New Year, New Store!

I've been waiting until I had some of my new yarns up to announce the roll out of the new and improved woolarina.com storefront! Hopefully, the program that runs behind this one will make it easier for us to bring you great yarns without technical difficulties.

I've loaded in some of the sock yarns that I dyed recently, and hope to add a bunch more in the near future. And, to celebrate the new store, and maybe convince some of you to try it out and help us work out any bugs, you will get 10% of any purchases from now until Friday, February 2 if you sign in and make an order, using the coupon code WOOLARINA at checkout.

Of the new yarns, Auckland is my favorite:



...all purples and greens in subtle colors. Yum.

Even if you don't want to buy anything, though, if you just want to poke around and let us know how the site's looking, please do! We welcome all feedback!

January 07 colorways

January 07 colorways
Originally uploaded by kismet09.

The bad news is, I fell down a flight of stairs, and my left thigh took most of the damage, so sitting down is not the most comfortable position right now.

The good news is, since I can't sit much, standing over my dye pots was an attractive activity, and I've finally returned to dyeing, just in time for the upcoming launch of a new woolarina.com storefront (which should be coming in the next few days).

I couldn't resist giving a peek at the new yarns, 'cause I love 'em. Only the valentine colored one has been reskeined so far - the rest I hope to do today or tomorrow, as soon as they're dry enough to play with. I also did a bunch of roving, and have returned to spinning, after a brief hiatus.

Winter has definitely reawakened the fibergeek in me. Now if only my bruise would heal...

mindless = happiness

I've known for awhile that I'm happiest with instant gratification projects, and/or mindless knits. I love the thought of colorwork and lace and other fanciness, but it may require more brainpower than I'm willing to give to knitting -- I'd rather spend it on Scrabble.

So, I've gotten a lot finished since xmas, but most of it has been mindless:
--reversible cable scarf for my mom
--prayer shawl for grandma
--gloves, two hats for me
--birthday present for Tim (tomorrow's the day! maybe pics after)

I've also started a bias knit scarf, to be donated to the red scarf project. I had to rip it out three times because I kept accidentally doing the increase/decrease on the wrong side, which makes it warp in interesting, but not useful ways. Now that I'm in the established pattern, I'm pretty good at remembering what's going on, but it took awhile...

Next up will be Broad Street Mittens, a pair of wrist warmers for me, maybe a cowl, and Eunny's Endpaper Mitts, if I get really motivated (although what I really crave is the Anemoi Mitts). Lots of happy small stuff.

Also? Almost (finally) done with Jaywalkers, and man, knitting on 2 size1 circs makes my fingers ache. Is it that I'm using 12" circs and don't have enough wiggle room? Am I knitting tightly? Are my hands just too big and awkward to knit with toothpicks? Not sure, but am still trying to get em done.

resolved

I have a million tupperwares of yarn. I've gotten better about not buying single skeins, but at the same time, I've gotten into the habit of spinning skeins that I can't part with. Also, there are numerous Large Things that I'd like to save money toward (e.g., flat screen TV, new computer, retirement). Thus, I am joining Wendy's Knit from Your Stash 2007, with my own set of slightly modified rules. Guidelines:

1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 12, 2007 -- a period of almost nine months, ending on my birthday.

2. I will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

2a. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that I really and truly do not have the yarn for, I may buy yarn to knit that gift.

2b. If I am knitting something and run out of yarn, I may purchase enough to complete the project.

2c. I get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- I am allowed to fall off the wagon one time. This must involve a real, live store, and not an internet purchase in times of weakness.

3. I am allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

4. Trading stash is allowed/encouraged.

5. Spinning fiber of any sort is exempt.

6. Yarn bought for sole purpose of selling via woolarina is allowed. Falling in love with said yarn and keeping for myself may be inevitable from time to time.