The Hollyhock Blog

Remember that pile of yarn?

Fourteen of those balls and hanks were meant to be wrist warmers.  Here is what is left.

Yarn leftovers

There were 2 skeins of each of 7 different colors.  By the end of the knitting process, I had it down to not even having left overs!

Just knit

There are 3 pair from each color.  These nine pair are fresh off the knitting machine.   The odd looking colors are scrap yarn I use to take the piece off the knitting machine.  I then pick up the stitches on needles and do a french bind off that creates a picot frilly looking edge.

On the steam board

These 3 pair have been steamed and are cooling / drying.

Pinned and steamed

Another shot of a pair on the steam board.

Ready for seaming

These 3 pair are just off the steam board.  Waiting to be finished – some will have the picot edging.  All will need to have a seam sewn. 

Various stages

The pair on the right is done, center has the edge done, but not the seams.  On the left needs both the picot edge and seam.

all done

And these pairs!   All DONE and on the shelf!   If my math is right, I will have made 21 pair when I get them all done!  $12.50 / pair.    All are 100% alpaca yarn –  of course! 

And if my little sister leaves a comment here, she just might get a pair for her birthday!  Hey, Sis, which are your favorite?

Did I mention I was waiting on a yarn order?

Yummy yarn

Guess what I found tonight when I got home from the Farmer’s Market?

Cuddly yarn

See anything you like?

Alpaca and mohair

Most of this will become wrist warmers.  I need some funky new colors.   And there are 2 colors of fine, fine mohair.   These are destined for shawls, with a little left over for some fuzzy project to be determined.

Just have to show you this new shawl.   Finished it this morning.

New shawl

It is made from the yarn I dyed a while back – with this shawl in mind.   And that chair is my newest investment from Craig’s List!    It is for craft shows and farmer’s market.   I still don’t sit a lot, but at least I don’t feel like I’m hiding behind my tables when I do sit for a moment at the market.

Back of shawl

I don’t know why, but these colors remind me of a tequilla sunrise – the drink.  Orange juice and grenadine, right?    Once I get some better pix, this will go on my Etsy shop, $95. 

Wrist warmers

And I finished these.  I have 2 more that just need finishing.  I can’t seem to keep up with demand for these.

I have an order of yarn on its way to me — 100% alpaca for wrist warmers and mohair for shawls.   I’m trying to guess what I’ll sell at the craft show  next Saturday.   I need to felt cat toys and soap, too!   We would love it if you can come visit us there.

My summer and fall is really getting booked up!  

Pie Day was last Friday – I was terrified that the weather was going to blow us all away – but the worst held off.  We had cool and cloudy all day, with a few bouts of drizzle and rain.  I think it actually helped the sale of alpaca things.  I sold 2 pair of mittens – unusual in Aug! 

And here’s what’s coming up:

Aug 22, Saturday, St Michael Daze and Knights festival  in St Michael.  Darryl and I will have a vendor booth in the craft fair. 

Aug 28, Friday, Minn State Fair, Horticulture Bldg.  Darryl and I will be staffing the Minn Grown booth.  No sales, except to encourage folks to join Minn Grown!

Sept 12-13, Saturday & Sunday, Little Falls Craft Show  in Little Falls.  I’ll have my alpaca products for sale.   I’ve been asked to join with a few other artists / crafters in sharing a space during the craft show.  

Sept 18, Friday, Pioneer Days in Albany.  I might be spinning in one of the buildings.  This isn’t confirmed yet. 

Sept 19, Saturday, Northern Brights, St Cloud.  This is Spin-in-Public Day!  Our spinning guild has been asked to do a public demo of spinning and we’ll be able to sell our products.

Sept 26-27, Saturday and Sunday, Farm Tour  is HERE at Hollyhock Farm!!!  This is the weekend we’ll have our store in our barn and lots of visitors and shoppers and fun for kids and alpacas and…..!   You really need to stop by!  One of my favorite (and most exhausting) weekends of the year.   

Oct 31, Saturday, Art / Craft show in Braham.   This is brand new.  First year, details not even set yet.  But I was asked during Pie Day to participate.  I’ll see if it works out.

Nov 7, Saturday, Central Lutheran Church Craft Show, Elk River.  This date is confirmed.  My first year there.  I’m excited to see how it works out for me.

Wow!!  It almost scares me when I see what I have bitten off all in one place.  I’m in serious need of more inventory, too!  I started knitting wrist warmers over the weekend.  I still have to get the seams sewn – my least favorite part of knitting!   And I need to felt more cat toys!   I sold several at Pie Day.   I best get a move on, eh?

If you are at all close to any of the venues I’ll be at, I would love for you stop by and see us!

I want to show off my newest item for sale in my Etsy shop. 

what is it?

This is my sweater dryer.  I created them a few years ago and made a few then.  I decided to make more and see if they sell on Etsy.

Sweater dryer

It’s big enough to hold a sweater….

Sock dryer

Or several pair of socks.   It is also great for drying alpaca fiber or sheep wool! 

In pieces

It comes apart and re-assembles quickly.  PVC pipe and elbows  are  a breeze to work with. 

ready to store

All the pieces fit in the nifty fabric bag for storage.   I got to use the big power miter saw, a drill, and my sewing machine.   How much fun can a girl stand?