Bella Mittens

So the Super Star asked me today if I would make her a pair of mittens inspired by the Twilight movie. There is a great free pattern on Raverly called appropriately, Bella's Mittens, which I've made for my coworker JoAnn, and also myself. They are super cute, and knit up quite fast in a bulky weight yarn.

She wanted purple mittens so we went to the city and paid both our local yarn stores a visit. We found some great Cascade 220 on for $7.99 at Hip 2 Knit. I made a pair of sage green Bella Mittens holding Cascade 220 doubled and it worked perfectly (the above pair were done in Cascade Ecological Wool, which is a bulky weight). So that would make for a inexpensive pair of mittens, I'd only have to buy 2 skeins. Unfortunately we couldn't find a purple that was perfect. I liked the Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky and the Super Star found a good purple but I wasn't too thrilled with the price tag especially as I'd have to buy to 2 skeins.

I could have spent some money there for sure though. They recently started carrying Berroco Blackstone Tweed, and I've been wanting to try it! I have a pattern in mind and in my queue called Napoleon. But I didn't buy any. Oh I wanted to though!

picture by berroco

So then we went to the Golden Willow. I found so many good things. So many tempting things! The Super Star found her purple yarn, a Diamond Luxury Yarn, called Baby Alpaca Sport which amusingly is not a sport weight at all. It's really bulky, and soft, and squishy and all kinds of wonderful. Expensive too, but I was tired and hungry at that point and would have bought more if I could have found what I was looking for. It's really hard to find charcoal anything in worsted weight right now. Like impossible. I found a skein here or there but I'm looking for 1300 yards  and so far that seems to be totally out of my reach.

photo © 2010 Splityarn

I saw a lovely cardigan on Ravelry the other week that is on my must knit with 6 months list. It's called Dark and Stormy and I think it's lovely. I'm really drawn to the charcoal grey and even a heathered dark grey would have worked just fine for me. But it wasn't to be I guess.

Never fear though, I did find something for me! I bought 7 skeins of Shepherd's Own 100% All Natural Undyed Wool in a rich chocolate brown. It isn't a merino that's for sure but as a outerwear piece like a cardigan, I think it will be great. I have a few things in my queue that might work well with this yarn like:

photo by cecilyam

This one called Idlewood by Cecily Glowik MacDonald. She has lots of really great patterns that I find so inspiring not only to make but to wear too. Love them.

photo by chicknits

This cardigan is called the Mondo Cable Cardi by Bonne Marie Burns. She also designs really classic pieces that would work for the office or play.

photo © madelinetosh

And then this one, called Tea Leaves Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre. I think I may hold out for some actual Madelinetosh yarn. I have a feeling this one may be worth it.

So there you have a rather rambling look at the yarn I acquired today and the worsted weight sweaters I'd like to knit some time in the coming year and even a yarn or two as well.

I'll sign off today with a picture of my new yarn swift. My friend Sheryl and her husband Rick made yarn swifts to combat the boredom of a rainy harvest where the combines can't combine due to the wet. Well what are they to do? Start a business making these, that's what! I'm so enamoured with this! Here is a link to the directions to make your own swift...

Thanks Sheryl and Rick!!!