Fiber love transends all species

The cool thing about knitting the Celtic Harbor Hat is that I accomplished one of my 2007 knitting goals: learn to knit a fair isle project. Ok, ok... so I cheated a little. I'm still having tension issues with yarn held in the left hand, so I did a little two-color right-handed knitting... It all seemed to work out in the end. (There are a few fair-isle projects I'd like to tackle this year, including these gorgeous mittens!)

Here's how the top portion of the hat turned out (pre-blocking). I should have quit one row before I did to avoid the slight nubbin action, but it flattens down upon wearing.

Even though Toby refused to model the finished hat, he wanted to let you all know that he most certanly played a part in the project.

First Fair Isle!

Official begin day: Friday night. Official finish: late Sunday night. It's the Celtic Harbor Hat from Blackberry Ridge, the yarn is EL Angora from Webs.

Isn't Paco a great model? Toby would never stand for such shenanigans.

The hat has an interesting construction-- so interesting that I modified it greatly. Essentially, the inside brim was to be a 1x1 rib, and I just wasn't going to have any of that. Stockinette is much easier to wear against your brow, and it'll mess up your perfectly styled hair! I kitchnered the two ends together on the inside of the hat, then picked up the top row and created a classic star decrease at the top. I've been wearing it all week, and it's been a lovely addition to my morning commute!

Pic for construction insight purposes only.

Finally! The red socks.

Preview for tomorrow:

Mom visited again on Saturday morning to join the knitting ladies-- and this time she brought her red socks. Ok, ok... so she doesn't look too enthused about the socks here, but in all honesty she was concerned about not updating her pedicure and harming them. After a few minutes of coaxing, she finally put them on! Now I've got to convince her to wear them outside of the house!

It was dark outside when we finally took these. Sorry for the color quality. The sock yarn is Mega Boots Stretch. The pattern was a simple 3x2 garter rib with automatic garter heels a-la Lucy Neatby.

New STR website.

Matt's Socks - DONE!
Originally uploaded by cynic the lamb.

Check it out: https://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com

Sheep to Shoe, where are you?
(You facinate me, even though I don't spin... yet)

Knit Picks prices are one the rise.

Knit Picks!
Originally uploaded by Big Sister.

Their newest catalogue was in my mailbox last night, and clearly some knit picks yarn lines are on the rise. Pattern prices on the whole just went up by a dollar. (Conversely, they're $.50 cheaper if you download them with your order). Alpaca and Alpaca blends and their Essential sock yarns are the ones to look out for.

Prices have not been raised on their website-- yet, so if you need (ok, want) some KP at their previous prices, you better order it right now!

*although, the difference is only 30 to 50 cents a skein. Not earth shattering, but notable.

diversion...

fragile universe
Originally uploaded by Steve took it.

Aren't these little worlds marvelous? They look like tiny Venitian glass paperweights. It's "Fragile Universe" by Steve Wall. He's amazing, and a number of his photos are from Minnesota!

The digital camera I've been using is completely M.I.A., so I'm sorry. you must be diverted as koigu sock photos will not be forthcoming until the camera decides to come out of it's hiding spot.

Let the Freeze begin!

No entrance
Originally uploaded by beewebhead.

***WARNING: Exceedingly dull reading ahead for non-knitters!

Last year I inventoried and organized my yarn stash. How could you describe it? Oh, scary at minimum*. Six months ago if I chose to not buy any more yarn and knit at a quick pace, it could all be used in 33 months. Yes, 33 months. …and I kept buying! So dear friends, we’re looking at approximately four years’ worth of yarn in my house. Blame Webs, blame yarn enablers, perhaps we could even blame Canada. Sure, it may have a great “R” factor… but, I have a problem. Any non-knitter knows that I’ve entered the ‘crazy knitting’ stage. I MUST knit stash yarn!!!

Enter Ten Items for 2007:
Knitting Goals, a Yarn Freeze, (and yes) Loopholes

1. Do not buy any more yarn. *repeat* Do not buy any more yarn.
2. Tools can be purchased if needed.
3. Patterns may be acquired if deemed absolutely gorgeous and one couldn’t possibly continue to live without them.
4. Complete a fair-isle project.
5. Finish three previously started sweaters.
6. Work on one long-forgotten UFO each month. I don’t have to finish it, but I must work on it or rip it out if the love is lost.
7. Loophole A: After knitting three pairs of socks (not six socks, but matching pairs) I can buy 100g of sock yarn.
8. Loophole B: Yarn can be purchased during a project emergency where more yarn is needed. (exceedingly rare)
9. Loophole C: Up to four skeins of “decoration yarn” may be purchased.
10. Loophole D: ONE sweater’s worth of yarn may be purchased if a fabulous deal comes along—especially if it’s denim yarn.

*another knitter saw my stash around inventory time and said, "Is that it???"