Trying to Stay Optimistic.

Happy Sunday friends! I haven't posted in a week or so, so I figured it was due. I have a couple of WIPS but nothing major. A pair of socks that isn't super far and a secret swatch for a KnitScene Submission. So no real photos to share there.

However, I have been working on my stash. As I mentioned in a few previous posts, my LYS - Wildflower Yarns and Knitwear - just went out of business this past December. From mid-October on the owner was having a huge clearance sale, and that for me meant a chance to add some things to the stash I never expected to add.

We were at a knit club meeting and I realized that not many people had been buying the cotton yarns. Apparently since it's winter here, people were stocking up on wools. So I broke down and picked up 5 skeins of Cascade Ultra Pima, a yarn I have been wanting to use for awhile now. This is destined to be a nice summer tank top. 

That same day I decided to get some Tahki Ripple.  I have been wanting to knit with Tahki yarns for awhile, but have never really had to money to buy enough for a project. Well at 40% off, I couldn't resist. I think I already have a project picked out for this one - Diamond Tee. Can't you see that pattern in my lovely blue?

A few weeks before I went on the cotton spree, I was feeling generous so I picked up 5 skeins of Universal Renew Wool. Partially because there weren't many options left for wool and partially because I have never used this yarn. I figured it'd make a nice warm weather garment at some point. Maybe a sweater next fall? I like the nice pale blue. 

I've been wanting this yarn since the day she started stocking it. Camino Alpaca is such a lovely worsted/bulky yarn. Although a sweater would be amazing in this yarn, even at 40% off I couldn't afford that much. So I settled for enough to make an oversized cowl. Or at least that's the plan. I have been wanting one of those for awhile now anyway, but I was hoping I would have started it by now. Maybe next winter....

Finally, I picked this up back when she first announced the sale. I wanted to make a bike helmet cover, since this yarn has strands in it that reflect light (perfect for after dark!). But them my bike got stolen :/ So now it's just in my stash.  Maybe it'll be another hat. Who knows.

My stash bins are pretty much overflowing now, which is something I have never had before. I don't usually buy large amounts of yarn without a project in mind, but when it all went on sale, it was hard not to. I'm trying to stay optimistic about it all. After all, no LYS within 30 minutes means no spending money on things I don't need. It also means that I can work from my stash more.  However it also means no more knit nights, which were always so much fun. We are trying to meet once a month for get togethers, but it's not the same as being able to just walk into the shop and see people knitting.  Kennita, the owner, didn't close up due to finances (thankfully!) but because she is also a designer and is starting to really take off with her designs. She said the shop was just becoming too much work and stress for her.  She's really excited to see what will happen next with her designs. I am too, but I am still sad for no LYS.

Her current project is this amazing e-book - Tuscan Knits - and I can't wait for it to come out.  All knit in Tahki yarns, the patterns are really lovely and show just how much she loves designing.  She's also hosting a monthly knit club - the knitting monthly - which I have been in since it started in September of 2012.  The patterns and techniques are always fun.  You don't have to be in my area to join either! Much of it is all online. :)  

Image copyright (C) Kennita Tully 

So has anyone ever knitted with any of these yarns? What are your thoughts.  I hope everyone is having a great new year and getting back in to the grind of work and life. I know I'm trying to, but getting up at 5:30 for work is kinda rough sometimes!

~Lisa