Thank you to everyone who responded to my last blog questions! It seems that Knit/Crochet/other A-longs are a popular choice so we will begin planning more throughout the coming year. As we move forward into 2013 I will also be writing more instructional blogs and filming videos to go along with them.

So now that we've finished (or nearly finished in my case) our holiday gifts it's time for some selfish knitting/crocheting/sewing!  Do you have some things planned?

I'm still working on one Christmas gift, a couple of gifts for up coming birthdays, my Knit Red - A-line Hoodie and a very overdue pair of fingerless gloves for my younger son. Then I'll be all set to do my selfish knitting! (IF I don't get too side tracked with some sewing projects I'm working on and a couple of new ideas I have.) I'm wanting to knit more shawls/shawlettes for myself, I've been saying for the past year and a half that I need a blue shawl and a blue sweater, now I have both planned and the yarns purchased.

 For my blue shawl I've picked out these yarns for a single strand Truckee Shawlette.

Malabrigo Lace Superwash in Volcan and Tosh Prairie Short skein in Worn Denim

 I decided on these two different yarns because the colors work well together for me and the colors I wear.

 I've also purchased more Tosh for Romi Hill's Carson Shawl and I've started a Wingspan in Schoppel Wolle Crazy Zauberball that would be nice to finish. (I see now that there is a Lace Wingspan!  I may have to start over and do that one instead.) I also have several sweaters and Litchfield hat & mitts planned. Not to mention the Downton Abby KAL... Oh dear! There I go again getting way ahead of myself. I should never have written down what I want to start, I feel behind already! LOL!

How about a felted project? Who doesn't need another bag? There are some wonderful Bag and Tote patterns to choose from too. Ok, I need to STOP now before I plan myself too big of a hole to knit my way out of this year! How to decide what to do first? The yarns I've purchased are so pretty and I know the Downton Abby KAL won't take much time each week, so perhaps one of the shawls would be a good choice...

Then there are all thing things I want to learn this year, I haven't even really started that list yet!

Don't you just wish you could knit everything at once? How do you decide which project to make next?  Tell us about the projects you're planning! I've set up a Ravelry thread to plan and discuss your 2013 projects.

I'm looking forward to hearing about all of your upcoming projects!

Happy Knitting!
Terry

Hand knits on the move!

Whew! It's been a whirlwind week here at JBW. I am writing to you from my hotel room in Hartford, CT where Jeanne, Sandy, Rachel, and I are representing Jimmy Beans Wool and Stitch Red. So far, we are having a total blast!


We left Reno at 5:40am on Wednesday morning. First, we were to fly to San Francisco where we would catch a connection to Newark, NJ and then on to Hartford. Unfortunately, our flights were scheduled so closely together that we missed our flight in San Fran! :( Not the most awesome start to the day, but we made the best of it. Being knitters, we found ourselves with plenty to do while we waited in the airport for the next flight out. (We each brought at least two projects for the trip. I think I had the most options with 4 projects! Am I crazy? Yes!)

The "Jo's"

Once we were finally on a plane to Chicago, Jeanne and Sandy were super happy all cozy in their seats! They chit chatted away--the two "Jo's" as they like to call themselves (a reference to the Outlander series, apparently it means that they are friends). Those two are like little peas in a pod. :)


In Chicago, with 5 hours to kill until our next flight, we went off in search of some food. Our first real meal all day! Boy were we hungry! Chicago has some legendary food options and the airport was no exception.  We grabbed some italian beef sammies at the amazing Billy Goat Tavern and settled in preparing for awesomeness. In fact, we were so hungry that we didn't even take the time to document how awesome food was. We just scarfed it in a quite unladylike fashion. (Maybe it's good we didn't take photos.)

Rachel's "Carson" Shawl

The rest of our time was spent knitting and hanging out and being silly. I showed the gals the awesome light tunnel at O'Hare International. None of them had seen it before so it was a must see! Rachel finished up her gorgeous Carson Shawl by Romi Hill in Shibui Sock while we waited. Didn't it turn out lovely?!?

Sandy and the Kollage crew!

Finally, exhausted, we made it to Hartford and STITCHES East! Our Stitch Red and Jimmy Beans Wool booths look great and we are having a blast! We even met up with the Kollage team and they hand delivered our beautiful new red square needles. Here they are with Sandy showing them off.

Denise2Go- Stitch Red edition!

Also, we have some adorable limited edition Denise2Go needles just for STITCHES East and Stitch Red! We chose a fun red print fabric by Denyse Schmidt and there are only 46 sets of these special needles. Each of which are labeled and numbered. What a neat STITCHES souvenir. They are so cute, I may have to get one myself!


I'll post a final recap on Monday. If you are anywhere near Hartford, CT this weekend, be sure to stop by and say hello!



Happy knitting,
Kristen