MtMW 2020 - Shop Small
Shopping at a small business supports a maker directly. The money I get from selling my hats, cowls, shawls, and other goodies goes directly back into the economy when I use it to by groceries, more knitting patterns (supporting yet another small business!), pet supplies, etc. I get so much joy in sharing my work with other people and I love to hear how they use the item or see pictures of them wearing it. You don't give that joy to people when you buy from a big box store.
MtMW 2020 - Silver Linings
One of the silver linings about 2020 is that in our new house, I got expanded studio space. I'm able to fit 2 extra bookshelves, a record player stand, a cat tower, plus I have the whole closet to hang my shawls and store my stash of handknits.
Meet the Maker Week 2020 - Say Hello
Hello there! Loops of Gray is a single-woman shop run by me - Melissa! I am based in St. Louis, MO and have lived there my entire life. I make all sorts of things, but my specialties are handknit shawls, quilts, and 3D printed stuff. I can also crochet, embroider, cross-stitch, and do some general sewing.
8-Bit Sweater - Finished!
The 8-bit sweater is also done!!!! I feel like I knit this thing twice with all the adjustments I had to make, but the finished product fits perfectly. This will definitely make an appearance in the super cold days of winter. Huge thanks to Lattes & Llamas for putting this mystery knit-along together and for helping me get the results I wanted. #knitting #geekalong #8bitsweater #8bitGAL #mkal #lattesandllamas
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 12
What the fuck. I am targeting size 4, which says 8" from sleeve join to collar, but I am not even done with the first set of 9 rounds. There are at least like 17 more rounds to do. #8bitGAL #geekalong #8bitsweater #knitting #lattesandllamas
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 11
Second-to-last clue of the #8bitGAL is done. Just some yoke prep before the final collar clue. Nervous about the fit, so I hope it comes together. #8bitsweater #geekalong #lattesandllamas #knitting
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 10
Clue 9 is little tiny video game controllers! Gonna be honest, I'm not sure why there seems to be so much space between the Boos and the controllers, but my measurements all seem right I think, so I'm trying not to stress out about it too much. #knitting #mkal #8bitGAL #8bitsweater #lattesandllamas #geekalong
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 9
Clue 9 was boring geek-wise in that there were no new characters. But, it was exciting sweater-wise because now the sleeves are attached to the body, the underarms are grafted, and all ends so far are woven in. Only 3 clues to go! #knitting #geekalong #8bitsweater #8bitGAL #lattesandllamas
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 8
Blew through clue 8 of the #8bitsweater to get the Boos set up to coordinate with the Mario mushrooms and stars at the tops of the sleeves. It fits perfectly and I can't wait to join the sleeves and body together next week. #8bitGAL #geekalong #lattesandllamas #mkal #knitting
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 7
Clue 7 is done and features MegaMan! #geekalong #mkal #knitting #lattesandllamas #8bitsweater #8bitGAL #megaman
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 6
Clue 6 is Pac-Man! Tried it on and it fits great now. Just in time for clue 7 tomorrow. #geekalong #lattesandllamas #8bitGAL #8bitsweater #mkal #pacman
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 5 update
I tried on my sweater after clue 5 and it was too big, so I ripped it all out and started over with a smaller size. Luckily I didn't get too far and it won't take long to catch back up. I'd much rather work a little bit of it twice than end up with a sweater I won't wear. #8bitsweater #8bitGAL #geekalong #mkal #lattesandllamas #sunkcostfallacy
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 5
Clue 5 started the bottom hem of the sweater. So pumped to have my favorite game featured. #8bitsweater #8bitGAL #lattesandllamas #geekalong #mkal #zelda
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 4
Well on my way through clue 4 of the #8bitsweater #geekalong #mkal from @lattesandllamasyarn. #lattesandllamas #8bitGAL #mario
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 3
Playoff hockey on all day means more time for knitting. 😄 Done with clue 3 already for the #geekalong #8bitsweater. #knitting #mkal
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 2
Finished sleeve one just in time for clue 3 to be released today. All caught up and loving the design! #knitting #geekalong #8bitsweater #mkal
8-Bit Sweater - Clue 1
Finished with clue 1 of the #8bitsweater #geekalong #mkal from Lattes & Llamas. Super loving the pattern so far! #knitting #tetris
8-Bit Sweater - swatch
I'm a bit behind, but I finished my gauge swatch for the #8bitsweater #geekalong #mkal from Lattes & Llamas.
Shawl Every Day 2020 Day 30: 2nd Shift Brewing
2nd Shift Brewing has such a wonderful place in my heart. Not only do they make delicious beer (shout out to Katy, my favorite!), but they have hosted countless pop-up events where I have sold my shawls. They have also begun hosting events to get the brewing industry in St. Louis talking about mental health, which is even more important now than ever.