a Knitting Party Success!

Oh my, it has been one heck of a busy time in the world of Viola these days. I can easily fill 7 days a week with full-time dyeing, but recently have been adding on studio work and planning, packing for my big move and a little yoga...just to keep me from going mad. It's all great fun, but most of the time I have no idea what day it is! This past Monday was a delightful highlight in my action packed life. It was the most heart-warming knitting party I've ever attended (and certainly, the only knitting party that I've ever thrown). 

 Kickstarter backers from the GTA area came out to pass a peaceful afternoon sampling Viola yarns, chatting about knitting and enjoying a very posh cupcake or two. Afternoon rolled into evening and even more lovely Torontonian knitters arrived to raise a glass (or two),  join in the knitting chatter and get some shopping in...more posh cupcakes were consumed!

Here, the lovely Natalie Selles (leeleetea) has just finished sharing the hat and mitts she's designing in Mooresburg DK. Can you spot them?

As an internet based business, I can spend great lengths of time staring at a screen, I rarely have the chance to MEET customers and talk to them for real, in person. I had the best time watching everyone shop, peeking at the colours and yarns they were picking up, chatting with them about their choices and generally hanging out. Sure beats the internet, heh?! The only way it could have been better would have been to have ALL the Kickstarter backers there. 

Miko and Jennifer!

As always, Jennifer and Miko of the Purple Purl were the most kind and gracious hosts. Generously providing their shop and services to the cause (thanks ladies!)

The party was a great success in the end. I am feeling very lucky indeed to know such fantastic people, and had so much fun sharing a bit of Viola with everyone who came out.

 Thanks again to all!

it's a PARTY

Seven days from now I will be happily planted in the Purple Purl, sorting and arranging the piles of Viola yarn I've been dyeing the past few weeks. So much yarn! The reason for all this? There is going to be a little party. A SHOPPING PARTY! Kickstarter backers, if you can get yourself to Toronto next week, I hope I'll be seeing you there!

polwarth + alpaca

Mooresburg DK

As I was snapping these pictures the other day, I realized that I've been dyeing some very springy colours. Seems that the seasons always influence me, and I only catch it once I'm staring at the finished product. Any which way, I'm loving the colours I've dyed up!

 I've already posted a few details, but here is the plan for the big day...which is next MONDAY MARCH the 7th...

4pm - 6pm: Backers who pledged $200 or more are invited to drop in for a Viola yarn sampling and knitting circle. Today, I'm gathering together samples of some of my favourite colours and Viola bases for you to knit away on. Test out stitch patterns, combine yarns and colours, change up needles, do what you like! Take your swatches home with you too if you like. It's all up to you!

little cakes, sweets, tea and coffee, and a goody bag to boot. It's going to be a good afternoon! This is a drop in, so you don't have to be there for the entire 2 hours. Bring needles if you have a specific project in mind that you'd like to swatch for, or a selection of needles if you just don't know what you'd like to swatch. I'll be hanging out, knitting and am looking forward to meeting you all!

Everyone who attends the yarn sampling is also invited to the shopping event that follows...

6pm-8pm: Private shopping party party! That's right, it's pretty much my favourite words ever. All backers who pledged $60 or more are invited to the private shopping party. I have been busy indeed dyeing up yarn for the party. I will have Polwarth + Alpaca, Mooresburg DK, Merino Singles 4ply, Merino Lace and even some fab eclipse colourways, there's lots of yarn you guys! 

There will be a complimentary glass of bubbly and more cake for all the shoppers. 

I'm really looking forward to catching up with knitters I haven't seen in ages, and meeting some new faces at the same time. Above all, can't wait to spend the afternoon chatting about all things knitting. Wahoo!

If all goes according to my plan, I'll be sporting a brand new jumper next Monday as well. I've been blasting through Anna Maltz's Humboldt Sweater pattern from her brilliant new book, Penguin Patterns. I can't stop knitting. If I hadn't mucked up the neck shaping THREE TIMES, it would have been finished on Friday. Anyhow, I think I'll get there by next week. I'm using the beautiful Mooresburg DK in Giant Peach and a natural grey Wensleydale spun by my good friends at John Arbon Textiles. Love them, love the yarn, love the sweater! Happily, Anna is having a penguin KAL over in her ravelry group, so I'm joining in there too. Always fun to knit with a group!

This is my first project with Mooresburg DK (brand new for kickstarter backers!) So I'll be doing my best to wear it into the purl next week. Also, it's driving me crazy that I'm not wearing it right now!

lots of sock news...

 Everyone knows how much I'm loving sock yarn these days. A lot. It's a good thing too, because I've been busy doing lots of sock things (and dreaming of more still!)

I'm pretty excited that I can finally tell you about a couple of them too...

These are one of my favourite pairs of socks. I knit them years ago, with Viola Sock, in a simple rib that has become my go-to sock style. I wear these all the time, and they certainly have stood the test of time. These socks have survived traipsing across Exmoor in my Blundstones. That's some sturdy sock yarn! Since this groundbreaking pair of socks, I've repeated this pattern countless times (socks being a favourite gift of mine) and I got to thinking that it was time I shared the pattern. So that's what I'm doing...

My favourite sock pattern will make it's debut as a reward in my Kickstarter Campaign (launching mid November). It will be available as a PDF as well as in a kit featuring 1 main colour and 2 carefully chosen contrast colours. The best thing about knitting these socks is mixing and matching toe and heel colours...and I'm pretty excited about the colour combos I've dreamed up! 

In addition to some fun sock kits, you will be able to order skeins of sock yarn in a selection of favourite Viola colourways, ready to be knit into anything your heart desires! You can't loose!

There will be a sock reward option for everyone, and I'm looking forward to sharing one of my favourite Viola yarns, and favourite projects. Stay tuned for more Kickstarter previews and news, there's lots more great stuff to come!

Of course, if you're in Toronto, you won't have to wait very long to get another taste of my favourite yarn. Many of you may already know that the Purple Purl is celebrating their 8th anniversary Sunday November the 15th. There will be a LOT of Viola Sock there too (wahoo!)

I had lots of fun dyeing all these goodies for the Purl. If you're in the Toronto area, be sure to visit the Purple Purl Sunday November the 15th to see these babies in person (along with a whole wack of Merino Singles 4 ply too!)

All this sock chatter has got me thinking (along with the encouraging suggestion from Ravellers) that it's high time for a sock KAL. And so, following the fun and success of out Breaking into the Pretty KAL, I'm saying let's have a sock KAL! The Super Slouch Socks are a great idea, and were the prize giveaway for everyone who finished the last KAL, but any sock would do! 

Phew, I don't think even I could handle any more sock news in one post. So I shall leave you with that!

Knitter's Frolic Time!

Knitter's of Toronto know that the end of April is an exciting time - it's time for the annual knitter's frolic! I've been rather sad to have missed the last 2...I think it was 2...being in England. In my Canada days of yore, spring came along with the added excitement of spending a day surrounded by lots and lots of yarn, super cool knitters and other fibre-y bits and bobs. Well, I am very pleased to be back in the right country at the right time of year and am SO going to be there!

Even more exciting, is that I've managed to dye up a wee bit of Merino Fingering and Merino Lace to contribute to the lovely selection of yarns that the fabulous folks of the Purple Purl are bringing along. Here's a few sneaky pics to tide you over until Saturday.

The Purl folks will be in the same spot as they always have...right inside the entrance. I'm going to be joining them first thing on Saturday morning, and I would love to say 'HI!' to any and all who are about! Hope to see you Saturday!