That was Friday, April 17 in Adrian, MI. I have more pictures of our 6 inch snow fall but I don’t want to dwell on the negative. What a day; the Coronavirus and 10 1/2 hours of snow falling! Made me run to the bottle of Chardonnay. I can remember when I said “I’ve got books, yarn and wine so I’m all set.” Little did I understand that Stay Safe Stay Home would out last my wine supply. I am doing a couple of things which I believe are helping me get through this isolation. Well, of course, knitting. But also, I dress every day like I’m going out. I even often wear earrings. That really keeps my spirits up. The one thing I wonder is, will I forget how to put on makeup? Let’s take a look at my progress on double knitting. There is definitely a beginning, several middles but no end yet.

This is where it started. I love it. Remember Freia is a master of color and naming. This is Dirty Hippy. That name is right up there with Miss Babs Zombie Prom.

This is early middle. The color is just starting to change to purple. I was really glad to leave turquoise behind. That’s exactly what I love about an evolution yarn. Just when things are getting a little draggy, it changes colors and perks you right up.

This is where I am now. I think one more pattern will do it. Then what’s next? Oh, I have several projects in mind, each one better than the rest. Right now I have at least three to choose from but If I go through my “In the Queue” boxes, that number could easily jump to 100. No kidding. That’s why this is no time for me to explore the queue. I really don’t need any more frustration in my life.

Monday marks the beginning of the third week of organizing the Stash Studio. I love this! I have been opening every tub, putting kits together, deciding which goes to Ann’s By Design to sell and which goes to my friends. I rediscovered a tub of just gradient sets of yarn. BEAUTIFUL! Then I reintroduced myself to a tub of just baby alpaca yarn,. YUMMY! But wait until you see what I uncovered here and there in the Stash Studio.

This is at least 100 samples of Twisted Fiber Art yarn. I already have a ball started. My plan is to put all of the samples together and knit a Hitchhiker or something like that. Wouldn’t that be a great memory of how I spent “Stay Home Stay Safe?” All in all, Dick, Tess, knitting, reading, wine and contact with my friends are all pulling me through this. I hope Knitting: A Love Story is one of those things which will help you get through this difficult time. Stay Home. Stay Safe Save Lives.

Michigan is about to enter the most serious week of the Coronavirus pandemic. Outside of taking Tess for her daily walk, that means we’re pretty much completely staying in. You may wonder how there can possibly be a Wonderland in this environment. I want to remind you of “Climbing the Stairway to Heaven.”

One of my Stay Home Stay Safe goals is to have the Stash Studio ready for social knitting by the end of April. I got started yesterday after I had completed deep cleaning my bedroom, walk-in closet and jewelry box. Since I have nothing else to do to avoid what it necessary in Stash Studio, I made my first swipe yesterday. Every major job requires before and after pictures, so here we go. I must warn, if you are of the faint of heart, please sit down before viewing. The upside of this is, I am going to make you feel oh so good about the condition of your yarn stash. Ready? Here we go!

HOW DID I EVER LET THIS HAPPEN!!!! This is definitely an example of benign neglect. Yesterday I tackled needles. Now I have a tub of needles waiting to be sorted. Today my task is to get everything in its place from the head of the stairs to the door that goes into the storage room. That would be picture two. One of my knitting buddies I met in Myrtle Beach warned me that it has to get worse before it can get better. Is that really possible? For it to get worse? I am very excited to see what treasures I uncover. As I sort, I will match yarn with patterns to make kits. This really is more about returning order to the Stash Studio and not just throwing things in tubs. Well, I have been knitting. I can’t wait to share what I’ve done.

Jean is a lady who comes into Ann’s By Design. On the last day I worked before the shop closed for Stay Home Stay Safe, Jean came in and asked if I could sew her baby dress together. I said sure and told her it would be done by the next Friday. Little did we know what would intervene. A little while later she called and asked if I could finish the neck and armholes. I said sure. The pattern called a simple pick up and cast-off finish. Jan with time on her hands can come up with many different things. So, I started to experiment. The picot cast-off was perfect. I also took care to use the same color of yarn Jean had used to cast-on. I delivered it to her home. I just needed to give it to her for closure. This is how my double-knitting is coming along.

I’m glad to finally move on to purple from teal. See that place where there’s a knot? I must admit that I cut off yards and yards of teal. Teal wasn’t bringing me joy any more. Also, knots are very easy to hide with double-knit. They just slip between the two sides. I think I've procrastinated enough. It’s time to enter my Wonderland.