Monday, July 6, 2009

Two bags full--A shopping spree








Do you remember this nursery rhyme?

Baa baa black sheep
Have you any wool?

Yes, sir, no sir, three bags full.
One for the Master
And one for the Dame
And one for the little boy who lived down the lane.


The phrase "two bags full" probably more accurately depicts my week. For one, on Saturday I sold two bags of wool (raw fleece) I had in my basement for several decades to a fellow Farmer's Market vendor. I held onto this treasure for many years thinking I would again get the urge to spin. I have a wonderful spinning wheel that my father had made for my mother. It's gorgeous oak wood. Recently I decided it was pretty silly to hold on to the notion that I would be spinning that wool. I'm sure I would be much happier buying wool someone else has already prepared for spinning if and when I do get the urge. I do promise to post a photo of my wonderful spinning wheel another day when I have better light.

For many, the phrase "shopping spree" conjures up the notion of a trip to Nordstrom's or Macy's (neither of which we have here) or to the local jewelry store. For me shopping spree means a trip to my LYS (local yarn store), Mustard Seed Dreams, for their 40% off one-day anniversary sale. I took an early lunch from work to be there close to the 11 am opening time and emerged almost two hours later with"two bags full" of wonderful yarn. My bank account is significantly lighter, but I do have material for many months (years?) of knitting. One bag contains the materials for items I plan to sell, neck warmers and cowls which consists of nine skeins of Baby Alpaca Grande in an assortment of luscious colors and eight skeins of Plymouth Encore Mega in several neutrals and grey.

The contents of the other bag, for myself/personal knitting projects, pictured just above, includes the following (with potential projects noted):
1) 4 skeins of this lovely Perfection by Kraemer in the color "Valentine" (30% merino, 70% acrylic) for a February Lady Sweater
2) 6 skeins of green Cascade 220 Superwash for a Gathered Pullover
3) 7 skeins of Cascade Cotton Club (60% cotton, 40% acrylic) for the Lutea Lace Shoulder shell
4) 2 skeins of Plymouth Sockotta variegated sock yarn in peachy/green colors (45% cotton, 40% Superwash wool, and 15% nylon) for the Little Sister's Dress.


A bit ambitious, don't you think? These projects or others I might eventually use my yarn for should keep me knitting for a long time. Not to mention that I already have some (huge understatement actually) stash yarn in my possession.

If you are a knitter or are the least bit curious about all these projects I have planned, you can click on the links for each item above to see the items of my desire. And more photos of my new stash are located here.

What's your dream shopping spree?

8 comments:

Splendid Little Stars said...

I love having fresh (and even old) supplies around, for they inspire me. I do a little knitting and have a small stash of yarn. Thanks for sharing your stash and your planned projects.

Memories for Life said...

Sometimes I wonder if I am more of a supply collecter than user...lol!
My shopping spree would be to Hobby Lobby or Michaels.:) I love going to stores that offer many different crafting supplies!

Cheryl Patterson said...

What a great selection of projects you've chosen.
My dream shopping sprees usually consist of trips to a craft store, too! Or the "you never know what you'll find" fun of a good flea market or anitiques fair.

Kim said...

oooh, new yarn! I am living vicariously through you. Can't wait to see it progress into wip's.

Live, Love, Laugh, Write! said...

Looks like you had a lot of fun! My dream shopping spree would involve lots and lots of beads...

Patti said...

I have to agree that my dream shopping spree is not in a department store, either...any fine yarn or craft supply store puts me in my own heaven!

Linda E. Pruitt said...

My dream shopping spree would be to stock up on fabrics to fill my sewing room! Bolts, fat quarters, remnants, quilt batting, and odds and ends! Anything for creativity!

uniquecommodities said...

Cant wait to see what you create!