As Heather so wonderfully mentioned in the last post, I’m Sarah, a.k.a Sairy, one of the test knitters (or detectives) from the CSI: Most Wanted collection!  I’ve come to know Heather and Ida thanks to Plurk and Ravelry and Twitter – the wonders of social networking!  I figured I’d do a little post to let you all get to know me a little better

I currently live in NJ with my husband and our fat cat (really, 14 lbs!) Haley.  I spend my days analyzing data for a big stock indexing firm – not really knitting related huh? I learned to knit during Thanksgiving break of my first year of grad school in 2005.  Then I learned how to spin in 2008 – shortly before getting married. I went to my first Rhinebeck and came home with a Schacht Ladybug and I’ve loved spinning ever since.  I’m currently lusting after a Schacht Matchless or even one day, a Schacht-Reeves wheel.  I also learned how to dye fiber and have a small etsy shop with my dear friend Sharon where we sell fiber and yarn that we dye up in really saturated colors.

My knitting preferences really lean to socks and lace anymore – I have a ton of sock yarn in my stash and I tend to spin sock weight yarn.  I’ve been trying to get into knitting some sweaters and have several planned for the rest of 2011 – oranje, february fitted pullover, and the blackberry cardigan are just a few I’m looking forward to sharing my current projects and ideas with everyone – maybe I’ll even tackle designing something!

If there’s anything else I’ve forgotten or that you’d like to know about me or my knitting, let me know in the comments!

Ida and I have agreed that the blog needs a little enlivening, and so we begged asked Sarah if she would help us out and join Crafty Detour. Luckily for us, and you, she said yes! Sarah will become a regular contributor to the site. She was one of the fabulous detectives that helped us out with the CSI: Most Wanted collection. Sarah dedicated many hours to test knitting and tech editing each pattern in the collection.

I’m sure she will stop by soon and introduce herself. Please join me in welcoming her to our little family.

Yes, I think there is enough interest in a KAL! Here are the details:

• From now until July 17th use the coupon code CDCSIKAL during checkout to save $3 on the Crafty Detour CSI: Most Wanted e-book. You must buy the entire collection, the coupon only works for the book, not for individual patterns.
• Join us in the Crafty Detour Ravelry group. Post your progress, comments, questions etc.
• Knit any or all of the patterns. I decided it would be best not to try to dictate which patterns we all knit together.
• Post a picture of at least one pair of finished socks by the end of October for a chance to win fabulous prizes! (The number of prizes will depend on the number of prize donations and the number of kal participants)

So, what do you think? Sound like fun?

Dear Ida,

I completely understand the busy factor. I have been up to my eyeballs in work. Good work, but still work.

I’m so jealous of your gardening! I never have time or the know how (I know right? Isn’t this the same excuse many people give for not knitting?). I actually bought a share at a local farm just to have fresh veg this summer. Harvest season has started and I’m super excited to pick up fresh local produce every week!

I love seeing all your plants and produce. You are truly inspirational to those who don’t have much time or land to plant. If only I didn’t have the blackest thumb…I somehow killed basil…yes, the easiest plant to care for…dead. sigh.

So, about that CSI book…now that it is complete, what do you think about doing a KAL? I think it would be fun to host one in our Ravelry group. That way we can all share our projects, ask questions, and just have a good time. What do you think?

Warmly,

Heather

Hi Heather!
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I know what you’ve been up to, especially since I’ve followed your blog tour. You’ve certainly been busy.

I kind of wish I had a lot of knitting to report, but that’s not to be. I’ve been working on a market bag, but even that has taken a backseat. I’m kind of designing it as I go along, and I’m not sure that was the wisest decision. We’ll see,

Planting a garden has been taking up a lot of time. Good food is one of my passions, and I’ve decided growing my own is one of the ways to go. Grow It! Know It!(tm) I have a plot in our community garden, and Sunday, I picked my first crop from it.

Yep, it’s spinach. I’ve also planted beans, red and gold beets, and lots of peppers. Oh yeh, radishes, scallions, and onions, too. I also have 3 AeroGardens “planted” inside. Here’s the basil from one of them.

I have salad greens in another and a mixture of chili peppers in the third. I have another AG, but I can’t decide what to plant in it. I planted my EarthBOX with spinach, carrots, radishes, and scallions on Monday. One of them has already sprouted. The problem: I can’t recall what it is.Guess it will be a surprise. I’m also hoping to plant my garden here at home this weekend. It seems as though whenever I have time, it’s raining.

On another note, I met with a former client yesterday afternoon. She contacted me a few weeks ago about collaborating with her on some projects. She wants to do something that focuses in on my gardening and food philosophies and similar titles. This project is still in the developmental stage. She also presented me with the opportunity to do some writing about subjects I actually enjoy writing about. My first book is about the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I’ll also be writing a book about the civil rights movement. These books are for young readers. After the book list for her current imprints is beefed up, she wants to expand into romance, hobbies/crafts, and other topics. This could be a fun collaboration (though a lot of work), but I’m inclined to take it slowly.

And I’m still hoping for time to knit.

Our final stop is at Lobug Designs. Please check out the interview and enter for a chance to win the e-book!

Today’s stop is on Karen’s blog at ilLOOMinated Yarns! Please stop by for the interview and giveaway!

Today’s stop is Ivy’s Vine! Please stop by and read the interview and enter to win a free copy of the e-book!

Sorry about the mix up folks! Technology foiled us yesterday and the second stop is now going to appear on the 18th. Don’t worry, it will still be awesome

Today’s stop is at Sairy Knits. Sairy is giving away a copy of the e-book a well as a skein of the yarn used for Bobbie Strow! All you have to do is drop by and leave a comment

Today’s stop on the tour is Lobug Designs. Visit to read the interview and for a chance to win a copy of the entire CSI:Most Wanted collection!