Yarns from Stitches East!

As promised: Fun stuff about the yarn I brought home from Stitches East...

COTTAGE CRAFT

Cottage Craft 2-ply Wool in Spruce Green (Aran weight/272 yd skein)

Cottage Craft, purveyors (what a fun word!) of exclusive knitting yarns, handknit wool sweaters, handwoven tweed coats, boasts a rich history. Founded in 1915, the company is located in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, in New Brunswick, Canada.

One of my last stops before leaving Stitches--they were located along the far wall, in a booth lined with a dizzyingly colorful display of utter sheepy bliss. In fact, my excitement about Cottage Craft yarns literally made me forget my oh-so-tired feet!

One note before I continue--especially to those seeking the ultra-buttery-soft experience modern knitters seem to crave: This is WOOL. It has "tooth," and feels scrunchy and real when you squeeze it. I happen to adore that feeling. How it behaves when washed and blocked will be interesting indeed, so I'll be sure to keep you posted as I swatch and play.

Cottage Craft 2-ply Wool in Plum (Aran weight/272 yd skein)

My two skeins of two-ply wool can hardly begin to represent the company's mouth-watering colors. This tempting palette, according to the Cottage Craft Web site:

"...reflect(s) the beauty of the landscapes and seascapes surrounding our seaside town. Many of our shades were created by Miss Grace Helen Mowat, a forward thinking lady who began the business in 1915. Each shade reflects rich heather tones, which blend beautifully."

I chose the two-ply wool (with its generous 272-yard put-up) for swatching, playing, designing, and/or knitting some holiday gifts. But Cottage Craft also offers a single-ply, lighter weight wool. With plenty of energy, the single ply is hardly a "dead," over-blocked yarn. It knits up into pretty lace on larger needles, and would make a warm and comforting wrap for the colder months ahead.

Honestly, if you can't trust Canadians to bring you lovely wool and woollen products, who can you trust? Just joking. But it does get cold there! And this Canadian company specializes in the most texturally tantalizing, fabulously woolly, inspiration-inducing yarns I've encountered in a long time. Please, if you enjoy real wool, do yourself a huge favor and buy some. Actually, it's such a great value and amazing product, go ahead and buy A LOT!

***

MAPLE CREEK FARM

Maple Creek Farm Fine Wool Merino (Worsted weight/200 yd skein)

Discovering Maple Creek Farm yarns was another unexpected treat. The fibers and colorways are dangerously, pocket-emptyingly beautiful. It was hard to leave with only one skein, but the skein I did buy is really lovely.

Spun at a mill in Taos, NM, of fleece from Maple Creek's own sheep, this is a soft, spongy Merino with a delightfully quirky texture. It reminds me of handspun yarn, round and elastic, begging to be knitted or crocheted into something special.

Maple Creek Farm started in 2002, with "yarn from our own Merino sheep, a couple of pots, a few burners and a dream," according to the company's Web site. Now, just six years down the road, Maple Creek boasts 25 hand-dyed yarns, eight of which are also available online: three weights of silk/Merino blend; four sock yarns; and one Merino/Mohair blend.

Clearly, this small company is based on a grand love affair of color, fiber, and texture. I can pretty much guarantee that you won't be disappointed with their products.

***

One last note: If you do try yarn from either of these companies, do let me know what you think of them...Comparing yarn experiences is half the fun of knitting--to me, at least.

Yarns from Stitches East!

Cat's Eye

This is my brain...

Well, actually, this is more like my brain...

And this is my brain on kitten...

Remember: When in doubt, play with fiber.

***

For anyone wondering how Katja and Charley get along,
here's some feline body language for you...

Don't be fooled. This is probably less innocent than it appears.

A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world.

- Irish proverb


Wishing you all a peaceful Tuesday!

Cat's Eye

Knittin' and Kitten

Meet Charley...
He's the newest member of our little household. After Maggie died last January, we couldn't even think of getting another kitty. But over the months, Chris, Katja, and I found ourselves grieving less and then, suddenly, feeling like it was time for a new kitty...a playmate for Katja.

Enter Charley -- about two pounds of 24-hour-a-day, nonstop Kitten. When I saw his picture, with his little newborn blue eyes and apricot-cream coloring, I knew he was the one.

My friend Elaine rescued him, along with his siblings, near her home in upstate New York. We waited for him to grow up a little, and then, last Thursday, he arrived in style, chauffered by Elaine and her husband (who were on their way to DC for the weekend). Have no doubt: You'll be hearing about his antics for years to come!

Shalimar Yarns Missy Bulky

Speaking of the weekend, I stopped by Stitches East in Baltimore on Saturday to see how my designs for Shalimar Yarns were doing. I created the following five patterns for the Frederick, Md.-based company:

• Shenandoah Capelet
• Clover Honey Shawlette
• Freesia Socks
• Rotunda Baby Blanket
• Heart in Hand Fingerless Gloves

Shalimar Yarns is owned and operated by the delightful Kristi, who also owns Eleganza Yarns, in Frederick, Md. Her line of hand-dyed yarns includes some of the softest bulky-weight Merino I've ever had the pleasure of knitting.

The worsted-weight knits up with a nice drape on US #6 - 7 needles, and is next-to-the-skin gentle. Then there's the new Zoe Sock, a fingering-weight from a terrific source. It's not only soft, it "has tooth," if you know what I mean. The colors are fab, and the yarn just plain feels good to knit with.

Apparently, the Clover Honey Shawlette (see a photo of the yarn and the very beginning of the shawl in last Tuesday's post) was the hit pattern of the show for Shalimar. I have to say I was happy with the final product: a lace and garter stitch shoulder shawl with a sweet beaded edge.

Kristi tells me my other patterns also generated a good amount of interest. This is SO exciting to me!!! As I learn more, I'll share any info that might be of interest -- including photos of the garments.

Chris and I also chatted with Kristin Nicholas, who is so down to Earth you couldn't be star-struck if you wanted to, met tons of yarn vendors, and went for a walk around the market.

At one point, I stopped in to say hello to my friend Karida, owner of Neighborhood Fiber Co., in D.C. Along with her yarn, she had some gorgeous roving, which she was generous enough to share. Thank you, Karida! So here are some initial photos of my Stitches loot...

Neighborhood Fiber Co. Silk-Merino Roving (above and below)

We also spent a few minutes with Sharon, owner of Three Irish Girls and co-owner of Yarn Love. I was glad to introduce her to Chris, so he could put a face with the name when I mention her. She's lovely, as is her yarn...Check out her online stores!

By necessity, I was very good and didn't splurge, but I did come home with a few goodies. Photos are awaiting editing, and will arrive shortly. As will links to my patterns, which will be on sale soon at Shalimar Yarns' new Web site.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Knittin' and Kitten

PLEASE VOTE!

Vote for the future.
Vote for the past.
Vote for hope.
Vote for peace.
Vote for yourself.
Vote for your true love.
Vote for your children.
Vote for your neighbors.
Vote for your parents.
Vote for no reason at all.

But...whatever you do...PLEASE VOTE!

(Then pull out your knitting and watch the returns tonight...)

PS> Thank You for Voting!!!!

PLEASE VOTE!

Philadelphia Phillies: 2008 World Champions!!!!!

Harry Kalas: THE Voice of Baseball.
And, hey, check out Chris Wheeler in the background ;-)

BTW: The only way I could stay sane through the 7th and 8th innings was to KNIT. The 9th inning? All sanity lost...It's a wonderful three-out blur!

Philadelphia Phillies: 2008 World Champions!!!!!

Yarn Stew

Handspun Leftovers: Yarn Stew, anyone?

For the past few years, I've been collecting random bits and bobs of my handspun yarn, throwing it in a baggie with other leftovers. Recently, I pulled the baggie out and realized my collection of handspun ends makes for a pretty combination. So, I've been thinking: Randomly striped scarf? Fingerless gloves? Hat? What do you think?

Shalimar Yarns' new bulky weight yarn--soft as butter. Mmmmm...

I do want to say "Thank you" to those of you who haven't given up on me over the past few entry-less months! In August and September, a tendonitis-type injury sidelined me. No knitting for two months? Horrors! (Just ask my husband...)

For a fiber-holic like me, not being able to knit is like giving up cigarettes. I couldn't spend time around knitters, in knitting stores, or even on Ravelry--being completely unable to join in was just too painful. So I withdrew for a while.

During the past five weeks or so, however, my shoulder, neck, elbow, and wrist began to feel a better, little by little. At first I could knit for five minutes, then 20 minutes, and finally to an hour or two (max) here and there. Believe me: Taking regular rest breaks and doing a few hand and wrist stretches makes all the difference. If you feel discomfort, pay attention! The alternative is awful.

Gorgeous Zoe Sock from Shalimar Yarns in a gorgeous clover-honey color

Since my injury began improving, I've focused on much more "original knitting" (AKA: designing), and am spending a bit of time (health permitting) writing my patterns down. Soon, I hope, they'll be available via my Etsy store, and maybe someplace else, as well ;-) Stay tuned!

Shalimar Yarns Zoe Sock in a color I think of as "Country Lane."
Warm socks (new pattern) coming soon!

Happy knitting, all! See you soon...promise :-)

Oh, and yeah: GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!

Yarn Stew

Victoria Fingerless Gloves: UFO #2

Dear "Victoria Fingerless Mittens" admirers,

When I first laid eyes on Louisa Harding's book, Knitting Little Luxuries, I fell in love. C'était le coup de foudre! (It was love at first sight...isn't the French version more fun, though?)

To make matters more dramatic (to a knitter, anyway) I actually had three skeins of Louisa's Grace yarn in my stash, in this lovely cerises color. I rushed home with book in hand, eager to cast on the Victoria Mitts (the photo in the book is much prettier).

And so I did, after clearing up a little error I spotted (yarn amount for solid-color mitts was incorrect...quelle surprise when Louisa Harding herself wrote back to me with the clarification!).

This was almost a year ago.

You see, frustration began to set in when I noticed the yardage issue in the book. Then, when I realized the pattern would produce gloves sized for a 12-year old girl -- or for a very petite woman -- I felt another pang of annoyance. No problem, however, as I was easily able to fudge the gauge to make them fit my long and slender hands (read: average size).

Then...Oh, no! I realized the pattern called for seaming the gloves after knitting them flat on two needles. Now why would I do that??? Why do so many designers choose to put bulky seams on lovely gloves when the pattern could simply be written for knitting circularly? Well, you know me enough to guess what I did. (If you don't, here's a hint: I did no seaming.)

Ugh! What should have been a three-hour knit at most turned into a two-and-a-half evening affair--for one glove. And when that first glove was finished, I realized the picot edging on the thumb would forever get in the way and/or curl back on itself. Understandably, second-glove syndrome set in, and the project was relegated to the doorknob. Sad...so sad.

Now, I'm not saying you should avoid knitting these gloves--they are truly lovely (especially when you do away with the bulky seaming). And the yarn? Well, Grace is simply gorgeous, and it comes in mouthwatering colors. It pills a bit, but most wool/silk singles do, so that's OK.

I'm not dissing the book, either. In fact, I love the book! It's so beautifully photographed. Looking through it makes me feel the way I do when I watch a romantic old movie. The patterns are, as you'd expect from Ms. Harding, dreamy. So honestly, do buy the book! Just be aware that you may decide to make some pattern adjustments.

And should you choose to knit the Victoria Gloves in a solid color, make sure you have two to three skeins of Grace on hand, as well as a nice selection of needles on which to get the right gauge for your hands. I can assure you they will likely be a bit larger than those for which the pattern was written.

It's a bit of extra work, but, believe me, you'll be glad you didn't take the shorter route.

Yours truly,

Knit*Six

Victoria Fingerless Gloves: UFO #2

Indigo Lace Ribbons: UFO #1

Oh, beautiful Lace Ribbons, flowing like a summer stream over my needles! Yes, the very same needles that I bought especially for you just a few days after I casted on. All this love, and yet you're not flourishing. "How can this be?" I ask myself...

Too many projects, says my critical mind.

I'm spending so much time designing my own patterns that I don't have time to knit other items, says my rationalizing mind.

Oh, I'm too tired to focus on a lace chart, and way too tired to memorize this 12-row repeat, says my woe-is-me mind.

The truth? All of the above, I guess.

But this isn't just an ordinary FO to me. It's a project I really, really want to finish so I can wear it. The Malabrigo Lace yarn is soft as a kiss, shimmering with tones of azure, amethyst, and indigo. And it's not a boring knit, by any stretch of the imagination--it's even kinda fun. Just slow going, unless I'm feeling particularly sharp.

In fact, I see a finished "Lace Ribbons" scarf in my not-so-distant future...Maybe by October? It would make wonderful vacation knitting, and we're planning a week away in September. So, in the end, this little beauty is probably my "FO Most Likely To Be Finished" (FO-MLTBF). Someday, it will be blocked and ready to wear.

And when that day comes, you, my friends, will be the first to know.

Indigo Lace Ribbons: UFO #1