Friday 7 May 2010

IRL


The Yarn Guide
Originally uploaded by
Asplund
A few weeks ago a fellow Raveler living in Paris wrote to me to ask about yarn shops in Stockholm, since he was going to spend a few days there. Fortunately, it was possible for us to meet up there and go yarn hunting together. Here we are at our third stop, Maria's garn, in front of my favourite shelf (BC Shetlandsuld galore). It's such a treat getting to meet other Ravellers in real life!

I enjoy my "Pacific"sweater project very much, and it's time to decide how to shape the neck. Sometimes I don't do it low enough, so this time I'm going to take the time to figure out exactly how to shape it.

I discovered a split stitch the other day, but it wasn't very difficult to fix; it helps that the pattern practically consists of vertical stripes. After making a ladder with the help of a blunt needle, I used a crochet hook to make new stitches.

Returning to the subject of fellow knitters, xtine wrote something wonderful a few days ago that I want to quote: that a good knitted garment should feel like Sarah Vaughan sounds. I agree completely. (Although trying to make a garment of that kind would be aiming impossibly high - not that there's anything wrong with aiming that high, of course!) I first fell under Vaughan's spell some fifteen years ago, and the past few months I've been unusually addicted to her voice. Pure luxury. Last, I would also like to quote Caprifool's comment on a previous post, that knitting is like writing music for the eye.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I imagine you are a wonderful guide - especially when it comes to yarn shops. Have you compared Shetlandsuld to the Shetland wool I get from Shetland? Is it the same thing or close to it. It is my favourite and it has such a wonderful softness and bloom after the garment is washed (I usually use a good shampoo and conditioner).
Thanks again for the Sarah Vaughn.
Ron

Ian said...

Thanks again for showing me around! I had a great time discovering the woolly treasures tucked away in Stockholm.

FadenStille said...

Yarn hunting in Stokholm, das kann ich versehen, La France ist leider relativ "wollarm"...
Die zwei Stricker scheinen zufrieden.
Für mich ist Stricken mehr als nur Entspannung, im Gegenteil, Spannung, Abenteuer, manchmal Herzklopfen, wenn es dem Ende zugeht...
Etwas Unikat schaffen, individuell, was nur unseren Händen enstspringen kann.
Gib hundert Strickern die gleiche Wolle, die gleiche Anleitung und Nadeln und es entstehen 100 verschiedene Sachen...
Herzlichst Anett

Asplund said...

Ron: Actually, I haven't compared the two yarns - yet! They sound similar, though, because I find Shetlandsuld too gets a lot softer after washing.

Ian: I enjoyed our woolly hours in Stockholm immensely! Look forward to seeing what you choose to make with the beautiful yarn you bought.

Anett: you're absolutely right that a hundred knitters would make different things with the same material. That's one of the many things I love about knitting, the personal stamp.

Tash said...

Lucky! When I was in Stockholm last year (one of my favourite places) Maria Garn closed just as I got there :( Was so upset that I missed out! All I could was press my nose against the window and dream...

Asplund said...

What a pity! Any plans to return to Stockholm? It's one of my favourite places too, by the way - so I'm lucky to live nearby.