Watching and Knitting: Bad Sisters

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022Leave a comment

Bad Sisters

Sharon Horgan’s dark comedy has the same fierceness as Pulling and Catastrophe, both co-created by Horgan. Her talent for creating and writing comedy roles for women is unrivaled.

Bad Sisters is about the five Garvey sisters and begins with the death of one of their husbands, whom the other four sisters refer to as “The Prick”. The opening credits with PJ Harvey singing Leonard Cohen’s Who by Fire is inspired. The soundtrack is amazingly eclectic with tunes from The Pogues (it is Irish after all), Fiona Apple, and Stringbean. Apple TV+ Watch the trailer

The Durrells in Corfu

I watched this on a recommendation and it’s surprisingly funny. The series is based on a true story and series of novels by the youngest Durrell about their widowed mother transplanting them from England to the island of Corfu. The sister Margo has quickly become my favorite Durrell. PBS and Amazon Prime Watch the trailer

Current WIPS

Crocheting a lovely shell stitch scarf with this beautiful Louisa Harding Giardino in Rosabella. I made a granny square throw with this yarn and think this scarf should use up the 3 remaining balls. IMHO this yarn looks better crocheted than knit.

I’m still deciding whether I want to knit more wooly garlands to have enough to sell this holiday season. They sold well last year, almost too well… which leads me to believe I was charging too little. I may just knit fewer and limit them to a couple holiday markets… though pretty sure I sold out in 2 hours at Luna Market.

Eight Years & Counting (Stitches)

September 12, 2021September 21, 2021Leave a comment

Eight years ago today I started a local stitch & bitch in our small Texas town. Knitting and crocheting may be a solitary activity, but regular community with other knitters and crocheters is a bright spot in my life.

I had started one while living in Austin and was craving this community again, so I began by asking a local business owner Molly Alexander if we could meet once a month in her new fairly store. I knew it would be a great fit for a knitting group and her business. I had planned to call it a Stitch & Bitch, but decided Stitch & Hoot was much more on brand for her lovely store The Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods Store.

I knew that the community I craved could thrive in such a welcoming space. Eight years later this group of mostly women, still meets once a month to knit, drink wine or Topo Chico, and catch up with each other’s lives, or rather to Stich & Hoot. Covid-19 created a brief interruption as we pivoted to Zoom then back again to The Owl at their adjusted hours.

We could have met in each other’s homes, but meeting publicly allows us to post on social media and attract new members, and sometimes knitters just visiting family for the holidays will pop in… this really does happen. Also, I should point out that She Creates Union exists because Emma Clark saw our flyer at The Owl and showed up to crochet. Kismet.

Our September Stitch & Hoot will be Thursday, September 23rd 5-7pm. There will be cake. Bring your pointy sticks or even sharper wit and join us in celebrating eight whole years of Stitching & Hooting. All are welcome!

If you ever find yourself near Elgin, Texas on a 4th Thursday, come by The Owl at 5pm. We’d love to have you.

Some come to stitch, others come to hoot.

Cheers, Stacey

Joy of Missing Out

March 26, 2020July 14, 2020Leave a comment

If you know me at all, you know I am happiest at home. But even a self-proclaimed homebody can get a little squirrelly when home becomes both work place and sanctuary for an indefinite amount of time.

I have always been good at entertaining myself, and these days I’ve been happily starting new knitting projects, cooking, and hope to get my vegetable garden ready for transplants.

When this is all over and we all return to at least a bit of normalcy, I hope to report that my garden has been started, I’m halfway finished with the shawl I just started, and I’ve finally finished the plaid shawl that’s been on my loom for a year. Yes, a year. Maybe longer. Definitely longer.

It will come as no surprise that I’m spending a fair amount of time knitting. I’m knitting up all these sock yarn ends into a mash up of a Find Your Fade and the semi circle shawl recipe on this PDF.

I am loving the comforting garter stitch of this simple 4 row pattern. I love watching a project grow from 3-4 stitches and become massive wraps. It’s so satisfying.

Here are a couple ideas for keeping your hands busy and your spirit light these days.

Watch (or Rewatch) Lighthearted TV

Rewatching all three seasons of The Detectorists last week was just the sweet, slow moving non-action I needed at the end of each day while I knit.

Learn to Fold a Fitted Sheet

I’ve always just balled them up and stuffed them in the linen closet, and felt it must be some sort of witchery that gave people the power to fold these nicely. This video makes it seem so simple.

Learn to Knit

I seriously don’t know why everyone does not knit. Aside from all the lovely hats, shawls, sweaters, and blankets, it is meditative and calming. Even for those that are nearby.

I love having a project with me when waiting for an oil change, an appointment, or a flight, or just need a break from staring at my computer screen. Ask any knitter how much they love airport and in flight knitting. It’s the best.

Don’t wait, knit.

I taught myself to knit with the modern knitter’s bible Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook before there were thousands of YouTube how to videos. Search there for help or sign up for a free two week trial of Bluprint, and learn from one of their many classes.