Posted under stash
Yesterday I had to shop for some new clothes for a trip I’m making to Maryland this year. I’ll be seeing an old friend (Ravelry link) and going to a certain festival some of you might have heard about it.
On the way to the outlet stores, I stopped by my favorite yarn store, Isle Knits. I needed to pick up some yarn to make some gifts for Carole’s five children. (That’s right. Count’em. Five children. She’s an amazing woman.)
I picked up a couple of Galway colors to make hats for her two boys. The grey is Colornep and the green is Highland Heather.
I particularly like the green. It’s a heather and I think it will make a beautiful cabled hat.
I also picked up some Noro Kureyon for a scarf. I’m not sure which of her three girls the scarf will go to, but I’m sure one of the girls will love the colors.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to shop the stash for the other two gifts I’ll need to make. If not, I don’t think it will be a terrible hardship for me to shop for more yarn for the presents. ;-)
Still, I’m going to try and put myself on a yarn diet until I go to Maryland. I’d like to save my pennies so I can go absolutely hog wild when I get there.
That being said, I didn’t just get yarn at the store yesterday. I also picked up a couple of other goodies.
I got a set of Hiyahiya double-point needles and a pair of Rosewood straights, because these are *tools*. We all need good tools for our craft. Without proper tools, our craft suffers. What should be an enjoyable experience can turn into frustration. So I think we owe it to ourselves to invest in tools we find pleasure in using.
*stepping off the soap box.*
Ahem.
I didn’t just treat myself to knitting goodies either. At the Nine West outlet store, I found a pair of the most delightful shoes. With the sale they were having, I couldn’t resist taking these home. They make me feel like Cinderella.
I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Have a good one. :)
(As for the camera saga, since I can’t exchange it, I have threatened it into submission. We’ll see how long that lasts. Thanks to everyone with advice on how to subdue it.)
Aim on 17 Feb 2008 at 10:41 am #
Opal, those are cute shoes. I agree, the tools are really important. Must have the right tools! Those yarns look like they are going to be a real burden to knit, but we know that the shopping must go on, in spite of the awful things we suffer :D
Agnes on 17 Feb 2008 at 11:47 am #
5 kids? Wow! You are going to knit 5 gifts really fast! :D
Are the HiyaHiya needles any good? I have the KnitPicks dpns but they are pretty heavy! I still love to use bamboo needles, though I am very tempted to try the KnitPicks Harmony ones and the Darn Pretty Needles recommended by Claudia.
Dee on 17 Feb 2008 at 11:52 am #
I love that green too! I’m a green kinda-girl.
You’ll have to let me know how you like the rosewood needles. I bought some Brittany wood needles years ago, but can’t get into using them. They are too long!
Shelly on 17 Feb 2008 at 11:57 am #
Oh those are cute shoes - and you deserve to feel like a princess.
I think those yarns are great - and I promise to remind you to stick to the yarn diet!!
MD is coming up fast!!
Veronica on 17 Feb 2008 at 1:10 pm #
Ohhhh… pretty… AND they would show off your socks!!!! Love the shoes!
fleegle on 17 Feb 2008 at 1:11 pm #
What soft and lovely colors! Be careful of those shoes, though. If you click the heels three times, you end up in Ouagadougou (New Oz).
Carrie K on 17 Feb 2008 at 1:37 pm #
ITA with you on tools. Esp. rosewood needles.
Nice yarns! They’re going to make nice cabled hats. Nice shoes too.
hakucho on 17 Feb 2008 at 1:58 pm #
You are going to be a busy knitter…all the yarns look like they’ll make great handknits.
happy knitting :)
Sue J. on 17 Feb 2008 at 2:09 pm #
OMG, you are going to Maryland Sheep and Wool? Or, no, I can’t even say it. Rhinebeck!?!?!? It makes no never mind. I am green, green I tell you, with envy.
Hattie on 17 Feb 2008 at 3:39 pm #
Oooh cute shoes! I love those. I need new shoes ever so badly…
Jane on 17 Feb 2008 at 5:00 pm #
Good tools are an investment in your creativity! Never feel guilty about great tools! That said, I think your yarn selections look beautiful. I’m trying to be on a yarn diet, but like my real diet’s, they don’t always work :-) Oh well. Stitches West 2008 is next week. Guess I will have to sin big! Save up your pennies for Marylad Sheep and Wool so you can buy what I can’t. We will need pictures, many many pictures!
Knitnana on 17 Feb 2008 at 5:08 pm #
I’m still trying to figure out whether or not I can get to that festival this year - I’d so like to MEET You!
And um…hey - those shoes are to-die-for! Cinderella indeed!
:)
I love the heather green, myself!
Now…cameras. IF you figure yours out? Let me know, okay? I’m still working on mine, too.
(and I’m going to check out the software suggestions from your comments, too!)
((((Hugs))))
Jeanne on 17 Feb 2008 at 5:18 pm #
Very cute shoes! And how exciting that you are going to Maryland!
Lisa on 17 Feb 2008 at 5:29 pm #
Oooh! It looks like you had a great shopping day! You got all kinds of great goodies!
I am anxious to hear how you whipped that camera into shape.
Karen B. on 17 Feb 2008 at 10:07 pm #
Well done on the Saturday shopping spree! Pretty *and* practical.
Enjoy MS&W! I’ve never been but I’d love to check it out some day.
alice on 18 Feb 2008 at 3:27 am #
oooh Maryland–how exciting! Perhaps we could meet up to talk about lace over a funnel cake or something. :)
dorothy in wyoming on 18 Feb 2008 at 4:16 am #
You will love those rosewood needles I have a set of them for scarf knitting YUMMM.
I have not tried the HiyaHiya dpns but I really love the little short bamboo circs I have from them.
Have fun at Maryland wish I could go too.
limedragon :-: Harriet on 18 Feb 2008 at 4:41 am #
Whew, you’ve been busy! What an exciting trip you have planned! These shoes not only look cute but comfy. Nice find! : )
Robbyn on 18 Feb 2008 at 4:42 am #
MS&W - I admire your fortitude - that’s going to be a looong flight - or series of flights.
The yarns are gorgeous and the shoes are pretty as a picture. And silver, no less!
I defintely agree about tools. I haven’t used rosewood but I have a couple of ebony circulars that I love. I also have several pairs of the Brittany woods, both the newer birch and the older walnut. The walnut are much better but they’re too long for me to use comfortably. The birch are a better length but for almost everything, they’re too “grabby”. If want to go non-metal, I almost always look for bamboo these days though the Clover that are availble in my area are dreadfully blunt.
Whine, bitch, moan :) You’d think I had a problem but I really don’t. Knitpicks Options or Addi circulars serve 98% of my needs and, really, I love them both.
A few more pairs of short bamboos wouldn’t hurt though :)
textillian on 18 Feb 2008 at 4:45 am #
I am all about the tools! Seriously, for knitting, weaving, sewing, spinning. If I don’t have the right tool, my craft suffers, as does my inspiration and motivation to practice my craft.
Hope I get to see you when you come out my way!
hetty on 18 Feb 2008 at 5:17 am #
Sounds like a great shopping trip! I agree - the proper tools are most important! And the shoes are cute! I’ve never been, but I know you will love that Sheep and Wool Festival!
Jeanne on 18 Feb 2008 at 6:53 am #
You are going to the Sheep and Wool Festival?!? I’m so jealous!
Roseann on 18 Feb 2008 at 8:29 am #
Your pictures today came out very nicely, I hope this camera gets easier to work with. I would love to hear what you think of those Hiyahiya needles, I have never seen them before. You will love MSWF and I will be sure to link up with you during your visit.
Carol on 18 Feb 2008 at 9:17 am #
Ha! Buying that yarn on your way to buy clothes then stating you’re on a yarn diet…~snort~ Treat yourself on the way to the festival ;-)
dorkyquilts on 18 Feb 2008 at 9:33 am #
I sure hope you can coax some pictures out of your camera at that Sheep and Wool Festival! That sounds wonderful. Have a fantastic time.
peggy on 18 Feb 2008 at 10:11 am #
Wow, Maryland. that is quite a trek for you. Are you counting the days yet?
tiennie on 18 Feb 2008 at 7:19 pm #
Pretty yarn! Cute shoes! You’re going to have a great time!
nova on 19 Feb 2008 at 5:34 am #
Yes, it IS important fo us to have good tools. I will adopt this philosophy and own it. I spent an unspeakable amount of money on a pair of scissors the other day and have felt guily about ever since…but they are tools… yeah. You and the gift knitting, it’s impressive.
Carin on 19 Feb 2008 at 9:17 am #
My dad who is a retire mechanic said, “To do the job right, you need the proper tools.” He didn’t speak much but when he did it was sage advice. Though I’m sure with your talent you could create some beautiful with 2 pencils.
Noro is always an excellent choice.
*karen on 19 Feb 2008 at 6:22 pm #
What are the needles like? I’m curious about both…