Though I do, occasionally, design patterns, I am NOT a designer. I can fumble my way through the design of a basic sweater or even apply a fun lace pattern to a shawl.  But when it comes to really interesting designs or finicky charts, I’d rather let someone else do it. So, I have a lot of appreciation for the amount of work that goes into truly creative and unusual patterns.

My current designer crush is Ann Weaver. We met back in May when she was in DC for a workshop at Fibre Space. I was excited to meet her because I had just purchased her book, Craft Work Knit, and I was so impressed with her innovative and unusual designs. The Albers Cowl is definitely my favorite pattern from the book. A simple combination of garter stitch, log cabin knitting and gorgeous colors make the cowl a fabulous accessory. And, I know you’re well aware of my current cowl obsession.

After our initial meeting, I was thrilled to give Ann some yarn to use in her upcoming designs. The results have been amazing.

The Moss and Ferns shawl uses two colors of Studio Sock (Mt. Vernon and Palisades) and is available for download. Ann has a fantastic eye for color and a knack for combining pattern stitches. This shawl is simple enough to knit in front of the television but complex enough to hold your interest.

The Lamp Shawl is part of Ann’s new pattern book, White Whale. All of the projects in White Whale are inspired by the novel, Moby Dick. How cool is that!?! The nerdy English Lit student in me is swooning. Of course, all the patterns in the collection are amazing. The Lamp Shawl is my favorite, but I might be biased.

If you want to see these gorgeous knits in person, come out to my event at A Tangled Skein on Wednesday, November 9 from 6:30 to 9 pm.

As you know from my last post, I’ve been taking it easy. Me and my body have been recovering nicely from what turned out to be CA-MRSA. Don’t ask me how I got it because I still don’t know. It’s a mystery. Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes working together would have trouble with this one.

Anyway, I’m rescheduling a bunch of the events that I missed, including my trip to OH. I will be in Columbus for a trunk show at Knitting Temptations on July 9 from 10am to 3pm.

Also, because of the planning involved, I have had to postpone my Studio-Warming Party. Instead of this weekend, it will be on Saturday, July 23 from 12 to 4pm. Look for invites via Facebook and Evite to go out soon.

Info on both of these events is available on the brand-new Upcoming Events page of the site.  Keep an eye on that page for more updates!

I’m working on the getting the online store all stocked and ready for action again too.

And since this post has no relevant photos, I leave you with gratuitous yarn pics.

Well folks, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind and an education. Sometimes, as human beings, we have to be reminded of how little control we really have.

Up until last Thursday, I was busily preparing for a BIG trip to Columbus, OH. I had scheduled a Trunk Show at Knitting Temptations, was planning to meet up with old friends and TNNA (the knitting industry trade show), and finally, be a vendor at Knitters Connection. I was in control like Janet Jackson. I had checklists and time-task plans and all of the organizational pieces in place.

And then, I started to feel a bit sick. Just some minor pain. Nothing I couldn’t handle. And then it got worse. And worse. And after three visits to multiple doctors last week, I realized that I was not going to make it to my Trunk Show at Knitting Temptations or to TNNA. I was upset but reasoned that I would still make it to Columbus for Knitters Connection.

I love being a vendor at Knitters Connection! I get to see lots of people that I know from previous years and meet loads of other vendors. Because it’s such a small show, it’s much more manageable and less stressful than some others. The setup for the show is today, and there is a student preview tonight. Unfortunately, I won’t be there.

My “minor pain” landed me in the Emergency Room yesterday for some emergency surgery. I won’t go into more details except to say that I am recovering nicely and getting lots of rest.

I’m so disappointed to miss Knitters Connection, but some of my yarn will be in the Knitters Mercantile booth. Also, I’m already working with Knitting Temptations to reschedule my trunk show for later this summer.

I learned an important lesson about taking care of myself, listening to the messages my body is giving me and also, expecting the unexpected. Because you really never know what life is going to throw at you next. If I owe you an email or a Ravelry message, don’t worry. I’m getting to it. Slowly, but surely.