Which-Crafts?

It is my understanding that the yarn companies are going through a bit of a renaissance due to the massive increase in the quantity of knitters out there. From what I understand they have increased the both the variety and quality of what is available by a noticeable amount. This is certainly something I can get behind.

OTOH this renaissance (combined with the internet) has also allowed quite a few smaller more artisan spinning and dyeing companies to flourish. Today while contemplating the yarn I might purchase for an upcoming project, I was wondering how purchases of either kind might affect the market and supply.

In general (for me) supporting smaller, more local businesses is a no-brainer. The BNBrands have some v.nice yarn, and I am certainly not implying that I’d never buy from them, but I am wondering how much of an impact the artisan yarn movement has on the BNBrands and what they choose to create and sell.

Just a quick Squee! I am almost done with the STR Sherbert Socks, I have reached the ribbing and then I will be done! Whoot! No pics yet, too busy.

After finishing the last pair of socks I was really wanted to try my hand at another pair. The pattern that I knit the koigu socks from is so flexible that I really wanted to try the pattern again and this time do something more interesting than straight stockinette stitch.

Enter Sherbet Socks that Rock - I definitely picked this yarn because it was so bright, which I needed up against the dreary never ending winter around here.

I also decided that I have a severe case of Second Sock Syndrome. The first time, I did one sock at a time (they ended up fitting differently). It worked much better for me working on the two koigu socks at the same time. I was thinking this time though that 2 at time on 1 or two circular needles might be even better that working in tandem stages on two full sets of double points. I started with 2 at a time on 2 circulars, and then screwed up and ended up all on 1 circ, and liked it better.

So here is a picture of them about 1 or two inches in:
after starting the toes with a combo method between what I learned in the Queen Kahuna book and what I used on the koigu socks. I decided I wanted these to have a pattern, did a little research and chose a little triangle “pleat”.

The pattern doesn’t show very well against the colors once it is on my foot, BUT I think it does bring out the brightness of the colors:

I have knit them fairly tightly which is part of what makes the pattern hard to see when it is on—it gets all stretched out. I am also playing with ribbing under the arch - sort of like some of the smart wool socks. I’ll have to see how that wears, once the socks are done.

So in this post I talked about looking for the perfect fiber/yarn for a specific project. The project is a baby blanket for my sister and brother-inlaw’s next baby.

I decided that considering the potential wear and tear on the new project and my inexperience with spinning, that I would go with a commercial yarn. I considered my yarn options, I wanted it to be, soft, wool, and machine washable- I decided to go with Socks That Rock Heavyweight yarn in three different colors, and do a swatch/patchwork blanket.

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