As you might imagine, we all have multiple projects happening simultaneously. Maggie brought in a bag of her projects which are completely different from Sophie's!

Pattern: Chevron Quilt

Material: Robert Kaufman's Organic Cotton Robot Factory <PREVIEWEND>

Why? My best friend in the world is pregnant with a boy and my dear son decided that she should name her baby Robot.  So I am making a baby quilt out of this organic robot fabric for the little one in honor of the nickname he got before he even showed up!

Pattern: Crochet Orla Tote by Alisa Braithwaite

Material: Cascade 128 Superwash, A Stitch in Color

Why? I learned how to crochet only recently and have been wanting a project to work on so I could improve my skills.  When I saw Alisa wearing the Orla tote she made herself I knew it was the right project for me.  Turns out I'm really not the best at crocheting but this was such a great project to take me to the next level in my crocheting skills!

Pattern: Gather Here Sampler Quilt Blocks 

Material: Various cottons

Why? Before I started working at Gather Here almost everything I knew about sewing was self-taught.  My mom and I sewed together when I was younger but by the time I really became interested in it she and I were already living in different states.  This is one of the reasons I consider Virginia such a blessing in my life.  When she opened the store she brought a wealth of knowledge into my life.  She's so open to answering questions that whenever there's something I don't know how to do, or something I find confusing, I can always ask her.  And honestly, I feel like just listening to her talk to other people or eavesdropping while she teaches a class has taught me more than I could ever ask for.

People ask us what we're in the process of making on a daily basis. Often the answer is (at least from me): What am I NOT making? But in all seriousness, each week we'll be posting pictures and information about what one of us crafty genius people are in the process of making. For ourselves, for our loved ones, for the shop. We don't get to share this stuff with one another often enough. And I know I'm totally inspired by what everyone is handcrafting! So without further ado, here's what Sophie's making! (We all know Sophie's Ravelry profile could use some help but she's too busy knitting. Sigh.)

<PREVIEWEND>

Pattern: Quest for a Man by Laura Nelkin

Material: Shibui Merino Alpaca in artichoke

Why? "Knitting this for a friend at my other job that's always harassing me about my knitting. He wants a hat."

Pattern: Toe-up sock with cables. Favorite sock book is Sensational Knitted Socks from Martingale Press.

Material: Zauberball Crazy color 2092

Why? "Just because."

Don't worry, we won't just post our in-progress projects! When we finish things up, we'll post completed pictures. Swears.

Our first ever crafty genius chat happens this week! This Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. we'll be spending the evening with Tara Swiger aka the Blonde Chicken. She is a writer, maker, and Starship Captain in Johnson City, Tennessee. She explores creating smart businesses through her own yarn company, Blonde Chicken Boutique, and by serving as First Officer and Community Manager aboard creative, crafty and downright adorable ships (from tech start-ups to copywriters). She creates tools (the Map-Making Guide) and spaces (The Starship) for teeny tiny crafty businesses to explore their own best businesses and marketing plans. <PREVIEWEND>

Tara's new book, Market Yourself: A Marketing System for Smart and Creative Business Owners is now available in select shops (we're one of those shops!) and as an e-book. Published by the amazing Cooperative Press, we've already poured over the book and it gets two thumbs up. It has worksheets! It has diagrams! It has the answer to so many small business owner's questions including mine. Seriously, it was like finding my future-self who's been through it ALL once and can help me make more informed decisions. A resource at your fingertips that you can return to again and again as you and your business change. Brilliant.

check out Tara's amazing yarn!!!! amazing!!!!

So join us on Thursday, May 10th. We'll provide some snacks if you provide the beverages. I'll be knitting my next pair of toe-up socks using DyeKnittinKDye's Batgirl sock yarn (did you know we carry Ady Bee's hand-dyed, one of a kind yarn in the shop???). And sipping a Pimm's Cup. Just like they did back in the 18th century...or something like that.