Not Yet, Spring....

Good Morning Everyone!

Well, I guess it's fair to say that Ole Man Winter isn't quite ready to pass the torch to Spring. It's typical, I know, I don't get too excited about a 65 degree day in March, inevitably, you get sucker punched in the face by a blast of winter. I completely dodged it by staying inside after the temperature decided to plummet, it got nasty. I tackled my yarn stash yesterday, what a freaking chore!! Suffice it to say, I'm still not done, as daunting as it was, it was a trip down memory lane. Best of all, I found a lot of things I'd been looking for (Fiddlehead Fern Mitten Pattern) and rediscovered things I'd forgotten about (2 skeins of Silk Cashmere) along with things I hoped to never see again (Sheep Socks KAL lol). There were a few UFOS, the Fingerless Mitts I distinctly remember working on during Addie's 5th Grade violin concert, a baby sweater, and of course a shawl. The best part was looking at all the leftover balls of yarn and mostly remembering what they went to. I was super excited to find the "Susie Roger's Reading Mitts" I'd knit with cashmere, SCORE, just in time for SPRING!! I also realized that I need another project bag like I need a hole in my head. But, I'm still very confident I need to have a DellaQ Maker's Midi Backpack, I don't have anything like it...

I am making great progress on my Elise Pullover, I'm halfway done the first sleeve, YAY!! I did take a bit of creative license (which hopefully I won't regret) I did an I-Cord bind off around the bottom instead of the twisted 1x1 ribbing. We had talked about it during Stitch and Bitch, I liked the idea of the finished edges matching. I thought about doing a purl row before the bind off, but I was also playing yarn chicken with what was left on the skein. Yes, it would have been very easy to add a new skein, but let's face it, it's more fun to win at yarn chicken, which I did. I'm just hopeful that it won't keep rolling up once it's blocked because, I didn't do the row of purl. In my mind it wouldn't have made a difference lol...It does look really nice, fingers crossed.

With the help of my lovely friend, Kathleen, I now have a pattern to use with Berroco's Iris. I had started making my Cinnamon Twists Pullover and after a consultation with my S&B crew, it was determined that the yarn was all wrong. I knew it, but having a few friends to confirm helps for sure. Kathleen suggested Norah Gaughan's Niche

https://berroco.com/search.php?search_query=niche I'm going to have to play with the gauge and sizing a bit, but Andra assures me it's completely doable. I also took the plunge and wound the yarn for my Foxthoughts pullover https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foxthoughts-pullover I have been waiting for the right opportunity to cast this on, it's definitely going to be a challenge, but I feel better knowing that I have my Oh Snap Della Q bag to keep the 12 different colors from tangling, stay tuned...

Next Wednesday, March 26th, we have a very special guest joining us for Stitch and Bitch, JULIE ASSELIN! Many of you took on the task of Morning Rituals and knit with her Boucle. I have knit with her Fino, I made the Mabel Cardigan and Bee Vest, it is lovely to work with. She will be bringing lots of yarn, she offers a lovely variety of bases, weights and colors. I hope you will join me and give her a big reception and make her feel welcome. I'm sure she would enjoy seeing our Morning Rituals sweaters, so either wear it (weather permitting) or bring it. I think it would be a fantastic photo op.

We have KAL this Saturday, March 22nd 9-11:00, I think a few of you may already be finished with your sweaters, bragging rights will be tolerated lol...I hope to be almost finished, the sleeves always go quicker than anticipated, especially if I cheat and do 3/4 sleeves, I haven't decided yet. We will be meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch, I hope you can join in the fun. Make it a great day and I'll see you soon!

Katy