Crazy for Ewe

Last week Ginni and Mary and I went to HH Americas, a trade show and convention previously held exclusively in Europe. We used to go to TNNA every year, but even before Covid, that event started to unravel a bit. So it has been almost 5 years since an event like this, and we were pretty excited to attend. 

What makes it so awesome? Well, a lot of things. First, as I’ve said over and over since Covid, I don’t think any of us will ever again take for granted the

When we get started on a garment, there are so many things to consider.  

There are the fun things - What pattern will I knit? What yarn should I use? We all love this part.  It’s exciting to choose a design and pick the yarn.  It’s all about color and texture, fun stitch patterns and style. Who doesn’t love that?

Then there are the not so fun technical questions.  Can I get gauge?

Lots of people only knit in the winter.  I get it - wool is definitely nicer to use than almost any plant-based fibers, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give summer yarns a chance. There are lots of great reasons to knit summer garments and even more beautiful summer fibers to enjoy.  

Linen - when it comes to warm weather fibers, linen is king. LInen fibers are hollow which makes them lighter and more breathable than even cotton.  Linen is also moisture-wicking which means it absorbs moisture from your body and transfers it to the outside 

I had a wonderful conversation this morning with Ciara Conlon - I've been telling anyone who stands still about how Ciara's book, Get Organized - Do more in less time, has changed my life. Well, is changing my life. I still have a long long way to go, but at least I have a map now!

You can watch the video here on YouTube, Ciara talks about how getting organized starts with effective goal setting. We have quite a discussion about how 

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my survey on the Magnolia Knitalong.  I asked you to tell me which style you liked best - Magnolia Bloom which features the motif around the yoke, or Magnolia Chunky which has the motif at the hem and cuffs.  

Both versions are absolutely beautiful with the soft halo of mohair and the lovely floral motif.  When you knit this sweater, you’ll feel so accomplished and proud to wear your creation. It’s clear, well-written pattern with a perfect balance of a little challenge on the motif, and smooth sailing as you work the stockinette in the round.  Plus with the knitalong, you’ll have tons of new friends to help you all the way through. 

Which was the favorite?  So far, around 60% favor Magnolia Bloom, and 40% Magnolia Chunky.  They’re both pretty awesome, and I may end up making one of each!  It’s not too late to vote.  This KAL starts May 1, so feel free to send the survey to a friend with this link https://forms.gle/w7f91UWLySWtgsa37

Favorite colors?  The color preferences are literally, all over the map.  There’s not a single color combination that stood out as a clear favorite, which makes

We all know knitting is a great way to relax and de-stress. Knitting’s calm, automatic, repetitive motions quiet the mind and bring peace to the soul. However, unchecked, endless hours of knitting either with great focus or with simple repetitive movements, can cause problems of their own. 

Have you ever been engrossed in a complicated pattern - working the fabric, checking the chart, watching every stitch?  Time goes by without you noticing it, and the next thing you know, you’ve been at it an hour or more.  You’ve gotten through the tough spot in your work, but your neck and shoulders have paid the price.  That’s because we usually bend our neck slightly forward when we read a pattern, follow a chart, or look at our work constantly.  This posture, with our head slightly forward and down, puts pressure on the spine.  The more the head

After a day of snowboarding, my son Colton hit me with it. 

 “Hey, Mom,” he ventured, “I know you used to ski.  I want you to promise me that you’ll go skiing with me next season.”  

Gulp.  I ditched my Rossignols in 1998 and haven’t looked back.  Now this. A million thoughts ran through my head, and most of them were not good.  But this was my 20 year old asking me to do something with him.  How often does that happen???

 “Um, okay,” I stammered.  What am I getting myself into?

Trying new things is scary.  No matter whether it’s something big and obviously frightening like hang gliding or skiing again after 25 years.   Trying something new triggers a visceral fear.  And fear makes us feel vulnerable. .Will I be able to get off

It’s October.  You look out the window and see the maple tree ablaze in red and gold.  The air is crisp, perfect for apple picking and leaf peeping, and all the simple pleasures of fall.  As a knitter, you’re especially excited because you know just the sweater you’ll wear - practically the same color as that maple tree.  How good it will feel to pull that on with your jeans and maybe some boots! You imagined this day with every stitch of that sweater.  And now the perfect fall fantasy awaits. Only when you pull it from the cedar chest where you carefully tucked it away last spring, you see that some nasty critter has chewed three ragged holes at the back neckline.  You want to cry. You do cry. That sweater took forever to knit, and the yarn was NOT cheap.  

But wait. Wait. It's a dream - a nightmare.  You're awake now and you remember that it’s the end of March.  You only just finished that sweater last week, and