New Yarn, Books and Magazines

Cascade 220, new colors in both superwash and regular wool. Perfect for baby knits and your next felted project.
60 Quick Knits using Cascade 220 – 20 hats, 20 mittens & 20 scarves.
Dog, bunny & octopus mittens, cables, tweeds and textures galore.
New Issue of Crochet Today – A zoo of amigurumi animals, keepsakes for a handmade wedding, baby toys and a cute mobile for a baby’s room, 20+ patterns.
Great Afghan Books – The Block Parties will begin soon. Come check them out.

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Good Vacation

Thanks to Jennifer for being the interim “yarn lady” for a week. I went to Florida for my Mom’s 90th birthday. She didn’t know I was coming. My brother picked me up at the Orlando airport – couldn’t even get a flight into Tampa. While I was on the way to her house I called her to wish her a Happy Birthday and told her I’d let her know when I would be able to make it down. We stopped at the grocery store, I picked up a small cake, celebrate candles (9 letters = one for each decade) and a bouquet of flowers. When we got to the house Tom went in and told Mom “I know you didn’t want me to get you ANYTHING, but I had to bring you SOMETHING.” Then I stepped in holding the cake with the candles and flowers singing her Happy Birthday. She was surprised to say the least. I got to see all my brothers (3) and sisters (2) plus a number of other relatives. Luckily the weather was very cooperative, kinda like a Seward summer.

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Knitting in the fast lane

I believe in being as efficient as possible to maximize time, not that it won’t be relaxing and fun, you just get more done in the same amount of time. I admire people who can do the double point thing. I once finished a hat with dpn’s and have sworn them off forever – they are handy for making I-cord – Although you can make I-cord with a circular needle, you just have to slide a little farther. I make 2 socks at the same time, 2 hand-warmers at the same time and hats on long circs to a) not have to do the exact same thing with the same exact yarn again b) not have to change to either dpn’s or add another circ. Maybe someday I’ll make several pairs of socks at the same time. I make my socks from the toe up so I can try them on the recipient and check that my measurements are good and to make the leg as long as I want, given enough yarn they could be knee highs. I make socks pulling from both ends of the skein with self patterning yarn, the grandbabies love these.

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