news!

Now, normally, I get a wee bit irritated when people say, you should sell that! in reference to my many creative pursuits. Actually I only get irritated when non-crafty people say it. Crafty people get it, therefore they don’t usually say things like that, and when they do, I take it as a compliment. Did that make any sense?

Last fall during my spinning frenzy, Robin wondered aloud if I’d end up spinning yarn and selling it. I think I responded with a hmmm, that’s interesting, while thinking, that would be okay, but what I’d really like to do is dye fiber and sell it. I loved all that spinning, but I had soooo much fun doing all the dyeing, too. And as a biz venture it would stand to be a little more profitable, i.e. I just might break even if I tried really hard.

And during all the dyeing, my DH and I talked about colorways, and how people name them, and I said, well, I really suck at that part, and if I ever were to dye and sell, I’d have to name my colorways after Over the Rhine* songs.

Long story short, I’ve decided to go for it, and the first e-mail I shot off after my wee business loan was funded was to Linford and Karin, asking their permission to name my colorways after their songs. They graciously gave it, and I’m so flippin’ excited. (As is the DH, who said, you’re going to let me help with the colors, right? Is he a keeper, or what?)

So! Coming in September: a wee fiber shop on etsy! I can’t devote a ton of time to it over the next two weeks (aforementioned huge project…sigh) but I am dyeing here and there and getting quite excited about it all. If nothing else, I’ll have the hugest stash of OtR-nspired spinning fiber EVER.

(squee)

* favorite band ever. I’ve been listening to them for 16 years now, and they never fail to inspire me. If you’ve never heard of them, do yourself a favor: click on the record player. (I’m on a Roll is my fave this afternoon…)

shetland triangle

So, things have been crazy busy over here. I’m working a ton and have a huge web site to construct and flesh out in, oh, the next ten days or so. (!!!) So what do I do? Start a new knitting project, naturally!

Ever since I first saw this pattern all knit up I knew I wanted to make one. I’m not a shawl-wearer, but it seemed like the perfect project for the BFL/silk handspun that has been eyeing me from the corner of my office. It’s totally lovely, and I’m really enjoying working on it. Except for the fact that I finished the fourth body repeat this afternoon and my stitch count is off. I should have 63-1-63 stitches and instead I have 62-1-64. I located the error on the 64 side, which will be easy enough to remedy, but I’ve counted the stitches on the 62 side approximately 98674576340 times and can’t figure out where the missing stitch goes. Gah!

Quick knit with worsted weight yarn, though — I started it at around 6 yesterday and I could conveivably finish this weekend.

I know I’m biased

but I can’t get over how gorgeous this yarn is.

Superwash merino, dyed by Crown Mountain Farms (colorway: It Takes Two) and spun by moi. 8 oz., 525 yards.

published.

I don’t know why it gives me such a geeky thrill, but it does. Thousands of people have viewed this pattern online, but for some reason, seeing it in print feels different, kwim?