The Land of Wool and Honey

In Between

Somehow, sandwiched between last night's Christmas party (what kind of idiot stays up until 2:00 a.m. when they know they have to get up in four hours?!?), the longest work day of the week and another Christmas party tonight, I squeezed out this week's project.

Finally.

Now if only I could squeeze a nap in there somewhere....

Wordless Wednesday: More Cashmere

Sparkle, The Christmas Elf

I don't know about you, but I've been experiencing a huge influx of tiny elves in my circle of friends lately--everyone I know seems to be welcoming a Santa's little helper this season.  What better way to welcome the season than a ridiculously cute silver cap--one that's shaped almost like a Hershey's Kiss.  This pattern is easy enough to whip up in a weekend--just in time for those holiday photo shoots.  Who wouldn't love to see this hat on their favorite little elf?

Pattern: Sparkle, The Christmas Elf.

Started: Wednesday, November 16th, 2011.

Finished: Thursdasy, November 17th, 2011.

Yarn: Schulana Mosco in Silver, one skein.

Needles: US 3 16" circular & dpns.

Notes:  I knit the sample in a newborn size (0-3 months), but the pattern is written for four sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months.  The only problem is the fact that I haven't seen it on a baby yet. 

C'mon, ladies--anybody want to humor me?  

Dotty

In the years before I bought the shop (back when it was Inish Knits), I knit.  A lot.  Hard to believe, I know, but I actually knit more when I worked for someone else--when my livelihood didn't revolve around sticks and string.  The type of work I used to do was fine, even great sometimes.  Listening to Radiohead at truly epic levels while wearing ripped jeans and latte-stained hoodies, roasting 500 pounds of coffee a day isn't a horrible way to carve out a living, especially when you're making $15 an hour.  I was in great shape, the work was easy (albeit mindless) and the coffee flowed like free, caffeinated water.  What's not to like? 

You know that old saying about an English degree gone to waste?  (Okay, so there isn't really an official saying.  But there should be.)  Well, with all that simple task mastering, you spend lots of your time busying your unquiet mind.  Weeks worth of menus are planned months ahead of time, unspoken conversations are staged, your next seventeen knitting projects get planned--you know the thing.  And because you've spent so much time working out all the mathematical/design kinks in your head, when it's time to actually sit down to knit, well.  Those needles are smokin'.   

I used to knit so much, in fact, that I was almost (almost) considered a production knitter.  If you didn't already know this about me (ha), I rather like knitting the same pattern over and over (and over) again. Knitting isn't always about the chase the challenge--I'm big on repetitive motion.  It's probably my favorite part about it.  That the same motion, done ten thousand times over, creates one long, continuous wearable fabric.   How's that for Zen?

One of my signature projects, knit sixty three times if I knit it once, was the ubiquitous clutch purse.  This week, I felt a little nostalgic.  Not only am I headed over to Leelanau Coffee Roasting tomorrow to do a bit of holiday packaging, but I decided it was time to share the pattern.

Pattern: The Dotty Clutch--Week Number Ten's project.  (Ten!)

Started: Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Finished: Friday, December 2nd, 2011

Yarn: Shepherd's Wool worsted weight in Granite (one skein) and oddments of Peace Fleece roving in Antarctic White, Shaba Green, Volsippi Blue, Baltic Blue and Blue Jay.

Needles: US 8 16" circular.

I've knit this clutch for friends, co-workers' wives, sisters, holiday craft shows--I even worked up a variation for each of my seven bridesmaids.  Somehow, no matter how many times I've knit it, I'm supremely pleased with the end result. 

I hope you'll find this little project as satisfying as I do. 

Nothing But Cashmere

My first gift of the season--finished before December, even.

I'm as surprised as the next girl.

With this gift, I declare Christmas 2011: The Year of Cashmere.  There's nothing I want more.  Ever.  I just hope Santa gets the memo.

Pattern:  A modified Super Cupcake Cowl by Bonne Marie Burns.  (I cast on 100 vs. 118 and used a smaller needle.  I think.)

Started: Friday, November 25th, 2011.

Finished: Monday, November 28th, 2011.

Yarn: Handmaiden 4-ply Cashmere in Amethyst, 1 skein.

Needles: US 5 16" circular.

Notes: While I don't usually knit for other people--almost never, as my knitting is pretty limited to shop samples--I luxuriated in every moment of this project.   Knitting that wasn't related to work?  Pure, unadulterated, kitten-chin-soft cashmere?  That I bought from another yarn shop?  Selfish, it was. 

And I loved every minute of it.

Merry Making

It's December.  Ready, set, knit. 

I'm here to say that this time, my silence on the blog has been directly related to the sheer amount of knitwear I've produced over the past six weeks.  I'm doing my part to make this Christmas special, handmade--and covered in wool.  In fact, I've amassed such a pile of knits that I'll be posting a finished project every day this month.

Well, there's a good chance I will. 

A fairly good chance.  

Okay. 

I'll do my best. 

Pattern: Millwater by Beth Kling.  (Hard copies in the shop this weekend!)

Started: Saturday, November 12th, 2011

Finished: Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted in Peep Toes, 2 skeins.  Perfect red, although because red is the single most difficult color to photograph, I'm not sure that translates very well here.  (I'll also be listing some of the Primo in the shop this week.)

Needles: US 7 24" circular.

Modifications: None but one: with the yardage I had (400 yds,) I could only make it through 16 cable twists instead of 17.  With a bit of wet-blocking, I think it's the perfect length.  I have been wearing it nonstop since the Friday before last.  (It might have still been damp when I slung it around my neck the first time.)

Notes:  My goals before starting this project? 

1. Test knit one of Beth's patterns before bringing them into the shop (another Michigan girl!);

2. Try out the Primo Worsted for myself (caaaaaaashmere.....);

3. Knock out a simple yet Anthro-esque infinity cowl that would become another shop sample; 

4. Knit a fabulous scarf for myself this year. 

Done, done, done and done.

It's Here

 

...and it's spectacular. 

 [Seinfeld, anybody?] 

 

Road to China Light is a heavenly blend of 60% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% camel, 10% cashmere.  This yarn is unbelievable. 

Eight breathtaking colors in Road To China Light from The Fibre Company, one of the newest yarns at Wool & Honey.  Remember back in April when we held the contest for one lucky customer to decide on summer inventory at the shop?  (If you are not a subscriber to our e-newsletter, you're probably out of the loop, but PM me at spunhoneyfibers AT gmail DOT com and you'll soon be in the know!)

 

Anyhoo, my sweet friend Michele Greenan was winner of that contest and two extraordinary yarns from The Fibre Co. were her winners--Road To China Light and Canopy Fingering, which I'll introduce tomorrow.  (So maybe I pushed her in that general direction.  Whoops.) 

We'll be featuring both of these yarns in several shop samples, kits and classes in the next few weeks--lots of small projects (and a few big ones, too!) for holiday knitting.  (Yeah.  It is time to think about it.  Sorry.)  The hat on the shelf?  One skein of RTCL ($16) + Frukttragard pattern ($7.25)=an exquisite Christmas present for under $25.  Seriously.  

Big plans people! 

A huuuuuuuge thank you to Michele--it's even better than I dreamed.  Thanks for making this a reality!