Setting Goals

Life always has challenges for us.  We also create our own challenges.  Many times it is just setting goals for ourselves to achieve what we want. Summer time is a hard time to be creative for many stitchers, hand spinners of yarn and weavers because we are also creative in other ways and with great weather, vacations, gardening and children sometimes under foot it is hard to get everything done.

Two weekends ago I set a goal for myself. Being the owner of Iron Horse doesn't allow me much time to stitch for myself.  We have a great family vacation planned for the end of July and I really wanted to make some neat clothes to take to the hot climate of Florida.  I wanted to make Windley, a great pattern from Berroco out of one of their new yarns, Lago.  Lago is made of viscose and linen so I knwo it will be a cool garment and travel well.

As I casted on last Monday evening, my goal was to knit 4 inches a day until completed.  Every day I am measuring my progress.  I am thrilled to say at the moment Ihave surpassed my goal and have the back totally done and working on the front, which has a pleated end near the bust line so there are almost twice as many stitches on the front as the back.  If I keep this up, I hope to have it done in another week!  I will keep you posted. My color of choice is above and I am using one of Allie Loehlin's great yarn bowl to tame my yarn ball while knitting.

Stitch Night!

Once a month, usually the second Monday night of the month, we open the door wide to welcome all stitchers in crochet and knit to sit around the table, using us what one is working on, show of finished projects and encourage you to continue on. Last night was no exception!

Pam had two of her knitted characters with her, a great Santa and a wizard who was was standing patiently watching over us when all of a sudden his hat would just pop off his head and drop to the table. This happened a couple of times. We deemed him magical!

Barbara showed off her gorgeous cowl made with Iron Horse Farm's hand dyed Merino/cashmere/nylon fingering weight yarn out of the 60 Quick Knits Project book by Cascade Yarns. Jessica was wearing one of her creations as well as another sweater completed in hand.

The sock yarn swap happened again on the floor for those knitting the miter sock blanket and the Beekeeper's quilt afghan.

Overall there was a lot of good cheer, great stitching and wonderful company. Til next month!

Glamour bracelets

Last night Joan S. held the Knitted Bead Bracelet class. This was a true coop effort. Patty and her daughter, Leslie put the kits together of beads, special thread, toggles or clasps and bead threaders. Joan taught the 3 hour class and the store hosted the event.

It was fun to watch everyone comment and chose their kits. Then they were off to string all those beads. Joan was also making a bracelet, demonstrating how this was done.

Joan took wonderful photos of their completed bracelets. They are still more beautiful in person. Look at the end results! GORGEOUS! We hope everyone wears them in good health. These make wonderful holiday or special occasion gifts. Interested in a class? Let us know and we will be glad to schedule anotehr class. Need more supplies? Kits will be available next week in the store for sale.

Ye who dies with the most toys...

Stitchers are always looking for fun gadgets to keep us happy while stitching. These make great stocking "stuffers" for the holiday season.

We just got a new shipment of Nancy's Knit Knack items. We just love items from them. For all those stitchers here is the notion case. They come in assorted colors of hot pink, green and brilliant blue. They are terrific for stitch markers, needles row counters and more. If you sew they are great for bobbins, thimbles, needles and thread.

Their needle and hook gauge card is the best we have ever used. It has all those sizes that most gauges do not like 2.25 mm and 2.75mm. It is made of a hard white plastic and very easy to read. The knitting abbreviation cards are also back in stock. This is a great quick reference when on the go.

It is our spinning gathering tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 for all to enjoy. The camera is ready and hopefully we can finally get some pictures of all the great wheels and their owners.

Fun, warm, fast keyhole scarf

Wow. This was an awesome project to work on and the Brown Sheep Burly Spun Yarn was divine to work with. We'll be offering this as a workshop in February. Watch your email for info.