In the Planning

Over the weekend Shelley and I were sitting and knitting on the patio. It was getting a little too warm and we talked about taking a break.  I was also running out of coil-less pins, which I use as markers, and that made the timing just right for a quick run to a near by LYS. Off we set, telling each other there was no way we were buying anything other than our present needs and that certainly meant no yarn.

After finding what I needed, and also deciding to buy the newest thing in knitting needles (square needles!), I took a look around the shop to ogle all the lovely yarns. The last place I stopped was in front of the large collection of sock yarn. Nothing called out to me as what I have at home encompasses most the major brands and a multitude of color choices.

And then, then...I turned to make my way to the check out counter and what should accost me? Something new and unique, something I'd never seen before, something so funky and bright I had to pick it up.

 

As you know if you pick up a skein of yarn it is very difficult to put it down and this wasn't JUST a skein of yarn, it was a very fun BALL of yarn. The colors looked like a carnival, looked like a party in my hand, and I swear, that yarn laughed right out loud. How could I not take it home with me? It's Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball and I've been watching it party for three days. Z-ball also excited to try out the square needles. A call has been put out for Sock Mojo and from what I hear he is working hard to make his way back to Utah(and since he's half way across the world that might take some time).

In the time being, my ninth sweater, aka Tempest Two, should be off the needles by weeks end. Sweater ten is in the wings awaiting her turn. Nine sweaters finished helps to abate sweater angst and gives me room to take a breather. At the end of August ten sweaters should be finished with four months to go.  YAY!

The lace projects are starting to collect in my queue and each one in turn has been calling to me. To feed that need, and in honor of Susan's upcoming August birthday, I thought it appropriate to start a little KAL.

While I want, and hope, to knit Beach Glass and Feather Duster, I've decided on Feather Duster first. Two skeins of KSH, in the lively and exciting color Marmalade, have long marinated in my stash and now it's their turn to breath. Starting August 1st, and going through the month of August, you can join the Knitting as Fast as I Can Fan (Club) on Ravelry and knit with the group. Susan's birthday is the 21st which should make a perfect finish date, but you can take the whole month if you wish.

Comments

[cindycindy]

I love your new yarn and will be interested in your opinion of the square needles. And, I'm thinking on the KAL. I fail so miserably on those things, but I'm from the school "if at first you don't succeed.....". Happy Wednesday, Sweetie!!!!

[Carole]

I'll join along with Feather Duster - I need a new and challenging knit. Love that new sock yarn!!

[Anne]

Great new lace choices! And yowza! That is SOME kinda bright sock yarn. :)

[Suzy]

That ball of yarn is practically leaping off the screen into my hand!

[Kim]

I have some kid silk haze in that same color slated for feather duster. :)

[beverly]

I have a skein of the Shibui silk cloud read for the Feather Duster!

[Dianne]

I will personally fly the Sock Mojo your way..just let me have my way with him a few more days..I will leave him at your airport next Wed. eve. He's been a 'busy boy' here.
Also anxious to hear a report on the square needles~ Keep us posted!

[Vicki]

Those Z-balls sure are cool. I have resisted, so far (it helps that my sock mojo never fully developed in teh first place), but I know it's only a matter of time, just because it's so fun!

[Barbara-Kay]

"Watched this yarn party for 3 days" What a delightful turn of phrase! I had to call DH to my computer to enjoy it, too.

Considering the shawl KAL. It would require finishing one of my many projects, as a discipline, I believe.

[Kathleen]

When I started reading your post I thought the first sentence included "sitting on the knitting patio". Wow, a patio dedicated to knitting :)

Anyway, my LYS has the Zauberballs, too. I'm trying to decide which colorway to try first. Maybe I should get two and knit a kauni-esque Tempest. I love KSH Marmalade and knit my grandmother a simple stole with it. Such a pretty and cheery color.

[Chris]

The Zauberball is gorgeous!

[Nora]

I'm seeing a lot of orange in your post - such a happy color!

[marie in florida]

oh goody, i've got Beach Glass on my needles with KSH and could use an incentive to stay focused on it. i love the pattern and the yarn but lots of little things have been drawing my attention.

[Rachel]

Oh that yarn, I better not look at it too much! I am waiting for your verdict regarding knitting with those square needles!

[Marcia]

I saw that yarn when you posted it on Ravelry....very intriguing! Can't wait to see what it "does"! ( I'm bringing Beach Glass to Maine with me....is that not appropriate? Especially since I have a future project that might involve collecting lots of sea glass while on Mouse Island!)

[Renee]

Hope your sock mojos arrives soon ~ I'm looking forward to see that yarn as socks and hearing about your square needle review.

[Teyani]

ahhh yes - the zauberball has almost leap into my checkout basket as well. I can't wait to see photos of it's progress....

[jill]

Sock Yarn Yowza!

[Cheryl S.]

I'd better not let Larry see that ball of yarn. He'll be wanting socks.

[Kym]

Gosh, that always happens to me at the LYS, too. I go in, innocently. Swearing I won't be tempted. Just needing (fill-in-the-blank). . . and I end up touching the yarn. And then, it's all over! Can't wait to see how your party rolls! And, as for the KAL, I'm going to sign up! I've got the pattern AND the KSH. It's going to be a gift. . . the timing is perfect. . .

[susan]

Surprise, I have a ball of KSH in that same color. I think I'll use it for the KAL!

[Doris]

I love your Zauberball! I just ordered (and received in 2 days!) 2 Zauberballs, one in Chocolate Cream and one in Plum Sauce. I had seen the cCranberry one when a friend and I went to my LYS and she bought the sole remaining Zball. What fun.

[Trista]

Amazing hot summer colors for both projects! I love orange!
I recently bought the pattern for Feather Duster so maybe I'll join the KAL. I have 480 yds of handspun Pygora laceweight in the natural color that might work well.
I just love how much this blog inspires me!

[Norma]

Oh GAWD, I love marmalade KSH. That is going to be so gorgeous.

[Kim D.]

I am such a sucker for a KAL and I've had a hankering for some lace knitting, so this might just be the thing.

The Z-ball looks so happy and bright. I'm very interested to see how you like the square needles and the pros & cons of them.