I mean obviously, and it is obvious isn't it, that frogging will garner faster results than actually working to finish some of the WIPs or maybe I should call them PIGS, since I am phenominally fond of pigs and this the year of the pig..
After 3 days (that's about 5 hours of knitting time), I could not get 2 lengths of 40cm of i-cord with even stitches, so I gave up and did as Abigail suggested and got some ribbon. So here are the booties.. the cheat's way to get them done.
In the meantime, I am plugging away in yarn-end hell with Cheesecake and the baby Debbie Bliss Chevron cardigan, (please note the errata on Debbie Bliss's site because the number of sts to cast on for the sleeves are wildly wrong.). As for the gazillion ends, yes I know about weaving in as you go along, but I find the ends are neater when you weave afterwards. The problem with the cotton cashmere is that the cotton frays terribly, so if I don't sew in after every few rows, I end up with a mass of tangles. I have lost 3 tapestry needles during the duration of this project...(sit on my chair at your own
risk!) I have to point out that I think that this baby sweater is really adorable and I would whole hearted recommend it with some of the transition yarns like Soho or Gedifra or the wendy fusion, scaled up (obviously) for the heavier weight yarn or it one colour. I would not recommend the pattern as it stands with cotton cashmere, because it is rather a lot of sewing in of ends for a small garment that will give about 3 months of wear. The chevron design is also very hard to measure. The instructions directs you to work for 6 inches. Is that 6 inches from the sts on the needles to the trough or crest of the chevron? You also need to take care with the width of the sleeve as you put that in the garment (again the waviness). I haven't crossed that bridge yet and am not looking forward to it. The uncertainty with the chevron cardigan and the frustration with sewing in ends of both of these projects is making the Forest Path stole really appeal to me. Once I get the chevron out of the way, I'm back on the stole full-time...
As my blog birthday is coming up... I thought to have my annual blog birthday draw... so I dug through my stash and found this
This a brand spanking unopened pack with 10 balls of GGH Maxima in Teal Blue. The Maxima is 100% extrafine merino and if it came without tags, I would had pegged it as Jaeger Extrafine Merino or Debbie Bliss's Rialto.
There is 1100m in these 10 balls, enough to do just about any child's pattern and most women's patterns, (you may need to add a ball or 2 in a contrasting colour if you're working larger sizes.) The recommended tension is 18 x22 on 4.5mm. So, if you win it, why not make yourself an enticing Juno ...the cabled collar would look superb in this yarn.
To enter the blog birthday draw, all you have to do is leave a comment with an email address that I can reach you on and tell me what's your favourite discontinued yarn and why.
Now, the majority of my stash is discontinued yarns, once it's hit the sales, I stash it like mad... One of my favouite is the 4ply Rowan Yorkshire Tweed... gorgeous stuff...I just love the heathery colour and the light weight. It means that I can easily wear it under a jacket without feeling like the Michelin Man. I was so sad to see it go and so annoyed that Rowan sold off the stock to one of the online dealers and very little of it was available in the JL/Liberty sales...but on the bright side, it just meant my stash did not get THAT much bigger ;-) Good luck on the Maxima and thanks for putting up with me for 4 years! You have until 17:00 BST on Sunday to enter.
Happy blogiversary! Funny you should mention Juno, as I bought that Rowan book just for that pattern. Actually I really like the Yarn Harlot's adaptation the best. Thanks for reminding me of that great pattern.
Posted by: Lyn at August 28, 2007 12:51 AMFours and you're a total Rockin' Girl Blogger! So you have been awarded:
http://rainyknits.blogspot.com/2007/08/rockin-bloggeroo.html
Cheers!!!!
Posted by: Rain at August 19, 2007 06:49 PMHappy Blogiversary!
My favourite discontinued yarn has to be Rowan Polar. It's just warm and fluffy enough more me to wish to build a home from it. It also came in a scrummy array of colours...
Posted by: Kelly-Marie Dudley at August 19, 2007 05:43 PMHoppy Blogiversary! I admire anyone who can regulaurly write a blog and keep it entertaining. You are the reason for my current craze for knitting tiny hats for Innocent Smoothie bottles (and possibly to blame for the fact that my husband thinks I'm slightly mad ... in an endearing way I like to think :))
My current favourite discontinued yarn is Jaeger Extra Fine Merino in all weights. I've just read a comment above that Jaeger yarns are being discontinued. Please let this not be true. I know they've been taken over by Rowan, but they are such a good quality staple yarn manufacturer it would be a great loss.
Posted by: Sarah at August 19, 2007 04:05 PMI've been brooding for days... but I think my favorite discontinued yarn is Brunswick LaLaine. It feels ever so much softer than you'd expect, as though there's silk in there somewhere, though there's not. And the superwash helps deter the pills you'd expect from such a soft merino.
I love this yarn...
Posted by: Helen at August 19, 2007 03:46 PMHappy blogiversary to you.
My favourite discontinued yarn is Rowanspun. I have knitted something in its 4 ply, Dk and Aran weights, the colours are beautiful, I like the small flecks of other colours continued within it and it just gets softer and softer as it is worn and washed. I am just about to embark on Patsy from Rowan 32 in a lovely purple colour.
Happy Blogiversary!
Hmm.. I can't think of a discontinued yarn that I hanker after but I've only been knitting again just over a year and a half. I quite like Regia Silk but it is possible to get that in Germany. I suppose my favourite discontinued could be those one time colorways by Posh Yarns.
Posted by: mrspao at August 18, 2007 10:04 PMCongratulations on the anniversary Polly. My lost favourite is Jaeger Angora Spun, soft as a bunny and lovely to wear as a shawl or scarf with a nice long yardage where 2 balls will easily make a scarf.
Posted by: Judith at August 18, 2007 07:16 PMHappy, happy B-day!
I think the yarn I miss the most is a baby yarn which I believe was from Drops. It was very similar to Baby Ull, but came in a gorgeous, gorgeous blueish/greenish/purplish semi-solid colour that added visual interest to the garment but was subtle enough for lace and fair-isle, a rare quality in baby yarns I think. How I miss that colour! The last little oddball was used for a pair of baby booties a year ago, and I wish I had kept a few yards so I could get something custom dyed....
Posted by: Rippedoffknitter at August 18, 2007 06:43 PMMy first favourite discontinued yarn was Debbie Bliss wool/cotton and I only discovered it was discontinued when I needed another delicious purple ball for the DB frill cuff cardy for my step granddaughter. My somewhat old fashioned LYS where I'd bought it had run out as I'd bought the last 4 balls but luckily has a sister shop over the river which had just one left, same dye lot, hurrah, and I was able to collect it later that week (not Wednesday, early closing).
Now, this LYS has other some old gems eg Rowan Cotton Glace, pre-machine washing instructions in among the dusty wooden pigeon holes but, alas, no DB Cotton Denim Aran, my latest favourite DY. How come I only discover great yarns when they are almost extinct? This time Up Country has come to my aid with, even better, enough yarn for the DB Easy Jacket in their sale. How lucky is that?! Very.
Happy blogbirthday, it's always fun to read.
Posted by: Liz at August 18, 2007 04:29 PMHappy Bloggiversary Polly!
I'm with Meg *blush*, am too cheap n broke to know about fancy yarn hahahahhaa...!
Anyhooo...here's to many many many more bloggy years!! CHEERS!!
Posted by: Rain at August 18, 2007 06:50 AMI don't have a favorite discontinued yarn, but I have been reading your blog for a long time. I even purchased from the UK several skeins of Cygnet Sock Yarn. You are right! It is a very soft sock yarn and I love it! Thanks for all your inspirational and witty posts.
Posted by: Angie at August 18, 2007 04:38 AMLove reading your blog and the information about yarn shops in Prague was very useful. I love Rowan yarns, especially rowanspun DK which I have used for a felted bag with great results.
Happy blogiversary!
I don't think I have a favourite discontinued yarn, because I haven't been knitting long enough or have had the chance to knit with enough different types of yarns to find out. Give me a few years more of knitting and yarn-shopping and I'm sure I'll be able to answer the question then. :-)
Posted by: Ria at August 17, 2007 10:53 PMRowan DK Tweed without a doubt. I don't think there will ever be a time when I will get over it being discontinued. What was there not to like about it? The colours were good, the actual yarn knitted up fabulously and wears like iron. No problems with stretching, shrinking or pilling (my pet peaves in knitted garments). Great pattern support - looks lovely cabled (see Rowan #28 - Miriam my all time fave cardi ever), intarsia's well (see China Clouds same pattern book). the only downside I think was the yardage - that could have been better. It was a sad day for me when DK Tweed disappeared from the shelves.
Oh and one more - not a yarn type but a colour - Dreamboat KSH. How i loved that colour. I have been to the ends of the earth for it, but know one seems to have any. Oh why to the always discontinue the best?- in my opinion anyway :))
Happy blog birthday!
My favourite discontinued yarn is Rowan Lambswool Tweed, because of the lovely colours and the high wool quality. I still have some unknitted skeins left which I save for a very special project.
I really like your blog!
Posted by: Anna at August 17, 2007 06:13 PMHappy Blog Anniversary!!
My favorite discontinued yarn is Jaegar silk.
Loved that yarn for sure!
Elaine
Posted by: Elaine at August 17, 2007 01:11 PMHappy Blog Birthday!
...and I think the booties look great with the ribbon - I'd even say the ribbon is an improvement on the i-cord. Sometimes life forces us in a better direction.
Posted by: soo at August 17, 2007 11:53 AMHappy blogiversary! And my favorite discontinued yarn is a colorway of Sundara Yarns, "Sweet Brier Rose" -- also her "Lime & Cilantro" -- but at least she's doing new colorways. If I can get to the site in time when she releases the new ones, that is. (The booties are adorable!)
Posted by: Karen K. at August 17, 2007 02:37 AMHappy Blogiversary! Your blog is one of the first knitting ones that I started reading regularly and it's still one of my favourites.
I miss Sweet Georgia sock yarn. When Felicia decided to "take a break", a lot of sock knitters went into shock. The yarn so nice and she has such great colour sense.
Posted by: Dotty at August 17, 2007 02:05 AMI've always enjoyed watching how you tackle really challenging patterns so your UFO pile was a surprise. Mine contains items now so old they would not be worn by anyone.
Jaeger Celtic Spun made a rare appearance on e-bay recently. I knitted my first wearable jumper in that- a lovely oatmeal Shetland with all the subtle variation of colour one could wish for. Not exactly discontinued, more a fond memory.
I would have to say Brunswick Nylamb. The stuff was soft as butter and I learned how to knit socks on that yarn. When Patons took over Brunswick I bought what I could at the Patons outlet in Toronto. I still have a little left and I still love it. The colour choices were great as well.
Posted by: Rochelle at August 16, 2007 06:13 PMHmm, favorite discontinued yarn. Hmm. I usually don't even find out it's been discontinued til I fall in love with it!
I'm gonna say Cotton Ease (which is now back in different colors), since I do a lot of charity knitting and it's machine washable and also suitable to hotter weather, as in Florida, where my new nephew lives! (A lovely run-on sentence)
I got my first skeins as a prize, then found it had been discontinued, and got a lot of it from online sales in the old colors. I haven't seen it in the stores in the new colors yet, to see if any would coordinate.
Thanks for having a contest!
Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: Jan at August 16, 2007 05:10 PMI mourn anything that Idon't have enough of. .
All Seasons Cotton for one.
Love your blog and have been reading and lurking for a while.
Happy Blogiversary!! Let's hope for at least 4 more years..
The baby booties look so cute & the ribbon is a great idea. Congratulations on your 4th blogiversary! I can't think of any discountinued yarn that I like as I am still overwhelmed by the variety of yarns out there.
Posted by: Ann at August 16, 2007 10:54 AMI am very new to daily blog reading but am fast becoming addicted.Love your blog. I mourn the loss of Magpie Aran.It was a lovely yarn to work with, i still wear the jumpers i knitted years ago. i love the colours and the way it held its shape too. It also knitted up quickly but Big Wool, itself lovely, is just not the same.Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne at August 16, 2007 08:47 AMI like All Seasons Cotton a lot. It knits great and is perfect for our milder climate, so sad to see it go. Happy Blogiversary to you and wishing you many more to come!
Posted by: Siow Chin at August 16, 2007 05:56 AMSad to say, my favorite discontinued yarn was Joann's Licorice. Then they brought it back in new colors. Love it for felting.
Posted by: Anne at August 16, 2007 03:46 AMMy favourite discontinued yarn is probably Debbie Bliss wool-cotton. Of course I only bought it on clearance, and now I love it and want more. Sigh.
Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: woolcat at August 16, 2007 01:22 AMHappy blog anniversary!
I haven't been knitting all that long, so I haven't worked with much of the discontinued yarn. But I agree with you on the Yorkshire Tweed 4ply, the colors were fantastic and the weight was perfect! I fell in love with the warm brown and knit up a big cabled swatch. I even thought of doing myself an entire sweater out of the stuff, then came back to reality and remembered it was _4 ply_. Yargh. And I'm not a small woman. By that time it was hard to find the DK. sigh.
On the other hand, maybe I should say Rowan Magpie Aran. Although I started knitting after it was already gone, people talk about that yarn like it was some holy grail of wool. I would have liked the chance to try it.
Posted by: BigAlice at August 16, 2007 12:52 AMHappy blogiversary, I've been reading you for 2 years now. Finding the Clearing of the WIPs very interesting.
My favourite discontinued yarn is Rowan Plaid, no Magpie Aran - they were both so soft! Actually my problem is that Rowan keeps discontinuing colours I like, Juicy orange in kid classic and a lovely tomato red in Jaegar EFM.
My most missed discontinued yarn is a very old Rowan one - Silkstones, a mixture of silk and wool, little jewel-like flecks in it. More recently, it's definitely the Jaeger Extra Fine Merino.
Posted by: Jill at August 15, 2007 09:46 PMHappy Bloggiversary!
Here's to more great posts to come.
Not really any discontinued yarns that I can think of.
But if there were any that could go out that I would hate to see leave, it would be the ones with Harry Potter colorways. Must have those maroon and gold colors.
:)
Congrats! My favorite yarn had to have been Rowan Cork. I should have bought more when I had the chance!
Posted by: Carol at August 15, 2007 09:38 PMI haven't been knitting that long but there are a few things in my stash that have been discontinued and I really love - Rowan cork and I also bought up a bunch of the cotton ease when they discontinued that. They brought it back but not in the same colors. Sadly I keep looking for patterns for these yarns but I haven't found the right one's yet.
Posted by: Jennifer at August 15, 2007 09:37 PMHappy Blog Birthday! I miss Magpie Tweed a ridiculous amount, especially as I seem only to knit with 4 ply these days. I also miss the lovely natural dyed yarns that were produced by the Wool Barn, near my friend in Llampeter, until a few years ago.
Posted by: Kirstie at August 15, 2007 09:05 PMPolly, I don't want to win the prize (well I do but I'm trying to downsize!) but I do want to wish you a happy fourth blogiversary! Here's to four more full of luck, love and FOs!! :)
My favorite discontinued yarns would be Linen Drape and I really love Matchmaker Merino - I'm gonna miss that a lot!
I really liked GGH Marathon Sock yarn (so tweedy!) and that's gone too :( That's why God made stashes!
Posted by: Debi at August 15, 2007 08:23 PMHappy bloggiversary!
I'm a sucker for discontinued yarns. The simplest way of making me spend over a hundred euros on yarn is to tell me something wonderful is discontinued and these are the last skeins... I think I'll have to say Linen Drape is my favourite. (And I've stashed some 3 kilos of it. Whoops.)
Posted by: Kriste at August 15, 2007 08:11 PMI would love to have the yarn. I manage a non profit yarn store where all the proceeds go to helping people who have been affected by domestic violence. We also teach our clients how to knit and give them yarn to get started on a project.
It's so funny that you should say that Rowan tweed is your favorite discontinued yarn! I was just ordering some that yarn and I finally found some, but not in the colorway I wanted.
Happy blogiversary! I've really enjoyed reading your blog. My favourite discontinued yarn is Rowan Linen Drape - a bit of a nightmare to knit with but it is lovely knitted up. And I only started knitting after it was discontinued.
Posted by: Ling at August 15, 2007 07:33 PMHappy blog birthday! Those booties are adorable.
I'm another one who doesn't really have a favorite discontinued yarn (that I know of). If any that I like have been discontinued, I haven't heard about it.
Posted by: Janelle at August 15, 2007 06:26 PMHappy blog birthday! Those booties are adorable.
I'm another one who doesn't really have a favorite discontinued yarn (that I know of). If any that I like have been discontinued, I haven't heard about it.
Posted by: Janelle at August 15, 2007 06:26 PMI'm afraid I haven't been knitting long enough to have a favorite discontinued yarn... but if colors count, then I would say the "Cherry Blossom" colorway from Sundara.
Happy 4th!
Posted by: Allison at August 15, 2007 05:05 PMhappy fourth! i seem to have completely missed my third, which was last week i think. time flies, doesn't it ...
as for my fave discontinued yarn, i'm going to go with dale sisik, which of course is tweedy. mmm. did someone comment that felted tweed is discontinued? nooooooooo!
Posted by: kris at August 15, 2007 04:45 PMEasy question to answer - Rowan Cork.
It's soft, came in a great range of colours, and is a chunky-weight yarn, but doesn't look like it when it's knitting up.
Sigh - I miss that yarn ...
Happy Anniversary to you and your blog - here's to four more years!
Happy Blogiversary! I've completely enjoyed reading your blog and looking at your lovely projects. My discountinued discontent centers around Noro Kureyon #183. It was a lovely combination of browns/blues and greens -- great for guy stuff without the monotony of just all brown.
Thank you for your blog!
Posted by: Sharilyn at August 15, 2007 02:28 PMHappy Blog Birthday! I have so much yarn in my stash I don't even know what is discontinued, and which ones aren't. At the moment I really like Rowan Chunky Print! It's soft, it can felt and it's fast to knit up. Also love the colors!
Posted by: Peggy at August 15, 2007 02:20 PMMy favorite discontinued yarn is Rowan's cork. I love the orange shade, reminds me of cheetos. It's just so fun to knit up and is washable for my three-year-old, who happens to love all things orange and cheetos!
Posted by: Netter at August 15, 2007 01:41 PMCongrads on your anniversary! I just started my own knitting blog in July.
As for my favorite discounted yarn, I would have to say is Casade Cloud 9. This yarn is sooo soft. It feels like butter gliding across the needles. I am making a cabled scarf with it and it defines the cables beautifully.
Posted by: Stephanie at August 15, 2007 01:30 PMHappy Blog Birthday!
Jaeger 4-ply silk. Hate to be a copycat, but I adored that yarn. I still have one precious skein in a lovely chocolate brown. Sigh.
Posted by: Wendy at August 15, 2007 12:36 PMI liked the Jaeger range of yarns, most of them, especially the extra fine merino range. I'll miss that. Also loved some of the old Rowan brands, especially the old wool-cotton - it was much more silkier than the current wool cotton (name escapes me at the moment)
I also have this problem with chevrons - where to measure from. I usually take the mid way point of the points. It will be interesting to see how the sleeves come on.
I love reading about what you have been knitting, and I appreciate the effort that goes into your blog. It must be hard work sometimes to keep up to date - I know I couldnt find the time!
As for discontinued yarns, I loved (and still love, I have a small stash of it) Jaeger Shetland Aran, a tweedy cosy alpaca wool mix with lovely flecks that should have been around till the end of time. Alas for Jaeger.....(sigh)
Happy upcoming blogiversary!!! I didn't know you were that old ;-) But I do love reading here.
My favorite discontinued yarn must be Løve Cosy Wool in the green and petrol colours as these were some of the first I knit a larger project with ;-)
Best wishes for many happy 4 year periods in the future
Karen
Posted by: Karen S at August 15, 2007 08:56 AMHappy Blog Birthday! My favourite discontinued yarn is also Jaeger Silk. I have about a dozen balls stashed away that were on sale in JL a few years ago, but my favourite colour was the bright cerise pink. I got 2 balls of it in the Glasgow Girls' Secret Santa one Christmas (from Nancy) and knit a lovely lacy scarf for me with it!
Posted by: Jill at August 15, 2007 08:49 AMHmm, my most favourite discontinued yarn must be Rowan Felted Tweed. It is so soft and makes an almost woven fabric that feels wonderfull on the skin, and it runs exceptionally long per ball, making it almost economic if you consider its durabillity.
/Lene (Lurker)
Posted by: Lene Clausen at August 15, 2007 08:33 AMDear Polly - 4 years old! Congratulations! Your knitting blog was one of the first blogs I read, and you are wholly responsible for me starting my own blog.
Discontinued yarn ..... hmmm, I agree with you on the Rowan 4ply Yorkshire Tweed, but I'd probably also plumb for the whole Yorkshire Tweed range. The Scottish Tweed range doesn't have the same feel about it.
Love
Helen
Happy Blogiversary!
Can I have a favourite discontinued range of yarns? I'm in mourning for the loss of Jaeger yarns - particularly the EFM DK which has been my staple for more years than I care to remember. My most favourite garment ever was Jaeger Jardin and thats only come up on ebay once in the last 4 years and I got outbid!
Posted by: Yvonne at August 15, 2007 07:46 AMHappy Blogiversary, I don't have a favourite discontinued yarn, I am too busy trying to keep up with what is new.
Posted by: yvette at August 15, 2007 06:43 AMWhat a long time to have been writing a blog. I've only discovered it in the last few months. My favourite discontinued yarn is Cleckheaton Merino Supreme. Very soft and shows the stitches beautifully. Fortunately I have two jerseys' worth to keep me going. My UFOs are almost as many as yours.
Posted by: Dianne at August 15, 2007 06:01 AMHappy blogiversary! I look forward to your blog every day. My favorite discontinued yarn is Richesse et Soie. Love the soft muted colors, the beautiful drape, and it feels wonderful next to the skin.
Posted by: Jenny at August 15, 2007 03:53 AMHappy Blogiversary! I really enjoy reading your blog, and was happy to hear that you have more unfinished objects than I do. I'll share with my dh that such a person exists the next time he asks, "Now what are you starting?"
Anyway, I'm sort of loyal to the staples, such as Cascade 220, Dale of Norway Heilo, Regia, which I think are all so popular, classic, and versatile they'll probably never be discontinued.....but if I waited until one of them was, I'd miss the deadline for your contest.....
Posted by: Laura / Yarnthrower at August 15, 2007 03:48 AMvery cute booties! A while back Cotton ease was discontinued but it has returned, I think it's perfect for babies.
Posted by: eyeleen at August 15, 2007 03:15 AMI think my favorite discontinued yarn ... in my locality at least ... is Paton's Look At Me. It made lovely soft baby gifts which were machine washable and dryable.
Posted by: Charlotte at August 15, 2007 02:32 AMI am fairly new to knitting, and I believe none of my favorite yarns have been discontinued. However, when I was starting out I fell in love with Mission Falls cotton for baby hats. I went back to my LYS for more in specific colours and they told me that it had been discontinued. My husband had fallen in love with some baby patterns (at this point children were some point after tenure as apposed to I am not finishing grad school any way why not now) and insisted that I buy up enough yarn to make them. The stress of grad school really got to me and suddenly I was producing baby garments en mass. Eventually, I realized I had better start making adult sized objects, and I have been knitting like mad ever since.
Note Mission Falls cotton came back before I had our first child. But if it had not been temporarily discontinued I might not have become a knitter!
Posted by: Kat at August 15, 2007 02:32 AMHonestly, I have no idea which of my yarns has been discontinued. I've been out of the loop for awhile...and I'm intent on using what I have. I guess I'll find out soon enough!
Posted by: Alisha at August 15, 2007 02:21 AMCongrats on making it four years! My favorite discontinued yarn is Possum Lace. I have a strange repulsion/attraction thing happening with it, and I only have one skein left.
Posted by: Sarah at August 15, 2007 01:33 AMMy favorite discontinued yarn is probably Berrocco Sensu-wool. I actually haven't gotten to knit with it. It was discontinued when I found it and the patterns I would have chosen didn't work with the availablility. But, I liked the look and feel of the swatch I saw.
Thanks for an interesting read!
My favourite discontinued yarn is Jaeger silk 4ply - particularly in red - a glorious glorious deep red. I have 3 precious balls of it in stash waiting for the right, no, the perfect, project. I actually wonder if I will ever find that project! Sigh.
Posted by: Rose Red at August 15, 2007 12:14 AMIs it possible I'm the first to wish you a happy blogiversary?! HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY! Four years, huh- you hardly look a day over three!
I am too cheap to know about discontinued yarns and don't want to start any panics in the streets by randomly guessing so I will have to throw myself at your mercy and beg you to enter me in your contest... after all you just won MY contest didn't you... I could hold those socks ransom!