Purls Beyond Price

Letting in the Light

My sewing table is in a corner of my bedroom, flanked by a big sliding glass door and a large window that faces southeast over the back yard. It is a beautiful vantage point from which to sew, bathed in the natural light from the windows. However, since it's in the bedroom, we draw the shades for privacy most of the time. Most days I pass the windows without even noticing that they're there, rarely thinking to open the blinds. Thinking about this space this morning and how it is evolving as the creative center of my at home endeavors, I realized that a conscious effort on my part is required to let the light in. That simple act makes that an inviting space in which to work and helps me to see the possibility that exists in those projects that are waiting for me there.

It is the same with my Daily Practice. Stopping to listen to my breath, sitting in stillness, being present to my experience as it unfolds requires a conscious effort. It can be tempting to skip it "just this once" or "come back to it later," and before I know it, the day is gone and the Practice has fallen by the wayside. The Practice facilitates my creativity so I can hear the voice of my soul's longing and manifest that in the world. It empowers me to hold the space I need to bring those things into being. Some days I walk right past that opportunity, as surely as I forget to open the blinds.

Quick Holiday Knits

Last year Kaye designed this adorable tam, Penny. We knit it up in several of our chunky yarns, including Dream in Color Groovy and Kaffe Fassett's Colourscape. When the Cascade 128 Superwash arrived, our friend Laura thought it would make the perfect Penny. She was right! She knit one for herself in just a few hours - a single afternoon. Then she whipped one out for Kaye too! An ideal last minute holiday gift!

Mondo Cables, Mondo Fun

The new fall patterns from Chic Knits arrived at the shop just before we left for Sock Summit, so I pulled a copy of the Mondo Cable Cardi and some Dream in Color Classy in In Vino Veritas and cast on. I'm already through the yoke and halfway through the body. I am so loving top down construction. It goes together seamlessly (seriously. There will be no seaming at all on this baby) and quickly. The shaping is simple, with just a touch of an A-line. Very flattering. And the best part of all is the applied neckband. I have the perfect buttons now. This will be a cardi kind of fall, I can tell!

In the Presence of Greatness

Sock Summit has been great: seeing old friends, making new ones, touching glorious fiber, and even buying some! After the market closed today, we made our way to the grand ballroom to witness the gathering of knitting celebrities at the Luminary Panel. It was so amazing to listen to the likes of Barbara Walker, Meg Swanson, Judith MacKenzie McCuin, and Priscilla Gibson-Roberts speak about their experiences as fiber artists and how our industry has changed in their lifetimes. I was often awed, and several times moved to tears, filled with such gratitude for the ways in which these women have enriched my life as an artist and inspired me. (I also took a picture of all of them with the tiny sock I knit while listening.)

Tomorrow is a day to decompress and play in Portland before heading home on Tuesday.

The Best Buttons

The Purlescence Purl Girls have arrived in Portland and joined the legions of knitters who are here to attend Sock Summit. Our load in is scheduled in the morning, so we had the day mostly free today. We spent some time at Fred Meyer, Powell's Books, and wandering the Pearl District, which is home to several craft and fabric stores.

Kathy and I visited Knit Purl and Josephine's Dry Goods (lovely places, both) before making our way to The Button Emporium & Ribbonry. What a heavenly place! Within minutes I had found the perfect buttons for my Mondo Cable Cardi and several more for projects I haven't even dreamed up yet! It was delightful, as were the folks who run the shop, and I think I may have to make my way back there before our trip is through.

All the Purl Up & Dye is labeled and ready to go on display in our booth. We also have the most beautiful new colors of Crystal Palace Mini Mochi. If you're attending the Summit please come say hello in booth 818!

Persistence Pays with Progress

I've been diligently knitting away on my Cece, despite the fact that the Cascade Sierra is a little less elastic than I might like. I am nearly through the body increases. This is a cropped cardi, so there's not much more knitting after that. I've determined that this will be short sleeved. I'm hopeful I can finish it in time to wear at Sock Summit.

Start 'Em Early

Tonight while watching a movie, Ellie reached over to the side table and pulled my knitting project onto her lap. She grasped a needle tip in each hand and tapped them together, approximating the motion I make when I knit. I quickly grabbed the iPhone (it's great for these kind of moments) to capture it on video. "What are you doing, Ellie?" I asked. "Knitting," she replied. Gotta love that kid!
http://twitvid.com/7DEC0

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So You Thought I Was Kidding About Those Ends

Before beginning the arduous task of weaving in the ends on Staccato, I just had to show you that I really wasn't kidding about them. There are tons! I have to admit, though, that I kind of like this sort of 60s fringed look.

Fifty Billionty Ends

Staccato is coming along beautifully. I have finished both sleeves, and picked up the stitches for the hood. There are only about six more inches of knitting before that's done too. I am excited to get this finished up so I can wear it in Portland for Sock Summit. I am not, however, looking forward to weaving in all those ends. I haven't counted them, and I don't think I will; the number is staggering!

Speaking of Sock Summit, Purlescence Yarns will be there, vending in the Marketplace in booth 818. Kaye and I have been dyeing sock yarn like crazy in preparation. If you're going to be there, please stop in to say hello!

Aeolian

Since the repetitive stress injury reared its ugly head again back in April, I have had to be very selective about what I knit. Unfortunately, socks are right out. I can work on worsted or DK weight yarn only for limited periods. I was beginning to feel really lost and uninspired until I decided to dive into some lace again. I wasn't at all certain that my right arm could handle it, but I was pleasantly surprised that it seemed to be no problem at all! I chose Winter Lace from Mountain Colors to knit a beautiful beaded Aeolian Shawl (pattern from the spring issue of Knitty.com). The beads are from Three Beads and a Button. It's fun to knit and will yield a spectacular result. I so love lace!