Sunday, May 31, 2009

Wanna get Loopy with me?

I have a lot of yarn. This is a fact. I know of people who have more yarn than I, I'm sure you do also. But by my standards, I have a lot of yarn.  I knew this to be true last year, so I deliberately put myself in check a bit.  But then came Stitches West in February, and an unexpected gift from a friend, and now? I have a hell of a lot of yarn.

I'm actually glad to have this sizable yarn stash, and glad that I purchased so much yarn back in the days when I had either more income or more hope of having an income. Because now I can entertain myself for months on end, knitting through my stash, without spending any money or buying anything more. Except for one thing.

I have a gift certificate from The Loopy Ewe for $25. I have been holding onto it since last year . Why? I'm not really sure. Indecision? Procrastination? I don't know. But I need to use it before it expires and after putting some thought into it, I've come up with an idea.

If you look through my stash you will see single skeins. Whether solid or multi-colored, fingering or worsted weight, wool or acrylic - it's just about all single skeins.  Great for a hat, a short scarf, or a pair of socks. Which is mostly what I want to knit, so no problem. But occasionally I do have the desire to knit up something that would require more than just a single skein. So instead of spending this $25 certificate on yet another single skein of pretty yarn, why not put it towards buying a few skeins of yarn for one specific project?

I've whittled the list down to three possible projects, and I'm going to ask for your input in helping me decide which one:

1. Malabrigo Celtic Cable Set
Last year I knit up a Celtic Cable Neckwarmer in Malabrigo as a gift. It turned out amazingly well, and I thought, why not do another one for myself? And then make a set of mitts and a hat to match?  The Loopy Ewe has worsted weight Malabrigo in many gorgeous colors, but I'm particularly fond of Cinnabar

2. Araucania Meandering Vines Shawl
I almost purchased a skein of Araucania Ranco Multi at Stitches, but held off because I couldn't think of a pattern for it. Then someone pointed out the Meandering Vines Shawl, with a very simple stitch pattern similar to the socks I am currently working on, I saw a couple on Ravelry that had been knit up in the Ranco Multi (like this one) and I was hooked. The stitch pattern is strong enough not to disappear in the colors and I've heard nothing but good things about the yarn. Speaking of colors - I like Verdigris the best. 

3. Noro Stripe Scarf
Does this need explaining? You know the pattern and I'd have happily jumped on that bandwagon a while back but that doing a decent job of it requires at least 4 skeins. I realize ordering the yarn online could make it tricky to match up colors, but I think the beauty of that pattern is the mingling of two different Noro colorways to create something unique. And the Loopy Ewe has plenty of colorways to choose from!

So...thoughts? Ideas? Comments? Bring 'em on!

8 comments:

Didi said...

Norooooo!

Anonymous said...

I vote for #1 - that Malabrigio is great stuff and sounds perfect for a matching set!

mia

Lisa said...

ooh, meandering vines is beautiful, but would you wear it? that's what holds me up from knitting a lace shawl (that and my general knitting laziness..) - i'd love one to admire but am not sure i'd find occasion to wear it.

on the other hand i think i've loved every one of the noro scarves i've seen. very inspiring.

Wool Enough said...

I vote for the Meandering Vines shawl (technically a "stole" since it is rectangular). Great pattern and the thing about stoles is that you can wear them either fully draped over the shoulders or sort of scrunched up to be more like a scarf.

Sheepish Annie said...

There was a time when I would have scoffed at paying for Malabrigo. Then I had a gift certificate and decided to treat myself. To Cinnabar.

I was done for! Soooo lovely!!! Hence, my vote is for the Malabrigo and the Celtic Cable Set.

Pat said...

Since I don't like Noro and love Malabrigo I have a definite bias...

Anonymous said...

Okay, I love Noro, all Noro, but I'm going to vote for the Malabrigo set. 'Cause that stuff is phenomenal!

Harbor Hon said...

I'm torn between the Celtic and the Meandering Vine, but I think if the colorway is multi then I'd vote for the MV. Such a soothing looking knit. xxoo