Street Rods and Yarn Shops - How Do They Mix?

First off, let me thank the National Street Rod Association. They were responsible for bringing Carole to my neck of the woods. Her husband Dale, seen here modeling The Emperor's New Wristers,  had a band gig to entertain the street rodders. Here are the wristers he would have been modeling if I had remembered to bring them: Completed Friday night, for my husband, in Cascade 220 (doubled throughout) and Mountain Colors 4/8s wool, held together with a strand of Cascade 220.

Some things I learned about Carole:

1. She is not a stalker.

2. She is a baaaaaaaaaad influence in a yarn shop. If she comes to your neighborhood, it might be best to lock your wallet up at home and just go along for the ride.

3. She (and Dale) are a BUNCH of fun and very generous souls.

4. If your navigating skills are really quite a bit of shite, she will not embarrass you TOO much. She won't even remind you about a thousand times, as well as tell the entire internet, that one should never say the words to Norma:  "You know the area. We'll follow you." But Dale said it right when he said, "You have a WEIRD state." He was referring to the road markings at that particular moment, but he might have been generalizing more than that. I can't argue that point. Not a bit.

But let's get down to brass tacks. I feel outrageously self-indulgent and a little worried that I have two sheep and wool festivals breathing down my neck, because of all this:

1.  2.    3.   4.

5.   6.

Carole is not directly responsible for ALL of this. Only a large part of it. Because clearly I couldn't be responsible. Could I?

Some explanations?

1. I had 17 skeins of Mission Falls 1824 in the color Raisin in my stash. I heard that Mission Falls is going out of business, so clearly when I saw that new color called Rhubarb at Kaleidoscope and how beautifully it coordinated with Raisin in a refreshing new way, I had to buy 8 skeins to do the sleeves in a Ribby Cardi with the Raisin. Right? And even though I have this and this and this already on the needles, I had to cast on right away. Hm? (I couldn't get my old copy of the Ribby Cardi pattern to open, and although I am pretty sure I printed it out the last time, I could not find it, so I had to order and download a new one.)

But don't worry: I haven't forsaken my beautiful Koigu sweater. The sleeve went along with us yesterday and saw all the sights and was pulled out to be admired by all at Kaleidoscope, where I bought the yarn.

2. This is not really as bad as it looks. Really. And Carole told me it was "me" and I had to get it. And I already had the yarn. It's not the yarn called for, but I swatched last night and came in with a statistically insignificant difference. AND.I.LOVE.IT and I love the way the yarn looks, and I'm going to love the jacket, if I don't commit suicide first, doing an entire jacket in moss stitch. But actually, I was enjoying it and whizzing right along last night. I actually had a hard time putting down the swatch and casting on for Ribby. It was a tough decision. I bought the yarn at a deep discount in a closeout sale last spring at Herrschners, so at least I feel good about that. Lauren is the one responsible for that one. She made me do it. What?!

3. Until this week, I was a Knit Picks virgin. I feel like I've graduated or something: I ordered "Panache" for the cover scarf on Knitting On The Edge. Well, I also ordered the Sienna in picture #5, not knowing which one I would choose, if either, for the scarf. I chose Panache. If that yarn stays nice, it is an amazing bargain. The yarn called for in the scarf, as Sharlene has pointed out before, is $250!!!! With the Panache, I think I'll make the scarf for $35 or less. I'm likin' Knit Picks.

4. We saw the knitted sample of this scarf at both Kaleidoscope and NEFA. It.was.GORGEOUS. I already have the alpaca (not Frog Tree) that I bought at Maryland last spring, in a wonderful green color. So this pattern was a must.

5. The one time Carole was trying to avert financial disaster for me was when I said I was going to buy Knitting Vintage Socks. She said, "You don't knit socks. You don't knit socks. You don't knit socks." But when I showed her that Margene's name was in the acknowledgments, she had to agree with me that we both needed to buy it. Carole put together a Kaleidoscope Project Bag, and we chose the colors together. Lovely golds and reds that included this particular colorway (Firestorm) of Mountain Colors. But we noticed how much the skeins, even within the same dyelot, differed, and we both really preferred this one, which (surprise) had more gold in it. We made Jill run upstairs to get more so we could choose one for Carole and, well, I could say that I felt guilty that we had done that once we realized Carole only needed one, but you know this was not about Jill and more about Norma, don't you? Yeah, I thought so. And I picked up the Rowan 36 that they had on reserve for me there at Kaleidoscope. And a baby sweater pattern at NEFA. Why? Carole kept asking me. What baby?

Just like the "weird state" question, I have no good answer for this one.

6. And last but definitely not least, after all that, Sandy, I saw lots of Lorna's Laces, oh, yes, I did, and guess what? I didn't buy Gold Hill. I bought Tuscany. And take a look at how well it complements the colors of the Ribby Cardi. Pssst, everybody: Take a closer look at the bottom of that photo. I slipped in a little eye candy for you. Mongolian Cashmere. Ahhhhhhhhh. Plenty of it and plenty of Lorna's Laces, as you can see, at kyarns.com.

Now, I'm gettin' knittin'. I've got a lot of catching up to do!

Comments

[Cassie]

I'd say it looks a wee bit like there was some kind of yarnorgy going on up north. But of course, it wasn't your fault, was it?

[Carole]

It was great! Nice job summing it all up, Norma. I apologize for telling the internet that you can't find your way around your own state. Especially now that you've told the internet that I'm not a stalker. Thanks for that. And, in Norma's defense, the roads are poorly marked and badly designed. It really wasn't her fault AND we had a great laugh over the whole thing.
As for the yarnorgy, I'd say we're equally responsible. Can anyone say codependent?

[Dale]

Hi Norma! Just wanted to say I also had a wonderful time yesterday. Thanks for distracting Carole so I could go to the sporting goods store and the library (I got A LOT of reading done while you guys where in Kaleidoscope). Seriously, I had a great time. Hope to see you again some day.

[Cathy]

This is your first Knitpicks shopping experience? Ye gads! I've only been knitting a year and I've already bought from them about 3 times! Love their laceweight, and you really can't beat the prices! You must order again and fondle the alpaca cloud! Softest stuff I've fondled in a long while....but haven't started knitting with it yet....I'm using the shimmer first!

[Kathy]

Fantastic day! I LOVE that LL in Tuscany -- gorgeous. And the words "discontinued" or "sale" get me into high gear -- evidence is my stash of Cotton-Ease (which I love for kids/baby presents)which was joined by some Classic Wool yesterday. Knit Picks is great; I just received my first order and am impressed with the quality and the price.

[Lauren]

Baby sweater patterns can always come in handy for freaking out Ab & Ryan. I don't know how you've resisted casting on with that Panache yet. Maybe it's the 4 sweaters you're working on.

[Lee Ann]

Knit fast, lady! It's almost Vermont time! Saturday is a day closer than it was a day ago! The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

(oh wait a minute. that's just my credit limit. nevermind.)

[Jenn]

Oooohhh, nothing like a little vicarious stash enhancement! I'm glad to see that you popped that Knitpicks cherry! It's lovely stuff - I've been really pleased with everything I've ordered from them.
Thanks so much for your sweet comment yesterday! I shall go forth and conquer, er, comment!
Now stop reading and get knitting!

[Teresa C]

My head is spinning. When is the next shopping trip?

[Karen]

You are a shopping Goddess. But I must ask, how did you manage to buy so little Lorna's Laces? The skeins look ready to jump off the wall into your hands!

[JoVE]

I guess with the garden winding down for the winter, you have lots more time for knitting. The ribby cardi will look great in those colours. I don't suppose your LYS had the Mission Falls discounted either. We should collectively show some restraint so they do :-)

[elisa]

Oh Lordy. And I thought my heart would burst when I stood in the LL and KPPPM section at The Elegant Ewe in Concord, NH on Wednesday. Oh my. Oh goodness. I'm all aflutter.

[julia fc]

I'm so glad you hooked up with Carole. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't. I mean, she wrote that post of hers when she was happy. ::wink::

[Judy]

AHemm... Norma, nice choices and all, but isn't THIS coming Saturday the tent sale at Kaleidoscope??

[Ruth]

I've knit that Cape Cod Shell scarf, and it's a wonderful pattern. Easy to memorize and the end result is spectacular. I made my first one for a gift; the next one will be mine, all mine (she cackled).

That Lorna's Laces photo has me a bit dizzy and in need of a lie-down. How on earth did you manage to walk away with only two skeins?!?

[Sharlene]

Make sure you check out the errata for the "Edge" scarf. Impossible to knit it without them! Funny, you think the cover pattern would've gotten the most scrutiny, but if I remember correctly, not only the pattern had an error, but the cable instructions as well. At least on the verison of the book I have--don't know if there has been subsequent printings with corrections, so just double check!

[sandy]

JAYSUS. I forgot what I was going to say.
sigh

[Lisa in Oregon]

OMG...all that LL in one spot made me drool....I LOVE the Tuscany!! Awesome choice...and as usual...I like everything else you picked...I'm such a Norma-wanna-be. :)

[margene]

I knew you two would be trouble together. I'm glad I did some good by enabling you into buying a great book! You'll like the socks and you just might become a sock knitter. Hell, ya bought sock yarn and a sock book...that's a start.
You must be in your 'red phase'.

[Betsy]

Yes, well...the 1824??? I bought out two different shops whole remaining stock of the cotton...so well if anybody has a problem with you buying some of the wool...well...bite us...
About KnitPicks...you think Carole was bad for your wallet...you ain't seen nothin' yet honey...these peepil are baaaaaad...wicked bad...I'm making a pair of mittens now in the Andean Treasure that practically melt on your hands...and so cheap...I mean you could have a pair to coordinate with every piece of outerwear you own (if you only had the TIME to knit it all)...what they do is make time the most valuable commidity...

[gaile]

I"m going to be watching this ribby closely. before i made mine, i thought the shoulders on a few people's looked wonky, but figured it was their knitting or they had more shoulders than I. Now I wonder if it's not the pattern - it doesn't have enough room for shoulders if you ask me. I find myself pulling on it to make the raglan seams come down to the pit-to-collarbone level that i think they should be resting at. My mother told me it's not ladylike to be pulling at my clothes, so mine sits waiting for a zipper that may never happen.

[mamacate]

Well, I may have said that Carole was not a stalker, but I said NOTHING about her not being an enabler. It sounds like you were highly enablable. :) Look out VT Sheep & Wool is all I'm saying...

[Libby]

I bought Tuscany too! Whoa. Well, it was like 4 weeks ago, and after knitting almost all of the sock all the way to where I shoudl be doing the toe decreases, I finally decide to try it on, and I can't get the damn thing over my fat heel...jeez. ANYWAY...I can't see most of your pictures again (stupid I.E.) because they keep coming up with that "*#%#@(^&@$)^!(&%!#()#*^$%)(*^&JJJGFSHGSKLGH)_*#%#(&!!!" thing that I don't get.

Just thought you'd like to know...I'd better get back to work.

[Angel]

Oh Norma, I am green with envy. I wish I had a real job and real money to spend on lots of yarn... BTW on the knitpicks, they rock. I buy most of my yarn there (starving grad student budget) and the merino sock yarn is lucious, yummy, buttery, goodness. Also the wool of the andes felts great and I think its rather soft for sturdy wool yarn.

And its okay to have a million projects going at once. I always do. :)

[Elaine]

I have just started (well, frogged and restarted 3 times) my second pair of LL-Tuscany socks. I just love watching those beautiful colors run over my index finger as I'm knitting. I'll love it even more when I find a pattern I like more than the first 2 inches of.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Norma, long time reader coming out of the lurky shadows to add my two cents about Knit Picks. Like everyone else has said, the quality and price can't be beat. One of their warehouses is near me and they have a store attached. It's fun to go fondle all the new stuff. They used to have $5 grab bags of yarn, big grocery sized bags literally filled with stuff. But I haven't seen any in a while, sigh. Anyway, do order more from them when you get the chance, you won't be disappointed. Great blog!

[Wanda]

Man, that's a lotta yarn Norma, but wow is it beautiful too. I love all the stuff you got. I want to get more Missions Falls 1824 wool before they shut their doors too. They have a new color in a pinky colorway that just screams for me to buy it!

I adore that jacket. Is it a new pattern book from Classic Elite or one that is older? Doing a jacket all in moss stitch could drive you crazy, but it will be so beautiful, especially with that lovely green tweed. Can't wait to see your finished objects. They're all so lovely.

[Risë]

OK Norma, now you know you will not have time to knit up that Tuscany, what with digging holes in concrete and all. So, just send it on down here to Tennessee. I'll give it a good home, stroke it's colorful little fibers while it glides through my fingers, and proudly wear it as socks this winter. Come on now, you know you want to send it, don'tcha.

And the green jacket? I'm off to order the pattern now. Thanks for posting that one.

[Julie]

Ohhhh... now I really want that yellow-blue-and-white Lorna's Laces yarn. I will just ignore the fact that 1) I've placed myself on a yarn diet; 2) I've yet to actually MAKE a pair of socks yet; and 3) I already have enough sock yarn for several pairs of socks, despite said lack of sock production.

Still... it's gorgeous, isn't it? Good luck with all the projects you're working on! Chamomile was very impressive and I know these will be too.

[JessaLu]

sooo...does this mean there'll be more wool for the rest of us at Rhinebeck? ;o)

Nice haul - that Carole has always struck me as an enabler ;o) She's trouble, that one.

[carolyn]

i love the colors for the ribbie.