Pond-hopping
For 2 wonderful years of my life, not going to say actually when, but it was back when shoulderpads were in, and disco wasn’t, I lived in England, stationed at the now-closed RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge bases located in Suffolk County. I fell in love. Not with a man, (though that’s where I met my ex, TOTAL mistake) but with a people that are friendly and full of life (who talk pretty cool too), a culture so similar yet so different from my own; a country rich with history and tradition that I often look back on those days with such fondness and longing, I almost get homesick.
Some day I’ll get back there. In the meantime I have the wonderful knitblogs from the UK to give me my Anglofix. Hell, I think this is one of the reasons why I’ve been drawn to so many UK Knitbloggers. This is how I came to “know” the wonderful Susoolu.
A few weeks ago we entered into a Hostage Exchange Agreement, and as usual, I dragged my feet, and hers arrived before I ever had a chance to mail mine out.
H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H! Hipknits 100% Cashmere
I’m divided between knitting with this and lining the outside of my pillow with it. Considering if I did the latter, chances are that it’ll get all drooled over, so I guess I’d better knit it up, it’s safer. I’m thinking Frosted Flowers and Leaves, but I’m not married to it. Maybe I’ll do my own, using traditional Shetland Lace patterns and techniques.
This book is amazing too! It goes into the history of the Shetland Lace Hap Shawl, and some of the vintage footage is remarkable. Though, I will have to say, some of the color combinations are pretty damned eye-gouging. Still I’m really enjoying this books, and I’ve barely thumbed through it.
Thanks Soo! As soon as your postal workers are done striking my sorely-lacking-in-cashmere-and-bookage hostage will be on it’s way. I wonder if I could mail myself there while I’m at it!
So, it looks like this package arrived just in time! This morning, Stacey informed me that 2008 will be the Year of Lace. Unselfishly I have decided not to join the club, but to allow that space for someone more deserving. Ok, ok…OKAY! I’m not joining because: a) So not a joiner, except for when I am; b) Way too fucking cheap (ie. WOW sock yarn club), though I must say, $240 isn’t all that bad, but $240 would buy a lot of interior paint. and c) I’ve easily got enough laceweight for 5 full-size shawls, which is at least a years-worth of knitting right there: Beefields Shawl, FF&L/Somekinda Shetland Lace Shawl, Twinings Stole and 2 others TBD at some later date, so thanks, but I’m all full-up.
That doesn’t mean the rest of you can’t join! And I’ll be knitting lace along with you all the way, or at least until I get completely burned out on lace which, knowing me, is within the realm of possibility, if only just a smidge. Shut up
October 9th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
That yarn is preeeeeeetty. Mmmm.
Haven’t started super secret project yet. Pondering the stash possibilities with the yardage requirements. Having brain meltdown.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
That is the skinniest yarn I’ve ever seen…gorgeous but skinny!!
Don’t forget the laceweight silk that will be winging it’s way come December too!
October 9th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Soooooo pretty.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
That’s some wicked, wicked yarn!
October 9th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Oooh, very, very pretty yarn! Design your own! Design your own!
I’d join Year of Lace but then I’d never knit it.
October 9th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
You are very welcome, my dear. And I always knew you would be mad enough to even contemplate knitting with that size 0 scary skinny yarn!
October 9th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
gah, CASHMERE. OMG drooling
A whole year is a long time for just lace. Sometimes you just want to get shit done, you know? (I say, thinking of the aran weight wool I have sitting here beside me. Might not be instant gratification, but close enough knit-wise.) Not that the patterns and yarn won’t be gorgeous, I’m sure.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Seriously beautiful yarn! Although I have to say, I don’t appreciate you posting the info on the Year of Lace. I’m trying my best to resist, but I’m afraid I’m not going to be successful. Hee Hee
October 9th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Oh are you fancy now with your your-a-peein’ yarns and British slang ‘pond’ and dropping the fact you lived overseas. You may have gotten a little too hoytee-toytee on me here, lace-monger.
p.s. I love the tiffany’s blue color
October 10th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
What’s a hap?
October 10th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Oh, that’s gorgeous yarn. I would probably be afraid to knit it up.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Yummy yarn.
I “know” Susoolu from the “Fellowship of the Ring Shawl” blog.
I want to do that one, but I didn’t buy the pattern quick enough and now seems I have to wait till 2010. Ugh.
See, you aren’t the only one who procrastinates.
October 12th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Mmmmm… pretty yarn… mmmm…