Hexagons

I just finished knitting a Hexagon bag out of Jasper (Berroco) and I LOVE it. The yarn is so beautiful and soft and lovely to work with and the Hexagon design is cool. Once I get the pattern written up I'll be offering it as a class at Knit Picky.



Chris made the discover that it makes a lovely hat, as well. Seriously, can't you imagine that on the ski slopes? It comes down over your ears and neck and would be quite warm made out of a thicker wool...

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward Exchange

These are the instructions: "It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog (feel free to just copy and paste my post)

I will now Pay It Forward to you THREE, I wonder who you will be?! Please, be a PIF! You will enjoy it just as much as we do!"

And, remember...you have 6 months to get your gifts done! Come on, you know you would love to be one of my angels. Then, one day, but you don't know when....you will get a gift that I have made especially for YOU!

Please remember, you don't have to knit or crochet to participate, anyone who can make a nice handmade gift is welcome to join :)

Knitting Emergency!!

I am over 2/3 done with the Ribby Shell (ChicKnits) and my needle broke!! I am using my Options circulars from Knit Picks and the screw connection thingy in the needle tip came loose! Everyone says they are great about replacing broken needles but it will take a couple of days at the best, and I really wanted to finish this top this week. Sigh. Thankfully I have plenty of other projects to work on while I wait!

Chris's Socks

I can't believe how talented a knitter Chris already is, even though he just learned how. He doesn't have much time to knit anymore with Med School and everything, but just look at what he is making now:

Its the Twisted Flowers sock by Cookie A.

Squishy

I have had three skeins of Baby Alpaca Chunky for several months, ever since Ann Marie gave it to me as a graduation present, but have been waiting for the right project. I finally found it-- a simple chunky, cabled scarf from the book Knit Noel. It was a super quick knit on size 11 needles and I am very happy with how it turned out. Now it just needs to get cold enough to wear it!

New Colors at The Handpainted Sheep

Wander over to The Handpainted Sheep blog for a sneak peek of two new colors!

Another Me-Me-- 8 Things

Selena tagged me for an "8 thing about me" me-me. So here goes:

1. I used to sew ridiculously detailed Renaissance costumes. I was a weird kid. But apparently it was a unique enough hobby to get a college scholarship for it.

2. Even though I'm 22 and a college graduate I have moved back in with my parents while I finish gradschool.

3. My current TV obsession is Star Trek Enterprise.

4. I am a technique junky and anytime I read or hear about a new knitting technique I HAVE to try it.

5. I'm engaged but even the thought of planning a wedding right now exhausts me.

6. I don't really enjoy spinning and it makes me feel kind of guilty that I don't.

7. I am a part time grad student at Wake Forest University studying entrepreneurship-- and its making my head explode!

8. I used to be a doula-- thats someone trained to provide support to women during labor. I have attended several births and even caught a baby on my own once when the doctor was late to the birth!

New Contest!

The Painted Sheep needs a new name and I need your help. There is another yarn store using the name "The Painted Sheep," and I'm afraid its going to cause too much confusion in the future. So its time to find something else. Do you have any ideas? Submit your idea in a comment on the blog or by emailing me at info@paintedsheepyarn.com. If I choose your name you will be rewarded with a gift certificate! What do you think is fair, $25?

Ok I'm loving all the new ideas but lets try something not using the word "ewe" :) I think we have enough of those for now.

New Name Needed

There is a chance that I may need to change the name of the company. I love the name "The Painted Sheep" but there is some confusion with another shop by the same name. So I am brainstorming for new ideas. Any suggestions? What do you think about "The Hued Ewe"? "Dyed in the Wool"?

Lace!!

I am a lace virgin. But not for long! The lace base yarn that I have been eagerly waiting for arrived today. Its actually Zephyr, but I am selling it under the name Eos (in mythology Eos was Zephyr's mom and goddess of dawn). I dyed up the first couple of skeins this afternoon and am excited about it. Its not quite dry yet but I snapped a few photos and knit up a swatch anyway. What do you think?

A MeMe

Karen tagged me and I'm FINALLY getting around to


Four jobs I have had:

1. Alterations specialist at David's Bridal sewing alterations in bridesmaid and wedding dresses-- wow what an amazingly stressful job. That one only lasted about 6months before I just couldn't take it anymore. I learned a lot, though, about alterations, the wedding industry and myself.
2. Costume shop at WFU theatre. My part-time job for several years while I was an undergrad student at Wake. I'm not sure what to say about this one. I'm glad its behind me.
   
3. Knit Picky! My current job. A lovely yarn shop with great staff and even better customers. I can't say enough. If you are in North Carolina and haven't visited yet, you are missing out.
   
4. The Handpainted Sheep. My baby of a hand painted yarn company.
   

Four places I have lived:
Uh oh, this is tough cause I've really only ever lived in Winston-Salem.

1. my parents' house in Winston-Salem
2. the dorms at Wake Forest (also in Winston-Salem)
3. a couple of apartments in Winston (while attending school at Wake)
4. currently I'm back in my parent's house half the time and in Chapel Hill with Chris (while he is in medschool there) for the other half of the time
   

Four Favorite Foods:

1. pralines, especially freshly made in Savannah GA
   
2. Ben & Jerry's ice cream (I like pretty much all the flavors and like to rotate what is in the freezer for variety)
3. mango & coconut sticky rice made by Chris
4. fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies
   

Four places I would rather be:
On the whole I'm pretty content with where I am. Most days I'd rather be

1. in my dye studio working on some new colors
2. in Chapel Hill with Chris who I don't get to see nearly often enough any more

but I really can't complain because I get to do both those things so often! As far as more distant places, my favorites might be

1. a quiet place in the mountains, alone or just with a few close friends & family
2. on the road visiting sheep & wool festivals with my mom (one of our favorite traditions)