The Knitting Experience Blog Archive February 2006

Time to celebrate!

The Olympics are officially over and it is time to celebrate all of our amazing feats of knitting! All the athletes out there should congratulate themselves. Go us! 
i finished my sweater before closing ceremonies and was proudly showing it off at our sale on Saturday. I'll wear it for our celebration at Knit at Night this thursday. Here's the latest pic:
I also completed the chemo cap, but that has already gone to find a good home with the American Cancer Society.
Patti stopped by on Saturday sporting her own Olympic sweater:
Isn't it beautiful?
Sherry and Sue let me take pictures of their sweaters. Sue did one of the Kiddie Anoraks. Don't you love the little "No!" button?
And Sherry made this incredible jacket by combining Blue Sky Alpaca's 100% alpaca and Jo Sharp's Kid Mohair Infusion:

You would not believe how incredibly soft it is!
And just because I clearly don't have enough to do, I made this adorable little gift bag out of Blue Sky Alpaca's Alpaca and Silk:

I couldn't believe how quickly it knit up. As you can see it is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts and this pattern is under the 4-6 hour patterns. And it really took less than 6 hours. I have used the alpaca/silk for the Opera scarf and loved it - but that is nothing compared to knitting it in st st. Oh, my, god. It is soooooo silky. A summer tank would be fabulous out of this. 
ooohhhhh new cotton arrived today. Details later, I'm off to check it in.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

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6 months!

Can you believe it? On Monday, we will have been open for 6 months. Wow! It all seems a little unreal that my idea for a little yarn shop has become a wonderful reality. These have been an amazing six months. I have met the most incredible people and seen the most beautiful creations as our yarns have found happy homes all over Maine and beyond. 
For those who don't yet receive our e-newsletter, you won't want to miss this one, because, of course I HAD to celebrate this milestone with a SALE!
Here's the latest newsletter:
Hello everyone!
February is an important month here at The Knitting Experience. On the 27th we will celebrate our first 6 months in business! Of course we can't let this milestone pass without marking the occasion, so this Saturday, February 25th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. we will be having a "Happy 6 Months Sale!" All in-stock yarns will be 10% off and Becka and I have chosen our favorite yarn lines to be an additional 10% off (yes, that means 20% off our favorite yarns!)
Chesley's pick: Jo Sharp - as all of you who have been to the shop know, Jo Sharp is one of my absolute favorite designers. Her yarns are gorgeous and they will be 20% off on Saturday! 
Becka's pick: Louisa Harding - Becka is not the only one who has been completely entranced by Louisa Harding's first independent yarn line; we haven't been able to keep her books on the shelves! Now is your chance to save 20% on her beautiful yarns. 
In other knitting news... our March class schedule is ready and the felting class is back by popular demand. Only 4 spots remain, so sign up today! 
The Knitting Olympics are heading into their final days. I am on the sleeves of my sweater (a Jo Sharp design) and have a chemo cap to go. I hope all the knitting athletes out there are enjoying the games. Watch our website for Olympic updates. 
Happy Knitting! 
Chesley 
Speaking of the Knitting Olympics, here are the latest shots of my sweater:


I should be able to finish the sleeves today, then it is just a matter of seaming it up and adding the collar. I hope to have it done so I can wear it on Saturday!

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

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Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's Day. I got the best wake-up this morning - two little monkeys (aka Connor and Alec) jumped on my head and yelled "Happy Valentine's Day Mommy!" Well, actually, Alec said "Happy Mommy!" but he had the basic idea. They had cards and flowers for me. Peter and Connor had set up the flowers on the table and they were sitting there when Alec came downstairs this morning. He took one look and exclaimed "Christmas tree!" He's still sorting out all this holiday business. I think we confused him more because there were presents for him and Connor under the flowers or "Christmas tree." But, whatever you call it, it was fun.
Ok - Olympic Knitting update! I'm about to shape the arms on the front, and have started on the back:

Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. =-)
I came close to having to withdraw (gasp! no!) due to multiple injuries sustained to my right hand on Saturday. Bec and I stayed lated and quickly put together new shelving (which Peter and the boys ran to Portland to get for us - thanks!!!). This was all to house the spring yarns that started to arrive and promptly gave Bec and I an attack of "where the heck are we going to put this??" Since it is her job to actually find and create most of the display space, she was most insistent that I get some more shelving asap. Now, many of you have been in and each time we have added a yarn, you have asked 'how will you ever get more yarn in here?" Ah, ye of little faith. Where there is yarn, I will make sure it has a happy home! And now it does:

Ok - I was just interrupted by the delightful Charlotte who is attempting her first pair of socks for the Olympics. I must say, she is doing an incredible job:

Yeah Charlotte! and all the knitting athletes!

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

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On your mark, get set...

Knit!
Is everyone ready for the Knitting Olympics tonight?
I just finished my gauge swatch for the sweater - check it out:

I am so excited. We have so many people who are discovering their inner olympian and joining the Knitting Olympics! Bec is making her first Lopi sweater. Very ambitious! Betsy is creating gorgeous scarf and finishing multiple projects as she travels around Paris. The whole Paris thing is cutting into her knitting time (do we feel sorry for her? maybe not) otherwise she would do more. Mary Ellen is finishing her bear and making socks. Actually, many people are tackling socks. Perhaps it should be a separate event. Others are working on sweaters, shrugs, and even fruit! Let me know what you are doing and we'll list it. At next week's Knit at Night, we're all going to show off our progress and cheer each other on. Go team! =-)

Friday, February 10, 2006

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Froggy sweater is done!

That's right - I finished Alec's froggy sweater last night. Isn't it too cute?

I attempted to try it on him last night, but my timing was very poor. The little man had just gotten out of the bath against his will and had been told he needed to go to bed. That is, of course, the moment I just HAD to try the sweater on him. Needless to say, he was less than enthusiastic. But, it fit with room to spare, and hopefully he will be more excited once it comes off the wall at the shop and he can wear it. 
Now I am just itching to start my Olympic project. The yarn is calling to me, but I am obeying the rules and ignoring it. Instead, I shall try to finish my poncho before Opening Ceremonies. 
In yarn shop news, we FINALLY received the Cascade sock yarn "Sassy Stripes." I have been very excited about this yarn simply because the color combos made me happy. Then i opened the packages... the skeins are too adorable. Almost every one of them has the center pull sticking out. See...

Now, I'd like to know why all skeins don't come this way. If Cascade can do it, why can't everyone else? Think of the aggravation that would disappear from the knitting world by eliminating the necessity for us to fish around for that center pull. And half the time you come up with a good chunk of the skein as well that you have to wrap into a ball or around the skein creating a huge mess. We know it is possible, so is it really that much to ask of yarn producers???
We had a lot of show-and-tell at the shop today. Many knitters brought in their projects so that we can see what all this fabulous yarn is becoming out in the world. I wish I had thought to pull out the camera and take more pictures, but I did get one of a gorgeous bag made by a local artist:

This is from Debbie Bliss' Book Seven and knit out of Soho and Cashmerino. Don't you want one? =-)

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

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Nap, knitting, or the gym?

Question for you... say you potentially have a few free hours on a rainy Friday afternoon... what do you do? This is my dilemma. Now, the freedom is only potential. Bec is coming in to cover the shop and theoretically allow me to "run some errands". But, after a quick trip to the post office and bank, what should I do? I was very optimistic this morning and packed my gym bag because of course this is the perfect chance to burn off that insanely delicious scone Karen brought to Knit at Night last night. (Mocha with frosting, need I say more?) Now I'm kinda thinking I should finish off Alec's sweater. According to the rough measurements I took this morning (ever try to get a 3 year old to stand still at 7am so you can see if something will fit???) I only have a few more rows to knit on the sleeves and then I can seam it up. Then again, i have so little left to do, I could save that for when we watch Survivor tonight. I must admit to being a Survivor junkie and Peter was kind enough to tape it since Thursdays are reserved for Knit at Night. Soooo... that would leave me with a chance to sneak in a nap. There is just something about a nap on a rainy day. Ok, we all know which way I am leaning. But, I didn't mention the afghan I am working on. That is also perfect for a rainy afternoon. Clearly I need to figure out how to knit in my sleep.

Friday, February 3, 2006

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Ready, set, knit!

Ok - I've picked my Olympic project - a sweater out of Debbie Bliss' Alpaca/Silk. I have been dying to use this yarn so this is the perfect opportunity. And just to make it a bit more challenging, I'm going to also make a cabled chemo cap out of Malabrigo. Watch for updates. The olympics start on the 10th - that's only 8 days from now. I have lots to knit before then since every good athlete must be in training! Hopefully Alec's sweater will be done in the next day or so. I just have to finish the arms and how long can that take? After all, he's only 3, his arms aren't that long. I also started this gorgeous blanket out of Jo Sharp's Home collection, but that is just a side project to keep me entertained at home. I'm still working on my poncho in Friend's Folly mohair/wool blend. Now I'm thinking that I should use that yarn for an afghan. oooohhhh.... it would be gorgeous!
We had a tremendous sale on Saturday. Some people came PREPARED to carry home the new additions to their stash:

Hee, hee. Mary Ellen was a good sport in letting me snap this picture.
I finished the baby sweater out of Debbie Bliss's baby cashmerino:
Isn't it adorable? The little sleeves are so tiny!

Thursday, February 2, 2006

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