tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45166393339433380212024-03-13T22:54:42.493-07:00electrictree yarnselectrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-62515695257286029432012-09-17T13:02:00.000-07:002012-09-17T13:03:49.990-07:00Circular Knitting Needle Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other day I was knitting with an expensive pair of circulars and getting incredibly frustrated with bad joining of the needle and cable. I'm knitting a laceweight sweater, so that's a lot of stitches to have to pick over the joining. When I saw the needles, it was love at first sight. It was a type of needle we don't sell in the store, so I picked up a set with the excuse of using them for market research. When I knit with them, I was horribly disappointed, they are the worst non-bargain-brand circulars I have ever knit with, AND the most expensive. Last night I was struggling with my knitting, and thinking about how it's possibly doubling my knitting time, and how I couldn't wait to get to the store in the morning to swap the needles out for some that didn't make me want to stab my eyes out. This gave me the idea of doing a knitting needle review. We choose our products based on quality more than anything else. We don't want junk in our store, even if it is in demand. There are some products that we don't personally care for, but we still carry higher quality versions of it. We try to dance that fine line between quality and cost, and while we may have some fairly pricey yarns/products in the store, we try really hard to have quality goods at affordable prices. So while the needles I was trying out were beautiful, expensive, and in demand, we likely won't carry them in the store, because the product just isn't good enough. </span></div>
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I'm going to rate each needle type based on some basic characteristics and throw in some pros and cons, etc. Today is all about circulars, if people seem interested in this and there is a good response, I'll rate other types of needles/products in the future.</span><br />
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Here are the characteristics </span><br />
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Cord Suppleness - 1 being so stiff it would be ideal for installation sculptural pieces, 5 being so bendy and free it's probably on valium</span><br />
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Tip Sharpness - 1 being so dull as to be toddler safe, 5 being sharp enough to be used as a surgical tool in an emergency.</span><br />
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Tip Texture - 1 being rough, horrible, or icky, 5 being smoother than Isaac Hayes singing Shaft</span><br />
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Cable/Tip join - 1 having to pick each and every f*%!ing stitch over the join, 5 Join? What join?</span><br />
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<b>HiyaHiya Stainless Steel Circular Knitting Needles and Sharps</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUqZ0qnzNKQ/UFeBCOGtMdI/AAAAAAAAAwU/70vGYpBY3w4/s1600/stainlesshiyahiya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUqZ0qnzNKQ/UFeBCOGtMdI/AAAAAAAAAwU/70vGYpBY3w4/s320/stainlesshiyahiya.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Synopsis: HiyaHiya Needles are our main store brand. With the gazillion needle sizes vs cable length, it's really difficult (not too mention expensive!) to have a full range of multiple needle types in stock. HiyaHiya is our go-to needle that mixes good quality with affordable prices. </span><br />
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Price Range: $7.89-$11.25</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available at electrictree yarns - Yes</span><br />
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Made in: China</span><br />
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Cord Suppleness: 4 It's pretty good, I've never had any problems with it, they do tend to have a bit of a memory, so when you store your needles-make sure you don't put any weird bends or knots in them as it will take a while to work them out again.</span><br />
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Tip Sharpness: 3.5/5 Not too bad for the regular Stainless Circulars, I wish the thicker needles were just a bit sharper though. The HiyaHiya Sharps are the sharpest needles I have ever used! Great for nupps and k3tog tbl.</span><br />
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Tip Texture: 4 Pretty darn smooth</span><br />
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Cable/Tip Join: 4 Barely noticeable, but there is a little ridge, if it wasn't there it'd be a 5.</span><br />
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Pros: Good price, and great quality for the cost. Comes with a free gift (usually a stitch marker or cable needle). Also comes in 9" for socks and mittens. </span><br />
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Cons: Not as pretty as some needles, size etching on needles tends to wear off. If your cable gets a kink, it's hard to work out. </span><br />
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Personal Notes: One of my favourite needles. It's no coincidence we carry them in-store, I think they are fantastic for the price. You could buy a more expensive needle, but you would be paying double the price for something that is only 10% better. </span><br />
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<b>HiyaHiya Bamboo Circular Needles</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X5PvY-AuF-A/UFeA_rIlSvI/AAAAAAAAAwE/VFTGRPg-JyM/s1600/HiyaHiyaBambooNeedles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X5PvY-AuF-A/UFeA_rIlSvI/AAAAAAAAAwE/VFTGRPg-JyM/s320/HiyaHiyaBambooNeedles.jpg" width="270" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis: HiyaHiya Bamboo Needles use a special variety of Bamboo that is harder and has less texture than lower priced bamboo needles (you know, those ones that are like disposable chopsticks...) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Price Range: $7.75-$11.25</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available at electrictree yarns - Yes</span><br />
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Made in: China</span><br />
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Cord Suppleness: 4 Same cord as the Stainless Needles.</span><br />
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Tip Sharpness: 3</span><br />
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Tip Texture: 3.5 The smoothest bamboo needles I have ever used. </span><br />
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Cable/Tip Join: 3.5 I have noticed that in the larger sizes the join is a little bit more noticeable, although I am really picky. </span><br />
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Pros: Good price, and great quality for the cost. Comes with a free gift (usually a stitch marker or cable needle). Also comes in 9" for socks and mittens. </span><br />
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Cons: Not as pretty as some needles. If your cable gets a kink, it's hard to work out. </span><br />
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Personal Notes: I am not a bamboo needle user, I prefer to use a much faster needle. HiyaHiya Bamboo needles, are the only Bamboo needles I have ever used that I don't hate. They are very smooth, yet have that little bit of gription. Perfect for silk or other slippery yarns.</span><br />
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<b>Knit Picks Harmony Classic Circular Needles</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSvY88imX0g/UFeA_GMoVvI/AAAAAAAAAv8/JxJ3-dXhOoE/s1600/knitpicksharmony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSvY88imX0g/UFeA_GMoVvI/AAAAAAAAAv8/JxJ3-dXhOoE/s320/knitpicksharmony.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis: Previously only available online through KnitPicks.com, Knit Picks now wholesales needles and other accessories. The needles are coloured and laminate birch wood with a purple cord</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Price Range: $7.98-10.98</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available at electrictree yarns - yes (we also have the interchangeables)</span><br />
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Made in: India</span><br />
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Cord Suppleness: 5 These cords are fantastic!</span><br />
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Tip Sharpness: 4 Pretty sharp for wood, and unlike most needles, the tip sharpness doesn't decrease as the size increases!</span><br />
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Tip Texture: 4 It's smooth and delightful! </span><br />
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Cable/Tip Join: 5 Wonderful, one of the best joins I have seen.</span><br />
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Pros: They are pretty, well made, and inexpensive.</span><br />
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Cons: The cable length range available in wholesale is really limited. Anything over 3.5mm is only available in a 16"/40cm cable. </span><br />
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Personal Notes: I made the mistake of listening to someone who said that Knit Picks Harmony needles were no good and cheap, so I didn't use them for years. When I finally got a chance to try them, I felt sad that I had missed out on years of knitting with these fabulous needles. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Addi Turbo</b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04YQBBUtn7A/UFeA-UNKCdI/AAAAAAAAAv0/n0OXCOVa1BY/s1600/additurbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04YQBBUtn7A/UFeA-UNKCdI/AAAAAAAAAv0/n0OXCOVa1BY/s320/additurbo.jpg" width="258" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis: Addi Turbos are widely considered to be the best needles out there. There are many knitters out there that only use Addi's because for them, they are the best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Price Range: $17.90-$29.90</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available at electrictree yarns: 12mm 32inch is kept in stock, all other sizes are by special order, usually arrives within 3-4 business days. </span><br />
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Made in: Germany</span><br />
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Cord Suppleness: 5 The cord is perfect!</span><br />
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Tip Sharpness: 3.5 I like sharp needles, so I could wish they were sharper, but they do have a line of Lace Circulars and they are must sharper.</span><br />
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Tip Texture: 5 The smoothest needle I have ever used.</span><br />
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Cable/Tip Join: 4 I would have given it a 5 but I have noticed that sometimes the needles kink right at the join, and this is impossible to fix. (It is still totally usable when this happnes, it just drives my OCD crazy!)</span><br />
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Pros: Best cable out there, all Addis have a lifetime warranty, so if there's anything wrong with your needle EVER you can return it and get a new set. There's no special system for this, I myself have returned a set and had not trouble at all. Addis also go up to insanely huge needle sizes, 25mm even!! </span><br />
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Cons: The price, Addis are not in the price range of many needles. The extreme smoothness of the needles is a bonus for some, but for others it may make repetitive motion injuries worse if you find you need to grip your knitting harder to keep your stitches from sliding off. </span><br />
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Personal Notes: I like Addis, I own the Clicks and several sets of the fixed circulars. I don't use them in the larger sizes because I have found they are so slippery my hands get sore, but that's just me. They're definitely the fastest needles I have ever used. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lantern Moon Destiny Circulars</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52ipYkScp-4/UFeBAgDEhNI/AAAAAAAAAwM/2Ru991nqGSo/s1600/lanternmoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52ipYkScp-4/UFeBAgDEhNI/AAAAAAAAAwM/2Ru991nqGSo/s320/lanternmoon.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Synopsis: Lantern Moon Destiny Circulars come in a range of exotic woods and brass end caps. They are beautiful and decadent looking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Price Range: 26.25-$32.15</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available at electrictree yarns: no</span><br />
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Made in: Vietnam</span><br />
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Cord Suppleness: 4, pretty good comparable to HiyaHiya</span><br />
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Tip Sharpness: 2.5</span><br />
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Tip Texture: Depends on which wood you choose. Rosewood and Ebony are about a 4, Slate is about a 2.5, it is the roughest and slowest of all the higher quality needles I have tried. </span><br />
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Cable/Tip Join: 2 Now to be fair, I have only tried knitting with one set of these needles, so it is possible I got a bad set, but the join was horrible for laceweight. It may be better for heavier yarns, but you should be able to knit laceweight with a 3.5mm needle. The join is so bad, that it has increased my knitting time by at least 50%</span><br />
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Pros: Extremely beautiful needles. When you are buying them, you are helping a family in Vietnam. </span><br />
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Cons: Slow to knit with (for the Slate needles) and the join...I can not get over how bad it was. For $26.25, it should be at least a 3.5</span><br />
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Personal Notes: Unless someone gives me a set of these as a gift, I will probably never knit with these again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is the end of my little review. Let me know what you think and if this info is useful to you. Also, if there is any other attribute or info that you think should have been included, let me know about that too! </span><br />
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electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-82774003641075771612012-07-23T19:32:00.001-07:002012-07-23T19:32:43.921-07:00How Does One Follow Up the Shawl of Doom? The title says it all. The Shawl of Doom was this crazy international knitting ruckus, how on earth can I follow that up?! That's a lot of pressure for a wee knitting blog!<br />
I'll start with talking about how the SoD is doing now. It has 40 projects on Ravelry, at least 30 of them are really projects (not just crazy jokes.). 307 people have favourite the Shawl of Doom. 1878 people have downloaded it. There are nearly 200 people in our SoD group. These are the stats for SoD 2.0. I don't know what most of the stats are for the original because it was deleted from the database. <br />
The Shawl of Doom has been a real eye opener for me, a lot of crazy and stressful things happened because of it. The great thing is that it ended well, and I am extremely happy with how things worked out! I have some plans for future pattern hilarity, I don't want to give anything away so just know that you haven't seen the last of my doomish designs!<br />
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Moving on to another subject that comes up fairly regularly for me-the look of the knitter. What does a knitter look like? When you imagine a knitter, what do you imagine? Do you have a preconceived notion of the appearance of the average knitter? I ask because I am often told that I don't look like a knitter. I've been told many times that by looking at me, the last thing that is expected is that I co-own a knitting store. It's something that comes up quite often in my little world, and it's been at the forefront of my mind a lot lately. What's really interesting, is that most people who mention this to me, say the exact same thing. I mean EXACTLY THE SAME. Word for word. "No offence, but you don't look like a knitter." It's the "No offence" that puts me on guard, generally those two words precede something potentially offensive. Should I be offended that they don't think I look like a knitter? Do knitters look offensive? What do knitter's look like? Do I look like someone who is generally occupied by criminal activities and therefore has no time for the fibre arts?<br />
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Here is a little bit about me. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsPL_ClIZWI/UA4BmiwMZsI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/yt6OIs4y4kc/s1600/burlesquepic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsPL_ClIZWI/UA4BmiwMZsI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/yt6OIs4y4kc/s320/burlesquepic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm a regular performer at the Kamloops Burlesque Monthly showcase and recently have taken on the role of Co-Producer. My stage name is Lizzie Borden. As a solo performer I mostly sing, I also perform as the secondary role in other acts-this means I get to do a lot of fun stuff and I usually lean towards the comedy side of burlesque. I do not do what is known in the burlseque world as "Full Reveal", there are no tassels in my future. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhQihbBBPHo/UA4Bn8voLAI/AAAAAAAAAuY/OtqvUU-4AxQ/s1600/shawlofdoom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhQihbBBPHo/UA4Bn8voLAI/AAAAAAAAAuY/OtqvUU-4AxQ/s320/shawlofdoom4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm a knitting designer. The Shawl of Doom being the most famous, but I also do regular stuff too. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_dhStqvbRQ/UA4Bl7rDhqI/AAAAAAAAAuI/Ia5YAdFi6dw/s1600/_RJT4000+(ZF-5156-04504-1-001).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_dhStqvbRQ/UA4Bl7rDhqI/AAAAAAAAAuI/Ia5YAdFi6dw/s320/_RJT4000+(ZF-5156-04504-1-001).jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqSGmh7UgiY/UA4BpOt1-AI/AAAAAAAAAuo/ay53MsYdwAQ/s1600/tireflip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqSGmh7UgiY/UA4BpOt1-AI/AAAAAAAAAuo/ay53MsYdwAQ/s320/tireflip2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sS2xPGX5yrY/UA4CxLMvJTI/AAAAAAAAAvA/CsVKI68LKGA/s1600/cabertoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sS2xPGX5yrY/UA4CxLMvJTI/AAAAAAAAAvA/CsVKI68LKGA/s320/cabertoss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm a strength competitor. This is a recent development. I did Femsport this year and it was so much fun. More recently I competed in the Highland Games and I LOVED IT! Eventually I would like to work my way up to Strong Woman competitions. </div>
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I love playing softball. I didn't really play sports outside of Gym class growing up and have discovered I really like team sports and athletics. I'm not the best ball player, but I have a darn good swing. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h5ne_2i3aws/UA4BpjeBFBI/AAAAAAAAAuw/Mw4OPHR7tvA/s1600/yarnstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h5ne_2i3aws/UA4BpjeBFBI/AAAAAAAAAuw/Mw4OPHR7tvA/s320/yarnstore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm co-owner of a local yarn store with my Mumsy as my business partner. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPSW8kGBuNg/UA4BzlxVGaI/AAAAAAAAAu4/UF_DOOZ61wA/s1600/mommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPSW8kGBuNg/UA4BzlxVGaI/AAAAAAAAAu4/UF_DOOZ61wA/s320/mommy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm a Mom. </div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvcyyMRysxc/UA4FC2-lLYI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/tzGArXosv58/s1600/art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvcyyMRysxc/UA4FC2-lLYI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/tzGArXosv58/s320/art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm an artist.</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMyfUR_6p68/UA4FFOI5p4I/AAAAAAAAAvY/eEr42k39SGQ/s1600/cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMyfUR_6p68/UA4FFOI5p4I/AAAAAAAAAvY/eEr42k39SGQ/s320/cooking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love to cook. </div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIy1u0zd6rw/UA4FHtqAr4I/AAAAAAAAAvg/A4b-YS8qbQU/s1600/knittattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIy1u0zd6rw/UA4FHtqAr4I/AAAAAAAAAvg/A4b-YS8qbQU/s320/knittattoo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have lots of tattoos. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62nD-pWg5i8/UA4FLsU-QFI/AAAAAAAAAvo/j_OPyHAbjIM/s1600/knit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62nD-pWg5i8/UA4FLsU-QFI/AAAAAAAAAvo/j_OPyHAbjIM/s320/knit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love to knit. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I have strong opinions and am not afraid to voice them. I stand up (very vocally) for what/who I believe in. I have this terrible habit of shooting down people with big egos in a very obvious and public way (albeit accompanied by hilarity.) I have a university degree. I love to read science fiction and fantasy novels. My television/movie viewing very definitely leans towards the geek. </div>
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Apparently all of these things add up to "you don't look like you knit." I do understand the initial reaction, I really do. The slight level of disbelief at the socks I pull out of purse and start knitting doesn't really phase me. What I don't understand is the continued surprise, the insistence that I don't look like a knitter, the continued questions and conversations as if it's all a sham and I don't actually knit, I'm just trying to trick everyone. Sometimes it gets to the point of "But why? Why would you knit?!" </div>
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It's simple. Knitting makes me happy. It makes me feel productive. It's something that I have a real understanding for. It gives me something to do so I don't go crazy. It eliminates social awkwardness, if I'm around people I don't know (or don't want to know) I focus on my knitting. I can take it everywhere with me. The challenges never end, no matter how many techniques I learn, there are more to learn! </div>
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When people ask me why I knit, I tell them:</div>
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"I knit so I don't kill people."</div>
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<br />electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-73432774094093769382012-06-06T13:14:00.001-07:002012-06-06T13:14:29.170-07:00New SoDThe New Shawl of Doom can be found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shawl-of-doom" target="_blank">here!</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SX6iUjkglnU/T8-5rUVexuI/AAAAAAAAAts/6bo7QH871vY/s1600/shawlofdoom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SX6iUjkglnU/T8-5rUVexuI/AAAAAAAAAts/6bo7QH871vY/s320/shawlofdoom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you've been following the controversy at all, you know it's been a really hot topic for some people. <br />
<br />
For those that haven't been following...<br />
<br />
Synopsis<br />
<a href="http://www.electrictree.blogspot.ca/2012/06/shawl-of-doom-pattern.html" target="_blank">Original Shawl of Doom</a> is posted on Ravelry. <br />
In about 20 hrs, the Shawl of Doom goes crazy viral. By 24 hrs it is number one on the Hot Right Now board and has nearly 2000 downloads. <br />
Shawl of Doom pattern gets summarily pulled from Ravelry with no explanation.<br />
Discussion, debate, and disagreement ensues on main editing boards, several forums, and through personal messaging between me and a Ravelry Founder.<br />
A group is started to support the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fans-of-the-shawl-of-doom" target="_blank">pattern</a><br />
Numberous messages are sent to me and Ravelry re: Shawl of Doom (both positive and negative, although the ones sent to me are overwhelmingly positive)<br />
Eventually an agreement to disagree is reached and I receive permission to post a new pattern. <br />
New pattern is posted <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shawl-of-doom" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
New pattern is doing very well, is currently 1st on the Hot Right Now Board and has been really well received!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3R6xDYAJkM/T8-4Ui8YZVI/AAAAAAAAAtk/OSlX7edTOWQ/s1600/newshawlofdoomnumber1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X3R6xDYAJkM/T8-4Ui8YZVI/AAAAAAAAAtk/OSlX7edTOWQ/s320/newshawlofdoomnumber1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There is SO much more to this. So many opinions that I could throw around, and a whole lot of impassioned soliloquy I could present right now. I don't think that I can handle that kind of emotional rollercoaster right now. I can't even describe what a crazy ride it has been. If your curiousity is getting the better of you, you can search the forums, aside from some personal messages most of it is out in the open for anyone to see. <br />
<br />
I can't even describe how it's felt to have one of my designs for #1, only to have it taken down and told there is no chance of it returning. To then be given the chance to put one up again, and have that go #1 as well. it feels like I have accomplished so many things in such a short amount. It was extremely stressful, and I lost a lot of sleep about it. The great thing is the deletion process for patterns is being reviewed, and a lot of evolution of the system is being done right now, this can only benefit designers and users!<br />
<br />
I have to thank everyone for all their love and support. I couldn't have done it without all the help I have received from my friends, family and fans! (Holy crap?! Fans?!) There is more knitting hilarity planned for the future and I hope that you will join me on this crazy ass knitting ride!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKpVdc5VuII/T8-5yM2BbSI/AAAAAAAAAt0/qLNPowvWdS0/s1600/shawlofdoom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKpVdc5VuII/T8-5yM2BbSI/AAAAAAAAAt0/qLNPowvWdS0/s320/shawlofdoom4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-7002566751744950282012-06-01T13:18:00.001-07:002012-06-01T13:18:26.400-07:00Shawl of Doom PatternHere is the pattern for those of you that aren't on Ravelry. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaYsJzhha5s/T8kjaNSDYAI/AAAAAAAAAtY/cqZpupsQ8CY/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+852079297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BaYsJzhha5s/T8kjaNSDYAI/AAAAAAAAAtY/cqZpupsQ8CY/s320/My+HipstaPrint+852079297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Shawl of Doom</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">When
you look in the mirror do you feel a sense of disappointment and
disgust? This pattern is for you! This interminable pattern is
something that no one in their right mind would ever knit (says
something about your personality that you are even considering
knitting it, doesn't it?). Akin to self-flagellation, this pattern
is ideal for those that have an extreme personality disorder that has
self-loathing as a main symptom. Perfect for those that have no
friends, no life, and have nothing better to do than knit stitch
after stitch in a mindless haze. Nothing says “I hate myself”
like knitting The Shawl of Doom! Also recommended as a back-handed
gift to that knitter whom you love to hate!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Size:</b>
As large as you can stand making it. Who knows? How bad is your
personality disorder?</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Yarn:</b>
A minimum of 1600 yds of laceweight, up to 20,000 yds or more
depending on your obsessiveness. Anything less than 1600 yds and you
obviously don't hate yourself. </span>
</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Needle
Size:</b> Maximum needles size 2.75 mm, anything larger and you don't
really mean it. </span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Notions:</b>
Yarn needle for weaving in ends (assuming you make it that far). </span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Gauge:
Really? Somebody would actually have to knit the damn thing and
actually care enough to measure it. I mean think about it? Who
really cares about gauge on this thing anyways, gauge assumes that
you're actually going to finish the shawl at some point, and there's
really no point in being so optimistic. </span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Pattern
notes</b>: This shawl is just a giant damn dishcloth. A monkey
could knit it. 'Nuff said. </span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Directions</b></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Cast
on 4 disappointing stitches. The backwards loop method is the
best/worst for this, it doesn't look very good and requires the least
amount of effort. </span>
</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
1:</b> k4 (no too bad so far, eh?)</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Rows
2-40:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">44
sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
41:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. Start feeling a cocky sense of
accomplishment, start imagining yourself actually finishing the shawl
and throwing it in the designer's face. 45 sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Rows
42-80</b>: k2, yo, k all sts.</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">84
sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
81:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. Like a crystal meth addict, start
believing that you can do anything. 85 sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
82-147:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">151
sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
148:</b> k2, yo, doggedly k all sts, because by gum, you're going to
finish this thing and you're going to LIKE IT!!!! 152 sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Rows
149-200: </b>k2, yo, k all sts.</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">204
sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
201:</b> Come to the realization that you now have over 200 sts a
row, you are nowhere near done this shawl, and you probably never
will be. Have a good cry. k2, yo, k all sts. 205 sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
202:</b> k2, yo, k all the $%*ing sts. 206 sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
203:</b> k2, yo, k all the stupid *!#king sts. 207 sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
204:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. Stab yourself in the eye with your
knitting needle because you'd rather spend 2 days in the hospital
than knit another stitch on this piece of crap. 208 sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
205:</b> Realize it's really easy to knit with monocular vision. Cry
out of your good eye. k2, yo, k all sts. 209 sts.</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
206:</b> Start thinking that an eyepatch is pretty cool. Start
feeling misplaced sense of optimism. K2, yo, k all sts. 210 sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
207:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. Believe that knitting this isn't so bad
after a 2 day break in the hospital. 211 sts</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Rows
208-234:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. Realize that garter stitch is for
douche bags. 238 sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Rows
235-302:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
303:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. Cheat on your spouse. Use divorce court
proceedings as knitting time.</span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Rows
303-363:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. Try to look like a victim during
divorce court (the knitting really helps with the image) 367 sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
364:</b> Realize that you'll never finish this stupid $#%ing shawl
and throw it into a deep dark pit. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
364:</b> Realize that you HAVE to finish it, because if you don't it
means that you are horrible person with no hope in life.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
364:</b> Retrieve shawl from pit and clutch it to your chest while
rocking gently back and forth and scream “WHY?!” over and over
again in a corner of your basement. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
364-372:</b> k2, yo, k all sts. 376 sts.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
373:</b> Realize you skipped row 364, rip your work back and redo
rows 364-372. 376 sts.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
373: </b>k2, yo, k all sts. 377 sts. </span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
374:</b> Start thinking row 303 might have been a mistake in the
pattern simply because you could really use some support right now.
k2, yo, k all sts. 378 sts. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
375:</b> Throw it away. Burn it. Throw it off a cliff. Give it to
a homeless dude. Perform an exorcism. Unravel sections of it. Cut
it up with scissors. Use it as a toilet paper replacement. ANYTHING
SO THAT YOU NEVER HAVE TO SEE IT AGAIN.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Row
375-</b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>∞</b></span><b>:</b> k2,
yo, k all sts. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Bind
off for days and !&*ing days.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Weave
in ends. </b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Block.
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<br />electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-56899790795002094722012-06-01T10:57:00.003-07:002012-06-01T10:59:51.195-07:00Shawl of Doom goes viralSo...the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-shawl-of-doom">Shawl of Doom</a>. (click picture to embiggen)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-903WlpFj98M/T8kCL4F_YsI/AAAAAAAAAtI/vuxT1XUTfzA/s1600/scrnsht_shawlofdoom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-903WlpFj98M/T8kCL4F_YsI/AAAAAAAAAtI/vuxT1XUTfzA/s640/scrnsht_shawlofdoom.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made this pattern for fun, and it was a blast to write. I didn't think it would do what it did. I honestly didn't. I knew it would be popular. I knew people would get a kick out of it. I didn't think it would go crazy viral. (or craycray as my dear friend Amy would say.)<br />
I had hopes that in a couple days enough people would have enjoyed it to possibly make page 1 of the Hot Right Now board on Ravelry, perhaps comfortable sitting at #28 or 29. I imagined patting myself on the back and feeling proud of writing something humourous that other people had a chance to enjoy and get a laugh out of. (Yes, I ostensibly use "ou" in place of "o" whenever possible whether it's correct or not-I am THAT Canadian.)<br />
I didn't think that I would get to #6 on the Hot Right Now board (as of 10:30AM PST June 1st, 2012). I didn't think that at this point, it would have 900 unique downloads.<br />
I didn't think that SO very many people would understand my kind of crazy. The wonderful thing is that there is so much laughter and commiserating with this pattern that it's turning into a kind of therapy on it's own! <br />
And really, is there anybody out there that hasn't felt like this with a knitting project at some point?<br />
Thanks to everyone who faved, started a pattern, frogged it, and ughed it. Special thanks to the Lovely Stephanie who through Facebook chat was my Muse on this pattern! Her awesome version of the Shawl of Doom can be found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/metasynthesthia/the-shawl-of-doom">here</a><br />
Honestly, I am so flabbergasted I can't even think of anything funny to say. <br />
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<br />electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-79367377214510873172012-05-31T15:45:00.003-07:002012-05-31T15:45:33.248-07:00The Shawl of Doom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tylw4nrAVes/T8f0hiI0vCI/AAAAAAAAAs8/35P_U4gIkO8/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+852079297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tylw4nrAVes/T8f0hiI0vCI/AAAAAAAAAs8/35P_U4gIkO8/s320/My+HipstaPrint+852079297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
New electrictree pattern available on Ravelry! Check it out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-shawl-of-doom">here</a>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-77657668383252584142012-05-05T13:53:00.003-07:002012-05-05T13:53:53.206-07:00Yarn Bombiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The yarn bombing is going swimmingly. Just to add to some of the excitement we've been doing a little pre-bombing before the BIG BOMB! If you are interested in joining us on our yarnextravaganza check out the info <a href="http://www.electrictree.blogspot.ca/2012/04/yarn-bombing.html">here</a>. </div>
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Some locals have bee doing some great yarn bombing projects!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J18uki27-Ec/T6WOsUxZ5xI/AAAAAAAAAqw/K4AA4ZK306c/s1600/cityhallbombing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J18uki27-Ec/T6WOsUxZ5xI/AAAAAAAAAqw/K4AA4ZK306c/s320/cityhallbombing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This statue in front of city hall is much warmer in the evenings. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc5TALaWJPA/T6WOtWhlw-I/AAAAAAAAAq4/6mIBVrWct4Q/s1600/library+yarnbombing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc5TALaWJPA/T6WOtWhlw-I/AAAAAAAAAq4/6mIBVrWct4Q/s320/library+yarnbombing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some intrepid knitter attacked the bike rack in front of the library.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sKEdwQXhxs/T6WOt3kdKFI/AAAAAAAAArA/Xg3fD2_6dUo/s1600/parkingmeterbombing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sKEdwQXhxs/T6WOt3kdKFI/AAAAAAAAArA/Xg3fD2_6dUo/s320/parkingmeterbombing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the meter in front of our store. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRBiZquepIU/T6WOuM1EauI/AAAAAAAAArI/pV7wRlSxGfI/s1600/yarnbombinginprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRBiZquepIU/T6WOuM1EauI/AAAAAAAAArI/pV7wRlSxGfI/s320/yarnbombinginprogress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Friday night "somebody" attacked a patio on Victoria St. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbsonoCy6mM/T6WOun6rcyI/AAAAAAAAArQ/-VoKUpZy9F0/s1600/yarnbombing+article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbsonoCy6mM/T6WOun6rcyI/AAAAAAAAArQ/-VoKUpZy9F0/s320/yarnbombing+article.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Kamloops Daily News did a really fantastic article on our activities! </div>
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We are so excited about doing some major bombing next week!</div>
<br /><br />electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-27963842750895988702012-04-21T20:28:00.004-07:002012-04-21T20:38:15.793-07:00Instagram Iphone ILOVEIT!I got an Iphone<div><br /></div><div>It's taking over my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love Instagram and am starting to mess around with Hipstamatic. I got the Iphone4S and it<span style="font-size: 100%; "> has an 8 megapixel camera.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">.</span><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nu3G19r4c0/T5N7Q_waPoI/AAAAAAAAApg/gm0W9KtJH7w/s400/breakfastsammich.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734062282495377026" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div>I mean, is it really necessary to take pictures of everything including my meals? </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sEdFTHKWAp4/T5N7RYijGDI/AAAAAAAAAps/h-Rj5dRCiAU/s400/candle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734062289148123186" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">And my candleabra?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxpYBvk8Two/T5N7Ro8JtMI/AAAAAAAAAp4/jHPnl00xTC8/s400/eye.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734062293550478530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div>And paintings?</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DcXoqtp3EOU/T5N7Sg47OpI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/jKibp11JJxo/s400/glass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734062308569332370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">And whatever the heck this is?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBNYqpuCvDI/T5N7SMDFDtI/AAAAAAAAAqE/L_ZQVoFE5U8/s400/herbivore.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734062302974774994" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div>And knitting?</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4lQ46JMSqk/T5N7bYb9toI/AAAAAAAAAqc/ZNVeUNiot6A/s400/paperyarn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734062460919199362" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div>And yarn?</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcCXNoHlnGc/T5N7bpcBxOI/AAAAAAAAAqo/bt7yaGvEeSA/s400/yarn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734062465482867938" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div>And more yarn?</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, yes. Yes, I do think it's necessary.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>...don't even get me started on Angry Birds...</div>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-80250498106595040572012-04-17T11:14:00.008-07:002012-04-17T13:55:45.874-07:00YARN BOMBING THE LOOPS!!<span style="font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span>Kamloops first Yarn Bombing event! </span></span><div style="font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>electrictree yarns is hosting Kamloops First Annual Yarn Bombing The Loops!!! </span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>Guerilla Knitters Unite...or Untie...or Tie! </span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>Wiki defines yarn bombing as </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: 100%; ">"a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fibre rather than paint or chalk."</span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; ">Last week at Knitter's Anonymous <i>somebody </i>yarn bombed the parking meter in front of our store!</span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGMTJL81JSE/T420n18jrtI/AAAAAAAAApI/M7jEdB_zp_Y/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" style="text-align: left; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGMTJL81JSE/T420n18jrtI/AAAAAAAAApI/M7jEdB_zp_Y/s400/IMG_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732436497301483218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; ">Yarn Bombing is a fun way to beautify the Downtown! It's slightly clandestine, so it's exciting too! The great thing about Yarn Bombing is the lack of rules, you can knit, crochet, macrame, in any shape or form you like! </div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; ">We are doing this event in conjunction with the<a href="http://www.kcbia.com/2012/spring-festival-2012/"> KCBIA Spring Festival </a> The Spring Festival is from May 10-12. Our event will include fun and prizes! For the purpose of this event the area eligible for prizes is on Victoria St from 1st Ave (including the side of the street City Hall is on), to 5th Ave, as well as 3rd Ave between Victoria St and Seymour St. (where electrictree yarns is). You are more than welcome to Yarn Bomb in other areas of Kamloops, but you won't be eligible for our prizes. In order to have the greatest overall impact we suggest doing your Yarn Bombing on the evenings of May 7th, 8th, and 9th. Your Yarn Bombing has to be finished by May 10th to be eligible for a prize. In order to be entered you need give us a photo of you (and your friends!) installing your yarn piece- send it to electrictreeyarns@gmail.com or post it on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/electrictreeyarns">Facebook Page</a> </div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; ">Items we suggest Yarn Bombing-trees, garbage cans, lamp posts, parking meters, and other inanimate public objects. You can also Yarn Bomb patio fences, chairs, benchs, etc, but you MUST get permission from the business owners. When bombing public objects you must be careful to not cover any important parts/surfaces such as identifier numbers on parking meters, lock boxes on parking meters, electrical outlets on lamp posts, locks on garbages, etc. </div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-FL9zIyi0o/T420oBWhenI/AAAAAAAAApU/ijw1sn3jQLk/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732436500363180658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; ">For some neat ideas and inspiration check out some of these great websites! <a href="http://yarnbombing.com/"> Yarnbombing.com</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarn_bombing">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="http://www.magdasayeg.com/">Magda Sayek</a>, and <a href="http://www.yarndoodler.com/">Yarn Doodler</a>.</span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; ">We will also be offering Yarn Bomb suitable yarns on Sale in-store! Sirdar Worsted with Wool, Diamond Luxury Superwash Aran and DK, and Estelle Frill Seeker! These yarns will be 30% off! </span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; ">Get knitting! Or Crocheting! Or Knotting! Or Whatever!</span></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-weight: normal; "><span><span style="line-height: 19px; "><br /></span></span></div>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-34647991799470108272012-03-21T10:54:00.003-07:002012-03-21T11:05:41.401-07:00KAL Carousel Notes<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">I love my new Carousel socks and am on my way to knitting a second pair in zauberball. The second pair I am modifying so that there is no need for an afterthought heel, it's just knit right in the spiral as you go! If it works well, I'll post on how to do it here!</span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">I want to post about picking up the stitches for the heel and toe here because it took me a while to figure out what she wanted you to do in the pattern. It's really simple, but she doesn't actually tell you what to do, rather she points you in the direction of various tutorials and other instructions. It's really simple and I'm not sure why she didn't just tell you what to do.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">If you have 60 sts to pick up for the toe or heel and you only have 30 slipped stitches to pick up from, you add the extra stitches you need by using the backwards loop cast on. The backwards loop cast on is the simplest of cast ons, if you don't already know how to do it there's a tutorial <a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/backward-loop-cast-on">here</a>, but really you just make a loop and stick on the needle. So you would pick up one slipped stitch and knit it, and cast on one, pick up one slipped stitch, cast on, etc. Don't do 2 backwards loop cast on stitches in a row it will make a hole. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">I also found a minor errata in the pattern and did mention it to the designer but it has not been fixed. It's in the left leg. The pattern reads:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><p style="font-weight: normal; font-family: verdana, 'Trebuchet ms', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><strong>Left sock leg spiral</strong>:<br />You now have a small strip beginning with a point (cast-on edge). In order to create a spiral, attach the strip to the cast-on edge as follows:<br /><em>See Illustration 2 at right --></em></p><p style="font-family: verdana, 'Trebuchet ms', arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><em style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; ">Row 1</em><span style="font-size: 11px;"> [WS] Sl1, p10, sl1, pick up and</span><span><b><span > knit</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: 11px;">1 stitch from the right side of the cast-on edge and pass the slipped stitch over.</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal; "><span >I made the mistake big and bold! It should read "</span><span style="font-family: verdana, 'Trebuchet ms', arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: 11px; ">pick up and</span><span style="font-family: verdana, 'Trebuchet ms', arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><b><span > purl</span></b> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, 'Trebuchet ms', arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: 11px; ">1 stitch from the right side of the cast-on edge"</span></p></div>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-41062695592727456302012-03-17T11:44:00.004-07:002012-03-17T11:51:57.861-07:00Round and Round the Carousel!Carousel Socks!<span style="font-size: 100%; ">I LOVE THEM!!!</span><div><br /><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fs8-dvO9K94/T2TcrwN5SQI/AAAAAAAAAow/Mc-DrX5-SFU/s400/carousel%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720940070903040258" /><div><br /></div><div> knit a pair in 4 days. Granted, I modified the design so it was 11 sts on a 2.75 instead of 12 on a 2.5 so they went a lot faster, but something about this knit is crazy speedy. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had purchased some Frabjuous Fibre with no plan for what to do with the bright colourway. Then I saw the Carousel Socks and I just knew it was meant to be.<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HKtCNSNlt_Q/T2TczMfv7JI/AAAAAAAAAo8/nFVbghH2z2s/s400/carousel2%255B2%255D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720940198753201298" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>I split the roving lengthwise into quarters and spun 2 quarters on each bobbin and plied them together. I did quarters instead of halves so that I would have a nice colour change that wasn't too long for the sock pattern.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I am totally casting on another pair today...this time in Katia Darling</div><div><br /></div></div></div>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-72485750413125760232012-03-13T08:59:00.007-07:002012-03-13T09:38:54.367-07:00Socken Sockey Sock Sock and a Sock KAL<div>I've had a bad case of KADD (Knitting Attention Deficit Disorder) lately. A million projects on the go, and none ever getting finished. Then Knitty came out with this:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDO4skEfAQo/T19vOpOzM3I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/4tYxaC3rszU/s1600/carouselBEAUTY.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDO4skEfAQo/T19vOpOzM3I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/4tYxaC3rszU/s400/carouselBEAUTY.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719412349160600434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px; " /></a></div><div>I just about died. A million projects on the needles and these babies fall out of the sky?! In Knitty no less, so there's no financial excuses (Oh I'll knit that pattern later, it costs SIX BUCKS-for those of you that don't know Knitty, this is sarcasm, Knitty has awesome patterns and they are FREE!). There's was nothing left to do but hit the needles and get some shtuff finished!</div><div><br /></div><div>I started these bad boys 2 and a half weeks ago.</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TppISQZCL2M/T19vOwG-oEI/AAAAAAAAAnk/W5jZbbBSylA/s400/sock.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719412351006842946" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>A pattern completely of my own devisement. I did make notes as I went along, so it's possible that they will end up as an actual pattern someday.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wh2AB9Usgb8/T19vOdWObqI/AAAAAAAAAnE/zdG6_qWHm_E/s400/423346_10150743903955953_555225952_11628510_1062184929_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719412345970519714" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>They turned out pretty awesome. But took way too long too knit, that's not just because of the KADD, it's also because it's year end and books, payroll, etc was all due. I had 5 days where I didn't knit. If you know me personally, you know that's crazypants. I got pretty cranky for awhile there (well, more than usual anyhow...)</div><div><br /></div><div>I still have a couple projects on the go, but I frogged 2 that just were not working, so am now down to a pair of socks and a sweater. In honour of this I have decided to start a Knit Along for<span style="font-size: 100%; "> those amazing </span><a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss12/PATTcarousel.php" style="font-size: 100%; ">Carousel</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "> socks! This way I won't feel guilty about starting them when there are other projects on the go, it's my responsibility as the host of this KAL that I knit along with all of you! (Right? RIGHT?!!)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>In honour of this electrictree yarns will be having a sale on yarns appropriate for the socks. You don't have to buy our yarn to join the knit along, but we wanted something special for you. And we like doing sales. And contests. Oh! Did I mention this is a contest too!?</div><div><br /></div><div>This pattern is designed especially for yarns with long colour changes. I have seen a few people try it out with variegated yarns and the results are not nearly as wonderful. If you are using<span style="font-size: 100%; "> your own yarn we strongly suggest using a long colour change yarn. You can check out the projects on </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/carousel-7" style="font-size: 100%; ">Ravelry</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "> and see what appeals to you. If you need help choosing yarn from your stash, feel free to come in with some yarns and we'll be happy to help you choose.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Yarns in store that will work great for this pattern and therefore or on sale for the KAL are:</div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oya58aNjlpg/T19vPCgM-XI/AAAAAAAAAn0/BF9Fv0b_Kiw/s400/DSC_0414_medium2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719412355944479090" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></div><div>Zauberball </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPHe_B-EmXM/T19vjXw4TVI/AAAAAAAAAoA/hLv0pLMXTZ8/s400/Fliederduft_medium.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719412705248955730" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>Zauberball Crazy</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_RnuLUdHSE/T19vO9hTj-I/AAAAAAAAAnY/Cfiz2tOZP_8/s400/Katia_Darling_205_a_medium2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719412354606927842" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px; " /></div><div>Katia Darling</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Gc1XdfNkl8/T191N6LRGWI/AAAAAAAAAoM/DTUSVfTUteE/s400/lang-jawoll-bambus-aktion-500x500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719418933599082850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div>and Jawoll Bambus</div><div><br /></div><div>This discount is not a regular sale and is only for the purposes of this KAL, so if you purchase one of these yarns, let us know it's for the KAL and we'll give you 10% off your chosen yarn.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's how the KAL works-</div><div>We'll be starting a thread on our <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/electrictree-yarns">electrictree yarns group</a> on Ravelry, so if you aren't already on Ravelry you should join, because it's awesome. Take the time to introduce yourself on the thread and share your project/yarn with the group. The group is there for discussion and fun, so if you find problems with pattern, parts of it you love, parts of it you hate, or any other insights-that is the perfect place to discuss it with other people knitting the pattern! </div><div>The KAL starts today and ends April 10th. The yarns mentioned above will be on sale for you until April 3rd. By purchasing one of these yarns and mentioning the discount you are committing to at least attempting to knit the Carousel socks during this time and not just padding your stash. </div><div>On April 10th we will do a random drawing of all the people who have completed the project and they will receive a skein of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/electrictree-yarns-ephemeral">electrictree yarns ephemeral</a> as a tribute to their awesomeness!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't want to join Ravelry, but still want to join the Knit Along, that's OK too, just stop in the store by April 10th and show us your finished socks and we'll enter you in the draw!</div><div><br /></div><div>On your marks, Get Set, SOCK!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-51710648915214263342012-01-06T11:13:00.000-08:002012-01-06T15:31:20.161-08:00Oh Edward!I finally got started on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/opposite-pole">Opposite Pole Sweater</a>. I order the yarn a long time ago and it's been sitting here at the store taunting me. I printed the pattern and left it lying on the counter so I would see it constantly as a reminder of what was to come. I forced myself to finish several UFO's (UnFinished Objects), because the number of WIP's (Works in Progress) was getting marginally ridiculous (one of the dangers of being a yarn store owner...). So I finished many things and started and finished many more-Christmas presents mostly. About 5 days ago I cast on the back and started knitting along merrily-a total lie, I had to cast on multiple times and rip back a bunch because while there are no errors in the pattern, it's a little convoluted at times. <div>It's not really a complicated pattern-although it's definitely not easy, but it does take some concentration. OK, lots of concentration through certain parts of it. Like the part where you are knitting 2 separate charts <i>while</i> knitting garter stitch wedges <i>while</i> attaching it to the back piece.</div><div> I really like the construction and I was checking out <a href="http://www.jojiknits.blogspot.com/">Joji Locatelli's</a> other designs, I think I like them all! They're fresh and interesting but totally knittable!</div><div>So, because I apparently only finished simple projects-all I have left are projects that require a certain amount of concentration that is nearly impossible to give in public, or when Wee Patrick is feeling particularly feisty. </div><div> I grabbed <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Knitting-Socks-with-Handpainted-Yarn.html">Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn</a> by <a href="http://goknitinyourhat.blogspot.com/">Carol Sulcosk</a>i with the best intentions, I figured I would knit the socks that<a href="http://wildgeesefibres.com/"> Barb Brown</a> contributed to the book since they are fantastic socks, Barb is a cool person, and I have seen the actual sock from the book...on Barb's feet...in the store...</div><div> But then I saw<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spot-check-sock"> these</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Book-1-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316160172">Stephanie Meyer</a> so ineptly put it-I fell hopelessly, and irrevocably in love. </div><div><br /></div><div> I LOVE handpainted and hand dyed yarns, but I am really particular about what patterns I use them for. Variegated yarns just don't translate into every pattern well. I have learned that just because you love the yarn, the colour and the pattern, doesn't mean that by combining them you will end up with an attractive pattern. If I am knitting something out of my head-like a quick scarf, cowl, hat, etc-and I choose to use a variegated yarn, invariably I choose moss stitch because it breaks up the colours in a pleasing manner. So imagine a whole book of such yarny knitterly genius!</div><div><br /></div><div> I'll put Barb Brown's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rib-fantastic-socks">Rib Fantasti</a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rib-fantastic-socks">c Socks</a> on the back burner and hope that she forgives me for being so fickle.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoWXRU393fU/TwdPrN_mC6I/AAAAAAAAAm4/rylRUF3thpc/s400/Kamloops-20120106-00320.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694607857742646178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>And yes, those are <a href="http://www.signatureneedlearts.com/">Signature Needle Arts</a> DPN's. Mumsy gave them to me for Christmas!</div>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-63489740470022069452011-12-20T15:39:00.000-08:002011-12-20T16:54:22.818-08:00Dividing by ZeroEver seen one of those demotivational posters about dividing by zero?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQwE4E1Dva8/TvElWkgNgQI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/pphjuL8nBY4/s1600/dividebyzero.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688368874031776002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQwE4E1Dva8/TvElWkgNgQI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/pphjuL8nBY4/s400/dividebyzero.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Yeah, that's what my knitting world is like right now. Like I said in the <a href="http://electrictree.blogspot.com/2011/12/do-you-know-where-your-towel-is.html">last blog post</a>, I am knitting the Hitchiker. Don't get me wrong, I am still enjoying this scarf, even if it is 400yds of garter stitch on 3mm needles (Wait! Maybe THAT'S why it's called the hitchiker scarf, it's like the trilogy that never ends...). I was merrily knitting along thinking that I must be past halfway through this lovely ball of knitting when I committed a major knitting faux pas. I pulled out the scale, weighed the yarn and just about flipped my lid when I saw I had 62 grams left. Which meant I was nowhere near the halfway point. Now, I think weighing yarn is a useful tool. It's great when you are knitting a project that requires 2 of something and you are trying to figure out if you have enough-like socks, mittens, or sweater (weighing the yarn to make sure you have enough for 2 sleeves...). But weighing the yarn just because you can't handle not knowing how much more knitting you have? That is a horrible abyss that no knitter should fall into. </div><br /><br /><div>That's not even the worst part. I continued knitting my little project for a while-it's hard to tell how long because people come into the store and I have to stop knitting sometimes, but I figured I had maybe another hour of knitting. </div><br /><br /><div>I weighed the ball again.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D28vJI1lpvs/TvElWyf-yCI/AAAAAAAAAmc/ld6ZbCI-JDM/s1600/IMG-20111220-00310.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688368877788907554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D28vJI1lpvs/TvElWyf-yCI/AAAAAAAAAmc/ld6ZbCI-JDM/s400/IMG-20111220-00310.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Seriously, either I am in a time paradox or I have the yarn ball of infinity matter. </div><br /><div></div></div>electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-26079470763724398032011-12-17T16:06:00.001-08:002011-12-17T21:44:05.793-08:00Do you know where your towel is?Christmas is a comin' and the egg nog is in the nog!<br /><br />Right now (along with a thousand other projects) I am knitting <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hitchhiker">Hitchhiker</a>.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGxUc_EDb4k/Tu021ESo0WI/AAAAAAAAAls/bZsRhqFBmKI/s1600/hitchiker.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGxUc_EDb4k/Tu021ESo0WI/AAAAAAAAAls/bZsRhqFBmKI/s400/hitchiker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687262189751685474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The name of this pattern is referencing the fantastic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy (in Five parts). This alone is enough to make me want to knit that pattern-the fact that I really like it is a small bonus.<br />This fantastic little shawl is so simple! I love how hand dyed variegated yarns translate so beautifully into the garter stitch construction. The silly little nubs on the edge of the shawl keep me going-I am a fickle knitter so if there is a mini-goal (like one more nub) than I find I am a much more successful knitter (which is why I like self striping yarns).<br />I am knitting this in Malabrigo Sock which is a lovely 100% Merino yarn. All the colours in Malabrigo are incredible. I am extremely happy with how the colour is turning out, I noticed on the Rav page that some of the variegated yarn pooled or flashed in a way that I didn't like, I wanted something that knit up the way the sample in orange/red/yellow turned out-so far that is what is happening and I am ecstatic!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mvb3jCbpls/Tu021TfVCmI/AAAAAAAAAl0/Jtj8XCQTqP8/s1600/IMG-20111217-00309.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mvb3jCbpls/Tu021TfVCmI/AAAAAAAAAl0/Jtj8XCQTqP8/s400/IMG-20111217-00309.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687262193831447138" border="0" /></a><br />See? See how pretty it's turning out! It took me two tiny little repeats to memorize the pattern! The great thing is that if I lose count of where I am, it doesn't really matter if a few of the nubs are farther apart or closer together because it's such an organic looking design!<br /><br />As usual I am knitting this for myself. I am a selfish knitter. I knit for myself all the time, I love wearing handknits. I do knit for others occasionally, but I find many people don't really have a n appreciation for hand knit items or don't want to take the time to care for them. I often get funny looks from people when they ask me who I am knitting for and I usually say "Me". Apparently the expectation from the general non-knitting public (or muggles as the <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.com/">Yarn Harlot</a> calls them), is that all knitters should be knitting gifts, at all times. Who do you usually knit for?<br /><br />I'd also like to take a moment to introduce you to Audrey II<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joWuyQwZm3s/Tu021TvtPdI/AAAAAAAAAmI/v5KjjCj7ioo/s1600/IMG-20111217-00306.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joWuyQwZm3s/Tu021TvtPdI/AAAAAAAAAmI/v5KjjCj7ioo/s400/IMG-20111217-00306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687262193900142034" border="0" /></a><br />Audrey II is the store's amaryllis. He is only 4 weeks old. Crazy, non? 4 weeks old and already has EIGHT flowers! That's why I called him Audrey II, because I would leave work in the evening and come back and he would have grown a centimetre and a half overnight! (Audrey II is the giant plant in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLO7IxKwruc">Little Shop of Horrors</a>) I really hope he divides and takes over the world!electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-36287009951890621542011-11-24T12:50:00.000-08:002011-11-24T13:35:23.841-08:00Curse you infernal machine!!!So...my computer died. This is the 3rd time in twelve months and the fourth time since I bought it 2 and a half years ago. The good news is that I purchased the extended warranty (something I always do for computers since I have yet to buy a computer that doesn't end up needing an extended warranty). The further good news is that this is the 4th time this computer has died and there is a "lemon" clause in my warranty. This means that as soon as it's confirmed that the computer is indeed broken, they will give me a shiny brand new one. I'm switching to Mac. I know there are many people that hate Mac's because of their limits and inability to play awesome games, but I need something stable for the business. Something that is not going to need to go into the shop every 3 months.<br />While my computer was in the shop, I switched to the backup computer. Yes, we have a backup computer. You don't even want to know how many computers we have... But...the back up computer died. I know! Double You Tee Eff, right? The cord no longer charges the battery. Or the battery no longer charges. Either way, it doesn't work. <br />So...I switched to the backup backup computer. OK-we don't really have a backup backup computer-it's the Ravelry computer for customers in-store. It's slower than molasses and uglier than sin-but it works! Here's hoping that this computer doesn't die-I'd hate to have to bring the backup backup backup computer into the store because it's REALLY slow. Slower than the slower than molasses computer. Like tectonic plates moving and creating new continents slow. Slow like Austin powers running over that guy with a forklift slow. Slower than the slow food movement. REALLY SLOW!<br />Yeah, we have a lot of computers...it has to do with my brother being in the computer repair/resale business-so I save them all up and periodically give him a big ole box of computers and accessories. <br />Out of deference to this archaic device that I am currently utilizing, I am not going to post any photos for this blog post (I don't want to be the one to push the poor thing over the edge, neccesitating the use of the backup backup backup computer).<br />I am going to share my current project with you. It all started as a Family Knit-a-long. My Aunts and the Mom decided to each knit the <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/bandana-cowl/">Bandana Cowl </a>I decided to give it a whirl and knit one on smaller needles for Patrick using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/debbie-bliss-cashmerino-aran">Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran</a> and it turned out fantastic! He looks like a little cowboy when he wears it with his plaid shirt.<br />I knit another one in a navy <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/diamond-yarn-luxury-collection-fine-merino-superwash-aran">Diamond Luxury Superwash Aran</a> for my Stepdad's birthday. He can abuse it and throw it in the wash and it should still survive.<br />I then knit myself one out of Noro Silk Garden. <br />Today I am knitting another one in Noro for a friend.<br />I seem to be knitting one a day. <br />I think I might be obsessed. <br />I think I'll knit one for my Dad and for my husband since they would be great for wearing while riding a motorcycle (or so my husband tells me, which may have been a rather broad hint).<br />An important note from knitting this-the author of the pattern claims that it uses approx 100yds. I found it uses way more (probably closer to 120 yds). In order to compensate for this, and because I hate the idea of opening a second ball of yarn for 15-20 yards, I knit each of these from one ball of yarn that was 95-105 yds depending on the yarn. All I did to accomplish this is knit the pattern until I had just enough yarn to do the 6 row garter stitch edge and cast off. I then stopped whatever part of the pattern I was at and started the edge. It's worked really well so far. The knitting police have not showed up to arrest me yet...electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-37416208787748182682011-10-28T10:52:00.000-07:002011-10-28T11:33:41.976-07:00Something for everyoneI missed last weeks post and apparently people were missing it! I didn't realize I had so many avid readers, so I will try to be a little more diligent in the future.<br /><br />This weeks pattern is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/echo-flower-shawl">Echo Flower Shawl</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zaHUm9KnxK8/Tqru6uy_wyI/AAAAAAAAAkw/pU4mPHzNL84/s1600/DSC_0880_medium2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zaHUm9KnxK8/Tqru6uy_wyI/AAAAAAAAAkw/pU4mPHzNL84/s400/DSC_0880_medium2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668605773760938786" border="0" /></a><br />This lovely pattern has been in my Ravelry queue for a very long time and I haven't had a chance to cast it on... ("had a chance"? who am I kidding, I've cast on about 30 different projects since I first put this in my queue...) It's a free pattern with lovely little nupps, it comes in 2 sizes-this is something I lov e since I am not keen on large shawls-I prefer shawlette's, I wear them like a scarf. <br /><br />I thought I would do something a little different this week and explore a variety of different yarns that this could be knit in. Mainly because I haven't decided what I want yet, but also to show a variety of yarns suitable for different economic situations. At our store we really strive to have a variety of products in a variety of prices ranges-within that scope we really work hard at making sure that all of our products meet a certain quality level so that all fibre artists can make something they can be proud of.<br /><br />My first choice of yarn is <a href="http://www.ancientartsfibre.com/">Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts</a> 70% Long Staple Cashmere/30% Silk<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAhDhWsyNL8/Tqru64YtR4I/AAAAAAAAAk8/64IP6pJLBD8/s1600/DSCF5756.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAhDhWsyNL8/Tqru64YtR4I/AAAAAAAAAk8/64IP6pJLBD8/s400/DSCF5756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668605776335030146" border="0" /></a><br />This yarn is, without a doubt, the softest most decadent yarn in the store. The colours are deep and rich and the texture of the yarn is unbelievable. If you are planning on knitting something extra special for yourself or a loved one, I definitely recommend this yarn. Dyed in Canada! Cost to knit this project: $75.98 (eep! However, the cost is definitely worth the quality.)<br /><br />Yarn choice #2 is malabrigo sock<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuf_0L91y3s/Tqru7Lz0CCI/AAAAAAAAAlM/7PR3ia1GJTI/s1600/DSCF5758.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuf_0L91y3s/Tqru7Lz0CCI/AAAAAAAAAlM/7PR3ia1GJTI/s400/DSCF5758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668605781548992546" border="0" /></a><br />If you've never used malabrigo sock, you are in for a real treat! This yarn is soft and delightful. Malabrigo is well known for their dyeing prowess and this yarn does not disappoint! It is machine washable, which is a bonus. Cost for this project: $25.99<br /><br />My third choice for this project is Fleece Artist BFL Socks<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqNPTKhC1yo/Tqru73i0h1I/AAAAAAAAAlU/buF0vfMBFF8/s1600/DSCF5761.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqNPTKhC1yo/Tqru73i0h1I/AAAAAAAAAlU/buF0vfMBFF8/s400/DSCF5761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668605793288882002" border="0" /></a><br />BFL is a favourite of mine. I love how it is nearly as soft as merino but has more of a shine to it. I find the colours more vibrant in BFL than in merino. This yarn is hand dyed in Canada by an incredible dyer, her colours are incomparable. Cost to knit this project $17.99<br /><br /><br />All of these yarns are high quality and worth knitting. For the extra special or extra decadent there is the cashmere, for the more economical or everyday wear you can use Fleece Artist. You don't need to sacrifice quality to save money, $17.99 is not too much to pay for a beautiful handmade object that you will enjoy for years to come.electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-30707020688010502202011-10-14T16:13:00.000-07:002011-10-14T16:50:21.744-07:00RETREAT!!!So I did miss posting last Friday, but I have a good excuse- we were at the first ever electrictree yarns retreat! It was a fantastic time and <a href="http://wildgeesefibres.com/">Barb Brown</a>, as always, was an amazing instructor!<br />It was a great group of knitters, some people I have met at other retreats, and some new faces!<br />The following photos are courtesy of my <a href="http://imminentmetaphor.blogspot.com/">Aunt</a>, who was a retreat attendee and blogger!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQetr1vhKpg/TpjDRW8vPUI/AAAAAAAAAkA/uskSLYcd_Gg/s1600/112x-qnykey.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQetr1vhKpg/TpjDRW8vPUI/AAAAAAAAAkA/uskSLYcd_Gg/s400/112x-qnykey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663491234403925314" border="0" /></a><br />What a lovely group of knitters! My stepdaughter Mackenzie took the class along with us and did a wonderful job!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzlK6xVGn4c/TpjDRmNQ7vI/AAAAAAAAAkM/IcOWZqNSx9E/s1600/112y-afbxzi.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzlK6xVGn4c/TpjDRmNQ7vI/AAAAAAAAAkM/IcOWZqNSx9E/s400/112y-afbxzi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663491238499774194" border="0" /></a><br />Nothing but knitting, and talking about knitting, and learning about knitting (and eating and shopping!) for a whole weekend!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCm3ljH8vnY/TpjDRy58cmI/AAAAAAAAAkc/esVU79lAbhM/s1600/112w-u93hm5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCm3ljH8vnY/TpjDRy58cmI/AAAAAAAAAkc/esVU79lAbhM/s400/112w-u93hm5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663491241908400738" border="0" /></a><br />The end result: a goofy bag (which isn't goofy at all) a slew of new techniques and skills, and some new friends!<br /><br />The next retreat is in the planning stages right now!<br /><br />Friday's pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/omars-carpet">Omar's Carpet Socks!</a> I would/am knitting these in Diamond Luxury Superwash Merino DK. I chose this yarn for a couple reasons-it's a good solid yarn and it's economical. 1 pair of knee high socks is going to cost $26 (plus the evil HST!)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wM3kSM7quNE/TpjJLHnegTI/AAAAAAAAAkk/3ihVGmvvxkU/s1600/Kamloops-20111014-00237%255B1%255D"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wM3kSM7quNE/TpjJLHnegTI/AAAAAAAAAkk/3ihVGmvvxkU/s400/Kamloops-20111014-00237%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663497724278767922" border="0" /></a><br />I am really loving how much more even my stitches are after taking Barb's class!<br /><br />The store is going really well. It's been great meeting so many lovely knitterly people! The bad thing is being surrounded by yarn and patterns all day. It has increased my Knitter's ADD exponentially. There's always a reason to start a new project-"Oh, I just need to try out these needles! I can't very well sell needles I've never used!" I am really hoping the novelty will wear off so I can get some focus!electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-12075331242607576592011-09-30T16:32:00.000-07:002011-09-30T21:52:25.473-07:00Is it Friday again?Wow! What a fast week. How strange to be back in the working world.<br />This week's pattern is the Crevasse socks. I would knit it in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/handmaiden-fine-yarn-swiss-mountain-sea-sock">Sea Sock</a>...oh wait...I already AM knitting in Sea Sock!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2VKYTphCiM/ToZSMclrZDI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/G2dzfRIr9zI/s1600/DSCF1986_medium2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2VKYTphCiM/ToZSMclrZDI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/G2dzfRIr9zI/s400/DSCF1986_medium2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658300355623740466" border="0" /></a><br />I am already finished the leg, turned the heel and have started working the foot.<br /><br />Seriously...this is my most favouritest sock yarn that I have ever knit with. It's not cheap but I am pretty sure that it's going to feel like my feet are wrapped in hand knit love.<br /><br />This weekend we are looking forward to redoing our window! Hallowe'en is coming and we have some great ideas for the display! I am hoping that by doing some awesome displays it might give some downtown businesses a "keeping up with the Joneses" attitude and step it up for some downtown displays.<br /><br />Sometime next week (hopefully) we are getting a whole bunch of new products in! Our first Ashford order will be here! Piles of roving, spinning wheels and knitter's looms! Bolga Baskets will be here soon, they are beautiful Fair Trade baskets from Ghana, I managed to find a supplier that is a better price than some others and is <span style="font-style: italic;">certified</span> Fair Trade.<br /><br />Nest week will be busy with new stuff! Hooray!electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-65602846583506260172011-09-23T11:23:00.000-07:002011-09-23T11:52:43.007-07:00I love Fridays!I am really starting to love Fridays. It's blogoriffic!<br />The week has been fantastic so far-we had a business mixer on Wednesday night and it went really well, many of our neighbour businesses came out to welcome us. It was great fun and full of great conversations!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1ntTB2x7_M/TnzSkOnvz-I/AAAAAAAAAjI/LVjaRSRhaJA/s1600/DSCF1956.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1ntTB2x7_M/TnzSkOnvz-I/AAAAAAAAAjI/LVjaRSRhaJA/s400/DSCF1956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655626751912431586" border="0" /></a><br />I taught Wenda from the <a href="http://echonewspapers.ca/">Downtown and North Shore Echo magazines</a> how to spin and she took to it like a fish to water! She still claims she doesn't want to knit, but I'm pretty sure I can wear her down. After all, spinning is what prompted me to learn how to knit-I had a pile of handspun yarn and realized that I had to find something to do with it.<br /><br />Thursday we had the Thompson Treadlers come in for the evening. It was a small but fun group and we had some great conversations. I really enjoyed having the chance to sit down and spin for a couple hours!<br /><br /><br />Today's pattern is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bonnie-birds">Bonnie Birds Knee highs</a> by <a href="http://wildgeesefibres.com/">Barb Brown</a>. Barb Brown is the wonderful knitter who is teaching at our retreat in a few weeks (there are a few spaces left!)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hf5KtBYVhBY/TnzSjRPNE7I/AAAAAAAAAi4/Mr42KiEX9CU/s1600/Bonnie_Birds_kneehigh_medium2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hf5KtBYVhBY/TnzSjRPNE7I/AAAAAAAAAi4/Mr42KiEX9CU/s400/Bonnie_Birds_kneehigh_medium2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655626735434929074" border="0" /></a><br />Dear Barb: Can you forgive me for copyright infringement?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cbpnYivEcw/TnzSjlaAlVI/AAAAAAAAAjA/gMJjCq4YKkg/s1600/DSCF1957.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cbpnYivEcw/TnzSjlaAlVI/AAAAAAAAAjA/gMJjCq4YKkg/s400/DSCF1957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655626740848956754" border="0" /></a><br />My Mom is actually going to knit these and she has chosen <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/universal-yarn-pace">Pace</a> and <a href="http://www.ancientartsfibre.com/">Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts</a> as her yarns. Mom is wicked at stranded knitting, so I know they will turn out incredible!<br /><br />On a final note, I have a funny little story to tell about the word getting around about our little yarn store. The story is a little...personal, so I won't tell you who it was, and if you are at all easily offended I suggest you skip this part (and just by writing that you probably want to read right to the bottom now!)<br /><br />She was in her doctor's office getting her regular physical, which of course included a pap smear. While she was there in dishabille getting every woman's least favourite, but unfortunately necessary chore over with-the Dr. suddenly asked her "So have you heard of the new yarn store?"<br /><br />Ladies, word is getting out.electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-16369214454739206752011-09-17T21:27:00.000-07:002011-09-17T21:41:24.599-07:00Musical things!The past two days have been exceptionally musical! Yesterday I was messing around with a miniature harmonica I picked up at the antique store in Barriere. I looked up some videos on youtube and learned a few blues riffs. This morning on my way to work, I stopped in at Lee's Music and picked up a Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, it's a lovely harp with a wood reed. I've been messing around with it all day. Mackenzie and I walked from Riverside Park to the store and I played it the whole way with Mackenzie jamming some made-up blues lyrics. At one point a couple of elderly ladies clapped and insisted I play some more, I laughed and explained I had only been playing for one day and that was all I knew. I know about 5 riffs now and can throw together a credible blues song.<br />When I got home there was another musical surprise! My husband had bought a piano for me for our anniversary! It's beautiful! I did some research on it, it is a Lenox by Lauter and was made in Newark, NJ. The piano is about 100 years old. Unfortunately, the company no longer exists so it's going to take a little work to get an exact age even with the serial number. It has been refinished on the outside-but they did a nice job. The harp inside is beautiful with hand painted enamel flowers and hand pressed foil. On the inside paneling for the bottom, harp cover (or whatever you call it) and the top, you can still see the maker initials and chalked serial # (the serial is metal stamped on the harp). From the research I have done I would make a guess of slightly Pre-WWI (that's the great thing about sequential serial numbers). It has a beautiful sound and only two of the hammers need to be slightly adjusted. It's been recently refelted. It's fantastic!<br />I am not much of a piano player, I can read music for it somewhat, but it's a labourious process. I am hoping withe constant access to a piano I can improve my playing.<br />Include my recent return to guitar playing and I may have a slight decrease in my knitting...however I take lots of time for knitting in the store so I feel no guilt!electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-63583099513941610562011-09-16T13:51:00.000-07:002011-09-16T14:10:30.109-07:00Friday Again!I can't believe it's already Friday! The weather is starting to cool down, which bodes well for yarns sales. I am so excited that it's finally cool enough that I can wear all my hand knits!<br /><br />Todays Pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympia-2">Olympia</a> by Kristin Spurkland. It's wonderfully asymmetrical and unusual. This one has been in my queue on Ravelry for quite some time. I have a few things on the needles that I HAVE to finish or horrible guilt will overcome me, then I can cast on my next knit which will be this or the <a href="http://electrictree.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-things.html">Opposite Pole Cardigan</a> *subject to change<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ7j0VQEX0A/TnO3guH5pLI/AAAAAAAAAiw/Tbq13-5jA9Q/s1600/3942246173_928512caef_z.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 294px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ7j0VQEX0A/TnO3guH5pLI/AAAAAAAAAiw/Tbq13-5jA9Q/s400/3942246173_928512caef_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653063730044970162" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't it purdy? It's feminine without being lacey or flowery (not that there's anything wrong with that...)<br /><br />My in-store choice for this project is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/debbie-bliss-angel">Debbie Bliss Angel</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eZY0rx3K-I/TnO3BODUlBI/AAAAAAAAAio/z-IhH48SuPI/s1600/Kamloops-20110912-00222%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eZY0rx3K-I/TnO3BODUlBI/AAAAAAAAAio/z-IhH48SuPI/s400/Kamloops-20110912-00222%255B1%255D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653063188859884562" border="0" /></a><br />This yarn is quite a bit finer than what is recommended. However, somebody knit this project in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/rowan-kidsilk-haze">Rown Kidsilk Haze</a> which is the same weight (honestly the yarn is almost exactly the same, as is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarns-kid-seta-new-version">Kid-Seta</a>) I love how her <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/StixAndCones/olympia">project turned out</a>, so I am going to follow her lead and do this in a mohair/silk laceweight. <br /><br />By the way, most of my links to yarns, patterns, etc, are <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> links. If you aren't on Ravelry already, and you are a knitter, your life is horribly empty black hole. Ravelry is the greatest resource on the internet for knitter's and crocheters. You have access to tens of thousands of patterns, virtually every yarn on the planet, and every combination thereof. There are groups and forums for learning, socializing, etc. So go there and join! While you're there, join the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/electrictree-yarns">electrictree yarns group</a>!<br /><br />As the Co-owner of a yarn store, Ravelry helps me daily to find yarns and projects for people. If someone comes in and knows the name of a pattern, but can't remember what yarn it uses, and how much-I can look it up immediately and help them pick out something that works. We have a Ravelry computer in-store for customer use.electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-51044837488006563372011-09-09T19:38:00.000-07:002011-09-09T19:58:50.106-07:00New ThingsHere's an idea I had to help me publish more regularly. Every Friday I am going to post my favourite pattern of the week, talk about why I like it, and what in-store yarn I would use to knit it.<br />Today's pattern is the <a href="httphttp://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/opposite-pole://">Opposite Pole Cardigan (rav link)</a>. I LOVE THIS SWEATER! Obviously I can't knit every pattern I blog about, but this one jumps out and screams "KNIT ME!!!"<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br />Just look at it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vWz2T9AMZU/TmrPTJPXYlI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/k5Y8nDeB1Tk/s1600/03_medium2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vWz2T9AMZU/TmrPTJPXYlI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/k5Y8nDeB1Tk/s400/03_medium2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650556610294538834" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe it doesn't call to you the way it does to me, but I love this sweater! <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AB81i3wFuE/TmrPTK3BKMI/AAAAAAAAAiY/6488QK8DCgo/s1600/DSC_0052_medium2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AB81i3wFuE/TmrPTK3BKMI/AAAAAAAAAiY/6488QK8DCgo/s400/DSC_0052_medium2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650556610729289922" border="0" /></a><br />I love how it has so many interesting elements without being too busy. I love that it's a circle. I love that it has cables. I love the how the short rows look in garter stitch. <br /><br />I would knit this sweater in Cascade Ecological Wool. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXtKZFRahMg/TmrPTSgD3wI/AAAAAAAAAig/7lqpZnYIY94/s1600/Kamloops-20110905-00218%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXtKZFRahMg/TmrPTSgD3wI/AAAAAAAAAig/7lqpZnYIY94/s400/Kamloops-20110905-00218%255B1%255D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650556612780482306" border="0" /></a><br />Cascade Ecological Wool is surprisingly soft and springy. It's good for the environment and good for your pocket book. It comes in big 200 gram/478 yard skeins for $19.99 a skein. <br /><br />This pattern calls for 1400-2000 yards, and one of the great things about it is that it comes in a huge variety of sizes! 30"-60" bust! I absolutely love it when designers try to please as many people as possible. <br />Another nice thing about the pattern is on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/opposite-pole">Ravelry page</a>-they have the yarn requirements for the individual sizes available. Often designers just put in a size range and a yardage range so that unless you are the smallest or the largest size, you have no idea what your yardage requirements are going to be unless you buy the pattern. For someone like me, who constantly "shops" for patterns and likes to weigh out a million pros and cons, I love it when I can look at the Rav page, see the yardage for my size, and figure out if the cost of the project is going to be prohibitive <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> I purchase the pattern. <br /><br />I love this pattern, I love this yarn!electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-30993329110780391562011-09-07T14:40:00.000-07:002011-09-07T14:49:35.556-07:00What a day, what a day, what a mighty good day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6knP-d7KqW8/TmfmDhFwOGI/AAAAAAAAAiI/6jJynLw785g/s1600/DSCF1942%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6knP-d7KqW8/TmfmDhFwOGI/AAAAAAAAAiI/6jJynLw785g/s400/DSCF1942%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649737205656074338" border="0" /></a><br />Our first day as a street level business was a wonderful success! We had 80 delightful people show up and fondle yarn.<br />After 2 months of intense work and sleepless nights, today has been relaxing and not at all anti-climactic. Business has been steady, but at a rate where we can actually talk to our new customers. My two favourite things that people have been saying to us are "Downtown Kamloops really needed something like this!" and "I was just walking by and saw your store!" Nearly a third of the people that came into the store didn't even know it was our Grand Opening, they just saw a cool yarn store and stopped in!<br />I was even able to find the time to do a little spinning and knitting on some personal projects during store hours today. <br />I feel like it's onward and upwards from here!electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516639333943338021.post-91041470460766058362011-09-05T22:10:00.001-07:002011-09-05T22:34:02.574-07:00Tomorrow!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u1qDMOR0sUo/TmWra6vRVhI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9cNHgC-xumI/s1600/299701_10150274364068127_87016163126_7818228_154958_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u1qDMOR0sUo/TmWra6vRVhI/AAAAAAAAAiA/9cNHgC-xumI/s400/299701_10150274364068127_87016163126_7818228_154958_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649109786538628626" border="0" /></a><br />After months of hard work the store is opening tomorrow. It is full of beautiful skeins and balls of yarn that are beautiful and soft fibres for spinning. There is a comfortable place to sit and knit or spin and enjoy the atmosphere. There are gouramis swimming around in a lovely little fish bowl. We have Sea Monkeys. The room is filled with interesting antiques and vintage items, some for sale and some for show. We have a tea station. We have an interesting variety of local goods. We have chairs with knitted covers and a rug that looks like yarn. We have spinning wheels and vintage sock blockers. There are buttons, shawl pins and stitch markers. There are cable needles, circular needles, and double pointed needles. There is qiviut, mohair, bison and linen. There is Habu, Fleece Artist, Handmaiden, Ancients Arts Fibre Crafts, and Zauberball. You can find silk, merino, cashmere, linen, cotton, soy, bamboo, and alpaca yarns.<br />In short, it's my favourite yarn store in the whole wide world.electrictreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687091756346126548noreply@blogger.com0