Of course no trip to San Francisco would be complete without a trip to Art Fibers. The store is a veritable feast for the knitter, with textures that you won’t find elsewhere. It was the first yarn store that Mariko and I went in to last Monday. We looked around for ages it was so difficult to choose which yarn to purchase.
I knew that I wanted some Kyoto. I’d read about its luminous lustre but was still taken aback. This yarn is just yummy. It’s so beautiful. I had a really hard time deciding between Orchid or Electra. I finally choose seven balls of Electra. I’m going to make a top-down raglan cardigan from it. I don’t think I’m brave enough to steek Kyoto so I’ll knit it flat. I’m not sure if I’ll try and finish my other Art Fibers cardi – in Sherlock – before I cast on the Kyoto.
The next must-have yarn was a single ball of Nanook in, I think, the Nightfly colourway. It’s a handpainted yarn and is a combination of thin eyelash and a thicker furrier yarn. I think on big needles it’ll make a scarf.
I’m a big fan of the poncho and they had a very nice one in Amaretto on display in the store. It took 5 balls knitted on size 11 or 13 US needles. They had four on the shelf so I’m going to try that and the Harlot pattern and see how that looks. I think the shade I have is Prunejam.
I feel the urge for a quick knit but can’t stop casting on for new projects. I need some purple gloves to go with my new coat – well it’s not exactly new yet, I haven’t finished sewing it – and a long awaited order from Silkwood Angoras arrived for me today. In it was 300g Aran wool, 100g 4-ply wool and 65g of Angora handspun, all custom dyed for me in a mix of magentas and purples by Tess. I’ve cast on for gloves in the aran but think the cuff may be too big. I’m going to keep with it in case it gets smaller once the rib kicks in.
I feel I must apologise for the terrible grimaces I seem to be giving in the photos on Mariko’s website. I was very happy but was trying to avoid a toothy smile since I’m told that it doesn’t suit me. Well I think I prefer the toothy smile to the smile gone wrong look! So apologies for that. I’ll have to smile toothly at the next Stitch and Bitch or something, but usually one of us forgets to bring a camera!
More stash tomorrow!
Don’t worry,
I’ll remember my camera this time!
jeni