Monday, February 16, 2015

Woolish

As most of my friends and readers of this blog know, I've become partial to SWTC yarns for my self and for designing. I was first introduced to Tofutsies when a call for toe-up knitters was put out on Ravelry. And with that, a wonderful friendship and collaboration was born. Jonelle has been a great inspiration for me as a designer. My second big feat came working with her and Kat on Socks A La Carte: Colorwork. If you have ever emailed SWTC for help, I am one of the voices that replies.
I have fallen in love with all of the yarns and spinning fibers available. Saphira is a wonderful single ply wool. Hand dyed and soft. As I've said before, Tofutsies has always been my go to for socks since it was introduced to me. I could go on and on but...

I've found a new love. YarnZone now has a worsted weight yarn called Woolish. Single ply and squishy, like my Saphira. Shhh, I know I'm cheating. And it's ok, really. The colors are deep and rich. The yarn just begs to be snuggled and loved. The drape is beautiful. I really can't say enough about it.
The jewel tones are just that. Luxurious through and through. 50g/100m. 1.76oz/109yd. $6.50 per ball. Have I said I'm in love?
Going through YarnZone's website is dangerous. There are great deals on SWTC yarns, their own lines of yarns, and even things from the land down under. Melissa is a master at dying yarns, I have a couple of skeins she's done and the greens are amazing. I'm such a sucker for cool colors.
 
I realize this may sound like a commercial, but I am a firm believer that when I find a yarn I let people know my opinions about it. I don't look down on yarn because of it's fiber content. When I make afghans, I use acrylic. I have a thriving mitten business where I work and I use an acrylic/wool blend. I know enough about non-crafters and what happens when those beautiful, expensive yarns are tossed into the washing machine. I even know knitters who have accidently done it. I firmly believe all fibers have a place in our crafting world.
 
I also have strong feelings about how companies treat people. LYS's are slowly going away due to online sales; shameless plug here though. Pins and Needles in Farmington Maine. Lovely shop with wonderful owners. Stop in and tell her Caryn sent you. But I digress.
So far ordering online the only problems I've had is the color not matching what is on the monitor. But we all seem to have that problem no matter where we order from.
With all of that said, the service that I've been provided through YarnZone has been wonderful. In my series of patterns that are coming out this year, I will be using several of YarnZone's products mixed in with some of my old favorites from SWTC. And you can get both at amazing prices in one spot.
 
March's pattern will feature Woolish and Syn. More to come on that as the date gets closer. As with Always in My Heart, I will be adding in a coupon code for YarnZone.
 
Stay warm everyone. Even though we didn't get hammered with snow here in my neck of the woods, it's still frigid here. Hopefully my next post will include pictures from snow shoeing. If the wind ever dies down...
 


Sunday, February 1, 2015

Pattern Release Day!!!

The full pattern is now available! I'm so proud of these socks.
It was hard to pull these together at the end. I lost my memory stick with all the photos on it. We have had blizzards and scheduling conflicts. I wanted to have my daughter model these instead of using sock blockers or a cup to display them. We got them just right-another blizzard tomorrow!
I will be updating this post with photos from PayPal to prove funds are going to the ACS at the end of each month. Although the original inspiration was because my father had cancer, researching ribbon colors made me realize that these socks could be made for any cause. I would love to see those projects as well and hear the stories. And don't forget, there is a special offer from YarnZone.com!
There also is a group and forum on Ravelry -  http://www.ravelry.com/groups/terrapin-creations. Come join us!


Pattern purchase link: 

Follow this link to the page dedicated to loved ones the pattern was purchased to honor: