Ah, the first blush of spring. It made me think of this yarn, which has been waiting ever so patiently for inspiration. I’ve known forever that I want this to be long armwarmers, with a ruffled cuff, but just couldn’t see it yet.
I don’t remember when it came to me. It’s from the now defunct Pico Accuardi Dyeworks, Francino, which is a lusciously soft 50% merino/25% bamboo/25% nylon blend. 100 grams/459 yards. The color is nude, and it reminds me of a maiden’s blush. I think Stevanie Pico hand painted this one. I’ve started playing with ideas for it. Wish me luck! Especially knitting the second one…
This makes me think of spring, too.
It’s my March CSY yarn from Knitted Wit. It’s Bling, in Fuchsia Basket. I was at her house the other day to help her label yarn, and I named this one. There are four shades in this month’s CSY, all different percentages of the same dye, so they’re gradations of the same color. Sakura, Plum Blossom, Carnation Nation, and Fuchsia Basket, in order of intensity. Is one coming to you? I love the bling in Bling; it’s hard to see it in this size picture, but it sparkles in the full size pic on my iPad. You need to get some and see for yourself!
These colors also remind me that cherry blossom time is coming, along with the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival in Hood River, April 19-21. It’s the third year for this festival, organized by Yvonne Ellsworth of Lavender Sheep. There is an enticing market which is open to the public, and admission is free. There are also great classes. I learned to steek last year in Mary Scott Huff’s class. Now I’m scheduled to teach two classes there, an expanded version of Tink Drop Frog (fixing mistakes, and more tips and tricks), and the Thrill of the Thrum, which will be a guided tour through my Thrumbelina slipper pattern, as well as a history of thrumming, practice thrumming, and lots of ideas on how else to use it.
I hope you can come to the festival! Please sign up for workshops; they can’t happen unless we have a minimum number of students for each one.
But now, just a little more winter before we get into full on spring. I went cross country skiing with friends on Sunday at Teacup Lake on Mt. Hood. It rained at the end, but it was a fun outing.
My 30 year old skis still work fine. They don’t get out much. Yes, those are old school 3 pin trap bindings. Relics!
There are even more ancient ones on display in the little lodge.
And this gray jay/camp robber/whiskey jack was happy to share our lunch. It came with a bunch of friends!
What are you knitting for spring?
PDXKnitterati 
So many ideas in my knitting brain, but only two things on the needles …a Euroflax kitchen towel and a pair of Spring Forward socks.
The picture of the “camp robber” is beautiful. Looks like he (she?) posed pretty for you.
The photo of the camp robber is one of a dozen that I took. This was the best of the bunch! Digital is great, isn’t it? No wasted paper. The skiing pix are from my iPhone.
I love those thrummed slippers! I bet they feel great on your feet!
Come take the class; it’s very fun! And yes, the slippers are wonderful to wear, especially the first time you sink into them…
Lovely yarn colors! I’m sure you’ll make something great!
Thank you! Looking forward to the knitting…after I finish crunching numbers for taxes…
The Fuchsia Basket yarn is so pretty – Knitted Wit’s bling is fun 🙂 I haven’t made it to the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival yet, so hoping to go this year!
I liked all of the Bling colors this month, but this most intense fuchsia called my name the loudest!
Come out to CGFF; it’s a sweet festival. Hope to see you there!
Of course Pippi hat is making me happy these days, when it’s over thirty. What about your yarns to make my Aunt knit one thing for herself? She makes shawls for the nursing home and hats and booties for the neonatal unit at the hospital 1.5 hours away. I’m thinking of a shawl that blends different weights but know nothing of knitting, only of cooking. Please let me know what yarns I should get from you and send. Thanks, D