Knits around the house

So, it’s quite a funny thing to realize just how much yarn has integrated itself into my life (like it has a mind of it’s own, ha!).  I was walking around picking up toys the other day and complaining about how there were just too many toys all over our house when i noticed something funny….here, i took pictures:

unfelted slippers on chair

okay, anyhow, i’m not so good at picture alignment yet, but from top to bottom that shows: back of long couch, back of short couch, kitchen table and rocking chair……and for all of you thinking that’s not too bad, there was more, my pictures just didn’t come out so well.

Perhaps, since no one is complaining about my yarn everywhere, i should give up a little on the toys…..okay, that’s all for today – I have 2 more pairs of felted slippers, 1/2 a sock, 1/2 a baby sweater, a pair of kid mittens, 2 4″ squares and a hat to get finished….  perhaps another stocking too, it’s a bit shameful that my husband doesn’t have a knit one….

Almost Famous….

It’s so funny to me to open an add or a newspaper or anything really that has a reference to “Knitter’s Playground” in it…..All i can think is ‘wait a sec, that’s just an idea that was in my head that was an attempted yarn store and was never fully realized…….’ funny.  The Co-Op newsletter this week (which i know came out at the beginning of the week and i just opened today) had a miriad of articles about crafting (mainly knitting) and some places that classes are offered – and then the very last place listed in the class section was our knit night group!  as a good play to go knit!  yay!  they called it “the knitter’s playground knit group” Sorry Davis Knitter’s, I didn’t mean for you to be mine, but there it is!  Anyhow,  I felt famous for a minute for being part of that group   Thank you all for being such good sports!  (goodness, i just re-read this post, please disregard all upper and lower case writing as well as my frequent use of exclamation point!  hehe)

Happy Fall!!!!!

The weather has been lovely and gorgeous the last couple of days and I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a happy fall, since it’s finally here!  Happy Election Day too….get out there and vote people!

a quick knit update – I finished the blanket!!!!  but in the craziness of a 6 year old nephews birthday I forgot my camera in angels camp so you don’t get to see it yet!

socks started, hat started, felted slippers started…..goodness, christmas is coming and I should probably start on that too.

Today is a day of anticipation and  hope around my house – at least with the adults, i don’t think the kiddos know what’s going on – Scott has a job interview out of town and if in fact he gets and accepts it, it will be a turning point for us becuase we might actually be on track at that point for what we want to do and where we want to be when we grow up!!!

anyhow, randowm thoughts of the day achieved.  Goodbye for now.

what i’ve been doing…finally!

so, okay, a day, 6 – I apologize, time just gets away from me sometimes.  I’ve been working on a couple of things – trying to actually finish projects – I have a tendancy to start a lot of projects and leave them sitting, half finished in various bags strewn throughout the house.  Having a lot of different bags spread out makes it look like my stash is smaller and makes new balls of yarn that come home not so worried that they’ll never end up as a sweater….

anywho….in attempt to actually beat the christmas rush, I’m making a baby blanket – Basil to be exact – and i love it (even though the knitting gets a bit monotonous – it’s a good watching movie/kids knit)

Yarn – Karabella Merino Lace – doubled for the body

and some hand dyed/hand spun a friend gave me a while back – also doubled for the hem around the edges.

For a baby that isn't so baby anymore...

hm….well the blue is actually much better than it shows up in the picture, but the hand dyed came out about right….

I’ve also been Knitting a sweater for myself – my own design – out of elsabeth lavold’s silky wool in a beautiful crimson color – I know, I should have actual color names and numbers, but well, if I were that organized, I would also know where all my projects are and as it is, this 2 kids napping at once will only last for a couple more minutes i’m sure….

So, picture of a hat I do have and it’s awfully cute, and so darn easy…..

I made a bolero to match and while it doesn’t fit my baby anymore, I bet i know a couple of others it might…..picture coming soon…

now, pictures of what has kept me from being a more prolific knitter:

Almost a year…

Okay, so here we are, almost a year after the shop closed, and now I will be realistic.  Knitter’s Playground as a shop is now closed – for now – forever.  I’m sad to say it, but it must be said.  Life right now just doesn’t allow for the time commitment and energy that a friendly yarn shop would require – life, time, and energy is being usurped by the 3 kiddos and I’ll just have to deal with that .  And so, enter a new side of the blog; the part where my life is a knitter’s playground. It’s what inspired the shop to begin with, so, starting later today (or perhaps tomorrow, as time allows) i will post pictures and blog about current projects and life and such.  Happy day to you all, and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Yarn and Babies

so, no posting since November…….well, we have a new addition to the Detrick clan – Miss Adrianna Jene’ has joined us, and everyone is doing well.

Big Brother and Sister are fairing pretty well and accepting the smaller, squeaking critter quite nicely.

…..and I even finished a little sweater for her just two days before she decided to show up – it’s a little big currently, but will fit soon enough…….

I loved working with this yarn – I think dream in color will become one of my favorites when I work through what stash I have…..couple years maybe?

I’m having a yarn sale this weekend, so for those of you in close proximity, give the shop number a call or email me and I’ll give directions(do leave a message as the calls are screened)- I’ll be selling off the remaining inventory of yarn, patterns, books, and notions at 40% off, so come check it out, and if nothing else, come knit awhile. Sale will be held at my house – Saturday 10am-2pm and Sunday 1pm-5pm (January 26th and 27th)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  hope the Holiday projects are well on their way – 30 days left and counting…..I finishing a pair of socks this morning that were a present for christmas last year, so that shows how far ahead I am!

New things….

Hey, just a quick note to let you all know, that while I’m closing two fun new things have arrived that you may want for the Holiday Season – Interweave Holiday Gifts issue

Go Knit Pouches from Knowknits.

Both of these will be available but will not be discounted.

See you all soon.

Rebecca

You’re all so great!

Thank you to all of the wonderful people who have come in looking sad and given me a hug and for all of the sweet emails that you’ve sent with condolences of closing.  I appreciate you all so much!

This has been such a fun and learning experience for me and i definitely have plans to continue in the yarn business and one day open another storefront.

Thank you!

News

Dear Customers and Friends,

Today, we write to you unfortunately, with sad news and good news:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, it has become apparent that the current local economy is insufficient to support our location at 132 E Street in downtown Davis. This however, does not mean that our services to knitters, crocheters, weavers, felters, and hand-spinners will disappear.

The sad news is that Knitter’s Playground will be going out business as a retail storefront; the good news is that Fiber Elements will remain in business moving it’s inventory back to the original location. The last day of business operations will be Saturday, Oct. 27^th and the inventory at the Mansion Square location will be packed up and moved out by the 31st.

The address of Maria’s Studio in Fairfield: 407 Oakwood Drive. Feel free to contact Maria at 707.863.7370 or Maria@FiberElements.com. Maria will add more of her inventory to her existing online store at www.FiberElements.com.

Please note that Knitter’s Playground will continue online with whatever inventory is left after the sale and with the ability to special order for customers from select, understanding companies. Feel free to continue contacting Rebecca at knittersplayground@sbcglobal.net and continue to phone the Knitter’s Playground phone number – 530-759-8816. Also, please check www.knittersplayground.com often, where you will soon be able to keep track of inventory, classes, knit nights, and yarn/tool needs.

Thank you all so much for your constant support, friendship, and fun & happy company.

Maria and I would like to continue knit nights, classes, workshops, and whatever services we may reasonably offer. We would love your input as to the most affordable and comfortable meeting locations. In any case, the sales will start immediately so please stop by and stock up! I will also be increasing the store hours to include Sundays during the month of October –

40% – at cost sale starts today for

Knitter’s Playground inventory;

And up to 35% off select Fiber Elements inventory

We will only be able to accept cash and checks for the weekends of Sept. 27-30th as the CC machine will be at TKGA with Maria.

Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing any fixtures as well!

Thank you for making us part of your lives!

Rebecca Detrick