I’ve never been one to impulsively buy yarn. Fabric yes, yarn no – I guess it’s because it’s easy to say “2 yards, please” for fabric and I’ll have enough material for a variety of projects, but that’s not the case for yarn. Yarn quantity for a project depends on the weight of the yarn, the gauge and size needles it’ll be knit on, the type of the project, etc. To me, there doesn’t seem to be some sort of “magic number” that will work for buying yarn and having enough for whatever type of project inspires me, like a cute sweater.
Well that’s not entirely true, usually one ball of yarn can get you a nice scarf or cowl. Such was the case when I met Ana of Toil and Trouble during the Greater Boston Yarn Crawl back in September. The Black Sheep Knitting Co. in Needham hosted a special trunk show during the event showcasing her hand-dyed yarns which were too gorgeous for me to pass up. I fell in love with the sparkly green yarn above and had to have it, but since it was a sock weight yarn and I don’t do socks, I didn’t know what I could make from it. Ana suggested a scarf made on some larger sized needles to give it an airy look and I liked the idea. It wasn’t until last week that I found the pattern that seemed just right to showcase the colors of the yarn.
Enter the Honey Cowl by Madeline Tosh: 8,000+ projects on Ravelry and counting. I’m knitting the long version but making it on size 7 circulars since, errmm, my 8s are being used on *multiple* projects right now. After trying it on, I’m afraid it may be too short to wrap around my neck twice, but I still think it will look nice hanging in a single loop. It’s slow going on the knitting front, only two inches completed, but it makes for great TV knitting. And it also serves as a great procrastination project from my Owls sweater, of which I have to frog and wet yarn from the first time I cast on for the sweater. I’m down to my last ball and I neeeeed that yarn to start the second sleeve and continue the yoke.
Look at the sparklies! Oooo, it puts me in the holiday mood.