Where Hands Create.

Happy New Year!

Well, New Year's for us was about inventory and finishing some unfinished projects.  We were able to have a good two days of conducting inventory, which gave us another shot at seeing (and touching) the great yarns we have accumulated in a few months.  AND the goodies keep arriving!  As for finishing projects, on New Year's Day I peacefully finished a Noro sweater out of Taiyo as well as a cute sweater for Spring out of Ester Bitran's Tabali.  Just so rewarding to complete projects!!  I believe Mom has claimed the two newbies, and Dad was particularly excited about the Tabali sweater as it is knitted in the round and doesn't require finishing! For our family 2009 is definitely going to be the Year of the Knitter!  Has a good ring, huh?!

As for "current events", the highlight of the past week has been the furry additions to the shop.  Mom and I went to the Humane Society of Kerrville and adopted two of the best kitties ever - and they sure realize that they have gotten a good deal.  Below are pictures of our new additions - Noro (bottom lounging like he has been with us for years) and Laurel (top looking way cute).    Both cats are wonderful, and we can only speak to the clean and caring environment given to animals at the Humane Society of Kerrville.  The shelter is spotless, and the animals are well socialized.  In fact, Noro has greeted each patron with a meow and a "hey, don't you want to pat me?"

Now to close as it is time to get myself knitting - yes, I do try to carve out some time to knit.  I am anxious to get the Undulating Scarf cast on!  The class is going to be in February, and I have chosen the prettiest Schaefer Heather yarn (Chamomile) and the beads that need to be added are elegant! Happy New Year to all - and I hope that you too believe that 2009 is going to be the Year of the Knitter!

It has already been 41 days since we opened The Tinsmith’s Wife!  It has been a joyous and busy ride that has allowed us to meet numerous wonderful people and have Christmas each day as a new parcel filled with yarn and goodies arrives.   Despite just missing the Yarn Crawl in October, we have had a number of other fun events that we have been able to participate in to get everyone knowing we are open – just to name a few Antiques Weekend, Girls Night Out, Kid ‘N Ewe, and we have Christmas in Comfort this weekend.  Whew – it has been a fantastic whirlwind!  As a result, we have had a steady stream of folks (knitters and non-knitters) popping in to see what was happening inside and to say ‘hi’!    

As for the shop, Susan (a.k.a., Mom) has done an amazing job stocking the shop with sumptuous yarns, patterns, and all kinds of other fun goodies.    The hardest part is having the restraint not to cast on this and that and that!    Just this week, Lorna’s Laces and more Brown Sheep arrived – along with the much awaited (by me) Prism “Stuff” line.  If you haven’t been to the shop yet, just wait – there is something that will want to hop on to your needles.

Now to the fun news, Scott and I are off on a cruise of the Mexican Rivera tomorrow; it will be a week, and I just hope that I packed enough knitting projects.  I am taking four that I have been anxious to start.  They include Knitting Fairy’s Button Bag (this will be a class at the shop in January), a cute sweater made out of Ester Bitran’s Tabali (gorgeous, gorgeous yarn), a great pair of socks (Drunken Bees), and a hat made out of Manos Silk Blend.  Hmmm – is that enough for a week of hanging out?  If not, I have the next installment of A Friday Night Knitting Club, “Knit Two” and “Unravel Me” by Christie Ridgway to fill some of the time.   I just hope that I do accomplish something and do not succumb to the tequila….

Now - my tremendous thanks to my family who have made my dream of the perfect knitting shop materialize.  Mom, I will never be able to thank you for all you have done to find just the “perfect” items that make our shop our shop.  Dad and Scott, you both have been amazing with every crisis (remember that blown light) as well as being the stabilizing agents for mom and me.  I know what I am most thankful for – and that is you three.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Thanks a million for your support of us over the first 41 days.  We are hoping that The Tinsmith’s Wife will find a spot in the hearts of many and will be the knitting haven that every LYS should be.