Today is knit happens yarn salon 5th anniversary

Wow, today is the 5th Anniversary of knit happens yarn salon in Buffalo Grove Illinois. It seems like yesterday I opened the door  to a whole new experience.  I have had ups and downs, but thankfully more ups!  I have met some great people along the way, an look forward to meeting more.  I am still bewildered when new customers come in and say "How long have you been here, I didn't even know you were here.  What a great store!"  My Marketing Mgr. is not doing a good job, oh wait that is me!

I am ALL the Chief Officers, President, Marketing Mgr, Buyer, Inventory Control Mgr., Lead Salesperson, Janitor (yes I have to clean the bathroom!), Accountant, Teacher, Greeter, Creative Director, Lead Sample knitter, Therapist and with all that be true to who I am as Connie

Having a small business is absolutely rewarding and challenging .at the same time for all so many reasons.  I was fortunate to be able to follow this dream and I hope others could too if they had the opportunity.

I thank everyone who has been to the store, hose who frequent the store and for those who plan on coming in the future.  AS they say "It's all good"

knit happens...and life goes on!
Connie

my curiosity

Last night I attended my first class for Citizen Police Academy in a northwest suburb of Chicago.  You know, I am not into Police or.investigative programs on television, but my best friends husband is a commander in another suburb and i thought perhaps that these classes would enlighten me as to what it take to be a police officer.  Another friend of mine said "Don't you have enough to do, you are always up to something?"  Well why shouldn't I expose myself to something new, and as it turns out more than interesting. 
Last night was just an introduction, history of the suburb and department, officer hierarchy and qualifications and then a tour.  I was so intrigued with this tour and the back end of the process.  "Bag and Tag" Evidence, roll call, operations, "The Cells!" OMG! Since I have never experienced this, it was weird and slightly smelly.  All the precautions so that individuals do not hang themselves!  There were no guests, so we could go in and see the accommodations.
We were walking thru the station and passing one of the rooms for questioning and I got a huge whiff of alcohol. I asked immediately "Why do I smell alcohol so strongly?"
the sergeant with us said look up the light is on, we have someone in there.  Wow this person must have gone on some bender, it reeked! Anyway...
As if running my business,  knit happens, and being president of my condo association isnt enough to keep me busy, I am a recruit in my local Citizen Police Academy.
I wouldn't have it any other way, it's all good!!
Ciao for Now
Connie

it's sweater time

Wow! Went for a walk this morning and it was only in the 50's in the Chicago area.  A week ago today it was in the 90's. Fall is knocking on the front door and asking to be let in!!
This kind of day was one of my favorites when I was in grammer school and high school when I could wear a new outfit that including a new sweater, most likely from the Limited or Chas. A, Stevens  I couldn't wait.  Of course it was a store bought sweater.  At that time I wouldn't be caught dead wearing something my mom would have knit or crocheted.  She would have used some awful yarn and some dumb design, keep in mind this would have been in the 70's, need I say more?
Things sure have changed.  Yarns are do deliciously special now and the variety of fiber can be overwhelming.  There is so much I want to dive into and share with everyone, but I can only do so much.  Too bad my mom is not around, I would put her to work making samples.  And you know what?  She would have done it happily!
Well, I can not wait until the next issue of knit wear comes in.  There are always great sweater designs in the mag. and I find that they are "doable" and not too cra cra :)
Another box of new yarn just came in the door, so I have some inventory to work on.

Ciao for now and stay warm
Connie

I always say that I don't crochet

Is this the cutest?  I saw it and thought I should have that as a sample in the store for Fall. I talked to my Crochet instructor Linda and she said "Oh sure, no problem"  Well during one of the crochet classes I became inspired to work it myself.

This Beret is pattern number 30 in Vogue's Knit Simple Fall 2014.

As I worked thru reading a crochet pattern (which I still think is a challenge) i discovered that one can "improvise" much more easily than in knitting.  There's something to think about!

A possible convert!

Ciao for Now!

Wearable Art

OMG! there is a lot to do to get ready for "the crawl"

Sorry I haven't been around for a while but I was very busy getting ready for our 5th Annual Chicago Area Yarn Crawl.

i designed this Gaiter (tighter than a cowl) about 2 monthes ago, it's called "Modernism" I love it, it's like wearing art.
The Noro yarn, Koromo, just has such a great color palatte.  It makes it look much more complicated than it actually is.  I do cut out colors that I do not want to show up.  In this case there was some pink and lilac and I just wanted the colors of the sea to be predominant.  The pattern has gotten rave reviews.  To some the fair isle work is daunting and others have embraced it full on.

It's Tuesday of the crawl and just a few stragglers have been in the store.  The weekend was busy and I expect that next Saturday will be as well.  Come Sunday I will be more than ready to float in my pool and probably think of more wearable art I can design.

KALE CHIPS BETTER THAN POTATO CHIPS

CLEAN YOUR KALE BY CUTTING OFF THE STEMS. RINSE IN COLANDER WITH COLD WATER. DRY OFF IN SOME PAPER TOWEL.

HEAT OVEN TO 400 F

LAY ONTO A SHEET PAN ON A SINGLE LAYER (OR AS WELL AS YOU CAN) 

LIGHTLY DRIZZLE WITH OLIVE OIL, PINCH OF SALT AND A PINCH OF CAYENNE PEPPER.  I ALSO LIKE TO SPRINKLE WITH FINELY CHOPPED PEANUTS OR EVEN SUNFLOWER SEEDS LIKE I DID ON THIS BATCH.

ROAST FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES, TOSS DURING THE ROASTING..

THE CHIPS WILL BE TISSUE THIN AND DELICATE.  EAT THAT DAY THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO STORE.  THEY GET TOO SOFT.

ENJOY YOUR KALE CHIPS INSTEAD OF POTATO CHIPS!

CHOW! FOR NOW :)

ROASTED CHICKPEAS a delicious protein

Place chickpeas on a paper towel lined sheet pan. Place another towel on top and roll peas around to dry. Place in oven per recipe

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas with Rosemary & Brown Sugar

2 (14 oz) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
2 tbsp plus 1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt, divided
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dry
1/4 – 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Drain chickpeas into a strainer. Rinse and drain very well. Dry the chickpeas on a large sheet of paper towel, with another sheet laid over top. Pat gently to remove excess water.

Roast chickpeas dry  by arranging in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Roast for 40-50 minutes, or until chickpeas are golden brown and rattle when you shake the baking sheet.

While the chickpeas are roasting, combine brown sugar, rosemary, 1 teaspoon olive oil, cayenne pepper (the amount you use depends on your heat tolerance), and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl. 

Pour the roasted chickpeas into the bowl and toss with the brown sugar mixture. Cool completely. Serve. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Remember you can use any spice combo you enjoy. 

Ginger, Garlic Garam Masala

Lemon, Thyme fleur de sel

cinnamon brown sugar pumpkin pie spice

im sure you can come up with interesting combinations