Happy New Year!

Now that we are near the end of 2011 it's time to think about what goals we would like to achieve in 2012.

On the list:

More Lessons, learn new techniques and challenge myself with new projects.  (Two at at time toe-up socks!)



I had a few goals for the shop for 2011 and for the most part we managed to achieve them.   Thank you for that!


I have just a few hours today to finish counting stock, (we will let the accountant think we did it all today shh!)

Happy and Healthy New Year Everyone.

Holidays!

 Holidays are exhausting, 3 Christmas dinners meant we ate way too much.  

The Boy and The Girl are both 'home' but we haven't seen much of them in the past 48 hours.  The Boy worked overnight to clean up snow and ice and The Girl travelled to see friends.  It's nice that they are home for a bit, I miss their company.

The Farmer has a Birthday just before Christmas and 'we' decided that he/we could use a new chair.  Our newest piece of furniture was a love seat  purchased about 1994.  In order to make use of this new piece we moved almost everything, but the TV, in the room.  I was amazed at the number of 'projects' I had stashed around the room.  (Lets just say that the largest laundry basket in the house did not hold all of the yarn!)

This week I have shortened the shop hours to spend time with family and to catch up.  I finished one cowl and a hat so far.  Today I will sort through the basket and put each project into its own bag and put the extra yarn away, (Now that I have written it down, it will happen?)

Today (Thursday) and Tomorrow (Friday) the shop is open 12 pm - 4 pm(ish) and New Years eve we open at 10 am and close at 3 pm(ish).

We are also counting inventory, please disturb us!

It's about the giving!

This note came to yarn shops around the Country from one of our major suppliers:

Usually at this time of year we mail out little presents to all of you to show our appreciation.

This year we are donating the money to Oxfam.

So instead of receiving a pen from us you are giving 20 chickens, 15 goats and 10 donkeys to needy families around the world.

Have a good one!

It adds up to a pretty big donation, when you shopped in an independent yarn shop you contributed to this donation!  Thank You.

There are only a couple of days left until your Christmas knitting is done!  What's your next project?

See you Soon.

Apparently:

I have ruined Christmas shopping for my family.

It's easier to purchase a gift for someone when they are passionate  about something.   When your passion is also your business then that Gift giving option is completely gone.  Apparently I am difficult.

But for those of you that don't own a Yarn Shop, gift giving can be easy.

Giving gifts to people who use yarn can be very easy.

There are:  Books about their favourite projects, Project Bags, Knitting Bags, Needle sets and Yarn.  (Giving us yarn gives us permission to work with something we may never think of purchasing for ourselves.)

You could fill a stocking with: sewing needles, scissors, measuring tapes and stitch markers.

Last but not least there is always the  favourite gift the Gift Certificate!

There are 5 days left to finish your shopping.  The shop is open a little later on Thursday and Friday evenings to make it easier.

Those of you knitting madly, its close but there is still time to finish!  (Then What!)

See You Soon.

It's Beginning!

There is a week left before, well you know, and there is a little skiff of snow on the ground this morning! Okay I should really think about getting this Christmas stuff organized.

Some of you have wondered about extra hours this week, I would love some! I have chosen to use the "by appointment" option for those that want to shop after hours. I have things to do too! I am in the store almost every hour it is open,  being open more leaves me less time for the other stuff. I hope you understand.  It's been a hectic year. (This week I learned about all the things you need to do when a cheque gets stolen and you need to recover the funds!)

This week we had a couple of shipments arrive. The new Stargazer from Estelle and
City Lights from Diamond Yarn.

The Ruffle yarn selection has been just about depleted and it is unlikely that we will see any more until after Christmas and New Year's Holiday Celebrations are complete.

You still have time to knit something for a gift and if you are done then there is a good selection of yarn and patterns to keep you busy this holiday season.

A treat for those musically inclined.

There's not much time!

Planning Christmas hours and they are posted on the sidebar.

I debated about being open a bit later or an extra day, but choose to add the "by appointment" phrase instead. I will be happy to stay open a little later, or meet you at the shop at another time. There is so much to do, I need time to get everything done too!

Thank-you.

See you Soon.

Twelve

4 x 12 =Four hanks of a new yarn called "Twelve" made this lovely shawl. The Yarn is actually 12 different yarns 'fused' together in random lengths. This easy knit only took a few days to complete.
When we were at the 'One of a Kind' on Sunday we saw a few like this that sold for many times the $60 it costs to make this.

Amazingly soft, come see!

The Stars are Brightly Shining...

A new yarn from King Cole, Galaxy, with colour names like Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury..they look like shining stars!

If you have to knit a sample and mess up just one ball, make a sweater for a tiny little Girl!

We love it and it is very soft!

Come See!

All I Want..

This is such a fun time of year, trying to find the perfect gift and keeping all the secrets. Just in case you didn't know we now have a wish list started at the shop. There is a collection of 3 x 5 cards with room to create your own wish list. Walk around the shop and fill in all those things that you would like to receive, then tell your friends and family about the cards and easy peasy for them. They get the joy of giving you something you want and you get to be surprised with every gift you open!

Come in a fill out the card, or email the shop and I will fill one out for you!

(It's fun being 'Santa'!)

Some days I get to play with Yarn!

Only 18 more sleeps! Back to your knitting!

Oh What Fun!

Moonlight Magic: Did you see the sky at 10:30 last night, clear and bright? That's what it was like when I arrived home. Lovely evening. Not as many shoppers as previous years but a few new faces!

The Fun part was the fact that the Debit Machine decided that after 3 years it was tired and decided that last night was it's last.

Today I am without it until the company drops by with a new one.

Should be an interesting day.

The new colours of Frill Seeker have arrived, plus a few of the older favourites. I ordered extra....will it last?

We had a few things marked down last night..I am leaving them on Sale for today!

See You Soon

December....

It is December, we all have a lot to do.

1. Today is an Anniversary for the shop. Soper Creek Yarn has just celebrated 3 full years of business! So today is my 4th December 1st?

2. December 2nd (my 4th December 2nd) is Moonlight Magic in Bowmanville, come visit downtown from 6 pm - 10 pm and celebrate the Holiday Season with the Shops and Restaurants in the Heart of Bowmanville. (Some have special events planned..you never know what you may find!)

3. December 3rd, (my 4th December 3rd)....


See You Soon!

Catching Up!

The Shop has been very busy, new yarns, new patterns and new customers. The data base is getting very large. Some travel great distances to visit the shop, even just a couple of times a year. There are customers from St. John's and another from Vancouver and many places in between.

The Yarn too has travelled great distances to come into the shop; New Zealand, Italy, Turkey and some from right here in Canada.
New to the mix is this lovely, and a bit precious, from Classic Elite is called Toboggan. Great for mitts and hats for those days when you want to enjoy the Winter season.

I have been ordering from a new pattern supplier, and who wouldn't love to knit one of these for a favourite little one in your life. Easy shapes and colours, made in DK and Worsted weight. Especially nice for boys, great designs for boys are always a challenge.We made a quick attempt at a Winter Window...we are working on that too!

This week is Knitt'n Night, (Christmas Party at Rose's), bring $2 for tea or coffee and a treat to share. Wednesday November 30th, 6 pm - 8 pm. RSVP via email to the shop tina at Sopercreekyarn dot ca.

Then Friday: Moonlight Magic...come visit the Downtown for an evening of Winter Festivities and Shopping. The shop will be open until 10 pm. Knitters are welcome to come and knit for a drop in knitting session.

I think a nap is in order, its going to be a busy week!

See you Soon.

November...really?

November is just about done?

I am certainly behind in knitting updates.

A thank-you to Sally for providing me with the perfect sweater for the 'What a Girl Wants" window. (Those who know me know that I don't do pink very well.) The Sweater was to be her winter knitting project, it took her just over a week! She used Big Bamboo from Sirdar, she loved the yarn so much she made 2 hats with the same yarn.

Do to Camera issues, (it was 'lost' for about a week) I couldn't show you

my new favourite thing:

Crochet! (not really new..just renewed interest.)

This lovely yarn from Katia arrived late October and after looking a the web site for inspiration.

I knew exactly what to do!
Making this scarf took me back to high school, which was a very long time ago.

As usual sometimes the simplest projects make the biggest impressions. The whole scarf took just under 4 balls using a 3.5mm crochet hook. ( FYI this is pretty much the extent of my Crochet knowledge..the basic granny square and double crochet shells!)

Speaking of making big impressions. To Those of you who have been making scarves using the Ruffle yarns:

The Yarn is becoming a little less available and we are doing our best in keeping up with the demand. At one point this week one yarn is completely out of stock in Italy..where they make it.

I will post when more arrives. Today we received one colour in Moda Lame. There is another shipment of Frill Seeker due the first week in December.

Hope that gives you inspiration..

See you Soon.

27

Today's post is brought to you by the number 27!

27 years ago today I married "The Farmer", the weather was just like today, cold but sunny, the rest has been a big blur. Where has the time gone?

Knitt'n Night and What a Girl Wants was a fun event. Congratulations to Barb R. who gets to take home a lovely Namaste Knitting Bag.

Next up Santa Claus is coming to Town! (Saturday 10:30, downtown Bowmanville)

See You Soon.

What a Girl Wants!

A night out with the Girls. Come out to Downtown Bowmanville and enjoy an evening shopping 27 local shops. All independent small town shops and restaurants each featuring a new treat or demonstration and some have prizes to be won.

It's this Wednesday evening from 6 pm - 10 pm.

That's Knitt'n Night! Come and Knit from 6 pm - 9 pm....that gives you sometime to wander the Downtown Shops and get some Shopping done!

Remembrance

Friday is Remembrance Day.


This year, like every year the Shop closes so that I can attend the Ceremony.




When The Boy and The Girl were little and there was much running around I would watch the broadcast of the Ceremonies from Parliament Hill. Then a few years ago I started to attend our local service.




I go because Canadians came to The Netherlands and brought freedom to my family. My Mother's conversations always included phrases "before the war", "during the war" and "after the war".




It is the least I can do.






Come and Join me, or attend a service at your local Cenotaph and Remember....

Travelling Woman!

A quick trip to see The Girl. A 4 hour drive to take her the car with snow tires as she is headed back to school for 3 months. She was at work and we met for a quick exchange of keys and paperwork. Her employer just opened a new shop and this is the place she gets to work part time, it's beautiful and would make a fabulous yarn shop.

While I was waiting for her to finish work she showed me this:

It didn't occur to me to take pictures of all the things I saw, rug hooking, weaving, spinning, felting.....my kind of people all in the same place.

I took the train home, treated myself to business class (super saver fare) which means they fed me and there was wine!

Today I was on the move again as I headed into the big city and wandered around warehouses filled with yarn.

I think I am looking forward to tomorrow, but right now I am glad to be sitting on a seat that is not in a moving vehicle.

See you Soon!

Filatura Di Crosa Moda Yarn

One of the boxes that arrived yesterday contained 6 colours of this yarn. If you want to impress your 'muggle' friends with your talent make one of these..they will think you are so clever. (Just don't let them see the video)
For a picture of the finished scarf go here!
Have a lovely Weekend, see you Tuesday!

This Week!

Monday: The Cobourg thing went very well. I arrived home with a few less things than I went with, that's always a good sign. I met some very nice ladies (and men) who love colour and texture and design. (My favourite kind of people!)

Tuesday: An order arrived from Berroco. Inside one of the boxes was a new scarf yarn Think big, thick and most of all a very quick knit.

Wednesday: Knit the scarf between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Just in time to show everyone at Knitt'n Night. I even managed to watch the Rick Hansen Relay as it came through the Downtown, they actually exchanged the medal just outside the shop.

Thursday: 8 blankets arrived to add to the squares that are being made to make blankets for Children and teens in the Ukraine. (1 Square at a time Project) They are amazing. I really have the best job.

Friday: Two very small boxes arrived with some Triana and Moda Lame yarn, again the most popular yarn in the shop isn't in the shop very long!

See You Soon.

A New/Old thing

One day when I have more time I will tell you all the things that I have done, the list is very varied. The most interesting thing about that is that all the things I have done have lead me to this point in my life.

When The Girl and The Boy were little I worked primarily at home. A few part time jobs here and there. (One point I had 3 part time jobs, it was very confusing.)

For a few years I travelled the Local Fairs setting up and 'manning' the booth promoting agriculture in Durham Region. I would pack up the car with all the stuff, set up the display and spend the weekend talking to people and handing out pens and information.

Tomorrow I am off to Cobourg with a car load of yarn to an event hosted by the Northemberland Hooks and Needles Guild? I am not totally sure of the group, I will let you know more about it when I get back.

I think I have packed all the wrong stuff!

A reminder that it is Knitt'n Night on Wednesday!

See You Soon.

The Project from H*ll:

The Farmer is a clever man, he is known for his ability to create things. When I asked whether he would like to change a rotating stand I had acquired 2 years ago he agreed. Before he could change his mind The Girl and I loaded up into the car, only to realize that it came to the shop in our larger vehicle, but it fit, barely. (It is very heavy!)

It was a rotating stand with about 6" x 60" of actual slot wall for display on each of the 3 sides. The new design would allow for almost 18" x 60" of display on 3 sides. A plan was made, we headed off to the lumber store and they cut the slot wall into 18" strips. We got home only to realize they should have been cut 16.5" instead. Then when it was time to cut the bottom sections, instead of cutting into 3 equal pieces he cut them into 4 pieces, now they were too short. But that was okay because it forced him to create a base for the triangle to sit on. Then he ran out of nails, bought the wrong gauge for the nail gun, another trip to the lumber store. Then there weren't enough of the right clamps, ran out of screws and he had trouble with the slot wall spacing.....

You have to remember that he was doing this after his 12 hour workday doing The Farmer thing.

We brought it to the shop on Monday night, it is now even heaver. (My 2010 Christmas present from The Farmer came in handy...I will show you it if you ask!)

Tuesday it was filled with all the notions that the shop carries, there are quite a few!

It Matters!

It all started when one day a 'customer' came into the shop and said: "What is your cheapest yarn? I make hats for the babies at the hospital and it doesn't really matter!" I don't think she meant to say it that way, but it gave me something to think about.

Sometimes we do things for 'charity' and perhaps use what we have and not realise that what we are doing is just not quite 'right'. (It surprises me when the grocery store and perhaps the food bank has to put up a sign to say: No expired items!)

Back to the Babies, hats for babies do matter. Babies are precious, pre-mature babies are fragile, but more than that their parents are fragile.

This year the 'fee' for Knitt'n Nights is to make (One) baby hat, but it has to be made with nice yarn and the 'cuter' the better, over the top cute. We want to show these Babies and their parents that they Matter and people care.

If you would like to make a hat to donate to Lakeridge Health, they require no strings, ribbons or ties. We would like soft washable yarn, wool is accepted (super wash) label the

hats with your first name and perhaps include the care and content of the yarn used.

from Francis:

I found this while looking for cute things:

This is the link to the article

It doesn't matter what you do as Steve Jobs said:

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

Getting Ready for Bowmanville's Apple Festival!

The weather sounds dreadful, they are predicting rain and wind, but we are going to think good thoughts and hope for some more sunshine!

The Apple Festival is a popular event for the Downtown. This year I will try to have a bit of a 'Yarn' Yard Sale Outside, only if the weather co-operates. The shop is filled with new lovely yarns that there isn't much room inside to display all the clearance yarn I have been saving.

Think Sunny thoughts!

See You Soon!

To my Farming Friends and Family:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Three Years!

Three years ago this week we decided not to open a Yarn Shop. I had spent almost 3 months agonizing about opening then when the location that I was preparing for was not going to be available I decided that I would stop looking and instead get a 'real' job.

Then Carole called, it was a Saturday night, we were away during the day and she left a message:

"I know you were looking for a space and the most perfect spot is available. I phoned R (at home) who called A (at home) and this is the rent and they are expecting you on Monday."

The Farmer and I look at the store front Sunday morning. The place needed a ton of work. The photo above is a "good" shot of what we saw through the window. We decide the location is good but there is just too much work to get it into what we needed.

We take a drive to think and end up talking to friends in retail in another town and they say: "Go for it!"

Monday I head in early to see the landlord and I barely get two words out and from behind the door I hear a voice say: "Is that Tina, Carole told me you would be coming!" I take a tour with the Landlord, the place is a mess. The previous tenants (who 'disappeared' overnight) only used the front of the space. Carpet from the 70's, bits of slot wall in random spots, walls were where they tried to subdivide the space the ceiling tiles are badly stained. Then the Landlord says things like, "we will replace the floor, take down the walls and anything you would like!"

I go in everyday to look at the space and think and plan. We had to rush things to be open by December 1st. Fortunately I had many contacts in place and they were all willing to get things moving. I was still working part time at Price's Market. By Thursday I decide to take the space.

(By then the landlord had others wanting to rent the space.)

I placed my first order on Thanksgiving Monday and on the way home the news is all about the coming recession.My first windows and logo inspiration.

The rest you know.

As we head into 4 years I am grateful to everyone who has come and purchased and participated in this adventure.

See you again soon!

My new favourite thing:

It all started on a drive through the beautiful Ontario countryside. Using the only needle I had with me I created a very cute baby hat using the 'Magic loop' method of knitting. The hat, including the little I-cord knot was completed using only my 4mm 40 inch addi turbo needle.
It really is magic.
It was then decided that we should teach this as a class. A Magic Loop Christmas Stocking. A sample was made to perfect the technique.
That was done, how about mittens!
Look at me go! A pair of socks, 2 at a time on one needle. Magic! You can teach an old knitter a new trick!

If you would like to learn to knit a sock using either double pointed needles, 2 circulars or magic loop, join us on Saturdays (October 29, November 5th and 12th) at 9;30 am - 11 am. Fee for the class is $30 plus materials (pattern, needles and yarn)

Sign up soon, pre-payment ensures your place. (We have the 3 required to run the class, 4 more and the class is filled.)

See you Soon

Chaos!

This week has been a hectic week to say the least.

Monday, into the City to get more Yarn.

The rest of the week was spent trying to put away and organise all the yarn received in the past couple of weeks. This cool weather has brought many knitters and crocheters out of hiding and back into the shop. It really makes for a good week when you like what I like.

Today, well lets just say I attempted to tidy. I am looking forward to tomorrow, not because it is my day off, but because I will be heading off to a trade show for more yarn and yarn goodies.

Monday...I get to sleep in! ;)

Orono Fair!

I just returned from picking up my entries to the Fair, some came home with ribbons and some didn't. It's always interesting to see who wins! There were some great entries.

Even though there aren't many window design awards, I think this 'Manos' is one of my favourite and wins an award for how easy it was to put together.

What do you think?

Friday 2 big boxes arrived filled with some great new yarns! Monday I am planning to head into the big city to pick up some more, the shop is filled with some great stuff!

See you Soon.

First Day!

This is the first "first Day of School" that 'The Girl' isn't enjoying, we bought her some 'back to school' stuff anyway just to celebrate!
However this is the first day back for "The Boy", I watched him drive away with all his 'worldly' goods loaded into the back of the truck!

It's sad in one way, but I have the dining room back!

Thank-you for letting me have the weekend to spend with him as he scrambled to get ready. The next Saturday off for me: July 2012!

Boxes have arrived, no rest.....

See you Soon

You asked?

One of the most asked questions: Do you do Lessons?

Gwen and I decided that we would offer some lessons.

First up:

Christmas Stocking (Really big sock)!

You will learn:
How to knit a basic sock.
3 circular knitting techniques: (4 needles, 2 circular and magic loop).

The Fee for the 3 lessons is $30.00 plus materials. (We require at least 3 to run the class with a maximum of 7)

(Saturdays: October 29th, November 5th and 12th. 9:30 am - 11:00 am.)

Sign up soon, payment ensures you a spot and fees are non refundable once classes begin.

Thick Black and smelly!

It's Monday and I was making my to the shop I could see black smoke rising above the downtown. (crap!) It didn't take long for me to see that it was down the hill and on the other side of King Street. As small crowd was forming just outside the front door and in front of Roses Coffee shop. It was the restaurant across the corner just past the lights on Scugog. The sounds of the sirens and the smell of the smoke brought back some pretty tough memories.

I decided that the smoke was not a good thing to be breathing and headed inside. Today was 'floor' day and Rich was coming in about 1 pm to clean and polish the tile floor.

I started moving yarn and fixtures into the back room to clear the floor so that Rich could work. As the street was blocked off he had to maneuver everything through the back door; which made finding space for everything even more challenging.

But it's done and now its waiting for me to return tomorrow to find everything again. Fortunately the wind blew most of the smoke to the west and north of the downtown. The shops in the West end closed early for the day.

Soper Creek Yarn is closed Tuesday.

This weekend is Labour day weekend and I am taking a 3 day weekend by closing on Saturday.

Then everything should be back to normal, what ever that is!

Changes?

The Farmer and I returned from a quick trip to see The Girl. We spent the night half way between her home and ours. When we woke in the morning there was a coolness in the air that to me says that the summer is winding down. We may still have weeks of lovely weather, but these cool mornings are a sure sign that September is only a week away.


September will bring some changes to Soper Creek Yarn. If you have come to this page by linking through the website you will have noticed that the website is undergoing some changes and that we have added a newsletter sign up. (not everyone likes to read my blog...)




Hours will change,but only a little. Still closed on Sunday and Monday. Knitt'n Night moves from Tuesday to Wednesday. We may attempt some group lessons, suggestions are always welcome.





I will keep you posted.

Soper Creek Yarn Hours:

Saturday: August 27th - 12pm - 4pm

Tuesday: August 30th - CLOSED...the floor is drying

Wednesday & Thursday: 10 am - 4 pm

Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday, Sunday and Monday: Labour Day Weekend Closed.

A Quick Trip:

We took a quick trip to see The Girl. It's her birthday, she is 24, and she has lived almost 25% of her life away from home.
We made the long drive into her city, took her out for supper and then drove 1/2 way home and stayed in a lovely Ontario Inn.
It's been a very quick 24 years, we only got her days ago! (The Summer of 1987 was a very hot summer!)
She's all 'growed' up and we are very proud of her, and no dear we won't get you that pony!

A Friend in need..

of a tiny bit of pink mohair yarn. Not a single ball in stock, she only needs enough to to 3 rows on the thumb of a mitt!

If you look carefully at the mitts you will see a piece of yarn holding the 2 mitts together. I saved that piece to show everyone how careful you had to be when making the mitts.

The piece measures 30 inches..she is coming in tomorrow to pick it up!

Done....

After finishing the BBT I needed a quick project. A Vintage inspired Hand towel made with Nashua's Creative Focus Linen. One 100 gram ball will make 2.

Just in time for the Wedding on Saturday I finished my Spring Garden Tee by Never not Knitting. It fits, and lovely to wear. I used Louet's Merlin in Candy Apple Red. Just a few slight modifications to the pattern, but basically did exactly as it reads.

Although I started this quick scarf on a Friday, I finished it Sunday while watching 2 movies. I felt a little lazy and needed a mindless project. (Cascade Yarns Eco Duo, 50% Baby Alpaca and 50% Merino, it's soft!) One 100 gram ball made a nice size scarf. I loved how the pattern actually striped perfectly with the triangles (I planned that?... ;) )

Another new yarn from Estelle, Drake! Chunky thick and thin. Cast on 60 stitches on a 9 mm circular needle...knit a few rounds, increase a few stitches. Wait to see what it looks like done.

There are still a few things to unpack!

It's Knitt'n Night tonight. 6 ish until 8 ish.

See You Soon.

The First One and the Last One!

Yesterday, Monday, my day off? I decided a trip into the city was in order.

After a dentist appointment I headed off. Picked up a few bags then to the warehouse to pick up an order and scan the sale bin for some goodies.

When I arrived I passed one of the owner's office and it was in darkness, 'must be away today I thought?'. Then went by office number 2 and same thing. The whole 'office' area seemed very quiet, very strange. Then I headed into the shipping area and there they all were working like honey bees trying to get orders packed and ready to ship.

Mine was ready and waiting to pick-up. I was the first shop in Canada to receive the shipment of new things from Sirdar!

New Baby books, new yarn, new colours. They filled the car!

Come see,

Pictures when I unpack and find room.

Best part about yesterday, going into Ikea to find one more 'trestle' for The Girl. They have been discontinued and are in short supply. The website told me that the Vaughan store had 1 in stock. It was worth the chance to complete the set for her. There were none on display. The nice lady in the department told me they didn't have any in stock. I headed down into the pick-up area and I thought I would just check. Sure enough there by itself was one lonely box, waiting for me! I think I got the last one!

BBT

Last year I made BLT, which was followed by Gwen's VBLT and my ULT. Now we have BBT, Big Brown Thing!

A while ago there was a wedding, this weekend is the reception. When the engagement was announced I tried to come up with a gift for the couple; when I can, I like to make gifts, just me. Big Brown Thing is just BLT (Hemlock Ring) made with Chunky Brown Yarn. Cascade yarns 128 Super wash in Chocolate Brown. I found that anything lace is best made using natural fibers, they just block easier. The Super wash was me just being nice to the couple.

I used 6.5 mm circular needles, I was amazed that a 32 inch needle will hold over 500 stitches. See the little swirl of yarn in the top left corner it's what was left of the 6th skein.

Before Blocking it was quite lumpy. After a 20 minute soak in SOAK it was pinned it to all blocking boards I could find. It measures 54" after blocking. The drape is lovely.

This pattern really just flies, round and round you go for 4 rows and then there is one 'pattern' row, loads of counting. It took about 10 days, a bit at a time, to make the blanket.

I hope they like it.