Posts filed under ‘Yarn, Yarn, And More Yarn’
Maryland Sheep and Wool 2013
I was so afraid that I would not make it to MDSW this year. I have been totally consumed with a project for work – literally worked 85 hours this week – and I was not sure if I could get away for a few hours of yarn paradise. Not to mention, I am so tired and was not sure if I could even walk around to my favorite vendors. Fortunately, everything fell into place, and I was able to spend a couple of hours shopping for some more yummy yarn goodness.
As usual, I blew right through my budget. In fact, I almost spent twice as much as I had planned to spend. But, it was so worth it! I have lots to add to my stash, including:
* Minuet by Dancing Leaf Farm, 2480 yards of superfine alpaca lace yarn
* Hip Hop by Dancing Leaf Farm, 792 yards of merino/cashmere/nylon fingering, Crocus colorway
* Bamboo by Creatively Dyed Yarns, 1000 yards of bamboo lace, Sand colorway
* Sunna by Spirit Train Fiberworks, 1050 yards of merino/cashmere/silk fingering, Smashed Raspberries colorway
* Glenhaven Cashmerino Fingering by Three Irish Girls, 740 yards of merino/cashmere/nylon, Golden Afternoon colorway
* Homage by Shalimar Yarns, 400 yards of merino/cashmere/silk, Byzantium colorway
Well, I guess it’s back to my “stash buster’s” diet. I did work my way through several skeins since last year’s MDSW, so I don’t feel that guilty.
Goodness, I do love the first weekend in May!!!! Happy 40th Anniversary MDSW! Here’s to 40 more!
Happy Stitching!
There’s nothing like working with yummy yarn
For the past week, I have been turning that yummy yarn that I bought from Creatively Dyed Yarns at last year’s Maryland Sheep & Wool (MDSW) into a fun and comfy sweater that I can show off at this year’s MDSW. I have been super stressed and had some extra time on my hands since we traveled by car to Florida (from Virginia!) for the funeral of a close family member. Honestly, this yarn has kept me sane over the past week. I am so pleased with my progress too….as I posted a couple of weeks ago, this yarn will be a sweater someday – and, hopefully, sooner rather than later since MDSW is less than one month away. Can’t wait! I already have my wish list in mind.
Happy Stitching!
Lady Violet Shawl Revealed….Finally!
Inspired by my favorite charater on Downton Abbey, the ”Lady Violet” shawl is finally done and ready for primetime! This project took a year to complete, but it was definitely worth every stitch. I love the pattern (an old find from Bernat) and the feel of this incredible yarn by Roman Hills. Of course, this is their The Dowager Countess colorway from their Downton Abbey collection.
Happy Stitching!
Someday, This Yarn Will Be a Sweater…..
Yes, someday this gorgeous yarn will be a sweater. I bought this last year at Maryland Sheep & Wool and I had envisioned wearing it at this year’s festival. Sigh….there’s still time, I know. But, last night, just as I was about to get started winding the first skein, I had a moment of lucidity for a new design that is now itching to escape my brain and become a reality. Hopefully, it will work up fast and all of the math will fall into place….boy, would I love to play with this yarn soon.
Wondering what pattern I have in mind? Take a peak. Isn’t it nice to work on other designers’ patterns?!? It’s like a relaxing break from the intensity of designing. Certainly, both can be enjoyable in there own way. Maybe, I will work on both simultaneously this weekend.
Happy Stitching!
This Is a Yarn Binge
Yes….I’ve fallen off the wagon. Most of you know that I have been on a serious yarn diet since last year’s Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. The plan was to make tons of projects using all of the yummy yarn goodness that I already have in my stash until Maryland Sheep and Wool 2013. Well, I didn’t quite make it. Yes, I have been busy playing with yarn from my stash. In fact, I found a lovely skein of Louet Gems in my stash and quickly fell in love while knitting a sample stockinette stitch scarf for my knitting class. A few rows in, I decided to buy some more (just in case, right?)….then, after a few moments searching the internet, I found a lot (or two!) of mill ends of Louet Gems in varying weights. I couldn’t resist. I had never bought mill ends before and it seemed like a great deal at %50 off the retail price. So, now the fun begins. My plan is to use these to make sample swatches and small projects.
Happy Stitching!
Keep Calm and Carry Yarn
Keep Calm and Carry Yarn – this has truly become my motto. In fact, you will rarely find me without a ball of yarn along with a hook or needles in my purse. And, if my purse does not have these items, then a project bag is surely close by. I have been tempted to buy my one of these great posters made and sold by jenniegee on etsy. I think it would be a great addition to my craft room, although I rarely play with yarn in it. I do keep my yarn “organized” in my craft room. And, I wind all of my skeins and do my blocking in there, so perhaps I should put this on my wishlist for my special Valentine. What do you think?!?
Well, this week, I have been preparing for a knitting class that I am teaching next week. I have prepared some sample swatches for the students to touch and feel, and I am making a scarf in stockinette stitch as a classroom example. I love mindless knitting. It is so therapeutic and I am always amazed at how quickly projects like these can fly off my needles. On the other hand, my poor crochet Lady Violet shawl is 80% done, but I keep putting it down for a breather. The pattern is quite involved and making all of the strips can get tedious. I do hope I finish before this season of Downton Abbey ends, though.
Happy Stitching! Don’t forget your yarn!
Christmas Is Coming and I Just Started Making Gifts
My hook is finally back in full gear again. Yesterday, we were given our Secret Santa’s for our team’s Christmas party in December. Of all things, my Secret Santa asked for hand-made “tall” socks. It was like divine providence stepped in since these were randomly assigned and I am the only yarn-addict on our team. After spending a good hour searching online for the perfect yarn, I realized that I already HAD the perfect yarn in my stash! YIPPEE! It took a while to find it, but I finally got my hands on my Cherry Tree Hill, Supersock yarn (100% superwash merino). It is so cuddly soft and I can’t wait to see the look on her face.
I picked what I hope to be a fast and easy pattern – Crochet Hear & Sole Socks, designed by Alison Grenier. I do have to make a few modifications for the “tall” version, but I am hoping that won’t be too major. My oldest daughter saw what I was planning and her eyes turned green with envy, so now I have to make 2 pairs before Christmas…..not to mention finish all of the other WIPs dormant in my yarn corner by New Year’s Day 2013.
Dare I even ask Santa for more yarn?
Happy Stitching!
Yarn – It’s Not a Hobby, It’s a Way of Life
Most people who know me know that I’m pretty obsessed with yarn. I love playing with yarn and I have a particular weakness for yarns made with luxury fibers. I’m particularly partial to merino wool blends with silk and/or cashmere, to say the least. It’s pure joy playing with “the good stuff” as I like to call it.
A simple look at my recent yarn purchases and allocations of my free time over the past year paints a clear picture of the importance of playing with yarn in my life. A few days without crocheting (or knitting) leaves me frazzled and a bit lost.
On my way back from the Maryland Sheep and Wool (MDSW) festival, as I thought about the damage that I had just done and all of my new yummy yarn delights, I came to the conclusion that this is not a hobby for me. This is a way of life.
I will gladly give up new clothes and shoes, expensive haircuts, manicures and pedicures….you name it…..in order to buy more yarn. In fact, last year at MDSW, I went solo and purposely did not eat so that I could splurge on more yarn. Yes, I gave up food for yarn!
However, I realized too that it would be a shame if I amassed this huge collection of “good stuff” and I didn’t get to play with most of it while I was still on this earth. So, I have made a commitment – all of this beautiful yarn must be turned into completed projects. My goal is a project per month. Yes, I am going on a serious stash buster’s diet, complete with a plan and some accountability. You, my friends, will keep me accountable; and by December 31st, I should have 6 more gorgeous projects to display. Anyone else want to jump in with me on the stash buster’s diet? Think how much fun we’ll have making our dream projects and how much better we’ll feel after our next yarn shopping spree, because by then we’ll actually need to buy more yarn!
Making Progress on the Lady Violet Shawl
Here’s an update on my Lady Violet shawl. I am almost 1/3 done…..this will be finished in time for the 3rd season of Downton Abby, for sure. Won’t this be perfect for Mary and Matthew’s wedding? I hope I get invited. 
P.S. – I am still figuring out how to use my new light box…..I am not 100% happy with the results, but practice makes perfect.
Maryland Sheep and Wool 2012 (#MDSW)
Well, I am back from the 2012 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and shamefully I must admit that I blew through my entire yarn budget for the year in one day. It was so much fun, though, and I added some amazing yarn to my ever burgeoning stash. I guess Mother’s Day came early this year….and so did my birthday and Christmas.
Since a picture says a 1000 words, I decided to share some of the highlights from my day in a slideshow. Overall impression – it was less crowded than last year (the economy?) but the vendors had some great new and exciting fibers on display.
