Hello lovelies,
There has been a lot going on, so this post is going to wander a bit. Hope you can make it through to the end...
Thing 1. I am leaving for another research cruise in a couple of weeks, and I am trying to plan ahead for what yarn I will need and for which projects. This is quite a departure from my last cruise,
when I was literally shoving yarn in my bag as the taxi pulled up in the driveway. Well not this time, suckas! Anyway, I decided that stripes are very necessary in the mitered square blanket, so then I faced the challenge of locating some STR before I go. I stopped into the only yarn shop in the Seattle area that carries STR (viva Churchmouse!), and looked for some heavyweight shaded solids that would match the Carbon Dating colorway. We all know how that worked out, right? Bupkis!
I want to pick three more colorways to create the stripes: Jasper (purple-ish), the blue color that I boxed on the left, and another one that I haven't decided about quite yet (Obsidian? Blue Moonstone? Something more taupe-y like the color to the right of the band?? HELP?!). Anyway, I emailed Blue Moon for help and what do you know - the lady herself, Tina, wrote me back!! I didn't even know what color I wanted, just "that bluish one in the photo," and she kindly informed of its name (Spinel), and gave me the blessing to special order it. I shouldn't be surprised - everyone has been raving about Blue Moon since forever, but I was really impressed with how well they treated me! So I happily forked over the cash and will have my rockin' stash before I go. You can see both of the colors, BTW, on Cara's blog here. If you have an opinion on the third color I should choose, do not hold back. I know which way I am leaning, but I knit in a vacuum and appreciate feedback on this here blog.
Thing 2. Two weeks ago I was wearing my Short Row Hat in Home Depot (Grumperina is not the only one who shops there), and a woman approached me about it.
Her: Where did you find that hat?!
Me: <proudly> I made it. </proudly>
Her: Does it come in blue?
Me: pause... Uh, I could find blue yarn, I suppose.
Her: How much would it cost for you to make me one?
Me: I don't know - I've never made a hat for hire before.
Her: Well, if you ever make one, contact me and I will buy it. <Hands me a business card>
How about that?! It turns out that I don't knit for charity, but I sure as shit will whore out my services for a few bucks!** I sent her a photo of the colorways that AmiAmi's Faith comes in, and she loved one of the blue ones. I ordered the yarn, it arrived yesterday (isn't it gorgeous?), and I'll start on the hat soon. I think I said yes both because I was flattered at the idea of it, and because it was a really fun pattern to knit the first time around. I am looking forward to knitting it again. I'm toying around with the idea of trying to turn it into a scarf because I have a bunch of yarn leftover from making my hat. Could be pretty simple, actually.
Thing the Last: I swatched for Central Park Hoodie instead of Camellia. I've been putting off making a whole sweater, but I'm not sure why. I decided that it was time to bite the bullet and do it. So I got out some KnitPicks Swish and went to it. I got stitch gauge after blocking, but I am one row off on row gauge. I was going to have to adjust the pattern for my Amazonian arms anyway, so making changes on the number of rows is no big deal. The Swish both softened and fluffed up after blocking, and I think it's going to make a nice sweater. I went with 'Red Pepper,' and it sure is RED! This is not very apparent in this photo, but you will see. I wanted to spice up the wardrobe a bit, and we all know that I'm not afraid to wear a little color. NOTE: I didn't machine wash the swatch b/c I don't plan on machine washing the sweater, but I've heard that the row gauge does change quite a bit if you put it in the dryer - be warned!
So that's all of my "things."
**ETA: Since the pattern of this hat is copyrighted by Interweave Press, and since it would technically be illegal (thanks Margaret!) to sell the hat, I am going to make the hat and give it away as a gift. As far as I can tell, this is not illegal (otherwise - cancel Christmas!).
This yarn was a pleasure to work with again, and I recommend it to everyone. You have to pay for shipping from Canada, so be sure to stock up to make it worth your while. This colorway is sold out on their web page, but there are five left to choose from, including the green used in the pattern.
Goose disapproves and shows that he is far cuter than the hat. And much fatter.
