Blush, Ginger, Mocha
Mocha, Shy Violet, Ginger
Glacier, Ginger, Mocha
Lahki, Ginger, Mocha
Earl Grey, Ginger, Mocha
Bella, Ginger, Mocha
Ginger, Mocha, Casey
Ginger, Mocha, Corona
Dirt, Ginger, MochaMonday, June 8, 2009
Meriamboo II Comparisons
Blush, Ginger, MochaMocha, Shy Violet, GingerGlacier, Ginger, MochaLahki, Ginger, MochaEarl Grey, Ginger, MochaBella, Ginger, MochaGinger, Mocha, CaseyGinger, Mocha, CoronaDirt, Ginger, Mocha
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Sock Summit Mania
After months of build-up and tense announcements, the class registration went up for Sock Summit. The rest is history - crashed servers, violently disappointed knitters, emails flying, chat threads extending into the sunset. I may not do this very well, and be warned I am not a kind person by nature, but I think there is some evidence that this could all have been a little less nutty.
The facts are these:
1. Check the stash listings for Socks That Rock. With more stashes and projects listed than any other sock yarn, I think that says something for the popularity of Tina's dyeing. From my own experience, the amount stashed on Ravelry is about one tenth of the actual yarn sold.
2. Two years ago at Blue Moon's annual "destash" in Scappoose knitters were fighting each other to get to the yarn. I wasn't there, but I surely won't be going in the future if that's the atmosphere. The Blue Moon booths at events like OFFF and Madrona are bad enough.
3. Every time the Yarn Harlot does a talk or a signing, the event is obscenely over capacity.
Two years running, Powell's here in Portland was inundated, so finally Tina helped get Stephanie booked at World Forestry Center's 300-person hall and it was still packed beyond fire code.
4. When the Yarn Harlot tries a new sock yarn and blogs about it, that dyer gets inundated, becoming a star overnight, though sometimes only for just a few days. This phenomena has its over verb: getting Harlotted. Examples: Fiber Optic, Sereknity, and Crash Into Ewe, to name a recent few.
This, I think, begins to demonstrate the power of Tina and Stephanie. Not the power of the sock. Let me say that again - it isn't really just about socks anymore.
The pressure in the air has been building about the Sock Summit since the idea was first introduced. When the list of teachers went up, I think it occurred to all of us that SS09 might turn out to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There are yarn dyers out there that believe that getting a booth at Summit will be the thing that transforms their dyeing "hobby" into a full-time job.
The combined popularity of Tina and Stephanie seems to have brought some folks to the point of hysteria. Are they The Beattles of the yarn world? Either way, I am sad to find that people were downright nasty when they didn't get the classes they wanted. Seriously, folks, we're knitters, we know better. Apologize and GET A FRAKKING GRIP.
If there is a next time, ladies, please, Please, don't let anybody talk you out of what you should know by now is true. Over prepare, if you can afford it. And then redouble your efforts, just in case. Neither of you seems to do things by halves anyway. Just saying. From my perspective it seems that none of the organizers should have been shocked by the response, although they didn't deserve to get slammed by crazies for making a simple mistake.
The facts are these:
1. Check the stash listings for Socks That Rock. With more stashes and projects listed than any other sock yarn, I think that says something for the popularity of Tina's dyeing. From my own experience, the amount stashed on Ravelry is about one tenth of the actual yarn sold.
2. Two years ago at Blue Moon's annual "destash" in Scappoose knitters were fighting each other to get to the yarn. I wasn't there, but I surely won't be going in the future if that's the atmosphere. The Blue Moon booths at events like OFFF and Madrona are bad enough.
3. Every time the Yarn Harlot does a talk or a signing, the event is obscenely over capacity.
Two years running, Powell's here in Portland was inundated, so finally Tina helped get Stephanie booked at World Forestry Center's 300-person hall and it was still packed beyond fire code.
4. When the Yarn Harlot tries a new sock yarn and blogs about it, that dyer gets inundated, becoming a star overnight, though sometimes only for just a few days. This phenomena has its over verb: getting Harlotted. Examples: Fiber Optic, Sereknity, and Crash Into Ewe, to name a recent few.
This, I think, begins to demonstrate the power of Tina and Stephanie. Not the power of the sock. Let me say that again - it isn't really just about socks anymore.
The pressure in the air has been building about the Sock Summit since the idea was first introduced. When the list of teachers went up, I think it occurred to all of us that SS09 might turn out to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There are yarn dyers out there that believe that getting a booth at Summit will be the thing that transforms their dyeing "hobby" into a full-time job.
The combined popularity of Tina and Stephanie seems to have brought some folks to the point of hysteria. Are they The Beattles of the yarn world? Either way, I am sad to find that people were downright nasty when they didn't get the classes they wanted. Seriously, folks, we're knitters, we know better. Apologize and GET A FRAKKING GRIP.
If there is a next time, ladies, please, Please, don't let anybody talk you out of what you should know by now is true. Over prepare, if you can afford it. And then redouble your efforts, just in case. Neither of you seems to do things by halves anyway. Just saying. From my perspective it seems that none of the organizers should have been shocked by the response, although they didn't deserve to get slammed by crazies for making a simple mistake.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Baby Soft Merino Sport
I wanted to share a small moment with you that is currently happening on my couch. My son doesn't like wool next to his skin - not even superwash or wool heavily mitigated by cotton or acrylic. Right now he is curled up with my Second Wool Peddler's Shawl, made entirely out of Black Trillium Fibre Studio Merino Sport, wrapped around his pajama-less body and loving it. We're talking full body wool-next-to-skin contact and he's pleased as punch. Of course, I won't tell him what the thing is made of.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thinking Inside the Box: a contest of sorts
I've been thinking a lot about what I do with the insides of my yarn orders as I pack them up and send them off to their future homes. I decided to start a contest for ideas in my Black Trillium yarn group. Check it out here if you're interested in chiming in and getting your idea in the hat for a fun yarnie prize.
Today, I very casually listed a few more skeins of Meriamboo II, including the one pictured above. Within an hour, said skein, christened Tank Grrl by my dear sweet hubby, was gonzo. Well, it's technically still "here", but not for long. So, I'll be dyeing Tank Grrl up again and posting it next week, if not earlier.
Today, I very casually listed a few more skeins of Meriamboo II, including the one pictured above. Within an hour, said skein, christened Tank Grrl by my dear sweet hubby, was gonzo. Well, it's technically still "here", but not for long. So, I'll be dyeing Tank Grrl up again and posting it next week, if not earlier.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Messires Merino Sport and Meriamboo
I have been deeply remiss in talking about my two new base yarns, meanwhile dyeing them both up and incredible speeds. The last couple weeks have been a very good start for both my Etsy site, and since I have only finished projects in one, the Merino Sport Sock, I will wait just a bit longer to truly "review" both yarns and post photos. While the wait continues, I will share this photo that has me dazzled from a color perspective:
I also want to share two things that are going on outside my yarn business interests. First, I am really enjoying writing about books at the mo', so my husband and I have started talking about a regular column involving books that have already been published but are very big in terms of public discussion and effect. Second, I have officially gotten word that one of my wholesale customers is committed to having my yarns in their Sock Summit booth. I'm excited for the prospects of these disparate projects and the work that lies ahead for this summer.
I have no news, yet, on the official arrival of more Roman Blue Sock. Since I find this a bit frustrating, I probably shouldn't comment further, but suffice to say I will have a pretty good stock in hand once Roman Blue becomes available once more. Once that has been addressed I plan to return some more attention to restocking the Merilon Sock and bringing back the HMS.
Take care and happy knitting!
I also want to share two things that are going on outside my yarn business interests. First, I am really enjoying writing about books at the mo', so my husband and I have started talking about a regular column involving books that have already been published but are very big in terms of public discussion and effect. Second, I have officially gotten word that one of my wholesale customers is committed to having my yarns in their Sock Summit booth. I'm excited for the prospects of these disparate projects and the work that lies ahead for this summer.
I have no news, yet, on the official arrival of more Roman Blue Sock. Since I find this a bit frustrating, I probably shouldn't comment further, but suffice to say I will have a pretty good stock in hand once Roman Blue becomes available once more. Once that has been addressed I plan to return some more attention to restocking the Merilon Sock and bringing back the HMS.
Take care and happy knitting!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Putting the Epic in Epidemic: Jacqueline Carey's 'Santa Olivia'
I've posted my review of Jacqueline Carey's latest book here. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Great Strides
This is our friend Ella. She is an amazing little girl who has raised our awareness about the real-life impact of Cystic Fibrosis. We want her around for a very long time, so we're walking in the Great Strides walk here in Portland in a couple weeks. Please take five minutes to watch and then click through below to donate.
Donate here.
Donate here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
