I saw a very corporate looking guy today, and his umbrella had "ST&B" printed on it. My reaction was, "Why does that suit-y guy have a 'Stich-n-Bitch' brolly?"
Do I not think of anything other than knitting? (Sorry, Grammar Avengers, for that quintuple negative there...)
No knitting content of note this evening because I had to work until just a few moments ago, and I have to be back in 7.75 hours which means I have to force myself to go to bed much earlier than I am accustomed to.
On knitting related note, though, does anyone (other than me) show off actually WIP's to non-knitters? I took two sleeves-in-progress (Norge 2000 and Cabley Goodness) to work today to make my co-workers impressed by my manual dexterity. I didn't get as strong of reactions as I would have liked. Mom, though, was impressed by the photos (via email) of Norge 2000. I just need reassuring. That's all. I suppose that we all do, after a fashion. Otherwise, why would we have knit-blogs?
Question: What do you think is the best yarn from which to make a traditional Aran/Fisherman sweater? This is one of the projects I want to stash-up for in England or otherwise in the not-so-distant future.
Speaking of England, an update on the trip planning: I am torn. I have a reservation in Oxford right now for the two nights which could be the Wales/Colinette nights. I mean, I think Colinette yarn is gorgeous. But, aside from Prism, I think that it's not really the type of yarn that you can make garments out of with any advance predictability of success. It's just too pretty to wear. It's wonderful for scarves and throws and such, but how many of those am I making? And is seeing pretty yarn enough to warrant a trip somewhere I wouldn't ever dream of going if I were not a knitter? I just cannot decide. I know that if it were cheaper, I'd simply go to the Shetland Islands, but that's like another $600 in airfare which I'd rather simply spend on yarn...
Posted by Jon at July 13, 2004 12:17 AMI forget to take pics of in progress work....that and my husband hogs the camera... :)
Save the money for yarn!
Posted by: Karen at July 13, 2004 08:41 AMSpend time in Oxford. It is so beautiful. I love it above all other cities. Watch the 1980's Granada version of "Brideshead Revisited" if you want to see how beautiful Oxford is.
Scott
I would skip Colinette and spend more time exploring Oxford and the surrounding area or add an extra day in London. Don't forget Bath and Stonehenge!
Posted by: mouse at July 13, 2004 11:08 AMSkip Colinette?? That's blasphemous! *faint* I'm still broiling over the fact that my Colinette scarf is going to cost almost $120. I guess that's what I get for wanting something long and wide and DRAMATIC!!
Posted by: Antonio at July 13, 2004 12:51 PMOh...almost forgot: you know, believe it or not, the Lion Brand Fisherman Wool makes a very nice aran (see my pics of Inishmore...but don't tell anyone that I'm using Fisherman Wool...shhhh). And what's more, after you wind it into neat little center pull balls no one will even guess that you got the yarn from your local hobby lobby. :-D
Posted by: Antonio at July 13, 2004 12:56 PMAntonio: I live in Manhattan and do not have a local Hobby Lobby.
Mouse: I've done London many times, and still have five nights there, so that's not a big factor. Bath or Oxford... Bath or Oxford. I mean, I will bathe in Oxford, assuming I go, but...
Posted by: Jon at July 14, 2004 12:14 AMI love it that your schedule is as messed up as mine! Hope you get enough sleep....
Posted by: Rachael at July 14, 2004 02:33 AMJon I've also heard great things about the old staple "Patons Classic Wool Merino" for sweaters. I have an order of 6 balls of it right now. It's a worsted weight yarn (I think). It's supposed to be really soft and not terribly expensive either.
I hope you take lots of photos while you are in England so that we can live vicariously! LOL! What fun your trip sounds like!
Oh, and I show ANYONE who stands still my knitting, whether they are knitters or not! LOL! (Kind of like I did with kids photos when my kids were young! LOL!)
Thanks for the tip about the poncho pattern! I've emailed the shop already and can't wait to hear from them!
Posted by: the country girl at July 14, 2004 05:33 AMA belated comment on your story about going to Tricoter here in Seattle. The one time I visited Tricoter, I picked up the first skein of yarn I saw as I walked in the door--a small skein, mind--and almost fainted at the $70(!!!) price tag. It was quiviut, but still... Think about it: Given the length of the skein, a pair of socks alone would cost $280! Gives Cinderella's glass slippers a run for their money, don't it?
Too bad our paths didn't cross while you were here--which is a totally ridiculous thought, since we don't even know each other, but the blogging community makes one do and think strange things, relationship-wise!
Posted by: Ryan at July 14, 2004 04:22 PMI use a Donegal tweed (the kind that comes on cones for about $20/lb) from WEBS (www.yarn.com) for Aran stuff. It's thick, heavy yarn, scratchy but very very warm (I wore an Aran made from it while I was in Siberia last year, and it kept me nice and toasty). This spring I went to WEBS and bought over a kilo of it in forest green; it'll be an Aran and my next project! :)
Posted by: Leslie at July 19, 2004 10:16 AM