Autumn Days

Fall had beset us, and, thankfully, at least we had a brief spell of autumn sunshine to replace

the rainy summer ones, at least to remind us of what the blue sky looked like and how incredibly beautiful the mountains and scenery look bathed in sunlight.

As I look back on these past few months, with a meager online presence, I reflect on real life and the activities that filled those days...classes, boxes, friends, yarn, cheering on finished projects, and of course, the excitement and anticipation of starting new ones. Watching the creativity all around me, I have to admit was difficult sometimes, for I felt a bit bogged down with just keeping the boxes flowing in and out of the hallway, and, for the most part, it seemed like the boxes were winning the battle. What is more, I have felt and wondered, in the midst of all this new technology racing lightning years beyond me, a sense that it may quite possibly be hopeless for me to keep up with it all. Somehow, in my heart of hearts, however, I have a sense of what I believe to be right and true.

When I look back and reflect upon the faces of summertime, in light of all technology has to offer, I do know what matters most to me...the joy and value of those moments when the shop is open and the smiles stream in, and the unmatched beauty of the physical presence of those that fill the shop. I may not always have time to write about it, or remember to take pictures of it, because, more than likely, I am too in the midst of it to stop. Whether I am busy running up and down the stairs, unpacking boxes, or better yet...doing my favorite thing, being with you, in person, face to face...happy to view a finished project or one in progress, or possibly one that needs a boost, I do believe that nothing can replace human physical contact and no digital media can duplicate the joy of being involved and immersed in experiencing all the colors and textures firsthand.

I am missing it now, and, as the outdoors prepares for dormancy, my days with the shop are unfortunately relinquished to a virtual connection. Having set all the spinning plates into motion, I now step away, knowing a part of me has been left behind. Yarn, boxes, and friends, that was my summer...though busy, the best part was hearing the jingle of the door chime...

Thank you for stepping in the door.

Happy autumn,

Love,

Dotty

Summer :: Fish

happiness

Knitting makes me happy

Even if I don’t do it myself

It makes me happy to see what others have made

It is why I buy yarn and put it on the shelves

It is my reward

I can think of no greater profit than to see a knitter knitting in the upstairs room

Or hear of a project sewn up and becoming a garment, loved and treasured.

It makes it all worthwhile

All the ordering would be for naught, if it wasn’t for a photo like this

Seeing it makes me smile

for it captures in time a special someone wrapped in the labor of a knitter’s love'

Show me the socks on your feet

Your husbands and babies and kids wrapped in the works of your hands

The hats on the heads of crewmen

The blankets in the cribs

The scarves that fend off the damp days

The washcloths in the sinks

The afghans gracing couches and couch potatoes

The sweaters

The cardigans

The vests

The little coin purses

The big felted bags

The mittens and gloves

Even the little dolls and beloved handknit bears

I want to see it all…

I think of the endless calls and the busy buying trips and the putting up shelves and the pricing and the bill paying and the setting the yarn on the shelves and all the time it takes for a skein of yarn and all the steps it has taken for that skein to land in someone’s bag

For what?

To see a photo like this.

don't you agree that the photo says it all?

Yes, I have come to realize

Knitting makes me happy

Even if it is through the hands of another

This holds true for the works of the crocheters and the cross stitchers,

the scrapbookers, the card makers the embroiderers, beaders, weavers and spinners, too.

It is a very big reason why we do what we do here…

And so, dear handworkers,

Thank you for your part… Keep up the good work.

love,

dotty

photos graciously borrowed from Stephinie http://www.gypsyforest.com/welcome_to_gypsy_forest/

Mondays and Wednesdays

Remember to join us at The Net Loft for Monday night knitting. And starting this week: workshop Wednesdays; everyone is still welcome to knit on their own projects, but joining in on the workshops will be great fun.

summer is for the birds...

...and summer at The Net Loft is just around the corner.

graduates and gardeners

For our graduates, for our gardeners, or for both...

Mother's Day

For mom...