Christmas in June

I am one of those crazy people who starts to think about holiday gifts in the summer.  As a teacher that is when I had the time to make or buy gifts and it really saves me stress later in the year.  At Uncommon Threads we are putting together ideas for holiday gift knitting and plan to have several patterns available each month (some for purchase and some for free.)  In June we will be offering classes, patterns and discounts on selected yarns  to make cowls.  Last December we sold dozens of skeins of Malabrigo Worsted for the "Burberry Inspired Cowl."  It is great one skein project and knits easily in a couple of hours.  Pictured above is my cowl in yellow.  We currently have a great selection of colors and the pattern is free!  In July we will be knitting hats which are great for everyone on your Christmas list, but especially men and children!  Upcoming months we will feature mittens, scarves &wraps, socks and fingerless mitts.  These are all small portable projects to take along to ball games or the beach!

Cute hat!

Denise just finished this cute hat.  It is knitted using a chunky yarn from Scarlet Fleece!  Stop in and see how cute it is!

My little man

Many of you know this little sweetie, my great nephew Riley.  I babysit him during the week when his parents work.  His parents always thank me for watching him but I feel like i need to thank them for entrusting me with their precious little sweetie.  Aunt Lisa is just a little prejudiced--he really is the sweetest, happiest smartest little baby boy.  In this phots he is sitting on the floor at the shop eating his lunch and yes he is using both hands to cram food into his mouth as fast as he can.  Today's lunch, packed lovingly by his Mama, is cooked peas and fresh strawberries.  There was a lot of squealing, grinning and kicking

Finished Project

As you can see I finished my Miley Tee and had some help getting it ready to photograph.  Ozzy is such a helpful little kitty and he likes to be wherever I am!!  I am wearing this top/sweater today and i really like it!  The yarn is Remix by Berroco and it is made of recycled fibers (a blend of linen, silk, acrylic, cotton and nylon.)  We have several colors:  orange pink, light blue, tan, cream and mustard.  This is my second finished project this month.  When i finish 8 more I can start something new!!!  Oh boy!!

Thursday Night Fun

Shawls are still very popular and the Thursday night shawl group is now working on making shawls from the Blue Heron rayon metallic yarn. The colors are gorgeous and the yarn has a lovely drape when it is knitted.  Whether you knit shawls or not this is a FUN group.  I try to get out of the shop early on Thursday evening but it is hard to leave with such a fun and lively group gathered around the table.  Someone usually heads next door to  Mitsuri-Ya for Chinese and  Japanese food.  The conversation varies during the evening: knitting, work, children and husbands, food.  Good food and good friends.  There is always room for one more friend at the table!!

Spinning

Last June I took a spinning class and came home with a spinning wheel.  I really enjoy spinning and try to find time every week to sit at my wheel.  I am not interested in cleaning and preparing it so i buy roving that is already cleaned and dyed and ready to spin.  I have tried several different wools and alpacas and now I am working on spinning fine so i can ply them.  This photo is a lovely blue-faced Leicester with silk that I bought at Sheep and Wool!  It is lovely to spin and so soft! 

Kitty Capers

Some of you have met my kitty Ozzy.  We adopted him in February from the SPCA.  He was about 2 months old and weighed about a pound.  He was brought in 2 days before and was separated from his mother just hours before I met him.  We lost our 15 year old cat, Joy a month earlier and missed having a "cat child" in the house.  Joy was very reserved and sweet.  Most visitors rarely saw her.  From the beginning Ozzy has been full of energy and very social.  He enjoys following Riley and "attacks his feet as he crawls. I often find him climbing the side of the porta-crib after I have settled Riley in for a nap.  Riley squeals and laughs and pokes at the netting encouraging Ozzy to jump at him!  Three times Ozzy has landed in the bathtub when Riley is in there.  It startles both of them and there is much howling and scrambling to escape.  And LOTS of splashing.   Ozzy's most recent trick is leaping onto John's shoulder when he opens and closes the living room curtains.  He frequently dashes across a room and leaps at John.  I find it hilarious  -John ---- not so much!  Last night he was hanging from a curtain rod in our bedroom attempting to get a bug.  He managed to land on the windowsill rather gracefully instead of crashing to the floor.  He is becoming quite vocal and lets me know when he needs his food or water dish filled.  He eats well but mostly plays with his water.  When he is not attacking things and racing around the house he is very sweet and cuddly.  He has learned not to play with my knitting or spinning or he is put out of the room.  I had him at the shop on a recent Monday as we put things back after Sheep & Wool, and he raced up and down and onto every surface. When he wasn't attacking feet, he enjoyed sitting in the front window and watching all the action in the parking lot!