I need an assistant

You know you are too busy when...

Last night I did a blog post and showed the jacket in Debbie Bliss Paloma. I didn't think the yarn was on my website so I spent an hour this morning adding it. Guess what. It was already there. I just had to add in the quantities on hand. Here is the link..

Paloma

We have more colours on the way (#3 Charcoal, #14 Purple and #15 Red) and are willing to special order any of the other colours.

I have had a few questions about how many balls the jacket takes.

Bust 32"-34" 14 skeins
Bust 36"-38" 15 skeins
Bust 40"-42" 17 skeins
Bust 44"-46" 18 skeins

CNN is on in the store. Target now has Missoni. WOW! I remember the amazing designs from Missoni in Filatura knitting books when I first opened. The yarn for a ladies cardigan would be over $200-remember that was 24 years ago. CNN is reporting that Missoni sweaters are selling for $40. There is such a demand for the Missoni line that the Target website is crashing. People were lining up at stores and many stores are sold out. WOW!

Today we received the new shades of Aran Tweed from Naturally along with their new pattern book. Here are a few of the designs.

And the shades. The yarn shows cables beautifully. Could there be an Aran sweater in my future? I love knitting cables!!

It is almost time for Survivor. I can't believe that we have to deal with Coach again. And then Big Brother. I'm not sure who I want to win.

Holly is done!!

Jane just dropped in with Holly. It is amazing!!! I have been wearing it - a little warm on a day like today but it is so beautiful.

This is truly a work of art. Jane did a fabulous job!!

It was a great day in the store for finished garments. Mr. Canada Post brought in a parcel from Ann. She has been working on a cardigan in Paloma from Debbie Bliss.

Pattern: Wrap Over Jacket from Debbie Bliss Paloma magazine

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Paloma in charcoal

I'm chuckling while looking at the picture. Ann did knit the sleeves the same length. Obviously I was clicking pictures without really looking.

Beth and I just did the door prizes for Camp. My suppliers came through with some great gifts. I am now tired and getting grumpy. It's time to hit Publish and sit by myself knitting for a bit.

Another new project

Yesterday afternoon I knit a ball and a half of yarn. What am I knitting?? The day after Knitters' Fair I always start a new garment. Something about the show gets me excited and I want/need something new.

I love the Ayako that Rhonda recently finished and I decided that I needed one. It won't be done in time for Camp but I might get it done for Woodstock.

I am using Liberty in colour 7899 Cloudy Dawn.

This is the front Arc Panel. If I was smart I would be using a 100cm needle (not a 60cm) and the picture would show the pattern much better.

My day was spent unpacking from the Knitters' Fair and starting the packing for Knitting Camp. Needless to say the store is still a mess! Tomorrow dad is coming to take my Camp boxes to their house. Then they will be out of the way. 

Tonight is an extremely busy TV night. Two football games, Hell's Kitchen and The Bachelor Pad. 

While watching I am sitting and working on my fashion show for Camp. We have some great garments this year!

Knitters' Fair 2011

Yesterday was a long day but it was well worth it. I was up at 5am and out the door at 6. There was a stop at the store for a few things I forgot and then off to Kitchener.

The 'girls' showed up at 8 and we got the booth in order just in time for the 9:30 opening. There was a bit of fun with our visa machine. We would lose reception and couldn't take debit cards. Most credit cards were done the old fashion way. Of course everyone was great. We were at a show of knitters. People in line were understanding. They would talk with others around them. Thank you everyone. It could have been very stressful if people were upset.

We were busy all day. I am sorry if I didn't say HI to anyone. Everything is a blur.

I took a picture of the 'girls' and then Sarah went around the booth taking pictures.

Sarah, Wannietta and Lynn. Sarah and Lynn are wearing madelinetosh's tea leaves cardigan-Sarah in Vintage and Lynn in Merino. Sarah decided that everyone had to wear purple so I had Linda knit Chromatic for Wannietta in Liberty from Classic Elite.

The show ended at 4:30 and it took us an hour to tear down the booth and load the van.

Beth was very helpful yesterday. She woke at 5:30 to make our lunches. Then she was in Kitchener at 4 to help with the tear down. When we got home she made dinner while I put through all the credit card slips.

After dinner I moved to the couch to watch the Nascar race. No I didn't see the finish. I was out cold.

This morning Beth and I went and unloaded the van. The store is a mess again. I have my work cut out for me tomorrow. Unpacking and then starting to pack again for Camp.

There are many people to thank

• Everyone who stopped by the booth
• The Kitchener Waterloo Knitters' Guild for putting on another great show
• Cathy for working in the store
• Sarah, Wannietta and Lynn for helping in the booth
• Beth for her work the past few days 

Now it's time for the couch again. Are you ready for some football?

Set up

This is going to be a quick post. I just walked in the door from Kitchener and need to get to bed. 5am is going to come very soon.

We didn't forget anything major but there is a list of things I need to pick up at the store in the morning on my way.

Here are some pictures I took during set up.

I will try very hard to get pictures in the morning before we open.

Almost ready

Today I got most of the yarn and kits packed into boxes and bags. Tomorrow morning I will pick up the van and load in the heavy stuff. Grid, cash desk, shelving, mannequins. Then to the store to jam in the boxes and bags. Here are a few pictures that I quickly took while leaving the store.

What is packed?
Classic Elite Liberty. We have many garments knit up to show off the amazing colours
Madelinetosh. merino, merino dk, merino light, vintage, dk and sock
Linen Stitch Scarf
Prism Saki
Lorna's Laces. Helen's Lace and Shepherd Sock
Mountain Colors Bearfoot
Filatura di Crosa Superior

Books
Knitting Bags
Accessories

Tomorrow after I get the mess out of the store (and see how much room is left in the van) I will go through the store picking more things to bring.

Do you know what time it is? The NFL season is about to kick off. I am going to relax tonight and get up early in the morning to get the show on the road.

DONE!!

I just deleted my whole post. Seriously. How stupid am I?? How many times am I going to do this??

When I write a post I preview it in another window before hitting Publish. I closed the preview so now I don't know what I wrote. Here goes again.

Cathy stopped by this morning. She has been away at a cottage for the past few weeks and her face paled when she walked in today. She wasn't impressed by my mess. For the next two hours she rushed around straightening shelves and putting away bags of yarn. I had to make her stop-I think she would have been here all day if I had let her. It definitely looks much better. It is always a good day when Cathy comes in. I can't wait to see it on Monday morning. Cathy is working on Friday and Saturday while I am at the Knitters' Fair.

The Mystery Shawl is finished. Ends sewn in. Blocked. Done!!

Pattern: Earth and Sky from Stephen West
Yarn: tosh merino light
Colours Used: smokey orchid, alazarin, flashdance
Needles: 3.5mm addi turbo

I wanted to get a picture outside but it is pouring rain. The change in weather is huge. Last week it was so hot and humid and now we need a sweater. I'm not complaining about sweater weather but the rain can go away.

Ms. Canada Post stopped by this morning with an envelope from Churchmouse Yarns. I was out of Linen Stitch patterns and they rushed me some for the Knitters' Fair. Thank you Churchmouse Yarns for the great service. Now we have lots of kits. My fingers are crossed that the shipment from madelinetosh makes it in time. When I check online it cleared Canada Customs yesterday morning but there hasn't been an update since. The box has 14 colours of tosh merino light. I won't be happy if they show up on Monday.

Before I do anything stupid I am hitting Publish. Big Brother tonight. Who is going home?

Ridiculist

Beth and I are watching CNN. Anderson Cooper is on. At the end of his show he does something called the Ridiculist. Beth is rolling on the floor laughing. Tonight we are talking about Kate Gosselin.

The Mystery Shawl wasn't dry this morning so the picture will be coming tomorrow. Hopefully I will remember to get the shawl before going to work. :)

You wouldn't believe the mess in the store right now. There are boxes everywhere. I am almost ready to go. Just a few kits to make and a bit of yarn to pack. As I am writing this the 'to pack' list is getting longer. Knitting needles. Namaste, Jordana Paige and Offhand Design bags. Cash register tape. Then there is the booth stuff that is in storage. Grid. Hooks for grid. I just swore. Sorry. I realized that I still need to get some mannequin clothes. Printing needs to be picked up. Now I'm not feeling very confident.

There aren't any pictures of my knitting today so here is something new from Debbie Bliss.
Paloma is 60% baby alpaca and 40% merino wool.
The suggested tension is 12 stitches = 4" on 10mm needles.

It reminds me of a thicker version of Rowan Lima.

Of course Debbie did an amazing pattern book.

Ann is knitting this as a store sample

It's bed time. The last few nights my sleep has been interrupted by very disturbing dreams/nightmares. Sunday night I dreamt that Jane came home from her trip and told me that Holly was in the garbage. Her dog decided to chew holes in it. Talk about waking up in a cold sweat. There were weird dreams about my parents and their 40,000 square foot house. I didn't even know that they had a house that big. There are more but I don't want them in your head before going to bed.

Blocking

Today is the last Monday that the store is closed until the spring. I am taking advantage of it and going golfing this afternoon.

Yesterday I blocked the Mystery Shawl. Small problem. My styrofoam isn't big enough. I laid it out on the pool table and did some of the pinning into towels. When dad gets home from Myrtle Beach I am going to get a big piece.

The pictures aren't great as it is lying out in the basement. The pot lights are shining right down on it and the camera doesn't like that.

It is really cold in the basement and I was afraid that it would take days to dry. When I was down there this morning it is almost ready. Tomorrow I can get good pictures at work.

Last night I was supposed to be watching the Nascar race but it was rained out. The selection on TV was poor so Beth fired up Netflix. They have added some new TV series and we watched an episode of Rockford Files. There was some really hokey parts but it was good for keeping my occupied while knitting. Knitting? What am I working on? I pulled Lois back out. The first half is almost done.

Beth is yelling at me to hurry up. We are dropping the dogs at my parents on the way. Have a great day. It is cool in Southern Ontario. I can't believe I am saying this but I will have a jacket with me on the golf course.

Free Patterns

I'm at work early and decided to start a post. It will take all day to write but this gives me more time to think.

I love pictures and decided to check out Rowan's website. Here are some patterns that you can download-just click on the name of the garment to get to the Rowan website.

Alder Wrap

In true Kaffe style, this stunning wrap uses our Kidsilk Haze in a riot of Autumnal colours.  Available as a free download, to give a taster of our 50th Magazine.

Cabled Three Quarter Sleeve Sweater

This cable sweater with three quarter length sleeves uses Rowan Revive and was the members exclusive pattern for May 2010.

Pearl

This elegant ladies cardigan uses Wool Cotton. Designed by Kim Hargreaves, it was originally featured in Rowan Knitting Magazine no 32 and is now available to download.

 Mans Rib Sweater

This mans super chunky, ribbed sweater uses Big Wool and was the members exclusive pattern for November 2004.

Soul

This men's chunky knit cardigan uses Rowan Drift and was the members exclusive pattern for January 2011.

Lola Roll Neck

This chunky women's jumper with roll neck uses Rowan Drift and was the members exclusive free pattern for November 2010.

Patti in Felted Tweed

This box pleat jacket was originally featured in the first Studio brochure and is now available to download.

Who knew that there was 29 pages of free patterns? I just went though quickly but will definitely go back again at a more leisurely pace.

I didn't get the ends sewn in on the Mystery Shawl last night so I am going to do it now. Beth and I were asked to write an email with our opinion on something. We wanted to say 'bad idea' but had to sit down and compose a long email. It was one of those where you have to think about it and talk about it for an hour before you write it. After finishing I just wanted to veg so we watched a few episodes of Damages. Okay, four episodes to finish off Season 2.

It is much later. Beth and I went out for dinner and I totally forgot that I hadn't finished my post. All ends are sewn in on the shawl and tomorrow I will block.

Mystery Shawl

It's done. Okay, there are a couple of ends to sew in and it needs to be blocked. That's pretty close.

I came home from work and got caught up in Bejeweled Twist. I made Beth take that computer away from me so that I could get back to work.

Next week we should be receiving the new Debbie Bliss magazine.

Read more from Debbie..

It is much easier writing a blog post during the day while I am in the store. Trying to come up with interesting things to say late at night doesn't make for a good post. I will do better tomorrow.

I'm becoming my mother!!

A bomb has hit the store and the Rowan room is a mess. Boxes are starting to pile up with kits for the Knitters' Fair. I can already hear the line of questioning from my chiropractor tonight. Were you lifting boxes? Have you been stocking shelves? Did you sweep the floor? She is going to blame some of it on the golfing as well.

To make it worse, Mr. Canada Post just brought in two boxes. One from Namaste with Mini-Messengers and the second from Crystal Palace with knitting needles and two new colours of Mini Mochi.

Now Mr. CanPar has come in with a box. There are five new colours of Ondas with a glitter running through it called Ondas Lux.

Ondas Lux 305 Plum

We have plum, black with silver, black with gold, dark brown with gold and grey with silver.

I sent off a parcel to Lynda on Tuesday with some more knitting. In the box was a cheque. Really it was only a piece of paper because I forgot to sign it. I am becoming my mother. I woke up during the night and starting thinking about the cheque-did I or didn't I sign it? I almost sent her an email but went back to bed. I guess I should have sent the email. 

Now that I made fun of my mother I should apologize to her for something that happened while I was in Myrtle Beach. Mom and dad arrived two days before me. Mom couldn't make the WiFi in the house work. I asked her to leave it until I got there. I couldn't make it work. Nothing. I accused her of touching things but she swore that she hadn't. The Geek Squad installed her WiFi so I called them. The very nice lady on the phone said that she thought it was the Internet provider who is also the cable provider. I called them and they were at the house within an hour. Talk about service. There was something wrong outside and after 15 minutes the cable guy had it fixed. Sorry mom.

Big Brother last night was great. Jordan and Rachel will be with us another week. Now Shelly is scrambling and telling more lies. Does she really think she is setting a good example for her daughter??