Yarn Hounds

You all are a pack of yarn hounds, baying at the scent of fresh stash.

Before anyone gets too excited, I have to tell you I didn't buy much yarn at the K-W Knitter's Fair. First of all, I put cash into my pocket and I left credit card, check book and bank card at home. This technique worked excellently well for keeping me on my budget, but it was very painful when I realized that I only had enough money left for lunch.

The first thing I bought was a mini sock-blocker on a key ring. It's also the first thing I played with when I got home. I think I want to knit a whole series of seasonal socks that I can switch around as the mood strikes me. First up is autumn.


Then I found some yarn to go with the Fleece Artist Garter Stitch Jacket kit that I bought in the spring at the Toronto Knitter's Frolic. Mary Jane warned me that the kit was not quite enough for an enough for an extra large size. I wanted to get a co-ordinating yarn that I could use for the collar, cuffs, as a button band and on the hem. I thought that this yarn was dyed exactly the right shade. It's even got a high mohair content. I'm thinking it will frame the variegated part of the cardigan. This picture shows my two new skiens along with the Fleece Artist kit.

Next I found the most fabulous buttons. I picked this one for the Garter Stitch Jacket.
And I bought these as well.
The sheep earrings are just too cute, and the buttons are exactly my kind of thing. First of all, spirals speak to me. They are a great symbol of cycles, and growth and turning inward. Then of course there's the sheep. Finally, I prefer buttons that are round since they don't catch on the buttonhole the way many odd shaped buttons do.

I also couldn't resist a little sock yarn. It seemed like an affordable way to try out bamboo.

The needles came from Herschners. Lynn had a coupon and just had to stop to check it out. I found these needles at the back and was intrigued by their flexibility.

For only $2, I just had to bring them home. My friends took mercy on me and bought them for me. Yes, I was down to 3 cents.

And finally, a big apology to Maureen for not including her in the wonderful things seen at the Fair. I guess it's because I saw it in London first. Get a load of her beaded Diamond Fantasy shawl.

Yowza! She strung the tear drop beads at the bottom onto the yarn, but she used a crochet hook and some magic to individually attach the beads in the main body of the shawl. It's all so neat, that someone actually asked if it was done on a machine.

I had to put this post up today since tommorrow I will be at the gym in the morning and the London Knitter's Guild has its first meeting of the new season in the evening. There's going to be a lot of catching up to do!