Baby did a bad bad thing, aka support your LYS

I admit it, I'm a bargain hunting gal. I cruise the net looking for the best deals on yarn. My UPS and post men know me. Packages arrive from the UK, Canada and the four corners of the US.  Just today I received Shawls and Scarves : The Best of Knitter's Magazine on my doorstep to augment my Pi shawl endeavors.

But what about the LYS? Don't they need and deserve my support as well? Where else can I touch the yarn, see the combinations, ask questions and, maybe most importantly of all, wear my creations among those who truly appreciate them. Choosing yarn can be such a tactile and visual experience. My mind is overloaded with color and ideas when I exit the shops. That's plural:  I have two LYS about 3/4 mile apart so I usually hit both on any given trip - spirit of fair play and all.

The net is a masculine way to think about yarn for me. I get an idea, see a pattern, read a  review - whatever - and I look for that specific yarn. Maybe I branch out, follow a side link, but overall the process is linear, i.e., masculine. Going to a yarn store is a feminine experience. I walk in and I'm lost in the colors. Even if I came for a specific yarn, I forget what it is to the point of having to quiz myself as to why I'm there. Half the time I leave with something completely different than planned. Or I do buy the object of my desire, but in a colorway I didn't know existed. The experience is flexible,circular, i.e., feminine.

So, blah blah you say, where are the photos. Show us the goods.

Well, first, I did actually get when I went for. I finally bought Koigu. I just can't take the pressure anymore. I just couldn't take Anne-Caroline showing her too cute Ruffle scarf and talking about how she's seen the light. Then there's Julia making the Caruso Socks from Knitty that use - be still my heart - stranding (and with her perfect heels no less). Hey, I can do stranding like a pro now, I must make those socks! And these two are just the latest in the long line of you inspiring Koigu knitters with your socks and your Charlottes.

I did  look specifically for a lace book. This one looks very theoretical. Just what I wanted. Not a stitch library but rather a design primer. I am considering being very, very brave with my Pi Shawl. Going for the "Make EZ proud" approach. Still not committing fully to designing my own lace yet, buti it's been tickling my brain all day.

So, that should have been the end of it yes? But I had to wait to check out. I'll admit, I'm not a strong woman. Not with yet another color of Collage popping off the shelf at me while I just stood there with nothing to do but catch it. This yarn is nowhere to be found anymore except, it seems, at one of my LYSs. Buy it now or hold your peace. I bought it peacefully (or peaceably? would I have left without it?)

So I signed on the line and gathered my bag, but then saw this beauty. Hey, I'm good, I can sign my name twice! I was wearing my Clapotis (it shows like a pedigree dog - full of confidence, grace and style) and it just seemed right to buy it a little bauble to keep it happy.

Needed Wanted a coffee and Starbucks was right there, but I didn't do it - I was strong and saved the $ for yarn. Went to get my haircut instead (very unsightly this morning). Now, it was 12:45 and a reasonable person would go home for lunch. Maybe even out to lunch. But I'm frugal remember, so I skipped lunch out and directed that money elsewhere.

This might just be one or two lunches out...

I had the book already and have coveted the cover sweater Gloria. The top half and sleeves are Noro Silk Garden, Kuryon or Cash Iroha in a garter stitch and the bottom is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I looked and looked at the SG and Kureyon choices, but didn't quite make that leap between looking and "ring me up". Didn't seem rational to knit yet another SK sweater and the Kureyon's too rough for what I want (a  jacket to be worn over a tank top or tank dress). Cruised the store looking for other multicolored yarn, but nothing worked. Until... this Noro rayon, cotton, silk chenille caught the light as I walked by. I had to have it. But now I'm in a quandary. The two yarns in the sample are very close in tone, so I have to decide if this much contrast will work. There were no better shades. It's this or nothing. Imagine the top and sleeves in one yarn and the bottom half in the other.

Took these pics to help you visualize:

   

What do you think? Periwinkle on the top or bottom? Or take it back?

Project update:  Spent all my free time yesterday getting a recall fix and new brakes on the van. Not fun, but I did get almost 1/2 of the second side of Klaralund done. Photos next time it's progressed enough to be interesting.

Silk Garden update:  Only one store had it. It was softer than mine and didn't seem as over-spun, but still didn't match the quality of my SG from three years ago.

OK, just fell asleep typing. That sway/fall motion reminiscent of my college years whipped me upright. Went out for mom's night tonight and a pitcher of margaritas came for the second round. We all stayed late and hopefully laughed enough to get us through until next month! I needed that.

That song in my title came into my head as I drove away from the LYS and made me laugh. Guess if I'm going to have an affair, yarn's a pretty good choice.

The rain just started. I love that sound and need to go to bed to listen.

Comments

[Colleen]

You have to swatch it. I can put two balls of yarn together and thing "great" but when I start knitting them I start to think "not so great". As it looks to me now, I like the solid on the bottom.

[Kate]

Hrmm, I actually like the peri on the top... but I agree with the previous post. Swatching is what will help you decide.

Since I moved (three and a half years ago) I've been too shy to go to my LYSs. I know, insane (though I did hear that at one of them, the people who work there are very snobbish). But I'm gearing up for my first trip to both of them this weekend anyway, snobbery be damned!

[Jackie]

I llike the contrast - but Colleen's right. You'll have to swatch especially sicne you won't know what the Noro will look like knitted until you do it. What Noro is that? It will be a fun sweater, though! YAY for you, buying the Koigu - you're in trouble now. That stuff is like a very addictive drug...I just can't get enough. Sounds like you had a great day!!!

[Chris]

I agree - a swatching is necessary - I do like the noro on top tho. But I say, go for it! It looks like it will be a beauty when it's done. Have fun!

[Christy]

I like the Noro on top. While you are swatching :-) maybe try alternating on the top w/ the Noro and the peri...might pull it all together (if it doesn't work as-is).

[Deb]

I like the Periwinkle on the bottom, but I'd want to see the whole thing, too . . . swatching is the way to go!
And, the creating-lace book--I'm in the middle of reading that. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for years and I never got around to it. Very informative, but I think I'd be getting more out of it if I was reading it with needles in my hands, rather than just, you know, reading it. The author obviously knows what she's talking about, though!

[Risa]

Nice purchases! Koigu is indeed addictive and I love the present you bought for Clapotis. I was wondering if you had worn it out yet.

I do like the pairing of the yarns though I'm leaning towards the periwinkle on the bottom.. I'll have to go with the rest, swatch it.

Bravo for the frugalness ;)

[Anne-Caroline]

Wow, you have sophisticated people commenting here - I guess you should swatch, but on gut, I go with periwinkle on top.

And...how do you like the Koigu? I *love* the colors that you chose. Can't wait to see how it turns out knit up!

Have a fantastic Friday!

[Leslie]

I love the contrast, it really works. And yes the Koigu is to die for. Socks are divine with this yarn. By the way what colorway is your Koigu, it's beautiful.....?

[froggy]

lovely purchases. loooove the koigu.

[Sally]

I love those colours together - hope it swatches up well. In an amazing co-incidence I grabbed that Lace book from the library yesterday - I love it because of the New Zealand connection, she has been inspired in designs by lots of our native plants.

[Julia]

You have to give us a book review when you're done. "Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls" by Martha Waterman is also great for designing, if you need another resource.

Koigu is lovely. It's gotten so much play in blogland over the last year that I shy from it sometimes, but the fact is that it is up to the hype. It's a beautiful yarn with gorgeous colors.

The Crusoe socks are gorgeous, but it will be interesting to see how they wear - I'm still unsure of whether stranding a sock has enough functional merit or not. You know me - I'll let you know for sure.

LYS vs. internet? I do both. It is invaluable to me to have the LYS experience, so unless I think a store's prices are outrageous, if I like them I support them. (And mine is not a paltry support!) But I still surf for a bargain or a hard to find yarn or color. If you have to special order always go to the internet instead for instant gratification.

Finally, from the pictures I really like the Noro/Bliss combo. In an uncharacteristic move, I'd vote Bliss on bottom.

xox

[Julia]

P.S. and apparently there is no need to suggest that you swatch!

[Terry]

I can't even read your post well enough - your beautiful yarn shots distract me. How do you like the Koigu? Look like you'll be stashing more of it? It is nice stuff - once I was able to buy some on sale online(about $7) and I clicked so hard and fast and worried that I'd get an email saying it was sold out - I like it so much....keep us updated on the yarn projects!

[Moni]

I'm also thinking about knitting Gloria in the nearish future and having the same conumdrum about the contrast of colors between the debbie bliss and noro. I love that periwinkle color you chose...Looking forward to seeing your progress :)