Wool Fest Kirtland Ohio

Whew ... just got back from a show out in Ohio. A first hand view of how bad the economy is doing. Our sales were small, no sweater amounts of yarn. But we did get alot of knitting done and I made some new friends. Also have to admit that I didn't spend the amount of money that I usually do. Although I did get some really pretty yarns.

This time, I'll tempt you with pics AND the name of where I bought it. I've been forgetting that alot lately.

This first one is a really nice bright pastel colour scheme.

It's by Earthly Hues from Granville Ohio. Sorry but hte ball band doesn't have a web site. The colour is called Rainbow Lace 100% Merino, I'm not sure yet what it wants to be when it grows up. I'm sure it will decide something nice.

This one is from dahara dreaming a bright pastel colour called Pixie

Dance. This one is a sock yarn, Super Wash Merino and nylon, I think the socks will be really cool! The web site is www.daharadreaming.com also on etsy as daharadreaming.etsy.com She had alot of really nice colors. Not a big supply, but every colour came in 3-4 different weights. Nice concept.

My last yarn purchase is more of a sweater weight yarn. The feel

of this yarn is unbelievable!! It's from Annadele Alpacas, no web site listed, so not sure if they have one or not. It's 50% Alpaca and 50% Nylon. The colour is amazing and the softness.... OOOOOOO!! I bought all she had of this colour not quite enough to make a sweater, I'll have to mix it with something else.

I bought some other little stuff, but nothing out of the ordinary. It just seemed like no one was really buying anything, like I said, little purchases of smaller amounts of yarn.

The way to the show got the news that my real job was laying-off people, I got alot of text messages and emails from everyone. Going back in tomorrow is going to stink, 2 of my best buddies got let go. I'm sure the atmosphere is going to be difficult. Scary times we're going through now. I only hope the economy turns around soon.

Dinner time, I should feed the groupies.

Ok - so I've been working on a sweater that I reaaallly love, IK winter 2006 A Cardigan for Arwen... ok - so I am a geek and read all of the Tolkien books when I was a kid.  I've re-read them several times since then. I LOVED the movies and have all of them and watch them ...frequently.  So when I saw this sweater I knew I had to do it ... took sometime tho before I could fins a yarn that I likes.. so it's out of Rowan Summer Tweed, I think its called Butter Cup, nice yellow heather colour.  The pattern is a bit of cables to break up the annoying long stretches of stockinette stitch.  Oh - and the cables are reversable, so if the cardigan is worn open, the cables don't have a nasty side.  About 9 inches up I found that I crossed cables the wrong way...  I dont know how well the pic shows it but my needles are pointing to the wrong crossed cables.  Since its reversable, it's not as easy as just dropping those stitches down and crossing the right way .. soooooo After debating for a few days - I did the honorable thing and frogged.  So now I'm paying more attention and making sure my cables go the correct ways.

In my defense -  I did have eye surgery that morning and not didn't have good vision the rest of the day.  Note to self - after having eye surgery stick to stockinette stitch, no cables.

They  eye surgery was more annoying than anything, I had a torn retina.  Not detached (thankfully) just torn.  Quick ZAP with a laser and done.  Still waiting for my vision to clear. 

I did pick up some new sock books .... Amazon.com is a baaaaddd place.  I got the Wendy Johnson and Cookie A sock books.  Completely different styles of knitting an excellent balance.  One is toe up, one is cuff down.  I shall have to cast on this weekend from each and see how it goes.

Meanwhile - more pics of more yarn that I picked up in New Hampshire Sheep and Wool. First one is going to be socks.  The second is Puppy Love and Rabbit - going to be a one-below scarf. Some silk and rayon that thinks it may become a vest. And Maizy 9corn silk yarn) socks.