Sunday
Sep062009
Organizational tips and tricks
Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 7:12AM
Perhaps you didn't know this about me, but I will let you in on a little secret.
I can hear what you're thinking.
Only when you're visiting this site, mind you. Not just randomly all the time. So you think.
Like right now, you're thinking, "What's that colorway?"
See?
Right now you're thinking, "Gosh, how did it get to be Labor Day weekend already?" Except for you, over there, you're thinking, "Labour Day? Don't we celebrate that in May?"
And right now, "Sheesh, she hasn't updated her blog in forever. Where's she been?"
And, "What exactly is that yarn?"
Because I am a benevolent Yarnista, I shall not leave your questions unanswered.
The colorway is called Wild Strawberries. It's meant to look like wild strawberries. Mostly because I walk on the wild side and like to be edgy in my name choices. Just when you think I'm going to zig, I zag. I like to keep you on your toes.
This was inspired by a lovely LYS owner in Cordova, Alaska. (Alaska shoppers/travelers? Say hello to The Net Loft for me.) It took me a while to develop the technique for this colorway, one in which there would be tiny bits of red (like one or two stitches) embedded in a field of kettle dyed greens. When this is knit up, it will remind you of those tiny red berries that proliferate near the ground, surrounded by all manner of leafy things.
I had to figure out a way to: a) keep the berries tiny, b) keep the berries red, c) have them be surrounded by fields of green. (Red+green usually equals brown, hence my challenge.) I had the laughable first attempts on my desk here at the studio until the straw that broke the camels back: my husband of all people, my husband who never has an opinion about yarn, picked up the skeins and asked, "What are THESE?"
I had one of my assistants squirrel them -- and all my samples -- into a new storage system in my office. The new storage system, one that was devised with a considerable amount of thought and input from experts, can only be described thusly:
First, someone takes a cardboard box we have laying around the studio, usually something that once contained items shipped to us.
Next, they make sure that there is nothing in the cardboard box. Nothing at all. They do this through visual and manual inspection.
Then, they place the samples -- gently! -- into the empty cardboard box.
They use a permanent marker, preferrably a 1/2" chisel-tip, Sharpie-brand, black-ink model, and print: "SAMPLES (yarn) (dyed)".
Finally, the boxes are then taped closed with a special tape gun. I am picky about my tape guns, having been through at least eight of them in the past 18 months. I am in love with this tape gun. (When they say it's the Cadillac of tape dispensers, they mean a Cadillac with a leather interior and surround sound.)
I recommend this system to anyone -- you might try using it in your own home or office. I know it sounds a bit complicated, with the visual AND manual inspection of the box, the legible printing with a marker of the permanent variety, and the taping closed of the box, but once you get the hang of it, you'll find that it's really rather handy.
You could use this sytem for things like "CLOTHES (winter) (kids)" or "ORNAMENTS (Christmas) (tree)" or "GARBAGE (throw) (away)". The possibilities are endless.
Right now you're thinking, "Is this person kidding?"
The answer in the form of the question is, would I kid you?
P.S. Look for Wild Strawberries later this year.
I can hear what you're thinking.
Only when you're visiting this site, mind you. Not just randomly all the time. So you think.
Like right now, you're thinking, "What's that colorway?"
See?
Right now you're thinking, "Gosh, how did it get to be Labor Day weekend already?" Except for you, over there, you're thinking, "Labour Day? Don't we celebrate that in May?"
And right now, "Sheesh, she hasn't updated her blog in forever. Where's she been?"
And, "What exactly is that yarn?"
Because I am a benevolent Yarnista, I shall not leave your questions unanswered.
The colorway is called Wild Strawberries. It's meant to look like wild strawberries. Mostly because I walk on the wild side and like to be edgy in my name choices. Just when you think I'm going to zig, I zag. I like to keep you on your toes.
This was inspired by a lovely LYS owner in Cordova, Alaska. (Alaska shoppers/travelers? Say hello to The Net Loft for me.) It took me a while to develop the technique for this colorway, one in which there would be tiny bits of red (like one or two stitches) embedded in a field of kettle dyed greens. When this is knit up, it will remind you of those tiny red berries that proliferate near the ground, surrounded by all manner of leafy things.
I had to figure out a way to: a) keep the berries tiny, b) keep the berries red, c) have them be surrounded by fields of green. (Red+green usually equals brown, hence my challenge.) I had the laughable first attempts on my desk here at the studio until the straw that broke the camels back: my husband of all people, my husband who never has an opinion about yarn, picked up the skeins and asked, "What are THESE?"
I had one of my assistants squirrel them -- and all my samples -- into a new storage system in my office. The new storage system, one that was devised with a considerable amount of thought and input from experts, can only be described thusly:
First, someone takes a cardboard box we have laying around the studio, usually something that once contained items shipped to us.
Next, they make sure that there is nothing in the cardboard box. Nothing at all. They do this through visual and manual inspection.
Then, they place the samples -- gently! -- into the empty cardboard box.
They use a permanent marker, preferrably a 1/2" chisel-tip, Sharpie-brand, black-ink model, and print: "SAMPLES (yarn) (dyed)".
Finally, the boxes are then taped closed with a special tape gun. I am picky about my tape guns, having been through at least eight of them in the past 18 months. I am in love with this tape gun. (When they say it's the Cadillac of tape dispensers, they mean a Cadillac with a leather interior and surround sound.)
I recommend this system to anyone -- you might try using it in your own home or office. I know it sounds a bit complicated, with the visual AND manual inspection of the box, the legible printing with a marker of the permanent variety, and the taping closed of the box, but once you get the hang of it, you'll find that it's really rather handy.
You could use this sytem for things like "CLOTHES (winter) (kids)" or "ORNAMENTS (Christmas) (tree)" or "GARBAGE (throw) (away)". The possibilities are endless.
Right now you're thinking, "Is this person kidding?"
The answer in the form of the question is, would I kid you?
P.S. Look for Wild Strawberries later this year.
Reader Comments (21)
OOOh! I am already thinking cardigan...No, cowl neck sweater...big ribs.. Can't wait!
I really love the Wild Strawberries. Think of what cute little socks they'd make. And you were right, you were reading my mind.
Also, since you already have the samples boxed and taped, you can feel free to send them my way. I promise not to make fun and knit something beautiful with them. :-)
Gorgeous! And it will be moreso once knitted up. You are such a talented Yarnista.
Love wild stawberries! And it does look just like wild strawberries - great job Yarnista. ;)
It's just a lovely colorway, but i'm not sure... I love it or I LOVE it.
You make me laugh. I love that you zag. The colourway is beautiful. The storage tips are indispensable. Thank you, wise Yarnista.
Yummy! I remember picking wild strawberries as a little girl.
I love your filing system, I just envisage a problem when you end up with too many boxes with 'SAMPLE (yarn) (dyed)' on them. I'd be happy to take some off your hands, I also have a good 'filing' system... :-)
Lovely colourway too btw
but I want it now. Not later this year. And hey, I'm in Alaska, so that should count for something.
:-)
I love it! I am ready to order when you are! I have a garden full of Alpine strawberries. They spread everywhere which is a good thing.
I think you are getting carried away with the hiding thing. It's still perfectly good yarn, right?
Love the strawberries. My sil will need some sock of that. With a ladybug somewhere!
My grandmother had wild strawberries in her back yard. They were so tiny, so tasty, and you captured perfectly how they hid in the green leaves, just a glimpse of red here and there.... love the variations of green, as well. Can't wait for your fall colors! But boy, you set the bar high with your spring lookbook!
MWAH! Glad to see you back, I was wondering where you had gotten off to. :)
The strawberries are adorable. I used to have tons of wild strawberries growing in my yard. Now I have neither yard nor strawberries, heh.
Sigh, it's lovely. Remember me, asking the very same question? "What's THIS yarn??" I so should have bought it. Waiting for it to be available - I guess that gives me proper time to find the right project.
Glad it won't be ready till later this year, I am on a yarn diet, but I will hop off the wagon as soon as this appears!!
Oh, pretty, I hope you'll dye up enough because that's gorgeous! I know all about wild strawberries! They are the most intense, delicious strawberries you can eat!
Wow, that is incredible. What a great pair of socks it would make. (hint, hint).
Cute post! I think you're including a hint. I think you dye the strawberries with sharpies. tee hee hee!
Gorgeous! I agree thick cabled cardigan.
Or socks.
Mhmmmm
Talia, great idea - especially with a red turtleneck underneath, to bring out the "strawberries"!!
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