kid merino- Runic Cables and Mystic Lace

True confessions: am totally in love with this yarn. you have to see the incredible diversity of colors kid merino and every color is amazingly even prettier knit up. Knitting the yarn is a real treat. on top of that, the yarn is so well behaved you can not only use it for cables, but also even for stranding and color work! i like the diaphanous [sp?] gauzy look i'm getting here with 2 strands on a #8 us needle - it's light and yet warm.

The Runic Cables scarf is for my dh, Al. I've put in runes for happiness, prosperity, partnership,

and all sorts of good things.

The 2nd scarf - presently called Mystic Lace - is for ?? possibly even me. It's also 2 strands, on #9 and a "not fun" needle. I didn't have the #9 in CPY bamboo, and have to use a bamboo with a bad join. I have addi's in the right size, but they are two slick for the yarn, and frankly made my hands ache.

An example of the gorgeous color versatility is the band of Nasturtiums at the beginning, in with the Violet mix, and the lace band, which is fall herbs, and soo much prettier than the picture or even the ball would have you expect. This scarf is about double in length now, and will take new pics soon, after i knit a wee bit more.

I've just finished a 2nd lace band in the fall herbs, and am dithering about a green to use as i have two - the new vine green, and the sage - both lovely but different tonalities.

This is a "right brain" scarf so the yarn has to tell me what's next, LOL.

I want to do a couple more rounds on the runic cables, and change colors, and then back to scarves and the mystic lace scarf.
I also have to decide about more colors or not... al says not to use too many, but they're soo pretty - i can't stop!

blessings, :L, laura

ps don't forget our panda silk contest! have more panda silk socks and etc to show you soon!

the kitten on the left is Shasta, who's so sweet she purrs every time you pick her up.

the rascal on the right is Shiva. he's not really cuddley, yet spends a lot of time sitting on the back of my chair or by my feet. in fact, i worry that he gets more attention.

they've learned not to touch my knitting. i've been lucky. the kittens only got the knitting once or twice - dragging a sock across the living room and of course pulling the needles out. since then, if they touch the yarn, i put it away and play with them instead. never give them any yarn to play with as they can't distinguish an ratty old ball from something special.

i goofed once and let shiva play with a short circ, size 3 us, i think, that i didn't use much. well, he chewed the cord so badly it's totally not usable for knitting anymore.

Panda Wool

These pics are of a sock design i'm playing with, using 2 new colors of Panda Wool. One is called Neptune, and the other is Night Shades. The honeycomb with Night Shades behind the Neptune works well (towards the bottom) but the rows above don't show off the Neptune inside the Night Shades. So the knit is working out differently than my vision,
but now i see how best to do it.... This is a man's sock, and so far DH loves it. The colors are just smashing!







The sock below is Panda Wool "Circus" and is knit by Debbie. More details at Embellishknits


Debbie's gorgeous knitting! so even and pretty!

You can see these colors and more at http://www.straw.com/

blessings, :L

Maizy

These lovely Maizy socks were knit by Trish - link

to blog here: Random Threads

Nice aren't they?

blessings, :L

Stylin' in Panda Cotton socks

great socks on Susan's son here... with a nice write up on her blog too. Susanknitsinbayoucity










blessings, :L

Vog 'on Panda Cotton

The socks shown here are by "Fluffy Knitter Deb" and are going to be Panda Cotton footies for Deb's mom - in a very yummy colorway called "Blueberries- grapes".

(I am using it, among others, for a luscious Kid Merino Scarf Crystal Palace Yarns and i promise the colors just sing!)

You can see more about Deb, including the amazing list of knail lacquers here Fluffyknitterdeb. I think she said that the pattern was "Vog'on" from Knitty.

blessings, :L, laura

What did you think of the Poll on Sock Needles?

I was very surprised, myself, by the results.

We asked "when knitting socks, do you prefer"

4 dpn = 26%
5 dpn = 31%
1 circ = 20%
2 circs = 27%
and "depends" 7%

that means that the use of circs combined is 47% while the use of dpn is 57%. To me, it signifies
that the circs have really come into their own for a lot of people, while others still love the
dpn.
I personally love the dpn and tend to use 4 as i just like the tactile feeling of the CPY bamboo needles and the silly porcupine look of it... every time i try to use 5 dpn i find myself back using 4 without planning it.

were you surprised?

we did have one lady write who really loves doing the 2-needle straight method and adding
a seam.

blessings, :L

More Maizy

This sock was designed & knit by Debbie H and is a nice Man's {large woman's} cabled sock. The colorway is "night shades" and is awfully nice (high on my dh's list of socks he'd like).

The pattern will be available FREE on the website Crystal Palace Yarns

I love the way Debbie has the cables juxtaposed to one another. Just lovely!

blessings, :L

Maizy

There are some luscious new colors for Maizy, to add to all the the other wonderful ones HERE Crystal Palace Yarns! I am enjoying the opportunity to test the new colors and just finished a wee sock using Earth.
I just love all the tonalities and really enjoyed knitting with it.
Maizy is a Vegan's delight in terms of fiber content - the recyclable and environmentally sound corn fiber as well as cotton. It's got a very interesting feel, nice and soft with a slight velvety texture. Interesting tactile to knit and this colorway was a lot of fun!
Am scouting around for more Maizy pics so let me know if you have some

blessings, :L, laura

Star Search Sunday

Ssssh, it's really Monday, but I'm late posting these!

What can i say, I've been helping the gnomes knit and the time got away!

This is a new scarf in Panda Silk designed by KyleAnn Williams - named "Silken Ease".

It's about 6 ft long... and the color is Butterscotch tones ...

you can see more of her work HERE on her blog.

Susan at CPY will take more pics and will post then. Wish you could see and feel the yarn

as the sheen and hand are just incredible... sooooo lovely.

blessings, :L

Star Search Sunday

These socks are all by one knitter "beadntat"

and then there are more things, including lovely shawls, on her blog here Beadntat.

I must confess that i love all the nature photos and flowers too so this blog is a fun read.

blessings, :L

Vanilla Creme are done!

Annie has more posts on her Panda Cotton socks- embossed leaves using PC in vanilla creme -details at Annie Coleman.

they are lovely aren't they?

blessings, :L

Panda Silk Preview

Well, this is really just a sneak peek. I'm on the heel now, and will have more pics shortly. This is 'Nutmeg', colorway 4002. I must confess, what i keep thinking of is S'mores ... and may name the new design that!

I'm on the heel now, and should be able to turn it soon,

but have to go bread shopping right now.

As well, while i'm out, i'm dropping off cardboard, glass, and aluminum at our local recycling bins. Reminds me, to get a big wad of those ubiquitous plastic bags to drop off too!

Walmart takes them, which is good. None of the other groceries do, but my used book store, and thrift store are always glad for bags.

I bought some cloth grocery bags, but am slightly intimidated about using them. The checkers and customers GLARE at me, as i slow things down that way... but it's time to be pro-active for the environment and planet.

By the way, did you know that the Bamboo in Panda Silk is environmentally sound? It is a completely renewable resource - cut, and it regrows! I hope that more bamboo for consumers also means more bamboo for pandas!

blessings, :L, laura

Panda Silk is coming! Contest soon too!

Are you ready for some stash enhancement? This gorgeous Panda Silk sock,

in the persimmons colorway #4004, required only 3/4 ball to make (medium woman's size). That means you could knit yourself a pair and have enough to make a pair for baby too! (Or do a mother-and-child pair for a wonderful shower/new baby gift!)** The sock was knit by Debbie, whose blog is HERE

**The stars are hints to let you know we're working on a sweet baby sock pattern. Silk for your wee one would be soooo luscious and soft!

The small partial shipment of Panda Silk will be in shortly for us lucky testers and some contest winners!

That's right. Keep your eye on this blog for a Panda Silk contest, soon to be announced!!

blessings, :L, laura

Star Search Sunday

These are knits by Bianca in Holland.

She just finished testing a new design for us at CPY with this gorgeous colorway of the new Merino 5 yarn.
I'm personally doubly pleased as it's my design, and seeing how it works up in the hands of a skilled knitter/tester really is the ultimate satisfaction - it works and she likes it!



















Also wanted to share this picture which is a sweet pair of socks in
Panda Wool that Bianca knit for her daughter.
The design is Circus Chevrons by KyleAnn Williams.

This is one of the special things about the internet... making knitterly friends all over the globe!

blessings, :L, laura