Hello blog readers, those that remain or those that have stumbled by anew. It’s been nearly a year since my last post and I have no idea how to really discuss that much time in one post, so I won’t even try, but a few stand-out things (some good, some sad) have occurred that I am compelled to share.
1) My Hatchling is now two-and-a-quarter years old! He’s so much bigger than he was in the last post, yet amazingly that sweater I knit him still fits– the magic of knitwear!
2) I’ve picked up embroidery as a new hobby (y’know, in my spare time) and I really love it. It’s like coloring with string! So much quicker and satisfying in a way that knitting is not, sometimes. There will be more on this later.
CozyBlue stitch club pattern
3) Now for some sad news: I’ve decided to close Sweet Sheep’s doors. I’ve been taking on more responsibility at work and it was too much to grow my career while juggling a side hustle and trying to maximize family time (and maybe occasionally relaxing). It really breaks my heart to admit defeat on this, and I’m harboring a secret hope that I can open and develop new products again someday, but I’m grudgingly accepting that now is not that time. I appreciate all of the encouragement and support over the past 4 years, it has been a really wonderful experience.
4) Even sadder news: Just a week ago, we had to say goodbye to my sweet, sassy Calypso. She’s been featured on this blog throughout the years. She was my “heart cat”, as they say, the first cat that was all mine after college. She kept me company when I lived hours/flights away from all family and friends at my first job in Florida, moved into 8 different apartments in 5 states, was there for my first real relationships and meeting the Fiasco and getting married and having our first child. She was with me for 11 really formative years and it’s so strange and sad to be without her. She became suddenly very sick, though, and went through a ton of stuff over the past 6 months: pancreatitis, feeding tube, kidney issues, severe anemia, breathing problems, probable diabetes, possible heart disease, etc. and it was time to give up and let her go. It was not easy.
5) And now to elevate the mood a bit… last night I met the Yarn Harlot and she signed the book she wrote that taught me to make socks and now MY KNITTING LIFE IS COMPLETE. She taught a class called “Knit Smart” at the Stitchery (a great sewing/knitting workshop space in Portsmouth, RI where I learned to embroider) and she was so funny and as honest and clever as she seems on the blog and it was incredible how fast 3 hours spent talking about yarn and gauge swatches and running markers and how to count rows and needle sizes and selvedges etc. flew by. A non-knitter would never understand because I almost don’t even get it but all I know is that it’s restored my knitting mojo and I want to be more mindful of my creative life, and keeping up with this blog is part of that.
Obsession is normal, indeed.
I post frequently on Instagram but it’s not quite the same as blogging, so here we go again! If you’re still active in knitting blogland, please comment. If you don’t blog yourself but have a favorite blog or three to recommend, please do. I’d like to rebuild the list of who I follow and cultivate a sense of community here again, as I’ve truly missed it.
Woolen Diversions 
So sorry to hear about your precious kitty. Those critters do leave a big hole in our hearts. I understand closing your Sweet Sheep shop. I recently closed my Etsy shop due to changes in their selling practices but more for me to be able to spend time enjoying my craft rather than feeling the pressure to sell. I follow you on Instagram and I cannot believe how fast you little one has become a not-so-little one! Welcome back to blogging!
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Yes, the Etsy changes happened after I’d already been considering closing so it felt like an appropriate time because of that, as well. Thank you for the warm welcome! 🙂
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Nice to see you again, sorry to read about your kitty companion; having said goodbye to 3 kitties since leaving home I understand where you are right now.
I still blog but not as frequently as I did, a house full of teenage boys seems to slow me down a bit, but then I’ve also taken up weaving which I’m loving and still ignoring the housework as long as possible. I’m still knitting though, youngest teen loves handknit socks so I can’t stop even if his feet are now enormous.
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haha this reminds me I should knit more socks for my son while he’s still small! I imagine keeping a teen in socks is no small effort. Looking forward to checking out your weaving!
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Welcome back! Looking forward to your future posts😊
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Thank you ❤
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What a year! I am so sad about you cat, they steal our hearts and don’t stay with us long enough. But glad you saw the Yarn Harlot and are getting back to knitting and blogging!
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Thank you very much. I’m trying to be grateful for the 11 years we had, rather than sad about the additional ones we missed out on.
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That will get easier with time, of course, but you will always miss her.
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Welcome back! I’m so sorry about your cat. Our 4-legged children are just as much a part of the family as the 2-legged and their loss is felt just as deeply. Pretty exciting to have me the Yarn Harlot though. I’m a little jealous! 🙂 Oh, and OMG! Your embroidery is Gorgeous! It makes me want to fling my knitting into the corner and learn to embroider.
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Oh man, embroidery is so fun. I will post more about it soon with links to some of my favorite websites/instagram accounts. It’s so inspiring!
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Hey there! So sorry about Calypso…It is tough when out fur or in my case feather family members get sick…they can’t tell us what’s wrong…So sad about Sweet Sheep….hopefully you”ll be able to go back to it in the future….I am still blogging, but just took an unintended 6 week break…I saw the Yarn Harlot post on Instagram….I have yet to meet her….
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Thank you for your kind words and I’m glad you’re still blogging!
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I’m still trying to keep my blog active too, but the struggle is real! I feel the same–ready to refresh my list of who’s active and get back at it again! Don’t worry about the Sweet Sheep shop, time will bring it back when it’s right!
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Thank you, refresh away! It’s fun to reassess sometimes. 🙂
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It’s nice to read about your updates again! I’m so sorry about your kitty though. Hopefully, your little guy will help your heart heal. I’m also sorry to hear about your shop, although I understand as well. I had an Etsy shop for a little bit, but they take a lot more time than one might think! We actually met at the craft festival at Tangerini’s farm a couple of years ago! I’m just about to purchase that very pattern for embroidery -I love Cozy Blue’s designs!
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I remember that festival, it was a nice one! I think doing the shows is the part I’ll miss the most. Getting to meet people in person and watching their faces as they sniffed all the different fragrances and found their favorites was such fun.
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So sorry about your kitty, but happy for you and your family and growing kiddo! Just followed you on Instagram; I’m there and still blogging at pdxknitterati.com, but not nearly as much as I used to. It’s a good spot for long form posts, though.
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Thank you, and good to hear you’re still blogging!
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So very sorry about Calypso. It’s the hardest thing. ❤
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Thank you friend. ❤
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Closing your side business is NOT a failure. Not even a little bit. You did a super cool thing that you love, and right now is not the time to put your energy in that direction. That’s not a failure, that’s good awareness. It’s all good.
Sorry about your cat.
Fangirling with you over meeting Yarn Harlot. I once met Jess and Casey, the creators of Ravelry, and you’d have thought I met rock stars, lol. Super cool.
Glad you’re back.
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Thank you for saying that, it’s really hard to reframe sometimes. Much appreciated. I can’t imagine meeting THE MAKERS OF RAVELRY. I would’ve fangirled hard, too!
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