Little Bits of Everything

*aww, isn't it cute?*

Here is my stash, being flashed once again for the SP10 contest. My, look how it's grown! It's now resting in its new basket in our office/guest room/ craft corner/ doggie day care. I moved in with S last weekend, which is why the guest bed is in craft chaos. I swear the mess has improved, but I think S might disagree.

I went to a "yarn tasting" at The Shabby Sheep last night. We each got little to go containers of 5 different yarns and a sample of Soak wash. The yarns are (starting with the blue and going clockwise): "Emotion" by Lang, Shabby Sheep Handspun by Madeline Tosh. Pure Silk by Debbie Bliss, Summer Set by Classic Elite, and Euroflax by Louet.

The surprise hit of the evening was the "Emotion". It's scented. Scented, people! I scoffed at its silly (but delicious) aromatherapy lavender smell and its weird shiny streak in an otherwise cotton tape-y yarn. But it knits up really nicely and it the first cotton I've tried that's easy on the hands. So easy, in fact, it made my knitting fingers softer. It was so enjoyable to work with, I want to make a simple scented tank out of it. Scented clothes seem like a smart way to survive a Texas summer. The combination of lavender and sweat would make everyone smell like a yoga class.

My second favorite was the Debbie Bliss Pure Silk. How can you not love Debbie Bliss, or silk? It was a little slippery and my size two's were not an ideal needle size, but I liked it.

The Shabby Sheep handspun was made just for the store. It's a thick / thin deal with scraps of vintage fabric, ric rac, and a bit of mylar. It's totally cute and interesting to use. If your style of decor is shabby chic, a pillow made out of it would be perfect. My style is more is more "modern French country meets mentally ill dumpster diver".

After all of these delights, the Classic Elite was underwhelming. And I didn't get a chance to play with the Euroflax, which feels kind of like waxed dental floss, but I'm intrigued by it, and want to wash a swatch.

As much as I enjoy shopping at this store, and as fun as geeking out and trying new yarns was, I'm not sure if I would do something like this again. I was a little intimidated walking into a roomful of strangers, even if they are as nice as can be.

and now, the best for last....

Lelah, about 3 -4 inches from needing straps and being d-o-n-e.