Over the past year, I've gotten a lot of requests for felted (technically, it's fulled) tabi from runners, but I've been kind of loaded with a few large custom commissions.  This time of year is the time of year where I should really be working on cranking out huge numbers of socks for the holidays, but it's always the time of year that I get itching to perfect some new designs.  This time, it's going to be these felted tabi, so rejoice all you runners out there. :)
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Crazy! 07/06/2011
 
The past few months have been nuts.  I'm usually full into knitting frenzy for fall by this time of year, but I'm woefully behind and just starting to get back into the swing of things. 

I've been needing to do some self nurturing, so I spent some time last week making myself a new pair of socks.  This week, I'm going to take stock, make sure everything I have completed is listed in my etsy shop, and make an up-to-date list of what colors and fibers I've got available.

I've had some time over the past couple of months to work on some ideas, so I'm glad of that.  I finished a pattern for footies last week and have my first pair completed, and I hope to be adding more of those to my shop.  With how popular ballet flats are, I hope these appeal to someone!
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The past few weeks have been insane and I've been completely out of touch.  I actually haven't knit a stitch in THREE WEEKS!  All of you knitters out there can appreciate how hectic and stressful it's been, with just that one sentence. :)
So a PSA.  Everyone dies, some sooner than others, and it's a dirty, complicated business.  For your friends, for your family, take care of what you can early.  Advance directives for your medical care, a will, and life insurance can all be helpful, but let your next of kin, at least, know your wishes.  This can be sooo hard, but it's important and can save your loved ones so much pain and struggle and let them honor you.
And a shout out.  Many thanks to LifeLegacy.  Donating your body is not necessarily as straightforward as you'd think.  Some places require preregistration months before a person dies; some places require you to pay for transportation (which can be a huge expense); some places don't require preregistration but may be full when the donation is ready; and some places only provide service during normal business hours.  LifeLegacy has a 24 hour hotline with representatives who are available 24 hours a day, requires no preregistration, and makes the process as low impact as possible.
I hope to be listing some of my new designs, soon, but plans, as always, are very subject to change!  I'm really excited about the upcoming cool weather and seeing how people react to them.
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Prototypin' 04/02/2011
 
I spend a lot of time coming up with new ideas...most of which never get done!  About a week ago, I decided to make more of a dedicated effort to get knitting new things.  Rather than tediously planning out my next moves and doing intricate sketches, I'm trying out the wing-it technique.

As a result, I've come up with the world's ugliest sock, and this:
I'm pretty pleased with the result, and think I've perfected the pattern.  I knit this fish net tabi in a 98% organic cotton, 2% elastic yarn.  It works up fantastically for tight knitting like the sole and toes, but it gets pretty saggy through the mesh upper and leg after a few stretches.  Once I find a more suitable yarn, I'll get these puppies in my shop!    
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Every time I think I've caught up, I get distracted by something else! There's been a lot going on in the twiddletoes world, and that's both a good thing and a bad thing.

The spring weather has been the biggest wrench in the works, recently. Reading outside while the dog suns herself is just too tempting most days, and my production has slowed. I have recently brought some life back into my stash, so I'm hoping I get some yarnspiration soon. I have tons of ideas but am just soo lazy on the implementation. :)

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I think I've finally caught up on all of the custom orders that came in at the beginning of January.  I love the frantic rush, mostly because it puts me into knitting overdrive and allows me to finish a sweater in a week!

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Yep, finished in a week.  Now that things have slowed down, the knitting factory desires have slowed down, too.  After I get a few more new listings of my regular ol' tabi in my shop, I'm going to continue to work on my experiments.  
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iKnitQuiltSew 11/29/2010
 

iKnitQuiltSew has a shop that oozes sweet and traditional. Her shops hold over 40 years of experience and talent at creating wonderful pieces for children or collectors. Creating is her passion; and, even though she's selling to others now, she still puts so much love into each and every piece.


Now really, does it get any cuter than that face? Her teddy bears are beyond charming and have such personality. This particular bear is fully jointed and durable, making it a fantastic toy for kids...and possibly even their kids!

Since iKnitQuiltSew learned many of her techniques and got her start from her grandmother and still uses many older patterns, I have a feeling that her lovely work will definitely become heirloom or heritage pieces. Take, for example, this beautiful, vintage-style log cabin quilt:

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Step by step. 11/02/2010
 
After completing the last round of custom orders, I've actually started making forward progress again!  I packed up a footlocker's worth of yarn that'll go with me during our move, but I have another left to knit from for the next few weeks.  
In the meantime, I've broken out the kit I've made up for the second stocking for my brother and his partner.  I finished the cuff and plan on tackling some of the colorwork tomorrow while it's nice and rainy out.  It's a pretty quick knit, but it requires slightly more brain commitment than I usually need.  It'll be good to have those done, boxed up, and ready to mail out when the time comes.
After knocking out a pair of socks for my shop, I decided to make myself a pair of convertible mitts.  They turned out pretty kick ass, if I say so myself.  I originally intended them to be just red, but the cream and yellow jumped out of my scrap drawer and had to be used.  The cream and yellow stripes are at the top of the cuffs, the top of the mitten flaps, and two narrower stripes run at the base of the fingers on the fingerless glove part.  Pleased! 
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Why is it... 10/27/2010
 
that things always get so crazy right when the busy season gets rolling?
Between major house construction and preparation for our short move to the NYC area, nothing is really getting done!  I've cranked down this week and have been tying up loose ends, left and right, but still haven't had much opportunity to create anything new for the shop.
I'm finishing up a pair of cashmere socks, right now, so that I can ship immediately, if they're purchased.  I also plan on starting (and hopefully finishing!) a sweater panel and starting (and hopefully finishing!) a pair of tabi in a lovely variegated wool.  Then, if I have any time, I may make some stuff for ME!  Ya know, since I'll be in a place that gets snow this year.
And I just realized...I'm going to have pack up some of my stash for immediate use, so my MIL isn't constantly mailing me stuff. :)  It's a good thing I've been spending a lot of time working down my stash.  I'll probably be able to take all of my working stuff, plus a good chunk of my play stuff. 
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I decided that I needed a pair of slippers and thought it would be a good time to knit up my own pattern.  Well, I got distracted near the end of the pattern and ended up with elfy slippers!  I was a bit disappointed, but the more I wear them, the cuter I think they are.  
Elfy SlippersElfy Slippers
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