Hope Springs Eternal

Cherry blossoms, blue skies, green leaves and the return of sunshine. Spring is my favorite time of year, least of which because my birthday falls then. The Spring colors of the final Sundara Season collection captureS the soft nuances of Spring awakening.

Spring

Desert Sunrise

Ginger over Peach

Winter Delight

What a week! A little overwhelming actually. So much to catch up on but it's getting late and Shabbos is almost upon us. I'll try to catch up a bit on Sunday if I can, but for now, Sundara's visions...

Winter

Cranberry Chutney

Lunar Landing

The Squirrel Did It

Just so you don't think I am completely lame, here is the quick version of why I haven't posted. As I mentioned, the cable service has been sketchy at best the last few days. Last night when I came home it was completely out. So I called the cable company and they couldn't send anybody out until this afternoon. The cable guy was very nice, checked things from the inside and then proceeded outside and up the ladder where he remained for over an hour. When he finally came back to say everything was ok, I asked what the problem had been. The answer: A squirrel had eaten through our line! Squirrels are no longer the cute creatures I spied in the park as a child. I have come to see them as horrid rodents they are in NJ! Another childhood memory dashed.

So here we are, too close to Shabbos to share much with you except some yarn. But it's Friday, so I guess it's ok. From Sundara's recent Crusade Against Winter Gloom we have

New Vision in Fingering Silky Merino

Sleeping Beauty Sock

Secret Admirer Sock

And my personal favorite

California Calls Sock

Oh, and just because I haven't been writing doesn't mean I haven't been knitting! Rose Red and Sock 1 of Ziggity Zag are done!

The Trading Game

For boys it's baseball cards, for girls it's stickers. When I was a girl it was stationary. But now I'm all grown up there's a new trading game, and trust me it's better than the trading on Wall Street. And this commodity doesn't seem to be losing value.

So what is this new trading game? Let's call it the Sundara Swap. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a hank of Sundara yarn, then you to can play along. It doesn't matter what shade and you definitely don't have to love it (it's hard not to at least like a Sundara yarn). If you've got it someone else will want it. Guaranteed. All you have to do is go on Ravelry and post what colorway you are trying to trade and what it is you want in exchange. Then wait by your message box. It may take a couple of days, but I doubt it will take that long. To be perfectly honest I have only made two trades and I have been the passive one, finding someone else's request and responding in kind.

There is a flurry of trading activity going on right now. Probably more than on the Stock Exchange! You see Sundara's Artist Choice sock yarn was sent out earlier this week. For a prepaid subscription paid off over three months and is described thusly:

Colorways will be unplanned and done in limited runs of 10 skeins a batch.
3 or 6 skeins of sock yarn over a 3 month subscription.

From what I've seen on the boards it looks like she dyed up about 100 different colorways! Mine arrived last night and I am both satisfied and disappointed. While I love about 4 out of 6 of my precious beauties, I am also left feeling sad about the other gorgeous colorways I didn't receive. Because they are so breathtakingly gorgeous. What I really want is one of each! I guess that's why the trading game works!

Here are the colorways I received:

Jubilation, Mint over Chamomile, Denim over Teal, Royal Flush, Touch of Sable, Violet over Bluebells

Jubilation

Mint over Chamomile

Denim over Teal

Royal Flush

Touch of Sable

Violet over Bluebells

So far I have traded away Jubilation for Saffron Sun and looks like I'm trading one of my Cerulean Seas (from the Seasons Club) for Mossy Lake. I'm not sure I'm going to keep Denim over Teal but if I can't get something I like for it I may use it for a present.

What do you have to trade?

The Small and Large of It

I would call the Wee Tiny Sock Swap of 2008 a great success, as far as I am concerned. I received a lovely email from Vicki saying that she received and loved her little socks. Yes, socks, in the plural. Since I couldn't really decide which to send, I sent them both. With a nice little postcard of a 1920's Cloche I picked up in Victoria & Albert museum's Art Deco exhibition in 2003. Today I received my very own Wee Tiny Sock from Suzanne. It's adorable! It's made with Socks that Rock in Peaseblossom.

Can't you just see the fairy's flapping their wings around Bottom in Titania's forest bower?

My Oriel socks are almost done! I guess I miscalculated when I said I'd do two or three more pattern repeats. One was all it took. All that's left now is the ribbing and if I really hustle, I could have these ready in time for Shabbos! If not, I'll finish them up tomorrow night. Either way pics should by posted by Monday. And Sunday is New Roommate's wedding! She went back to her parents house last night so the next time I see her it will be in her wedding gown. I can't wait!

This sockitis thing is really serious. I have so many projects to do work on and I just want to knit socks. Even before I finish the Oriel socks I've cast on for a new pair. I am very excited. You see I've wanted to make the Esther socks by Stephanie van der Linden for a while.

I was just waiting for the perfect yarn. And my fingers have been itching to cast on with some of my Sundara yarn.


And I'm thinking this is going to be a perfect match.