Back to school...

That's it, it's officially Fall. It's still in the 80s, the sun is still shining, but it is undeniably Fall for me because:

1) College football has started, and the Beavs have won their opening game. Mallory will be going to her first game on 10/6, just like Campbell did at her age - Go Beavs!

2) Campbell started pre-school yesterday.

It might be the same place where she has had daycare for the last 2 years, but now she is in the "big-kid" class, AKA pre-school. A bittersweet moment, to be sure.

3) I want to cast on everything in sight. On Saturday I started the Dollar and a Half Cardigan (Spring 07 Interweave) in a new yarn we just got into the shop, Simply Shetland Lambswool & Cashmere (will be on the website later today, if I can get some work doneit is now up on the site). I had some gauge issues at first, but now am gliding smoothly along with the back, even with having to rip back the last 3" of pattern repeat because I somehow didn't notice I had switched WS and RS.

Earlier last week I casted on for the Rainbow Socks by Strickwear. I am using Koigu for the variegated and Shibui Knits Sock for the black. I am hoping to add the Shibui line to the store in the next month, and am loving the yarn. These socks are so much fun to knit - they just fly by following the simple 2-color pattern on size 3 needles. Yum.

Then, while trying to get some work done in the store yesterday, Nichole, the ultimate yarn pusher (which makes her the greatest employee), somehow got me to BUY yarn from my OWN store. I had moved the Berroco Ultra Silk to 30% off earlier in the week (I got Grass, which is no longer offered on the website, because, well, I bought it all). I love this yarn, but the color choices and (in my opinion) the put-up on cardboard tubes isn't appealing to the peeps. She showed me a beautiful sweater from Handknit Style II by the Tricoter team, and 10 skeins in the bag later I was on my way. What the hell just happened?

4) And last, but NOT least, the Christmas Tree Skirt (countdown to Christmas: 112 days). Last worked on sometime in January, I believe, and long overdue. It has been drug out of the closet, the book is open, and I swear I am going to finish it before Halloween! Ambitious, I know, but doable.

So there you have it, folks. My reasoning that Fall is h.e.r.e.

I can't leave without a Mallory shot, of course. Here we are . . .

Comments

[Natalie]

Yeah for the big kid class! I am jealous that she can wear flip-flops to school. Our school has a policy of no sandals or crocs since there are wood chips on the playground. I have a conversation about shoes every Tues. and Thurs. morning....

[Karen]

Kev starts his preschool on Friday! Colt started 2nd grade today, and I'm about to do backflips (or would if I were more flexible and less chubby). Good luck with the web updates to the shop!

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

I never got the whole "bittersweet" part of school starting. To me, it's always been just sweet, sweet, sweet. I was that mom giggling over tea and cookies in the library on the first day of kindergarten, while all the other moms were crying and blowing their noses. I love my kids dearly. I also love sending them off to school to learn and play...and give me a break already!

[teri]

What a way to start school....flip flops and a hand knit sweater, that girl has class like her mom! Mallory is getting big, can hardly wait until she "visits" the shop. Teri

[Destiny]

Again I have to say your girls are cuties...
The project showing off makes me a bit jealous. You have photos to prove your progress. Mine are stuck in the camera awaiting the USB cord. Grrr..

[sabrina]

CK looks so cute! She is wearing some of my favorite colorways :)
And look at you, you little fiend you, knit away, knit away.
and keep the pictures of Mallory coming, she is ridiculously cute, look at that face?!

[Meghan]

Thanks again for hosting the dying class. I had a great time and now all I want to do is dye! Hope Campbell was able to calm down enough to sleep. She was sure a cutie and a big help!

Meghan from Beaverton