This weekend I made some real progress on finishing projects. Well, I started two projects too, so there's that. Above is my Copy Cat CC Beanie. I knit it pretty much exactly as the pattern indicated, but if I knit it again I'd go down to a US 6 for the bottom rib. I used Malabrigo Rios in a skein of Illusion that I couldn't resist. The way the skeins look, I really expected it to look more variegated with lengths of discernable color. But this kind of looks all over dappled brown. It's nice, but oddly I didn't expect it to look so uniform in color overall. I'm likely to put a pom on top, but I'm considering tearing back a bit to make the messy-bun-mod. I have a lot of hair. Or perhaps I'll make a second one and that one will have the mod.
Below is another finished Rios project in the 15th Edition color that Malabrigo made for us this summer. I'm so glad I snagged two skeins for myself to commemorate this occasion, as the Rios is gone now in that color. But we still have some in Sock if you like the color too. I used this pattern.
I started a hat for Henry, casting on 90-some stitches in this. But it was too small.... apparently he grew a lot in the past year! So I ripped it back and cast on 112 on a US 2.5, did a couple inches of 2x2 rib, switched to a US 3 and then just did a stockinette. He tried it on before school this morning and it's time to decrease. This is a skein of Hedgehog Merino DK in Raku that I had in my stash and I love that it looks Halloween-ish. I wouldn't have pictured that when looking at the skein, but it will be perfect for the season and Henry's looking forward to wearing it.
Fall is coming fast here in Fort Wayne and in the shop. The weather has turned a bit crisp and dyers are sending as much as they can to keep you stocked for your knitting. Above is some Tosh that came last week. Just a bit...
I've had questions recently about when SSYC will be open to the public, and the COVID-19 numbers here in Indiana don't give me any hope that we'll be opening up to the public in the near future. As our curve is STILL on the rise (on August 17 we had 906 new cases and Sept 17 we had 1494 new cases- it's disheartening), I won't put my staff and our families at unnecessary risk, put you all at risk, add more to our already overwhelmed family/work plates, have uncomfortable conversations/confrontations about having to wear masks/sanitize hands.... and basically I feel like if my children can't school normally and my older family and friends have to be concerned about their health that I have no business opening up my shop to the public and making the health situation any worse. Yes, we would LOVE to see you all in person and to have the income provided by having the shop open to the public and I completely understand that you may prefer to buy yarn/needles in person and not online. But I can't feel good about myself and what I do and be part of the problem if I can pay my staff/dyers/artisans and keep going without adding an unsafe layer to how we operate. I think it could be months before we open to the public. It's hard and it totally sucks. I can't wait to open up safely again, but it looks like it's going to be 2021 before that happens here. Until then, we will continue to serve you online, shipping only, and you are always welcome to e-mail me, Allison, at [email protected] with color and project questions and we'll help as best we can!
I like that brown dappled look.
Posted by: Diane | September 21, 2020 at 09:53 AM
Thanks for your thoughts and concerns about the pandemic. I agree it is a most difficult time for everyone just now. But then I recall all the other difficult times in America's history--wars, depression, floods, earthquakes, Spanish flu, polio, etc. and take strength from those who bore those burdens with no idea when they might come to an end. We are a strong people and we will make it through this. When it's over, I'm making the trip to from Cincinnati to Ft. Wayne to see the shop and buy more yarn. Stay safe yourself--you give us hope.
Posted by: Ann | September 21, 2020 at 01:12 PM
You are making the kindest & wisest decision by not opening. I suspect it’ll be next summer before you feel safe opening the store. As someone at very high risk, I applaud your decision.
Posted by: Donna | September 21, 2020 at 07:23 PM
Appreciate your thoughtful posts. Keep safe and be well.
Posted by: Elizabeth | September 21, 2020 at 08:27 PM
Yes, keep those prescious 'little munchkins' safe at home. It may be quite a while before there is some sanity here in the U.S.A.
Posted by: Kathy Robbins | September 22, 2020 at 09:10 AM
I agree with your decision. Online shopping is very safe and convenient for me, too! As someone with autoimmune disease and asthma and who has a child with asthma, I 100% support your stance. I was just at my endocrinologist last week. Throughout her office, signs said this: "ALL of our patients are high-risk for COVID-19." the signs then listed infection control measures and symptoms to watch for.
Posted by: Jessica | September 22, 2020 at 10:26 AM
Bless you...
Posted by: Alberta | September 22, 2020 at 12:15 PM