Cashmere Give-Away in honor of Knitcircus Podcast

You can’t imagine how pleased I was to learn that Jaala Spiro and Amy Detjen reviewed Handwerks Luxury Sock on their recent Knitcircus Podcast (episode 5).  I had actually forgotten that I had sent Jaala a skein of the Luxury Sock several months ago. At this time of year, so many parcels of yarn are coming and going I lose track of what was sent when and where. I really do keep records – both online and in my vertical, chronological filing pile in a Rubbermaid box in the corner by my desk! My records are really complete, waiting for tax time but once I’ve sent something out I move on to the next shipment waiting for me.

Luxury Sock was a limited edition 100% cashmere, fingering weight yarn. I bought all that I could but unfortunately like many yarns recently, it is no longer available. As you may or may not know I have a serious cashmere addiction. I’ve loved cashmere for what seems like my entire life. I’ve taken classes about it, read every article I could about it, learned to spin it, carded it, tried dehairing it, dyed it , woven with it, knit with it, stashed it, worn it, sold it and now I’m giving it away!

Two – 50 gram skeins of a nice soft grey are waiting for a new home.

 

 

To enter the Give-Away, please leave a comment telling me why you like cashmere by midnight (PST) Wed, Dec 21 . Please make sure to let me know your Ravelry/Twitter and/or email so I can let you know if you win! The winner will be drawn at random and posted Thursday, December 22.

If you don’t win and still want some of this lovely yarn, contact one of these Handwerks retailers: Uncommon Threads, The Golden Fleece or Piedmont Yarn & Apparel , they might have a bit left!

Stashbusting time

I’m cleaning up … always seems to be an ongoing project around here. It’s the end of the year and I have to do a physical inventory of my business yarns as well as an accounting of what I bought from myself for personal use. It’s a BIG project!

I’m pretty good about keeping the business yarn separate from the personal stuff but …. sometimes the two piles get pretty close together and there is some skein jumping that goes on. Gotta get that all under control today! ( or at least by Jan 1)

I went through a pile of papers sorting out teaching notes, patterns, stitch ideas and project notes as well as a few random receipts. Here is my cowls class notes as a freebie for all of you trying to tame your sock yarn stash. 

Sock Yarn Stashbuster Cowls  look in the patterns section of my website for the download link.

New Book on Knitting Knee-Highs

Barb Brown’s new book Knitting Knee- Highs: Sock Styles from Classic to Contemporary is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. It includes several patterns: Omar’s Carpet Kneehighs, Calf length socks and Nice socks in custom dyed colors from Handwerks.

Here is the link.  I can’t wait to get my copy. I always love seeing Handwerks yarns knit up and Barb’s designs are gorgeous!

Yarn Giveaway!!

This is exciting!  http://www.sunsetcat.com/2010/08/05/fall-knitcircus-giveaway/

Silky Cowl

Rio Grande (above), and Ruby (right). Two new Silky Sock colors I just finished dyeing and posted on my website.  I think Ruby would be great for dressing up a holiday outfit and/or complimenting the rich colors of the Fall. Rio Grande was inspired by a painting my great-aunt did of the view of Juarez, Mexico from across the Rio Grande river. I love the soft turquoise and violet mixed with the gold. The cowl used just 1/2 a skein of Rio Grande so I was able to knit a second one for a gift.  I cast on 79 sts using two strands held together on a size US 15 16″ circular needle. I knit in seed stitch for about 6 ” and then cast off loosely. Its soft and light and oh so nice around my neck! It’s also long enough to wrap twice.

Cowls

I’m really enjoying knitting cowls. I still love socks but I’m taking a short break and knitting neckwear. Cowls are fun in that you just need to knit one, and they can be made with so many different weights of yarn and patterns. This one is in Silky Sock with a strand of commercial yarn run along. I used 1/2 a skein so I have enough to make a second one as a gift. Its the same pattern as the Salusalu Scarf just knit in the round. Fun and easy, perfect summer carry along project.