Your Alhambra looks really good but I think the poncho stole the show. 🤩 It looks like the perfect yarn for those cables. Looking forward to seeing how your modified collar turns out. The “Old Glory” yarn works up really nicely and has me thinking that I need some patriotic sock yarn… I was so happy to see that you visited Karista on your trip.
It's been so fun watching it develop. I didn't make my goal date of finishing it by August 31st, but I'm still working to have it ready for the fall weather.
I was going to say the same thing about the cows! The mega dairy farms do keep the cows inside, but smaller family dairy farms definitely let them roam. There are beef cattle so close to me that I can occasionally hear them mooing. 🐮
Enjoyed seeing all your knitting plans with your new yarn. Sounds like a good trip, except of course for the dog drama. That sounds scary, but glad it wasn’t worse.
Thank you, Sharon. We do feel lucky that things weren't worse with our dog. Unfortunately, the neighbors decided to put down their dog. I feel awful about it. 😪
Tried socks on 9"circulars just lately. It took me a few rows to have my fingers adjust (I am a dp gal) but soon was flying along until I got to the heel. Messed up trying to pick up the gusset stitches so it is in time out at the moment while I decide if I want to switch to dp's or persist the circulars.
Oh no! I hope it doesn't stay in time out for too long. I know that feeling though. My socks on 9" circulars have hardly gotten any attention. Other projects seem to have caught my interest.
I store my yarn in Rubbermaid tubs, so I've been fluffing my stash by organizing like brands/fiber/weights together. Very fun to reacquaint myself with everything and dream of fall knitting 🙂. For my 2 cents about 9" needles, once I got accustomed to them I found my speed dramatically increased from other methods. I do have to tension the yarn differently to achieve gauge.
It's great to reacquaint yourself with your stash on a regular basis. I need to do that more often. Thanks for the advice on the 9" circulars. I'll keep at it and see how I like it.
I fluffed my stash so well last summer that I didn’t have too much organizing to do this year. But I did give away some yarn and reorganized a few bins and just filled my yarn bucket yesterday after frogging a WIP. Don’t include me in the drawing, I’ve already won twice. Love the sweater you’re wearing! The color looks good on you.
I can definitely relate to the annoyance where you've done a lot of organizing, but it doesn't look like you did much. I have a couple craft drawers that hold my sock yarn. I have a bin for my "unassigned" yarns, 4 bins for planned sweater/shawl/cowl projects, one shelf is crammed full of WIPs, and yet, I STILL have project bags on the floor. 😅 Thanks for sharing your organization journey! Can't wait to see your finished Alhambra sweater. Isabell Kraemer has so many beautiful designs!
I'm glad to know I'm not alone in struggling with my stash organization. It looks like you may have even more than I do. And by your username, I assume it's more than just knitting. I'm on to sleeves on the Alhambra. Yes, Isabell Kraemer is an amazing designer!
Tuff City Knits (Erin Kostashuk) has knee high socks patterns with calf shaping, if you need that for your gradient socks. I enjoyed the “Behind the Scenes” footage of your craft room. The table is noticeably more organized, and I can relate to the Kleenex boxes! Do you have space on some shelves or in a cabinet for the projects you haven’t cast on yet? My stash used to be organized by yarn weight, but I reorganized it a few years ago by project category and that has been working much better for me. I try to not buy yarn without a project in mind, but I do have a bin for “unassigned” yarn that I can pull from as needed. I have separate bins for socks, hats, sweaters, tees, and accessories. I rotate the yarn occasionally so the yarn I want to use for my next 2-3 projects is on the top and easy to reach. My sweater and tee bins are currently overflowing. It is tempting to cast more things on so they become WIPs instead of stash. 😂 You are welcome for the tags. Please pick again if you draw my name. 😊
Thanks for the knee sock pattern! I like your thinking with yarn organization. I made a personal rule for myself early on that I wouldn't buy yarn without a specific project in mind. At the time, I do have some drawer space, and I could make some closet space for unstarted projects.
I am a fairly new knitter so haven’t acquired a “stash”. Currently buying only what I need for the project I’m working on. I get Row One minis and that is dedicated to a mitered square blanket. That bag would be perfect to hold it. 😊
I like how you think! I never thought my stash would get so out of control. I've only been knitting regularly since the pandemic (hence the channel name). It can go sideways quickly. I hope your stash stays manageable.
I’ve been doing the Fluff My Stash and have nearly completed coloring one bucket. Enjoying the coloring almost as much as the yarnie activities. You inspire me to (maybe) organize my area which is really my dining room where no one dines that looks much like the before pictures you showed. Well done with your organizing!
I am definitely fluffing my stash. I love you. I love what you have to say just🎉 I have organized and organized and organized and it’s really getting down in size and knitting all stuff that I want to and I also do craft shows at churches in the venues as I’m 80 years old and been knitting since I was five do a lot of socks, lots and lots of socks, lots and lots of hats that seems to sell the most I love all the shawls just are not popular. They don’t seem to sell. I love to do them, but I end up giving them as presents with all that hard work.😮
I absolutely love your Tumbleweed top. I immediately added it to my favotites. My stash is mostly organized in bins by yarn weight. Seeing your craft room, helped me realize there are crafters like me out there. We have our own organization systems that seem to work for each of us. We do what we can. I am currently using those Chiaogoo shorties for sleeves on a top for the first time. They do take some getting use to, but I think I will eventually prefer them over magic loop for sleeves at least. BTW I really envy your haircut. It always makes you look so put together.
Thank you, Janet! It took me a long time to find a hair stylist who could cut my hair the way I wanted it. I think we all have our own systems of storing things. It's just determining whether or not it's functional that can be tricky. We'll see if I can finish the job.
Love your projects! I organize my stash in totes. I have totes by weight of the yarn. I also have 1 for yarn for socks and 1 for yarn bundled together that are earmarked for projects.
It's so good to see you again so soon! My stash is kind of organized in a cabinet and bins, but it's overwhelming. Thanks for showing your room it helps to see others organizing issues too. (Kindly keep me out of the drawing. 😊)
I like the idea of clear totes. If I didn't have my son's furniture already in the room, I would pick up some totes for my yarn. I'm sure I'll have to get some eventually.
That cowl is going to be stunning in the colors you chose. A hold so many memories from the Knitty McPurly retreat close to my heart. The first was meeting Devin. The second was when a group of knitters sitting around invited me to join them. Then I realized you were sitting right in front of me! I felt so welcomed by everyone, but really enjoyed the time knitting and visiting with you, Colleen and my friend Susan.
Thanks, Wendy. When I think about that retreat, the moments I remember most are the ones relaxing in the lobby with you, Susan and Colleen. I also remember Sarah being there. Smaller groups are so much more intimate.
I truly agree with you on those moments. You just want to remember them forever. Thank you for your wonderful podcast, I was wiping my eyes the way you were talking about Stephanie.
The meet up sounds like so much fun! Yes, it’s good to hold on to and cherish those special moments. One I will always remember is the feeling of holding a newborn with that baby hair (we had babies with lots of hair) nestled into my neck. Those babies are now in their early 30s. Sometimes I wish I could go back and visit those days; sometimes I’m glad I can’t. Don’t put my name in the hat for the bag since I just got one. I have the cardigan I’m working on in it next to me right now. Love it!
Another fantastic podcast. Thanks. It was sooooo wonderful briefly chatting with you in Chicago. My only regret is that I didn't go with you to grab some dinner so we could have talked longer. I'm afraid I cannot take credit for the advice someone gave you about your swatch, but it was good advice. Looking forward to the next makers meet up.
Sandy has such a good eye for fun fabric combinations! 😍 I had a great time at the meetup, and it was wonderful to spend some time with you as always. Mark was happy to hear that you are keeping the yarn stores in business. 😂😂😂 There are definitely moments I’ve held onto in my memory to keep me going through challenging times. I think it can be more difficult to make deeper connections with others in a large group setting. I really enjoy the smaller group “breakouts” at breakfast, going shopping, and going out for dinner. (I do not need another Sandy bag - please don’t include me in the drawing.)
Yes, Sandy is amazing! I think the moment I hold onto with you is when we drove to the yarn shops at the Knitty McPurly retreat. You're so right about smaller groups being more conducive to making those connections. I didn't think about it that way.
Hi Beth, thanks for making me out to be the bad guy. Just kidding! I would want someone to tell me. Before you rip your sweater, I would steam it and then try it on. If you like the fit, keep knitting. Cherrl
Thank you Beth. I will absolutely hold on to the moments we spent talking as some of the most meaningful moments I spent at the meet-up. I appreciate that time we spent together. And, merino, silk, cashmere? Why yes please!
Loved having some time to chat with you in person last week. Still trying to figure out what that yarn your husband dyed and I won from you last year, which was formerly the Batad for the very unofficial Stephen West knit along for the meet-up wants to be in its next life. No regrets for frogging that. It was a FOMO/impulsive knit, so I get that for sure. Be well.
I'm so glad we had time to connect! I think I didn't have enough information on the knit along. I thought it was just any Stephen West pattern. I actually like the Batad pattern better, now that I've seen a few in person. Maybe someday. I hope to see what that yarn becomes someday!
So good to see you here, Beth. I pray you and your Dr's get your medical stuff figured out. I get the stephen west fomo, I did last year's mystery shawl and vowed never to do it again. I need to focus on the many projects I've already started and planned. Maybe one of these days I'll make it to the meet-up, it sounds so fun. I like to work on mindless round and round projects when I'm in a group setting. Less chance of making a mistake.
Beth, have you been checked for autoimmune disorders? I have an autoimmune disease...in remission, but fatigue and brain fog was horrible. Also, after your surgery...anesthesia can cause issues.
I'm planning to go back to the doctor. I need more answers. I will definitely ask about autoimmune disorders. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, Lucile.
Beth! I’ll miss you! Tell everyone I’m there in spirit! I’ve landed in the hospital with a blood clot 😳. I posted in the thread on ravelry in pjknits group!
Oh no sorry the shark got you! But I’m glad you’re not ripping out. I couldn’t envision how it was going to look until you put it on and it looks great! Cute socks too. I did finish my shark week project, a sockhead slouchy hat. After 4” of ribbing the rest was lots and lots of stockinette so it was easy to push through and finish.
Way to go! You did things the right way. Hard part first, then easier. Mine was tge opposite, giving me a false sense of confidence. Oh well. Now I have a project mostly completed and no stickers. I'll take that.
@@stephaniebenson2501 I'm looking forward to seeing you! I haven't decided what projects are coming with me. Maybe you'll see the cardigan in person. I just heard there's an unofficial Stephen West KAL for the meet-up. Are you participating in that?
@@pandemicknitter Yes, but entirely unofficial. I tried to complete the Batad, but am not finished. I may bring it with me. I’m using yarn I won/got from you to make it.
I’m so sorry you didn’t make shark week, but your cardigan is beautiful and worth making it how you really want it to be. I am so excited to see you at the meet up soon! 🎉
Sure please feel free to share about your health issues, I am always interested in becoming healthier. I already have that exact Queen Sandy bag (I LOVE it very much!) so leave me out of the drawing. Your sweater looks great! I did not know about your son Austin, happy birthday to him and I'm so sorry. As you know I'm knitting a Sockhead Slouchy Hat for Shark Week. I hope we both succeed! I love what you're making!
The last Queen Sandy bag is the one I would have chosen from the start, so maybe it is mine! I would like to hear about your health journey - I consider you a friend and care about what you are going through, and who knows if any of it will be applicable to me with my joint issues. I’ve thought about the gluten thing but haven’t been brave enough to give it up yet. I’ll be watching your progress for Shark Week. That shrug looks interesting and the 2 yarns look great together. I’ll be making the Mermaid Avenue Socks by Summer Lee with the Shark Dressed Man yarn by Chicken Lady.
I look forward to seeing your socks. Good luck against the shark. It looks like the consensus is that people want to hear about my health. I will likely talk about it on my next episode. Thanks for always being there for me!
As for Shark Week… knitting a cowl called Coastland and praying I finish in time. I will frog if I don’t because that is what I signed up for, although I might cry lol. Not being a fast knitter I am hoping I have made a wise choice with this cowl. Time will tell lol.
Health issue discussions are important. Sharing information helps others unexpectedly. And yes, the bag is lovely and I’d love to win one 😊 I hope you are feeling better 😊
Good luck on Shark Week. I missed that boat again this year. Do share your health struggles if you’re willing. I agree, if it even helps one person, it’s a win. I’m willing to decline the Sandy Bag only because I’m already blessed to have one. They’re fantastic. Wonderful to see you, and looking forward to seeing you at the Meet-up.
