Perhaps I have a problem...

I can stop anytime I want.



Really, I can.




Okay. ... Possibly I might have a teensy little issue with being unable to stop my stash growth. ^^;;;


Damn it, it's all hollyk603's fault!! She keeps listing stuff for cheap!! ;_;

This is probably an embarrassing but appropriate time to show a picture of the toy I picked up today.



US 10 32" ebony circulars!!!! (Pictured in front of my Stitch 'N Bitch journal and with Holly's sock yarn to the left.) Wooden knitting needles are my greatest weakness, I think. The bamboo ones are the most common, and even though they're relatively cheap I find them so much more pleasant to handle and hold and use than metal or plastic needles. Yarn slides over them smoothly but doesn't tend to fall off, they're smooth on the hands, and they make only the softest melodic "tick" sound against each other (as opposed to the steriotypical clacking associated with knitting that is caused by aluminum needles). The only slightly more expensive, highly varnished Crystal Palace bamboo DPNs I own are a sensual joy to use. I also have birch DPNs, rose wood DPNs, and 2 sets of Lantern Moon unknown exotic hardwood straights.

The ridiculously ironic part of it is that I needed size 10 circulars for Caty's project ... which is using ... $1.50/skein acrylic yarn. ;_; (The needles were roughly 17 times more expensive.)




And now, for the list of what Holly got me with this time:


Montana wool "Penstemon" -- $20.50 -- These 6 skeins of beautiful worsted weight yarn, 100% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) the color "Penstemon." This combination includes jade green, magenta and violet. It is a 4-ply yarn with nice body and spring. It should show pattern stitches well. The gauge should give you about 5 sts/ in on a 7 or so. These 6 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 140 yards, for a total of about 840 yds.

superwash wool "Thistle" -- $41.00 -- These 8 beautiful skeins of worsted weight yarn, 100% Superwash merino wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Thistle." This combination includes rich shades of raspberry and teal balanced with lilac and sage. The 4-ply yarn is soft and smooth, very appropriate for next-to-the-skin items and childrens' garments. Each skein has about 86 yards, for a total of 688 yds. I would recommend a size 8US needle, and expect 4.5 sts/in. These 8 skeins are sold as a lot.

Sierra wool/alpaca "Raspberries" -- $17.02 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 70% wool and 30% alpaca, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Raspberries." This combination includes raspberry, lilac and silver gray. This smooth, 4-ply yarn is lofty and warm with a subtle "heatheriness." These 5 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 110 yards, for a total of 550 yds. I would recommend a 9-11 needle, and expect 3-3.5 sts/in. One skein will make a nice warm pair of mittens!

Cascade 220 superwash "Garden Variety" -- $33 -- These 4 skeins of beautiful worsted weight yarn, 100% washable wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Garden Variety." This combination includes raspberry, lilac blueberry and spring green. This is a smooth, 4-ply yarn. These 4 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 220 yards, for a total of 880 yds. I would recommend a 7-8 needle, and expect 5 sts/in.

kettle dyed "5 colors" -- $12.05 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful worsted weight yarn, 100% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) in 5 different colors. There is one skein each of navy, purple, magenta, royal blue and spring green. This is a smooth, single-ply yarn. These 5 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 100 yards, for a total of 500 yds. I would recommend a 7-8 needle, and expect 4.5 - 5 sts/in.


BTW. Sitting in the dark, knitting with black yarn, on ebony needles, while listening to KMFDM and Rammstein ... I don't think I could feel more goth if I tried. Okay, maybe if I was knitting with black silk yarn, but only then.

Just thinking....

So, I now have a huge pile of yarn (see previous two posts and the posts I haven't made yet but I know are coming). I specifically tried to get mainly yarns of the same types, even if in different colors. I figure this way I can make projects all in the same yarn, just brightly multi-colored.

So, I have:

• bulky alpaca/wool: 25 skeins, 25 x 110 = 2750 yards


• worsted wool/alpaca: 16 skeins, 11 x 160 + 5 x 125 = 2385 yards


• bulky, twirly alpaca: 17 skeins, 17 x 74 = 1258 yards


• superwash Cascade 220: 11 skeins, 11 x 220 = 2320 yards


• Montana wool: 16 skeins, 16 x 140 = 2240 yards

The reason I'm listing this is because the average worsted yarn sweater in my size ought to take around 1150 yards, and a bulky yarn sweater should be about 920 yards. (Source: Stitch 'N Bitch, A Knitter's Design Journal.)

I'm wondering how much yarn the average afghan takes ... browsing the web seems to indicate 1500 to 2100 yards.

Mei's hats - success!

I took Mei her hats and Alicia her scarf this week. (Yes, I finally wove in the ends on both projects ... I hate finishing.) Definitely both successes.

More stash building

This was all about $140 with shipping. 44 skeins. Only slightly more than $3 a skein. Not bad!!

For my records, here's what Holly had to say about each lot.


Andee alpaca/wool "Thistle" -- $17.58 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful light worsted weight yarn, 50% alpaca and 50% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Thistle." This combination includes lilac, raspberry, teal and sage. It is 4-ply, and has a beautiful soft hand and a matte appearance. It should show pattern stitches well, and drape beautifully. This is a delicious yarn! The gauge should give about 5 sts/ in on a 7 or so. These 5 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 125 yards, for a total of 625 yds.

twirly alpaca "Greensleeves" -- $15.79 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 69% alpaca, 28% wool and 3% nylon, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Greensleeves." This combination includes evergreen, lime and violet. It is a bubbly single ply wrapped with a thin thread. This is a very cosy and soft yarn, which would make lovely mittens and hats! These 5 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 73 yards, for a total of 365 yds. I would recommend a 10 needle, and expect 3- 3.5 sts/in.

Texas wool/mohair "Earth" -- $3.25 -- These 2 skeins of light worsted weight yarn, 55% mohair and 45% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Earth." This combination includes deep blue, sage green, earthy brown, and a variety of shades in between. It is 2-ply, and has a beautiful sheen and a nice twist. It should show pattern stitches well, and drape beautifully. This is a luxury wool! This should give you about 5 sts/ in on a 7 or so. These 2 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 120 yards, for a total of 240 yds.

Sierra wool/alpaca "Sunrise" -- $16.47 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 70% wool and 30% alpaca, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Sunrise." This combination includes shades of sunshine, apricot, rose and iris. This smooth, 4-ply yarn is lofty and warm with a subtle "heatheriness." These 5 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 110 yards, for a total of 550 yds. I would recommend a 9-11 needle, and expect 3-3.5 sts/in.

Sierra wool/alpaca "Underwater" -- $13.01 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 70% wool and 30% alpaca, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Underwater." This combination includes shades of cobalt, turquoise and violet. This smooth, 4-ply yarn is lofty and warm with a subtle "heatheriness." These 5 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 110 yards, for a total of 550 yds. I would recommend a 9-11 needle, and expect 3-3.5 sts/in.

Cascade 220 superwash "Electric Blues" -- $15.72 -- These 5 beautiful skeins of worsted weight, 100% wool yarn, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Electric Blues." This combination includes vivid shades of violet, cobalt and pink. This high quality SUPERWASH yarn is 4- ply. It has a soft hand and a smooth texture, and is well-suited for close-to-the-skin items. Each skein has about 220 yards, for a total of 1100yds. These 5 skeins are sold as a lot. I would recommend an 8 needle, and expect 5 sts/in.

Montana wool "Scarlet Letter" -- $10.49 -- These 8 skeins of beautiful worsted weight yarn, 100% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) the color "Scarlet Letter." This bright combination includes scarlet, violet and gold. It is a 4-ply yarn with nice body and spring. It should show pattern stitches well. The gauge should give about 5 sts/ in on a 7 or so. These 8 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 140 yards, for a total of 1120 yds.

twirly alpaca "Taffy" -- $4.80 -- These 2 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 69% alpaca, 28% wool and 3% nylon, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Taffy." This combination includes soft shades of peach, rose and lavender- very pretty! It is a bubbly single ply wrapped with a thin thread. This is a very cosy and soft yarn, which would make lovely mittens and hats! These 2 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 73 yards, for a total of 146 yds. I would recommend a 10 needle, and expect 3- 3.5 sts/in.

Montana wool "Iris Garden" -- $10.50 -- These 2 skeins of beautiful worsted weight yarn, 100% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) the color "Iris Garden." This combination has violet, lavender, jade, spring green and a little gold. It is a 4-ply yarn with nice body and spring. It should show pattern stitches well. The gauge should give about 5 sts/ in on a 7 or so. These 2 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 140 yards, for a total of 280 yds.

twirly alpaca "Forget-Me-Not" -- $9.99 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 69% alpaca, 28% wool and 3% nylon, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Forget-me-not." This combination includes soft shades of rose pink, lavender and cornflower blue. It is a bubbly single ply wrapped with a thin thread. This is a very cosy and soft yarn, which would make lovely mittens and hats! These 5 skeins are sold as a lot (OK, the pic shows 3, but there are 5, all the same dye lot!). Each skein has about 74 yards, for a total of 370 yds. I would recommend a 10 needle, and expect 3- 3.5 sts/in.

My god, someone take her credit card away!

Yeah, I went nuts on eBay. But I got all that for approximately $140 including shipping!!! (That's around $4.70 per skein.) All yarns bought from hollyk603, my favoritest eBay yarn seller.

For my reference, here are the eBay descriptions of what I bought, and prices.


Andee alpaca/wool "Mermaid" -- $19.40 -- These 6 skeins of beautiful light worsted weight yarn, 50% alpaca and 50% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Mermaid." This combination includes blueberry, deep green, violet and magenta. It is 4-ply, and has a beautiful soft hand and a matte appearance. It should show pattern stitches well, and drape beautifully. This is a delicious yarn! The gauge should give you about 5 sts/ in on a 7 or so. There are approx.160 yards per skein, for a total of about 960 yds. These skeins are sold as a single lot.

Andee alpaca/wool "Strawberry Fields" -- $22.54 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful light worsted weight yarn, 50% alpaca and 50% wool, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Strawberry Fields." This combination includes evergreen, spring green and strawberry. It is 4-ply, and has a beautiful soft hand and a matte appearance. It should show pattern stitches well, and drape beautifully. This is a delicious yarn! The gauge should give you about 5 sts/ in on a 7 or so. There are approx.160 yards per skein, for a total of about 800 yds. These 5 skeins are sold as a single lot.

Sierra wool/alpaca "Summer Sky" -- $33 -- These 10 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 70% wool and 30% alpaca, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Summer Sky." This combination includes shades of sky blue, jade and lavender. This smooth, 4-ply yarn is lofty and warm with a subtle "heatheriness." These 10 skeins are sold as a lot. Each skein has about 110 yards, for a total of 1100 yds. ENOUGH FOR A SWEATER!!! I would recommend a 9-11 needle, and expect 3-3.5 sts/in.

twirly alpaca/wool "shoreline" -- $12.72 -- These 5 skeins of beautiful bulky weight yarn, 69% alpaca, 28% wool and 3% nylon, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Shoreline." This combination includes soft shades of dusty rose, steel blue and sand, with flecks of natural here and there. It is a bubbly single ply wrapped with a thin thread. This is a very cosy and soft yarn, which would make lovely mittens and hats! These 5 skeins are sold as a single lot. Each skein has about 73 yards, for a total of 365 yds. I would recommend a 10 needle, and expect 3- 3.5 sts/in.

Lamb's Pride wool/mohair "Autumn" -- $14.01 -- These 2 beautiful skeins of worsted weight yarn, 85% wool and 15% mohair, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Autumn." This seasonal combination includes chestnut, evergreen, bright red and gold. This yarn is a single ply. Each skein has about 190 yards, for a total of 380 yds. I would recommend an 8 needle, and expect 4.5 - 5 sts/in. These 2 skeins are sold as a lot.

Cascade 220 superwash "Afterglow" -- $23 -- These beautiful skeins of worsted weight, 100% wool yarn, were hand-dyed (by me!) in the color "Afterglow." This combination includes apricot, birght coral, violet, cornflower and kiwi green. This high quality SUPERWASH yarn is 4- ply. It has a soft hand and a smooth texture, and is well-suited for close-to-the-skin items. Each skein has about 220 yards. The price is per skein. I would recommend an 8 needle, and expect 5 sts/in.

Another Lion Band Homespun hat

I started this hat on the plane while going to K&M's wedding, and I finished it while in the car driving to Mt. Rainier last weekend. It is essentially the same pattern as the one I did for Mei, but with a twist (literally).



Bah. You really can't see the texture pattern from the picture. ;_;

The boy had meant to bring a ball cap along to Rainier. When he realized he hadn't, he was all sad, because his hair was a mess and he'd planned to hide it under the hat. So I finished knitting this in the car and he wore it all over the park. It looks surprisingly manly when on, though more like something a Jamaican reggae player would wear than a computer programmer. Oh well, I think this particular version of the hat was a success.

Pattern for large (small-to-medium head):

Note, pattern is recreated as best I can. I really wasn't taking good notes. Bad Quakester, bad!

• Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun


• Needles: size 8 and 10 circular and/or DPNs


• Steps:




• Cast on 56 (49) st on US size 8 circular.


• PM


• *K4 P3, repeat from * for about 1 1/2 inch or to taste


• Switch to US size 10 circular and do rounds until entire hat, with brim rolled, is 6 (5 1/2) inches tall. The idea is to do P1 K6, but throw in an extra K stitch every round so that the lines of P stitches swirl around the head and up to the crown. Pattern for rounds:




• *P1 K6, rep from *


• K1, *P1 K6, rep from *, P1 K5


• K2, *P1 K6, rep from *, P1 K4


• K3, *P1 K6, rep from *, P1 K3


• K4, *P1 K6, rep from *, P1 K2


• K5, *P1 K6, rep from *, P1 K1


• You get the point. Keep doing it, knitting for all stitches except one after the purl stitches on the row below in which case you purl.




• Start decreasing in groups of 7,6,5,4,3(,2). Do this by P2tog. The two stitches to purl together are the purl stitch and the stitch after it.

Technically I think I should have cast on 48 stitches. This version has to do one repeat in 8st and the others in 7st. 48 stitches would have fixed that for the pattern. Though not for the ribbing. Oh well, will possibly try it in another hat soon.