Cutest Stitch Marker Ever

The Yarn Clubbers all received a set of stitch markers in their first installment, thanks to the amazing Sue of Supervery.

They are, quite simply, awesomesauce.

I'm pretty damn excited that we'll be the exclusive online sellers of The Best Stitch Markers Ever. Keep an eye on the online shop this week and they'll be up shortly.

Hooray! (that's the Owls in the background - slowly quickly getting there..

Wool nuts

Last night the boy was hassling me for not paying him enough attention, and joked that he should hang himself up with my wool so that I focus on him just for a minute. He said I was 'Wool nuts', to which I replied, what like walnuts?

It is pretty nuts right now - all hands on deck to get the Yarn Club out (there are a few places left, if you're quick, you might nab one!).

So here is a warm fuzzy story to keep you entertained in the meantime...though I was trying to spot some Knitsch yarns in there as they panned around the shop ;-)

Sneaky peeks

There is a torrent of rain falling, putting a brief (hopefully) halt to an afternoon of intensive dyeing.

Seeing as I don't have anything super interesting to talk about just yet (yet! :D) I thought i'd share the blog of super awesome crafters Sweet William.

I have got to know Shelley quite well recently, and you may remember I designed her an egg cosy pattern for her to knit.

Clever clogs Shelley also knit up an open/closed sign for her brother's cafe, and it is the cutest thing ever!

(Thanks Shells for the pic xx)

And see that chunky blue yarn? That's Knitsch! Coming soon... :D

Breathing, and carrying on

It has been a bit of mayhem around here lately.

I work primarily from my parents' house, and they are on the verge of relocating to Brisbane. In fact, Dad is already there, while Mum wrangles tradespeople and relocations. It's a bit of a disaster zone (honestly, not even mum can deny it). 

This past week I wanted to get a pile of dyeing done in preparation for the next Craft2.0, but it didn't happen. The painters were painting in an area I use quite frequently. It was hard to concentrate on doing anything solid and worthwhile when being constantly interrupted by the need to move something or someone. Focus was non-existent, but the situation was unavoidable as, really, family always comes first.

There were plenty of interesting developments during the week, though. And a couple exciting enough things that are now hiding under my hat that will hopefully be announced in the next week or so. 

The Knitsch operations are moving to (hopefully) a steady workshop/studio; It's a Tree! has been installed and continues to grow, Slip now adorns the New Dowse reception desk (photos to come). New colourways are waiting in the wings, trips being planned, lists being written.

I ended the week feeling as if nothing had been achieved, when really it had. It can be hard running a small business, when external feedback is a little lacking, and life seems to run in a bit of a vacuum. Which is where you come in - the little treats in the mail for it's a tree, the comments on the blog, the tweets, or the emails that make me smile for a whole day when going might be a bit slow. Thanks to you all - It's more than enough reason to keep on keeping on :D

Instant Gratification

For those who have popped by the online shop, you may have noticed that we don't have 'In stock' numbers.

There's a reason for that - I dye *all* the time. Like, constantly. Which means most colourways are stored safely in their plastic bins waiting to be wrapped in tissue and delivered safely to the post shop as soon as it is ordered.

Which means, importantly, instant gratification. I'm an incredibly impatient person. I want everything yesterday - and i'm no different with yarn! I've made a promise to myself, and you, that all orders will be in the post the next working day at the latest - the same day if possible.

So when you place your order, it will be with you tout de suite*. Yay!

*Unfortunately I don't have control over delays due to erupting volcanoes, flooding, and punctured postie bike tyres. If only!

Crafternoon Tea with Granny G - the Knitsch episode

After many attempts to both be free on one evening, Genny and I finally managed to have a bit of a chin-wag about all things knit graffiti, hand dyed and fibre arty.

I was determined that I would not listen to it, as I was certain i'd said the same thing over and over again.

Seeing as I had a lazy Sunday afternoon ahead of me, armed with laptop, knitting and a dash of apprehension, listened to my interview. It wasn't so bad as expected, and the interview itself was more like a chat with a new friend about shared passions.

Crafternoon Tea with Granny G can be downloaded (for free!) through iTunes or through her website. It really is worth tuning in each week, each interviewee is so fascinating and Genny is rather inspiring herself. There is something rather mesmerising about Genny's voice, so it's not hard to get lost in her podcast and suddenly realise several hours have disappeared.

 So grab a cuppa, your knitting and a quiet corner, and enjoy.

Those who have received an order from Knitsch may have noticed an extra treat in their parcel - a set of 5 cards and envelopes.

We're popping these in with orders at the moment as our way of saying thanks! They are from a former crafty life of mine, and what better way to use them up than to send them off to you?

Credit where credit's due: Tiki, by Tim Strickland, and The Harbour is an ironboard, by yours truly.

Finally, Knitsch yarns has officially lifted off and entered the great wide world of wool.

Craft2.0 was the best fun - there was plenty of attaching names to faces, and as per usual it was a struggle not to spend all my money on the gorgeous goodies made by the other crafters. Thank you so much to everyone who came along, being able to wax lyrical about a shared passion is really what it's all about.

Mama (right) and I (left) with our table of deliciousness and some lovely yarnies

This week the focus is on getting the online shop live, just for you. If you pop along and subscribe to the e-newsletter, anyone on that list will be the first to know when our woolly goodies are ready and waiting.

I am obsessed with green.

My favourite colour is yellow - bright, sunshiny, happy. Nothing can be sad with yellow, really. 

But green, damn that green. 

I have quite the collection of orange yarn - it started in London. About the same time as the green obsession. It seemed that every skein of yarn that found itself in my hand was either green or orange.

The problem with that is, every dye colour I dream up, a spot of green sneaks in. Oh, I think, if i do this, and this and this, and then what else will go with it...oh, i know, green!

And then do you think it is easy to achieve that subtle shade of emerald? Or the iridescent colour of a beer bottle? oh no. No. Green has to be one of the frigging trickiest colours to get just so.

The moral of the story is: if you like green, Knitsch is for you. You may look forward to enjoying the benefits of my misery!