Photos and meme

I’ve been tagged for several memes, and today is a great day to do them – it’s super rainy and cold outside, leaving me without much desire to go out, so I’m having a relaxing day – yesterday I walked plenty!  Tomorrow I will have to be out, since I have to check us out while Marc is still having his class, so I will save up my final shopping for tomorrow!  After we leave we are going to visit a friend of Marc’s in Wisconsin, so we won’t be back home until late Saturday night… just in time for me to have to get up and go to church (twice.)  Still, it has been a most excellent trip so far, in spite of the weather.

I did manage to make it to Loopy Yarns, where they were very friendly and had just what I was looking for!

This Sea silk was not labeled for color, but I think it’s ocean.  This is to make a diamond fantasy shawl (the small size)

This is Manos Silk blend, and it’s way outside my color box!  It doesn’t look bad with my hair, and I will admit that I adore the color.  I bought enough to make Tuscany from No Sheep for you.

That concludes my yarn buying… at least until the next Interweave comes out!  I have to make the 2 projects I stashed yarn for from spring (the camisole and Printed Silk cardi.)  I also really want to make the Holly Jacket, now that I’ve seen how great the finished ones look, but the problem is that I really want to use the recommended yarn (I love the sheen and the slubs in the yarn) but it is crazy expensive.  I’m not sure I want to head down that slippery slope!

Here is the meme I was tagged for by Orata from Feather and Fan.

Out of the top 50 yarns on Ravelry (by number of projects):
Bold the ones you’ve used and would use again,
cross out the ones you’ve used and would not use again,
and italicize the ones you’ve never tried, but would like to.
Add comments as desired, and then pass the meme along to 5 knitters/crocheters.
Link back to this post and to the person who tagged you.

Ready? Here’s my list:

1. Cascade 220 –I have made two projects from this, my veste everest and the Babette blanket. It’s a nice basic wool but not my favorite… I won’t be choosing it for wearables again.
2, Patons Classic Wool Merino, 10445 projects– I made my ill fated Nantucket jacket from this yarn, and honestly I’m not too impressed. It isn’t soft enough for merino, but it does like to fuzz up like merino (not pill, just get fuzzy(
3, Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, 8421 projects–I love Malabrigo. I’ve made a scarf and a shrug out of it, and I recently aquired enough to make a full sweater for myself – I can’t wait! My only complaint is that sometimes different dyelots will look rather faded.
4, Noro Kureyon, 7947 projects– I bought some of this yarn intending to make a Clapotis, but alas it was not to be. This yarn actually makes my hands burn from the scratchiness.
5, Caron Simply Soft, 7914 projects–I can’t really use acrylics anymore (I think I’m sensitive to the chemicals or something?) But this is my favorite.
6, Lily Sugar’n Cream Solid, 6864 projects–Nothing finished but I have some balls in my stash. I don’t like how ropy it feels, but I guess that’s sort of the point!
7, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted, 6619 projects– I have used the bulky and not been in love, but I want to try making some nice felted projects sometime.
8, Red Heart Ltd. Super Saver Solids, Not a good acrylic
9, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solid, 5554 projects– Doesn’t wear well in my experience, and it’s a little scratchy.

10, Noro Silk Garden, 5410 projects–I said never again because it made my hands ache, but the colors are so pretty!
11, Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM), 5094 projects–I’ve never used it, but I am curious!
12, Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, 5071 projects–Made armwarmers – nice but not special, I would use it again.
13. Lion Brand Homespun– I bought some when I was a new knitter (didn’t we all?) I hated working with it, even on giant needles.
14, Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, 4157 projects– Great for baby projects and blankets, though I don’t love the colors.
15, Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Multi, 4086 projects–I made half a Jaywalker in Lucky Stripe. I loved the yarn, though it is thin, I will get back to it sometime!

16, Manos del Uruguay 100% Wool, 3989 projects–I have some in my stash to make a Cloud Bolero – hopefully soon!

17, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky , 3927 projects – I used it for a vest but never finished it – it was thick and I hated the mohair.
18, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, 3751 projects I want to try it, but not for a whole sweater.
19, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock – Lightweight, 3723 projects – I know I’m the only one, but I don’t like the way this seems to pool.
20, Plymouth Encore Worsted, 3573 projects–
21, Cascade 220 Heathers, 3422 projects– Thinner than regular 220, I like the colors better.
22, Lily Sugar’n Cream Ombres & Prints, 3384 projects
23, Zitron Trekking (XXL), 3348 projects–I’ve got a ball, but lord only knows when it will actually be socks.
24, Patons SWS (Soy Wool Stripes), 3243 projects–It’s so pretty, and not too hard to work with on metal needles (I made a hat on bamboo dpns… never again!) but I find it horrendously itchy. I would use it again, but not for anything that touches the neck.
25, Rowan Kidsilk Haze, 3203 projects–I want to try it… maybe. I probably won’t care for it, but I have to know for sure!
26, Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 2917 projects I love this yarn so much I would marry it – soft and springy and no pills!
27, Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Ombres, 2658 projects–
29, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock – Mediumweight, 2503 projects
30, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, 2489 projects – I hated this stuff – felt like rope!
31, Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Solids, 2476 projects
32, Cascade 220 Superwash, 2323 projects – I do love superwash!
33, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, 2286 projects– lovely colors, but I’m allergic!
34, Knit Picks Swish Superwash, 2226 projects–It feels nice enough, but I wouldn’t make a whole sweater due to wear issues.
35, Knit Picks Essential, 2149 projects
36, Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Solid, 2142 projects
37, Colinette Jitterbug, 2090 projects–I have a ball of Velvet Damson… someday!

38, Lion Brand Lion Wool Solid, 2030 projects–

39, Knit Picks Shine Sport, 1976 projects – I have two sweaters and a scarf from this yarn. It does stretch quite a lot, but I love it anyway.
40, Dale of Norway/Dalegarn Baby Ull, 1885 projects–
41, Lion Brand Microspun, 1871 projects
42, Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino, 1863 projects – my Boteh scarf is made of this yarn and I love it!
43, Knit Picks Palette, 1765 projects–It’s pretty if not the sturdiest yarn ever.
44, South West Trading Company TOFUtsies, 1762 projects
45, Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, 1756 projects– Love this yarn – I have lots stashed. My only caveat is that is does stretch out of shape easily.

46, Mission Falls 1824 Wool, 1725 projects–Very soft and nice yarn.
47, Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK, 1718 projects
48, Red Heart Ltd. Super Saver Multis/Ombres, 1664 projects
49, Rowan Felted Tweed, 1646 projects–I still miss my felted tweed – stupid allergy!

50, Rowan Calmer, 1571 projects– Calmer is a great yarn, but all my projects seem to end in disaster! The tension is hard to control.

I will tag: anyone who wants to do this meme, it’s lots of fun!

Soon I will do the other thing I’ve been tagged for – right now I’m going to wander off to the coffee shop across the street and knit on something!