Turning Japanese

Maybe it was following the Bento Nouveau Sushi truck. Perhaps it was the fact that none of the Noro Transitions has sold since kniterary opened. Could it have been my close proximity to the Clover Bamboo? I'm not sure. But something made me think Japanese today. It's rather slow here in ye olde wool shoppe. There are at least seven other things that I should/could be doing. Rather than organize classes, place orders, rearrange shelves, update inventory, sweep floors, return calls or tuck in ends on the Bloomfield Cardigan, I decided to start another project. In fairness to me, I have completed all that I can on my daughter's Freedom Wool sweater. Hopefully the new shipment will arrive soon and I can finish the collar and other sleeve. (Sharon did call back - she's short a ball to, so we're both anxiously waiting!) I have tucked in 339 ends on the Bloomfield Cardi - yes, I am counting! And that's just one sleeve and half of the left front panel. Just about more than this knitter can take. I'm almost finished the doll underwear required for Julia's upcoming birthday. At home, I'm on the last few inches of the back of my husband's sweater. (The Fair Isle cardigan has taken a back seat to projects made from wool I carry at the shop.)

The new project - well, it's a beauty. The pattern is one I found last year in a Better Homes and Gardens "Knit It!" magazine. The sweater is a shawl-collar cardigan with a single front button and a hidden tie on the inside. Very easy knitting. It's shown in a solid colour in the magazine. I'm using Noro (Japanese) Transitions in Colour 6 - a khaki/coral/magenta/brown mix - and I'm loving it! And of course, it's on Clover (Japanese) bamboo needles. There's something about using variegated yarn that just makes me want to keep on knitting. It's the surprise you get as every row is knit and the whole thing comes together. This is definitely picture worthy - so as soon as I find my camera.....

What's even more remarkable is this is going to be for me. Yes, I've done it. I've put aside everything for everyone else. I'm not close to starting my holiday knitting and I do have a number of projects in mind. Guess I'll have to learn how to knit in my sleep.

As fall approaches, my spare time decreases. On this year's fall line up - football (Go Gators!), concert band (the drum lessons have paid off!), cross country, Sparks (of course I said I'd help), swimming lessons for three and hockey for two.

Mark and I are hoping to get away for a night - maybe Stratford (a personal favourite) or wine tasting in Jordan Station. The logistics of one day away are mind boggling. But I'm working on it.

Back in the shop the shelves are beginning to fill up. If all goes well the Mille Colori should be here tomorrow. And I just heard from the Nova sales rep today that the new Sublime yarn is arriving next week. It is absolutely lovely - I've got dibs on one pattern book!

Looks like I may have found some Saturday help too, so that should make things easier.

Well - I can hear the Noro calling me from the other room. Must go!