Spring Remodel

Our "back room" at the shop had become a bit of a mess.  Lots of sale yarns and a basic table for classes, piling new yarn and just piles of stuff.  

Easter weekend I painted this space a pale gray,  got rid of lots of junk and rearranged.  The photo above shows part of a seating area and a "baby corner."  I gathered shop samples and my favorite "baby yarns." We now have Dale of Norway yarns ( a wool cotton blend and a washable wool) and Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (washable blend of merino wool, cashmere ) and Eco Baby (organic cotton).  These are all sport weight.  

Spring News

Hello Knitters!  I apologize for the long break from blogging.  I was busy with lots of stuff, just life.  Daughters getting married, running a business, enjoying time with my family.  and then I couldn't get back into the blog.  As in I was locked out.  Really locked out.  Thank you to those who nudged and encouraged me to continue posting here.  Now, on to some knitting!

The photo above shows our W.I.P.'s. (work in progress) for our "Kate Shopping Shawl" Knit-Along.  We meet on Wednesday evenings and work on this project as well as others.  It is a fun, lively group and the shawl is gorgeous though slow-moving.  Most of the group is using fingering or lace weight yarn on size 1 or 1.5 needles.  They think I am joking that we will be meeting to finish this project in 2017!  There is still time to start your own Kate shawl.  The pattern is available for sale on Ravelry. 

Happy Knitting!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I have just returned from a short visit to my parents in Naples Florida. weather was super mostly warm and sunny and we crammed LOtS of stuff into a 5 day trip. We arrived Christmas day in time for dinner @ 7pm. I generally visit alone but this trip I
Was joined by my husband, John and daughter Abby. we enjoyed a terrific holiday meal and then exchanged gifts. My sister Tracy lives nearby so I spent a lot of time with her, too.

Monday morning after water aerobics (during which I sat in the sun w my knitting) we ventured out for some post holiday shopping. shopping. The day after Christmas. Someone needed to exchange something. Someone who does not enjoy wearing matching pajamas. Pajamas that match ones worn by mom, aunt, and grandmother. Mine are red and white stripes. Tracy,s are red with kitties. Grammys are blue stripes. VERY CUTE, but I am not allowed to post the very cute photos. Very cute photos of grown women in matching PJ's. just use your imagination.

Tuesday Tracy and I drove to Tampa to visit 3 yarn shops and YES I did buy yarn. I did my best to support some local yarn shops! after another wonderful meal we all went downtown to see the Christmas lights and decorations.

Wednesday Tracy drove John and I to Corkscrew Swamp, a local sanctuary. John enjoys spending time outdoors and enjoyed 2 hours of looking at birds, bugs, plants,etc. we did not see any adult gators this trip but enjoyed watching 6 baby alligators cavorting in the swamp. I think we saw more heron & egrets along the road returning to Naples.

Thursday morning we flew to Atlanta and home to York. Tomorrow will be busy with laundry and grocery shopping before returning to work on Saturday.

Happy holidays!

Happy Holidays!

And the Earth Moved

We have lots of pretty new yarns.  Pictured above are some of the new Mountain Colors Yarns.  Lots of pretty colors!   We are waiting for a big shipment from Skacel:  opus, Nimbus, Urban Silk, Trekking Sock Yarn!!  

Luckily nothing was damaged in the "local Earthquake" felt in Central PA on Tuesday.   My family has a theory about the cause of the "tremors" on the East coast.  Less than hour before the earth moved our Sara received a proposal.   While vacationing in Hatteras her boyfriend Chris presented her with a ring and asked her to marry him.  We are all very excited and when Sara called me she was still processing everything.   John and I are gearing up to be "parents of the bride."   When I asked Sara if she had any ideas about the wedding she said,"  I don't want to wear shoes,  and i can wear a tiara, and Karen can bake me a chocolate cake."  It will be an adventure!!

turning over a new leaf

Several weeks ago I decided to "turn over a new leaf".   I am frequently told that I am "too nice."  I usually laugh and think to myself "one can never be too nice.  Wouldn't it be a much better world if everyone were nice?   I don't think of this as a fault.  i have always taken pride in the fact that I am a "nice " person.  My mother always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  I used to think she created the phrase but as a young mom I heard it on the Disney movie Bambi.  Even if she didn't originate the phrase I thought it was a good idea.  I taught my children to be" nice."  I helped my students learn to be "nice."

This summer it has come up at the yarn shop a couple of times.  I was told by customers and employees that I was "too nice."   I have spent some time thinking about this.  Sometimes others take advantage of my  "niceness."   I am always surprise when someone is unkind to me or does something "not nice."   This is especially true when i feel like I have gone out of my way to do something kind or helpful for them.  A couple of weeks ago I stated that I was going to "turn over a new leaf" and be "bitchy."  I'm not sure I ever used that word out loud before and certainly never thought of acting that way.  Think about it.  Think of women you know who are powerful, assertive,  strong and successful.  they didn't get that way by being "nice."  Do you think Martha Stewart is "nice."   Not so much.  

It's hard to totally change one's personality and I am basically just a nice person.  I have had some "bitchy" moments in recent weeks.  My idea of "Bitchy" is probably other women's way of being assertive or in control at work.  My son, Noah would probably say I was "bitchy" as a mom.  He once said to me "You use up all you nice at school with other people and then you are grouchy at home."  I am sure I was just being Mom and trying to get him to do his homework or chores.  My husband has probably been the recipient  of lots of "bitchy" at home.   To be honest "Honey can you please put your dishes in the dishwasher" does not work as well as a stern"  "John George get in here and clear off the table, NOW!"   He laughs, but he does it!   Sorry mom, sometimes it doesn't work to be nice!!

Yes, Mom I am still alive!

It is a lively Sunday afternoon at the yarn shop.  We have 7 friends gathered around the table knitting and chatting.  Kim is helping Charlotte put the finishing touches on her toddler's blanket.  Jean is working on the "Mystery Shawl by Steven West" using Madeline tosh Light ( a yarn we are working on ordering!!!   YUMMY YARN!   Nancy is knitting a sock with Scarlet Fleece Sock yarn in pinks and greens and choosing buttons for her Sublime cardigan.  Kim is paging through the new fall issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine while Elaine is starting a summer shell out of Misty.  (we have a sample on the wall at the shop --really cute!!)  Adrienne is working on her second pair of socks.  Conversation is lively ranging from "out of control teens"  (lots of opinions about this!!) to healthy eating which has led to a conversation about celebs with MS  and some advice from Dr Oz.   This conversation is interupted frequently with comments about knitting projects currently on needles and plans for future projects as well as suggestions for ordering lunch!  

Big Boy Toys

Baby Riley is now starting to toddle and was clearly enthused with all of his birthday gifts but most especially his Kawasaki four wheeler (motorized).  His cousins (Selena and Addy are pictured)  were quick to remind Sabrina that he needs to wear his helmet. 

There is just something not right about riding a Kawasaki with a diaper, but he was very cute and really excited when he managed to push the "GO" button.  Uncle John already has plans to show Dave how to put up a safety net of some type so Riley doesn't make the trip down the long steep driveway unsupervised!  Aunt Lisa feels better about the safety of the baby swing in the front yard!  

Shortly after the gift opening the party started to disband when the birthday boy needed another nap to recover from the excitement of opening all of his birthday gifts. 

Family Time

This photo is my "baby brother", Grampa to my little Riley.  We sat (with Mom) to watch Sabrina and her sweet Riley open his birthday gifts and reminisced about the days when our kids celebrated first birthdays.  He is the first great grand child and there was much discussion about who will give Grammy the next great grandchild. 

Abby was not at the party to vote that her brother should have that honor since she is in no hurry to settle down.  She is really loving her life in NYC!   Noah admits he would like LOTS of KIDS but has girlfriend Amber is quick to tell him that there are other things that need to happen before they have kids.  Maybe a wedding in the future?  We all hope so!

John's girls, Sara and Karen were also at the party.  Karen is a recent college grad and newly single and she has been quite vocal about the fact that she is "never going to spawn!"  Her sister did point out that Karen is the grandchild most likely to kidnap a baby, which  brought on a funny story about the time she almost didn't give back someone's small child.  Absent from the discussion was Sabrina's brother Travis who was at the party with his new girlfriend who did look very comfortable holding Riley!!  I think he has my vote for producing the next baby!! 

Fun in the city

We have a lot of birthdays in my family in July and August and three of them on the same day  --July 16.  My mother and sister are here from Florida to celebrate Riley's first birthday which is also my mom's birthday.  To celebrate Mom's birthday Tracy, Mom and I traveled by train to NYC to see my daughter Abby,  show "Grammy" her apartment in Brooklyn and introduce her to Abby's boyfriend Peter.  It was a day full of travel,  at least 10 hours sitting in a car, train or subway!  We had lunch in Soho at a cute restaurant, The Antique Garage and a brief visit to PURL SOHO.  Tracy and both bought Medelinetosh sock yarn.  New York is a great city to visit, but I wouldn'd want to live there!!

Sweater Fever

I am on a big sweater kick.  Now that our weather has cooled to the mid 80's I am actually thinking fall and have 3 different cardigans going.  Pictured here on the top is my "Contented Cardi" by Hannah Fettig.  It is a top down and a really easy knit.  I am using Cascades 220 Superwash Paints  and the color is really gorgeous.  I am hoping to make it long enough to mostly cover my butt.  This may become my favorite sweater and superwash means it will be great for my "gooey boy" , Riley!

The pink sweater is a free pattern from Knitty.com called Amiga.  I am using a washable wool from Colinette "Hand dyed in Wales".  It is really a lovely pale pink!

Buying Yarn

I LOVE to buy yarn and that I own a yarn shop I NEED to buy lot of yarn!  I get to buy it in bags of 10 and I don't have to decide on one color I can buy it in ALL the colors I like!   It is one of my favorite part of owning a shop!

This week i met with 2 different sales reps, both women that I really enjoy working with.  They are both knitters and besides yarn they always have good ideas for projects and pictures and samples to share!   On Tuesday I ordered from Skacel and stocked up on more of their sock yarns plus some of my favorite wools:  Trekking sock yarns, Ambiente sock, Fortissima Socka, Nimbus, Murano, Opus, Unisono, Urban Silk.  I ordered lots of colors of Cascade wool and superwash wool:   220, Eco Wool, Eco Duo, Magnum 128, 220 and 128 Superwash, baby alpaca lace, and heritage sock yarns.  By mid July we should have new yarns arriving every week!!   Fun!!  

Lisa's Stripey Shawlette

This is a small shawl, more of a triangle scarf.  I used one skein of yarn and wound it into 2 balls so that the stripes were finer.  I used both balls of yarn alternating every 2 rows and carrying the other yarn up the side. 

Yarn: Unisono sock yarn, 1 skein  (100% superfine merino with aloe vera and jojoba, 300 meters, 330 yards.)  I wound the skein into 2 equal sized balls.

Needles:   Size 6  32" circular
YO = yarn over
pm = place marker
sm = slip marker


For stripe pattern alternate yarns every 2 rows, carrying yarn up the side as you work.


Directions:  
Cast on 7 stitches.
Row 1: knit
Row 2: purl
Row 3: K2, yo,k1,yo,pm,k1,pm,yo,k1,yo,k2.
Row 4: K2, purl to last 2 stitches, K2

Stockinette section
Row 1,3,5,7,9:    K2, yo, knit to marker, yo, sm,K1,sm, yo,k to last 2 stitches, K2.
Row 2,4,6,8,10:      K2, purl to last 2 stitches, K2.

Garter section: 
Row 1,3,5:   K2, yo, knit to marker, yo,sm, K1,sm,yo,K to last 2 stitches, K2
Row 2,4,6:   Knit


Work these 2 sections to desired length.  My shawl measures 16 '" tall by 32" wide.
Try to end with a section of garter stitch.   Bind off loosely.

Pattern Writing

I am not a pattern writer. 

I have a habit of making "design changes" in patterns or just not following the pattern and "doing my own thing".  This was not a problem until I bought a yarn shop and put some of my creations on display.  Customers are not happy when they try to re-create  something and it doesn't look like mine. 

I am trying to write down what I do and publish them here in my blog.  I do not mind if you use these patterns for your own creations, just keep in mind there may be mistakes or instructions that are unclear!  

Please do not sell these patterns or items created using them.  Please realize that we all have a unique style of knitting as well as different tensions and styles.  These are mostly things I am knitting for my own use so they will be knitted in a size to fit me. 

Mia Shrug Pattern

Lisa’s Top-Down Mia Shrug

Yarn:   Mia Hand Dyed by Tahki Yarns (100% cotton, 41 yards,

Color sunset #002)  3 skeins

Needles:           Size 11 (8.0 mm)  24” circular

                        Size 11 double pointed needles

Guage:  11 stitches and 14 rows = 4 “ in stockinette

Size;                one size (34-36” bust)  Shrug is worn open and does not meet in the center

Neckline:          Cast on 49 stitches.  Work in K1 P1 rib for 1 ½ inches.   

Sleeve set-up Row 1:  Place markers as follows: K8 for front, place marker, K7 for sleeve, place marker, K15 for back, place marker, K7 for sleeve, place marker, K8.

                        Row 2:   K2, purl to last 2 stitches, K2

Keeping first and last 2 stitches in garter stitch work the following 2 rows until the sleeve section measures 14” across.   Try on shrug as you work to check fit around upper arm and across bust, adding more or less rows as needed to fit!

Row 1                *Knit to marker, YO (yarn over) sm (slip marker) YO* repeat across row.  You should have increased 8 stitches.

Row 2               K2, purl to last 2 stitches, K2.   (You will be purling your yarn over increase stitches leaving an open lace stitch pattern.  If you want to close these stitches purl into the back of the stitch.  Whichever you choose, opened or closed look, work this on ALL yarn over stitches!)

Separate for sleeves:   Remove markers as you come to them.  Knit to first marker, slip sleeve stitches on scrap yarn for holder (stitches between Markers 1 and 2) and continue to knit across back, slip next set of sleeves to another scrap yarn (stitches between markers 3 and 4) and knit to end.

Body                 Work back in forth in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) keeping the end 2 stitches in garter stitch (knit both sides)  Work to desired length, ending with one inch of K1, P1 ribbing, binding off loosely.

Sleeves             Place one set of sleeve stitches on needles and join to work in the round.  Work K1,P1 rib for 4 rows (about 1”), then bind off loosely.  Repeat with second sleeve.

                        Weave in loose ends and enjoy your shrug!!

I am not a pattern writer.  I have a habit of making "design changes" in patterns or just not following the pattern and "doing my own thing".  This was not a problem until I bought a yarn shop and put some of my creations on display.  Customers are not happy when they try to re-create  something and it doesn't look like mine.  I am trying to write down what I do and publish them here in my blog.  I do not mind if you use these patterns for your own creations, just keep in mind there may be mistakes or instructions that are unclear!

Family Time

Sunday was Father's Day and we were blessed to have 3 of our kids spend the evening with us.    As parents of a blended brood we often share holidays with the "other families."   Noah and Karen and Noah's girlfriend Amber visited Sunday evening.  We ordered pizza and spent a relaxed couple of hours sitting together and talking.  (Yes, I did have my knitting to work on.)   The conversation was lively and covered many topics.  All of our kids are big talkers and very opinionated.   John and I are usually the quietest as we just enjoy having them around. 

Karen is a recent college graduate with a degree in history.  If you hear of any jobs available locally, let me know!  She would like to work in a museum but would take anything right now while she searches for a "real job."  As the youngest of the bunch she has watched the others work a variety of jobs while searching for something in their chosen field.  I have offered to teach her to knit if she needs something to keep her busy while she waits!   We are happy to have her back in York right now and hope to spend a lot of time with her this summer!

Boy in a Basket

I have a good selection of toys at my house for Riley to play with but most of the time he is just not interested.  He loves to open the corner kitchen cupboard that has all of my storage containers and pots and pans.  He can pull out the drawers and gleefully tosses everything on the floor.  We are working on putting all of these things back in when play time is over but not having any luck with that. 

This week he and Ozzy are enjoying this old round laundry basket.  Ozzy races around and then lands in it, often tipping it over.  Riley likes to pull it over his head but then has trouble getting it off.  As you can see from the photo Ozzy is wherever Riley is!  Ozzy is always very gentle when he plays with Riley even when Riley grabs his ears or tail.  Both of my boys are a constant source of amusement!

Take me out to the ball game

Last night was Uncommon Threads Stitch-n-Pitch Night at the York Revolution.  While the team lost it was a great night to sit and knit!  This was the fourth year we hosted this event and we had 28 people participate.  The evening was warm and the crowd was lively.  My friend Laura was there with her daughters and we talked non stop during the game.  (I am really not a big sports fan.)  Our good bags were a big hit.  I hope to see some of the socks and shawls when they are finished!  

The stadium is lovely --very clean and well staffed.  There is a large selection of food and drinks.  Between innings there are silly games and prizes.  We were there on a fireworks night which was a fun end to the evening.  The parking lot seemed well staffed and the line of vehicles moving out was orderly.  If you haven't been to one of these games --give it a try!  Fun, wholesome family entertainment!

Team Effort

This morning I arrived at the shop early to get some computer work done and heard the beeping of the answering machine.  I admit, i rarely listen to the messages  because i work the afternoon and evening shifts and others are here to open.  I expected a salesperson trying to sell me something I don't want or need but instead had a lovely message from a woman who visited our shop yesterday.  She left a wonderful message about the great experience she had shopping here and raved about the person who helped her select needles and answer some questions about lace knitting.   I was not the one who helped her yesterday but I know who did and I know she always offers customer service that is well above what is experienced in most businesses today. 

As the shop owner I am here 5 days a week for part of the day, and do most of the ordering and make the "big decisions."  I could not do what I do with out the FABULOUS team of ladies who make up the "yarngirls of Uncommon Threads."  I am so blessed to work with an amazing group of talented knitters and crocheters who seem to truly love to be in here and help customers with their projects.  I do not feel like they are my employees but my friends.  I often say to customers that I am probably the "least talented knitter" here, and I am really not kidding.  Each "yarngirl" has unique talents and skills that make her an integral part of our team.  From arranging window displays to website design each has something special to add to the mix.  My husband John has his own business and has worked with "foundry employees" for over 30 years and he is always amazed at the wonderful crew we have working here.  i hear him tell people how the girls often stop in to sit and knit when they are not scheduled to work.  We have even had regular customers put down their needles to help customers when we are busy. 

I frequently tell customers that " I need to sell yarn and needles to keep the shop open , however I love to have a group of women (we would welcome male knitters, just don't see them too often) gathered around the table chatting and knitting.   Please grab your needles and stop in for a visit, no purchase necessary.