2010 already. Seriously? Huh? Excuse me while I wrap my brain around that…..In the meantime let’s have a contest. Now doesn’t that sound like a festive way to start off a new week, month and year?

With a little help from a friend (ok, a lot of help) my studio was cleaned and I can now see the top of my desk! Dare I say, it’s actually cute and I’m amazed at what has been unearthed. Which has me wondering:

What’s on your desk (night stand, end table, coffee table)? What’s the funniest/oddest/coolest thing you’ve found there? What would you like to have on your desk?

Contest will be open until Thursday, January 7th at 12:00 a.m. Eastern. What spoils await the winner(s)? Yarn, of course. New year, new yarn bases!!! But, that’s all I’m going to say for now…..

ChrisJ said~Until now it has always been my handknit socks. I just finished the Boneyard shawl in your 6 ply cashmere and that is now my new favorite. I am actually wishing for cooler weather so that I can wear it all the time.

Jana can’t imagine never having knit~Mine would have to be the Koolhaas hat. I can’t even count how many I have made. I think everyone should have one!

And, because I felt like it, I drew an extra name~

Julie says ~ I looked in the cold weather closet, and I have to say — scarves are my go-to item. I have a TON of them from my years of knitting, and people also give me scarves because they know I appreciate pretty knits.

So ladies – if you could please leave me a message with your email so that I can get your mailing information I’ll be sure to get your prize mailed to you.

Thank for playing along!

I’m still taking entries for the latest contest through tomorrow, Monday, November 9th at Noon Eastern – then the winners will be announced. It’s such a kick to read what you all can’t/won’t leave home without. There are some great pattern recommendations – highly recommend you read through the entries, you’ll be glad you did!

Retro Mint – 50.50 Silk Merino Aran

Wine Tastings – 80.20 Merino Nylon

Thoughts of Blue – 8ply Cashmere

Moss Landing – 100% Merino Superwash Worsted

All of the above and then some…. in the shop tonight….. 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

I spy a hand-knit in the wild!

Test knit by JenniferB.

Had a hayride last weekend and one particular out-of-towner forgot her mittens. A quick trip to the studio ensued to see what sort of wool wear I might have on hand – these fit the bill perfectly.

Soon to be a knitted rectangle, as opposed to a box. Do have to say though, even though the first Forever Tweed was not the most flattering knit, I’ve worn it quit a bit and will continue to do so. It’s just so cozy and it actually is quite cute with a button down and jeans. Did I mention cozy? So you can imagine how excited I am to finish the smaller, more rectangular version.

This brings me to a question: What are your favorite, go-to handknits? The ones you can’t leave home without? The ones you knit over and over again because they are loved, well worn, cute, kicky, versatile, cozy….and, well, just the perfect knit.

Tell me. I’ll be taking entries all through this week and drawing two winners from the entries on Monday, November 9th. I’ll choose two winners who will each receive a skein of Plucky Yarn!

Glen Haven, MI

Maritime Knitting (or is it more weaving?)

Well it sure is about time! Because I’m so tardy in getting this posted, I thouhgt I’d sweeten the pot a little – so instead of one winner we’ll have three!

1. Trilobite

2. KathrynGrace

3. Annette

Thanks so much to everyone for playing along. We are going to be an extremely busy bunch this Fall – you guys have some grand plans. I was so inspired. If you haven’t read through the comments, it’s a wealth of inspiration.

Pictures of Elmer’s Flatbed to come…

What a well-read bunch you are! Numbers have been entered into the random generator and we have two winners!!!:

ikkinlala says:

I just started reading Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe. It’s due back at the library on Monday, so I’ll have to get through it this weekend if I’m going to.

I haven’t been cooking very much for the past week or so because I’ve been working and there are other people at home to cook, but I did make granola the other evening.

It’s been cool here, so I’ve been drinking a lot of tea.

and

Leigh Ann says:

As of late, I have been making a lot of galettes (see here) – the base recipe is great, but you can also fill it with a variety of other things (like mushrooms!).

I just finished the end of the Night Watch series by Sergei Lukyanenko– I quite enjoyed the ending of the series, but was a little dissatisfied with the ending due to my own personal attachment to a particular character.

For those above talking about Tudor-related works, I highly recommend Allison Weir– she’s done a couple works of fiction recently, but I got started reading her Tudor biographies a long while ago, and they’re really engrossing.

If you ladies would be so kind as to contact me at dimsarah at yahoo dot com I’ll get your information so as to get you your contest prize. Thanks to everyone for playing along, it’s always great fun to see what everyone is enjoying. In fact, do yourself a favor (if you haven’t already) go back and read through the comments – there are some fantastic suggestions, even a recipe (that you Jen!) (and/or links) thrown in for good measure.

Happy knitting, crafting, reading, cooking, drinking and well, enjoy the summer!