We are getting close! Inspections next week and then the official Certificate of Occupancy.

We’ve been doing cleanup and painting work for several weeks and are starting to move furniture and supplies down in anticipation of getting our Certificate of Occupancy approved from the city. The Dye Studio is ready to go. The refrigerator and projector have arrived, along with plenty of folding tables and chairs. We’ll be moving one of the couches down this weekend and we’ll be on the lookout at the ReStore for others. Next week we’ll have a couple of inspections and hopefully get full approval shortly.

We’re sad that we weren’t able to build stairs down from the shop, but we’re still investigating a lift. It will be more expensive, but it might be doable. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more. We can’t wait to invite folks into the new space to gather and craft amazing things together!

Since Berroco was bought by a private equity company, we’ve been experiencing declining service from them, just as you’d expect. The new owners pushed back against influencers who were promoting the Melt the Ice hat, too. So we are replacing their yarns in the shop where we can. We’ve brought in Universal Deluxe Worsted Superwash, only $12 a ball (except the tweed is $13).

Also we got more Kelbourne Keystone, a worsted wool/acrylic blend for only $9 a ball.

And we got lots more Lamb’s Pride Worsted, still $18 a ball.

The Berroco Ultra Wool is now on sale, only $11.20 per ball. We still have quite a bit, so if you’re in mid-project, come and get it now!

It’s a lot of work to block out lace, but it makes a huge difference! We’ve been looking for a great wool/silk lace yarn for ages because it blocks out and stays, it’s just a bit shiny but not too limp. We were thrilled to find the Symfonie Diva, and it worked up just like I’d hoped.

My secret is using a sheetrock wall to block. A pad is great for most blocking, but to really stretch lace evenly and vigorously, you need something structurally sturdy to pin into.

Our friend Elyssa discovered this great designer on Ravelry and a bunch of us are planning to do a variety of their projects together. Join up on the discord if you want to be part of it!

We have groups on Wednesday and Thursday mornings for people who are free during the day, and they are all friendly people who are happy to embrace new people of any skill level or craft! No need to call ahead, just come on by.

The Craft Underground Launch Team has been busy painting and working through various processes. We’ve been trying out various furniture arrangements and ordering things like a refrigerator and projector. The dye room is shaping up.

We’ll have more detailed news to share after our meetings tomorrow, so we’re holding off on the monthly e-news a couple of days. If you want to use your 10% off monthly coupon before that, just ask.

We’re back, and I managed to put a couple of inches on my socks, but mostly I was too busy to knit.

Music, dancing, worship, games, and socializing (plus writing a thousand emails as Communications Director) wore us out, but we had a great time, came home, and slept for three days.

Now we’re back at the shop and excited to get back to business!

It’s good to have a mindless portable project when away from home, and I need more summer socks! Cobasi is the perfect yarn, and four at a time is how I roll. Mismatched socks are my favorite.

There’s a spot above our window where wasps keep trying to build a nest. I knock down what they’ve built every morning, but they are persistent! We had this problem at home and I looked up things to do, and one suggestion was to crochet a decoy nest. Wasps are territorial, and will avoid an area that seems to be claimed already. It worked at home, so hopefully it will take care of the issue here without violence or chemicals.

I made a sign so that humans will no not to be afraid. Wasp stings suck! But fake wasps are fine.