Maggie Jackson at 3 Kittens

We were really lucky to have Maggie Jackson of Maggi Knits visit our shop this week. She is an amazing designer. Her one-off creations used to sell at Neiman Marcus and other big name stores for $600+. Now, of course, she has her own yarn line and an amazing collection of pattern books. She taught two classes for us this week, plus she did a fashion show. Because I still have kids home from school (summer's almost over though; they go back to school next week - WHEW!) and my leg still needs to spend some time elevated, I couldn't attend either of the classes. However, I did get to see the fashion show, and from what I hear the classes were fantastic. Here are a couple of pics from the fashion show for your enjoyment:

Finally Photos!

I finally remembered to take my camera to 3 Kittens today to get some photos of the garments I've finished recently. Here they are in the order in which they were finished:

This is the Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy top (modelled by Tiffany, one of the employees at the store).

A fun little cardigan with an interesting shape, made out of Berroco Touche from one of Berroco's summer pattern books.

Ascot-style scarf made out of Simply Shetland's Lambswool Cashmere. This is a free pattern with the purchase of the yarn at the store. It only takes one skein - 10 bucks!

I love this scarf. It is crocheted out of Berroco Keltic (modelled by Ana, another employee). This is a free pattern from the Berroco website. It's part of the Dram set which also includes a hat and mittens. I did make the mittens but am not enamored of them. Apparently, Berroco also has a knitted version of this pattern, but I haven't looked at it.

I've also done about a zillion swatches for the store. No one likes to do swatches, but it does give you a way to learn which fibers you like and why. We just got Nashua Velvet Wool and Vignette in the store, plus the Mirasol project yarns. I can't wait to do swatches of those! Kind of...

Finished Projects - No Photos

Sigh! I keep finishing things and sending them off to 3 Kittens without taking photos. Now that I'm driving maybe I'll be able to take photos of everything next week at the store. I've finished a K1C2 Ty-Dy top, a Berroco Touche cardigan, a Simply Shetland Lambswool Cashmere scarf, a Berroco Keltic crocheted scarf and mitten (just one, because if we have a pair in the store it's more likely to be taken than just a single mitten), and ... Can't remember if there was anything else.

My poor leg is on the mend. I'm in a removable cast now, which means I can take showers without having to get a garbage bag taped onto my leg. I'm not the best on crutches, but I figure by the time I'm off of them I will have the buffest arms around. Of course, they may still be covered with the some excess flab, but I'll know they're buff... Now, if I could just figure out how to do all of the shopping that needs to be done to get the kids ready for school.

Languishing

This is the first day since my accident that I have been really down. You would think lazing around, knitting and stitching all day would be heavenly. And, don't get me wrong - it's not like I'm in hell or anything. I'm just tired of it all... But, I have finished a couple projects - samples for the store. One of them I've sent with my partner Cis to block and sew buttons onto, so no photo yet. But here's the other one:

This is the Whirlwind Scarf by Christine Furber, part of the iKnitiative line of patterns. It's made out of Berocco Suede. I fell in love with this scarf at The National Needlearts Association convention in June. I took a class with the owner of iKnitiative on using ribbon yarns, and she had this scarf made out of browns and blacks - way cool colorway, too.

I'm also plugging away at my Kaleidoscope Tote by Sheryl Lange. The Kaleidoscope Tote is one of our 3 Kittens Designs, but this version is for my own use - not a store sample. And, I'm working on my needlepoint. Plus, we've gotten so many new yarns in the store in the last week or so, I have a ton of gauge swatches to do. So, as you can tell, I really have nothing to complain about.

I guesss what's bothering me the most is the lack of mobility. I'm a pretty active person, and right now I'm stuck lying on the sofa with my foot propped up.

I'm trying to keep the swelling down - not really doing a very good job of it though - look at the 2nd toe on each foot! EEK! But, the pain is getting better... Anyway, I wish I could do my regular stuff - even the laundry! SIGH! I do have it bad...