Little Stockings

The Mini Christmas Stocking Ornament class that Robin taught last weekend inspired me to make some of my own:

These are the cutest things and quick to make. The first one I made took me an hour and a half, and the second one took only an hour and 15 minutes! I'm hoping to make a couple more by the end of the weekend for the tree we are decorating for the Festival of Trees at the Masonic Hall in Altamont. And then maybe a couple more to put on xmas gifts. Here is a link if you are interested in making them: Mini Christmas Stocking Ornaments

Speaking of links to patterns, if you are interested in the free Gathered Scarf pattern that I am making with the Malabrigo Silky Merino (which is coming along nicely and I have a lot more done than this picture indicates):

You can find it here: Gathered Scarf

The other project I finished recently was the Shawl Collared Cowl with Baby Alpaca Grande Hand Dye:

I really enjoyed this pattern - it was fun and interesting to knit, and the yarn is just yummy to work with. I had gotten these patterns in the shop and the all went almost that same day. Just got more in. [Ok, and in case you didn't notice, there are some button holes in the lower right side of the cowl that appear to not have any buttons in them. Yvette has graciously offered to sew them on for me. Isn't it terrible?---- I just don't like putting buttons on. I suppose I could use a shawl stick, like I've done for the February Lady Sweater and the Tappan Zee, but the buttons will just really make this look nice. Thanks Yvette!]

Signs of the holidays!

What's going on around the shop?
First and foremost, have you heard? I'm changing the shop hours! Starting January 1, the shop will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10-6; Wednesday, 10-8, Saturday, 10-4. In case you didn't notice, this means I will actually be open MORE hours, for your shopping and knitting pleasure!

It was a busy day in the shop on Saturday -- yet again, the needle felting class was a big hit! Here is what they created:
Some Spring-y flowers...



A poinsetta flower:


A tree ornament:


And a reindeer!:

The creativity in these classes never ceases to amaze me!

What's going on at home?
Stacking. Wood. I love our wood stove. I love doing things with Paul. I don't love stacking wood (but doing it with Paul makes it bearable).

On Saturday night we went to the holiday parade in Schenectady. It was so much fun! We actually got a late start, but still had no trouble finding a parking spot and getting a spot to see the parade. It was quite crowded but we were still able to see pretty well.

And getting ready for the holidays! We are thinking about getting the lights out to hang up on the house. It was raining tonight so we couldn't hang them up - maybe tomorrow. Shopped for sweet potato casserole and broccoli salad ingredients, my contributions to the Thanksgiving table. Yum!

What's on (and off) my needles?
I (almost) finished the Phoebe Mouse from the Phoebe's Sweater book:

Embroidering the eyes and nose are my only obstacles... But it turned out SO. CUTE. Don't you think?

And I'm back to my original spot (plus a few more rows) in the Gathered Scarf that I had ripped out for no reason:

Silky Merino in "Lettuce".

I also started the Shawl Collared Cowl (picture of my project to come, but click on that and it will take you to Ravelry to see it), a new pattern that came into the shop from Never Not Knitting. I heard about them from the Never Not Knitting podcast and really liked this one. I browsed her other patterns and got several -- the Cedar Leaf shawlette, Sheepish kids sweater, Garden Tee kids top. They are very nice patterns. Check them out the next time you are in the shop. I already had to re-order the Shawl Collared Cowl!

What are customers knitting?
(or needle felting) Here is Alison's needle felted turkey (next to the pumpkin cookies she brought to share at the knit-in!):

Christine's pretty B4 Bag:

More of Susan's fingerless-mitts-made-with-leftover-sock-yarn:

I think she said she's made 8 pairs, all with leftovers!

Mary Kate's Maine Morning Mitts made with PeaceLove&Yarn's hand-dyed Bulky Organic Merino:

Darla's felted pouches, which she is going to use for giving gift cards!:

Anne's adorabel (and quick - she made it in an evening!) little purse made with a Flounce-like yarn:

Deirdre's top down baby jackets adn her Easy-as-Pie baby hat, made with Encore:

Stephanie's hand dyed roving and hand spun yarn:

Pat in her Easy Bulky Hat:

And here is her Bully Wooly's felted pouch:

Yvette's hat, scarf/handwarmer sets, and felted purse, all knit to be sold at the Golden Fleece Guild booth at a craft show in Schoharie this past weekend:

Stephanie's itty bitty armadillo, snake and platypus:

Laura's first ever hat, made with Katia Peru:

Don't forget, there won't be a knit-in this week and the shop will be closed on Thanksgiving! Open regular hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A function, a teapot and some projects

Last Thursday I was a vendor at the American Cancer Society's fundraiser Baubles, Bon Bons & Bling:

It was a nice evening with some unique vendors and yummy food!


That's Yvette and Sue and Sue's friend Joy.


And the vendor next to me?

Bumblebeads! This is the shop in Latham that I have referred people to for beads in their knitting.


And this is me the shop at doing my teapot impression:

Karin M-T took this at the last knit-in, thinking that I looked so relaxed, talking while winding a huge ball of yarn!

What's on my needles?
No pictures but, my Silky Merino Scarf is back to where it was before I ripped it out for no reason. And, I'm almost done with my Phoebe Mouse from the Phoebe's Sweater book. Pictures soon.... it's so cute!

Customer Show and Tell:

Diane's felted clogs made with her home-grown alpaca:

Look how fuzzy they are!

Dorah's slouchy hat, made for her daughter:



Cheryl's first-ever-after-the-baby-sock-we-made-in-class-sock!:



Nancy with her mobius cowl made from Baby Alpaca Grande:



Darla's very pretty woven scarf made from Encore:




...and another!:



And Susan's very pretty fingerless mitts (one from each pair) made from her leftover sock yarn:

Shop face lift

BEFORE:

DURING:

(the wire cubes)

AFTER!!!!:

What I'm working on:

Aside from the aforementioned blog about the scarf, I'm working on the Phoebe Mouse Doll that goes along with the book Phoebe's Sweater. It is very cute.

Mary Kate's Mobius Cowl made out of Silky Merino Malabrigo:

Mmmmmmm...... soft!

And her also-soft Thermis neckwarmer made with Plymouth Jeannee.

Stevies very cute little animals that are about 1 1/2 to 2" long!

Robin's beaded hot pad made with Lamb's Pride Bulky:

This is the project we are doing in the Charity Knitting Class!

Yvette's gorgeous Newport Scarf (her very own design!!) made with Art Yarns Beaded Silk and Mohair:

Yvette's patterns are for sale right alongside the yarn at the shop and it makes a great set to make for someone for the holidays or a great gift for a knitting friend!