Hi, Knitters,
When a knitter travels she picks up yarn along the way. I haven't been sharing my recent finds in various cities, shops and retreats lately so today I thought I would share a few new cherished skeins I've gathered along my recent knitting journeys.
Back in March I went to Washington, Illinios to attend The Knitting Pipeline Retreat hosted by Paula Emons-Fuessle. The retreat took place in Paula's church. There was a small market on the last day of the retreat with maybe around 8-10 vendors. I purchased a few skeins of yarn while I was there.
Above is a big plump skein of Fat Squirrel Fibers. Amy Beth is the dyer/video podcaster/sewer behind The Fat Squirrel. Amy Beth has started a Big Cartel shop where she sews beautiful project bags in fun fabrics and dyes coordinating yarns and it is all beautiful and well-done. I think she updates a couple of times a month and you have to act fast to get your hands on any of her products.
Links:
The yarn above is Fat Squirrel Fibers in the Tree Swallow colorway, Hazelnut Base, Fingering Weight, 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon, 150 grams/600 yards. The skein has huge yardage. It will become a shawl of some sort.
I snagged one more skein of Fat Squirrel Fibers called Spring Leaf in the Pecan Base. It's fingering weight, 100% superwash BFL, 100 grams/438 yards. This one is definitely becoming socks, no question.
I love these skeins because they remind me of the time at the retreat.
Next up, when I was in Virginia at Fibre Space they happened to be unloading a gigantic trunk show of the elusive Plucky Knitter yarn. I was in a bit of a hurry after the class and signing, but I just had to grab a few skeins before running out the door. As I was picking out the yarn to take home with me Sarah, the Plucky Knitter herself and her adorable sister and business partner, showed up at the shop to meet me. I was so thrilled. We may even be working on a little project together in the future!
The yarn in the photo above is a brilliant glowing purple called Sweet Nothings (how cute is that?). The yarn is so gorgeous, there is no photo that could capture it accurately. The yarn is in the Plucky Feet base, 425 yards of fingering weight, 90/10 merino, nylon. I can't wait to dig in. I seem to be liking a lot of purple lately. That's new.
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Here is my second Plucky Knitter find. I have 2 skeins of Primo Fingering, 385 yards, 75/20/5 merino, cashmere, nylon. The colorway is Skies of November. Since Sarah dyes in Michigan I think we have the same November skies and this reminds me of our Midwestern late fall skies for sure. Everything carries a hint of gray. Skies of November is a dusky blue that I can't resist.
I don't know what I will be making with my Plucky Knitter treasures but rest assured it will be something good.
The Loopy Ewe has more Madelinetosh on the shelves than I have seen anywhere else. I couldn't believe the selection. In April I taught and had a book signing at The Spring Fling and at The Loopy Ewe shop. I had so much fun and of course I got to spend a little time shopping after my book signing at the shop.
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I had to get some Madelintosh to bring home. I immediately was drawn to the skein above. It is Tosh Sock in the Nightbloom colorway, a purple/gray tonal. Tosh Sock is 100% superwash merino wool, 395 yards. I think this color is interesting and smooth.
I wanted to find another skein of Tosh Sock to stripe with the Nightblooms. I couldn't get over how much I liked the Whiskers colorway. It is creamy gray, tan and eggshell. I love it. I am really pleased with this pairing.
Later when I was catching up on Snappy Stitches with Chrissy, I realized that she knit a large Daybreak shawl in these exact two colors. I had to laugh because I had no recollection of this when I bought these at the Loopy Ewe but I am sure somewhere in my brain I had registered my love for these colors together when Chrissy was sharing her shawl. Thank you, Chrissy!
Link:
snappystitches.com - Go watch this video podcast! It's such a good one.
These skeins are a later purchase online but still from The Loopy Ewe. JavaJennie (rav id) and maker for the Kitchen Counter Crafter on etsy was knitting and wearing the same cardigan at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat as Minerva Turkey at the Spring Fling. The cardigan is Navona by Linda Wilgus and I am knitting one in Malabrigo Sock in Ravelry Red, the perfect red for the main color, and Persia for the stripes, the best blend of gray and denim blue. I can't wait. This is a beautiful cardigan.
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Then one of my tried and true yarn loves, Cakewalk Yarns, was at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat. I got to spend time with Rose, the one and only splatter dye genius. Rose is lovely and fun. Her shop is currently on vacation while she moves from Michigan to Illinois this summer.
The yarn is just the best. I have knit several pairs of socks from Cakewalk along with a My Hope Shawlette by Laura Linneman. These are some of my favorite knits ever. The yarn from left to right above is all fingering weight in a variety of bases, in the following colorways: M&M Cookie, Fletcher, Vernon, and Chalkboard.
These will all become socks or shawls at some point!
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Now I am going to share a few quick projects I am working on.
Opal Vincent Van Gogh socks in the Die Brucke von Trinquetaille colorway. This one may just be my favorite Opal Van Gogh.
Of course I had to cast on Paula Emons-Fuessle's Lullaby Rain Shawlette from Quince & Co. I am using Chickadee in Frank's Plum. It's a lovely knit.
I'm still stitching away. Miss Molly asked me if I would help her with some stitching so I made her up a kit to get started. I have ordered her an Original Sampler by Rebecca Ringquist but we haven't received it yet. In the meantime she is just practicing on a piece of cotton and a piece of linen I had in my studio. She has a good start and I will share more on her progress later.
Rebecca Ringquist is still having a 20% off sale in her shop, Dropcloth! The code is: MICHIGANSUMMER
I am stitching an alphabet sampler that I am making up free-hand. I am using the sewing machine to put in subtle quilting lines with thread and I love the way it is making the fabric feel while I embroider. I think this sampler is going to become part of a bag. That's my plan at least.
I pre-thread my embroidery needles in a sitting and then I can stitch for a very long time without having to stop to thread needles. It is a satisfying way to work.
I am almost done (not in this photo though) with my second panel of the Alabama Chanin Swing Skirt. I only have a few more motifs to go before I cut out the centers. That's always fun. I can't wait to finish this up and wear it!
I hope you are all well and knitting away the summer. I'll be back soon with more....
best, susie
