The Yarn Wagon

This week - I fell off the yarn wagon! Gulp! There was a sale at Mass Ave Knit Shop, that only happens a couple of times each year. Susan is nice enough to mail a hot pink card to let me know the sale is coming and I arrange my road trips to accommodate. This year, however; my beer-drinking-connoisseur-of-a-husband (BDCH) and I have decided to stay home and recover. BDCH's work schedule has been atrocious and we're playing it low key. I just HAD to place a phone order!
Susan hard at work

During Woolie Day 2006 with Mitzi I picked up RY's Classic Beach book nine. More than a few of the patterns appealed to me and Mitzi didn't need to convince me too much. The Natural Silk Aran stock was not all in and that yarn did not get to come home with me that day. Many other kinds of yarn came home with us that day - that's a whole other posting...

As it will happen, Susan had PLENTY of the Silk Aran in stock - enough for a sweater and this cute Sea Shell Bag.

I haven't decided which sweater I will make - the SeaBreeze and Sandstone patterns both appeal to me. Soon, a box will arrive on my doorstep with the colors Aero and Barley, I can't wait!

What's that? The yarn diet, you ask? Well, I gave Susan my credit card number and she sent me yarn - seems a little like BDCH's beer compensation!

Soon I will be headed to Homestead NeedleArts for a class with Sharon. My project is a Christmas stocking and it has little gingerbread people all over it. Sharon said that the blue background looks like someone was on acid when they chose the color and we plan to change it to a nice green. My skills clearly put me into the 'newbie' category, but the results are satisfying. Last Friday we met to keep Theresa company and to ... knit! Sharon is working on the FABULOUS blanket - Hamper (in the foreground). The pattern is crochet which is not my forte, but it is clearly Sharon's. I drooled! She won't give it to me ---shamelessly, I asked!

Sharon did offer to teach me to crochet it and, remembering my special closet, I have opted out - tearfully!

Theresa put her foot down and us making us do needlework this Friday. The goal is to get enough finished to put goldilocks hair on one of the gingerbreads! That is driving Sharon crazy. Here is a photo of the 'before' shot

A couple are finished - ok, ONE. Check out Theresa's shop and be sure to sign up for her newsletter. She writes better than she stitches-joking! Seriously, the Star canvas
is to DIE for. This photo does not do it justice! They are arranging a class and I am SO signing up!

Yarnus Interruptus

On May 20, 2006 I went on a yarn diet.
I can almost hear a gasp followed by screaming,
but wait...it gets WORSE!


...The interruptus lasts until June 1, (drumroll.....2007!) badump bump!

WHY, WHY would I EVER agree to a yarn diet - especially self-imposed? Can't I find one credit card with availability on the limit, you ask?

It actually has nothing to do with available funds, it has to do with overwhelming...something - let me work through this.

Like many knitters, I have amassed a huge inventory of stash. I could not possibly use it all before they put me in the ground. I have jokingly (yes kids, it is a JOKE) advised my family to throw everything that is left in with me before they slam the lid shut. A diet, though, isn't that drastic? Stash is a fact of life for a knitter. You NEED to have options...

Maybe it will help to know about the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back:



On the cool morning of May 20, 2006 I set out to visit Philosopher's Wool in Inverhuron, Canada. Excited and armed with my current project for the ride, I anxiously anticipated my plan of attack. Weeks earlier, I had meticulously cased the patterns and wool on Eugene and Ann's website. There was an index card outlining the items I would purchase tucked inside my pocket (retentive, I know). I dared not share the information with anyone for fear they would purchase all of the wool before my chance arrived.

At the farm we were directed to tour the cabin where many, many, many sweaters, socks, and hats had been painstakingly displayed. The entire time, I worried and planned my next move - as soon as I could make my escape to the barn, I would have the wool to myself. And then...an opportunity. I made my way to the barn and made them PROMISE to safeguard my sweater materials - all 3 kits!
Killum Fractured DiamondsColor Your Own

Upon arrival home I squirreled my coveted prizes to my special closet. My YARN closet! The door would not open! A yard stick worked perfectly to clear behind the door and I slowly peeked my head inside. At this moment, realization struck me that there would not be room in my special closet for the new wool. All of the fiber - that wonder fiber...I LOVED when I bought it, I love it all. Rarely have I walked into a yarn store and left with nothing. The hand dyed, silk, mohair, cotton, wool -- all of it. It deserves to become something that I had once intended. All of the possibilities and the intentions... Yet it had become forgotten, reduced to a descriptive line in a mis-managed yarn database (really retentive, I know).

The announcement to my husband and Mom (Queen Moo) that I would not be purchasing yarn for an entire year was met with stares of amusement and giggles. Surely, they could not be hearing this right - I would NEVER be able to accomplish this amazing feat! Feeling courageous, a challenge was issued - I would not purchase yarn, and could my husband not purchase beer for one whole year? He could never do it, I knew this.

Important Note: He LOVES beer like I love yarn...He is a beer connoisseur...He loves the smell, the color, the texture...the different flavors, brands, labels...he covets beer!

The deal was struck,

Ground Rules:

1. You cannot have someone buy yarn/beer for you
2. You can accept legitimate gifts of yarn/beer
3. I can purchase yarn if needed to complete a current project
4. You cannot buy yarn/beer for yourself

It has been a month and I am proud that I have only purchased 2 skeins of Araucania Nature Wool #22 to finish Egebo (Rule #3).

About the beer....I was right! The beer is flowing - Pale Ales have been suspiciously abundant and the answer is: He gives the store clerk money, and they give him beer! A clear violation! I am not bitter - I have yet to see a pint of beer that costs $38/skein.

My Biggest Heartache

- Allagash yarn! I originally planned a sweater and realized that I didn't like the look - thick and thin isn't what I prefer and someday I will learn! An opportunity presented itself. KnitPal Mitzi asked for a donation for the upcoming auction to benefit some very deserving people. I thought and thought, dug through my stash and came up with - Allagash! Certainly, someone would fall in love with the texture and warmth this yarn could provide. After an exhausting hunt for the perfect pattern (and two failed attempts at something appropriate), I decided on Bobblicious. How perfect! I plan to omit the seams and allow the piece to function as a wrap.

It is 42" and I am nearing the finish line. I can't wait to finish and block it. Mitzi will be so proud!





Maybe you'll be a bit more impressed with these socks. I could not resist the funky green color dubbed Limestone. The yarn is Nature Spun by Brown Sheep Company and is 100% wool. I know, hand wash...but the color was just so cool!

In the Beginning...

Hello.

It is exciting to embark on a the new adventure with you. A good friend inspired me this morning - by sending me a link to Jen - http://sillyjencrochetsandknits.blogspot.com/

Blog-browsing has been a hot interest I've developed along with addiction to knitting podcasts. As I travel through my knit-tink-ing, it will be fun to have a place to post my successful (and not so much) endeavors.