Knitified

My ‘research project’ of reading around Ravelry, Etsy, yarn blogs and other knitting-related materials hasn’t just given me new insights into style, projects and why we knit (or at least, what I enjoy about knitting) but they’ve had me reconsidering yarn too. Because after all, what yarn you choose makes a huge difference in both the feel and the quality of a project. 

Take Rae for example, the scarf pattern I mentioned in a previous post that has been inspiring me all week, and has even led me down the road towards bankruptcy, buying 2 skeins of Madelinetosh Spectrum (among other things) for the project. Now this pattern and modern, bold color choice would make the final project completely contemporary. I really dig the idea. But on the other hand, knitting up a Rae in something softer, maybe a yarn that had a bit of a halo and in a very neutral, feminine color would make give the final product a very different, soft and ethereal feel.

Decisions, decisions. But back to the yarn:

Madelinetosh will always be my first love - and in a way, it feels like i’ve been cheating on it a bit. But on the other hand, I think not mixing enough in my stash has skewed me, and i’ve been forcing too much to find the right patterns for such yarns that maybe aren’t the best fit. I’ve thus been lusting after some new sophisticated indie dyers who I think are really going to revolutionize my stash and and how I think about patterns and projects. I’ve also been aiming to research into indie dyers a bit closer to home, to try to minimize the costs i’ve been incuring buying Madtosh. I like to feed my stash habit once in awhile, but I really don’t need to be giving away any more free money to the Danish government, just because they enjoy stopping all of my yarn packages.

So on I went, and here are my four new loves (we can include to this list, some from previous posts which include Fiberphile, String Theory and Habu Textiles) and some honorable mentions I’d like to try when I get the chance. 

Viola - ohhhh, Viola. How I have missed out on such an opportunity that I could almost cry. These yarns are not going to be sold anymore, but oh what gorgeous colors. Words I would use to describe them would be soft, gentle, sophisticated and calming. I really haven’t seen anything like it. Despite my yarn diet and troubling financial situation I brought the very last 2 skeins in Pumpkin Pie from Loop in London at what will now be the most I have ever spent for a single skein of yarn ever. It hurt so bad, but oh it will feel so good. 

Hedgehog Fibres - I love how this dyer plays with color and she herself has a great taste level in patterns. All the skeins look rich and saturated and they all have great names like ‘Rusty Nail’.

The Uncommon Thread - This is going to be my new replacement for Madelinetosh, I can just feel it. Beautiful yarns, really. Rich colors and sophisticated, complicated and dark neutrals. Plus dyer Ce, who i’ve PM’ed to on Rav (why do I feel like i’m talking to a celebrity) is out of the UK, so major win for me. Colors Toast and Confetti are high on my list of wants.

WalkCollection - lovely greys and browns that call out for chic sweaters and hats.  Also love the greys and some of those fresh greens, as well. Close to home too in Germany!

Honorable mentions go to: Northbound Knitting, Sweet Fiber, The Plucky Knitter and French Market Fibers, but since they are located in North America, I’ll have to wait until I go to visit the US to try to order them.   

If you want to know more about what the heck i’m trying to say about patterns and check out my small stash, you can find me on Ravelry, username: sptmbrsmmr.