And It’s Friday, Too!
I’d say this qualifies as a pretty good day.
First, I got my box from my Secret Pal 5–thanks! Red Lines, Jolly Rancher lollipops–both good, though I’m really more of a chocolate girl (grin)–a copy of Cooks magazine, a container of biscuits which Chappy claims taunted him all afternoon until I got home from work, and two skeins of Debbie Bliss DK Merino. Thanks, Pal!
Second, my Interweave Knits arrived. I really do love that Union Square sweater (the cover) and hope somebody starts a KAL for that one, because, well, sign me up!
I didn’t have time to actually look at the magazine, since the mail came just as I needed to head back to work, but I did glance at the gauge for the sweater, and then at the yarn I’d bought . . . nope. Not going to work. The [expensive, French] Plassard Alpaga used in the sweater is fingering-weight alpaca, and the “Andean Silk” yarn I’d bought from Knitpicks is worsted-weight. That’s a difference of 4.5/5 stitches per inch to 6.5/7 per . . . no way that’s going to work.
So! I’m trying this instead. Yes, yes, I know. This is still not the same gauge, but it’s a whole lot closer and at almost a third of the price of trying to get the Plassard yarn (which, mind you, looks lovely), it’s worth a try. And then I’ll decide what to do with the Andean Silk. I still love the colors I picked and it’s wonderfully soft . . . it’s either save it for something else, return it to Knitpicks, or “recycle” it by giving it to someone else. I’m torn because it’s really lovely and would have been beautiful in this sweater . . . but then, it would be equally beautiful in another sweater, too, so!
Has anyone noticed how much I’m enjoying Knitpick’s new, relatively inexpensive yarns? It still blows my mind that the yarn for my Peacock shawl only cost me $15 and change. (The “change” being the 1 or 2 yards from that fourth skein that I needed to use, and that I’m still grumbling about.) I really don’t mind spending reasonable amounts of money on yarn, but if I can get the same quality at these super prices . . . even better!
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I really want to make that sweater too Deb. I’ve been planning it for at least a month yet an I haven’t even seen the pattern. I can’t wait for my Interweave to arrive - but I think it will take a bit longer to fly across the Pacific.
the fall IK is out *already*?! crazy - it feels like summer is just starting now! and i’m in l.a., sheesh.
also, i’ve been trying to get my candy bar doll thing just right all day, thanks a lot! it’s just sapping all my creative energy. lol.
I got some lovely fingering weight alpace from A Touch of Twist ( http://www.atouchoftwist.net/ ) at MDS&W in May. They have a sample card you can order - it was like $6.00 for 200 yards. It feels and looks lovely.
I’ve already picked out the yarn I’m going to use, a handpainted Merino & when I get back from vacation, I’ll be dyeing some a solid color for the contrast.
I am excited about the Knit Picks yarn too. Although I don’t mind spending money on pricey yarn, I just don’t have the budget to do it! My Pacific Northwest Shawl, made from their Alpaca Cloud cost me $12.00!! I want to give some of the rest of the yarns a try, but the laceweight is all I’ve ordered so far. I hope they’ll come out with a good fingering yarn, though. Right now all they’ve got is sock yarn and the plain dye-able.
Ooooh a new IK…just what I need, suggestions for more projects to start. Yes, you must find the most perfect pattern for the Chai. Happy hunting!
I’m so glad you liked your goodies…hopefully next time it will be cooler so chocolate won’t melt in the mail!!