Some Good Mail

I got both of these things in the mail recently and I couldn't help but share them. First up, some fiber. I love this so much. This fiber is prepared for spinning socks. I think the seller is brilliant. Its from etsy seller Cupcake Fiber Company. Notice that there are six batts of fiber. 3 plies for each sock for a total of 6 batts. All the weighing work is done for you. See! Brilliant!! And not only that....its superwash BFL so no felting of the socks aaaannnd....there is 12% nylon in the batts for added strength so the socks won't wear out. Genius! I love them so much. I've already started spinning this stuff up and it is great. Batts by nature is a woolen prep, but sock wear better if spun worsted, so I'm spinning worsted. The resulting yarn will not be a true worsted spun yarn because of the fiber prep, but I'm spinning it hard and tight. I'm hoping for some decent yardage since I don't want anklets. I'm aiming for a fingering weight yarn. We'll see. I've never spun yarn for socks before, and I realize a lot of special consideration has to be given to it, due to the hard wearing nature of socks - I think Cupcake Fibers takes care of a lot of it. Plus....its so darned cute!! Go check out her store. She usually has lots of great stuff....sometimes gradients even!

And speaking of gradients....look at this! Its from etsy seller Colorshift Yarns. She does such beautiful work. The change in colour from one skein to the next is very slight and the result is so gradual. I'm crazy about gradations lately. I immediately bought a pattern called Aranami Shawl to showcase this beautiful yarn. But now, I'm worried about yardage. Most FOs on Ravelry have used 500-600 yards and my colorshift set is 480 yards only. So, I'll have to either alter the pattern or come up with more yarn. Not sure what I'll do yet. I'm not casting on until I get something off the needles.

I've been bad.

I bought $180 worth of yarn. There. I said it. I'm not apologizing, but I just glanced through my stash and it is seriously getting out of hand. I blame it on the stress. I went to Bathurst with Amy for her orthophragnatic surgery. She had her top jaw broken in two places and her bottom jaw broken on one side. It's a very unpleasant experience to see your only child in such misery. But I used yarn as a coping mechanism.

I also cast on for two new projects. I bought a kit for thrummed mittens - which I've been dying to try ever since I learned that this is a Newfoundland technique. Who knew? I've seen (and likely owned) thrummed things all my life, but never knew that it originated here.

We have a very rich knitting history. I also cast on for another pair of plain vanilla socks. I'm not even sure what the yarn is. The truth is that I only bought it because it has aloe vera in it, and I really wanted to give it a try.


I also finished my Spring Forward socks from knitty. They are lovely and blocking as I type.