So Many Yarns, So Little Time

I first started knitting when I was in college. In those days the yarns were limited to wool or acrylic-no silk, cashmere, Alpaca or any other exotic fiber. Times have changed and today's knitter has a variety of yarns available- silks, cashmere, wool and fiber blends. Thank goodness knitting has lost it's stigma as being "uncool and something that only Grannies did" and younger women are beginning to see the value in knitting. It's this renewed interest in knitting that is responsible for the beautiful yarns that we have available today,

I love knitting and am inspired by the current yarns available on the market. While I try to buy from my local yarn shop whenever possible, lately I have had to turn to the internet for yarns that my local shop doesn't stock.
 

Recent yarn acquisitions!

My planned projects include Jared Flood's Rock Island Shawl knit in Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace (silk/wool blend) in Grand Street Ink color, a lacy mohair top from French Girl Knits in Louet's Kid 'n Linen (mohair/ linen blend), Artyarns Cashmere 1 and Ensemble Light (cashmere/silk blend) and two more pairs of socks in Mountain Colors Crazyfoot Sun River (red blend) and Mountain Twilight ( the dark purple, blue, burgundy and brown blend- shown in front left). This yarn is a beautiful dark blend that didn't photograph well.

Fabulous Yarns was the source for Artyarns. I can't say enough good things about this company. They have prompt service (they shipped during Hurricane Sandy), they discount their yarns and they offer free patterns. I found two free shawl patterns that used one skein of yarn making it very affordable to knit with cashmere.The yarns that I purchased are beautiful and luxurious. I can't wait to knit with them. 

I am waiting for one more yarn to arrive- Woolen Rabbit's Oasis , a DK weight wool and camel blend. I am designing a pattern especially for this yarn and can't wait to get started.

Crazy foot Sock

I bought a copy of Ann Budd's Master Sock Knitting and some yarn while on vacation. I was anxious to start knitting. The book is divided into two parts: one devoted to knitting top down socks and the other section contains patterns for knitting socks from the toe up. I have tried both methods and I definitely prefer knitting from the top down.

 I personally think that the socks knitted this way fit my foot better. Besides I like knitting socks on double pointed needles.  I found knitting socks using two circular needles to be a bit confusing and I didn't like the ladders that were formed at the join of the needles. While buying this yarn, a woman in the yarn store approached me and asked if I had tried knitting from the toe up rather than using double pointed needles? I explained that I have tried both methods and still prefer the double pointed needles. She really loved knitting on two circular needles and tried very hard to convince me that this was the best way because I wouldn't have to "mess with those double pointed needles." I thanked her for her advice and quietly went to retrieve my yarn, which by this time had been wound into balls.

What can I say? I like knitting on double pointed needles so naturally I chose a sock pattern knitted from the top down. Anne Hanson (knitspot.com) is one of my favorite designers so when I saw her lacy sock pattern in the book I just had to knit them. The pattern is well written and easy to follow. I knitted my socks in Mountain Colors Crazyfoot in the Alpine color. This pattern is called a lace pattern but it's not an open lace making it suitable for socks. I'm really happy with the finished result. The Crazyfoot yarn gives the sock a nice cushy feel and the socks fit well with my Birkenstock clogs.

Sock Update: This pattern worked so well with the Crazyfoot yarn that I started knitting another pair in the Winter Sky color (deep blues and purple). I love my socks and wear both pairs on a regular basis. Even after repeated machine washing the socks still look and fit great.

Colonial Williamsburg

I spent the last week in Colonial Williamsburg. Once a year I make the trek back into the 18th century. Since I love 18th century history it's the perfect place for me to escape modern life and reconnect with the past. When I mentioned that I was vacationing in Williamsburg, again this year, I got the "Oh that's nice" response from my friends. Don't be fooled into thinking that a visit to Colonial Williamsburg is a boring waste of time. On the contrary, there are interactive programs for the whole family and children especially are invited to participate with the actors in many of the activities. The actors do a good job at portraying events so that you feel almost like you are in the 18th century. I took some photos to share with you.

Wigmaker

Colonial Gardens

Basket-makers

Inside the Capitol

Messenger delivering message for the Governor

Don't worry about being bored in Williamsburg, there are plenty of other things to do besides the Colonial activities, Busch Gardens, plantations and other historic sites and plenty of shopping.

  The Williamsburg Pottery Factory has a reputation for bargains on everything from cooking supplies and gourmet foods to frames and floral arrangements. The original Pottery was housed in large steel buildings that interconnected where you could literally shop until you dropped and since it was not air conditioned it often got very hot. The new Pottery although a lot nicer and air conditioned, doesn't have the same charm that the old Pottery did. It's laid out like a store rather than a warehouse. There are still bargains but you really need to know your prices to ensure that you are getting a true bargain. I did get a heavy French souffle dish for $14 versus $40 on line and my husband got a large crab steaming pot for $49 versus $100 on line. The Pottery does offer senior citizen discounts to those 55 and over and military personnel discounts. The Pottery is only a short ride from the Prime Outlets with brand name stores. There's a Dooney and Burke factory store with great prices and fantastic sales. They sell seconds which are often bags with slightly irregular stitching or overstocks of their first quality bags.

New Pottery

Old Williamsburg Pottery Factory

Since Brittany and I love to knit we had to make a stop to the Knitting Sisters on our way home from Busch Gardens.  The Knitting Sisters is a large well stocked yarn shop that is run by two sisters. The owners are very knowledgeable and helpful. We were looking for sock yarn and they suggested Mountain Colors yarn (their favorite). We liked the yarn so much that Brittany and I bought five skeins. They also helped Brittany to pick out a beginner sock pattern. Now that we are back home and knitting with the Mountain Colors yarn we are so glad that the Knitting Sisters suggested this yarn to us.

This is the sock that I'm knitting from Mountain Colors Crazyfoot  Alpine Color.