When one obsession interrupts another

It can be a hairy situation when you find a yarn or a color that you are obsessed with.  You fall in love as soon as you see it.  You find the perfect pattern to compliment its attributes.  You stay up late at night, often much later than your husband and to the detriment to your next work day, just because you can't stop seeing the perfection progress.

For me, stripes are an addictive obsession.  Sometimes with self-patterning yarns, recently with String Theory Colorwork's Continuum striping yarn (yes, I realize that the link sometimes brings you to an empty page, but I'll have a new shipment soon with NEW COLORS) and the Halloween Stripe that I desgined this pattern for and now the color dyed for the (now sold out) Fa La La Knit Kit.

 

But on that rare occasion when a new obsession interrupts your previous obsession.... oh, what a serendipitous occurance.  See, I had just cast off my my first striped sock when I got up from my knitting chair and walked to the kitchen to make a mug of tea.  I hadn't yet gone through the mail for the day and I saw a small, padded envelope with a Canadian postmark peaking out from the stack.  I didn't remember ordering anything from Canada, so I pulled it from the pile and tore it open.  Inside was this skein.  You really should click on it to get the full effect.

 

Now, I don't know about you, but this is my perfect skein.  Green is my color, and the tones in this skein are dynamic yet fluid.  I took a picture for you to see and then I wound it into a cake.  And then the pattern search began.

This yarn is a merino/cashmere/nylon blend.  But it's not the typical 10% cashmere.  Double that.  So while it would make a good sock yarn, the texture would be perfect for wearing against your face and neck.  It's wonderfully soft, and not at all fuzzy, so it's not itchy and when I'm wearing lip balm it won't stick to my lips like a yarn with a fuzzy halo would.  Yes, all this goes into my thought process when I'm choosing yarn for the perfect scarf.  And since the last scarf I've knit for myself was over 6 years ago, well, it was time.

I poured over Ravelry looking for the right pattern for this yarn, and finally chose a Drop Stitch Scarf (it's free on Ravelry).  It's such a simple pattern, perfect for watching TV and relaxing at night.  But the effect, well if I can toot my own horn, it's awesome.  I can toot my own horn once in awhile, right?

 

I adore this yarn.  I adore this scarf.  I will be knitting many more as soon as my first shipment of this yarn arrives later this month.  And when it does?  I'll be useless to the rest of the world.

More info to come.  But for now, it's fun to keep you guessing.  Now I can get back to finishing that second striped sock.

Comments

[natalie]

Great.. now I have to go look up this pattern and find the perfect yarn.. .I have Christmas knitting to finish. Can you tell I love the scarf? You picked the perfect pattern for the perfect yarn!! Can't wait to see this new yarn..

[Stacey]

I'm COMPLETELY inspired!

[Bobbi]

Again with the tease!! Now I'll be having to check your site continuously to see when you post what it is and when we can order!
My guess is something from Fleece Artist?

[Vickie]

Wow! That is one beautiful scarf! It does look like it could be a Fleece Artist or Hand Maiden color.

[Allise]

You can toot your horn! The yarn and pattern are awesome!

[brandi]

Beautiful scarf I made a similar one I found on ravelry as well it was called the waterfall scarf. I do love the yarn as I am a green person too. Don't you love it when you get distracted from a distraction?

[Brenda]

Gorgeous - my guess is the fabulous Tanis Fibre Arts...yumm

[Renee']

Bea-u-ti-ful!!! The pattern really shows off the yarn. Can't you give us a hint??? Thanks for the pattern link - and thanks to Christine Vogel for the pattern.

[LesaM]

Love the scarf, too. I put the pattern in my "next Christmas" file. Question re:the striped socks. The pattern you're using doesn't seem to be either of the ones that were included with the yarn kit. Is it a basic sock? And - when casting on at the cuff - do you just use a basic long-tail cast-on or something else (the Norwegian cast-on, for example, which feels like knitting Olympics to me)?

[Lia]

It looks lovely. If I had to guess, I would say it is Zen Yarn Garden, Serenity 20. (It's my current obsession!)

[Tracey]

my guess: tanis fibre arts. yes?

[Janet]

I love the little teases you sometimes put out there. There's nothing better than discovering uncharted sock yarn knitting territory. A few are guessing Tanis Fiber Arts. Since I have never seen this yarn, I am quite excited.

[Allison]

I have to admit that I like knitting almost every sample that arrives at the store, but this one is such a WOW that I ordered immediately. Now I'm just impatiently waiting for more!
Lesa, the pattern I used for the striped socks is just a basic stockinette sock. I basically use this pattern: http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/Categories?category=PATTERNS%3AKnitting+Pure+%26+Simple+Patterns
But then depending on the sock yarn's particular thickness I cast on fewer or more stitches for my feet. For most people, the stripe would show as wider than mine because I cast on more stitches than average because I have bigger than average ankles and feet.

[Donna]

I agree with Lia. Looks like the Zen Garden Serenity 20 to me too. Gorgeous! I've had my eye on that scarf pattern but haven't found a yarn that says it wants to be that scarf. Maybe the new club yarn?

[sharon]

Just saw this today. You're scarf is beautiful. I printed off this pattern a few years ago, but was never motivated enough to knit it until I saw yours knitted up! I'll order some yarn as soon as possible!!!

[Bev Roberts]

Great minds knit alike. I've knit this very same pattern with some lovely variegated sock yarn from a now defunct brand, 100% merino (pink) and red; love, love, love this pattern.

[Kathy Sue]

Wow, I can't wait for you to have this stuff! It looks like moonlight on the water. Guess I had better start searching the budget for money to buy more yarn!

[Shirley A Ryan]

Yes...it's perfect!