Do you ever feel like some things just aren't meant to be?
Nigel got into my Mom's socks. Thankfully, he doesn't chew things up. He just carries our stuff around, and in the case of the Panda Cotton he got it nice and tangled for me. Awe gee, Nige.
As I was sitting there carefully untangling all those splitty strands, I finally made the decision to scrap the socks. I know. I know. You thought I did that already, but in fact I gave them one more chance. Try as I might, I was never able to get the stitches neatly back on the needles after I frogged the heels. I was unknitting more than I was knitting, and then this. The Panda Cotton is on time out until it learns to behave. Bad, Panda!
The decision was made easier by a yarn I recently discovered on the Knitty Kitty blog, Katia Mississippi 3. Katia Mississippi 3 is a fingering weight cotton/acrylic blend - perfect for Mom. Even better, Katia is owned by a Dutch parent company, so it's widely available here.
So, Saturday I biked to the unnamed shop up the street to see if they have any. They specialize in Schachenmayr nomotta, so no Katia there. However, they did have a little somethin' somethin' called Catania. Catania is 100% cotton fingering weight that comes in a ton of colors, including variegated prints. Mom's pretty light on her feet, so I think she can take care of cotton socks. You better believe I swatched AND washed.
I think she'll like these.
BTW, the other no-name shop nearby had the Mississippi 3. I've got my bases covered.
Talking 'Bout the New Woool
Forgive me knitting gods, for I have sinned. I know I promised not to read Ravelry forums, but I could not control my devilish impulses. Yet, my fall from grace was not in vain. In the Dutch Knitters Forum, I discovered a brand new yarn shop right here in my town!
Not only is Woool's sleek interior a welcome change to the old-fashioned, musty shops around here, but she also sells treats you don't often find in Holland. In addition to Debbie Bliss and Trekking XXL, they have Himalayan yarn made with recycled silk and uhm, hello, HipKnits silk. I managed to control myself, but I did grab a skein of Trekking XXL 100 (you know the color), and this:
It's local Dutch yarn, made in Delft! It looks like it could be hand spun, and it's certainly hand dyed. I love the colors; they remind me of the blue and white Delft pottery. Definitely a nice souvenir from Holland. I might need more.
gorgeous local yarn.
Posted by: chrispy | July 30, 2007 at 06:07 AM
wow! Nice new stash! I can't wait to see what you make with the "local Dutch yarn" :) Beautiful colors!
Posted by: jennsquared | July 30, 2007 at 06:37 AM
It does sound like the Panda yarn needs a good, long break. The local yarn is beautiful! I hope the new cotton yarn works out for your Mom's socks.
Posted by: Jeannie | July 30, 2007 at 08:12 AM
I have recently been sucked in to the forums as well. I can't believe that there is yet another way to spend hours and hours on Ravelry!
Mississippi is a great yarn, super versatile. Have fun!
Posted by: Heather | July 30, 2007 at 08:43 AM
A LYS- what a great surprise. Hooray to Nigel for helping you make that decision. You'll have to give him an extra treat.
Posted by: becky | July 30, 2007 at 09:05 AM
very pretty! good luck on your mom's newest socks ;o)
Posted by: amanda | July 30, 2007 at 09:14 AM
That new sock yarn just looks so fresh and cool - perfect for cotton! Hope it behaves better than Panda.
Posted by: Josie | July 30, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Beautiful yarn! I hope it's wonderful to work with!
Posted by: tiennie | July 30, 2007 at 04:15 PM
Naughty Nigel! But he sure is cute. And it sounds like the Panda needed to be put out of its misery anyway. So, good boy! Make your mama give you a treat.
The replacement yarn is lovely. Your mom'll love it. And that local yarn is dee-lish! Nice score.
Posted by: Jean | July 30, 2007 at 09:02 PM
Oooh bad doggy! But it definitely looks as though you've found some other options. :)
Posted by: Jessica | July 31, 2007 at 09:18 AM
Love the blue yarn - just beautiful!
Posted by: Jeanne | July 31, 2007 at 07:38 PM
i have so tried to post my link to you for the socks but i keep getting an error :( !
Posted by: Tanya | July 31, 2007 at 11:42 PM