No Wool Wednesday: Milk Yarn

(I meant to post this last night.  Obviously, I didn't make it.  Bad blogger.  I hope you enjoy even though it is a day late this week.)


To start off No Wool Wednesday, I am going to profile my favorite yarn to date: Kollage Creamy.  The fiber content is 80% milk and 20% cotton.

When I first heard about milk yarn, I thought "Milk? How does that work?"  But after some research, milk fiber/yarn has some really cool properties.

Milk yarn is made by a wet spinning process that allows the proteins to form long chains that can be spun into yarn.  The process also includes embedding a zinc ion in the fiber to make it durable.

Cool Properties That Milk Yarn Exhibits:

• Antibacterial/antifungal (like bamboo)
• Luxurious feel (like silk)
• Easy to dye 
• Colorfast
• Easy to blend with other fibers
  

This yarn was a dream to work with.  I knitted Branching Out from this yarn on a US size 7.  The resulting scarf feels awesome against my neck.  It blocked beautifully and the drape is fantastic.

Before Blocking

After Blocking

Recommended gauge: 28-36 sts/4 in on US 2 or 3

Price: This yarn tends to be a little pricier than your run-of-the-mill cotton or wool.  The average regular price is $18-20 for 200 yards.

My recommendations for projects:
-Shetland Shorty
-Dayflower Camisole
-Delphine
-113-27 Top with Short Raglan Sleeves
-Kimono Shawl

Overall, the yarn is great to work with.  It is best suited for projects that need drape and flow.

Next time you go yarn shopping, see if they have Kollage Creamy and give it a smoosh.  You won't regret it.

Update: Mystery Scarf CAL

I just realized that I haven't given an update on my Mystery Scarf CAL, aka Peacock Mystery Scarf.  I finished the first 4 clues and am currently completing the second chain of medallions (thanks to long waits in doctor's waiting rooms!). 

During the 4th clue, we found out the general construction of the scarf will be 2 tracks of medallions joined by lace in the center.  Depending on how much yarn I have left after finishing the lace center, I may complete a 3rd track of medallions and replicate the lace center a second time.  This will give me a shawl/wrap instead of the planned scarf.

(If you don't want to see the scarf/don't want the mystery blown, don't keep reading.)

This is part of my first track of medallions.  There are 48 medallions to crochet total and I have 41 finished.  

The next clue is due up next week.  I am excited to see how everything is going to fit together. 

Stay tuned to see how this scarf comes together....

Update - Mystery Scarf CAL

I have an update for the Mystery Scarf CAL I discussed in a post yesterday.  I am going to be able to post some strategic pictures of what I am crocheting.  Woo hoo!

(For those of you that don't want the mystery broken, don't scroll down.  I have pictures of the first foundation.)

To start off, let's review the yarn:  Nashua Sonora
Fiber Content: 46% Silk, 31% Viscose Rayon, 20% Linen, 3% Nylon
The color is a white/cream base and the yarn is textured.   When crocheted, the yarn does not have much stretch.  It is also very easy to split due to the textured nature.  This will be an interesting venture.

 The first clues for the foundation were very interesting to hear.  I found out quickly enough that I have to have absolutely no background noise to concentrate on the instructions.  (As I write this, I am watching the NFL highlights and getting geared up for the Packers-Bears game.  Go Pack!)

The first clue was very short and sweet, but there were some interesting tidbits on the differences in the naming conventions between US/Canada and Europe.  Did you know that the US version of the slip stitch is actually known as the single crochet in Europe?  If you didn't, you do now.

Part of my foundation is pictured above.  You can see the the different strands of this yarn very distinctly.  I really like how the foundation has turned out and I am excited to continue on with the next stage.

Come back soon to see an update on my progress.

Stitch Stud Designs First Scarf Crochet Along

I have joined my first mystery -along this morning.  It is a scarf/shawl/wrap crochetalong.  I hadn't planned on joining/starting any new projects since I already have enough in my queue.....  (I have enough to keep me busy for about the next 3 years!)  However, this one was too intriguing not to join. 

The Premise: Auditory instructions are posted in the group.  Instead of reading directions or a chart, you have to listen and translate the instructions.  Once 50% of the group has completed the stage, the directions and chart will be sent out to the participants.

It was such an intriguing challenge, that when Concetta explained the project to me I knew I had to join.

Since it is a mystery crochetalong, I won't post any pictures, but I will post my progress.

Wish me luck!

Stitches Update! (Boy, Did I blow my Stashdown plan!)

The best laid plans of mice and knitters often go awry....   (Quote massacred from Of Mice and Men.)

My final stashdown figure was 3916 yards knitted from May 2009 until September 11, 2009.  My plan had been to buy only half of what I had knit up or 1958 yards......  By the end of the day, I had accumulated over 13,000 yards in 93 skeins!  What was I thinking?

I have a very good answer for destroying my best laid plans.  I only bought 4 of 93 skeins at full price!  I have enough yarn of some types/colors to make the Laporte bag for our KAL, approximately 6 sweaters, a scarf and mitts, and 2 pairs of socks....  In addition, where else but Stitches can I find tons of Rachel friendly yarn for the knitting/crocheting.

 

That is a quick photo of my loot.  I am super excited to start some of the projects I have planned with the yarn.

How did everyone else do at Stitches (if you went)?

New Feature: No Wool Wednesdays

After spending this week having different discussions with my knitting friends about my inability to knit with wool (think anaphylaxis) and how they like that I have to try out all the "different" yarns, I have decided to share what I have learned about different types of non-wool yarn with the masses  (or the couple people that actually read this).

I am going to try and profile a different non-wool yarn every Wednesday.  I will discuss what I knit with it, the "blockability" of the yarn, the drape and any patterns that might also work with this yarn.

Since today is almost over and I don't have any FO's blocked or photographed yet, my first venture into this will be next week.  Stay tuned for No Wool Wednesdays.

Sunday Night Update

Okay, here's my update for what I finished today.

-Knit 1 ball of yarn up on my February Lady Sweater, and started another Christmas gift project.
-Fried up some bacon to eat with eggs for breakfast tomorrow.
-Picked up clean clothes, folded them and put them away. Gathered up dirty laundry to wash tomorrow.
-Washed dishes.
-Made bed (It hasn't been made for over 2 weeks; I keep falling asleep on the couch!)

In other words, not as much as I needed to do....

But, I did pick back up a book I have been reading: better single than sorry by Jen Schefft (the Bachelorette). I am in chapter 6 and it is great! It puts everything into perspective for me. If you get a chance, pick it up.

See you on the flipside.

All Things To Update

My Stitches Stashdown is coming in on the last 3 weeks of knitting. To date, I have knit 2456 yards and I can buy 1228 yards at Stitches.

I currently have 3 decent sized projects on the needles: a baby sweater, February Lady Sweater, and Baby Surprise Jacket. The question becomes: if I don't finish them before Stitches, do I get to count what I have knit up or do I need to finish the project before I can count it?

On the upside (or downside, depending on your point of view), I am on layoff starting tomorrow. I have an entire week to knit until I can't knit anymore..... I don't get paid (just unemployment), so it hampers my ability to do much during the week (other than knit, of course).

On the downside, my apartment is a mess. Literally. If/when my camera batteries are charged, I will take pictures. And my mom informed me that she and my dad or aunt might be coming to visit next weekend..... so I guess I only have so much time to knit.


Okay, I have to make a plan for this week. That is the only way it will get done.

To do:
-Knit (It has to be first!)
-Exercise 5 of 7 days this week (I don't have any excuses if I don't do this.)
-Clean apartment
-Wash car
-Take sewing machine in for service
-Take day trip to Geneva
-Finish converting Peggy's pattern to a larger size (this is going to take some time)

I'll start with that and keep updating on my progress as the week goes on. (Maybe this will get me on the blogging trail.)

See you on the flipside.

Stitches Midwest Stashdown

On May 30, 2009, I made a decision to try and stash down before my trip to Stitches Midwest in September. Since I haven't done anything to write about it and have been a bad beginning blogger (no cookie for me!), I decided to document it for the world to see and cheer me on.

The Plan: For every 2 yards I knit between May 30th and Stitches, I can buy 1 yard.

My roll call to date:
Diagonal Scarf 263 yards
2 BSJ's with matching hats 1000 yards
Tatted edging and note cards 60 yards
Chevron Scarf 360 yards
Other tatting 30 yards

This gives me a grand total of 1713 yards knit and Stitches buying power of 856.5 yards.

I currently have 4 projects on the needles.....

Wish me luck as I continue my journey towards stashing down....

See you on the flipside!

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! This has been a long time in making. You can all blame this blog on Ravelry, the blogs that I keep up with (which I will start posting for you to peruse), and moving to IL where I have met some great people.

As I starting posting my adventures, hobbies, and other activities, you will see that my activities are varied and as entertaining as I am.

I hope you find my adventures just as much fun as I do.

See you on the flipside!

Rachel