Supporting My Local Yarn Stores

While James was here, we were able to to make it to four different yarns stores, and I ended up buying at least one sweater's worth of yarn in each store.

Latest Yarn Purchases
First of all, if anyone is in the market for a large wooden yarn swift (either for themselves or as a great knitter's gift), Amazon has it on sale right now for around $50 (it usually retails for about $70).

Also, for those of you on Ravelry, you can check out my stash there (if you already have, this section of the blog will be repetitive). I also got quite a nice gift from Carol at Black Bunny Fibers.

I'll start with the gift, since it was my favorite (including the card visible in the background).



The yarn is hand-dyed merino/tencel blend, that I will use for socks. Here's a closeup, since the colors are so subtle and so sublime.



I bought 11 hanks of Berrocco Peruvia Wool.



It was softer than Cascade 220 and had some really nice colors (even though I selected gray...much to James' dismay).

Then I picked up some Claudia Handpainted fingering weight yarns.



Not sure what I'll be using the Claudia for, but I liked the colors.

I picked up some more Koigu KPPPM in colors that I thought would look nice together.



Then I found this lovely yarn. It's Jojoland Harmony in a very fine laceweight.



This yarn was was very inexpensive, and had some spectacular colorways.

I couldn't resist picking up some of the Malabrigo Merino Laceweight.



I thought the colorway was rich and interesting, and the yarn was softer than corn starch.

I can't believe no one had told me that Manos starting making a Silk Blend yarn.



The colors are just wonderful and deep and vibrant. I have no idea what I'll make with this, but whatever it is, it will be very nice.

Finally, I picked up two different colors of Rowan Felted Tweed.



I found the tan color first and liked it, and then when I saw the red, I had to have it as well.

Suffice it to say, I have enough yarn due to James' visit to keep me knitting for at least the upcoming year.

Current Knitting
I was able to finish the back of the Alpaca Herd Jacket and then work up to the sleeve shaping on the left front.



This is going to be one warm and soft jacket when it's finished.

Readers' Comments/Questions
Suzan asks, "Question: do you think Thanksgiving is more important than Christmas?"

I don't think Thanksgiving is more important than Christmas...no. I will say that I enjoy the restful, peaceful quality of Thanksgiving a little more than the frenetic chaos that Christmas usually presents, but that has more to do with how we celebrate both holidays as opposed to the inherent importance of each.

Adam Spector Hodgkins Memorial Fund