musindigo

Finally getting caught up on some ‘paperwork’ stuff (like updating here, adding things to the site, book-keeping, and once I have a few minutes to breathe, knitting - I sure hope lol). I feel like I’ve been mostly living in the dye room these days, but this is all good. However, finding time to get out is challenging, sometimes.

Regardless, I have a few minutes, so I wanted to share some recent happenings.

First off:

Cute, no? Last week I headed to Kitchener, to the KW Knitter’s Guild monthly meeting where the guest was none other than Amy Singer and her travelling No Sheep for You trunk show. It was all fabulous. Seeing the garments in person was awesome and so inspiring. Not to mention it’s all gorgeous work and I learned a ton about non-wool yarn. The book is wonderful, too

This Guild has a prolific membership. Seeing Sally Melville get up for show and tell is priceless. ;) Then, in one of those ‘lifetime’ excitement moments, I found myself face to face with Debbie New as I was leaving. I had to tell her what a fan I am. I tried really hard not to drool on her lol. She is very sweet and interesting (and obviously brilliant). I practically skipped to my car chanting ‘I met Debbie New, I met Debbie New…’ (!). I’m sure she would chuckle away at the thought.

I was thrilled to finally get out to a meeting as the wicked winter weather has kept me close to home for far too long. And last post, remember all the spring pining and hopeful energy? We got blasted again since then, more snow… sigh. It’s since melted but I still don’t trust things quite enough to start dreaming too seriously of new projects outside again… I feel kind of jilted. Hmph.

So, what else…

Oh, for mindless knitting (ha! I do think I just spoil my own fun sometimes) I decided I would knit some plain socks out of some of the merino I’ve dyed up (I keep some on hand and some for samples/promo), never mind the other stuff on the needles just whimpering at me to stop being so neglectful.

Sorry, it looks a bit mournful, but I was just too lazy to photograph it with my foot inside. It’s not yet regularly on my foot since I am dragging it about with its mate (still on the needles). It turned out to be not all too mindless as I fiddled about with different heel styles and arches, etc. It’s now a pattern in progress, toe-up, with a band heel. I love the way it hugs the arches. I’ve got it calculated out (so far) for women’s sizes 5-10. I may do it up in men’s sizes, as well.

Spurred on by spreadsheets and the fun provided when calculating sizing, etc. I decided to do another version (not photo’d yet) with a more traditional squarish heel and heel stitch on the back of the heel.

So, not exactly mindless, but the intention was there…

In between the gobs of yarn coming out of the dye-room, I also finished a project for the next issue of Janet Szabo’s Twists and Turns.

I am looking forward to true restful, mindless knitting one of these days

Oh, and on the news regarding yarn front: Oceanwind Knits Yarns are now available at two more online shops - Woolgirl.com (US-based) and TheSweetSheep.com (Canada). Yay

Here is a shot of the latest colour:

I think this covers things. Hope everyone is well. Thinking much about the horrific tragedies in Virginia these days. :(

There is something about yarn, freshly dyed, but not yet skeined for sale, hanging about in my office/studio which turns me on to no end…


I like it even more than when it’s all skeined up properly, ready to be wound for someone’s special knitting project potential, or even when it’s wound up ready for my own projects.

I guess it’s the artist in me reacting on an emotional level? I know I’ve always been more intrigued by colour than form, by the whole overall interaction (of say, colour and pattern or subject matter in painting) rather than the details, which I analyze later, after I’ve absorbed the colour. I would imagine there is someone out there who might do a psychoanalysis for me. ;)

In any even there is lots of it hanging about these days, which makes me a happy camper and hopefully will make many happy knitting campers once it’s in their hot little hands. :)

The sweater (here all blocked and with buttons)

fits perfectly, with room for growth. My sister was absolutely thrilled and it should fit into the fall. Yay! It’s always a but unnerving designing for a particular someone, especially when you want it to be a surprise. One of these days I hope to get a pic of it being worn by Laura, who is absolutely just a sweetie.

Many deadlines to be met these days, so I am working away like a little busy bunny ticking things off the list as I can. It is positively springy around here which is energizing (even today, though it’s cold and rainy) and the potential is endless. This is our honeymoon year in our home, the year where each season is a first. I am looking forward to seeing just what is in these large flowerbeds and to adding in new plants, as well as to lounging about on the porch and deck (time permitting … thank goodness knitting is so portable lol) and walks with the kids along the river. Of course, there is still reno-ing (mostly painting) to be done and fixing/updating and changing… but it’s all good, part of making a house ‘our’ home.

And, with all of that on the horizon, back to work I go. ;)