Granfalloon : "A granfalloon is a proud and meaningless association of human beings." --Kurt Vonnegut
Finally met another blogger in person! Jen and I thought Knit in Public day was a perfect reason to have what turned out to be a gabfest on Saturday. I think we both about collapsed from unrecognized hunger, but we got to knitting and the time flew. Sorry, no pics, but we did make progress. She finished up a bag to be felted and worked on the teeny tiniest Clapotis (US #2's) I've seen which will look beautiful on her and is the perfect weight for a scarf here. I got through 14 rows of Deli (fronts and back).
I've been making progress on Pi too, but nothing much worth blogging ... so ... I thought I'd entertain myself by photographing my latest stash enhancement and maybe you will be entertained too.
People (who don't blog) ask why I do it. What can I say, cheap thrills. And the chance to share my fiber highs and lows with the only other people in the world who truly understand. My DH calls us a grandfalloon. We knitters are a proud bunch, but I don't think this tenuous association via the net is meaningless. But maybe I'm too close. Hum, too deep for today. I'm declaring Mondays visual and practical days - a day of rest for my brain. I've re-potted and watered plants, done laundry, played with my child and photographed yarn. Good things.
Like this:
Jo Sharp has a cabled pattern for this, but I'm not sure yet. I've been eying it since it came out so I had to grab some on Elann.
Grabbed some of this too (hey, it was at Elann prices - what's a knitter to do?):
Going to make this sweater with it:
And what's the bit of crocheting on the right??? Thought it was time to learn. Found this on ebay in exactly the color I wanted at a great price.
That's my new favorite pot behind the yarn - I love those colors. Here's what's inside and below the pot:
The dried blood/pink one has eight bloom stalks growing - unbelievable! This will be blooming all year. Yeah, getting a little orchid fever around here. They're so cool that it's worth figuring out how to keep them happy. I need another obsession like I need a hole in my head, but it's my nature and I've given in.
Finally, my cherry on the virtual cake:
This is three skeins of Estelle, sportweight 100% Italian Cashmere, in the Highland colorway so lovingly dyed by Ms. de Sauveterre, aka Two Pointy Sticks. She shows her French heritage with her beautiful tags and packaging - so chic and tasteful - very worthy of the beautiful fiber wrapped inside. It was like opening a present. The yarn is a bit brighter than the photo of the colorway on her blog, but I love it. I accept color variations as a part of buying hand-dyed yarn on line as long as the tones and overall vibe are captured. I wanted something to brighten my wardrobe of solids. I think this will work! Yes, it's going to be Clapotis III.
Holy cow, you're photographs are just getting really stunning! What camera are you using and please don't tell me about your professional photographic career. I need something to hold on to. I keep thinking a new camera is all I need.
Posted by: Julia | June 13, 2005 at 02:44 PM
I've just finished "wavy pattern scarf" from the VK spring/summer '05 using some of Axelle's Estelle in colorway Cornish Pixie. It's "everything". Cherish every minute of the process - it's over too quickly. I've still got my scraps sitting on the table by my knitting chair - can't bring myself to throw them out. I just pick them up from time to time and pet them. We're bracing for the hottest week thus far for the summer here in Eastern NC (97 on Friday)so I've not had a chance to wear it outside, but I do put it on in the house ocassionally (AC is working great!). Enjoy!!
Posted by: suzanne | June 13, 2005 at 03:06 PM
so much gorgeous yarn! I am so enjoying the Jo Sharp Ultra I working with at the moment, it is so nice to knit with and I wear my JS tweed vest all the time so I can just imagine how much fun you are going to have with that yarn! And such beautiful photographs.
Posted by: Jo | June 13, 2005 at 03:50 PM
oh that yarn is gorgeous! i'll be back to drool over those pictures again. wow!
Posted by: froggy | June 13, 2005 at 03:58 PM
The Estelle literally took my breath away! It's stunning. I'm off to that site when I get done here. I love the blog world...I have a couple of friends that knit but I know no one in my city yet that knits and has a blog, so I'm alone and feel very close to the small blog group I've slowly built. I can't say enough good about. Your pictures are great!!! Take care.
Posted by: michele | June 13, 2005 at 06:23 PM
*Drooling* at your beautiful stash enhancements. Wow. Wow!
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | June 13, 2005 at 06:23 PM
Your yarn photos are yummy! :)
Posted by: Abigail | June 13, 2005 at 07:11 PM
Holy smokes! Your orchids are goooooooooorgeous! The one on the right...Is that a brassia or a brassia cross? An aliceara? Gosh, I used to know these things! And the one on the left is lovely also! What kind is that one? Sorry for the questions. Lucky you with the blooming orchids!
And the yarn...had me at hello! I love the color of the first yarn pic! That would be an ideal color for a project I want to knit.
Gosh, knitting and orchids...I'm so jealous! :)
Posted by: la chica alta | June 14, 2005 at 06:04 AM
Now those are some gorgeous stash enhancements! I think you put your finger on the reason why I sit and take pictures of half knitted items next to me on the train seat. I do get odd looks from folk nearby as the flash goes off and I question why I do it myself. You have the answer. Because someone does understand! Cool on the meetup. Nice aren't they? Those flowers are stunning.
Posted by: Risa | June 14, 2005 at 10:46 AM
Beautiful photos, Nancy. Doesn't all that yarn look yummy!
Posted by: Sara | June 14, 2005 at 04:07 PM
How cool to meet a new friend! You so rock girlie. Love all the yarn colors. One of these days I'll do more than the cable stitch with crocheting. LOL So tell me how to deal with these orchids!? I rec'vd one awhile back and I'm not sure what to do. I know NOT to over water it and put in semi-sunny spot but not too much. Other than that..WHAT?
Posted by: Shawn | June 15, 2005 at 06:43 AM
What a beautiful post from the gorgeous yarn colors to the breathtaking orchids. I too love orchids. Unfortunately I can not get mine to rebloom.
Posted by: Tami | June 18, 2005 at 07:03 AM
Dear Nancy,
I enjoy your blog tremendously - have I actually told you that? But now I have to comment based on the fact that you have a crochet project in your stash . It is lovely and I am amazed that you would pick something that looks so HARD for your first project. I am still taking little tiny baby steps in this new world of hook and fiber. Not sure if I will ever progress beyond the very simplest projects but I continue to perservere.
I just like looking at the pictures of your yarn stash - I'm not good enough yet to warrant spending that kind of money on yarn so I live vicariously via your purchases. Right now, I have very little talent/experience at picking out the right yarn so I try to learn things from your choices.
As always, in all things artistic, you continue to be an inspiration.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | June 21, 2005 at 10:54 AM