OhSewCrafty Blog

I started Salina amidst struggling with Vent d’est Vent d’ouest as I wanted a stockinette project to work on during Rhinebeck weekend.  Also, I was keen on the warm brown color for fall.  Unfortunately, the yarn is very annoying.  Fibranatura Oak is a wool/silk/linen blend.  It’s nice and lightweight, with a tweedy aspect and soft, drapey as well.  I’m not sure if I got an off batch, but the yarn has copious partially unspun “hairs” poking out.  They look like guard hairs, but are not at all itchy (short linen fibers, I suppose).  I could leave them as is, but I feel that it makes the fabric look sloppy with white bits sticking out, so I’m pulling them out as I go.  This is quite a cumbersome process, and I would not buy the yarn again. 

Chambourcin was cast on as I figured it was time for another KAL project and besides, I bought yarn for it Rhinebeck weekend (at Webs).  Valley Charlemont is a nice yarn, wonderful hand and feel, but unfortunately it doesn’t always play nicely.  Winding at least one of the skeins was a nightmare, even with a swift, and my first skein (which wound easily, btw), doesn’t behave well in the center pull “cake”.  I’ve spent quite a bit of time untangling the “yarn barf” and even had to cut it a few times.

Obviously I am having yarn issues!  At least two upcoming projects (gifts) involve yarns I’ve used before, so no surprises there, hopefully.  Speaking of holiday knitting, I really want to knit a Christmas sweater for myself.  My gift projects are of small scale, so this should be possible.  The stipulations: it must be something “fancy/festive” and it must be knit in red, green, or white yarn (what I consider to be “Christmas colors”).  Here are my options: yarn photos are mine, pattern photo copyright belongs to respective designers and/or publications.  Clockwise from top left: Red Red Wine by Vladimir Teriokhin & Elann LE Finesse, #20 Cable/Rib Cardigan by Gayle Bunn & Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed, Batik Pullover by Hitomi Shida & Fleece Artist Nyoni, Coraline by Ysolda and Elann Woodland Cashmere, Puff Sleeve Top by Vladimira Cmorej & Knitpicks Gloss DK, lastly Kendal by Marie Wallin & KP Gloss DK.