You signed up on July 7, 2007 You are #9554 on the list. 492 people are ahead of you in line. 16408 people are behind you in line. 34% of the list has been invited so far

I am sooooooo excited! I'm getting closer and closer....sooooon ravelry will be miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!!!!! LOL

Knit in went great last night! We had a good group come in and poor Michelle was mercilessly harassed by us because she didn't bring cupcakes. LOL We were only teasing her, and she kept threatening us with her "body guard" aka as my husband tony. LOL All in all we had a great time and I am looking forward to next Thursday!

I need to get at it this morning...I am going to look for some ideas for the sleeves of my sweater...I want some sort of shell pattern, just to dress it up a bit. I hope this top down cardigan turns out nicely. It has a cute little seed stitch collar and I wish I had carried the seed stitch down the front edges. A cable would have been cute too. So, if this pattern works out well and I get all of the little kinks out to suit me, I will play a bit more with the pattern.

Only 2 more days to Oxford! Woooo Hooooo! I thought I would throw that in...LOL ok, gotta go!

knit on ya'll!

I'm 632!

You signed up on July 7, 2007
You are #9554 on the list.
623 people are ahead of you in line.
16183 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

Yeah baby! I'm getting closer to being on ravelry.com everyday! Right now, I have to live vicariously thru Laura's account when she comes in...*sigh* I LOVE IT! Anyway, maybe by next week I'll be on ravelry.com

Also, only 3 more days and I can go to Oxford! I really hope that I will not be disappointed...I have high hopes, a list and my money. So, I think I should be ok.

I am starting yet another project....I hope I know what I am doing, but I have not made very many sweaters or the like for this coming fall/winter, so I am digging out some patterns to work up that HOPEFULLY will be relatively quick and simple. So, we'll see how that goes!

okie dokie...I have some things to do before this evening's TAHKI. I am so looking forward to it. I am not sure (because I am getting old and senile) but I thought Laura said she would not be here tonight...is that right?

Well, I hope to see everyone here!
later and stay cool!
kathy

Y'all are "Rock Star"!

We had a fabulous turn out last night! We had close to 30 people come and was it fun! We had to rearrange the furniture a bit, I wanted everyone to feel included. There were some new faces at the knit in and that was great!Let's see if I can remember what all was going on, it was sooooo busy! Tommie came in late but got right to work, Laura worked on her socks for the Advanced Sock Class, Michelle came bearing cupcakes and her project (loved the cream cheese frosting), Gail managed to make it, despite her hand hurting. Carol made it a little late but she made it! The ladies who took the hat class were here and Judy finished her hat! I wish now that I had gotten her picture! Terry and Renee' made it! HOORAY! I was in an absolute panic about Terry making it. She made it and I am desperately hoping she gets her picture in the paper. My daughters were there and knit for about 30 minutes or so. Tony was going to try and make it about 7:00 but got caught up in a meeting, rain and traffic. I was bummed about that. Laura's mom brought her spinning wheel and Patty came with her new wool picker. That thing looked vicious, like some sort of medieval torture device, but oh the way it picked out the wool into mounds of clean fluff! She drop spindled some up and it was really gorgeous! We had a cute couple come in and join the festivities. He was a "closet knitter" (I say that in a whisper and nervously looking around) and was not comfortable with knitting in front of people! LOL She was a knitting machine, and she was working on a cardigan. Nice work! We also had a lovely young woman named Emily visit us again and she made her very first crocheted square. I took a pic...I'll post it later cause I have to compress it so it will download here.Eloise finished her first cable panel...I am so jealous, I am not even 1/2 way on my first panel! She was starting to cast on for the second panel last night. I'll catch up Eloise! Amy was there, sneaking little pieces of cupcake to Rex, LOL and having a great time visiting. HI AMY!!!! I KNOW I am leaving someone out, but it was ALL fun and I really can't wait to see the article. Olivia (our sweet reporter, what a doll!) said she would bring plenty of papers by for us to have. I am so excited!

I am adding a new class while Laura is on vacation in the next couple of weeks. Saturday July 28, @ 1:00 will be a Granny Square class. I have had so many people come in and want to know how to make a granny square. I have made afghans before (in my younger days/pre children) using Granny Squares. Quite frankly, the granny square has come a long way. I have seen some very elegant things made from Granny squares, a shrug, and jacket come to mind, and I think that just learning the basics, ya'll can take it to whatever level you want. I'll post it to the website and email an update on classes.

In September (after Labor Day) the shop will be open on Mondays. I had planned on only being open 5 days a week during the summer, but with the Fall and Winter coming (and that being the peak of the Knitting season, so to speak) I had planned to be open Mondays as well. I would like a little feed back on this, what do you think? I think it just makes sense to.

Our first "commercial" is in production as we speak. Taylor has begun filming a very silly commercial for That Yarn Shop, the first of many, I assure you. We now have to take the camera and film to his Uncle for help editing and transferring to DVD. As soon as we get the rehab house in Memphis sold, Taylor will be getting a new digital-video/cam with all of the USB ports and software he needs to make films. We have put it off for as long as we could, but with him being in the 10th grade now, there is his long term career and schooling to consider. He wants (and we want to help him with this) to go to media school, so he is going to have to have a "portfolio". I researched a bit on what he needs... he will need film (on DVD is acceptable) scripts, storyboards and the like. So, time is of the essence. He is also going to need a laptop and software for film making and editing. I am however, glad to see him working through the fact that he has limited resources at hand but is doing his best to utilize them. He'll need that when he gets into the real world of filming budgets, etc.

Well, it's quiet for a Friday and I need to work on the State resale taxes and send them off! ( we all know how much I HATE that right now! grrrrrrr)

Please don't forget about Carol's Crochet Bolero Class! If you haven't signed up for it, you need to, pronto pup so we can get you in! I plan on working on one...black! and small for Tori, she'll love it!

okie dokie my little knitters, I love y'all and can't even begin to thank you enough for helping me out with the knit in! Y'all are "rock star"!knit on y'all!kathy

BIG NEWS!!!

Big News!
Guess What?! This Thursday After Hours Knit In will be a SPECIAL night!An up and coming newspaper called "The Grapevine" will be coming to interview That Yarn Shop and most importantly The After Hours Knit In Crowd! Y'all are gonna be celebrities!

They will be coming out to interview us and take pictures, so I need as many of you to come out that night as possible! I was hoping we could talk Laura's mom and Patty into coming out and hand spinning too.This newspaper covers Desoto, Tate and Tunica County, so this could be a big deal for us here at the shop.Half the battle for me is just getting our name out there so people know we are here. I really have been waiting a loooong time for someone to come and give us an interview. Too bad Tony will be at a meeting, he's my only male knitter around here, but we have Amanda, Tori and Hannah to show our younger knitters. Amy, remind me to get a hold of Terry, she's been bound and determined to get her name and picture in a newspaper for knitting, just forever now and dog gone it, we're gonna make sure her wish comes true! I wonder if Rene' will come too?

Anyway, I am VERY EXCITED about this opportunity and I really want y'all to be a part of it. I could have just had an interview of me and the shop but I really sold the "AHKI" to the columnist. I told them it would make for a more interesting article. Will you come out and help me Thursday night, July 12?

let me know!
kathy

When Hornets Attack!

I got up at the usual 5:30am with Tony and got his lunch and coffee made. I told him "I love you" and crawled back in bed to get some extra shut eye. At approximately 8:03am I awoke to Taylor yelling and Casey (the border collie) making a huge commotion upstairs. I thought, "Oh maaaaaaaaaaaaan, Casey messed the carpet again or chewed Taylor's glasses...again." I jumped out of bed, ran up the stairs and found Sam whacking the crud out of a small yellow jacket or something, Taylor clutching his ear yelling at the top of his lungs, "HOLY CRAP! THAT HURT!!! THAT HURT!!!" meanwhile Casey is running all over the house trying to rub her nose with her paws and whining.

Sam killed the wasp, I looked at Taylor's ear and found that the wasp had torn it's stinger off and had left it in Taylor's ear and that Casey had at least 1/2 a dozen stings herself. After I got everyone calmed down a bit, Tony called and said, "just coat a spoon with benedryl and let her lick it." Guess what? I could never get my kids to like benedryl, but dogs apparently like it! Hope she won't be poisoned or something...she was doing fine when we left later this morning so, I think she'll be ok. As for Taylor, I pulled the stinger out of his ear, put sting-eze on the other places he had been nailed and gave him 2 benedryl capsules.

Sam said he knew where the nest was...way in the back yard behind the barn (where we always exercise and walk the dogs) and he would point it out to daddy tonight. Tony said he would take care of things tonight after work. Taylor is fine (really zoned and sleepy from the meds and Casey was ok (sore) but ok. Shooweeee...what a way to wake up!

The Knit In was so much fun last night! We cut up and laughed, Carol's husband Gary is probably traumatized for life, but oh well! LOL We had a new girl come in last night, Hi Emily, we were glad to have ya! Michelle brought in her marvy cupcakes again! LOL Michelle, don't forget your container and I have a little surprise for you. She is as sweet as the goodies she makes. I mean it too, she is very thoughtful and giving. Laura had to leave early, her hands were so sore from all the knitting she has been doing, you could literally see the muscles twitching in her poor hands! I hope you got some rest last night girl! Eloise and her friend from yoga were their usual fun selves and we had Amy and Carol in the mix which kicks it up a notch! We really missed all of you regulars who were not able to make it last night. I hope next week finds y'all here with us!

I need to go ahead and post this, but don't forget about the hat class tomorrow and Laura's Cable Class next Tuesday evening! have a wonderful day and let me hear from ya!

knit on y'all!kathy

Feeling Better!

It has taken me forever to bounce back from the cold/flu thing I had going on...mostly fatigue. Tony has been an absolute doll and letting me sleep in all week. Thank you honey, I love you.

Tonight is the After Hours Knit In and I am sooooooo excited! I am looking forward to everyone coming out tonight! Hopefully my brain won't be in a fog like it has been the last few days. LOL (no comments from the peanut gallery y'all!)

I am going to have to make an order today for some accessories today from Crystal Palace. I wonder if I can pester Laura? LOL She's at work, best not. I just need to know what sizes..aw what the hey, I'll just have to order the different sizes just to be sure.LOL I am really looking forward to the Cables Class she is teaching. The cables she has chosen are beautiful and the way it works up in the Tara Cotton by GGH is really great. I am going to take pics today and OH BTW, you will probably be inundated with emails from the shop today. I am sending out a bunch of reminders about coming classes. If you are going to take any of the classes, y'all really need to sign up as soon as possible.

Ok, I really need to get with it today, lots to do. I hope everyone is having a perfectly wonderful day and HOPEFULLY I'll get to see y'all tonight!Knit on y'all!
kathy

Sweaters, Socks and Other Stuff!

Can I get them done before tonight???? I hope so!!!!
I am past the gusset on shop sock # 2 and well on my way working the stockinette around the instep...wooo hooo...I am hoping to have them done tonight...preferably before tonight.

Here is Laura, trying to hide behind her sock and narrowly having her pic taken while crosseyed and tongue sticking out. LOL! She always protests, "NOOOO PICTURES!" ahhhh... but we got her anyway!

I have also FINISHED the "orange sweater' *evil music* again...I went online to see if there were any errors in the pattern, especially concerning the neckline. There weren't mistakes per say, just a lot of knitters with issues with it. They all conceded that the decreasing should be carried another few inches beyond the 5 1/2" that it called for. Also, the neckline was too sloppy... and "weak"...I didn't turn under the hem like the pattern called for. Laura and I looked at the sweater and she suggested about 1/2 an inch worth of 1x1 rib instead. It worked out wonderfully and I am thrilled!


Jessica (furthest away) and Eloise (nearest to camera)

The sock class is going great and here is Eloise helping Jessica out a bit. They are coming right along and I am so proud for them!

Dora (front) and Lela (furthest away) are busy working on their mini socks!

See Dora? She's going to have twins!!! We are still waiting on what gender they are so we can begin making plans for a baby shower this fall!

Everyone now, chant! "Baby stuff, baby stuff, baby stuff!" I like making baby stuff, so I am pretty excited about it!

Okie dokie...I need to update the website in a major bad way...everytime I would try yesterday, things would come up...and I have to get the reminder emails out about the knit in tonight...is everyone going to make it???

Knit on ya'll!

kathy

p.s. I am REALLY missing my Taylor boy

Here is what I have so far...of the "orange sweater"...
I am still working on the Yoke, it needs more decreasing. It looks like it will fit now, but the stitches are gathered up on the needle cable still. I think it will work out great when I get the decreases finished and I can move onto the purl row for the turn row. Laura, I need you to decipher into plain english for me, how they are wanting this neckline done. I am stalled on that. I think though, I will go ahead and kitchner stitch under the arms and be done with it. I am pretty stoked, this will be my first knitted Adult raglan sweater done this way. I feel like I have come a long way baby!

I went to Books A Million Sunday. We all know that is Kathy's favorite hangout! well, I just couldn't decide and being that I am tight on money right now, made the executive decision to wait. I felt incredibly weird walking out of there empty handed.

Tony wore his knitted tie with pride, Sunday. He wore a beautiful blue shirt that made it look really great. He wants another one sometime, but I told him I needed to take a break for awhile...I want to finish my other shop sock AND the "orange sweater" (can you hear sinister music playing in the background every time I say..."orange sweater"?) LOL

Monday was my off day, but phooey, I had to come to the office and find out if the post office or at&t had lost my payment and then go grocery shopping...some "off day". Oh, and at&t FINALLY received my payment...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I did manage to catch Knitty Gritty @ 6:00 am while working on the "orange sweater" (music again) and was fairly pleased...it was a new one I had not seen before. It was about pet sweaters and although I liked the sweaters, they were more like capes to me. They really should have been designed with belly bands , because those things can get twisted around easily. Not all of them were capes but most were. Also, you can make a sweater, with neck and front leg holes to fit better, than make the back more like what they had. I am in search for the PERFECT dog sweater...haven't quite found what I am looking for yet. I think I may yet design one. First, I have to conquer the "orange sweater" (hear it?)

Don't forget Sock Class with Laura and extended hours tonight as well as Wednesday knit in tomorrow morning! I hope to have my other sock finished up at least by tomorrow...it all depends on whether or not I can finish the "orange sweater"...Well, I really need to stitch up those sleeves and finish decreasing.

I hope everyone is enjoying the rainy day...makes me sleepy!
knit on ya'll!
kathy

Thursday! Wooo Hoooo! Yeah baby!

I hope everyone can make it tonight! I brought Tony's tie back up to the shop and I finished my first sock! So, I have something for "show and tell" tonight! LOL


it looks darker grey for real...


it's sooooo pretty!

Carol, I hope you can make it tonight, but girl, I certainly can understand where you are right now, so no worries, ok?I am getting my camera out and fix'n to take some pics. Even of my almost 1/2 way done bright orange sweater...don't laugh too much at it ok?


I made some glass bead stitch markers Friday...I think I mentioned that in my last post...but here are a few of them, I wish the pics were better, but they look pretty okie dokie.






It seems like I have lots to do today...but trying to remember WHAT EXACTLY that is, hmmmmmm... some timers has set in this morning! Oh well, let me send out my reminder email about Knit In tonight and I will hopefully, see y'all later!

knit on y'all!
kathy

Sock Class Tonight!!!

Sock Class Tonight!
I was going to title my post, "Death and Taxes", but thought better of it! LOL! I just had to figure up my state sales tax stuff to turn in. What a bummer...oh well, at least it is done and behind me now.I am missing everyone, seems like this was a long weekend.

I got Tony's tie done, and as usual, forgot to take a picture of it! It turned out great and ties correctly, now I am glad I made it 1 inch longer than called for! So, now Tony has a traditional Father's day gift, a neck tie! He said that he's never gotten a tie for FDay and I was shocked, but the more I thought on it, I realized, Good Grief! He's RIGHT! LOL Now, to find him a nice button down to go with it!

I am a bit melancholy, Taylor will be gone next week. He is going to Boy Scout Summer Camp up in TN. He needs a break and to get away from us, but I sure am gonna miss the boy. I always do and dread the day he grows up and moves away. ACK! Makes me wanna cry, so I better not think about it. He's at home today, taking care of Samuel, who has a nasty cold I think? I don't know, he just kept coughing and coughing yesterday and last night he ran a fever, I went to walgreens and got him a multi-symptom cold/flu medicine and he slept very well with little to no coughing. I think his sinuses were aggravating his throat, etc. This morning, there was no fever and he seemed much better, but I figured he needed a day at home to rest. Taylor said he would stay with him and cut grass, unload the dish washer and vacuum. What a guy! Thanks Taylor! Speaking of boys being away...Carol, is the Code man back yet? We were missing him around here...how is Shelby's sunburn?

Rex the shop puppy's birthday is today, leave it to my girls to remember such things! He is 4 years old and got 4 silver dollar sized pancakes with syrup for breakfast. NO, I didn't make them just for Rex's bday, I was making them for the kids and thought, why not? LOL!

Tomorrow is my Tori's birthday! She will be 13! I wanna cry! NOOOOOOOOOO! She is so happy she can't stand it, I want to lay in the fetal position in a dark room until it passes. Why can't she just stay about 7 years old for just a few more years? WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!


The Sock Class should be fun tonight, although, I wish more people had signed up for it. Laura is a super fantabulous teacher and you are really missing out if you haven't signed up for her class. I started a new pair of socks using the pretty "shop yarn" Laura gave me as a surprise gift! They have the aqua and brown colors of the shop! I'll probably work on those tonight while everyone is taking class.Extended hours tonight because of the class. So, if you want to come in or need something, I'll be open until 9:00pm tonight.

I am steadily working on the 2nd arm of my sweater. So hopefully in a couple of days (if not sooner) I'll have it done and attached to the main body and can start working the yoke. I am loving the Nashua yarn...nice stuff to work with.I look forward to seeing everyone tonight and hopefully ya'll can come on for the Wednesday Knit In too!

I'll try and post pics later!
knit on ya'll!
kathy