Oh, It’s Buyin’ Time Again…
Just finished a session with my favorite sales rep. I know you don’t want to hear it, (yeah, I should complain about shopping for yarn, right?) but all those decisions make me crazy. I’m as much (if not more) of a yarn-crazed nutjob than you all, and I want at least half of what I look at, and there’s no way I can afford it. I of course bought way too much anyway, but it’s beautiful, gorgeous, fabulous stuff, and I think you’re going to love it! Here’s a glimpse of a new yarn from Classic Elite called Kumara:
Lustrous, with a soft halo, cabled, in beautiful colors. I can’t wait to knit with it. The only problem is that I’m afraid that I bought something very like it from Rowan. I’ll have to take a second look at both of them at TNNA to see just how similar they are and which I like best. When I love something, I love it totally and will buy it from anyone who sets it in front of me. Then when I’m going through things and looking at snips I’ve taken, I think, “Hmm, just how many alpaca/silk blends did I buy, anyway? And are they all aran weight?” Plenty of time to narrow it down, if I can bear to!
In case you are one of the persons waiting for Addi Clicks, the latest update from their US distributor is that Addi is having a problem getting the packaging from their supplier. The Clicks reside in a black simulated leather case with slots for everything to fit into perfectly – gotta love those Germans! So, the bad news is that the next shipment of Clicks probably won’t reach the US before the end of June. The good news is that production of the needles themselves is proceeding and so when Addi receives the packaging, they should be able to ship a boatload of the sets and fill all or most of the backorders. I’m still waiting for mine, so I feel your pain.
I also had a little romp through Fleece Artist’s yarn list, and have some beautiful things on order. How are we feeling about hand-dyed yarns these days? Although I recently find myself just a bit reluctant to knit a whole sweater in full glorious color, I still think that for accessories that have impact, a beautiful hand-dyed luxury yarn can’t be beaten. Have you seen the long fingerless gloves on the runway in the fall fashion shows? Very chic! Cowls, hoods, fingerless gloves, neckwarmers – all will be big this fall and all are great small projects to splurge a little and get a big return.
Donna Karan showed everything with high necks or big collars, big shoulders and these fur gauntlets.
Burberry showed almost everything with scarves or cowls, including indoor pieces.
And Pringle’s of Scotland always has amazing sweaters – look at these huge embossed leaves – in cashmere, of course!
Oh, so fun to dream. What we will knit for fall? I’d like to find a fabulous coat with great stitchwork and a really chunky yarn. I’m afraid it will make me look like Cousin It tangled up in a pile of yarn, but hope springs eternal in the terminally short. Maybe if I can just get the hang of stilettos….
Okay, enough with the dreaming of fall. Here are some beautiful completed projects that are wearable and definitely braggable:
Carol Slifka finished her Pearl Buck Jacket, and it’s just perfect. Such a great color for her – can you tell the jacket matches her eyes?
I love the back pleat – it’s the reason I just had to make this jacket, too.
Rochelle Mann finished this sweater in a color that looks just stunning on her. Check out the details in this self-designed beauty, expertly knit in Cotton Classic:
Robin Lapi is a novice with a great eye for style and yarns. She did this easy-to-knit vest in beautiful Donegal Tweed Chunky from Debbie Bliss:
Right in style with a face framing collar.
Ginny Stufflet came in with this great felted tote, and didn’t even notice that it was perfectly complemented by her outfit: 
And I have to mention our classes again. This jacket is “Ivory Leaves” from Knitted Jackets by Cheryl O’Berle. Many people bought the book to take the Cuzco class, and this is another beautiful example from the book. Janet did the knitting – it’s lovely and I must say it is equally lovely to wear!
There are many choices of classes this summer, so be sure to take a look. You’re busy now, I know, but when you have time to look, they may be full!
Okay, I’m beat from yarn shopping, so I’m going to sit and knit on my pup tent – er, I mean vest. I’m on the button bands so the end is in sight! Then, I think it will be a pretty pair of socks in something not gray! Don’t forget, I’ll be closed this coming Sunday, May 24.
Have fun, enjoy the weather, and I’ll see you soon…
Trish
