Woolarina
Monday, October 30, 2006
back in town, don't forget the sale.
I spent a long weekend in Montreal... holy moly was it cold. And we walked ALL OVER THE CITY. *someone* refused to see the need for, say, a METRO PASS. So my poor legs are still aching. Ouch. The weather was cold. and rainy. Mostly cold. The customs lady asked me why on earth I'd want to go to DC (really- WTF? she said that!) and I should have said because it ain't montreal! Or that I love bush or something. Too bad I am not so fast with the clever, huh?
But really, the city was nice! Fun city, great food. I've never seen so many Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants! So much good food! Yum. The french threw me off, though. I guess I wasn't expecting it! I mean, France French I am used to, but this? Hm. And the accent of french speakers speaking english was just all off as well! Crazy crazy. Like a whole 'nother country. A country of frozen frenchies. I'd speak funny too I suppose.
I bought some yarn, but don't have the camera. The first is Regia Canadian Color (to mark the occasion?) in the colorway shown here... the color doesn't seem as nice in socks/samples- sort of muddled colors, but we'll see! Then I got some Swiss sock yarn - "Super Soxx" in this color (foto from redbirdknits.com) The yarn shop I went to (A la tricoteuse laine) had a huge dog just laying in the center of it, whining to have a belly scritch.
Finally... last day of sale!! Prices go back up after tomorrow- I'm stocking up for Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh!!
But really, the city was nice! Fun city, great food. I've never seen so many Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants! So much good food! Yum. The french threw me off, though. I guess I wasn't expecting it! I mean, France French I am used to, but this? Hm. And the accent of french speakers speaking english was just all off as well! Crazy crazy. Like a whole 'nother country. A country of frozen frenchies. I'd speak funny too I suppose.
I bought some yarn, but don't have the camera. The first is Regia Canadian Color (to mark the occasion?) in the colorway shown here... the color doesn't seem as nice in socks/samples- sort of muddled colors, but we'll see! Then I got some Swiss sock yarn - "Super Soxx" in this color (foto from redbirdknits.com) The yarn shop I went to (A la tricoteuse laine) had a huge dog just laying in the center of it, whining to have a belly scritch.
Finally... last day of sale!! Prices go back up after tomorrow- I'm stocking up for Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh!!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
ca va bien.
I'm in a french sort of mood. My parents have been in France for the past few weeks, hanging out in a house in Normandie, visiting family near Orleans, and visiting random other sites. I am jealous, to say the least. and also feeling guilty that I still need to write even more wedding thank you cards (in french, no less)... especially as some sort of le creuset is possibly being brought back for me. Woot!
But this weekend we'll have our own little faux-french vacation. Montreal. The world's second largest french-speaking city. Or some such. I guess I've been ignoring the non-english thing -- really need to brush up on my french!
Anyone been to Montreal? Any suggestions on where to go? So far there are a couple museums on the list, as well as a casino. And lots and lots of coffee and croissant.
In yarny news, I submitted some sample yarn for a stitch n' bitch project- a day calendar that will be occasionally featuring indie yarn. Who knows if they will like my stuff. Or if I sent enough! I gave em a couple sock yarn bits and some yummy handspun like this one but blue. LOVE.
But this weekend we'll have our own little faux-french vacation. Montreal. The world's second largest french-speaking city. Or some such. I guess I've been ignoring the non-english thing -- really need to brush up on my french!
Anyone been to Montreal? Any suggestions on where to go? So far there are a couple museums on the list, as well as a casino. And lots and lots of coffee and croissant.
In yarny news, I submitted some sample yarn for a stitch n' bitch project- a day calendar that will be occasionally featuring indie yarn. Who knows if they will like my stuff. Or if I sent enough! I gave em a couple sock yarn bits and some yummy handspun like this one but blue. LOVE.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
new yarn. and SALE
new handspun is up here.
Don't forget: it's all on sale through the 31st of October.
Don't forget: it's all on sale through the 31st of October.
who's not at Rhinebeck?
I'm not the only one, right? sigh... I did send along some cash, so hope to still get some great buys!
Instead of traipsing up to NY, I've been knitting madly, and trying to prevent my cold from getting worse! Today I face a gazillion ends to weave in, as well as more spinning- I've taken to knitting stuff I intended to sell, so better replace it! :)
Here are some recently finished (or to be finished today!) things..
These are all for Handmade Arcade in a few weeks. My hands are on auto-pilot now... so tired of hats! I've started adding bobbles to amuse myself and add some thought to the process.
some wristies- made of 127 print and some noro angora/silk/whatever (yum!)
and back to the good old merino. Can you believe that I am out of merino roving? I'm gonna try and get through some other roving before caving in and getting new merino. But I already miss it.
Instead of traipsing up to NY, I've been knitting madly, and trying to prevent my cold from getting worse! Today I face a gazillion ends to weave in, as well as more spinning- I've taken to knitting stuff I intended to sell, so better replace it! :)
Here are some recently finished (or to be finished today!) things..
These are all for Handmade Arcade in a few weeks. My hands are on auto-pilot now... so tired of hats! I've started adding bobbles to amuse myself and add some thought to the process.
some wristies- made of 127 print and some noro angora/silk/whatever (yum!)
and back to the good old merino. Can you believe that I am out of merino roving? I'm gonna try and get through some other roving before caving in and getting new merino. But I already miss it.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
handspun sale
Clearing out the stash. Sale sale. This handspun is $5 off through the end of the month! Free shipping for orders over $40!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
history
When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started knitting socks several years ago... made out of some worsted weight wool that was way too thick and awfully variegated. I actually just ripped them up to make wristwarmers out of them. I figure they'll get more use!
I taught myself- probably from somewhere online. Who knows!? I don't think I've ever had "lessons" persay... unless you count my mom teaching a 5-year-old me to knit!
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
heh... I never wore them. I prefer fuzzy smartwool socks, or trouser socks. Is that bad? Actually, I plan to wear more socks this winter, as I finish them (many pairs need toes or a mate still!)
What would you have done differently?
Less awful yarn?! Hmmm. I think it was fine for learning, really.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Socks that rock have nice colors, but I knit the jaywalkers with it, and I'm not super keen on them, fun as the pattern is. I love anything with superwash merino, though I have some with nylon in the stash. Trekking is pretty nice too. The one I like most even now is my own though! Wish I had more time to knit with it!
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
you can crochet socks? Whoa. Sorry, not a fan. I use the old-skool dpns. Always have. They are so versatile, I think! Also, I am too cheap to have two sets of most needles, though I've got at least three sets of size 1 dpns. I have color ADD I think... i cannot knit a whole pair (or sock, for that matter!) straight through. I need a break...
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I don't like the way flaps look. So short row, though sometimes that is too short too. Hmm. .
How many pairs have you made?
No clue! Do they have to be whole pairs? Seriously, I am not a big finisher! I've started (and maybe finished?) some out of the worsted weight blah yarn, regia ringel, woolarina, trekking, koigu (two here, I think!), STR, trekking... where the hell are all of these?!?!?
I started knitting socks several years ago... made out of some worsted weight wool that was way too thick and awfully variegated. I actually just ripped them up to make wristwarmers out of them. I figure they'll get more use!
I taught myself- probably from somewhere online. Who knows!? I don't think I've ever had "lessons" persay... unless you count my mom teaching a 5-year-old me to knit!
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
heh... I never wore them. I prefer fuzzy smartwool socks, or trouser socks. Is that bad? Actually, I plan to wear more socks this winter, as I finish them (many pairs need toes or a mate still!)
What would you have done differently?
Less awful yarn?! Hmmm. I think it was fine for learning, really.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Socks that rock have nice colors, but I knit the jaywalkers with it, and I'm not super keen on them, fun as the pattern is. I love anything with superwash merino, though I have some with nylon in the stash. Trekking is pretty nice too. The one I like most even now is my own though! Wish I had more time to knit with it!
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
you can crochet socks? Whoa. Sorry, not a fan. I use the old-skool dpns. Always have. They are so versatile, I think! Also, I am too cheap to have two sets of most needles, though I've got at least three sets of size 1 dpns. I have color ADD I think... i cannot knit a whole pair (or sock, for that matter!) straight through. I need a break...
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I don't like the way flaps look. So short row, though sometimes that is too short too. Hmm. .
How many pairs have you made?
No clue! Do they have to be whole pairs? Seriously, I am not a big finisher! I've started (and maybe finished?) some out of the worsted weight blah yarn, regia ringel, woolarina, trekking, koigu (two here, I think!), STR, trekking... where the hell are all of these?!?!?
Saturday, October 07, 2006
piles of yarn!
I finally have time to sort through yarn and update the website. Too bad it is super cloudy and gloomy out today!! Pictures are hard to get, but I do have a bunch from a few days ago.
**SALE** Don't forget, yarns are all $1 off... so unique handpainted socks potentially for $20! CLICK TO VIEW!
More yarns will be up when it gets sunnier! (Later this weekend?!)
**SALE** Don't forget, yarns are all $1 off... so unique handpainted socks potentially for $20! CLICK TO VIEW!
More yarns will be up when it gets sunnier! (Later this weekend?!)
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
socktober!
I didn't think i'd be this excited at knitting socks. What happened?! I've actually been **finishing** socks lately. Okay, so really, finishing *A* sock. And there are so many more that just need toes, or something like that.
Still. Socks!
These first couple are samples from woolarina yarn. The first is from a bunch of similar colored leftover yarns- oranges, and orange/pink/yellows. I love how the ankle striping turned out great with the variegated, but the foot pooled a little more. Different yarn, different color spacing? Hm.
This is a simple sock made from our sport weight sock yarn (coming soon to the site!) It is a mad fast knit! Sorry for the darkness... the yarn is otherwise purty!
This brown blob is trekking number one, started in Santa Barbara many months ago! I started its mate last weekend and made several inches of progress. I love trekking, but man it is skinny skinny yarn!
Here's my little babies... the one on the right is from some yummy handspun... hoping to make more for the shop, but it takes so long! We will see. It is a dream to knit though!
I'm hoping to finish the brown socks at least this month, but we have another craft fair in November, and we were cleaned out of hats and mitts, so there's a lot of that sort of knitting to get done too!
Still. Socks!
These first couple are samples from woolarina yarn. The first is from a bunch of similar colored leftover yarns- oranges, and orange/pink/yellows. I love how the ankle striping turned out great with the variegated, but the foot pooled a little more. Different yarn, different color spacing? Hm.
This is a simple sock made from our sport weight sock yarn (coming soon to the site!) It is a mad fast knit! Sorry for the darkness... the yarn is otherwise purty!
This brown blob is trekking number one, started in Santa Barbara many months ago! I started its mate last weekend and made several inches of progress. I love trekking, but man it is skinny skinny yarn!
Here's my little babies... the one on the right is from some yummy handspun... hoping to make more for the shop, but it takes so long! We will see. It is a dream to knit though!
I'm hoping to finish the brown socks at least this month, but we have another craft fair in November, and we were cleaned out of hats and mitts, so there's a lot of that sort of knitting to get done too!
Monday, October 02, 2006
crafty bastards! the third!
I am still recovering from the fair... such an awesome time! Great people, good turnout, fabulous weather. It could not have been better! Weelllll- maybe if k8 had come down to join me, but sarah was a great replacement kate!
setup was a little slower on my own (husband went to get coffee, then read the paper and at a donut before helping me! ;) and I totally had to borrow my neighbor's extra table, but it ended up just fine, with time to spare! We exchanged our promo packs and finally met the far-reaching members of our mutiny. Then I knit on my socktober sock. trekking. brown. sock. more on that soonish.
The first customer came before the fair even started (and came back for more later- a true yarn lover! :) and after that it was such a blur. Tons of familiar faces, and some new ones. All yarn lovers like me! It all went by so fast, unlike a certain mid-summer day... the weather made for a perfect day!
Here's a photo (stolen from Lolly! I forgot my camera!)
Anyhow, thanks so much to everyone who came to see me, and especially those who mentioned stuff on my blog! :) I am trying to update the site as fast as I can, but my pesky real job as well as a killer headache are slowing me down! I will put up older yarns back on the site today and tomorrow, and try to get new ones up (including tons of sock!) this weekend!
All yarn is $1 off!
setup was a little slower on my own (husband went to get coffee, then read the paper and at a donut before helping me! ;) and I totally had to borrow my neighbor's extra table, but it ended up just fine, with time to spare! We exchanged our promo packs and finally met the far-reaching members of our mutiny. Then I knit on my socktober sock. trekking. brown. sock. more on that soonish.
The first customer came before the fair even started (and came back for more later- a true yarn lover! :) and after that it was such a blur. Tons of familiar faces, and some new ones. All yarn lovers like me! It all went by so fast, unlike a certain mid-summer day... the weather made for a perfect day!
Here's a photo (stolen from Lolly! I forgot my camera!)
Anyhow, thanks so much to everyone who came to see me, and especially those who mentioned stuff on my blog! :) I am trying to update the site as fast as I can, but my pesky real job as well as a killer headache are slowing me down! I will put up older yarns back on the site today and tomorrow, and try to get new ones up (including tons of sock!) this weekend!
All yarn is $1 off!
