Miss Babs Blog

Jennifer J

First off...Thank You! Naming things is a constant activity here at Miss Babs, and generally we enjoy the process, have fun with it and make it a game. Finding a name for our New DK yarn was makin' us crazy! Thank you all for the suggestions and words that led us breadcrumb-like to our New DK's name...Kaweah DK.Your Mountain suggestions drew us to the western United States where we found another "K" to add to Katahdin and Kilimanjaro. The word Kaweah is Yokuts Indian for "crow" and names not only... Read More

How to Train Your Holey Shawl

Jennifer J

Jen here... I'm always excited when a new knitted sample comes in the mail from one of our talented and speedy knitters! I love to unwrap the freshly blocked creation, and begin to play with the wearing of it. Since I rarely finish my own knitting, this is how I live into the idea of finished knits! We sent our sample knitter a full skein of our Yasmin Laceweight in Roasted Pumpkin and soon had the Holey Square Shawl by Marianne Sigg back with the remaining ball of unused yarn.... Read More

Acer Cardigan in Progress

Veronica Parsons

Stitches Midwest is coming up fast and I'm working on my Acer Cardigan as a new sample for our booth! I'm knitting it in Yowza in Oyster, which is a soft warm grey. Yowza is probably my favorite yarn to knit sweaters out of (and one day I'll get to keep one for myself - so far they have all been samples.) Acer is a lovely cardigan by Amy Christoffers with some cable-and-lace detail. I've actually had it in my queue to knit for a long time, so I was... Read More

It Is A Puzzlement

Helen C

Sometimes, working for Babs is a dangerous thing. Getting to see all the gorgeous new Babettes hanging to dry, it is hard not to put little notes everywhere "Helen wants this one" "Hold for Helen" "DON'T TOUCH!" (I actually did this a week or two ago, for a skein of Gold Digger Yasmin. It just REALLY NEEDED to come home with me!!) I've been practicing restraint, and the fact that I publicly announced my yarn diet at the beginning of the year means I get in trouble with Jen... Read More

Daylilies in the Garden

Babs Ausherman

Here are some of the daylilies that are blooming right now in my garden. I don't know the names of any of them, as I picked them for their colors and some were gifts. The wonderful thing about my daylilies are that they are right across the drive from the studio and add wonderful color to my day. My sister Jeanne and I planted many of these about 10 years ago in memory of my mother - who loved to garden and see things grow.... Read More

Albers Cowl in Yummy Fingering Toes!

Babs

Veronica here... I've just finished something new and easy and fun. It's Ann Weaver's Albers Cowl, and it's just perfect in Yummy Fingering Toes. It's all garter stitch, perfect for tv knitting or when you need a meditative moment. Read More

All Aboard! Miss Babs 2013 Knitting Tour

Babs Ausherman

We've had a blast on the 2012 Knitting Tour, and are now pleased to invite you to join us on our second year of the Miss Babs Knitting Tour! We don't want to give away too much, so all we will say at present is that we will again visit 4 locations. This year there are 2 islands, 3 cities, and 2 continents, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. We will travel in March, June, September, and December, giving you plenty of time to explore (and knit in!) each stop. This past year we visited... Read More

It's nearly time ...

Babs

The 2013 Knitting Tour is nearly here! 2012 has been a wonderful year of armchair travel, exploration, and of course knitting! In the spring, we visited the Seychelles Islands with Susanna IC and knit this lovely lightweight lace shawlette with beads in Yet. [caption id="attachment_1293" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Seychelles by Susanna IC[/caption] The summer took us to the moors with Romi, with a textured shawl in Yummy 3-ply Sport. [caption id="attachment_1292" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Mistlethwaite by Romi Hill[/caption] The Sierra Nevadas were our destination in the autumn, and we... Read More

Christmas is Coming!

Babs

(N.B. To keep this post to a decent length, and also because it is Babs' blog, I will limit the projects I mention to those using Babs' yarn.) I am one of those ambitious knitters who always likes to knit most of her Christmas (and other) gifts. This is partially because I like knitting, and partially because I often express love through yarn, and Christmas is all about love. This year's line-up is, as always, extensive and impossible. Here are some of the projects I have in mind for gifts:... Read More

The Leaves Have Fallen, But the Year is Not Over!!

Babs

I used to think that when the leaves had fallen, that the year was pretty well done! But we have lots left to do this year!! NYC Trunk Show Next week, Jen and I head to New York City for a Trunk Show at The Yarn Company on Saturday, November 17. Jen and I actually went shopping yesterday over in Winston-Salem so that we wouldn't just show up in Columbia pants and LL Bean shirts. This is my normal wear for the mountains and in the studio, but we thought... Read More

October 2012 - Shows and New Introductions!!

Babs

It's been awfully quiet here on the blog...because so much has been happening that there simply hasn't been time to write!! But here's what is Happening!! Rhinebeck! and SAFF! Rhinebeck is also known as the New York Sheep & Wool Festival and the full name of SAFF is Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair. With 2 shows in 2 weeks, I have been dyeing everything in sight for Rhinebeck and SAFF! [caption id="attachment_1219" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Getting ready for the shows!![/caption] Big Orange (our trailer) is getting packed for our... Read More

Small Business Grant Application

Babs

What's this grant we are applying for?? Well Chase has a grant program where 12 small businesses will be awarded $250,000 to help their businesses fund major improvements with their business. Among other things, I would love to be able to increase my warehouse space, retrofit my 800 square foot studio space, and update my website and somehow have it be interactive with my inventory. All of these are actually focused on being able to make the lives of my employees better and allow us to provide better customer... Read More