Miss Babs Blog

Babs

Jen here: Fiber. It's there at the end of the name of the business! We certainly don't mean to give fiber the short end of the stick here at Miss Babs, even if that stick has a beautiful whorl from the Bosworth's or the Dyak's. So here today we will focus on fiber, and we start with one of our favorites - Bluefaced Leicester. BFL is at the top of our favorites list for a variety of practical reasons. It exhibits an almost ideal compromise between softness and durability. This... Read More

Signs of spring!

Babs

[caption id="attachment_728" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Peeking through the leaves!"][/caption] Before we left for California and Spring out on the West Coast, I took a look around the property for signs of Spring here in Tennessee. This is what I found! These are some Daffodils that are just starting to peek through the dead leaves. There is also some Chickweed that has started to green up and the buds on the Dogwood are just starting to swell. What signs of Spring can you find? You might have to bend down and poke... Read More

Getting Ready for a Show....

Babs

All those last minute things that have to be done. My DH suggested a few years ago that I make a standard list of things to remember in getting ready for a show. Maybe he's right and I should do that, but so many things seem to be different before each show, especially when shipping to the West Coast, which we will do 2-3 times this year. We leave in a day or so and the time that seemed so long, now seems so little. Crazy! All the little things... Read More

Did You Know??

Babs

There's lots of things to learn about fibers and yarns. Everything from how to knit and crochet to how to create the yarn to knit and crochet with. Then there's felting, wet and needle. Two years ago, I might have said I know a lot about fiber and yarn, but this is one of those subjects that the more you learn, the more you realize how much more there is to learn. And there are lots of directions to go in building that knowledge. So here are some of the... Read More

Changes...

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

Spring Retreat in the Mountains!

Babs

A couple of months ago Nancy Shroyer of Nancy's Knit-Knacks contacted me about a retreat she was planning for spring this year! She wanted to know if I was interested in teaching. And, of course, I said yes, I would be interested. So the weekend of April 29-May 2 is when the Unwind Getaway will be held in Blowing Rock, NC. What a beautiful time of the year! Things are blooming, lots of green, and the air is fresh! There will be 6 regional instructors, a small marketplace, good food,... Read More

Winter Visitors

Babs

[caption id="attachment_682" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A few Robins!"][/caption] Jen here... I was raised up north where the Robins disappear for the winter. When I was a kid, it was a huge deal to see a flock of Robins after January, because that meant Spring was definitely on the way! Early this week, I was trudging up the frozen driveway to the studio and ran into a noisy flock of Robins in the Bradford Pear Trees that are planted along the edges. The hungry hoard was devouring the fruit which was noticeably... Read More

Shy Babs

Babs

Shy!?@#! Heck no!!! But there are those who like photos of themselves and those who hate photos of themselves. I am in the Hate category. I don't care to see myself, just as I don't like hearing myself on the phone recording and so on. I am probably just like many others this way. But a customer of mine took this picture at SAFF this fall and when I opened it up, I said to myself...that actually isn't too bad. So here it is: [caption id="attachment_655" align="aligncenter" width="257" caption="Miss Babs... Read More

Walk to Work

Babs

I get to walk to work everyday, which is a luxury in my book. This is especially true after years of commuting to work 30 minutes to an hour, and more for my husband. True, we had some shorter 15 minute commutes, but this one is the shortest. Right now the office is in my house so I even come to my desk in my pj's. Many of you know I start early most days, before I am ready for real clothes. Yesterday morning's walk to work was one of... Read More

The Monogamy Project

Babs

[caption id="attachment_638" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="the monogamy project"][/caption] jen here... Have no doubt that I'll use any excuse to cast on something new! This is Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau in Yowza. The New part of this project in not the fact that it's newly cast-on or that it's newly purchased. Nope! The new part is that I'm going to FINISH it before I start anything else! What? Is that doubtful laughter I hear from the back row? Or was that in my own head... Come back in a day... Read More

Another Project Done!

Babs

I absolutely cannot believe it! I have knit another project and it is done blocking. Now admittedly it is a small project. Simple Things by Mary-Heather Cogar, which I did in Yowza instead of fingering weight which is what the pattern calls for. I used size 9 needles and it gave a wonderful fabric - just right for a small shoulder shawl. The beauty of this pattern is that it is a great way to show off variegated yarns AND it is a quick knit! which is great right now... 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