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August 03, 2008
Sparkly
I didn't mean to be gone for so long, really. But now that the Long National Nightmare of my summer classes is finally over, we can get back to the business of talking about making stuff.
I have to admit right up front that the other thing I've completely neglected this summer is the Princess shawl. I finished the center and started the top border (the homeward stretch!) and promptly lost all steam. It's waiting for me patiently, and it will probably continue to do so for a bit.
Meanwhile, I've been spinning. And also experiencing some sort of personality shift where I now think that spinning sparkly, shiny, angelina-filled yarn is the best thing ever. Me, the smooth and subtle laceweight purist.
Take, for instance, the Enchanted Knoll Lady Starlight batt above. It's a fluffy, gorgeous blend of hand-dyed merino silk in a range of blues with sari silk strands and lots of angelina thrown in for good measure (sigh... the pretty....). I've been spinning a laceweight yarn on my spindle and started knitting it up this weekend.
I'm completely enamored with the colors and textures. And sparkles.
This is the beginning of Icarus, a striking pattern that nonetheless has enough stretches of plain stockinette to showcase the yarn, I think. In the past, I shied away from this pattern because I was afraid I'd get bored with that stockinette. But working with handspun seems to provide excitement enough on its own.
Posted by missalicefaye at August 3, 2008 06:53 PM
It was well worth the wait! Lovely, love, as always!
Posted by: fleegle at August 3, 2008 09:23 PM
What heavenly yarn: I hadn't heard of angelina before, but now I have to have some.
Posted by: Helen at August 4, 2008 05:42 AM
You can have all my share of angelina in the spinning world. I just don't like the sparkliness.
Your yarn is very nice, though.
Posted by: Janice in GA at August 4, 2008 08:55 AM
I like the sparkly and always enjoy seeing your work.
Posted by: Sherilan at August 4, 2008 11:33 AM
So glad you're back! I've been knitting with "Glam Grrl" sock yarn lately, because I love the sparkle. Who cares whether sparkle is in good or bad taste, when it adds to one's spinning and knitting pleasure? :D
Posted by: Lynne E. at August 4, 2008 04:02 PM
Ooo! The sparklies! I agree - your yarn is lovely, and I think Icarus is a great choice for it, with that ethereal color palette.
I haven't tried anything with sparkles in it yet, but I'm not morally opposed to the concept :)
Posted by: Octopus Knits at August 4, 2008 05:22 PM
Oh man! So far I've resisted sparkly batts (or: experienced sparkle fulfillment with silk instead of angelina or the like), but that actually looks remarkably subtle knitted up. Excellent!
Posted by: B. at August 4, 2008 09:06 PM
Drop. Dead. Gorgeous.
As usual...
Posted by: Opal at August 5, 2008 02:29 AM
Very beautiful! What kind of pretty spindle are you using? -Jessica
Posted by: Jessica at August 5, 2008 12:22 PM
Oh! the spun yarn is beautiful. Did you ply the yarn? What you've knit so far looks plied and very nice. Love those Bosworth spindles. Gonna take a peek over at EK :)
Posted by: Terry at August 5, 2008 10:01 PM
I know the feeling of wanting to have a little sparkle in my spinning. Your yarn is lovely and looks great knit up. Just enough glitter. Not too much!
Posted by: Jane at August 6, 2008 12:00 AM
Gorgeous! (1) How's library school? what was so awful?
Posted by: Valerie at August 6, 2008 10:23 AM
I can just see you spinning and knitting up Sparkly Icarus in your sequinned tube top and spandex hot pants...gogo boots perchance?
P.s. You coming to NYS&W this year?
Posted by: sil at August 7, 2008 12:12 AM
Hello,
Welcome back! It's lovely to see what you've been up to. I bought my first sparkly EK batt the other day, and can't wait for it to turn up. I was thinking laceweight for an evening scarf, and you have completely convinced me!
Best wishes,
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia at August 7, 2008 11:15 AM
I can hardly believe my eyes! Spindling an entire Icarus is truly a monumental undertaking! But then again, you are the reigning queen of monumental feats of lacework, so... ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. at August 7, 2008 11:37 AM
lovely to have you back and what a lovely post.. beautiful spinning and it knits up beautifully...
Posted by: littleberry at August 9, 2008 05:14 AM
I'm a big fan of Enchanted Knoll, myself. Never thought I'd get hooked on sparkle, but then I got a good look at Black Magic Woman. I've bought a few other cool batts since then, too, and yes, they do beg to be spindled, don't they? You want as much yardage out of the stuff as you an possibly get! Love how yours is looking, Alice. Gorgeous....
Posted by: Mad Angel (Paula) at August 9, 2008 10:21 AM
Really great to see your're posting again. I finished an Icarus this summer and love it. Elegant design. Your fiber works perfectly.
Posted by: Claudine at August 10, 2008 08:08 PM
I saw that on the EK Group and had to come over to tell you how gorgeous it is- but you already know that. That will be a stunning Icarus.
I covet it.
Posted by: Lorraine at August 11, 2008 11:12 AM
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