So close and yet so far away

A lovely neckwarmer...

...that I didn't swatch for. This is some of my own silk/merino and while I like the yarn and the simple pattern (the Stacked Eyelet Cowl by Ami Madison), it would have been much better with a 20" circumference instead of the 24" I ended up with:

It really isn't going to keep my neck very warm with that kind of roominess. I could fit another head in there with me.

Since there is no way I'm going to bother ripping this out, I can either add a pin or something to cinch it together in front, or maybe slice up the back, cut out 4 inches, and sew it back up. At least the yarn is nice and soft...

The weather has turned distinctly autumnal here in Vermont (read: Hard to Dress For). The days go up to 80 and it's been very sunny. But the nights are cold. I believe last night got down into the mid-40s. It does inspire the knitter in one to get to work, though. Besides whipping up the barrel cozy neckwarmer, I have started another pair of socks for me and an earflap hat for my nephew. He is in 9th grade and has been begging me for a patterned earflap hat in maroon and cream.

I am positively itching to spin but time is tight right now. I may have to take up Carole's challenge to spin 10 minutes a day, because I know once I get back into it, I'll keep going.

The socks are, once again, from Favorite Socks (scroll down for the associated A Piece of Vermont sales pitch). This time it's Priscilla's Dream Socks, which I'm doing in stripes using two shades of the Long Trail superwash seconds.

The hat is the Norwegian Star Earflap hat by Tiennie, and for that I'm using O'Wool.

Right now it looks like a teeny wool bikini top.

***

SHOP UPDATE. To avoid offending any readers who hate to read a blog that seems more like an ad for the blogger's yarn business, I'm saving the shop news for the end here. I fully understand if you want to bail right here. But if you want to see some cool new stuff, read on...

There has been plenty going on at A Piece of Vermont Yarn & Fiber, including a decent update of bamboo blend sock yarn, much of which sold after the recent update to the mailing list. There's still some left, however.

If you haven't done so already, please check out the Kits & Combos section. There you'll find two copies of Interweave's Favorite Socks, each bundled with a skein of bamboo sock yarn:

and, even more exciting,

three Dye & Spin kits!

I love these! Each kit contains a copy of the Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook, 8 ounces of undyed Blue-Faced Leicester top, acid dye powders in three primaries plus black, squeeze bottles for mixing, and a dust mask. (You provide gloves, white vinegar, plastic wrap, and a stainless steel stock pot or electric steamer.)

If you are not familiar with the Twisted Sisters book, it is not a learn-to-spin book. Rather, it is a book devoted to handspun yarn (esp. with a drop spindle) made from fiber you've dyed yourself. It's part color theory, part dyeing lesson, part spinning, part knitting. The book assumes you have basic spinning skills. Various basic sock patterns are included, but I really consider this book more of a dyeing and spinning book than a sock book. I go back to it over and over.

If you have ever been curious about how to make cool handspun yarn, this is the kit for you. You'll have enough dye to do plenty more yarn or fiber down the road. (The book includes instructions on dyeing yarn as well as fiber, but the focus is definitely on the fiber.)

***

School started today so I will have more time in the shop now. Today I'm working on dyeing more bamboo blend sock yarn (which will be seeing a price increase on Sept. 1) and Blue-Faced Leicester top. I will have more Learn to Spin kits going up at the end of the week, as well as some other book/yarn combos. A skein of bamboo blend superwash with Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks, anyone? Or, for the newbie, how about Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks? And keep an eye out for some beautiful new drop spindles in the coming month...

Fall is here, people. Knit faster.

Comments

[Carole]

I have completely blown 10 minutes a day! Maybe now that school is back in session and routines are returning I'll get back on track.

[Cookie]

I like the cowl. I think the pin idea is a good one.

I joined Carole's 10 minutes a day thingy. It's not going well. Something about having to do the spinning every day. Go figure.

[trek]

It is still August - summer not fall.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Even if my legs are chilly in shorts in the evenings...

[Carrie]

Pull that neckwarmer over your head and call it a cowl.

[loribird]

I love the neckwarmer! It definitely does have a touch of cowl-ishness about it, but I think if you ran a ribbon (or an elastic-with-bungee combo, for a sporty look) through the top eyelets, you could keep your neck warm then let it out for a more elegant look when you step indoors...

[Kathy]

You look very cute! But, I'm a scarf girl for that reason!

[Kelli]

Even if it is big, I love that color on you and great earrings. :)

[Divine Bird Jenny]

Re: the cowl: Steek it and put buttons on it! :D It would be so cute...you could even put several buttons on to make it tighter. :D

[CindyCindy]

A jacket? Wow. It makes me hot. I do love your socks. See nothing wrong with the neckwarmer/cowl, and I have a question. Why can't you hawk your wares on your very own blog? It's how you make your living. I have no problems with that and enjoy it when you introduce new stuff on the blog. Do others think it's wrong?

[gayle]

I think you could just fold over a flap at the top of the cowl, nail it down with a pin, and call it a design feature. Very dressy and elegant.
Love the Twisted Sisters book, too. I've read mine practically to tatters. Now if I would only spend an equal amount of time dyeing, I'd maybe have something to show for it....

[Teyani]

I love your little neckwarmer :-) and despite its being a bit wide, I suspect that once its tucked inside a coat it'll do the trick.
they're fun, aren't they.

[donna lee]

Spinning 10 minutes a day is hard when the humidity encourages the fibers to stick to my fingers! These drier days have been easier and I may not do 10 mins every day but I am spinning more. I do enjoy it even when my yarn is less than perfect.

[chris]

Oh, don't cut it - I happen to know for a fact that a pin would do the trick for you! I have to get back to my 10 minutes a day....sssshhhh don't tell.