Cease & Desist Letter to Ravelympics

Really?  Check out this NPR blog post!
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/06/21/155508908/after-knitters-get-in-a-twist-usoc-apologizes-for-cease-and-desist-letter

My New Puppy

Recently, I've made the harsh realization that Scout is really David's dog.  They sit together, sleep together, drive together, eat together.  It's kind of sick.  But maybe I'm just jealous.  I really want a dog of my own that is shop friendly, non-aggressive, non-territorial.  A dog I can take anywhere.  I want that little heart beat in the palm of my hand.  Yes, I'm talking small.  Not tiny, but small.  Portable.  Since Scout is aggressive with other dogs especially around food, I know it's not possible to get my own pup.  This was probably in the back of my mind yesterday when I saw this darling puppy on Ravelry as I sipped my morning coffee.  Hmmm.  I think I have Skinny Dyed in beige right there in my stash.  Ah-ha!  I do!  I can probably whip this little guy out in no time and so went my Sunday.  It took 2 hours to knit, and at least an hour to sew, stuff, and embroider.  The pattern is clear and easy to follow.  It's done flat which I find much easier than knitting tiny in the round.  And this little guy will be on the July calendar.  So you can knit one too.  Maybe we'll have a Grove litter!

Knitty First Fall 2012 Issue Is Out!

What a nice surprise!  This morning on Ravelry I noticed First Fall Knitty patterns.  It's out!  I'm loving these fingerless gloves, for one thing.

The TNNA, The National Needlewords Association, is the big show for us retailers where we buy a lot of our yarn.  The June 23 one features the new Fall 2012 line of yarns and shortly before the show, we receive a lot of promo about what's going to be offered.  That includes new patterns also to entice buyers to seek out the designers/yarn manufacturers at the show.  Unfortunately, the Fall show is in Columbus, Ohio so it's cost prohibitive for us to attend.  But we will be at the January Spring/Summer 2013 show in January.  They have changed the venue from Phoenix (last year's) back to Long Beach and we're pleased they've done that!  As are many others as I understand it. 

We'll keep you posted as the new Fall yarns are introduced.

Claire Finished!

Claire is light as a feather and just perfect for these June gloom days where it can be downright chilly in the mornings and early evenings.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  If you want to get into lace but are a little intimidated, just give this one a try!  It is a one row repeat pattern.  That's it!  You do the same row over and over again.  And it only takes one 656 yards skein of Filligran laceweight yarn which is 100% merino.

Sammy Ready to Fly in Bumble Bee Sweater!

Awww!!!  This is little Sammy all ready for his flight from Virginia to San Diego.  He's wearing his flight jacket, of course, and a flight "helmet" that his mom, Joni, crocheted for him.  Already surrounded in love, that little one!