Happenings (blog)

Spring Sweater-along

Spring Sweater-along

Posted on by Sati <3

The official R&R CAL/KAL of the season

Sweater
Chevron Lace Cardigan by Milobo
Sweater
Anker's Summer Top by PetiteKnit

Say goodbye to Winter blues and say hello to a fresh Spring project. Rows & Roses is hosting a Sweater-along for Spring 2021 and you’re invited to join! Starting this week, let’s make sweaters together to welcome in the new season. Any yarn, any pattern, anything goes! We have a knit pattern and a crochet pattern all picked out for anyone who needs a little nudge, and I would LOVE to help you pick your yarn for either (or both!)

Knitting pattern: Check out Anker’s Summer Shirt pattern. It is GORGEOUS, isn’t it? Our sweet Sharon brought this pattern to show me, and I fell in love with it. We both thought this would be a great pattern for anyone still new at knitting who would like to take a swing at their first garment. Easy stitches and easy construction, so you can just enjoy playing with the yarn!

Crochet Pattern: The Chevron Lace Cardigan seems like just the thing for Spring. This crochet top also has easy stitches and easy construction, definitely suitable for beginners and advanced crocheters alike. 

Either of these patterns would look great in Bamboo Pop, Providence, or two strands of Malabrigo Sock held double. I would especially love to see the crochet sweater done in Mal sock and brushed Suri alpaca held double! I think that would be an absolute dream… 

Here's our Schedule

After some thought, I decided that a schedule will help to keep us all on track:
~ Cast on: Wednesday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day)
~ Half way WIP (work-in-progress) pic posted: Tuesday, April 20
~ Finish knitting/crocheting: Wednesday, May 19
~ Blocked and wearable: Saturday, May 22

Cast-on Party at the shop!
Join us at 1pm on Wednesday, March 17 to cast on your sweater amongst friends. We’ll enjoy coffee and conversation, and help anyone who needs a little guidance. If this is your first sweater, don’t be scared! Come early if you need help picking out yarn. We will be sitting down at 1pm to get started, and I can’t wait to see what you all pick for your pattern and yarn!

But wait, there’s more! Be sure to wear your finished sweater to the new shop on Saturday, May 22. We will have a “fashion show” that day, including stylized pics of you modeling your new spring sweater. Refreshments will be served, and everyone who wears their sweater in that day will be entered into a drawing for a special prize.
PRIZES!! Yes, of course, there will be prizes.
~ For everyone who posts their desired pattern and yarn, along with an “I’m in!” in the Ravelry thread, I will offer you one free Rows & Roses pattern of your choice.
~ For everyone who joins us for the cast-on party on Wednesday, I will give you one free sample pack of Eucalan Wool wash of your choice so you will have the perfect wash for your sweater when you finish it (this stuff is good for anything, not just wool 🙂 )
~ And finally, everyone who comes in to model their sweater on Saturday, May 22, will be entered into a drawing for a Rows & Roses gift package. Details on the gift package coming soon!

So, who’s in? Join the Ravelry group, as that’s where the thread will be (it’s too hard to keep a thread like this going on facebook; it gets buried and I can’t tag from the page.) I hope to see you all on Wednesday at 1pm. This is going to be so much fun ♥

Time to Move!

Time to Move!

Posted on by Sati <3

This LYS is growing…

Holding a key in front of the new place

Y’all. I truly can’t believe I’m saying this but… even though Rows & Roses Yarn & Fiber just opened 6 months ago, we’ve already outgrown our space!
Back in September of 2020, I opened up R&R Y&F in a little 950 square foot building, I wanted to bring Seneca a nice little yarn shop full of community, classes, demos, education, and lots of scrumptious yarns and fibers that you can’t get anywhere else around here. Once I moved in a work station, a spinning wheel, a library, a sitting area, and a retail space, there wasn’t much room to grow. But grow we did, and hugely! Rows & Roses now carries more than double (and coming up on triple) the amount of stuff that it opened with. The classes and workshops and events have seen such a great response that we are sometimes running out of room for people to sit!
So, onward and upward! Rows & Roses is moving at the end of the month, four doors down, to a MUCH larger space, complete with a classroom, a much bigger storage area (thank goodness,) and even the hookups for a dye kitchen. Just look at the pics below and you’ll get an idea.

Some "before" pics for ya

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As you can see, this place is so much bigger. It’s like a mansion on the lake compared to our current location! I’m going to have fun filling it with wonderful stuff for you all to enjoy. 
So! How about some details?

** Rows & Roses Yarn & Fiber **

Closing on Saturday, March 27 at 6pm at the old location, 105 E. North 1st St, Seneca.

Reopening on Tuesday, April 6 at 10am at the new location, 113 E. North 1st St, Seneca.

Also, MOVING SALE!!!

From now until 6pm on Saturday, March 27, everything in the shop is 20% off. Shop this sale in-store, or use the code moving in the eCom. Come on in and say goodbye to our first “home” and help me lighten my moving load a little. The less I have to move, the quicker we can get everything ready to go in the new place!

moving sale 20% off

Be sure to keep an eye on the facebook page, the Google listing, or this blog, for all of the Grand Reopening info as I get it nailed down. We’re going to have a PARTY! Be sure to let your friends know about the 20% off everything going on right now, and mark your calendars for our big day on Tuesday, April 6 at the brand new place!

February Showcase

February Showcase

Posted on by Sati <3

Spoiler: there’s yarn

February has been so full of STUFF going on! Especially for being the shortest month of the year. There have been pattern proposals sent, patterns graded, lots of wonderful things crocheted, and so much happening at the shop right now I sometimes feel like I’m two people. I’m not complaining though; all this busy busy busy makes me feel alive. I am so thrilled to be doing what I love full-time!
Let’s take a look back at some of the things from this month in this February Showcase. 
(Pic above is my Budding Conifer wrap, formally known as Sawtooth. Pic credit goes to Molly at Interweave Crochet.)

Lovely little things!

Patterns

Heartbeat
budding conifer

My newest freebie pattern, Heartbeat, was a real hit this month! The month of love always brings out the desire to work with reds and pinks, at least for me it does. This triangle shawl is worked with three colors of WeCrochet’s Memento, using the “drop & swap” technique. You can view it for free on my blog, or purchase your .pdf for $1.99 here on Rav.

My Budding Conifer Wrap just went “live” with the latest issue of Interweave Crochet, Spring 2021. This whole issue makes me so happy! I love most of the patterns in it and can definitely see myself making some of them. If you’re local, you can grab your copy form my shop the next time you come to visit, as long as I still have some left.

This little number will be my newest pattern if I can ever get it graded…. I’ve been working on grading this pattern for a week now and something always comes up to pull me away! This top is crocheted top-down in the round, using the new gradient in my shop, Universal Yarn’s Colorburst. My size, pictured here, took less than one ball! Can you believe it? As soon as I finish the grading and get it tested, I’ll post about it so you can check it out.

What else?

Besides all this, I’ve been working tirelessly on the Knotions/Rows & Roses eBook that comes out this fall. Are you excited about this?? I know I am! All proposals have been accepted, yarn support has been requested, and soon I will be able to start teasing some swatches. Keep an eye on the facebook page to stay up to date on eBook news!

That’s it. I hope you’ve enjoyed this February Showcase. If you know someone who may be interested in my little corner of the yarn world and what R&R has going on, please consider sharing this post, or the facebook page, with them. Tweet, pin, comment, and anything else you feel moved to do. Every little action on your part has a BIG impact on my little business. Thank you so much for following along with my adventures. I couldn’t do this without you ♥

Heartbeat

Heartbeat

Posted on by Sati <3

FREE crochet pattern

Heartbeat

Heartbeat is here, and just in time for Valentine’s Day. I”ve been working on this design for weeks and am finally ready to share! This gorgeous cotton shawl is crocheted using three colors of WeCrochet’s Memento. 100% Pima cotton, the stitch pattern utilizes my favorite: the “drop & swap” technique, to bring you color striping that only LOOKS complicated. Heartbeat is worked from tip to edge, and features a lovely border. You’ll want to wrap up in this cozy shawl every day. 

Want a printable .pdf  of Heartbeat for just $1.99? Click here.

Get Ready...

Stitches:   Ch, sc, dc
Yarn:  WeCrochet’s Memento (#4 worsted-weight, 100% Pima Cotton, 232 yards/100g) 1 ball each of Moonshadow, Winter Bloom, and Fuchsia
Hook:  J10
Sizes:  52” long, 36” along scalloped edge
Gauge:  20 sts x 8 rows = 4” in st patt, blocked

NOTES:
~ There is no need to cut your yarn after each row. Simply drop your current color and pick up the available color during your last pull-through of each row. This is called the “drop & swap” and you can carry your yarns up the sides of your project. When you finish your last row, you will sc over all those long “floats” all the way around, creating a lovely border.
~ All odd rows are worked in dc, and all even rows are worked in sc.

Heartbeat

Let's do it!

Pattern:

Ch 4

Row 1) In C1, (Dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, 2dc) all in 3rd ch from hook, dropping C1 and picking up C2 on final pull-through. (Beginning ch-3 counts as st, here and throughout.) Turn.  = 5 dc, 2 ch-1 sp

Row 2) In C2, ch 1, sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1, sc, dropping C2 and picking up C3 on final pull-through. Turn.  = 5 sc, 2 ch-1 sp

Row 3) In C3, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, sk 3 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc, dropping C3 and picking up C1 on final pull-through. Turn.  = 6 dc, 3 ch-1 sp

From here on out, I will not be specifying which colors to use; you will utilize the drop & swap method, as established.

Row 4) Ch 1, sc, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 2, sk 2, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1, sc. Turn.  = 6 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 1 ch-1 sp

Row 5) Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, sk 3, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-2 sp, sk 1, dc. Turn.  =  8 dc, 4 ch-1 sp

Row 6) Ch 1, sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 2, sk 2 sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1, sc. Turn.  = 8 sc, 2 ch-1 sp, 1 ch-2 sp

Row 7) Ch 3, *(dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, sk 3; rep from * to last ch-1 sp, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc in last st. Turn.  =  9 dc, 5 ch-1 sp

Row 8) Ch 1, sc, sc in ch-1 sp, *ch 2, sk 2, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp; rep from * to last 2 st, ch 1, sk 1, sc in last st. Turn.  = 9 sc, 2 ch-2 sp, 1 ch-1 sp

Row 9) Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, *sk 3, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp; rep from * to end, dc in last st. Turn.  = 11 dc, 6 ch-1 sp

Row 10) Ch 1, sc, ch 1, sk 1, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp, *ch 2, sk 2, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp; rep from * to last 2 st, ch 1, sk 1, sc in last st. Turn.  = 11 sc, 2 ch-1 sp, 2 ch-2 sp

Rep Rows 7-10 twenty-three (23) more times.

Rep Rows 7-8 one (1) more time.

Using next available color, work edging as follows:

Dc, 3 dc in ch-2 sp, *(sc, ch 3, sl st into 1st ch, sl st) into next ch-2 sp, 7dc into next ch-2 sp; rep from * to end of row. DO NOT CUT YARN. Pivot work, and sc evenly across top of shawl, 3sc in “point” at tip of shawl, sc evenly down final side of shawl. Join to 1st dc with sl st. 

Cut all yarn. Weave in all ends. Block.

All Finished!

And there you have it! A lovely Heartbeat, made of lovely yarn, stitched with ALL the love <3 And it didn’t even take very long, did it? Don’t forget to check out my other free patterns!

I’d love to see your Heartbeat creations! Post a pic to your favorite social media and tag #RowsAndRosesHeartbeat and @RowsAndRoses so we can all be inspired by your amazing abilities. As always, if you need me, I’m only a click or two away.
#WeCAmbassadorsFeb21

Sati Glenn, owner and operator of Rows and Roses Fiberworks. 
Email: sati@rowsandroses.com
Website: www.rowsandroses.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/rowsandrosescrochet
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/stores/rows-and-roses

New Year Showcase

New Year Showcase

Posted on by Sati <3

First projects of 2021!

Among Us

New years are always so exciting for me! Everything just feels fresh. I’ve made so much this month, I can’t even remember it all. Take a look at how far we’ve come already!

Check out these gorgeous makes

Patterns!

Shipwrecked
Bella Cash

Squozen is my newest pattern on Ravelry, and I wrote it especially for WeCrochet. Crocheted in Twill worsted, this poncho is “technically” colorwork, without the work of stranding, intarsia, or mosaic. This project is great for beginners, or for anyone who wants to use multiple colors in a totally laid-back and stress free way. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!

I released Shipwrecked, a crocheted scarf pattern, mostly because of the yarn. Do you know how often a visitor in my shop will exclaim excitedly over this Slub yarn by Treehouse Knits, only to end up putting it back, saying, “I just don’t know what I’d do with it?” Too many times to count. So here you go. One skein, easily memorized three row stitch pattern, just go until you run out of yarn, or until you’re ready to stop. Perfection.

Bella Morn, my crocheted scarf pattern using Universal Yarn’s Bella Cash, came about kind of on accident. I wanted to use some leftover Bella Cash to make a shop sample, but couldn’t find a pattern that really did it for me. So I made one up, wrote it down, and sent a pic to Universal. They loved it! They’ve since linked it on their website, and taken professional glamour shots for me. I bet you will LOVE this cashmere blended yarn for this scarf. It’s really just so wonderful.

I hope you see something in this post that inspires you to get creative or up your stitching game. Sharing with all of you is one of my favorite parts of this “job.” As always, if you have any questions, any suggestions, or just want to chat, I’m only a click or two away. Please consider sharing this post with others who may enjoy it. Everything little action you take- be it a like, a share, a tweet, or a pin- helps Rows & Roses to grow. I thank you so much for being a part of my life ♥

Shipwrecked

Shipwrecked

Posted on by Sati <3
FREE crochet pattern
Shipwrecked

How many times have I heard, “Oh what a beautiful yarn! But… I just don’t know what to make with it?” Too many times to count! This gorgeous slubby yarn, hand-dyed by Treehouse Knits, just cries out to be touched. So let’s make it shine! Shipwrecked calls to mind tattered sails and sunken treasure. Worked from one end to the other, you can enjoy this simple lacy stitch pattern right up until you run out of yarn, or until you feel that your scarf is long enough. No need to measure, and once you’ve mastered the stitches, no need to count. Shipwrecked is truly the epitome of easy and enjoyable crochet.

Want a printable .pdf of this pattern for just $1.99? Click here.

Details

Stitches:  Ch, sc, standing dc (sdc,) dc
Yarn:  Treehouse Knits Slub in “Jarrahdale,” (fingering #1, 438 yards/100g) 1 skein
Hook:  I9/5.5mm
Sizes:  6” wide, length is completely customized

Gauge:  20 st x 9 rows = 4” unblocked

NOTES:
I have found that unblocked looks best in this yarn, for this particular pattern. So no need to block your Shipwrecked 🙂

Shipwrecked

Let's get wrecked!

Pattern:

Ch 30

Row 1) SC in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn.  = 29 st

Row 2) SDC in 1st st, *ch 3, sk 3, DC; rep from * to end. Turn.

Row 3) SDC in 1st st, *(DC, ch 2, DC) in ch-3 sp, DC; rep from * to end. Turn.

Row 4) SDC in 1st st, * ch 1, sk 1, DC in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1, DC in next DC; rep from * to end. Turn. 

Rep Rows 2-4 until you feel your scarf is long enough, or until you run out of yarn.

Cut yarn, weave in ends.

Shipwrecked on table

All finished! Wow, just look at your super cool scarf. I’m so proud of you! I’d love to see your creation. Just share a pic to your favorite social media and tag it #RowsAndRosesShipwrecked and @RowsAndRoses so we can all see how awesome you are. As always, if you need me, I’m only a click or two away.

Sati Glenn, owner and operator of Rows and Roses Fiberworks. 

Email: sati@rowsandroses.com

Website: www.rowsandroses.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/rowsandrosescrochet

Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/stores/rows-and-roses

Colossal Collaboration

Colossal Collaboration

Posted on by Sati <3

Rows & Roses, Himaymay, and Malabrigo!

Do you love knitting? Do you LOVE Malabrigo? Are you into trying new things? Well well well…. I just may have something for you. Rows & Roses has partnered up with Himaymay Creations to bring you a fun opportunity, at a discount, and with a chance to win big!

Discount, you say?

Why yes I did. Rufina of Himaymay Creations has designed a very special promotion for a cause: she has decided to use the release of her brand new cowl pattern to help save local yarn shops!

The details:
If you purchase any two skeins of Malabrigo Sock from Rows & Roses from now until February 28, you will receive a 25% discount on her pattern.

This gorgeous cowl pattern is knit brioche, using two contrasting colors of Malabrigo sock. The color combo possibilities are endless!

Pattern sneak peek
This pattern will be released on January 22, so if you purchase your yarn before then, I will email you the discount code on the 22nd once the pattern is live.

But wait, there's more!

Wanna win a $50 gift card to Rows & Roses? Read on, my yarny friend….

Criteria for $50 GC raffle draw:

  1. Must have purchased Malabrigo Sock/Arroyo or yarn of a similar yardage, weight, and fiber material (superwash or non superwash merino wool/nylon combo, 100% merino wool, or acrylic if you are allergic to merino wool) at Participating LYS during promo period (January 22, 2021- February 28, 2021). Please take a picture of your receipt for verification clearly noting the date of purchase, purchased items, and store where the yarn was purchased)

  2. If you cannot afford to purchase yarn from an LYS but have stock of Malabrigo Sock/Arroyo or similar yarn, at least purchase my pattern at full price from my website from January 22, 2021-February 28, 2021).

  3. Must have a Facebook account (because I will do the drawing by checking out who used the hashtag (#tpakcowlchallenge2021)

  4. Must have a camera or a means to take a photo of their work to post in Facebook for drawing.

  5. Must enter as an individual and not as a business. One entry per person. (If you are a small business owner who would want to knit for this cause, please enter/purchase yarn/pattern with your name and not your business name)

  6. If you do not have a Facebook account, please send (1) a picture of you wearing your finished work, (2) your first and last name, (3) complete mailing address, (4) phone number that I can text a message to, and (5) Participating LYS of your choice where you want to spend the GC to my email at rufina@himaymaycreations.com. You can only use your GC on one Participating LYS. If you choose to purchase from Unwound Artisan Yarn Shop but their supplies are depleted or the store has closed, you may choose another Participating LYS by June 30, 2021. Disclaimer: the information above will not be sold or given away. It is simply a means for me to contact you if you have won. I will not use it to pester you with emails unless you willingly subscribe to my email list.

  7. Like and Share Himaymay Creation Facebook page and/or subscribe to the mailing list (these are my main avenues to announcing who won).

 

How to win $50 Gift Certificate:

Once you meet the criteria above, (purchase the yarn, purchase the pattern) just knit the Two-Phase Ami-Kata Cowl (TPAK Cowl). Post a photo of yourself and the finished product on Facebook with your Facebook name (@name) and write #tpakcowlchallenge2021 #himaymaycreations. The picture of the finished product must be posted on or before March 24, 2021 (11:59pm Pacific Standard Time). The winner will be randomly drawn and the announcement will be made on March 31, 2021.

Bella Morn

Bella Morn

Posted on by Sati <3

Free crochet pattern

Bella Morn

Bella Morn is a light-weight crocheted scarf, perfect for a morning stroll. Using three colors of Bella Cash, this scarf was designed almost as a sampler: each color has its own stitch pattern. Once you’ve finished your third row, you won’t even have to look at your pattern!  Utilizing the “drop & swap” method of three-color striping, you’ll learn how to work this scarf in a way that simply carries the yarns up the sides, rather than cutting. Quick, easy, and yet fun to crochet.

If you want, you can grab your printable .pdf of Bella Morn here.

Pattern Info

Stitches:  Ch, sc, hdc, dc
Yarn: Bella Cash, (#1 fingering weight, 230 yards/50g) 3 colors, 1 ball each. Sample shown in Amethyst, Coffee, and Oat
Hook:  I9 (5.5mm)
Sizes:  76” long, 6” wide

Gauge:  6 st x 8 rows = 2”, blocked

NOTES:
~ Do not cut your yarn after each row! When you get to the end of a row, simply drop the yarn you’re working with and pick up the new color during the last pull-through. This is the magic of the “drop & swap” method. Less ends to weave in later.

Let's Make a Bella Morn!

Pattern:

In MC, ch 253

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.  = 251 st

Row 2: In CC1, ch 1, *sc, ch 1, sk 1; rep from * to end. Sc in last st. Turn.

Row 3: In CC2, ch 2 (does not count as st,) dc in 1st st, dc in ch-1 sp, * 2 dc in ch-1 sp; rep from * to end. Dc in last st. Turn.

Row 4: In MC, ch 1, hdc across. Turn.

Row 5-25) Rep Rows 2-4 seven times.

Cut all yarns, weave in ends.

Check out your brand new super-cool Bella Morn scarf! I bet you’re so excited to wear it. I’d love to see it. Post a pic of your finished scarf to social media and tag @RowsAndRoses and #RowsAndRosesBellaMorn so we can all see the colors you picked and how awesome you are! As always, if you need me, I’m only a click or two away.

Bella Morn

If you love this pattern, or know someone who might, I’d love a share! Pin it, tweet it, repost on facebook, or send to a friend. Every little thing you do helps Rows & Roses grow. So, thank you. Thank you so much ♥

Felici Matchy Matchy

Felici Matchy Matchy

Posted on by Sati <3
Matchy Matchy

**NEW PATTERN!**
It’s finally here! After a few false starts I now have a pretty special (if I do say so myself) pair of patterns to present to you. Get matchy with Felici Matchy Matchy. These legwarmers and fingerless mitts will keep you warm in these icy months while also being the best style statement you’ve ever owned. I chose rainbow as support and pride in the LGBTQ+ community, and WOW! Aren’t they so bright and happy?

A little about the pattern:

Stitches:  Ch, sl st, SC, SC2tog, DC, DC2tog
Yarn:  WeCrochet’s Felici Worsted (#4 worsted, 218 yards/100g,) 1 ball for mitts and 1 ball for leg warmers (shown in Rainbow)
Hook:  J10/6mm
Sizes: Mitts- 6.5” long, 3” wide when finished
Leg Warmers- 11” long, 5.5” wide when finished

 (These patterns are customizable. Add/subtract 8 stitches, and add/subtract rows to make them the sizes you need them to be.)

Me being matchy matchy
Matchy Legwarmers

If you are loving Felici Worsted as much as I am, give this pattern duo a try! You can snag a copy for just $4.99 in my Ravelry store.

Go grab your copy of the double pattern here.

And then go choose your colors through my affiliate link.

Check out my Felici on the Double pattern, as well as my Felici on the Double Doubled if you’re looking for matching cowl patterns. They can each be made with a single ball of Felici Worsted, as well! In my Ravelry store, you can also find the Felici Twist cowl pattern, as well as the Felici On The Double hat to round out your collection.

And of course, if you know someone who might like this, please pass it on! You can share to facebook, pinterest, twitter, or even on your blog. Thank you so much for helping get the word out there! We all need a little more Felici in our lives ♥

#WeCAmbassadorsDec20

Building a Better Year

Building a Better Year

Posted on by Sati <3

New Year, New Ideas

Rose, the namesake of Rows & Roses, looking at balloons in the brand new shop.
Rose, the namesake of Rows & Roses, looking at balloons in the brand new shop.

What a year this has been! I think we’ve had just about every existential crisis any of us could have thought of, and even some we never would have. Our whole planet has had to pull together and deal with some heavy stuff in 2020. The US had the craziest, ugliest, most debated election that I can ever remember in my 38 years (yes, even worse than the Trump/Clinton election, if you can imagine.) We’ve been sent home and told to stay there, our kids have had to learn new school routines, and everything has just been a mess. I gotta say, I’m not sorry to see this year go.

Against all odds though, Rows & Roses has come out strong. This little business saw its first full year of newsletters and website posts and updates, its most growth of members in the facebook group, its largest sales of patterns on Ravelry, and the opening of its retail location Rows & Roses Yarn & Fiber. I’ve celebrated, worried, worked my ass off, got up sore and tired the next morning and worked it all over again… I’ve written 26 patterns this year, hosted 13 KAL/CALs, been published in a magazine, was included in too many round-ups to count, did a live interview with WeCrochet, opened numerous wholesale accounts, gutted and remodeled and furnished and stocked a shop downtown, and taught a bunch of classes. In addition to all of this, I still created, posted, ordered, and did the work and shipping for NINE Specials & Customs Events and FLASH buys.

Needless to say, this has been BY FAR the busiest year that Rows & Roses has ever seen. It’s been great, it’s been scary, it’s been wild, exhilarating, terrifying, satisfying, and humbling, among other things. After this whirlwind of a year, I’ve discovered that I really need to find out where are the best places to put my energies, and what I’m going to have to let go. This go-go-go is unsustainable in the long run, and my family needs more of me than I’ve been able to give them lately. I’m no spring chicken either, and my body (mostly my wrist) has really taken a beating. Now that I’ve started and kept up so many things, figuring out what sticks and what doesn’t is maybe the most valuable thing I can offer this little business, as well as all of you, and myself.

Specials & Customs Events

I’ve been thinking and praying over these events that have become the lifeblood of Rows & Roses over the years. These events are where I put up a bunch of items available for pre-order at special prices, as well as a customs list where you can order anything you want. These events have lately been consistently bringing in more orders that I ever anticipate, which is AMAZING ♥ I always look so forward to making all the things for all of my favorite people.

Baby Turtles

Combined with all the little FLASH buys I offer, sprinkled throughout the year, I am starting to realize that perhaps this amount of hooking and needling is a bit much for my poor little wrist. I injured my wrist around the holidays last year, and I have not been able to give it adequate rest since then.

Therefore, I’ve made a decision that in 2021, I will have exactly 4 events, one per quarter, and that’s it. No late orders, no extra favors, no rushed birthday gifts. If you want a Rows & Roses item made for you, you will have January, April, July, and October events in which to place your order. This means you’ll need to try to keep holidays in mind so that you can order in the appropriate event to get them on time. I will try to include holiday items in the specials that I offer for the events, but if you’re wanting something custom made, these four events are it. I will continue to create the events early, send invites, and post in the group multiple times in hopes that you don’t miss them, but it will be up to you to turn on your group notifications, and check the group from time to time. I’m not willing to put the added pressure on myself of making a list of people to contact and remind, so please keep an eye out for these events if you’re wanting to order.

These events will ALWAYS be held in the facebook group, as usual. Be sure to join the group if you haven’t already. You can join here.

Patterns

Kindred Spirit

Pattern writing has been one of my very most favorite aspects of what I do this year. I’ve written for Interweave Crochet, WeCrochet, and Expression Fiber Arts (still in testing, coming soon!) I’ve received yarn support like nobody’s business: let me tell you, when some companies send designers yarn “to play with,” they send the whole damn kitchen sink along with half the warehouse. I have fallen in love with yarns I didn’t know existed because of this, and I am so thankful for the opportunities that come along with the forged friendships and business relationships of the designing world.

However, (yes, you knew there was  a however, didn’t you?) in this year of big fat pattern writing, I’ve discovered that sometimes, I tend to try to get an idea out too fast. Quickly throwing together a 2″ x 2″ swatch, taking a pic in bad lighting, and using the wrong words to describe my meaning because I’m in a hurry is no way to put together a pattern proposal. I’ve had way more props rejected than accepted this year, and I think this is why. I’m always flying through my ideas, trying to just get them out “on paper” as quickly as possible so I can move on to the next thing. Dude. I’m better than that. Way better.

So for 2021, I am going to spend more time on my design ideas. I’m putting together a spreadsheet of props, as well as implementing a pen and paper template for these props so I can make sure I have everything in them- good pics, good lighting, good description- before I send them out. This means that I’m going to be mostly unavailable on the weekends (Sunday and Monday) due to spending time on my designs. I’ve always been quick to respond to messages and tags before, but from here on out, if your message goes unseen for a day or two, this is why. My heartfelt apologies in advance, you know I love you, I just really need to stop selling my ideas short by throwing together slapdash proposals that don’t do them justice. My weekends will be spent on this, as well as all the household stuff I’ve missed during the week. (Yes, I actually DO have a real life outside of yarn. Crazy, huh?)

So here we are

For now, these are the two big changes I feel that I need to make for Rows & Roses to be the best it can be: me being more artist less machine, and taking more time on designs/patterns so I can give them the attention they deserve. I’ve been spread so thin as of late, and I think spending less time doing the back-and-forth on facebook will help me to be able to focus.

As always, if you need me, you can message me, email me, hit the “talk to me!” form on the website, or call the shop. I hope to be able to hire some help by the summer of 2021, someone who can basically be a virtual assistant and help out in the Ravelry group, as well as the Pinterest account. If I’m able to do this, it will GREATLY alleviate some of the back-end responsibilities I spend so much time on each week. The less behind the scenes stuff I have to deal with, the more time and energy I can focus on all the important stuff that you are all here for. Thank you for your patience with me as I navigate these waters and try to find my footing. If you have any suggestions for me, or even just words of encouragement, I’m all ears. I love and appreciate each and every one of you who have stuck by me thus far in my journey. Here’s hoping 2021 is going to hold so much more than we ever dreamed.

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