Jun 26 2007
Seaside Sock Knitting
Three particular knit projects kept me busy at the beach: I made some progress during the drive, sitting by the docks as Kris and the family fished and crabbed, and a little early morning knitting while watching the sunrise. One knit in particular is a secret knit for my sister’s birthday in two weeks… the other projects were socks - the ultimate portable knit.
Whitby in Regia Tweed
My sister-in-law asked if I ever knit anything else, saying that she has only seen me knitting various socks over the last few years… this was all before she asked me to show her how to knit on her own!
…I was already looking for an excuse to go to the Delaware yarn shops, and her interest in learning was the catalyst. She walked away with some size 8 needles and some Encore to practice garter stitches. I walked away with these…
Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed and Austermann Step
Both of these yarns are from Sea Needles in Bethany Beach, DE. The shop has some great things, and I always enjoy stopping by when I am over at the shore. The Silky Tweed was an impulse buy, I must admit. I spotted it from across the room when I walked in the door. I worked with its equally lovely sister yarn, Silky Wool, for my Glee tee, and I was hoping to find some more of this yarn for a cardigan. The Step was purchased solely for the fun factor of the flashy colors in the stripey pattern. I have heard some good reviews of the yarn, so I will give it a whirl. Regular yarn diet resumes from now till my next vacation in August.
I was really hoping that the shop would have the new Norah Gaughan collection, as they carry a full Berroco line… alas, it is not in stock yet. I can wait a few more weeks 
However, the little shop on Fenwick Island, DE provided some great pattern inspiration in the form of Patons booklets. The Spinning Wheel is a small shop in a roadside strip mall, and if you blink, you will miss it. It is right over the Delaware state line (coming from Ocean City, Maryland) and carries some lovely needlework kits. Their yarn selection is quite small (and rather paltry) but their patterns! ahhh… some lovely out-of-print booklets, and then some “hot off the press” booklets too!
You have to click to see the details - so worth it!
You can see even more of the designs on the Patons website. Funny how the heat and humidity are at the highest point today, and I am thinking about these wool pullovers…
The beach pictures are downloading now… we got some good ones! Stay tuned!
The Step is really nice to work with, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! Are you going to save those bright colors for dreary winter days or jump right in?
I’m also eagerly awaiting that Norah Berroco booklet based on your earlier post about it…
Sounds like a wonderful trip! I recently purchased those same Paton’s booklets (by mail order, the only way I seem to acquire Paton’s stuff!) and I agree — the patterns are adorable. I’m just wondering, though, about doing the two-color bits in back-and-forth knitting as set forth in the patterns. I am really a beginner at even a little strip of Fair Isle, and have only done it in the round. Say something encouraging….
Yum, I love the Silky Tweed! The Paton’s pattern’s are wonderful! I want that cabled vest. Off to ransack the Paton’s website now. . .
woo! I picked up some patterns at The Spinning Wheel a couple of years ago — their yarn selection is paltry, like you say, but they had a ton of out of print patterns! That was awesome.
Love how the sock is turning out and the silky tweed is gorgeous!
great selection of projects, L. lavold’s yarn is addictive isn’t it? i keep thinking i’ll be making another sweater out of it someday too.
It is a good thing you snatched up that Silky Tweed. The yarn has been discontinued.
Amy
that store totally redeemed itself with patterns, eh?
I made a scarf with Silky Tweed and loved it. I actually thought about buying enough to make a sweater but I am also on a yarn diet.
The Silky Tweed is so pretty! I like the yoke cabled pullover from Patons. I’ll have to look for that booklet.
I LOVE silky tweed, more than silky wool actualy. It has a marvelous drape. So soft. =) Have fun with it!
sounds like fun! love Whitby!
Glad you’re enjoying our little Delaware! There’s another yarn shop up in Rehoboth, on the main Avenue, 2-3 blocks from the ocean, called, uh, Knitty Gritty. Shop is light on goods (rather than “crammed to the rafters) and much is for needlepointers. We are sparse here! I go North, to Newark, DE (Stitches with Style) to feed my habit.
Enjoy your vacation! The silky tweed is just a perfect color and so are the whitby’s!
Love that tweedy sock! I’m using the silky tweed for a sweater right now and really enjoy working with it. It’s very soft and drapey.
You’ll love working with the Step — it actually softens your fingertips while you knit!
I grew up in Delaware and am headed back in a few weeks. I didn’t know about the yarn shops you mentioned! My brother lives just south of Dewey so I will certainly be stopping in Sea Needles!
Oh, I love those patterns! Too bad no one near me carries the Patons booklets. I would love to make some of those.
oh, I wish I was there!!!! look at you fly on those Whitbys! they look great in the tweed!
what patons booklets are those from? I love the cables - and that hoodie!!!!
I love the two brown sweater patterns. I’m going to have to keep my eyes peeled for the booklets. Your Whitbys are coming along nicely.
The socks are looking great and those Step yarn colours are amazing!
The Silky Tweed is beautiful - almost the exact same color as your socks - am I sensing a pattern here? I recently cast on for my Glee Tee in Silky Tweed. It’s only a little hurty on the hands, but so worth it!
welcome back! I’ve had my eye on whitby for a while (since, apparently, all I really do knit is socks), but have to wait until I finish some WIPS.
I really liked some of those patterns from the Patons booklet….especially the hoodie. Will you be knitting any of these?
That’s so funny that you are also thinking about wool pullovers! I have been working on a Paton’s wool v-neck and I must admit, I feel as though the yarn is FELTING in my hands as I sit and knit on our deck!
Great finds!
What fun knitting for what sounds like a fun trip so far. Thanks for highlighting those patterns. They are too cute.
Love the color on the Whitby! Glad you had fun at the beach and were able to have so much knitting time…
Some lovely acquisitions, I must say. And your Whitby looks great!
Oy, I hear ya Lolly, I am stuck in a wool state of mind.
Yay for vacation sock knitting…and for vacation yarn acquisition!
Those Patons books…they are indeed inspiring. Some are now on my knitting wish list. It sounds like you had a great trip.
Oh I loved the Whitby pattern! Yours look like they are coming out beautifully. So glad you had a lovely vacation - I’m back too!
The Silky Tweed is gorgeous. I love the sheen and the richness of colour.
So glad you are enjoying your holiday. I hope it is peaceful and fun.
Mmmm that Silky Tweed.
I know - I want that Nora Gaughan collection too! I am hoping I convinced a new-to-me yarn shop (only 1.5 hrs away, what’s that?) to special order it.
Can’t wait to see your Glee.
[...] Lolly is such an enabler! I’ve found my first project for fall, this yummy cabled vest from Patons. I’ve yet to knit an adult sized sweater but I’m thinking this could hold my attention since I don’t have to deal with sleeves. I’ve ordered Sierra Aran in the equally delicious Garnet colorway for it, as my first gift. [...]
I have never made it to Sea Needles! There is another knitting store in Rehoboth that always seems to be closed when we are down. My hubby’s parents have a place in Lewes! Great red socks!
I’m going to OCMD this weekend, will check out Sea Needles on the way there or back. I want to go to Knitty Gritty in Rehobeth too. Have you been? How about “Salty Yarns” on the boardwalk in OC, have you been, or is it even there? (google search–how i found you too!) Should I skip the Spinning Wheel? I’m just stash enhancing, no particular needs, just souvenir yarn
[...] to work with the lovely yarn too - this is the Elsbeth Lavold Silky Tweed that I picked up at the beach last summer. The yarn was supposedly discontinued - which is really too bad, but seems inevitable - [...]