Yellowbird Yarn Room

And the winner is...

Yep, you guessed it:  fingerless mitts!  And I really am very excited about this knit-along.  I've been planning for a while now to stock the shop with a handful (pun intended) or so of various styles of handwarmers and now I have my inspiration!

SO...from now until the end of October I am going to see how many pairs of mitts I can knit and I invite you all to join in the fun!  This knit-along will be a bit more lax in the rules in that I am not going to give you an exact pattern to follow in order to participate, but I will keep you posted on which pattern I am working on at the time and would like very much to see what you're working on, too!

I plan to mix it up and will try not to do the same pattern twice.  I'm really hoping to get a pair done each week, what do you think?  I think I'm up to the challenge!  That just means I have to set aside my granny square scarf for a while.  The one I started last week when I knew the mitts would win hands down.

Ah-ha ha ha.

And to start things off I will be following the suggestion of Facebook Fan Dianna who reminded me of the sweet little Victorian-style gauntlets known as Mrs. Beeton.  They are from the Winter '05 issue of Knitty and I just loved clicking through page after page of projects (there are 33 pages of projects at this time but I only made it through 10 so far!) and getting ideas for what I wanted my Mrs. Beetons to become.

I'm still having a bit of trouble deciding on that point.  So many ideas!  I can say that there will probably not be beads involved, and that the outside ruffle will be the same color as the body of the gauntlets with the inside ruffle an accent color.  That's all I know.  I think.

But I guess I will have to decide by Open Knit tomorrow so I can get going on my Mitt Fest!

If you would like to join me at River City to knit up your own fingerless mitts, here's what I can offer you:

• a fun and cozy atmosphere
• good people
• a healthy dose of laughter
• and 30% off any supplies you may find the need to purchase expressly for the use of completing your fingerless mitts!

You are, of course, still welcome to join us and knit something else.  Something not-mitt related.  The discount, however, only applies to knit-along related supplies and cannot be used in conjunction with any other sales, discounts, or coupons that may or may not possibly appear in any newspapers. 

Not that I'm sayin' there will be coupons.  I'm just sayin'.  You know.  If there are. 

The promised full story

Last week I left you hanging with a picture and a promise.  Time now for fulfillment.

Let me start off with a confession:  I am a very big Harry Potter fan.  Have been for many years now.  Oh, I snubbed it in the beginning.  I remember saying to my friend, who had just received the first three books as a set for Christmas, "Puh-leeese.  Those are kids' books!  What.  Ever."

Then I saw the first movie.  Watched it just to see what all the fuss was about.  Then I read the first book. 

It was all downhill from there.

My kids have watched me read, re-read, and re-re-read the books (over and over) over the years, but I couldn't even get them to watch the first movie.  Not even as their friends started to become interested.  They wanted nothing to do with it. 

Then came the LEGO Harry Potter game.  I knew I had them.  Get them the game, and they'll be hooked and begging me to read all of the books and watch all the movies.  They had already done the same with Star Wars.

So when the first new-game-for-the-DSI buying opportunity arose I casually reminded the 7yo how much he begged for that game when he first saw the commercial. 

It was all downhill from there. 

I read a chapter to them almost every night now, and we watch the movie together as soon as we finish the book.  We are now halfway through the third year with no signs of decreased interest.  Even my husband (a non-reader) is starting to catch on to the lingo.  He's even allowed a wand (read:  stick) into the house.

Now, I had seen the knitting pattern book Charmed Knits many times before, and I had eyed me some House Scarves, but had never gotten so far as adding anything to my queue.  But on a trip to the local library near the end of summer I made my usual detour through the knitting book section with munchkins in tow and they saw it. 

It was all downhill from there.

They have a long wish list from this book, including wizard robes and wand cozies, but I told them to start with something relatively small that they really really wanted, and that they didn't think they would tire of two days later.  They chose Errol.  They do love their "stuffties". 

They scoured over my entire stash, looking for just the right colors and textures.  I knit swatches to make sure they liked the fabric that came out of their choices.  Then I got to work.

My 9yo helped out with his, knitting all of the basic "knit" rows (without any increases or decreases), and I managed to whip them out in just a couple of weeks!  I did fudge the bottom a bit, and they don't have their talons just yet, but it's all good.  I have two happy little boys who enjoy holding "Hedwig" and "Professor Dippit" every night at storytime.

Now, here's the kicker:  turns out the pattern was written by a lovely local lady who I met about a year ago!  Her name is Andi (aka knitbrit) and she also designed the incredible Weasley Clock Blanket.  Andi, if you're reading this, I don't know if I did your pattern justice but I thank you for writing it and helping my boys and I appreciate the shared love of a magnificent story.

Looking for your thoughts!

It occurred to me recently that my last "-along" ended at the beginning of July.  Ach!  So long ago!  How'd that happen?

So, for those of you who are not yet Yellowbird's Facebook Fan and have not yet been posed the question, what would you like the next project to be? 

Please note that you do not have to participate in the actual -along to voice your opinion! 

You see, whatever project is chosen is one that I intend to sell at River City.  Therefore, whether you plan to participate or not, what would you like to see? 

I threw out a couple of ideas last night on Facebook:  a granny square scarf or belt (I'm thinking monotone, like the silky light green from the yarn tasting for a scarf or the variegated brown wool for a belt), or some stylin' fingerless mitts (that fine black alpaca from Wolf Creek would be so lovely and warm).

But maybe you have another idea?  Something you've been wanting to make yourself but haven't gotten around to it?  Or something you've been looking to buy but haven't been able to find? 

My friend was making felted bowls recently and I am highly intrigued by the possibilities there... 

And there are so many ways to tell me your thoughts!  You can comment here, comment on Facebook, message me on Ravelry, send me an email, give me a call, or simply stop by River City during Open Knit!  Hey, you could even go old school and write a letter on actual paper and drop it in the mail!

Goodness. 

Just let me know by this weekend because that's when I plan to announce my final decision.  I'll be ready to start next week, but you're welcome to join in any time during the process.  And as always with such things, if you plan to participate in the -along with me during Open Knit there will be a discount on your supplies.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Special thanks...

...to all who came out to River City for the Fall Festival, it was a very nice time!

Friday was a bit gray and windy, but I have to admit that I liked it that way!  I was able to wear a sweater I knit myself, drink my hot tea (which my hand knit cozy kept nice and warm for a long time!), and knit to my heart's content.  And the bees were minimal!  They did come out with the sun on Saturday but, really, they never stayed for long.  They just wanted to say "hi", too.  And smell the bread.

If you're a Facebook fan, perhaps you saw the absolutely adorable breads my friend brought Saturday morning...cutest breads I've ever seen!  There were honey wheat teddy bears and cats, and sourdough rye turtles.  They were just wonderful!  I did have to buy some myself, I just couldn't resist as I sat there smelling them and admiring their little eyes and bows and belly buttons...

And I wish I had thought to take a picture of the sweet lady who sat and knit about 6 rows on the Yarn Tasting, just for fun!  I do love the Yarn Tasting and the way it's progressing - it's quirky and strange and delightfully unique.  One of my favorite things about coming into the shop is the occasional surprise of finding someone had knit a row or two (hi, Diane!).  I do apologize for not keeping the "Flavor" updated, but I will change the yarn this week and I promise to tell you what I changed to on the Yarn Tasting page.

We got a nice little boost in our blanket raffle sales, too, so thanks again to everyone who has helped support the cause by buying tickets.  Just as a reminder, the blanket will remain on display and tickets will remain available until early December, but now's as good a time as any to come get yours if you haven't done so already!

So, all in all, it was a very nice couple of days and I'm grateful to all who helped make it that way.  I spoke to both old friends and new, about both knitting and crochet, and that is always time well spent.       

Gettin' ready for the Festival!

I was planning on sharing a fun story with you, all about my latest projects and complete with a cute picture.

But I've run out of time...ach!

There was a bit of running around to do today after Open Knit (which is a story in and of itself, by the way...I think I love granny squares!) in order to acquire the proper equipment for sitting outside the next two days.  There's a few things yet to do tonight, too, and I have two little boys waiting for their nightly chapter of Harry Potter.

So, on that note, I do think it would only be proper for me to at least leave you with the cute picture with the promise of the full story early next week.  Enjoy, and I hope to see you at the Festival!

 

A little "Mom" humor

A friend of mine turned me on to this video and I felt the need to share.

I want it known to all, here and now, that I have been a proud owner of said wagon for over five years now.

 

 

The signs are everywhere

A chill in the air.  A few red leaves on the ground.  A trip to the drugstore for children's cold medicine.

It's beginning to feel like fall, and every year it is confirmed in my mind to be the very best time of year, sniffles or no sniffles.  My husband and I used to joke that when the time came to retire we wouldn't be wintering farther south, but summering farther north!  I've always loved the colors and the leaves and the sweaters and the whole cozy package.

Except maybe the spiders that start crawling out of the woodwork.  Seriously.  Not a fan.

Yes, here in Ohio it can be gloomy and gray and wet, but those are often my favorite days.  Especially if they are spent curled up with a cup of tea and my knitting in hand.  It just feels like coming home. 

That is one of the many reasons I am so looking forward to the Fall Festival at River City next Friday and Saturday!  I will be there both days from 10am until 5pm, surrounded by crafts and mums, sipping either hot tea or Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino from Judy's, knitting to my little heart's content. 

Or I may be needle felting.  Or making small gift bags out of an old textbook.  I just cant decide!  Two days of guilt-free craft time, no housework hanging over my head, talking to like-minded people...

So, what are your plans for those two days?  Because I will have a couple of extra chairs with me and would love to have some company!  Maybe think about taking a little time to stop and enjoy the change in the weather.  I'll be watching for you!  

"Tropical Mango"

I adore mango.  Best.  Fruit.  Ever.  I buy one on occassion and cut off what I can into chunks for the boys to eat with their forks.  Then I take the pit and the skin and I stand over the sink, bring out my inner-child who always loved a giant slice of watermelon on a hot summer day, and then I scrape off all of that leftover creamy mango yumminess with my teeth.  Embrace the mess, that's what I say.

Maybe that was somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind when I started my project, I don't know.  All I knew was that I needed a new planner because the one I started the new year with had been on it's last legs for weeks.  I found one I liked with a cushiony vinyl cover, but the design on the front just wasn't me.  So, hey...I've got gesso.  And crayons and paints and colored pencils.  I can free-form a design more suited to my taste and get the creative juices flowing just for fun!

 

My son watched me work on it a few minutes here and there over many days, offering comments and suggestions along the way.  Then one night I was relaxing on the couch and he came up behind me and said, out of the blue, "Tropical Mangooo" in a very sly voice.  He had named my planner.

 

Shame I'm going to have to cover it up pretty soon.

I used a spray finish to smooth it over and protect my work, but it seemed to change the colors in a way I didn't care for.  And within a week it became brittle and started cracking.  It's already chipped off in several of places.  In fact, I've nearly lost one whole mango.

That's okay, though, I enjoyed the process.  I knew it wouldn't last forever anyway, and that I could just redo it over and over.  It was destined to be the Everlasting Gobstopper Planner, with infinite layers of artistic experimentation.  So pretty soon I'll have to bring out my inner child who loved standing in front of the easel at school, paint brush in hand, even if she didn't know what she was going to do with it.  At least she had on her smock. 

Hey.  Embrace the mess, that's what I say. 

Open Knit updates

It snuck up on me this year, that back-to-school thing.  It only just started to feel like summer to me.  And now the planner's gettin' packed with meetings and appointments and extracurricular activities...  This has led to a couple of noteworthy changes to the Open Knit schedule.

The PTA meetings at my sons' school are once a month on Thursday mornings.  I like going to these meetings.  I like knowing what's going on at the school and why.  That means I will likely miss one Thursday a month altogether, though the meetings are early enough that it's possible I will be able to stop by River City for a little while.  Please know that you are welcome to come in regardless, and that you can always get in touch with me to arrange another time to meet!

On the other hand, with back-to-school comes Fall, and with Fall comes the annual Fall Festival at River City!  This year I have decided to reserve a space outside, set up a tent and a table, bring in a couple of chairs, and hang out.  I would love it if you joined me!  The Fall Festival is September 17th and 18th from 10am until 5:00.  Details of the days' events to follow at a later date...

That should do for now, and if anything else pops up I will obviously let you know.  As always, the Open Knit page (link up there on the right) has a list of all important dates, and if you have any questions you are welcome to get in touch either with me or with Judy at River City.