The studio and garden shed. 

We had a bit of snow and wouldn't you know - all I wanted to do was sit and knit.

Too long since I have written here and the only excuse I can offer is one that involves forgotten passwords and changed computers. I will be better for certain in the coming months as this is the knitting season!

My knitting basket.

Spring is here and suddenly all the things I was knitting look like winter and I am needing fresh, new colors and yarns. Maybe a cotton is calling my name, perhaps a baby cashmere. Finishing the last of

Ladybugs for spring knitting.

what will be gifts to be given through the year, I have heard of a new baby on the way and now I can begin something for this new wee one. Looking through all my baby patterns and thinking of what to make. Something practical and cuddly, warmth provided for the early fall and color - lots of color.

A big shipment of Malabrigo has arrived in the shop and to make space, we placed a lot of yarn on sale at 40% off. New yarns are so exciting and make us want to rearrange the entire shop.

Czech glass buttons have also come in and patiently they wait for me to price them. I think when they hit the shop, they will be the center table display! The colors alone are enough to make you start a new project just to match the button.

All in all on this sunny Sunday, I have relaxed enough to enjoy the start of a lovely spring. I even made new shop stitch markers ! See you soon, my fellow Divas!

Fiber Lust

I don't often find myself writing on my blogs these days. I seem to stay busy from the time I rise in the morning to the time my head lays upon my pillow's softness at night. I did play vendor at the Sew Expo show at the Puyallup fairgrounds this past weekend and found myself staring into the colors of all the quilts, fabrics, threads and fiber at the show. I wanted to knit and embroider all weekend but the truth of the matter was that after the long hours of the show, when we headed back to our hotel, all I could do was stare off into space until I fell asleep. I had to satisfy my lust at the show by taking pictures of my booth's fiber and dreaming of projects to be. Here are some of those pictures. I hope they inspire you too.

A year or so ago, I read the Book Knitting Through It, stories on how knitting have helped people, especially the women in the book, to deal with the many things going on in their lives. From tragedies to moments of triumph, knitting kept them sane, and increased their ability to cope. Now, as I parent my child into his adult years, I too, find myself knitting through it. Knitting is my buddy. The calming aspect of yarn and needles flowing through my fingers, relaxes me, centers me, focuses me. Challenges have always caused me to rise to the occasion but now, rather than carry around a stuffed animal ( although there are days I wish I could and not be thought of as " touched " ) or my worn little blankie, I have my knitting. The peaceful looping of yarn, the soft sound of the needles, the rustle of the knitting bag; all bring me full circle into myself and again, I can rise to any challenge with a calmness that even those around me need.

Saturday night, December 7th was Gallery Walk in town along with the community tree lighting and the arrival of Santa. It was an exceptionally cold night was temperatures in the teens. Crowd turn out was small but welcomed and in between customers in my gallery ( the 940 Gallery ), I knit. Determination is my middle name these days as I strive to make new things from new yarn for the shop and also to finish some of the projects that fill my work basket by the chair in the living room. I am making progress and last night finds me knitting on a baby afghan in cotton that I began years ago, a shameful admission. What sorts of things are you working on? These knitted projects may not turn into gifts this Christmas but they will be ready for next Christmas or a birthday here and there! I am going to snuggle tonight under my fake lamb's wool blanket and knit on this cold winter's evening.

The days are definitely shorter and this week, much colder. Temperatures that have my teeth chattering make me take out all my knitting, especially those unfinished projects and begin on them again. Maybe I should say begin to finish them again. I like to snuggle in my favorite chair, put my feet up, watch a television show or movie, and knit away a couple of hours.

This was my Thanksgiving Day knitting.

The shop is loaded with new yarn, felt kits, new book titles and new needles. It was so difficult to control myself when it came to purchasing all the fall and winter yarns. I loved this one's color, the softness of that one, the texture of this one, the amazing patterns for the yarn over there.... and on it went just buying my favorites until we were bursting at our seams. 

New Yarn!

The shop is all warm and cozy and inviting you to browse through the patterns and fondle all the yarn. Bring your latest project in, we would love to see it. Come sit a bit and knit a few rows. let us know what you hope to see for - dare I say it? - spring! Surely as we approach the shortest day of the year, we are all looking forward to spring and the lovely days that lie ahead. 

This Saturday at Diva there will be a trunk show and special sale of my friend Jane Shreven's buttons during Gallery Walk. We will stay open late, until 8 and display her buttons along with some of the holiday knitting we have done for the shop. Come in and join us! Now, as for me, it is back to knitting on that baby afghan. Have a wonderful, warm evening this fine winter's night.