The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Well hello again! It's time for my quarterly episode of What's Been Happening in the World of Kim :)

I know they (whoever "they" are) say time just flies faster and faster the older you get, but this summer went extraordinarily quickly. It's tough not to get consumed in the throes of student housing; September is usually the time of year when I start to see the leaves change and fall and normally I am much more productive this time of year. I don't suppose opening a brand new building from a company no one has really heard of before has anything to do with it... my dad used the term "selling a dream", which seems fitting to describe this year's venture.

Aside from all that, I am thrilled that things will be slowing down here soon and that it's chilly enough to start donning the winter woollies that I've missed all summer. I am still working on that shamrock green entrelac blanket for my sister and hoping to find the right shade of red yarn to work up into another moebius like the black one that I use in my profile picture. I've also been thinking about making some eye pillows -- having moved into a new (and very sunny) apartment that faces due east, I have a new appreciation for the sunrise and a new understanding of what keeps that sunlight out when I'm trying to sleep in a little. 

I recently posted about the first-ever Kimbarelli Original Funky Knits Stashbuster Event; it's something I've been thinking about since August or so, but I had to wait for the chilly weather, of course! Half of all proceeds for my sales this fall will go towards the medical & funeral expenses of Joey Morales, someone near and dear who left the earth too early this summer. 

Here's a list of items currently for sale:

cable-knit cowl in glossy black $37.95
snowboarder hat with pompons in vanilla white $34.95
moto-cuff in variegated green/black/brown $29.95
beanie cap in emerald green with heather gray detail $26.95
open-knit slouchy hat in winter white $26.95
open-knit slouchy hat in vanilla white $26.95

Only the first item can be found in my Etsy shop; most the others are so new I haven't even had a chance to photograph them! Below is a goofy picture of yours truly modeling the snowboard hat with pompoms... I much prefer pictures of everything modeled by my sister but this one will have to do! If you're interested in one of the other ones, just send a message and I'll get more pictures and details to you. Thanks for your support!

In Love With Entrelac

Well, it looks like it's time again for my semi-annual blog entry! As much as I love narrating my crafting adventures, it's been a challenge to contribute to this blog on a regular basis. New job, (the search for) new surroundings, and some new people for that matter.

My latest kick in knitting is entrelac, which I find absolutely fascinating. I had tried it several years ago and fell in love with how logical it is. Knitty.com had a great article on how to knit backwards it's become my obsession as I finish up each "tier". I'm on to the 3rd (of many) and the best thing about it is that it's fully reversible with basketweave knit/purl squares. The great thing is that with this technique I don't have to make a single purl stitch throughout the main body. It's made of this gorgeous shamrock-green wool/alpaca blend from Cascade Yarns; I bought it from Angelika's Yarn Store in Portland last Spring and it's been patiently waiting to be transformed into a throw for my sister. It's turning out beautifully. I project that I'll have it done by the end of summer. I hope.

I've also knitted a few slouchy hats and developed a great pattern for a (k2tog, yo) that looks great in just about any fiber. One of my favorite customers shrunk theirs into a felted bowl... Well, that's not technically accurate... she accidentally left the hat laying on the dirty laundry pile, then her husband washed it accidentally. Sigh! I love working with this yarn from Berroco, so I certainly didn't mind knitting up another version in brick red that you can see here:

Before we know it, it'll be knitting season again -- there's much work to do before then! I'll leave you with that for now and try to post again before November :)