It's Tosh Time. That season when the hard-to-get (at least for many yarn shops- believe me, this stuff requires a long wait and some major voodoo) Madelinetosh arrives in huge amounts. Like all our orders finally make their way here after not seeing any for months. There's nothing quite like sorting through bathtub amounts of skeins, exclaiming "This is THE BEST new color!" Only to dig into the next refrigerator-sized box and shout "Oh My GAWD, this. THIS GREEN is the best green EVER."
I have Madelinetosh's newest colors for you, this time on SIX bases instead of our typical five. We usually stock:
Tosh Sock (two-ply all sw merino sock yarn) shown in Alizarin
Twist Light (the newest sock weight release, a sw merino and nylon three-ply sock yarn) in Geode
Merino Light (the super popular one-ply sw merino that's used in tons of popular patterns and takes dye and reflects light beautifully) shown in Clematis
Tosh DK (DK weight sw merino for winter accessories and garments) in Prairie Fire
Pashmina (decadently beautiful sport weight sw merino with cashmere and silk for garments and accessories) shown in Coal Seam
But NOW, and likely just this once, we have Home, which is Madelinetosh's Bulky weight merino. I just couldn't resist this since cold weather is fast approaching and I want to knit all the cowls and hats in the world. You know I don't carry bulky weight yarn, but I just love this stuff and I know you will too.
This color is Penumbra. Does anyone know what this word means? None of us here knew what this was, and finally Rachael looked it up. Google told us it is:
the partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object
the shadow cast by the earth or moon over and area experiencing a partial eclipse
the less dark outer part of a sunspot, surrounding the dark core
So know we know that the color-namers at Madelinetosh are infinitely more creative than we are. But I bet you can all be creative too. Tell me in the comments below what is your most creative, fake definition of the word 'penumbra' and I'll randomly choose one of you to win a skein of Penumbra in Twist Light. Leave one comment by Wednesday, October 7 at noon EST. Thanks for playing (and hopefully making us laugh)!
How about an umbrella with a handy pen attached!
Posted by: Ann | September 29, 2015 at 12:08 PM
In French, it's a word commonly used that refers to dusk.
The other side of my brain thinks it's a sound made by a big base drum.
Posted by: Nick | September 29, 2015 at 12:12 PM
The second-to-last clean bra in the drawer.
The alternate universe version of the Hunger Games Panem. Much happier place with squishy yarn, lots of knitting time and perfect fitting socks! And Peeta.
The meditative state knitters achieve when on a roll with an awesome pattern and perfectly matching yarn.
Posted by: Suzy | September 29, 2015 at 12:17 PM
Penumbra is the scientific term for writer's cramp, when you've gripped your pen too tightly for too long and your fingers start to ache and/or go numb.
Posted by: sprite | September 29, 2015 at 12:27 PM
1. The sound made by a pen of sheep as they prepare to be shorn to make yarn; 2. A meditative phrase used by sheep to ensure clean,soft fleece; 3. A response to the question "Where's your pen?".
Posted by: Christine Newman-Aumiller | September 29, 2015 at 01:04 PM
It's that wall clock in the high school gymn where the PE classes take place.
Posted by: Nancy | September 29, 2015 at 01:23 PM
penumbra--the feeling of taking umbrage at a pen running dry as you are using it.
(hehe, fun contest! thanks for the chance to win!)
Posted by: m | September 29, 2015 at 01:23 PM
Perfectly appropriate name after the moon this week. I too thought of something in my underwear drawer related to a bra!
Posted by: Anne Marie | September 29, 2015 at 01:32 PM
Penumbra, noun
The wisps of ink formed on the page when one has fibers stuck to one's pen point.
Posted by: Alison | September 29, 2015 at 02:51 PM
OK, no one else has gone for it so I will: the regret of a man to be caught in a slight shadow rather than total darkness when found naked in the wrong place with the wrong wife with nothing available for cover except an umbrella.
Posted by: Marjorie Millner | September 29, 2015 at 04:00 PM
Penumbra (noun):
An abbreviation for "pent-up umbrella". This is an umbrella that is full of suppressed emotion and angst. It is holding itself together through sheer willpower. The last straw for this sensitive umbrella will be the wind from the north. In the face of this blowhard, your gentle umbrella will retreat inside itself - quite literally - and you will be left out in the rain.
Posted by: Robin V | September 29, 2015 at 04:00 PM
Its that drum sound you hear at the end of a joke, especially the bad ones.
Posted by: Thea | September 29, 2015 at 04:42 PM
Penumbra is the shadow cast in my craft room from my ever growing mountain of stash yarn.
Posted by: Savannagal | September 29, 2015 at 05:12 PM
Penumbra is the shadows always seen in old black & white horror movies - like ones about werewolves.
Posted by: Donna | September 29, 2015 at 05:41 PM
Penumbra is when you have pen in hand to
make a list of all the Tosh colors you want to order, and your um bra pops its underwire. I hate when that happens...teehee
Posted by: yolanda v | September 29, 2015 at 05:54 PM
All of these are positively gorgeous. Any chance you could make some suggestions what would be great projects for some of these yarns? Thank you so much!!
Posted by: Barb | September 29, 2015 at 06:57 PM
Penumbra: The scientific name of "dark math" when your math only vaguely imitates reality instead of actually representing it. (As in the stitch count you cast on two nights ago, counted three times, and proceeded to knit 3-4 inches on at random, snatched intervals during the following days, is nowhere near what is actually required to get that sock over your ankle despite years of sock knitting experience. Penumbra.
Posted by: Connie | September 29, 2015 at 07:29 PM
penumbra- when you've miss placed your magic wand and are attempting to use a pen instead. Thus you need to alter the standard Abra cadadbra to penumbra!
Posted by: Jessica | September 29, 2015 at 09:15 PM
penumbra
a type of light seen in the southern skies when it is snowing and miserable in the north. Southerners laugh and know that they are still enjoying semi decent weather while the north is snarled in snow.
Posted by: Virginia Hendricks | September 29, 2015 at 09:33 PM
Penumbra [noun] - Taking offense at receiving a dick pic from a random stranger online.
Bahahaha!!!! (source: Penis + Umbrage) :-D
Posted by: Lauren | September 29, 2015 at 10:07 PM
Almost a conundrum, but not quite.
Posted by: Carol | September 29, 2015 at 11:38 PM
Penumbra (noun): It's what you call a made up word that doesn't mean anything:)
This definition came from my 17 year old son who is sitting next to me on the couch celebrating that school has been cancelled tomorrow because of snow by playing video games-something he hasn't done in a year.
Posted by: Wendy | September 30, 2015 at 12:30 AM
Dontcha know? That's the numbra right before the end so like infinity minus one.
Posted by: Ramona | September 30, 2015 at 12:32 AM
peNUMBra: (adjective) the feeling one experiences in the chest and shoulders when wearing an appropriately sized bra for the first time. Usually accompanied by the inability to pull in a deep breath. Not to be confused with its counterpart anTUMbra, which describes the sensation of little support from a poor fitting bra resulting in unexpected weight on the tummy.
(Discovered when I got a proper fitting bra for the first time. I won't share the cup size, but it turns out I was actually 36 inches around and not the 48D that a sales associate for a popular bra brand was trying to sell me).
Posted by: Lia | September 30, 2015 at 02:22 AM
Penumbra: the scientific term for the habit of people saying 'um' too much while public speaking or talking while nervous.
Posted by: Martha | September 30, 2015 at 03:06 AM
A more sophisticated type of math from another country. And it 'must' be pronounced in the thickest of accents.
Posted by: Julie V. | September 30, 2015 at 05:10 AM
Penumbra is ink left by a ghostly writer
Posted by: Elaine | September 30, 2015 at 07:23 AM
Penumbra- the thing you say when looking for your glasses and realize they are on top of your head!
Posted by: Beth P | September 30, 2015 at 07:46 AM
Penumbra - the shadow bleeding from your pen.
Posted by: Jan | September 30, 2015 at 08:29 AM
Have you read Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore? You should read it. Okay, I'm recommending it mostly because it has the word "penumbra" in it. But it's good!
Posted by: Laura Beutler | September 30, 2015 at 08:30 AM
Next-to-last Umbrella... PENultimte UMBRellA. If it looks like rain, better grab it!
Posted by: Teri P | September 30, 2015 at 08:40 AM
The conundrum of needing to write something when you have an umbrella in your dominant hand.
Posted by: Michelle Turner | September 30, 2015 at 08:49 AM
the effects after a solar flare
Posted by: Dianne Gardinier | September 30, 2015 at 09:18 AM
Burnt umber colored ink for your pen
Posted by: Mary Chrisman | September 30, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Does NASA know about these?
Posted by: mary | September 30, 2015 at 12:59 PM
Whenever I see the word "Penumbra" (which is admittedly not all that often), I think of a book I read a couple of years ago called _Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore_. I thought, until reading this blog post, that it was just a made-up last name! So in honor of Mr. Penumbra and his book shop, my definition is "a seemingly small used bookshop that is infinitely more than it seems."
Posted by: Rachel R. | September 30, 2015 at 01:18 PM
Penumbra - the name of the fancy drink umbrella that also doubles as a pen. These are handy for jotting down sweater pattern names on your cocktail napkin.
Posted by: Leslie | September 30, 2015 at 01:51 PM
That faint ink stain you get on the pad of your index finger and/or the side of your middle finger when you write with a Sharpie that has leaked into its cap, the one that remains despite multiple hand-washings.
Posted by: Beth L | September 30, 2015 at 02:32 PM
A hat.
Posted by: Rose Birchall | September 30, 2015 at 03:17 PM
Penumbra: a made up number, as in, "I wish I could have a nedrillion skeins of the new Madelinetosh!"
Posted by: Melanie | September 30, 2015 at 03:28 PM
Penumbra: describes the top of an arc.
Usage: Rudi cried out "Penumbra in Twist LIGHT!" at the Penumbra of his leap for joy!
Posted by: Rudi O | September 30, 2015 at 03:55 PM
Penumbra: what one must do after casting on 284 stitches and having to recount several times because they forget which " numbra" they have just catst on...causing one to have to grab a "pen" to make marks on paper to help the count accuracy. As in, " Dang it, now I'll have to start all over and penumbra the stitches."
Posted by: Rene | September 30, 2015 at 04:07 PM
The color of that numb feeling when your foot goes to sleep.
Posted by: Jennifer L | September 30, 2015 at 04:12 PM
First thing that came to mind was, Pumbaa, the warthog in "The Lion King".
Posted by: Maria R | September 30, 2015 at 04:46 PM
When your face gets an inky color to it because your so angry
I.e.: you got my penumbra up!
Posted by: Lisa N | September 30, 2015 at 04:49 PM
Penumbra: That's exactly what my grumpy husband said when I couldn't open my umbrella fast enough to suit him. By the way, he's more than a foot taller than I and by definition, should be more of a gentleman than I have need to be. I guess I'm just too old fashoined...
Posted by: Ann Matson | September 30, 2015 at 04:58 PM
Penumbra is a word to discribe a pen that doesn't run out of ink.
Posted by: Nicole B. | September 30, 2015 at 05:01 PM
There is also an umbra! The darkest part of the shadow during and eclipse. East coast just had a great total lunar eclipse with the moon passing through the penumbra and then umbra of earth's shadow. Sorry, I'm a middle school science teacher, so I'm one of those geeks that thinks the color is a perfect match to the name.
Posted by: Sarah | September 30, 2015 at 05:06 PM
Penumbra is simply a whole lit of numbers. :)
Posted by: Kathy | September 30, 2015 at 06:14 PM
A conundrum in which one struggles with the desire to go braless while the desired clothing requires a brazier to be socially acceptable.
Posted by: Lori | September 30, 2015 at 06:23 PM
Ugh not brazier! brassiere
Posted by: Lori | September 30, 2015 at 06:28 PM
When you write so long with a pen, that your hand goes numb and you have to shake it to wake it back up
Posted by: Vasiliki | September 30, 2015 at 06:45 PM
Penumbra: noun, the penultimate umbrella, referring to the next to last umbrella available.
Posted by: Liz Awsumb | September 30, 2015 at 06:56 PM
A pen that writes in the shade.
Posted by: Martha O | September 30, 2015 at 07:48 PM
Penumbra: noun, the spreading circular stain coming from a leaky pen. Usage: "There is a penumbra on the bottom right pocket corner on every one of my husband's shirts." Alternate usage: "The kids entertained themselves by making penumbra pictures with Sharpies on damp paper towels." (Note: Penumbraing as a children's activity is recommended only for children who no longer color their own bodies with Sharpies)
Posted by: Jane | September 30, 2015 at 07:55 PM
Penumbra is really the correct name for that cute little umbrella next to the swizzle stick in your relaxing adult beverage.
Posted by: Kathy | September 30, 2015 at 09:18 PM
A spell that when said aloud shines moon light on the person who cast it.
Posted by: Laura | September 30, 2015 at 09:20 PM
penumbra - the inability to decide between five different colorways of sock yarn, and the resulting decision to buy them ALL; "My stash is huge because I keep experiencing penumbra each time I go yarn shopping."
Posted by: Lonormi Manuel | September 30, 2015 at 09:34 PM
Penumbra: a unique, unusual method of designing knitting stitch patterns
Penumbra: a popular on-line knitting gaming community
Posted by: June | September 30, 2015 at 09:35 PM
Penumbra: An app of knitting terms. "I'll look that up in Penumbra......yes there an app for that!!!"
Posted by: June | September 30, 2015 at 09:52 PM
Penumbra is a medical term used to describe someone that has to make multiple trips to the bathroom in a short period of time.
Posted by: Renee' Sawyer | October 01, 2015 at 02:47 AM
Penumbra is Dumbo the Elephant's second to youngest sister.
Posted by: Amy S. | October 01, 2015 at 03:06 AM
You have a pen and it is under an umbrella!
Thanks!
Posted by: Joan | October 01, 2015 at 06:23 AM
Reminds me of the old TV series 'Dark Shadows"
Posted by: cheryl | October 01, 2015 at 06:25 AM
The situation you're in when your pen has run out of ink.
Posted by: Lisa | October 01, 2015 at 08:38 AM
It's a pen that can only be used to write numbers.
Posted by: Doris | October 01, 2015 at 11:42 AM
The collective noun for a large number ink-based writing implements: penumbra of pens.
Posted by: Nancy | October 01, 2015 at 04:15 PM
Penumbra is the conundrum of trying to choose just one Madelinetosh color!
Posted by: Lisa | October 01, 2015 at 05:14 PM
Penumbra: The masochistic joy that calculus students feel after solving a math problem they have been working on for 3 weeks
Posted by: Linsey | October 01, 2015 at 05:25 PM
Penumbra - (noun): a sinking feeling of hurt pride when a child asks for math homework help that you previously excelled at, but now cannot recall any useful knowledge on.
Posted by: Lorraine Chan | October 01, 2015 at 07:39 PM
Penumbra - the feeling one gets when one has to look at beautiful yarn and cannot have it all!
Posted by: Sandra Sprouse | October 01, 2015 at 11:30 PM
Penumbra is the ever so slight shadow cast by the stitch that fell off the needle as it nestles into the other stitches a few rows down.
Posted by: Barbara | October 02, 2015 at 02:17 AM
What you say to your husband when he asks you how much yarn you have...
Posted by: Natalie | October 02, 2015 at 08:36 AM
A writing instrument that can morph into an umbrella during a sudden rain shower.
Posted by: Jenny K | October 02, 2015 at 01:19 PM
Penumbra - the light, outer part of my face that encircles the bright red splotches which appear upon realizing I have to frog back umpteen rows.
Posted by: Lisa B | October 02, 2015 at 11:44 PM
Penumbra: the background noise that most household appliances make.
Posted by: ikkinlala | October 03, 2015 at 01:26 PM
Oh my! First thought for fake definition is supercalifragilisticepialadocious of yarns!
Posted by: Lynn | October 04, 2015 at 07:17 PM
Penumbra: The number of the third inner circle on the third outer circle of any pentagon when computed using the Fibonacci Sequence.
Posted by: Sandy4Cats | October 05, 2015 at 02:26 AM
Penumbra means "dark aura", an almost black colorway, perfect for Halloween!
Posted by: Karen | October 05, 2015 at 02:10 PM
Penumbra: the deep hush that falls across the forest when it is just getting dark on a fall night.
Posted by: Susan Ipavec | October 05, 2015 at 06:01 PM
The Penumbra is a shy rainforest creature known for it's luxuriant fur. Locals call to these creatures on autumn evenings and bring them indoors to brush and collect the fiber.
Posted by: Sue | October 06, 2015 at 12:31 PM
Penumbra is when your hand is numb from holding the pen grading for 4 hours straight and your brain and hands need a knitting break!
Posted by: Cindy | October 07, 2015 at 10:14 AM