And A Great Time Was Had By All. Especially Me.

 Me, Rachel, Joan

Oh, what a fun outing we had yesterday!  By we, I mean Rachel, her friend Lois, her daughter-in-law Heather, and Joan.  I did remember my camera -- a rare event these days -- and I even used it, but the resulting photos are so poor (because of my poor photography skills) that I fear Rachel and Joan would never forgive me if I posted them, so I borrowed photos from Joan's photo album.  Thanks, Joan!

Heather only became Rachel's daughter-in-law yesterday afternoon AFTER our brunch at the wonderful Chef's Corner, and shopping.  Well, at least that was the story they told. Honestly, I have never seen a more calm bride-to-be and mother-in-law-to-be, just mere hours before the big event, out brunching wit' a bunch o' strangers and shopping for yarn.  Then the cute bride said, "Oops, I forgot I have to go get my nails done. I'd better go."  Could you just die? 

I think it was all a very elaborate plan to pretend her son was getting married, and a very long commute for Rachel to come here from California, so she could hang out with me for the afternoon. Well, lucky for us it all worked out:  We had lots of laughs, shared stories, had wicked fun and became fast friends. 

On our outing, we saw the most A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E non-traditional baby sweater, a sample at Kaleidoscope -- a hoodie made from gray Eco-Wool, with pewterish (I'm not sure if they were real pewter or pewter-like) skull buttons.  Cute, cute, cute.  Stop knitting pink and blue for that next baby!  Knit gray!  With skull buttons!  Do it! Yours will be the most cherished gift at the baby shower -- seriously.  It was really fab, and I wish I'd gotten a photo. There was also a sample sweater from Knit Jo Sharp Issue 2 that I want to make.  If anyone has that issue and wants to sell it, please get in touch. 

As for the shopping, I think I'm the only one who bought much of anything.  I bet that is a big surprise.  I do believe I am incorrigible. BUT it's special.  Really.  Wait 'til you hear and see, and you'll agree, I am sure.  That's an easy call, since I know you are all as willing enablers as Joan was.  A girl doesn't stand a chance around here. 

You remember Plain Vanilla, right?  It was the first sweater I made for myself way back in the day, made of that most wonderful Rambouillet wool.  The sweater is no longer vanilla, but more like merlot, and it is still wearing like iron.  Sadly, because I damaged the front of it with all my attempts at removing a stain before I gave in and dyed the whole thing red, it doesn't look perfect anymore. (The dye didn't take as well in the place where I had tried in vain to remove the stain.  And the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain. Oops, sorry.) 

Also, I really prefer a more shapely sweater nowadays, so I only wear it at home.  But I still love that thing -- it's comfy like a sweatshirt, and even though it's been through hell and back, it is still soft and cozy and unpilled and unfelted even after all the abuse.  A true champ of a sweater, all owing to that amazing fiber, Rambouillet wool. 

May I introduce to you the makings of Plain Chocolate?

Earlier this week I saw these wonderful beach stone buttons on Anne's blog.  She took care of me, hooked me up with the Etsy seller, and I got some of my own.  Yesterday I brought those buttons along with me.  Lo and behold, while we visited Northeast Fiber Arts, Joan and I found the perfect yarn to go with them -- some heavy-worsted-weight Vermont Rambouillet wool in natural (undyed) dark brown.  I now try to reject any yarn that will not make a garment that wears like iron, and I also want these buttons to take center stage. We feel they will really "pop" on this color.

The yarn is luscious and soft and local and natural, and well...  I have in mind a cartridge-rib-stitch jacket sort of thing for this, or perhaps just a plain stockinette jacket with dressmaker shaping in the front and seedstitch or hemmed edgings, accented with those very special beach stone buttons.  Something like that. Something shapely and jackety and in a gauge of 4-4.5 st/in.  If you know of anything that fits that description, please send 'er my way. 

I think I'm going to have to come up with a different name than Plain Chocolate, though.  It doesn't have the quite same ring to it as Plain Vanilla.  Perhaps Hot Fudge?  Chocolat?  Ganache With Panache?

So I've added this yarn to my stash in Ravelry, and in my never-ending quest to tweak and stir my stash, perfecting it and honing it down to things I believe I will actually knit and use, I have put a couple more things up for sale in there.  Red Rowanspun Aran, anyone? [sold]  Also, watch for an upcoming spinning fiber and spindle sale, and possibly some sock yarn.  I'm cleaning up.  Getting rid of all my spinning fiber.  Keep your eyes pealed.  Or peeled.  Whatever suits you. 

Comments

[AnnaMarie]

Fiber?!??! You've been holding out on me *lolol*

Before you get rid of all the fiber think about if you'd like to do anything with it if it was yarn. I tend to spin DK or sport weight and I'd be happy to spin it up for you and return it as something you would use.

[Paula]

Well, for you Norma, it can only be Hot Chocolate.

[margene]

Hot Chocolate..perfect. But I rather like Ganache With Panache....it's so you.

[cindycindy]

Sounds like a blast and I love the new yarn and buttons. You are doing your bit to help the local economy. What a patriot!

[Nora]

That is going to be the sweater of my dreams. Garter yoke is rockin', too.

That Rachel is a famous lady - I keep hearing about her on podcasts, too! I'm glad you had a chance to get together - sounds like a great day.

[gayle]

Yes, Norma, Hot Fudge or Hot Chocolate. Just has to be.
And I *knew* you would find fabulous stone buttons. Told ya so!
I've got a Rambouillet fleece tucked away in my sewing room. I was going to spin my Shetland fleece next, but perhaps I'll let the Ramby cut the line...
Seed stitch borders will look gorgeous... (Continental, continental, continental) 8)

[Vicki]

The kids are making a Spiced Hot Chocolate at the coffee shop -- it's HOT and SPICY and CHOCOLATE!
Love those buttons -- and the color of that yarn. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

[sandy]

What about just chocolate? Nothing plain about that.
LOVE it, the buttons, the color. I have been thinking brown is the next black. You know, after yerba mate has it's chance.
:)
Glad you had a great time. One cannot have too many knitting friends. LX

[Jill]

Sorry I missed saying hi to you all. I was chained to my desk upstairs, neck deep in spreadsheets. But at one point I did hear the most infectious, nonstop laughter coming from the back of the shop... now I know who the culprits were!

[barbara]

the buttons are such a find........thank you for sharing, over to etsy i go. the pairing with the wool yarn is terrific.

[Carole]

Love those buttons. I'm thinking Pure Chocolate.

[Joansie]

OMG.....so much fun and I certainly enjoyed encouraging you to buy that yarn. I can't wait to see it in progress (and finished). Did your cheeks hurt today from so much laughter yesterday?

[Julie]

Spinning fiber? Do tell...

[Beth]

Check out the patterns in Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel. There are a couple in there at that gauge but you would have to modify them as they are both pullovers. The garments in that book have great fit.

[Kristen]

Oh damn. Chocolate...

[Mary K. in Rockport]

Wow, thanks for the pointer to the Etsy Beach Stone Buttons site. We're all about the beach here in Rockport where beach stones abound and are useful in many ways. Just one question - are the buttons wicked heavy?

[marianne]

Stone buttons. Must have. Gorgeous!
Hot Cinnamon Chocolate. hmmm? Rambouillet is fabulous fibre, it was one of my very first to spin, all cushy. There's a lady close by raises them.
You do manage to have The Most Wonderful Times :^)

[Cookie]

Stone buttons, fabulous knitters and yummy yarn. Oh my...

[kmkat]

Rock Chocolate. And only a true original (like you) would search for yarn to go with the buttons she already has :-)

[Sunnyknitter]

Mexican chocolate, I'm with Marianne. Chocolate, but with just a little spice to it! I love those buttons. I have enough natural llama yarn to make a cardigan and I'm thinking those might be just right with it. Just have to find the right pattern...

[Renee]

Chocolate??? Oh, and with those buttons too ~ wonderful!!

[(formerly) no-blog-rachel]

Damn! You totally guessed my guilty secret - the wedding WAS a ruse and just my excuse to come hang with you. But then those krazy kidz got all caught up in the deceit and intrigue and got married for real around 3:30 pm that day. I mean the place was all decorated and her hair and nails looked so pretty and all - why not?!

It was the BEST time! I'll blog about it later (I just got home a few hours ago) but finally meeting you in person was totally fun and worth the trip (and all the wedding stories we had to make up).

XO

[Tracy J.]

Guh. Project lust. Maybe it should be the Godiva sweater, because surely even a nudist would break down for a sweater like that.

[elizabeth a airhart]

or emma peale good night

[Andi]

Rocky Road maybe? LOVE those buttons!

[Flitter S.]

Oh my giddy aunt! Those buttons look like little cookies. Beautiful yarn. Chocolate brown, my favorite. Gonna be a smash winner, for sure, dude!