Confessions of a Yarn Addict: February 2008

Thank you for your condolences in regards to Nikko. It's been a very emotional week. Our home is not the same without him. I still find myself coming home from work and wanting to look for him like I've always done. It's going to take some time to get used to, but I know it will get better and Jeff and I are focusing on the great memories we have.

I finally have a picture of my nephews sweater!

I put the second picture in to show the cute reverse seams on the shoulder. It's a little big for him, so hopefully it will fit him next year as well. And he likes it!

Pattern: Simple Sweater w/Shoulder Seam Detail from Great Knits for Kids by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Aqua Blue (this isn't the color name - I have to find the label but it's late and I'm tired)

Needles: Knit Picks Options size 6 (I think...I really should write this stuff down before I finish...)

Started: September 2007

Finished: January 2008

This was a super easy pattern to knit. And quick too! I finished the knitting by the end of October but didn't finish sewing it up until January. I love the shoulder seams and the rolled edges. I think Anthony looks my handsome in it. When I gave it to him he wanted to put it on right away. That's all the encouragement I need to make him more handknits!

I'm off to catch some z's. I'm leaving for Stitches West tomorrow. A little yarn therapy should make me feel better.

Warning: This post has lots of photos.

As promised, I'm sharing my yarn acquisitions purchased during my recent blog hiatus.

But first, I have another FO to share!

Here, Mary and I show off our matching Shedir hats. That's Mary on the left, me on the right. Thanks Madge for taking the photos! : )

Here's a closeup from the back. I love how it turned out.

Project: Shedir hat
Yarn: Rowan Calmer in Plum
Needles: Brysoun 16" circulars size US 3
Start: January 15th
End: January 27th

And now....on with the show....

First up - Jeff and I went to Portland last October for the marathon. While we were there, I had to visit at least one yarn shop. I went to Knit Purl which is a very quaint shop in downtown Portland. They have a good variety of yarns to choose from, a beautiful wall of Koigu, a basement where classes are held and the staff was friendly without being overbearing. I didn't purchase a lot, but I did want to bring home some souvenir yarn. On the left is Artyarns Ultramerino 4 in color 139. The colors remind me of a lagoon. And since the colorway has no name, only a number, I think I'll name it Blue Lagoon. On the right is Shi Bui sock yarn in Rust. This was the first time I had seen Shi Bui in person. It has great sqwoosh-factor. Super soft. I'm thinking I'll make a pair of socks for Jeff with this.

Last year I was a member of Sundara's Petals Collection which has now transformed into the Seasons Yarn Club. The Petals Collection consisted of sock yarn. The Seasons Yarn Club is a variety of yarns and colors based on whichever season you choose. I chose autumn. Above is the second to last package from the Petals Collection. It's 100% Superwash Merino in Poppy. I personally have never seen a poppy this color. It's absolutely gorgeous. It's a deep, dark purple. Almost eggplant, but not quite. I might make the Lenore sock pattern out of this.

And last came Magnolia. It reminds me of cotton candy.

Our next float comes from the Seasons Yarn Club. It's 1,000 yards of silk lace. The color is Copper Over Bamboo. I plan on making a shawl or wrap. I'm just not sure which one. There are so many pretty patterns to choose from!

Next came Mossy, another skein of sock yarn.

And last, but not least, Bronzed Sienna, which has various shades of copper and a little brown mixed in. More socks!

I've been very pleased with the colors and quality of Sundara Yarn. I think I will probably sign up for the club again after this session ends. I'm going to pick a different season so that I'll have a new palette of colors. But it wasn't all Sundara.

Last summer I saw a post on the Yarn Harlot, which for some reason I can't link to the particular post, only the month of June. If interested, scroll down to June 5th. Then I saw this on The Panopticon. After months went by, I had a weak moment and followed this link to ThreadBear. Seriously. I couldn't decide which color combinations I like best. And this is what happened:

I was a little out of control! But this Dream in Color yarn is truly dreamy, let me tell ya. And now they have sock yarn....

Finally, I've been thinking about making Rogue for awhile now. As I was browsing on Ravelry one day, I saw a verison I loved made of Rowan Yorkshire Tweed. That was all the inspiration I needed. : )