My mother had the day off today, so we ran a few errands together and among those necessary chores was a trip to my LYS, Isle Knits. This was the first time I had been there with Mom in tow for awhile and I was surprised at how receptive she was to all the beautiful yarns.
She was so receptive to all the lovely wares, she actually bought some! Of course I’ll be the one who gets to knit it up for her. :-)
What she picked is some lovely Skacel Merino Lace in Color No. 1785 that is incredibly soft to the touch. She still has to pick out a pattern, but I have a feeling the Icarus is now in my future.
Now the main purpose for the excursion wasn’t for the delightful lace yarn. You see, I finally bowed down under unrelenting peer pressure and decided to knit my very own Clapotis. I blame Kim, Barb, Blogfree Michelle, Blogfree Chris, and KnitNana for this horrible lapse in practical project management.
I originally thought to use Noro Silk Garden, but the price of such luxury left my budget squeaking a bit too loudly in protest. Instead I chose a similar yarn in texture to Noro Kureryon, but with a more pleasing price, Plymouth Boku in Color 3.
I actually could have gotten the Noro Kureyon for just a little bit more, but then I wouldn’t have been able to raid Sue’s shelves of every last drop of yarn in that particularly colorway and yell triumphantly “I got it all!” Besides, there aren’t too many opportunities for me to support my LYS. This was definitely an added bonus.
Seeing as how I just can’t walk out of a yarn shop without the sock yarn catching my eye, this wasn’t the end of the yarn buying bonanza. You think that sock yarn actually decides to reflect more light once you’re ready to pack it all up? Ooh. Shiny.
Either way I could not resist more Artyarns UltraMerino 4, Color No. 144. What happened was that the two skeins just hopped into my bag on the way out. Honestly. Impulse control wasn’t an issue here. It just didn’t even enter the conversation.
At that point I was so high on yarn fumes I was levitating. So that’s when Sue sprung this on me.
Isn’t it gorgeous? But that design intimidates the bejeezus outta me! Sue has promised to hold my hand through it and I bought the magazine. But I think I’ll wait awhile before I commit to buying the actual yarn for it. Garment shaping! So scary!
After we left the yarn store, I had one errand that came about in such a way that I felt I had to share it with you all. Earlier this week, I was about to pick Quincy up in my arms. Apparently he had no idea I was in his immediate vicinity even though I was talking to him, because the silly fraidy cat jumped about a foot in the air.
In the process he took my glasses with him. My glasses got jammed into my face and I got a small cut under my eye and a tiny bruise, plus the frame got all out of whack.
So off I went to get my glasses adjusted today. It was just such a freak accident that I had to share. The poor boy was so sorry. I didn’t blame him in the least. How could I with a face like this?
P.S. Was that enough eye candy?
Kat on 31 Aug 2007 at 6:56 pm #
Aw, poor Quincy (and poor Opal)! Of course you couldn’t be mad at him.
Oooh, your new projects!! DROOL!!! I’ve been admiring that lace top, too, but haven’t had the courage to even buy the magazine. ROFL! Too many projects going, and too many in the lineup….
debbie on 31 Aug 2007 at 7:13 pm #
i’m putting myself on a yarn diet, but oh, how i’d like to visit isle knit - can you believe i’ve never been there?
Karen B. on 31 Aug 2007 at 7:55 pm #
I know how you feel, Opal. “We interrupt this [insert project here] for this important new oh, look shiny pretty yarns and projects!”
Hope your eye ding heals quickly. Quincy baby is very sorry :-(
Hattie on 31 Aug 2007 at 9:03 pm #
Oh I love that lace yarn. Mine is just a plain aqua and I’ve yet to use it. It’s so thin…I keep waiting for it to tell me what it wants to be.
Yay for more yarn! You’re going to like knitting clapotis. I’ve made two so far and they are fun. It’s pretty mindless knitting and very fast. I’d have a backup project that’s more interesting.
That top is gorgeous! I think you can do it, it’s all just knitting!
(I’m a big enabler. YOU CAN DO IT!)
Jeanne on 01 Sep 2007 at 12:33 am #
The Skakel yarn is gorgeous! I have some but its just plain green - wow - I wish I had seen this one! The lace sweater - wow. You should start this one soon - I can’t wait to see you make it up. Hope your eye heals fast - and isn’t it funny when they startle like that?
Sue J. on 01 Sep 2007 at 1:08 am #
Where do I start? A trip to your LYS! I am so envious. And the owner seems to know your taste in yarn and projects. I think, too, Boku is an excellent yarn for a Clapotis. It’s in my queue in Ravelry. Heck, everything is in my queue in Ravelry. And what an adorable picture of Quincy. That one should be on a cat calendar. And no worries about that gorgeous lace project. If anyone can do it, you can. Have terrific weekend.
lobstah on 01 Sep 2007 at 2:51 am #
Awesome haul of goods! The Skacel colors are spectacular, wow! That is a gorgeous lace cardi pattern too, I hope you knit it up soon (so I can have a vicarious knitting experience, of course ;)
Do you think Quincy might have bad hearing?
chris on 01 Sep 2007 at 2:52 am #
Beautiful yarn purchases!! And now, I have to go give that magazine a look - I was resisting it and made a point of NOT looking through it, but now, sigh, i must.
Shelly on 01 Sep 2007 at 4:11 am #
Okay - That was just too much eye candy - and You KNOW I have been dealing with Startitis!!
So I am so in love with your yarn purchases! I loved doing the Clapotis - will look wonderful in that yarn too!
Poor Quincy - he looks so sorry! Such a sweetie! Glad it wasn’t worse!
Robbyn on 01 Sep 2007 at 4:50 am #
Oh I love your “Isle Knits” stories. Because then I know I’m not the only one in the world who falls to the subtle predations of beautiful yarn :) You’ve got to admire the ability of something (yarn) that can make a kill (me) without so much as flashing a fang or lifting a claw.
Yes, I’ve been playing too much World of Warcraft :)
I’m sorry to hear about your spectacles - I’m blind without mine so I know it’s no small deal when something happens to them. I’m glad you were able to get it fixed easily :)
Do you think maybe Quincy needs glasses? Heheh…
loribird on 01 Sep 2007 at 5:36 am #
Boku, huh? I’ll have to check that out - I also tend to find Noro a bit out of my price range… But I totally understand the wily ways of sock yarn - some came home with me last time I was in a yarn store, and I really have no idea how. It was lingering near the cash register and hopped right into line…
I think you should go for the sweater this fall - it’s gorgeous! And if the pattern is well written, the garment shaping is less confusing than you’d think.
Rebecca on 01 Sep 2007 at 5:36 am #
That Boku looks scrumptious!! Can’t wait to hear how it knits up, might have to acquire some for the same purpose. ;) Hope your eye is feeling better soon, Quincy is a doll.
Debi on 01 Sep 2007 at 8:01 am #
Love the Quincy eye candy and that jacket is stunning!
Dee on 01 Sep 2007 at 10:48 am #
Poor Quincy.
That sweater is beautiful. I can’t wait to see the “real thing”.
Sock yarn doesn’t count — remember?
Kim on 01 Sep 2007 at 11:12 am #
Oooh, that Boku is beaucoup gorgeous! And you bought it all up?! It’ll make a nice Clapper, and you’ll have the pleasure of knitting something that’s far easier than anything you usually knit. It’s comfort knitting at its best.
Mr. Quincy looks so patriotic there with the red and blue. I’m sure he feels remorse at damaging your glasses. You can see it in his eyes. Oh yeah. He wants to apologize.
Thanks for the nice comment on my latest entry. I’m enjoying you and all the knitters, and would be seriously wretched if not for Mocha Java Thursdays!
Barb on 01 Sep 2007 at 12:44 pm #
You’ll love Clapotis, it’s such a grand scarf t wear.
Lovely purchases! Sue must have been so happy to see you and your mom.
desiknitter on 01 Sep 2007 at 7:46 pm #
Gorgeous yarn - I love the Skacel and the sock yarn. I hope your bruise is healing!
hopalong682003 on 02 Sep 2007 at 8:57 am #
I love the Boku color. It looks so lush. Quincy can help you knit it up. ;-)
Mokihana on 02 Sep 2007 at 8:58 am #
What a treat! I thought once or twice about making Clapotis, but the cost of the Noro really did put me off.
The Merino Lace in 1785… if there was a way I could rip it out of my monitor and kakaroach it from you, I might be sorely tempted. Those are my favorite colors.. oh my gosh, it looks good enough to eat! Reminds me of swimming in the ocean when I was a kid back home.
Quincy is adorable!
Nora on 02 Sep 2007 at 10:05 am #
Definitely enough eye candy - I loved it all!! I have some Noro Silk Garden that I bought for my Clapotis - thanks for inspiring me to finally start knitting it!
Meredith on 02 Sep 2007 at 3:41 pm #
What magazine is that incredible lace cardi in?????? Tell me, tell me!!!!!
Glad you got your glasses straightened! You’re going to need them with all that work you’ve got set up for you. I adore the Plymouth Boku you got. I’m gonna look for it. I have some Silk Garden (’twas a gift) but it is set aside for another project. And the wonderful colors in the Skacel!!!!! You scored big time, girl!
hugggggggssss
mer
Dipsy D. on 02 Sep 2007 at 11:48 pm #
Now, what a shopping spree - it sure seems you and your Mom had a lot of fun! ;) Awesome yarns that you got, and my gosh, the lacey cardigan is exactly what I’d knit in an instant too - so very beautiful and fragile! I can’t wait to see your version of it!
Ouch - your accident with Quincy sounds very painful indeed! Cats certainly aren’t the most tender animals when they’re about to play or get interrupted or whatnot - a heap of scars, tiny and bigger, all over my body are proof that I know what I’m talking about, LOL ;) Good that you got your glasses adjusted - and I’m so with you, who in all the world could be mad at such a cute, innocent little furface? ;)
Alice on 03 Sep 2007 at 6:59 am #
I love the colors in that Boku! I’ve never worked with it so I’m excited to see what you think of it. It really will make a lovely clapotis!
Alison on 03 Sep 2007 at 10:38 am #
Gorgeous stuff! I just love that Skacel, but that’s really no surprise, is it?
You’ll do fine on the sweater. It is very pretty!
yvette on 03 Sep 2007 at 2:54 pm #
That cardigan is heavenly. The design probably just looks complicated. Go slow and you’ll be fine.
textillian on 04 Sep 2007 at 1:05 am #
I like your mother’s taste in colorways….
Susan Pandorf on 04 Sep 2007 at 6:11 am #
Lots of lovelies to look at. Gosh, I’m glad I’m back in town…
Blessings!
PS. LOVE the pattern. LOVE the cat (Hi Quincy!)
knitnana on 04 Sep 2007 at 6:30 am #
omg. OMG. WHAT a haul! I’m now going in search of that Skacel colorway. It’s to die-for! (I love everything else, too, sweetie - and cannot WAIT to see your Clapotis! You’ll love it!)
Poor Quincy - what on earth gets into them? Hope your injuries are healing well, and glad you just needed eyeglasses “adjusted.”
(and not replaced!)
(((hugs)))
limedragon :-: Harriet on 05 Sep 2007 at 3:36 am #
Pretty pretty yarns, and a handsome cat! Nice eye candy! I havent knit a clapotis yet… : )
2trees on 13 Sep 2007 at 1:59 pm #
How do you like the Boku? I was considering a bag of that a few weeks ago.