How The West Was Spun

Choices, Choices, Choices

In my frenzy of non-participation in various groups, I also signed up for Lolly's Project Spectrum 3.  The first group of color elements we'll be exploring for February/March is FIRE.  This is represented by the colors red, pink and orange.  Now, y'all know me..... I'm a purple and cool color kinda gal, so I wondered what exactly I'd have in the stash that I could knit up.  I did decide since I already have a red shawl on the needles as a gift (which is perfect!) that I'd knit some socks, and I probably had 1 or maybe 2 odd skeins I had picked up in the red/pink/orange colorways.

I seriously underestimated the stash.  S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y.  To the point I can't even decide where to start.  Here are my options:

From left to right:

Lisa Souza Sock! in Mars Quake colorway
Fleece Artist's Sea Wool (70% merino and 30% Seacell) in Raspberry
Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Solid in Burgundy
Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in Indian Summer
STR in Mustang Sally

But wait.... there's more.......

Dream in Color Smooshy in Giant Peach
Araucania Ranco Multi (colorway is 303, but it's got red and burgundy and purple and a wee bit of yellow)
Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Red Willow
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in SWAK (I do have 2 skeins of this)

So, since I'm having such issues deciding, you, gentle readers, get to make the call for me.  Check out the poll in the sidebar.  You can vote for your favorite and I'll earmark the top seed for my next sock project on the needles.  If I feel feisty, I may try to tackle 2 pairs over the next 2 months, but we'll see where I am on other deadline knitting before I commit to that.

Talk amongst yourselves.  Go and vote. 

All for now....

Shop Stuff

It's been a while since I've done a shop update, so bear with me.  There's a lot of information I wanted to send along.

First off, February 2008 will introduce a great new fingerless mitts kit.  These beauties were designed by Janine, whose work you may have run into thru Ravelry or Magknits. If you are a fan of Cookie A's Monkey socks, you'll love these mitts. 

The kit comes with a skein of our BFL (blue-faced Leicester wool) superwash fingering weight yarn in the "Wood Duck" colorway, plus a hard copy of the pattern, printed on card stock.  You just add needles to obtain the appropriate gauge.  These knit up fast and are a great take-along project.  Once you've gotten the pattern set up, you can zip right along on these.  This pattern would be suitable for an adventurous beginner, and intermediate knitters who have done a bit of lace (or already own a pair of Monkey socks) should find these an easy knit.  If you find that this colorway doesn't quite suit you, please feel free to leave me a Comment when ordering and I am happy to replace the Wood Duck colorway with another of your choice from our yarn catalog.

Next, we are introducing two new sock yarns to our catalog.  Both are spun from a very soft superwash merino and will be carried under the "Simply Superwash" designation in the storefront. The great thing about these yarns is that they are completely interchangeable with regards to gauge.  The 2-ply is what I used to knit the Rattlesnake Creek Socks.  It has a slightly less tight twist than the 3-ply.  If you are a fan of Louet Gems sock yarn, the 2-ply is a good substitution.  If you prefer something with more plies and a rounder silhouette (think Smooshy sock yarn), then the 3-ply is your best bet.  Gauge will range from 7 to 9 stitches per inch, depending on the size needles you choose.  We'll be expanding our color line for these two yarns, but here's a little example of the subtle differences in these yarns.

The 2-ply in Amethyst:

The 3-ply in Smoke:

For the month of February, if you order a skein of the Simply Superwash yarn, I will send along a free printed copy of the Rattlesnake Creek socks.  Just request it through the Comments box when you check out.

Finally, as a footnote, in March (fingers crossed and planets in alignment) we'll be undergoing a site upgrade that will incorporate some of the suggestions you have made over the last year.  Things like no more frames, so I can link into a specific product, and a slightly enhanced arrangement, where we will have a color samples page, and then each individual yarn can be ordered via a drop-down menu in any color you wish.  We'll also be adding Jaggerspun's Zephyr (silk/merino) laceweight to our permanent list of yarns at that time, so you can order any of the colorways we carry for your lace projects in that lovely yarn.  We'll be offering some anniversary specials through the new site once it opens next month, so be sure to look out for those.  You'll still be able to reach us through the same site address, so you won't need to update your favorites or saved 'net address; it'll happen automatically.

All for now......

WIP Wednesday: 02/06/2008

I am back from the east coast whirlwind trip.  We were able to see D's mom, plus my parents, and of course, my SIL and BIL, and the two cute nephews. It is always great to see the family, but also really nice to come home.  (Even though I came home to almost 18 inches of new snow here in the southern valley!)

So, let's just jump right back into the swing of things with a WIP Wednesday update, k?

Project #1:  Nevis Cardigan: 

Goal:  Block all the pieces and get them seamed.  Since I am horrifically drag-my-feet-ish about finishing, I'll leave that as my goal.  IF I happen to get started on the collar and bands, so be it.  But we won't push our luck, m'kay?

Project #2:  Rattlesnake Creek Socks:   DONE!  Free pattern is available in the sidebar and tomorrow, I'll talk more about the yarn, which is going to be available as either a 2-ply or a 3-ply through the store.

And a close-up of the cables:

Project #2:  Spey Valley Socks. Since I've finished this pair of socks up, and actually have already started another pair.  I'll put these on the list.  I have sock #1 finished completely.  Sock #2 is already started.  I need to finish the leg and turn the heel this week, so that'll be the goal for these.

Project #3;  No-More-Humdrum Mittens: 

Goal:  Finish the thumb on mitten #1 and cast on and knit the cuff for mitten #2.

I think when I get done this next pair of socks (which are going quickly on size 2 needles), I'll try to drag out a UFO and finish that up.  I am somewhat embarrassed I still haven't finished the lace scarf that's been on the needles for a year.  That might be nice to get a vamoose on, eh?

All for now.....