FRIDAY: Open House and Yarn Tasting, May 17th 5pm to close

The samples are all prepped and I loved every one of them from the yarn line we will be sharing with you tomorrow…and the sock yarn is spectacular. The fibers were all soft and some are blends I have not encountered before. My fingers are crossed and I am so excited to hear your feedback about these yarns!

The next Open House will be late in June with a different line of yarn, probably on a Sunday afternoon. If you have day or time preferences, please let me know and I will do my best to schedule accordingly.

The studio is vacuumed, the displays are spiffed and I even…wait for it…cleared off the table. Of course that will be covered with the samples.

The studio will be closed from 3-5 pm to prep for the Open House and to grab a bite before we all get together for our evening of fun.

Looking forward very much to seeing Ewe all here!
xx M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Current Customer Projects

I don’t have photos of everything but let’s go for a summary: Suzy working on sweater but very busy at work. Jamie working on Tickle Me sweater test knit and Cable Brannigan (half way) AND nursing four abandoned kittens every four hours. Kate is working on Juneberry; just finished chart A. Chris has finished her red sweater, Shadow and it is amazing. She has multiple socks and the shawl, Multnomah on needles. Pat S. has socks on needles and I’m waiting for our next lesson. Kelly has the Sunny Days shawl on needles. Cheryl is immersed in Jade Sapphire Maju Silk. And I am waiting to see what Brenda, Tola and Martha brought back from MSW. Jan began Cable Brannigan and is working at some baby pods. Rachel is finishing a crocheted blanket for her father. I think Robin is still on a sock but also loving her garden — and who doesn’t? Photos below.

 

Juneberry Triangle Shawl

Kate came in the other day and wanted to knit this shawl. This is one I’ve had on my list and yarn waiting for ages. I am enjoying the first lace pattern tremendously and even extended this section (I know I have twice the needed yarn). It is going to take some figuring to match up the next sections but I think it will be worth it in the end.

I did notice there were a few projects on Ravelry who fell short on yarn. I don’t know if they swatched or not–but it would seem like a good idea!

Do you know there are over 1100 people who have done this shawl? It is a well-written pattern and I am truly enjoying it!

 

In no particular order: NEW YARN, Suzy & Kathy, The Perils of Rent Checks

Happy May Day! Does anyone remember how we used to make something with a flower and bring it home from school a million years ago? Today was the day we did that…we were supposed to surprise a friend but I usually gave mine to my mother. I still love the tradition and the ideas behind it, though.

Got up early today to run some errands before opening the studio, among them to write and pay the rent check — which apparently got shredded by the secretary by accident. Or lost, she said, or maybe in a patients chart. She wasn’t sure. So Brian to tennis, me to bank to stop check, back to landlord to pay again. This time I took the receipt.

We have a beautiful shipment of Malabrigo Silk Wool, Lorna’s Laces sport and Lorna’s Laces sock. There is also a tantalizing supply of Jade Sapphire Silk Cashmere in amazing colors. It is all so very beautiful I just want to roll around in it! There is also new Colinette: Cadenza superwash in Velvet Damson — a multitonal ocean of deep soothing blues.

Dear Kathy: I just finished a project today. I purchased it at least three to four years ago. It has taken me that long to knit, wash and block it.

Dear Suzy: below is a picture of a lump — if you can tell me the precise name of said lump you may possess it when it is dry.

Take care, still bad juju out there.
M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Today

Didn’t get much done today and I don’t really know why. Lots of little moments, no big stretches of time, I guess. The yarn for the new Adult Surprise Jacket arrived today. Was able to swatch and US6 needles give me the gauge the pattern is looking for. I worked at the provisional cast on and will count stitches tomorrow when I can transfer it to a longer needle.

Worked on another hat tonight. The idea for this one came from one of my customers battling breast cancer many years ago. She combined Cascade Fixation (an elastic cotton sock yarn) with Crystal Palace Fizz. She said it made her feel pretty and like she had hair. Nikkers got into the act and stole the ball of Fizz and ran like hellfire was chasing him (it was only me). You should have seen the yarn — he made it to the top of the stairs this time.

Being involved in the details of people’s lives in an intimate way was not something I anticipated when I opened the studio. I have to keep my mouth shut a lot (that has taken practice) and just listen. It has grown me as a human being. This whole adventure has really taken me out of my comfort zone in many ways. I am grateful to the friends and customers who have been so very patient with me as I have tried to grow in compassion and understanding of what it means to be fragile and human.

Have a Happy Now!
xx M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Recent Customer Projects and WIP

In recent posts I have mentioned all the projects people are working on. Her are the end of the week follow up photos so you can see how the projects are moving along! Kelly finished her second project ever and is now on her third. Jan and I are beginning something new this week. Jamie is texting me, which is great because I love the pictures she sends me…but it’s not the same as just sitting and shooting the breeze. There is one knitter who needs your prayers, good energy, well wishes…whatever positive energy you can send as she has had a recent new diagnosis of cancer. I want to protect her privacy, so just picture someone very energetic and down to earth. She is dear to my heart for many reasons.

Do take care and breathe deeply as you go through today and the week to come. I look at the map on the blog and think about every little dot that represents a reader each day. I am overwhelmed with how this little blog has spread through almost two thirds of the worlds countries. I am humbled. I touch those little dots every day and send love and well-wishes. You all make my heart a little bigger and bring a smile to my face.

 

Sunday at Summit Yarn

It was a very tranquil day at the studio today. I got caught up with my journal and cast on my newest sock club sock. This months colors are serene greens and blues. I am loving every stitch. Photos are below so be forewarned. We had a new friend named Pamela who explored every corner and had a lovely vibe. I look forward to her next visit! Kelly stopped by for a quick stitch pick up on her baby pod, which is nearly finished. Cynthia’s lace looked lovely on the mannekin. It was a beautiful sunny day. But now Nikkers is very glad to be back in possession of me. That and James Bond on TV, how could life be more perfect?

 

Jemima Puddleduck Blanket by Jan

Oh, to be a pet owner! Was tidying up the cat food bowls and as I poured the old food all into one bowl to consolidate, a large moldy grey lump fell out. I did not look closely. I did not inspect it. I reached for a garbage bag and threw out all the food in the bowls. Washed the bowls until they squeaked loudly under water too hot for my hands. All is right in that realm again. Glad they catch mice — wish they would find a different showcase for their kills.

Here, on a vastly different note are the promised photos of Jan’s baby blanket.

 

THIS JUST IN: New Shipment of Opal Sock Yarn — Diamanté

In photos below you will see the newest collection of Opal Sock Yarn. This is one of the most popular brands we carry and I love this brand because it allows me to carry a wide range of colors at a great price. Tola and her friend, Devon, came in today for a visit and a yarn fix. Tola’s lovely cat came straight to my arms for lovies. (photos below). Ghealach, the kitty, had a rough car ride, and settled on a chair next to me for a nap. She chose to stay with me while her mom went out to lunch and we had great fun playing catch the piece of yarn. When mom got back and kitty saw she was going back in a car, she was not real excited. I am sure she was glad to get back to Philadelphia and back out of the car!

Kelly came in and picked up her blocked scarf. We had a serene afternoon. Charlotte gave us a call to let me know she was very happy with her sweater — which is always a good feeling. It is amazing and never gets old to see someone has knit one of my patterns. This particular pattern, even with the struggles I had making corrections, is particularly dear to me, it is a piece of my Art — not just a sweater. It is a creation that came from struggle and a deeply personal place within; it came from my Heart. I think most designers probably feel this way. I would be surprised if they did not.

The dollar bins are getting low and I plan to have a look around the studio to see what else can go live in them this week. Two of he Juniper Moon Yarns (bulky Chadwick, and worsted Willa) are buy one get one free. There are still four balls of the $13 Christmas color Raggi sock yarn remaining. There is also some Elsbeth Lavold Angora and also Silky Wool on sale at cost, $4 a skein.

UPCOMING YARN TASTING: May 17th…put the date on your calendar!
xx M.E. and Summit Yarn Studio

 

Saturday At Summit Yarn

Today was so busy at the studio, there are only a few moments that I remember with clarity. The first was Jan, as she walked in unaware of me out in the front room, striding with purpose in every step. You gotta love knitters like that. She had her SWATCH in hand and gets two gold stars just for that — for not making me plead. No sooner did we have her set, then Kelly came in to finish her first project ever. It was a beautiful moment as I talked her through binding off her scarf. Then we got her started on her next project — a baby pod (photos below). This pattern is written for knitters who prefer straight needles, but would be easy to convert to knitting in the round. We now have the directions written for two sizes of yarn: bulky (on US13) and worsted (but on US10.5). Charlotte came in for her blocked Half-Circle Sweater and it looked fabulous on her! Charlotte has begun test-knitting the Cable Brannigan Shawl. Audrey came along for the visit — she is knitting socks and kicking my butt in Words With Friends. I worked on my Cotton Tee and am now knitting in the round (next blog on that soon).

Below are photos of the day, as it began with the cats — Nikkers drinks coffee with Gart on the weekends. We all have naps later in the day.