As Kat Knits…

Well Hello Everyone! 

Are you all finding it hard to get out of bed in the mornings like I am?  It is darker and darker in the mornings and there is a bit of a chill in the air that is encouraging me to stay snuggled under the blankets and grab a few more minutes of sleep!  This is not helping my productivity at work at all! 

I am truly enjoying this stretch of lovely days we have been having here in West Michigan - warm, sunny weather as September rolls along!

This week I have been heading north to Grand Haven to work and the stretch of highway I travel has some trees that are changing colors.  Each day there is a little more color that the day before.  There is a stand of Sassafras trees whose colors are amazing.  I will bring the camera tomorrow and try and capture of picture of their amazing beauty. 

This week was a fun week on the fiber front - I took a spinning class on Monday night with my friend Mary.  I learned more about wool and what kind of fibers are good for “beginning” spinners.  I also got to try out a spinning wheel - an Ashford - wow, that was nice!!  In a short amount of time I had a goodly amount of spun fiber on the bobbin and the consistancy was very even!  Look out, this could get addicting!!

Mary and I have also been brainstorming a bit - we have been working up some items to put in a couple of local gift shops.  And, we are going to try our hand at a gift show in our area as well!  I will keep you all posted on how that progresses. 

All this “work” knitting has taken a big chunk out of “recreational” knitting though - so last night I turned on the TV to catch Grey’s and pulled out my SKB - I just need to finish the sleeves and then the neck band.  I got quite a bit accomplished last night, knitting just for me.  I also want to get some things done for my kids for cold weather - my daughter spied a hat she wanted and I want to get that done for her - I need to find some yarn that will work for the project though - the pattern calls for a bulky yarn so it should be a quick knit!

Well, back to work for me - have a great Thursday all!

Then come on a picnic with me!

That’s right Carole was my Special Swap partner for the Picnic swap - and she sent me to the beach!  My goodies included a great beach towel, a “misting fan” to keep me cool, some awesome coctail napkins, a super-cool flip-flop for my beverage of choice, a candle to light the night when we pull out the “freeze squeeze” beverages!!  Oh… and in case you did not notice - she included some gorgeous Cherry Tree Hill yarn for knitting!

Thanks, Carole - you were an awesome swap partner!

It appears that fall is knocking on the door here in West Michigan - on my way to church yesterday, I noticed several trees with changing leaves!  It certainly got “crisp” outside at night!  We had our first frost of the season as well.  But, the weatherman assures us that we will be back in the 80’s this week. 

I spent the weekend knitting away - I have a couple of fun things to show you - they are blocking right now and should be ready for viewing tomorrow!

I had better get moving and head off to work - have a great day all! 

…and spinning and spinning…

Well, it’s been a hectic week here at the Christensen Huis - school started for all the Christensen children.  Rachel is off to the U of M  and Heidi and Sam are back in school as well.  Busy mornings, busy days at work, and busy evenings should equate to a night of sound sleep but, I have been tossing and turning most of the night!  If there was just a switch to shut off my brain and keep it from wondering what I have forgotten in the day, what I need to remember to do the next day would be awesome! 

Hello Brain … you know, I’d remember things better with a good nights sleep!

So all that thinking about things forgotten and urgency to remember would be much better served if you thought about that in the morning while I am sitting and savoring that first cup of coffee with some knitting in my hands. 

You know - those mornings are nice and quiet - before the chaos of the day erupts. 

You might consider that for next week - I promise you that I would be so appreciative of it!

 So now, dear reader, are you wondering where the spinning and spinning comes in?

Somehow, magically, that Coopworth roving I have is turning to the most amazing yarn!  For those who gave the suggestions to me a huge THANKS goes out to you!  So, in my evenings, I have been spinning and spinning.  I am beyond parking the spindle between my knees and I am just spinning away! 

News flash - I love it! 

Now, not more than knitting - but I want to knit me some socks out of that Coopworth I am spinning. 

Speaking of socks -I bought Cat Bordhi’s new book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters, Book One, yesterday.  This book is sheer genius.  If you do not have it, I urge you to go today and pick up a copy of it.  Cat is one brilliant woman and the designs in this book will astonish you - truly astonish you, trust me on this!  If you are a sock knitter, there are new things to learn in this book that will take your sock knitting to a new level.  If you have never knit socks, Cat explains how to knit a sock that your foot will love.  And, when you have finished your first pair - they will clamor for more!!  She  uses a variety of techniques and a variety of great yarns.  If you, like me, have more than a skein or two of sock yarn in your stash - run out and get this book.  Your stash will decrease with each pair of socks that fly off your needles.  Think how happy this will make you feel if you, like me, wanted to decrease your stash in 2007. 

As Lynne was so kind to remind me that Christmas is right around the corner - you can get to work on Christmas knitting NOW and have some lovely socks to gift to your loved ones.

If this commentary has not created the urge to run out and get this book then I will make it very easy.  Click the link and buy it today! 

Seriously, dear readers, this book is so incredible!

This week in a Marketplace report, Kai Ryssdal interviewed Mark Penn about “microtrends” and Mark mentioned knitting - my ears just perked up at that word - and Kai was surprised to hear about the increase in knitters.  So, I emailed Kai to share how LARGE the knitting community is.  Blogs, Ravelry, Etsy, etc.  After all - I consider Marketplace to be on the pulse of the planet - so I felt compelled to increase their knowledge. 

Guess what - they emailed me asking for my phone number - yes, they want to call me.  I will update you later with where this all goes!! 

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Hello Everyone!  I was awakened this morning by the sun peeking in the window!  It was warm and welcoming.  Nights have been getting cooler here.  And, nights have been getting longer - the sun did not wake me until after 8AM!  All these things add up to summer ending! 

I even saw some trees with changing leaves this week as I drove between Holland and Grand Haven! 

Yikes - I am just not ready for fall!

I have plans to have no plans this weekend.  August ended on such a frenzied note that a weekend of nothing sounded quite heavenly.  So, you will find me sitting outside, soaking up the last summery rays of sunshine, listening to the radio, and knitting.

I had some stash enhancement this week - I have been wanting to knit Charlotte’s Web for some time now.  So, I broke down and got 5 skeins of Koigu!!  Here is the great part - 3 of them were ON SALE!!  A new knitted item on it’s way for the wedding I am attending in September!!  Who needs a new “little black dress” when you can dress up your current black dress with a new wrap!!  It should be just the right weight for a fall evening! 

My LYS has enlisted my help - yes, that is right - my help.  They want to start a blog!!  Yes, gentle reader, Rose and Ruby are going to be available to you - near or far - via the blogisphere!!  Watch for updates on this in the days to come.

Now, I am off to my plan-less weekend.  And, here is to hoping that your weekend plans or no plans goes exactly as you imagine it to!!