Fall can be a pretty crazy time ’round here. Everything is so beautiful and so tempting. There are pies to bake, apples to peel, squash to roast, chili sauce to make. It’s Thanksgiving. This calls for autumn decor. Yeesh.
To top it off, there’s at least one design submission call every week, sometimes more, and since this is my first year, I’m not sure what to expect. It means a lot, I mean A LOT of swatching (which generally I love), then a whole lot of hurry-up-and-wait (which I definitely do not love). I let you know how that goes.
Swatching has occupied a good bit of my knitting time, as has sketching, but I’ve still managed to get some me-knitting time in. I’ll tell you, that is really precious time. Which is why I’m glad it’s rainy today; I’m up early, I can get the necessaries done and maybe have a little knitty window. We’ll see.
My Gazebo Shawl, made from the sweet and lovely Titus, has come a long way and is at the point where it is ready for its next band. I’m using Rhichard Devrieze in Carnival for this section and have not quite decided what I want yet. More swatching. My Honey Pullover is doing nicely too, but due to the fingering weight yarn and the waffle-y density of the fabric, it just takes time. I do have a full and complete set of sketches for it now, though, which define the shape and the edgings so now I’m dying to have it ready to wear. It’s going to be soooo warm! It’s a lovely thing to work on, soft and fuzzy and extremely simple, to knit in front of the TV while I get caught up with all of my British crime dramas.
In other good news, The County’s increasingly popular Busy Hands Show will be returning this December and I’ve applied. Hopefully, I’ll pass the jury and space will be available. My dear friend Chris Hall of Cake Tin Hats has been a cornerstone of that show since it was held above the bookstore; it has always been my favorite of the craft shows in the area. It is at once quaint and hip, not yo’ mama’s pass-downs, but real, honest, handmade goodness, natural foods, veggies and a broad cross section of clever and beautifully made stuff. Of course, there’s food, and there’s WINE! Cross your fingers, because I’ve been sewing!
I’ve designed a couple of new everyday-wear bags that I’m very proud of and will also have my signature messenger bags in hot new fabrics as well as the time-honored snap-top bags. I’m going to bring some aprons, and, of course, lots of accessories for knitters including the needle cases that have been waiting quite a while for their chance to shine.
For today, it looks like a little more work, some grilled cheese sandwiches and, with luck, a knit. Hopefully the rain holds up!
