Miss Babs Blog

Babs

Well, changes may be too strong a word! All I know is that things change constantly with me, as long as I get to have a basic routine in my day! So what are these changes? Jen, who has worked with me for about 5 years, is now taking care of many of the marketing aspects of the company. She will continue to travel with me to most of my shows as she is fantastic with understanding patterns and helping you find the right colors and color combos for your... Read More

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Gratitude!

Babs

Merry Christmas to everyone! Holiday Greetings to all! Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern I found this phrase a few years ago when I was thinking about having a year-end sale as a way of thanking my customers for their support over the past year. There is something about being a small business owner and at the end of the year, if things are still going, you tend to be grateful. This year is no different. We are still going and I am grateful for that. Many... Read More

Tierno - Alpaca and Silk Luxury Yarn

Babs

Tierno is a new yarn for us! Actually we added this yarn earlier this fall and have only had it available at shows. Tierno is 70% Baby Alpaca and 30% Cultivated Silk. Each skein has 310 yards and knits at a DK gauge. It is sweetly soft and ideal for those who have wool allergies. We now have it listed on the website and will be adding more colors and colorways over the next few months. I knitted a scarf with Tierno using Anne Hanson's Rivolo. It was a pleasant... Read More

It's Warmer Today!

Babs

Well, warmer is a relative term. Warmer than yesterday! So it is supposed to get up to 43 degrees F. today. Wow! And it is supposed to start snowing again tomorrow. So today is my window to go outside and dye in pots! I also dyed outside yesterday - 7 pots. That's good, but today, I would like to do 14. Won't happen, but that's what I would like to do. The saying is, "My eyes are always bigger than my mouth." And I suppose that's me..."Go big!" Never do... Read More

Fall Has Come!

Babs

While I have been busy dyeing in my studio, fall appeared. Actually, I would like to say that I see the seasons change, but this year the seasons have seemed to just all of a sudden to just be there. We had our first fire in the woodstove on Sunday, and you couldn't pry me out of the house into the studio. It was cold and just a little bit of rain to make it raw...didn't like it and was amazed that fall had set in so quickly, at least... Read More

Recovering is a Process

Babs

Haven't written any for awhile as I have been running as fast as I can, and it feels like I am running in slow motion. This post is going to be a think piece. I am going to do another one right away so we don't have to dwell on this, but I just need to share some thoughts I have had as I continue to recover from what has been a major loss. Some of the thoughts are random, some not. First of all, I have much more understanding... Read More

Love Seeing the New "Stuff"!

Babs

This post is mostly pictures as I need to get out to the studio! Here's yesterday's wall of fiber and yarn - yummy! [caption id="attachment_424" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Wall of Yarn from 8-9-10"][/caption] Here's some Windsor Sock yarn on the rack: [caption id="attachment_426" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Fresh! Windsor Sock Yarn"][/caption] And last but not least, a new sample made with Bamboo Baby, which is our show special. This is the Citron Shawl from "Knitty". [caption id="attachment_429" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Citron made with Bamboo Baby"][/caption] That's it for today! Oh, and the wedding chapel... Read More

So Much for the Grief! Let's Move On!

Babs

So much seriousness, so many tears either shed or wanted to be shed, so much effort! But now the reality is that life really does just keep going on in spite of all efforts to have your best temper tantrum, your best whine, your best pot of self pity. Here are some pictures and the words to go with them: About a month ago, I went into my bathroom and saw this bug hanging from the wall (we always called them mosquito eaters) with its foot in what looked like... Read More

This Day, Today

Babs

This day, today, my heart is hurting. I am feeling grief over the loss of so much work. I am one of those folks that has delayed reactions to loss as I am a "get up and let's do what needs to be done" kind of gal. Over 1000 skeins of Sock yarn went to the dump. Over 700 skeins of Sport yarn went. And a good amount of Yowza, plus other stuff. Just a lot of work. You may think of it as yarn, but I think of it... Read More

Dyeing, Dyeing, Dyeing

Babs

Babs here! Getting ready for shows is always interesting, and this first show of the year is no different. We have Stitches West in 3 weeks! So the Power Dyeing Cycle has started. Yesterday was a super-long day. I woke at 2 a.m. and did emails and sorting and organizing in my office. Then I was in the studio by 7:30 a.m. and worked mostly non-stop until 5:30. Not sure how many skeins got all colored up...but quite a few! Today will be another one of those days, except a... Read More

Colorway Naming Contest - Time to Vote!!

Babs

The Colorway Naming Contest has been incredible!! Over 1000 great name suggestions from over 800 people! Amazing! Just to review: The winner gets a choice of 2 skeins of sock yarn while the second and third place names each get 1 skein. Each winner will also get goodies! Also please remember, a number of the entry names were submitted by more than one person, so....if the winning names are one of those names, we will use randomly generated numbers to select which person will win the prize. (Hope that is... Read More