Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

Good Day to Block a Stocking

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

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April 23rd, 2013
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Wisconsin
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This is what we woke up to today…a beautiful snowfall.  Bright sunny skies and 8″ of snow!  We were so excited to see blue skies and sunshine that we didn’t even mind the snow.
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We had a 2 hour school delay, so we played in the snow a bit before the bus.
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I thI thought it was a good a day as any to block a Christmas Stocking.
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We are just finishing up our first Christmas Stocking Classes in honor of our Nanny Jean.
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A good time was had by all…
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If you want to start your own Christmas Stocking tradition, we have another set of classes coming up.  Check them out here.
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Happy Spring!


I shoulda alternated skeins…dang

Monday, March 4th, 2013

See there...right below my...

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We all love hand dyed and hand painted yarns.  All of us.
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We have all heard about buying enough yarn for your project at the start.  Make sure your dye lots match.  Even if you are purchasing yarn from Cascade, Berroco or Rowan.  Just because they are a big company doesn’t mean they are immune from dye lots changes.
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Now, hand dyed yarns are different.  There usually are not dye lots.  So, if you are going to make a sweater out of hand dyed yarns you’ll need to take some extra measures to ensure that you don’t have the same problem I had with the February Sweater above.
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My 3 skeins of Dream in Color Classy color Black Parade, looked exactly the same to me.  I rolled one up and started knitting.  I held off the sleeves and got a few inches more in with the first skein.  Started the second skein and kept right on knitting.  Not noticing at all that the second skein was just a bit off color from the first.  I knit until that skein was gone and then started my third skein, finishing the sweater.
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I blocked it and then hung it up at the shop.  Not noticing the line below the garter stitch section at all until it was hung on the hanger.  Now it is all I see.
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Lesson learned.  Alternate skeins.
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So here is how it works.  It’s easy really…you just need to knit with different skeins every two rows or rounds.  You’ll carry the yarn up the side of the garment, so you won’t have extra ends to weave in.
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Here is one way to do it…
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So, lets say you are knitting stockinette stitch.  You’ll cast on and start knitting with skein 1.   For my example I am using 2 colors of Malabrigo Chunky.

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I knit a bit with skein 1, but you should probably cast on and work the first couple of rows only.  Then I drop skein 1 and start working with skein 2.  There are lots of techniques to adding in a new yarn, whether you are changing colors or simply starting another skein of the same color.   I just simply start working the new yarn.  I don’t tie it up or knot it or knit it together with anything else.  I just start knitting.  The end stitches will be loose for a few rows but as long as you left a 6″ tail, you can go back and weave the ends in later.
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Add a new yarn

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So, then I knit a row and purled a row with yarn 2 (the green yarn).
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Old yarn in front, new yarn in back

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When you are at the end of your row and back to where yarn 1 is, drop yarn 2 IN FRONT and pick up yarn 1 again.
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Alternated Skeins

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I think I could have blended the yarn too, I think the big problem with the sweater is the definite line.  I could have started alternating 15 or 20 rows from the end of the ball.  Then it would have been a softer transition to the 2nd skein.

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Now, things can get tricky when you are using more than 2 skeins (for most garments).  Some people find the skeins are so different that they might need to knit with 3 balls.  So you’d have 2 skeins starting on one side and 1 skein starting on the other.  Some people start knitting with 2 balls and then when 1 ball is half gone they remove that ball and start knitting with a 3rd ball.  Then they go back to the 2nd ball when the 1st ball is done.

I hope I haven’t confused you.  It is easier than you think.  Plus, you spent all that money on beautiful hand dyed yarn.  You should really love the finished product!
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Building Blocks Information

Friday, January 4th, 2013

Building Blocks Class

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Whoa.
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We weren’t expecting this.
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Many, many of you are interested in the Building Blocks class and we are thrilled that you want to expand your skills.  The blanket is fun to knit, the suggested yarn is soft and squishy, the pattern book is a great resource and the video tutorials from Knit Purl Hunter are a great addition.
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Just so we are all on the same page, I want to reiterate the rules of engagement for this free class.  I am going to use a lot of bold, underlining and italicizing here…just to get my point across and I apologize in advance:)  This is a long blog post, but if you are interested in the class you need to read it!

 Before I begin, if any of the rules below don’t work for you, just drop us an email or call us and bow out.  We won’t hold it against you.  We think you rock!

Here we go…
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You MUST  register for this class.  We have a large classroom, but it does have limited seating.  If you haven’t registered for the class, online, in the store or on the phone you are not registered.  If you think you are registered you need to double check by calling the store 651-342-1386 or emailing us dku@darnknitanyway.com.   All classes are now full.  You can see the class description here.   You can certainly still purchase the book and yarn and complete the squares on your own.  We are always at the shop if you need help.

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You MUST purchase the book and yarn at our store to participate in this class.  I hate to even have to write this, but we’ve had questions about it.  I hope you understand that the class is free and we are a yarn store that needs to sell yarn to stay open:)
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The pattern book, with the 10% discount is $18.00.  We have sold out and are awaiting another 40 copies.   We expect the books to arrive next week on 8th or 9th along with a few color cards.   The yarn the pattern recommends is Simpliworsted from Hikoo.  It is $12.60 with the 10% discount.  If you want to use all one color, you will need to special order it from us as you’ll need 12 skeins and we don’t have 12 skeins of any color in stock right now.   We’ll need to place the order for all special orders by Monday the 14th to make sure we get the yarn in time for the classes.  All special orders require payment in advance.  If you are like me, and want to knit each square a different color, you can purchase one skein a month and you won’t have to worry about dye lots or special orders.  It is an awesome yarn that is soft, squishy and machine washable, and I am confident you won’t regret buying it for this class.

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Having said all that… you are welcome to purchase any yarn we sell for the blanket if you find something you prefer.   If you have yarn at home you were hoping to use…you can buy the book and tackle this project on your own.  The video tutorials are great and we are always here to help if you need us.  You just can’t participate in this free class.

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You MUST know how to cast on, knit and purl.
We will help you with the rest.  So if you are a newer knitter please brush up on those skills before you come.  We don’t want you left behind.
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Ok, I’ve said it all.
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I hate to be naggy and I don’t like too many rules, but with the number of people registering for this class we need to be as organized as possible.  We want everyone to have a great experience!
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Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of this email!
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 If any of the above rules don’t work for you, just drop us an email or call us and bow out.  We won’t hold it against you.  We think you rock!
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Nanny Christmas Stockings

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

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We have a family tradition in the Doyle clan.
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My Family's Nanny Stockings

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My Nanny Jean (my dad’s mom) knit Christmas Stockings for each new member of the family.  So if you were lucky enough to be born into our clan (yes we really believe that) or if you were lucky enough to be married into our clan, you got a stocking knit by our Nan.  She took pride in them.  People loved getting them.  You felt like she approved of you if you got one of her stockings.  They usually only went to family members.  Carly asked Nanny one year to knit one for a boyfriend.  Nanny did and the boyfriend didn’t stand the test of time.  I’ll have to ask Carly whatever happened to that stocking.  Did she get it back like you would an engagement ring?  In our family it is just as valuable.

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Anyway, Carly and I have been recruited to be the Christmas Stocking knitters now.  Nanny just isn’t up to it.
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I knit stockings for 2 new “outlaws” this year.  Matt and Justin. Matt married my step sister Jenny.  They had an awesome wedding in Breezy Point.  Beautiful right?
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Jenny's Beautiful Wedding

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You can really let your hair down at a destination wedding.  I seem to remember doing just that.  You’ll have to ask Carly:)
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Aimee and Carly

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I am also knitting a stocking for Justin, my cousin Bridget’s new husband.  That was another FUN wedding!
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bridget and Justin

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I mean for REALS!!!  How great is this picture?
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I seem to remember having a blast at this wedding too…
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Aimee and Carly

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Carly is lucky enough to knit the stocking for Ruth.  She married Jake and they had a beautiful wedding too.
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Jake and Ruth

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For some crazy reason, I can’t seem to find a photo of my face smashed next to Carly’s from our party with Jake and Ruth.  I am sure there is one out there somewhere:)  There always seems to be.
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Anyway.  I have decided that I LOVE knitting these Christmas Stockings and I can see why our Nanny Jean loved it so much.
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Matt and Justin Stockings

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They aren’t like knitting a hat or mittens or sweater.  No one will complain that it is too itchy.  It probably won’t get lost.  You can’t out grow it.  I like to imagine Bridget and Jen and Ruth pulling out the Christmas decorations each year and taking joy in hanging up the hand knit stocking.   I know I do every year.  I think about my Nanny and remember how lucky I am to belong to the family I do.
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We’re doing a Christmas Sock Class in April.  We hope you’ll join Carly and me and start your own family tradition!  Oh and you can get 20% off the price of the class now through Christmas.  Check out our 1st day of DKA.
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Daily DKA Digest December 4th 2012

Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

Kim and "the dress"

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Kim finished her dress!  This amazing dress was knit out of Juniper Moon Farms Findley Dappled.  She looks incredible in it too:)  Well done Kim.
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Wet Felt Christmas Stocking

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So I asked the awesome Robbin Firth from Heartfelt Silks to whip up a wet felt stocking for me and THIS is what she came up with.  She rocks.  Anyway…people loved it so much that we are offering it as a class.  Register fast…only 6 spots in this one.

Moebius class knitters just leaving the shop.  Thanks to Diane Augustin for another fun class.  We’ll have one more chance for you to learn about Moebius knitting this year.  It is an afternoon class…Here are the details.
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Good night yarn store.
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Chickadee Anyone?

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

Chickadee from Little Red in the City

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Chickadee is one of our 12 in 12 sweaters this year…if you don’t know the history of 12 in 12 read to the bottom of that blog link for details.
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The amazing Ysolda Teague is the designer of the pattern and the author of the terrific book  Little Red in the City.  There are great patterns in this book, but the best part about it are the instructions for sizing sweaters to fit?  WHAT?  I can actually control how the sweater fits?  Yup.
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Anyway, Jennifer and Heather are working on the sweater as we speak and they are going to offer a FREE workshop on Monday, October 29th from 6-9pm.  If you are interested in starting this sweater, come on in.  They’ll help you understand what your measurements are and how you can apply them to the pattern to make a perfect fit!  They’ll also help you gauge swatch with sample yarn we have here at the shop.  This will give you an opportunity to try different yarns before you invest in the sweater quantity purchase.
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Here is how their sweaters are coming along!  They both chose to use only 2 colors.  Heather is knitting hers out of Berroco Vintage DK and Jennifer is using Cascade 220 SW worsted!
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Heather's Chickadee

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Jennifer's Chickadee

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So click here to register for this free 12 in 12 workshop.  We hope to see you!
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Remember, 12 in 12 rules apply…not sure about this program?  Here are basics!
1.  you get 20% off the materials to make this sweater and you have to purchase materials from us.
2.  you don’t have to knit this sweater in a month, but if you want to try to knit it in November you’ll get a $20 gift card if you can finish!
3.  you don’t have to have knit any other 12 in 12 sweaters, this can be your first of the year.
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Geode Birthday Party

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Finished Geodes

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Geodes with Gogo dolls:)

geode hiding spot for gogo

geode before and after

Silky Cowl Pattern

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Silky Cowl

 

New pattern online now.  The silky cowl.  We LOVE!

Click here to download the pattern!

Knitty meets DKA

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Amy Singer is coming to DKA!
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You may not know the name Amy Singer.  But, I’ll bet you know her work.  Amy Singer is the brainchild and publisher of Knitty.com.
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Don’t think you know Knitty.com yet?  WHAT have you been knitting since the Fall of 2002?
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Perhaps, like me, you have a few of these in your Ravelry queue?
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Citron by Hillary Smith Callis

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Fish Hat by Thelma Egberts

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Skew by Lana Holden (yep a 12 in 12)

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I know you have seen or knit the Clapotis, right?
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Clapotis by Kate Gilbert

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Well, Amy is coming to town to teach at Yarnover and she is stopping by our shop on Sunday the 29th of April to teach a few classes.
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She’ll be teaching 2 pretty cool, unique classes.
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Plug-and-Play shawl design Starter Class • Level 1
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Amy will give you a simple plug-and-play manual that will let you turn fingering- or sport-weight yarn into something gorgeous and uniquely yours to wrap around your shoulders. The comprehensive handout includes a selection of lace patterns chosen for ease of knitting as well as a pretty finished result. You’ll do a good portion of the design work after class is over.
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Once you’ve completed your first project, you can use the plug-and-play concept and manual to create more designs that are uniquely your own.
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This introductory design class is for knitters who can knit, purl, make increases and decreases with confidence. Previous design experience is not required.
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Click here for more information and to register
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Spindling silk, a friendly introduction: learn to spin silk yarn on a drop spindle
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It may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. After this class, you will be able to spin silk yarn!
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Amy’s allergy to wool means she jumped into spinning silk headfirst. Spinning Tussah on a spindle now ties with knitting as her favorite fiber-related pastime. Handspun silk is unlike anything you can buy, and an absolute dream to knit with!
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In this class, Amy will take you from cocoon to hanky to roving and get you spinning silk, guaranteed. Even if you’ve never touched a spindle, you will be successful in this class, turning silk hankies into beautiful, rustic yarn that you can knit with right away! We’ll also learn the skills that will help you, with practice, become a confident spinner of Tussah and even slippery Bombyx silk! She’ll talk about the different tools available for spinning, and explain the terms that spinners use so you’ll know the difference between hankies, bells, caps, bricks, batts, top and roving…and which you might want to choose for your future spinning projects.
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Click here for more information and to register. The spindle class is limited to 10 students, so register early!
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Fun stuff right?  I knew you would love it.
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Maybe you should register right now:)

 

 

 

 

Josh Bennett Workshop Recap

Monday, February 27th, 2012

He came, he measured, he asked them to cast on left handed:)
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Cast on HOW?

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A great time was had by all Sunday, when the super cute, fun and talented Josh Bennett came for an all day workshop.  Josh is only the 2nd American designer to ever be featured in a Rowan Magazine.  Awesome!
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Custom Knitting Workshop

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The first workshop of the day was a custom knitting workshop.  He taught everyone how to get accurate measurements, how to use those measurements to make a custom sized garment perfect for each person.  Invaluable information for the adventurous sweater knitters in the group.
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Tips and Tricks Workshop

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We ended the day with a Tips and Tricks workshop that had everyone in stitches.  Josh had people casting on left handed!  They learned all sorts of tricks of the trade to making a garment look more professionally finished.
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We had a blast and we look forward to Josh taking another trip to MN!
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Thanks for a great day Josh!  We’re saving the loft for you:)
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