On The Move!

Tons to post about but it seems I am out of time! Steve and I are off for a few days of R&R - sun and golf which is our favorite kind of trip.

Most importantly, I want to let everyone know that this blog is on the move. I am migrating to Wordpress, which is something I've been planning for awhile. Many of you know my frustrations with Blogger and ultimately, I need more control over the blog for a variety of reasons. Stay tuned for the redirect and be sure to update your links when the move is complete. I'll keep you posted! Just bear with me and the tech team while they get this accomplished.

Kathy

The Week+ In Review

September has been quite the whirlwind. Last I left you all, I was off on a trip to St. Louis. I was gone for 3 days, which isn't all that long, but long enough to unsettle the schedule. I was originally suppose to be gone longer, but Mom responsibilities called and Steve had to travel to Manhattan to speak at the Big Apple Knitters Guild Annual Luncheon. He didn't take any pictures, but I sure would've liked to have been a fly on the wall watching him and 87 knitters!

I left again last Tuesday to head to Cleveland for the second season taping of Knitting Daily TV. I was pretty nervous when we went for the taping last April, but this time was much less stressful. Steve once again stayed home. We've been away so much this year we really felt we couldn't leave the boys again unless it was necessary for us both to be somewhere. In this case it wasn't.

I was met at the airport by the lovely Shannon Okey, who was kind enough to give me a bit of a lift. It was greatly appreciated given that I did not have time to ship all of the "stuff" for my segments in advance so I had one huge suitcase with yarn and props for seven segments along with a second smaller bag packed with seven different outfits. I was also carrying with me yarn that she was in need of for a rush project, so the helping hands worked both ways! Thanks Shannon - great to see you!

I went directly to the studios to prep for my segments and then the next day was taping day!

I did take a few snapshots to share. Here's Liz Gipson and Eunny Jang prepping in the "Green Room" - it really is green.

Here's Shay Pendray working a project in between segments. She is one of the loveliest people I have ever met.

Here's Kim Werker on set prepping for a segment with producer Kathy.

It was great fun to do the TV thing again, but I was equally happy to head for home again.

The night before I left for Cleveland, the WEBS crew gathered for a surprise shower for Mary. I was in charge of carrying out the cover story and getting her to the restaurant on-time. She thought we were meeting our designer and one of our printers for dinner to discuss business. When we walked into the retaurant, she instead found this:

She was completely surprised and we had a lovely celebration. The wedding is only 3 weeks away and we're excited to share in her special day!

I flew home from Cleveland in time to record this week's podcast which featured Norah Gaughan! She was in town for a store appearance that night so it was the perfect opportunity to have her back on the show. I was a little delirious from the traveling and started out the interview by calling one of Berroco's yarns by the wrong name. Consumate professional - yep, that's me.

We finished the recording and Steve and I headed over to UMass to make a presentation to a marketing class. It was great fun but a little tough since Steve had written the presentation while I was gone. I think we muddled through pretty well.

Then it was back to the store to prep for the event with Norah. As exhausted as I was, the event was GREAT! We had many of the Fall '08 garments on hand and most in two sizes.

Our sales rep Andra and Berroco Designer (and former WEBS staffer) Cirilia modeled:

I picked this picture in particular because of the garment. I apologize that the shot is a bit blurry. This is Assemblage from NGV3 (Norah Gaughan Book volume 3). Norah explained that initially she had envisioned this cardigan with a wrap that would attach. She brought along the piece and attached it for us to see the look. I love Assemblage as is, but I like it this way too! It's knit in Pure Merino DK.

I am also including this picture of Portrait (knit in Inca Gold), also found in NGV3 for a reason.

The design inspiration for this garment is a knitted cable. Norah, with the help of Margery, pixelated what a knitted cable looks like and incorporated it into this design. When I first saw this garment, I did not see the cable. In fact, depending on the person, it has a sort of "hologram" effect as different people see different things. Now that we know what it is, it's clear as day. That Norah, she's a smart cookie.

I have video from both KDTV and Norah's event, but that's going to take a little more editing time. I will post them soon though!

The remainder of this week was uneventful. All I know Toto "there's no place like home".

Kathy

Wrap Ups and Ramp Ups

Sorry for not posting sooner. The weekend was crazy with Twist and I took off yesterday for a business trip.

Twist was an absolute blast! Thanks to everyone who came out - especially those of you who made the trek in the remnants of Hanna. It was such a great community event - Lexie & Cory you guys rock!

Here's our own LA demoing the Rigid Heddle Loom on Friday evening.

I manned the show on Saturday and the interest in the loom was incredible.

Here's Christa & Tina from WEBS! Christa was selling her beautiful handknits while Tina makes amazing necklaces.

For those of you who missed the event, rumor has it that a Twist 2.0 may be in the works, so be sure to stay tuned!

Now, as much as I hate to say goodbye to summer, there's no question that fall is just around the corner. Our new fall catalog is arriving in homes and I have to say a great big "Thank you" to everyone who has taken time to email or post a comment or blog about it. We are really proud of this issue as it incorporates many new ideas I've been working on. If yours hasn't arrived yet, don't despair! The catalogs are at the mercy of the USPS so please have patience. If you aren't currently on our mailing list and want to receive a copy, simply email customerservice@yarn.com with the request and be sure to include your name and mailing address.

For those of you who have already dog-eared several pages, what projects are you planning to make? Time to get fall knitting in full swing!

Kathy

Ready, Set, Knit #95 Yarn, Events & Carol Sulcoski

This week on Ready, Set, Knit Steve & I discuss more new yarns and upcoming events.

While Pixie is still on holiday, I invited back one of my favorite guests, author, indie dyer and blogger, Carol Sulcoski! Carol is co-author of the lovely book Knit So Fine and she has a second book due out this December, which we discuss. You can see Carol's gorgeous yarns at www.blackbunnyfibers.com and read her blog at www.goknitinyourhat.blogspot.com.

You can get Ready, Set, Knit at http://www.yarn.com/ or on iTunes!

Enjoy!

Kathy

P.S. If you have suggestions for topics, KALs or special guests, please email me at readysetknit@yarn.com! I'd love to hear from you!

Interweave Crochet Fall '08 Preview!

Just posted is the preview for the Fall '08 issue! Check it out here http://interweavecrochet.com/issue/2008/materials_fall08.asp#ridgeswing.

The designs are really beautiful and I have to admit to being partial to the Stepping Stones Cardigan by Kristin Omdahl. She used our Valley Yarns Deerfield and the finished cardi is really stunning! Can't wait for the issue to arrive.

More updates from Twist are coming too!

Kathy

Twist is Tomorrow!

Kicking off tomorrow is the first ever Twist here in Northampton. Twist is the creation of Lexie Barnes and her husband Corey. From the website: "Twist is a fresh kind of fair, showcasing original handmade goods and art from over 50 of the region's most talented crafters and artists. Two days of shopping start Friday evening on 9/5 with DJ beats and adult beverages."

In speaking with Lexie over the past few months about this endeavor, I know she and Corey were passionate about having a cool, hip event which would provide the opportunity for anyone to come and check out incredible art at affordable prices. I also know they are hoping to provide the artists with a showcase for their talent as well as an opportunity to sell their goods.



Steve & I are totally psyched to be a part of this event. We'll be there doing demos, there will be yarn to test drive, our Bead Store will be there as well. If you are in the area or are simply looking for something interesting to do this weekend, come on out to Noho and check out Twist!



The event runs Friday from 5pm-9pm and Saturday from 10am-8pm. The first 100 people will receive Twist Swag Bags. Admission is cheap - $3 for adults, $1 for kids 12 and under and FREE for those 5 and under. Hope to see all of you there!

Oh, and as promised:

It was the first day of school. Second and fourth grades. How the heck did that happen?

Kathy

You Won't Believe This

Seriously. I hope you are sitting down and if you aren't I suggest you do before you read any further. What I am about to show you is, well, going to come as a bit of a surprise, especially coming from me. So here goes. Ready? I present to you knitting:

Knitting done by ME! I know, I know, it's pretty amazing. Owner of one of the largest yarn stores/websites in the country, who blogs about said store and yarn, is actually blogging about her very own knitting project. Shocking, isn't it?

My Staghorn Cabled Tunic is coming along! I am quite pleased with it and have really enjoyed working on it. Look at the lovely cables:

I am just about to work the armhole shaping and such to finish up the front then onto the back. Yeah, we finished this weeks ago on the Ready, Set, Knit KAL, but I never claimed to be a speedy knitter. Little bit here, little bit there. . . . There's even a shot I'll have this beauty done for Stitches East!

I am using our own Valley Yarns Northampton, (which is the yarn called for) in dark grey. The store sample was knit in light grey and I almost went with black (big surprise for those who know me and see me on a regular basis). I'm glad I opted for the dark grey. I was able to get gauge using the suggested needle size, which is a rarity for me. I started out on Colonial's Rosewood Circs (a personal fave) but the dark yarn and dark needles were not working out. I resisted the change until it was forced upon me (call it a mini-intervention). Next thing I knew I was on Skacel's Addi-Naturas, which I had not previously used. Love them! Not too pointy, nice and smooth with a perfect join. The cord is not quite as cooperative as the Colonial's but it's a minor intrusion.

In other news when is a crochet hook case not just a crochet hook case? A question I am sure many of you have pondered. Here, is the Lexie Barnes Dottie in the Diablo print:

Innocent, yet very functional crochet hook case.

When interpreted by a nine-year old boy about to start fourth grade, it morphs into this:

The coolest pencil case EVER! J1 spied this at the store yesterday and asked if he could get one for school. ABSOLUTELY! He's loaded and locked and ready for the first day tomorrow! Woohoo! J2 goes back too! Double woohoo! Truly, it's been a most awesome summer, but folks when I say it's time for them to be back to school, I mean it's really time. Even they are ready! Watch for cute, first day of school brag pictures tomorrow!

Kathy