Summer colds

I woke up yesterday with a head cold. I hate these colds in the summer. I left the shop early yesterday with a note on the door that I was Ill and left early. I've stayed all day today. Several customers and I had a good book to read "How the Irish Saved Civilization" I find it very interesting. I did some weaving on the Ashford loom and I almost finished the purse I'm working on. I'm using Diakeito yarn - I love this to weave with as well as felt. It a one ply varigated. I really enjoy this little loom - it's very manageable and it's the kind of weaving I enjoy. Using lots of different types of yarn to make a scarf or purse and it's fast.

Before I owned this shop I really didn't pay much attention to what kind of yarn or needles I was knitting on. The women who had worked here before me would say, "Oh I love to work with this yarn, it handles so well and it doesn't split, etc, etc. " and I was thinking to myself - " I don't get it, what's the big difference". "What is a Turbo needle.?" I knew how to knit sweaters by following patterns, had some straight needles, knew how to check a guage, had no yarn stash (if you can believe it) but I didn't buy quality yarn very often.
After 6 years, I understand what they were talking about. I have my favorites. Karabella Aurora 8 is by far my favorite for garments. It's like knitting with butter! I love the Cotton Fleece for baby blankets, children/adult sweaters. I love the Blue Sky Alpaca for garments and socks. There are several others that I like for felting such as Cascade or Galway. I'm not fond of the fuzziness of Lamb's pride. I like Lamb's pride in tapestry weaving. Your yarn choice is so important when making a garment you will have, probably for the rest of your life.

I am now working with Ann Lies in her Bungee crochet class trying to learn to follow a pattern and recognize where I am at on a garment. I can do hats and scarves but I've never tried a whole vest or sweater. I love the lacy look of crochet.

Spinning I find very relaxing. I enjoy spinning hand carded fleece or bats the best. The roving can get a little sticky for me. I'm not a fast spinner so my yarn is usually sport weight or BULKY. I just enjoy the process and the feel of the fleece. I enjoy dyeing yarn and fleece alot. Have had some success with that in the shop.

Keep Cool! Knit