There once was a bunny

Remember how I said I'm not so good at finding the right words in emotional times? 


My friend has had a rough week - okay - year.

She recently lost a childhood friend to cancer.  It was unexpected and heartbreaking.
I didn't necessarily know what to say.

I do, however, know what makes her smile....bunnies.  Easter is her favorite holiday and little bunnies just seem to cheer her up.

So, I made one.  I found a pattern at www.bysmallmeans.com and got to work.  To be honest, I'm not much for sewing up and I refuse to make clothing for toys or dolls.  Still, I had a good time knitting and stitching goodwill into this little critter.

He's far from perfect (as is life) but he's soft and all ears -- a perfect friend.

There he is hanging out in the most beautiful tree in the neighborhood!

Of Festivals and Fibers

Last weekend Michael and I went out to the Vienna Community Center to attend the Uniquities Fiber Festival. 

I've never been to an event for knitters or yarn people.  (remember, I've only been knitting regularly for 15 months or so).

Long fascinated by people pursuing their passions I've lurked and watched from the sidelines (i.e., internet) events like Rhinebeck and the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, but I've never ventured out there.

As outgoing as I seem, I'm really quite intimidated by going someplace where everyone else is (in my opinion) more "in the know" than I am.  Maybe it's an inferiority complex, but I really hate feeling like I don't fit in.  I worry all the time that I won't have anyone to talk to (except the animals) and that everyone around will see that I have no idea what I'm doing.

Plus, I'm just a homebody.  My astrologer says that has something to do with my Cancer rising.

Still.  I had mentioned to Michael that this Fiber festival was happening and he urged me to go - insisting that he would come with me to see what all the fuss was about.

It was the perfect event for a newbie.  Small enough to make a quick lap and not feel intimidated.

While I had zero budget for any of the yarny goodness, I intended to learn about the dying and spinning process and to simply breathe in the yumminess of the yarn.  Michael had other plans. 

He surprised me with the insistence that he'd gift me with yarn - if I agreed to use it for me. 

I was like a three year old on Christmas morning!  We made several laps around the tiny space before selecting

The dark blue is "Nona" a merino, cashmere, bombyx silk Lace weight.  Approximately 630 yards from Spirit Trail Fiberworks in Sapphire.  I'm making the Anya Scarf by Zari Zamen of Panda Bonzai! in it for me.

What they say is true -- working with something this luxurious just really changes your life for the better.

The light blue and the pastel are 100% Baby Alpaca ~ 200 yds each. Light blue is color 1257 1 of 5 and multicolored is color 1151 1 of 5.  I got two of the multicolored - the second skein is 3 of 5.

I'm thinking a smooshy cowl and mittens with that.

This was a great experience and really lit my fire to make my way to some of the bigger festivals this year.

Want a list of festivals around the world?  Check out the Knitter's Review listing.

What festivals do you attend?  What's a must see for a newbie like me?

Working for Yarn

This is what happened.

Last week, I sent a little email to a list of friends letting them know that I'd be opening up my intuitive knitting business and asked for their support.

Mostly I was thinking in terms of moral support. 

My friends have always supported me.

Not one of them snickered when I told them I was leaving a corner office and a six figure salary to start a business walking dogs and picking up poop.

They weren't even surprised when that business grew to 6 figures in 4 months and I started hiring help.

I'm the one in most of my circles who does her best to "just leap."  Meaning, after a bit of thinking and planning and blueprinting, it's time to take action.  I have a strong urge to simply move forward with my life.

Not ignore the past, nor avoid things in the present...but live big and on my terms now.

I believe we all have magic inside and that somehow society has done it's best since we were teeny tiny things to knock that magic out of us and get us to conform.  I suspect that was a good idea back in the Industrial Age, and the advent of corporate thinking.

It's stifling though.

Part of my life's calling is to prove that you can live on your own terms.  And in doing that you can actually change the direction of your life and the world around you.

Think about it.

When you move forward, directly in alliance with your deepest truth and your passions, you're going to make decisions that are for the highest good.

Back to what's happening here.

Two peeps asked for commissioned pieces.

One wants a Kindle cover and another wants a hand-crafted heirloom baby blanket for a shower coming up.

WOO HOO.

First the Kindle cover.

I searched around a bit on Ravelry and the web looking for a pattern to inspire me.  There were several that were intriguing but none really wowed me.  (although I did get a good idea of gauge and such).

Instead, I devised a Kindle cover based on the slip stitch hat I just completed.  I pulled out a self striping yarn and a solid and set to.  Here's what it looks like so far.

What pleases me most is that the inside will be cushy - an added bonus for those Kindle screens I think.

Essentially this is a tube that will have the bottom sewn up and the top will be secured with a velcro closure.

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The baby blanket.

The parents are having a little girl and they are decorating the nursery in a jungle theme.  The gifter asked for something mostly pink with perhaps some green.

I spent a few days searching for inspiration.  Babies are so precious and such a joy that it seems very important to spend much time thinking about the perfect pattern or inspiration.  Since I do not know the parents it was harder to intuit the perfect look than it is for me when I know the recipient.

This process made me realize that up til now I've been essentially knitting intuitively.  It's a big part of how I do all my work, so it wasn't all that surprising.  I think from now on I'll ask for a photo of the recipients if I don't know them.  Looking at photos turns on my intuition and makes it easier to do the design.

After some meditating and swatching, I remembered that one of my closest friends gave me an antique pattern book that had been her mother's.  (It was one of my most precious gifts this year!)

I pulled it out of the plastic casing I'd stored it in and flipped through.  I found the perfect crochet design for this little baby!

Here's what it's looking like so far.

This is a pretty basic crochet shell pattern. Keeping the stitches tight is important -- we don't want little fingers or toes to get snarled in the holes.

I'll add a lacey edging in green and variegated stripes.

That's where I've been.


So y'all, what are YOU up to?

The lull

Never fear  my pretties.  I'm still here.

I survived the Christmas knitting and crocheting season - my first one where I went full throttle.

I think crafters deserve their own superbowl - don't you?  We should have some sort of event where we all show up in a stadium and have people cheering us on as we finish the countdown to presents under the tree, methinks.

What got done:

• Hat and fingerless mitts for my cousin
• Gaiters for my brother, brother-in-law and sister
• dishcloths for each of my gal pals in the C600
• Mittens and hat for my BFF
• Scarf for my honey (okay, that technically got finished last night but it's still before the new year)
• Fingerless mitts for Ms. Nat
• Hat for The Lacrosse Dude
• Hat for College Girl smarty pants
• The massive shawl project for my mom
• 3 pair of fingerless mitts for three lucky clients
• 1 pair of mittens and one chevron scarf for my sister-in-law

(go ahead -- applaud - I started in October.  Oh.  And I only retaught myself to knit this past year.  yes. I'm bragging.  I'm unselfconscious that way).

Oh, and while my sister was here she spotted (and liked) the sample version I'd done of the Hurricane Hat pattern in mint green - so I gave it to her.

All gifts were received with glee and exclamations about my prowess as a knitter.  Delightful.

(I'm presuming the gifts that were mailed were received with glee -- why wouldn't they be?)

What's still on the horizon?

A Notre Dame Themed scarf for Dad
Fingerless mitts for Sbelle *
a slouchy, comfy hat for TJane *
Warm cozy footies for Butter *

And yes! I'm dying to start making myself something yummy too.

Oh. and the designs I have in my head for a January grand opening....


Never, never dull here sweetpea.

What about you?  What's lingering and what's next on the needles?

* These are the c600 gals - I let them each pick a body part and a color for me to create them something one-of-a-kind!  (and of course, it bought me more time!)

My Brain must be Oversized

Last night I finished the first mitten for my BFF. (Don't worry, she doesn't read blogs, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the clear here). [And when I say finished, I mean ABT and, you know, finishing]

Isn't the yarn yummy?

 I made another pair, intended for her (the blue ones in this Mittens post).  They just aren't good enough I'm afraid.  She's a forgiving and kind friend, she can't believe that I can actually make stuff with needles and yarn, so she'd dig them.  However, I'm turning into a bit of a critic.  Of my own work.  (I have nothing but praise for anything anyone else makes - really - this is my double-standard)

I cast on with the rainbow-y colored Manos last night and REALLY LOVE the way they look. (Um, I somehow lost the tag so I can't tell you what color these are exactly.  I'm sorry about that)


I've been wearing the blue mittens too - they are WARM and cuddly.  The yarn is soft and warm.  It does sort of get fluffy -- probably because I'm constantly hanging on to a leash with each hand when I wear them.  Still.  I love them.

She will love hers too.  (Hopefully they will be up to snuff.)

*************

Oh yeah.

My brain. 

It must be oversized because every hat I make is too small for me.  But it seems to fit my model.  Sure, she's a teenager and overall I'd be happy to find a way to get back into the jeans I wore when I was senior in High School -- but I didn't know my head expanded with my waistline.  Maybe though - it's just that my brain is so big.  And getting bigger.  I have a vision of 10 years from now I'll look like one of those aliens in the movies from the 70s.

Off the Needles and Into the World

Knitting is my reward.  I'm doing my best to remain focused during the day on tasks and to-dos so that I can keep my business running.

That sounds a bit dire.  My business is fine.  It's running.  My clients are funny and smart and frankly changing the world when they step into their own power.  It's pretty amazing and the most miraculous work.

My business is ever evolving.  My attachment to specific tools and modalities is waning as new things show up.

Knitting keeps me calm through these evolutions.  Re-inventing your business as part of your business model isn't easy and it's certainly not for sissies.  (But neither is changing the world).

Here's what I've got on the needles today (started on Sunday, hope to finish by Sunday the 11th):

It's the Ionic Column Scarf by Patricia Kalthoff – Holiday 2009 Interweave Knits gifts.  

I love this Miss Babs yarn, "Violets in the Grass".  My favorite part is the deep purple pieces.  yum.  This is for my cousin - the one I "pulled" in the family holiday grab-bag.  I've met her only once so it was sort of hard to select color and design.  But she's a dancer and an artsy gal and they live in Vermont.  And her husband - my 'little' cousin Chris is a pretty wise soul - crunch granola, artsy and very smart.  I suspect she'll appreciate this.

I'm not crazy about the decreases in this pattern and how thin it is in the middle.  When I make it again I think I'll alter the decreases and keep it wider in the center.

Another Gift Completed >phew!<

Last night I made a Girly Gaiter for my sister's Christmas pile.

I used the Red Heart Eco Ways in Bark that I had left over from my B-I-L's Gaiter and pulled out some Lion Brand Fun Fur that has been in my stash for a few years.  (I really can't fathom why I bought so much of that stuff -- just goes to show you how your tastes change).

I used the Snowy Day Neck Gaiter pattern that I used for 'His' and simply combined the two yarns for 'Hers'.  On Hers I dropped the fun fur for 2 rows after the initial garter bumps and then picked it up for two, and so on, ending with the combined yarn.  I think it's fun and cozy and girly...perfect for my little sister.

And better yet -- took only an hour or so from cast on to bind off. And any messed up stitches are hidden by the fur.  (Maybe that's why I'd bought so much!)

ABT and a Gaiter

I have to say I'm pretty pleased with myself.  The pattern held up in the second mitt, although it's slightly (like an 'nth') shorter than the first.  Guess I held tighter the second time round.

Now it's all over but the thumb.

I think of thumbs the way many of my Ph.D. friends seemed to think of their dissertation.  (or at least the way I think they thought about it...what with all that talk of being ABD?!)

At the moment I'm ABT (all but thumb).

Oh, and sewing in the ends.

Here it is:

It's a quick and easy knit.  I spent the last hour and half on the mitt and filling myself in on the doings at Creative Every Day which for some reason I've rarely visited.  Odd that - several of my clients are 'regulars' there and several other bloggers I follow have the little picture on their website.

Oh. That's right.  I never added it to my "official" website because even though doing intuitive advising, animal communication and hand reading is rather a creative way to make a living, I never really thought of it as creating every day.  Despite the fact that I've pitched a column on Creative Life for a local paper and am still waiting to hear back from the editor.  Frankly, I think it's such a good idea I'll just do it all myself.  (Maybe even here  - but that's a thought for another day).

************

And the Gaiter. 

When I asked my sister if her hubby liked scarves or hats, she responded that he said he likes Gaiters.  Except she spelled it gator.  And my Sweet Man had a google image fest and found pictures like the one here, and here.  While adorable, I'm pretty sure my BIL wouldn't really want.

I went to Ravelry (I'm PeggieArvidson there if you want to check in and chat there) and found several gaiters.  Some for legs and hands but I was pretty certain he was talking about the neck.  He rides his bike to/from work most days, despite the weather, and I figure worrying about a scarf whipping you in the face wasn't his idea of safe riding (he's very into safety) - so he probably wanted a warm neck without issues of visibility.

Yesterday, this Snow Day Gaiter pattern by Sue Jackson was selected, and I ran out and purchased some yarn.  The whole piece knitted up nicely during the span of my evening TV watching.  Quick and relatively easy to knit, but enough going on with the pattern to keep it from being crazy-dull. Oh.  And it's a gaiter, meant to fit around the neck - so not nearly as time consuming as a scarf!

What cha' think?

What's left for the seasonal gift giving?

• 4 dishcloth/washcloths.  I'm making them in Dragonfly, Martini glass, Peace Sign and one that's still be determined;
• Gray Berocco Remix scarf in a very dull (but lovely looking) K2, P2 pattern for my sweetie
• Hat and mittens for a BFF
• Scarf and mitts for my sis (although I may make her a gaiter too -- not in the same yarn, but the same pattern, they are sort of a matchy-cute couple, after all)
• A gorgeous but time consuming (and rather dull) crocheted shawl for mom
• A Notre Dame themed scarf for Dad
• Another pair of the simple mitts for Nat;
• Hat for Ry;
• Gaiter for my brother
• And an Ionic Scarf (loved that pattern) for my cousin (we have >hundreds< of us on my Mom's side, so we simply pull names out of the hat for each cousin, cousin's spouse, aunt,  & uncle)

Sure, it SOUNDS like a lot to do, but I've picked patterns I'm familiar with, yarn that I love and gauges that should knit up quickly.  (I'll let you know how my fingers and hands are feeling come December 24)

The good news is that I'll have something to post for Blogher's December challenge.  Yay for me.

What's up with you this season? Are you creating gifts? buying them, or simply waiting for the winter to be over?