Start with Something Small

When I have something large to do---perhaps something overwhelming---I like to break it into chunks so I can begin with something small. If, for instance, I have the whole house to clean, I start with a bathroom. And if the bathroom overwhelms, I might narrow my scope to just the vanity. On a really tough day, I'll even focus on one messy drawer within the vanity. Gads.

This past winter I decided to paint my bedroom. I settled on the color and bought the paint---at which point my husband started to avoid my gaze. It turned out, he was thinking I was going to schedule a marathon painting session, enlist his help in moving all the furniture, and exile us to another bedroom during the process. He visibly relaxed when I told him I was just planning to tackle one wall per week...and that the bedroom would still be our sanctuary throughout the process.

So it is with getting back into knitting or crocheting; after a long time away or, perhaps, simply a summer of not picking up needle or hook. I know you'll love getting back at it, but let's begin with a small, charming project.

Arne and Carlos, two of our favorite knitting designers on the planet, have just released a book of 65 New Christmas Balls to Knit and it got us to thinking:

What if we, as a community of makers, all created Holiday Balls together? Don't get hung up on the Christmas title. The Balls are flexible and open-hearted and can be cheerful doorknob hangers or solstice reminders or decorations for your jade plant!

So. You are officially invited to be part of a Holiday Ball Make-Along beginning September 4 and ending October 23. 

If you're local to the shop, please stop in and get inspired at our Holiday Ball Kick-Off Gathering September 4 from 4-6. If you're reading this from far away, we'd still love for you to join the spirit of the Ball-Along from wherever you are. In either case, please let us know you're interested by filling out the form HERE.

Whether you've made a bowlful of gorgeous Holiday Balls in the past or are new to the concept, these cheery orbs seem like a great way to step gently forward into working with wool again.

If you are primarily a crocheter, we are working on finding a crochet option for you. And if you have a suggestion for a crochet pattern to use, please reach out to us!

Early September through late October seems like a lovely span in which to accomplish something both fun and meaningful. We hope you'll join the Make-Along for a chance to create collectively...and for all the inevitable "ball" jokes that are sure to have us rolling.

Again, click HERE to register online, keeping in mind that this is NOT A CLASS, but a chance to be part of a simultaneous Make-Along. 

If you're itching to get started, here's what you need:

• 65 New Christmas Balls to Knit by Arne & Carlos
• DK (we recommend Scout by Kelbourne Woolens) or Light Worsted (Woolstok by 
  Blue Sky) yarn made of wool. You may have just the thing in your stash and that is fabulous.
• Double Point Needles in US 4 or US 3. The authors recommend the larger size, I'm partial to a tighter knit and recommend the smaller size. And if you're comfortable with the Magic Loop Method, go for it.
• Wool Stuffing for making the balls lovely at the end. Use polyfil if you must.
• A US 2/C or US 3/D crochet hook for making the hanging loop
• A tapestry needle for the very end

If you're cringing at the idea of focusing on holiday ideas in September and October, I get you. But I also think I might start a tradition of a knitted ball each year for my adult kiddos and their lovely partners. The new book has some great motifs (and I also own the original Christmas Balls book--now out of print). And, if I'm being honest with myself, I'm going to need a stretch of time to get this done in a way that skirts all possible rushing, midnight knitting, and sweaty palms.

Cheers,

Gaby

P.S. Labor Day (September 1) marks the end of our Summer of the Bag: 10% off any in-stock items you can fit into your Yarnology Baggu bag. If you're thinking of a new project, now is a great time to splurge at a discount.

Note: The shop is closed Sunday and Monday, and to order online with your bag discount, YOU MUST REQUEST A CODE via email (just hit reply to this newsletter!) from our staff before 4pm Central Time on Saturday afternoon. The code will be useful until Monday at 11:59pm.