It isn't just the paperwork....it's the heat and the humidity and the endless, pouring RAIN. Yesterday morning was lovely (albeit too steamy for me, still) with some blue sky and an actual two hour stretch of sunshine. During which time I cleaned up the garden, poodle princess at my side. My datura innoxia just bloomed for the first time....glorious. There would be a stunning picture for you here, EXCEPT, it poured all afternoon and most of the night and the light (what there is of it this morning) is flat and gray and so humid that my lenses (glasses as well as camera) fog up immediately when I step outside.
Whine, whine, whine. That's not ME, it's the mosquitoes.
I did make it to the part on the Linen Drape Improvisational Cardigan where the sleeves are put on hold (WASTE? I cannot bear the thought of wasting yarn...I'm using leftovers, recycled from the felted chick fiasco...) and I can merrily knit back and forth in mindless Bleached Linen Drape.
I'd like to share an amazing YARN review. No affilliation, yada,yada.
When I was on the train trip with Daughter and we were shopping with Rachael, I chanced upon a single skein of Alpaca Pure by Alchemy. I picked it up and sighed. The store owner was reluctant to sell it to me, as she wanted it for herself. Fabulous. What's not to love about handpainted pure alpaca? It gets better. I wound it when I got back, reveling in the subtle color variations, the SOFTNESS. When the new Interweave Knits came out, I saw the shawlette and thought...oh, perhaps I'll just swatch for that...wouldn't it be loverly in alpaca. You know the rest. I'm almost at the end of the Alpaca Pure.....how much must I love this yarn if I am doing ANOTHER lace pattern in the heat of July with alpaca?
Are you ready? It gets EVEN better. I searched and hunted, and even sent some fellow bloggers out into the wilds of their LYS looking for more of this knitting nirvana...cuz now I want to make it a full shawl, you understand, not just a shawlette...no such luck. In a fit of pique, I emailed the official *contact us* link on Alchemy's website. Lo, and behold, within an hour (we're in totally different time zones, so this in itself is a minor miracle) a lovely email in return. She searched her records to find out where that dyelot had been purchased (can you IMAGINE?) and gave me the info I needed.
Let's suport these small, independent yarn companies, k?
Alchemy, yarns of transformation....remember the name next time you are at your LYS. Ask for it by name. Fondle it if you have the chance. Tis heavenly, even in July.
Knit ON.
I'm glad to see your quest was rewarded! Can't wait to see the finished shawl in all its glory. As you know, I'm also a big Alchemy alpaca pure fan.
Posted by: Jane | July 28, 2004 at 08:58 AM
I shall take it as a personal mission to find some of that Alchemy. Nothing, not even the heat and humidity of a Southern California day, will get in my way. I could call around but I'd rather just drive all over the place. You never know what else you might find.
Posted by: Larry | July 28, 2004 at 10:08 AM
Yay! Alchemy is a local company, located about 15 minutes from where I live. One of my dear friends works for the company on an occasional basis. It's a very small operation, but their products are indeed lovely! I haven't gotten my hands on any of that "Alpaca Pure" but I'll definitely keep an eye out for it.
SO many yarns, so little time! :)
Posted by: Christine | July 28, 2004 at 10:51 AM
Oooooooooo, alpaca! Sounds heavenly.
Posted by: Nathania | July 28, 2004 at 11:18 AM
Uh-oh. I see more yarn in my future. I can't resist glowing endorsements of yarn - especially when they sound this yummy!!
Posted by: Melissa | July 28, 2004 at 02:28 PM
I often drive past an Amish farm where there are Alpacas in the pasture. I have been tempted to stop and see if they sell handspun. Lovely lovely soft bits of heaven!
Posted by: sUsAn | July 28, 2004 at 02:29 PM
I just remember the look on your face when you got to take that one skein home....
Hang in there, dearest. The humidity will be over soon, given over to beautiful crisp fall nights, and we'll happily snugged in again.
Posted by: Rachael | July 28, 2004 at 05:38 PM
Mmmm, hand-dyed alpaca...
Now I have a giggle-inducing mental image of the alpacas I saw Sunday, dyed all rainbow colors...
Posted by: J Strizzy | July 28, 2004 at 06:23 PM
I'm loving that IK shawl as well. I have some blue heatherish alpaca, llama ear-marked for that very project. I'm going to make it full size. The pattern is kind of like the diamond purl I just finished, only rounder and upside downish.
Posted by: marcia | July 30, 2004 at 11:35 AM