I didn't accomplish all my knitting goals last weekend, but I did make it to Woolwinders and I did only buy yarn for specific projects. That is definitely an improvement from my yarn binge last fall (my guest room is full of it and that's separate from the big stash I have in the attic). One of these weekends, a stash organization project is an absolute necessity to get ready for spring.
First, some Noro Kureyon (color #102) to make a top-down raglan sweater for a toddler. The bright colors are perfect for a little girl and I've been knitting madly on it all week. I've noticed for the first time (not having worked with Kureyon on anything but a scarf or Booga bag before) how much the character of the yarn changes depending on the number of stitches in the row. It's not just that the bands of color are wider when the row is shorter, the colors themselves appear much more subtle. Here's a shot that contrasts the sweater body with the sleeve:
My friend MT's brother Brendan just had identical twin girls and I bought yarn to make them little sweaters. Haven't picked a pattern yet, but plan to do two variations on the same theme. I bought some of the Wool in the Woods cotton that I had gone there to check out in the first place. The name of the yarn is Helix, it's 97% cotton and 3% nylon, and the color is Oslo. To me, the color says "Easter Eggs" and will give me incentive to finish these little presents in time for Easter. The rest of their spring collection was beautiful, but this yarn was by far the softest. One of the cotton yarns that I didn't get, I can't remember what it was called, was very similar in character to the wool Twin Twist that I just used for a Clapotis. Again, their entire color palette is really interesting.
Third (and finally), in honor of the Chinese New Year, I bought yarn to make a scarf for the Red Scarf Project. I have several friends who have adopted children from China and seeing the joy that it has brought to their lives prompted me to want to do my little part. And we're talking RED, which is not a color that I have much in my life -- no red clothes, no red decor, so it's a real novelty. I bought two yarns to hold together: Lang Venezia, which is a mohair/acrylic blend that has an interesting semi-sheen and Schaefer Anne, which has some very minor color variations that hopefully will create some interest. Not sure of the pattern for this one either, have to think about what I can do with 400 yards, maybe some kind of drop-stitch pattern.
I'm not going to set knitting goals for this weekend -- too much of the time is already accounted for. That said, I'd like to finish the sleeves of the toddler cardigan (no photos until it's finished and sent to its new owner) and get back to the Einstein coat, which I have neglected of late.
Isn't Woolwinders such a great store? I don't live in the area any more, but visit every time I go up to DC, AND, I am just trying to decide WHICH yarns to get during Jacqui's Valentine's day sale...Happy Knitting!
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | February 12, 2005 at 05:56 PM