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April 26, 2006
Trip wrap-up
In NYC, I went to the Yarn Connection, which is a store I really like and always used to go to when I worked nearby in Murray Hill. I used to drag Blossom there at lunchtime. I also went to the Wool Gathering (no site?) and drooled over some cashmere that was on sale, but still, sadly, way beyond what I should be spending on yarn right now - meaning it wasn't free. When I got to Purl the next day, I gave in and bought some koigu anyway. I love orange and rarely see yarns that are just the right orange. This yarn has about five just right oranges, plus pink and yellow. (innaccurate photo)
At the Point, I realized I was missing vital information I needed to work on Tadpole's sweater and I had nothing else to knit, so I succumbed to some Artyarns Ultramerino, bought some dpns and started making this sock. It was a knitting emergency. I had to buy it, right? It would have been rude of me to have the Point ball yarn bought elsewhere, no?
The stripes are turning out kind of funny. The two greens are pooling really badly, but I'm not sure it bothers me. As long as the second one is about the same... if I ever get to it. I'm pretending I don't already have a few socks on the needles elsewhere. At the Point, Regina was knitting with some Trekking XXL. I've been coveting this yarn for ages and admiring it on loads of people's blogs. I commented on it. She had an extra ball. She mailed it to me. This was in addition to the awesome toy and book she gave to Tadpole. I'm not worthy, but here's the yarn:
In Rochester, I went to the Village Yarn Shop (no site) which I just love. I can't even say exactly why. It's just one of my very favorite shops. I resisted buying about a million things and just exchanged that purple Dale Baby Ull I wasn't going to use for some circular needles I needed.
Here's the post-trip status of Tadpole's sweater:
I'm into the armhole steeks. And I'm thinking of ripping it all. My gauge isn't what I thought it would be. I'm getting more sts and fewer rows to the inch than I expected so it's skinnier and longer than I had hoped. Now that the weather is getting warm (the last couple days aside) I hesitate to finish this thing. Maybe I should just rip it all and start over bigger. Or maybe I should finish this one quickly and make a second... as if I have so much time. I hesitate to do either. What do you think?
Final trip data:
Yarn stores visited: 5
Yarn bought: 2 kinds, 2 hanks each
Miles driven: Lots
Songs sung to soothe a baby who's not used to riding in cars: countless
Fun had: loads
But that's not all - oh no. I am the blog hostess with the postess with the mostess to make up for my major lack of posting (very tired. very cheesey. very sorry.)
And because sock yarn seems to stick to me like glue lately, not to mention how lucky I am, Scout treated me to one of her hanks of handpainted, self-striping yarn. I'm going to use a solid for the toes, heels and cuffs to stretch it a bit further. I think it will be great.
And lucky you, she has opened an Etsy shop so you can get some too. Thank you to whoever bought the Targzay and Carnival yarns today. I was dying to do it. As of this post, there is just one leetle skein left.
Posted by kate at April 26, 2006 08:46 PM
Comments
I know I'm so late, but what is the colorway of that Trekking? I am looking for a colorway to do for the Trekking along. Thanks!
Posted by: Maryann at May 21, 2006 03:06 AM
Mmmm... such fibery goodness. I've had awful troubles with Artyarns pooling as well. Such a shame since it's such a loverly yarn.
I'm a new reader of yours! (who cares right?!) I just wanted to say Hi. *waves* :)
Posted by: Liz at May 5, 2006 05:31 PM
Absolutely beautiful yarn and I like it very much.
Hi, I also love designing and knitting sweaters. All the sweaters I designed are extremely cute and beautiful. If you prefer, you can visit my sweater website at www.sweaterscn.com
Posted by: Kang at May 5, 2006 11:03 AM
tadpole's sweater looks lovely!
Posted by: shobhana at May 3, 2006 08:47 PM
Ripping out that sweater would make me rip out my HAIR! And damn. That baby is really, super, yummy. Gah. I almost said, "How do you not just want to eat her up all day?" BUt see, I've had babies and I know better. They trick you with how damn cute they are!
Thanks for the plug chica. I can't wait to see what it looks like knit up! I guess I had better get my ass in gear and get more yarn up!
Posted by: Scout at April 28, 2006 09:32 AM
sweets... you have divine taste in the colours! Green with envy I am :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at April 27, 2006 06:57 PM
If you consider ripping every project for DD that's a tad bit behind schedule you'll never make anything for her. ;) Finish the lovely sweater, savor her wearing it for as long as she can, and enjoy making the next one. Your work is beautiful - no need to let it go to waste.
Posted by: Rae at April 27, 2006 04:22 PM
But I love the Tadpole's sweater but then again, not so good if she outgrows it before its done. Oh the decisions! I love Scout's yarn too! Must go investigate!
Posted by: Rebecca at April 27, 2006 01:14 PM
Oh - that's a tough one! Babies grow and that is a lovely piece you are making and deserves to be worn again and again. So I say Frog!! and make it biggger and the way you want it!
Love the sock yarn! Do you mind sharing the colorway # for the Trekking XXL? I love it!!
Posted by: nicole at April 27, 2006 11:58 AM
Oh - that's a tough one! Babies grow and that is a lovely piece you are making and deserves to be worn again and again. So I say Frog!! and make it biggger and the way you want it!
Love the sock yarn! Do you mind sharing the colorway # for the Trekking XXL? I love it!!
Posted by: nicole at April 27, 2006 11:57 AM
Oh - that's a tough one! Babies grow and that is a lovely piece you are making and deserves to be worn again and again. So I say Frog!! and make it biggger and the way you want it!
Love the sock yarn! Do you mind sharing the colorway # for the Trekking XXL? I love it!!
Posted by: nicole at April 27, 2006 11:57 AM
About ripping: If you have to ask, the answer is always yes. It looks beautiful, though! Trust me, as the mother of a 21-month-old, you never know how much they're going to grow. Make it bigger. The worst that can happen is she'll have to wait an extra year to wear it.
Posted by: Samantha at April 27, 2006 10:22 AM
As lovely as it is, I vote for frogging the sweater. Unhappy knitting is no gift.
Posted by: Susan at April 27, 2006 10:11 AM
Oh, the Village Yarn Shop! That's one of my favorites too. Next time you're in Rochester, you have to hit up Spirit Work Knits too, you'd love it.
Posted by: Kelly B at April 27, 2006 09:12 AM
Baby sweater: i vote rip it and start a bigger one.
Posted by: moody knitter at April 27, 2006 08:16 AM
congratulations on your design in big girls. it's beautiful. definitely something i'm going to want to make.
Posted by: maryse at April 27, 2006 07:11 AM
Gah, love the sock yarn from Scout!! What? No blog poll to determine the fate of Tadpole's sweater? With that precious sentiment hand knit into the bottom band?? How could you think about frogging that? What kind of mother..?.. heh
Posted by: Laura at April 27, 2006 02:52 AM
Gorgeous yarns -- As for tadpole's sweater -- I'd either figure out some way to use what you have to make a bigger sweater (make it a cardigan with big button bands maybe) or start again. I have a personal bias towards big sweaters for little ones, so they can wear 'em a while. Alternatively, if you have someone else to pass it on to after she wears it, finish it quick & then start another. Lovely knitting & enviable sock yarn.
Posted by: Pam at April 27, 2006 01:03 AM
Awesome sock yarns!
Posted by: Andrea at April 26, 2006 11:27 PM
