THREE new designs posted today!

I love Easter ... not just cuz now I can eat candy or because Jesus rose to conquer sin and death ... or even because dh has Easter week for Spring Break. I love Easter because I usually get lots of projects done.  This week has been no exception .... here are THREE new designs I just posted in my Ravelry store:

Lapis Lazuli Lace Scarf (approx. 5" x 54") -- pdf download is $4.00

Royal Red Butterfly Shawl (approx. 33" x 15") -- pdf download is $5.00
NOTE: you must be able to knit from a chart for this design!

The Long and Winding Road Scarf (approx. 5" x 40") -- pdf download is $4.00

AND, I'm about two-thirds done with a cable sampler jacket!  Cool, huh?


All three items above were knit with Spring Gate Farm's Cashmere(50%)/Silk(25%)/Merino(25%) blend in jewel tones.  BTW, for those in the area ... I'll be at Graves Mountain Lodge's Fiber Festival on Saturday (9-4, free) with the lovely lady who breeds the cashmere goats that give us this beautiful yarn!  Please stop by and say howdy ... these and other designs I've done for Spring Gate will be available as well as skeins and skeins of her lovely fiber!

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs

bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Here's where I'll be in the next few weeks ...

... why don't you join me?

First, on April 9th, I'll be the main speaker at Dog House Yarns 1st Annual Knitter's Retreat out at Graves Mountain.  My morning talk will be on "The Ins and Outs of Using This for That" ... in other words I'll be talking about substituting yarns and how to avoid making expensive (both monetary and time) mistakes.  For all of you who want to sub non-wool for a wool pattern ... or don't have the $$$ to knit up a musk-ox sweater ... this is the talk for you!  We'll talk about fiber, blends, why designers use certain yarns, and generally have a wonderful time talking knitting all morning.  After an all-you-can-eat luncheon, I'll be leading two break-out sessions:  "short-rows" and "tips & tricks".

Then, on April 16th, I'll be heading down to Bedford, VA to participate in the Olde Liberty Fibre Faire, where all the proceeds go to Bedford Hospice House.  I'll be available at two times during the day (more specific details coming) to explain short-rows and discuss substituting yarns.  Stop on by and I'll be happy to talk about whatever problem, question, or issue you're having with your knitting.  One of the time-slots, I'll be with Jane in the Spring Gate Farm's booth -- she'll have my cashmere patterns for sale as well as her luscious Virginia-grown/raised cashmere fiber.  The other time, I'll be hosted by Leslie of Greenberry House ... she's got amazing stuff, too.  Note: there will be no food available on-site at the OLFF - the organizers, in their infinite wisdom, opted to avoid having food vendors.  Which means, BYOL and save the money for shopping (or there are tons of places right outside the location).

Don't you need a fiber fix?  Mark your calendars, grab your needles and knitting and be sure to stop by and say hi if you are able to attend either (or both) of these fiber-rich events!  Fiber -- more than a breakfast option!

Enjoy the journey

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs

bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Fall, Fiber and Fun ... a winning combination

Fall is (finally) in the air ... and this weekend proved the benefit of Fall weather.  Under glorious blue skies and low-70s, Maggie and I spent the weekend out at Montpelier and the Fall Fiber Festival of Virginia.  I was there to demonstrate knitting (with Maggie knitting away by my side) on both days (on the second we were treated to wonderful mountain music from a hammered dulcimer). 

We also took time to make the rounds of the amazing vendors:  raw wool, carded roving, hand-dyed yarns, weavings, knitted items, hooked rugs, etc!  What a chance to buy bits and pieces, chat with the vendors and drool over the more expensive (at $70/skein for cashmere, that's about all I could do!).  The colors of the yarns ... commercially and hand-dyed ... was almost (note, ALMOST!) overwhelming.  Glorious fibers and creative dye-lots ... wow.

There were folks demonstrating drop-spindling, wheel-spinning, weaving, knitting, rug braiding and all manner of other fiber-related talents.  These are some of the nicest folks I'll ever meet all in one place.  In addition to swapping stories and tips, I was able to chat with a few potential clients for my knitting-design services -- a win-win for both the small producer and the designer!

On our way out on Sunday, I picked up a sweatshirt to remember this glorious fiber-filled weekend and got Maggie a needle-felting kit to try out that cool craft. 

Oh, and we got the guys a large bag of so-fresh-kettle-popcorn, it was still warm!  A sweet ending, no? 

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com