What A Site!

If anyone has been keeping track of me and the trials and tribulations of running a wool shop, you will know that most things seem to happen very s-l-o-w-l-y. Nothing occurs when I had hoped. With one exception. I have been working with Terry of PlantExe.com for the last couple of weeks (including one in which he was on vacation) and together we have managed to make some major progress on my website! Hurray! Terry was very quickly able to pick up on my "vision" and I feel like we have gone from 0 to 60, so to speak, in about 2 days. There is still a lot of work to be done (my job, not his) but take a look at www.kniterary.com.

As you know, I'm pretty technologically inept - hence the major lack of photos on this page. Now I've really got some homework to do. Terry has put a link on the website to my blog. Verrry scarrry! The pressure - photos, current news, a better look. When will I find the time!?!

Progress in my knitting, you ask. I'm up to the armpits on my husband's Kathmandu Aran sweater. I love this wool - it looks like knit granite. The pattern I'm using has just enough interest to keep me from falling asleep while at the needles. It is my current "at-home" project. The mohair throw is on the sidelines. When I'm not serving customers, stocking shelves, researching product, classes, etc. at the shop, I'm working away on a couple of things. I changed my mind about the Elsebeth Lavold cardigan. I have not stuffed it in a bag and thrown it into the nether regions of my closet. Instead, I've been dutifully working away at the sleeves. I experienced some problems finishing the first front half and was growing frustrated. Another look - and yes, I can count - and I'm back on track. I'll be more than ready for the cables of the other front piece after 16 inches of stockinette!

Remember that Fair-Isle for my daughter? Hint - it was one of the few pictures that I've posted. I had mentioned that I didn't like the way it was knitting up. Too puckered. Well, I solved the problem. I tore the whole thing apart and started over. There is a little pattern - cats, birds and people - that is supposed to be done in Fair-Isle. Even with careful twisting of the yarn every three stitches and what I felt was good tension, it wasn't my best effort. So each of the little figures is now being worked in intarsia. This makes for a much smoother fabric and I think I'll actually finish it before Julia's grown to big for it.

In store news, a couple of new additions. More OPAL sock yarn arrived today! I've brought in some Paton's patterns - the yarn might not be at the top of my wish list, but there are a few good books that support other similar weight yarns that I carry. I have decided to carry Paton's Classic Wool, only in shade 202 (aran). It's a good choice for anyone with an aran style sweater in mind. I am anxiously awaiting the Sublime yarns that are scheduled to arrive for fall. And my latest great idea is to investigate Baby Ull by Dale of Norway. This is a beautiful washable 100% wool fingering weight yarn. It comes in fabulous colours and is very versatile - baby items, socks, Fair-Isle, etc. So I'm going to take a look and see what's up. No need to remind me that I've haven't made any more progress with the Addi-Turbos. (Note to self - complete form and return by fax.)