You know it's going to be a strange day when.......Please do not let children read this post.

......at 8:00am on a Sunday morning a complete stranger waves hello to you with their penis.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have given up caffeine so I'm not as wide awake in the morning (which is why I thought a nice brisk walk in the rain would do the trick) on my way to the craft show. Imagine my surprise at this lovely Yaletown greeting. After wishing myself blind, I was also subjected to some bad Motown -----I believe by the same offensive waver---but there was no way I was going to turn around to confirm that.

This is when I wished myself temporarily deaf as well.

I ran (not walked) to the nearest open coffee shop and ordered a double shot Americano...straight up please and pondered the event. Was this a sign of some kind for my potential sales for the day or more importantly a sign of the times?

While I am all for extending the hand of friendship...well you get my drift.....

Back to knit talk.

The Roundhouse was an interesting show, but one I do not think I would do again. The venue is lovely, the vendors were terrific(for the most part). However, there is one thing I cannot abide by at a craft show and where I draw the line.

I can't do shows where other vendors recreate copywrited material for resale and profit. Making something for your own personal use is one thing, but to pass it off as your own design when it is not is just offensive -----and in a juried show, I expect the organizers to have a fibre person in the jury who would be aware of this.

It's a shame really because I think the show had great potential.

I also succeeded in injurying myself today. Just at the end of the day, I was using the pricing gun to put a hang tag on the baby coat and hat that I was going to be delivering and I price gunned my thumb. Yes, I shot a plastic tag through my skin and priced myself....apparently I am currently on sale for $200.00....any takers....?

I think the massive dose of alcohol should take care of the matter, but I will sleep on it and see. Now is not a good time for my thumb to be behaving like my big toe.

Maybe the wagging penis was a warning of the impending damage to my thumb appendage....Oh, God, just get the image out of my mind, count sheep, yarn, think happy thoughts...

Night all.

It's Not "Old Hat"-----Yet.....

This show required some fresh look to the display so I revamped the felted sign. I like it. I have this huge brush stainless steel sign. Sure, it's nice, it's slick, but what does it say about my fibre art. This sign is simpler, but sweet and more represents what I do.

The show set up was a breeze (thanks to Mike). He has a way with just rolling up his sleeves and making it happen. While I am fluffy and puffing, he is making sure my display won't land on someone's head and that there is some balance and artistry to the set up -- a good second pair of eyes.

Pirate corner is pretty sweet and I've gone Pirate Purple folks. The soft grey is such a nice accent.

My personal favourite is the white corner. It's mostly hand spun and it just reminds me so much of winter. One of the few things I miss about living out east.

Oh, and this I'm just showing off. Hand spun all naturals, camel, silk, merino and suri alpaca. Deer antler buttons....I don't care if I ever sell you my little lovely!

I am very excited about the show tomorrow, even thought it's currently 1AM and I am still embroidering wet felt and Mike is picking me up at 8AM (which means virtually no sleep) there is one thought holding it all together for me. There is room in the van for me to bring my KIWI. Folks there will be spinning.

The day is going to pass by at lightening speed. And what will I be spinning...All the batts from last week piled up in the studio...Yeah for me.

Proud Parent

I am the proud and blushing parent of this beautiful, bouncy baby.......SWEATER SET. At last after a week of carding, spinning, plying, knitting and seaming....I present...

The process for this little bundle of joy was amazing. Each step , from calculating a formula for the batt, to having 5 skeins at a consistant spin, to knitting this much of my own hand spun was really a test for me. The results, in my hands today are off to their new home any time now...

Bye, bye, baby....!

And a MelonHead KnitWear Update.....any orders processed through the website up to this date are ready for Christmas (guaranteed). Any orders received after today will not be able to be guaranteed for Christmas delivery...Not impossible, just no guarantee. The elves are slowing down folks. There is even talk of a union......

Things to avoid when you want to finish some late night projects

Let's start with this photo......

After a few of these, it's hard to remember that you don't drink coffee anymore.

Notice the lack of special instructions on the cup.....

I am now home at 10:30, feeling no pain, but a bit spazzy, needing to finish a sweater, but with an overwhelming desire to spin.....which I am assuming can only come from accidental caffeine ingestion.

With several pounds of recently carded wensleydale locks at my disposal, I haven't got much to lose(except for Hadiya trying to turn this enormous batt into some new felt bedding for herself).

I ended up giving up, letting her have one corner of the batt and started spinning from the other one....This is 5.2 ounces of a super thick and thin single plied with Kid Silk Haze in black ....random asymetrical plying gave this yarn a wonderful funky look that will be knit up in the next few days.....(after custom stuff is done)

BTW, the airiness of this wensleydale plied with the silk and kid mohair is sexy, dirty, off the map knittable....I think I may have a tylenol before I hit the sack.

I must be crazy.

I am booked for another craft show this weekend....My first weekend off in I can't tell you how long! The show is in beautiful Yaletown at the Roundhouse and if I can get all my work done this week, will really be looking forward to it....If I can get all my work done.

I am 75% finished with the baby sweater coat....Not bad....I need to find some buttons, design the hat, choose a coordinating yarn for the collar (which basically means back to the drum carder) and I may be able to finish this by tomorrow.

Next task felting....I happily sold all my felt hats last weekend....regrettably not even one left for me....And an order for two of the ginseng hats.....I'm surrounded by wool. I've spun a bunch to crochet....Nope, it doesn't get any better than this....Now to tell John that he won't be sleeping in on Saturday. Oops.

The Anatomy of a Sweater

I'm often asked to do custom work and if the timing is right, I can usually do it. However in the busy season it is a bit more of a challenge.

Every once in a while, I am asked to do something by someone so charming and adorable that no matter how busy things are I cannot say no. Not only that, I am so excited to make this baby coat for David (and his reasons for wanting it), that I have devoted the entire week to its perfect completion..

The start was a simple inspiration pulled from the colours of Hadiya. (pictured below) with more focus on the whites and just pulling out small bits of colour.

I carded all undyed fibre, wensleydale, mohair, merino, corriedale and camel into these batts for a total of 380 grams. I can always card another batt if my weight (not my weight, the batt weight) is off.

And here is the first skein spun up with the inspiration cat ....

Now, I haven't done a test swatch and intend to dive right in to the knitting. I have a deadline, the baby is coming this week, so there will be quick updates and then straight back to the spinning/knitting. This is the back of the sweater.

Wish me luck.

What Is it that you Sell?

I always thought I was selling hats and knitwear...Apparently I am not. I am selling an experience. People are choosier about who they buy from. Not saying that I'm that person....but lately, I have been told that buying from me is an enjoyable experience.

This has to be the highest compliment that I have received....even more meaningful than all the nice knit words. What is the current state of retail, when a kind word or compliment from me would carry any weight at all.

I was watching the other vendors at the Fab Fair today, their interactions, their conversations. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and pleasant exchanges. Damn, it's not just ME. Nothing special about me at all.

I think anyone that has a passion for what they do is able to translate that feeling to their work. In this day of imports, people seem to be more interested in who makes/creates the items they choose to buy and make an effort to support handmade.

Thanks to the folks who support handmade.

I Want to Give Something Away....

If you had to choose between something you loved doing and something you had to do, what would you choose to do?

I more often than not will choose the thing that I love(which fills me with such enormous satisfaction) that the remaining tasks seem far less painful. This weird thing keeps happening every time I walk into the studio to grab a new yarn...I end up having to walk by the drum carder and a batt ends up being created....

I seem to be working through colour blocks. I'm not making them for spinning or selling exactly. I am just piling them up in the studio. I seriously have more than 20 of them now. So now what do I do....spin and knit or spin or sell the batts.

Actually I love them so much, I think I just want to give one away. Who would enjoy a carded little bundle of love that was created for no reason other than.....I just had to do it. The first person to comment on this post with their e-mail address has just won themselves a MelonHead Batt.

On a separate note, I haven't been able to find anything about my job lately that I don't enjoy doing. Seems wrong somehow...

Just Because

I really needed to work with some hand spun and I really needed to crochet. Not a lot of that got done while I was getting ready for the show and I just needed to do something that wasn't a custom order. Although, those are really coming along. I have made better progress than I usually would. I think I am motivated by the sheer volume of orders.

Design is not always about being good. It's about exploring ---a new techique, a new yarn or just wrapping your hands around something that sings. The hat sprouts in all directions, looking for balance but not quite achieving it. Sounds like someone I know......

Now back to trying to achieve a bit of balance...Have a knitty good day.

So now that it's all over......

This is by far the prettiest picture of the show...John and Pearl rolling up the fancy carpet at the close of the show. That final wrapping up gesture represented 6 days of the show and 6 months of my knitting and spinning.

Now I'm sure you are thinking how did you manage all of that? Well, I didn't. Without an army of volunteers behind me, none of this would have been possible. I would like to thank (in no particular order)

Pearl
John
Toni
Mike
Claire
Sandra
Joan
JP
Lyn

and from the show...

the convention centre security guard
the Starbucks Holiday Turkey Sandwich
and Nancy (our dental hygienist)

You all know who you are and why I am so indebted to you. Here are Mike and I taking a break.

I wanted to leave you with a few pics of pretties from the booth during the show...Most are sold, but there might be one or two things left if you are interested.

I'm working on some lovely free form designs for this weekend at Fab Fair as well as the orders I have to be picked up there. There will be a FiddleHead Felt hat if you are still interested Carol!

More photos of the new designs tomorrow.

Calling all Gorgeous Children

Still trying to poke my head up from under the ginormous pile of hand spun that I buried myself under. I did manage to make it to the post office and get an order shipped out, but it will be a few weeks before I have all orders done....If you have ordered something custom from me, please bear with me. I am working through my inbox to get everything out in time.

I have had two e-mails that just jumped out at me that I had to share. One is this photograph

Neige

There's nothing better than a gorgeous child modeling your knits to increase sales....Thanks Suzanne for sending me those pictures!

And just a little note from a customer.

"I bought one of your hand spun wool hats at Circle Craft and I have been stopped on the street with compliments. Perhaps you might want to mail me some business cards to pass out to people who are coveting my hat. Hope to see you there next year!" ----Louise.

Thanks so much for all this delicious feedback. Back to the real world, knit, pearl, spin, REPEAT.

Show Coma

I want to tell you all about Circle Craft and how great it was and all the funny and weird things that happened, but the truth of the matter is that I feel like I'm wearing a lead pantsuit. Every part of my body is aching (including my brain)...

So I will just leave you with this (courtesy of Joan)

This is the actual fuzzy article. I am a proud mama.

On the other hand I am knee deep in show carcasses. Orders to be completed, custom work to be done and orders to be shipped. I am confused but happy. I should have it all sorted out in a few days. Just in time for the Fab Fair at Heritage Hall this Saturday and Sunday...

Come and pop by...I'll have yarn!

So Where are these Imaginary DIY Hat Kits?

I've been called out. The kits have yarn, and they have a price, and they have been knit, but they still aren't a kit. I have sold so much hand spun at the show that I am now obligated to have patterns for people to use.

The yarn is sweet heavenly baby soft love. It shimmers, it moves, it has life and it needs to be knit by someone other than me. It's like leaving your children on the first day of preschool ---you know they'll be fine on their own, but you want to be there for any misstep because you aren't just quite ready to let go.

It's time. Give me a month and the kits will be live.....yes, in time for Christmas gift giving to your favourite knitter.

There is only one more day left of the show. It's going to be a long knit nite...only because I know what's missing from the booth that needs to be replaced. It's going to be a long night because JP took John and I out for dinner to an amazing restaurant and it will take 6 hours to digest this food. It's going to be a long night because my brain is racing with possibilities and I just can't put them to rest. Oh, and it's going to be a long night because my cat has recently started snoring (like loudly).

Oh, and I have a show next weekend.

Circle Craft Day 3

I am exhausted, elated, inspired and floating on air. Tonight is definitely an all nighter. There is no way that I will have enough inventory left to carry me through to Sunday.

Here's just a little peak at the booth.

And just when I thought the day was at it's apex, the concierge from the Hotel Vancouver brings me today's Georgia Straight with the article about my designs. It was thrilling to see it all in print and all I could think was "is this really about me?". I truly appreciated the wonderful article and I think I need to send some yarn to the writer. She also has awesome taste (being a crocheter herself). This was the photo that was featured. Nelson is gorgeous!

I have a few hours of knitting ahead. I won't even care that sleep is not on the agenda for tonight, or that my feet feel like raw hamburger. I'm feeling as light as a feather. Tomorrow I get to talk about yarn all day and watch people play dress up in my hats.

When it rains it pours

and for once I'm not talking about our Vancouver weather. I just found out that I am going to be in an article about Circle Craft for the Georgia Straight. I just got off the phone and finished up the interview. And to top it off, the woman who interviewed me crochets. Yeah....

It's not just all about the knitting anymore folks..Time to round out those skills and bring crochet into the forefront where it deserves to be. Kim Werker has done more for crochet cool than anyone out there at the moment. There was even talk of a crochet Stitch n Bitch. I would love that.

I hate myself in photographs, but it's part of getting the work out there, and why am I doing this if not to get folks jonesing for the accessories. This is the photograph being used in the online Circle Craft Brochure.

Oh, and this one as well...

I'm not sure which photo they are using for the Georgia Straight. Just as long as I'm not in it, things will be fine. It's just coming up to 5 years in Vancouver and finally the work is getting noticed....It feels good and I'm feeling pretty grateful.

Well with all the surprise new press, I best get my butt in gear as far as the inventory goes...And I was having so much fun spinning this morning.

The Accidental Latte

Yesterday I needed to get away from the studio. There are so many UFO's in that room that I feel like there is an actual alien invasion of fibre. Who ever thought I would run away from my own yarn?

All I wanted was the serenity of one yarn, one project, all in white and no distraction. This caused me to head out at the ungodly hour of 6am to Starbucks for my usual fake beverage. Since I have given up caffeine, I have been very careful about that part of the beverage ordering. Also, since the detox, very careful instructions on non fat, no sugar, etc and yet, most of my beverages have been wrong in at least one area. I consider a correct fulfilling of my order a delightful surprise.

The single project and the latte

The sleeve on the latte

Yep, somehow I managed to get a skinny vanilla latte. I sat down in the big chair, pulled out the crocheting and thought " I will have a peaceful morning and I will accept this latte" (regardless of its possible consequences down the road). It was the most serene hour I have had in weeks, even with the morning bustle of people behind me trying to get their "on the way to work" fix.

Once back home the entire felting day left me pleased with the results and inspired to stay up a bit later to see what else I could complete.

Here's a little gallery of shots for you. Please contact me if you see anything in the felts that you like. They will be one of a kinds for the show and I can put one aside!

I'm supposed to be working on children's sweaters today. I'm not sure that's going to happen with the amount of UFO's still currently choking up the studio.

All Hail the LYS Staffers

I ventured out into the world today with a goal, a real job for a day working at the LYS. Not just hanging around, not shopping, actually standing behind a cash and being responsible and doing the retail thing.

I have always loved and respected yarn store staff, but now I see them in a whole new light. The morning was a flurry of activity and the things that people wanted/needed from me ranged from emotional support to physical knitting repair. It was a wild ride.

My only curiousity (and if any of you work in a yarn store or have friends that work in one) I have a question. Why aren't they homeless? I would spend every single penny I had on what I was surrounded with. Always a sexy new box to open with surprise Fleece Artist yarn.....and the list goes on.

My services were only required for a few hours. I think I actually started to leave drool on the yarn and I was sent home.

Hug your LYS staffer today. They are an unappreciated breed.