This weekend was intense, to say the least. A lot happened and trying to remember it all is a bit overwhelming. I took Friday off work because, let’s face it, spending 5 days in an office is just not my thing, and spent a few hours waiting for - and getting - my iPhone. Very happy about this. I subsequently spent the next 5 hours setting up everything on it and peeing myself with excitement.
![[Yogini Bolero] Making lots of progress!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2681162875_c5633c1128_m.jpg)
I managed to take a break from pissing myself with excitement to start knitting my Yogini Bolero. I adore this pattern, it’s so quick and simple, but I have to say one thing: yarn choice. I had ordered a few skeins of KnitPicks Shine Worsted to use for something summer-y, or perhaps a market bag, and I decided to use it for my bolero. Can I just say that it sheds like a Persian cat during a Death Valley summer? I’ve been disappointed by KnitPicks before, and I’m pretty sure this will be the last time I purchase anything from them (other than their bare yarns). Lesson learned, I guess. I don’t particularly enjoy knitting with cotton, and I probably won’t again for awhile.
Anyways - my Bolero. I love this little sucker. But than again, I love any top-down raglan. I’ve finished everything except for one sleeve and the border, so I should (hopefully) have a nice and shiny FO sometime this week to share with you. I knit the 32″ bust (even though I am a 36″) because I needed the smaller sizing for the arms and the back. I made some modifications along the fronts to make it more breast friendly.
I picked up my Clapotis again this weekend. I was motivated by our extremely cool nights to finish it so I can have a nice summer wrap to wear when I go out at night. I really like the way it is shaping up now that I’ve dropped more stitches. I love the look of drop stitch wraps, so I usually drop the stitches all the way down before I continue.
Saturday was Lambtown. To sum it up briefly: it was awesome. I bought a drop spindle and some fiber. I plan on taking spinning this fall, so hopefully I’ll be able to spin this fiber into some gorgeous yarn. They are: 50/50 Merino/Tencel (4 oz), 50/50 Bombay Silk/Merino (2 oz), and 100% Silk (1.3 oz).
I tried my hand at using the drop spindle, and I have to say, it’s a blast, I love it. I only spun about 5 yards, but it was a lot of fun and it helped me get the hang of things before starting in on my nice fancy fibers.
Once I got used to it, it was very easy to judge the amount of fiber that I needed to get my designed yarn weight. I think I’m going to try to spin either some bulky or worsted weight yarn and make something lovely for myself out of the 50/50 Bombay Silk/Merino.
Not quite sure what I’m going to do with the 100% Silk - maybe combine it with the Bombay/Merino blend? We’ll see, I suppose. I’d like that to be something I could wear against my skin - they are both so soft and delicious! The 50/50 Merino/Tencel, well, that will most likely become fingering weight or similar for some delicious socks.
I didn’t intend to buy this much fiber at Lambtown - I only wanted to buy two sets of roving, but I ended up buying two, plus the silk. I couldn’t resist the silk - it was so soft and the color is delicious. I’m trying not to become a fiber junkie, we’ll see how that works out. It obviously didn’t work for yarn.
I also bought a 9″ US 1 1/2 (2.5mm) circular needle at Lambtown - which I am overexcited about. It’s bamboo, and while I wish it was metal, I still can’t wait to pick up my socks and see if my speed improves at all. Here’s hoping!
As soon as I finish the Clapotis, I’m going to knit up a wrap pattern I’ve been mentally working on for the past few weeks. I’ve just recently stared putting pen to paper and working out the details, it’s not overly complicated. It will be similar to the Phiaro scarf, but with fewer dropped stitches. I’m also working on another top secret pattern for a friend’s gift, so we’ll see how that one works out!