Nov 07 2006
Stitches Loot
I told you I got a lot at the Stitches Market. I stuck to my project list though, and bought yarns with certain knits in mind. Long post ahead!
Here's what I got:
Five skeins of Noro Kochoran #17 for the Kolsva cowl pullover
I saw the discounted Noro the minute I walked in the door at Stitches. WEBS had many of their Noro yarns deeply discounted – it was about 40% off the regular price, and that was enough for me to take the plunge. Suzanne helped me decide on a colorway, and I made my first purchase after being there for only 5 minutes. Can I possibly fit this project in this month for the celebration of Norovember? I am working diligently on my Cherie right now, but I have to say that all of this yarn is really calling to me!
New sock yarn (suprise surprise!)
I had my mind set on some Tess sock yarn, as it is probably my favorite sock yarn out there – I made my Dublin Bay socks with it, and have some others in the stash for various projects. I added the three yarns on the bottom – red, green, and blue – for various patterned socks I have in mind. The gorgeous pink and brown hank was a incredibly generous gift from my friend Georgia at Yarn Pirate. She sent this colorway (PureKnits) as a gift for Socktoberfest, and sent me a double skein – that is nearly 1000 yds! So, I am thinking about trying a lace stole pattern, as well as some socks with it! 
The burgundy tweed is another WEBS find – Regia tweed, possibly for these Kilt Hose.
WEBS was also running a super-duper sale on their Araucania Nature Wool, which I really enjoyed working with for my sister's cabled scarf. Stacey and I bought very similar colors of this yarn, so we just may be twinsies! I bought enough for the lovely Edie cardigan, from Shobhana's great new book, Yarnplay. The pattern calls for a much more expensive yarn, but I have worked with this one, and I really like the quality, so it will be a great match!
Both of these lovely yarns are from Cottage Craft, whose owners were so kind and friendly, they made me want to visit their shop in New Brunswick straightaway! Their color palette was so beautiful and natural, and their prices were so good that I decided to stock up. Mom also bought some beautiful colorways for a felted bag pattern, as well as a shawl. I bought the red single with this shawl pattern in mind. The blue worsted yarn was a substitute buy for the Street Smart hoodie that I have been planning for years now… I originally bought some Patons wool for it, but I heard a nasty rumor from Liz that it pills terribly, and I didn't want to be picking pills out of the bobbles and cables for the rest of my life! So, I decided that another yarn would be better-suited for this patterning. I loved this sky blue color the moment I saw it, and I got about 1600 yds of the yarn for a little over $20!
The Mannings had a big booth, mainly filled with books and accessories, but towards the back, they had some great wools and sock yarns. I picked up this pink chunky wool to try my hand at this modification of a Vogue 2005 pattern. The pink is actually not as bright as it appears in this picture, and has some heathery tones in it that are also not evident. The wool was reasonably priced, and I saw many people buying it. My mom picked up some browns and purples of the same wool.
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Books. My other obsession, clearly 
I picked up Michael's great new book, Knitting With Balls, and he signed it for me. There are some very nice designs in the book, and Michael mentioned that he is also working on another book right now. It was a real pleasure to meet him, and he was working on a beautiful sock!
My other real find was the LAST book to complete my Nancy Bush collection, Folk Knitting in Estonia. It is available through her store and some other venues, but Amazon does not carry it, and neither does the bookstore in my area. I even happened upon a signed copy! I also bought the Holiday 2006 Vogue, and two patterns from different vendors. I played with the floor sample of that wrap shrug for way too long, so I decided to buy it. It is made with qiviut, one of the most expensive fibers in the world (it is musk ox fiber) and it was a dream to touch, but I think it would be very nice in an alpaca or merino as well. Click to make the picture bigger, and to notice the ruching on the sleeves! The second pattern is a cute felted bag from Two Old Bags.
And in other book news, I spotted Norah Gaughan, one of my favorite designers, on Saturday. I stopped and introduced myself, and asked if she would be there the next day, as I wanted to bring my copy of Knitting Nature for her to sign. She was very nice and agreed to sign the book. So, on Sunday, I was back with my book, and she personalized it too!
…and last but not least, a gift from my mother…
All day Saturday I was looking at the laceweight yarns. I am not ready to jump into a large lace project -I don't think I have the patience!- but I am quite intrigued with the lovely scarves I have seen. The laceweight that kept drawing me back in was the beautiful silk/merino blend in the JaggerSpun Zephyr. And on Sunday, my mom slipped away and bought these three gorgeous colors for me as an early birthday present! I am thrilled!
Now you see why I had a ridiculous grin on my face, right?
ah! look at all that great yarn…you’re making me drool! i love that qiviut shrug pattern. i can’t wait to see what you make out of your new loot.;)
Do the kilt hose!
Also, lovely yarn.
-Michael
What great stuff! I can’t wait to see it all knit up!
OH & I think Yahaira gave me that same jaggerspun zephyr (the top color). I’m going to make the flared lace smoke ring from heart strings fiberworks with mine! Any ideas for yours?
All that yarn is beautiful. It will be so much fun to knit up in all those wonderful patterns you have in mind.
WOW girl – you’d better knit faster! Great haul!
Lovely, lovely yarns. I am so jealous. Try the Lucy bag from Two Old Bags. It’s a fun and fast knit. I’ve made several for my daughter and her friends. They all love them.
That is some serious loot!! Good for you! Have fun with all of it.
WOW! Seeing all that makes me want to take the day off to knit and go through my stash!
Have fun. I love the Yarnplay cardigan you picked out. I just ordered that book from Amazon.com.
Score! You did a great job with the yarn buying. And such beautiful projects in mind. All of the colors are fantastic for you.
Two signed books in one day – lucky you!!!
Did you ever find out how to pronounce her last name??
Great stash enhancement – you are like me – buy only yarn for a specific project in mind!
You did a very good job in the acquistion department;-) Every time you say ‘more sock yarn’ I get excited. And now LACE! Go grrl!
Oh my god, so much yarn! I’m so jealous! Well, all of that should keep you busy for a whole two months or so, with the way you crank out projects.
I really love your moms suprise present yarn, it’s so shiny but it looks soft.
Wow!!! That’s incredible!!! Now I don’t feel so bad about the sock yarn additions I made during Socktoberfest!!!! I can’t wait to see all your beautiful yarns knit up!
What a great haul! It looks like you will have some fantastic finished objects with it all – can’t wait to see them!
Wow…New Brunswick is where I live – though I’m not really near St. Andrews. Love all that yarn you got…I’m so jealous!!!
Oooh, so pretty! Next year I’ll try to make it…
Holy moley, Lolly, but you did do well!
Never one to be a source of a “nasty rumor,” I just want to say that MY experience with Patons Classic was a pilling disaster. Hee hee! ; )
I am totally in love with that Vogue sweater and now have a use for the Manos that has been sitting in my stash for almost two years now. Yippie!
Great yarn! I can’t wait to see the Vogue sweater when it’s done. I might be inspired to start one for myself!
Wow, everything that you picked up is gorgeous! I especially love that colorway of the Araucania, yum.
ooh, good yarn p0rn! Can’t wait to see all your finished knits!
Awesome haul! Your checkbook must be hurting
I especially love the Jaggerspun Zephyr, I’m working with it right now and it’s very nice yarn. They have such great colors too.
Well, I did buy a lot, yes, but everything I bought was deeply discounted from regular prices… so, my credit card statement may be a little fatter this month – but it is my birthday month too – so that justifies it, right? ;P
Yeah, I am thinking it is time for another yarn diet…
Wow! You got a great haul from Stitches too. I stopped and was speaking to Norah for a little bit before I noticed her tag. I was thrilled because I love her designs. Sadly I didn’thave the book. I also forgot my Fiona Ellis book at home so I couldn’t get it signed. Bummer!
Holy crap, that’s a lot of stash enhancement! I can’t wait to see what comes out of it. I’ve also been looking for a copy of the Folk Knitting in Estonia book. I didn’t realize it was no longer in wide circulation.
that’s quite the haul! and certainly every single yard of that yarn is gorgeous and worth owning
Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe happens to be my LYS! I was surprised to see that label as I was scanning your pictures. Great haul!
Oh that was fun. Thanks for taking me ‘blog’ shopping. I almost feel as if I had as much fun. Gorgeous stuff. I love the pink!
It looks like you had a great time. You came home with some nice yarn to add to the stash. Which pattern is it from the VK 05?
It is the Vogue Knitting Holiday 2005 issue – I think it is sweater #2 or #3. The modifications that I want make the sweater look so much better (in my opinion). It is longer through the torso and no as tight as the one on the model. I am hoping that mine turns out like the one I saw on Flickr.
thank god I was sitting to read this post! wow. great stash enhancement. I am very impressed with the “stick to the project shopping”. its really great!
It was good to see you last Saturday! Great stash enhancement! Enjoy!!!
What a wonderful haul! I especially love the laceweight yarn! And what lovely color in the Noro!
That there is some beautiful stuff for some pretty patterns. The laceweight is gorgeous. What a sweet thing for your Mother to do.
wow! that’s quite a haul. i was disappointed Stitches East wasn’t in Atlantic City this year. But then again, with all I have on my plate right now, I think I can live with that.
pretty yarn! i love that edie cardigan too – i’ve had my eye on it since i first saw it!
oh my god that is a lot of yarn! I need to pick my tounge up off the keyboard! What finds!
Whoa, that’s a spciy yarn collection. It’s all so lovely though and you can’t argue with a great discount. Now that you have laceweight, you have to start doing some lace….
I’m glad that you ran into Norah the next day to get your book signed. I wish I could have sent mine along with you.
I was going to get you Folk Knitting in Estonia for your b-day
Now I have to come up with an alternate plan….
Impressive haul! I love looking at other people’s festival loot.. its all the excitement and none of the spending!! hee hee.
lovely I can’t wait to fondle it in person.
what an awesome deal on that noro!
way to buy at bargain prices!!!
All so gorgeous! I look forward to watching your Norovember!
Oh lucky girl. What a lovely mum you have to buy such a great present for your birthday. I wish I could have met Norah Gaughn too, I have her book and have bought one for my mum for Christmas too. Is she releasing another book anytime soon? I love all of your purchases, and I cant wait to see the Patons Hoodie knitted up. It looks like a great pattern.
Whoa boy, that is quite a haul! Webs is seriously the best. When we made the trip up I-91 from NYC, I would always make a point to stop there – and that was always TROUBLE! It’s like Christmas for knitters, and everything is so cheap! I can’t wait to see what you whip up with all that wonderful yarn! Take care L
You have great taste! Very nice haul.
What a fabulous haul!
Yeehaw – nice grab! Kinda hard to avoid Webs when they were right up front
) We’d love to have you.
If you are ever headed up to Massachusetts, plan a trip to Northampton to stop in and see us (I work at Webs
Wow, those are great yarns (especially love the Noro!)
Looks like Christmas came early at your house! I look foeward to all the great stuff about to take form, have a ball!
What great yarn and great projects too. I really like the pink yarn from The Mannings. Some how I missed that. I was so focused on needles while at their booth. Might need to take a road trip to PA
And Noro is always so fun to knit with. Norovember, eh?
wow. look at that great haul. i love the sweater and the aracunia yarn (in that color in fact) that you picked up. keep me posted on how that yarn works for that design.
You have some really beautiful new yarns there, especially that pink! I always love to visit your site and see what new projects you’re working on.
I will be interested to see what you knit with the Zephyr. I have a couple beautiful skeins myself and want to figure out something I can do with just one skein.
What great purchases!! I’m so jealous
wow, i don’t even know what to say! such beautiful loot and lotsa great books. that blue cardigan is heavenly.
WOW! Beautiful stash enhancements!
Geez Louise, girl! I am very impressed! Very nice haul!
Man, you really went to town with the shopping! It all looks great. The Cottage Craft yarn looks so yummy. I’m so jealous you got to meet Norah Gaughan! I love all her stuff. So cool. Glad you got some great yarns. Hope you enjoy your trip to SF.
Wow…uh…wow…uh..wow
Yeah thats all I got to say…
What a great haul Lolly! I love the colorway you picked for your noro sweater.
I started working lace by knitting a shawl for my ISE pal and it was so easy that I’m now working on a piece twice that size as a christmas gift for my mother. Lace moves quickly and offers beautiful results. The only suggestion I would offer is that I found lace knitting to be much less complicated when I knew I could read the stitchs (that is, look at them and know what was going on). This has allowed me to fix endless mistakes without hassle.
So, I guess what I’m trying to say is “go for it girl”! You will rock the lace knitting.
Oh, and as the daughter of a mother daughter knitting team myself, I have to say that your mom is awesome. What a great gift! My mother always manages to do a similar thing when we go shopping and as someone who only managed to get out of the school routine in the last year (with major debts) I’m always greatful. Yay for Moms!
I love Jaggerspun Zephyr — probably one of my favorite yarns, and i’ve only finished one project with it so far. It’s fantastic both to knit with and to wear. And that raspberry color is beautiful!
ACK! So much fun new stuff- it’s almost overwhelming, isn’t it?!? Cool signed book.
What a great haul!
I am so jealous right now and can’t even look at your blog:b Just kidding, looks like you got some awesome purchases, I’d have a big grin too!
yay, edie! woo-hoo! can’t wait to see your progress!
Beautiful yarn! Norah Gaughan! I envy you! Out of curiosity, what is the color number of the lovely blue Nature Wool you bought?
[...] Hoodie from Patons Street Smart Yarn: Cottage Craft 2-ply in Maritime Blue (100% wool) Source: Stitches East 2006 (Baltimore) Needles: Size US 7 and 8 circular needles Started January 2007 / Finished December [...]