Stitches East Conference

Lately it seems like time is constantly taking me by surprise. I looked at my calendar and realized that Stitches East is only 8 days away! Road trip to Baltimore with two friends, a night away from home to relax and knit, and tons and tons of YARN -- I can't wait!!!!!

I'll be taking only one class this year... an introduction to the Brioche stitch. I am a little nervous about it, especially since every time I've read anything about that stitch, it usually involves dire warnings about how difficult it is. But it's pretty, and I want to try. My grandfather said you need to learn one new thing every day --- I've decided that Brioche can be my thing for Nov 7th.

Of course I'll be headed to check out the Marketplace, too. There are a few vendors I'd like to return to from last year, despite the fact that I haven't yet used all my yarn purchased at last year's Stitches. Hey, that's what "stash" is about, right? Buying the perfect yarns when you see them, then waiting for the skeins and hanks to speak to you, and tell you just what project they'd complete perfectly. Besides, the call of all that pretty yarn is just irresistible!!!

Are you going to Stitches? What classes are you taking? Are you going to look for anything in particular from the Marketplace?

Gina's new Etsy shop

a good friend of mine, Gina, taught me to knit awhile back. She's an amazing knitter!! Her specialty seems to be all the most difficult-to-knit items -- intricate lacy shawls and teeny-tiny baby clothing. I have occasionally carried her work ... the itty-bitty knit hats and baby booties in the shape of animals ... in my booth at various craft shows.

Now Gina has a store of her own! Stop here to look at & purchase her beautiful lace work, baby items, and more!

Only 65 days until Christmas!!

Yikes! For real?!?!?! I didn't believe it, so I counted the days -- and it's true!! Only 65 days until Christmas!!

So what are you waiting for? There are loads of cute, fun, or functional items in my shop that would make great Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers. How about a stuffed, knit snowperson, a fabric bookcover for your favorite reader, or a smiling cotton coaster set? If you need to be a little more frugal this year, there's always the bargain bin, where everything is 25% off! I'll be adding some warm and cozy shawls, and pretty new jewelry items soon, too.

And if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, consider placing a special order. Any orders placed before Thanksgiving are guaranteed to be delivered before Christmas!

Too cute!

I have seen around.... at shows and on the bags of various knitters ... these adorable little mini-swatch pins -- almost like you began knitting an itsy-bitsy tiny square, then left it on the needles.

Well, this morning I was checking out Ravelry (if you STILL haven't signed up, you simply must do so! For knitters and crocheters, it is the COOLEST resource/network EVER!) and saw an add for a shop called "Mi-KNIT-ures." Click on the link and what do I find? The adorable little pins, of course!! They are so cute, and come in a variety of colors! What a neat stocking-stuffer idea for the knitter in your life! Or yourself! Or both!! :)