Speedy Delivery

My pattern arrived in the mail from Angel Yarns today.  They only mailed it on Tuesday afternoon!  Woo Hoo Royal Mail!

I need to spend some time, as in a lot of time, figuring out if my Rowan Cashsoft DK will work with this pattern.  Cross your fingers. 

Of course, the million dollar question is:  when to cast on?  I'm already cranking on B's sweater, B's socks and this little unmentionable.  I should probably hold my horses.  Probably should.  Probably. 

Oh!  I almost forgot about these little guys tucked away in the smallest cranny of my package:

A skein of Lucy Neatby's Celestial Merino in the Fiesta colorway.

It's so soft and shiny. 

This would be the TOFUtsies in the 3 Foot Short colorway. 

I thought this would be more rustic orange.  Check out the yarn sample.  Does it look warmer to you?  My skein is more magenta.  I kinda like it anyway, but goes to show you how inaccurate Internet photos are. 

The yarn, a combo of wool, shrimp shells, cotton and Soy Silk, looks pretty different from the merino.  I want to say that it's more fibery, or stringy, or something.  Yet, it's actually softer, I'm sure owing to the cotton and Soy Silk.  Has anyone knit with this?  I know Wendy didn't care for it.

I like them both.  They were on sale.  Love sales. 

Sock Club

Speaking of buying sock yarn, Cara (January One) mentioned The Yarn Tree's  A Sock for all Seasons club today.  They're offering six exclusive yarns and colorways, seven free patterns (although one is "basic"), and a Sock Sac (dunno what that is) for $250.  I've obviously never signed up for a yarn club, so I'm curious if anyone else would share their experiences.  It seems a bit, uhm, pricey, even if it does include shipping to the U.S.  Anyway, was it worth it?  Maybe I just have Socks that Rock Club envy. 

On The Road Again

B has been in Cologne, Germany for the past couple of days at a conference, hob-knobbing with other carbon credit traders and schmoozing for clients.  He also prepared tofu burgers for me before he left so that I'll eat more than just cereal while he's away.  He left me with a whole dish of lasagna the last time he went out of town.  Did I mention that he's a saint?  This is why he gets socks knit in fingering weight yarn and a sweater.

He has to be back in the area on Monday for some other carbony thing.  So I'm joining him this weekend.  In fact I'm leaving after my yoga class tonight - if I make it to yoga.  It's not looking good at the moment.  Nigel Beagle is coming along since we hope to go hiking in the Mosel valley on Saturday.  I have the skinny on yarn shops in Cologne, so maybe I'll post more yarn porn on Tuesday when I get back.  I promise to behave.  :)

Catch ya'll next week!

Comments

[becky]

Jen- I have a big ole pile of Rowan 4ply (an ebay binge) in various hues that I don't know what to do with. Wonder if it's like the DK that you have- wonder if you know what I should do with it. (What a question)

I used Tofutsi for the adass socks. I didn't care for it so much- split city. I won't really know how it "wears" because it was a gift to the not knowing what I'm talking about friend. It definitely feels softer than "Sockatta" on the feet.

My favorite lately (and the yarn of my latest sock venture) is "Trekking". Cashmere being the only exception. Can you believe that the LYS owner convinced me that I had to have cashmere socks and that I paid $30/skein just so see what they felt like. I haven't finished them- one skein was misplaced for a few months- and I'm not sure I love myself so completely enough to follow through yet

Have a lovely time in Cologne- we'll be at the Mountaineer Gaming Center- my husband loves slot machines- celebrating the B's birthday there! (He doesn't say a word about $30/skein cashmere- he can pretend to be a high roller for a weekend if he wants to!)

[Jessica]

Pretty yarns. I actually have enjoyed the Tofutsies yarn. It's quite soft and makes a nice fabric. Is a little splitty though.

I have to say that club does sound a little pricey. The STR one was 210 and had basically the same stuff.

[Laura]

I have some of the celestial merino in the fiesta colour and have just started knitting with it. It comes up so beautifully. Not that I have done *too* much yet, but what I have done is very pretty, even if I do say so myself :)

[Jen]

Becky: If the Rowan you have is DK weight, you could do just about anything with it! I've only worked on sweaters, though. To me it's an all around yarn for just about anything. And cashmere socks - oh baby! I had a pair of store bought cashmere blend socks. Don't get too excited, I think I got them from Target. Too bad my feet are so mangled from years of ballet and now rock climbing that I'm sure my feet can't really tell. However, they were very warm and were perfect in the 3/4 boots I used to wear to work all the time.

Jessica: I'm eager to find a good project for the TOFUtsie. I reallly like the idea of it, especially since the "soy silk" is made from a by product from the tofu industry. They'd otherwise go in the landfill! That's so awesome. I'm still undecided about the sock club. I want to google the dyers to see if I would even like their stuff. I emailed the shop though about international shipping, and they've been beyond nice!

Laura: Do you have pictures??? would love to see! I'm not worried that one skein isn't enough for a pair of socks. How much are you using?