I owe you more  answers, don’t I? Sorry for the delay. I got distracted by a few things, like laundry (family likes to have clean clothes on occassion, the nerve!), got my hair done (sorry, but that is a non-negotiable!), dyeing up pounds and pounds of yarn (thought you might like that) and then this showed up in the mail  late yesterday…..  really want to knit just about everything out of this book. I’ve already cast on for Ingenue.

Heather, Liesel, Jodi  and Renee want to know  -

• “Will you be making more Merino Bulky soon?”
• “When will we see the return of merino worsted?”
• “Any chance you will be at Michigan Lamb and Wool?
• “Any chance you’ll bring back the single ply merino worsted weight?”
• “Will your bulky yarns be available in bigger runs of the same colorways for use to make larger projects?”

Well ladies, yes and yes! The merino single ply worsted is, hands down, one of my (and it appears, yours too) all time favorites. And, with Fall just around the corner (it’s been in the 50′s at night) you betcha I’ll be dyeing up scads of both. In fact, I’m tracking the package for the merino single ply, obsessively. (ETA – It’s on the truck for delivery today!!!!!). And, I will be dyeing up sweater/larger quantities of the merino worsted superwash and bulky  too.

Jodi – no, I won’t be at Michigan Lamb and Wool this year, but I will be attending as a vendor (and shopper!) at YarnCon2008 – Wicker Park, Chicago – Saturday, Octboer 4. Anyone else going to be at YarnCon?

One skein I couldn’t part with. October Second  - Merino Fingering SW

Chrissy, Rosa, Cheryl and  Tracy want to know –

• “How do you sell all of your yarns, I would want to keep them all?”
• “How often do you keep a dyed-up skein for yourself because your love the color(s) so much?”
• “Who names the colors of your yarn? Do you ever keep a skein of yarn that turns out especially lovely to yourself? Do you get attached to it?”
• “I have been with you at a few retail therapy opportunities, why do you buy yarn? Why not use all the beautiful Plucky yarn sitting around the quaint cottage home?”

Had a sneaking suspicion I was going to be asked this question and a good question it is. There’s not just one simple answer – so here goes:

Yes, occassionally I do keep a skein of yarn for myself (See skein above and, I always keep a skein of Plucky Classics for myself). But, only occassionally, for several reasons. One, I love, love, love to dye yarn. To watch it go from a blank canvas to something completely unique is a total thrill. Once dried and skeined and I’ve seen what the blank canvas has become, that’s the  thrill for me. Time to move on to the next blank canvas. And, I simply adore seeing what other people have envisioned for  Plucky yarn. My vision begins and ends (most of the time) with the dyeing process.

Second, I love to  buy yarn! There are  quite a few dyers out there that I truly admire, and, well, I want  to use their yarn too.  And, I need to have room for my stash (the “quaint cottage” – that’s a nice way to phrase  ’your house is the size of a postage stamp’). Third, this  has become  my vocation (for which I am forever grateful). That, and Bob gets ansty if he sees to much Plucky yarn sitting around the house.

Suzanne asks – “Where did you learn to spin such beautiful yarn? And is your Dad ever going to sell that beautiful awesome  green truck?”

That is an awesome truck, isn’t it? I’m not sure if Elmer T is going to sell or not, but I’ll ask. As far as learning to spin such beautiful yarn…. you are much to kind. I’m such a newbie spinner that I hesitate to even call myself a spinner. But I sure do love it. Wish I had an extra pair of arms, solely dedicated to spinning.

Rae-Ann says – “I do not have any of your yarn because I can’t manage to catch update. How addicted will I become when I can actually knit with your yarn?”

Goodness Rae-Anne, I’m sorry you haven’t had a chance to knit with my yarn yet, but as far as the addiction issue – you’ll have to ask one of the Plucky Knitters in the Ravelry group, maybe they can help!

Kirsten and Indiecita  want to know – “Do you have any background in art or color theory?” And “Do you have to think about color theory much when you’re dyeing, or do you just sort of play around and go for it?”

No, I don’t. But does being passionate about color count? I have an instant like or dislike for color and color combinations. I’m on the look-out and notice color and design everywhere I look. Basically, I just know what I like and don’t like and I’m not afraid to play around with color. Does that make sense?

Helena wants to know about Plucky Classics – “How do you pick the Plucky Classics themes every three months? Do you have a million ideas and have a hard time narrowing it down to just one?”

Goodness, a million and one ideas. Yes, It can be quite daunting  to try to  narrow it down to just one theme. But, then I figure – ok, file that one away for the next three months.  Truly hope you enjoy the themes as much as I do… and, I hope you are inspired to watch or read something you wouldn’t normally. That’s the whole point. Inspiration.

Nicole asks – “Is your Plucky business so large that you are ready to take on some help and pay them in yarn?”

To say I need help is an understatement the likes of which you have never heard. One area where I really need help is in  the tagging and shipping department. The goodnews is I’ve just received help in the form of an old friend. She started yesterday and I couldn’t be more pleased. You know what that means don’t you? Speedier shipments. More time to dye and think up new and exciting things to offer you!!! And, well, let’s be real, maybe even a little  more time for me to knit.

Rachel asks – “How did you get started dyeing yarn?”

I love color. But to say I am rather finicky about it is an understatement. I’m not simply a red, blue, green and yellow girl. And, I’d always wanted to do something creative. When I began to knit, that was great. Love(d) it. But I wanted to try something more. Dyeing has become my creative outlet. Dyeing just drew me in. First I just began reading about it (Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook was a wealth of information) and then couldn’t help myself – I had to give it a whirl. Went to Target, bought a roasting pan for $19.99 and never looked back.

Nicole wants to know – “Why Plucky?”

The plucky name came from one of my dear girlfriends, Nicole. In the past, she had described me as being plucky. It stuck. When I started my blog that was the first thing that came to mind.

M. Frey says – “….My favorite moment of the summer was having a surprise visit, with Plucky standing at the county of my art shop!”

That’s been my favorite part of the summer too! The look on your face = priceless!

That’s it for today dearies. Looks like I’ll have to have a “The Answers ~ Part III” post, you guys are super curious!

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