I got started on the Easy Folded Poncho today. Part of me (well, most of me) can’t believe that a pattern that tells you how to knit a giant rectangle costs $5. If you’re thinking of making one, here’s a spoiler: It’s a giant rectangle.
At least it really is easy and the yarn I’m working with is nice enough. It’s a light blue shade of Berroco Ultra Alpaca, a worsted weight yarn that’s half alpaca and half wool. It’s soft, warm, and has just enough of a halo to it. It seems to be going fairly quickly so far!
The white yarn is a provisional cast on.
This project has got me wondering what I should do with the random greeny mustard skein of the same yarn I have floating around in my stash:
Berroco calls this color “fennel”?
Maybe it’s the color, but I’m wondering if it would do well for a Mesh Lace Slouchy Hat by Jamie Sande:
Copyright Jamie Sande. Photo via ravelry.
Coincidence??? I don’t think so! The pattern is written for a DK weight and the yarn is worsted, but the pattern gauge seems like it would work okay. The pattern is free, by the way! I think I’ll add it to my queue.
So, I’m being good and only working on commission projects and test knits. Well, mostly. I did knock out the last five rows of the next to last lace section on my Miller’s Daughter, but other than that I’ve been very focused! I do want to finish the shawl before the end of Melanie Berg’s KAL because, well, have you seen those prizes?? I made lots of progress on my Twinberry test knit. Now I’m just cruising through the stockinette part of the body, so it’s a good project to have for waiting rooms and traffic jams. I’m loving how it’s turning out so far!
So, I think we can all agree that I have enough yarn for the foreseeable future. Between my Goodwill finds, bargain hunting and freecycle hauls, I have more yarn than I can store…much less knit! However, the wifey got me a gift certificate to my LYS for Mother’s Day and I just couldn’t let it go to waste. I debated for several days over what to get and eventually settled on three skeins of lusciously soft and beautifully dyed Queen of Hearts, a new base from Frabjous Fibers a la Wonderland Yarns. Each skein is 410 squooshy yards of fingering weight 80/10/10 merino, cashmere and nylon. I selected the semisolid colors Sleeping Gryphon, Tea Tray and Off With Her Red. I guess one could use it for socks, but I’d consider that a tad sacrilegious. What it really wants to be is a shawl. For me. It was a present, after all!
I’m not working with the best lighting right now, but the colors are actually pretty accurate.
But which shawl? In between bouts of virtuous obligation knitting, I’ve been going down the rabbit hole that is pattern searching on ravelry. Right now I’m kind of leaning toward Ashburn by Melanie Berg, but I’m not decided. Got any suggestions for a good, three color, fingering weight shawl? I’m all ears!
Happy knitting!
alexand knits 
The Ashburn is really pretty. Have you seen the Color Affection? I’ve seen a lot of bloggers / podcasters working on that one and everyone seems to love the finished product. There are so many beautiful patterns on Ravelry. How could you go wrong? I had to add the Mesh Lace Slouchy Hat to my library too 🙂 It’s super cute!
As far as the question from the title of this blog? I’m on a strict yarn diet right now (except when travelling). I am overwhelmed by the amount of yarn I have right now and need to knit all the things if I am going to put a dent in it 🙂 I absolutely cannot believe the amount that I have since I learned about indie dyers and all the lovely yarns that don’t come from big box stores.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I looked at color affection. I think for the colors I picked out, I would prefer a more color block style, but I’m not really sure! There are so many choices. Also, a friend of mine has a new design that might work, too. It’s so hard to decide!!
I think I might have to take up dyeing. I have sooooo much yarn, but only a small fraction of it is super nice hand painted froo froo yarn. I’d like more of that, but I really can’t justify buying any! So maybe I will dye some of my own!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been looking at dyeing my own too 🙂 There are some awesome videos on how to do it on YouTube. However, until I have control of my yarn stash, that will have to wait 🙂 My husband wants me to knit all the things and open an Etsy shop. I will have to look into it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I started the Easy Folded Poncho as “trip knitting” and had exactly the same thought. That Queen of Hearts yarn is lovely! Can’t wait to see what you knit with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you want to see a completed Ashburn Shawl, Beth at our LYS just completed it. One of her color choices is a blend of colors which lended itself nicely to the overall look.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, good to know! I’m actually there, in the parking lot, about to go in!
LikeLike