Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Oh the inhumanity!!!! Orange Yarn...EEEEEK



Today I am visiting the whole "Eeeeek, I have orange yarn in my stash, where did it come from and will it contaminate my other yarn!" issue. On my favorite loom knitting group Knifty Knitter Looms we have had a huge discussion about the repugnancy of orange yarn, OK, so I was the one that used the word repugnant. But, in my defense, I was referring to the terrible neon orange acrylic yarns that have only one use...Hunting caps and vests. And yes, I do have one of those skeins in my stash and NO, it has not contaminated my stash. But, just to be on the safe side, I have quarantined the offending skein in a plastic bag and put it with my other acrylic yarns (yes, I AM a yarn snob.). Interestingly, everyone who responded to the orange yarn thread had one or more those offensive masses of fiber in their stash of yarn, some dating back to pre-industrial age yarns. So, what to do with these parasites. Team Scarves...yes, saddly, there are professional sports teams that have chosen this color to represent them on the playing field. Thereby subjecting their loyal fans to painting faces and bodies in this same color. Halloween.....scary holiday enough said. I have, however, posted a picture showing that I use orange yarn on a regular basis, but it is not disgusting acrylic straw. I have made several beautiful scarves using orange shades and complimenting colors. The moral of the story is that if you must use orange yarns, which happen to be quite fashionable in the right types. Please, Please, Please, use a nice orange yarn, not neon acrylic.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Another Project in the works




TA DA!! I got my camera back from my son today so I was able to take a photo of my newest project. I am working on a long duster to wear to symphony and opera. It is an open mesh stitch, made on the adult hat knitting loom (for the sleeves and upper back). I am making it out of a beautiful viscose yan, "Lang, Lara". So far I have only had to frog it twice, but irritating none the less. I am fairly tall so this will take a bit longer. Next time around I want to knit in some beads along the end of the sleeve. I will keep this updated with the progress and problems I run into.

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

OK, so this has been a very frustrating weekend so far. Everytime I try to pick up a project something interupts me. Silly things like my job, grocery shopping, all those petty annoyances that just get in the way of the really important things in life......YARN!!!!! And how to use it!!!!

So, the projects I currently have in the works are:

A long duster jacket, knit in an open mesh knit on an adult hat size knitting llom. I am using Lang "Lara" yarn. 55% Viscose/45% Acrylic. It is a wonderfully light and soft yarn and very easy to work with.

A decorative, warm scarf. Knit as a flat pannel on an oval loom. I am using 2 yarns. A polymide long eylash yarn in varigated brown, green and blue. Also, a caramel wool blend boucle. Both yarns are soft and very easy to work with.

Tube scarf in a wonderful charcoal mohair blend. This one is for my son. It is knit in an modified open mesh pattern.

A winter scarf. Knit as a flat panel on a scarf loom, using one side as a rake. The yarns are a pink angora blend and a acrylic/viscose blend.

I should probably mention that I knit custom scarves and sell for profit. So if it seems that I make alot of scarves, there is a reason. But, it does give me a really great reason to BUY MORE YARN!!!

I will post pictures of my projects as soon as I can retrieve my camera from my son (who thinks its his, oh wait he is a teenager, of course its his).



In the mean time, here is a pic of a finished project!

Friday, January 27, 2006

Oh the horrors......

I wake up in a cold sweat, my heart is pounding and I have the feeling of doom, something is wrong, terribly wrong! I cross the hall to the room with my yarn baskets, kniting bags, knitting needles, looms and hooks and there is complete and utter chaos! Yarn everywhere, looms partially wrapped. Oh wait, there's nothing wrong, I was just going thru my baskets trying to figure out a new project .

Yes, I really have that much yarn and the even worse part is, I am a yarn snob. Yes, only gorgeous, soft, silky vibrant European yarns for me. Its a curse, My parents always wondered where I came from, I am certain that I was left on the doorstep of an opera house at birth. I love all things soothing and beautiful. I discovered yarn at 12 and never looked back. My grandmother taught me to crochet. Actually she was trying to teach my older sister to crochet. After begging incessently, she finally gave me a hook and some yarn. I watched her teach my sister to make a granny square. I have loved needlearts ever since. I can't tell you how many times I have been immobilized from tendonitis. After years of this, I have it figured out how to deal with it. I will explain that another day.

For now, we just begin. As I sit at my desk typing I am gazing at my beautiful new 30" infintity loom from Decor Accents . The quality is amazing, the wood, beautiful. I also have several other styles and brands of looms, but for tonight, it is the center of my world....oh the humanity, so many ideas of what to make.

I will keep you updated on my newest projects. Just keep in mind that all of these designs are of my creation and therefore legally mine. You may use the ideas for your own personal use or charity, however you may not use the ideas to profit. If you have any questions on this regard, please email me suzannealpha@yahoo.com . Most of these items are being made to sell. I sell locally and online.

Thanks for stopping by, would love to have you join me often.

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