Love Makes the World Go Round

All Noro Afghan

Did you see how well the 'All Noro afghan', being auctioned on ebay for the Afghans For Afghans Charity is doing? I'm amazed on how many bid that it's got, already. Please, please, please don't forget to go and put a bid on it. It's for a worthy cause and don't you think that your significant other would love it for Valentine's Day?

Saffron

To add the couture touch (and to give a bit more substance to the edgings) I went in search of grosgrain ribbon.

I couldn't find any that was narrow enough or in the right colour, so I opted for some bias tape. I don't really sew but I do know that grosgrain is a stiffer fabric. I asked at the shop whether bias tape would be a good substitute and was told 'no' as :

'Bias tape is used to finish curved edges such as armholes and necklines. It fits smoothly around the curves without adding bulk. You can get it around curves easily by steaming it with an iron. For a knitted garment, it's not going to be stiff enough to make the edge lie flat, but it's if you want to give a bit of support to the fabric.'.

So rebel that I am, I bought it anyway. (It is Liberty purple, how could I refuse?.) I wanted ribbon to ease the edging a bit to hold the blocking better (I should had probably increased the band by 3 or 4 7-8 stitches). I haven't figured out how to get the holes (yet to be cut into the tape) to line up with the buttonholes yet. Does one cut and then sew or sew on the tape and then cut? Good thing that I can't wear this for a few more months because I haven't even got to the agonising bit about which buttons to use yet. (No doubt whatever I want, is going to be too big or small for the buttonholes.)

Added Later - Thanks for all your advice, I'm going to hold out until I get the grosgrain ribbon...sometimes 'gung-ho' can be bad.

All I know is that I've got to finish it completely in February on account of the stash inventory. Inspite of my restrain in purchases, I'm still gaining yarn at an alarming rate, much faster than it is being knitted up. I joined Beth's Magnificent 46 in the Unloved Yarn Swap

The goal was to swap enough yarn for a pair of socks with one of the Magnificent 46. All the yarn in my stash is loved, but some are less loved than others for one reason or another. It sounded like a great idea and I was hoping that this would mean that I would get my hands on something that I could love more than what I had.

Well.... I did. I received my package from Project Knit Mary this weekend, and I am completely overwhelmed, over the moon, in a state of shock.. . not just because Project Knit Mary was so generous, not just because the yarn she sent is gorgeous, but because these would had been exactly the kind of yarns that I would had chosen for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! For your generosity but for also inviting me to come play in your stash... you never know one day that tap on the door might be me! .. ;-)

Seriously, these yarns are all going to be loved by me... if love makes the world go round, I can fuel the earth for the next decade with the love I have for my stash!

Blue/Green Sockotta Cotton is just so lovely. I've been wanting to try this for a long time, but haven't gotten around to it.

Cascade fixation is perfect. I once bought this some years ago but gave it away to encourage someone who was highly allergic to wool to do her first socks. I'd always meant to get more but never got around to it.

Douceur and Soie ... it looks and feels just like Rowan Kid Silk Haze. Gorgeous, soft and just wonderful stuff.

Debbie Bliss Cathay ... lovely blue and orange... yummy. I find the cathay line tends to call to me.. the colours just feel so 'chinese-y' to me. Reminds me of when I was a kid, playing around wearing my mom's very expensive cheong-sams. (we had fun but mom was horrified).

Thank you Beth for all your hard work organising this exchange. Now off to see if my recipient has gotten her goodies yet.

Posted by atu at February 13, 2006 12:00 AM