The Adventures of Woolgirl and Abby

Announcements

Friday Announcements:

1. We will be taking 2 (much needed) days off this weekend to visit the lovely city of Seattle, so if you place an order on Friday or Saturday of this week, your order will be shipped on Tuesday, September 4th.

2. We have LOTS of shop updates in store for next week, so stay tuned for much fiber goodness.

3. We have a couple of spots still available for the White Oak Studio "Christmas Story" Movie sock kits, so reserve your space today! If you are interested, please email us at info@woolgirl.com.

4. Speaking of movies, have you checked out Jana's Chick Flick Movies TV Yarn Sock Club? If not, you need to! The first movie is Thelma and Louise and the shipment date is coming up soon! I, of course, had to sign up! :)

5. Some exciting news for all of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" fans out there. I was able to get my hands on 4 cute little accessory bags in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" movie theme, and will be offering them FREE to the first 4 customers who purchase this yarn when it arrives in the shop near the end of September. Stay tuned for more information!

Happy Labor Day!

A Little Bit of Everything...

The mitered squares are coming along nicely. In one evening while watching TV, I can complete at least one of them, so that's been a fun project to fill in the time when I'm between projects (which isn't very much lately, unfortunately). With all of the sock clubs coming up here at Woolgirl, it's been a whirlwind of test knitting, and as much as I'd love to post the socks we are test knitting, they will have to wait. :)

New yarn arrived on our doorstep today! Part of our Dream in Color order arrived, along with Sereknity, a few colors of Cherry Blossom Fibers and ALL of the yarn for the first sock club shipment arrived today! I am so overwhelmingly excited about this! This means that the first sock club shipment is not too far off...just a couple of weeks away, actually! Woo hoo!

On to personal stash enhancement. Yes, even though I own an online yarn shop with lots of fiber goodness, there are always two types of yarn (that I do not sell and am unable to sell) that I end up enhancing my stash with frequently. More frequently than I should, actually, but we won't tell WB about that. The first is, of course, Blue Moon Fiber. First and foremost I am in the STR sock club, and as you most likely know, that arrived this week and is utterly gorgeous.  But no, that did not stop me from feeling like I needed more, now did it? I mistakingly visited their site last week in a moment of weakness, and the "Gingerbread Dude" and "Hollyday" arrived at my doorstep today. It's as simple as that. Are these colorways not totally worth it though? OMG!

I think it's now safe to say that I'm in love with a Gingerbread Dude. Ha!

I also received this lovely skein of STR Minestone (along with some other fiber (and non-fiber) birthday goodies) from my dear knitting friends from WHY and here. Thank you girls for a wonderful Birthday dinner and night out, as well as all of the wonderful goodies!

My second favorite personal stash enhancing place (besides my own shop, of course, and Blue Moon) is Sundara.  I have quite a bit of yarn from Sundara, and even had her custom dye the yarn for my Kinsale sweater last year (more on this in a future post), so needless to say, I am a Sundara addict. Her yarn is perfection, to say the least, and I can't seem to get enough of her colors to add to my collection. This week the following happily joined my stash...

Please meet (from left to right): 2 skeins of worsted merino in the "Caramel over Apricot" colorway and 1 skein of the "Blue Violet over Cotton Candy" in the sport merino.

This is fiber goodness as its finest.....

Happy Wednesday!




 

Exciting week!

It's Monday and we are expecting in some exciting things this week,  including Sheepaints from Germany. The colors we are receiving are a complete surprise, so it's even double the excitement for us!

We are also receiving in some samples from another German dyer who we are really excited about, but more on that in the weeks to come...

In addition this week, we are expecting a shipment from Sereknity, Zen Yarn Garden (with some special colorways!), Pigeon Roof Studios, Yarn Love, and some more fun stitch markers from Wee-Ones.

And just to leave you with a little additional excitement...have you seen this yarn yet? It's the new fingering weight sock yarn from Curious Creek Fibers! We'll also be stocking the shelves with this yarn soon and will have some samples knit up to show you!

Happy Monday!

Weekend...

Yes, you got it right, I am already thinking about my plans for the weekend...










And I'm getting the evil eye from Abby, as I'm sitting here daydreaming about the weekend, when I should be working! Yikes! Somehow even my dog knows that something's not right when I'm not typing away on emails or packaging orders as usual...she knows that I'm slacking off when I just sit here, quietly wondering how I can get out of working today and
instead just slack off and knit all day. Isn't that what we all want to do?

Even Mr. Sheep almost seems to be glooming over me to work today. I turn around to face my computer and try to avoid his burning stare.

But knitting today....that's all I can think about actually. Finishing up the 12 (or so) pair of socks that I have completed the first sock on, and then got the dreaded SSS on the 2nd one. I'm ready to complete those socks. Starting a shawl that I've wanted to start for months now, but didn't have time to. One for myself. Working on more squares for the Mitered Square blanket so that I can get it finished in this lifetime. Working on the Kinsale sweater from this book that I have started but never have time to work on, it seems. I would also like to finish that in this lifetime. Oh, and then there's the shawl I would like to knit for my sis for Christmas, and the one for my mother too. Hmmm....think I may have gotten myself a little overloaded here. OK...I guess I need to work today and can focus on knitting this weekend. I look around to make sure the animals are aware that I'm going to focus on work again...that I'm not the slacker they portray me to be at times.

But I guess I'm not the only slacker daydreaming here....

It must be nice to nap all day, no worries of any kind (except wondering when is the wet food being served?)

Wicked Good Wednesday

Wicked Good Wednesday...Why? Lots of reasons, but to name just a few....

1. It's supposed to be sunny today. That's wonderful news, considering we have had rain for a week now. My mood can only handle so many days of rain during the summer, and I'm about at my breaking point. Sun is good.

2. Woolboy installed this new shelving unit from IKEA (my new favorite store) in my office so that I could display some of my personal stash instead of having to tuck it away in countless bins. I am sooooo thrilled with it, especially because it takes up an entire wall in my office!  (and yes, if you look close enough you can see that my entire Sundara yarn collection is mainly made up of blues and greens...and this is why I just had to order some orange yarn from her this week...oops!)

3. I have a new sheep to add to my collection...My MIL painted this little sheep for the shop and gave it to me for my birthday...isn't it just adorable? Her name is Woolgirl too... :) 

4. We have some winners from the Woolgirl Birthday contest! I of course had to save the best part for last! Thank you again for all of your lovely birthday (and anniversary) comments! You are each so sweet and thoughtful! Drumroll please....

The winning choice was "A", as we had a wonderful BBQ with family and friends on my birthday! Not that I wouldn't have enjoyed any of the other options too, but I love my time with family and friends and I can't think of anything I'd rather do on my birthday!

The winners are:
Jana Ames
Zonda
Natalie

Congrats girls! You will be receiving an email from me sometime on Wednesday about your prizes! :)

Happy Anniversary to Us

Woolgirl and Woolboy
Married August 21, 1994

I love you Woolboy!
Here's to many more wonderful years together!

Oceanwind...Must We Say More?

Oceanwind "Slate"....

"Guitar Man" Socks for your man...

Must we say more?

Thank you to each and every one of you who posted a Happy Birthday comment on the blog last week and over the weekend! I had such a wonderful Birthday and it was filled with lots of surprises and fun times with family and friends. Thank you so much all of your wonderful Birthday wishes! I felt good vibes coming my way all weekend long! I am still making my way through Birthday contest entries, and will post the winners on Wednesday's post!

Happy Monday!

Birthday Contest!

Did you see what we received in the shop yesterday and posted late last night? Yummy merino/cashmere sock yarn goodness from The Knittery. This yarn is beyond soft, and includes even more cashmere than in the past - and check out the yardage...459 yards! That's enough to make an extra long pair of socks to keep your feet nice and cozy warm this winter!

My favorite color? Well, it's a toss up between this...
(which is Orange Blossoms)

and this....
(which is Minty)

What's wrong with me? I used to be a blue person?

Not sure, but these colors just make me want to shout out for joy! Throw my heels up...laugh out loud! :)

So, what's this about a Birthday Contest? Yes, it's my birthday tomorrow, August 18th, and I am yet another year older. Yikes! 36? When did that happen? I thought it might just cheer me up a bit to hold an itty bitty contest on my birthday.  It certainly can't hurt, can it? Here goes....

I would like to know what you think I'm doing for my birthday tomorrow! There are 4 possible choices below, so respond with which one you think is the correct choice. There will be 3 winners chosen based on correct answers. If there are more than 3 people with correct answers (which there most likely will be!), I will use my magical random number picker and let it pick the winners. Each winner will receive a free box of goodies from Woolgirl (which will include yarn, stitch markers, and a few extra fun items). Winners will be announced on Monday, August 20th.

So, what do you think my plans are for my birthday? (choose one of the following)

A) Having a BBQ with family and friends
B) Going to IKEA and spending money
C) Knitting all day in front of the tube eating bonbons while watching reruns of Fantasy Island and Love Boat (which I do love to do, you know)
D) Going to a movie with Wool Boy

Best of luck and have a wonderful weekend!

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

Secret Pal 11 is here and I am so excited!!!!!!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I LOVE knitting with sport weight or DK weight sock yarn. I am not a huge fan of fingering weight yarn, although I do knit with it occasionally.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I store the bulk of them in a drawer in plastic containers, but I do carry a few in my project pouches in my bag, depending on the project I'm working on.   

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for over 4 years now and I learned from my awesome knitter friend Gail

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not at the moment, but plan to create one in the near future.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Vanilla or almond

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a major sweet tooth. I love anything chocolate, and I also love hot tamales and Sweedish fish.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do not spin, but I love to stamp and make hand-made cards. I also love to write.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I am a lover of all music

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love deep blues and purples, and reds, and pinks. Oh, and I love orange! :)

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with one teenage daughter (she is 17 this year!) and also have a schnauzer named Abby and a naughty cat named Snuggles.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear all of them.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I would have to say socks.

13. What are you knitting right now?
The question is more of "what am I NOT knitting right now"! I seem to have countless ongoing projects. I consider current, though, the several pair of socks I am working on, the mitered square blanket, and the sweater I just started for myself.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love receiving handmade gifts.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer circular needles all the way. I use aluminum quite frequently.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
4 years old

18. What is your favorite holiday?
My absolute favorite holiday is Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I love to collect anything with a miniature schnauzer on it!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I love any new sock patterns or books.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to learn more about knitting cables. I know a bit, but not a lot.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a sock knitter. I wear a size US 8

23. When is your birthday?
August 18, 1971

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes, and Woolgirl

3 Down, a bazillion to go

So, after much debate and going back and forth with my inner self, I have firmly decided to use the Cascade 220 Superwash for the Mitered Square Blanket for WB. The whole time I was knitting the square out of Noro, my eyes kept traveling over to the Cascade 220...I kept walking by the shelves of it in my LYS repeatedly, and I kept fondling it while no one was looking. I took that as a sign and quickly knit up 2 more squares. I love this yarn! The squares are a fast knit, and are easy to knit while watching TV, so that's an extra bonus. Plus, they are intriguing to me....the whole design of the mitered square is very fascinating...I'm thinking there is much mitered square knitting in my future. The pattern calls for 80 of these squares to make a queen sized blanket. I am certainly not going for that size of blanket, but more of a throw size - a "twin" size, you could say, so I need to block these, take some measurements, and decide on how many I need to knit. More on this in a future post.

Aren't these pretty and fun, though?

Clearly I am going for a blue theme....

And I love the red and yellow compliments....

On another note, I just had to post about some of the Madelinetosh fingering weight yarn we received in yesterday....some pretty colors....

And check out this Robin's Nest....

Can you say yummy? Yes, Amy from Madelinetosh definitely has a gift.

A couple of additional items....

1. The Woolgirl Newsletter will be emailed out today, and will also be available on our homepage later today.  The newsletter includes information about some fun things coming up and some of the new yarns we will be adding!

2. The 1st Woolgirl Sock Club is about to begin (first shipment will go out on September 10th), and informational emails and invoices have been sent out. We have heard back from ALMOST everyone, but there are a few of you we have not heard back from at all. If you know you have signed up for the sock club, but have not received anything from us in the way of an email, PLEASE email me at jennifer@woolgirl.com ASAP.

Happy Wednesday everyone!