It was quite the trip. I learned alot about book photography and I got to meet so many people. I feel very lucky to be working with Interweave and their talented staff. I didn’t bring a camera so I don’t have any photos from Colorado. I’m really bad about blogging things like that because I almost never take photos even when I bring a camera. Which has made me learn that it’s not worth dragging around my big camera when I’m not likely to use it anyway.

That’s not to say I have absolutely no photos. I have pictures of the projects I’ve been working on. Before I left, I finished Ariann.

I worked on that Baby Boogie sweater, and would have finished it, had I made the right size.

I wrote sizes in my notebook for both girls but for some reason, I made the big girl size thinking it was the small one. I didn’t notice it until I had finished the sleeves and was working down the body. I put it on a scrap piece of yarn, and started the correct size. Now I have 2 sweaters at the same stage.

You’ll notice, though, that it wasn’t finished and Baby Boogie turned 3 yesterday. She didn’t notice because we took her out and got her the other present that she wanted for her birthday:

Talk about a tough little chickie. She insisted on getting her ears pierced and that it wouldn’t hurt. She flinched a little and fussed after the second one but she toughed it out and swallowed her tears, then went to go pick out more earrings for when she gets to change them. My baby is growing up.

Hopefully I’ll be finishing the sweater soon. I’m glad I decided to dye 2 hanks of yarn or I would have had to rip out a half finished 8goingon20 sweater. I’ve been making a bunch of yarns too. Now that I can spin for a “me” project instead of small bits here and there, I’ve got 3 different projects going on the main wheel and I’m totally unfocused. I love it.

I did finish 2 older projects as well:

The orangey stuff is Pumpkin Juice from Enchanted Knoll and the pink stuff is some Superwash merino Tencel gifted to me by Abby. I think both yarns will go into items for the girls. Baby Boogie claimed the Pumpkin Juice the second it hit the wheel. I think she wants hats, mittens and scarf if I can bring myself to make a scarf

My swatches are done.
The yarns are done.
I’m ready for my trip to finish the book.
Sort of.
I need to get the shop in shape so it won’t be a wreck for my return. I need to keep up with shipments. My last day of shipping will be Friday. I’m hoping all orders received by then will go out. An update of Abby Batts and Grafton Poofs is now up.

I’ve started to ge my bags packed to go. A girl needs to plan these ahead of time very carefully. Well, I plan the projects but the clothing really gets just thrown in at the very end. I’m hoping Ariann will be done by the time I leave, if not, she’s project number one. Baby Boogie has a birthday coming up the weekend I get home and she’s been asking for a sweater. I have plenty of plane and airport time so I expect to get at least most of it done.

I’m also bringing mitten yarns for the girls. We’ll be lucky to find the old mittens considering half the pairs were lost before winter even really started last year. Here’s the one for 8goingon20:

And the one for Baby Boogie.

Baby Boogie picked out who got what so hopefully they’ll both be happy.

Last but not least is yarn that I want to use for my new sweater:

It’s the “Pie for everyone” yarn that I came out really peachy. I over dyed it to be more of a winey color which is much more “me”. I have only 800 yards or so. The sweater I have planned should only take up 700 or so….I hope.

This is it for me this week. I’ve been really neglecting the blog lately but it’s just been hard to have time for everything. Hopefully I’ll have time to do some on location blogging next week.

No kidding.
And it’s not just knitting for work stuff.
I know, self knits haven’t been going so well around here lately. But I actually even finished something last week. I finished my cowl. Modeled here by the unhappy Kola dog.

Stats on the Cowl:
Yarn: Merino from Ashland Bay - 2 ply handspun
Pattern: Just caston a bunch of stitches and went to town.
Stats on the Dog:
She only likes having clothing on if one of the girls put it on her and they’re playing dress up. For me to do it just for a photo is somehow more humiliating. She is absolutely a “kids” dog.

I also got a bit of work done on two other projects.
Ariann is now getting yoke work:

8goingon20’s Tomten has the sleeves cast off and I’m working up one of the front sides.

And yes, it was my bright idea to make stripes. I wonder if I can teach 8goingon20 to weave ends…..

It’s been all work lately.

But at least it means I have quite a bit for the update today.

Lots of batts were done. 14 new batt colors to be exact. But that’s not all. See this wall:

It looks fairly full but there are some bare spots that will be filled with those baskets. Not to mention there is a new fiber in the stable and a new colorway of the month.

It all will be in the shop this afternoon. I’m hoping to have time later this week and this weekend to work on some things for me.