Grandmom's unfinished baby blanket

Over Thanksgiving we went to my hubby's grandmother's house for dinner.  Gmom K is over 95 and has a hard time seeing.  But that hasn't stopped her from knitting.  She brought out her knitting basket and asked if I could fix a baby blanket she's been working on for months - if not over a year.  At some point, she pulled it out of her basket, and not being able to see, pulled the needle out of the stitches.  She tried picking them all up again - and did an amazingly good job of it, except for 1 small edge section that's about 1 1/2 inches square.  She somehow managed to unravel most of that section, and attempted to put it back together.  She asked if I could fix it.

I could easily have frogged (ripped out) about 5 rows and picked up the proper stitches.  But I thought that would be too heart breaking for her, and I just couldn't do it!  She's over 95, can hardly see, and is still trying to knit - and succeeding pretty darn well!  Instead I dug around in her basket until I found a crochet hook.  Then I did my best to carry the stitches from one place to the other.  It isn't pretty, but it's fixed.  I wound up with 2 extra stitches, so I knit a row, Knitting 2 stitches together twice.  Then I knit another row, just to even out the knitting so she only saw one stitch at a time on the needles.

I then told her how many stitches she has on her needles and we put a point protector on the needles so she can't pull the stitches out like that again, or at least that's the theory.  She was so excited that she started pulling out all her past projects to show off.  It was neat.  All the cousins were giggling over the doll clothes, sweaters and blankets they remember her making them when they were children.

As mentioned, the baby blanket fix isn't pretty, or perfect.  But the great-grandkid that gets this blanket will have something hand knit by their Great-Grandmother - when she was their Great-Grandmother.  It wasn't made when she was young and then handed down through the generations.  There's something cool about that.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow!  It's Thanksgiving!  Time sure flies these days.  I've got a bunch to be thankful for, how about you?

1.  My car(s) still run.  One is old enough to vote - if it had a conscience.  The other is "only" 13.  I'm thankful we have a good mechanic and that they have been amazing cars.

2.  It's mid November and I have yet to break out my heavy winter coat.  I'm still wearing my rainy mix spring/fall coat!  Woot!  Woot!

3.  My Grandparents are doing well right now.  And everyone in my extended family is currently healthy.

4.  My sis is doing well, happy, healthy.  She's my sis, so I know that that's a big deal!

I'm also thankful for all of my customers and the path that DYNT has taken recently.  Slowly, but steadily, people are starting to understand why I find it so important to buy American when I can, to support Fair-Trade organizations, and to be concerned about the impact a product makes on our world.  I struggle each day to purchase and carry items that are high quality, yet fit these standards.  Why?  Because I believe that every creature is important to the Creator.  That means, to me, that I support my neighbors, be they here in the US or  abroad.  I also believe that tending to the care of all creatures means thinking about the impact something has on the Creation as a whole.  Is it sustainable?  Is it harming an Eco-system?  Is the manufacturing harmful to someone?  Not all of these questions can always be answered positively in one product.  But by thinking through my decisions, I often feel "comfortable" with the answers I can find.  I'm thankful that each day I find new and exciting products to share with you!

I'm also thankful for the up-coming move.  Each day brings me more reassurance about my decision.  I'm not happy about leaving the city of Butler, and I'm sorry to possibly loose a few of my currently loyal customers.  But I've started to think on a grander scale...I'll still be in Butler County. This move may be "bigger" than the picture I can currently envision.  Stay posted.

Holiday Happenings

There’s a lot going on at the Markethouse right now. Stop in! The Hidden Nest is all decked out for Christmas – I know with the unseasonable weather it’s hard to think about, but it is mid November already! Personally, I’ll keep this weather as long as we can!

There are parades tomorrow and on the 19th! DYNT will be open during both of them. Stop in before, during (is it a while between your family members’ floats?) or after.

DYNT will also be open during Light Up Night! I’m excited about this. The tree at Diamond Park will be decorated w/ purple ribbons in Honor or in Memory of people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Ribbons are $10 each and proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. I personally think cancer is a “four-letter word” and am doing what I can to help this year’s cause…so that means you can purchase your Light Up Night Ribbons at DYNT. Please, pass this along and let everyone know that they can get their ribbons here. Even if they would not normally shop in a yarn shop, let them know they are welcome to stop in. I’d like to sell as many ribbons as possible – it’s a big tree! It’s going to need a lot of ribbons to look festive. And if you haven’t been affected by cancer, you’re lucky.

Also, now’s your chance to stop in and create your wish list. December 15th will be Men’s’ Night. I really should call it Spouse Night or Elves’ Night – ‘cause guys are able to fill in wish lists too, as are kids. It’s really for anyone. I just know that guys are sometimes reluctant to purchase specialty items ‘cause, well, their specialty items – just like I don’t go into a bike shop and Christmas Shop without help. So I thought I’d try something to offer help to all those shoppers who have crafty folk on their lists.

Extended Friday Hours

Starting this Friday, DYNT will be open until 4 on Fridays. So the hours are now: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10-4, Thursday 10-6.

I'm pretty excited about this. For one thing, it makes the hours easier to remember; both for me and the customers! For another thing, it means that Christina has gained enough confidence to be willing to work a few more hours. If you've been in on Fridays, you know I'm not there. Christina's a friend of mine who has a few learning disabilities and it's difficult for her to be properly trained in a traditional (hurried and impersonal) work environment, despite her desire to be a productive, working part of society. So thanks the the patience of my customers, assistance from other shop keepers, and lots of time, she is slowly learning new skills and gaining the ability to work in a more traditional setting.

So if you regularly stop in on Fridays, thanks!