Destash

Alright, I admit it, I might have a little too much yarn. So, in an effort to find happy homes for my babies I am going to set them free.

This is from a pet and smoke free home.
All prices include shipping in US and Canada.
Email me at honeybearknits@gmail.com if you are interested.

1 skein of Wollmeise Twin in Rosenrot - $35 - GONE!


2 skeins of MadelineTosh Pashmina Fathom - $28\each - PENDING!


2010 Sundara Yarn Collection: Seasons Fingering Silky Merino Fall - $50


2010 Sundara Yarn Collection: Seasons DK Merino the 2nd Fall - $35/skein

Since today was a beautiful day, I took the opportunity to sit outside to eat my lunch and do some knitting. There are some seldom used tables by a fountain and some trees near my office building.

Lately I've been focused on finding the perfect knitting bag and organizing my knitting notions and projects.

First the knitting bag. I wanted it to be large without any dividers. My two Namaste bags don't quite hit the mark. The Laguna is large but had the center divider, the Zuma was one big pocket but not very large. After browsing the Knitting Bag Lust group on Ravelry and listening to the review of the Zhivago bag on Lime 'n Violet. I had narrowed it down and began obsessively researching an Atenti Weekender; the Fiona, Gatsby, and Zhivago bags by Offhand Designs; and the Tom Bihn Swift.Once I saw reviews and action photos of the Tom Bihn Swift I knew it was what I was looking for. I was on the bubble between the Atenti -- which could double as a work bag -- and the TB Swift. I wasn't too crazy about carrying a cordura or nylon bag to work because it was a little too sporty, even for my casual work environment. Then I saw the Swift in cork and that was it.

Here is my Swift pictured with a Namaste Buddy Case in turquoise. I bought the Buddy Case because I didn't like digging around at the bottom of my bag looking notions.



Here is an interior picture of the bag with the buddy case, and project bags from KnowKnits and Tom Bihn.



The Tom Bihn project bag is included with the Swift; like the GoKnit it has a yarn feed loop and a clip for clipping either to a belt loop or the inside of the bag. Extra ones can be purchased for about 15 USD. I'm glad I have the project bags, because I carry several projects at a time I no longer have tangles of yarn and needles I have to sort out before I can get to knitting.

The photo probably does not convey it but this bag is roomy, there is plenty of room to spare in here. The two see-through zippered pockets at the top of the bag are great. I would have liked a dedicated cellphone pocket but that is not a show stopper, at least I don't have to furiously unzip 5 pockets to find where I put my phone since I can easily see it. I'm also concerned about putting sharp metal knitting needles in the pockets, I'm afraid they would punch through the polyurethane. In the GoKnits project pouch is the Melody Shawl by Morehouse Merino which I am making with the March Malabrigo club shipment.



Here is another photograph of it.



It is hard to photograph because it is first knit in the round then cut down the middle.

Yarn that does not count as stash

The following yarn does not count as stash:
1. Lace weight
2. Sock yarn
3. Gift yarn (including yarn bought with gift certificate)

Just in case anyone is keeping track, all my yarn still fits in my stash bin with room to spare.

Tonight, I had dinner with JL and her family.

I showed her the knitting disaster that was my first clapotis. I brought the partially knit stole as well as the additional yarn. She agreed with me, definitely fug. It wasn't my knitting skills or pattern that made it horrible it was the color combination of the yarn. The yarn felt great, knit wonderfully, the colors sucked. It looks like the colors of the DC football team (burgundy and gold with some pink thrown in). Even if I followed and supported the team I still wouldn't wear these colors. We couldn't think of anyone who, in their right mind, would like this stole. JL did the right thing. She was brutal but, brutality was needed. She took the cable out, saved my stitch markers, disappeared with the Crap-otis and the yarn (baggie and all) then came back to the table empty-handed. This is something I need to forget and just move on.

In stash news, I got a whole lot of yummy. First, my final yarn order of 2008 arrived from Eat.Sleep.Knit. That was fast. I ordered it the day after Christmas, when I realized I hated the colors and yet another person said, "Those are 'Skins' colors." It was waiting for me when we got home from dinner today. The order contained 4 skeins of Malabrigo worsted merino in Little Lovely and 2 skeins of lace in molly. And, JL bought me some Malabrigo sock for Christmas (btw, gift yarn doesn't count as stash).

My friend JL let me borrow her size 9 tips while I wait for the replacement circular to arrive. Being a knitter she knows I was like a junkie going into withdrawal because I wasn't able to touch the single ply worsted merino for a couple of days. These past couple of days haven't been pretty.

I like the feel of the metal tips and will ask Knit Picks for metal replacements instead of the Harmony wood.

I'm going to give up on the Knit Picks Harmony set. While knitting a clapotis Thursday night I had another tip separate from the metal cup. This time I almost lost stitches. This makes the 4th set of tips with which I have had problems. There are many things I like about the Harmony needles. I like having an interchangeable set, it is cheaper than having to buy a comparable set of fixed circular needles. They are warm, I like the feel of wood, and they are pretty. Knit Pick's customer service is excellent. Every time I called in the past with a problem they sent replacement tips out immediately.

The problem isn't getting a replacement tip. I might even call Knit Picks to get the tips replaced. For the moment, I ordered fixed circulars. The problem is, I like to knit. It is my activity in the evening after the children go to bed that helps me unwind. It is what I like to do in the middle of the day to take a break from work. I don't like having to be nervous about whether or not I'm going to lose stitches because a tip came apart and I don't like having to put projects aside because I have to wait for replacements to arrive.

We got home from visiting my parents for Thanksgiving late last night.

For the trip I packed 3 projects, the Lady Eleanor stole, My So Called Scarf and the yarn for a clapotis. I brought the clapotis just in case I finished the stole while at my parents. I did not touch the stole whatsoever. When you add DD and all the breakable collectibles my mom has in every room of the house you literally get a bull in a fine china shop. Add to that we forgot her portable crib and I spent two evening sitting and laying beside her on a floor I had to limit my knitting to something small and easily put down. The scarf is now half way complete.

I showed my mom what I'm working on and she thought they were nice. She mentioned knitting is something she never learned to do but I think she could pick it up because she crochets. She still has a blanket she made for me over 30 years ago. She sews, too. She made window treatments for her house that look professional. I think she might like getting back into crocheting (and maybe even start knitting). She can sit in front of the TV and do it. Plus, with her volunteer work at the shelter, she could make blankets to give away.