Do you use stitch markers? I have been using them like crazy since starting to knit shawlettes and what did that create? My need to buy quite a few of them of course...LOL There's so many different kinds and all of them so cute...how could I possibly have too many stitch markers? I quickly looked at a tutorial on how to make them myself but it's just so much nicer to support someone's business so that's what I'll continue to do rather than making them myself. It creates a bit of good business karma don't you think? So without further adieu, here are a few of the markers I've acquired in the past little while...all of them lovely!
Bought from: Caryl Style (Etsy)
Bought from: Entrelac Stitch Markers
Speaking of good business karma, there's been more and more inklings on Ravelry lately of business owners bad mouthing other business owners. Until now I've just ignored it but I seem to be seeing it more and more these days. Why has this trend cropped up? I'm baffled by it. My Mom taught me that if I had nothing nice to say that I shouldn't say it at all. Truth is, there are real people behind the monitors and even though it seems innocuous to make a passing comment, these comments can be quite toxic as they create a lot of negative energy. As Ravelry continues to say and over and over, "let's be excellent to each other". It's a simple concept but for some, really difficult to follow. It's really too bad - Ravelry used to be a haven of positive and now it's becoming infested with negativity at almost every turn. I like to think the positive still outweighs the negative but some days you just really have to wonder. Is it just me or have you noticed this trend too? Maybe not with business owners in particular but just with the users in general? I sure would love to go back to the early days of Ravelry when everyone was excited for a social network of knitters and negativity was really hard to find.
However, onto something much more positive! Currently on the needles is Milkweed by Laura Chau and it's coming along nicely! I was struggling with Swallowtail so I decided to cast on something a little easier to get me back into the swing of knitting shawls. Laura's patterns are clearly written and I love that she includes little blue numbers that tell you how many stitches there are between the lace repeats - no need to count boxes! It's such a small thing but it makes it easier to just keep knitting without stopping to count. The yarn I'm using is my new Serenity 20 in the colourway Red Raspberry. It's got a lovely hand and the softness is really spoiling me for anything else...ahhhh, cashmere.
Have a fabulous and positive weekend everyone! I'm hoping to cast off my shawl this weekend if I manage to get in some good knitting time. The sun is beginning to shine here in Ontario and it's so refreshing. Perhaps Spring is around the corner? A change of season sounds fantastic.
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