Spring Knitting

Spring has finally hit central Pennsylvania.  Weather in the 80's this week is not motivating me to finish any projects!  I look at all the bright colors of lovely cotton and lightweight yarns and I want to start something NEW!  That really isn't unusual for me.  I love the beginning of a new project but soon lose interest and want to start something new.

 I met with a sales rep from Blue heron Yarns today.  He had some new things that I plan to order for fall and he had several bins of yarn available for immediate sale.  The colors are absolutely gorgeous and having used several Blue Heron Yarns in recent years I was an easy mark.  I plan to take them to Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival next weekend but know some of them won't last that long.  A couple of regular customers and employees will probably NEED to add them to their stash.  I am an enabler in that way.  "You can never have too much stash."  and "It won't last long, if you want that color you should take it now."  Hee!  Hee!

I know something will probably go home with me!

Travel Knitting

I have just returned from a visit to my parents in Naples, Florida.  It was hot and sunny all weekend, very different from the weather here in Pennsylvania!  My mom and her friends meet most mornings at the pool in their condo complex for "water aerobics."  They all know the exercises so their is much conversation and comeraderie as they stretch and bend in the water.  After the workout they pull chairs into a circle and chat for another hour.  I enjoyed sitting in the sun with my knitting and listening to all the conversations.  I miss having my mother nearby but it helps to know she has a wonderful collection of friends in Florida!


One of my favorite things about traveling is planing some knitting time.  I always plan for lots of knitting time both during the vacation and traveling to and from the vacation.  If I am ever stranded at an airport I will have plenty of knitting to keep me busy!  I have never had a problem taking my knitting projects and needles on a plane.  I always have at least 2 projects in my carry on bag plus a couple more packed in my checked luggage.  For this trip I packed a new sock yarn: Grassy Wool from Scarlet Fleece in a color titled Cottage Garden.   The yarn is very silky (superwash merino and bamboo) and the color is a lovely blend of green, pink and lavendar.  I hoped to finish one sock but I have just turned the heel and started the foot on the first sock.   I worked on my "Citron" Shawl (knitty.com) made with Heritage sock yarn in a blue denim color, but it is not finished.  I also started a short summer sock out of Fortissima Socka Mexico Cotton in pinks and oranges.  I didn't finish that either!

My sister took me to her local yarn shop in Naples and I had fun chatting with another yarn shop owner and YES I did buy yarn and a pattern book for a cotton cardigan!  I need to finish a few things before I start another project!

It is good to be home and hopefully we will have some warmer weather soon!  Happy Knitting!  Lisa

Knitting Round Table

I love to see a group gathered around our oak table happily working and talking.   The topic of conversation this past weekend ranged wildly from children and husbands to medical issues and job stresses, dieting and exercising, cooking and eating, educational funding, aging parents,  tattoos and piercings, getting babies to sleep all night and pet adventures.  The groups contained veteran knitters and Learn to Knit Class members, moms of babies and teens, grandmothers, young single girls and empty nesters.  All were united by the knitting in their hands!  Some did not know the others while a few have been friends for years if not decades.  The projects on needles were just as varied.  I saw some simple scarves, a first sock, cardigans and pullovers, a bright hat, a baby blanket and some shawls! Conversation is at times noisy and lively and at others peaceful and quiet!  I sat for a bit to work on a sweater and thought “There is nowhere else I would rather be right now!”  Thank you knitting friends!

Winter Weary

The calendar tells us that it is spring and the daffodils are blooming, so why am I still reaching for my wool mitts & scarves?   I have a 3 minute commute to the yarn shop so there is not time for my heat to really warm the car! 

The shop is fully stocked with lovely cotton, linen and silk yarns and I am itching to start a summer cardi!  I currently have projects on needles using some of these yarns but I am having a hard time finding motivation to pick them up when I am still reaching for a wool sweater and socks every day!  I have started a Miley Tee pattern available at the shop) using the yarn Remix from Berroco.  Last spring I started a Tappan Zee (Knitty.com) using Blue Heron cotton/rayon seed yarn. 

Late last night I finished my Tea Leaves Cardigan (Ravelry purchase) knitted with Cascade's Eco Duo.  I have pulled out several buttons from our stash at the shop & hope to make a decision before I leave here today. 

Happy Knitting!   Lisa

New Beginnings

It is a quiet Friday night at Uncommon Threads.  The shelves and racks around me are filled with lovely new yarns and I am craving a new project!  The gorgeous colors of Malabrigo worsted and silk merino are calling out to me!  Of course I do not NEED new yarn or another knitting project.  Need or want?  I have explained this to my children many times during their growing up years!  I do not NEED More yarn, but I WANT it anyway!!

  As a yarn shop owner I have access to a  lot of beautiful yarns, but not as much time to knit as I would like!  I am almost finished my Tea Leaves Cardigan knitted in Cascade's Eco Duo, a blend of undyed baby alpaca and merino.  If I can finish both button bands tonight I can wear it tomorrow!  Maybe if i don't sleep?? 
 
We have 2 boxes of new yarn in the back room waiting for price labels, so that is my goal for this evening!  I bought an old cabinet that will be delivered tomorrow so I will spend my day putting out some new yarns and pattern books!  Stop in and check out our new yarns!