time to get packing—in two days i’m traveling to california with david to attend the TNNA winter show and spend some time with our friend kim and her family (we can’t wait to get reacquainted with the sun).
not that we have anything against winter, but seven in a row days of shoveling snow and no sign of the sun in all that time is making me yearn for some variety in the form of blue skies and 70-degree temps.
anyway, i’m trying to sort out what to bring along for knitting before tomorrow, when things will feel really crazy (i love going away, but getting ready to go away makes me anxious).
during this trip, i want to get ahead on the pile of secret knitting i have on my plate at the moment—i figure it’s a good time, because i can fill the blog with travel photos and you won’t mind that there is less visible knitting (there will be some, i promise).
and i want to bring the new shawl, because now i’m hooked and i don’t think i can leave it behind for a whole week.
it’s still looking about the same, even though i added some rows last night (not that many, to be truthful; i’m being faithful to my deadline projects, mostly). it feels like a security blankie when i touch it, need i say more?
i’m also bringing the henley project, which still looks like this after two days
sorry. i haven’t worked a lick on it since the other day, when i realized i was not going to finish it to wear to the beach and that really, i oughtta get another couple of things organized on my deadline projects before i go.
now that i have stitch patterns lined up with yarn and needles for starting those projects, i’m free to work on it again, so it will be back on track soon.
these socks will NOT be going with me because, blessedly, they are done. and where i’m going, i won’t need them. you think you won’t ever say that about your own beloved handknit socks, but once in a while, it’s a pleasure to know that my toes will be quite warm enough without them, thank you.
everything else i’ve been working on is a secret project—three of them—and i can’t show you any of that in detail. so i was thinking that traipsing in the the last part of the recent yarn parade would be fun.
remember this photo of dry hosta leaves i sent to kim as a suggestion for a colorway?
and out of her pots came this gorgeous skein of kashmir sock yarn, in the colorway she calls birch beer
well kim and i got chatting about a sweater project for spring, using her new oasis camel/silk fingering/sport yarn. and i asked if it would be possible to dye that yarn base in the birch beer colorway.
the other day, it landed on my doorstep—holy cow, it’s sexy
it was even packed in one of kim’s wee bunny bags—she was winding the yarn to pack it and noticed that the batik flower burst pattern was just too good with the yarn not to ride along (oh wow, she even showed them together on her site).
so yeah, i almost dropped in a faint when i saw this batch—that grainy, greeny-gray, enhanced by the yarn’s texture, is a bullseye match for my photo, sigh. i can’t start a sweater right now, but i am earmarking it for a spring project—it will be lovely for march or april and for wearing in september. the fiber blend is just right for transitional weather.
in fact, almost all the yarns i have to show today are beautiful grays. the next one was a gift from alisha, who generously provided a prize for the red scarf emergency KAL in december and asked if she could send me a skein as well.
i chose her plush lace, a merino/cashmere/nylon blend in the chimney sweep colorway—a rich mix of sooty grays and browns, tinged with purple and/or green in certain light. love.
alisha sells many more beautiful yarns in her online shop, alisha goes around; she has some intriguing blends in beautiful colorways on offer.
and if you like a little more color in your gray, i have some of those too, from—you guessed it—briar rose fibers. along with my beautiful gift of a yarn pot from jennie the potter, chris made sure the box included some of her own special brand of love . . .
this is a new cashmere yarn base that chris is trying out—a nice springy 4-ply sport/fingering weight yarn that will be delicious for mitts, scarves, neckwarmers—or just to sleep with.
it’s not in her shop yet, but we’ll let you know when it’s available (and i’ll try like crazy to make a pattern for it by then).
chris also has some grace in stock (email her about that) and a really cool new group of yarns on her site which she calls the dark side—deep, rich, nearly-black colorways in various yarn bases that are sure to please those with a taste for shady neutrals.
and now i have some handspun to show you, too.
after a nice bath, my baby camel and silk laceweight yarn is all done and dressed and ready to knit, whenever i get a chance
this started out as a 2-ounce packet of camel/silk fiber from a verb for keeping warm, in colorway taboo. now it is 609 yards of laceweight yarn—enough for a small or medium-sized shawl.
you can see the the rich and varied rose/gold/gray tones of the dyed silk are more subtle in the finished yarn, and that the whole skein is infused with the caramel-tan color of natural baby camel. now that the camel is clean and blooming, its natural warmth has changed the overall color to absolutely edible (no wonder kristine named it taboo).
what i loved about spinning this fiber was that the silk and camel were blended roughly so that heavy veins of each fiber mingled with mixed sections. this made the spinning very interesting, though it does require a bit more attention to the drafting. many luxury fiber blends are so homogenous and smooth that they practically spin themselves, which is great, but if you desire a little more variation in color and texture, a blend like this is a nice change of pace.
speaking of baby camel, one of the sample skeins from my rhinebeck class (taught by beth smith from the spinning loft) was spun from pure camel down. i plied it a while back, but didn’t wash it til the other day
which smoothed and softened it quite a bit. it’s just a few yards—maybe 30?—but who knows, i might knit it as a stripe into a special pair of mitts or something some day just to know it’s there.
the other sample skein of cashmere really turned out nice, too
(HEY—get your tongue off the screen)
everyone in class agreed on one thing—this fiber was the most delicious thing to spin that day. the yarn is actually one ply of natural light brown cashmere and one ply of nearly-white cashmere blended with silk, both were sourced from amy at spunky eclectic and i canNOT stress enough how beautiful and enjoyable they are to spin.
now this skein weighs about a third of an ounce and has 100-ish yards in it; i’m thinking about knitting a little neckwarmer with it, just for fun—another lightweight one in handspun would be really special. maybe a baby hypoteneuse pattern? maybe i could name it hypote-noose . . .
ok, maybe not. with that, i think i’ll exit—i’m not sure if i’ll be posting tomorrow, but i’ll try (it’s going to be a busy day). if not, i’ll see you on the other side.
31 thoughts on “everyone loves a parade”
Oh, thanks so much for the yarn-stravaganza! Just what I needed today. And I love the gray starburst bag — it really is perfect with that color. Have a safe and fun trip, and think of us who are going to be enjoying highs in the low twenties this wekend! Brr!
RE: socks. It’s pretty chilly over here during the nights…it ain’t no Chicago, but you may want a pair or two to snuggle up with. I’ve done my time in the east, so I know it’s not going to be “cold” for you…but you know…just a thought. 🙂 enjoy TNNA!!
Wow, Anne, you make neutral colors look soooo yummy! And that rose/caramel camel/silk – ooohh, sigh. And a cashmere base yarn from Briar Rose – be still my heart!
Good luck getting ready for your big trip – I get stressed about the packing part too. Sunny California sounds pretty good right now, during these dark days. Have fun!
There are so many things to comment on in your post! But I’ll just say how beautiful your spinning is. It’s very inspirational! Good luck with your packing.
Okay- is that Damson Plum or Dusk ? I’m talking about the BEAUTIFUL blue Knitting Notions yarn- I don’t think I can take it any more- I must buy some- but want to get the RIGHT one! Thanks
As a former Californian (now Chicagoan), I can say that you are experiencing a very special phenomenon that most Californians do not have the fortune of experiencing-appreciation for the weather. After you’ve lived in that climate long enough, another 70 degree day becomes just another 70 degree day. I wish you safe travels and a wonderful time – savor it for later when you get back home! And when you get jealous over the weather, just remember, if you lived there, you wouldn’t get to wear those gorgeous handknit socks!
Yippeeee Kai-ay, the Cabana is ready!!!
I just drooled on my desk.
Best travel wishes to you and David. I look forward to sunny pics, even though it means I must hate you until you come back. 🙂
I don’t care if you post any photos of knitting while you’re gone, but please, for the love of all that is holy, post a photo of the sun. Our winter weather advisory has been in effect for almost a week nonstop. I have to keep buying taller boots! Please think of us while you are sunbathing. Okay – that sounds way creepier than I intended.
the weather is positively gorgeous here in southern california; you will not be disappointed! after weeks of cold & snow on the east coast, i’m very glad to be back in the sun. on one of these trips to california i hope you’ll do a trunk show someday; i’d love to meet you!
p.s. what’s the green & blue yarn in the back of the first photo, with what looks like maybe the cuff of a sock on the needles? i understand if it’s a secret project, but that colorway is intriguing!
Did you decide on a name for the orange sock yarn? Inquiring minds need to know!
Ooh, so many gorgeous yarns! I love those handspuns, and looking at that oasis, I may just have found the yarn for my next project 🙂 Fly safe, and see you soon!
OH man those handspun yarns are lovely!
Makes me want to get back to my spinning wheel. I have some light figering singles on it in dark greens/blues, Merino/Silk blend.
I’m not down to lace weight yet, but each project gets a bit skinnier.
Have fun at TNNA!
Have a great time in SD….great city! The yarns are too delicious…..
Thank you for the yarn parade :-}
It was so much loveliness at once I think I’ll com back and feast my eyes in small increments.
Your photos are beautiful. What are they resting upon?
It reminds me of green sea glass.
*sigh* All of that yarn looks so lovely. You have quite an eye for yarn photography. Thanks for sharing!
Looking at new yarn/projects just makes me itch to start something new. I’m trying to be good and finish up a sock for a friend so I can start some me-knitting when my Sockwork Orange arrives. 🙂
Anne- That Kim, she is amazing. Birch Beer- that’s amazing!
LOL! That wasn’t my tongue on the screen!! Some how it’s not the same affect rubbing the screen on one’s body to try and feel that cashmere! Love all the yarns shared today, you did an incredible job on spinning that lace. Have fun with Kim!!
Lucky you going to some warm weather. I have to wait five weeks to escape Green Bay, WI for some warm Phoenix sunshine. Can you let us know how it goes with airport security and your knitting? I’m having doubts about carrying on my knitting and have to give up my needles. I might have to opt for reading material. Thanks.
Your handspun loooks wonderful especially that scrumptious cashmere from our class! I am hoping to finish spinning mine soon.
Have a WONDERFUL time at TNNA and with Kim. Give her a big hug from the Northern Kim. 🙂
What a marvelous parade. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy your trip to San Diego. So much to see and do in that city. I’m curious to know how your travel goes with knitting as well. Be safe on those freeways!
All the yarns are gorgeous, but that handspun of yours..oh my, absolutely fabulous! I can almost feel the softness through my computer screen! (and that was NOT me with my mouth on the screen…..really it wasn’t!!)
Your taboo handspun is Gorgeous! Happy travels!
OMG!!!! Fiber heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow – that’s a lot of gorgeous yarn. Grey is becoming my favorite color. Have a good & safe trip.
I’m soooo jealous. Sun?? I live in Erie. I think we’ve been having the same weather. Smell and touch the yarns for me. I hear it’s excellent therapy. Have a safe trip and BRING BACK THE SUN. Please.
Oh, I do hope TNNA is in the warm part of California! My son is in San Francisco area and it isn’t warm…yes, slightly better than Chicago, but not like southern CA.
I too stress out getting ready for a trip, especially the projects. Sometimes I’m forced to buy a project or two on the trip. I know it’s a sacrifice, but I do it!!! Hee, hee!
Enjoy the trip and all the fun yarns and thanks for tempting, I mean showing us!
I agree with Traci F. Having grown up in the OC – I have no problem with the changing seasons of my hometown near Chicago! I too am worried about airport security related to knitting and as I am also leaving next week for a SC visit – I would love to hear about you security experience. Thanks Anne. Have a great time!
Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.
How did you know my tongue was on the screen??
Wow, nobody can do a yarn pron post like you, Anne! Just when “100% cashmere” brought me to the edge, your handspun kicked me right over it. *Le Sigh*
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