Leiden = Success!

My little trip up to Leiden (a mere 15 minutes by train) was a roaring success. My main goal was to pop into Ribbels, to pick up some yarn for the Ogee Lace Skirt and to get some advice on the yardage for B's sweater. Christa, the owner, came through on all fronts.

Ribbels, by the way, must be on the cutest street in the whole town. Her shop neighbors include a handmade felted hat shop, a lingerie/funky purse shop, as well as several cute handmade jewelry dealers. And seriously, I think Leiden has the best concentration of independent shops in the whole country. I love going up there and wandering around.

First up, B's sweater. Christa's assessment was that 18 50g balls should be plenty for a men's medium. Her prescription was to go home and knit it until I finish or find myself in danger of running out of yarn. She doesn't think it'll be a problem tracking down the dye lot. So, I have no excuse not to work on it. In fact, I need to make some serious progress before I go home.

Secondly, I picked up 7 luscious balls of Rowan Bamboo Tape in the Wode colorway.

Now this is funky stuff, like nothing I've ever knitted with. The "yarn" is more like super soft ribbon. It almost looks like it is already knitted into this shape. But it is really, really, really nice and AND 100% bamboo. I plan to start on Ogee in Berlin, as a respite from sock knitting.

I was so enamored with the Bamboo Tape that I picked up Rowan's Bamboo Tape Collection book/leaflet thingie, which features simple, Japanese-inspired tops. I'm pretty keen to knit this shrug, also to wear over my yoga clothes.

This'll be a Fall project. The Summer is full.

And naturally I couldn't leave without sniffing out the sock yarn, particularly her stock of Colinette Jitterbug.

This Tapis colorway is for my stepmother-in-law who requested red socks for her birthday. I'll cast these on after I finish my mom's socks. So much for busting through stash...

And this caught my eye.

Just because. It's called Gaugin. Could you resist?

And then there's this:

Not to worry, I am not joining the crochet bandwagon just yet, although I'm still jonsing for an afghan. The Ogee has some crochet edging. Guess I need to relearn chain stitch (dunno if that's even what it's called). It's been awhile since I was 9 and crocheted pot holders for my grandma.

Tomorrow, I'll post my practice "Socks on Vacation" photos. You'll see that I need more practice. ;)

Comments

[jennsquared]

How can you say no to those jitterbug??? I would never part with them once I've seen them either! :)

I can't wait to see some of your photos! Europe is absolutely beautiful. I went to Germany last year and can't get enough of it (granted I've only went for the weekend...)

Jenn

[becky]

mmmm.... Ribbels....

What a great scene and photo- I put myself there for a moment.

Loks like it was a good stop away from rain as well.

I look forward to the ribbon- There was some at the new LYS but I couldn't imagine what to do with it.

[Heather]

Nice score! You mean there's more to the Netherlands than space cake?;)

I absolutely love Jitterbug--I am doing some special socks in it right now and am completely taken with it. And I've been wanting that Rowan Bamboo for awhile now, the shrug you chose is def. the best pattern in the booklet...

[Jen]

Yup, I'm trying hard not to just cast on the jitterbg and get started. My stepMIL already picked out a pattern. The only thing stopping me is that I don't know her shoe size yet.

There's only just a little bit more than space cakes -- Belgian beer!

Becky: I want you to know that it was pouring buckets by time the train rolled back into the Hague. Crazy seaside weather!

[Jennifer]

There's a crochet bandwagon?! I so wish I'd known. I always thought that crocheting was one of those embarrassing dark secrets I should hide from my knitting friends (until they try to trim out a Rowan or Dale sweater).