Hello and welcome! I’m Holly Chayes

I help makers, thinkers, builders, operators, creators, etc. implement solid containers for creative chaos, and functional systems for sustainable momentum, all in aid of making a life or business you love. 

Right now I’m working with people and businesses in a couple capacities… 

Business

Business coaching and consulting for small businesses ready to dig into the practicalities of what’s next.

When you’ve graduated from mindset-only to mindset+ 

When you’ve built something that functions but doesn’t flow yet.

When you’ve outgrown and overrun what used to work.

Whatever you’re stuck on, we can get you moving to what’s next.

Get in touch here

Individual

Life and clothing magic for individuals who thought they would be more prepared for this moment.

Personal or professional.

Once in a lifetime or every day.

A surprise or something you’ve been working towards for years.

Whatever this moment is, we can get you ready for it.

Discover more here

Projects

Keep Reading

Playing Catch Up… Again

I’ve been wading my way through to-do list after to-do list, and I’m not sure when it’s going to end, so this is just a quick check in.

First off, there’s been a pattern release, (actually two, but I already posted about Gothic Spires).

Zodiac le Plume was published as part of the Sanguine Gryphon’s Spring 2011 line.
Inspired by the curves and twists that characterize the Art Nouveau movement, Zodiac le Plume is a crescent shaped shawl worked all in one piece from neck to hem.
The pattern is both written and charted, and can be purchased for download through the Sanguine Gryphon.
Image copyright The Sanguine Gryphon.

Now, what’s on my needles?
(that isn’t a secret….)

I posted about this on twitter a while ago while I spent an evening fighting with the chart, and ripping, reknitting, ripping, reknitting, ripping, reknitting. But once I got the chart straightened out, it’s been smooth sailing. The shawl out of Madelinetosh lace weight in the colorway flashdance (it’s brighter in real life), knit up on US size 2s (2.75mm).

I’ve resurrected the handspun memory blanket that I started about a year ago. I think I first mentioned it in this post. Since I don’t have any more of this particular handspun left I’m continuing with Cascade’s Eco wool and Eco+. The blue is Eco+ colorway 4009 (which doesn’t seem to be listed on their website), and I’ll pick up another skein or two in one of their creams/natural colorways, to make up the rest. This is just a garter stitch log cabin blanket knit on US size 10s (6mm) for when I can’t do anything more complicated than garter.

I started a pair of colorwork mittens in the brightest colors I could find, sometime around the middle of March when the grey was sucking out my soul. But these are sort of stalled while I waffle between ripping and rethinking the design, or just continuing and seeing what happens. These are out of Spud & Chole fine sock (80% superwash wool, 20% silk) colorways 7812, green and 7806, blue, knit on 3.00mm needles.

Recent Stash Enhancement

I realized I didn’t have any really large project bags a couple of weeks (months?) ago. So I played around and ended up with two usable bags.

And as it turns out, one skein of Madelinetosh really isn’t enough. So I got,

Tosh Lace (100% superwash merino, 950 yards, lace weight), colorway nebula

Tosh Lace (100% superwash merino, 950 yards, lace weight), colorway curiosity

and Tosh Sock (100% superwash merino, 395 yards, fingering weight), colorway terre verte

For this bag, I’m just going with “it followed me home.”

And last but certainly not least, the blog will be one year old, in about one week (the 13th). To be fair it has been a rather sporadic year of blogging, but it’s still been a year. So I’ll come up with some sort of contest to celebrate, (if you’ve got any ideas let me know), and announce it in a couple of days.

But, that’s all for now.

Gothic Spires

Gothic Spires is now available for purchase as a download, for $4.00 either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog … buy now

DSC_2631

Knit in two pieces and grafted at the back of the neck or knit all in one, this scarf was inspired by the majestic arches, elongated columns, and towering spires that characterize Gothic architecture. This piece can help lend a touch more elegance to just about any day or night.

DSC_2633

Yarn: 450 yards (411m) of Dream in Color Smooshy or another light fingering weight yarn

Needles: 1 set of US size 4 (3.5mm) straight needles, though circulars could be used as well

Notions: tapestry or yarn needle; waste yarn or spare knitting needle

Gauge: 7sts/inch; 9.5 rows/inch on US size 4s, flat, in stockinette stitch

Size: 7″(18cm)x 98″(249cm)

Skills Used:
cable cast on
binding off or grafting
knitting and purling
k2tog
sl1-k2tog-psso
ssk
yarn over
weaving in ends
blocking lace

This pattern includes both charts and written directions.

DSC_2632

DSC_2635

Errata

Tiger-Eye Gloves

Pattern updated 12/30/10

The second to last sentence in the main part of the instructions for the left hand should read:

“…and stockinette stitch across needles 2+3, purl last stitch.”

 

Tiger-Eye Wristlettes

Pattern updated 12/30/10

The second to last sentence in the main part of the instructions for the left hand should read:

“…and stockinette stitch across needles 2+3, purl last stitch.”