A Freebie for you

I have to say right here and right now, that I have the best friends in the world. I know you may think that you have them, but sorry to disillusion you, I do! ;) I have friends that care about me and make me smile. I have friends that bring me gifts for no reason. I have friends that always make me laugh. I have friends that challenge me, on both the mental and fiber arts fronts. They challenge me to be all I can and want to be. This year has been a really, really, really hard year. You may have noticed the lack of posting....lol. Who am I kidding....of course you have.

I have had many losses, both in the working world and in my personal life. But, I have to say that my friends have been there through all of it. Always offering support, a shoulder or a listening ear.

Thank you a thousand times. Every single one of you. Near or far, man or woman, animal or vegetable, thank you....lol You vegetables know who you are! ;)

I am so proud of what the shop has become in this hard time. I want it to be an enchanted place to come and leave your stress and worries behind. Just listen to the soothing music, the water fountain and the laughter.

The reason for this post is actually to let you in on a really awesome freebie. I am sure some of you have found out about this already, but just in case......

Knitters magazine is giving away free downloads of their 100th issue. Yeah, FREE!! Go here and download it right now!!! You will not regret it for an instant. I am making the silver plumes sweater, for sure! But, I must admit it is chocked full of brilliant patterns!!!

Have fun with it and happy knitting!

What's on your Holiday needles?

What's on your Holiday needles? What projects/patterns do you turn to when you need a quick gift? I have several standards I fall back on and this year thanks to Enchanted's Christmas Club I have a couple more. Typically I fall back to knitting dishcloths. They are a quick knit and oh so useful. Plus, there are plenty of free on-line patterns and so many gorgeous cotton yarns. Or I knit up a bunch of fingerless mitts. I love the Fetching pattern. It's quick when using a worsted or DK weight and inexpensive.

This year I'm adding the Biscuit Blanket from February's club project and the Just Enough Ruffles scarf from January's club project. Both are fast knits and again an inexpensive gift.

We Need Change!!!!

Well, the election is primarily over here in the good ole US of A. That being said...I've decided in these dire times of holiday craziness I can't sit on the sidelines any more. I gotta stand up for what is right and see that changes are made. Today I'm announcing my candidacy for Master of the Knitting Universe!!!!

I'm a regular member of the knitting universe just like you and like you I suffer from the same woes. As Master of the Knitting Universe these are the changes I promise to make once elected:

1. All knitting on holiday projects/gifts will be magically sped up to be completed in half the normal time.

2. All knitters will require only 2 hours sleep a night so they can complete their knitting in the quiet while family members sleep away.

3. All housework/cooking that interrupts knitting will be temporarily suspended.

4. All items made will fit perfectly without the need for those stupid gauge swatches that keep us from getting on with the fun.

5. Each and every knitter will abound with creativity.

6. Rolynn will be able to know the exact pattern and yarn we need for each and every project. (I know she already does this but I needed a 6th campaign promise)

Really people, every year I determine that I am going to begin my holiday knitting in January so I'll have a more relaxed holiday season. Do I ever do this? NO!!! My holiday knitting mojo doesn't hit me until the middle of October to the first of November. Something has to change!!!!! Vote, vote, VOTE for me today. Someone has to end this madness!!!!!

p.s. If for some reason I cannot fulfil these campaign promises I have a little back up plan. Give each recipient an IOU.

I'm a Bad Mom.....Are You???

I came to a horrible revelation this morning. I was sitting out on my back porch having my morning coffee with my feet propped up thinking about what I was going to do today. I have business to attend to and a lovely root canal this afternoon. But what I want to do is knit and with the cooler weather setting in it is wool sock time. I was thinking about how much I used to love knitting socks. The projects are so portable and a pretty quick knit depending on the pattern you choose. I love the fancy smancy socks but I really love knitting up a simple ribbed sock. Basically no thought required until you get to the turning of the heel.

Anyways, as I was musing about sock knitter's heaven I looked down and noticed the hand knit socks I had on. They are from a free on-line pattern, Fawkes, representing Professor Dumbledore's prized Phoenix. I had planned on knitting all the patterns in the free Harry Potter based socks by Monkey Toes. I was thinking I should set the goal of knitting one pair of socks a month. But then it happened. I realized that I am a bad sock mom!!!!! I treat my precious hand knit socks like some cheap athletic type. Wash and dry them with who knows what. Wear them with shoes and attire that doesn't do them justice. I will even walk outside without giving them any protection from the elements. I mean really, what kind of sock mom am I????? What kind of sock mom are you?

I'm a realist, I know I'm not going to change. And you know what???? At least I spend time with my socks and don't leave them stuck in a boring drawer. They get to live an exciting life. They may live a shorter life than others but......."It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."

Superwoman I am not!!!

I really thought I would be able to do it! I really did. I thought I could homeschool, keep house, make meals, be a good mom and run a yarn shop....What a laugh!

(isn't this the cutest little sweater, a shop sample out of Interweave Knits magazine that I just had to make! LOL It is things like this that entice me away from housework)

I am multi-tasking, but come on! LOL Okay, I admit it, I am only one person. I do not have a fairy hidden anywhere in the house or the shop, much to my chagrin, that does my work for me.
Heck, I am the person that lights the pilot lights on my own cookstove when the propane guy comes, just so that he won't step foot in my laundry room on the way to the kitchen!


So, in light of this new revelation that I am not superhuman....I am changing Enchanted's hours.


Here are the details:

Monday 1-7:30
Tuesday 1-6
Wednesday 1-6
Thursday 11-6
Friday 1-6
Saturday 10-4


Here is a picture of our family with our newest acquistion....my son-in-law William Henry Edwards.

Where's the MOJO?????

You ever lost your knitting mojo? I don't know if it is the weather getting prettier so I'm spending more time outside or if it is something I should seek counsel over. I've lost my knitting mojo. I've tried to trace back to figure out when it started seeping away. I mean it isn't like I haven't started new projects. I'm a card carrying member of Enchanted's Christmas Club so I get a new project every month. And it certainly isn't that the projects are boring or lack pizazz. We all know that if they got anything, RoLynn and Ashley are the Queens of Pizazz.

I get the project OTN, work on it for a bit and then it finds its way into one of my knitting bags. Yeah, I have almost as many knitting bags as I have WIPs. Pretty pathetic really. Kinda knitting psychoish.

I don't like the mojo not being here. Can someone please help????? Can you bring back the mojo?

What do you do when you lose your mojo?????? Any suggestions, thoughts, prayers or charms would be greatly appreciated.

Five Things I've Learned From RoLynn

RoLynn has taught me many things but I thought I'd try to limit it to the top five. These are not necessarily in order. :)

1. Don't be afraid to dream. Or to step out in a new direction, you never know what goodness or greatness is around the bend.

2. Patterns are not meant to be followed, they are just guidelines to your own design.

3. Friends are almost like family, sometimes more.

4. There is no such thing as ugly yarn.....every yarn has its purpose.....somewhere...maybe.

5. Smile even when your heart is breaking, the recipient's heart may be breaking as well. Give and it will be given back to you. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.--Proverbs 17.22

The Post With No Name

You remember the song the band America recorded, "A Horse With No Name?" Welp, this is the post with no name. It isn't like I couldn't come up with a name.....the trouble is I came up with to many. You see, I have a problem......a big problem.

This is the problem. I joined Enchanted's Christmas Club thinking that I'd get a jump on Christmas gifts this year. I don't know why I fool myself, I suppose I'm rather convincing. My husband tells me I could sell jalapenos in hell. Maybe I'm an over optimistic optimist. Maybe I'm just plain stupid. Maybe I'm insane. The meaning of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Every year I think "I'm not going to wait until October (sometimes November, sometimes December) before I start my Christmas knitting." Yet, year after year after year that is what I do. Insanity thou art my middle name!!!!!

However, I think I'm going to put the blame on RoLynn and Ashley. After all it IS their fault. If they wouldn't pick such scrumptious projects each month I wouldn't be writing a post with no name. It isn't that I don't love the patterns they choose AND the perfect yarn for the monthly projects. The trouble is I love them too much. This is April, I've knitted every months project, fixen to start on this month's, yet I have nothing, N-O-T-H-I-N-G, in my Christmas gift box, NOTHING!!!!!!

Actually, I haven't even designated a box for Christmas gifts. Maybe my psyche knows me better than I know myself????

Last year I decided I was going to become a selfish knitter. Up to that point I had given just about all my wonderful projects away or I was constantly knitting for someone else. Maybe that is the problem........hmmmmmm.

Anyways, so far all the "Christmas Projects" have ended up in my closet. Thus, the problem with naming this post. I was thinking maybe it should be "Houston We Have a Problem" or possibly "Merry Christmas to Me!!!!" or even better "Hello, My Name is Peggy and I'm a Selfish Knitter."

You shall be called.....Herman!!!!!

Just look at that face, just look at it!!!!! Isn't that the cutest little feller you ever saw? I gotta have one, I'm gonna have one, I'm gonna have three!!!! One for my Emma Belle, one for her little sister, Ava Simone, and one to be my special little friend and he shall be called Herman!!!! And he shall go with me everywhere. He will ride in my truck on the dashboard, at other times he will travel safely in my knitting bag and at night he will be the last little face I look at before I go to sleep and the first thing I see when I awake. He is my soulmate.

Kits are available at Enchanted for your very own little friend. What you gonna name him?

Spring Has Sprung!!!!

Today marks the Spring Equinox at which point, no matter what the weatherman tells us, we can officially proclaim that Spring Has Sprung!!! Flowers are springing up everywhere!!!! In my garden I've discovered some gorgeous daffodils, hyacinths and some kind of little "airport runway lights blue" star-like flowers.

Spring has sprung in the land of Enchanted Yarn & Fiber as well. Inside and out!!!! I spotted some beautiful crocus growing in RoLynn's garden just this week. Is it crocus....crocuses or crocii? :) Anyways, the most exciting thing to me is how Spring has sprung inside. The season was Enchantingly jump started March 12th & 13th with the flower needle felting class. The class was such a success I'm sure there will be a repeat in the future. Having never needle felted before I was somewhat intimidated but I found the art is extremely enjoyable, easily learned and very versatile. Look at these gorgeous pieces needle felted by several of the class participants.











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Be sure and come in to see all the new Spring yarns, patterns and goodies. Beautiful color is popping up everywhere.

Flower Power!!!!

Flowers are hot this year!!!! You see them everywhere. Not the in the dirt, growing kind. I'm talking about the lapel, felted bag, hair decor, choker wearing kind. And of course, RoLynn and Ashley are right on queue with the needle felting flower class being offered this month. I've been doing some research on needle felting, something I haven't done yet, and this is really a very versatile art. You can needle felt on just about anything. And it can be flat, 2-D and 3-D. I even saw where a lady purchased an extra large man's sweater at a Goodwill Store, shrunk it by felting it, cut open the front to make a felted cardigan and then needle felted some gorgeous designs on the front. How cool!!!! To get an idea of what will be taught in the class here are a few pics and here is a link to the newsletter with all the class info plus a listing of the other awesome classes being offered.










I've completed the February Project for the Christmas Club. It is adorable, a Biscuit Blanket to keep your biscuits (the edible kind), scones and such warm while serving. I love the pattern and plan to make many of these sweeties.

What or what is going to be the March Project??????? I'm filled with anticipation!!! And no, I don't know what it is, at least at the posting of this post I don't. Plus, if I did know and if I told you I'd have to kill you or something......maybe poke you with a knitting needle till you cried UNCLE!!!!!

Workshop ideas for our contest. Please cast your vote!

1) Sock classes - top-down, toe-up, knee-high (stocking) class. Maybe combine all of it, so that beginners can work with advanced sockers, and advanced sockers are encouraged to try another method. I, for example, am not “afraid” of toe-up socks, but after appr. 150 pairs of socks top-down, German heel, and standard toes, I can knit them blind fold and need some extra nudging toward a new technique.

2) Argyle sock class

3) EZ’s baby surprise jacket class.

4) A Twisted Stitch (i.e. knit in the back loop) class, to make alpine/tyrolean style knee-high stockings; amazing patterns exists in the Alps area which can also be used for vests and cardigans.

5) Gloves and mittens classes

6) Dyeing with natural ingredients

7) Helmet liner class, to support our troops overseas. They also accept scarves. (They will be most appreciated, cherished and used!)

8) Seamless raglan/yoke sweater (top-down, bottom-up or both) class.

9) Lace class

10) Fair Isle class

11)Doily-to-blanket

12)Fingerless gloves for men

13) Matching up patterns with the yarn stash you have

14)I think a workshop on wild & crazy shawl/scarves would be ever so much fun! (You do have the yarn for just this type of class!)

15)I think a finishing a project class would be very helpful. (just finished a sweater for my daughter, she knit it, I put it together … poorly)

16)Maybe a design a sweater series of classes. I think I’m ready to move to that stage. I like how Elizabeth Zimmerman percentage system reads. Planning it out and then working on it in stages would be a great series in my opinion

17) Beginning knitters class

18) I think there ought to be a 2-3 part workshop to make a felted tote bag using the 4 square pattern in thh knitter’s dozen book. It is super easy and even a novice knitter and felter could do it.

19) A dishcloth extravaganza for beginning knitters. Some interesting stiches in a small format could be ideal for a workshop.

20) A finishing touches workshop on blocking seaming and making projects look super professional without having to be a guage/tension nazi.

21)Felted Bag

22)Fair Isle Hat

23)Chart Reading

24)Felted Animals

25)Magic Loop sock method

26)Incorporating beading into your knits

27)Intarsia bag

28)Baby Layette

29)Knitting two socks at a time

30)Needle Felting

31)Crochet

32)Knit/Crochet flowers-embellishments

33)Entrelac

34)Toe Up Socks

35)Baby Surprise Jacket

36)Lace Knitting

37)A class to address UFO’s you are stuck understanding what to do?

Did I Miss The Memo????

Did I miss the memo that 2010 is the year of the cable???? I don't know, maybe it is just me but it seems that everywhere I turn I am seeing garments with cables, cables and more cables. Like I've said before....I am not a great knitter, I won't win any awards for my knitwear or designs (none to date but I got some running around amongst those cob webs up there) but, however, none the less I can do cables and IF I can do cables YOU can do cables.

Back to the cable takeover of the world......for me it started with the Angelica's Coat from Interweave Knits, Fall 2009. I knitted mine with Peace Fleece worsted. Love it!!!!! I made cabled fingerless mitts to go along with it. In the same issue is the Every Way Wrap I so dearly love (I'm presently spinning the yarn for this sweetie, however, at the rate I'm going the pattern will be considered vintage by the time I'm actually knitting it).

Interweave Knits, Winter 2009 is chocked full of cables. Even the new Debbie Bliss Spring/Summer 2010 magazine has cables. I've learned to no longer fear the cable. I respect the cable, but I do not fear the cable. I AM an over comer!!!! If you have a cable phobia you too can become a victor. Enchanted is offering a cable therapy session aka cable class to assist you:

Mug Cozy (Cables) $20- Never done cables? They're gorgeous, but they seem overwhelming don't they? Not to fear, we will walk with you step by step through this very do-able mug cozy. A perfect small step into unknown territory that easily finished in an evening or two. Aran afghan here you come! ;)

What better way to show that cable who's boss!!!!!

I'm attempting to hold myself back from casting on the Nora's Sweater found in the Winter 2009 Interweave Knits. My problem is this. I want to make it out of the Frog Tree Meriboo. It is an oh so luscious bamboo merino blend. The stuff is so yummy I could eat it!!!! IF you haven't seen and felt this piece of divinity make sure you check it out on your next trip to Enchanted. Better get there soon though cuz I have a feeling much of it is going to be coming home with me. I'm wanting to use this yarn for some more of the Just Enough Ruffles Scarf to put in my gift/Christmas box as well (stop laughing....one can hope).

Free pattern: Lovely Hat of Funky Fun

This pattern was written by our Lady of Loveliness, Lauren! It's still being tested so please comment or email with any corrections or mistakes. Thanks!!

-LOVELY HAT OF FUNKY FUN-

NEEDLES

Sz. 10 dpns, or 2 circulars

YARN:

1 ball of Ella Rae Classic (219 yards)

1 skein of Recycled Sari Silk

GAUGE: 4 sts = 1"

With Ella Rae (MC) CO 63 sts, join to work in the round being careful not to twist stitches. Work in K1, P2 ribbing for 2.5-3", then begin working in stockinette stitch (st st) for another 2.5-3".

*With sari silk (CC) K 3 rounds keeping the MC carried up the inside. Switch back to MC and K 9 more rounds*

Repeat from * 1 more time.

K 3 rounds with CC, switch back to MC and K 21 sts, pm, K 21, pm, K21, pm (make sure your last marker is unique, this is the end of round).

Next round: K to 1st marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 2nd marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 3rd marker, slip marker and K2tog. (Decrease of 3 sts, 60 sts remain)

Using MC K 3 rounds even, *switch to CC and K 3 rounds, switch to MC and K 2 rounds in st st

Dec. round: In MC K to 1st marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 2nd marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 3rd marker, slip marker and K2tog. (Decrease of 3 sts)

Next round: In MC K 3 rounds in st st*

Repeat from * until length measures 22" from cast on edge, or until you get bored ;)

Using CC K 3 rounds even, *switch to MC and K 2 rounds

Dec. round: In MC K to 1st marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 2nd marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 3rd marker, slip marker and K2tog. (Decrease of 3 sts)

K 2 rounds in MC

Dec. round: In MC K to 1st marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 2nd marker, slip marker and K2tog, K to 3rd marker, slip marker and K2tog. (Decrease of 3 sts)

K 2 rounds in MC

Switch to CC and K 3 rounds plain*

Repeat from * until only 6 sts remain. Work 1.5" in I-cord and BO. Add a pompom on top if desired (it adds a touch of whimsy)

Now, remember that this pattern hasn't "officially" been tested yet, so help us out and report any errors please! :)

Hey!!! There's a new kid on the blog!!!!

Aiaiaiaiaiaiaiai (that is a scream, a really load scream)!!!!!!! That was my response when Ashley messaged me asking if I'd be willing to start blogging for she and Rolynn.

Hello, my name is Peggy, Peggy Sturgeon, and I am a fiberholic geek twisted sister. :) I love all things fiber. I would knit 24/7 if I could, but I gotta sleep some. I am the proud mother of a Kromski Sonata and Polonaise spinning wheel, a sweet Schacht Rigid Heddle Loom and I'm expecting a floor loom in the near future. I'm looking forward to the many fibery adventures we are going to share.

Where to begin? As is the custom around here, things are always changing at Enchanted. New patterns, new classes, new yarn, new store layout, you name it. I really do not see where Ashley and Rolynn get their energy.

These are three of the things I'm really excited about:

Christmas Club - I just knitted up the January Project for the Christmas Club. Oh man, if the rest of the months projects are as lovely as this one I am going to be one happy and busy knitter. This months pattern was Just Enough Ruffles Scarf by Laura Chau and the yarn is a 100% Alpaca worsted weight hand dyed by Ashley. This yarn is the yummiest and the coloration is gorgeous. It is a lovely kettle dye where in places the white core of the yarn shows through giving it a denimy worn look. I just love it. I cast it on one evening and had it finished the next. Isn't it funny, this is a pattern I would have never thought of knitting but now that I have I plan on making several more of these quick knits to place into my Christmas 2010 gift box. This is a wonderful way for me to get exposure to projects I possibly wouldn't typically choose. Stay tuned for February's installment.

Ravelympics 2010 - February 12th - 28th. If you aren't on Ravelry then shame on you, get on over there and join the madness. Be sure and join the Enchanted Yarn & Fiber Group. I'm looking forward to the WIPs-Dancing Event. Any UFO you haven't touched since Jan. 12 is eligible to entry. I got those babies busting out of ever knitting bag and closet in my house. I have two particular items I hope to finish, "Avast Ye Aaron" (a sweater I started Nov 08) and "Light My Fire" (a shawl I began in Mar 08). What a great incentive!!!!

I also hope to take part in the Sweaterboard Cross Event where I'm going to be knitting the Shalom Cardigan. Out of this goodness. The yoke will be the variegated, On-Line Linie 254 - Terra (48% Virgin Wool & 52% Acrylic), and the bodice the green, Elsebeth Lavold Silky Flamme (50% Peruvian Wool, 30% FS Alpaca & 20% Silk).

What events are you taking part in?

Trunk Show - The trunk show isn't until March which is great. Give us plenty of time to get all our knitting all cleaned up and ready for display and of course to pick up new yarn and pattern to get completed by then. I love seeing every one's entries. We could use the same pattern and possibly even the same yarn yet it will still be each of knitter's unique creation. (Some more unique than others!!! hehehe)

I'll be chatting with you again next week if not sooner.