Those who can, do…
… and those who can’t, shop!
Exhibit A
Araucania Nature Wool, worsted weight 100% wool from Chile, color 27
In looking at the Squatty Sidekick from yesterday, I decided I love the colors, but will probably have a much too heavy bag in its current state. But, with the current state of my wrist I’m loathe to rip and reknit anything at the moment. Then that picture also made it even more obvious that it is a not a purse for warm weather. Yes, I’m aware it’s wool, but looking at Amanada’s pink one, I think a felted purse can be carried year around as long as the color is right for the season. Enter the yarn above… This will become a warm weather Squatty Sidekick (which BTW, Amanda will be teaching a class for this purse at Woolen Treasures in the near future, it isn’t listed on the class schedule on line yet, but should be there soon). I’ll evntually rip the current autumnal squatty and have it ready to reknit in the fall when it will be used.
Exhibit B
Okay, this was an impulse purchase. I picked up Folk Shawls a few weeks ago and have been lusting after lace shawls for some time now (it started last spring or summer when I checked out A Gathering of Lace from the library). However, I have no pattern in mind for this. It’s roughly 1280 yds of 50/50 wool/silk blend. I know lace can easily be swallowed up by color changes, but I just couldn’t resist this color combination. Though, it was a tough call as there was a green and purple colorway and I’m constantly complaining about the lack of purple-green colorways. But, I decided this could be worn with much more of my wardrobe. With the rich chocolate brown in there I keep envisioning it breaking up my chocolate from head to toe outift of cords and J. Jill t-neck sweater! And, it has some olive green in it besides the brown, tan and red-violet/fuscia-y color. Snow, any recomendations for a dramatic variegation like this one?
Exhibit C
I’m still highly reserved about my Layette colorway Lorna’s Laces. But, I really want to experience the LL lust first hand. So, I picked up two solids in Poppy and one in the new Irving Park colorway. This way, I can do the cuff/heel/toe in the variegated and the main body in the solid so I don’t have to be so concerned about pooling/flashing! I even have a design in mind now, so I think I’ll be casting on for that soon as well. I’m thinking DH is not so excited about the camo socks so he probably won’t mind if his socks do not get 100% of my sock knitting attention anyway.
Also purchased, but not picture worthy were 2 more Addi Turbo circs and 1 pair of the short Bryspon DPNs in Sz 2. Oh, and I picked up more point protectors because when knitting socks, one can never have enough, right?
I got all this for just under $100!!! I saved $13 alone on the Helen’s Lace. How you ask? Woolen Treasures is having their first anniversary sale! All yarn is 30% off, all needles and notions are 15% off and jewelry and equipment was 10% off! If you’re in the area run, don’t walk! They were hopping yesterday, with some people going through the check out line 3 times!
I also stopped at B&N and picked up Nicky Epstein’s Knitting on the Edge and I’m in love! There is a ton of inspiration in there. A lot of the stitch patterns I’ve seen, but not applied as a border, and there are some I maybe haven’t seen (I don’t have any of the Walker volumes of stitch patterns yet) that could also be extended to an entire article rather than just a border. If you are into designing, I’d recommend it.
Did you know that “A Gathering of Lace” is out in a softcover now? I just got a copy of it the other day.
I really like the Bird’s Nest Shawl from Folk Shawls and have been wanting to do that one, myself. Have you seen the Flirty Ruffles shawl from Fiddlesticks? That might look nice in your new yarn, but beware of varigated yarn in lace! Remember the inside panel of my Tina shawl!
Comment by Snow — 4/6/2005 @ 12:26 pm
beautiful purchases!
Comment by Carrie — 4/6/2005 @ 2:08 pm
I haven’t gotten into knitting much lace yet, but… um… if you change your mind about the colorway, I’d be willing (read thrilled) to buy the green/fuscia/brown yarn from you. It’s gorgeous. You have great taste!
Man I wish the stores down here had sales like that (who knows… maybe they do and I just haven’t found out yet).
Comment by Leisel — 4/6/2005 @ 4:14 pm
Excellent stash enhancements- nothing better than getting gorgeous stuff on sale! I love the chocolate/fushia/tinge of green especially.
Comment by clementine — 4/6/2005 @ 4:18 pm
(De-lurking after a few months of reading your great blog. I am an extra-skein buying “ample” knitter.)
Summer handbags have been made of felt for ages. Maybe they were made of machine pressed felt instead of knitted, but who cares, especially if the colors scream spring the way the ones you had in yesterday’s picture. (A too-heavy bag? Will your lipstick and keys sweat in it? I think it could be just fine - maybe don’t rip it?)
Comment by Jessica - Pinktopaz — 4/6/2005 @ 7:37 pm