Knitting@roosterhillfarm.com

When reading other blogs you run the risk of discovering new yarns and other fun things. This happened to me when I read the blog at http://knitting.xaviermusketeer.com/?p=1319 and discovered Knitting By Impulse.

I am a sucker for semi-solids and these colors are amazing. Plus she is from British Columbia (high up on the places I would like to visit) and has a wonderful blog.

I have so many projects in the works and cannot use these right away, but I do break them out and pet them one in a while. This yarn, Almost Holly, is a muted melange of colors with a Blue Leicester base. And included in my shipment was this beautiful copper shawl pin, also made by the dyer.

Love. Did you notice the shawl pin she made and threw in there for me? I love that too!And now that you have read this, you may have discovered the price of reading too!

It’s true, I joined yet another sock yarn club this year, Fiber Baristas. It’s a collection of indie dyers and they maintain an active blog and Ravelry group. Their first shipment from Bare Sheep Yarn Co. arrived with a contest to see who could finish their socks first. I’m halfway there.

The main yarn is a stripey-stripe of reds and browns, and the contrasting yarn is a mostly solid brick color. The pattern is from a new book, Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol Sulcoski. This is a great book, BTW, with many interesting takes on sock patterns. I highly recommend it!

I modified the pattern in 2 ways, one intentionally I made the sock longer as the original pattern was for a anklet. These socks are 7″ high, longer if you unfold the lacy cuff! I missed the part in the pattern that called for ribbing underneath that lacy cuff, so they are a bit snug. I am hoping the blocker helps in that respect.

So I am about to begin sock #2. I have to finish soon as the new shipment from Rockin’ Sock Club is in the mail, and I have seen sneak previews of the yarn and the pattern, and I need to cast that one on as soon as I get it – it’s that good.

Yarn: Bare Sheep Yarn Co. “Holy Crab”
Pattern: Zig Zag Cuffs by Pam Grushkin published in Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol Sulcoski

Seems I had green on the brain when I ordered yarn this day. This is my first order from Eat.Sleep.Knit. And I have to tell you, they are great. There is nothing like a store who rewards you for loyalty, although it typically makes me spend a little more.

ESK’s take on it is the Yarnathon. Yardage of yarn you buy is added up and rewards are given at certain milestones. With every order they include a scratch-off card where you can win other prizes. I got $5 off!

The Loopy Ewe will always be my first stop though. And their sock club is amazing. TLE has an amazing selection and a rabid fan base. They reward customers based on how much money us spent, and $25 credit is granted for each $250 spent. And their website – especially as a custom app – is out of this world.


So I have added links to both stores to the blog. They will reward you with customer perks and great yarn.