Stop Me!...I Think

The wonderful Melissa takes delight in tormenting me. (I so look forward to the comment that's coming from that opening salvo.)

The wonderful Melissa has said on several occasions: "Why aren't you publishing your patterns?" or even more Mom-like: "I just don't understand why you're not publishing your patterns?" Yes, she makes it into a question. Melissa is Jewish (insert stereotype here) and the guilt has plagued me. Because one of my patterns is published on Ravelry and has even sold and because there are others playing around in my head. I've taken a look at a photo and then decided just to cast on and knit what I think I see. "Who," says the person with 50 knitting books that she knows of, "needs a pattern?" Sometimes I do. I like patterns - they give me someone to blame. I don't have to take responsibility for a pattern if someone else makes it. I just have to follow it and admire my ability to read or fail at it and say someone else doesn't know how to write a pattern.

SIGH. But the wonderful Melissa is playing over and over in my head because she was working on a cute bag and progressing very well and as I was watching her knit it my mind was saying how I would change this or that and make it something different and then when I went to church, Joyce had the cutest bag made out of leather and I thought 'I could knit something like that.' Oh that Melissa!

Do you know Hill Harper? He's on CSI:NY. He has a degree from Brown, a law and master's degree from Harvard is the author of several books along with being a lecturer and actor. He says you should follow your heart even if it takes you all over the place. (And let us admit the man is creamy! Wanna spread him on a cracker and eat him right up!)
His voice is nearly as loud as the wonderful Melissa's. He sets a great example of moving. You can't get anywhere without moving so if you think you're stuck start at your feet.

Of course, I will put the patterns on the long list of things to do because the truth, Melissa, is that I have thought about publishing them I just haven't gotten to it and then I know from the example of Hill Harper that time is something we made up and something we have some control over and can accomplish whatever we set our minds to doing. I believe that. I sincerely do.

I appreciate Melissa being in my head because I appreciate Melissa being in my life. She's someone I love hanging out with even as she leads me on the path of breaking my stash resolution (you should have heard her last Friday!!) Stay in my head, Melissa, I could use the noise.

To Top It All Off

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of being at the Chicago Northwestern United Methodist Women District Meeting. I am the Chair of Communications for the UMW District and we get together a few times a month with reps and members of units in the district who wish to come. It's always a good time.

But I had a decidedly non-Christian moment.

The moment I walked into the church, I saw one of the women who was responsible for having my knitting group removed from what is still, my church. She called a secret meeting without me and helped perpetuate a gross lie. I know she did it because someone was nice enough to send me the emails she sent around setting up this meeting.

I would have been perfectly happy just walking past and not saying a word but she had the nerve to walk over to me with a big smile on her face and very enthusiastic "Hi!" before reaching out to touch my arm.

While I was quite tempted to scream out; "Heretic, Viper, Liar!" I took a step back out of reach of the approaching hand and wagged my index finger at her and said, "Please, don't."
She gave me one of those looks - you know that look. It's the one that says "I Know why you did that, but I'm going to pretend not to know why you did that because there are other people around and I don't want you to say anything that might make me look bad." That look.

And would you believe?

She reached out for me again.

That's the funny thing about hypocrites: acting like they haven't wronged you when they have is completely normal behavior for them.

I again evaded the touch and said in a very firm, very low voice. "You're about to run out of luck."

Her face went expressionless and she said "Good Morning." and walked away.

SIGH. Yes, I should have been charitable. (Lily Smith, I can hear you!!) But - and you know 'but' means forget what I just said, here's the truth: I"m pleased I stuck up for myself and made her uncomfortable - because it was a lot milder than what I imagined I would do to her because I knew she was going to be there.

Here's the kicker: I had a great time with a bunch of women who are truly inspiring and I was re-elected to my post as Chair of Communications (though this is the last year I can serve in that particular position) so I will have a great time for the next year. That little incident was a very small worm in a very big, juicy apple.

But there's knitting to tell you about! You noticed the hats, right? This is what happens when you have lots of yarn and six days. This is the first part of the hat phase. And I am still in it - there's another - in green- on the needles right now and the idea of another cable hat is playing somewhere in my head. I am not going to let myself get to excited, but this does seem like the thing to make as the anchor product I offer in the shop.

Remember what I said about listening to Mr. Honey? He was the one who gave me the idea of getting the anchor product in the first place and he has now decided I should add leg warmers and wrist warmers, and this morning he added scarves. My question to him was: How would that make it different than what I am doing now?

"He's still working on the one - the listening to my spouse phase appears to over.


032404

They Shoot Husbands, Don't They?

First, I want to do some Friday Shout outs!
Kim's Crafty Apple is one of our advertisers and she does some really lovely quilts. As you may know, quilts have a place in my heart because I used to have some quilts from my maternal grandmother and I got rid of them because I didn't know hat I had in them. I didn't become crafty until later - don't make my mistake.

My sister Carole put this up on her Facebook page - it is the funniest thing and this kid really has some rhythm for being so young. Check it out when you get the chance. Baby Dancing to Beyonce

I firmly believe there are miracles all around us. I even believe that every once in a while, we perform them ourselves: case in point: There are times when I ask for Mr. Honey's opinion and it opens the floor for the following miraculous events:

1. I listen to what he says
2. I consider what he says
3. I do what he says

It is even more of a miracle when all three happen on the same piece of advice. And that is exactly what happened when I asked him about stocking the shop. I was musing about whether or not to offer one main item like hats, afghans, etc and then add other pieces and he said so many things that made sense - don't ask me to repeat them - he didn't get the miracle of me retaining what he said. But that's why I entered the hat phase. We figured out that I can make hats faster than I make anything else. Faster than scarves, definitely faster than an afghan or shawl, so hats are the focus and then I will add other pieces. The explanation he gave is sound and it makes good business sense. Hats are easy to design, they offer variety and as I have shown, I have finished six hats in the last few days and the seventh one is on the needles - of course, it is the most complicated.

It even makes sense that I do hats. Most of the hats I've made have sold so I know I can compete in the market. That Mr. Honey, he's got a business head on his cute shoulders.

Here's the problem:
I'm such a child.

The problem isn't with the plan - it's with the person who has to execute it. I have to stop myself from being bored. I have a tendency to run with my feelings and if I feel bored, then I don't try to talk myself out of it. But this is a business and I need a business head to run it.
I am in awe of those people who are creative and focused. Really, I'm just in awe of mature people who work through, around and over obstacles. Maybe when I grow up I will be one of those.

Now, I just have to schedule growing up on the calendar.

The Next Step Forward

Last year I wanted to take part in a craft fair at the high school down the street but Marilyn pooh-poohed the idea and it took two yeses in StitchCraft to do anything. Now that Marilyn has formed her own group, I am free to participate if I want. I passed the school yesterday and they had the call for crafters on their sign.

It's a little nerve-wracking. This is the first one I will be going alone and you have to pass a small jury and pay a whopping $60 or something like that fee. I have enough merchandise to more than make that back if I sell just one or two things. It's an important step to take because I need to get designbcb and StitchCraft established as the store and knitting group available for folks to buy merchandise or come and knit with a bunch of crazed crafters. It all makes sense and I was looking forward to it.

But I'm a little scared.

Not that this will deter me. Even as we speak and I work through the worse back pain (it's my own fault, I failed to take the meds last night and the pain is pounding me again) I have the application pulled up in another window. The only thing I'm stuck on is they are asking for two pictures of my exhibit. What exhibit? Does that mean they want two pictures of my work? What if this is the first time someone is exhibiting? How are they supposed to show that? Do they want a mock setup? I guess I can do that. In fact, that might be a little fun. I don't have long to get it in. The application just went up and the deadline is already next week. So I need to get on it.

The fear is passing and being replaced with eagerness. I give you, dear ones, credit for that. For allowing me to express the fear, I have faced it and determined it is a stepping stone for better things. (Yes, I've taken my meds like a good girl and hope to have relief soon.) In the meantime, there's work to do.

The Boring and the Beautiful

I could place a photo of the WIP sequined beautiful but boring afghan here. I could. Except the laziness that I am currently operating under will not let me get more dressed, go downstairs, load the camera, place the afghan wip outdoors, take a photo (or five) come back in, attach the camera to the PC and download the photo.

I'm fatigued just writing about doing it. As an aside, I visited the Julie/Julia website; you know the one that inspired the movie about the woman who made all the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook? Not one picture. I went there thinking I would see photos of those creations. Nope. Nada. Rien. Nuthin'. Just saying.

I am on the third skein of yarn and the second bag of sequins. I did a little count of the sequins already in place and the count was approx. 350. I am about halfway through the project so there will be lots of bling. I have to say that is the most fun part - seeing the light hit the pailettes and they just sparkle like crazy. And since I vented yesterday, I have to say the project seems to be moving more smoothly so I expect I will be taking the photos of the finished object in a very short time.

To completely change the subject: I need your input.
I am a writer by profession - though I guess I am no also a knitter by profession, but first came the writing. Well, the knitting came first way back in grade school - no, matter, not important to what I need your input on.

I have three books crowding my brain saying they need to be written. I trust them when they say they need to be written; I just don't know which needs to be written first. I need you to read the synopsis of each and tell me which one I should work on.

My Father's Son is a historical novel about two boys: one born of a slave, one born of the slave owner's wife, both sons of the slave owner and how their lives take different paths as they both fight for freedom.

The Coffee Club is a novel about five friends (three black, two white) and the strong bond that gets them through a painful divorce, the death of a spouse, a surprising new love and living the single life.

Short Rows is a book about the connection of knitting and life. Short little musings about this craft we all love so much.

What do you think? Which one of these babies should be pushed through the creative canal first? Let me know your thoughts. In the meantime, I'm gonna throw some laundry in the machine and get back to the afghan.
031004

Uneasy Highway

Enter the Haiku Contest!

Y'all remember these. I mean it wasn't that long ago they were in a posting I did. The moment of truth has come:

I need to do something with it.

I've already turned them into balls of yarn. They are sitting on the desk in my office - which is part of the reason I'm writing this from the laptop in the living room - I am in the middle of fiber avoidance - which I am sure I can have classified as a medical condition. I dyed these months ago and they're still hanging around unknit.

This is 100% wool and it is not super wash so it will felt. I am thinking I should make a big ole purse out of it. A big tote bags and when I felt it the colors will meld and it will be really pretty.

What do you think? I could also do a scarf and a hat. Or hat and gloves. Or scarf and gloves. Or hat and gloves. Or..wait, I think that's all of them. I must do something. Something must be done and done by me...but you can certainly weigh in. But I am leaning towards the tote bag thing because it could make one slamma jamma tote bag (did I just think of the name?!)

What a clever sausage am I.
020304

Unforgettable - This Week's Chicago Top Ten

Oh man, the things that have caught my eye for this week. It's dangerous going to look for treasure because you are likely to find it if you know where to look. I suppose my saving grace is that I don't have a lot of money to purchase everything I see. At least not all at once. My list of favorite things is growing so large, Julie Andrews couldn't sing them all even with all the Von Trapps crooning with her.

See for yourself - you'll know I tell no lies when I say this is a great group of items. Here, in no particular order, is this week's great Chicago Top Ten:

Silver and Topaz Earrings from designbysuzyn
Blue zircon earrings from soniaandbev
Original Painting by bsasik
Anti-sapphire ring by Recycledrings
American Gothic by Natalieodonnell
Snack Tray and Cups by Sugarshorts
Buddha Box by marilyngrad
Pink and Green by eyecather230
Tropical Dreams by YourTimeBodyTreats
Blue Poncho by Mylittleaura

Alright now, show 'em some love and click on their items and take a gander at their shop.
A little bit of support goes a long way - ok, maybe not for Dolly Parton, but certainly for these folks here.

Jewelry, art, knitting (of course, but I didn't go looking specifically for it) all kinds of goodies. All in the Chicago area. Man, why would you need to live anywhere else? I mean, politics aside, is this a great city or what?

Invincible! - Well, Almost

Excited, that's what I am. I had two sales this week. I sold two purses that were a special order..that's two wonderful things in one sweet package.

Two of the five bling purses I had for sale are gone off to someone who wants them..asked for them..requested them.

Two sales is good and when someone asks you to do something specific for them that raises you to the level of couture: you will so have to make an appointment to speak with me in the future - unless you become one of my posse, my crew, my entourage.

Even if you don't sell your stuff, it's really nice to have people ask you to make something for them. Especially if you're a knitter and you're going to have a stockpile of things - because that's what happens when you knit: things get made. It's good to have a place other than your own to put them. It is that much sweeter when someone is really to give you some legal tender.

Of course, that comes with responsibility - I will soon be posting an interview I did with someone on Etsy who - get this - has had multiple sales every day for more than a month. You read right, EVERY DAY, multiple sales - as in more than one, more than two. Looking at her shop and reading her interview has given me some ideas to help boost my sales as well as promote the handmade movement. (You know i multi-task whenever I can!)

The interview will be up on this site in short order and I am sure you will find Leanna just as inspiring, creative and modest as I do. In the meantime, my day is pretty clear except I am going to tackle the stash in my office. It's down to three boxes - remember it was about six - I am going to try and get it down to (gulp) zero to one and that one box will go in the basement with the rest of the stash. I know, I dream big.

A Lot of Things Different

So yesterday I went on...and on...about trying some new things. I was going to do the yarn dyeing and I was going to try my hand again at making stitchmarkers this time making them with Mr. Honey because he likes that kind of thing.

Well, maybe he doesn't. I'll tell you all about it right after this photo of the end results:


It started out innocently enough. I made a very good dinner and asked him if he wanted to see the idea of the stitchmarkers I had and he came back with 'sure.' So, I showed him and showed him the part I needed his help on. He made one and looked as if he wasn't happy with it and then I asked him: "Would you like to see the written instructions?" Oh, the look.

What? I didn't mention there were written instructions?

I printed them out and he read them over and made some grunts and noises and we put together a couple of markers he announced it was frustrating and since this was 'my thing' it wasn't a frustration he needed.

How could I have been so wrong? Perhaps, I wasn't. Read on.

I certainly understood the frustration and so I asked him to just talk me through it and I would learn the part that was giving me fits.
He did that....after making about four more markers.

Huh?

Mr. Honey (and other Mr. Honeys around the globe, I suspect) has this habit of making noise about something being frustrating or hard or something other than the easiest thing in the world and when given the choice to leave it alone, will not leave it alone less their card and membership from the Testosterone Club for Real Men be revoked. When I reached for the tools he moved them away from me and gave the gruff order for me to 'start lining up words.'

Of course I did what I was told and it was maybe twenty minutes later he showed me his tricks and left me with the instructions to do ten more before I came to bed.

I did my before bed homework and when I came downstairs, he was at the table tidying up those that I left imperfect. He had split the pile in two: acceptable and not so much and declared when he went to the Testosterone Temple (Menards) on the morrow, he would get me a set of the proper tools I needed and one of those trays where I could keep my beads and supplies in order.

So what will happen with the completed stitchmarkers? The ones declared really good will go on sale in the shop. The ones that are flawed will go on sale in the shop as flawed with a price reduction - because Mr. Honey's definition of flaw means he didn't do it himself and he could tell mine from his. My definition is: None of them will snag yarn, they are fully functional, the wire is not as pretty. And they will be called Mr. Honey Stitchmarkers. He got a kick outta that. Get this, he thinks we should offer to personalize them.hu

Do I know my Mr. Honey or what?12804

The Sunshine of My Life

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe every prayer is answered. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes it's yes. Sometimes it's wait. Sometimes it's "I knew a thousand years ago you would ask for that and the answer is still no."

I was in a need of prayer recently. That prayer was answered in the positive. Part of the request was a sign that I was doing what God wanted me to do. That this writing/selling thing was the right direction to take me to whatever it was I was supposed to do on this planet. I asked one of my friends, who I have never asked to pray for me, to do just that and he did.

One of the things I asked for was sales in the shop - I mean, really, that's the only way you can measure success when you sale things. So I asked my friend to pray that God would let me know if I was making quality items that people would want to buy and here's what God told me the very next day.














Now, before you think the news was all miraculous with angels singing, I also received a very clear message: "Don't question me when you doubt yourself." It's what we do. Ask God to prove Himself when we're the one falling short.

But there was more good news. I started doing some writing on a site called Helium and I did some articles as part of a contest regarding pizza. I haven't been on the site for a few weeks, I checked in today and saw I won third prize in the contest! The last time I checked, I was no where near third place so this was another great affirmation.

I know I should be more faithful and I promise I'm trying - at the very least I won't ask God to prove himself when I'm the one lacking in faith. But how great is that 3 sales in one day - and all to one person. Winning third place in a contest (hey, it's $30!) and the interviews I've done have shown up as being popular.

What more could God do for me? I'm in for an attitude adjustment.

Don't Fight It

I was looking for a pic of me and the hubby and though I have tons, they are all in glued in the wedding album.
Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. Every year I ask him if he wants me to renew his contract for the coming year and I ask him for a two year extension. So I'm locked in until 2022 while he's only committed until 2010.

He didn't know what he wanted for his anniversary gift. Usually he'll want a book but he couldn't think of one he wanted this time around. I know he's been working really hard at his retirement job and around his mom's condo getting it ready to sell. Someone is giving me a free coupon for a massage so I am going to give it to him. I'll make the appointment and drive him to wherever it is and wait while he gets his body tended to. I'll even let him have a female masseuse.

What did I get? I got a shopping trip to Hobby Lobby and I got 21 skeins of yarn, 5 sets of double pointed needles and sequins in black, green, blue and pastels. I tried to buy more. Seriously. This was a different Hobby Lobby where I'd never been. It is a huge store, but the yarn department wasn't very big. There wasn't much in the way of clearance yarns so I went with the tried and true. I really did my best to clear out the store, but it just wasn't to be.

I still got a boat load of my favorite yarn. Didn't need the yarn but now I am so set. He didn't even flinch when he saw the total and he even carried the bag to the car.

We then went off to a restaurant where we'd never been called Pete Miller's - we got a $100 off certificate that cost us $50. We brought home enough food for a meal tomorrow - best kind of meal is one you can have twice and pay for once!

So how is married life? I love it. I've been engaged a couple of times and this was the only time I made it down the aisle. He was worth the frogs that came before him.

Conviction of the Heart

Yes, the little voice inside my head won out. The little scarf voice that kept saying "Make me, make me!" and I was resistant because it isn't the right season for a scarf. It was very insistent and I finally gave in and put it one the needles.

Do you see the new fu-fu slubby yarn I got from Hobby Lobby? It's called Artistic and it's named after...artists - go figure. I have some Van Gogh and I have some Raphael. This is Mondrian. I must admit I love it! I would see it in the store and I would finger it and talk to it and tell it I would love to bring it home so it could live with the rest of my yarn. But then I would have to explain to it that my home would be different than what it was used to. My yarn stash consisted of little street urchins not upscale princes and princesses who were somehow displaced. And I would leave it on the shelf and sigh.

I would never have purchased it when it was $9.85 but all of it was in the clearance racks at $1.99. So here it is in my yarn stash - yes, I know it can feel humiliated but the other yarns have made it feel right at home. They know what is among them as do I. The Mondrian has no problem being seen with the Caron by the Pound and they (along with my beloved rosewood needles) are making a very lovely scarf.

If I say so myself.

Thanks to Susie for making a comment on my striped bag from yesterday saying it looks like it could hold a Kindle! I will have to put that suggestion in the shop description!

On The Coast of Some Place Beautiful

There is just no denying we love our craft. We all have family members who shake their heads because just about every time they see us, we have needles in our hands. And on those rare occasions when we don't have needles, we have catalogs in our hands that have needles in them. We love our craft.

But, boy, we can get sick of a project.

Every project starts out with hope and gleeful anticipation. We see something in a picture, we grab those sticks and that string and we are going to make that picture come to full dimension reality. We start and race toward that finish line.

And sometimes it just gets boring.

We love it when we get to master a new pattern and it comes out looking just as it ought - and sometimes even better - we love it.

Except when we do it over and over

and over.

But we keep going because we know it's the destination and not just the journey. Because we know that if it's just boredom we should keep going because it's a phase we knitters get to when we're about done. It's an interesting phenomenon that happens. We just want it over.

But the only way it's truly over is when it gets done.
And when it's done we end up:


On the coast of some place beautiful.
Worth the trip.

And A Little Child Shall Lead Them

StitchCraft got a note from Reiley to make some squares for her 'Pay It Forward' Project at school. She is making blankets to give to abused/ill children. The project was a bit more successful than even she imagined. I sent her eight - and I wasn't nearly as generous as a ton of other folks.
You can read about it here.

If you have a chance, give Reiley a shout out of wanting to do something for someone else and for being able to galvanize a nation behind her efforts. If we are going to tell the next generations they should be involved we need to be in front to show them where to go and then be at their backs when they take the lead.

Reiley has done an amazing thing - her mom, grandmother, aunt and even her teacher are sharing the work in getting these blankets done. This school project is a lesson for all of us.

Congrats, Reiley on being a compassionate, caring young woman. We are all very proud of you.

In The New Era of Hope

I went to my office early this morning (all of a five second commute) so I didn't come downstairs at all until it was almost noon. I came downstairs to this:









The carpet needs to have the biannual carpet cleaning, and I really need to knit Duke a new bed, but that's not the amazing thing. The amazing thing is yesterday when I came down.

this and






this








and this







along with this







and also this







was all over this









I wish I could say it was all put in nice little cubby holes that would make Martha Stewart declare my house a 'good thing.' But it is not so. There are now little piles of things in the perimeter. The good new is there is a path so I can shampoo the carpet. And the better news is I can tackle one little pile at a time. The bad part (but which could be a good part because it involves inventiveness) is I need to create a space for my goods to be nicely stowed while they wait for me. My office is incredibly small. So the only space is to be found in the basement where my little gym is. I will not be sacrificing fitness because I now work out upstairs since my little VCR stopped working down there. And also with good weather comes walking. I see a box system in my future since there is a semblance of one already down there.

On to step two: prepping the new space!

The Birth of a Designer

I know, it's been almost a week. What kind of blogger goes without writing to their peeps for almost a week? The kind of blogger who has been working on a project that is taking way longer than expected. Still, I understand that is no excuse and from looking at the pictures, you would want to know why the scarf took a week to make....

and therein lies the lesson. (Get some coffee or tea; this is gonna take a while.)

I feel incredibly blessed to be able to combine writing with knitting. It is something that seems to fit with me since I am either at my computer or have my knitting needles in my hand.
So, I had this idea - several ideas- to combine them both, earn something of a living and be able to enhance the spiritual walk that is a part of my life.

I am working on a book of patterns that have a spiritual basis to them. It involved reading Bible passages and seeing what type of garment those passages inspired. I would read, make a note that said something like: "Prayer shawl: red, orange, burnt orange - colors of the sunset." I had thirteen of these to go with the Bible passages. There were prayer shawls, blankets and afghans.

But I had no designs. No patterns. And I hesitated as I thought about how I was going to go about getting these patterns for my book. Would I hire designers? Would I ask for freebies? Would I purchase patterns outright?

While this was going on, I had the bright idea of opening up the shop on Etsy and trying to sell my items there. I figured I wouldn't specialize in one particular thing because that's the quickest way to boredom for me. No, I would knit items as I do now - pull the first book off the shelf or look at the first item in my Ravelry Que or bookmarked on my computer and start knitting.

(Do you need a drink refill?)

Funny thing happened on the way to stocking my store. The next pattern for me to knit was for a baby blanket. A weird looking baby blanket. I liked the pattern but thought a baby would take one look at it, slap the doctor and go back into the womb.

So I thought: keep the stitches - alter the pattern.
Change the size of the yarn
Change the needles
Increase the size of the blanket
Use different colors - manly colors
Make it a throw.
and that became the Man Cave Throw I've blogged about.

Next, I pulled out a pattern for a baby blanket. I read the pattern and I didn't have enough of the right kind of yarn (no, seriously, I didn't.) But I did have all these skeins of a 'baby yarn' that I brought for another project and didn't like so I started knitting with that and it worked.

Except I had to change the size of the needles because the weight of the yarn was different than the pattern called for.

Which meant I had to calculate the number of stitches I would need to get the size indicated in the pattern.

Except I wanted it to be bigger than the pattern indicated.

And I wanted to use different stitches than the pattern indicated.

Those of you who are very smart have already put this together. I, on the other hand, was still clueless.

I began to work on an afghan. The pattern called for about nine strips: four cabled strips and five strips of a different pattern. I started working on it when, you guessed it, I decided I needed to change what I was knitting.
In the meantime, I was working on the book when I raised the question again of where am I going to get these patterns - and then it hit me - I had just designed two blankets.

I was still dense. I said to myself, "But they don't match any of the descriptions of the items I said I wanted." The voice spoke to me again. "Change the descriptions."

DUH.

So, I placed the two patterns into the book and was feeling pretty good and went back to working on the afghan with all the cables. I decided to completely change the pattern but not until I had knit this strip. And last night, at about midnight, I told myself to go to bed when I looked at the strip pinned to the cable strip and decided to remove it. I took it off, looked at it and thought to myself 'what am I going to do with this?' and I put it around my neck and said, 'Bet I can turn this into a scarf.' and 'Bet I can do a different kind of fringe.'

And I did. Pattern number three. A new item for the shop. A new blog post.

Ain't God alright?