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      When it comes time for a new Purl Diver colorway, I usually look over a few pics that Susan has narrowed down from Murray’s files. We discuss what base we intend to dye, what color(s) we haven’t done in awhile, the season and/or a theme for that shipment. For the final shipment of the 2019 Purl Diver Club, Susan preselected a photo and she had a clear idea for the yarn. She’d chosen Murray’s photo of a Whitetip Shark and said she’d like one bare spot and the rest tonal gray. I did the test skein in...

     I'm in LOVE with linen. So far, I've written four patterns (three have been published) and each one uses linen. I've written a pattern for two of Quince & Co.'s yarns, Sparrow and Kestrel, Louet's Euroflax Sportweight and Shibui's Reed (the Reed pattern is still going through the test knit phase). Especially for my native climate in Florida, linen performs amazingly well. It also works as a three-season fiber in other climates. Many people think of cotton for warmer climates. The biggest difference between linen and cotton has to do with humidity. Linen doesn't hold onto humidity the...

When I decided to learn how to knit, I never dreamed it would be life-changing. Maybe the transition from Interior Designer to Indie Dyer to Knitwear Designer doesn't seem like a natural transition... but to me, it makes perfect sense! Even when I worked for the blankety-blank architects, I enjoyed my job most of the time. As one of those "creative" types, I enjoyed many aspects of my job, but definitely some more than others. My favorites were space planning, creating presentation boards/marketing materials and choosing finishes. I've always enjoyed the creative process. One thing most people wouldn't know about...

In Sarasota, we have a definite "season". Season is when all the snowbirds flock down to Florida to avoid the brutal winter of the North. The fabulous yarn shop I work at, A Good Yarn Sarasota, tends to slow down during the summer months. All of the employees are encouraged to pick a project to host as a knit along (KAL). I've chosen a pullover by Veera Välimäki with some simple short rows. I'll be hosting it as the August KAL in the shop. It specifies a single ply yarn and I've decided on my own KittyBeaKnitting yarn, Sanibel. The...

Almost 6 years ago, I walked into A Good Yarn in Sarasota, FL for my first knitting class. I was overwhelmed by all of the gorgeous yarn and samples hanging everywhere. I never really believed that I'd ever be capable of making such beautiful (and seemingly complicated) items. But somehow it happened! I kept at it, practiced and took as many classes as my schedule with a toddler would allow.   It wasn't exactly my choice to be a SAHM at first. The lovely company I worked for laid me off when I was 7months along.....after nearly 7 years of...