We just got back from a two week visit in NYC.  It was a lovely, relaxing break, and we both really enjoyed catching up with our families.  I spent so much time lounging around, watching the water, talking, and eating that I didn't get a stitch of knitting done! 

It seems weird, since I almost always have needles around, but running around in circles, making trains, trying to meet up with people, and being on time to events just isn't conducive to picking up the sticks.

While we were there, I did get the pleasure of visiting a yarn store that I occasionally order bulk from and was able to pick up some worsted weight alpaca at a fabulous price (without having to pay shipping!) to fill out the amount I need for my husband's sweater.  I also picked up enough for a sweater for me, of course. :)  

I did spend some time charting out new patterns and have a plan of attack for a new product.  What's that involve?  Mostly twisting my brain and stretching my deficient spatial skills to imagine swatches and maneuvering of mental knitting needles.  Very painful, but it's usually a pretty important step in my creative process.  I'll probably start seriously working on those in the next few weeks, depending on how the madness here at home goes.

When we got home, my alpaca yarn was waiting for me.  The stuff is gorgeous and this is my new favorite supplies.  The balls are bigger so I don't have to worry about breaks in the second sock, and the quality is amazing.  It's like spun kitten hair with teflon strength.  Truly beautiful, decadent stuff.

I've already started a pair of socks out of the black.  I'd hoped to have knocked out at least one pair of alpaca socks for Father's Day by now, but I had a sudden custom order come in and knocked out four pairs of tabi in two days.  My elbows hurt!  So I'm taking it easy on the alpaca and will just start making a dedicated effort to knock out a pair every week or so until the holidays (or a bunch sell! :) )

That's life in the fast lane.  It's great to be home, and I can't wait to catch up and get back into the groove.

I've reached an all-time high number of listings in my shop, so I've decided to slow down a bit on my tabi production.  I really want to beef up the number of traditional-toed socks before cool weather sets in, since they did so well last year, despite the limited colors available, and I was pretty stressed in getting them made.  I placed my order for the new yarn last week, so I've got awhile before I'm able to dig in on that.

While I wait, I've decided to work on some of my personal projects.  Things are pretty slow in etsy-land, so I figured it'd be a good thing to take advantage of.  I really want to crank out at least two sweaters before it gets cool, and have about six Chrismukkah stockings that I'd like to finish.

Knitting really causes a special kind of seasonal madness.  In June, the pressure starts to get warm woolies ready for The Season, so orders of wool, alpaca, etc. start arriving.  Thick sweaters, thrummed mittens, and warm slippers start production in the heat of the summer.  If you're not planning or already working by July, a little bit of a panic starts setting in.  By the end of August, you'd better have a nice bit of product stocked up, or the pinch is really on.  

And I'm a willing participant.  Below is the first repeat of the cabled cuff for a lovely, classic stocking.  I plan on making six of these, and I'm getting a head start!

Before posting my new goals on Monday, I thought I'd go over my list from last week and sketch out what I accomplished.

So:

• I posted DLS #2
• Planned for DLS #3, but I don't know if I'll have enough ready to post.
• Finished my first listing for my Simple Luxury Cashmere socks.
• Modified my sock bands for my Simple Luxury line.  Not only did I mod the alpaca bands, but I also created some for my cashmere socks, as well.
• Started the pair of alpaca socks, but am only about 1/4 of the way finished.  I should have them finished, if I don't get distracted, by Monday or Tuesday.  I bet I'll get distracted! :)
• I didn't even touch the Shop section of the website.  Didn't even take a peak.  Bad me.

Not on the list, but I did:

• Finally retimed my sewing machine and finish sewing up a batch of sock sleeves.
• Worked on an experiment that has proven to be mostly successful.
• Finally got around to ordering some new size 1 double pointed knitting needles that I've been really needing.