October 14, 2004
Lavender & Roses & Sheep For Your Noses
Meanwhile, back in the Parlor, Madame Glitchbane had not been totally honest with her readers. Indeed, she has been hoarding her beautiful little lavender cardboard suitcase for some weeks now, looking for just the right project to put into it.
She knew that her readers would say "aaahhhh" when she told them the little beauty was scented inside with lavender, a natural moth repellent. But when she found the Perfect Project to keep in it, she couldn't wait to show everyone.
These six balls of heathery handsomeness are Harrisville's New England Shetland in the colors Suede, Aubergine, Iris, Periwinkle, Olive and Moss. Beautiful, wouldn't you say?!
The object into which these lovely yarns will be knit is the Latvian Garden Cardigan, unique in its construction and embellished with picot edges around the armhole seam, along the front openings, along the neckline and around the hem.
The yarn is soft, not scratchy. Wear it next to your skin? You bet! And at $5.30 for 196 yards, it is less than half the cost of Jamieson's Spindrift. And did I mention how soft it is?
Here is my start on the Latvian Cardigan, which I am going to have to lay aside already because.....
If you prefer a more flowery smell, here is a miniature rose, awakened by my darling Gray and his leftover coffee grounds-- a veritable Rose of French Roast, wide awake at nearly midnight. I waft to you a scent of it through the blackness of the night. Sleep tight!
I just got that pattern and am glad to hear the yarn is nice. It's on my to-do list. Where may I ask did you buy your yarn? (Not to mention: where did you get the lovely lavender box??)
Posted by: CarolineF on October 15, 2004 05:04 AMIf there were a beauty contest for posts today, yours would win. What lovely colours in those photos. Makes me want to take the day off and do pretty things.
Li
Li, what a sweet thing to say! Here it is a foggy/rainy day, great to curl up in front of a fireplace and do pretty things.
Caroline, I got my kit from Pat at the Yarn Barn, the only place I could find online that carries the yarn. The little suitcase is one of a set of three I bought while antique-shopping in Snohomish with my sister. There is a very cool store there that carries both antiques and new things and has them all in vignettes of color.
Posted by: Sheila on October 15, 2004 08:22 AMI just don't understand why Harrisville doesn't sell their yarn online. You can order a color card by clicking, but nothing else. Makes no sense! But it looks like splendid stuff. I've long been interested in those lovely projects in "Folk Shawls" made with Harrisville yarns. The Irish Diamond in particular really speaks to me.
Posted by: Beth S. on October 15, 2004 11:01 AMHeh. I live about 15 minutes away from Harrisville--it's been such lovely weather and the trees are at peak, so I've been finding excuses to visit their Weaving Center. The Latvian Garden sweater is drop-dead gorgeous in person--I am anything but an expert knitter but I picked up the pattern anyway. :)
I'm about to try knitting some Latvian mittens in the Shetland-style. I *think* it'll work, but only time will tell. (I can tell you that when I tried knitted fringe with the stuff it was Not A Success, but that may have had more to do with the fact I'd never knitted fringe before than with the yarn.) Either way, those mittens are gonna be warm.
I can't wait to see how your sweater develops!
Posted by: Melanie on October 15, 2004 11:23 AMI guess some yarn companies consider that as competing with their vendors, but I too wish they would sell it directly. Melanie I am so envious of you! I would love to see the cardigan in person, and visit the Harrisville studios and see the rugs (I imagine there all beautiful handwoven rugs there?) and play with the looms.
Posted by: Sheila on October 15, 2004 12:36 PM