out of such things for herself, but if you’re inclined to stop in and wish her a good year or something…  It’s not like I did my normal birthday bit of putting her photo up and titling the post accordingly, right?!  Now, I must go hold Sissy and try to knit around her.  I still hope to finish the Omega Wrap tonight!

Sissy, Sand and Sage Advice

(But not in that order.) 

Many of you have great LYSs and/or a special person who can always bail you out when you’re stuck on a pattern, or when you want to substitute another yarn or…  I’ve not had that, not in the retail sense, so it makes Jeanne of Knitting Addiction such a treat.  I walked in with a pattern I’d ordered online and downloaded at home, mumbling and confused.  Didn’t bring my work in progress, but within seconds, Jeanne knew not only where my confusion came from, but she quickly cleared it up with a quick sketch and I was on my way.  (Note to all new lace/shawl knitters: Just because you start with five stitches doesn’t mean you’re *NOT* starting from the neck down.  Maybe that’s intuitively clear to most, but it wasn’t to me, and I felt so much better when Jeanne explained that she knew instantly how to “fix it” for me, because it hadn’t been clear to her either when she’d done a similar shawl, until she took it off the needles and manipulated it around.

Obviously, it needs to be blocked in a pin style, and that will happen this week.  Once it goes to its secret destination, I’ll share details.  And yes, you do see my patient and my faithful assistant there on the left.  I’ll be doing more lace and more shawls.  They’re as addictive as socks!

So, a Sissy status report.  We saw the third vet at our new clinic, who is actually the manager, owner, head honcho.  He’s incredible, and Sissy liked him too.  He gave her a shot of something to stop the vomiting, and it must be working.  So far, so good.  If this continues, she can have a few sips of water this evening, and some special “bad tummy” food in the morning…  He’s assuming that despite constant vigilance, she ate a bite of something that she shouldn’t have.  Sigh.  Life with a basset…

Sissy also wants y’all to know that while she loves the beach, especially the sand, the ocean is cold and pushy, cactus needles hurt the the lip and the pads of a girl’s feet, and one should never sleep too close to the edge on a sofa.  Dr. Chris (the vet) says it sounds as though tequila should be involved in there somewhere…  (I told you he was great!)  We didn’t know there was a tiny little cactus at the base of one of the piers under the house.  Sissy found it.  Twice.  She was asleep on the sofa with her ailing Dadaw, on her back, in his arm, and he moved.  She moved too, and hit her hip on the coffee table before landing on her feet like a cat.  Despite it all, she loved the sand and the way it would blow (or could be dug) out of the way to reveal another layer of smells and stuff to explore. 

 

Mugsy was tough, as usual, and didn’t mind the cold water. 

He even eyed this board thingee, but decided the neighbor kid wasn’t going to share too readily, so he moved on.

That’s the way those three spent Friday, Saturday and much of Sunday.  I don’t know if they sensed that the Knight wasn’t well, or whether the were annoyed by my rather large knitting project that made my lap a non-option.  And yes, the princess is well on her way to being the queen, because if you haven’t noticed, she’s quite often perched on a throne of some sort. 

Last, but hardly least, is my current work in progress.  It’s a neat little pattern - see my Ravelry notebook or wait until I’m done and I do the project review - perfect for watching a race and for riding for hour upon hour.  The yarn is another credit to Jeanne.  It isn’t something I would select normally, but the color is perfect, and it feels just like the name - Oh My!  I know my friend will love it, and now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to tend to an errand for the Knight and then head into town on my own errands, including picking up a book to help me select a pattern for the edge of this blankie.

One Paid

I know how the Pay it Forward concept is supposed to work, but I assure you, giving Wendy the first of my PiF projects in person surely paid off in spades for me.  Some of you know how much I fretted over picking the right project and the right yarn, but it seems I did just fine!  I’ll let Wendy share the photos of herself on her blog, but here it is, my first shawl!

It’s hard to get a decent shot of a big ol’ shawl!  I was happily surprised at how much it “grew” between the first wash (Tofutsies “blooms” when washed) and my low-maintenance steam iron version of blocking.  That was another concern; Wendy’s a busy woman, and I didn’t want to gift her an item that would require a lot of maintenance.  She wanted a wrap for work, and that means elementary school classroom safe, so Tofutsies was a great fit!

That’s a decent shot of the colorway.  It’s a numbered colorway #798, but Tofutsies is backtracking and naming all of their colorways now!  Done on size #5 Knitpick Options, which was a lifesaver, as dear Sissy chomped the cord but nothing was lost.  It’s the Argosy Wrap, but if you check out her blog, there are several other Argosys (-gosies?) to try.  I loved this pattern!  It was just what the doctor ordered for Sissy’s first knitting project.  No chart needed; I could drop it and take the puppy out in an instant without incident.  It used almost exactly 1.5 skeins, and Wendy insists it “fits” perfectly.

I got a gift too!  Wendy remembered that I loved polka dots, so I was happy just looking at the little bag.  Inside, there was a pretty cloth and some yummy teas to try.  Thank you Wendy, for everything!

We had a blast, once our dear waitress realized that we weren’t going to order rapidly.  We started with lunch at The Lazy Parrot Grill, and after gabbing and enjoying our lunch, we headed to Stony Mountain Fibers.   We went one farm too far and landed on a mohair-producing place, where the nice neighbor sent us back to the right spot.  Unfortunately, the owner was out on a quick errand, and we waited as long as we could before heading to stop #2.  We did peek through the window, and the Tofutsies at the door sure got my attention.  Maybe another day…

Next, we hit The Needle Lady, where we had more success.  We fondled lots and LOTS of yarn, and I was sorry to hear that the Helen’s Lace I went after wasn’t represented at all, but I still managed to leave with some lovelies.

On the left is some lucious silky-soft bamboo lace yarn.  It wasn’t just an impulse buy; I actually bought it with a project in mind, but that’s all I’m saying.  In the center was a very selfish purchase.  I simply adore Misty Mountain yarns, and one called “Alpaca Delight” in a colorway called “Virginia Creeper” just had to come home with me.  Lace ladies, start giving me ideas for my little 500 yds. of was it dyed for me yarn!  There was another skein in the same dye lot even, but it really seemed to lack that deep rose color I really adore, so I called myself practical and left it in the store.  The little tape measure reminded me too much of my white and brown dogs at home, so…  I think I have a tape measure addiction in the works.

Now, to reward your patience, I’ll share with those of you who made it this far the shot Wendy took with my camera of the two of us.  We kept asking each other to remind the other to take photos, but short of a few shots of Wendy modeling her new shawl in the parking lot at dusk, the photos of the two of us (she’ll have one on her camera too) are it!

After The Needle Lady, we did try to go to It’s a Stitch.  Unfortunately, they closed at 4pm, not the 5pm I thought.  However, we each spotted some yarn in the window we wanted by The Purled Llama.  I’ll be swinging in next time I’m on that side of town…  I think that makes the yarn crawl a bust, but that’s okay.  We had lots of time to talk, and talk, and Wendy even got to sneak a peek at my current secret project!  We’re plotting more get-togethers in the near future…

Everything’s Better at the Beach

Before I wax poetic, I must mention Anne’s latest contest. Scoot over and talk patterns and get in on another of Anne’s great prizes.

First, some sock love. It’s kinda’ ironic to be grinding out socks at the beach, where socks aren’t much of a priority for me, but I was delighted to finish my second Tofutsie, after so very much ado. Isn’t it pretty?! (There’s no sun at the beach today. Sorry.) Mugsy’s beach towel is a rather blah background, but the socks are colorful enough for everything.

That takes us straight to Fred’s Yarn in the Knight’s socks. It’s a low-maintenance pattern for a no-frills guy, the beaded rib from Sensational Socks. The second sock is well underway, and I hope to finish it tonight during House.

The Knight earned another jewel for his shield again today. First stop: Knitting Addiction. Sigh. We’re just going to have to come down here often enough to call it my LYS. Maybe beaches just have great yarn shops (Knitting Up a Storm, Myrtle Beach), or maybe there’s just no LYS like a shop owned and operated by a female volunteer fire fighter. I wanted one of everything, but paced myself, a bit. The first shot is of the wrap pattern I couldn’t resist and the yarn Jeanne helped me me select for it. She wound everything almost without asking; a simple, “Here, I’ll wind that while you continue shopping” began what I hope will be a real friendship.

There were a couple of if they see it they’ll know it is for them purchases, but here’s the rest of my haul. I’m sure several of you recognize the Blue Sky Cotton. This color just called my name, and will most likely become Cass’s eye pillow. My Bryspuns are my favorite straights, so I’ve always wanted to try the circs. If they are so wonderful, I’ll be calling Jeanne; she does ship.

I’ll be doing a “real” write-up for the LYS review blog in due time, but folks, if you’re ever anywhere near the Outer Banks, North Carolina, stop in. I can’t believe this shop is only a mile from my aunt’s beach house, so I’m calling it my LYS, and it will be another reason to swing down this way as often as possible. While chatting with me about a mutual friend and winding my yarn, Jeanne greeted the regulars by name, and helped two other customers. I don’t think any of us felt jilted; she easily and graciously multitasked as only a great woman can do.

MEN!!!

More eye rolling. Just a quick addendum about Stony Mountain Fibers. Y’all please check the link, because now that the Knight and his Uncle Bobby have opened their sweet (read: stupid) mouths, I now know that the Barbara of said shop is the mother of a life-long friend of the Knight’s. The Knight didn’t know she did anything other than gather her own wool, but dear Uncle Bobby did indeed know she “sold other yarn stuff” from their farm.

Dang it all. Honestly folks, I would/should have never shopped anywhere else without checking there first. (And I’m new enough to manic knitting that none of her brother inlaws, her husband, nor her son know of my all-consuming hobby.) So, all of my head-banging tales of LYS woe were for naught. Barbara might not have exactly what I want all the time, but I know my customer service issues are over.

Now, before you click over, Barbara’s site isn’t really set up for e-commerce, but without having ever talked to her about her business, I can assure you that if you call or email, she’ll move that little mountain they live on to help you. Our family business has worked with her father inlaw’s family business (where her hubby works) for decades. Two of her brother inlaws are some of my favorite people in this world, the kind of business associates whose mere voices makes me smile and know the conversation will be pleasant. Those (insert family name of her inlaws here) are nothing if not good, honest, hard-working folk, all about good customer service, and I’m positive Barbara has incorporated those same values in her fiber business.

Men. Can’t live without ‘em, and you just can’t shoot ‘em. But I can have shopper’s revenge. I have swap pals to shop for, and of course, I’ll be guilt shopping not only on my own behalf, but for the Knight and Uncle Bobby too… If you see something there I might “need”, let me know. I’ll be popping in very regularly, methinks.

Oh - and a contest! Head over and wish Yarn Collectors Anonymous a belated birthday and enter the contest. My “entry” put her right at half of her 50+ goal, so let’s shock her with how many of us like to win yarn!

Hrumph Day

I’ve heard Wednesday called Hump Day, because it’s in the middle of the week, and once you get past it, the weekend is right around Thursday. Yeah, true enough, but today was more of a HRUMPH kind of day. You know, the kind of day where every third minute, you have a reason for a wry expression, or to roll your eyes.

But firstly, it’s not a bad day for everyone. Go wish Michelle and her lucky half a happy anniversary. Go on, I’ll wait. Just don’t forget to note the sweet Murphy pup, AND the kickin’ shoes Michelle has on in the “over the threshold” shot!

You know it’s a bad day when your co-worker husband calls you en route and tells you how bad it is. I’ll skip the details, but folks, when it’s a bad day in a family business, it’s REALLY bad. I’d managed to keep my head down and my nose clean, when into my inbox popped an email notifying me that my favorite almost local yarn shop, Limerick Fibres, is going out of business. Not at the end of the year, but starting October 15th, with the big finale on the 27th. Craptastic, huh? I mean, I love a good sale, but not like this.

Here’s a little shot of yours truly in front of said shop this summer, stolen from Anne’s blog. To say that I’m bummed would be an understatement. The owners were down to earth, helpful, kind, just what LYS owners should be women, and evidently, that makes them an endangered species around here. Now, I respect their decision to “go out on top” but I don’t have to like it. However, in the farewell alert, they did suggest a local “shop” I knew nothing about, which is about ten minutes from my work, and only about five from the McDonald’s where my mother inlaw’s beloved Vanilla Iced Coffee is found. It’s one of those by appointment spots, but since it will FINALLY be cool enough to leave Mugsy in the vehicle for a few minutes tomorrow, guess who is going to try to see if Barbara of Stony Mountain Fibers is in? I’m betting she headed to Stitches East, but it’s a local call, so it won’t even cost anything to call.

The other silver lining to that little black rain cloud? The Knight and I will be driving within two blocks of Limerick’s on the 27th anyway… During one of the positives of the day, we made plans with my favorite aunt and uncle for a combined Happy Anniversaries/We Miss You Nannie & Fred day that day. I think there’s a yarn shop in old town Fredricksburg I need to get my aunt to take me to see too!

Oh - and all this talk of LYSes reminded me of this. Anne gives great prizes, and it really isn’t hard to write up a review, even if it is for a shop that goes out of business six months later. (More eye rolling and wryness.)