Shop Update 11th September

Super Deadly Kawaii

Today's shop update had to fight last minute Sock The Vote work and a four-day gas outage (resulting in no stove and no hot water, and thus, no dyeing).

Shipwreck Coast

But it brings several new colourways, including one inspired by a souvenir from Japan, and two that showcase Australia's coastal beauty.
Of course there's some self-striping, too.

Lacy Loligoth

Have a look, I hope you find something you love!

Swap-tacular

 Today, a squished-up but well-sealed box arrived. All the way from Colorado.

Oooooh! inside were some lovingly wrapped parcels.

 Six, to be exact, and cards to go with them.
It's my Loopy swap package!

 My wonderful swap partner chose travel & stories as her theme. For those who know me, you know this couldn't be a more perfect theme for me.
She started off with a handmade card featuring maps, explaining her choice of theme. I'm loving this already!

But let's get to package number one.

 Each parcel contains a little sheepy note, explaining why the pressie was included. Number one states that all journeys start with comfy feet. So I got Heel cream! The best foot-pampering cream in the world. This is so coming to the snow with me.

 Next up, some adorable stitch markers (a unicorn, a mushroom, a wizard and a rainbow) and tab markers in an awesome little case. These reminded my partner of stories and the sharing thereof. As a writer, I never have enough tab notes. And as a knitter, I never have enough adorable stitch markers.

 Next was a big, squishy parcel.
It's socks!
Not just any socks. Firefly-colored socks knit into the "Intrepid Traveller" pattern. Gorgeous and comfy. I'm wearing them as I type this.

 But wait, there's more! There is Colorado chocolate with a fridge magnet (I love travel magnets, don't you?) and Jolly Ranchers, which I'd heard of, but had never tried. Until now. They are so good!

 Of course, swap packages come with yarny goodness. The photo does not capture the fabulous glow of this gorgeous madelinetosh sock yarn.
How much do I love MadTosh? Oh yeah, it's lots. And lots. This is a wonderfully complex pink-and-purple. LOVE!

And finally, because Australia can be difficult to send tea to, my wonderful swapper sent me a tea mug to put my own tea into.
I've been coveting my colleague's awesome tea travel mug (exactly like this one!) every time she brought it to work.
This is beyond fabulous!

 So here is the fantabulous package in all its glory.
Am I spoilt or what?

Oh yeah. Lucky, lucky me.



Win!

Life is perfect.

Shop Update 24th July: New bases!

Bouquet of Dreams - Run Away

Exploding Box - Run Away

The shop update is about to go live. This week, I'm introducing you to two new bases I'm super excited about.

Brrrains is a super-squishy, tightly-plied 100% Merino that will put a spring in your step, while Run Away is a soft yet durable Merino/Nylon blend that gives you fantastic yardage, a soft hand and a durable finished product.




So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Yarn vs Zombies and check out what's in stock today.

Through Time and Space - Brrrains

Also remember, next week will be the last shop update before I go on holidays.

Shop update 17/7

Today's shop update is wee but fun.
Some colors are making a come-back and a new color flies in: Blue Macaw!

According to my friend, whose glorious rescue bird is the inspiration behind this colorway, red parrots get all the glory.
So here's to blue, the second-most popular parrot out there.

Knitting while Japan

 Happy leap Day, everyone!
I've finally gotten my act together after travelling to Japan.
I had grandiose ideas of how much knitting time I would have.
You know. A one-hour flight, one hour layover, then a mammoth 10-hour overnight flight, followed by two 1 1/2 hour train rides just to get to Nagano... I was feeling ambitious.
I packed my lovely fuzzy yarns I intended to use for my Deep In The Forest mittens, and a set of bamboo circular needles, just in case flying with knitting needles was on the no-no list again.
Turns out I can't count to 70 though, so I got to do the cast-on again.
And that was pretty much all I got done, since I managed to sleep for a surprisingly large amount of the flight, and once on the train, i was too busy taking photos of everything.

in the end, I got one mitten done. in fact, i closed the thumb while everyone around me was hustling for our waiting taxi.
I had to run, but hey, I can't just stop in the middle of kitchenering!

That wasn't the only project I had with me though. I didn't know how tiring/complicated doing a colorwork mitten would be (turns out, quite), so I had an easier project, too. A mainly-garter shawl called Clockwork, by Stephen West.
great pattern, but onca again, I failed at directions, and a bus trip's worth of progress was ripped back because I forgot to do increases when I should have.

I took some little birdies with me to take action shots in the snow. I also had ideas of taking more pics of my knitting and me knitting in the snow. Didn't quite happen. I only have this one shot.
there sure was a lot of snow...

Of course, once we got to Tokyo, I was on a mission to buy yarn. not just any yarn. i wanted Noro, and I wanted it in the colorway 95 that I'd seen in a knitting book a while ago and was in love with.
After I finally got the chance to duck into Yuzawaya, I found my Noro, and two little Melody skeins.
Success!

What have I learned form this first big trip with knitting?
It's good to pack enough knitting, but don't be too ambitious.
Chart reading and following directions may be harder than it looks.
Always take a garter or plain stockinette project for long bus/train rides where you still want to see what's going on.
Have a yarn plan to make sure you get some crafty shopping done while travelling with non-crafty people.

And finally, Japan = awesome. But we knew that already.

Another Crafty Bulbausaur Pumpkin

What?
I got a shipment of yarnies! Hooray!
They're from Another Crafty Girl, a name I'd heard buzzed about on podcasts and on blogs. And rightly so! Her colors are wonderfully rich, and now that I have some of her yarn in my hands, I can confirm that her base is squishy and smooth, just like I love it!
I got one of her Strong Socks and one Merino Sock, and they're both fab.

I admit, I bought Bulbasaur for the name. Who can resist a yarn dyed and named after a classic Pokemon? not me.

The other yarn is The Great Pumpkin, and it really reminds me of the most beautiful fall pumpkin.


They even look great together.
I don't have firm plans for these yarns yet, but I'm pretty sure the orange will become socks.
The Bulbasaur reminds me a bit of my Malabrigo, color-wise (except the Malabrigo Solis is really more blue, but from a distance, the two overall colors are very similar), and it's a good color for me, so it may become gloves or a hat.

Oooh, a Bulbasaur hat. now there's potential...