knitting lemonade

I didn't waste any time using some of that Estes Park haul. I grabbed that Riata yarn from Brooks Farm Yarn and got down to Counterpane Carpet Bag biz-niz.

I have been in love with this bag since I got Handknit Holidays for Christmas. So for the past 6 months, I have been searching for the 'perfect yarn.' And boy, was I picky...I didn't want yarn that was too stripey. I wanted yarn that was antique-y looking. I didn't want yarn that was too dark. I wanted this, I didn't want that. Picky, picky, picky.

At Estes Park, my primary mission was to find that elusive 'perfect yarn' for this bag. And while shopping in that big barn full of kiosks and yarn vendors, the heavens parted. I found the Riata. Can I get a "Hallelujah"?! So I saw, I bought, I knit.

This weekend, I quickly knitted up one side of the Counterpane Carpet Bag.

Conclusion: I LOVE THIS BAG! The quickness of the knit kept me engaged and the yarn, oh the yarn, is knitting up better than I ever hoped for. It is truly perfect.

There is, however, a hitch. The pattern in the book calls for 800 yards of the La Lana Forever Random Blends. I have maybe used 200 yards for one side. I mean, that is a HUGE discrepency. They yarns are not that different in weight:

Forever Random Blends: 40 yards/oz
Riata: 45.6 yards/oz

Now don't get me wrong, I love my bag as is. It's just the Nancy Drew in me refuses to let this mystery die. Any ideas?

Okay, y'all have waited long enough, so here is the Estes Park haul. Look at them, pretty maids all in a row...ooh, they are just the lurvliest aren't they?

Before I go into the details, it must be understood that I may have a yarn problem. A very serious and real yarn problem. That being said, don't judge me too harshly. Just accept me as I am.

Yarn Acquisition One

Yarn: Duet (55% Kid Mohair/45% Fine Wool)
Manufacturer: Brooks Farm Yarn
Color: Blues with brown, teal, and other highlights
Number of Skeins: 1
Intended Project: ummm...It was kinda on sale, so I just bought it. V. wicked.

Yarn Acquisition Two

Yarn: Single Sport Dip Dyed (100% Wool)
Manufacturer: Plain & Fancy Sheep & Wool Co.
Color: Sage Green/Mixed Reds
Number of Skeins: 2
Intended Project: Beats me.

Yarn Acquisition Three

Yarn: 100% Alpaca
Manufacturer: Larkspur Funny Farm & Fiber Art Studio
Color: Rose Garden
Number of Skeins: 3
Intended Project: Good question...

Yarn Acquisition Four

Yarn: 100% Alpaca
Manufacturer: Larkspur Funny Farm & Fiber Art Studio
Color: Spiced Cranberry
Number of Skeins: 8
Intended Project: Maybe Ms. Marigold from zephyr style, but not completely sure.

Yarn Acquisition Five

Yarn: Superlamb
Manufacturer: Skaska
Color: Mallard
Number of Skeins: 1
Intended Project: Mountain Peaks Shawl

Yarn Acquisition Six

Yarn: Shanghai (50% silk/50% wool)
Manufacturer: Textiles A Mano
Color: Blues, Greens, Purples
Number of Skeins: 3
Intended Project: Clapotis from knitty.com

Yarn Acquisition Seven

Yarn: Riata (48% Wool/36% Mohair/16% Silk)
Manufacturer: Brooks Farm Yarn
Color: Oats, Peaches, Browns, Oranges
Number of Skeins: 2
Intended Project: Counterpane Carpet Bag from Handknit Holidays, by Melanie Falick

Yarn Acquisition Eight

Yarn: Limited Edition 1 (60% Superwash Wool/20% Silk/20% Viscose)
Manufacturer: Brooks Farm Yarn
Color: Greens and Plums
Number of Skeins: 1
Intended Project: And one for good luck...

And there you have it...If any of you have suggestions for yarns I bought but have no intended projects for, I would love to hear from you!

All I can say is "oink, oink," cause I'm a little yarn piggie. We are back from the Estes Park Wool Market where we had a marvy time. No seriously, SOOO fun.

First of all, there were so many choices...maybe too many. I was paralyzed by indecision the first hour we were there. I would just stand there mumbling to myself, "Maybe red, no purple, no aqua-marine...Wait what are my feelings about teal?"
Once I got focused, gained my center, I was able to make a real dent in my yarn budget. If you guys are interested, I'll showcase the yarns I picked up as well as their intended use throughout the week. Aren't you excited?

And if fabbity fab yarn wasn't enough, there were ANIMALS...
Oh what a day. How could one unwind from all this excitement? Here's a suggestion:
Knitting on the patio of the Stanley Hotel. Erin and I splurged and stayed in this historic hotel for our one-night stay in Estes Park. It is like way old and way charming. Oh, and it inspired Stephen King to write "The Shining". Just creepy enough to be cool, I say.

Estes Park--what joy, what bliss. How could a girl contain her excitement...or stay within budget?

Oh yes, I caught the Estes in the worst way...so Erin and I are going to Colorado tomorrow in search of the only known cure--the Estes Park Wool Market.

So I hear the best treatment for the Estes is equal parts buying yarn, petting alpacas, buying yarn, horseback riding, buying yarn, meeting other knit-bloggers, buying yarn...okay, maybe not exactly equal parts.

It's not going to be all play when we are in Estes Park, I have work to do...I have to find yarn for the following projects:

1. Counterpane Carpet Bag from Handknit Holidays, by Melanie Falick
2. Hourglass Sweater from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson
3. Ms. Marigold from zephyr style
4. Clapotis from knitty.com

And countless other projects.

I know, I am out of control. Don't you judge me...

Talk to y'all when I get back. And if you are very good, I will show you what I got. Ta!

PS - My sister/roommate Erin is having a contest over at Girl Who Knits, so go and enter! You may have a fab prize in your future.

Oh yes, it was Worldwide Knit in Public Day. And my sister/roommate Erin and I rallied together and accepted the challenge. We went down to the Salt Lake City Farmer's Market with our knitting and joined other public knitters. Fab people these knitters, all smart, funny, and oh so talented. I instantly liked them. Anyway, read more about our day at Erin's blog Girl Who Knits.
Viva La Revolution!

It's a tongue-twister, isn't it? Even if it's hard to say, it is oh so fun to knit. I am LOVING this sock pattern and that how gorgey is the sweet georgia sock yarn in River? Perfect fit, no?

I have returned from the high seas. While on my cruise to Nova Scotia, I discovered that I have a natural aptitude for the sea. My legs...totally sea legs. But I digress.

My cruise was too fab. My friend Meredith and I were rocking the Great White North with the SASs (Super Active Seniors). I think we may have been the only two on the boat who were (a) under 30 and (b) single. But what is age and station in life, when there's Green Gables to see.

Green Gables meet Green Gables...

Kinda hard to see but I promise I'm wearing Green Gables. It was a gloomy day on PEI, but that didn't matter much. I was drinking raspberry cordial, taking carriage rides, and grinning from ear to ear.

Oh remember that time that I said I was going to work on Pomatomus on my trip? Maybe I kinda didn't work on it all. I know, I know...slacker.