SHHH!!!

SHHH!!! If you listen very carefully you can hear the clickity clack of frantic knitters everywhere desperately trying to finish their Christmas gifts. How do I know the sound I am hearing is blazing knitting needles flying at lightning speed? Because that sound rings loud and clear in my own living room as I try to finish up items myself. I have managed to finish my daughters dresses, my aunt's scarf and a scarf for my son. With any luck I will get the sweater finished in time for Tuesday - hoping to anyway - wish me luck as I do you.

We recently received some Malabrigo yarn at the shop. I can't wait to knit myself a hat and scarf with it. I already know what pattern I will be using - the Cable Crest Set from Figheadh Yarnworks. I just love this scarf and hat set - when Jen had it up at the shop all I could do was touch it. Yummy!!

Anyway - I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!! Don't forget to set yourself some knitting resolutions to expand your skills. Break out of your norm and try something different in 2008!

Jennifer's Visit

On Sunday, designer Jennifer Hagan came and gave a wonderful presentation in our store. She also taught a cable class for us. What a kind, creative lady! She is the brains behind the designs for Figheadh Yarnworks. The beautiful cables and creative felting projects she offers are not to be missed. We had so much fun visiting and learning from Jennifer that we have asked her back to teach again. She will be teaching another cable class and a felting class in the shop on Sunday, December 2. Give us a call to get on the list. We have many of her patterns availabe at the shop. Thanks Jennifer for joining us.

Starting To Feel The Crunch

OK - So I'm starting to feel the crunch of the holidays fast approaching - anyone else? You know how you make all these great grandiose plans for knitting everyone you know something wonderful for the holidays? Well reality is there are only 24 hours in a day (I'm still working on finding more - let you know when I do). Last year my son received a sweater for Christmas - this year it will be the girls. Mom is knitting one while I knit the other - tag team gift knitting - let you know how that works. I realize it is only the first part of November but plans need to be made to organize my knitting and crochet projects for the next two months. I am not - nor never will be - as organized as one of our customers. She carries a binder labeled "current work". All of her patterns are neatly placed in plastic sleeves and organized with dividers. WOW - now that is true dedication. She is a wonderful lady whom we adore - very generous with her time and knits mainly for charity. I, however, like to fly by the seat of my pants, haul ALL of my projects with me to the shop each day and try to find time to get to at least one. My husband shakes his head each day as I haul both knitting bags out to the car with the girls in tow. (maybe that would explain the sore back and the constant feeling like I need to visit my chiropractor more often)
Fear not I will finish these projects and then some before the required date - I have faith in myself.
Be sure to stop by the shop if you are in need of some inspiration for quick holiday gift items. We are bursting at the seams with ideas.

It Fits!

I took the sock I'm working on for my dad over and tried it on his foot. IT FITS!! In fact it fit just like a glove. The ribbing will make it fit on his low water days and will stretch enough to be comfortable when he is swollen just before dialysis. I am so excited. Thanks to everyone in Burien and beyond whom I made fondle the sock to check for rough spots or bumps. I know it is just a sock but making sure it won't cause any rubbing on his foot is very important - any sores that could develop could take forever to heal. He has already lost one foot to his diabetes - keeping the other healthy is very important.

Don't forget Pizza Night is Friday - come by and have some fun

Checking In

Knit, knit, knit, knit, crochet, knit. That's what I've been doing as of late. I'm working on combining several sock patterns to make a sock for my dad. Being diabetic, his sock needs to have no seams or bumps that might rub on his foot. I have started it several times but I think I am finally on the right track.

Can I just say how much I love Ravelry. It is so much fun to poke around on that site. You get to see what everyone is working on. The forums are great and I think there is a group for just about everything you could want - if not you can make one.

This coming Saturday is the Trick or Treat in Burien. Last year it was CRAZY! We look forward to all the kids coming through with their costumes. This year my son is going to stand outside and pass out the candy. We had so much fun looking at all the costumes. If you are in the area, bring the kids and have some fun. There is a haunted house set up across the street at the chiropractor's office, a dog parade, hayrides and of course CANDY. Dust off those crazy, creative costumes and come on down.

A Night W/O Depends

What happens at The Yarn Stash stays at The Yarn Stash.



names have been changed to protect the innocent



Last Saturday Burien had Ladies Day Out. It was a fun all day event that was tied into a fundraiser for the Susan G Komen Foundation. We stayed open until midnight knitting and chatting. Several of our friends joined us until midnight. Around 10pm we started to get a bit rummy (not literally - just not thinking clear from exhaustion). I was trying to show Nina and Pinta how to do color work in their Christmas stocking (our October SOTM) and things went down hill from there. Pinta asked me a silly question that I started to answer and then with out thinking I looked at her and said "WHAT??? I can't believe you are asking me such a silly question." With all of her knitting skills being able to tell right side from wrong side on a stockinette piece - poor gal was so tired. She looked at her knitting and started to giggle. Soon we were all laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. Santa Maria managed to get out that poor Pinta was probably going to have an accident. At that point we just sat there laughing. It was one of those things were you can't even look at each other for fear you will burst out in giggles again. We all had tears rolling and side aches from the chuckles. We were all sworn to secrecy that we would never reveal what happened at The Yarn Stash late one night. So there you have it Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria & CC - I have kept my end of the bargain. I did not disclose any names - no harm done to anyone. I really appreciate you ladies (dear friends) for sticking it out to midnight with us. I know it was hard on each of us in our own way. We had a great time knitting and laughing and we helped support a wonderful organization at the same time.

Breast Cancer has touched all of us in one way or another. The walkers from the 3-day event walked right by my house. I didn't realize they were going to be down this way. When I saw them I got a bit emotional. My son asked my why I was crying and all I could do was cry even more. I was finally able to explain that the sight of all those people pulling together moved me. They were walking for all their own reasons but together they were walking as one for the same reason. Don't take things for granted - get checked out, tell your friends to get checked, tell your relatives to get checked out. Hug everyone a bit tighter next time for those that can't.

WOW & WOW again

Today we had a customer drop by with a box - yes a box - full of hats (60 the be exact), some scarves and a pair of socks that she and her mom had made for the Christmas Outreach Program. We were blown away by their generosity. Through out the year we have been gathering items for the fire station. As most of you know, last year we were able to turn over 99 items to the firefighters for the outreach program. We haven't counted everything yet but I know we have gone beyond that this year. THANK YOU so much to all that have contributed. We will be taking donations until just before Christmas so there is still time if you want to help.
Last night was pizza night - we had a great time visiting and knitting with everyone who was able to attend.
Alrighty then - I am going to get the kiddies to bed and try to redo the hat I am making for shop model (yes Penny - I ripped the whole thing out - sorry I didn't call you and let you do it for me).