New Yarn Extravaganza

I love a bargain. It must be genetic. My mom was bargain mad too, as is my brother. So, when the Dancing Ewe had a sale this weekend, I ended up with a few new bits of yarn. First this Louet Gems Fingering in a gorgeous vibrant teal:


And four hanks, enough for a largish lace piece, of Cascade's Alpaca Lace:


Then we stopped by Goodwill, where I checked out the crafts bins out of habit and, lo and behold, the greatest Goodwill haul I've had in several years. I won't bore you with photos of yarn in messy balls, but I got four balls of Filatura di Crossa Zara, three balls of Rowan Calmer, and a couple balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino for a comparative song. Wheee....

On Tuesday I embark on several weeks of travel - a week in New York state, a couple days home, then nearly a week in Los Angeles. And the big question is, what do I bring for a knitting project? I'm thinking socks. Single socks at a time. Maybe the monkey sock in a variegated yarn I've been unsure what to do with. Something easy, but not dull, and something portable. What to do, what to do?

Two, two, two socks at once!

Okay, I'm over that knitting hump I had. I've cast on for a pair of socks, in my favorite method, two socks at once on one long circular needle!


(Coincidentally, I'm teaching a class on that technique at the Dancing Ewe on Saturday.) I also cast on for a new sock to knit in movie theaters. I did much of this one while watching The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's a great film, although with a couple of scenes that are really brutal. At one point I jumped in my chair and stabbed my finger with my knitting needle. Knitpicks Classic Circs. They're really sharp. I still have a mark on my finger.


Anyway, that's the sock. I kind of hate how it's pooling. I also started a project out of my very own handspun. Another Ishbel shawlette!


It's thrilling to be making something out of yarn I made. But I also gave in and got a couple of hanks of Malabrigo Sock. I held out for over a week, but I gave into Bubblegum Pink and a color I call, in the most loving way possible, algae.



Mmmm... it's just so soft. I want to knit with it now! But the two-at-once socks are top priority, as they'll be a late present as it is...