Wool Cabin Yarn

Touch Me Neck Cozy

2012-01-11T18:34:00.004-07:00

Many of you who visit our shop and take classes with us know my friend Shirley. We have worked together for many years now and we have an on-going joke about who is right .. on many subjects!
About 4 years ago I knit this little scarf and never like how it looked. Shirley must have told me 4 or 5 times to take it home and "felt" it. Needless to say I totally ignored her! So last week the subject came up again and I found this little beauty in our shop model box, brought it home and threw it in with some Levis and then dried it in the dryer!
Shirley wins this one, boy was I wrong! It has become this wonderful and extremely soft neck cozy that I think I'll be knitting again to give as a gift!
I always love it when Shirley proves me wrong, but I'll also love the next time I'm right!
Happy Knitting! Alison

FYI.... The "Touch Me Neck Cozy" is knit using 2 skeins of "Touch Me" ... and I'll give you my pattern with the pattern!

Pick your Scarf!

2011-12-29T08:31:00.002-07:00

This time of year I find myself wanting to knit something fast and simple, I think all the busy days of December finally catch up to me!

So yesterday at the shop, I rounded up a few scarves to share that fit into my "no pressure" projects!

I love the popular yarns that work up into the lacy and ruffled scarves, they look like you have made something so intricate but they are so easy!

The top picture shows the new Noro yarn "Waidaiko" and I'm always amazed at the colors that come together in their yarn!

I think this is a good time to start on next year's gifts!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T08:28:00.003-07:00

At this hectic time of year, I just wanted to take a few minutes and wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Suzette and I couldn't do what we do without all the support we get from our families and the wonderful folks who come into The Wool Cabin to shop and share in what we do.
It's an amazing experience to have the opportunity to do what we love in an industry of texture and color. I hear people say all the time "I want to own a yarn shop"... and yes, I do feel like the luckiest gal on the planet!
I hope you can take a few minutes and sit down with your knitting and feel as I do the calming effect of creating something beautiful with my hands that has brought me peace and joy.
We hope to see you in the new year ! Happy Knitting! Alison

The Decorations Are Up!

2011-11-25T19:58:00.003-07:00

I love when the shop is all decorated for the Holidays! This year we invested in many new and wonderful things to have in the windows and around the shop, and I love the cheerfulness of them!

Stop by and take a look ... and maybe be inspired to knit that someone special something great!

Time For Reflecting...

2011-11-21T08:41:00.002-07:00

On this day in 2003, my Mom passed away. I always knew growing up what a talented and smart woman she was, from my earliest memories she was sewing and knitting in every free minute!
The Wool Cabin had been a dream of hers I think her entire life, but as a single parent it took most of her life to actually live that dream. It didn't take long working with her at the shop before I learned that she had a way and a system of doing everything to keep her little shop working. As I reflect back, those were some of my most cherished days working and learning from her.
In the years that have passed since she's been gone, there have been many days when I have wondered if she might have known that what she was leaving behind would bind us together as a family in such a profound way.
I have the great honor of having my sister Suzette as my partner and I cannot imagine The Wool Cabin without her perseverance and strength.
I am so grateful that my Mom left behind many people who still come into the shop and say they were her best friend. That's how people felt around here, that they were her friends.
As I looked at this beautiful lace shawl she knit, I see each inter-locking strand of yarn she created and I feel so blessed to have been her daughter and know that she still has a "vision' of a little yarn shop with her daughter's carrying on that dream!
Thanks Mom!

Celia's Blanket

2011-11-12T21:47:00.002-07:00

About 2 weeks ago, Suzette told me that we got a new pattern from Carol Anderson who is the designer of "The Wonderful Wallaby" sweater. Carol's patterns, while being great patterns can be quite "wordy," and Suzette challenged me to have a try with this one! She calls it "Celia's Blanket" after her granddaughter.
As I read through it, I thought it sounded like a good challenge and so I set out with 5 skeins of a new color of Encore Colorspun that I love!

The blanket is made by knitting your first square, picking up an edge and knitting the next square. There is no sewing together!

She gives several edge options for your blanket and I did the "picot edge" because I want it to be for either a girl or a boy.

I ended up loving the pattern and thinking of all the possibilities! You can use any gauge yarn and any size needle!

I talked to Carol on the phone this morning and ordered more of the patterns so you can join me with a fun, new baby blanket !
Happy Knitting! Alison

Annie Renee's new Wallaby Sweater!

2011-10-18T20:15:00.003-06:00

This is my sweet granddaughter Annie Renee and the weather has finally cooled off enough that I gave her her first Wallaby Sweater! I love her sweet, round face and her happy smile!

She is named after my Mom and melts my heart every time I hold her ... I think she looks like a "glow-worm" with her hood on!

The Wonderful Wallaby sweater is my most favorite pattern and is such fun to knit! I have lost count of how many I have made!

The other picture is my grandson Nathan and my son Garrett who is home for a couple of weeks before he deploys with The Marine Corp. for about 8 months. The two of them love to play with "play-doh" together and is so funny to watch!

I've had a few days off my feet due to some varicose vein surgery and I have to say, the break has been kind of nice! I have great plans to finish up some projects that have been calling to me from my knitting bag!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Flower Basket Bag

2011-10-11T19:11:00.002-06:00

I have been meaning to update my blog .. and every night I find it's one of the things that's not made it on the "done" list!
Suzette and I had a great trip to the Vogue Knitting Show and I found many great ideas and had a chance to "re-charge" a bit.
We went to the market where they have different vendors and we fell in love with this new yarn called "Dolce Vita". It's actually a loopy yarn that you can make a fun scarf with in about 2 minutes. They call it "finger crochet" and you literally just pull it through itself to crochet it!
I thought it would be wonderful around the top edge of a felted bag ... and thus the Flower Basket Bag is born! It's such a fun project and I love how it looks like a basket of flowers!
I have all the yarn and instructions at the shop so stop by and let's put together your favorite color-way!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Vogue Knitting Live Show!

2011-09-22T10:35:00.003-06:00

The day has finally arrived! Suzette and I are heading to Los Angeles for the Vogue Knitting Live Show!
We are both taking the Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Tomten Jacket" class, a "Toe Up Sock class, and Susan B. Anderson's "Doll Workshop"!
Saturday night we will be sitting at Susan's table for the Gala Dinner and watching some great fashion shows!
This is the first time for us to go to this show ... so I'll let you know all about our adventure!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Chevron Lace Scarf

2011-09-13T18:40:00.002-06:00

I have to admit I have avoided knitting with Mohair yarn .. it seams so intimidating! So we now have "Angel" by Debbie Bliss in the shop so I figured I better give it a go! In the Spring/Summer Debbie Bliss magazine (still available at the shop) there are many beautiful projects knit with this light weight mohair. I chose to make the "Chevron Lace Scarf".

To simplify this project, I am using my favorite "crutch". You take your pattern and put each row on it's own index card, then put them on a ring. Your pattern is now perpetual and you just turn the cards to see only the row you need. I figured this would help me have success!

I love the two color idea and have to say, I am really enjoying it so far!

It's always good to try something new ... Happy Knitting! Alison

Chapter 2 ...

2011-09-03T18:32:00.002-06:00

I get in such a hurry to get my "list" done, (and putting something great on my blog is one of those) that I forget to mention all the important stuff ... like what I am knitting with and the pattern!
So ... I knit my shawl out of Aslan Trends "SanteFe" and the pattern is from Dull Roar and is called "Doublish Shawlette".
Of course when Mary Bunch came into the shop today to see it, it is still drying on my blocking table and every last one of the patterns is sold! Go figure. So I promise we will get the pattern ordered ASAP and I will have the shawl there for display on Tuesday!
And by the way ... I love Mary and all her support of me and the shop over the years! My Mom and Mary were great friends and I admire her knitting, and value her friendship!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Football and Knitting

2011-09-01T14:55:00.002-06:00

This time of the year for me is filled with football. Sam plays for Davis High School on both the JV and Varsity teams ... which means games both on Thursday and Friday! Yep, that's right, about 5 hours of knitting a week!

I look forward to looking around at all the other Mother's who longingly look at me with my knitting with that sad look of "You have knitting ... I'm so jealous!"

That being said, I love a project for the games that I don't have to think too much about. This wonderful little shawl has been my project this week and I have really loved knitting it! I especially love the colors in the yarn, and how it has tracked in the shawl!

I'm off to another game today and finishing my shawl!

Happy Knitting ... and football! Alison

New Debbie Bliss Yarn!

2011-08-21T09:37:00.002-06:00

We have been anxiously awaiting the new Debbie Bliss yarn and yesterday was the day! This is what it looks like when the shop is closed and spread all the new stuff out to figure out where it's all going to go! Sometimes it's like putting a puzzle together! The new yarn is called "Riva" and we saw it when we traveled to the yarn market in June. The pattern book that goes with it is wonderful, and the yarn has fabulous colors!

I need to hurry and get caught up on my other projects so I can get this on my needles!

Happy Knitting! Alison

New Kids Hats...

2011-08-14T11:49:00.002-06:00

We have two new yarns to the shop that I'm crazy about! The first one is called "Bravo Jacquard Color" and it is a self patterning yarn that does all the work for you!

The second one is called "Bravo Color" and it is a variegated yarn that has bright, fun colors.

I brought a skein of each of them home from the shop and found several hours of un-interrupted knitting time to sit and create ... something that hasn't happened much this summer!

I decided that we have many hats for babies in the shop and we needed something for the older kids, as well as I have many requests for hats knit flat by those who don't enjoy double point needles. These are the results, one for boys and one for the girls!

Come see these two great yarns and all the colors jumping off the shelves!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Self Striping Yarn Love!

2011-07-17T17:32:00.002-06:00

I have been on a search for worsted weight, self striping, machine washable, great yardage, affordable yarn for quite some time. When Suzette and I went to market in June, I finally found it! This great little sweater shows the great striping it has, isn't it terrific?
You can take the easiest patterns and just knit with this and everyone will admire your knitting! I think the Wonderful Wallaby sweater pattern is made for this yarn!
Once again my problem is ...just not enough hours in the day!
Happy Knitting! Alison

New Book ... New Yarn!

2011-07-01T17:56:00.002-06:00

It's always so funny to me how excited I get when we open a new box of yarn and there's a project that I cannot wait to get home and knit! This was one for sure! I love this little sweater, and I love how the pattern is written! You knit the sleeves in the round, leave them on holders and then knit the body in one piece almost up to the armhole. Then you join it all together and knit the bodice all in the round! It was so fun and went together really fast! The yarn is Cascade "220 Superwash" which I haven't used before, and I loved it!
Now onto my next project ... a cabled sweater for me knit from our new "Greenland" from Cascade! I'll keep you posted!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Big Striped Bag

2011-06-21T13:37:00.002-06:00

We started carrying a new line of handles in the shop and I love them! Every time I looked at them on our display they inspired me to write a new bag pattern! So over the weekend I had some great un-interupted knitting time and knit this bag. It's knit with Cascade 220 and then felted. You can choose whatever colors you love, the pattern is ready at the shop!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Buddy Bag

2011-05-30T17:26:00.002-06:00

My list just keeps getting longer of the projects I want to knit! I love this little back pack so much! The little bird doubles as a finger puppet! April knit this shop model for us and everyone who walks in the shop "ohh's" and "ahh's" over it! This will be one of my summer take-a-long projects for sure!

Button Holes...

2011-05-05T20:47:00.002-06:00

This is my friend Dean. He has been struggling with this baby sweater for a while because of the button holes, so the other day he came into the shop and we spent some time working out how to make them. It was so great to see him have success!

Dean has knit some beautiful sweaters for himself, but this sweater and those button holes were really frustrating him!

I am so proud of him for persevering and the sweater turned out great!

He is pretty much self-taught and I love to see the finished projects and the satisfaction they bring.

Dean and I have found something wonderful in common ... besides our knitting of course ... we both have amazing Mother's!

So on this Mother's Day weekend, I'm remembering my Mom and the many things she taught me ... and the example she set ... she like Dean's Mom were inspiring women!

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Knitting! Alison

Orange Sweater Love

2011-05-01T11:28:00.002-06:00

My Grandson Nathan came into the shop with his Mom and I told him to pick out his favorite color of yarn for a sweater. Of course, he picked Orange! He is 3 years old and thought the sweater would be done the next day! Every time I saw him he asked about his Orange yarn!

I finished his "Wallaby Sweater" and called him on the phone to tell him I was coming to his house. He was so excited! We got out the camera and I took his picture! He then said "OK Gramma, you can put it with my other sweaters now!" He keeps us laughing with the funny things he says!

He has actually had it on every time I've seen him since and was easily spotted at his soccer game! I hope he will always remember his Orange sweater that Gramma made for him!

Taiyo Jacket

2011-04-26T13:23:00.002-06:00

About a year ago we received a new pattern and shop model from Plymouth Yarn. I really wasn't too impressed and it didn't even make it on my "must make" list.

Several months ago we had a client come in and she told me she was making the same pattern, but in "Taiyo" from Noro. Now that excited me! No one does color like Noro!

As I looked closer at the pattern, the thing I didn't like about it was that it was short and had 3/4 length sleeves ... both things on my already "wide" shape don't work well... both easy to fix!

So after much deliberation, I chose a colorway I couldn't live without and started knitting. I began each skein with the color that came off ... not matching anything!

I knit both the sleeves and the length of the sweater 2 inches longer .. and I love how it turned out!

This goes to prove ... always ask other knitters what they are knitting ... and don't be afraid to change what you don't like about a pattern to make it fit you how you want!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Top Down .. a Great Way To Knit!

2011-04-15T12:29:00.002-06:00

People ask me all the time what I'm knitting right now ... all that always varies! It depends on if I like who's on "Dancing With The Stars"... or if my favorite if still on "American Idol" ... or if my husband hasn't already deleted my taping of "The Talk" ... I knit alot while watching tv! Anyway, the weather has been so bad that I currently speed-watch (Take out the commercials) on several of these so I am getting alot done! This little sweater was a great project because it's knit from the top down in 1 piece and then pick up the sleeves and knit them down also! I love projects like this! It's knit out of our new cotton from Aslan Trends and I love the color combinations! The picture on the pattern also shows it knit out of "Knit Col" from Plymouth Yarn ... so now that's on the list of must-makes! The sun is now out and might cut into the knitting time .. but for now... Happy Knitting! Alison

Silly Stripes

2011-04-05T10:10:00.002-06:00

Several weeks ago a gal came into the shop wearing the greatest scarf ... so of course I asked her about the pattern. She told me she had made it several times using all differant weights of yarn and loved each of them. That inspired me because we just received this new yarn called "Silly Stripes". It's a self striping worsted weight cotton that stripes in the greatest colors! I got the pattern off of Ravelry and it's called "The Lacy Baktus". There are actually 2 versions of the pattern, the "Lacy Baktus" has yarn over's in it and the "Baktus" is just a plain knit. It is a very simple pattern and you can make it as big as you like. I used 2 skeins of yarn for mine, and it's very comfortable! So if you're loking for a new Spring wrap, stop by and get yourself some "Silly Stripes" and get started! Happy Knitting! Alison

Is Red Heart Yes?

2011-03-25T21:18:00.002-06:00

For the past several months I have had the wonderful opportunity to accompany my sweet neighbor Lisa to her chemotherapy treatments. We go every other Friday for 8 hours and we talk, we laugh, we cry about her treatment, we try to figure out our kids ... and I knit.
There is the sweetest little Spanish lady who cleans the cancer unit and we have become friends.
She has very limited English, but when she saw me knitting months ago, she smiled and made the knitting motions with her hands and said "Is Red Heart Yes?"
How do you explain that?
"No", I said, "Is good yarn".
She laughed.
She now watches for me and my friend Lisa, and today let everyone know in this large room of patients and their families...
"She no use Red Heart... she use good yarn!" .... as loud as she could!
Thank heaven for the beauty of understanding "Good Yarn!!"
Here's to my sweet friend Lisa ... and to Maria... Happy Knitting! Alison

Funny ...

2011-03-16T19:11:00.002-06:00

I answered the phone at the shop today and the customer explained that she had purchased a pattern recently, but needed me to tell her how many stitches she needed to cast on.
When I asked her what the pattern said, she got rather bothered by my question. You see, that's what she wanted me to tell her. She was in a hurry and just needed me to give her the information!
When I explained that I would go to our patterns and find the one she purchased to look up that information, she said she was in Idaho and had never even been in our store before and it was a pattern she purchased off the Internet.
Simple.
I have no idea.
End of the call ... because she hung up on me.
Judy was standing at the counter with me and we had a good laugh!
Happy Knitting ... and casting on!

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty!

2011-03-03T09:50:00.002-07:00

We have a new kitty at the shop!

It's Bobbi's (my bootee) newest kit and colorway! I think he's so funny and has so much personality! I love the new colorway too because it's so "Springy" and I'm so sick of the cold and winter! If your in the mood for creating a great little kitty, stop by and see"Tabbee"!

New Vintage DK

2011-02-24T07:34:00.002-07:00

Several years ago Berroco Yarns came out with a new line of yarn. It's called "Vintage". I have knit many things out of it and we have many clients who like me, love the yarn. Last year they came out with "Vintage Chunky" and that as well has been a great addition to the shop. This year we were excited to find out they were adding "Vintage DK" ... and we are not dissappointed in this one!
People ask me all the time the differances between weights of yarn. Once you understand the basics of weights, it makes buying yarn so much easier! So here it is... there are 4 basic weights of yarn. First is the smallest, it's called "Fingering"...light weight sock yarn is the perfect example of this weight. Next is "DK" weight yarn. It actually stands for "double knitting" and lots of yarns actually say "double knitting" on the band. The lingo comes from using two strands held together of fingering weight yarn to get this weight. So carrying on with that theory, if you hold two strands of "DK" weight held together, you get what is known as "Worsted Weight" yarn. This has always been the most common weight of yarn and my Grandma Millie bought stacks of this yarn for all her afgans! If you were to double "Worsted Weight" yarn, you would get "Chunky" or "Bulky" weight yarn. Here is the disclaimer however, not every weight of yarn fits the equation, like "Aran" or "Sport" yarns.
The most certain way to know your yarn weight is to read the label and find out how many stitches per inch the yarn knits up at. And MOST importantly, knit a gauge swatch on the needles you will be using for your project!
That was a long explanation, but really simplifies buying yarn. Our shop is set up in weight classes to make selecting a yarn easier, something my Mom set up that I have always reguarded as brilliant!
So if you looking for a "DK" weight yarn in fabulous colors, stop by and see the new "Vintage DK", this sweater is knit out of it and I think it's wonderful!
Happy Knitting!

Annie's Dress..

2011-02-14T21:16:00.002-07:00

It's finally done! This is the dress that I designed and knit for my new Granddaughter's Blessing that will be on the first Sunday of March! I'm really pleased with how it turned out even though I was sure it was going to be way too big ... she's just 6 1/2 pounds!

It has been a challenge but I have learned so much from this dress! There wasn't a pattern that I really liked so I took the parts of 4 different patterns that I did like and made my own ... a true original!

As I have been working on this sweet dress, and knowing that this little baby would be named after my Mom, I have done alot of reflecting about my Mom. How grateful I am that she taught me how to knit and make an heirloom for Annie Renee.

Now as Annie wears this dress, I can feel the generations of women in my family and the beautiful process of hand knitting something to welcome this child to our family!

It's A Girl!

2011-02-09T19:28:00.002-07:00

Many of you know that my daughter Rachel is expecting her second baby ... and she is here! Annie Renee arrived on February 27 weighing 6 pounds! Mom and baby are doing great and I've been knitting like crazy! I just finished this sweet little sweater that will fit her in about a year! I'm also finishing a lace blessing dress that might make me crazy! It's wonderful to have her here and healthy! Now I really need more time to knit!

Great New Yarn ..Great New Book!

2011-01-24T19:52:00.003-07:00

Many of you know that I anxiously awaiting the birth of my first Grandaughter ... and then this yarn and pattern book arrives at the shop today! I'm so in love with this! The yarn is called "Crofter" and it's a self striping yarn in the greatest colors! Don't worry, it also has great boy colors and awesome boy patterns!

So I'm in big trouble now! I absolutely have to finish what I already have on the needles before I can start this... wait ... maybe I'll just cast on to try it out!

Winter Troubles

2011-01-16T09:49:00.002-07:00

I seam to get myself into trouble during the winter months ... and I take on too many in-depth projects because I have a false sense of more "knitting time"!!

That's why I'm so happy Cascade Yarns sent this beautiful sweater as a shop model (that means already knit and not waiting for Alison to knit it for the shop!)

This is such a great pattern using Cascade 220, and one I've put on my must-make list!

I have been better this winter because my daughter will be having a baby soon and I promised a hand knit lace blessing dress, and quite frankly it's been quite the under taking! The back and some of the front of done now ... so I'll be looking at what I can get started that I'm certain I'll have time for. After all, winter last for 8 more weeks right?

Happy Knitting! Alison

TNNA ....

2011-01-12T07:31:00.002-07:00

The National Needle Arts Convention was last weekend in Long Beach, California and so Suzette and I packed our bags and took off!
The convention is for retailers to take classes and then "shop" for the store from over about 900 suppliers! Yes, it's daunting to say the least!
This was actually about my 11th time attending and so I kind of have a feeling of what to see .. and what booths to stay away from!
We bought alot of new yarns and bags and notions for the shop! I'm the most excited about our newest company! Aslan Trends will be coming to The Wool Cabin next month ... they have fabulous fibers and were wonderful to work with! I'm sure it will be a great new addition to the shop!
I'll post more specifics when the yarn arrives ... along with many, many more new and exciting additions that I can't wait to get my hands on!
Until then ... Happy Knitting! Alison

I'm Freezing!

2010-12-15T20:49:00.002-07:00

Well, I've been a real "slacker" lately and haven't kept up on my blogging responsibilities...but I'm going to do better!

Winter is here...and I'm freezing! My hubby thinks the perfect temperature of our house is about 65 degrees! I am constantly in search of the warmest socks to wear around the house...and my nose is always cold!

To make matters worse, Suzette and I will be heading to California soon after the first of the year for our buying trip and you would think I could warm up there. No! The convention center blasts the air conditioning constantly!

So this is when I start to walk around the shop and try to find some warm things to "borrow" and take along in my suit case.

This year I am most certainly taking this new shop model made out of Sublime Chunky. I love the wrap style and softness of the sweater!

As a side note, I will also be telling everyone that I made this...well... I could have!

I'm going to crawl under the covers now ....Happy Knitting! Alison

Wrong Yarn?

2010-10-31T15:45:00.003-06:00

Several months ago, we had a client who said she was knitting "The Wonderful Wallaby" sweater out of a DK weight yarn. Funny, I thought because I had never heard of anyone doing that! She said the sweater was knitting up much smaller than the pattern...made perfect sense to me!
I kept thinking of that and decided to try an experiment! I got the pattern, which calls for a size 8 needle and 5 stitches per inch. I then started my sweater with this self striping DK weight yarn and a size 5 needle.
I cast on enough stitches to make a child's size 8 sweater and knit about 4 inches of the body. I then measured it to see if the total inches fit into any of the sizes. It did! It was the actually the inches around for the child's size 4!
I want my sweater to have the correct proportions, so I only knit the length of the size 4 on the body. I then repeated the process for the sleeves. I cast on the number of stitches for the size 8 but only knit the length of the size 4.
It was a fun little experiment and now has me wondering about an adult sweater... it will have to go to the bottom of the list!
I typed out the "equation" for my little experiment, so stop by the shop and I'll give you a copy...it was alot of fun!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Babs...

2010-10-07T14:30:00.002-06:00

About 5 years ago I was working at the shop when this wonderful woman walked into the shop. We became great friends and we would have long talks about her survival

of breast cancer, my survival of my sister's suicide, the crazy world we live in and yes...knitting.

Her name was Babs Beatty and I always looked forward to her coming into the shop. Babs was an artist and she taught me so much about color and texture, possibilities I had never imagined!

She told me about a self-portrait she had been working on and how it showed all the things in her head she was dreaming of.

About a year and a half ago, her breast cancer came back and even though she really gave it a good fight, it took her life.

When I walk into different businesses lately and see the big push to end breast cancer, I always think of Babs.

Suzette and I were fortunate enough several months ago to actually purchase Bab's portrait to have in the shop. I think she would have loved it hanging on our wall. I know I do.

So when you visit us at The Wool Cabin, stop and take a look at my friend Bab's, she truly changed my life.

Happy Knitting! Alison

I've Been a Bit Lost...

2010-10-01T21:46:00.004-06:00

This is a picture taken of me and my son Joey as he was getting ready to leave for two years to serve a mission for our church. He had to have a minor knee surgery weeks before he left and so we have been able to spend alot of time together. He left this past Wednesday and I have been feeling a bit lost.

The best therapy for me is to sit down and work on a knitting project. So I got my Top Down Sweater out that I started about a month ago and decided that it's time had come.

This is such a great project.. you can find all the info on Susan B. Anderson's blog. It's actually a custom knit sweater and you knit it to your own specifications and exactly how you want your sweater to fit.

I wanted mine to be loose fitting and kind of "boxy"...well, because that's how I'm built..."boxy"!!

Anyway, I was able to finish it tonight and it looks splotchy in the pics because it's soaking wet and laid out on my blocking table. It will probably take all weekend to dry, and then I can wear it! I'm so excited!

It's amazing to me how much my knitting can help me..during good times, and also times when I'm a bit lost!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Changing Of The Seasons

2010-09-16T13:18:00.003-06:00

I love the changing of the seasons, especially Summer into Fall. This picture was taken at the first of the summer with my grandson Nathan and my great-niece Aimee while on a camping trip. I can't believe how much they've changed over the summer!
As much as I love the beginning of Fall, I also seam to get myself into trouble with my knitting! I envision the sun going down earlier and the evenings longer, so I can knit more...right?
To compound my trouble, my daughter found out yesterday that she's expecting a baby girl...more great projects!
This year however, I'm going to have better self control, I'm only going to start the projects I know I have time to finish.. and I'm not going to envision my entire family in hand knit things on Christmas morning!
OK, that said...it's time for a little knitting today...
Happy Knitting! Alison

Colorful Blankie!

2010-09-07T08:26:00.002-06:00

Last January when Suzette and I went to market, she spotted this yarn. It's called "Marble Chunky" by Kertzer and she wanted to by it for the shop. I however, had another opinion and we joked about if we brought it in and it sat there, I was going to tease her...she insisted...so smugly I agreed!
Well, it's done very well, she knit a sweater out of it which is marvelous and it's been calling out to me to be made into a baby blankie. It's machine washable and comes in these huge skeins! There's actually over 340 yards per skein!
So my son Joey is having knee surgery today and I'm off to the hospital for the day and I'm thinking this will be the perfect project to take!
I'm making our pattern for the easiest blanket ever, knit half the skeins increasing and then half the skeins decreasing. It's going to be a 2 skein wonder!
I love it when she's right! Happy Knitting! Alison

New Yarn Means New Project!

2010-09-03T07:57:00.002-06:00

I love when we get a brand new yarn and it's one of those that inspires me! This is the brand new Cascade 220 SPORT super wash! So it's a lightweight, washable wool that comes in wonderful colors ... and it made me want to knit them all in one project!
At first I was thinking about a colorful child's sweater, but then I decided a lengthwise scarf is always fun to knit, so I gathered the fall colors which I love and cast on.
I get alot of knitting time these days with Sam's football game every Thursday and Davis High games every Friday and this is the perfect take-along project!
My favorite part of knitting at football games is to watch the other Mom's as they look at me with that "you have something to do and I'm just sitting here" look on their faces! I could have taught many a knitter if I carried extra supplies with me...sorry it's ME time!
So stop by the shop, gather your favorite colors, the pattern is free...and you can come to a football game with me!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Finishing Up!

2010-09-01T16:56:00.003-06:00

So I have had several projects that I just needed to spend some time with to finish up. So last weekend I put myself in "time out" and really concentrated on them.
The first one is this baby sweater. I found the almost legible copy of this pattern in some of my Mom's files last month and it really brought back alot of memories for me. My Mom knit this sweater many times, in fact, Suzette still has one of them my Mom knit for her son Jackson...who now has his own little girls!
Anyway, I thought I should re-write the pattern and knit one up so I can pass it along.
It turned out to be an emotional journey for me because my Mom had written several notes in the columns...and well... seeing her hand writing makes me miss her!
The pattern is now written, the sweater is done and I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
If your Mom or Grandma were knitters, you might recognize it, it's a great sweater!
I have more projects that I'm finishing up and I'll share soon! Happy Knitting! Alison

Top Down Raglan Sweater!

2010-08-29T20:44:00.003-06:00

In my last post, I said I was starting the Knit Along that my favorite designer, Susan B. Anderson is doing on her blog. Well, I was going along great and then hit a bump in the road! My problem was that quite simply, I'm built like a tree! Yes, a large tree! So as I was increasing, my increases for my arms were where I wanted them, but I needed more increases for the body of the sweater. After consulting Suzette...(who is definitely not built like a tree), I decided to email Susan Anderson. Boy was I happy when I heard right back from her and she said it should work to only increase on the body! So I picked it back up today after feeding the family and got to where I needed to be so I could try it on! Yahoo!! It fits! I'm now ready to knit around and around on the body! It's going to be one of those late night knitting nights!
If your looking for a great sweater for yourself..that REALLY fits..log on and get started with Susan's Knit Along! It's really fun!
Happy Knitting Alison

What a great scarf!

2010-08-25T19:12:00.002-06:00

I love it when the yarn companies send us "shop models" to introduce the yarns. Some companies send them in a timely fashion...and some take forever! This one arrived with the new yarn from Cascade, it's called "Opus". It's fabulous! This is one of those great yarns that do all the color changing for you and people think your a genius!
They sent a free pattern for making the scarf and it's a good way to learn to knit entralac without a huge number of stitches or a project that is overwhelming.
Come in and see the colors...you'll have a hard time deciding which one you like best!
On a seperate note...check out Susan B. Anderson's new Top Down Cardigan Knit-Along from her web-site. I'm doing mine in "Sweater" in a wonderful blue that I'm planning on wearing all the time! It's alot of fun..Susan is one of my favorite designers!
Time to get out the needles and have some "Knit Time!"
Happy Knitting! Alison

Knitting For Sanity!

2010-08-15T12:49:00.002-06:00

Let me tell you about my youngest child...Sam.
Sam will be going to High School this year...something I'm thrilled about because I never want to see or talk to any of the Junior High school teachers again, but that's besides the point.
So Sam is quite an athlete and football starts this week. So last week I made an appointment for his yearly sports physical. Our appointment was for 3:00. I took my knitting in hopes of getting a few rows knit while I waited. Well, we waited in the lobby for 45 minutes to be called to a small exam room. There we visited, we talked about the new adventure of high school. We studied the chart of the human body, we even discussed "the girl of the week"...and Sam got really bored!
I was knitting away and quite content as the minutes ticked away. Sam was bored beyond belief. He looked through the Otto scope, he played with a tongue depressor, and I knit.
After a full hour in the room, I ran out of yarn...disastrous!
I soon realized that I don't mind when I have to wait... Give me some yarn and needles...and you can take your time! Without it and I become rather unpleasant! Sam suggested when he saw the end of the skein that I go check to see if they had forgotten us!
We finally saw the doctor and walked out of the clinic about 5:45... think of how much I could have accomplished if only I had packed another skein!
Lesson learned, always have plenty of yarn, plan on 3 hours at the doctors office, and enjoy the journey!
Happy Knitting....and waiting! Alison

Kids At The Wool Cabin...

2010-08-12T21:33:00.002-06:00

We have a new line of kits at the shop. They're called "The KuKu Dolls" and I love them! You knit them mostly in one piece and then felt them in the washing machine! Little children will love them because they are the size of their hands and they're kind of "squishy"! I have some grand ideas about making some for the grandkids in our family for Christmas...we'll see!

Happy Knitting!

Girls Vintage Coat

2010-07-28T17:42:00.002-06:00

I love the "Knitting Pure and Simple" patterns

and this is the newest one in the collection! I fell in love with it when we saw it at market in January ... so when it came in I knew the "Vintage" by Berrocco was the perfect yarn! I love knitting in the round from the top down with no seams! It's now in the window at the shop and I'm very proud of this darling coat! Stop in and see it!

Just For Fun!

2010-07-07T20:07:00.005-06:00

Well, the vacation to California is over and I came home exhausted! It's hard to be the Mom and make sure everyone is having fun!
Any way, it left me wanting a fun project that I could start and finish while sitting on my front porch chair! I found this perfect little sweater pattern and it reminded me so much of my grandson Nathan! He will be 3 on his next birthday..a perfect match! It's knit out of "Sweater" from Blue Sky Alpacas and I love the yarn... and the pattern!
When I finished it, my almost 16 year old son Sam said..."Oh Mom, I want one just like it in the same colors, but put a number 5 on the back !"
Well, he's not getting it but it was a nice compliment!
The pattern has the graph for whatever number you choose...and the yarn comes in a rainbow of fabulous colors! So if your looking for a great little knit for those summer evenings..."The Lucky Number Sweater" is waiting for you!
Happy Knitting!

Hello In Knit Land!

2010-06-17T23:12:00.002-06:00

Greetings fellow knitters! I'm sorry I've been absent from blogging for a few weeks.....but here's an update!
The first of May I decided to get the old lawn mower fired up and mow the lawn after the long winter. Well, to make a long story short, we had quite the battle and after several pulls, I actually herniated a disc in my neck! I know...painful right! After crawling into the house in intense pain, getting to the insta-care (bad idea) and then getting into a neck specialist (good idea), I have had 6 weeks of physical therapy and 3 epidurals into the herniated disc and I am now feeling much better. I am not wanting to get into the surgery-of-the-year club and so I am taking this very conservative approach.
On a really cool note, Suzette and I traveled to Columbus Ohio this past week for the National Needle Arts Convention! I took a class from Lucy Neatby on finishing and a class from Debbie Bliss about her designing. The highlight for me was when we were leaving at the end of the day and Debbie Bliss was sitting with no audience and I starting talking her and actually "chatted" with her for about 20 minutes! She is my favorite designer and I found her delightful!
I will write more about our experience with pictures when I return from vacationing this next week in California with my family!
Happy Knitting...and remember to have someone else start the lawnmower for you! Alison

My friend Dodie...

2010-05-06T15:50:00.002-06:00

I would like to introduce you to a very special friend of mine, Dodie McPhie. Dodie just had her 80th birthday and has been knitting since she was 5 years old!

I took a few minutes to sit down with her at the shop and talk about her life and her knitting experiences.

When Dodie was a young girl, she had cysts on her lung which kept her home with her Grandmother much of the time. Her Grandmother decided to teach the young Dodie to knit. By the time she was 11 years old, she had to have her lung removed. Dodie went on to become a nurse and care for others with the same kindness her Grandmother had for her.

It's people like Dodie who come into the shop and share their talents and kindness with me that both enrich my life, and make my days at the shop wonderful!
Happy Birthday Dodie and Happy Knitting! Alison

Great New Book!

2010-04-18T17:17:00.002-06:00

Every once in a while a new book comes along that we get really excited about and this is one of those! It's entitled "Fearless Knitting" and right there the title got me!

I have so many clients come into the shop and want a specific class for something, but I don't have 6 - 8 clients who want the same class...so there are a few books that I love that actually teach the specific technique. This book has great instructions for some basic knowledge that every knitter should have.

Stop by the shop and have a look...I know you'll be impressed!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Tweed Yarn Concerns?

2010-04-11T15:59:00.004-06:00

I hope you all know that when I post funny things that are said and done at the shop, I'm not being mean...just sharing some "knitting" humor. We all need to laugh at ourselves once in a while!
That being said...I think the funniest comment actually happened this week!
A very nice client came in and purchased enough Plymouth Encore "Tweed" yarn to make a scarf. "Tweed" yarn is a solid color that has been spun with several other colors to give it that "tweed" look. The Plymouth Encore "Tweed" has been very popular and the colors are all great.
Several days later she called on the phone and was quite concerned. It seams that it had occurred to her that the "Tweed" would probably FALL OFF in time and she would rather just return it now rather than having that happen.....yes, that's what she said!
To set her mind at ease, and trying my best not to laugh in the phone...I told her that indeed the "tweed" will not be falling off!
As I locked up the shop on Friday night, I sent Suzette a text message that I had put all the "tweed" yarns together for the weekend just in case any of the tweed fell onto the other yarns!
It's going to be a great week! Happy Knitting! Alison

How Do You Know?

2010-04-06T20:28:00.002-06:00

Last night at the shop we were having our Social Knit time for the first Monday night of the month (everyone welcome) and someone asked me how we know what yarn to buy and how much to buy.
That sounds like a simple question, however there are many factors that go into buying a yarn and stocking it in the shop.
First off, most yarns are represented by one of the major yarn companies. For our shop, our major companies are Plymouth, Berrocco, Cascade, Tahki, Brown Sheep, Blue Sky Alpacas and Knitting Fever.
Each one of these companies has a Yarn Rep that calls on us usually twice a year as well as 2 trade shows each year where we can see their entire lines of yarn and order what we need for the shop.
For the most part, Suzette and I tend to go for the same yarns because we now have a feel for what our clientele wants and the price point we offer in the shop.
Every once in a while, we have a difference of opinion...and we let each other go for it...and wait to see who gets to do the teasing when it either flops or is a great success!
As a rule, we usually buy 4 - 5 colors that we both like in a yarn and then 1 color we both dislike. It's always surprising when the one we dislike sells first!
We also now know which companies ship to us in a timely manner and tend to buy more from them. It can be very stressful when a client is waiting for her yarn to come in so she can start her new project!
Some areas of the store are divided up. For instance, Suzette has a bit of a button fetish and I love to order the needles and the notions.
It works really well for us and I consider having my sister as a business partner one of my choicest blessings!
So next time your in the shop...try to figure out which color we love...and which color we dislike!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Joey's New Sweater...

2010-03-29T20:12:00.002-06:00

Hello fellow knitters...

It's a big day at my house, after much patience and proding...Joey's sweater is all done! His request was quite specific. He wanted a navy blue "Mr. Roger's" sweater with orange stripes and green buttons. With every step, we measured and re-measured until all the pieces were perfect. I spent the weekend sewing it all together and then the painful part...watching him longingly watch the blocking table as it was drying after I blocked it. The final part...which I don't understand was a number 7 duplicate stitched on the back. At this point I don't ask questions...he just likes the number 7 I guess? Anyway, it has been quite fun to see my 18 year old draw out the sweater on paper, put it into a pattern and now see him LOVE his new sweater! He's a great kid and I now have a great big smile on my face!

When Will That Be Done?

2010-03-10T17:00:00.003-07:00

A nice looking lady came into the store this morning and I asked her what I could help her with ... (pretty standard question on my part)...
She said she wanted a simple and plain cardigan for spring... ( fairly simple request)...
We found a pattern that met her description and then the perfect yarn in color and gauge... (those two factors quite important)...
She said she was new to the area and so I handed her a class schedule and invited her to join our knitting groups...(helpful I thought)...
As we approached the sales counter and I began to write her up a ticket, she asked me when her sweater would be done..... silence ... I'm thinking ... she's waiting ... and I ask her if she thinks I would be doing the knitting or perhaps she might be doing the knitting?!
She tells me that she has no idea how to knit, has no intention of knitting and that I seam to have lead her astray...( I'm not laughing)
Needless to say, she will not be wearing the perfect spring cardigan ... unless they sell that same exact sweater at her favorite department store! ( I assumed too much!)
Happy Knitting!

Joey Wants a Sweater!

2010-03-01T21:12:00.002-07:00

I have several criteria I use when deciding to knit a sweater for someone....

1) Never knit for anyone who won't appreciate and cherish what you have knit them.

2) If possible, have the recipient pick out not only the style but also the color they would like the
item made out of.

3) Never promise a completion date. (Hence my brother's half knit sweater that is aging beautifully in the closet!)

4) Don't knit a sweater for someone out of anything but super-wash if they've never had a
hand-knit sweater before.

So I'm minding my own business on Sunday afternoon and my son Joey who is a high school Senior tells me he has something important to request.... He wants me to knit him a "Mr.Roger's" navy blue cardigan with orange cuffs and stripes with green buttons!! He claims he's given this alot of thought and it would mean the world to him...

And so the dilemma begins...he's met all my criteria...he'll be leaving the nest soon...he's a great kid...he even takes out the garbage and keeps his room clean!

I've found what he claims is the perfect pattern...navy blue with orange stripes here I come!!?

Knitting Needles and Snow Tires

2010-02-24T19:12:00.002-07:00

My husband reminded me today that I need to get my snow tires off my car and get the "regular" tires put on. After inspecting the "regular" tires he decided I need new ones. Much to my dismay, he always buys the expensive tires. As we stood in the tire store, I made the observation that all the tires looked good, and surely the less expensive ones would do the same job....the tire salesman was over-joyed at my comments!
After taking a deep breath, my sweet husband looked at me and said "Honey, do you knit with the less expensive needles that might fall apart or drive you crazy, or do you only knit with the best needles that you have?
Point well taken!
I have people come into the shop quite often and comment about how many needles we carry and how wonderful they are!
Yes, it's a knitting needle haven that needle wall of ours!
I'm getting the best new tires on my car...and I'm starting a new project on my
Addi Turbos!!!
Happy Knitting! Alison

I Love What I Do....

2010-02-15T18:56:00.002-07:00

I truly love what I do.
I love the colors and textures, I love seeing all the new faces ... as well as the faces I've known for many years, I feel lucky to work with my sister, I feel spoiled to be able to knit whatever project I want, and I'm especially fortunate to be able to work the hours that also accommodate my families schedule.
I guess that's why it's really hard on me and I really feel bad when someone comes into the shop and has something that they don't like. I would love for the shop to be a "hobby". It has to be a business, with policies and procedures of doing things a certain way.
I would love to spend all my time off designing and writing new patterns to simply give away. Unfortunately, it takes alot of time to write a pattern, and make sure it's correct. We know people will copy our "free" patterns and give them out. We expect that. It's difficult to see when someone makes it their own, or wants to make it out of the wrong yarn and then cannot figure out why it doesn't fit.
I've had a couple of these in the last week, and I've had to remind myself that most people don't want to make it difficult, and most knitters understand and are so supportive.
So I'm reminding myself tonight....I love what I do!

Super Bowl of Non-Knitting!?

2010-02-09T20:16:00.002-07:00

Hello knitters!
I had such great plans of spending some great time this past Sunday knitting. I really thought that all the males in my house would be busy watching the big game and they would never notice all the time I was cherishing with my knitting! Right...Wrong! I actually got caught up in the let-me-cook and clean up after everyone mode...and it lasted most of the day! Before I knew what was happening, the married kids came over, the grand baby wanted to play, the college daughter came home with several friends-in-tow, the boys had several friends "stop-over" and my knitting time flew out the window! It's not that we didn't have fun...but I missed my yarn fix!
This week Joey will be wrestling in the State wrestling tournament..how proud we are...and do you know how much time I get to sit there and wait for those 3 minutes of wrestling? Exactly...about 3 hours of knitting! I guess this will be the "Super Bowl of Knitting"!!!
Have a great week...and Happy Knitting!

New To The Shop!

2010-02-02T20:48:00.002-07:00

My family commented at Christmas that I don't get excited about opening presents anymore because I always get to open the boxes at the shop! Well, yesterday was Christmas at the shop because I got to open the shipment from "O-Wool"!! This is a brand new line of yarn to The Wool Cabin, we had quite a few requests for it and so I was excited to see it and feel it! Susan B. Anderson uses it quite a bit in her latest book Itty Bitty Toys". It's now on the shelf, and on my ever-growing list of things to make! Happy Knitting! Alison

New Yarn, New Pattern, New Project!

2010-01-27T17:20:00.002-07:00

I love it when we get a new yarn and new patterns in the store and I have an evening to sit down and knit! The stars are aligning for me today because the new "Weekend" by Berroco came in and I rushed home, fixed dinner...and now the evening is mine!

Unfortunately, my family seams to believe that I can sit and knit all day at work! I guess it's a good thing that I'm always too busy to actually sit down and knit a few rows or the shelves would never get straightened! The problem seams to be compounded by the fact that I get to see people knitting in the shop, and get to help with their projects, but my projects get to wait for a night like tonight!

So until next time, I'm off to "Knit Land" with my brand new project!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Reflecting...

2010-01-24T18:47:00.002-07:00

The other day Suzette and I were talking about a class she took at The National Needle Arts Convention in Long Beach. It was taught by a new and upcoming designer by the name of Jared Flood. He said he was raised by "A Knitting Mom", and she was saying how much she enjoyed the comment.

As I have thought about that this weekend, while missing my Mom, I realize how glad I am that we too were raised by "A Knitting Mom".

It means that when there are endless hours spent at the high school gym waiting for a 3 minute wrestling match...my hands are busy.

It speakes to me that I am connected with generations before me that also made beautiful things with 2 needles and one piece of yarn.

It means that when I go to work, I walk into a place of joy of beauty that represents my Mom's life dream...her very own yarn shop!

It means that my own children ... and grandchildren can witness the calm and sense of peace that I enjoy in a world filled with uncertainty as I knit and watch the news.

It gives me great pride that I learned from the very best and I still marvel as I remember the things my Mom created with her hands.

It reminds me...especailly when I miss her the most...that my knitting will keep us connected....and that indeed, I was raised by "A Knitting Mom" who was giving me life skills with her every stitch.

Happy Knitting! Alison

P.S. One of my favorite people on the planet, Susan B. Anderson has highlighted us on the Spud and Chloe website. She is a very special person to me, and I am so grateful for all she does to inspire me with her creativity. Stop over and take a look at what she wrote! http://www.spudandchloe.com/

New Hat...and my grandbaby!

2010-01-17T14:29:00.004-07:00

It's interesting to see how the requests for certain patterns come up. Several weeks ago, we were inundated with the "head band" pattern made out of Alpaca Grande. ( I think enough knitters have now made this to keep all of the Wasatch Front warm!)

This last week many knitters have been requesting a pattern for the guys in their lives and the perfect "guy hat." So with the help of my teen-age sons, we came up with my newest pattern! It's made out of Comfort Worsted by Berroco on a size 7 needle. It's an easy pattern to make longer if your favorite guy wants a folded edge to it. Come into the shop and I'll get you a pattern and the color he's been requesting!

On a personal note...my grandson loves to play my piano when he comes over, so I thought I'd share with you his last performance! I know...he's darling!

Happy Knitting! Alison

The National Needle Arts Convention!

2010-01-14T21:08:00.003-07:00

We just got back from sunny, warm and beutiful Long Beach, California where we attended the National Needle Arts Convention. It was wonderful to see all the new and colorful yarns for spring and summer! The weather at home was 14 degrees and 74 degrees there! On the plane I worked on Susan B. Andersons pattern "Modern Rib Hat" made from "Sweater" from the Spud and Chloe line of yarns that I love! It's such a great take - along project and fits great! Here's a picture of Susan's darling daughter wearing the hat:

Now back to the shop to await all the boxes of new yarn from the show!

Happy Knitting! Alison

Service Project

2009-12-04T22:03:00.002-07:00

Today was our first in a series of three Friday knit-a-longs at the shop. We are all knitting the same patterned square with Encore and then I'll be sewing them together to make a blanket. I found out that the sweet couple who work on the grounds at the shop recently lost both of their children and their home to a house fire. It broke my heart to imagine their grief. So we decided that this would be a great project...and it was also great fun! We had 8 of us knitting, visiting, and enjoying a break in the seasonal madness! If you live near the shop, come join us! We have 2 more Fridays scheduled and would love to have you join us!

It's That Time Of Year!

2009-12-01T13:06:00.002-07:00

It's that time of year when the shop fills with the excitement of the season! I love this time of year because the shop is a buzz with people knitting and finishing their gifts to give away. Most of the time, we see the yarn and needles go out the door, but this time of year we get to see alot of the finished projects before they are wrapped up to be given to that lucky person! I myself love to knit for my family and give to them at Christmas. This year I knit "Wallaby" sweaters for the 4 grand kids in the family to all wear at our family bowling tournament. I'm excited to see all of them in their sweaters! It's something my Mom would have done for them, and I'm hoping to share with them a little bit of her spirit!
The UPS man must hate to deliver to the shop this time of year, we have had HUGE orders come in with wonderful and exciting new yarns to fill the shop! I have to remember that I cannot possibly knit them all...my "list of must make projects" just keeps on growing with each box we unpack!
Well I'm off to find my size 8 needles...Happy Knitting! Alison

More Knitting Time!

2009-11-01T08:02:00.003-07:00

There's something about Daylight Savings time that seams to give me more time to knit.
It's not that I actually have more time, we still have the same number of hours in each day. Maybe because it's dark earlier and my world slows down, I'm not certain. All I know is that I have more time at the end of the day when it gets dark earlier to actually sit down and create!
I'm always surprised when clients come into the shop this time of year and say they haven't knit all summer and now they want a new project. I cannot imagine my summer without my knitting. My lawn chair and knitting bag travel everywhere with me in hopes of some great shade and just a few rows!
So for those of you who, like me, enjoy an evening of knitting... here's to Daylight Savings time!
Happy Knitting...Alison

How Long Will It Take?

2009-10-28T08:11:00.003-06:00

Sorry for the absence fellow bloggers...the sky was falling at my house and I had to fix it...

I think the most asked question at the shop is "How long did it take you to make this?"...followed by the project being held up for my reply! I'm never quite sure how to answer that. There are so many factors that go into play here..
1) How many hours did I have to help with homework after I started the project?
2) Was it my week to drive all three carpools, or just one?
3) Did I actually fix dinner that week or did we have take-out every night?
4) Was it football or wrestling season when I made that...sometimes it's too cold to knit at football games!
5) Was my husband out of town, when he's not home I can knit all night long (with the light on!)

The list goes on and on! I think the thing to remember here is that our projects should give us enjoyment. Isn't that the goal? Some projects I can knit very fast and they go together very easily...some are still in the closet until I can gather enough ambition to look at it again!

So when you go into the yarn shop...be inspired, touch everything, pick something that will uplift you...even if you do have to fix dinner and drive three carpools that week!

Happy Knitting....Alison

Really?

2009-09-29T04:18:00.002-06:00

People come into the shop all the time and state that they have a "Really dumb question", sadly they usually aren't actually very dumb. However, we have had a few dewsies!
I thought I would share a few! Just yesterday I had a lady pull out her half finished blanket that was using a current yarn and she told me she had run out of yarn and wondered where she should go to get more?
Sadly, because our name has "cabin" in it, it causes some confusion for some. The phone rang and a man told me he was getting ready to winterize his cabin and wanted to know how to empty the water line for the toilet!
The all time winner though is a lady called and said she had been in the shop about 5 years ago and had fallen in love with "a wonderful red yarn by the door" and wondered if we still had some of it! Well, being the helpful person that I am, without laughing, I said no....it was all gone. Really?
Don't be afraid to ask questions, just know that we have alot of yarn...and we move it away from the door....frequently!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Lets Talk About Gauge!

2009-09-21T18:38:00.003-06:00

One of the most asked questions in the shop is about gauge. Daily we have clients who just don't understand it's purpose and how to figure it out. I had a client today who was using a size 9 needle with a fine yarn to make a baby dress that needed 7 stitches per inch. When I asked her if she had knit a swatch to check her gauge, she had no idea what I was talking about.
Here's the basics of gauge. You take the recommended needle and yarn and knit a 4 inch square. You then measure how many stitches you have in that square. If divided by 4, you can see how many stitches you have for every inch of your knitting. If you need more stitches, you use a smaller needle. If you need fewer stitches, you use a larger needle.
Several years ago, I had a client ask me if you need to use the same yarn for your swatch as you will be using for your garment, the answer is YES!
The idea for gauging is so you know that your yarn and needle will give you the measurement you need for your item to fit!
If you have questions about gauge, please ask...it's much easier than breaking the news that indeed, a size 9 needle and fine yarn will not be a successful baby dress!!
Happy Knitting! Alison

Welcome

2009-09-19T14:40:00.005-06:00

Exciting news from the Wool Cabin. I've been talked into starting a blog.

Lots of people ask me on a daily basis, what it's like in the yarn shop, if I
sit and knit all day, and most importantly, what's new.

As a way of keeping everyone up to speed, I'm going to start this blog in
hopes of sharing my love of knitting and a window into the shop.

This week Noro Silk Garden Lite caught my attention, so I knit up this Ballerina
Shrug. With two skeins, and a small investment of time, this darling item will be
ready for your little one.

Arucania is brand new with these great books of patterns, put right at the top of the "to make" list!

I've started my Christmas knitting! This is Nathan's Wallaby, I decided to make them for all the kids in the family with "Vintage Wool" from Berrocco, which I love!

Stay posted as I learn how to use my new camera and learn how to blog. -Alison