Do you use the queue feature on Ravelry for keeping track of what you will make next? I don’t think to use the queue. But I do keep a running list in my knitting notebook, that lists yarns I want to use soon, and patterns I want to make soon. I also keep “soon to use” yarns in the baskets on the wall in my office. Although, honestly? It’s look a little overfull at the moment, don’t you think? I find that keeping patterns/yarn visible makes me more focused on getting the current project done, so that I can be on to the next one. (My baskets came from here and my KNIT sign came from here.)

How do you keep track of the next few projects you will be working on? Or do you just pick one at a time and not keep a list? How do you keep track of what yarn you will use soon? Do you have any organizing or planning tips that you use for your knitting? Share with us some of the things that work for you!

Sheri alwaysinterestedinknowinghowothersdothings

P.S. No Monday Update tonight, since we’re still working our way through all of your Camp Loopy Project Two orders. Remember, Camp Store Week for Project Two ends tomorrow evening, so be sure to make your final decisions and get your order in. July 1st will be here before you know it!

First, he got to go to Portland with Loopy Groupie Ann for a trip to the NW Animation Fest.

His favorite mode of transportation was Ann’s Knitting Bag.

He likes to read quite a bit, so he was happy that a trip to Powell’s Bookstore was on the agenda.

And of course he LOVES doughnuts, so a stop at VooDoo Doughnuts was a must.

He did embarrass them slightly by trying to copy a statue at the Portland Museum of Art. (Jeesh.)

Thankfully, it was soon time to head home (before he pulled another wacky stunt). They even let him start his own sock project on the way home. He had a great time in Portland with Ann and her family!

Loopy was home for two weeks and then it was off on his next adventure. This time he accompanied Loopy Elf Wendy and her family to Bora Bora. After the multitude of exciting things he got to do in Portland, he was ready for a little rest and relaxation.

He fell asleep on this deck chair and woke up three hours later all sunburned. Someone needs to remind him to use sunscreen.

The next day he climbed a tree and stayed in the shade instead. Shade or sun, we think it looks like he was really enjoying himself.

One exciting activity that he particularly enjoyed was snorkeling (although he kept getting water in his mask and making everyone stop to help him re-adjust.)

He wants this to be his 2013 Christmas photo. No one could figure out how to open up the coconut.

But of course Loopy worked at it until he got it open and then he shared it with everyone else. It was the least he could do after they invited him along on their trip beautiful Bora Bora.

If you go on vacation this summer and take Little Loopy along (or if you just want to show him your hometown), be sure to send us pictures. We’d love to share them on the blog! You can see some of Loopy’s past adventures in our photo galleries here and here.

Sheri surewishingIcouldtagalongwithLoopyonthesefunadventures

P.S. No Monday Update next week, since we’re still working on getting all of your Camp Loopy Project Two orders packed up and shipped off. But we’ll be back with another Monday Update on June 24th!

Project Two: needs to be knit or crocheted between 7/1 and 7/31 (with a photo of the completed project uploaded to our Project One Photo Gallery by 8/1).

The Challenge for Project Two – Has there been a popular pattern that passed you by? This challenge is to knit a pattern that has been popular with other knitters, that you haven’t knit before. The project needs to have at least 1000 projects listed (or 1000 queued up) on Ravelry, and it needs to use at least 500 yards, single stranded. For those who might not be on Ravelry, I have linked to lots of options below for you. Most of the patterns I linked to use between 500 and 1000 yards. Of course there are other popular pattern options that use more yardage and you’re also free to use those as well.

The benefits:

1. If you need to purchase yarn for your project, we are offering a 20% Camp Loopy discount for the yarn during a designated “Camp Loopy Store Week” each month. The discount for Project Two is valid for one project’s worth of yarn purchased during Camp Store Week Two (June 12-18), in one order. To get the discount, you will need to leave us an order note on the order, telling us which yarn will be used for your Camp Project. We’ll apply the discount when your order comes through to us. If you’re going for free shipping in the U.S., please make sure that your discount won’t take you below the $75 level, or the website will add the shipping charge back in after we do the discount.

2.  If you have your photo uploaded to the Camp Loopy 2013 Project Two Photo Gallery by the deadline, you’ll be eligible to win one of our Loopy Gift Certificates for that month. We’ll be having the blog readers vote for the Reader’s Choice Award each month, and we’ll also be using the random generator to pick a few more winners for Loopy Gift Certificates as well from each month’s gallery!

3.  If you choose to do all three projects with us (photos uploaded by the deadlines and yarn for each project purchased during Camp Store Week or later for that project) we will also be awarding you a special skein of fingering weight yarn, in an exclusive Camp Loopy Colorway. (We will have 3 different exclusive Camp colors for you to choose from, so that you can pick your favorite.) This luscious skein will be perfect for socks, shawls, scarves, cowls, or mitts. We love this yarn base, and I know you will love it, too.

So if you participate in all three months of Camp and follow the guidelines, you’ll get 3 projects done at a discount, you’ll no doubt earn one or more Frequent Shopper Bonuses and maybe some extra things through our Loopy Rewards Program, and you’ll get a special skein of exclusively dyed fingering weight yarn for yet another project. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can we participate with weaving instead of knitting or crochet? 
A. For Camp Loopy, we’re sticking with knitting or crochet.

Q. I didn’t get to order during Camp Store Week, but if I order my project yarn later in that same month and complete the project by the deadline, does that still count, even though I know I don’t get the Camp Loopy discount? 
A. Yes!  Make sure that you add a “Camp Loopy” note to your order, so that we know you’re participating. You’ll still be eligible for the project drawings and prizes for that month, and if you finish all three projects by the deadlines, you’ll still get the bonus – a free skein of that luscious yarn, exclusively dyed.

Q. I want to participate using yarn from my stash. Does that still count? 
A. You are welcome to participate and knit from stash and upload it to the gallery, as long as it’s yarn that we carry at The Loopy Ewe. (We always require projects in our Photo Galleries to be from yarn that we carry at TLE.) You will still be eligible for drawings and prizes for the month, but you won’t be eligible for the free yarn at the end.

Q. When you say to knit the project between 7/1 and 7/31, when EXACTLY does the timing start? 
A. You can start at 12:01 am your time on 7/1 if you’d like, although a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast might be a better idea. The project needs to be done by 11:59 pm on 7/31, your time. The photos need to be uploaded by 11:59 pm OUR time (Mountain Time) on 8/1.

Q. When you specify yardage in a project, can I use up the yardage by knitting double stranded? So if you say we must use 500 yards, can I do a 250 yard project, holding the yarn double? That would use 500 yards. 
A. No. No doubling the yarn to get the yardage. If you’d like to knit something double stranded, you’ll need to use 1000 yards so that you end up with a 500 yard project when it’s done.

Q. How do I know if I’m on track for the free yarn bonus, and when will I get it? 
A. If you purchased your project yarn during Camp Store Week (or later that same project month) and uploaded your photo by the deadline, then you are on track. Once Camp is over and the yarn is ready, we’ll send you a notice to let you choose your camp colorway. You will have the option of having your bonus yarn added in the box with your next order from us, or you can choose to have it sent to you right away on its own and we’ll just add a shipping charge to that.

Q. Why do we have to purchase the yarn during Camp Store Week each month, if we want the bonus? 
A. Two reasons. One – it costs us money to fund this (the contests, the free yarn at the end, etc.) and your purchases help us to be able to afford to do this. Two – it helps us to guarantee that everyone is knitting for the project during the designated time and not simply pulling a finished (or half finished) project out of their pile and saying they did it “for camp”. It keeps an even playing field for all of the people earning the bonuses.

In addition to getting projects done along with discounts and free yarn rewards, another part of the fun is talking to fellow campers on the Loopy Groupie Board on Ravelry. We will set up chat groups each month during Camp, based on a different criteria each time. For the second month, we’re dividing you into Treehouse Groups, based on where you will be staying on your hike (virtually, of course). Look for the Treehouse number on your Camp Loopy order form. If you’re knitting your camp project from stash, feel free to choose one of the groups on your own, or email us and we’re happy to assign a group to you. The Treehouse threads will be set up on Ravelry just prior to July 1. Jump into the discussion and share which project you’re going to make and what yarn you’re using, then report on your progress during the month. You’ll make new friends each month, because we’ll have another way to group you for the next month! (Not on Ravelry? No worries. Participating in the groups is not required. We just add those in for extra fun.)

Possible pattern ideas for Project Two: Keep in mind some of these patterns offer multiple sizes, and only the larger sizes will qualify for the minimum yardage requirements for Project Two. Hitchhiker, Haruni, Ishbel, Daybreak, Owls, Lintilla, Traveling Woman, Hemlock Ring Blanket, Boneyard Shawl, February Lady Sweater, Clapotis, Color Affection, Featherweight Cardigan, Shetland Triangle Lace Shawl, Pinwheel Baby Blanket, Stripe Study Shawl, Rockefeller, Mara Shawl, Chevron Scarf, Rock Island, Aeolian Shawl, Northern Lights, Citron Grand (a larger sized Citron, which has 10,000+ projects), Laminaria, Spectra, Big Herringbone Cowl, Hey Teach, Kiri, Stockholm Scarf, Guernsey Wrap, Juliet, Rusted Root, Cladonia, Whippoorwill, Catkin, Tempest, etc.

Have fun figuring our your next project. We’re looking forward to seeing what you’ll be doing!

Sheri noideawhatI’mdoingyet,buthappilyponderingmychoices

Happy Monday!

Socktopus Sokkusu – It’s back! You may have heard that Alice recently sold her Socktopus company. She was contemplating moving it to Hong Kong (where she now lives), but instead decided to sell it to Ling back in London. The great thing is that Ling is the one who has been dyeing up the Socktopus yarn for Alice for the past 18 months anyway. So you get the same great Sokkusu base and the same beautiful dyeing from Ling, who has kept the business in London. We’re glad to have it back in stock again. This is the first part of our order. We’ll have more again later this summer. (Shown here in Triton.)

Dream in Color Classy – We didn’t realize how low we were on Classy colors until we went to place an order and had to order more of just about everything! So now we have a good supply in stock. This is great sweater yarn for adults as well as kid clothes. (It also makes very pretty baby blankets). Dream in Color’s special dye technique prevents striping or pooling, so you get overall beautiful color.

The Loopy Ewe Seasonings Series – More new colorways to add to our Seasonings line! (We’ve even names some of these new colors after the mountain groups we having going for Project One of Camp Loopy). The Seasonings Series comes with a main skein (430 yards) and a mini “seasoning” skein (100 yards). It’s perfect if you want to make socks with contrasting heels and toes, or cute little baby sweaters with contrasting cuffs and button bands, or shawls with contrasting edges.(Check out Lalaknit’s free Julia Grace pattern on my blog. She used the Silver Linings color way. (Shown here in Colorado Sunset.)

Camp Loopy Water Bottles – A 22 oz. bottle that is BPA-free and has a screw-on lid so you don’t risk any spills. Perfect for camping or just hanging out at home and knitting. Plus, I love the happy apple green color, don’t you?

Have fun checking out the new things. It’s always fun to come in the next day to print your orders and see what struck your fancy. Of course you always have excellent taste in yarn. We’ll get your Boxes of Fun shipped out to you right away!

Sheri pickedoutaColoradoSunsetformyself.Lovingthatcolorcombo.

I am busy working on my Project One for Camp Loopy!

Of course all of this intensive knitting calls for some snacks, right? We can’t have you fainting from hunger while you’re working on your projects. I saw this idea on Pinterest awhile back and tried it out this week. Yum. And easy! It would be fun to make with your kids or your friends.

S’More Pops

1 bag of marshmallows
1 box of graham cracker crumbs (or crush up your own)
Melting Chocolate (one option here)
Lollipop Sticks or Drink Stirrers (one option here)

Melt the chocolate until it’s free of lumps. Insert the stick into the end of your marshmallow, pushing it up about halfway into the marshmallow. Don’t pop it through the end or your marshmallow will slowly shimmy on down the stick!

Dip the marshmallow into the chocolate, all the way down the side. While the chocolate is still warm, roll the marshmallow in the graham cracker crumbs. Be sure to dip the top in the crumbs, too.

Put the stick in a coffee mug so the chocolate can firm up for a few minutes, then you can lay them flat on a cookie sheet. Store in a covered container.

How are you coming along on your Camp project? (If you didn’t join, it’s not too late. Hop in!) I hope to finish mine up over the weekend. If you need a quick and cute project idea, check out Wendy’s new As You Like It Scarf pattern, which is free on Ravelry. She whipped this up for her Camp Loopy project, and now you can, too!

Sheri whopokedthestickthroughtotheendofafewmarshmallows
andthenofcoursehadtoeatthem….

The shipments will go out the first week in September, October, November, December, January and February. The prices ranges from $28 – $34 per month (plus applicable tax and shipping), depending on the yarn base featured that month. I’ve talked to them about some of the new yarns they have coming up this year for the club, and you’re going to love them! Plus, they seem to come up with some of the most amazing colors for their Dream Club yarns. This is a great way to get some beautiful things knit up for gifts for the upcoming holiday season. (Or keep them for yourself. That’s always a good option, too!)

We don’t require payment ahead of time. We’ll email you when the shipment is ready each month and you can log into your Loopy account and put payment through. This signup is only for people who are committing to purchasing all six months of shipments.  (This is different than in past years, where you signed up but weren’t committing to all six months, necessarily.) If you’d like to sign up for six months of fun, hop on over and sign up through this link on our website. If you think you might just want a couple of different months worth of yarn, wait until we put them up on the website each month. We’ll order a few extras so that there are additional skeins available while they last.

Sheri whoisanxioustoseethenewcolorstheydebutinthisclub!

Madelinetosh Pashmina – we have half of our order, but it’s still 30+ color options for you. This sport weight yarn is 75% Superwash Merino, 15% Silk and 10% Cashmere, with 360 yards in a skein. It’s wonderful to work with and knits up beautifully, perfect for shawls, socks, cowls and scarves. (Shown here in Baroque Violet). Pattern ideas? Try one of these: Bell Heather Cowl, Some Cloudy Day, The Old Man & The Sea, Toujours, Josefin, Shaelyn, Amiga, Vitamin D, or Driftwood.

Dream in Color Smooshy – a fingering weight yarn that is 100% Superwash Merino with a generous 450 yards per skein. Dream in Color yarns do not stripe or pool, which is especially nice when you’re making shawls and sweaters and don’t want any specific hot spots. It’s also nice for socks, hats, scarves and gloves. We’ve re-stocked all of our colors. (Shown here in Fierce Scarlet.) Pattern ideas? Ishbel Beret, Glam Shells, Elizabeta Kneehighs, Elfe, Happy Street, Sunnyside, Candelia, Clockwork, and Vigneto Shawl.

Juliespins MCN 430 – a fingering weight yarn that is 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, and 10% Nylon, with 430 yards in the skein. You’ll love the feel of this yarn, and I know you always love the colors that Julie comes up with! She very rarely repeats a colorway, so if you see one you love, jump on it! (Shown here in Asparagus.) Try one of these: Harold and Maude, Oaklet Shawl, Summer Wind, Gandalf Socks, Karkom Wristwarmers, Charlize, Ginger Leaves, Aestlight Shawl, and Mostly Warmness.

Shalimar Breathless DK – this is the other half of our DK order. The first half went up a couple of weeks ago and you seem to like this base as much as I do! It’s also a Superwash Merino/Silk/Cashmere base like the Pashmino, but on a bit heavier base. Gorgeous colors, as always, and the subtle coloring makes it pretty for sweaters, vests, and shawls. (Shown here in Tawny.) Pattern ideas: Argonath, The Age of Brass & Steam, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Peasy,  Forest Glade Cowl, Emanuela, Vodka Lemonade, and Neon.

Lavishea – more tins of all of your favorite moisturizing scents, plus two new scents for the summer: Peach Mango and Blue Gardenia. Be sure to keep a tin in your purse and in each of your knitting project bags. You’ll love the way it moisturizes without leaving your hands feeling greasy or sticky. It’s available in 16 scents, so you’re sure to find one that you love.

Knitter’s Pride Needles – re-stocked.

Have fun checking out the new things. We’ll be here, busily packing up your orders and sending them on their way.

Sheri wonderingifanyoneelsehadthekindofMonday
thatleadstonewyarnpurchases?I’mgoingyarnshopping.

Rowan has a new yarn out called Fine Art.

The yarn is made from 45% Merino Wool, 20% Kid Mohair, 10% Mulberry Silk, and 25% Polyamid. It has 437 yards per skein, so it’s perfect for many of those cute one-skein shawl patterns out there. (Like Show Me Your Teeth, Over the Willamette, Sonetto Shawl, Zilver, or Leaves on the Line.) I like one-skein shawls, as I find them wearable in all seasons. Not necessarily outside year-round, but inside in the air conditioning, all summer long! I need to stock my wardrobe with more colors of little shawls. I tend to revert to blues and greens too often.

Tomorrow is the first day of Camp Loopy 2013! Someone came into the shop today wearing her Camp Loopy t-shirt. (Hi Diana!) It looked so darn cute on her. Do you have your Camp yarn wound up and ready to go? We can’t wait to see all of your Project One photos when they’re finished!

Sheri notstayinguplatetostartaftermidnighttonight.
Tomorrowissoonenoughforme.

Knitting Daughter has been on a Cowl kick lately, and I wanted to share her latest with you.

Mocha-the-outdoor-cat-who-visits-us got his annual shaving a couple of weeks ago. After we get used to his shaved-self, it’s always hard to remember him all furry! They did a much nicer clipping job on him this year. Here he is hanging out on one of the brick posts on our side patio. He seemed to like being hidden by the lilac trees. The other night the motion light kept going on out there and who do you think it was? Mocha – hanging out on the post again. Wish I could have just brought him in the house for the night.

Sheri friendtoallcatsanimals

We have new things up on the website for you tonight.

Madelinetosh DK – we’ve re-stocked more than 90 colors for you. This is a popular weight for sweaters (try the Gnarled Oak Cardigan, Cinnie, or Blank Canvas), shawls (how about the Clementine Shawlette, Anjeli, Great Divide, or  Shaelyn), hats, scarves and cowls. Shown here in Dahlia.

Rowan Fine Art – a fingering weight yarn that is perfect for socks and shawls. The base is 45% Merino Wool, 20% Kid Mohair, 10% Mulberry Silk and 25% Polyamid. It will be warm (thanks to the wool and mohair) and it will wear well (thanks to the silk and polyamid). Shown here in Chiff Chaff because 1) I like that name a lot and 2) it’s a great neutral color.

Shibui Heichi – a re-stock on all of the  colors, as well as new colors for the season. We’ve had a trunk show in the shop with garments made out of Heichi, and have had fun seeing what people are making. Try it with the Mondo Cable Pulli, Beeline, or Garance.

Shibui Linen – a new base for us, which is especially nice for spring and summer tops. This is a fingering weight, which can be doubled for heavier weight patterns. Perfect for Linen Top, Rock Ness, Silken Straw Summer Sweater, Insouciant, Flow, or Deep V Tee.

Shibui Silk Cloud and Sock  - re-stocked.

Into the Whirled – more of the very popular Pakkoku fingering weight base in their wonderful color combinations. This is a great yarn for socks, fun multi-color scarves and shawls (like Hitchhiker, Lintilla, Trillian, and A  Little Jazz.) All of those little shawl/scarves make great one-skein, quick knit gifts. Shown here in A Musing Anecdote.

ChiaoGoo - a re-stock of all needle sizes.

Atenti Bags – new fabrics and popular re-stocks in both the Overnighter Bags and the Baguette Bags. I love these bags. The Overnighter is perfect for larger projects (sweaters, afghans) or for corralling all of your smaller project bags into one nice looking place. They also make great bags to carry on to planes. The Baguette Bags are just the right size for one or two skein projects (socks, cowls, shawls, hats).

Beads and Beading Hooks – re-stocked. Again, we’ve ordered as many of the beading hooks as they had available in these two sizes. We’ll keep doing that!

Enjoy the new things and we’ll be back in the shop tomorrow to get all of your orders packed up and shipped out.

Sheri whoenjoyedaverysunshineydayathometoday