August 28, 2005
San Fran Haul - Part Two (the yarn)
If you'll remember back a bit, I went to San Francisco. There I visited my favorite yarn store in the world, Art Fibers. And all of my purchases managed to fit in only one bag. That's restraint, people.
To recap, here're the goodies:
Two balls don't have individual photos of them - the multicolored one on the right and one of the dark ones in the middle. The multicolored is Ballet, in colorway 8. Ballet is a microfiber tubular completely artificial yarn that's hard to describe. However, I had previously purchased a large skein of it (enough for a tank top). Unfortunately, I wound that skein up prior to my purchase of a ball winder, and prior to having much experience in knitting. Therefore, I made little balls as large as I could handle and then cut the yarn and made another one. I think they're probably 30 yards or so. Therefore, with all of the joins I might not have enough for my tank top. When I saw this lone ball in the InSkein Asylum (the sale room - seriously, I love this store) I snatched it up. Hopefully it will see me through.
The other plain ball is a super dark bottle green/teal that is 100% cotton called Kurasawa ('Kay, I don't make films, but if I did they'd have a samurai). I'm hoping that it will be enough for a One Skein Wonder - if it doesn't quite make it I'll put in a stripe or some intarsia across the back or something. I tried taking a picture, but the green just doesn't capture on film and it just comes out looking like any boring cotton yarn.
OK, down to the ones I have photos for:
40% silk, 60% mohair and 515 yards in 40 grams - quite similar to Kid Silk Haze actually, but cheaper and in a very cool color. I think this is going to be my foray into lace knitting for a shawl or wrap, maybe Birch, haven't quite decided. I have two skeins, so I have enough to play with...
And the piece de resistance...
Kyoto is mohair and silk, but as two different components that are then plied together. They're then dyed, and the two fibers can take the dye quite differently, leading to a beautiful mottled look. I bought enough to make a sweater for me.
This was a splurge, there's no denying that. My reasoning is that I have literally thought about this yarn since I was in Art Fibers last November. That trip, I bought the Chai and left Kyoto, and I thought about it ever since. I was pretty sure that I was going to walk out of the store with it this time. (And, if you've read the post from last November, I said that I still hadn't made anything from the yarn I bought on my first trip... well, that's what I made the Dreamcatcher cardigan out of, so I had to replentish the stash, right? :) ) Actually, I don't tend to rationalize my yarn purchases this much to myself or my husband, just to the blog (and you, my loyal readers). Isn't that a bit strange? I guess it's part of my upbringing, not to flaunt the cash, but the fact is that I earned this money and I decided to spend it on yarn. And not just yarn, but fabulous yarn that I love.
I spent quite a while deliberating over the color choice. I really loved the vibrancy of the Electra blue or the Leafy green, but I didn't think I would wear them as often. I thought very long and hard over Orchid, but I actually have several other purple sweaters already. Mahogany and marmalade also gave me pause, but I finally settled on the blue/black. The difference between the mohair and silk isn't quite as pronounced, so it doesn't have a very mottled look, but the silk gives it an amazing shine.
Not putting a moment to waste, I've already cast on for my sweater. It's a top down raglan with a loose cowl-turtleneck and one irregular cable running down the side. It's my current obsessive project of the moment, although I'm forcing myself to take breaks for my Sockapaltwoza socks (one down, one to go!). WIP pictures someday!
What lovely yarn. I can't wait to see what you make out of it!
Posted by: molly on August 28, 2005 05:19 PMPreach it, sista'! I agree with you on justifying my yarn purchases...I do it to the blog much more than to anyone else. Better to be that way then to be braggy about it, though, right? I look forward to progress pics!
Posted by: sarah b. on August 28, 2005 05:57 PMAll fit in one bag huh??? Well how impressive that feat is depends on the size of the bag doesn't it?? LOL Spoken as the mother who buys fabric. face it, mine weights a lot more! LOL
Mom
It all looks great! Can't wait to see that dreamcatcher in person... And that Kyoto really is worthy of splurge!
Posted by: Chickety-china the Chinese chicken on August 29, 2005 12:51 PM